BALCONY GLAZING

Abstract: The invention relates to a balcony glazing or a corresponding structure for covering an opening in a building, and comprising two or more glazing groups (1, 2) which preferably constute a continuous, uniform surface. In a functional position, the main planes of the glass panes (3) of different glazing groups (1, 2) form an angle (K) deviating from the 180 DEG angle, by which angle (K) the ends of the profile pieces (8, 9) are worked to match each other to form the desired angle (K) deviating from the angle at 180 DEG . By said angle (K), inside at least one profile piece (8, 9), means (16, 17) are placed to guide a pivoting element (11, 12) by means of a contact from the support of the profile pieces (8, 9) belonging to the first glazing group to the support of the profile pieces (11, 12) of the second glazing group (2) and vice versa.

Description: Balcony glazing The invention relates to a balcony glazing or a corresponding structure covering an opening in a building, which structure is specified in more detail in the preamble of the independent claim 1. The balcony glazing according to this invention is especially, but not solely, intended for balconies which are typically designed in such a way that they protrude at least partly from the exterior wall in a building. Thus, the floor of the balcony forms a polygonal shape, typically a rectangular shape, which protrudes from the vertical main plane of the exterior wall of the building and thus generally comprises side edges perpendicular to the main plane of the building and protruding from the main plane of the same, and an outer edge parallel to the main plane of the building. A corresponding need for structural elements for modifiable glazing and partition wall structures similar to balcony glazing, also exist in other parts of buildings, for example as partition walls, etc. It is characteristic for the balcony glazing or corresponding structure according to the present invention for covering an opening in a building when necessary that it is composed of two or more glazing groups, each of which contains one or more glass panes or corresponding structural plates. Prior art, for example publications FI-78962, FI-955693, GB-1456283 and DE-3524182, do not provide a satisfactory and functional solution to the problem solved by the present invention. First of all, the invention comprises a balcony glazing or a corresponding structure which covers an opening in a building when necessary, in other words a variable structure in particular, which can be placed in a functional position which covers the opening in question, and in a non-functional position off the opening, especially in a bundle form on at least one edge of the opening. On the other hand, the shape of the opening in the balcony glazing according to the invention comprises at least one angle which deviates from the 180° angle. In other words, the problem in solutions of prior art lies in the fact that it has not been possible to move the entire balcony glazing, or corresponding modifiable structure covering an opening in a buiding preferably as a continuous, uniform surface, past such an angle deviating from the 180° angle, so that the other functional requirements are also secured at the same time. The purpose of this invention is to present a solution implemented in the structure according to the preamble of the independent claim 1 , whereby glass panes or the like in a balcony glazing or a corresponding structure covering an opening in a building and comprising at least two or more separate glazing groups which are, however, joined at one of their edges and which are placed in an angle deviating from the 180° angle with respect to each other can be transferred to at least one edge and for practical reasons possibly to both edges of the opening in a simple manner which is effortless for the user. Thus, a major purpose of the invention is to enhance the prior art by diversifying the possibilities to use balcony glazings and corresponding structures for covering an opening in a building. The advantage achieved with the invention is that it is possible either to move such a basal area which is a balcony glazing or a corresponding structure of a polygonal shape, composed of two or more glazing groups each of which comprises one or more glass panes, to a functional position which covers the opening in question, or the opening in question can be uncovered either partly or entirely by moving the the glass panes to at least one end of the opening in a bundle form and thereby into a non-functional position. To attain these purposes, the balcony glazing or corresponding structure according to the invention, for covering an opening in a building is primarily characterized in what will be presented in the characterizing part of the independent claim 1. In the following specification, the invention will be illustrated in more detail with reference to the embodiment shown in the appended drawings. In the drawings, Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the balcony glazing according to the invention viewed from the front, i.e. from the direction perpendicular to the main plane of the exterior wall of a building, Fig. 2 shows the function of the balcony glazing according to Fig. 1 from direction II-II, Fig. 3 shows a section of an angle enlarged and viewed from the direction of Fig. 2 to illustrate a passing (point III), Fig. 4 shows the movement of a pivoting element (without a glass pane or the like) in a horizontal cross-section and in an enlarged scale by the angle of the balcony glazing according to Fig. 2 (section II-II), Fig. 5 shows a vertical section V-V of the balcony glazing according to Fig. 1 by the upper profile part, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the profile part, and Fig. 6 