The present invention relates to a profile system for supporting plate formed facade elements on a building frame and to a building provided with such a profile system.

Multi-storey buildings may be constructed in a plurality of different ways. Common to them all is that they comprise a facade. The facade may be provided in a large number of different ways and may either constitute a load bearing part of the multi-storey building or only serve as weather protection. In the latter case the building comprises a building frame on which plate formed facade elements are attached. The plate formed facade elements may comprise one or more different kinds of facade elements. The facade elements may comprise one or more panes of glass, one or more weather proof plates or a combination of panes of glass and weather proof plates and may also comprise a frame which holds the pane of glass/panes of glass and/or the weather proof plates. In case the facade element comprises a frame and a plurality of panes of glass the facade element is usually called a thermopane. The facade elements may also comprise isolation on the inside of the weather proof plates. The weather proof plates may be constituted by for example metal plates, plastic plates or composite plates. A combination of different plate formed facade elements may be used for the facade.

The facade elements has to be attached to the building frame in any suitable way so that the facade elements are kept in place and so that the facade becomes wind proof and water proof so that a weather protection is provided. The facade elements are usually hoisted to the correct height on the facade using building cranes which has the purpose of hoisting building material to different parts of the building. It is thus desirable that the time it takes to fasten the facade element is minimized. Furthermore, it is desirable to be able to easily exchange single facade elements with as little influence as possible on adjacent facade elements.

In the international patent application WO 03/062579 a glass covering system for buildings is described, wherein a number of module elements of glass are arranged to be connected with frame parts which are included in the building. The purpose of the invention is to achieve retainment of the glass elements on a building frame. No inner parts need to be within reach during mounting of the facade elements. To this end connection units are used which on one hand are fastened in the frame parts and on the other hand in certain points support supporting elements which in turn support the module elements of glass. The support elements are made of strips which has an extension between the horizontal edges of the module elements of glass. The support elements are fastened to the facade elements before the facade elements are hoisted in place and thus serves as protection during hoisting of the facade elements.

The international patent application WO 95/13439 describes a glassing system for buildings, wherein the system comprises glass elements with at least two at a distance from each other joined panes of glass so that grooves are formed between the panes of glass. The elements are intended to be mounted on a frame using fastening elements which extends into the grooves which are formed between the sheets in a glass element. The fastening element is in turn fastened to the frame using screws which afterwards are covered with a joint compound to fill the joint between adjacent facade elements.

Problems with WO 03/062579 and WO 95/13439 is that they have attachments which point loads the glass and point loads the groove. From a statical point of view this is not an optimum way of fastening thermopanes, which may result in the risk for cracks and leakage.

Further problems with the prior art is that the facade is not tight during the building time and neither is it described how moist is to be taken care of if water enters through the sealings.

Document EP 0 715 051 A1 discloses all the features of the preamble of claim 1.

An object of the present invention is to provide a profile system, and a method for fastening of facade elements on a building frame which is easy to mount and gives a statically even support for the facade element along its entire length, without point loading parts of the facade element when it becomes fixed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a profile system which gives good sealing and prevents water from flowing in through the facade elements, both during erection of the building and for the finished building.

Another object of the invention is to provide a further protection against water penetrating through the outer sealing of the facade. Another object of the present invention is to provide a profile system which enables mounting of smooth facades without projecting parts.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a profile system, and a method which enables exchange of an arbitrary facade element on a building frame with as little effect as possible on remaining facade elements on the building frame.

At least one of these objects are achieved with a profile system according to the independent claim 1 .

Further advantages are achieved with the features of the dependent claims.

A profile system according to the invention is arranged for supporting plate formed facade elements on a building frame, which plate formed facade elements have two main sides and at least three edge sides. The profile system is characterized in that it comprises a separable profile, which has a length axis and an essentially constant cross section along the length axis. A first part of the separable profile comprises a waist and a first portion of a flange, which first portion extends from a first flange edge to the waist. A second part of the separable profile comprises a second portion of the flange, which second portion extends from a second flange edge towards the first flange edge. The first portion of the flange is arranged to be in engagement with an edge side on a first facade element and the second portion of the flange is arranged to be in engagement with an edge side on a second facade element, wherein the edge side on the first facade element is arranged adjacent to the edge side on the second facade element.

