GB2268201A

GB2268201A - Fixing Building Panels to Framing Members

Info

Publication number: GB2268201A
Application number: GB9313117A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roland Theodor Jundt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-06-26
Filing date: 1993-06-24
Publication date: 1994-01-05
Also published as: ITMI930522V0; IT230309Y1; FR2692944B3; GB9313117D0; FR2692944A3; ITMI930522U1; DE9309284U1

Abstract

Panels (P) for facade cladding, roof covering, or photovoltaic modules, are held along their edges between at least two frame profiles (1, 2). Each frame profile has a U-profile with two holding flanges (4a, 4b) and a web (3). The distance (a) between adjacent frame profiles is larger by a specific amount than the length or width (b) of the panels (P), so that the latter can be inserted from the exterior. In the holding flange (4a) of at least one of the frame profiles, there exist recesses through which correspondingly dimensioned holding elements (6) can be inserted to secure the panels (P) in their position. The elements (6) have a smooth surface (5), and a slot (7) (Fig. 2, not shown) which allows the elements to be compressed. The elements may be shoe-shaped to improve ventilation therearound. <IMAGE>

Description

Device for the detachable mounting of panel-shaped elements The invention relates to a device for the detachable mounting of a panel-shaped element, in particular a facade cover panel or a photovoltaic module, according to the precharacterising clause of the independent patent claim.

In the fastening of panel-shaped elements which are used, for example, for facade cladding, for roof covering or - in the form of photovoltaic modules - for generating current, especially when they are accessible only from "outside", as is known, the essential point is not only that the elements stay on their supports but also that the elements, after their fitting, on the one hand can be easily exchanged and on the other hand are still secure against theft. It has not yet been possible to meet these requirements, which at first appear contradictory, - just like the requirement for air circulation as far as possible on all sides of the panel edge - to a satisfactory extent by any known holding device.

The device according to the invention, which meets these requirements and in addition has further considerable advantages, is defined in the characterising part of the independent patent claim.

For easier understanding of the subject of the invention two exemplary embodiments are described below with the aid of the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows a cover panel with edge mounts during fitting, Fig. 2 shows a constructional detail in section, Figs. 3 to 5 show a longitudinal section, plan view and cross-section of a further embodiment, Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a holding element and also its half separated along a vertical plane, Figs. 7 to 9 show the fitting of an elastic holding element, Figs. 10 and 11 show the possibility of an additional wedging of the holding element, in longitudinal section, in one case transversely to plane of the cover panel and in one case parallel to it, and Fig. 12 shows a section through a further variant.

The perspective view according to Fig. 1, which is simplified for reasons of clarity, shows two frame profiles 1 and 2 which each have a web 3 and two pairs of holding flanges 4a, 4b projecting on both sides of said web 3. The lower sections of the webs 3 are anchored on support structures, which are not shown, and can thus be fastened, for example, - in the case of facade cover panels - to a house wall.

The distance, designated h in Fig. 1, between two associated flanges 4a/4b should, as regards the reception of a panel P to be held, correspond at least to the panel thickness d, but preferably be somewhat larger so as not to make the insertion of the panel more difficult. Taking into account the panel width b, the mutual web distance a between the two frame profiles 1 and 2 forming an associated frame pair is chosen such that it exceeds the panel width b by a specific amount a - b, in the case of of panel fixing at one side a - b.

2 The holding flanges 4a which are more easily accessible from outside are provided with recesses 5 which are arranged at a mutual distance, adjoining the webs 3, such that their projections fall into the empty space between the panel edge R and the web 3.

An approximately cuboidal expanding block 6 which serves as holding element has two legs 8 (Fig. 2) which are separated by a continuous longitudinal slit 7 and are connected together by a web. The material of the expanding block 6 is chosen such that the two legs 8 can be pressed against one another elastically. The thickness C of the expanding block 6 is preferably somewhat larger than the distance of the panel edge R from the web 3. On insertion of the expanding block 6 into a recess 5, the lower elastic section of the expanding block 6 passes into the space delimited by the panel edge R and the web 3, is compressed thereby and, in this position, prevents a displacement of the panel P. The latter is thus secured in its fitted position.

In order to make the unauthorised removal of the expanding blocks 6 even more difficult, the latter are preferably provided with an uninterrupted, flat end face S and dimensioned such that the end face S, in the fitted position, is flush with the adjacent surface of the frame profile 1 or lies somewhat below it. In addition, the width e of the recess 5 is matched to the width c of the expanding blocks 6 in such a manner that the upper sections of the expanding blocks grip in the recesses 5. The recesses can also taper somewhat inwardly or outwardly and thus ensure an even better gripping of the expanding blocks (6) in the recesses.

The exemplary embodiment described can be modified in manifold ways by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the subject of the invention defined in the independent patent claim.

Hence, for example, a panel P can, as shown, be held by two frame profiles 1 and 2 but, depending on the requirement, all four edge parts of the panel P can also be secured in frame profiles, wherein specific parts of the frame profiles should have specific recesses as regards the insertion of the panel. Also the frame profiles must not necessarily be arranged in parallel.

Depending on the requirement, the frame profiles can be made of any suitable material, for example plastic or metal. They can either be joined to one another and/or combined with a support profile.

The panel-shaped elements P can be any cover panels for facades or roofs, photovoltaic modules or other panel-shaped parts having the required stiffness to permit the bracing effected by the holding elements 6.

A further preferred embodiment of the subject of the invention is shown in Figs. 3 to 9. In this variant, the elastic holding element, designated 9 here, is designed approximately in the form of a shoe and has correspondingly a front section 10 and a rear section 11 corresponding to the shoe heel. The two are separated by an indentation 12.

