GUIDE ARRANGEMENT FOR BALCONY GLAZING OR THE LIKE

Abstract: The invention relates to a guide arrangement for a balcony glazing or the like, which is intended to be installed in an opening (1) in a structure and comprises two or more panes (4a), or the like, supported on their horizontal upper and lower edges with the guide arrangement (5, 6) and arranged movable in the guide arrangement. The panes, or the like, are arranged to pivot around a vertical pivoting axis to a storage position substantially perperdicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide arrangement from the longitudinal use position of the guide arrangement. The panes (4a) or the like are placed one after the other at the location of the opening (1) in the structure. The guide arrangement contains a groove (7) or the like, in which guiding and pivoting means (8) of each pane are located, and fixing elements (K) for mounting the guide arrangement (5, 6) horizontally on the edge of the opening (1) in the structure. The fixing elements (K) comprise at least two parts (9, 10) making two optional fixing methods of the guide arrangement (5, 6) possible, implemented with a different fixing device (KL1, KL2), and/or located differently with respect to the edge (2, 3) of the opening (1).

Description: Guide arrangement for balcony glazing or the like The invention relates to a guide arrangement for balcony glazing, which is intended to be installed in an opening in a structure and to comprise two or more panes or the like, supported on their horizontally directed upper and lower edges with the guide arrangement and arranged to be movable in the guide arrangement. The panes are arranged to pivot around a vertical pivoting axis to a preferably bundled storage position located at one end of the guide arrangement and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide arrangement, from a longitudinally directed use position of the guide arrangement, in which the panes or the like are placed one after the other at the opening in the structure. The guide arrangement is provided with a groove or the like, in which the guiding and pivoting means of each pane are placed, and fixing elements for mounting the guide arrangement horizontally to the edge of the opening in the structure. The above discussed guide arrangements and glazing systems used for balcony glazings or in connection with corresponding glazings placed in an opening in a structure, are presented for example, in publications FI-84645, FI-950522, and FI-955693. These publications disclose balcony glazing systems which arefunctional as such and suitable for use in also other openings in structures. In the field of tumable glazing systems, there has recently been considerable development in the respect, that especially balcony glazing systems are installed both in old blocks of flats, for example in connection with facade renovation, and in large numbers in new buildings. For the basic functionality of the balcony glazing, it is especially important how the guide arrangement can be reliably installed on the edge of the opening. The fact that balcony openings and corresponding openings in structures are designed and implemented with a variety of sizes and materials in the stock of buildings currently in use, causes difficulties especially with respect to the design and installation of the guide arrangement and finally possibly even with the functionality of the glazing. These difficulties relate especially to the manufacture and installation in the respect that the design and production of different guide arrangement types to be installed according to the structure of each opening construction causes high investment costs and increases the installation costs. Naturally, the large number of different guide arrangement types causes problems in pruduction and installation. In this invention it is surprisingly discovered that it is possible to eliminate the above presented problems to a large extent, by developing a guide arrangement for a balcony glazing or the like, taking into account the variety of sizes, edge constructions, and edge materials in the structures of the balcony openings or the like, so that the same guide arrangement can be used in a substantially similar manner, or with slight alterations conducted in connection with the installation, in a variety of glazing system applications. For attaining these purposes, the balcony glazing according to the invention is primarily characterized in that the fixing elements comprise at least two parts for enabling an optional fixing method of the guide arrangement implemented with a different fixing device and/or located differently with respect to the edge of the opening. The above presented solution enables applying the same guide arrangement in at least two, but obviously with certain modifications in several different types of balcony glazing guide arrangement mountings, their different fixing needs being due to the size, structure or materials of the opening in question, or esthetic aspects which are taken into account. The appended depended claims present some advantageous embodiments of the guide arrangement of a balcony glazing or the like according to the invention. The guide arrangement according to the invention is illustrated in more detail in the following description, in which reference is made to