Panel mount

Abstract

This invention is a panel mount for non penetrative fastening of a panel (such as a glass pane). The panel mount has clamp jaws defining an elongate slot in which an edge of a panel can be received. A foot is provided for mounting and fastening the clamp jaws to a structure. At least one of the clamp jaws carries at least one threaded fastener that can be actuated by a user, including when the foot is fastened to the structure. The threaded fastener(s) of the at least one clamp jaw, in cooperation with the other clamping jaw, is capable of operatively clamping the panel to hold it in the slot, irrespective of any non-parallel disposition of the plane of the panel to the elongate direction of the slot.

1 - 2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A panel mount for mounting a panel relative to a structure, said panel mount having a body comprising
 a pair of clamp jaws configured to define between them a slot of a depth to accommodate an edge of a panel, and   a mounting region adapted to facilitate securing of the body to a structure,   wherein each of said clamp laws carries at least two threaded fasteners spaced apart in the slot depth direction,   each of said fasteners being threadingly moveable relative to its respective clamp jaw in order to apply a clamping force lateral to the slot depth direction to securely hold a panel in said slot, irrespective of any non-parallel disposition of the plane of said panel to the depth direction.   
     
     
         4 . The panel mount of  claim 3  wherein the clamp jaws define an elongate rectilinear slot. 
     
     
         5 . The panel mount of  claim 3  wherein a mouth opening is defined by the distal ends of each clamp jaw and through which part of said panel can enter said slot. 
     
     
         6 . The panel mount of  claim 3  wherein said clamp laws are, at their proximal end, engaged to a foot that defines said mounting region. 
     
     
         7 . The panel mount of caim  6  wherein said foot is a foot plate positioned so that the slot depth direction extends in a direction normal to the plane of said foot plate. 
     
     
         8 . The panel mount  claim 3  wherein said threaded fasteners are engaged to said clamp jaws to move in a direction lateral to the slot depth direction. 
     
     
         9 . The panel mount of  claim 3  wherein said threaded fasteners can extend into said slot. 
     
     
         10 . The panel mount of  claim 3  wherein an intermediate member is located between said threaded fasteners and, when in situ, said panel. 
     
     
         11 . The panel mount of  claim 10  wherein, said intermediate member is a protective member that prevents direct contact of said threaded fasteners with said panel. 
     
     
         12 . The panel mount of  claim 10  wherein said intermediate member is a planar member or elongate member that extends parallel to the elongate direction of the slot. 
     
     
         13 . The panel mount of  claim 10  wherein a said intermediate member is located at each side of said slot, each intermediate member to be reacted on by each of the threaded fasteners held by each of the clamp jaws. 
     
     
         14 . The panel mount of  claim 3  wherein said threaded fasteners can be actuated by a use when the panel mount is fastened to the fixed structure. 
     
     
         15 . The panel mount of  claim 3  wherein the slot is open sided. 
     
     
         16 . A method of mounting a panel (such as a glass pane) relative a fixed structure, comprising:
 securing, in a spaced apart configuration to a fixed structure, at least two panel mounts as claimed in  claim 3  in a condition wherein their slots are substantially in alignment,   inserting a panel into the slot of each panel mount,   holding the panel in the desired position,   adjusting the threaded fasteners to clamp said panel in place in said desired position.   
     
     
         17 . A panel mount for mounting a panel relative to a structure,
 said panel mount having a body comprising a pair of clamp jaws configured to define between them a slot into which an edge region of the panel can be received, and a mounting region adapted to facilitate securing of the body to the structure,   wherein the body carries at least two threaded fasteners on either side of the slot, the two fasteners positioned at first and second locations along the depth direction of the slot,   and wherein each of said fasteners is moveable relative to its respective clamp jaw, and independently of each of the other fasteners, to a position at which it can bear (directly or indirectly) against, the panel when received in the slot, so as to co-operatively with the other fasteners apply a clamping force that will hold the panel in the slot whilst accommodating any incline of the panel relative to the depth direction of the slot.