FERRO NICOLO (IT)
AVVANZINI UGO (IT)
FERRO NICOLO (IT)
| DE9302820U1 | 1993-07-29 | |||
| US20030126813A1 | 2003-07-10 | |||
| EP1589182A1 | 2005-10-26 |
CLAIMS
1. A continuous faςade (1) provided with a plurality of first uprights (10) each of which extending in a given direction (D) , and with a plurality of first panes (20) , each of which being connected to each respective said first upright (10) through the interposition of at least one support unit (30) ; characterised in that each said support unit (30) comprises a first support member (32) and first interface means (322) hinged to said first support member (32) and supporting each corresponding said first pane (20) in a manner orientable at will relative to the respective said first upright (10) .
2. A faςade as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that each said first support member (32) comprises first regulating means (324) able to adjust the position of each said first pane (20) with respect to the related first upright (10) along said given direction (D) ; each said first support member (32) presenting a first connecting portion (326) connected rigidly to the respective said first upright (10) through a first prismatic coupling (40) provided with a first longitudinal fastening device (402) .
3. A faςade according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that said interface means (322) comprise at least one first interface (322) pivoted to said first support member (32) around a first axis (52) parallel to said given direction (D) through at least one first pivot pin (54) (57) coaxial to said first axis (52); said first interface (322) being provided with at least one first arm
(56) equipped with a first connecting member (562) coupled to at least one said first pane (20) to support it.
4. A faςade according to claim 3, characterised in that said first interface (322) is provided with a first base portion (50) which houses a portion of said first pivot pin
(54) (57) within a respective first hole (51') (51); said first support member (32) presenting for each first base portion (50) at least one first ear (38) which extends from opposite side to said first connecting portion (326) and presents a second hole (384) that houses an additional portion of said first pivot pin (54) (57) in such a way that each said first ear (37) couples in a hinged manner with the respective said first base portion (50) .
5. A faςade according to claim 4 characterised in that said first support member (32) presents a pair of said first ears (38) for each said first base portion (50) associated with said first interface (322) ; each pair of said first ears (38) being positioned symmetrically relative to an intermediate plane (M) transverse to said given direction (D) in such a way as to couple bilaterally with the respective said first base portion (50) .
6. A faςade according to claim 4 or 5 depending on claim 2, characterised in that said first regulating means (324) comprise at least a first support member (54) (57) for supporting a respective said first interface (322) which is able to adjust the position of a respective said first base portion (50) along the respective said first axis (52).
7. A faςade according to any one of claims 4-6 depending on claim 2, characterised in that said first regulating means (324) comprise at least one first locking member (55) (58) for locking a respective said first interface (322) which is able to lock the position of the respective said first interface (322) relative to said first upright (10).
8. A faςade according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that each said first support member (54) comprises a said first pivot pin (54) able to serve as a abutment for a respective said first base portion (50) along said given direction (D); each said first pivot pin (54) presenting a first threaded portion (544), whose outer diameter exceeds the diameter of each said first hole (51') (51), and a first head portion (542) housed within said first base portion (50); said second holes (384) being threaded to couple in a screwed manner to a respective said first threaded portion (544) . 9. A facade according to claims 7 and 8 depending on claim
5, characterised in that each said first locking member
(55) comprises a second pivot pin (55) coaxial to said axis
(52) and positioned at opposite side from said first support member (54) to co-operate therewith to clamp said first base portion (50) to said first ears (38) and hence to said first support member (32) ; each said second pivot pin (55) presenting a second head portion (552) housed within said first base portion (50) and a second threaded portion (554) coupled in a screwed manner to a said second hole (384) associated with a respective said first ear
(38) .
10. A facade according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that each said first support member (32) comprises a first pivot pin (57) housed internally to said first hole (51) in such a way as to engage its entire longitudinal extension; said first hole (51) being a through hole and traversing a corresponding said first base portion (50) throughout its respective longitudinal extension.
11. A facade according to claim 10 depending on claim I 1 characterised in that each said first pivot pin (57) comprises a first screw (57) and in that each said first locking member (58) comprises a first nut (58); each said first hole (51) presenting at least one first threaded segment (515) in such a way as to couple with said first screw (57) in order to adjust the position of said first interface (322) along the direction (D) by operating said first screw (57 ).
