Glass Panel Mount With Pivoting Clamping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing panel mounts for glass balustrades face issues such as reduced structural integrity due to fastener holes, difficulty in adjusting the vertical angle, especially in restricted access locations, and potential damage from packing for uneven surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A mount with a U-shaped channel, adjustable grub screws, pressure plates, and gasket members that allow for one-sided adjustment and pivoting of the panel, eliminating the need for fastener holes and packing, and accommodating varying panel thicknesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fasteners such as screws are used to clamp the panel edge, then the panel can be securely fixed to the support surface, but the structural integrity of the glass panel is reduced due to holes in the glass
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fastening function from the glass panel itself by using a separate mount structure with a U-shaped channel that receives and secures the panel edge. The grub screws engage with the mount body and pressure plates rather than directly penetrating the glass, thereby preserving the glass's structural integrity while achieving secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount body acts as an intermediary between the support surface and the glass panel. It provides a mechanical interface that secures the panel without requiring holes in the glass, thus protecting the panel's strength while enabling reliable installation through the channel and pressure plate mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If adjustment from both sides of the panel is required to pivot and clamp the panel, then the panel can be properly positioned, but access is needed from both sides which is difficult in restricted locations such as multi-storey buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the adjustment and clamping functions into a single-sided operation. The first and second grub screws work together on one side of the panel to simultaneously achieve pivoting and clamping, eliminating the need for separate adjustments from both sides and making the system suitable for restricted access locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through the grub screws and pressure plates that allow the panel to be pivoted and clamped on one side. The curved inner wall portion and pressure plate interaction enable smooth pivoting motion while maintaining secure clamping, all controllable from a single access side.
3Adaptability or versatility
If packing is placed between the clamping member and panel edge to adjust vertical angle, then the panel angle can be adjusted to accommodate uneven support surfaces, but stress is placed on the panel edge which can result in damage
Solution Approach 1:
The mount provides dynamic angle adjustment through the pivoting mechanism formed by the curved inner wall portion and pressure plate. The panel can be rotated to the required angle before clamping, allowing accommodation of uneven support surfaces without applying stress to the panel edge through packing materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the angle adjustment function from the clamping process itself. Instead of using packing to force the panel into the correct angle, the mount allows the panel to be independently positioned at the required angle through pivoting, then clamped securely without stress concentration on the panel edge.
4Manufacturing precision
If trial and error adjustment is used to achieve the required vertical angle of inclination, then the panel can be properly positioned, but the installation process becomes time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The mount enables preliminary positioning and angle adjustment of the panel before final clamping. The pivoting mechanism allows the installer to set the correct vertical angle and position the panel accurately, then secure it with the grub screws, eliminating the need for time-consuming trial and error adjustments during the clamping process.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a mount for a panel such as a glass pane for use as a balustrade. The mount comprises a body comprising at least one curved side surface and at least one clamping member configured to clamp an edge of the panel with respect to the body and comprising at least one adjacent side surface configured to cooperate with the curved surface of the body to provide for pivoting of the panel with respect to the body on actuation of at least one actuator.