Device for connecting mullions to transoms and reinforcing plate therefor

• US 8,347,566 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2008
• Issued: 01/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Friedrich Knapp
• Original Assignee: Friedrich Knapp
• Inventors: Knapp, Friedrich
• Primary Examiner(s): WENDELL, MARK R
• Application Number:
  US12/811,298
• Publication Number:
  US 20110192109A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,469 Days
• Field of Search: 522/046, 522/045, 522/08, 522/045.4, 522/045.5, 522/046.2, 522/046.3, 522/047, 522/047.1, 522/047.2
• US Class Current: 52/204.6
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/965 Connections of mullions and transoms

Abstract

A connecting device for connecting a mullion to a transom, each having a T-shaped metal profile fastened to the end face thereof in order to accommodate panes of glass, wherein the mullion is connected to the transom by means of a main connecting device and reinforcing means are provided to increase the stability of the mullion/transom connection, is characterized in that the reinforcing means is a reinforcing plate having the following features: a base-plate portion with fastening holes for fastening to the end face of the mullion, said mullion having a recess corresponding to the size and thickness of the base-plate portion, wherein the recess is open laterally, and two tongues bent in parallel to the plane of the base-plate portion, extending at a distance to one another and provided with fastening holes, said tongues engaging over the projecting T-shaped metal profile of the transom.

Claims

1. Connecting device for a mullion/transom connection for connecting a mullion (1) to a transom (2), to the front sides of which a T-shaped metal profile (3) having a projecting portion for installing panes of glass is fastened, wherein the mullion (1) is connected to the transom (2) by means of a main connecting device (4) and reinforcing means are provided to increase the stability of the mullion/transom connection, characterized in that the reinforcing means is a reinforcing plate (5) having the following features:

a base-plate portion (5a) defining a first plane and provided with fastening holes for fastening to the front side of the mullion (1) which comprises a recess (1a) corresponding to a thickness, length and width of the base-plate portion (5a), wherein the recess (1a) is open laterally and

two tongues (5b) provided with fastening holes and extending from the base-plate portion in spaced apart relationship to one another in a second plane which is parallel to and outside of the first plane, wherein the tongues engage over the projecting portion of the T-shaped metal profile (3) of the transom (2).

2. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcing plate (5) is made of a high-strength high-grade steel.