the appended drawings 1-4, which show cross-sectional views of three embodiments of the guide arrangement according to the invention in different opening types of a balcony or a corresponding structure. The drawings present with the reference number 1 an opening in a structure. In the lower part of the opening 1 there is a lower horizontal part of the opening, for example the upper edge 2 of a balcony railing, and correspondingly in the upper part of the opening 1 there is an upper horizontal part of the opening, for example the bottom level 3 of an upper balcony. The vertical sides of the opening can be open or limited by the walls according to the location and overall structure of the opening. Fig. 1 presents in a vertical cross-sectional view a glazing 4 covering the opening 1 , for example a balcony glazing. The guide arrangement comprises an upper guide 5 and a lower guide 6 having the shape of elongated, straight profile pieces manufactured with extrusion moulding, which both contain a longitudinally directed groove 7 in each pane 4a of the glazing 4 for guiding and pivoting means 8 located on their upper and lower edges. The guiding and pivoting means 8 are not described in detail herein, but reference is made to prior art in the field, for example to the state of the art mentioned in the beginning of this description. There are two or more panes 4a or the like placed on the support of the guide arrangement 5, 6, and they are arranged to move in the longitudinally directed grooves 7 of the guide arrangement supported by the guiding and pivoting means 8, wherein they can be placed at one end of the guide arrangement into a bundle-like storage position, wherein they are located side by side with in their main plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide arrangement. In a normal use position, the panes 4a, or the like, are located one after the other vertically at the location of the opening 1 in the structure so that their main planes are parallel and they are placed at the location of the opening 1 in the structure and supported by the guiding and pivoting means 8 to the grooves 7 of the guide arrangement 5, 6. In the presented embodiment of a fixing arrangement (Figs. 2a, 2b, 3, and 4) are the structure and function according to the invention implemented in connection with the lower guide 6 and thus with the lower horizontal part 2 of the opening 1 , but it is obvious for a man skilled in the art that, if necessary, corresponding structures can be applied also in connection with the upper guide or with both guides in compliance with the construction and materials of the opening in a balcony or another corresponding structure. In the presented embodiments (cf. Fig. 1 ), the upper guide is fixed via bottom 7a of the groove 7 of the upper guide profile to the upper horizontal part of the opening 1 , for example to the lower surface of the bottom level 3 of an upper balcony by means of a wedged screw attachment, or the like. According to the basic idea, in the embodiment of the lower guide 6 of the guide arrangement 5, 6, as presented in Figs 2a, 2b, 3 and 4, the fixing elements of the lower guide 6 comprise at least two parts in order to make possible two optional fixing methods, implemented with different fixing devices. The first part 9 comprises first means 10 for fixing the guide arrangement especially at the egde of the opening 1 vertically, i.e. in the case of the lower guide on top of the edge of the opening 1 (Fig. 2a). The second part 11 comprises second means 12 for fixing the lower guide of the guide arrangement to the side of the edge of the opening 1 (Figs. 3 and 4) or alternatively at the edge of the opening 1 , i.e. in the case of the lower guide on top of the edge of the opening 1 (Fig. 2b). As shown in Fig. 2a, the first part 9 of the fixing elements K is arranged in a direct guide arrangement attachment, wherein the first means 10 co-operate with a fixing device KL1 , for example a wedged screw arrangement, which fixes the lower guide 6 of the guide arrangement at the location of the edge of the opening 1 in vertical direction, in other words in the case of the lower guide 6, on top of the edge of the opening 1. The first part 9 of the fixing arrangement is flange-like and is provided with a groove 9a (see Fig. 2b) or the like for forming the first means 10 (an installation hole), at which the wedged screw attachment is provided. As can be seen in Fig. 2a, the lower edge 2 of the opening 1 is in this case solid, especially concreting or the like, in which the installation hole is drilled for the fixing device KL1. As can be seen particularly in Figs. 3 and 4, the second part 11 of the fixing elements is primarily arranged in a so-called indirect guide arrangement attachment. Thus, the second means 12 are arranged for mounting a lateral fixing element 13. The second means 12 attach via the fixing device KL2, such as a bolt-nut arrangement or the like, the lateral fixing element 13 to the end surface 17 of the guide arrangement parallel to the installation direction. The lateral fixing element 13, having substantially an L-profile as its cross-sectional form, comprises third means 18, especially one or more installation holes, for mounting the guide arrangement to the side of the opening 1 so that the fixing is provided on the preferably vertical wall