System and method for a glass panel support structure utilizing only vertical framing
A system and method for the assembly and support of glass panels when used in conjunction with a curtain wall system. The system may generally include a pair of spaced apart mullions, a pair of upper anchors, a pair of lower anchors, and a pair of gravity fittings. The pair of upper anchors may be coupled to the upper end of the pair of mullions and the building structure. The pair of lower anchors may be coupled to the lower end of the pair of mullions and the building structure. The pair of gravity fittings may be coupled to an exterior face at the lower end of the pair of mullions. The gravity fitting may comprise a bracket coupled to the pair of mullions and a shelf configured to support a portion of the glass panel.
1 . A curtain wall system for supporting a glass panel having a height, width, and sides and configured to be coupled to a building structure, the curtain wall system comprising:
a pair of spaced apart vertical mullions;
a pair of upper anchors coupled to an upper end of the pair of mullions and to the building structure;
a pair of lower anchors coupled to a lower end of the pair of mullions and to the building structure;
a pair of gravity fittings coupled to an exterior face of the vertical mullions at the lower end thereof and configured to support a portion of the glass panel; and
a pair of elastomeric connectors coupled between the exterior face of the vertical mullions and an interior surface of the glass panel.
2 . The curtain wall system of claim 1 , wherein the pair of elastomeric connectors are coupled adjacent said sides of the glass panel.
3 . The curtain wall system of claim 1 , wherein the pair of upper anchors each comprise a base coupled to the building structure and a mount extending downwardly from the base and coupled to the pair of mullions.
4 . The curtain wall system of claim 1 , wherein the pair of lower anchors each comprise a base coupled to the building structure and a mount extending upwardly from the base and coupled to the pair of mullions.
5 . The curtain wall system of claim 1 , wherein the pair of mullions are spaced apart at a distance substantially equivalent to the width of the glass panel.
6 . The construction system of claim 1 , wherein the pair of upper and lower anchors are coupled to the mullions by a fastener.
7 . The curtain wall system of claim 1 , wherein the gravity fittings comprise a bracket coupled to the exterior face at the lower end of the pair of mullions and a shelf configured to support the portion of the glass panel.
8 . The curtain wall system of claim 7 , wherein the shelf is horizontal and the bracket is oriented vertically perpendicular thereto.
9 . A curtain wall system configured to be coupled to a building structure, the curtain wall system comprising:
a glass panel comprising a height, a width, and a pair sides;
a pair of vertical mullions spaced apart at a distance substantially equivalent to the width of the glass panel;
a pair of upper anchors coupled to an upper end of the pair of mullions and to the building structure;
a pair of lower anchors coupled to a lower end of the pair of mullions and to the building structure;
a pair of gravity fittings coupled to an exterior face of the vertical mullions at the lower end thereof and configured to support a portion of the glass panel; and
a pair of elastomeric connectors coupled between the exterior face of the vertical mullions and an interior surface of the glass panel.
10 . The curtain wall system of claim 9 , wherein the pair of elastomeric connectors are coupled adjacent said sides of the glass panel.
11 . The curtain wall system of claim 9 , wherein the pair of gravity fittings each comprise a bracket coupled to the exterior face at the lower end of the pair of mullions and a shelf configured to support the portion of the glass panel.
12 . The curtain wall system of claim 9 , wherein the pair of upper anchors each comprise a base coupled to the building structure and a mount extending downwardly from the base and coupled to the pair of mullions.
13 . The curtain wall system of claim 9 , wherein the pair of lower anchors each comprise a base coupled to the building structure and a mount extending upwardly from the base and coupled to the pair of mullions.
14 . A construction method for providing a curtain wall system for support for a glass panel, comprising:
providing a pair of spaced apart vertical mullions;
providing a pair of upper anchors coupled to an upper end of the pair of mullions and to the building structure;
providing a pair of lower anchors coupled to a lower end of the pair of mullions and to the building structure;
providing a pair of gravity fittings coupled to an exterior face of the vertical mullions at the lower end thereof and configured to support a portion of the glass panel; and
providing a pair of elastomeric connectors coupled between an exterior face of the vertical mullions and an interior surface of the glass panel.
15 . The construction method of claim 14 , wherein the pair of elastomeric connectors are coupled adjacent said sides of the glass panel.
16 . The construction method of claim 14 , wherein the gravity fittings comprise a bracket coupled to the exterior face at the lower end of the pair of mullions and a shelf configured to support the portion of the glass panel.
17 . The construction method of claim 14 , wherein the upper and lower anchors comprise a base coupled to the building structure and a mount extending from the base and coupled to the pair of mullions.