Flush-Mount Glass Panel Assembly With Concealed Adjustable Hardware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass panel mounting systems for railings and balconies often leave mounting hardware visible, compromising aesthetics and fail to accommodate structural imperfections, leading to inadequate panel adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A concealed glass panel mounting system using a profile channel with T-nuts and elongate set screws, flanged sleeves, and decorative covers to secure and adjust glass panels, ensuring hidden hardware and adaptable installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal hardware is used around the perimeter of the glass panel, then the glass panel is properly supported and prevented from breakage, but the mounting hardware remains visible and spoils the appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting hardware is extracted from the visible perimeter area and relocated to the rear side of the glass panel. The profile channel system with T-nuts and set screws is positioned behind the glass, removing the visual obstruction while maintaining structural support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting components are nested within the profile channel structure. The T-nuts are received by the profile channel, the set screws are received by the T-nuts, and the flanged sleeves are received by the set screws, creating a compact nested assembly that fits within the channel and remains concealed.
2Strength
If a channel is used to mount the glass panel, then the panel can be supported, but the mounting hardware remains visible and adjustment is not possible if the structure is not perfectly square
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from a fixed rigid connection to a dynamic adjustable connection. The set screws with flanged sleeves allow rotational adjustment and positional modification, enabling the panel to be adapted to non-perfectly-square structures while maintaining secure support.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting parameters such as position, angle, and tension can be changed through the adjustable set screw mechanism. The system allows modification of mounting parameters to accommodate structural variations, providing versatility in installation scenarios.
3Reliability
If conventional mounting hardware is used, then the glass panel can be secured, but the hardware is visible and does not allow for adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The profile channel acts as an intermediary structure that houses the mounting hardware. The T-nuts, set screws, and flanged sleeves are all received within the profile channel, mediating between the glass panel and the mounting structure while concealing the hardware and providing adjustment capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A panel mount system can secure a panel to a structure and allow adjustments to secure multiple panels. The system includes a channel that is secured to the structure and has parallel slots that can receive fasteners. The fasteners can be captured nuts or studs that can be secured within the slots. A threaded and flanged sleeve with a drive feature and flange can mate with the fasteners to adjust a distance between the flange and the channel. The panel has apertures that receive the threaded sleeves and the panel is secured thereto. The threaded sleeves can be adjusted with the panel in place by accessing their drive features through the apertures.