AN OUTER FRAME ELEMENT, A SET OF PARTS, A WALL CONSTRUCTION AND A METHOD FOR MOUNTING THE WALL CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

A fire-shielding U-shaped outer frame element adapted for supporting a side of at least one wall element in a wall construction, said outer frame element being elongate and comprising a bottom part and a first side flange and a second side flange extending at an angle to the bottom part, interior surfaces of the side flanges being adapted for extending along exterior surfaces of the wall element. The outer frame element (1) comprises a plurality of perforations (15) and a first elongate strip (16) of a material having thermal shielding properties and being arranged on a surface of the first and/or second side flange (13, 14) of the outer frame element (1) so as to shield the wall element from heat from a fire. A set of parts include an outer frame element and a fastenings means for use between wall elements when making a wall construction.

Claims

1. A fire-shielding U-shaped outer frame element (1) adapted for supporting a side of at least one wall element in a wall construction, said outer frame element (1) being elongate in a longitudinal direction and comprising a bottom part (12) and a first side flange (13) and a second side flange (14), the first and second side flanges extending away from the bottom part (12) in a height direction (h), an interior surface (131) of the first side flange (13) being adapted for extending along a first exterior surface of the wall element and an interior surface (141) of the second side flange (14) being adapted for extending along a second exterior surface opposite the first exterior surface of the wall element in a mounted condition of the outer frame element (1) so as to hold the wall element to form said wall construction, wherein the outer frame element (1) comprises a first elongate strip (16) and a plurality of perforations (15) in the bottom part, the first side flange and/or the second side flange, said first strip (16) comprising a material having thermal shielding properties and being arranged on an interior (131, 141) and/or exterior (132, 142) surface of the first side flange (13) and/or second side flange (14) of the outer frame element (1).

2. A U-shaped outer frame element (1) according to claim 1, wherein said outer frame element (1) is composed of at least two separate components including a base element (20) and an adaptor element (14b) forming at least a first part of the second side flange (14).

3. A U-shaped outer frame element (1) according to claim 2, further comprising an attachment element (19) for fixating the base element (20) and the adaptor element (14b) to each other.

4. A U-shaped outer frame element (1) according to claim 3, wherein the attachment element (19) is provided on the base element (20).

5. A U-shaped outer frame element (1) according to claim 3, wherein the adaptor element (14b) comprises at least one perforation adapted for receiving the attachment element (19).

6. A U-shaped outer frame element according to claim 2, wherein the base element (20) comprises the bottom part (12), the first side flange (14) and a second part (14a) of the second side flange.

7. A U-shaped outer frame element (1) according to claim 6, wherein the second part (14a) of the second side flange formed by the base element (20) is shorter than the first side flange (13) in the height direction (h).

8. A U-shaped outer frame element (1) according to claim 6, wherein the distance between the first side flange (13) and the second part (14a) of the second side flange in a width direction is smaller than the width of the wall element, which the U-shaped outer frame element (1) is intended to receive.

9. A U-shaped outer frame element (1) according to claim 6, wherein the adaptor element (14b) comprises a first section (501) and a second section (502), said first section (501) being adapted for extending along the second part (14a) of the second side flange and said second section (502) being adapted for extending along the second exterior surface of the wall element, and wherein the first and second sections (501, 502) are off-set in relation to each other in a width direction (w), so that a width between the first side flange (13) and the first section (501) is smaller than a width between the first side flange (13) and the second section (502) in an assembled condition of the outer frame element (1).

10. A U-shaped outer frame element (1) according to claim 2, wherein the adaptor element (14b) has substantially the same length in the longitudinal direction as the base element (20).

11. A U-shaped outer frame element (1) according to claim 2, wherein in the assembled condition of the outer frame element, the second side flange (14) has substantially the same height as the first side flange (13).

12. A U-shaped outer frame element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of perforations (15) are arranged in at least two rows extending in a longitudinal direction (A) of the outer frame element (1).

13. A U-shaped outer frame element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the perforations (151) of one row are staggered with respect to adjacent perforations (152) of another row.

