ES3058733T3 - Device for fastening a panel to a facade - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for fixing a panel (1) to a supporting structure (110) of a facade (100) with suspended panels, comprising: - means (3) for fixing to the supporting structure (110), with an opening (31) configured to cooperate with a pin (5), - a pin (5), characterized in that it further comprises: - a corner fitting (7), comprising engagement means (11) disposed on the side opposite the panel (1) once assembled, - a fork (9), comprising: * a bearing surface (17) for resting against the panel (1), * fingers (15) configured to engage with an edge of the panel (1), * a hole (25) forming a passage for the pin (5) in the bearing surface (17), * engagement means (19) complementary to the engagement means (11) of the corner fitting (7), the pin (5) passing through the fork (9), leading to the opening (31) and being attached to the means (3) for fixing to the supporting structure. structure (110) in the assembled state. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, no legal value)

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Device for fixing a panel to a facade

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of facade construction and cladding. In particular, the invention relates to the fixing of a decorative or cladding panel to a suspended panel facade, comprising panels suspended from a structure that is, in turn, usually fixed to a wall, the panels covering the facade once installed.

[0005] Suspended facades allow a pre-existing wall or facade to be covered with panels, such as glazing, edges or stone cladding, etc.

[0006] Previous technique

[0007] Suspended panel facades allow for improved aesthetics of building facades and modification of optical and thermal properties when the glazed panels use active glass, blocking or reflecting incident solar or infrared rays. Suspended panel facades also allow for concealing, or at least making less visible, functional elements such as insulation.

[0008] The panels for these facades are of significant dimensions and mass, and the various elements that make up the facade are delivered in kits, which professionals then install on site.

[0009] The facade generally comprises a supporting structure, which is fixed to the wall or building. This supporting structure has evenly distributed fixing points. The panels are then attached to these fixing points using specific fixing devices.

[0010] Since the panels are relatively heavy (tens or even hundreds of kilos) and since the facade can be raised to relatively large heights (several meters or tens of meters), the fixing of the panels to the supporting structure is an important safety element.

[0011] In addition to the weight of the panels, the fixing of the panels to the supporting structure is subject to significant stresses: expansion in two directions of the panel material during temperature changes, vibrations and wind pressure, etc. Degrees of freedom and/or elastically deformable fixings must be provided without compromising the strength, safety and durability of the facade.

[0012] In particular, screw fastenings that pass through the panels are known. In these facades, the panels comprise holes. The screws are inserted into these holes and then forcefully contact the supporting structure. Advantageously, the supporting structure then comprises rails on which the screws can slide in the plane of the panel.

[0013] Document CN111764588A discloses a device comprising the features of claim 1.

[0014] In particular, the holes may comprise a recess for the screw head, which is flush with the outer wall of the panel.

[0015] On these facades, however, the screws remain visible and can detract from the desired aesthetic effect, especially when decorative panels such as carved stone panels or decorated panels are incorporated into the facade.

[0016] Furthermore, the hole in the panel weakens the structure and concentrates potentially high stresses. The safety of the facade and of passersby underneath may be compromised.

[0017] Therefore, there is a need for a fixing device between a supporting structure and the panels for a suspended panel facade, which is at the same time solid, easy to assemble, discreet once installed and yet able to withstand the specific stresses of suspended panel facades.

[0018] Exposition of the invention

[0019] In order to respond to this need, the invention provides a device for fixing a panel to a supporting structure of a suspended panel facade, the panel having a rear face oriented towards the supporting structure, and a front face, the device comprising:

[0020] - means of fixing to the supporting structure, having a hole configured to cooperate with a bolt, - a bolt,

[0021] characterized in that it also comprises:

[0022] - a flat corner fitting configured to attach to a corner of the rear face of the panel, comprising snap-fit means disposed on the side opposite the panel once assembled,

[0023] - a stirrup, comprising:

[0024] * a support surface against the rear face of the panel,

[0025] * fingers configured to make contact with an edge of the panel,

[0026] * a hole forming a passage for the bolt in the bearing surface,

[0027] * complementary snap-fit means to the snap-fit means of the corner fitting, passing through the bolt the stirrup, leading to the hole and joining to the fixing means of the supporting structure in the assembled state.