12. A faςade according to any one of claims 3-11, characterised in that each said first interface (322) comprises two first arms (56) positioned at the same side relative to said first axis (52) and symmetrically relative to an intermediate plane (M) transverse to said given direction (D) ; each said first arm (56) being provided with at least one said first connecting member (562) to couple with a respective said first pane (20) .
13. A facade according to claim 3, characterised in that said first interface (322) comprises at least one second ear (53) provided with a respective third hole (534) able to house a portion of said first pivot pin (54) (57); said first support member (32) being provided with a first support portion (33) provided with at least one respective fourth hole (334) that houses an additional portion of said first pivot pin (54) (57) in such a way that each said second ear (53) couples in a hinged manner with the respective said first support portion (33) .
14. A facade according to claim 13, characterised in that each said first interface (322) presents at least one pair of second ears (53) positioned symmetrically relative to an intermediate plane (M) transverse to said given direction (D) in such a way as to couple bilaterally with the respective said first support portion (33) .
15. A faςade according to claim 13 or 14 depending on claim 2, characterised in that said first regulating means (324) comprise at least one first support member (54) (57) of a respective said first interface (322) which is able to adjust the position of at least a respective said second ear (53) along the respective said first axis (52).
16. A faςade according to any one of claims 13-15 depending on claim 2, characterised in that said first regulating means (324) comprise at least one second locking member (55) (58) for locking a respective said first interface (322) which is able to lock the position of the respective said first interface (322) relative to said first upright ( 10 ) .
17. A faςade according to claim 15 or 16, characterised in that each said second support member (54) comprises a said first pivot pin (54) which acts as a abutment for a respective said first support portion (33) along said given direction (D); each said first pivot pin (54) presenting a third threaded portion (544) whose outer diameter exceeds the diameter of each said fourth hole (334), and a third head portion (542) housed within said first support portion (33); said third hole (534) housing said first pivot pin (54) being threaded to couple in a screwed manner with the respective said third threaded portion (544) .
18. A faςade according to claims 16 and 17 depending on claim 14, characterised in that each said second locking member (55) comprises a third pivot pin (55) coaxial to said first axis (52) and positioned at opposite side from said second support member (54) to co-operate therewith to clamp said first base portion (33) with said second ears (53) and hence with said first interface (322); each said third pivot pin (55) presenting a fourth head portion (552) housed within said first support portion (33) and a fourth threaded portion (554) coupled in a screwed manner with said third hole (534) associated to a respective said second ear (53) . 19. A faςade according to claim 15 or 16, characterised in that each said second support member (57) comprises a first pivot pin (57) housed internally to said fourth hole (334) in such a way as to engage its entire longitudinal extension; said fourth hole (334) being a through hole and traversing a corresponding said first support portion (33) throughout its respective longitudinal extension. 20. A faςade according to claim 19 depending on claim 16, characterised in that each said first pivot pin (57) comprises a second screw (57) and that each said second locking member (58) comprises a second nut (58); each said fourth hole (334) presenting a second threaded segment (335) in such a way as to couple with said second screw (57) in order to adjust the position of said first interface (322) along the direction (D) by operating said second screw (57).
21. A facade according to any one of claims 13-20, characterised in that each said first interface (322) presents two first arms (56) positioned at the same side relative to said first axis (52) and symmetrically relative to an intermediate plane (M) transverse to said given direction (D) ; each said first arm (56) being provided with at least one said first connecting member (562) to couple with a respective said first pane (20) . 22. A faςade according to claim 12 or 21, characterised in that each said first arm (56) is able to describe relative to said first axis (52) an angle (α) of at least 45° of amplitude in such a way that said first contiguous panes (20) can delimit an inner angle whose extension ranges at least between 90° and 180°.
23. A facade according to any one of claims 12, 21 or 22, characterised in that each said first support member (32) comprises a first reference member (34) able to serve as an abutment for each respective said first arm (56), in such a way as to identify a limit inclination angle for each respective said first arm (56) .
