Curtain-wall assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to facade comprised of modules each having a module frame ( 1 ) and at least one infill and/or glass panel, in particular an all-glass facade, characterized in that the infill or glass panel ( 2 ) is provided with mounting strips ( 4 ) that are releasably attached to the module frame ( 1 ).

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . A facade having a plurality of modules each comprising:
 a polygonal frame adapted to be fixedly and permanently installed;   a panel of generally the same shape as the frame;   a plurality of mounting strips fixed to edges of the frame; and   releasable coupling means securing the mounting strips to the frame.   
   
   
       19 . The facade module defined in  claim 18 , further comprising
 glue strips fixing the mounting strips to the panel.   
   
   
       20 . The facade module defined in  claim 18  wherein the mounting strips are connected together into an annular frame. 
   
   
       21 . The facade module defined in  claim 18  wherein the coupling means includes respective coupling profiles engaged between the mounting strips and module frame. 
   
   
       22 . The facade module defined in  claim 21  wherein each the coupling profiles and the module frame are provided with complementary interfitting locking formations. 
   
   
       23 . The facade module defined in  claim 22  wherein the locking formations include respective ribs projecting toward the frame from the coupling profiles and respective seat grooves on the frame, open toward the coupling profile, and releasably receiving the respective ribs. 
   
   
       24 . The facade module defined in  claim 23  wherein each of the ribs is basically of L-section and has a horizontal inner leg projecting from the respective coupling profile and an vertical and downwardly projecting outer leg, the grooves being of complementary L-section and horizontally outwardly and upwardly open so that the respective outer leg can fit downwardly into and latch in the respective groove. 
   
   
       25 . The facade module defined in  claim 24  wherein the grooves and seats have complementary beveled faces angled to pull the coupling profile toward the frame. 
   
   
       26 . The facade module defined in  claim 24  wherein each mounting strip has two such L-section ribs and the frame has for each mounting strip two such grooves. 
   
   
       27 . The facade module defined in  claim 23  wherein each frame is provided with two such grooves extending horizontally offset vertically from each other and two such similarly offset horizontal such coupling profiles engaged in the grooves. 
   
   
       28 . The facade module defined in  claim 18  wherein each mounting strip is formed with a profiled projecting rib extending toward the frame and the frame is formed with complementary grooves open toward the mounting strips and receiving the respective profile projecting rib. 
   
   
       29 . The facade module defined in  claim 28  wherein the profiled projecting rib is formed with a latch groove and the coupling profile is formed with a lip fitting directly into the groove. 
   
   
       30 . The facade module defined in  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a locking member releasably connectable to the frame and in a position impeding separation of the respective coupling profile from the frame.   
   
   
       31 . The facade module defined in  claim 30  wherein the locking member is a flexible seal strip. 
   
   
       32 . The facade module defined in  claim 30  wherein the locking member is engageable in the seat groove adjacent the respective rib so as to impede movement of the respective rib in the respective groove. 
   
   
       33 . The facade module defined in  claim 30  wherein the locking member is a screw engaged between the coupling profile and the frame. 
   
   
       34 . A method of installing a facade module comprising a frame and at least one infill or glass panel fixed thereon, the method comprising the steps of:
 permanently fixing the frame to a building;   releasably securing mounting strips on the frame fixed to the building, and thereafter   fixing the panel to the mounting strips.   
   
   
       35 . The method defined in  claim 34  wherein the mounting strips are fixed adhesively to the panel. 
   
   
       36 . The method defined in  claim 34  wherein the mounting strips are releasably secured to the frame by fitting coupling profiles between the mounting strips and the frame. 
   
   
       37 . The method defined in  claim 35  wherein the coupling profiles have an outer side turned toward the respective mounting strip and interfittable therewith and an inner side turned toward the module frame and interfittable therewith, the method further comprising the step of
 after securing the mounting strips on the frame and before fixing the panel on the mounting strips, locking the mounting strips to the frame by installing seal strips engageable with the panel between the coupling element and the module frame.