14. A U-shaped outer frame element (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a second elongate strip (17) comprising a material having thermal shielding properties, the second strip (17) being arranged on an interior (121) and/or exterior (122) surface of the bottom part (12) of the outer frame element (1).

15. A U-shaped outer frame element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first (16) and/or second (17) elongate strip(s) comprise(s) material having thermal shielding properties, such as magnesium silicate, and/or intumescent properties, such as ammonium phosphate.

16. A set of parts (100) having fire-shielding properties for assembly of a first and a second wall element into a wall construction, the set of parts (100) comprising: a fire-shielding U-shaped outer frame element (1) according to claim 1, the outer frame element (1) being adapted for supporting a side of the first and/or second wall element when in an active mounted condition, and a fastening means (200) adapted for being arranged between the first and second wall elements, so as to hold the first and second elements together.

17. A set of parts (100) according to claim 16, wherein the fire-shielding fastening means (200) comprises a fastening element (4) comprising: an elongate base part (41), a holding part (42) connected to a first end (411) of the base part (41), a fixation part (43) connected to a second end (412) of the base part (41), the fixation part (43) comprising a first fixation arm (431) and a second fixation arm (432), where the base part (41) and the fixation part (43) extend in the same plane when in an inactive condition, wherein the fastening element (4) is adapted for being arranged in said active mounted condition with the base part (41) positioned between the first and second wall elements, the holding part (42) extending at an angle to the base part (41) and extending along first exterior surfaces (61, 71) of the first (6) and/or second (7) wall elements, the first (431) and second (432) fixation arms extending at an angle to the base part (41) and extending along a second exterior surface (62, 72) of the first (6) and/or second (7) wall element, so as to hold the first (6) and second (7) wall elements together.

18. A set of parts (100) according to claim 17, wherein the fire-shielding fastening means (200) further comprises: a first (2) and a second (3) cover profile each comprising at least one longitudinal elongate slot (21, 31), the first cover profile (2) being adapted for extending along the first exterior surfaces (61, 71) of each of the first (6) and second (7) wall elements at the joint between them in a mounted condition, the second cover profile (3) being adapted for extending along the second exterior surfaces (62, 72) opposite the first exterior surface of each of the first (6) and second (7) wall elements at the joint between them in a mounted condition, where the first end (411) of the base part is adapted for extending through the at least one slot (21) of the first cover profile (2) and the second end (412) of the base part is adapted for extending through the at least one slot (31) of the second cover profile (3), so that in the mounted condition the holding part (42) is extending at an angle to the base part (41) and extending along an exterior surface (22) of the first cover profile (2), and the first (431) and second (432) fixations arms are extending at an angle to the base part (41) and extending along an exterior surface (32) of the second cover profile (3), so as to hold the first (2) and second (3) cover profiles and first and second wall elements together.

19. A set of parts (100) according to claim 16, comprising at least two U-shaped outer frame elements (1, 5), the outer frame elements (1, 5) being adapted for being arranged in the active mounted condition at a distance from each other at a side of the first and/or second wall element, said distance being 1 to 10 mm, preferably 3 to 7 mm, more preferred approximately 5 mm.

20. A set of parts (100) according to claim 17, wherein in the active mounted condition the first (431) and second (432) fixations arms extend in opposite directions in the same plane.

21. A set of parts (100) according to claim 17, wherein in the inactive condition the holding part (42) is U-shaped comprising a head part (421) and two arms (422, 423), the head part (421) being connected to the first end (411) of the base part (41) and the two arms (422, 423) extending along opposite sides (413, 414) of the base part (41) in a longitudinal direction (B) of the base part (41).

22. A set of parts (100) according to claim 17, wherein the fastening element (4) in its inactive condition is a single work-piece punched out from a single sheet of plate metal and adapted for being brought into the active mounted condition by folding and/or bending.

23. A set of parts (100) according to claim 16, wherein the outer frame element (1) is composed of at least three separate components including a base element (20), an adaptor element (14b) and an attachment element (19) for fixating the base element (20) and adaptor element (14b) to each other, wherein said attachment element (19) is embodied as the fastening element (4) described in any of claims 17 to 22 and wherein said base element (20) and said adaptor element (14b) are each provided with at least one perforation adapted for receiving the attachment element (19).

24. A wall construction (300) having fire-shielding properties and comprising a set of parts (100) according to claim 16, the wall construction (300) further comprising: at least two wall elements (6, 7) assembled by means of the set of parts (100), said wall elements (6, 7) being held in place by the set of parts (100) and the U-shaped outer frame element (1).

25. A wall construction (300) according to claim 24, comprising at least two fastening elements (4, 8) mounted such that a holding part (42) of a first fastening element (4) is located on one side of the wall elements (6, 7) and a holding part (82) of the second fastening element (8) is located on the opposite side of the wall elements (6, 7).

26. A wall construction (300) according to claim 24, comprising at least a first (2), a second (3) and a third (9) cover profile, the first (2) and third (9) cover profiles extending along the first exterior surfaces (61, 71) of the wall elements (6, 7), and the second cover profile (3) extending along the second exterior surfaces (62, 72) of the wall elements (6, 7) opposite the first exterior surfaces (61, 71), the at least three cover profiles (2, 3, 9) being arranged such that a first fastening element (4) connects to the first (2) and second (3) cover profiles and a second fastening element (8) connects to the second (3) and third (9) cover profiles.

27. A wall construction (300) according to claim 24, wherein the outer frame element (1) is composed of at least two separate components including a base element (20) and an adaptor element (14b), where the adaptor element (14b) forms at least a first part (14b) of the second side flange (14) and the base element (20) comprises a second part (14a) of the second side flange (14), and wherein the distance between the first side flange (13) and the second part (14a) of the second side flange (14) in a width direction (w) is smaller than the width of the wall element (6, 7).

28. A wall construction (300) according to claim 24, wherein the wall elements (6, 7) is made substantially from glass, preferably fire-rated glass.

29. A method for mounting a wall construction (300) having fire-shielding properties comprising the steps of: providing a set of parts (100) according to claim 16 for assembly of a first (6) and a second (7) wall element into a wall construction (300) arranging the U-shaped outer frame element (1) on a side of the first (6) and/or second (7) wall element, positioning the fastening element (4) being in its inactive condition with the base part (42) between the first (6) and second (7) wall elements, arranging the holding part (41) such that it extends along a first exterior surface (61, 71) of each of the first (6) and second (7) wall elements, and bending the first (431) and second (432) fixations arms, so that the first (431) and second (432) fixations arms extend along a second exterior surface (62, 72) opposite the first exterior surface (61, 71) of each of the first (6) and second (7) wall elements, so as to hold the wall elements (6, 7) together.

30. A method for mounting a wall construction (300) according to claim 29, the method further comprising the steps of: arranging a first cover profile (2) such that it extends along the first exterior surface (61, 71) of each of the first (6) and second (7) wall elements, arranging the second (3) cover profile such that it extends along the second exterior surface (62, 72) of each of the first (6) and second (7) wall elements, positioning the fastening element (4) being in its inactive condition such that the first end (411) of the base part (41) extends through a slot (21) in the first cover profile (2) and the second end (412) extends through a slot (31) in the second cover profile (3) and the base part is positioned between the first (6) and second (7) wall elements, arranging the holding part (41) such that it extends along an exterior surface (22) of the first cover profile (2), and bending the first (431) and second (432) fixations arms, so that the first (431) and second (432) fixations arms extend along the exterior surface (32) of the second cover profile (3), so as to hold the first (2) and second (3) cover profiles and the wall elements (6, 7) together.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0093] Objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further outlined by the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

[0094] FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of an outer frame element without fire-shielding strips,

[0095] FIG. 1b shows a perspective view of an outer frame element according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention,

[0096] FIG. 1c shows an end view of an outer frame element with only a second fire-shielding strip,

[0097] FIG. 2 shows a top view of a cover profile,

[0098] FIG. 3a shows a top view of a fastening element according to an embodiment of the invention in inactive condition,

[0099] FIG. 3b shows a perspective view a fastening element according to an embodiment of the invention in active condition,

[0100] FIG. 3c shows a schematic view of a fastening element as in FIG. 3b from a different angle,

[0101] FIG. 4 shows a horizontal sectional view of a set of parts in an active mounted condition,

[0102] FIG. 5 shows a perspective sketch of another set of parts according to the second aspect of the invention,

[0103] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of U-shaped outer frame elements on a wall construction according to a third aspect of the invention,

[0104] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a base element,

[0105] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an adaptor element,

[0106] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an outer frame element in an unassembled condition according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention,

[0107] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an outer frame element in an assembled and mounted condition on a wall element, and

[0108] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an outer frame element on a wall construction according to the third aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0109] In the following description reference is made to the accompanying figures, which show by way of illustration how the invention may be practiced. Note that for illustrative purposes the dimensions, especially thicknesses, of the different elements shown may be exaggerated.

[0110] FIG. 1a shows a fire-shielding U-shaped outer frame element 1 adapted for supporting a side of at least one wall element in a wall construction. The outer frame element 1 comprising a bottom part 12, a first side flange 13 and a second side flange 14. The first side flange 13 and the second side flange 14 extending at an angle to the bottom part 12 in a height direction h. The bottom part 12 extends between the first side flange 13 and the second side flange 14 in a width direction w.

[0111] The first side flange 13 comprises an interior 131 and an exterior 132 surface and the second side flange 14 comprises an interior 141 and an exterior 142 surface, the interior surfaces 131, 141 being arranged opposite each other. The outer frame element 1 is elongate and the side flanges extend in a longitudinal direction A of the outer frame element along the longest side of the bottom part 12. The interior surfaces 131, 141 of the side flanges 13, 14 are adapted for extending along opposite exterior surfaces of the wall element(s) (not shown) in a mounted condition of the outer frame element 1.

[0112] The first side flange 13 and the bottom part 12 extend in respective planes forming a mutual angle of approximately 90° and the same applies to the second side flange 14 with respect to the bottom part. Here the first side flange 13 and second side flange 14 extends in parallel planes, but the side flanges may also the extend at an angle of less than approximately 90° to the bottom part in an inactive condition so as to project towards each other. If the opening between the side flanges has a width smaller than the thickness of the wall element, the side flanges will be forced away from each other during mounting of the wall construction, preferably to extend at an angle of approximately 90° with the bottom part in an active mounted condition. This will result in the side flanges applying pressure on the wall element(s) in the mounted condition, whereby the outer frame element may fixate itself to the wall element(s).

[0113] The outer frame element 1 comprises a plurality of perforations 15 arranged in a plurality of rows extending in the longitudinal direction A of the outer frame element 1. The perforations of one row, exemplified by perforation 151, being staggered with respect to the perforations of the adjacent row, exemplified by perforation 152.

[0114] In this embodiment the perforations 15 are elongate and having rounded shapes, but is will be understood that other shapes are also possible. Likewise, the perforations need not be evenly distributed over the entire outer frame element, but may, for example, be left in the bottom part or in one or both of the first and second side flanges. Moreover, the outer frame element may include perforations of different sizes and/or shapes.

[0115] FIG. 1b shows an embodiment of a fire-shielding U-shaped outer frame element 1 as described with reference to FIG. 1a where the outer frame element 1 comprises two first elongate strips 16a, 16b.

[0116] The first strips 16a, 16b are arranged on the exterior surfaces 132,142 of the first side flange 13 and the second side flange 14, respectively. The first strips 16a, 16b shield the wall element from heat from a fire.

[0117] In FIG. 1b an end of the outer frame element is shown without the strips, but it will be understood that the first strips 16a, 16b may extend over substantially an entirety of the exterior surfaces 132,142 of the side flanges 13,14.

