Patent ID: 12247404

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, a direct orthonormal base (X, Y, Z) is considered.

The elevation direction Z is defined along the height of the facade module and corresponds e.g. to the vertical direction of a building. The through direction X corresponds to the inside-outside direction with respect to the building volume, the direction X being substantially perpendicular to the plane wherein the facade extends. The lateral direction Y corresponds to the direction along which the facade extends perpendicular to the elevation direction Z.

A person skilled in the art will understand from reading the present document that the Z direction and the Y direction can be switched, so that the Z direction corresponds to the lateral direction and the Y direction corresponds to the elevation direction.

A person skilled in the art will also understand that the axes of the direct orthonormal base (X, Y, Z) are oriented in any direction, the direction Z defining the height of the facade module which is e.g. at an angle with respect to the vertical direction of the building. In a particular embodiment, the axis Z is e.g. perpendicular to the vertical direction of the building.

With reference toFIG.2, a building10includes at least one facade12. The building10is e.g. a residential building or an office building.

The facade12is intended for separating at least partially, an interior14from an exterior16of a building volume17. The building volume17is e.g. one room or rooms of the building10, the interior14then being the inside of the room or rooms and the exterior16then being the outside of the room or rooms. The exterior16is preferentially the exterior of the building10.

The facade12comprises at least one facade module18and a building structure20.

The building structure20comprises e.g. a set of beams22extending along the elevation direction Z and along the transverse direction Y. The building structure20is e.g. anchored to a foundation (not shown) of the building10.

Every beam22is e.g. an extruded aluminum profile or any other building material.

According to an embodiment (not shown), the building structure comprises at least one articulation element, the beams22of the building structure being mobile around the articulation element or elements. The beams22are e.g. configured to be able to rotate about an axis parallel to the elevation direction Z or to the lateral direction Y over an angle comprised between 0° and 90°, preferentially between 0° and 45° with respect to the plane Y, Z.

The facade module18is rigidly attached to the building structure20and in particular to the beams22.

The facade module18is intended for separating part of the interior14from the exterior16of the building volume17.

The facade module18comprises at least one partition plate24and a fastening element26for the partition plate24. In the variant shown inFIG.2, the front module18comprises two partition plates24and a fastening element26.

The facade module18comprises e.g. a main seal27.

The partition plate24is rigidly attached to at least one fastening element26and advantageously to two fastening elements26extending on either side of the partition plate24.

According to the variant shown inFIG.1, the partition plate24is substantially rectangular and extends in the plane Y-Z. The surface area of the partition plate24, taken in the Y-Z plane, is preferentially greater than 1.00 m2. The height of the partition plate24, taken along the elevation direction Z, is e.g. between 1 m and 10 m, preferentially between 2 m and 6 m. The width of the partition plate24, taken along the lateral direction Y, is e.g. between 0.5 m and 3 m, preferentially between 1 m and 2 m. As a variant, the partition plate24has any shape. The length then corresponds to the highest dimension of the partition plate24and the width then corresponds to the smallest dimension of the partition plate24taken perpendicularly to the through direction X.

The partition plate24comprises an inner face28, intended for extending opposite the interior14, and an outer face30, intended for extending opposite the exterior16, the inner face28being opposite the outer face30in the through direction X.

The partition plate24comprises an inner glazed layer32, an insulation layer34and a stone layer38. In the embodiment described thereafter, the partition plate further comprises an intermediate glazed layer36. In such embodiment, the inner glazed layer32, the insulation layer34, the intermediate glazed layer36and the stone layer38extend between the inner face28and the outer face30and are each preferentially of the same width along the lateral direction Y and of the same height along the elevation direction Z as the partition plate24.

The partition plate24advantageously comprises a bonding agent39. The bonding agent is e.g. a glue or a resin.

With reference toFIG.2, the inner glazed layer32forms the inner face28. The inner glazed layer32is e.g. formed by a monolithic glass panel. In a variant (not shown), the inner glazed layer consists of a plurality of monolithic glass panels stacked along the through-flow direction X and separated e.g. by polymer layers, so as to form an inner glazed layer of laminated glass.

The insulating layer34extends between the inner glazed layer32and the intermediate glazed layer36. The insulating layer34comprises a spacer40connecting the inner glazed layer32and the intermediate glazed layer36, the spacer40extending substantially at the periphery of the insulating layer34.

