Internal Glass Holder

Abstract

A glass element includes at least two glass slabs arranged in facing relationship with a peripheral spacer frame arranged between each pair of glass slabs, and holders for anchorage at selective points to a supporting structure. The holders, each one of which includes two clamping plates joined together via connectors, are mounted exclusively in apertures formed in the glass element slab that faces the supporting structure, i.e. the inner glass slab. One of the clamping plates of each holder fitting is formed with anchorage attachment points that are accessible from the outside, and the inner clamping plates are placed in abutment against the inner face of the inner glass slab prior to the assembly of the inner glass slab and the next glass slab, in such a manner that their connecting parts extend at most up to the outer mouth of the apertures. The connecting parts of the outer clamping plates, which outer clamping parts are applied to the external face of the inner glass slab in a later step, engage the connecting parts of the inner clamping plates and form the attachment points. Seals are arranged in said apertures in the inner glass slab and the inner clamping plates are attached to the inner face of the inner glass slab.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in the following in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings that for exemplifying reasons show preferred embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:

FIGS. 1 a-1c show the steps of application of clamping plates on a glass slab in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a device comprising a support member in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 3 a and 3b show the device of FIG. 2 as used in four glass elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

To assemble a glass element in accordance with the present invention an internal clamping plate 1 made from stainless steel is initially inserted in a hole 2 formed in an inner glass slab 3, see FIG. 1a. The clamping plate 1 is provided with tape 4 with an adhesive on both sides in such a manner that channels 5 form extending up to the outer edge of the clamping plate 1, from a connector part 6 located in the centre of the clamping plate 1. Around the connector part 6 are arranged two sealing rings 7 made from butyl and a synthetic-resin member 8. The synthetic-resin member 8 centres the connector part 6 in the aperture 2 in the glass slab 3.

FIG. 1 b shows the inner clamping plate 1 together with sealing rings 7 and the synthetic-resin member 8 in a partial cross-sectional view. A tool 9 is inserted into the connector part 6 in the clamping plate 1 in such a manner that an annular abutment element 10 forces the synthetic-resin member 8 inwards to ensure that the sealing rings fills up the space remaining between the clamping plate 1, the synthetic-resin member 8, and the glass slab 3, see FIG. 1c. An additional glass slab 11 may now be placed exteriorly of the inner glass slab 3 with the aid of a spacer frame 12 and caulking mastic 13, allowing the desired gas to be contained in the space between the glass slabs 3, 11 since it is now sealed.

FIG. 1 d shows the manner in which an outer clamping plate 14 with its connector part 15 are joined to the inner clamping plate 1. A synthetic-resin washer 16 preferably is inserted between the clamping plate 14 and the inner glass slab 3, when the clamping plate 14, like the inner clamping plate 1, is made from stainless steel. For example, the connector part 15 of the outer clamping plate 14 and the connector part 6 of the inner clamping plate 1 could be provided with threads to form a screw joint.

FIG. 1 e shows the inner and the outer clamping plates 1, 14 in their final positions. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the outer clamping plate 14 is provided with a ball joint 16, which is connected with a holder means 17. In accordance with this embodiment the holder means consists of a threaded shaft 18 and associated washers 19 and nuts 20 for anchorage to a supporting structure (not shown). The end of the ball joint 16 facing the glass element preferably is partly flat. A rubber bushing 21 preferably is provided at said flat part of the ball joint 16 in order to guide the position of the holder means 17 relative to the outer clamping plate 14. The bushing 21 guides the holder means 17 such that the threaded shaft 18 will project essentially at right angles away from the glass element when in unloaded condition. The rubber bushing 21 thus allows some spring movement in the lateral direction.

FIG. 2 shows a device 22 designed to keep four glass elements together by means of holder means and supplementary means 23 on the device 22. One of the sides of the centre portion 24 of the device 22 is to be attached to a supporting structure (not shown) and on its opposite side it is provided with a support member 25. On said support member 25 the upper juxtaposed glass elements may rest and consequently no gravitational pull from the weight of the glass elements is exerted on the apertures, wherein the clamping plates are positioned, but almost exclusively axial forces, i.e. forces in the same direction as the apertures, such as for example wind-generated loads.

FIGS. 3 a and 3b show a device 22 mounted on four glass elements. The device 22 is mounted with its centre portion 24 applied directly or indirectly to the supporting structure (not shown).

As is appreciated many modifications of the above-described embodiment of the invention are possible within the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, as described above, the clamping plates could be manufactured from other materials than stainless steel, provided that they meet the demands on strength. Additionally, the material of the components closest to the glass slabs could be made from any desired material that is sufficiently soft not to damage the glass. In addition, the connector part 15 on the outer clamping plate 14 and the connector part 6 on the inner clamping plate 1 could each one be of a kind, wherein one of the parts is pushed into the other one into engagement with one another by means of hook-shaped or barb-like means, i.e. coupling means of snap holder or bayonet fastener type.

Claims

1. A glass element comprising: at least two glass slabs arranged in facing relationship with a peripheral spacer frame arranged between each pair of glass slabs; andholders for anchorage at selective points to a supporting structure, said holders, each one including two clamping plates joined together via connectors, being mounted exclusively in apertures formed in an inner glass slab facing the supporting structure, one of the clamping plates of each holder fitting being formed with anchorage attachment points that are accessible from the outside, wherein the inner clamping plates are placed in abutment against the inner face of the inner glass slab prior to the assembly of said inner glass slab and a next glass slab, in such a manner that their connecting parts extend at most up to the outer mouth of the apertures and that the connecting parts of the outer clamping plates, the outer clamping parts being applied to the external face of the inner glass slab in a later step, engage the connecting parts of the inner clamping plates and form said attachment points, and whereinseals are arranged in said apertures in the inner glass slab and the inner clamping plates are attached to the inner face of the inner glass slab.

2. A glass element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal is formed by at least one sealing ring.

3. A glass element as claimed in claim 2, wherein a member is positioned axially externally of said sealing ring, said member arranged to press the sealing ring outwards into sealing position, when pressure is applied on said member to urge it against the inner clamping plate in a direction towards the inner clamping plate.

4. A glass element as claimed in claim 3, wherein a bevelled face is formed on the connecting parts of the inner clamping plates to guide said sealing ring, when said member and said inner clamping plates are pressed together.

5. A glass element as claimed in claim 1, wherein channels are arranged in the inner clamping plates in a manner allowing flow of air between the inner mouth of the apertures and the outer face of the inner clamping plates in the mounted position.

6. A device in glass elements, said glass element comprising: at least two glass slabs arranged in facing relationship with a peripheral spacer frame arranged between each pair of glass slabs;holders for anchorage at selective points to a supporting structure, said holders, each including two clamping plates joined together via connectors, being mounted exclusively in apertures formed in an inner glass slab facing the supporting structure, one of the clamping plates of each holder fitting being formed with anchorage attachment points that are accessible from the outside, wherein the inner clamping plates are placed in abutment against the inner face of the inner glass slab prior to the assembly of said inner glass slab and a next glass slab, in such a manner that their connecting parts extend at most up to the outer mouth of the apertures and that the connecting parts of the outer clamping plates, which outer clamping parts are applied to the external face of the inner glass slab in a later step, engage the connecting parts of the inner clamping plates and form said attachment points,the device being adapted to interconnect at least two juxtaposed/parallel glass elements at said apertures in the inner glass slabs, and being interconnectable with said supporting structure; anda support member arranged to support the two juxtaposed/parallel glass elements.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein seals are arranged in said aperture in the inner glass slab and wherein said inner clamping plates are attached to the inner face of the inner glass slab.

8. A glass element as claimed in claim 2, wherein channels are arranged in the inner clamping plates in a manner allowing flow of air between the inner mouth of the apertures and the outer face of the inner clamping plates in the mounted position.

9. A glass element as claimed in claim 3, wherein channels are arranged in the inner clamping plates in a manner allowing flow of air between the inner mouth of the apertures and the outer face of the inner clamping plates in the mounted position.

10. A glass element as claimed in claim 4, wherein channels are arranged in the inner clamping plates in a manner allowing flow of air between the inner mouth of the apertures and the outer face of the inner clamping plates in the mounted position.