Curtain Wall Systems and Methods

Abstract

According to the invention, a curtain wall system for a building is disclosed. The curtain wall system may include an interior vertical member, an external vertical member, and a wall panel. The interior vertical member may be coupled with a floor of the building. The external vertical member may be coupled with the interior vertical member. The wall panel may be supported by the floor of the building and disposed between the interior vertical member and the external vertical member.

1 . A curtain wall system for a building, wherein the curtain wall system comprises:
 an interior vertical member, wherein:
 the interior vertical member is coupled with a floor of the building; 
   an external vertical member, wherein:
 the external vertical member is coupled with the interior vertical member; and 
   a wall panel, wherein:
 the wall panel is supported by the floor of the building; and 
 the wall panel is disposed between the interior vertical member and the external vertical member. 
   
   
   
       2 . The curtain wall system for a building of  claim 1 , wherein the interior vertical member is coupled with a portion of the building above the floor. 
   
   
       3 . The curtain wall system for a building of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the interior vertical member defines at least a first cavity;   the external vertical member defines at least a second cavity; and   the external vertical member being coupled with the interior vertical member comprises a coupling member disposed in the first cavity and the second cavity.   
   
   
       4 . The curtain wall system for a building of  claim 1 , wherein the curtain wall system for the building further comprises:
 a support member, wherein the support member is coupled with the floor, and wherein the wall panel being supported by the floor of the building comprises the wall panel being supported with the support member.   
   
   
       5 . The curtain wall system for a building of  claim 1 , wherein the wall panel comprises a multiple pane glass panel. 
   
   
       6 . The curtain wall system for a building of  claim 1 , wherein the curtain wall system for a building further comprises:
 a deformable media disposed between the wall panel and a portion of the building above the floor.   
   
   
       7 . The curtain wall system for a building of  claim 1 , wherein the interior vertical member defines a vertical chase configured to allow access to the vertical chase from an interior of the building. 
   
   
       8 . The curtain wall system for a building of  claim 1 , wherein the curtain wall system for a building further comprises:
 a cover coupled with a portion of the building above the floor, wherein the cover is configured to at least partially cover an interface between the wall panel and the portion of the building above the floor.   
   
   
       9 . The curtain wall system for a building of  claim 8 , wherein the cover comprises a lower lip angled away from an interior of the building. 
   
   
       10 . A method of providing a curtain wall system for a building, wherein the method comprises:
 coupling an interior vertical member with a floor of the building;   supporting a wall panel on an exterior side of the interior vertical member; and   coupling an external vertical member with the internal vertical member, wherein the wall panel is disposed between the interior vertical member and the external vertical member.   
   
   
       11 . The method of providing a curtain wall system for a building of  claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises:
 supporting the wall panel with the floor of the building.   
   
   
       12 . The method of providing a curtain wall system for a building of  claim 11 , wherein supporting the wall panel with the floor of the building comprises:
 coupling a support member with the floor; and   supporting the wall panel with the support member.   
   
   
       13 . The method of providing a curtain wall system for a building of  claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises:
 disposing a deformable media between a top of the wall panel and a portion of the building above the floor.   
   
   
       14 . The method of providing a curtain wall system for a building of  claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises:
 moving the floor upward until a top of the wall panel is in proximity to a portion of the building above the floor.   
   
   
       15 . The method of providing a curtain wall system for a building of  claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises:
 coupling the interior vertical member with a portion of the building above the floor.   
   
   
       16 . The method of providing a curtain wall system for a building of  claim 10 , wherein the interior vertical member defines at least a first cavity, the external vertical member defines at least a second cavity; and
 coupling an external vertical member with the internal vertical member comprises disposing a coupling member in the first cavity and the second cavity.   
   
   
       17 . A curtain wall system for a building, wherein the curtain wall system comprises:
 a wall panel;   a first means for at least partially defining the position of the wall panel; and   a second means for at least partially securing the wall panel between the first means and the second means.   
   
   
       18 . The curtain wall system for a building of  claim 17 , wherein the curtain wall system for a building further comprises:
 a third means for supporting the wall panel from a floor of the building.   
   
   
       19 . The curtain wall system for a building of  claim 17 , wherein the curtain wall system for a building further comprises:
 a fourth means for coupling the first means with the second means.   
   
   
       20 . The curtain wall system for a building of  claim 17 , wherein the curtain wall system for a building further comprises:
 a fifth means for at least partially sealing at least one edge of the wall panel to a portion of the building above a floor supporting the wall panel.