With a profile system according to the invention easy attachment of two adjacent facade elements along their adjacent edge sides is enabled with a common profile. Due to the profile being separated the first part may be arranged in the edge side of the first facade element and the second part may be arranged in the edge side of the second facade element. The first facade element may be fastened in the wall before the second facade element is put in place.

The profile has preferably a T-form wherein the overhead in the T comprises the flange. The flange need however not be arranged perpendicularly in relation to the waists but may be arranged in an arbitrary angle in relation to the waist. Preferably the angle between the waist and the flange is, however, between 45° and 90° in both directions.

A groove may be arranged in at least one of the edge sides, wherein the first portion of the flange is arranged to be in engagement with a groove in the edge side of the first facade element and the second portion of the flange is arranged to be in engagement with a groove in the edge side of the second facade element. By arrangement of the flange portions in grooves a support for the facade element is provided both inwards towards the building frame and outwards from the building frame. In this way the joint between the edge sides becomes strong and tight.

A groove may be arranged in the edge side in many ways, for example by the edge side being provided with a strip comprising a groove or on another way along indentation between the panes of glass in the facade element. The groove shall extend along the entire edge, so that the strip may be arranged to give support along essentially the entire length of the edge side.
The waist of the profile may be arranged essentially perpendicularly to the flange. By arranging the waist in this way the waist may lie against the edge sides on both sides of the groove even if the edge sides are arranged perpendicularly to the main sides of the facade elements. Facade elements with the edge sides arranged perpendicularly to the main sides are less complicated to produce than facade elements with the edge sides in other angles in relation to the main sides. As was mentioned above the waist may, however, be arranged in other angles in relation to the flange.
The parts in the separable profile may be arranged to be fastened in the building frame with at least one screw which extends through both the first part of the profile and the second part of the profile and through the waist of the profile, so that the second part of the profile is tightened against the first part of the profile. By arranging the parts in the separable profile so that they are fastened with screws in this way an uncomplicated fastening of the profile in the building frame and attachment of the parts in the profile with common screws is provided.

The first part of the profile is arranged to be fastened in the building frame with a first set of screws which only exerts a retaining force on the first part of the profile of the two parts of the profile, and wherein the second part of the profile is arranged to be fastened in relation to the first part of the profile with a second set of screws. In this way the arrangement of the profile may be facilitated to the price of more screws having to be mounted.

The second set of screws is arranged to be fastened in the first part of the profile. Alternatively the second set of screws may be arranged to extend through the first part of the profile and to be fastened in the building frame.

Each one of the parts of the profile exhibits a contact surface with at least one step in the interface between the first part and the second part. With such contact surfaces in the interface a well defined contact between the parts is provided.

The contact surfaces in the interface between the first part and the second part may be designed so that the second part may slide against the first part so that the second flange edge moves towards the first flange edge and away from the waist.

According to an aspect not forming part of the present invention a multi-storey building is provided comprising a building frame and a profile system according to the invention.

The multi-storey building may comprise at least one separable profile which is arranged on the building frame, and at least two facade elements which are arranged on the building frame on each side of the profile.

The profiles may be arranged with their length axes essentially horizontally. The non-horizontal sides of the facade elements may then be fastened in the building frame in some other way than with separable profiles according to the invention. Such an arrangement may be preferable in that it facilitates the mounting of the facade elements on the building frame.

Each facade element may comprise two essentially parallel side edge sides, an upper edge side and a lower edge side which is essentially parallel to the upper edge side, wherein the first portion of the flange on each profile is arranged in the groove on the upper edge side of a facade element and the second portion of the flange on each profile is arranged in the groove on the lower edge side of a facade element.

