GB2116243A

GB2116243A - Panes

Info

Publication number: GB2116243A
Application number: GB08305472A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dalen Gerardus Antonie Van; Joseph Gerrit Hendri Eijkenaar; Hendrick Anthonie Oosterbaan; Willem Roodenburg
Original assignee: BUVA BV
Current assignee: BUVA BV
Priority date: 1982-03-09
Filing date: 1983-02-28
Publication date: 1983-09-21
Also published as: GB8305472D0; NL178531B; NL8200970A; NL178531C; GB2116243B

Abstract

A pane for a frameless window has two spaced sheets of glazing (1) separated by a peripheral spacer (2) which is disposed inwardly of holes (6) passing through the pane. A sealing material (4) fills the space between the spacer (2) and the edges of the sheets (1) except for the holes. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Panes The present invention relates to multiple layer glazing panes.

Windows and doors with multiple glazing are being used in increasing numbers in order to avoid heat losses and generation of disagreeable cold air layers near the glass or other glazing material.

Multiple glazing comprises an assembly of two or more glass panes and distance rods arranged near the outer edges thereof, the latter determining the distance between said panes, and a sealer layer provided at the outer side of these distance rods bringing about an air- and moisturetight connection between said panes. If required, at the outer side an outer framing can be arranged gripping around said panes, in order to protect the sealer layer and keeping the panes pressed against the distance rods.

The use of windows and doors without a casement is, however, increasing, since they require much less maintenance. Moreover, they can be kept well closed even when deformation of the fixed frame occur. Furniture or fixtures required for such doors and windows without a casement, such as hinges, locks, handles, fasteners etc. are, then, fixed by means of rivets or screws inserted through holes drilled in the glass.

Multiple glazing for windows and doors without a casement is as yet little used since the mounting of such fixtures leads to difficulties. For, if the current method is used, moisture can leak inwards past the fixing part. If moisture arrives in the interspace between both panes, it will condense on the glass which will, in the long run, become opaque. Although, generally, a moisture absorbing agent is provided between the panes, and in particular in the channel shaped distance rods, this agent gets saturated with moisture eventually and therefore becomes ineffective. This absorption agent is usually sufficient in normal multiple glazing for absorbing moisture diffusing inwards through the border sealing layer during a reasonably long time, but is insufficient as soon as holes are drilled in a glass pane.No sealer or other sealing means is able to prevent permanently the penetration of moisture, since the mounting parts are submitted to continuously fluctuating forces.

The present invention provides a multiple glass pane, comprising an assembly of at least two glass panes which are maintained at the desired distance by means of distance rods contiguously arranged around the marginal parts, and at the outer side of these distance rods a sealer layer preventing the intrusion of moisture is provided, characterised in that in at least one of the glass panes holes for fixing fixture parts are formed, and in that, in the vicinity of these holes, the distance rods are off-set around the holes so that the holes open into the interspace filled with sealer and do not communicate with the air space between the panes.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a multiple glass pane; and Figures 2 and 3 are sections at a larger scale on the lines Il-Il and Ill-Ill respectively of Figure 1.

The multiple glazing pane shown in the drawing consists of two panes 1 of glass or other glazing material which are maintained at a definite distance apart by means of a spacer member consisting of adjoining channel-shaped distance rods 2. The inner space 3 provides the desired insulation. A continuous sealer layer 4 of sealing material provides a moisture-tight connection between both glass panes 1. In the channel rods 2 a cavity 5 is present which can be filled with a moisture absorbing agent for absorbing inwardly diffusing moisture, so as to prevent condensation on the inner surface of the panes.

If such a pane is to be used for a frameless door or window that is one without a casement, holes are to be drilled in at least one of the glass panes 1 for fixing door or window furniture such as hinges, handles etc. It is as such possible to enclose rivets or screws inserted in such holes in a sealer layer providing a moisture-tight sealing, but it has appeared that such sealings cannot prevent the intrusion of moisture in the long run. For these sealings are continuously subjected to fluctuating forces so that because of aging, and particularly hardening, of the sealing material leak passages will arise in the sealing, and in particular in the junction between the sealing and the rivet or the like.

In the multiple glass pane holes 6 are, as shown, formed in the marginal regions of the glass panes 1. In the vicinity of these holes 6 the rods 2, as shown at 2', are off-set past the holes 6, so that these holes 6 are situated completely outside these rods, and the space around these holes is filled with sealer 4. The presence of the holes 6 will, therefore, no longer influence the sealing.

It will be clear that it is also possible to provide the holes 6 only in one of the panes 1, but then sufficient room should be present in the sealer space behind a hole for accommodating a rivet head or nut. Also in the case of assemblies comprising more than two panes such off-set distance rods can be provided. It is advisable however, to provide the holes in all the panes since, then, the fixing means for the fixtures maintain the panes pressed together so that the sealer is, then, not loaded by the weight of a pane.

The distance rods 2 are shown as open channels for the sake of simplicity. These channels will, however, normally be closed in the usual manner by means of an apertured cover or the like in order to retain the drying agent included in the cavity 5.

It will be clear that the holes 6 can also be provided in other portions if more door or window furniture such as hinges or handles or the like is required.

In order to assemble such a multiple pane, the required holes are drilled in the separate panes 1 first, and then the pane is hardened. Thereafter the panes are superposed with aligned bore holes and with the interposition of the rods 2, e.g. in a suitable jig, after which the sealer filling is applied.

In the region of the holes 6 filling pieces can be provided in order to obtain continuous holes, which filling pieces can be used at the same time for aligning purposes.

Claims

1. A multiple glass pane, comprising an assembly of at least two glass panes which are maintained at the desired distance by means of distance rods contiguously arranged around the marginal parts, and at the outer side of these distance rods a sealer layer preventing the intrusion of moisture is provided, characterised in that in at least one of the glass panes holes for fixing fixture parts are formed, and in that, in the vicinity of these holes, the distance rods are offset around the holes so that the holes open into the interspace filled with sealer and do not communicate with the air space between the panes.

2. A pane comprising two substantially parallel sheets of glazing material, a spacer member extending around the periphery of the sheets to maintain the spacing thereof, sealing material between the spacer member and the edges of the sheets, and a plurality of holes each defined in at least one of the sheets, the spacer member being positioned inwardly of each of said holes such that each hole passes through at least one sheet and into or through the sealing material.

3. A pane as claimed in claim 2, comprising one or more further sheets each separated from its adjacent sheet by a respective spacer member, said sealing material being between each spacer member and the edges of the associated sheets, all the spacer members being positioned inwardly of each said hole in an adjacent sheet.

4. A pane substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. A frameless window or door comprising a pane as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and door or window furniture fixed to said pane by means of said holes.