System for attaching a glass module to a modular structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a structure (1) comprising a wall (2) and comprising a glass module, wherein the wall has an opening (3) into which the glass module (4) is inserted, wherein the glass module (4) comprises an insulating glazing unit (40) and fastening means (5) for attaching the insulating glazing unit (40) to the structure (1), characterised in that the fastening means (5) comprise at least one attachment element (50) comprising a jaw (52) for securing the attachment element (50) to the insulating glazing unit (40) and attachment means (54) capable of allowing the insulating glazing unit (40) to be attached to the structure (1), and wherein the glass module (4) is attached to the structure (1) by at least one attachment element (50).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: System for attaching a glass module to a modular structure

[0003] The invention relates to a structure comprising a wall and insulating glazing. The invention further relates to a method of assembling said structure.

[0004] A structure, such as a building wall, comprising an insulating glass unit and a frame is known from the prior art. The frame constitutes a rigid intermediate element between the structure and the insulating glass unit. Generally, the frame is first installed in a suitable opening in the structure, and then, subsequently, the insulating glass unit is inserted into it. In an alternative installation, the insulating glass unit is inserted into the frame, and then the assembly is inserted into the suitable opening in the structure. Such a structure has the disadvantage of a complex and lengthy installation. Indeed, it is estimated that its assembly requires approximately two hours and the intervention of two qualified people. In addition, the method requires the use of various installation elements, the management of the supply of these elements and the management of a stock of insulating glass units.Furthermore, the process requires filling the spaces between the frame and the structure with foam that requires drying.

[0005] To overcome these drawbacks, there is a wooden structure having a first face and a second face, a wall and an opening, said opening being arranged between the first and second faces, the structure comprising insulating glazing, said insulating glazing comprising at least a first pane and a second pane arranged substantially parallel to each other, said insulating glazing having a first face and a second face, remarkable in that the structure comprises an adhesive joint binding the insulating glazing and the wall.

[0006] The disadvantage of using glue to fix the glazing is that it takes a long time to apply and dry. The glue requires careful application around the edge of the glazing, and it is recognized that the larger the glazing, the longer it takes to apply the glue. Summary of the invention

[0007] The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a structure comprising insulating glazing that is simple and quick to install.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a structure comprising a wall and comprising a glass module, said wall having an opening into which said glass module is inserted, said glass module comprising an insulating glazing unit and means for fixing said insulating glazing unit to a structure, characterized in that the fixing means comprise at least one attachment element comprising a jaw for fixing said attachment element to the insulating glazing unit and an attachment means capable of allowing said insulating glazing unit to be fixed to the structure, said glass module being fixed to the structure by at least one attachment element.

[0009] The present invention advantageously makes it possible to simply fix insulating glazing without the need for a frame (compared to a conventional window), the glass module comprising the insulating glazing being fixed directly in the opening of the wall of the structure by means of said fixing means.

[0010] The present invention, through the use of mechanical fixing means, allows not only simple but also rapid fixing, particularly in comparison with gluing which also requires drying time.

[0011] In particular, such a drying time is prohibitive in the case of an application to a glass module for a “light construction” type structure, for example in wood, advantageously prefabricated off-site, for which simplicity and speed are determining factors.

[0012] Advantageously, the fixing means are configured to support insulating glazing whose weight and thickness are much greater than that of a simple pane of glass a few mm thick. Thus, the material and the thickness of the material are chosen to guarantee the good mechanical strength of said fixing means.

[0013] Thus, the fixing means according to the invention are capable of allowing secure and durable fixing of the insulating glazing in the opening of the wall, in particular by supporting the weight of the glazing without risk of deformation of said at least one attachment element of the fixing means which comprises a jaw for fixing said attachment element to said insulating glazing.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment, the insulating glazing of the glass module comprises at least a first pane and a second pane arranged substantially parallel to each other and fixed to a spacer which, extending continuously along their edges, has the function of providing an air gap between said first and second panes.

[0015] Advantageously, the air gap between said at least first and second panes of the glazing makes it possible in particular to create thermal insulation.

[0016] By way of non-limiting example, the insulating glazing has a total thickness of 24 mm corresponding to a 4 / 16 / 4 mm design in which the first and second panes respectively have a thickness of 4 mm and are separated from each other by a space of 16 mm forming said air gap.

[0017] Preferably, the insulating glazing of the glass module is double glazing, or alternatively triple glazing.