With facade elements according to the previous paragraph the first portion of the flange on each profile may be arranged in the groove on the upper edge side of a facade element and the second portion of the flange on each profile may be arranged in the groove on the lower edge side of a facade element, but also other placements are possible.

With such an arrangement of the flange portions a stable attachment of the facade elements is provided which then are prevented from moving outwards as well as inwards.

The profiles with mounted facade elements are provided with at least one outer and one inner sealing strip.

The profiles are designed in such a way that if water penetrates through the horizontal sealing the water is collected by a drainage channel which is formed by a space between the profile and the facade element. Water will then be led horizontally and may flow down via the vertical profiles.

The profiles may be made with waists in plastic in order to further protect the edges on the glass plates which are a part of the facade element.

A profile may be arranged along essentially all edge sides on all facade elements on the multi-storey building.

According to a second aspect of the present invention a method is provided for arrangement of facade elements on a multi-storey building. The method is characterized in that it comprises the step of placing a first plate formed facade element, having two main sides and at least three edge sides, on a building frame, to place a first part of a separable profile, which has a length axis and an essentially constant cross section along the length axis, which first part comprises a waist and a first portion of a flange, which first portion extends from a first flange edge to the waist, so that the first portion of the flange is in engagement with an edge side on a first facade element. The method is characterized in that it also comprises the step of placing a second part of the separable profile, which comprises a second portion of the flange, which second portion extends from a second flange edge towards the first flange edge, so that the second portion of the flange is in engagement with an edge side on a second facade element. The edge side on the first facade element is arranged adjacent to the edge side on the second facade element.

Such a method may be easier to use than methods according to the prior art.

The method may also comprise the steps of screwing on the first part of the separable profile with a first set of screws before the second part of the separable profile is placed, and to screw on the second part of the separable profile with a second set of screws. If the method also comprises said steps the first facade element is kept in place before the mounting of the second facade element.

At least the edge sides with which the separable profile is in engagement comprises grooves, with which grooves the flange edges are in engagement. This gives the same advantages as has been mentioned in connection to the corresponding feature for the first aspect of the present invention.

According to another aspect not forming part of the present invention a facade system is provided for a building frame comprising plate formed facade elements having two main sides and at least three edge sides. The facade system is characterized in that it comprises a profile system according to the first aspect of the invention.

In the following preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the appended drawings.

Fig. 1

shows a perspective view of a part of a building frame on which facade elements are mounted using the profile system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2

is a cross sectional view from the side of a part of the building and the profile system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3

is a cross sectional view from the side of a part of the building and the profile system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4

is a perspective view of a part of the building frame, on which all facade elements are mounted using the profile system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5

is a perspective view of a separable profile according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6

shows schematically a multi-storey building with rectangular facade elements which are fastened with a profile system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7

shows schematically a multi-storey building with triangular facade elements which are fastened with a profile system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8

shows schematically a separable profile 7 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9

shows schematically a separable profile 7 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention similar parts in different figures will be denoted by the same reference numeral.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a part of a building frame 1, on which a first facade element 2, a second facade element 45 and a third facade element 46 are mounted using the profile system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The facade elements 2, 45, 46, are in the shown embodiment thermopanes. The first facade element 2 comprises a first main side 3 and a second main side 4 (Fig. 2), which are essentially parallel to each other. The building frame 1 comprises a number of vertical, load bearing walls 5 and a number of horizontal, between the walls 5 extending floors 6. A first separable profile 7 with a length axis 14 and a separable second profile 8 with a length axis 16 are arranged on the facade essentially horizontally and parallely with each other. The first profile 7 and the second profile 8 are attached to the building frame 1 using a number of screws 13. The first facade element comprises a first side edge side 9, a second side edge side 10, an upper edge side 11 and a lower edge side 12. The first facade element 2 is arranged fastened between the two parallel separable profiles 7, 8. Along the side edge sides the facade element 2 is attached in the building frame 1 using vertical profiles 15. The separable profiles 7, 8, will be described in larger detail below. The second facade element 45 and the third facade element 46 are attached to the second profile 8 at its upper edge sides which are adjacent to the lower edge side 12 of the first facade element, and with similar separable profiles 47 on its other sides.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view from the side of a part of the building frame 1 and the profile system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 2 the separable first profile 7 is shown during mounting of a second facade element 17 above the first facade element 2. The facade elements 2, 17 are so called thermopanes and comprises a first pane of glass 110 and a second inner panes of glass 111. Between the panes of glass 110, 111, there is arranged a distance strip 116 in a massive polymer. Between the panes of glass 110, 111, arranged on the inside of the distance profile in relation to the lower edge side 10, there is arranged a jointing compound 114 and a drying strip 113. On the inside of the jointing compound 114 and the drying strip 113 and between the panes of glass 110, 111, there is arranged a gas which for example may be air, argon or krypton.

