Tube-lock curtain wall system

• US 7,036,280 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2003
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: X-Clad, Inc.
• Original Assignee: X-Clad, Inc.
• Inventors: Hogan, Jerry C.
• Primary Examiner(s): YIP, WINNIE S
• Application Number:
  US10/716,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20040099778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 522/206, 522/35, 52208-209, 522/045, 522/046, 522/045.97, 522/045.7, 525/060.6, 52667-669, 52772-775, 527/305, 527/64, 524/891, 527/450.9, 527/451, 525/060.9, 527/334, 527/303
• US Class Current: 52/235
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/96 comprising panels attached to the structure through mullions or transoms E04B2/885 takes precedence

Abstract

A curtain wall including a plurality of mullions each having a pair of glazing pockets, an I-section for supporting an interior trim member and protrusions for supporting an exterior trim member. The curtain wall further includes a plurality of rails including a notched section for insertion into the mullion glazing pockets, and a plurality of protrusions for supporting interior and exterior trim members. A bead having a plurality of protrusions is connected to the mullion in a lengthwise direction thereof, and supports the interior trim member. A plurality of retainers are insertable into notches in the mullions, the beads or the rails for removably retaining glazing infill components (i.e. panels, windows, doors) in the curtain wall. The curtain wall design of the present invention allows for the glazing infil components to be installed and/or removed from either the front side or the back side of the curtain wall.

Claims

1. A method of installing a curtain wall having a front side and a back side, said method comprising the steps of:

connecting

at least one mullion, comprising at least one glazing pocket, an I-section for supporting a first trim member and at least one protrusion for supporting a second trim member,

to

at least one first rail having a width greater than a width of said at least one glazing pocket and comprising at least one notch for insertion of said at least one first rail into said at least one glazing pocket and at least one protrusion for supporting third and fourth trim members,

by at least one fastener;

connecting at least one bead to said at least one mullion, in a lengthwise direction thereof by at least one fastener;

attaching said curtain wall to a building by an anchor;

inserting at least one first retainer into a notch in said at least one mullion to retain a glazing infill component against one said at least one mullion; and

inserting at least second retainer into a notch in said at least one bead to retain said glazing infill component against one said at least one bead,

wherein said glazing infill component may be installed from either said front side or said back side of said curtain wall.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of mounting said at least one first rail substantially orthogonal to said at least one mullion.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of mounting said at least one first rail at an angle to said at least one mullion.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of inserting at least one third retainer into a further notch in said at least one first rail to retain said glazing infill component against one said at least one first rail.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of sealing an area between edges of said at least one first rail substantially adjacent said at least one mullion.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of mounting at least one retention member on at least one said at least one protrusion on said at least one mullion, said at least one first rail, or at least one protrusion on said at least one bead.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of mounting said first and second trim members to said at least one mullion, and said third and fourth trim members to said at least one first rail.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of mounting at least one other bead to said at least one first rail, in a lengthwise direction thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of mounting at least one anchor along a length of said at least one mullion.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of mounting at least one second rail along a length of said at least one mullion.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of mounting at least one adapter along a length of said at least one first rail.

12. The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

connecting

at least one first corner-rail comprising at least one protrusion for supporting a fifth trim member, at least one notch for insertion of a fourth retainer, and an angled retainer,

to

at least one second corner-rail comprising a complementary angled retainer for engaging said angled retainer on said at least one first corner-rail, at least one protrusion for supporting a sixth trim member, at least one notch for insertion of a protrusion on an adapter having a protrusion and a notch, and at least one extension;

and further connecting said at least one second corner-rail to

at least one third corner-rail comprising at least one complementary extension for engagement with said at least one extension on said at least one second corner-rail, and at least one protrusion for supporting said sixth trim member.