shows a vertical section VI- VI by the joint between the profile parts. With reference to the drawings, the balcony glazing according to Fig. 1 comprises two or more glazing groups 1 and 2, depending on whether the structure in question is a balcony structure recessed in a corner of a building, or a balcony glazing protruding from the exterior wall of the building. Such structure alternatives are so obvious to anyone skilled in the art that they will not be discussed in more detail in this context. Both glazing groups 1 and 2 comprise one or more glass panes 3 or the like. If there are more than one glass pane 3 in the glazing group 1 or 2, they are arranged one after the other, their main planes in parallel, when the balcony glazing is in the functional position covering an opening 6 between the upper edge of the railing 4 of the balcony and the upper edge 5 of the balcony (i.e. usually the bottom level of an upper balcony). In the presented embodiment, the main planes of the glass panes 3 or the like in the different glazing groups 1 and 2, form a 90° angle in the functional position. It has to be noted that the invention can be applied in all such embodiments of a balcony glazing or a corresponding structure for covering an opening in a building, in which the main planes of the glazing groups 1 , 2 form an angle K which deviates 180° in a vertical cross-section, and in which the glazing groups 1 and 2 are connected together on at least one of their vertical edges PR in the functional position. According to the invention, the glass panes 3 or the like of the different glazing groups 1 , 2 can be placed in a non-functional position (see item 7 in Fig. 2). Usually, this non-functional position is a bundle form, in which the glass panes 3 or the like stand in parallel at least at one end of the opening, i.e. against the wall S of the building in a substantially transverse, preferably perpendicular position with respect to the functional position. The glass panes 3 or the like are supported at their horizontal upper and lower edges on the upper and lower structures of the balcony or corresponding opening in a building, i.e. in the case of a balcony, on the upper edge 4a of the railing 4 and on the upper edge of the opening 6, which in a block of flats is typically the bottom level of an upper balcony. The support is arranged by means of profile pieces 8, 9 located on the upper and lower edges. These profile pieces are fixed on the upper and lower edges of the opening 6 in a way suitable for the structure in question. The profile pieces 8, 9 have a primarily U-shaped cross-section (see Fig. 5), and as for their more detailed structure, reference is made to the state of the art, i.e. to the publications mentioned in the beginning of this description. The profile pieces 8, 9 are provided with an opening 10 which has the length of the profile piece and opens up in the direction of the opening 6 (i.e. in the direction of the main plane of the functional position of the glass panes 3 or the like), and a protective sleeve 15a surrounding a hinge means 15 in that particular location, moves in the same (see Figs. 5 and 6). Both the upper and the lower part of each glass pane 3, or the like, are provided with a pivoting element 11 , 12, which is located by the same vertical side in the upper and lower corners, and whose placement by the vertical side is selected according to the function of the balcony glazing or the like. The pivoting elements 11 , 12 are primarily placed within the U-shape of the profile pieces 8, 9 in question, and arranged movable with respect to the same. The pivoting element 11 , 12 is provided with at least one rolling means 13, especially a wheel, which is supported and pivoted on a horizontal axis 13a, and moves during the motion of glass panes 3 on the support of a rolling surface 14 (Fig. 5) located inside the profile piece 8, 9 in question. In other words, the rolling means 13 are arranged to revolve in the vertical plane, wherein the preferably horizontal rolling surface 14, which is located in the profile pieces 8, 9 and connected to the opening 10, is arranged in such a way, that it is capable of receiving the vertical supporting force directed to it by the glass panes 3, or the like. Each glass pane 3, or the like, is supported on the pivoting elements 11 , 12 by the hinge means 15, for exemple by a hinge pivot which comprises fixing means for fixing the glass pane 3 or the like. Furthermore, the pivoting elements 11 , 12 comprise a locking means 11a, and correspondingly, a counterpart (not shown) of the locking means especially in connection with the hinge means 15 , in which counterpart the glass panes 3 or the like are locked into a bundle form. As for this technical detail, reference is made to the prior art in the field, e.g. publication FI-84645. According to the invention, especially with reference to Figs. 2 — 4, by said angle which deviates from the angle of 180° (in the presented embodiment 90°), the ends of the profile pieces 11 , 12 are worked to match when placed against each other, so that when connected they form the desired angle which deviates from the 180° angle and simultaneously corresponds to the structure of a particular corner of the balcony glazing or an opening in a building. The walls of the profile pieces 8, 9 which connect to each other when mounted, match when placed against each other (see Fig. 6, section VI- VI), wherein the inner part of the profile pieces 8, 9 and the opening 10 are continuous so that it is possible for the pivoting elements 11 and 12 to move from one profile piece to another in such a way that the support of the rolling means 13 is horizontally continuous, wherein the rolling means 13 directs a continuous support to the rolling surface 14, which support also affects by the angle