Title of Invention	SYSTEM ALLOWING ASSEMBLY BETWEEN AT LEAST ONE SHEET OF GLASS AND ANOTHER OBJECT, SHEET OF GLASS EQUIPPED WITH SUCH SYSTEM AND APPLICATION OF SUCH A SHEET
Abstract	A system for an assembly of a glass sheet (1) comprising a milled hole (7, 8, 9, 10) on each of the sides thereof (3, 4) and another sheet of glass (2) also comprising a milled hole (7",8", 9", 10") on each of the sides thereof (5, 6), each milled hole being adapted in such a way that it can respectively receive first and second linking parts (14, 15), whereby the first and second linking parts (14, 15) are provided with a bore hole and the system comprises a linking node (19) for the first and second linking parts (14, 15). The node (19) comprises first (19a) and second parts, whereby the first part (19a) corresponds to the bore hole surface of the first linking part (14) upon which a force is exerted in a substantially parallel position in relation to the axis of the hole, and the second part of the linking node (19) is engaged into the bore hole of the second linking part (15) in order to be able to bear the reaction to said force.

Title of Invention

SYSTEM ALLOWING ASSEMBLY BETWEEN AT LEAST ONE SHEET OF GLASS AND ANOTHER OBJECT, SHEET OF GLASS EQUIPPED WITH SUCH SYSTEM AND APPLICATION OF SUCH A SHEET

Abstract

A system for an assembly of a glass sheet (1) comprising a milled hole (7, 8, 9, 10) on each of the sides thereof (3, 4) and another sheet of glass (2) also comprising a milled hole (7",8", 9", 10") on each of the sides thereof (5, 6), each milled hole being adapted in such a way that it can respectively receive first and second linking parts (14, 15), whereby the first and second linking parts (14, 15) are provided with a bore hole and the system comprises a linking node (19) for the first and second linking parts (14, 15). The node (19) comprises first (19a) and second parts, whereby the first part (19a) corresponds to the bore hole surface of the first linking part (14) upon which a force is exerted in a substantially parallel position in relation to the axis of the hole, and the second part of the linking node (19) is engaged into the bore hole of the second linking part (15) in order to be able to bear the reaction to said force.