[0018] Advantageously, when the insulating glazing of the glass module is fixed in the opening of the wall of the structure, sealing means (such as at least one seal) are put in place around the glazing, between the glazing and the parts of the wall delimiting the opening, so as to ensure the airtightness of said opening.

[0019] In a non-limiting manner, the sealing means consist of at least one seal, for example a peripheral seal extending around the perimeter of the insulating glazing of the glass module, preferably mounted integral with the glazing before its insertion into the opening of the wall. Depending on the embodiment, the sealing means associated with the insulating glazing are put in place before and / or after the glazing is fixed by means of the fixing means according to the invention.

[0020] Advantageously, the fixing means according to the invention are capable of preserving the integrity of the insulating glazing, which, as is recalled in comparison with a window, is not surrounded by any frame, the glass module being fixed directly in the opening in accordance with the invention. Thus, care should be taken not to damage the perimeter of the insulating glazing, advantageously comprising an “encapsulation” of the panes and the glazing spacer in a suitable material, such as mastic or any other suitable material.

[0021] Advantageously, sealing means are arranged around the insulating glazing before it is fixed and help to protect said encapsulation generally carried out around the perimeter of the panes connected by the spacer.

[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment, the jaw comprises a profile comprising a main portion provided with a first face from which two branches extend, the two branches being arranged to allow pinching of the glazing.

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment, the attachment means comprises at least one attachment plate extending from the profile.

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment, the attachment plate extends from the second face, opposite the first face, of the main portion of the profile and in a direction opposite to the two branches.

[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment, the attachment means comprises two attachment plates.

[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment, the profile extends over a length of between 2 cm and 100 cm.

[0027] According to an exemplary embodiment, the fixing means further comprise holding means.

[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment, the holding means comprise at least one spring element in the form of a blade inclined relative to the plane of the main portion of the profile.

[0029] According to an exemplary embodiment, each side of the glazing comprises at least one attachment element, preferably two attachment elements.

[0030] According to an exemplary embodiment, the attachment means comprises at least one fixing plate comprising an opening and in which the attachment means comprises a screw or a nail. According to an exemplary embodiment, said structure further comprises a joint arranged to join the glass module to the structure.

[0031] According to an exemplary embodiment, the seal comprises at least one ribbon arranged between the structure and the glass module.

[0032] According to an exemplary embodiment, the seal comprises at least one strip arranged between the glass module and the structure or between the glazing and the attachment element.

[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment, the strip has a straight, L-shaped or U-shaped section.

[0034] Description of the drawings

[0035] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of particular embodiments, given as simple illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended figures, for which: Figure 1 schematically illustrates views of glass modules used in the invention; Figures 2 and 3 schematically illustrate views of the structure; Figures 4 to 6 schematically illustrate a fastening element according to the invention; Figures 7 and 8 schematically illustrate a fastening element associated with a glass module according to the invention; Figure 9 schematically illustrates a glass module provided with fastening elements according to the invention; Figures 10 and 11 schematically illustrate a structure provided with a glass module and fastening elements according to the invention; Figure 12 schematically illustrates the fixing of a glass module provided with fastening elements according to the invention;Figure 13 schematically illustrates a variant of the structure accommodating the glass module provided with attachment elements according to the invention; Figures 14 and 15 schematically illustrate a variant of the attachment element according to the invention; Figures 16 to 19 schematically illustrate a structure in which the glass module is joined to the structure by a joint;

[0036] The various elements illustrated by the figures are not necessarily represented to actual scale, the emphasis being more on representing the general operation of the invention.

[0037] Detailed description

[0038] In the embodiment(s) of the invention, an insulating glazing unit 40 is described comprising panes or sheets of glass visible in Figure 1. Each pane may be monolithic, i.e. made up of a single sheet of material, or be composite, i.e. made up of several sheets of material between which is inserted at least one interlayer of adhesive material, in the case of laminated glazing units. The sheet(s) of material may be mineral, in particular glass, having for example undergone annealing or tempering, or organic, in particular plastic material such as PMMA. The interlayer preferably contains at least one thermoplastic plastic material, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).However, the thermoplastic interlayer may also contain, for example, polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyacrylate, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetate resin, casting resins, acrylates, fluorinated ethylene-propylene, polyvinyl fluoride and / or ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene, or copolymers or mixtures thereof. The thermoplastic interlayer may be formed from one or more superimposed thermoplastic films.

[0039] The panes of the insulating glazing 40 may be, for example, monolithic glass sheets having a thickness of between 2 and 6 mm. It may also be an assembly of two glass sheets adhesively bonded by a lamination interlayer, for example made of polyvinyl butyral, also known by the acronym PVB. This assembly makes it possible to give the pane anti-burglary and / or acoustic insulation and / or personal safety properties, for example anti-shatter. The faces of the panes may be coated with stacks of thin layers giving the insulating glazing 40 various functionalities.For example, the outer face of the panes may be coated with a self-cleaning stack containing at least one photocatalytic layer, in particular titanium oxide, in particular at least partially crystallized in anatase form, and / or an anti-condensation stack comprising at least one low-emissivity layer such as a layer of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO), in particular indium tin oxide (ITO) or doped zinc oxide. The other faces of the panes may be coated with stacks of low-emissivity thin layers comprising at least one layer of silver. The panes are fixed to a spacer extending continuously along their edges. The spacer has, in particular, the function of arranging an air gap between the two panes. The air gap thus makes it possible to create thermal insulation. The cold wall effect is reduced, allowing a reduction, or even disappearance, of condensation.In winter, heat loss is reduced, and in summer, heat transfer from the outside to the inside of the building is limited. This makes the building's air conditioning system more energy-efficient. The spacer can be made of metal and / or polymeric material. Metallic materials such as aluminum or stainless steel and polymers such as polyethylene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene, polybutadiene, polyesters, polyurethanes, polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylates, polyamides, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer are well suited. The spacer, when made of polymeric material, can be reinforced with fibers, for example, glass or carbon fibers.In order to ensure the airtightness of the volume containing the air gap, sealing beads are arranged between the inner faces of the panes and the side edges of the spacer. The sealing beads are, for example, made from polyisobutylene. A desiccant material can be added to the spacer in order to absorb any residual moisture that may be present in the volume containing the air gap. The desiccant material can be any material capable of allowing air dehydration such as molecular sieve, silica gel, CaCl, Na2SO4, activated carbon, zeolites and / or a mixture thereof.

[0040] The 40 glazing can be flat or have a curve.

[0041] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a 3D view and a sectional view of a structure 1 according to the invention. The structure 1 comprises a wall 2 having an opening 3. This opening has a substantially rectangular shape but said shape may be circular or square or any other shapes envisaged. In this opening 3, a glass module 4 is able to be inserted. The glass module 4 comprises an insulating glazing 40 as described previously. The glass module 4 is inserted into the opening 3 directly or said glass module 4 is provided with at least one intermediate piece (not shown). Advantageously, said at least one intermediate piece is able to provide a sealing function, for example a seal as described later.

[0042] The glass module 4 further comprises, according to the invention, fixing means 5 allowing the glazing to be fixed to the wall.

[0043] The fastening means 5 comprise at least one fastening element 50. This fastening element 50 - also called a "clip" - comprises a jaw 52 allowing said fastening element to be fixed to the glazing 40, directly on said glazing or on an intermediate part surrounding the glazing. The fastening element 50 further comprises a fastening means 54. This fastening means 54 is capable of allowing said glazing to be fixed to the structure 1 when the glazing is inserted into the opening 3.

[0044] In an embodiment visible in Figure 4, the jaw 52 comprises a profile 520. This profile 520 comprises a main portion 521 provided with two faces. According to a first face, two branches 522 extend. The main portion 521 and the two branches 522 form said jaw 52 as visible in Figure 5. The two branches 522 are arranged to allow pinching as visible in Figures 7 and 8. The two branches 522 are rectilinear. Alternatively, the branches 522 have non-rectilinear or at least partially non-rectilinear shapes. It is understood by this that each branch 522 can comprise a curved portion and a rectilinear portion.

[0045] The profile is then arranged to pinch the glazing 40. The spacing between the two branches 522 is then arranged for this. The branches 522 are parallel or convergent.

[0046] This 520 profile extends over a short length of the order of 1 to 2 cm or over a longer length of the order of 10 cm or more such as 20, 30 or 50 cm.