The spacer40forms, together with the inner glazed layer32and the intermediate glazed layer36, an insulated insulation volume42(not shown) extending between the inner glazed layer32, the intermediate glazed layer36and a contour formed by the spacer40.

The insulation volume42comprises e.g. an air gap or a noble gas such as argon, krypton or xenon.

The intermediate glazed layer36consists e.g. of a monolithic glass panel. In a variant (not shown), the intermediate glazed layer36consists of a plurality of monolithic glass panels stacked along the through direction X and separated e.g. by polymer layers, so as to form an intermediate glazed layer36of laminated glass.

The inner glazed layer32and the intermediate glazed layer36are rigidly attached and are fastened to each other by means of the spacer40.

The stone layer38extends over the intermediate glazed layer36, on the side opposite the insulation layer34.

The stone layer38forms the outer face30of the partition plate.

In the preferred variant shown inFIG.2, the stone layer forms the outer face30of the partition plate24and extends over the intermediate glazed layer36.

In a variant which is not illustrated, the stone layer38does not form the outer face30of the partition plate24and extends over the inner glazed layer32, in particular over the face of the inner glazed layer32opposite the inner face28. In particular, the stone layer38then extends between the inner glazed layer32and the intermediate glazed layer36.

The thickness of the stone layer38, taken in the through direction X, is e.g. between 3 mm and 12 mm, and preferentially between 3 mm and 5 mm.

The stone layer38is e.g. fastened to the intermediate glazed layer36by the bonding agent39.

Examples of bonding agent39include the usual thermoplastic materials for the formation of laminates such as PVB (polyvinyl butyral), EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), PU (polyurethane), ionomers, cycloolefin polymers or equivalent materials. Such materials are applied in the form of thermoplastic interlayer sheets which, following a lamination process, can be used for the bonding of the stone layer38to the intermediate glazed layer36. The lamination process comprises, among other methods, the application of a pressure comprised between 1 and 13 bar and the heating to a temperature between 100° C. and 170° C., the temperature typically depending on the type of thermoplastic material. The type of lamination process is typically known to a person skilled in the art, and is not the subject matter of the present invention.

The stone layer38preferentially consists of a group of pieces of stone43. The group of pieces of stone43forming the stone layer comprises a plurality of pieces of stone44and a binding agent46connecting the pieces of stone44to each other.

The stone layer includes e.g. between one and ten pieces of stone, and preferentially between one and six pieces of stone.

The binding agent46is e.g. an adhesive or a resin. The binding agent46bonds e.g. the pieces of stone44together. The binding agent46is e.g. the bonding agent39and then bonds the pieces of stone44to the intermediate glazed layer36, and bonds same therebetween.

Every piece of stone44is e.g. a slice of stone with a thickness comprised between 2 mm and 12 mm, and preferentially between 3 mm and 5 mm. All the pieces of stone44of the stone layer38have e.g. the same thickness, so that the thickness of every piece of stone44is equal to the thickness of stone layer38.

Every piece of stone44is e.g. a slice of stone with a dimension of at least 30 cm on the side thereof. In certain configurations, pieces of stone can have a side dimension of at least 85 cm, or of at least 1.25 m, or of at least 1.55 m, or of at least 2.05 m, depending on the material considered. The pieces of stone have a side dimension up to 3.55 m and of at most 6.05 m.

The pieces of stone44consist of an opaque stone. As a variant, the pieces of stone44consist of a translucent stone.

The pieces of stone44consist e.g. of a stone chosen from the list comprising: marble, granite, quartz, limestone. The pieces of stone44consist e.g. of a stone chosen from any type of ornamental stone.

The pieces of stone44consist in particular of limestone called “Saint Clair”, granite called “Bethel white”, granite called “Noir Saint Henry”, limestone called “Branco do mar”, limestone called “Pierre de Lens” or marble called “Estremoz”.

The pieces of stone44are chosen according to technical features or to the desired appearance for the facade12.

All the pieces of stone44of the stone layer preferentially come from the same stone. In particular, the pieces of stone44are arranged in the stone layer38so as to minimize the visual discontinuities between each of the pieces of stone44. Thus, two adjacent pieces of stone44of the stone layer38have similar patterns, particularly near the interface between the two adjacent pieces of stone44. A stone pattern e.g. refers to the arrangement of veins in the stone, the veins of a piece of stone44being e.g. arranged so as to be in the continuity of the veins of a piece of stone44adjacent thereof.

Alternatively, the pieces of stone44of the stone layer come from different stones. Such variant has the advantage of providing varied decorations, depending on the types of stone used, with a surface either homogeneous or with patterns, like in marquetry.

The pieces of stone44have a density advantageously comprised between 2000 and 3000 kg/m3.

The pieces of stone44are suitable for withstanding an external environment. The pieces of stone44have e.g. a low sensitivity to frost.

The fastening element26comprises a base48, a cramp iron50and a locking means52. The fastening element preferentially comprises a plurality of cramp irons50and of locking means52.

The fastening element26is suitable for fastening the at least one partition plate24of the facade module18to the structure of the building20.

In the example shown inFIG.2, the same fastening element26is suitable for fastening two partition plates24to the structure of the building20, the fastening element extending between the two partition plates24.

The base48preferentially comprises an elongated section54and at least one inner seal56. In the variant shown inFIG.2, the base comprises two inner seals56.

The base48is preferentially anchored to the building structure20.

The elongated section54is e.g. elongated along a length oriented along the elevation direction Z or along the lateral direction Y. The elongated section is e.g. an extruded section of aluminum. According to a particular variant, the elongated section54is connected to the beam22so that the elongated section54and the beam22form a one-piece assembly.

The elongated section54comprises at least one insertion portion58of the locking means52. In the example shownFIG.2, the insertion portion58of the locking means52is a tapped hole.

Every inner seal56extends between the inner face28of the partition plate24and the elongated section54. Every inner seal56is preferentially pressed between the inner face28and the elongated section54. Every inner seal56preferentially extends along the entire length of the elongated section54.

The cramp iron50preferentially comprises a tightening bar60and an intermediate seal62. In the variant shown inFIG.2, the cramp iron50comprises 2 intermediate seals.

The cramp iron50can move between a free position and a locking position.

In the locking position, the cramp iron50is suitable for pressing the inner glazed layer28against the base48. In the locking position thereof, the cramp iron50is in particular suitable for holding the partition plate24onto the building structure20. In the locking position thereof, the cramp iron50is in particular suitable for tightening the inner seal56and the intermediate seal62on either side of the inner glazed layer32.

In the variant shown inFIG.2, in the locking position thereof, the cramp iron50is in particular suitable for simultaneously pressing the inner glazed layer28of two partition plates24against the base48and for holding two partition plates24onto the building structure20.

In the free position thereof, the cramp iron50is in particular suitable for being apt to move independently of the base48.

The cramp iron50includes a portion for letting through the locking means52, suitable for receiving the locking means52.

The locking means52connects the base48to the cramp iron50. The locking means52is suitable for moving the cramp iron50between the free position and the locking position.

The locking means52is suitable for holding the cramp iron50in the locking position and thus holding the partition plate24onto the building structure20.

The cramp iron50is e.g. moved between the free position thereof and the locking position thereof by moving the tightening bar60with respect to the base48. In particular, the cramp iron50is moved from the free position to the locking position thereof by moving the tightening bar60toward the base48and the cramp iron50is moved from the locking position thereof to the free position thereof by moving the tightening bar60away from the base48.

In a particular variant, the tightening bar60is elongated along an elongation direction and is movable in rotation about an elongation axis of the locking means52. The elongation direction of the tightening bar60preferentially extends parallel to an edge of the partition plate24when the cramp iron50is in the free position thereof. The direction of elongation of the tightening bar60extends e.g. into the space formed between two adjacent partition plates24when the cramp iron is in the free position thereof. The tightening bar60preferentially extends perpendicularly to an edge of the partition plate24when the cramp iron50is in the locking position thereof, so that the partition plate can be arranged in an installed position before the cramp iron is fitted in the locking position thereof. The tightening bar60extends e.g. at least partially between the inner glazed layer32and the intermediate glazed layer36of at least one partition plate24when the cramp iron is in the locking position thereof.

In such particular variant, the cramp iron50is e.g. moved between the free position thereof and the locking position thereof by rotating the tightening bar60, e.g. by a quarter of a turn, with respect to the base48, combined with a movement of the tightening bar60either toward or away from the base48.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the main seal27extends e.g. when the cramp iron50is in the locking position, between the stone layer38of two partition plates24. The main seal extends e.g. away from the locking means52or, as illustrated inFIG.2, is in contact with the locking means52.