Full Text	SYSTEM ALLOWING ASSEMBLY BETWEEN AT LEAST ONE SHEET OK GLASS AND ANOTHER OBJECT, SHEET OF GLASS EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A SYSTEM AND APPLICATION OF SUCH A SHEET The present invention relates to a system for assembly between at least one sheet of glass, particularly a sheet of glass that has undergone a surface strengthening treatment, particularly a heat treatment or chemical treatment, comprising at least one countersunk hole and, either another sheet of glass of the same type, or a stracrural element, particularly one made of metal, and to a sheet of glass equipped with such a system and to the application of such a sheet to the production of a prefabricated entity. In document EF-A-0 G55 543, the Applicant company describes a system for assembly between a glazed element comprising a couriersunk hole and a bearing structure, this system comprising a competing piece connecting between two pans of which one, being fnistoconical, mates with the conical surface of the countersunk hole and of which the other, forming a reaction part, beats against the opposite surface of the sheet of glass to the side on which the hole is countersunk. A screw connection between these two parts allows the connecting piece to be clamped in the hole. This assembly system is well suited to seeming, a monobitilic glazed element to a bearing structure. However, when the monolithic glazed element is toughened, the mounting is not durable and in the event of accidental impact there is a risk that the glazed element will fragment. 2 In document EP-A-0 801 201. the Applicant company described a system for the assembly of two toughened glass panes. The two panes have countersunk holes facing in opposite directions, in which holes is fitted a connecting piece which secures the assembly after tightening. This assembly system is particularly well suited to securing heavy glazed elements. I however, given the mounting between the connecting piece and the glazed elements (this connecting piece is not fixed to either of the glazed elements) there remains a risk of the entire mounting being destroyed if just one of the glazed elements breaks. In addition, the permissible load is limited. It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to this problem of the security of the assembly should one of the. glassed elements break. To obtain this result, the invention provides a system For assembly between a sheet of glass comprising a countersunk hole on each of its sides and another shell of glass also comprising a countersunk hole on each of its sides, each countersunk hole being designed respectively to take first and second connecting pieces made of two elements making it possible, by clamping said elements, to introduce a preload into the countersunk hole, each of the first and second connecting pieces being, provided with a bore, the system comprising a connecting core connecting with the first and second connecting pieces, the particular feature of this system being that the core comprises first and second parts of whiten the first pan mates with the surface of the bore of the first connecting piece on which it exerts a force roughly parallel to the axis of the hole and of which the second part of the connecting core fits into the bore made in the second connecting piece in order therein to react to said force. The system of the invention makes it possible, when the two parts of which the core is formed are tightened, to establish a play-free mounting within the assembly system. As a preference, the bore of the first connecting piece is conical and is designed to accommodate the first part of the connecting core. 3 Furthermore, the conical surface of the first part of the connecting core has a cone angle roughly similar to that of the cone of the bore of the first connecting piece. In this way, contact between the bore of the first pan of the connecting core and the conical part of the first connecting piece lies as close as possible to the straight surface of the sheet of glass assembled with the first connecting piece, and this encourages a flush-fitting of the assembly system. As it preference, the bore of the second connecting piece is roughly cylindrical and is designed to accommodate the second part of the connecting core. As a preference, the second part of the connecting core comprises at least a first and a second ring which rings are eccentric and nested one inside the other. As a further preference, each of the first and second rings is split. As a preference, the inner bore of the first ring is conical. Advantageously, the outer bore of the first ring has a step designed to bear on and to be housed in a bore thus securing one of the substrates should the other substrate break. In this way, when the first and second parts of the connecting core are assembled respectively with the first and second connecting pieces, there remains a gap between the opposing faces of the first and second connecting pieces, this gap corresponding to the thickness of a film of thermoplastic instated between the two sheets of glass assembled using the assembly system. The invention is also aimed at at least line sheel of glass at least 6 mm thick, having at least one doubly countersunk hole with a conical part opening onto each side of each of the faces of the sheet of glass and a cylindrical central part which has roughly the same axis as the conical parts, and which has the particular feature that it comprises, inside each countersunk hole, a connecting piece, the connecting pieces being designed to join together so as to allow mounting with the assembly system described hereinabove. Furthermore the conical piece or pieces have a cone angle greater than that of the cone of the corresponding countersunk hole. 4 Advantageously, the connecting piece or pieces and possibly the connectling core are equipped with holding means such as holes, bosses, etc, for transmitting loads directed roughly in the plane of the sheets of glass either to a structural element or to another sheets of glass. One advantageous application of such sheets is in the production of entities formed of prefabricated elements assembled on site. The present invention will now be explained in greater detail with the aid of some practical examples illustrated with the drawings whtcb are cross sections through systems according to the invention and which effectively depict: * figure l is a view in section and in elevation of a system for the assembly between two sheets of glass, particularly toughened glass, *figure 2 is a front-on view of the rings belonging to the connecting core. Figure 1 shows a system for assembly between two panes 1, 2 of glass. These panes of glass may be toughened, hardened or annealed. Each sheerts 1,2 is pierced on each of its faces 3, 4, 5,6 wiht a countcrsunk hole 7, 8, 9, 10 which comprises a conical part 11.12 facing in opposite directions. The conical parts 11, 12 facing in opposite directions and belonging to one and the same pane of glass are separated by a cylindrical central part 13 coaxial with said conical parts 11, 12. The panes or sheets of glass 1, 2 thus pierced are designed respectively to lake the first and second connecting pieces 14,15 made of a metal. Each of the first and second connecting pieces 14, 15 is made up of two elements. 