[0118] FIG. 1c shows an embodiment of the fire-shielding U-shaped outer frame element 1 as described with reference to FIG. 1 a where the outer frame element 1 comprises a second elongate strip 17.

[0119] The bottom part 12 comprising an interior surface 121 and an exterior surface 122, the second strip 17 being arranged on the interior surface 121 of the bottom part 12 to shield the wall element (not shown) from heat from a fire.

[0120] Here the second strip 17 is arranged with a small distance to the side flanges 13, 14, but it may also be arranged so that it abuts the interior surfaces 131,141 of the side flanges.

[0121] As described with reference to the first strips 16a, 16b, the second strip 17 may extend over substantially the entire length of the bottom part 12.

[0122] First and the second strips may be arranged at varying positions on the outer frame element, also in combination with each other. For example, the second strip 17 may be arranged on the exterior surface of the bottom part 12, possibly formed in one with the first strips 16a, 16b, or the first strips may be arranged on the interior sides of the side flanges 13, 14.

[0123] Here the first and second strips 16a, 16b, 17 are attached to the outer frame element 1 by means of a high-temperature resistant adhesive (not shown), but the strips may also be attached to the outer frame element 1 by mechanical means such as screws, nails, rivets, studs, staples or the like.

[0124] The first and second strips 16a, 16b, 17 preferably comprise material having thermal shielding properties, such as magnesium silicate, and/or intumescent properties, such as ammonium phosphate.

[0125] In another embodiment, the outer frame element 1 may be assembled from a base element 20 and an adaptor element 14b as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0126] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a base element 20 and FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of two consecutive connected adaptor elements 13b. Both FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show an unassembled condition.

[0127] The base element 20 may also be provided as two or more consecutive connected base elements 20, and/or the adaptor element 13b may be provided as a single element of the same length as the two shown in FIG. 8. Both base elements and adaptor elements 13b may be provided as a plurality of consecutive connected to form a longer outer frame element.

[0128] In this embodiment the outer frame element 1 is composed of at least two separate components including a base element 20 and an adaptor element 14b, where the adaptor element 14b forms a first part 14b of the second side flange 14. The U-shaped outer frame element 1 here comprises an attachment element 19 for fixating the base element 20 and the adaptor element 14b to each other.

[0129] With reference to FIG. 7, the base element 20 comprises the bottom part 12, the first side flange 13 and a second part 14a of the second side flange 14. The first side flange and bottom part are embodied in substantially the same way as described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0130] Two projecting flanges 19 serving as attachment elements are provided on the base element. Each attachment element 19 is attached at one end 19a to the second part 14a of the second side flange 14. In this embodiment each attachment element 19 extends from said second part 14a at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to said second part 14a and is of a substantially rectangular configuration, but it should be understood that other angles and shapes may be used. For example the attachment elements may be arranged to project slightly upwards in FIGS. 9 and 10 to ease attachment of the adaptor element and/or the part of the attachment elements may be provided with rounded corners to ease assembly.

[0131] During installation where the base element 20 is mounted first without the adaptor element, the wall element (not shown) can easily be inserted to abut the inner side of the first side flange, the attachment elements 19 may act as guides for sliding the wall element into the correct position.

[0132] Each attachments element 19 has an elongate shape and a height in the height direction h that is smaller or approximately equal to a perforation in the adaptor element (shown on FIG. 8), said perforation being adapted for receiving the attachment element 19.

[0133] The perforation adapted for receiving the attachment element 19 may be part of the plurality of perforations 15 arranged in a plurality of rows extending in the longitudinal direction A of the adaptor element 14b as described with reference to other embodiments above. The perforations of one row, exemplified by perforation 151, are staggered with respect to the perforations of the adjacent row, exemplified by perforation 152

[0134] The second part 14a of the second side flange is shorter than the first side flange 13 in the height direction h.

[0135] A distance between the first side flange 13 and the second part 14a of the second side flange in the width direction is smaller than the width of the wall element (not shown), which the U-shaped outer frame element is intended to receive.