The main seal27is in particular suitable for insulating the base48, the cramp iron50and the locking means52from the exterior16.

The mounting of a facade module18according to the invention will now be described.

An inner glazed layer32, an insulation layer34and an intermediate glazed layer36are provided for forming an assembly such as a double glazing plate.

A set of pieces of stone44are provided after having selected the appearance thereof. The purpose of selecting the pieces of stone44is e.g. to ensure the homogeneity of the selected pieces of stone44and/or to achieve a desired appearance of the set of the pieces of stone44.

The pieces of stone44are e.g. cut in order to obtain pieces of stone44the dimensions of which are suitable for the formation of the stone layer38.

The pieces of stone44are subsequently arranged and the relative position thereof is referenced in order to obtain a harmonious arrangement of the pieces of stone44. The pieces of stone44are preferentially selected and arranged so as to minimize the interfaces between the pieces of stone44.

Every piece of stone44is subsequently rigidly attached to the intermediate glazed layer36by means of the bonding agent39, e.g. following the application of the bonding agent39to the piece of stone44and/or to the intermediate glazed layer36, thus forming the partition plate24. The pieces of stone44are in particular bonded to the intermediate glazed layer36depending on the relative position thereof as previously referenced. The pieces of stone44can be bonded to the intermediate glazed layer36via the bonding agent39by a lamination process.

When the pieces of stone44are rigidly attached to the intermediate glazed layer36, the bonding agent39fills the interface between the pieces of stone44. The binding agent46consists then of the bonding agent39. Since the pieces of stone44are chosen so as to minimize the interfaces between the pieces of stone44, the interfaces are advantageously not visible to a user observing the facade module18as a whole.

The fastening elements26are subsequently, beforehand or simultaneously rigidly attached to the building structure20.

The partition plate24thus formed is subsequently rigidly attached to the fastening element26and preferentially to two fastening elements26, each of the fastening elements26being mounted on the building structure20.

The locking means52of every fastening element e.g. is then activated. When the locking means52is activated, the locking means moves the cramp iron50from the free position to the locking position so that the cramp iron50presses the inner glazed layer32against the base48. The locking means52tightens the inner glazed layer32of one or two different partition plates24so as to fasten one or two partition plates24to the building structure20.

As a variant, the partition plate24is rigidly attached to the fastening element26before the fastening element is fastened to the building structure20.

In the variant where two partition plates24are fastened to the building structure20by a single fastening element26, the main seal27is, following the fastening of the two partition plates24onto the building structure20, inserted between the two partition plates24, the main seal being e.g. glued between the partition plates24.

The facade module18as described above is particularly advantageous since same provides a wider choice of aesthetically pleasing facades12, by making it possible in particular to produce stone facades suitable for forming so-called “curtain wall” facades.

The use of a group of pieces of stone43is particularly advantageous since same makes it possible to produce a large stone layer38, particularly aesthetically pleasing, suitable for a rapid assembly on a light structure. The group of pieces of stone43can indeed be installed on a light structure as easily as a standard glass panel. Such a group of pieces of stone43is also particularly advantageous for improving the aesthetically pleasing appearance by limiting visible partition lines and, moreover, by limiting damage due to corrosion of the systems of seals.

The proposed solution makes it possible to integrate a stone facade similar to a glass facade, without distinction of fastening system. This approach makes it possible to install and mount a facade with homogeneous appearance between the transparent glazed components and the stone components, without visible demarcation of the contact interfaces and of the fastening systems between said components. Such method can be used to mount a stone facade onto a structural facade.

Moreover, the use of a group of pieces of stone43is particularly economical since same makes it possible to make stone facades12without having to resort to rare, expensive, heavy and difficult to handle solid stone blocks.

Moreover, the group of pieces of stone43also makes it possible to use scrap stone, which is particularly economical.

The dimensions of the stone layer optimize the weight in order to improve the robustness of the facade module without compromising the aesthetically pleasing appearance thereof.

The type of stone chosen provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance along with a high robustness of the facade module.

A plate24with a large surface area is advantageous since same provides a reduced number of points of attachment to the building, simplifying the structure of a facade comprising such plate, while having a particularly advantageous aesthetically pleasing appearance.

The presence of the insulation layer34provides high insulation for the facade12.

The insulating layer34further advantageously allows the cramp iron50to be fastened.

