Glass panels provide innovative solutions for wall components, Glass panels may be used in door or window applications. Glass panels may be used for quick and efficient onsite installation. Glass panels may allow for the transmission of light and may be aesthetically pleasing. Glass panels may be assembled within a surrounding frame. Glass panels with a thin frame profile allow for the maximum transmission of light.
in general, construction projects may involve the purchase and delivery to a job site of 30% more materials than what is needed. These projects rely on materials/tools such as screw guns, time, garbage bins, and a laborer to fill the garbage bins with waste created from the construction. When the project is completed, the bin is hauled to a dump.
In another example referred to as prefabricated construction, everything needed is built in a factory or factories, loaded in trucks, and then taken to a jobsite After the components are unloaded, the components are placed in precisely designated locations and orientations. Each component is then individually leveled and attached to adjacent components. In some examples, glass panels may be used in prefabricated construction. It should be noted that glass panels may be used in other types of construction.
The present specification describes glass adjustment assemblies that provide a secure corner connection between horizontal and vertical frame structures to secure a glass panel. In some examples, the glass adjustment assemblies may be used to make variable corner connections of a door frame, a window, or other structure that holds a glass panel. Workspaces, office buildings, residential buildings, classroom settings, and hospital rooms are just a few examples of environments in which these glass adjustment assemblies may be used.
In an example, a glass adjustment assembly includes a locking member and a moveable clamp that includes a base member with side extensions on either side. The example glass adjustment assembly also includes a horizontal connection member. The side extensions of the clamp are to be slidably mounted to the horizontal connection member. The locking member is to be variably attached to the horizontal connection member. The variable attachment is to apply controlled pressure on the base member of the clamp which is transmitted to a glass panel through an adhesive tape.
In another example, a glass adjustment assembly includes a vertical connection member that is to attach to an end of a vertical frame structure. The glass adjustment assembly also includes a horizontal connection member that is to attach to an end of a horizontal frame structure. A cinching member is to attach the vertical connection member and the horizontal connection member to a variable degree. A clamp is to slidably attach to the horizontal connection member. The clamp provides a mounting connection to a glass panel. The glass adjustment assembly further includes a locking member to apply an adjustable pressure to the clamp. The adjustable pressure is transmitted between the glass panel and the horizontal connection member.
In another example, a glass panel assembly is described. The glass panel assembly includes a glass panel. A vertical frame structure having a first end and a second end is positioned along a vertical side of the glass panel. A first horizontal frame structure is positioned along a first horizontal side of the glass panel. A second horizontal frame structure is positioned along a second horizontal side of the glass panel. A first glass adjustment assembly is positioned at a first corner of the glass panel to attach to the first end of the vertical frame structure and the first horizontal frame structure. A second glass adjustment assembly is positioned at a second corner of the glass panel to attach to the second end of the vertical frame structure and the second horizontal frame structure. Each glass adjustment assembly includes a vertical connection member, a horizontal connection member, a cinching member that attaches the vertical connection member and the horizontal connection member to a variable degree, and a clamp attached to the horizontal connection member. The clamp provides a mounting connection on the glass panel. The first glass adjustment assembly further includes a locking member to apply an adjustable pressure to the clamp of the first glass adjustment assembly. The adjustable pressure is transmitted to the glass panel and the second glass adjustment assembly.
Turning to
The glass panel assembly 100 also includes glass adjustment assemblies 101-1, 101-2, 101-3, and 101-4. The first glass adjustment assembly 101-1 is positioned at a first corner of the glass panel assembly 100, the second glass adjustment assembly 101-2 is positioned at a second corner of the glass panel assembly 100, the third glass adjustment assembly 101-3 is positioned at a third corner of the glass panel assembly 100, and the fourth glass adjustment assembly 101-4 is positioned at a fourth corner of the glass panel assembly 100. It should be noted that in the views of
The glass adjustment assemblies 101-1, 101-2, 101-3, 101-4 may be used to secure a horizontal frame structure to a vertical frame structure at the corner of the glass panel assembly 100. Examples of the horizontal and vertical frame structures include extruded structural members. The glass adjustment assemblies 101-1, 101-2, 101-3, and 101-4 may be further used to secure the glass panel 200 into the frame structures (e.g., 302-1, 302-2, 402-1, 402-2) to add rigidity and eliminate sag within the glass panel assembly 100. Examples of various components of the glass adjustment assemblies 101-1, 101-2, 101-3, and 101-4 are now described,
In some examples, the locking member 116 may be a screw or other threaded fastener. The threads of the locking member 116 may be sized to corresponding threads of a threaded opening on the horizontal connection member, as described in
In some examples, the clamp 102 includes a receiving structure 114 to receive the locking member 116. For example, the receiving structure 114 may include a projection and/or an indentation in the top surface 108 sized to receive the locking member 116. The receiving structure 114 may retain and position the locking member 116 as the locking member 116 contacts the clamp 102.