[0136] On FIG. 8 the adaptor element 14b comprises at least one perforation adapted for receiving the attachment element 19 (as seen on FIG. 19).

[0137] The adaptor element 14b comprises a first section 501 and a second section 502. The first 501 and second 502 sections are off-set in relation to each other in the width direction w.

[0138] To assemble the outer frame element 1, the attachment element 19 is guided through a perforation of the adaptor element 14b, so that the first part 501 of the adaptor element 14b abuts and extends along the second part 14a. The second part 14a and the first part 14b constituting the second flange 14 in the assembled condition. To enable this, the flanges 19 serving as attachment element and the perforation in at least the adaptor element are arranged to be opposite each other when the base element and the adaptor element are positioned correctly in relation to each other. When the attachment elements are made with a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the shape of the perforations in the adaptor element, this will also contribute to preventing erroneous assembly of the outer frame element.

[0139] The attachment element 19 is thereafter bend, so that in the assembled and mounted condition as seen on FIG. 10, the attachment element 19 extends along the first section 501 of the adaptor element 14b.

[0140] In FIG. 10 the first section 501 of the flange 19 serving as attachment element extends along the second part 14a of the second side flange and said second section 502 extends along a second exterior surface 62 of the wall element 6.

[0141] For aesthetic reasons the exterior surfaces of the wall elements may comprise films, tapes or the like being part of said exterior surfaces. Further tape (not shown) may also be provided on the interior side of first and second side flanges to protect the wall element from adhesive from other adjacent components used, for example for the attachment of fire-shielding strips on the exterior sides of the first and second flanges. This is especially relevant when the wall element is made of glass, which might break under the influence of thermal expansion if adhering to the outer frame elements,

[0142] The off-set between the first 501 and second 502 sections ensures that a width between the first side flange 13 and the first section 501 is smaller than a width between the first side flange 13 and the second section 502.

[0143] Thus the larger width of from the first side flange 13 to the second sections ensures room for the bended attachment element 19, so that the width between the exterior sides of the first side flange 13 and of the bended attachment element 19 will approximately correspond to the width between the exterior sides of the first side flange 13 and of the second section 503 in the width direction w.

[0144] Here the adaptor element 14b and the base element 20 have substantially the same length in the longitudinal direction A as the wall element 6, but this need not be the case.

[0145] The second side flange 13 has substantially the same height as the first side flange 14.

[0146] As seen on FIG. 9, the wall element 9 is positioned on a spacer element 600, the spacer element being position on the bottom part 12 of the base element 20. Optionally a second elongated strip 17 can be positioned between the bottom part 12 and the spacer element 600.

[0147] The spacer element 600 raises the wall element 6 with respect to the bottom part 12. Here the height of the spacer element in the height direction h is larger than the height of the second part 14a, so that in the mounted condition with the spacer element 600 the second part 14a is not in direct contact with the wall element.

[0148] Preferably each wall element is positioned on two spacer elements.

[0149] During a fire the second elongated strip 17 may expand in the space between the bottom part 12, wall element 6 and first and second side flanges 13, 14. The spacer may be elastic to provide a resilient support or/and made from a material that will yield or melt in the event of fire.

[0150] A space between the wall element and an outer frame element is also shown in FIG. 11, which illustrates the upper edge of the wall element in the mounted condition. A wall construction of the invention may be made with an upper side as illustrated in FIG. 11 and a lower side as illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0151] The first and second flanges of the outer frame element shown in FIGS. 7-10 will be provided with fire-shielding strips 16a, 16b as shown in FIG. 11. The strip on the first side flange may be provided either before or after installation, but the one on the second side flange will have to be attached after the flanges 19 have been bent, The fire-shielding strip may possibly be attached to the second section of the adaptor element in the state of delivering and then attached to the first section and the flanges after assembly. The outer frame elements in FIGS. 9-11 are provided with screws penetrating through perforations in the bottom part. These screws are intended for use in attached the outer frame element to an adjacent structure such as a ceiling, floor, wall, load bearing construction.