An H-profile 18 is arranged against the building frame 1 which in the shown embodiment comprises a fastening profile 109 which in turn is fastened in load bearing parts of the building frame 1 (not shown). The H-profile is fastened in the fastening profile 109 using screws 19. The H-profile 18 comprises a first flange 20 which is arranged against the facade, a second flange 21 and a waist 22 which connects the first flange 20 with the second flange 21. A first sealing strip 23 is arranged between the first flange 20 of the H-profile 18 and the first facade element 2. A first U-profile 24 is arranged between the second flange 21 of the H-profile 18 and the first facade element 2. A second sealing strip 25 is arranged between the first U-profile 24 and the first facade element 2. In the upper edge side 32 of the first facade element 2 there is arranged a groove 26 in the distance strip 116. The first separable profile 7 comprises a first part 39 (Fig. 3) which comprises a waist 27 and the first portion 28 of a flange, which first portion 28 extends from a first flange edge 29 to the waist 27. The first portion 28 of the flange is arranged in the groove 26 while the waist 27 is arranged against the building frame 1. Between the first portion 28 and the groove 26 there is a drainage channel 118. In the lower edge side 31 of the second facade element 17 there is arranged a groove 30 in the distance strip 116'. The first separable profile 7 comprises also a second part 41 (Fig. 3) which comprises a second portion 33 of the flange, which second portion 33 extends from a second flange edge 34. At the second flange edge 34 against the distance strip 116 there is a drainage channel 118. A screw 35 is arranged through both parts of the separable profile 7 and through the waist 27 of the separable profile. By tightening the screw in the building frame the lower edge side 31 of the second facade element 17 may be drawn in against the building frame 1 and the first flange 20 of the H-profile 18 and a third sealing strip 36 which is arranged on the first flange 20 of the H-profile. The profile 7 comprises a first strip 43 which is arranged on the waist 27 on the side which is arranged to rest against the first facade element 2. The profile 7 also comprises a second strip 44 which is arranged on the waist 27 on the side which is arranged to rest against the second facade element. The strips 43, 44 are of a softer material then the rest of the waist and may for example be of any suitable polymer. The strips 43, 44 have the purpose of absorbing the movements of the facade elements 2, 17, in the height direction and of protecting the edges of the facade elements.

On the fastening profile 109 there is arranged a profile 106 with grooves 103 for sealing strips 104 which are arranged to rest against the lower edge of the second pane of glass 111' on the second facade element 17 and the upper edge of the second pane of glass 111 on the first facade element 2, respectively. The sealing strips 104 may be omitted.

Fig. 3 is a similar cross sectional view from the side as that in Fig. 2. In Fig. 3 it is shown how it looks when the screw 35 has been tightened so that the first separable profile 7 has been tightened together. Thus, the second facade element 17 has been tightened against the third sealing strip 36 and the first flange 20 of the H-profile 18. A second U-profile 37 is arranged between the second flange 21 of the H-profile 18 and the second facade element 17. A fourth sealing strip 38 is arranged between the second facade element 17 and the second U-profile 37. A sealing strip 120 in a groove along the first separable profile 7 guarantees a tight joint.