24. A faςade according to claims 23 depending on claims 5 and 12, characterised in that each said first reference member (34) is positioned between the two said first ears (38); each said first base portion (50) being delimited by a first planar lateral surface able to couple in a conjugate manner with said first reference member (34).
25. A faςade according to any one of claims 2-24, characterised in that said first prismatic coupling (40) comprises a first guide (42) carried by said first upright
(10) and a first slide (44) associated to said first connecting portion (326) mutually coupled in a conjugate manner; said first longitudinal fastening device (402) comprising at least one third screw (402) able to connect said first slide (44) to the first said guide (42) in a rigid and freely releasable manner.
26. A faςade according to any one of claims 3-25, characterised in that each said first connecting member (562) can be coupled with each respective said first pane (20) in a rigid and selectively releasable manner.
27. A support unit (30) for supporting a continuous faςade (1) as described according to any one of claims 1-27; said continuous faςade (1) being provided with a plurality of second uprights (10) , each of which extending in a given direction (D) , and with a plurality of second panes (20) , each of which being connected to each respective said second upright (10) through the interposition of at least one said support unit (30) ; said unit (30) being characterised by comprising a second support member (32) provided with second interface means (322) able to support each corresponding said second pane (20) in a manner that is orientable at will relative to the respective said second upright (10) . 28. A unit according to claim 27, characterised in that each said second support member (32) comprises second regulating means (324) able to adjust the position of each said second pane (20) with respect to the related second upright (10) along said given direction (D); each said second support member (32) presenting a second connecting portion (326) connected rigidly to the respective said second upright (10) through a second prismatic coupling (40) provided with a second longitudinal fastening device (402) .
29. A unit according to claim 27 or 28, characterised in that said second interface means (322) comprise at least one second interface (322) pivoted to said second support member (32) around a second axis (52) parallel to said given direction (D) through at least one fourth pivot pin
(54) (57) coaxial to said second axis (52); said second interface (322) being provided with at least one second arm
(56) equipped with a second connecting member (562) able to support at least one said second pane (20) . 30. A unit according to claim 29, characterised in that said second interface (322) is provided with a second base portion (50) which houses a portion of said fourth pivot pin (54) (57) within a respective fifth hole (51') (51); said second support member (32) presenting for each second base portion (50) at least one third ear (38) which extends from opposite side to said second connecting portion (326) and presents a sixth hole (384) that houses an additional portion of said fourth pivot pin (54) (57) in such a way that each said third ear (38) couples in a hinged manner with the respective said second base portion (50) .
31. A unit according to claim 30 characterised in that said second support member (32) presents a pair of said third ears (38) for each said second base portion (50) associated to said second interface (322); each pair of said third ears (38) being positioned symmetrically relative to an intermediate plane (M) transverse to said given direction (D) in such a way as to couple bilaterally with the respective said second base portion (50).
32. A unit according to claim 30 or 31 depending on claim 28, characterised in that said second regulating means
(324) comprise at least one third support member (54) (57) for supporting a respective said second interface (322), which is able to adjust the position of a respective said second base portion (50) along the respective said second axis ( 52 ) .
33. A unit according to any one of claims 30-32 depending on claim 28, characterised in that said second regulating means (324) comprise at least one third locking member (55) (58) for locking a respective said second interface (322) which is able to lock the position of the respective said second interface (322) relative to said second upright (10) .
34. A unit according to claim 32 or 33, characterised in that each said second support member (54) comprises a said fourth pivot pin (54) able to act as an abutment for a respective said second base portion (50) along said given direction (D); each said fourth pivot pin (54) presenting a fifth threaded portion (544) whose outer diameter exceeds the diameter of each said fifth hole (51') (51), and a fifth head portion (542) housed within said second base portion
(50); said sixth holes (384) being threaded to couple in a screwed manner with a respective said fifth threaded portion (544 ) . 35. A unit according to claims 33 and 34 depending on claim 31, characterised in that each said third locking member (55) comprises a fifth pivot pin (55) coaxial to said second axis (52) and positioned at opposite side from said third support member (54) to co-operate therewith to clamp said second base portion (50) to said third ears (38) and hence to said second support member (32); each said fifth pivot pin (55) presenting a sixth head portion (552) housed within said second base portion (50) and a sixth threaded portion (554) coupled in a screwed manner to a said sixth hole (384) associated with a respective said third ear (38) .
