Panel-sealing and securing system

Abstract

A panel-sealing and securing system for securing a panel to a mullion coupled with weather seal pressure gaskets for sealing exterior joints under high wind velocity. The mullion is formed in one piece or in two halves of a split mullion which occurs at the joint between multiple pre-fabricated units of a unitized grid system. The mullion has a concealed front corner cavity adjacent to panel for installing the panel-sealing and securing system. For weather sealing, elastic pressure gaskets and expansion joints comprising panel gasket seals at a joint between the panel and the mullion and mullion gasket seals at a joint between the two halves of split mullion where a unitized split mullion system is used. To securing the panel to the mullion and allow for thermal expansion movement of the panel, two segments formed in one piece or in two hinge connected pieces include a gasket holder segment and a spacer plate segment. A retainer may be in the form of a screw fastener, channel or angleclamp with an aperture through which a screw fastener or snap interlocking wedge secures the gasket holder to the mullion. The retainer may be a retainer-cover of the front corner cavity combined in one element. Installation of the retainer secures the gasket holder to the mullion and applies pressure on an end of the panel gasket or the overlapping aligned ends of the panel gasket and the mullion gasket.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application No. 11 / 060,705, filed February 18, 2005, which claims a U.S. continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 10 / 102,892, filed March 22, 2002 (now U.S. Patent No. 6,857,233), a continuation-in-part application claiming U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 277,633, filed March 22, 2001, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60, filed July 12, 2001 / 304,411, the disclosure of each of the above patents / applications is hereby incorporated by reference. technical field [0003] Prefabricating structural components is an advantageous practice for construction economics by reducing construction time thereby allowing earlier investment and earlier return on invested capital. The prefabricated parts are applied to the facing panels of the exterior walls of the structure. Exterior panels may be made of any suitable single or multiple materials or composites of any...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Frames for curtain walls are made of metal, plastic or wood, but currently available aluminum frames, commonly used in windows and other daylighting fixtures and curtain walls, do not have any flame resistance

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