Glazing method

Abstract

A method of glazing an opening in a wall structure such as an interior wall in an office building, in which a glazing frame is fitted around a glass panel and the panel and frame are inserted into the opening. Clips are installed within the opening and engage the frame so as to prevent displacement of the frame outwardly of the opening. A trim frame is then installed from the opposite side of the opening and is retained by and conceals the clips. The trim frame provides a symmetrical smooth exterior surface.

1 . A method of glazing an opening in a wall structure which is defined by frame members of the structure, each having inner and outer lateral faces at opposite sides of the structure and a transverse face that extends between the lateral faces generally normal to the plane of the opening, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a glazing panel sized to fit within the opening;    installing a glazing frame on said panel;    inserting the glazing frame and panel into said opening in the wall structure from a first side thereof, the glazing frame surrounding the glazing panel and having a general L-shaped configuration in cross-section defined by a major limb that overlies said flat transverse faces of the wall members and a minor limb that abuts said lateral faces at said first side of the wall structure, said major limb including a channel receiving a marginal portion of the glazing panel;    installing a plurality of clips for retaining the glazing panel against displacement out of said opening, said clips engaging said glazing frame at a side of the channel opposite to said minor limb and being received in corresponding openings in said wall members; and,    installing in said opening from a side opposite said first side, a trim frame which is retained in the opening and covers said clips so that they are concealed from view in the assembled wall structure.    
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said step of installing a glazing frame on said glazing panel comprises providing a plurality of aluminum extrusions for forming individual frame members of said frame and installing said extrusions along respective marginal portions of the glazing panel to form said frame, the extrusions being assembled end-to-end at respective corners of the panel.  
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said extrusions are joined together at corners of the frame using angle brackets that are received within the extrusions.  
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said trim frame comprises a plurality of aluminum extrusions joined together at corners of the frame.  
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said extrusions are joined together at corners of the frame using angle brackets that are received within the extrusions.  
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said channel receiving a marginal portion of the glazing panel is located on said major limb so as to be disposed generally on a median plane of said opening when the glazing frame is installed in said opening.  
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said channel receives a glazing bead providing a seal between said glazing panel and said glazing frame.  
   
   
       8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each said clip is shaped to provide respective shaped formations at opposite sides of the clip, and wherein each of said glazing frame and said trim frame comprises an assembly of respective extrusions shaped to engage with the respective hook-shaped formations of the clip, so that said clips both engage said glazing panel for retaining the glazing panel within the opening, and are engaged by said trim frame for retaining the trim within the opening.  
   
   
       9 . A wall structure having at least one opening which is glazed, wherein the opening is defined by frame members of the wall structure, each of which has inner and outer lateral faces at opposite sides of the wall, and a transverse face that extends between the lateral faces generally normal to the plane of the opening, and wherein glazing of the opening is provided by: 
 a glazing panel sized to fit within the opening;    a glazing frame received in the opening from a first side thereof and surrounding said glazing panel, said glazing frame having a generally L-shaped configuration in cross-section defined by a major limb that overlies said flat transverse faces of the wall members, and a minor limb that abuts said lateral faces at said first side of the wall structure, said major limb including a channel receiving a marginal portion of said glazing panel;    a plurality of clips each engaged with said glazing frame at a side of said channel opposite to said minor limb and being received in an opening in the relevant wall member, said clips retaining the glazing frame against displacement out of said opening; and,    a trim frame received in said opening from a side opposite said first side, said trim frame being retained in said opening and covering said clips so that they are concealed from view in the assembled wall structure.    
   
   
       10 . A wall structure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said glazing frame comprises a plurality of aluminum extrusions forming individual frame members of said frame and installed along respective marginal portions of the glazing panel to form said frame, the extrusions being assembled end-to-end at respective corners of the panel.  
   
   
       11 . A wall structure as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said extrusions are joined together at corners of the frame using angle brackets that are received within the extrusions.  
   
   
       12 . A wall structure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said trim frame comprises a plurality of aluminum extrusions joined together at corners of the frame.  
   
   
       13 . A wall structure as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said extrusions are joined together at corners of the frame using angle brackets that are received within the extrusions.  
   
   
       14 . A wall structure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said channel receiving a marginal portion of the glazing panel is located on said major limb so as to be disposed generally on a median plane of said opening.  
   
   
       15 . A wall structure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said channel receives a glazing bead providing a seal between said glazing panel and said glazing frame.  
   
   
       16 . A wall structure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each said clip is shaped to provide respective shaped formations at opposite sides of the clip, and wherein each of said glazing frame and said trim frame comprises an assembly of respective extrusions shaped to engage with the respective hook-shaped formations of the clip, so that said clips both engage said glazing panel for retaining the glazing panel within the opening, and are engaged by said trim frame for retaining the trim within the opening.