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, designed to collaborate with one another by clamping, at the countersunk holes made in the sheets of glass. Thus. the first connecting piece 14 comprises a first element 14a which has a conical surface that malts with the shape of one of the conical parts 11. 12 of the hole and a cylindrical part which enters the cylindrical part 13 of the hole without extending as far as the opposite face. This cylindrical part preferably has a diameter smaller than that of the cylindrical part of the dole. The element 14a has, passing through it. a conical bore 16, the function of which will be explained later on in the text. 5 The first connecting piece 14 also comprises a second element 14b which has a conical surface that mates with the shape of the other of the conical parts 11, 12 of the hole (in fact, the one facing the opposite direction) and a bore provided with a tapping designed to screw onto a thhreaded part made on the cylindrical part of the first element 14a. By sereving the second element 14b onto the first element 14a causing the respective conical surfaces to collaborate at the conical parts 11, 12 of the hole, a play-free assembly is achieved that is able to withstand the forces introduced by the sheet of glass 1 or 2. To Improve the contact between the conical bearing surfaces of the first and second elements 14a and 14b and the conical parts 11, 12 of the hole, provision is made for the vertex angles of the cones to differ advantageously by 0.5° to 5°. In order to improve still further the quality of the assembly between, the two elements 14a. 14b of the first connecting piece 14, a ring 17 made of a ductile material (for example aluminum) may be interposed between the conical surfaces of the first and second elements 14a, 14b and the conical parts 11. 12 of the holes. Likewise, the second connecting piece 15 comprises a first element 15a, which has a conical surface that mates with the shape of one of the conical parts 11, 12 of the hole and a cylindrical part which enters the cylindrical part 13 of the hole without extending as far as the opposite face. This cylindrical part has a diameter smaller than that of the cylindrical part 13 of the hole. The element 15a has passing through it a, roughly cylindrical bore 18, the function of which will he explained later on in the text. The second connecting piece 15 also comprises a second element 15b which has a conical surface that males with the shape of the other of the conical pans 11, 12 of the hole (in fact the one facing in the opposite direction) and a bore provided with a tapping designed to screw onto a threaded part made on the cylindrical part of the first element 15a. By screwing the second element 15b onlo the first element 15a causing the respective conical surfaces to collaborate at the conical parts 11, 12 of the hole, a play-pree assembly is achieved that will be able to withstand the loads introduced by 6 the sheet of glass 1 or 2. In order to improve the contact between the conical bearing surfaces of the first and second elements 15a and L5b of the conical parts 11, 12 of the hole, provision is made for the vertex angles of the cones to differ advantageously by 0.5° to 5o. In a similar way to the first connecting piece 14 and in order to improve the quality of the assembly between the two elements 15a, 15b or the second connecting piece 15, a ring 17o made of a ductile material (for example aluminum) may be interposed between the conical surfaces of the first and second elements; 15a, 15b of the second connecting piece 15 and the conical parts 11, 12 of the holes. The assembly of the first and second connecting pieces 14, 15 with the respective sheers of glass is a flush fit. We return now to another element of the assembly system which is intended to collaborate at the first and second connecting pieces 14, 15, namely the connecting Core 19. The connecting cote 19 comprises a first piece 19a provided with a central bore 20 intended to accommodate holding means (not depicted in the figures) designed to secure the connecting core 19 and all the parts secured to it to another similar piece or to an exterior bearing structure. This first piece 19a comprises a roughly cylindrical first region 21 forming a step and a second region 22 with a conical bearing surface. Overall, the combined thickness dimensions of the first and second regions 21, 22 of the first piece 19a more or less correspond to the thickness of the two shects of glass 1.2, It may be pointed out that the conical region 22 is more or less bounded by the first connecting piece 14, while the cylindrical region 21 (the step) is more or less bounded by the second connecting piece 15. The second region 22 with conical bearing surface is designed to come into. contact with the bore, also with a conical bearing surface, made in the first element 14a of the connecting piece 14. The second region 22 with conical bearing surface belonging to this first piece 19a has a cone angle roughly similar to that of the cone of the bore of the first connecting piece 14. 7 The first region 21 with conical bearing surface belonging to the first piece 19a of the connecting core 19 collaborates with the other elements 19b, 19c shaping the connecting core 19 and the free end of the first region 21 is threaded. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1. the other elements 1%, 19c of the connecting core 19 consist of at least two rings nesting one inside the other. Each of the rings will now be described. Each of these rings is made of a metal. They are split and are eccentric for can be seen in figure 2), The ring known as the «inner ring » has a bore of substantially cylindrical wall which fits with minimum clearance into the step 21 of the first piece 19a constituting the connecting core 19 and an external wall with a conical bearing surface designed to collaborate, also with minimal clearance, with a bore made in the ring known as the « outer ring » 19c. This «outer ring » 19c collaborates by nesting with the bore or roughly cylindrical bearing surface made in the second element 15b of the second connecting piece 15. It will be noted that the outer bore of the « outer ring» 19c has a step 23 designed to be housed in a bore thus holding the glass 1 should the glass 2 break. The fining of dimensions of the stack of elements that form the connecting core 19 is calculated such that the element 19a is nested inside the first connecting piece 14 and when the rings 19b and 19c secured to the second connecting piece 15 collaborate with the cylindrical part of 19a. there is still a gap between the opposing faces of the two glazed elements 1. 