K. Thus, the joint between the cavity profiles is an inclined joint, a so-called mitre joint J (see Fig. 4). With particular reference to Figs. 2 — 4, by the angle deviating from the 180° angle and located between the glazing groups 1 , 2, inside at least one profile piece, i.e. upper 8 and/or lower profile piece 9, preferably both profile pieces 8, 9, means 16, 17 are placed for guiding the pivoting elements 11 , 12 by means of a contact directed to the frame R of the pivoting elements 11 , 12, from the support of profile pieces 8, 9 belonging to the first glazing group 1 , on the support of the profile pieces 8, 9 belonging to the second glazing group 2, and vice versa. The means 16, 17 are preferably constructed to comprise two parts in such a way that the first part 16 is placed at the vertical outer edge of the inner part of at least one profile piece 11 , 12 (longer radius of curvature when moving from one glazing group to another), preferably to reach the full vertical height of the inner part of the profile piece 8, 9, and the second part 17 is placed at the vertical inner edge of the inner part of at least one profile piece (smaller radius of curvature when moving from one glazing group to another), to reach preferably a part of the height of the inner part of the profile piece 8, 9 in the vertical direction. As shown especially in Fig. 3, the first part 16 is formed to have a curved surface 18 in the section which is in contact with the pivoting element 11 , 12 when it moves past the angle K in question. Thus, the outer surface of the pivoting element is supported and guided by the vertically directed, curved guide surface 18 of the first part 16, the guide surface 18 having especially the shape of a circular arc (in horizontal cross-section) and preferably corresponds to the height of the inner part of the profile piece 8, 9. The radius of the circular arc corresponds substantially to the horizontal, inner width of the profile pieces 8, 9. Preferably, the first part 16 can be a curved form piece or angle piece, with an elongated, fillet-like, or platy shape, which joins the connectable profile pieces 8, 9 together, and whose ends are provided with preferably planar support surfaces 19 which are formed on the outer surface of the first part 16 and placed in alignment with the angle K in question with respect to each other, and which comprise means 20, such as holes, for fixing the first part 16, for example by means of a screwed coupling, on the inner surface of the outer vertical walls 8a, 8b of the connectable profile pieces which belong to the glazing groups 1 , 2 and are placed next to each other via the angle K. Correspondingly, the second part 17 is an angle piece or the like, whose first branch 17a is fixed on the inner vertical wall 8c of the profile piece 8 belonging to the first glazing group 1 , by a fixing means, such as a screw 20, and the second branch 17b is fixed on the inner vertical wall 8d of the profile piece 8 belonging to the second glazing group 2, by a fixing means, such as a screw 20. The outer surface 21a and the inner surface 21b of the second part 17 form an angle corresponding to the angle K between the profile pieces 8, 9. With particular reference to Figs. 5 and 6, in the presented embodiment the pivoting element comprises a vertically effective rolling means 13, typically only one in each pivoting element. The necessary lateral support, especially when glass panes 3, or the like, are moved with respect to the profile pieces 8, 9, is provided in the inner part of the profile pieces by a vertically directed, elongated flange-like support fillet 22 (Figs. 4 and 5), which has the length of the entire profile piece and is directed inside the U-shape of the profile piece from the inner surface of the horizontal wall 23 located in an opposite direction with respect to the opening 10 of the profile form. Correspondingly, pivoting element 11 , 12 is, at its edge opposite to the edge on which the glass pane or the like places itself, provided with a groove 24, or the like, which opens up vertically and in which the support fillet 22 is placed in order to provide lateral guiding. With reference to Fig. 4, the support fillet 22 is cut at section 25, wherein the pivoting element 11 , 12 is released from the guiding and supporting effect of the support fillet 22. Thus, a corresponding lateral support is already provided by means 16, 17, especially by the support effect of the first part 16 of the means 16, 17, which support effect is directed to the outer edge of the pivoting element 11 , 12. In other words, it is essential that the cut, substantially vertical end 25 of the support fillet 22 is further inside the profile piece than the diagonal cut-off point made for the actual diagonal joint, so that the forced linear guiding of the pivoting elements 11 , 12 can be released to enable a curvilinear motion when said curvilinear motion can already be supported in lateral direction by means 16, 17, which direct a lateral support effect to the vertical side surfaces of the frame R of the pivoting elements 11 , 12, especially by the first part 16 of the means 16, 17 to the vertical corners of the frame R. As can be seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the groove 23 is formed by three pins 24a, 24b and 24c which are directed upwards from the upper surface of the frame R. If necessary, the corners opposite to the location in which the pivoting elements 11 , 12 of the glass panes 3, or the like, are placed, are provided with support rolls or the like (not shown), wherein the glass pane 3 or the like follows the pivoting element while the edge comprising said support rolls is moved on the support of the profile pieces 8, 9, and while the glass pane is turned in the opening 6 between the profile pieces 8, 9.

