An attachment device for panes of glass. The attachment device includes retainers arranged between each pane and a support structure. The retainers include structures to compensate for the dimensional differences, deformations and displacements between the pane and the support structure. Degrees of freedom of rotation of the structure include uni-axis pivot joints. Strung together degrees of freedom in translation may be produced within the joints or by installing the joints in such a way that they can move. Panes can be mounted in a statically determinate manner by virtue of an appropriate combination of degrees of freedom.

This disclosure concerns a connecting device for connecting a first panel onto a second panel, the connecting device having a substantially plate-like connecting element including an aperture therein, where the connecting element has a first flat part structured and arranged to engage an inner face of the first panel and a second flat part structured and arranged to engage an inner face of the second panel, and wherein the second part is located in a different plane from and is substantially parallel to the first flat part. The disclosure also describes a device having an adjuster element disposed within the aperture of the connecting element, the adjuster element including a horizontally elongated slot and a means for moving the adjustable element within the aperture for adjustable movement in a vertical direction with respect to the connecting element in order to provide independent adjustment in either the horizontal or vertical directions.

A joint structure for fixing panel blocks on a side wall of a building in a manner such that the lower edge face of each panel block contacts closely with the upper edge face of the lower adjacent panel block to leave no gaps between the adjacent panel blocks. Each panel block is formed with a first blind bore extending vertically from the lower edge face thereof and a second blind bore extending vertically from the upper edge face thereof. The joint structure comprises first stud means anchored to the side wall of the building and having an exposed end extending beyond the exterior surface of the side wall of the building, second stud means anchored to each panel block and having an exposed end extending beyond the interior surface of each panel block, a positioning rod having one end inserted into the first blind bore of upper adjacent panel block and the other end inserted into the second blind bore of lower adjacent panel block, the positioning rod being pressed by the inner end of the second stud means to be fixedly held in position, and connector means having one end connected to the exposed end of the first stud means and the other end connected to the exposed end of the second stud means.

A method and apparatus for coupling panels to a structure. A coupling assembly includes a first coupling member depending from a face of one of the panels and adapted to deflect a relatively large amount in a plane of rotation of the first coupling member and a second coupling member depending from the corresponding face of the second panel. A coupling mechanism is provided between the coupling members provides for transmitting a force between the coupling members over a range of deflection of the first coupling member, permitting large relative movement between the panels.

A tile mounting system for mounting tiles of stone or other material to a supporting body in a fixed position relative to the supporting body and, at the same time, for anchoring the tiles to the supporting body. The tile mounting system includes a tile having a front face and a rear face, the rear face of the tile having at least one groove therein, at least a portion of which is undercut in cross-section; and an anchor member for both mounting and anchoring the tile to the supporting body. The anchor member includes an insert portion for being fixedly secured within the undercut portion of the at least one groove, and an attachment portion extending from the insert portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rear face of the tile when the insert portion is secured within the at least one groove, the attachment portion preferably being at least partially threaded for being threadedly attached to said supporting body.