2. This gap is intended ro be filled with a sheet of thermoplastic made, for example, of PVB or PU, this sheet of thermoplastic constituting the laminating interlayer between the two glazed elements 1, 2. The advantage with this mounting lies in the fact that this laminating interlayer is not subjected to compressive forces when force is applied to the glazed elements ; it cannot be compressed during mounting. 8 The clamping of the; assembly system is provided by a nut 24 which screws onto the threaded end of the cylindrical region 21 of the first piece 19a of the connecting core 19. Another particular feature of the rings 19b, 19c that together with the piece 19a make up the connecting core 19 lies in the fact that the- axes of rotation are coccmric. When two sheets of glass 1, 2 are being assembled and, given the manufacturing tolerances on the positioning of the holes 7, 8, 9, 10, there may remain a lack of alignment between the holes 7, 8 on the one hand, and the holes 9. 10 on the other, which needs to be compensated for. By turning the rings 19b, 19c one with respect to the other about the cylindrical part 21 of the piece 19a it is possible to compensate for mounting clearances. This rotational movement of the rings 19b, 19c relative to each other, combined with their structural pecularities (they are split and have conical hearing surfaces) guarantces the user, at the time of final assembly, a play-free mounting which is able to withstand very high loads. By way of example. for an assembley of a laminated glass 19 mm thick in the case of each of the glass panels. a load of 20 tonnes applied as a tensile force was unable to cause the assembly to yield. Furthermore, by way of major advantages of the proposed solution, the aforementioned assembly is able to meet very strict safety requirements. It may be pointed out that each of the glass sheets is secured by its respective connecting piece 14 and 15 to the connecting core 19, The use of a laminating interlayer between the two sheets of glass guarantees that should one of the sheets of glass break, the entity will retain its cohesion and remain secured to the connecting core, which is fixed either a bearing structure or to another elememt of the same type. It will be noted that, for esthetic reasons, the dimensions of the pieces and of the holes have been designed such that the pieces 19. 14. 15 lie exactly flush with the surfaces 3, 6 of the panes of glass 1, 2 once the device has been tightened. Of course, the invention applies not only to glass but to all fragile materials. 9 CLAIMS 1. A system for assembly between a sheet of glass (1) comprising a countersunk hole (7, 8, 9, 10) on each of its sides (3. 4) and another sheet of glass (2) also comprising a countersunk note (7', 8, 9, 10') on each of its sides (5, 6), each countersunk hole being designed respectively to lake First and second connecting pieces (14, 15) made of two elements (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b) making it possible, by damping said elements, to introduce a preload into the countersunk hole, each of the first and second connecting pieces (14, 15) being provided with a bore, the system comprising a connecting core (19) connecting with the first and second connecting pieces (14, 15), characterised in that the core (9) comprises first (19a) and second parts of which the first part (19a) mates with the surface of the bore of the first connecting piece (14) on which it exerts a force roughly parallel to the axis of the hole and of which the second part of the connecting cure (19) fits into the bore made in the second connecting piece (15) in order therein to react lo said fence. 2. The assembly system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the bore of the first connecting piece (14) is conical and is designed to accommodate the first part (19a) of the connecting core (19). 3. The assembly system as claimed in one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the conical surface (22) of the first part (19a) of the connecting tore (19) has a cone angle roughly similar to that of the cone of the bore of the first connecting piece (14). 4. The assembly system as claimed in one of the preceding claims. characterized in that the bore of the second connecting piece (15) is roughly cylindrical and is designed to accommodate the second part of the connecting core (19) 5. The assembly system as claimed in one of the preceding claims characterized in that the second part of the connecting core comprises at least a. first and a second ring (19b, 19c) which rings are eccentric and nested one inside the other. 6. The assembly system as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that each of the first and second rings (l9b, 19G) is split. 7. The assembly system as claimed in one of claims 5 or 6. characterized in that the inner bore of the first ring (19c) is conical. 8. The assembly system as claimed in one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the outer bore of the first ring (19c) has a step (23) designed to be housed in a bore thus training the glass (I) should the glass (2) break. 9. A sheet of glass (1. 2) at least 6 mm thick, having at least one doubly countersunk hole (7, 8, 9, 10,7', 8', 9', 10') with a conical pan opening onto each side of each of the faces (3, 4, 5. 6) of the sheet of glass (1,2) and a cylindrical central part which has roughly the same axis as the conical parts, characterized in that it comprises, inside each countersunk hole, a connecting piece (14, 15), the connecting pieces being designed to join together so as to allow mounting with the assembly system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims. 10. The sheet of gets as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the connecting piece or pieces (14, 15) and possibly the. connecting core (19) are equipped with holding means such as holes, bosses, etc. for transmitting loads directed roughly in the plane of the sheers of glass either to a structural element or to another sheet of glass. 11. The application of the sheet as claimed in one of claims 9 lo 10 to the production of entities formed of prefabricated elements assembled on site. A system for an assembly of a glass sheet (1) comprising a milled hole (7, 8, 9, 10) on each of the sides thereof (3, 4) and another sheet of glass (2) also comprising a milled hole (7",8", 9", 10") on each of the sides thereof (5, 6), each milled hole being adapted in such a way that it can respectively receive first and second linking parts (14, 15), whereby the first and second linking parts (14, 15) are provided with a bore hole and the system comprises a linking node (19) for the first and second linking parts (14, 15). The node (19) comprises first (19a) and second parts, whereby the first part (19a) corresponds to the bore hole surface of the first linking part (14) upon which a force is exerted in a substantially parallel position in relation to the axis of the hole, and the second part of the linking node (19) is engaged into the bore hole of the second linking part (15) in order to be able to bear the reaction to said force.

