Curtain wall systems having improved vertical frame member
AssigneeRobertson-Ceco Corporation
InventorRobert I. Hossli
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A curtain wall structure of the type incorporating laterally displaceable, vertical spline means for releasibly securing horizontally adjacent panels to supporting structure. A vertical gap is presented between adjacent panels through the spline means is accessible. The support structure includes improved vertical frame means arranged to accommodate misalignments between spline means and the frame means such that the spline means remains accessible through the gap.
Claims15
In a vertical joint between horizontally adjacent wall panels of a wall structure, comprising said panels having inner and outer faces, and presenting spaced-apart vertical edges with a vertical gap therebetween;
- means at said vertical edges of said inner face providing vertical recesses open at and extending inwardly of said vertical edges;
- vertical spline means spanning across said vertical gap, engaging said vertical recesses, and being movable out of engagement with either of said recesses thereby releasibly retaining said panels;
- the improvement comprising:
- fastening means accessible through said gap, releasibly securing said vertical spline to structure inboard of said wall panels;
- and
- said structure including vertical flange means extending laterally of and parallel to and in flush engagement with said spline means and secured thereto by said fastening means, said flange means having means sufficient to accommodate lateral adjustment between said vertical gap and said flange means.
A frame member for use in a curtain wall structure having a plurality of panels, said frame means comprising:
- a central plate having opposite sides and inner and outer faces;
- U-shaped arms, each connected to one of said opposite sides and extending away from said outer face, sand U-shaped arms having open ends adjacent to said inner face;
- flange means spaced from and generally parallel with said central plate and intermediate of said U-shaped arms, said flange means having means sufficient to accommodate misalignment between said panels;
- and
- connecting means connecting said flange means to said frame member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.