36. A unit according to claim 32 or 33, characterised in that each said third support member (57) comprises a fourth pivot pin (57) housed internally to said fifth hole (51) in such a way as to engage the entire longitudinal extension thereof; said fifth hole (51) being a through hole and traversing a corresponding said second base portion (50) throughout its respective longitudinal extension. 37. A unit according to claim 36 depending on claim 33, characterised in that each said fourth pivot pin (57) comprises a fourth screw (57) and in that each said second locking member (58) comprises a third nut (58); each said fifth hole (51) presenting at least its own third threaded segment (515) in such a way as to couple with said fourth screw (57) in order to adjust the position of said second interface (322) along the direction (D) by operating said fourth screw (57) .
38. A unit according to any one of claims 29-37, characterised in that each said second base portion (50) presents two second arms (56) positioned at the same side relative to said second axis (52) and symmetrically relative to an intermediate plane (M) transverse to said given direction (D) ; each said second arm (56) being provided with at least one said second connecting member (562) to couple with a respective said second pane (20).
39. A unit according to claim 29, characterised in that said second interface (322) comprises at least one fourth ear (53) provided with a respective seventh hold (534) housing a portion of said fourth pivot pin (54) (57); said second support member (32) comprising at least one second support portion (33) which projects from the opposite side to said second connecting portion (326) and is provided with at least one respective eighth hole (334) which houses and additional portion of said fourth pivot pin (54) (57) in such a way that each said fourth ear (53) couples in a hinged manner with the respective said second support portion (33) .
40. A unit according to claim 39, characterised in that each said second interface (322) presents at least one pair of fourth ears (53) positioned symmetrically relative to an intermediate plane (M) transverse to said given direction (D) in such a way as to couple bilaterally with the respective said second support portion (33) .
41. A unit according to claim 39 or 40 depending on claim 28, characterised in that said second regulating means (324) comprise at least one fourth support member (54) (57) for supporting a respective said second interface (322) which is able to adjust the position of a respective said fourth ear (53) along the respective said second axis (52).
42. A unit according to any one of claims 39-41 depending on claim 28, characterised in that said second regulating means (324) comprise at least one fourth locking member (55) (58) for locking a respective said second interface (322) which is able to lock the position of the respective said second interface (322) relative to said second upright (10) .
43. A unit according to claim 41 or 42, characterised in that each said second support member (54) comprises a said fourth pivot pin (54) which acts as an abutment for a respective said second support portion (33) along said given direction (D); each said fourth pivot pin (54) presenting a seventh threaded portion (544) whose outer diameter exceeds the diameter of each said seventh hole (334), and a seventh head portion (542) housed within said second support portion (33); said seventh hole (534) housing said fourth pivot pin (54) being threaded to couple in a screwed manner with the respective said seventh threaded portion (544) .
44. A unit according to claims 42 and 43 depending on claim 40, characterised in that each said fourth locking member (55) comprises a sixth pivot pin (55) coaxial to said second axis (52) and positioned at opposite side from said fourth support member (54) to co-operate therewith to clamp said second support portion (33) to said fourth ears (53) and hence to said second interface (332); each said sixth pivot pin (55) presenting an eighth head portion (552) housed within said second support portion (33) and an eighth threaded portion (554) coupled in a screwed manner with a said seventh hole (534) associated to a respective said second ear (53) .
45. A unit according to claim 41 or 42, characterised in that each said fourth support member (57) comprises a fourth pivot pin (57) housed internally to said eighth hole (334) in such a way as to engage the entire longitudinal extension thereof; said eighth hole (334) being a through hole and traversing a corresponding said second support portion (33) throughout its respective longitudinal extension.
46. A unit according to claim 45 depending on claim 42, characterised in that each said fourth pivot pin (57) comprises a fifth screw (57) and that each said fourth locking member (58) comprises a fourth nut (58); each said eighth hole (334) presenting its own fourth threaded segment (335) in such a way as to couple with said fifth screw (57) in order to adjust the position of said second interface (322) along the direction (D) by operating said fifth screw (57) .