[0152] FIG. 3a shows a top view of a fastening element 4 in an inactive condition. The fastening element comprises an elongate base part 41 having a first end 411 and a second end 412 and two opposite sides 413, 414 extending in the longitudinal direction B.

[0153] The fastening element 4 further comprises a holding part 42 comprising a head part 421 and two arms 422, 423 extending in the same plane as the base part 41. The head part 421 is connected to the first end 411 of the base part 41. The one arm 422 extends along one side 413. The other arm 423 extends along the other side 414.

[0154] The fastening element 4 further comprises an elongate fixation part 43 connected to the second end 412 of the base part 41. The fixation part 43 comprises an elongate slot defining a first fixation arm 431 and a second fixation arm 432, said fixations arms extending in the same plane and in the longitudinal direction B. Here the length of the first 431 and second 432 fixations arms are the same, but the length may be different from each other.

[0155] In this embodiment the base part 41, the U-shaped holding part 42 and the fixation part 43 extends in the same plane in order to be obtainable by a process of punching one single work-piece 4 out from a single sheet of plate metal. The work-piece 4 is subsequently folded or bent into the active mounted condition of the fastening element 4 shown in FIG. 3b. The folding lines a and b are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction B as shown with dashed lines. All foldings are by approximately 90°. The folding line b defines the transition between the base part and the fixation part. The elongate slot of the fixation part may extend to into the base part or extend all the way from the fixation part to the holding part.

[0156] The distance between the folding line a and folding line b corresponds approximately to the wall thickness of the wall elements. The fold lines a and/or b may be indicated by means, such as colouring or mechanical marking, to indicate when the fastening element has pushed far enough through the gap between the wall elements. A weakening of the material at the folding line b may be applied to make the bending easier, said weakening potentially also serving as a bending indication.

[0157] FIGS. 3b and 3c show fastening elements 4, 8 in an active condition. The holding parts 42, 82 and the base parts 41, 81 extend in respective planes forming a mutual angle of approximately 90°. The first fixation arms 431, 831, 432, 832 and the base part 41, 81 extend in respective planes forming mutual angles of approximately 90°. The first 431, 831 and second 432, 832 fixations arms extend in opposite directions in the same plane. The holding part 42, 82 and the first 431, 831 and second 432, 832 fixations arms extend in parallel planes.

[0158] FIG. 2 shows a top view of a cover profile 2 comprising an interior surface 23 (not visible) and an exterior surface 22 and at least one longitudinal elongate slot 21, which is wider than the fixation part and base part of the fastening element. The cover profile 2 is adapted for extending along a first exterior surface of each of the first and second wall elements in a mounted condition.

[0159] FIG. 4 shows a horizontal sectional view of a fire-shielding fastening means 200 in an active mounted condition. The fastening means 200 comprises a first 2 and a second 3 cover profile as described with reference to FIG. 2 and a fastening element 4 as described with reference to FIGS. 3a-3c. The fastening means 200 is arranged between a first 6 and a second 7 wall element, so as to hold the first 6 and second 7 elements together.

[0160] The first cover profile 2 extends along a first exterior surface 61, 71 of each of the first 6 and second 7 wall elements. The second cover profile 3 extends along a second exterior surface 62, 72 opposite the first exterior surface 61, 71 of each of the first 6 and second 7 wall elements.

[0161] A first fire-shielding material 10 is position between the first and second cover profiles 2, 3 and the wall elements 6, 7. The fire-shielding material 10 is abutting the interior surfaces 23, 33 of the cover profiles 2, 3 and the exterior surfaces 61, 71, 62, 72 of the first 6 and second 7 wall elements.

[0162] The base part 41 of the fastening element is positioned between the first 6 and second 7 wall elements. The first end 411 extends through a slot 21 in the first cover profile 2 and the second end 412 extends through a corresponding slot 31 in the second cover profile 3. The holding part 42 is bent approximately 90° with regards to the base part 41 and abuts an exterior surface 22 of the first cover profile 2.

