The invention relates to a distance-holding device for pairs of plates, preferably for multi-layer glass panes, multi-layer glass doors, windows and the like having two plate-like panes opposing each other and arranged at a distance from each other, between which a preferably hermetically closed space is formed, the block-type distance-holding device comprising a body and at least one end-face cap, which are separably connected to each other and are each provided with a mechanical fixing means at the opposite end-faces of the distance-holding device for fixing the plates at the distance-holding device.

Distance-holding devices or spacers for pairs of plates, inparticular for pairs of glass panes or double windows, have been known in a variety of forms. For example, profiled rails may be placed between two plates, with each plate resting on a respective leg of the profile and thus held at a distance from the other plate. Further, multi-layer glass windows have been known comprising an outer frame hiding an inner frame arranged between the plates or panes, respectively.

So-called distance blocks have been known for all-glass doors or multi-layer windows for all-glass window fronts whose edge borders are to comprise only decorative battens instead of conventional frames, and are to confine a hermetically sealed space between the panes. These distance blocks comprise threaded pocket bores at two opposite faces of each block, and are placed between the panes in the four corners thereof, before the panes are screwed to the blocks. To assemble these windows or doors, the first pane having prefabricated through holes is screwed to the distance blocks placed thereon. Then, the second pane having prefabricated bores is placed onto the distance blocks and fixed thereto by means of screws . As experience has shown, the screwing operation cannot always be performed without difficulty. It is particularly important that the prefabricated bores in the panes be arranged at the precise positions required. Even though this is possible, it causes

considerable technical effort and cost. If, however, the positions of the bores in the two panes do not coincide exactly, it may not be possible to insert the screws and to screw them into the distance blocks. If the assembly worker tries to fix the screws by exerting excessive force, parts of the pane may chip off or the whole pane may burst.

The invention solves the problem how to design a distance-holding device or spacer of the above-mentioned type such that the panes can be screwed to the distance-holding device without difficulty, even if the prefabricated bores in the panes are displaced from their respective predetermined positions and even if a hermetically sealed space is to be defined between the panes.

In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved by the features that the cap is provided with a central hole, and between the cap and the body a receiver space is formed; that at least one of the fixing means is formed as a fixing element including a shaft and a head protruding from one end of the shaft; that the head of the fixing element is borne such as to be displaceable in all directions within the receiver space while being secured against rotation therein, the shaft extending through the hole, the diameter of the hole being larger than the diameter of the shaft.

In the afore-mentioned arrangement, the shaft of the fixing element may be formed as a sleeve or bush, preferably threaded inside. The length of the sleeve shaft is such that the shaft extends through the hole in the cap but does not project therefrom. Alternatively, the fixing element may be designed as a cap screw. The cap of the distance-holding device may be formed as a tapped cap to be screwed into a cylindrical recess in the body. In order to provide the distance-holding device with additional sealing, a packing ring may be arranged between the cap and the body, preferably in the peripheral portion surrounding the receiver space. The receiver space receiving the head of the fixing element in a manner displaceable in all

directions may be advantageously formed in the cap. The fixing means formed in the body may be a threaded bore penetrating the bottom of the recess. In order to prevent ambient air from intruding into the space between the panes, a packing disc covering the threaded bore may be placed on the bottom of the recess; in addition, the packing disc may.be covered by a metal plate at the side facing the cap. Alternatively, the threaded bore in the body may be in the form of a threaded pocket bore. In this case, the packing disc on the bottom of the recess can be omitted. The packing ring and packing disc are preferably made of silicone. An exterior sealing made of a double-sided adhesive film material may be arranged on the end faces of the distance-holding device to connect the plates to the distance-holding device in an air-tight manner.