Full Text

SYSTEM ALLOWING ASSEMBLY BETWEEN AT LEAST ONE
SHEET OK GLASS AND ANOTHER OBJECT,
SHEET OF GLASS EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A SYSTEM
AND APPLICATION OF SUCH A SHEET
The present invention relates to a system for assembly between at least one
sheet of glass, particularly a sheet of glass that has undergone a surface
strengthening treatment, particularly a heat treatment or chemical treatment,
comprising at least one countersunk hole and, either another sheet of glass of the
same type, or a stracrural element, particularly one made of metal, and to a sheet of
glass equipped with such a system and to the application of such a sheet to the
production of a prefabricated entity.
In document EF-A-0 G55 543, the Applicant company describes a system for
assembly between a glazed element comprising a couriersunk hole and a bearing
structure, this system comprising a competing piece connecting between two pans
of which one, being fnistoconical, mates with the conical surface of the countersunk
hole and of which the other, forming a reaction part, beats against the opposite
surface of the sheet of glass to the side on which the hole is countersunk. A screw
connection between these two parts allows the connecting piece to be clamped in
the hole.
This assembly system is well suited to seeming, a monobitilic glazed element
to a bearing structure. However, when the monolithic glazed element is toughened,
the mounting is not durable and in the event of accidental impact there is a risk that
the glazed element will fragment.

2
In document EP-A-0 801 201. the Applicant company described a system for
the assembly of two toughened glass panes. The two panes have countersunk holes
facing in opposite directions, in which holes is fitted a connecting piece which
secures the assembly after tightening.
This assembly system is particularly well suited to securing heavy glazed
elements. I however, given the mounting between the connecting piece and the
glazed elements (this connecting piece is not fixed to either of the glazed elements)
there remains a risk of the entire mounting being destroyed if just one of the glazed
elements breaks. In addition, the permissible load is limited.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to this problem
of the security of the assembly should one of the. glassed elements break.
To obtain this result, the invention provides a system For assembly between a
sheet of glass comprising a countersunk hole on each of its sides and another shell
of glass also comprising a countersunk hole on each of its sides, each countersunk
hole being designed respectively to take first and second connecting pieces made of
two elements making it possible, by clamping said elements, to introduce a preload
into the countersunk hole, each of the first and second connecting pieces being,
provided with a bore, the system comprising a connecting core connecting with the
first and second connecting pieces, the particular feature of this system being that
the core comprises first and second parts of whiten the first pan mates with the
surface of the bore of the first connecting piece on which it exerts a force roughly
parallel to the axis of the hole and of which the second part of the connecting core
fits into the bore made in the second connecting piece in order therein to react to
said force.
The system of the invention makes it possible, when the two parts of which
the core is formed are tightened, to establish a play-free mounting within the
assembly system.
As a preference, the bore of the first connecting piece is conical and is
designed to accommodate the first part of the connecting core.

3
Furthermore, the conical surface of the first part of the connecting core has a
cone angle roughly similar to that of the cone of the bore of the first connecting
piece.
In this way, contact between the bore of the first pan of the connecting core
and the conical part of the first connecting piece lies as close as possible to the
straight surface of the sheet of glass assembled with the first connecting piece, and
this encourages a flush-fitting of the assembly system.
As it preference, the bore of the second connecting piece is roughly
cylindrical and is designed to accommodate the second part of the connecting core.
As a preference, the second part of the connecting core comprises at least a
first and a second ring which rings are eccentric and nested one inside the other.
As a further preference, each of the first and second rings is split.
As a preference, the inner bore of the first ring is conical.
Advantageously, the outer bore of the first ring has a step designed to bear
on and to be housed in a bore thus securing one of the substrates should the other
substrate break.
In this way, when the first and second parts of the connecting core are
assembled respectively with the first and second connecting pieces, there remains a
gap between the opposing faces of the first and second connecting pieces, this gap
corresponding to the thickness of a film of thermoplastic instated between the two
sheets of glass assembled using the assembly system.
The invention is also aimed at at least line sheel of glass at least 6 mm thick,
having at least one doubly countersunk hole with a conical part opening onto each
side of each of the faces of the sheet of glass and a cylindrical central part which
has roughly the same axis as the conical parts, and which has the particular feature
that it comprises, inside each countersunk hole, a connecting piece, the connecting
pieces being designed to join together so as to allow mounting with the assembly
system described hereinabove.
Furthermore the conical piece or pieces have a cone angle greater than that
of the cone of the corresponding countersunk hole.