According to a first alternative embodiment (not shown), the facade module18differs from the embodiment previously presented solely by the following. Similar elements have the same references.

According to a first variant of such alternative embodiment, the fastening element26is an adhesive connecting the base48to the inner glazed layer32. The facade12is then e.g. a structurally bonded glazing (Vitrage Extérieur Collé in French).

According to a second variant of said alternative embodiment, the fastening element26includes an outer tightening element extending over an edge of the outer face30of the facade module18and an inner tightening element, extending over an edge of the inner face28of the facade module18. The facade module18is then pressed between the inner tightening element and the outer tightening element. The facade12is then e.g. a facade structurally beaded facade (Vitrage Extérieur Parclosé in French)

According to a second alternative embodiment (not shown) and independent of the first alternative embodiment and apt to be combined with the latter, the partition plate comprises a plurality of intermediate glazed layers36and a plurality of insulation layers34, the stone layer38extending over the intermediate glazed layer closest to the exterior16.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the fastening element26is preferentially suitable for fastening the partition plate to the building structure20by exclusively maintaining the inner glazed layer32.

In particular, when the cramp iron50is in the locking position thereof, the cramp iron50directly presses the inner glazed layer32against the base48. The cramp iron50is then e.g. at least partially arranged between the inner glazed layer32and the intermediate glazed layer36. Such arrangement of glazed sheets32,36can be used for installing a multiple glazing system, which improves the thermal properties of the facade module and which, moreover, has a particularly satisfactory aesthetically pleasing appearance.

In the variant according in which the facade module18comprises at least two partition plates24fastened to the building structure20by a single fastening element26, the cramp iron50is e.g. arranged between the inner glazed layers32and the intermediate glazed layers36of the at least two partition plates24. As illustrated inFIG.2, the cramp iron50extends between the spacers40of the at least two partition plates.

The spacers40extending to the periphery of the insulating layer34are set back from the peripheral edges of the inner glazed layer32and/or of the intermediate glazed layer36. The spacers40delimit the insulation volume40and a peripheral space of the partition plate24, intended for receiving the cramp iron50. In the example shown inFIG.2, the cramp iron50extends into the peripheral space of the two partition plates24fastened by the fastening element26.

The whole fastening element26and the whole inner glazed layer32preferentially extend on the same side of the stone layer38. The aesthetically pleasing appearance of the facade module18, seen from the side of the stone layer38opposite the side of the stone layer from which the fastening element26extends, is particularly advantageous, the stone layer38not being covered by any portion of the fastening element26.

According to a third alternative embodiment shown inFIG.3, compatible with the embodiment shown inFIG.2, the facade module18differs from the embodiment previously presented solely in the following. Similar elements have the same references.

The partition plate24comprises a receiving profile70and an outer seal72.

As shown inFIG.3, the receiving profile70extends between the inner glazed layer32and the intermediate glazed layer36.

The receiving profile70is e.g. made of aluminum.

The receiving profile70is e.g. a profile having a U-shaped cross-section The receiving profile70forms a cavity open toward the edge of the partition plate24. The tightening bar60is e.g. at least partially inserted into the cavity formed by the receiving profile70so as to extend at least partially into the cavity formed by the receiving profile70when the cramp iron50is in the locking position.

The intermediate seal62extends between the receiving profile70and the inner glazed layer32and is preferentially squeezed between the receiving profile70and the inner glazed layer32when the cramp iron50is in the locking position thereof.

The outer seal72extends between the inner glazed layer32and the intermediate glazed layer36.

The outer seal72extends between the receiving profile70and the intermediate glazed layer36. The outer seal72preferentially connects the receiving profile70and the intermediate glazed layer36.

The outer seal72extends e.g. between the receiving profile70and the spacer40. The outer seal72connects e.g. the receiving profile70and the spacer40.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the outer seal72has e.g. the shape of a profile seal with an L-shaped cross-section, one branch of the L extending between the receiving profile70and the intermediate glazed layer36and the other branch of the L extending between the receiving profile70and the spacer40.

In a particular embodiment (not shown), the outer seal72is integral with the intermediate seal62. The outer seal72and the intermediate seal62then together form a U-shaped assembly, defining e.g. a cavity wherein the receiving profile70is arranged.

Such embodiment can be used for a better distribution of the tightening load of the cramp iron50over the inner glazed layer32, improving the robustness of the facade module18.