The particular advantages of the distance-holding device according to the present invention are achieved by the fixing element borne in a floating manner, i.e. in a manner displaceable in all directions. To assemble two plates with distance-holding devices arranged between them, e.g. four distance-holding devices are first screwed to the first pane by placing the threaded bores of the distance-holding devices onto the prefabricated holes in the plate while inserting screws through said holes from the other side of the plate, and the plate is fixed to the distance-holding devices by tightening the screws. Thereafter, the second plate can be placed onto the distance-holding devices. If the fixing element is designed as a cap screw whose the shaft protrudes from the distance-holding device, the positions of the screws are adjusted to the positions of the holes in the plate by displacing the screws in the required direction until the screw shafts enter the holes of the plate. If the shaft of the fixing element takes the form of a sleeve not exceeding the cap surface of the distance-holding device, the plate is first placed onto the distance-holding devices, and then the sleeve of each floating fixing element is displaced to its screwing position by means of a pin or bolt, for example. However, it is not necessary for the sleeve to have an interior thread; instead, the plates may

be connected to the distance-holding device by means of a plug into which a screw is tightened or an expansion bolt is driven. The distance-holding device according to the invention allows to compensate for imperfect positions of the holes in the plates without damaging the plates and without having to rework the holes in the plates.

Further, the invention encompasses a process for manufacturing pairs of plates, preferably multi-layer glass doors, having two plates overlapping each other and arranged at a distance from each other, having distance-holding devices and edge covers.

The manufacturing process is carried out by fixing respective centering bolts in threaded bores provided in the body of the distance-holding device, and by subsequently attaching exterior seals made of a double side adhesive film to the end faces of the distance-holding device. The distance-holding devices are placed on the first plate in a horizontal assembly position thereof while introducing the centering bolts into the bores of the plate, and the distance-holding devices are pressed against the first plate. Thereafter, intermediate ridges provided with a sealing material, or jointing component, at their lateral sides are fixed, with a respective one of said lateral sides resting between the distance-holding devices and the adjacent edges of the plate. Next, the second plate is placed onto the distance-holding devices and the intermediate ridges, the plate being held in position by the adhesive film on the distance-holding devices and by the sealing material on the ridges. Then, the centering bolts are removed, and the plates are screwed to the distance-holding devices from both sides. A sealing material is applied to the ridge faces arranged between the plates and oriented towards the exterior, and afterwards protective ledges or decorative battens are fixed to the edge faces of the pair of plates at or between the plates.

The invention will be additionally described with reference to drawing figures, without being limited to this example. Figure 1 is an exploded view of a distance-holding device comprising a

fixing element in the form of a threaded sleeve,- Figure 2 shows the distance-holding device in its assembled state; and Figure 3 depicts the underside of the cap with the fixing element inserted therein.

The block-type cylindrical distance-holding device comprises a body 1 and a cap 2. The body 1 is provided with a cylindrical recess which is threaded inside such that the cap 2 - arranged as a screw cap - can be screwed into the recess. A threaded bore extends from the bottom of the recess in body 1 and passes through body 1. A first sealing disc 4 made of silicone is placed on the bottom of the recess in order to prevent air from intruding through the threaded bore. Advantageously, the side of sealing disc 4 facing the bottom is provided with annular projections. A metal plate 6 of variable thickness is placed onto the sealing disc 4. The thickness of the distance-holding -device can be varied, if necessary, with the help of the metal plate 6. Next, the cap 2, with the fixing element 3 inserted therein, is screwed into body 1. To this end, the cap 2 comprises a cylindrical tapped projection 7 provided with a receiver space -8 - of square cross-section in the present case - receiving the head of fixing element 3. A hole 9 extends from the bottom of receiver space 8 through the centre of cap 2. The fixing element 3 comprises a sleeve shaft threaded inside and a head projecting from one end of the shaft, which in the embodiment shown is arranged as a square plate. This square head is supported in receiver space 8 with play in al-1 directions, while the threaded sleeve shaft extends through the hole 9 in cap 2 and is flush with the exterior surface of cap 2. The square plate is dimensioned smaller than the square receiver space 8, and the diameter of hole 9 in cap 2 is larger than that of the threaded sleeve. The fixing element 3 is thus displaceable in all directions within receiver space 8 and nevertheless secured against rotation therein. Prior to assembly of the plates by means of the distance-holding devices, respective discs 5 made of a double-sided adhesive film are attached to the end faces of each distance-holding device to provide exterior sealing.