47. A unit according to any one of claims 39-46, characterised in that each said second interface (322) presents two second arms (56) positioned at the same side relative to said second axis (52) and symmetrically relative to an intermediate plane (M) transverse to said given direction (D); each said second arm (56) being provided with at least one said second connecting member (562) to couple with a respective said second pane (20).
48. A unit according to claim 38 or 47, characterised in that each said second arm (56) is able to describe relative to said second axis (52) an angle (α) of at least 45° of amplitude in such a way that said second contiguous panes (20) can delimit an inner angle whose extension ranges at least between 90° and 180°.
49. A unit according to any one of claims 38, 47 or 48, characterised in that each said second support member (32) comprises a second reference member (34) able to act as an abutment for each respective said second arm (56) , in such a way as to identify a limit inclination angle for each respective said second arm (56) .
50. A unit according to claim 49 depending on claims 31 and 38, characterised in that each said second reference member (34) is positioned between the two said third ears (38); each said second base portion (50) being delimited by a second planar lateral surface (59) able to couple in a conjugate manner with said second reference member (34).
51. A unit according to any one of claims 28-50, characterised in that said second prismatic coupling (40) comprises a second guide (42) carried by said second upright (10) and a second slide (44) associated to said connecting portion (326) mutually coupled in a conjugate manner; said second longitudinal fastening device (402) comprising at least a sixth screw (402) able to connect said second slide (44) to the second said guide (42) in a rigid and freely releasable manner.
52. A unit according to any one of claims 29-51, characterised in that each said second connecting member (562) can be coupled to each respective said second pane (20) in a rigid and selectively releasable manner. |
CONTINUOUS FAQADE
The present invention relates to a continuous faςade. In particular, the present invention relates to a continuous faςade that comprises an upright able to support a plurality of panes through a support unit. More in particular, the present invention relates to a continuous faςade that comprises an upright able to support a plurality of panes through a support unit provided with a regulating device for adjusting the position of the panes relative to the uprights to provide the faςade with a given conformation .
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION In the construction industry, it is well known to construct buildings with faςades that develop according to a matrix structure comprising modules that repeat horizontally and vertically in a serial manner around nodes whereto are connected one or more panes in relation to the respective positioning in the map of the faςade. To each module corresponds a rectangular shaped glass pane and the global architectural effect of the structure has great impact, given that in the most audacious constructions only the glass panes remain in view, to the point that the expression "continuous faςades" has been introduced to define such constructive schemes.
In some cases, as in the patent application no. EP 5023155 by the applicant, which is deemed incorporated by reference, with particular reference to the critique of the prior art and to the contribution to innovation provided by the teachings disclosed therein, continuous faςades are manufactured coupling glass panes supported exclusively by metallic uprights installed vertically and presenting a box - shaped section that is provided, externally, with an
engagement portion for a support unit, which is located on the related upright at an intermediate or end position.
Said support unit can comprise one or more arms, each of which presents a support element for a respective glass pane. In view of the above description, to each support unit can correspond 1 to 4 support elements, in relation to the position in which this support unit must be positioned on the respective upright, and naturally also to the position of the related upright. Naturally, the shape globally assumed by continuous faςade is conditioned by the angle whereby each support element is carried in end position of each individual arm and it normally carries a hole for a releasable connection, and normally a threaded hole. Therefore, if planar facades must be built, the engagement portion and the respective support elements will be substantially parallel to each other, whilst they shall be inclined by a given angle if it is necessary to produce continuous surfaces in segments, as in the case in which the uprights have to be positioned in plan view at the ends of a broken line. Naturally, great care shall be placed in all the construction phases, starting from the step of installing the upright, since any minimal positioning error that should exceed the tolerances allowed by the threaded connections would impose repeating the installation from the start. It is easily understood that this is not very practical, especially in the case of skyscrapers, in which the faςades to be installed have great extension and comprise a large quantity of modules, each of which with at least one glass pane. It should also be kept in mind that, if a considerable portion of the part of faςade already installed had to be removed, in addition to the additional labour costs for the physical dismantling of the various panes and of the related support unit, the re-tooling costs for the necessary scaffolding need to be considered as
well, and the total costs tend to be double the originally expected costs. Nor can it be forgotten that the duplication of the operational risk for labour force must also be computed, considering that such faςades are normally employed in the tallest buildings.