In some examples, as seen in
In some examples, the glass adjustment assembly 101 includes an adhesive tape 118 that is to be positioned between the clamp 102 and the glass panel 200. The adhesive tape 118 may facilitate the clamp 102 gripping the glass panel 200. Furthermore, the adhesive tape 118 may distribute pressure applied by the clamp 102 to the glass panel 200. In some examples, the adhesive tape 118 may be adhered to the bottom surface 110 of the clamp 102 to aid in positioning of the clamp 102 on the glass panel 200.
The horizontal connection member 120 includes openings 122-1 and 122-2 to receive the side extensions 104-1 and 104-2 of the clamp 102. The openings 122-1 and 122-2 may be sized to allow the side extensions 104-1 and 104-2 of the clamp 102 to be slidably mounted to the horizontal connection member 120. In this example, the openings 122-1 and 122-2 have a rectangular profile corresponding to the rectangular shape of the side extensions 104-1 and 104-2. The openings 122-1 and 122-2 enable linear movement (e.g., vertical) of the clamp 102 in response to variable attachment of the locking member. An example of this motion is depicted in
The horizontal connection member 120 includes threaded opening 124 to receive the locking member 116. The threaded opening 124 may hold the locking member 116 approximately perpendicular to the base 126 of the horizontal connection member 120. In an example where the locking member 116 is a screw, the threaded opening 124 may receive the threads of the screw. Thus, as the locking member 116 is turned in a first direction, the locking member 116 may extend through the base 126. As the locking member 116 is turned in a second direction, the locking member 116 may retract out of the horizontal connection member 120.
In some examples, the horizontal connection member 120 includes holes 128-1 and 128-2 to receive fasteners to attach the horizontal connection member 120 to a horizontal frame structure. In this example, the holes 128-1 and 128-2 are unthreaded and include a chamfer to receive the head of a fastener.
In some examples, the base 126 of the horizontal connection member 120 includes projections 129-1 and 129-2 to slide within channels of a horizontal frame structure.
In some examples, the horizontal connection member 120 includes a pair of arms 134-1 and 134-2 projecting from the side walls 127-1 and 127-2 and a portion of the base 126. Each of the arms 134-1 and 134-2 may terminate in tabs 138-1 and 138-2. The tabs 138-1 and 138-2 may be oriented perpendicular to the arms 134-1 and 134-2. The tabs 138-1 and 138-2 may be sized and positioned to be inserted into a pair of cavities in the end of the horizontal frame structure, as illustrated in
The horizontal connection member 120 includes an angled cinching wall 130 located between the side walls 127-1 and 127-2. The angled cinching wall 130 may include an unthreaded opening 132 to allow passage to a portion of a cinching member. A second portion of the cinching member may interface with (e.g., bear against) the angled cinching wall 130. The angled cinching wall 130 and unthreaded opening 132 may allow the cinching member to attach the horizontal connection member 120 to a vertical connection member (not shown) to a variable degree, as illustrated in
The locking member 116 is variably attached to the horizontal connection member 120. For example, the threads of the locking member 116 may interface with the threaded opening 124 of the horizontal connection member 120. As the locking member 116 is turned, the position of the locking member 116 changes with reference to the horizontal connection member 120. The variable attachment of the locking member 116 applies a controlled pressure on the base member 112 of the clamp 102. The pressure from the locking member 116 is transmitted from the clamp 102 to a glass panel 200, The locking member 116 may provide the controlled pressure to the clamp 102 to limit the pressure applied to the glass panel 200.
In some examples, the locking member 116 may be designed to fail at a threshold stress before pressure that would damage the glass panel 200 can be applied. For example, the locking member 116 may be formed from a material (e.g., polymer) and with a structure that fails under a given torque. Thus, as the locking member 116 is being tightened, the locking member 116 may fail (e.g., fracture) before a compressive force is applied to the glass panel 200 that would damage the glass panel 200.
The horizontal connection member 120 attaches to an end of the horizontal frame structure 302. A pair of cavities 304-1 and 304-2 may be formed to receive the tabs 138-1 and 138-2 of the horizontal connection member 120, respectively. The interaction of the tabs 138-1 and 138-2 on the upper surfaces of the cavities 304-1 and 304-2 may resist movement (e.g., rotation) of the horizontal connection member 120 when pressure is applied to the glass panel 200 via the clamp 102 and locking member 116. The space between the cavities 304-1 and 304-2 may form a glass panel channel 306 in which a side of the glass panel 200 is housed when in an assembled configuration.