located in connection with the opening 1 , wherein the lower guide 6 of the guide arrangement is placed either in a lower position with respect to the lower edge of the opening 1 according to Fig. 3, or in an upper position with respect to the lower edge of the opening 1 according to Fig. 3, depending on how the lateral fixing element 13 is located in the height direction. Preferably, the second part 11 of the fixing arrangement is a profile part which comprises a groove forming the second means 12 opening in the installation direction of the guide arrangement and having preferably the cross-sectional shape of a so-called T-groove, in which the fixing device KL2 is located. The T-groove is preferably as long as the entire guide arrangement. The lateral fixing element 13 can be as long as the entire guide arrangement, or it can be composed of two or more pieces shorter than the guide arrangement. As can be seen especially in Fig. 2b, it is possible to use the second part 11 of the fixing elements alternatively also for direct guide arrangement attachment when allowed by the material and/or structure of the edge of the opening. Fig. 2b presents an embodiment in which the lower guide 6 of the guide arrangement is fixed for example in connection with the housing-like upper edge of the balcony railing. Consequently, the guide arrangement, in the presented embodiment especially the lower guide, comprises on its edge in the installation direction a planar end surface 17, in connection with which the first 9 and the second part 11 of the fixing arrangement are placed side by side in the horizontal direction. The first part of the fixing arrangement is placed on the side of the guiding and pivoting means 8 viewed in the vertical direction, wherein the first part 9 forms a flange substantially perpendicular to the installation direction at the end of the guide arrangement which is parallel to the installation direction. The flange and its location make it possible to mount the guide arrangement from its outside completely freely. Correspondingly, the second part 11 of the fixing arrangement is arranged in vertical direction at the location of the pivoting means 8. This location of the T-groove is especially used to fix the lateral fixing element 13 having the cross-section of an L-profile so that the horizontal fork 13a of the lateral fixing element is fixed to the second part with the fixing device KL2, wherein correspondingly the vertical fork 13b of the L-profile is fixed to the vertical side surface of the balcony railing or to a corresponding structural element, preferably to its inner surface, in a substantially vertical position. The guide arrangement according to the invention comprises, on the side of the vertical outer side of the guide arrangement (lower guide 6), a groove arrangement 14, 15 which, being composed of at least two parts, comprises an upper 14 groove or the like (located on the edge of the groove 7) and a lower 15 groove or the like (located between the fixing elements K and the guide structure ), which are arranged to be implemented in order to fix a cover plate 16 or a water guiding plate 19 or a corresponding structural element, applied according to the installation method of the guide arrangement in question. Figs. 2a, 3 and 4 present water guiding plates 19. They are typically fixed to either one of the grooves 14 or 15. When the guide arrangement (Fig. 3) is installed in a so-called lower position with respect to the lower edge of the opening 1 , in other words typically on the the upper edge of a balcony railing, so that the lower guide 6 is, viewed in horizontal direction, at least partly in lateral direction at the location of the balcony railing, the water guiding plate 19 is installed in the upper groove 14. Correspondingly, Figs. 2a and 4 present situations in which the lower guide 6 of the guide arrangement is placed in its height position so that it is located at the level of the upper edge of the balcony railing or corresponding structural element, possibly slightly above that, wherein it is possible to use either one of the grooves 14, 15 intended for the installation of the water guiding plate 19, advantageously the lower groove 15, for fixing the water guiding plate 19 to the lower guide 6. A further advantage in the embodiments according to Figs. 2a and 4, is that holes 20 can be worked on the front edge of the groove 7 wherein moisture possibly collected inside the groove 7 exits the groove 7 via the holes 20 further along the water guiding plate 19. In the situation according to Fig. 2b, the lower guide of the guide arrangement is provided with an elongated form profile having the length of the guide arrangement, manufactured e.g. by extrusion and forming the cover plate 16. The cover plate 16 comprises a water guiding plate 16a located in its upper part in an oblique position, and a vertical cover plate 6b located on the front edge and fixing means 16c directed toward the lower guide 6 (the upper fixing means is preferably located in connection with the water guiding plate 16c), whereby the cover plate 16 is fixed to at least one of the grooves 14, 15 in the lower guide 6. In the structures according to Figs. 3 and 4, an inner cover plate 21 is used, which is fixed to the installation groove located in connection with the guide arrangement 5, 6.