In view of the above description, the applicant has evaluated that the structures described above can be improved to avoid having to repeat their installation more than once because of positioning errors that should exceed the tolerances of the threaded couplings between the ends of the arms and the holes of the panes of the faςade.
In view of the above description, the problem of having available sufficient dimensional tolerance margins for the couplings between the panes and the respective support arms seems currently unsolved and represents an interesting challenge for the applicant, in order to facilitate the installation steps of continuous faςades and to increase the match between what the designer envisions and the actual architectural result, with low costs. In view of the situation described above, it would be desirable to have available a continuous faςade and a support unit for glass panes or similar bodies that, in addition to enabling to limit and possibly to overcome the typical drawbacks of the prior art illustrated above, could define a new standard for such types of faςades, which may aid the development of the respective market. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention relates to a continuous faςade. In particular, the present invention relates to. a continuous faςade that comprises an upright able to support a plurality of panes through a support unit. More in particular, the present invention relates to a continuous faςade that comprises an upright able to support a plurality of panes through a support unit provided with a
regulating device for adjusting the position of the panes relative to the uprights to provide the facade with a given conformation .
An object of the present invention is to provide a continuous faςade that allows the disadvantages described above to be solved, and which is suitable to satisfy a plurality of requirements that to date have still not been addressed, and therefore, suitable to represent a new and original source of economic interest and capable of modifying the current market of continuous facades.
According to the present invention, a continuous faςade is provided, whose main characteristics are described in at least one of the appended claims.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a support unit for continuous fagades, this unit allowing the disadvantages described above for continuous fagades to be solved, and which is suitable to satisfy a plurality of requirements that to date are solved in a dissatisfactory manner, and therefore suitable to represent a new and original source of economic interest and capable of modifying the current market of continuous fagades.
According to the present invention, a support unit for continuous fagades is provided, whose main characteristics are described in at least one of the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further characteristics and advantages of the continuous fagade according to the present invention will be more apparent from the description below, set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate some non-limiting examples of embodiment, in which identical or corresponding parts of the device are identified by the same reference numbers. In particular:
figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a continuous faςade according to the present invention;
- figure 2 is a schematic perspective view in enlarged scale and with some parts removed for the sake of clarity of a detail of figure 1;
- figure 3 is an exploded view of figure 2;
- figure 4 is a plan view in reduced scale, with some parts removed for the sake of clarity, of figure 1 illustrated in a plurality of operating configurations;
- figure 5 is a perspective schematic view of figure 4, in reduced scale;
- figure 6 is a perspective partially exploded view of a second preferred embodiment of figure 2; and - figure 7 is a perspective partially exploded view of a third preferred embodiment of figure 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In figure 1, number 1 indicates, in its entirety, a continuous faςade effectively usable to close a lateral portion of a building whose plan view can indifferently be linearly shaped or similar to a broken line. In the first case, the faςade shall be substantially planar and in the second case it may present a plurality of edges or a substantially prismatic shape, as shown in figures 4 and 5. faςade (1) is provided with a plurality of uprights 10, each of which extending in a given direction D, which is represented vertically in figure 1, and with a plurality of panes 20, each of which is connected to at least one respective upright 10 through the interposition of at least one support unit 30. More in general, as shown in figure 1, each pane is supported by two uprights through at least two support groups 30. With particular reference to figure 2, each support unit 30 comprises a support member 32 that is provided with a connecting portion 326 which is, in turn,
connected to the respective upright 10 through a prismatic coupling 40, visible in figure 4 only. This prismatic coupling 40 comprises a guide 42 integrally carried by the upright 10 and a slide 44 associated with the connecting portion 326 and it is provided with a longitudinal fastening device 402, shown in figure 3, which is able to connect the slide 44 to the guide 42 in a rigid, freely releasable manner. This fastening device 402 may economically, but without limitation, comprise at least one screw that is indicated by the same reference number 402 for the sake of convenience. To each support member 32 is connected at least one interface 322 that is shaped to support each corresponding pane 20 and it is designed to be orientable at will relative to the respective support member 32 and hence to the corresponding upright 10. In particular, as shall become more readily apparent hereafter, each interface 322 is shaped to couple in hinged manner with the respective support member 32 which, in turn, comprises a regulating device 324 able to adjust the position of each pane 20 with respect to a related upright 10 along the given direction D with the pane 20 considered rigidly connected to the respective interface 322.