[0028] The fastening device according to the invention is simple and quick to assemble. Furthermore, once the panel is in place, only the tabs of the bracket are still visible on the front face. Thus, it is possible to make the fastening device more discreet, improving the aesthetic appearance.

[0029] The device according to the invention may also have one or more of the following characteristics.

[0030] The corner fitting may consist of a metal sheet and the snap-fit means comprise snap-fit tabs cut into the corner fitting, and the complementary snap-fit means comprise corresponding recesses in the bearing surface of the stirrup. In particular, the tabs are easy to cut and shape, for example, by stamping.

[0031] The device may further comprise an elastic element, arranged, in the assembled state, between the corner bracket and the support surface of the stirrup, and compressed when the panel is in place.

[0032] The elastic element keeps the panel in compression at the stirrup.

[0033] Again, if the corner fitting is made of a metal sheet, the elastic element may also comprise elastic tabs cut or stamped into the corner fitting.

[0034] The device may comprise an adhesive sheet that, in the assembled state, glues the corner applique against the panel.

[0035] The various elements can then be delivered, specifically, as a complete kit, without the need for the installer to use separately supplied glue.

[0036] The stirrup may consist of a folded metal band, and the toes may be made of the same material as the support surface.

[0037] The stirrup may comprise side panels, forming a support surface for an edge and end of the panel, and from which the fingers extend.

[0038] A stirrup of this type is quick and easy to produce, by cutting and bending a metal plate.

[0039] The means for fixing the panel to the supporting structure may comprise, in particular, hooks configured to engage with a rail of the supporting structure and to move longitudinally with respect to said rail. The hooks, in the assembled state, are attached to an upper corner of the panel and can also be advantageously moved according to height.

[0040] The hooks attached, in the assembled state, to a lower corner of the panel, may further comprise means for snapping into the rail of the supporting structure, preventing the removal of the panel when snapped into said rail.

[0041] These hooks make it much easier to place the panel on the supporting structure.

[0042] The corner applique may have applique fingers that make contact with an edge or end of the panel. These applique fingers form a natural stop, which aids positioning during assembly.

[0043] Brief description of the figures

[0044] Other features and advantages of the fastening according to the invention will become apparent from reading the detailed description of the figures below, figures which include:

[0045] - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a suspended panel facade,

[0046] - Figure 2 is a perspective and exploded view of a panel fixing device on a suspended panel facade,

[0047] - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a panel fixed to a supporting structure by means of a device according to the invention,

[0048] - Figure 4 is a front view of an alternative form of corner bracket for the fixing device, and - Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a bracket according to another embodiment of the fixing device for a panel to a facade.

[0049] The embodiments shown are given as illustrative examples and are not exhaustive. Other embodiments are directly derivable from these through minor modifications and combinations of different embodiments. Detailed description of the figures

[0050] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a segment of a facade 100 with suspended panels 1. Said facade 100 comprises panels 1, especially of glass, composed, for example, of tempered glass panels, stacked with one or more layers of plastic laminate between them.

[0051] Alternatively, panels 1 can be made of stone, especially cut facing stone, laminated glass, solid tempered glass, or even simply metal. In particular, panels 1 can be coated with a screen print or other finish for aesthetic purposes.

[0052] The panels 1 are arranged vertically, here parallel to a wall 200 of a building. Gravity, or at least the up-down direction of the panels 1 (orthogonal to the edge of panel 1) if the facade 100 is inclined, provides a height axis, the length (orthogonal to the end of panel 1) corresponds to a direction considered longitudinal, the third direction, corresponding to the thickness of the panels 1 (orthogonal to the plane of panel 1), is considered transverse.

