CONTINUOUS FACING FRAMEWORK FOR BUILDINGS

Abstract: A facing framework (1) is composed of one or more panels (3) perimetrically provided with a groove (9) at which one or more coupling elements (10) are stably associable by interposing a sealing and protection element (12). The coupling elements (10) are rotatably or stably selectively associable with interconnection means (16) for fixing the facing framework to a supporting framework (2) from the inside of the building. Covering elements (24) are removably associable with said interconnection means, and weatherproofing means (14) are advantageously provided.

Description: The present invention relates to a continuous facing framework for buildings. The term continuous facing framework currently describes a system having no vertical discontinuities, arranged externally to the supporting structure of the building. Such continuous facing frameworks are usually constituted by a grid of metallic elements in which glass panes or panels of opaque material are inserted. Among the known types of continuous facing framework there is a facing framework in which the grid is made of extruded profiled elements frontwardly provided with a shape suitable to accommodate curtain-wall panels in various materials. The supporting structure is constituted by a planar grid formed by uprights fixed to the building slabs by means of adapted adjustable L-shaped elements and by crosspieces connected to the uprights by means of a rapid fixed-joint coupling. The profiled elements are finished off with a covering element which naturally protrudes with respect to the plane of arrangement of the panel. The facing frameworks thus obtained therefore have these covering elements at the perimetrical edges of the panels; since said covering elements protrude from said panels, they aesthetically alter the continuity of the facade and furthermore complicate its maintenance, as the panel and the covering element must be cleaned with greater care. Facing frameworks are also known which comprise a grid constituted by a profiled element which perimetrically supports the glass pane. In this case, too, the disadvantage observed is due to the fact that said profiled element is visible from the outside, constituting an element which is partially visible from the outside as it perimetrically embraces the pane, thus eliminating the characteristics of pleasant aesthetics required of building facing frameworks. As a partial solution to these disadvantages, facing frameworks are known wherein the glass paneling is not interrupted by any kind of external profiled element but is fixed by thin supporting slabs by means of structural sealant. Continuous facing frameworks thus obtained may be essentially divided into three types. A first type of facing framework, termed supported, comprises a mechanical support on the inner pane of the glass-box both at the uprights and at the crosspieces of the grid. However, in this case, too, structural silicone is used along the entire perimeter of the glass-box and of the mechanical support in order to support said glass-box. A second type of facing framework requires the application of structural sealant on the outside of the supporting grid; the glass panel is associated on said sealant. A third type of continuous facing framework, termed ventilated or triple facing framework, entails the sealing of a monolithic pane outside the grid by means of structural sealant; the glass box is applied on the inside with conventional methods. All these known types of continuous facing frameworks employing structural silicone have disadvantages: due to the considerable weight of the panels or monolithic panes, the structural sealant must give adequate assurances of durability and weatherproofness to prevent said panels or panes from detaching from the grid with obvious consequent danger. Known from GB-A-2,179,391 is a system for glazing reinforced glass windowpanes to supporting metal frames. The system has an internal glass sheet is held in place mechanically on account of the external "U" shape of a profile apt to form the metal supporting frame, whereas the external glass sheet is held in place by means of a structural silicone sealing gasket inserted between the glass sheet and the metal frame behind. Also known from DE-3,721,112 is a continuous facing framework for buildings as defined in the precharacterizing part of claim 1. The basic problem of the method used in said known types of frameworks resides in correctly applying the structural sealant; this requires a preliminary checking of its chemical compatibility with the glass, the coating layers, the gaskets, the metallic structure and the sealants used in the glass box. Continuous quality control is furthermore extremely important. A highly sophisticated manufacturing method and control are therefore necessary, and this increases the time required to produce said facing frameworks and considerably increases their cost. Another disadvantage observable in said known types of continuous facing frameworks employing structural silicone resides in the fact that in evaluating safety coefficients, and loads one must take into account the negative pressures occurring on the panels or monolithic panes more than the pressures exerted thereon, i.e. the effects of wind, in buildings with glass-plated modular continuous facing frameworks. Besides all these disadvantages in design and construction, a further disadvantage is also observed when the panel is to be replaced: if a plurality of panels is combined to constitute a module, replacement becomes very onerous if one of said panels is chipped or broken, as the entire module must be replaced. The aim of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the disadvantages described above in known types by providing a continuous facing framework which has no vertical discontinuities, the panel being securely locked. Within the scope of the above described aim, an important object is to provide a facing framework which is structurally simple as well as easy and rapid to assemble. A further important object is to provide a facing framework which associates with the preceding characteristics that of allowing its installation from the inside of the building. A further object is to provide a facing framework which associates with the preceding characteristics that of allowing its assembly at the building yard without requiring particular machines or controlled environmental conditions. A further important object is to provide a facing framework which can be assembled and immediately applied to the building. Still another object is to provide a facing framework wherein each individual component module can be rapidly and easily replaced from the inside of the building, the individual modules being therefore rapidly interchangeable. Not least object is to provide a continuous facing framework which has very low production and installation costs. This aim, the objects mentioned and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a continuous facing framework for buildings as defined in the appended claims. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a particular but not exclusive embodiment, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a partially sectional plan view of the components of the facing framework at the region of coupling to the supporting framework; figure 2 is a view, similar to the preceding one, of a variated embodiment related to a coupling element selectively associable with interconnection means for fixing it to the supporting framework; figure 3 is a view, similar to the previous ones, of a further embodiment illustrating the corner profiled element; figure 4 is a view, similar to the preceding ones, of still a further embodiment. With reference to the above-described figures, the reference numeral 1 indicates a continuous facing framework and the reference numeral 2 indicates a supporting framework rigidly coupled to the building. The facing framework is composed of one or more panels 3 which are of the glass-box type in this particular embodiment. Said panels 3 are in fact constituted by an actual glass-box 4, a first slightly smaller glass pane 6 being superimposed on one of the surfaces of said glass-box 4 by interposing a first layer of adhesive 5. Said first layer of adhesive affects the entire surface of the first glass pane 6 associated with the glass-box 4. A second glass pane 7 is similarly associated on the opposite side with respect to said first glass pane 6 and a second layer of adhesive 8 is interposed therebetween. Said second glass pane 7 is larger than said first pane 6 and said glass-box 4. The dimensions of said glass-box 4, of said first glass pane 6 and of said second glass pane 7 are such as to define a perimetric groove 9 between said glass-box 4 and said second glass pane 7. Said groove constitutes an engagement seat for one or more coupling elements constituted by a first small frame 10 having a first wing 11 arrangeable within said perimetric groove 9 by interposing a sealing and protection element constituted by a first gasket 12. Said first gasket 12 surrounds said first wing 11 and continues so as to interpose itself between the first small frame 10 and the perimetric edge of the glass-box 4. Said first small frame 10 advantageously has a second wing 13, opposite to the first wing 11, the end whereof is arranged flush with respect to the perimetrical edge of the second pane 7; a weatherproofing means, constituted by a third layer 14 for example in silicone-based material, can be interposed between said wings. On the opposite side with respect to said first and second wings, said first small frame 10 has a first seat 15 for means for interconnecting with the supporting framework 2 constituted by a dowel 16. Said dowel has a head 17 rotatably associated within said first seat 15 by interposing a second gasket 18 and directed towards the adjacent panel. A first stem and a second stem, respectively 19 and 20, extend from said head 17 approximately perpendicular to said panel 3 and can be accommodated within adapted complementarily shaped seats provided on said supporting framework 2. Said means for interconnecting with the supporting framework 2 is conveniently fixed by means of an adapted screw 21 transversely affecting said second stem 20 and said supporting framework 2. A pair of first protrusions 22 protrudes from the stem 20 on the opposite side with respect to said supporting framework; said protrusions are elastically deformable and associable with adapted second protrusions 23 which protrude from covering elements constituted by plates 24. Adapted seats for further sealing means, such as for example gaskets, are furthermore provided at the first small frame 10. The particular configuration of the facing framework is such that the use of structural silicone can be avoided for its installation, also by virtue of the particular configuration of the panel 3, and a mechanical element, such as the first small frame 10, is used instead; the first wing 11 of said small frame 10 safely locks the panel without cutting into it by virtue of the first gasket 12. Said first small frame 10 can naturally totally or partially affect the perimetrical groove 9 provided on the panel 3. It is thus possible to produce the facing framework, for example at the building yard, by combining the first small frame 10 with the panel 3 in a rapid and per se simple manner, with the assurance that the securing therebetween is durable because it is mechanical. The use of means for interconnecting the first small frame and the supporting framework, constituted by the dowel 16, furthermore allows to assemble the facing framework from the inside of the building, securing it to the supporting framework by using simple screws 21. The number of dowels may naturally be any according to the specific requirements. Naturally, if they affect only one longitudinal or transverse side of the first seat 15, for example the upper transverse side, the panel may be opened, as it can be rotated with its fulcrum at the head 17 of the dowel 16. It has thus been observed that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, a facing framework having been provided which has no vertical discontinuities as there are no elements protruding beyond the surface of the panel; said panel is locked in conditions of maximum safety to the supporting framework of the building. The particular structure of the facing framework furthermore allows to assemble it simply and easily and to install it from the inside of the building. The assembly of the structure furthermore requires no particular equipment, as it can be achieved for example at the building yard. The structure of the facing framework furthermore allows to rapidly and simply replace every individual module constituted by a panel, a first small frame and dowels. The invention thus conceived is naturally susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the same inventive concept. Thus, for example, figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a facing framework 101 in which the first small frame 110 can again have a first wing 111 and a second wing 112, the first wing being arrangeable at a preset perimetrical groove 109, provided between the second glass pane 107 and the surface of the facing glass-box 104, by interposing a first gasket 112. Said first small frame 110 can furthermore have an S-shaped configuration and have, on the opposite side with respect to said first and second wings, a second seat 125 for means adapted to allow the panel 103 to slide, for example, along one or more axes with respect to the supporting framework 102. Figure 3, for example, illustrates a corner profiled element, each panel 203 having for example a first small frame, in the configurations illustrated in figure 1 or figure 2, arranged on the side opposite to the one arranged at an angle with respect to another panel. A third gasket 227 is instead provided proximate to the corner 226, between, the perimetrical edges of the glass-boxes 204, and has a substantially triangular head in which two sides adhere to the lateral walls of the glass-boxes 204; a third stem 228 protrudes from one of its vertices and has a cylindrical lug 229 at its end. A first small frame 210 is arranged proximate to the corner 226 on each panel and one of its ends has a seat for the dowel 216 while the other end has a third seat 230 at which structural silicone 231 is applied adherent to a surface of the glass-box. In this case, too, no profiled element is visible perimetrically to the panel. Figure 4 illustrates a facing framework 301 wherein the first small frame 310 has a first substantially cylindrical seat 315 on the opposite side with respect to the first wing 311; a complementarily shaped head 317 of a dowel 316 is arrangeable and slidable within said seat 315 and can be rigidly associated with the supporting framework 302 by means of an adapted screw 321. The materials and dimensions of the individual components constituting the facing framework may naturally be the most pertinent according to the specific requirements. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by suche reference signs.

