GLAZING SYSTEM FOR GLASS-FRONTED BUILDINGS

Abstract: In the glazing system disclosed, each of the single lights (1) comprises an external window pane (15) and an internal window pane (24), and is surrounded by a frame (32) with a peripheral seal (18) that makes contact with a frontal seal (8) offered by and concealing the outermost surface of the skeleton framework (31); the internal window pane (24) can be opened independently of the external pane (15). Each frame (32) is fitted with an upwardly-directed hollow element (30) of length sufficient to ensure that rain and damp will be prevented from reaching the space between the internal and the external panes, however strong the wind may happen to be.

Description: The invention relates to a glazing system as indicated in the first part of claim 1. Such glazing systems have to satisfy a number of requirements at one and the same time; they must provide heat and sound insulation, and must prevent condensation from forming. The heat and sound insulation problem is solved in part by installing double-glazing, i.e. sandwiching and hermetically sealing panes of glass in pairs such that a vacuum can be created between them. In practice however, this expedient is not fully effective, inasmuch as the framework which supports the single lights will be fashioned in metal (generally aluminium, in view of its good resistance to corrosion); consequently, one has areas exposed both to the internal and to the external environment at once, and a bridge is created across the thermal insulation barrier. The condensation problem is tackled generally by placing hygroscopic salts in the space separating the internal and external window panes, prior to ultimate assembly. A more efficient method of preventing condensation is disclosed in a former application filed by the same applicant; this consists in locating channels at the bottom of each single light, which provide a path of communication between the internal and the external environment and thus afford a degree of localized ventilation. These channels have now been improved by suitable structural and dimensional modifications, to the end of preventing any infiltration of damp whatever, even in the most adverse of weather conditions. Another problem encountered with conventional glass fronts is that the inner surfaces of the internal and external window panes cannot be cleaned singly, fitted as they are to a common frame. In document DE-A-2 518 252, the above cited problem does not arise, because the internal window pane of the light is carried by a casement pivotably attached to the frame surrounding the light, but these glass fronts are very different from the one of the present invention : in fact their metallic framework has areas exposed both to the internal and to the external environment at once, and a bridge is created across the termal insulation barrier, just as above mentioned. Accordingly, the object of the invention disclosed is to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above. The stated object is realized with a glazing system as characterized by the appended claims; such a system affords a number of advantages, one of which consists essentially in the fact of eliminating the direct bridge which, in conventional glass fronts, breaks across the thermal insulation barrier between internal and external environments. Another advantage of the glazing system disclosed is that of its practical design, inasmuch as access can be gained to the space existing between the internal and external windows of each light so as to enable cleaning. A particularly advantageous feature of the system is that it comprises an angled hollow element fitted to the upright frame members bordering each one of the single lights, the length of which will disallow any infiltration of rainwater into the space between the internal and external window panes, regardless of wind conditions. A further advantage of the glazing system disclosed is that the adhesive utilized, a type unaffected by ultraviolet radiation, remains totally shielded from the atmosphere following ultimate assembly. The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying perspective drawing, in which certain components of the system are omitted and certain shown in cutaway to the end of revealing others more clearly. The glass front as a whole consists in a series of single lights 1, each of which fitted to a skeleton framework 31 anchored to the permanent structure of the building. Each light 1 comprises an internal window pane 24 which opens inwardly by means of suitable fittings and an external window pane 15, both of which are attached to a common frame 32 which is carried by the skeleton framework 31. A skeleton framework 31 according to the invention is made up of T-section members denoted 2 and 3. 6 and 7 denote longitudinally disposed seats located in the projecting rib 4 and transverse shoulders 5 of each T-section 2 or 3, respectively, which face outward from the building and accommodate relative seals 8 and 9; the width of the seal 8 carried by the projecting rib 4 of each T-section 2 and 3 is equal to if not greater than that of the shank of the ′T′ itself, thereby concealing the projecting rib 4 completely when viewed from the front. The frame 32 surrounding each of the single lights 1 is constructed from members exhibiting an elongated rectangular cross section one of which, denoted 10, takes the weight of two panes 24 and 15; the other, denoted 11, is used in conjunction with insulating panels 12 that take the place of the internal window panes 24, where appropriate. The outward-facing, narrower longitudinal edge of each frame member 10 and 11 exhibits a longitudinal seat 13 designed to accommodate a seal 14 against which the external window pane 15 is offered flush. 16 denotes an apron extending from the seat 13 of each frame member 10 and 11, which incorporates a further seat 17 for accommodation of a seal 18 that butts against the seal 8 offered by the projecting rib 4 of a relative framework member 2 or 3. The frontal surfaces of the two abutting seals 8 and 18 are ridged with matching longitudinal ripples serving to enlarge the area of the interface between the two, and thus enhance its sealing action. The opposite, inward-facing longitudinal edge of the frame member 10 or 11 is offered flush to the seal 9 carried by the shoulder 5 of the relative T-section 2 or 3. The seal denoted 18 extends outward to the point of making contact with the external pane 15; thus, the pane 15, the apron 16, and the two adjacent seals 14 and 18 combine to create a cavity for reception of the adhesive, denoted 19, by means of which each of the external panes 15 is fixed to its frame 32. The adhesives generally employed are silicon compounds, unaffected by ultra-violet radiation, and the seals 14 and 18 will therefore be embodied in compatible material. The frame members 10 and 11 differ in that the one exhibits a single bead 20 affording a seat 21 for the accommodation of a seal 22, the purpose of which will become clear in due course, whereas the other is provided with two smaller beads 25, occupying a similar position, which serve to hold the panel of insulating material 12 in position. According to the invention, the internal pane 24 of each single light 1 is carried by a casement 23 constructed from hollow section 26 moulded with a slot 27 into which the pane is fitted. The width of the slot 27 is such as to accommodate double-glazed panes (as illustrated), with their relative seals. 28 denotes one of two coaxially disposed hinge pins that are fitted into one of the uprights 26 of the casement 23 and associate with respective angle brackets 29 by means of which the horizontal and upright members 10 of the frame 32 are fastened together. The casement 23 thus is supported by the frame 32, with the hinge pins 28 positioned such that the casement 23 fits flush against the seal 22 when the internal window is shut. 30 denotes a hollow element located in one of the upright members of each frame 32, fashioned in a material compatible with the adhesive 19, which emerges into the space existing between the internal and external window panes 24 and 15 and the frame 32 carrying them. A similar element 30 will be fitted to the other upright member of each frame 32, at a point diagonally opposite the element illustrated, to enhance convection of air through the interspace. It will be observed that the hollow element 30 is angled upwards, embedded in the seals 14 and 18 and the adhesive 19, and will be of length such as to ensure that rainwater cannot penetrate to the point of reaching the interspace between the panes 24 and 15 and the frame 32, however extreme the weather conditions. The outermost, bottom end of the hollow element 30 is fitted with a grille 33 designed to prevent flies and other insects from gaining the inside of the hollow element. Fittings and catches for the hinged frames 32 and casements 23 will be of conventional type, and are not therefore illustrated in the drawing. With a glazing system according to the invention, the objects stated at the outset are realized in full. In particular: - the effectiveness of the thermal insulation barrier between internal and external environment remains unimpaired by virtue of the fact that no bridging occurs, since no metal components are exposed to the external environment once all the windows are shut; - the adhesive 19 remains thoroughly protected from the atmosphere, encapsulated in a cavity formed by the two seals 14 and 18, the apron 16 of the frame member 10 or 11, and the external window pane 15; - condensation is prevented from forming in the space between the external and internal panes 15 and 24 thanks to the inclusion of the hollow member 30, which not only maintains the air in the interspace at the same temperature as that of the external environment by providing a path of communication, but also, is of length such as to disallow any infiltration of rainwater, even in high winds; - the space between the internal and external window panes 24 and 15 can be inspected, and thus cleaned, by reason of the fact that the internal pane 24 can be opened independently of the external pane 15.