4
Advantageously, the connecting piece or pieces and possibly the connectling
core are equipped with holding means such as holes, bosses, etc, for transmitting
loads directed roughly in the plane of the sheets of glass either to a structural
element or to another sheets of glass.
One advantageous application of such sheets is in the production of entities
formed of prefabricated elements assembled on site.
The present invention will now be explained in greater detail with the aid of
some practical examples illustrated with the drawings whtcb are cross sections
through systems according to the invention and which effectively depict:
* figure l is a view in section and in elevation of a system for the assembly
between two sheets of glass, particularly toughened glass,
*figure 2 is a front-on view of the rings belonging to the connecting core.
Figure 1 shows a system for assembly between two panes 1, 2 of glass.
These panes of glass may be toughened, hardened or annealed.
Each sheerts 1,2 is pierced on each of its faces 3, 4, 5,6 wiht a countcrsunk
hole 7, 8, 9, 10 which comprises a conical part 11.12 facing in opposite directions.
The conical parts 11, 12 facing in opposite directions and belonging to one and the
same pane of glass are separated by a cylindrical central part 13 coaxial with said
conical parts 11, 12.
The panes or sheets of glass 1, 2 thus pierced are designed respectively to
lake the first and second connecting pieces 14,15 made of a metal.
Each of the first and second connecting pieces 14, 15 is made up of two
elements. 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, designed to collaborate with one another by clamping,
at the countersunk holes made in the sheets of glass.
Thus. the first connecting piece 14 comprises a first element 14a which has a
conical surface that malts with the shape of one of the conical parts 11. 12 of the
hole and a cylindrical part which enters the cylindrical part 13 of the hole without
extending as far as the opposite face. This cylindrical part preferably has a diameter
smaller than that of the cylindrical part of the dole. The element 14a has, passing
through it. a conical bore 16, the function of which will be explained later on in the
text.

5
The first connecting piece 14 also comprises a second element 14b which has
a conical surface that mates with the shape of the other of the conical parts 11, 12 of
the hole (in fact, the one facing the opposite direction) and a bore provided with a
tapping designed to screw onto a thhreaded part made on the cylindrical part of the
first element 14a.
By sereving the second element 14b onto the first element 14a causing the
respective conical surfaces to collaborate at the conical parts 11, 12 of the hole, a
play-free assembly is achieved that is able to withstand the forces introduced by the
sheet of glass 1 or 2. To Improve the contact between the conical bearing surfaces
of the first and second elements 14a and 14b and the conical parts 11, 12 of the
hole, provision is made for the vertex angles of the cones to differ advantageously
by 0.5° to 5°.
In order to improve still further the quality of the assembly between, the two
elements 14a. 14b of the first connecting piece 14, a ring 17 made of a ductile
material (for example aluminum) may be interposed between the conical surfaces of
the first and second elements 14a, 14b and the conical parts 11. 12 of the holes.
Likewise, the second connecting piece 15 comprises a first element 15a,
which has a conical surface that mates with the shape of one of the conical parts 11,
12 of the hole and a cylindrical part which enters the cylindrical part 13 of the hole
without extending as far as the opposite face. This cylindrical part has a diameter
smaller than that of the cylindrical part 13 of the hole. The element 15a has passing
through it a, roughly cylindrical bore 18, the function of which will he explained
later on in the text.
The second connecting piece 15 also comprises a second element 15b which
has a conical surface that males with the shape of the other of the conical pans 11,
12 of the hole (in fact the one facing in the opposite direction) and a bore provided
with a tapping designed to screw onto a threaded part made on the cylindrical part
of the first element 15a.
By screwing the second element 15b onlo the first element 15a causing the
respective conical surfaces to collaborate at the conical parts 11, 12 of the hole, a
play-pree assembly is achieved that will be able to withstand the loads introduced by

6
the sheet of glass 1 or 2. In order to improve the contact between the conical
bearing surfaces of the first and second elements 15a and L5b of the conical parts
11, 12 of the hole, provision is made for the vertex angles of the cones to differ
advantageously by 0.5° to 5o.
In a similar way to the first connecting piece 14 and in order to improve the
quality of the assembly between the two elements 15a, 15b or the second
connecting piece 15, a ring 17o made of a ductile material (for example aluminum)
may be interposed between the conical surfaces of the first and second elements;
15a, 15b of the second connecting piece 15 and the conical parts 11, 12 of the holes.
The assembly of the first and second connecting pieces 14, 15 with the
respective sheers of glass is a flush fit.
We return now to another element of the assembly system which is intended
to collaborate at the first and second connecting pieces 14, 15, namely the
connecting Core 19.
The connecting cote 19 comprises a first piece 19a provided with a central
bore 20 intended to accommodate holding means (not depicted in the figures)
designed to secure the connecting core 19 and all the parts secured to it to another
similar piece or to an exterior bearing structure.
This first piece 19a comprises a roughly cylindrical first region 21 forming a
step and a second region 22 with a conical bearing surface.
Overall, the combined thickness dimensions of the first and second regions
21, 22 of the first piece 19a more or less correspond to the thickness of the two
shects of glass 1.2, It may be pointed out that the conical region 22 is more or less
bounded by the first connecting piece 14, while the cylindrical region 21 (the step)
is more or less bounded by the second connecting piece 15.
The second region 22 with conical bearing surface is designed to come into.
contact with the bore, also with a conical bearing surface, made in the first element
14a of the connecting piece 14.
The second region 22 with conical bearing surface belonging to this first
piece 19a has a cone angle roughly similar to that of the cone of the bore of the first
connecting piece 14.