[0047] The profile 520 is made of an elastically deformable material allowing the branches 522 to be separated to allow the glazing 40 to be inserted between them. The attachment means 54 comprises at least one attachment plate 540. This attachment plate 540 extends from the second face, opposite the first face, of the profile 520. This attachment plate 540 extends in a direction opposite to the branches of the profile 520. The plate is arranged to be in contact with the structure once the glazing 40 is installed in its opening. It is then understood that the attachment plate 540 extends in a plane substantially coplanar with the plane of one of the branches 522.

[0048] This attachment plate 540 has, as visible in Figure 6, a width which extends at most over the width of the profile 520. The attachment plate 540 has a preferably parallelepiped shape. However, all possible shapes are conceivable as long as they allow the function to be fulfilled.

[0049] The attachment plate 540 is drilled to allow the use of a fastening means 8 to fix the glazing to the structure. The attachment plate 540 may, depending on its width, include several holes or openings.

[0050] The number of attachment plates 540 depends on the length of the profile 520 forming the jaw 52.

[0051] The glass module 4 then comprises at least one, preferably at least two attachment elements 50 as visible in figures 9 and 10. In the case of two attachment elements 50, these are preferably arranged in opposite positions.

[0052] In an even more advantageous configuration, the glass module 4 is arranged to have a fastening element 50 on each side, preferably two fastening elements 50 per side. This configuration ensures good fixing of said glazing 40 since the screwing forces are distributed over the different sides of said glazing 40.

[0053] The installation of glass module 4 on structure 1 includes the following steps.

[0054] A first step consists of providing the glazing 40. It is understood by this that, in the case of a glazing 40 comprising multiple sheets, the glazing 40 is assembled. It is also understood that the glass sheets are assembled by a peripheral structure (spacer) or by an interlayer film.

[0055] In a second step, the fixing means 5 are provided. The number of fastening elements 50 used depends on the size of the glazing and the configuration of said fastening elements. Indeed, if the fastening elements 50 have a reduced length, of at most 5 cm, then several fastening elements 50 per side of the glazing are arranged. On the contrary, if the fastening elements 50 have a length of 50 cm with several fixing plates, only one fastening element per side is possible.

[0056] In a third step, the attachment elements 50 are associated with the glazing 4. It is then understood that the glazing 40 is inserted into the space between the parallel branches of the profile 520 forming the attachment element 50.

[0057] The assembly of the attachment elements 50 with the glazing 40 is carried out according to the future assembly with the structure.

[0058] Indeed, the attachment plates 540 protrude relative to the periphery of the glazing 40 so that during assembly, the attachment plates 540 will come into contact with the structure.

[0059] However, a 40 glazing composed of two sheets of glass can be arranged to have different sheets of glass with one sheet of glass intended to be on the exterior side.

[0060] In this case, the attachment elements 50 must be positioned accordingly with the attachment plate 540. The attachment elements 50 are then arranged so that the attachment plate 540 is arranged at the level of the glazing.

[0061] In a fourth step, the glass module - that is to say the glazing associated with the attachment elements 50 - is inserted into the opening 3 of the structure 1. The insertion is done from the outside or from the inside. This insertion depends on the configuration of the glass module 4 and in particular on the position of the attachment plates 540.

[0062] Insertion into the opening 3 is done through the face of the glazing furthest from the attachment plates 540. Insertion is done by pushing the glass module into the opening or by pulling. Insertion is blocked by the attachment plate(s) 540 which come into contact with the structure.

[0063] In a fifth step, the glass module 4 is secured to the structure. For this, a fastening means is used. This fastening means is arranged to fit into the opening of the attachment plate 540.

[0064] The attachment means 8 comprises a screw which is inserted into the opening of the attachment plate 540 and which is inserted into the structure 2 as visible in Figure 12. This insertion into the structure 2 can be direct or indirect. This means that the screw is inserted directly into the structure or is inserted into a receiving plate. This receiving plate is fixed to the structure. This receiving plate is advantageous because it reinforces the fixing zone of the glass module 4.

[0065] In the case of indirect insertion, the screw can be replaced by a rivet.

[0066] In the case of direct insertion, the screw can be replaced by a nail.

[0067] In a variant visible in figure 13, the structure 2 comprises hollows arranged at the contact locations between said structure 2 and the attachment plates 540. This variant makes it possible to make the attachment plates 540 flush once the glass module is in place.

