Patent GB-790691-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to a curtain wall framing
IPC: E06B3/263
Filed: 1955-05-10
Abstract: 790,691. Wall and window framing. BENSON, R. R. May 10, 1955 [Jan. 26, 1955], No. 13563/55. Classes 20(3) and 20(4) In curtain wall framing, i.e. having a curtain wall covering the outside of the building but not weight-bearing, an inner mullion is positioned vertically at the side of a building and the ends secured by means within an opening thereof and an outer mullion is connected to the inner mullion substantially parallel. thereto. As applied to a concrete building structure 10 comprising a shell 11 and floors 12 with edges 13 set back, inner mullions 30 are secured between the floors, the top one being secured to a solid wall 22 extending downwards for a short distance, by bearing plates 32, 33 having flanges 35, 36 which fit into the ends of the mullions 30 and allow expansion and contraction thereof, and are held against lugs 40 in the hollow part 38. The inner mullions further have prongs 50, by which they are secured to the outer mullions 46, having sloping sides 52 leading to recesses 54 adjacent the edge 42. The outer mullions 46, which may extend the whole depth of the building 10, are formed hollow, with an opening 49 having sloping surfaces 56 and outer edges 58, the prongs 50 passing into the opening 49 till the edges 58 snap into the recesses 54 the parts then being secured by screws 60. The mullions 46 are preferably in sections slidably connected as by expansion sleeves. The outer sides of mullions 46 are provided with spaced ribs 87, 88 and L-shaped flanges 95 for positioning and securing the wall elements and transoms 67 are shaped similarly to the mullions 46 with ribs 97, 98 and flanges 99 and may be closed on the inside by cover plates 76 with prongs 77 similar to the prongs 50. The transoms 67 are secured to the outer mullions 46 by V-shaped brackets 69 secured to the mullions and which slide into the hollow of the transoms, and are held against shoulders 73. The curtain walls may be solid as at 105 or of glass 215. As in the opening 102a bounded by transoms 67a, 67b and outer mullions 46a, 46b, a panel 105 is positioned against flanges 99, 95 and between ribs 98, 88 with sealing material 108 to fill the gap. Glazing beads 110 are then snapped into position into the undercut portions of the ribs 97, 98 and 87. 88. In the opening 102b. a glass panel 215 is positioned in a hollaw frame 126 of metal, secured by bolts 128 to the transoms 67b 67c and mullions 46a. 46b so as to bear against the flanges 99. 95 and the outer ribs 97, 87, the resulting space 132 being filled with a sealing comnound if desired. The transoms 67a or mullions 46a adjacent the frame 11 may have ribs and flanges on the one side removed, or; as shown. the flanges 99. 95 may extend into a channel 116 suitably filled in with a sealing material 117 and the spaces 115 left bv ribs ahutting the frame also filled with sealing material. To allow removal of water condensing in the space 80 between wall 22 and curtain panel 105. the transom 67b is provided with a number of openings 82 in the lower wall and flashing 83 is secured to the wall 22 with an inclined portion leading through the opening 71 of the transom. Insulation gaskets of rubber or plastic may be provided to fit between the openings 49 of the outer mullions 46 and the prongs 50 of the inner mullions, the openings and prongs being spaced apart, and the gaskets being shaped to extend round the flange 95 and inner edge of the opening 49. In a modification of the transoms. each transom is in two 'parts fixed to the mullions and interconnected by an expansion sleeve. A drainage channel is provided in the upper surface which leads to an opening in the mullion. In an alternative construction of inner and outer mullions, a hollow inner mullion is formed with a single tongue which extends into a slot formed in the outer mullions which may be solid, with a single rib each side. The glass or other panels are then held against the inner mullion by V-shaped spring clips fitting by one side against the panel and the leg of the other side under the rib. A U-shaped cover may be secured by screws to the outer edge of the outer mullion.