7
The first region 21 with conical bearing surface belonging to the first piece
19a of the connecting core 19 collaborates with the other elements 19b, 19c shaping
the connecting core 19 and the free end of the first region 21 is threaded.
In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1. the other elements 1%, 19c of the
connecting core 19 consist of at least two rings nesting one inside the other.
Each of the rings will now be described.
Each of these rings is made of a metal. They are split and are eccentric for can be
seen in figure 2),
The ring known as the «inner ring » has a bore of substantially cylindrical
wall which fits with minimum clearance into the step 21 of the first piece 19a
constituting the connecting core 19 and an external wall with a conical bearing
surface designed to collaborate, also with minimal clearance, with a bore made in
the ring known as the « outer ring » 19c.
This «outer ring » 19c collaborates by nesting with the bore or roughly
cylindrical bearing surface made in the second element 15b of the second
connecting piece 15.
It will be noted that the outer bore of the « outer ring» 19c has a step 23
designed to be housed in a bore thus holding the glass 1 should the glass 2 break.
The fining of dimensions of the stack of elements that form the connecting
core 19 is calculated such that the element 19a is nested inside the first connecting
piece 14 and when the rings 19b and 19c secured to the second connecting piece 15
collaborate with the cylindrical part of 19a. there is still a gap between the opposing
faces of the two glazed elements 1. 2.
This gap is intended ro be filled with a sheet of thermoplastic made, for
example, of PVB or PU, this sheet of thermoplastic constituting the laminating
interlayer between the two glazed elements 1, 2.
The advantage with this mounting lies in the fact that this laminating
interlayer is not subjected to compressive forces when force is applied to the glazed
elements ; it cannot be compressed during mounting.

8
The clamping of the; assembly system is provided by a nut 24 which screws
onto the threaded end of the cylindrical region 21 of the first piece 19a of the
connecting core 19.
Another particular feature of the rings 19b, 19c that together with the piece
19a make up the connecting core 19 lies in the fact that the- axes of rotation are
coccmric.
When two sheets of glass 1, 2 are being assembled and, given the
manufacturing tolerances on the positioning of the holes 7, 8, 9, 10, there may
remain a lack of alignment between the holes 7, 8 on the one hand, and the holes 9.
10 on the other, which needs to be compensated for.
By turning the rings 19b, 19c one with respect to the other about the
cylindrical part 21 of the piece 19a it is possible to compensate for mounting
clearances.
This rotational movement of the rings 19b, 19c relative to each other,
combined with their structural pecularities (they are split and have conical hearing
surfaces) guarantces the user, at the time of final assembly, a play-free mounting
which is able to withstand very high loads. By way of example. for an assembley of
a laminated glass 19 mm thick in the case of each of the glass panels. a load of 20
tonnes applied as a tensile force was unable to cause the assembly to yield.
Furthermore, by way of major advantages of the proposed solution, the
aforementioned assembly is able to meet very strict safety requirements. It may be
pointed out that each of the glass sheets is secured by its respective connecting
piece 14 and 15 to the connecting core 19, The use of a laminating interlayer
between the two sheets of glass guarantees that should one of the sheets of glass
break, the entity will retain its cohesion and remain secured to the connecting core,
which is fixed either a bearing structure or to another elememt of the same type.
It will be noted that, for esthetic reasons, the dimensions of the pieces and of
the holes have been designed such that the pieces 19. 14. 15 lie exactly flush with
the surfaces 3, 6 of the panes of glass 1, 2 once the device has been tightened.
Of course, the invention applies not only to glass but to all fragile materials.

9
CLAIMS
1. A system for assembly between a sheet of glass (1) comprising a
countersunk hole (7, 8, 9, 10) on each of its sides (3. 4) and another sheet of glass
(2) also comprising a countersunk note (7', 8, 9, 10') on each of its sides (5, 6),
each countersunk hole being designed respectively to lake First and second
connecting pieces (14, 15) made of two elements (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b) making it
possible, by damping said elements, to introduce a preload into the countersunk
hole, each of the first and second connecting pieces (14, 15) being provided with a
bore, the system comprising a connecting core (19) connecting with the first and
second connecting pieces (14, 15), characterised in that the core (9) comprises
first (19a) and second parts of which the first part (19a) mates with the surface of
the bore of the first connecting piece (14) on which it exerts a force roughly parallel
to the axis of the hole and of which the second part of the connecting cure (19) fits
into the bore made in the second connecting piece (15) in order therein to react lo
said fence.
2. The assembly system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the
bore of the first connecting piece (14) is conical and is designed to accommodate
the first part (19a) of the connecting core (19).
3. The assembly system as claimed in one of claims 1 and 2, characterized
in that the conical surface (22) of the first part (19a) of the connecting tore (19) has
a cone angle roughly similar to that of the cone of the bore of the first connecting
piece (14).
4. The assembly system as claimed in one of the preceding claims.
characterized in that the bore of the second connecting piece (15) is roughly
cylindrical and is designed to accommodate the second part of the connecting core
(19)
5. The assembly system as claimed in one of the preceding claims
characterized in that the second part of the connecting core comprises at least a.