Claims: Continuous facing framework (1, 101, 301) for buildings comprising a supporting framework (2, 102, 302) connectable to a building and defining at least one shaped connecting seat, at least one panel (3, 103, 203) having at least one perimetric groove (9, 109), at least one coupling element (10, 110, 210, 310) connectable to said perimetric groove (9, 109), said coupling element (10, 110, 210, 310) being selectively associable with interconnection means (16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 216, 316, 317), said interconnection means (16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 216, 316, 317) being coupleable with said shaped connecting seats of said supporting framework (2, 102, 302) for fixing said facing framework (1, 101, 301) to said supporting framework (2, 102, 302) from the inside of a building, characterized in that it comprises a sealing and protection element (12, 112) interposed between said groove (9, 109) and said coupling element (10, 110, 210, 310), in that said coupling element (10, 11, 210, 310) defines at least one first seat (15, 315) at a portion thereof remote from said perimetric groove (9), and in that said interconnection means (16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 216, 316, 317) comprise at least one dowel (16, 216, 316) having at least one head (17, 317) rotatably associated with said first seat (15, 315), and at least one stem (19, 20) coupleable with said shaped connecting seat of said supporting framework (2). Continuous facing framework according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it further comprises mechanical fixing means (21, 321) rigidly connecting said at least one stem (20) of said dowel (16, 316) to said supporting framework (2, 102, 302). Continuous facing framework according to claim 1, characterized in that said dowel (16, 216) has a first stem (19) and a second stem (20) protruding from said head (17, 317) rotatably associated with said first seat (15, 315), said first and second stems (19, 20) being coupleable with two complimentary shaped seats formed in said supporting framework (2, 102, 302). Continuous facing framework (1, 101, 301) according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said first stem (19) is shorter in length than said second stem (20) and has a portion which extends substantially parallel to said second stem (20). Continuous facing framework according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said mechanical fixing means (21) comprise at least one screw (21) rigidly connecting said second stem (20) to said supporting framework (2). Continuous facing framework according to claim 1 and 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that said coupling element comprises a frame (10, 110, 310) having a first wing (11, 111, 311) arrangeable within said perimetric groove (9, 109), said wing (11, 111, 311) being located at an opposite end of said frame (10, 110, 310) with respect to said first seat (15, 315) rotatably associated with said head (17, 317) of said dowel (16, 316). Continuous facing framework according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that said frame (10) further comprises a second wing (13) arranged opposite said first wing (11) and having an end arranged flush with said panel (3). Continuous facing framework according to claims 1, 6 and 7 characterized in that it further comprises weather proofing means interposed between said first wing (11) and said second wing (13). Continuous facing framework according to claims 1 and 3 or 4, characterized in that it further comprises at least two first protrusions (22) protruding outwardly from said second stem (20) in a direction extending away from said supporting framework (2), and in that it further comprises plate-like covering elements (24) having second protrusions (23) protruding therefrom, said first protrusions (22) being elastically deformable and associable with said second protrusions (23). Continuous facing framework according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that said frame (110) defines an S-shaped configuration and further comprises a second seat (125), located at an opposite side of said frame (110) with respect to said first seat and cooperating with means for allowing said panel (103) to slide along at least one axis with respect to said supporting framework (102). Continuous facing framework according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that said first seat (315) is a substantially cylindrical seat (315), and in that said head (317) of said dowel (316) is complimentarily shaped and arranged slideably within said seat (315).

Inventors: SOSSAI, ALDO, SOSSAI, ERMENEGILDO
Applicants: F.LLI SOSSAI S.N.C. DI ALDO E ERMENEGILDO SOSSAI
Application year: 1989
Main classification: E06B3
IPC codes: E06B3, E04B2