[0053] The facade 100 comprises a load-bearing structure 110 that is anchored to the wall 200. Alternatively, the load-bearing structure 110 itself may be suspended from a roof or eaves, between posts or two neighboring walls, etc. Finally, the load-bearing structure 110 may form the support on its own, without a wall 200 or building, by being anchored directly to the ground.

[0054] The supporting structure 110 is composed here of parallel rails, for example, screwed to the wall 200. The panels 1 are attached by means of fixing devices 10 to the supporting structure 110, which come into contact with both the panels 1 and the rails.

[0055] Alternatively, the supporting structure 110 may have discontinuous connection points, anchored to the wall 200, for example.

[0056] Figure 2 shows a more detailed and exploded view of a fastening device 10. In particular, the fastening device 10 is intended to be implemented in an upper corner of panel 1.

[0057] The fastening device 10 comprises:

[0058] - means of fixing to the supporting structure 110, here in the form of a hook 3 configured to cooperate with a bolt 5,

[0059] - a corner bracket 7, flat and configured to join to a corner of panel 1, and a stirrup 9, formed by at least one section at the corner of panel 1.

[0060] Specifically, the bolt 5 may be in the form of a screw or rivet, or simply in the form of a rigid rod. The corner fitting 7 is especially in the form of a triangle or trapezoid cut from a metal sheet, in particular, stainless steel or spring steel. However, other forms may be provided without departing from the concept of the invention.

[0061] The corner applique 7 is attached to the corner of panel 1 by means of an adhesive sheet 8. These two elements have an identical shape, allowing them to overlap. The triangular shapes, in particular right triangles and trapezoids, with two sides at right angles, allow the corner applique 7 to be formed on the corner of panel 1 and, in particular, for the sides of the corner applique 7 to be parallel to or overlap with segments of the edges of the corner of panel 1, while simultaneously optimizing the adhesion surface.

[0062] On the opposite side to panel 1 in the assembled state, corner applique 7 features snap-fit means 11, here in the form of snap-fit tabs cut into corner applique 7.

[0063] The corner fitting 7 further features elastic tabs cut on this same side opposite panel 1, which, in the assembled state, form an elastic element 13 arranged between the corner fitting 7 and the stirrup 9. The stirrup 9 comprises fingers 15 extending from a support surface 17, which come into contact with the edges of panel 1, and recesses in the support surface 17 of a shape and arrangement corresponding to the elastic tabs, which form snap-fit means complementary 19 to the snap-fit means 11 of the corner fitting 7.

[0064] The tongues, whether pressure-fit and/or elastic, have the advantage of being able to be obtained in a single, quick and cheap stamping stage, with the tongues being cut by shearing at the same time as they are deformed out of the plane of the sheet of said tongues.

[0065] Likewise, the recesses of stirrup 9 can be obtained by drilling or milling, fast and controlled machining methods.

[0066] According to particular embodiments, the same tabs can combine the function of the snap-fit means 11 and the elastic element 13.

[0067] However, other means of snap-fit 11 and elastic elements 13 are also possible: inserts and pieces glued, assembled, or riveted to the corner fitting 7, conical stamping, elastic washers, etc. The snap-fit means 11 and elastic elements 13, with compression between the bearing surface 17 and the fingers 15, maintain panel 1 in a hyperstatic manner. This reinforces the fastening of panel 1, especially with regard to vibrations and transverse forces (accidental pressure, wind, earthquake, etc.).

[0068] In the case of a fastening device 10 for an upper corner of panel 1, the corner applique 7 further features applique fingers 21, with one applique finger 21 resting, in the assembled state, against the upper edge of panel 1, and one applique finger 21 resting against the end of panel 1.

[0069] On one side, these applique fingers 21 help to position the applique 7 during assembly and, on the other side, provide a stop against the translation of the applique 7 downwards and inwards into panel 1.