In some examples, the horizontal frame structure 302 may include channels 308-1 and 308-2 to receive the projections 129-1 and 129-2 of the horizontal connection member 120. The channels 308-1 and 308-2 provide surfaces to constrain the horizontal connection member 120 when installing the horizontal connection member 120 on the horizontal frame structure 302. The channels 308-1 and 308-2 also provide surfaces to constrain the horizontal connection member 120 when pressure is applied to the glass panel 200 via the clamp 102 and locking member 116.
The end of the horizontal frame structure 302 may include an opening 310 on the surface 312. The opening 310 may allow the clamp 102 and/or adhesive tape 118 to contact the glass panel 200 when the horizontal connection member 120 is installed on the horizontal frame structure 302.
In some examples, fasteners 140-1 and 140-2 attach the horizontal connection member 120 to the horizontal frame structure 302. For example, a first fastener 140-1 located at the first hole 128-1 of the horizontal connection member 120 may pass through the surface 312 into the first cavity 304-1 of the horizontal frame structure 302. A second fastener 140-2 located at the second hole 128-2 of the horizontal connection member 120 may pass through the surface 312 into the second cavity 304-2 of the horizontal frame structure 302. Some examples of different implementations of the horizontal connection member 120 are described in
The vertical connection member 142 may include projections 150 at a first end and projections 152 at a second end. The vertical connection member 142 may also include a number of side projections (e.g., 154-1, 154-2, 154-3, 154-4). The end projections 150, 152, and side projections 154-1, 154-2, 154-3, 154-4 may be sized to be received by channels in vertical frame structure (as shown in
In some examples, the vertical connection member 142 includes a pair of arms 146-1 and 146-2 located at the first end 149 of the body 143. The arms 146-1 and 146-2 may be projections that extend out approximately perpendicular to the axis of the body 143. The arms 146-1 and 146-2 may be sized to fit within the cavities 304-1 and 304-2 of the horizontal frame structure 302 when in an assembled configuration.
The vertical connection member 142 includes a threaded opening 148 in an angled surface 147 located at the first end 149 of the vertical connection member 142, In some examples, the angle of the angled surface 147 matches the angle of the angled cinching wall 130 of the horizontal connection member 120. Thus, when in an assembled configuration, the plane of the angled surface 147 may be approximately aligned with the plane of the angled cinching wall 130. The threaded opening 148 may receive a screw of the cinching member through the unthreaded opening 132 of the horizontal connection member 120, as illustrated in
The vertical connection member 142 may include a number of unthreaded openings (e.g., 153-1, . . . , 153-8) that are configured to receive fasteners for mounting hardware (e.g., hinges, pivots, etc.) located external to the vertical frame structure 402. The unthreaded openings (e.g., 153-1, . . . , 153-8) may be of a size such that the fastener can deform the material comprising the openings (e.g., 153-1, . . . , 153-8), forming threads in the vertical connection member 142.
In some examples, the vertical frame structure 402 may be formed as an extruded material. The vertical frame structure 402 has a back wall 403 and two side walls 405-1 and 405-2 extending from the back wall 403. A front wall 407 may span between the side walls 405-1 and 405-2, The front wall 407 may include a glass panel channel 410 in which a side of the glass panel 200 is housed when in an assembled configuration.
The vertical frame structure 402 includes an opening 406 in the front wall 407 at the first end of the vertical frame structure 402. The opening 406 may be sized to allow the vertical connection member 142 to be inserted a given distance from the first end of the vertical frame structure 402. The arms 146-1 and 146-2 of the vertical connection member 142 may project out of the opening 406.
The vertical frame structure 402 may include a number of holes 404-1, 404-2, 404-3. When the vertical connection member 142 is installed on the vertical frame structure 402, the holes 404-1, 404-2.404-3 align with the threaded holes 144-1, 144-2, 144-3 of the vertical connection member 142. Threaded fasteners 150-1, 150-2, and 150-3 may pass through the unthreaded holes 404-1, 404-2, 404-3 of the vertical frame structure 402 to connect to the threaded holes 144-1, 144-2, 144-3 of the vertical connection member 142.
The vertical frame structure 402 may include channels 408-1 and 408-2. The channels 408-1 and 408-2 may receive the end projections 150, 152, and side projections 154-1, 154-2, 154-3, 154-4 of the vertical connection member 142 to facilitate installation and placement of the vertical connection member 142,
As seen in
In some examples, the cinching member 156 connects the vertical connection member 142 and the horizontal connection member 120 to a variable degree. For example, the cinching member 156 may allow for a variable angle between the vertical connection member 142 and the horizontal connection member 120 when the horizontal frame structure 302 and the vertical frame structure 402 are installed on the glass panel 200.