The first part 39 of the separable profile 7 exhibits a first contact surface 40 while the second part 41 of the separable profile 7 exhibits a second contact surface 42. The contact surfaces are adapted to each other and exhibits a form with a step. Due to the described form of the contact surfaces 40, 42, the first part 39 of the separable profile 7 and the second part 41 of the separable profile 7 get a well defined internal relationship. The contact surfaces 40, 42, are arranged so that the second part 41 may slide in relation to the first part 39 so that the second flange edge moves against the first flange edge and away from the waist. By adapting the thickness of the facade elements 2, 17, the positions of the grooves 26, 30 in the facade elements, thickness of the sealing strips 23, 26, and the extension of the waist to each other, a desired compression of the first sealing strip 23 and the third sealing strip 36 may be achieved. Outside the screw 35 there is arranged a sealing 117 which levels the joint between the first main sides 3 on adjacent facade elements 2, 17. The sealing 117 is preferably a sealing compound which may be of silicone, but may alternatively be a premanufactured rubber strip.

With the separable profile according to the shown embodiment it is also possible to exchange an arbitrary facade element 17 in a multi-storey building. In order to remove the facade elements 17 the U-profiles as 37 which holds the facade element 17 in place along the side edge sides 9, 10, are first removed. Then, the screws 35, which holds the separable profile in place at the lower edge side 31 of the facade element which is to be removed, are removed. Thanks to the shape of the contact surfaces 40, 42, the second part 41 of the profile 7 and the second facade element 17 may be moved out from the building frame and down in its lower edge side 31. The facade element 17 is then moved down guided by the first U-profile 24.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a part of a building frame, on which all facade elements are mounted with the profile system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the facade elements 2, 45, 46, are fastened with separable profiles 7, 8, 47, on all sides.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a separable profile according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the corresponding way as has been described for the first embodiment of the present invention in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the separable profile 7 comprises a first part 39 which comprises a waist 27 and a first portion 28 of a flange. In contrast to the earlier described embodiment the first part 39 of the profile according to this second embodiment is arranged to be fastened with a first set of screws 112 while the second part 41 of the profile is arranged to be fastened in the first part 39 using a second set of screws 111. Thus, the first part 39 of the profile is fastened in the fastening profile before the second part 41 of the separable profile is arranged on the building frame/fastening profile 109. The first set of screws are countersinked in the first part 39 of the profile so that they do not interfere with the second part 41 of the profile during mounting of the second part 41 of the profile. A longitudinal sealing strip 120 in a groove in the first part 39 is shown schematically.

Fig. 6 shows schematically a multi-storey building 71 comprising a building frame 1, profiles 7 which are arranged horizontally on the building frame 1 and a plurality of rectangular facade elements 82 which covers and are fastened to the building frame 1 with the profiles 7.

Fig. 7 shows schematically a multi-storey building comprising a building frame 1, profiles 7 which are arranged on the building frame 1 and a plurality of rectangular facade elements 82 and triangular facade elements 72 which are fastened to the building frame 1 with the profile 7.

During use of the profile 7 according to the present invention to mount facade elements which are not arranged in the same plane it might be advantageous to use profiles with the flange in an angle.

Fig. 8 shows schematically a separable profile 7 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 shows schematically a separable profile 7 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In both figures a first part 39 of the separable profile 7 comprises a waist 27 and a first portion of a flange, while a second part 41 of the separable profile 7 comprises a second portion 33 of a flange. In both figures the first portion 28 and the second portion 33 of the flange are arranged in an angle in relation to each other, but in different directions in relation to the length axis of the screw 35.

It is not necessary to have grooves in the edge sides of the facade elements, but by having grooves in the edge sides and by arranging the flange portions in the grooves support for the facade elements is provided inwards towards the building frame 1 as well as outwards from the building frame. In case there are sealings arranged between the facade element and the building frame the facade element would otherwise be able to move somewhat inwards towards the building frame by compressing the sealing strip.

With building frame is in this description meant a load bearing part of the building frame 1 or a part which is attached to the load bearing part of the building frame 1.