Claims: 1. Glazing system for glass-fronted buildings, of the type consisting in a plurality of single lights (1) supported by a skeleton framework (31) anchored to the permanent structure of the building, each of which comprising an external window pane (15) and an internal window pane (24) carried in a common frame (32) fitted to the skeleton framework, whereby the internal window pane (24) of each light (1) is carried by a casement (23) pivotably attached via hinge pins (28) to the common frame (32) surrounding the light characterized - in that each common frame (32) is provided with a peripheral seal (18) that butts against a first frontal seal (8) offered by the skeleton framework (31), and with at least one pair of hollow elements (30) located on different levels, which extend upwards into the space existing between the internal pane (24) and the external pane (15) and are of length such as to prevent the ingress of rainwater or damp thereinto; and - in that each of the external panes (15) is attached to its respective common frame (32) with an adhesive (19) of the type unaffected by ultraviolet radiation, which is shielded from the atmosphere by the peripheral seals (18). 2. Glazing system as in claim 1, wherein the common frame (32) surrounding each light (1) is provided internally with a seat (21) for accommodation of a seal (22) offered flush to the casement (23) carrying the relative internal window pane (24), and is designed to strike against a second frontal seal (9) offered by the skeleton framework (31). 3. Glazing system as in claim 1, wherein the common frame (32) surrounding each light (1) is provided on the front side with a seat (13) for accommodation of a seal (14) which is offered flush to the external window pane (15) and combines with the peripheral seal (18), the common frame (32) and the external window pane (15) to create a peripheral cavity for reception of an adhesive (19) of the type unaffected by ultra­ violet radiation. 4. Glazing system as in claim 1, wherein the casement (23) carrying the internal window pane (24) is fashioned from hollow section members (26) moulded with a slot (27) that accommodates the internal pane (24), one of which freely accommodates the hinge pins (28). 5. Glazing system as in claim 1, wherein each hollow element (30) is provided at its inlet end with a grille (33) that prevents insects and impurities from entering the space existing between the internal and external window panes (24, 15). 6. Glazing system as in claim 1, wherein the abutting surfaces of the seal (18) carried by the common frame (32) and the first seal (8) offered by the skeleton framework (31) are ridged with matching longitudinal ripples in order to enlarge the areas brought into frontal contact. 7. Glazing system as in claim 1, wherein the hollow element (30) is fashioned from a material compatible with adhesive (19) of the type unaffected by ultra-­ violet radiation. 8. Glazing system as in claim 1, wherein the internal window pane (24) is double-glazed.

Inventors: FOCCHI, UGO
Applicants: FOCCHI GIUSEPPE DI FOCCHI UGO & C. S.P.A.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: E04B2
IPC codes: E04B2, E06B3