The two sections 10 and 11 are each provided with a longitudinal slit 13 or 14, so that the two flanks 15a, 15b and 16a and 16b extending on both sides of the longitudinal slits 13 and 14 can be elastically pressed together. The wall thickness, designated f, of the lower section parts here, too, corresponds again to the distance of the panel edge R from the web 3 (Fig. 1).

The bridge, designated 17 in Fig. 6, joining the two sections 10 and 11 is offset with respect to the sections 10 and 11 by two shoulders 18 and 19 and, during fitting of the holding element, can be immovably fitted into the recess 5 (Fig. 1). The fitting operation of the holding element 9 is illustrated in Figs. 7 to 9 in three successive phases.

In order to secure the panel P especially effectively in its position, it is also possible to provide an additional wedge element 21 between the holding element 9 and the web 3, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. The wedge element 21 is arranged in the insertion direction of the holding element, behind the recess 5, along the wall of the web 3, so that the front section 10 of the holding element is wedged during insertion between the panel P and wedge element 21.

As Fig. 12 further shows, the flanges 4a and 4b projecting on both sides from a web 3 can also have different lengths, permitting the holding elements 9 to be provided only on the side with the longer flanges.

In many cases of panel mounting, air circulation as far as possible on all sides of the fitted panel, for example an insulating glass pane, is of great importance.

According to the embodiment of the elastic holding element 9 shown in Figs. 3 to 9, the latter is provided, on both its sections 10 and 11, with grooves 19 whose height corresponds to the panel thickness. As Fig. 5 shows, the panel P is suspended with its edges in grooves 20, so that it does not lie on the lower flanges 4b of the frame profile and air circulation on all sides, with the exception of the small contact surface with the holding elements 9, is thus ensured.

A groove of this kind, arranged at a distance from the lower edge of the holding element, can also be applied to the embodiment according to Figs. 1 and 2.

The device according to the invention described with the aid of the above examples is distinguished in comparison with known devices of this kind in particular in that - the panel-shaped elements P can be fitted with low outlay, and if necessary replaced, from the easily accessible exterior, - the panel-shaped elements are to a high degree secured against theft, - the webs 3 of the frame profiles and the edge surfaces of the panel-shaped elements are exposed and thus circulated around by air, - the panel-shaped elements are not subject, in their fitted position, to uncontrolled compressive stresses, - the fitting of the panel-shaped elements can be carried out with an extremely simple tool, such as a hammer, or if necessary even without a tool, however the dismantling, that is to say the removal of the holding elements from the recesses, requires a special tool, and - the entire frame holding the panel-shaped element, in the case of matched colours of the frame profiles 1 and 2 and the holding elements 6, provides, after completed fitting, the optical effect of a continuous, uninterrupted surface.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Device for the detachable mounting of at least one panel-shaped element (P), in particular a facade cover panel or a photovoltaic module, on at least two frame profiles (1, 2) in which the panel-shaped element (P) is held at its edge sections, characterised in that each frame profile (1, 2) has a U-profile which is open in the direction of the panel-shaped element to be held and possesses in each case two virtually parallel holding flanges (4a, 4b) and a web (3) connecting these, the mutual distance (h) between the holding flanges (4a, 4b) of each U-profile corresponding at least to the thickness (d) of the panel-shaped element (P) to be held and the mutual distance (a) between the webs (3) of each interacting U-profile pair (1, 2) being larger by a specific amount than the length or width (b) of the panel-shaped element (P) to be held and, furthermore, at least one externally accessible flange (4a) of each U-profile pair serving for mounting a panel-shaped element having at least two recesses (5) which are arranged at a mutual distance, adjoin the respective web (3) and through which correspondingly dimensioned holding elements (6, 9) can be inserted between the web (3) of the U-profile and the edge (R) of the panel-shaped element (P) and thereby secure the latter in its position.

2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the holding elements (6, 9) have an uninterrupted, essentially flat end face (S) in such a manner that, although the holding elements can be fitted without a tool, they can only be removed with the aid of a tool.

3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the holding elements (6, 9) are designed so as to be elastic.

4. Device according to Claim 3, characterised in that the elastic holding elements (6, 9) are designed in the form of expanding blocks which are slotted in order to obtain the required elasticity.

5. Device according to Claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the elastic holding elements (6, 9) are dimensioned as regards the aforementioned recesses (5) arranged in the U-profile flanges (4a) in such a manner that after their fitting they grip in the recesses (5).

6. Device according to one of Claims 3 to 5, characterised in that a wedge element (21) is arranged on the web (3) in the region of the inserted holding element (6, 9) in such a manner that at least one section of the holding element (6, 9) is wedged during insertion between the wedge element (21) and the edge of the panel-shaped element (P).

7. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the end faces of the holding elements (6, 9) are flush with the surfaces of the U-profile flanges (4a) or offset downwardly with respect to the latter.

8. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that at least one frame profile is designed as an H-profile and thus has two U-profiles projecting on opposite sides from a common web.

9. Device according to Claim 3, characterised in that the elastic holding elements (9) are designed approximately in the form of a shoe and correspondingly have two sections (10, 11) which are separated by an indentation (12) and are both provided with a longitudinal slit (13, 14) which is delimited by two downwardly projecting flanks (15a, 15b/16a, 16b) which can be elastically pressed together.

10. Device according to Claim 9, characterised in that the bridge (17) connecting the two sections (10, 11) is adapted to the shape of the recesses (5).

11. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the holding elements (6, 9) have, at a distance from their lower edge, a groove (20) to receive the panel edge.

12. Device for the detachable mounting of at least one panelshaped element, substantially as described with reference to any of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.