Each interface 322 presents at least one base portion 50 hinged to the support member 32 by means of a first and a second pivot pins 54 and 55, which both are coaxial to a first axis 52, parallel to the given direction D, and are positioned at opposite side relative to an intermediate plane M transverse to the given direction D; each base portion 50 is provided with at least one arm 56 that presents, in turn, a connecting member 562 able to support at least one pane 20. Each base portion 50 also presents a first through hole 51 that houses a first and a second head portions 542 and 552 respectively of the first and of the second pivot pins 54 and 55. Alternatively to the first
through hole 51, each base portion 50 can present a pair of first holes 51' with limited extension but aligned to each other and positioned symmetrically to the intermediate plane M. In particular, each first hole 51' presents a depth that approximates, without exceeding it, the longitudinal extension of the head portion 542/552 housed thereby.
With particular reference to figure 3, the first and the second pivot pins 54 and 55 are substantially identical to one another and they are both provided with a respective first and second threaded portions 544 and 554 provided with an outer diameter exceeding the diameter of each first hole 51/51' . Again with reference to figures 2 and 3, the support member 32 presents at least one first ear 38 for each base portion 50. In particular, the support member 32 preferably presents a pair of first ears 38 positioned symmetrically relative to the intermediate plane M and extending at opposite side from the connecting portion 326; each first ear 38 presents a second threaded hole 384 to house a respective threaded portion 544/554 in order to support stably the corresponding pivot pin 54/55.
In view of the above description, if the base portion 50 presents a single first through hole 51, the region of the threaded portion 544 that exceeds the first hole 51 acts as an abutment along the given direction D for the base portion 50 and enables to adjust the position of the base portion 50 along the given direction D simply by acting on the threaded coupling between the first threaded portion 544 and the respective second hole 384. Vice versa, if two distinct first holes 51' are present, the first head portion 542 of the first pivot pin 54 serves as an abutment for the base portion 50 and enables the adjustment of the position of the base portion 50 along the given direction D.
In both cases, the introduction of the second pivot pin 55 at opposite side from the first pivot pin 54 enables to clamp the base portion 50 with the first ears 38 and hence with the support member 32 in such a way as to lock the position of each arm 56 relative to the support member 32 itself and to the corresponding upright 10.
In view of the above description, the first pivot pin 54 can be interpreted as a first support member 54 for the central portion 50, whilst the second pivot pin 55 can be interpreted as a first locking member 55 for locking the position of the interface 322 and the arm 56 relative to the support member 32 and hence to the upright 10. For the sake of clarity, it should thus be stressed that the first support member 54 and the first locking member 55 are associated to the regulating device 324 and their joint use enables both to orient each pane 20 around a respective upright 10 and to adjust its position along the given direction D.
The number of the arms 56 of each base portion 50 depends on the function and on the position that each base portion 50 has to exercise when installed; normally, if the respective unit 30 is carried by an intermediate upright 10 in intermediate position, each base portion 50 presents two arms 56 positioned at the same side of the respective first axis 52 and symmetrically relative to an intermediate plane M.
Each connecting member 562 can be coupled with each pane 20 in a rigid and selectively releasable manner through a threaded connection taken as known and therefore not illustrated, and that in some cases is of the orientable type, especially when it is feared that the accuracy of the construction may be somehow deficient.