[0070] Stirrup 9 is composed here, in particular, of a single piece, in particular, a folded metal band, which has two folded side panels 23 and which form a support surface for the edge and end of panel 1, and from which fingers 15 extend. The support surface 17, the side panels 23 and the fingers 15 are made of the same material, the fingers 15 extending the side panels 23 when the band forming the stirrup 9 is considered flat.

[0071] The 23 side panels are especially in the plane containing the transverse and longitudinal directions, the 15 fingers are in the plane containing the height and longitudinal directions.

[0072] Alternatively, the stirrup 9 can be assembled from different cast or metallurgical elements: a plate forming the bearing surface, and corners or hooks forming the fingers 15 that are welded or fixed to the plate forming the bearing surface 17.

[0073] According to other alternatives, stirrup 9 can be molded directly into the shape.

[0074] The support surface 17 has a hole 25 forming a passage for bolt 5.

[0075] Hook 3 comprises a solid metal hook body 27, for example, made of aluminum or chrome stainless steel, machined by milling, drilling and through-cutting.

[0076] The hook body 27 is made of the same material as a hook finger 29, with a shape and dimensions corresponding to the rails of the supporting structure 110, with which it comes into contact in the assembled state of panel 1 on the facade 100.

[0077] The hook body 29 comprises a hole 31, configured to cooperate with bolt 5.

[0078] Bolt 5 here includes a washer 33, especially made of vibration-absorbing material, such as plastic (e.g., high-density polyethylene HDPE) or cross-linked rubber. However, this washer 33 is optional.

[0079] In particular, hole 25 and bolt head 5 are fitted together, by milling or stamping, so that bolt head 5 is flush with the bearing surface 17 in the assembled state of the fastening device 10, while in contact with the stirrup 9.

[0080] Hook 3 further comprises a blind hole 35, opening at a right angle from one of its sides towards hole 31, and into which a dowel 37 is inserted to hold bolt 5 in place.

[0081] Bolt 5, during assembly, is then inserted into hole 25 of stirrup 9, and then into hole 31 of hook 3.

[0082] Panel 1, to which the corner fitting 7 is attached, in particular, by means of the adhesive sheet 8, is then inserted into the stirrups 9, and the snap fit between the corner fittings 7 and the stirrups 9 secures the fixing devices 10 and panel 1 into a unit that can be handled as a whole.

[0083] Bolt 5 is then locked in position by means of pin 37.

[0084] Panel 1, with the fixing devices 10, is then inserted into the supporting structure 110 by putting the hook fingers 29 in contact with the rails.

[0085] Other variants of the invention may use, in particular, known alternatives for the means of fixing to the supporting structure 110. For example, the bolt 5 may be extended and come into direct contact with an anchor or fixing point of the supporting structure 110.

[0086] The assembly consisting of the corner bracket 9 and the stirrup 9 can be adapted to the supporting structure 110 using numerous fixing means, and these fixing means can vary according to the nature of the supporting structure 110 (suspended, anchored in a wall 200, etc.).

[0087] Figure 3 shows a fixing device 10 for the bottom corner of panel 1, assembled and installed on the supporting structure 110, with hook 3 coming into contact with the rail.

[0088] The hook 3, intended for a fastening device 10 for the lower corner of panel 1, further comprises means for press-fitting to the rail 39. These means for press-fitting to the rail 39 are herein in the form of Z-arms, articulated at one end to the hook body 27 with an elastic restraint that tends to return said Z-arm to the hook finger 29. The Z-arm comes into contact with the lower face of the rail and, when press-fitted to said rail, prevents the hook 3 from being pulled upwards and thus prevents the panel 1 from being disengaged from the facade 100.

[0089] In this case, the Z-shaped arm is obtained by deforming a U-shaped metal rod, and the free ends of the U are bent and inserted into the corresponding housings of the hook body 27 and form the axis of rotation. All the fastening devices 10 comprise elements that are identical or symmetrical to each other: identical to a rotation near diagonally opposite fastening devices 10, symmetrical to fastening devices 10 on the same edge.