Claims: Claims: 1. Guide arrangement for a balcony glazing or the like, which is intended to be installed in an opening (1) in a structure and to comprise two or more panes (4a) or the like, supported on their horizontal upper and lower edges with the guide arrangement (5, 6), arranged movable in the guide arrangement, and arranged to pivot around a vertical pivoting axis to a storage position substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide arrangement, from the longitudinal use position of the guide arrangement, in which the panes (4a) or the like are placed one after the other at the location of the opening (1) in the structure, wherein the guide arrangement comprises: a groove (7) or the like, in which the guiding and pivoting means (8) of each pane are located, and fixing elements (K) for mounting the guide arrangement (5, 6) horizontally on the egde (2, 3) of the opening (1) in the structure, characterized in that the fixing elements (K) comprise at least two parts (9, 10) for making two optional fixing methods of the guide arrangement (5, 6) possible, implemented with a different fixing device (KL1 , KL2) and/or located differently with respect to the edge (2, 3) of the opening (1). 2. Guide arrangement according to claim 1 , characterized in that the first part (9) of the fixing elements comprises first means (10) for mounting the guide arrangement with the first fixing device (KL1), and the second part (11) comprises second means (12) for mounting the guide arrangement (5, 6) with the second fixing device (KL2). 3. Guide arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and/or second part (9, 11) of the fixing elements is arranged into a direct guide arrangement (5, 6) attachment, wherein the first and/or second means (10, 12) can be arranged in co-operation with the fixing device (KL1 , KL2) in question for mounting the guide arrangement (5, 6) at the location of the edge of the opening (1). 4. Guide arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least the second part (11) of the fixing elements is arranged in an indirect guide arrangement (5, 6) attachment, wherein the second means (12) are arranged with the fixing device (KL2) to fix a lateral fixing element to the guide arrangement (5, 6), wherein the lateral fixing element (13) is provided with third means (18) for mounting the guide arrangement to the side of the opening (1) so that the mounting is conducted to the preferably vertical wall located in connection with the upper edge of the opening (1). 5. Guide arrangement according to claim 1 , having a groove arrangement or the like for mounting a cover plate (16) and/or a water guiding plate (19) or a corresponding structural element in connection with the groove arrangement, characterized in that the groove arrangement, or the like, is composed of at least two parts, comprising an upper and a lower groove (14, 15) or the like, which are arranged to be applied according to the installation method of the guide arrangement. 6. Guide arrangement according to claim 1 , characterized in that the guide arrangement comprises, on its edge in the installation direction, a planar end surface (17) in connection with which the first (9) and the second part (11) of the fixing elements are located side by side. 7. Guide arrangement according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that the first part (9) of the fixing arrangement (K) is a flange, in connection with which there is a longitudinal groove (9a) for forming the first means (10). 8. Guide arrangement according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that the second part (11) of the fixing arrangement is a profile piece, which contains a groove, preferably a T-groove, forming the second means (12). 9. Guide arrangement according to claim 1 , 6 or 8, characterized in that the first part (9) of the fixing arrangement (K), viewed in vertical direction, is arranged on the side of the guiding and pivoting means (8), and the second part (11) of the fixing arrangement (K) is placed at the location of the guiding and pivoting means (8). 10. Guide arrangement according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that the lateral fixing element (13) has the cross-sectional form of an L- profile. 11. Guide arrangement according to claim 1 , characterized in that the guide arrangement is a lower guide (6), wherein the first means (10) are arranged to fix the lower guide (6) on top of the edge of the opening (1).

Inventors: HILLIAHO ERKKI, HILLIAHO, ERKKI
Applicants: HILLIAHO ERKKI, LUMON OY, HILLIAHO, ERKKI
Application year: 1998
Main classification: E06B3
IPC codes: E05D15, E06B3