[0068] In another variant visible in Figures 14 and 15, the fixing means 5 comprise holding means 56. These holding means 56 comprise a spring element 560. This spring element 560 is in the form of a blade extending from the second face of the main portion 521 of the profile 520. This blade extends in a plane inclined relative to the plane of the main portion. This second face of the main portion 521 is intended to be in contact with the structure when the glass module 4 is placed in its opening of the structure. The inclination of the spring element 560 on this second face causes the appearance of a stress on this spring element 560 during insertion which will then deform. This deformation of the spring element 560 allows the latter to increase the holding of the glass module 4 in the opening of the structure.

[0069] In a first case, the inclined blade is a portion made of material or attached to the main portion 521 of the profile 520.

[0070] In a second case, the inclined blade is a part of the main portion, cut and deformed to present an inclination.

[0071] Depending on the length of the profile 520, several spring elements 560 can be arranged.

[0072] In a variant, the glass module 4 is joined to the structure. This joining is carried out by at least one joint 6. Advantageously, said at least one joint 6 constitutes sealing means. Such a joint 6 can take different forms. According to a first form visible in Figure 16, the joint 6 comprises at least one tape 60. This tape is adhesive or glued and is put in place to cover the gap between the glazing and the structure 2 when said glazing is put in place in the structure. It is then understood that the tape is straddling the glass module and the structure.

[0073] According to a second form visible in Figures 17 to 19, the seal 6 comprises at least one strip 61. For the purposes of the invention, a strip is distinguished from a ribbon by its thickness. If a ribbon has a thickness similar to that of a sheet, a strip for the purposes of the invention has a thickness of at least 1 mm. This strip may be straight or have an L- or U-shaped section or profile. This strip is unique and peripheral to the glazing.

[0074] Alternatively, the jointing is carried out by several strips placed end to end. This second form makes it possible to equip the glazing before its installation in the structure. This or these strips are arranged on the glazing before the installation of the fastening elements 50 or after the installation of the fastening elements 50. It is then understood that the strip or strips are inserted between the glazing and the fastening element or elements or that they cover the fastening element or elements.

[0075] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example but is susceptible to various variants and modifications which will appear to those skilled in the art.

Claims

Claims 1. Structure (1) comprising a wall (2) and comprising a glass module, said wall having an opening (3) into which said glass module (4) is inserted, said glass module (4) comprising an insulating glazing unit (40) and means (5) for fixing said insulating glazing unit (40) to the structure (1), characterized in that the fixing means (5) comprise at least one attachment element (50) comprising a jaw (52) for fixing said attachment element (50) to the insulating glazing unit (40) and an attachment means (54) capable of allowing the fixing of said insulating glazing unit (40) to the structure (1), said glass module (4) being fixed to the structure (1) by at least one attachment element (50).

2. Structure according to claim 1, in which the insulating glazing (40) of the glass module (4) comprises at least a first pane and a second pane arranged substantially parallel to each other and fixed to a spacer which, extending continuously along their edges, has the function of providing an air gap between said first and second panes.

3. Structure according to claim 1 or 2, in which the jaw (52) comprises a profile (520) comprising a main portion (521) provided with a first face from which two branches (522) extend, the two branches (522) are arranged to allow pinching of the glazing.

4. Structure according to claim 3, in which the attachment means (54) comprises at least one attachment plate (540) extending from the profile (520).

5. Structure according to claim 4, in which the attachment plate (540) extends from the second face, opposite the first face, of the main portion (521) of the profile (520) and in a direction opposite to the two branches (522).

6. Structure according to claim 5, in which the attachment means comprises two attachment plates (540).

7. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the profile extends over a length of between 2 and 100 cm.

8. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the fixing means (5) further comprise holding means (56).

9. Structure according to claim 8, in which the holding means (56) comprise at least one spring element (560) in the form of a blade inclined relative to the plane of the main portion of the profile.

10. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which each side of the glazing comprises at least one fastening element, preferably two fastening elements.

11. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the attachment means comprises at least one attachment plate (540) comprising an opening and in which the attachment means (8) comprises a screw or a nail.

12. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said structure further comprises a seal (6) arranged to join the glass module (4) to the structure.

13. Structure according to claim 12, in which the seal (6) comprises at least one ribbon (60) arranged astride the structure and the glass module.

14. Structure according to claim 13, in which the seal (6) comprises at least one strip (61) arranged between the glass module and the structure or between the glazing and the attachment element.

15. Structure according to claim 14, in which the strip (61) has a straight, L-shaped or U-shaped section.

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