[0090] As a result, economies of scale can be achieved in the production of the fastening devices 10. Figure 4 is a schematic front view of an alternative embodiment of the corner bracket 7.

[0091] In this embodiment, the corner bracket 7 is trapezoidal in shape, and therefore a setback is observed between the corner of panel 1 and the edge of the corner bracket 7. This setback is specifically mandated by the standards and legislation of many countries. In particular, the thickness of the trapezoidal corner bracket 7 and the thickness of the metal strip used to create the stirrup 9 in the preceding figures may correspond.

[0092] Corner sconce 7 is then more discreet as it is covered by stirrup 9.

[0093] Figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of stirrup 9. In this embodiment, stirrup 9 is obtained, for example, by assembling profile sections.

[0094] Stirrup 9 has a square U-shaped profile, with two perpendicular arms, panel 1 being inserted into this U-shaped profile, both arms resting against the edge and end of panel 1. Therefore, stirrup 9 presents, facing forward, on the visible side of panel 1 on facade 100, a continuous lip 41 instead of clearly separated fingers 15.

[0095] However, the continuous lip 41 is an obvious alternative to the 15 fingers for those skilled in the technique.

[0096] The fixing device 10 according to the invention, with the corner bracket 7 and the stirrup 9, is quick and easy to assemble, and simplifies the fixing of the panels 1 to the supporting structure 110.

[0098] In addition, unlike through-screw fastening devices, only the finger end 15 of the stirrup 9 appears on the visible face of panel 1.

[0100] Therefore, the fixing device 10 is potentially more discreet on the facade, or at least offers a visual alternative to visible through screws.

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS 1. Device for fixing a panel (1) to a supporting structure (110) of a suspended panel facade (100), said panel having a front face and a rear face, comprising: - means of fixing (3) to the supporting structure (110), having a hole (31) configured to cooperate with a bolt (5), - a bolt (5), - a stirrup (9), comprising: * a support surface (17) against the rear face of the panel (1), * fingers (15) configured to make contact with an edge of the panel (1), * a hole (25) forming a passage for the bolt (5) in the bearing surface (17), characterized in that it also includes: - a corner fitting (7), flat and configured to attach to a corner of the rear face of the panel (1), comprising snap-fit means (11) disposed on the opposite side of the panel (1) once assembled, and including the device's stirrup: - complementary snap-fit means (19) of the snap-fit means (11) of the corner fitting (7), the bolt (5) coming into contact with the stirrup (9), leading to the hole (31) and joining the fastening means (3) of the supporting structure (110) in the assembled state. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the corner fitting (7) is composed of a metal sheet and in that the snap-fit means (11) comprise snap-fit tabs cut into the corner fitting (7), and the complementary snap-fit means (19) comprise recesses of corresponding shape and arrangement in the support surface (17) of the stirrup (9). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises an elastic element (13), arranged and compressed in the assembled state between the corner fitting (7) and the support surface (17) of the stirrup (9). 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the corner fitting (7) is composed of a metal sheet and in that the elastic element (13) comprises elastic tabs cut into the corner fitting (7). 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an adhesive sheet (8) which, in the assembled state, glues the corner applique (7) against the panel (1). 6. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stirrup (9) comprises side panels (23), forming a support surface for an edge and an end of the panel (1), and from which the fingers (15) extend. 7. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for fixing the panel (1) to the supporting structure (110) comprise hooks (3), configured to engage with a rail of the supporting structure (110) and to move longitudinally with respect to said rail. 8. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the hooks (3) are attached, in the assembled state, to an upper corner of the panel (1), and can also be moved according to the height. 9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the hooks (3) are attached, in the assembled state, to a lower corner of the panel (1), further comprising snap-fit means (39) with the rail of the supporting structure (110), preventing the removal of the panel (1) when snap-fitted with said rail. 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the corner applique (7) comprises applique fingers (21) that come into contact with an edge or end of the panel (1).