[0163] The first 431 and second 432 fixations arms are bent approximately 90° with regards to the base part 41. The fixations arms 431, 432 extend in opposite directions away from the base part 41 and abut an exterior surface 32 of the second cover profile 3.

[0164] A second fire-shielding material 11 is positioned between the wall elements 6, 7 and the base part 41.

[0165] The purpose of both the first fire-shielding material 10 and the second fire-shielding material 11 is to prevent fire from spreading via the gap between the wall elements 6, 7 and to protect the edges of the wall elements in the same way as the fire-shielding strips attached to the outer frame element(s) as described above. The first and second fire-shielding material 10, 11 can be made from the same material(s) as the fire-shielding strips 16a, 16b, 17 on the outer frame element(s).

[0166] First and second fire-shielding materials may be provided in varying combinations between and/or on the wall elements and cover profiles.

[0167] FIG. 5 shows a perspective sketch of a wall construction made with a set of parts 100 in an active mounted condition. The set of parts 100 comprises a first fire-shielding U-shaped outer frame element 1 and a second outer frame element 5 supporting a side of the second wall element 7, and a fire-shielding fastening means 200 arranged between the first 6 and second 7 wall elements, so as to hold the first 6 and second 7 elements together.

[0168] An interior surface 131 of the first side flange 13 of the first outer frame element 1 abuts a first exterior surface 71 of the second wall element 7, and an interior surface 141 of the second side flange 14 abuts a second exterior surface 72 opposite the first exterior surface 71 of the second wall element 7. The same applies to the second outer frame element 5.

[0169] Cover profiles 2, 3 extend along the exterior surfaces 61, 71, 62, 72 of the first 6 and second 7 wall elements in the same way as described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0170] First 4 and second 8 fastening elements are mounted between the first 6 and second 7 wall elements and interconnecting covering profiles 2, 3, 9 in the way described with reference to FIG. 4. Holding parts 42 of first fastening elements 4 abut a first cover profile 2 and fixation parts (not shown) of the first fastening elements 4 abut a second cover profile 3. Holding parts (not shown) of second fastening elements 8 abut the second cover profile 3 and fixation parts 83 of the second fastening elements 8 abut a third cover profile 9 arranged in continuation of the first cover profile 2 along the first exterior surfaces 61, 71 of the wall elements 6, 7.

[0171] Here the first cover profile 2 and the third cover profile 9 are mounted at a distance from each, said distance being approximately 5 mm, in order to allow thermal expansion of the cover profiles but alternative they might overlap. The first 1 and second 5 outer frame elements are arranged with a similar distance for the same purpose.

[0172] The staggered position of the cover profiles contributes to a wall construction which is both very stable and with excellent fire-shielding properties due to the absence of parallel horizontal joints between the cover profiles on the two sides of the wall.

[0173] The fastening elements 4, 8 may be positioned in any desired direction, so that the holding parts 42, 82 and fixation parts 43, 83 abuts either of the at least three cover profiles 2, 3, 9, but arranging the holding parts on opposite sides of the wall contributes to a symmetrical and hence stable wall construction.

[0174] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a wall construction 300 mounted by means of U-shaped outer frame elements 1.

[0175] Finishing elements 18 are mounted on the exterior sides of the outer frame elements 1 to give a pleasing aesthetic look. The finishing elements may be of any design and any materials, such as aluminium or polymers. The finishing elements may be mounted with any non-fire-resistant fastening means, so that they will fall off during a fire. Similar finishing elements may be provided on the cover profiles described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0176] The wall elements 6, 7 shown in FIGS. 4-6 are made from fire-rated glass, but the invention also applies to wall constructions with other types of wall elements.

[0177] As seen on FIG. 11, elongated strips 16a, 16b are positioned on the exterior surfaces of the outer frame element 1 and a second elongated strip 17 is position on the inside surface of the bottom part.

[0178] Although some embodiments have been described and shown in detail herein, the invention is not restricted to them, but may also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined in the following claims. In particular, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilised and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0179] In device claims enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims or described in different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0180] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.