Sectional construction assemblies
View Patent ↗The disclosed system, method and device for construction generally includes a mullion having a guide track disposed therein and a custom fitting suitably adapted to support a construction section via substantially adjustable attachment to the guide track. Disclosed features and specifications may be optionally controlled, adapted or otherwise modified to improve the retention and/or support of construction sections in a variety of operating environments. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally provide improved aesthetic presentation and mechanical retention of construction panels in point-supported glass wall systems.
1. A point-supported construction system for a glass panel, comprising:
a mullion comprising at least one guide track disposed at least partially along at least one dimension of the mullion; and
a fitting adjustably engaged to the guide track. comprising:
an inner fitting. comprising:
an exterior piece positioned outside the guide track;
an interior piece positioned inside the guide track; and
a first fastener coupling the exterior piece to the interior piece;
wherein a portion of the guide track is disposed between the exterior piece and the interior piece;
an outer fitting; and
a second fastener coupling the outer fitting to the inner fitting;
wherein the fitting is selectively adjustable along the guide track while engaged to the guide track; the inner fitting and the outer fitting are configured to provide support for a portion of the glass panel at a distance from the mullion; and a portion of the glass panel is received between the inner fitting and the outer fitting.
2. The construction system of claim 1 , wherein said mullion dimension is at least one of substantially linear and substantially curvilinear.
3. The construction system of claim 1 , wherein said fitting is adapted to provide support for a portion of the glass panel using at least one of a pinch plate, a hanger extension and a shelf.
4. The construction system of claim 1 , further comprising a second mullion, wherein the second mullion is configured for attachment to the guide track.
5. The construction system of claim 1 , wherein the mullion further comprises an interiorly disposed void volume and the guide track is at least partially located within the void volume of the mullion.
6. The construction system of claim 1 , wherein the mullion further comprises an exteriorly disposed surface and the guide track is at least partially located on the exterior surface of the mullion.
7. The construction system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a plurality of mullions and a plurality of substantially interconnected mullions.
8. The construction system of claim 7 , wherein said plurality of mullions are connected together by at least one splice plate.
9. A construction method for providing point-support for a glass panel,comprising:
providing a mullion having at least one guide track disposed at least partially along at least one dimension of the mullion; and
providing a fitting adjustably engaged to the guide track, the fitting comprising:
an interior fitting, comprising:
an exterior piece positioned outside the guide track;
an interior piece positioned inside the guide track; and
a first fastener coupling the exterior piece to the interior piece; wherein a portion of the guide track is disposed between the exterior piece and the interior piece;
an outer fitting; and
a second fastener coupling the outer fitting to the inner fitting;
wherein the fitting is selectively adjustable along the guide track while engaged to the guide track; the inner fitting and the outer fitting are configured to provide support for a portion of the glass panel at a distance from the mullion; and a portion of the glass panel is received between the inner fitting and the outer fitting.
10. The construction method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of positioning the fitting along the guide track.
11. The construction method of claim 9 , wherein the fitting comprises at least one of a pinch plate, a hanger extension and a shelf.
12. The construction method of claim 9 , further comprising a second mullion, wherein the second mullion is configured for attachment to the guide track.
13. The construction method of claim 9 , wherein the mullion includes an interiorly disposed void volume and the guide track is at least partially located within the void volume of the mullion.
14. The construction method of claim 9 , wherein the mullion further comprises an exteriorly disposed surface and the guide track is at least partially located on the exterior surface of the mullion.
15. The construction method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of providing at least one of a plurality of mullions and a plurality of substantially interconnected mullions.
16. The construction method of claim 15 , wherein the mullions are connected together by at least one splice plate.
17. An architectural device for supporting building material, comprising:
a mullion having at least one guide track disposed at least partially along at least one dimension of the mullion; and
a fitting selectively adjustably engaged to the guide track, comprising:
an inner fitting, comprising:
an exterior piece positioned outside the guide track;
an interior piece positioned inside the guide track; and
a first fastener coupling the exterior piece to the. interior piece; wherein a portion of the guide track is received between the interior piece and the exterior piece,
an outer fitting; and
a second fastener coupling the outer fitting to the inner fitting;
wherein the interior piece and the exterior piece are nonadjustably engaged to the guide track when the first fastener is in a first position and adjustably movable and engaged to the guide track when the first fastener is in a second position; the inner fitting and the outer fitting are configured to provide support for a portion of the building material at a distance from the mullion; and a portion of the building material is received between the inner fitting and the outer fitting.
18. The architectural device of claim 17 , wherein: said fitting is adapted to provide support for a portion of the building material using at least one of a pinch plate, a hanger extension and a shelf; and said building material comprises at least one of a substantially transparent material and a substantially opaque material.
19. The architectural device of claim 17 , wherein the mullion further comprises an interiorly disposed void volume and the guide track is at least partially located within the void volume of the mullion.
20. The architectural device of claim 17 , wherein the mullion further comprises an exteriorly disposed surface and the guide track is at least partially located on the exterior surface of the mullion.
21. The architectural device of claim 17 , further comprising at least one of a plurality of mullions and a plurality of substantially interconnected mullions.
22. The architectural device of claim 21 , wherein said plurality of mullions are connected together by at least one splice plate.