first and a second ring (19b, 19c) which rings are eccentric and nested one inside
the other.
6. The assembly system as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that each
of the first and second rings (l9b, 19G) is split.
7. The assembly system as claimed in one of claims 5 or 6. characterized
in that the inner bore of the first ring (19c) is conical.
8. The assembly system as claimed in one of claims 5 to 7, characterized
in that the outer bore of the first ring (19c) has a step (23) designed to be housed in
a bore thus training the glass (I) should the glass (2) break.
9. A sheet of glass (1. 2) at least 6 mm thick, having at least one doubly
countersunk hole (7, 8, 9, 10,7', 8', 9', 10') with a conical pan opening onto each
side of each of the faces (3, 4, 5. 6) of the sheet of glass (1,2) and a cylindrical
central part which has roughly the same axis as the conical parts, characterized in
that it comprises, inside each countersunk hole, a connecting piece (14, 15), the
connecting pieces being designed to join together so as to allow mounting with the
assembly system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
10. The sheet of gets as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the
connecting piece or pieces (14, 15) and possibly the. connecting core (19) are
equipped with holding means such as holes, bosses, etc. for transmitting loads
directed roughly in the plane of the sheers of glass either to a structural element or
to another sheet of glass.
11. The application of the sheet as claimed in one of claims 9 lo 10 to the
production of entities formed of prefabricated elements assembled on site.

A system for an assembly of a glass sheet (1) comprising a milled hole (7, 8, 9, 10) on each of the sides thereof (3, 4) and another sheet of glass (2) also comprising a milled hole (7",8", 9", 10") on each of the sides thereof (5, 6), each milled hole being adapted in such a way that it can respectively receive first and second linking parts (14, 15), whereby the first and second linking parts (14, 15) are provided with a bore hole and the system comprises a linking node (19) for the first and second linking parts (14, 15). The node (19) comprises first (19a) and second parts, whereby the first part (19a) corresponds to the bore hole surface of the first linking part (14) upon which a force is exerted in a substantially parallel position in relation to the axis of the hole, and the second part of the linking node (19) is engaged into the bore hole of the second linking part (15) in order to be able to bear the reaction to said force.

Documents:

01350-kolnp-2005-abstract.pdf

01350-kolnp-2005-claims.pdf

01350-kolnp-2005-description complete.pdf

01350-kolnp-2005-drawings.pdf

01350-kolnp-2005-form 1.pdf

01350-kolnp-2005-form 2.pdf

01350-kolnp-2005-form 3.pdf

01350-kolnp-2005-form 5.pdf

01350-kolnp-2005-international publication.pdf

1350-kolnp-2005-amanded claims.pdf

1350-kolnp-2005-correspondence 1.1.pdf

1350-kolnp-2005-correspondence.pdf

1350-KOLNP-2005-FORM 13.pdf

1350-kolnp-2005-form 18.pdf

1350-KOLNP-2005-FORM-27.pdf

1350-kolnp-2005-international preliminary examination report.pdf

1350-kolnp-2005-international publication.pdf

1350-kolnp-2005-international search report.pdf

1350-kolnp-2005-pct request form.pdf

1350-KOLNP-2005-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

abstract-01350-kolnp-2005.jpg

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Patent Number

247827

Indian Patent Application Number

1350/KOLNP/2005

PG Journal Number

21/2011

Publication Date

27-May-2011

Grant Date

25-May-2011

Date of Filing

13-Jul-2005

Name of Patentee

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE

Applicant Address

18, AVENUE D' ALSACE, F-92400 COURBEVOIE, FRANCE

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	ERNEWEIN, JACQUES	19 RUE DU CHERNIN DE FER, F-94440 VILLECRESNNES, FRANCE
2	TISSOT, PHILLIPE	51 RUE DES QUATRE TETES, F-74700 SALLANCHES, FRANCE

PCT International Classification Number

E06B 3/54

PCT International Application Number

PCT/FR2004/000053

PCT International Filing date

2004-01-14

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	03/00379	2003-01-15	France