US5063718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Curtain wall for a building
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-12-20
•
Granted: 1991-11-12
•
Expires: 2010-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A curtain wall for a building structure is provided in which structural members and diaphragms are used to reinforce a relatively light frame such that the number of connections to the building required is reduced to one or two. The curtain wall module comprises a frame having a top and bottom chord and a plurality of transverse studs spaced at intervals along the length of the chords defining a plurality of panels. Exterior cladding including a layer of sheet metal is mounted to the exterior face of the frame strengthening the frame as a stressed diaphragm. In the preferred embodiment the top chord of the frame includes a relatively strong reinforcing beam (such as a square hollow structural section) parallel to and connected to the top chord along the full length of the top chord. The weight of the wall may be supported upon the building by vertically adjustable connectors at two points on the beam. Vertical pins connected to the upper surface of the beam project through the bottom chord web of a like upper adjacent wall module. Diagonally slotted washers engage the pins to allow adjacent modules to be aligned while allowing adjacent modules to deflect vertically relative to each other in an unrestricted fashion.
Inventors
- 👤 Al Nonis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:30
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B2/00; E04B2/88; E04B2/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A curtain wall module for a building, comprising: a frame having a top chord, a bottom chord and a plurality of transverse studs spaced at intervals along the length of the chords defining a plurality of panels, the top end of each stud being connected to the top chord and the bottom end of each stud being connected to the bottom chord, the top chord being a single downwardly open channel section, the bottom chord being a single upwardly open channel section, and with one chord being reinforced with a beam of strength greater than said channel section; sheet form cladding mounted to the frame; and adjustable restraint means connected at two or more places along the top of the frame to the building structure for transferring the weight of the wall module, and the loads imposed upon the module, to the building structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A curtain wall module for a building, comprising: a frame having a top chord, a bottom chord and a plurality of transverse studs spaced at intervals along the length of the chords defining a plurality of panels, the top end of each stud being connected to the top chord and the bottom end of each stud being connected to the bottom chord, the top chord being a single downwardly open channel section, the bottom chord being a single upwardly open channel section, and with one chord being reinforced with a beam of strength greater than said channel section; sheet form cladding mounted to the frame; and adjustable restraint means connected at two or more places along the top of the frame to the building structure for transferring the weight of the wall module, and the loads imposed upon the module, to the building structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing beam is a hollow square section metal beam which coacts with the top chord and extends along substantially its entire length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing beam comprises at least one stub beam extending along a portion of the top chord and at least from one transverse stud to the next adjacent stud, and the sheet form cladding provides the frame with diaphragm strength.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 3, wherein the top chord has two stub reinforcing beams spaced along its length for engaging two adjustable restraint means for providing adjustment of the module vertically and transversely relative to the building structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 4, wherein the restraint means each have a bracket attached to and extending from the building, the bracket having a bolt threaded through it for engaging a stub beam attached to the top chord.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 5, wherein the restraint means includes a brace attached from the building to the stub beam, the brace providing a transfer of lateral loads from the module to the building.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 5, wherein the restraint means includes a brace attached from the building to a stud, the brace restraining the module laterally and having means coacting with the stud to allow relative vertical movement between the module and the building.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 7, wherein the stud is a roll formed sheet metal channel section defining a keyway for receiving a portion of the brace shaped to slidingly engage within the keyway.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 3, further comprising means for connecting and laterally aligning the bottom chord of the module with the top chord of a lower adjacent module.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
83 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bottom chord of the upper module has a web defining a plurality of holes along the length of the channel, the lower adjacent module has a plurality of pins extending upwardly from the top chord or reinforcing beam, which pins are engageable through the holes in the bottom chord of the upper adjacent module, and further comprising transverse alignment means coacting with the pin and bottom chord to align the two modules.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 10, wherein the alignment means is a diagonally slotted rectangular washer sized to engage opposing longitudinal walls of the bottom chord channel section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cladding comprises a backing to which a weatherproof finishing material is attached.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 12, wherein the backing is sheet metal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 13, wherein a layer of thermal insulating material is attached to the sheet metal and the weatherproof finishing material is attached to the layer of insulating material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top chord has a reinforcing beam attached substantially along its entire length, and two adjustable restraint means engage the open channel section of the top chord to provide adjustment for the module vertically and transversely relative to the building structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
81 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top chord has a reinforcing beam attached substantially along its entire length, and the adjustable restraint means engage the open channel section of the top chord, the restraint means providing vertical adjustment for the module relative to the building, the restraint means having a bracket attached to and extending from the building, the bracket having a bolt threaded through it for engaging the open channel section of the top chord.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 16, wherein the restraint means includes a brace attached from the building to the reinforcing beam, the brace providing a transfer of lateral loads from the module to the building.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 16, wherein the restraint means includes a brace attached from the building to a stud, the brace restraining the module laterally and having means coacting with the stud to allow relative vertical movement between the module and the building.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 18, wherein the stud is a roll formed sheet metal channel section defining a keyway for receiving a portion of the brace shaped to slidingly engage within the keyway.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for connecting and laterally aligning the bottom chord of the module with the top chord of a lower adjacent module.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
83 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 20, wherein the bottom chord of the upper module has a web defining a plurality of holes along the length of the channel, the lower adjacent module has a plurality of pins extending upwardly from the top chord or reinforcing beam, which pins are engageable through the holes in the bottom chord of the upper adjacent module, and further comprising transverse alignment means coacting with the pin and bottom chord to align the two modules.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 21, wherein the alignment means is a diagonally slotted rectangular washer sized to engage opposing longitudinal walls of the bottom chord channel section.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the studs are roll formed sheet metal channel sections.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
153 words
A curtain wall module for a building which module is used in combination with a span of window frames, the module comprising: a frame having a top chord, a bottom chord and a plurality of transverse studs spaced at intervals along the length of the chords defining a plurality of panels, the top end of each stud being connected to the top chord and the bottom end of each stud being connected to the bottom chord, the top chord being a single downwardly open channel section, the bottom chord being a single upwardly open channel section, the studs being roll formed sheet metal channel sections with at least one stud being a reinforcing beam having a strength greater than that of the other studs; sheet form cladding mounted to the frame; and restraint means for attaching the module to the building, the restraint means extending from the reinforcing beam to the building structure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
153 words
A curtain wall module for a building which module is used in combination with a span of window frames, the module comprising: a frame having a top chord, a bottom chord and a plurality of transverse studs spaced at intervals along the length of the chords defining a plurality of panels, the top end of each stud being connected to the top chord and the bottom end of each stud being connected to the bottom chord, the top chord being a single downwardly open channel section, the bottom chord being a single upwardly open channel section, the studs being roll formed sheet metal channel sections with at least one stud being a reinforcing beam having a strength greater than that of the other studs; sheet form cladding mounted to the frame; and restraint means for attaching the module to the building, the restraint means extending from the reinforcing beam to the building structure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 24, wherein the frame has two spaced reinforcing beams.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 25, wherein the reinforcing beams are hollow square section metal columns.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 24, wherein the restraint means comprise back-to-back metal angles connected to the reinforcing beam which coact with means attached to the building for fixing the module in place.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
A curtain wall module as claimed in claim 24, wherein the cladding is sheet metal providing diaphragm strength to the frame.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-11-11 | 1995-05-13 | 1995-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-11-11 | 1999-05-13 | 1999-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-11-11 | 2003-05-13 | 2003-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |