GB2594071A

GB2594071A - Support system

Info

Publication number: GB2594071A
Application number: GB2005484.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Davies Oliver
Original assignee: Siosystems Ltd
Current assignee: Siosystems Ltd
Priority date: 2020-04-15
Filing date: 2020-04-15
Publication date: 2021-10-20
Anticipated expiration: 2040-04-15
Also published as: GB2594071B; GB202005484D0

Abstract

A panel support system for supporting at least one glass panel 100, comprising a support unit 1 with a first side 10 and a second side 20 facing the first side, a channel 40 between the first and second sides into which a panel is placed and with at least two seal members 61 and 62 on one of the first side or the second side, and at least one seal member on the other of the first or the second sides. The two seals may be different types. The first and /or second sides may have a recess (10a figure 1B) for at least one seal member. The first or seconds sides may be thicker 21 near the opening 50 of the channel. The unit may comprise a U-shaped body 80 and there may be a damper 70 positioned on a base 30 of the unit. The system may have a housing (85 figure 15) which the support unit fits into. The system may comprise at least two units. The present invention also provides a door and/or a partition comprising the support system, and a method of making the support system.

Description

SUPPORT SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a support system for supporting a panel. The present invention is particularly suited to a support system for supporting a glass panel, for example as used in glass doors and partitions.

Providing glass doors and/or partitions is popular, particularly in office environments. Glass doors and/or partitions provide aesthetic advantages. For example, the transparency (or translucency) of such glass doors and/or partitions allow natural light to pass through. This can improve the aesthetics of a space. This may reduce the amount of artificial light needed in a space, and can thus reduce the amount of electricity used to light a space.

It will be understood that providing an appropriate support system capable of adequately holding at least one panel of glass is important for a glass door and/or partition.

Other structures in which a panel (i.e. other than glass) is used for a door and/or partition Some systems are known for supporting a panel of glass. For example, a system might comprise a U-shaped body, wherein a glass panel can be held in place by the U-shaped body. Such known systems can be used to keep a glass panel in place to form a glass door and/or partition.

A problem which has been identified with such known systems is that it may be possible to hear noises through the glass door and/or partition. This may be a particular problem in an office environment in which zones of an office, such as specific meeting rooms, are separated by a glass door and/or partitions. It would be beneficial to reduce the amount of noise which passes through the glass door and/or partition, i.e. to improve the acoustic properties of a glass door and/or partition. In particular, it would be desirable to reduce the noise which passes through the glass door and/or partition whilst maintaining the advantages described above.

In the present invention, there is provided a support system for supporting at least one glass panel, the support system comprising a support unit The support unit comprising a first side and a second side facing the first side, wherein the support unit forms a channel between the first side and the second side with an opening through which a panel can be received. The support unit comprising at least two seal members provided on one of the first side and the second side, and at least one seal member provided on the other of the first side and the second side According to the present invention, there is also provided a door comprising the support system.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a partition comprising the support system.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a method of making a support system according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising extruding a material to form at least the first side and the second side and providing at least two seal members on one of the first side or the second side, and at least one seal member on the other of the first side and the second side.

Further embodiments, variations and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of embodiments, variations and advantages of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which: Figure IA schematically depicts a cross-section of a support system according to a first embodiment; Figure 1B shows a close up of a side of the support unit; Figure IC shows a close up of seal members of the support system, Figures 2 and 3 schematically depict variations of the first embodiment; Figure 4 schematically depicts a cross-section of a support system according to a second embodiment; Figures 5 and 6 schematically depict variations of the second embodiment; Figures 7-10 schematically depict variations of a third embodiment in cross-30 section; Figures 11-14 schematically depict variations of a fourth embodiment in cross-section; and Figure 15 schematically depicts a housing.

The features shown in the figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size and/or arrangement depicted is not limiting. It will be understood that the figures include optional features which may not be essential to the invention. Furthermore, not all of the features of the support system are depicted in each of the figures, and the figures may only show some of the components relevant for describing a particular feature.

As described above, an issue with known systems used to support panels, such as glass panels, is that noise may pass from one side of the panel to the other. This may be a particular problem in certain environments, such as in office spaces in which people may work in different zones, such as meeting rooms, which are separated by partitions and/or doors with these panels.

The present invention provides a support system for supporting at least one glass panel. The support system may be suitable for supporting multiple glass panels. Although the support system is suitable for supporting at least one glass panel, other types of the panel may be supported. Preferably, the glass panel is formed of a treated, e.g. toughened (i.e, tempered) glass and/or laminated glass. The glass may be acoustic glass with a fixed acoustic value.

The support system may be used to form a base track or abutment. Thus, the support system may be provided along the base of a panel to support the panel along a floor. The support system may be used to form a head track. Thus, the support system may be provided along the top of a panel, e.g. to support the panel relative to a ceiling. The support system may be used to form a door frame, which may be of any appropriate configuration, e.g. a sliding door, a pivoting door, etc..

The support system comprises at least one support unit. The support unit is configured to receive the panel. The support unit is configured to contact the panel when the panel is in place. As described below, the support unit forms a channel with an opening through which the panel can be received. Thus, the panel can be received in the support unit, and can thus be supported by the support system.

Figure IA shows a first embodiment of the support system in cross-section.

Specifically, figure lA shows a support unit 1 of the support system. The support unit 1 may be substantially U-shaped in cross-section. The support unit 1 comprises a first side and a second side 20. The second side 20 may face the first side 10. In other words, the first side 10 and the second side 20 may be substantially parallel to each other. Thus, an inner surface 23 of the second side 20 may face an inner surface 13 of the first side 10. The first side 10 and the second side 20 may be substantially the same shape as each other. In this case, the first side 10 and the second side 20 may be mirror images of each other, as shown in figure 1A. However, this is not a necessity, and the first side 10 and the second side 20 may have different shapes from each other.

The first side 10 may be formed of a single piece. Alternatively, the first side 10 may be formed of multiple portions, e.g. various attachments. The second side 20 may be formed of a single piece. Alternatively, the second side 20 may be formed of multiple portions, e.g. various attachments.

The support unit 1 may be an extruded unit. The support unit may have an elongate shape, wherein the length of the support unit 1 is much larger than the width or height of the support unit 1. The shape of the support unit 1 in cross-section as shown in figure lA may be extruded. The cross-sectional shape of the support unit 1 may be substantially uniform along a length of the support unit I. Thus, any shapes or features in the cross-sectional shape of the support unit 1 may extend along substantially the whole length of the support unit 1. Forming the support unit 1 by extrusion is preferable, however, other methods forming the support unit 1 may be used.

The support unit 1 forms a channel 40 between the first side 10 and the second side 20. The channel 40 may run along the length of the support unit 1. The channel 40 have an elongate shape. The support unit 1 comprises an opening 50 through which a panel 100 can be received. The opening 50 may be provided along a length of the support unit 1. The opening 50 may be provided along a length of the channel 40. The width of the opening 50 may be defined by the distance between the first side 10 and the second side 20. The width of the channel 50 may be defined by the distance between the first side 10 and the second side 20, and specifically between the inner surface 13 of the first side 10 and he inner surface 23 of the second side 20. The width of the channel 50 may be substantially uniform. Preferably, the width of the channel 50 is smaller at the opening 50 and increases at a point further from the opening 50, i.e. increases within the channel 50 away from the opening 50.

The support system may comprise a base 30 between the first side 10 and the second side 20. The base 30 may be provided in any appropriate configuration. The base 30 may be referred to as a part of the support system which is provided between the first side 10 and the second side 20. The base 30 may or may not be connected to the first side 10 and the second side 20. More specifically, the support unit 1 may comprise the base 30, as shown in figure A. Although in other configurations, the base might be provided by an external component such as a housing described below.

The support system of the present invention comprises seal members which are used to keep a panel 100 in place when in position in the support unit 1. The seal members may be positioned on a surface of the side which forms the channel 40. The seal members may be positioned on an inner surface 13 of the first side 10 and/or an inner surface 23 of the second side 20. Although known systems may use seal members for keeping a panel in place, known systems use one seal member on each side of the panel The term seal and seal member may be used interchangeably.

In the present invention, the support system comprises at least two seal members provided on one of the first side 10 and the second side 20, and at least one seal member provided on the other of the first side 10 and the second side 20, For example, the first side 10 may have one seal member and the second side 20 may have two seal members, or the first side 10 may have two seal members and the second side 20 may have one seal member.

The support unit 1 may be machined to provide at least one portion configured for receiving a seal member, i.e. a recessed portion. The first side 10 may comprise at least one recess in which a seal member is positioned. The second side 20 may comprise at least one recess in which a seal member may be positioned. Preferably, one of the first side 10 and the second side 20 comprises at least two recesses, and the other of the first side 10 and the second side 20 comprises at least one recess. Preferably, the first side comprises a recess for each seal member on the first side and the second side comprises a recess for each seal member on the second side, i.e. the support unit 1 comprises the same number of recesses and seal members.

The recess may be formed as an opening in the support unit 1, preferably in the first side 10 or the second side 20. As described below, at least one seal member may be positioned in a recess. The recess may be provided along a length of the first side 10 or the second side 20. In other words, the recess may be formed as an elongated opening in the first side 10 of the second side 20. The recess may otherwise be referred to as a carrier.

The recess may be understood to be a machining detail formed in the support unit 1.

It is preferable for the support unit 1 to comprise a recess for a seal member because this may be beneficial in holding the seal member in place. However, this is not a necessity. For example, a seal member could be provided on the first side 10 and/or the second side 20 without be positioned in a recess. At least one seal member may be provided on the support unit 1 on a non-recessed portion of the side. For example, a seal member may be provided on an inner surface of a side of the support unit 1, and may be positioned on a substantially flat portion of the inner surface. In this case, the seal member may be attached to the support unit 1, for example, by adhesive. This may be of particular use if an additional seal member is added to a pre-existing support unit 1. The seal members may be provided in a mix of ways, i.e. at least one seal member positioned in a recess, and at least one seal member provided on a non-recessed portion.

The glass may have a fixed acoustic value by its own nature. The use of two seal members on at least one side of the support unit 1 will help maintain the acoustic integrity of the glass as best as possible once it is installed into the system. Thus, the advantage of providing at least two seal members on one side and at least one seal member on the other side is that a greater number of seals are provided. This means that the acoustic performance of the support system and panel may be improved. This improvement may be increased with additional seal members being provided. For example, as shown in figure 1A, the first side 10 may comprise two seal members 61a, 62a and the second side 20 may comprise two seal members 61b, 62b. As described below, different numbers of seal members may be provided. The seal members might otherwise be referred to as seals.

At least one seal member may be an extruded profile. In other words, at least one seal member may be formed by extrusion. At least one seal member may have an elongated shape. At least one seal member may have a substantially uniform cross-section along the length of the seal member. Thus, the seal member may be provided on a surface of the support unit 1 and may be provided along the length of the support unit 1.

Preferably, the seal member is provided in a recess in the first side 10 and or the second side 20, and thus, sits in the recess along the length of the support unit 1. The seal member may preferably be substantially the same length as the support unit 1. Alternatively, multiple seal members may be provided end to end along the support unit 1, or a seal member may extend along multiple support units (which may be provided end to end). The seal members 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b shown in figure lA are provided in a recess of the first side 10 or the second side 20. This may be particularly beneficial in using the shape of the sides to keep the seal members in place. The seal members may be connected to the support unit 1 in any appropriate way, for example, due to the shape of the seal member and side, and/or by using adhesive between a seal member and a side.

Preferably, the seal members are held in place due to the shape of the seal member and the shape of the side. More specifically, due to interaction between a seal member and the first side 10 and/or a seal member and the second side 20. The seal member may sit at least partially within the recess.

The first side 10 and/or the second side 20 may comprise a recess as described above. This is shown in figure 1A, where the first side 10 comprises two recesses, and the second side 20 comprises two recesses. The first side 10 comprising two recesses 10a is shown in further detail in figure 1B. The seal members 61a, 62a are shown in further detail in figure IC. It will be understood that the recess and seal members as described is for example only, and the position and configuration of the recesses and seal members might be varied. The second side 20 may have the same features on the opposite side as shown in figure 1A.

The recess 10a may be formed of a recess channel 10b and a recess opening 10c The recess opening 10c may be smaller in width than the recess channel 10b, as shown in figure 1B. Thus, the recess channel 10b may be partially enclosed as in figure 1B. The recess opening 10c may be formed by two protrusions 10d (i.e. lipped portions) either side of the recess opening 10b which restrict movement of the seal member 61a, 62a when positioned in the recess 10a. The recess may be formed of any appropriate shape. The recess may be formed as an indent in the surface of at least one of the sides, which limits movement of the seal member with respect to the side. In this case, the recess may be formed as a small portion of the surface which is set back, allowing at least part of the seal member to be positioned in the recess.

Preferably, a thickness of the first side 10 and/or the second side is at least 4 mm or more. This is generally thicker than systems of known prior art. The benefit of having a thicker first side 10 and/or second sides 20 is that there is a greater mass of material for sound to pass through which improves acoustic properties of the support unit 1 and the system as a whole. Generally, the thicker the material used for the side wall the greater the improvement in acoustic properties. However, this has to be balanced with preferred sizes of the system based on aesthetics and cost of materials etc.. Thus, providing a support unit 1 with the first side 10 and the second side 20 having a thickness of approximately 3 mm to mm, and more preferably approximately 4 mm should provide the additional improvement in acoustic properties whilst taking other factors (e.g. aesthetics and/or material cost) into account. Preferably, the thickness of the first side 10 and/or the second side 20 is substantially constant along the length of the support unit 1.

A thickness of the first side 10 in cross-section may vary. For example, a thickness of the first side 10 at a portion 11 proximal to the opening 50 may differ from a thickness at a portion 12 distal to the opening 50. Preferably, the portion 11 of the first side 10 proximal to the opening 50 has a thickness greater than the portion 12 of the first side 10 distal to the opening 50. In other words, the first side 10 may be thicker towards the opening 50 than towards the base 30. The portion 12 of the first side 10 which is distal to the opening 50 may otherwise be referred to as a portion 12 of the first side 10 which is proximal to the base 30.

A thickness of the second side 20 in cross-section may vary. For example, a thickness of the second side 20 at a portion 21 proximal to the opening 50 may differ from a thickness at a portion 22 distal to the opening 50. Preferably, the portion 21 of the second side 20 proximal to the opening 50 has a thickness greater than the portion 22 of the second side 20 distal to the opening 50. In other words, the second side 20 may be thicker towards the opening 50 than towards the base 30. The portion 22 of the second side 20 which is distal to the opening 50 may otherwise be referred to as a portion 22 of the second side 20 which is proximal to the base 30.

Generally, the first side 10 and/or second side 20 being thicker at the opening 50 may be beneficial in allowing the panel 100 to be received in the support unit 1. Specifically, the panel 100 may be provided at an angle to the support unit 1, such that the panel 100 is not substantially parallel to the first side 10 and/or second side 20. As the first side 10 and/or second side 20 of the support system is thinner towards the base 30, this allows the panel 100 to be more easily slotted into the support unit 1.

The seal members may include a variety of different types of seal member. The seal members may include a first type seal member 61 and a second type seal member 62. The different types of seal may differ from each other in terms of shape and/or material. Different types of seal member may be provided on the same side. Thus, the at least two seal members provided on one of the sides may include at least one first type seal member 61 and at least one second type seal member 62. Alternatively, the same types of seal member may be used on the same side, or for the whole support unit, or for the support system. The second side 20 may have the same number of seal members as the first side 10. The second side 20 may have the same type of seal members as the first side 10. As shown in figure 1A, the first side 20 may have one of the first type seal members 61a and one of the second type seal members 62b and the second side 20 may have one of the first seal members 61b and one of the second seal members 62b.

The seal members 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b may be formed of any appropriate shape. Two different types of seal member are shown in figures lA and 1C and are described in relation to figure 1C in further detail below.

The seal member 61a, 62a may comprise a base portion 63a, 63b (which may be referred to as a seal carrier), and a seal portion 64a, 64b. The seal portion 64a, 64b may be configured to contact the panel 100. The base portion 63a, 63b may be configured to be positioned within a recess of the side. The base portion 63a, 63b may interact with protrusions 10d of the sides to fit within a recess 10a in the side, and the protrusions 10d may keep the seal member in place. The seal portion 64a, 64b may be provided as, or may comprise, multiple protrusions. The seal portion 64a, 64b may be connected to the base portion 63a, 63b. The seal portion 64b may be directly connected to the base portion 63b as shown in the second type seal member 62a in figure 1C. Alternatively, the seal member 61a may comprise a connecting portion 65a and the seal portion 64a may be connected to the base portion 63a via the connecting portion 65a, as shown in the first type seal member 61a.

The base portion 63a, 63b of the seal member Gla, 62a may be flexible enough (e.g. if made of certain plastics, or rubber) that it can be pushed through the recess opening 10c and sit within the recess channel 10b. Thus, at least a portion of the seal member 61a, 62a may sit within the support unit 1. The recess 10a, and particularly edges of the recess opening 10c, i.e. the protrusions 10d, may restrict movement of the at least one seal member 61a, 62b when positioned in the recess 10a. The recess 10a may therefore be formed so as to keep the seal member 61a, 62a in place.

The seal member 61a, 62a may optionally be held in place by any additional mechanisms. This may be preferable as it improves reliability of the system because the seal member 61a, 62a is more likely to remain in place. For example, the seal member 61a, 62a may be attached in some way to the first side 10 and/or the second side 20, for example, by using adhesive between a seal member 61a, 62a and a side.

The seal members may be of any appropriate material. Preferably, the seal members are of a material which can be inserted into a recess in one of the sides.

Preferably, the seal members are of a material that can form a seal (i.e. with the seal portion 64a, 64b) with the panel 100 when in place. Any appropriate material can be used for the seal members. For example only, the seal may preferably be plastic, preferably a hard plastic, or rubber. The different types of seal member may be formed of different materials. For example, one type of seal member may be plastic and another type of seal member may be rubber. Additionally, seal members of the same type may be of differing materials.

As shown, the first type seal member 61a, 61b may be formed of the base portion 63a which is configured to fit within a recess 10a of a side, a seal portion 64a which is configured to contact the panel 100 and a connecting portion 65a between the base portion 63a and the seal portion 64a. The seal portion 64a may have multiple small protrusions, of the order of a few millimetres. These small protrusions may form a serrated edge. The first type seal member 61a, 61b is preferably formed integrally, i.e. of one piece of material. The first type seal 61a may preferably be formed of a harder material than the second type seal 62a. Preferably, the first type seal 61a is formed of rubber, preferably hard rubber. The first type seal 61a may compress against the panel 100 arid form a seal when the panel 100 is in place. The first type seal 61a preferably keeps the panel 100 in place. Additionally, the seal formed by the first type seal member 61a provides an acoustic seal as it reduces noise passing from one side of the seal member 61a to the other.

As shown, the second type seal member 62a, 62b may be formed of the base portion 63b which is configured to fit within a recess 10a of a side and multiple (preferably two) protrusions from the base portion 63b which are configured to contact the panel 100. In this case, the seal portion 64b is formed by multiple (preferably two) protrusions. The second type seal member 62a, 62b is preferably formed integrally, i.e. of one piece of material. The second type of seal member 62a may otherwise be known as a "double flipper seal". If only one protrusion is provided, it would form a single flipper seal, or if three protrusions were provided, it would form a triple flipper seal. Thus, any appropriate number of protrusions may be provided. The second type seal 62a may preferably be formed of a softer material than the first type seal 61a. Preferably, the second type seal 62a is formed of rubber or plastic, preferably soft rubber or soft plastic. Preferably, the second type seal 62a is flexible. Preferably, the second type seal 62a is elastic. The second type seal 62a may be relatively flexible to allow the panel 100 to be positioned in the support unit 1. The second type seal 62a may slide up and down the panel 100 as the panel 100 is inserted or removed. It is noted that the second type seal 62a is shown as protruding through the panel 100, however this is to show the shape of the seal member. When the panel 100 is in place, the protrusions forming the seal portion 64b would bend and would sit against the panel 100. This provides an acoustic seal and reduces noise passing from one side of the seal member 62a to the other.

The seal members of different type may differ in length. For example, a first type seal member 61a, Mb may be shorter than a second type seal member 61a, 61b. Thus, it may be preferable to provide the first type seal member 61a in areas where less space for a seal is available. The seal members may be any appropriate size. For example only, a length of the body portion 63a of first type seal 61a may be approximately 4.5 mm, whereas a length of the body portion 62a of the second type seal 63b may be approximately 9 mm.

The first type seal member 61a, 61b may preferably be used in areas where the side is thicker, as the seal member 61a, 61b will be closer to the panel 100. The second type seal member 62a, 62b may preferably be used in areas where the side is narrower, and/or where the seal member is set back in the side such that it is further from the panel 100, as the seal member will be further from the panel 100.

The first side 10 and/or the second side 20 may be formed of any appropriate material. Preferably, metal is used due to its strength, availability and because it can be manipulated into having a preferred shape. More preferably, the metal is steel, or more preferably, the metal is aluminium.

The support system may comprise at least one damper 70. The damper 70 may be positioned on the base 30. The damper may be positioned within the channel 40. In other words, the damper 70 may be positioned within the support unit 1. The damper 70 may be configured to absorb and dissipate energy when the panel 100 contacts the support system. The damper 70 may be formed of any appropriate material, for example, wood (e.g. an MDF or timber packer), plastic, or rubber. These materials may be beneficial as they can be cut to the desired shapes and sizes for the damper 70. The advantages of these materials that they can be prepared and/or put together on site. Additionally, the damper 70 would not be deemed as single use as it can be re used throughout the life span of the product, for example, if the product is relocated. Using a wood damper may be beneficial, because it provides the appropriate amount of energy absorption, whilst being cheap and easy to obtain and also reducing the likelihood of contact between the panel 100 and the support unit! which might otherwise result in damage to the panel 100.

The support unit 1 may comprise a body 80 which comprises the first side 10 and the second side 20. In this way, the first side 10 and second side 20 may be formed of a single integrated piece. The first side 10 and the second side 20 may thus be connected together as one integrated piece. Preferably, although not necessarily, the body 80 is substantially U-shaped in cross-section. This is shown in the first embodiment in figure 1A.

It will be understood that the support system may be of any appropriate size to support the panel 100. Thus, the size of the support unit 1, and the support system more generally, will depend on the dimensions of the panel 100. For example only, it is noted that single glass panels may be approximately 15 mm, or just less than 15 mm. There are standard sizes which are generally produced and a panel 100 having a thickness of approximately 14.8 mm may be commonly used. The panel may be a single glazed panel, and the system for supporting such a system may be called a single glazed system.

With this in mind, the channel formed via the system 1 may preferably have a minimum width between the first side 10 and the second side 20 of approximately 15 mm. The width of the channel 40 may be defined as the distance between the inner surface 13 of the first side 10 and the inner surface 23 of the second side 20. The width of the channel is smaller than a width of the body 80, because the first side 10 and the second side 20 have a (non-zero) thickness. For example only, an external width of the body may be approximately 25 mm. The external width of the body 80 may be defined as the distance from an outer surface of the first side 10 to an outer surface of the second side 20. For example only, the height of the body 80 may be approximately 25 mm. The height may be defined as a distance from an outer surface of the base to an end surface (at the top) of the first side 10 and/or the second side 20, i.e. from a bottom of the support unit 1 (as shown in figure IA) to the opening 50 (at a top of the support unit 1 as shown in figure IA). The height of the body 80 may be the same of the width of the body 80. Of course, different dimensions may be used. A wider panel 100 may be provided, such as having a thickness of approximately 17 mm or 25 mm. The system 100 may be configured to support such wider panels.

As described above, the support system is configured to support at least one panel. The support system may be further configured to support at least two panels, or at least three panels, or more than three panels. This may be done in a number of different ways. For example, the support unit 1 may be wider, to provide a wider channel in which multiple panels can be provided.

Variations of the first embodiment of figure IA is shown in figures 2,3 and 4. Features of figures 2, 3 and 4 may be the same as any of the features described above for figure IA. Description of such features are not repeated below. Differences between the variations of figures 2, 3 and 4 are described below. The features described in any of figures 2, 3, and 4 could be combined with the features described in relation to figure 1A, and could be combined with any other features described in relation to figures 2, 3 and/or 4.

In figure 2, the height of the body 80 is larger than in figure 1A. For example, the height of the body 80 as shown in figure 2 may be approximately 40 mm. In this case, the second portion of the first side 10 and the second portion 22 of the second side 20 is extended. As shown in figures lA and 2, the first seal members 61a, 61b and the second seal members 62a, 62b may be provided near the opening 50. The first seal members 61a, 61b and the second seal members 62a, 62b may be positioned distal to the base 30. Thus, the seal members do not need to be adjacent to the base 30, as shown in figure IA.

Providing a support unit 1 with additional height as in figure 2 may be beneficial in allowing additional seal members to be more easily provided on the first side 10 and/or the second side 20.

In the variations of the first embodiment shown in figure IA arid figure 2, the base 30 is substantially uniform in thickness and the body 80 is substantially flat on a side of the base 30 which is opposite to the side which receives the panel 100. However, this may not be the case. For example, figure 3 shows a variation of the first embodiment in which additional protrusions are provided from the base 30. Specifically, as shown in figure 3, the base may include a first base protrusion 31 which extends from the base 30 from the first side 10 and a second base protrusion 32 which extends from the base 30 from the second side 20.

In the variations of the first embodiment described above, and depicted in figures 1- 3, a single support unit 1 is provided. In a second embodiment, the support system may comprise at least two support units 1, i.e. multiple support units 1 are provided in a single support system. The second embodiment may have any or all features described above in relation to the first embodiment. The description in relation to the second embodiment does not repeat features already described in relation to the first embodiment. Only differences between the first and second embodiments are described herein.

The support units 1 may be configured as described in any of the above variations. In this case, multiple support units 1 means multiple channels 40 in which panels can be positioned. Thus, the support structure may be configure to support multiple panels. The support system may be configured to provide at least two support units 1 which are substantially parallel and adjacent. Thus, the support system may be configured to support at least two panels 100, e.g. which are provided parallel to each other. This may be referred to, for example, as a double glazed system. The support system may be configured to support at least three panels 100. This may be referred to, for example, as a triple glazed system. The support system may be configured to support more than three panels 100.

A support system comprising two support units is depicted in figures 4-6. Figure 46 depict similar support units to those shown in figures 1-3 respectively, except that the support system in figures 4-6 comprise two support units 1.

In the second embodiment, the support system comprises a first support unit (as on the left hand side of figure 4) and a second support unit (as on the right hand side of figure 4). The multiple support units may be provided in a variety of ways. The support units may be provided separately and may be connected or held together, e.g. by an additional components such as a housing and/or by some form of attachment, e.g. adhesive. The support units may be formed integrally, as shown in figures 4-6.

As shown in figures 4-6, the at least two support units may be positioned adjacent to one another. Thus, the at least two support units may be connected in some way as described above. Furthermore, as shown in these figures, the support units may be integrally formed. Thus, a side of the first support unit (as on the left hand side of figure 4) and a side of a second support unit (as on the right hand side of figure 4) are formed as a single side. Considering the left hand side support unit in figure 4, a first side 10 is provided and a second side 20 is provided. Considering the right hand side support unit in figure 4, one of the sides is the same as the second side 20. Thus, the second support unit comprises the second side 20 and a third side 90. The third side 90 may be facing the second side 20. The first side 10, second side 20 and third side 90 may be formed integrally from a single body 80.

The second side 20 may comprise at least one seal on a surface facing the first side 10. The second side 20 may comprise at least one seal on a surface facing the third side 90. The third side 90 may comprise at least one seal member. The first side 10, second side 20 and third side 90 may comprise seals as described in relation to the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, the second side 20 may comprise additional seal members, i.e. may include seal members on opposing surfaces, rather than one surface as in the first embodiment. The third side 90 may comprise the same seal members as on the first side 10 and/or the second side 20. This is shown in figures 4-6. However, it is not necessary for the third side to comprise the same seal members as the first side and the second side.

Variations of the second embodiment are shown in figures 5 and 6. The variation shown in figure 5 may have the same features as described in relation to figure 2, except that at least two support units are provided. The variation shown in figure 6 may have the same features as described in relation to figure 3, except that at least two support units are provided. In this instance, protrusions may be provided from the base and extending from any of the first side 10, the second side 20 and/or the third side 90. Preferably, the protrusions from the base 30 are provided at the edge of the support unit. For example, as shown in figure 6, the base may include a first base protrusion 31 which extends from the base 30 from the first side 10 and a further base protrusion 33 which extends from the base 30 from the third side 90.

For some applications, it may be preferable that a gap is provided between the support units 1. For example, it may be preferable to provide a gap of a preferred size between the panels 100 when supported in the channels 40. Thus, a third embodiment is provided with at least two support units as in the second embodiment, but including a gap between the support units. At least one connecting element may be provided between the support units. The third embodiment may have any or all features described above. The description of the third embodiment does not repeat features already described in relation to the first and/or second embodiment. Only differences between the first and second embodiments are described herein.

The support units 1 of the third embodiment may be configured as described in any of the above variations. In this case, multiple support units 1 means multiple channels 40 in which panels can be positioned, as in the second embodiment. The support system may be configured to support at least two panels 100 which are provided parallel to each other.

This may be referred to, for example, as a double glazed system. Whereas in the second embodiment, two support units may share a single side, in the third embodiment, the support units may be provided with separate sides. Variations showing the support system with at least two support units 1 are provided in figures 7, 8, 9 and 10. As shown in these figures, at least one connecting element 35 may be provided between the support units 1.

The multiple support units 1 and the at least one connecting element 35 may be formed integrally, i.e. of one piece of material.

These figures do not show all the features included in earlier figures, such as damper 70, but features described in earlier embodiments, such as the damper 70 may be provided in any of the variations of the third embodiment.

As shown in figures 9 and 10, additional seal members may be provided on other parts of the support system. The additional seal members may be of the same type, or a different type than the first type seal member and/or the second type seal member as described above. As shown in figure 9, the support system may comprise three support units 1. As is clear from figure 9, the support units 1 may be configured to support the panel/and or connect to other components on different sides of the support system.

In some cases, it may be preferable that the first side 10 and the second side 20 are formed on different components. Thus, a fourth embodiment is provided with a first body and a second body. The fourth embodiment may have any or all features described above. Features described above for earlier variations and embodiments are not repeated. Only differences between the fourth embodiment and earlier embodiments are described herein.

In the fourth embodiment, the first body 80a comprises the first side 10 and the second body 80a comprises the second side 20. This is shown in figure 11 in which two separate bodies are shown as forming the respective sides. The first body 80a and the second body 80a may be connected, as shown in figure 11. The first body 80a and the second body 80b may be connected in any appropriate way, for example, by welding or adhesive. At least one of the first body 80a and/or the second body 80 may comprise additional seal members. For example, as shown in figure 11, additional seal members 63 are provided on the first body 80a. Other variations of a first body 80a, comprising a first side 10 are shown in figures 12, 13 and 14. As will be seen, each of these figures comprises at least a first side 10 with at least two sealing members. The first body 80a comprising the first side 10 as shown in figures 12, 13 and 14 may be used in combination with any appropriate second side to form a channel, the second side comprising at least one seal member.

In any of the above embodiments or variations, the support system may further comprise a housing. At least one support unit I as described in any of the above embodiments and variations may be configured to fit within the housing. An example of the housing 85 is shown in figure 15. In any of the above embodiments, the body 80, or the first body 80a and the second body 80b, may be configured to fit within the housing 85, and specifically, within a cavity 86 of the housing 85. Thus, the housing may be used to keep the body 80 of the first to third embodiments in place. The housing 85 may be used to keep the first body 80a and the second body 80b in the fourth embodiment in place, and to keep these components in position relative to each other. The housing 85 may be connected to the body 80, or the first body 80a and the second body 80b, by any appropriate means, including friction fit, adhesive, welding, etc The housing may be a U-shaped structure which fits around the body 80, or the first body 80a and the second body 80b.

In most of the figures as described above, the support units include the first side with two sealing members and the second side with two sealing members. It will be understood that any appropriate number of seal members may be provided on each of the sides. For example, the first side 10 may have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more seal members and/or, the second side 20 may have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more seal members (as long as one of the sides side has two or more seal members). Thus, invention may be provided as shown in any of the above described figures with a smaller number of seal members, or a greater number of seal members as described here.

One of the sides may have one seal member, and the other side may have two or more seal members. The first side 10 may have three seal members. The second side 10 may have three seal members. The first side 10 may have four seal members. The second side 20 may have four seal members. The first side 10 and the second side 20 may have the same number of seal members. Alternatively, the first side 10 and the second side 20 may have different numbers of seal members.

It will be understood that the above described embodiments and variations can be provided as part of a larger system. Thus, for example, the present invention may provide a door comprising the support system as in any of the above described embodiments or variations. Similarly, the present invention may provide a partition comprising a support system 1 as in any of the above described embodiments and/or variations. The above description refers a partition in various instances. It will be understood that the partition may be used to separate two spaces within a larger room. The partition may otherwise referred to as a partition wall. The partition may be a wall, and may form part of aloadbearing structure.

The support system could be made in a variety of ways. However, a preferred method for making the support system according to the above embodiments and variations includes extruding a material to form at least the first side and the second side and to provide at least two seal members on one of the first side or the second side, and at least one seal member on the other of the first side and the second side. The process of extruding the material may include providing a die with the profile of the support unit 1 in cross-section and extruding the material through the die. The material may be extruded to form any appropriate shape, for example, any of the shapes described above and/or shown in the figures. Other shapes may also be used, within the scope of the present invention, as long as the seal members are provided as described.

Although the above embodiments generally refer to the use of a glass panel, it will be understood that the support system is appropriate and beneficial for use with other types of panel.

The variations and embodiments described above may refer to the top, bottom, left, right, upper, lower, or other similar descriptive terminology relating to the position of certain features. These terms are used in the context of the drawings provided. The description relating to the drawings uses this terminology to describe the position of certain features relative to the other features as in the drawings. However, the system described may be provided at any appropriate orientation such that, for example, features described above and shown in the drawings as at the top, are at the bottom of the system in reality.

Whilst specific embodiments and variations have been described above, it will be appreciated that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described. The descriptions described above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Thus it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A support system for supporting at least one glass panel, the support system comprising: a support unit comprising: a first side; and a second side facing the first side, wherein the support unit forms a channel between the first side and the second side with an opening through which a panel can be received; at least two seal members provided on one of the first side and the second side; and at least one seal member provided on the other of the first side and the second side.
2. The support system of claim 1, wherein the other of the first side and the second side comprises at least two seal members
3. The support system of either of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least two seal members includes a first type seal member and a type second seal member.
4 The support system of any preceding claim, wherein: a) the first side comprises at least two seal members, or preferably at least three seal members, or preferably at least four seal members, or preferably at least five seal members, or preferably more than five seal members; and/or b) the second side comprises at least two seal members, or preferably at least three seal members, or preferably at least four seal members, or preferably at least five seal 25 members, or preferably more than five seal members
5. The support system of any preceding claim, wherein the first side comprises a recess for at least one seal member on the first side and/or the second side comprises a recess for at least one seal member on the second side.
6. The support system of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the seals is provided on a non-recessed portion of the first side and/or the second side.
7. The support system of any preceding claim, wherein the first side and/or the second side have a thickness of approximately 3 mm to 5 mm, and more preferably a thickness of approximately 4 mm
8. The support system of any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the first side proximal to the opening has a thickness greater than a portion of the first side distal to the opening, and a portion of the second side proximal to the opening has a thickness greater than a portion of the second side distal to the opening
9. The support system of any preceding claim, wherein the support system has a base between the first side and the second side
10. The support system of claim 9, wherein the support system comprises at least one damper, the damper being positioned on the base.
11. The support system of any preceding claim, wherein the first side and the second side are formed of metal, preferably aluminium.
12. The support system of any preceding claim, wherein the support unit comprises a body, the body comprising the first side and the second side, wherein the body is substantially U-shaped in cross-section.
13. The support system of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the support unit comprises a first body comprising the first side, and a second body comprising the second side.
14. The support system of any preceding claim, wherein the support system comprises at least two support units.
The support system of claim 14, wherein the at least two support units are positioned adjacent to one another and a side of a first support unit and a side of a second support unit are formed as a single side.
16. The support system of any preceding claim, further comprising a housing, wherein the at least one support unit is configured to fit within the housing.
17 The support system of any preceding claim, wherein the support system is configured to support at least two panels, or at least three panels, or more than three panels.
18. A door comprising the support system according to any one of the preceding claims.
19. A partition comprising the support system according to any one of the preceding claims.
20. A method of making a support system according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising extruding a material to form at least the first side and the second side and providing at least two seal members on one of the first side or the second side, and at least one seal member on the other of the first side and the second side