If it is considered necessary to limit the angle of inclination of the panes 20 of the faςade, or if it is
preferred to provide the installers with a precise reference, it is possible to equip each unit 30 with reference members 34. These reference members 34 can be embodied economically and without limitations with planar abutments 34 for a planar lateral face of each respective base portion 50. With reference to figure 4, each support member 32 presents at least one planar abutment 34, parallel to the given direction D and positioned between two respective first ears 38, whilst the respective base portion 50 comprises a lateral surface 59, shaped flat and vertical in figures 3 and 4 to couple in a conjugate manner with the abutment 34. In any case, the abutment 34 shall be positioned along the respective support member 32 in such a way that each interface 322 is free to describe around the respective first axis 52, and hence the upright 10, an angle CC of at least 45° of amplitude. In this way it will be possible to orient contiguous panes 20 in such a way that they delimit an inner angle with extension ranging at least between 90° and 180°, as shown in figure 5. Use of the fagade 1 is easily understood from the above description, and requires no further explanations.
Nonetheless, it may be useful to specify that the choice of using a support unit 30 comprising a respective support member 32 hinged to the respective interface 322 enables to make each corresponding pane 20 rotatable relative to its own axis parallel to the direction D and relative to the respective upright 10. The inclination angle of each individual pane 20 can be defined on site at the time of installation according to the specific requirements, hence in the absence of pre-constituted constraints when constructing the components of each unit 30, thereby avoiding the accessory costs globally deriving from the need rigidly to adhere to certain dimensions
because these units 30 are conceived to support glass panes, hence bodies that present negligible elasticity.
Lastly, it is apparent that modifications and variants can be made to the facade 1 described and illustrated herein without however departing from the protective scope of the present invention.
For example, as shown in figure 6, it is possible to replace the combination of a first and of a second pivot pins 54 and 55 with a single third pivot pin 57 which can economically, but without limitation, be produced by means of a second screw 57. In this second preferred embodiment, the second holes 384 are not threaded and at least one of said holes 384 presents a countersink able to house the head of the second screw 57. On the contrary, the first hole 51 of the base portion 50 is necessarily a through hole and presents at least its own first threaded segment 515 to couple with the second screw 57 in such a way that, by operating on this latter, it is possible to adjust the position of the base portion 50 along the given direction D. The second screws 57 presents greater longitudinal extension than the distance between the two first ears 38 and it is locked in rotation by a nut 58 coupled to the free end thereof at opposite side from its own head, in abutment with the respective first ear 38. Therefore, said nut 58 is able stably to refer the position of the base portion 50 along the given direction D. In this case as well, in view of the above description, the third pivot pin 57 / the second screw 57 and the nut 58 can be interpreted respectively as a second support member 57 and a second locking member 58 for respectively supporting and locking the base portion 50; moreover, in view of the above description, both the members 57 and 58 are associated to the regulating device 324.
A third preferred embodiment of the continuous faςade 1 and, in particular, of the support unit 30, is shown in figure 7 and it provides for the position of the ears 38 and the respective base portion 50 to be exchanged. In particular, contrary to the two previous variants, the interface 322 presents instead of the base portion 50 at least one second ear 53 able to house a first pivot pin 54 or a third pivot pin 57. In particular, the interface 322 presents a pair of second ears 53 positioned symmetrically to the intermediate plane M and provided with respective third holes 534, whilst the support member 32 comprises at least one support portion 33 provided with at least one pair of respective aligned fourth holes 334' or with a single through hole 334. This support portion 33 is coupled, in use, to the second ears 53 by means of at least one respective pivot pin. Similarly to the preferred embodiments described above, in this case too it will be possible to use a first and a second mutually opposite pivot pins 54 and 55 or, alternatively, a third pivot pin 57, which may be provided with a locking member 58, to adjust the position of each interface 322 along the given direction D. In this second case the through hole 334 will present a second threaded segment 335 thereof to couple in a screwed manner the second pivot pin 57. Solely for the sake of simplicity, only the first technical solution is illustrated in figure 7, although this choice does not represent a limitation to the scope of protection of the present invention.
In view of the above description, the use of any one of the three preferred embodiments of the continuous faςade 1 and of the support unit 30 enables to solve the technical problem in question, i.e. it enables to have available sufficient margins of dimensional tolerance for the
couplings between the contiguous panes of a continuous wall and the respective support arms.
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