The cinching member 156 may provide a variable tightness in locking the horizontal connection member 120 and the vertical connection member 142. For example, as the screw of the cinching member 156 is turned, the amount of force exerted on the horizontal connection member 120 and the vertical connection member 142 may change.
In some examples, the cinching member 156 may provide variable spacing between the horizontal connection member 120 and the vertical connection member 142. For example, the cinching member 156 may be angularly positioned between the horizontal connection member 120 and the vertical connection member 142. As seen in
In some examples, the vertical frame structure 402 and the horizontal frame structure 302 may form a door frame for a glass panel door. In this case, the glass adjustment assembly 101 may be positioned between a corner connection of the vertical frame structure 402 and the horizontal frame structure 302 of the door frame. The clamp 102 is slidably mounted on the horizontal connection member 120 to provide an adjustable pressure between the glass panel 200 and the horizontal frame structure 302.
Returning to the discussion of
The glass panel assembly 100 also includes a first horizontal frame structure 302-1 that is to be positioned along a first horizontal side top side) of the glass panel 200. A horizontal connection member 120 attaches to an end of the first horizontal frame structure 302-1. A cinching member 156 attaches the vertical connection member 142 and the horizontal connection member 120 to a variable degree.
A clamp 102 slidably attaches to the horizontal connection member 120. The clamp 102 provides a mounting connection on the first horizontal side of the glass panel 200. A locking member 116 is variably attached to the horizontal connection member 120. For example, a threaded connection may be made by threads of the locking member 116 that connect to corresponding threads of a threaded opening 124 on the horizontal connection member 120.
The glass panel assembly 100 also includes a second horizontal frame structure 302-2 that is positioned along a second horizontal side (e.g., a bottom side) of the glass panel 200. The second horizontal frame structure 302-2 is to attach to the second end (e.g., bottom end) of the vertical frame structure 402-1.
In some examples, the same types of components (e.g., horizontal connection member 120, vertical connection member 142, and cinching member 156) used in the upper glass adjustment assemblies (e.g., 101-1, 101-3) may be used in bottom glass adjustment assemblies (e.g., 101-2, 101-4). For example, the same types of components used to attach the vertical frame structures (402-1, 402-2) to the first horizontal frame structure 302-1 may be used to attach the vertical frame structures (402-1, 402-2) to the second horizontal frame structure 302-2 at the bottom side of the glass panel 200. In some examples, the bottom glass adjustment assemblies (e.g., 101-2, 101-4) located at the bottom side of the glass panel 200 may not include a locking member. Instead, the locking member(s) 116 of the upper glass adjustment assemblies (e.g., 101-1, 101-3) may provide adjustable pressure to the glass panel 200 that is transferred to the bottom glass adjustment assemblies (e.g., 101-2, 101-4).
The locking member 116 applies an adjustable pressure to the clamp 102. For example, as the locking member 116 turns, the locking member 116 may project into the clamp 102 to create pressure on the clamp 102. As the locking member 116 is turned, the locking member 116 forces the clamp 102 into the first horizontal side of the glass panel 200. The adjustable pressure is transmitted between the glass panel 200 and the horizontal connection member 120, The compression of the glass panel 200 between the clamp 102 and the second horizontal frame structure 302-2 tensions the vertical frame structure 402-1. This tension in the vertical frame structure 402-1 may be transferred to the first horizontal frame structure 302-1 through the cinching member 156, which in turn generates tension within the first horizontal frame structure 302-1. This tension within the first horizontal frame structure 302-1 may reduce sag within the first horizontal frame structure 302-1. A reduction in sag within the frame structure may allow for thinner frame structure.
The material of the glass adjustment assembly 101 may be metal, plastic, or a combination thereof. The material may comprise sound absorbing features. Foams, plastic, coatings, cellulosic material, fabric and other materials may also be included.
For the second horizontal connection member 24210, the base 2426b may be configured to slide within channels of a horizontal frame structure. However, the base 2426b may be extended to accommodate a number of hardware mounting features 2431. For example, the hardware mounting features 2431 may include a number of holes and support ribs projecting from the base 2426b.
For the third horizontal connection member 2420c, the base 2426c may be configured to slide within channels of a horizontal frame structure. However, the base 2426c may be extended to accommodate a number of hardware mounting features 2433 (e.g., holes and support ribs) projecting from the base 2426c. It should be noted that the base 2426c and hardware mounting features 2433 are sized to accommodate different hardware and/or fasteners than the second horizontal connection member 2420b.
The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.
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