Claims: Claims: 1. Balcony glazing or corresponding structure for covering an opening in a building, having two or more glazing groups (1 , 2), or the like, preferably constituting a continuous, uniform surface and comprising one or more glass panes (3) or the like, which in a functional position are placed to cover an opening of a balcony glazing or the like, wherein when one or both of the glazing groups are composed of two or more glass panes or the like, the main planes of the glass panes are in parallel in said glazing group (1 , 2), wherein in the functional position, the main planes of the glass panes (3), or the like, of different glazing groups (1 , 2) form an angle (K) that deviates from the 180° angle, and the glass panes (3), or the like, of different glazing groups (1 , 2) can be placed in a non-functional position (7), substantially in parallel in a bundle form, in which the glass panes (3), or the like, are in a substantially transverse, preferably perpendicular position with respect to the functional position, wherein the glass panes (3), or the like, are supported preferably at their upper and lower corners to elongated profile pieces (8, 9) placed on the substantially horizontal upper and lower structures (4, 5) of a balcony or a corresponding opening (6) in a building, which profile pieces (8, 9) are provided with an opening (10) that opens up in the direction of the glass panes (3), or the like, and wherein the upper and lower edges of each glass pane (3), or the, like are provided with a pivoting element (11 , 12) located inside the profile pieces (8, 9), being in contact with the opening (10) of the profile pieces (8, 9), movable with respect to the profile piece and equipped with a hinge means (15) or the like, the pivoting element (11 , 12) comprising at least one rolling means (13) supported on a horizontal axis (13a) and rotating substantially in the vertical plane, which rolling means (13) directs a vertical force to a rolling surface (14) inside the profile piece (8, 9), characterized in that by said angle (K) deviating from the 180° angle, the ends of the profile pieces (8, 9) are worked to match each other to form the desired angle (K) deviating from the 180° angle when connected together, and that by said angle (K), inside at least one profile piece (8, 9), means (16, 17) are placed to guide the pivoting element (11 , 12) by means of a contact from the support of the profile pieces (8, 9) belonging to the first glazing group (1) to the support of the profile pieces (8, 9) of the second glazing group, (2) and vice versa. 2. Balcony glazing or corresponding structure according to claim 1 , characterized in that the means (16, 17) consist of two parts in such a way that the first part (16) is placed by the angle (K) on the outer edge of the inner part of the profile pieces (11 , 12) connected together, the second part (17) is placed by the angle (K) on the inner edge of the inner part of the profile pieces (11 , 12) connected together. 3. Balcony glazing or corresponding structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first part (16) has a curved surface at least in the section which is in contact with the pivoting element (11 , 12) in order to generate a guide effect. 4. Balcony glazing or corresponding structure, characterized in that the second part (17) is a corner piece which corresponds to the angle between the profile pieces (8, 9), deviating from the 180° angle, and whose first branch (17a) is attached to the first profile piece and second branch (17b) to the second profile piece (8, 9). 5. Balcony glazing or corresponding structure according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that the outer surface of the second part provides an outer surface (21) which corresponds to the angle between the profile pieces (8, 9) belonging to the first and second glazing groups and functions as a guard for the inner edge of the pivoting element. 6. Balcony glazing according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the means (16, 17) direct a lateral guide effect to the frame (R) of the pivoting element. 7. Balcony glazing or corresponding structure according to claim 1 , in which inside the profile pieces (8, 9), there is a support fillet (22), or the like, which is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the profile pieces and co-operates with a groove (24), or the like, located in connection with said pivoting element (11 , 12), in order to produce a lateral guide effect for the pivoting element, characterized in that the substantially vertical end (25) of the support fillet (22) is further inside the profile piece (8, 9) than the diagonal cut-off point made against the diagonal attachment joint and used for forming the angle (K). 8. Balcony glazing or corresponding structure according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the first part (16) is arranged to correspond to the height of the inner part of the profile piece (8,9) in the vertical direction, at least for the curved guide surface (18), which directs a guide effect to the pivoting element (11 , 12). 9. Balcony glazing or corresponding structure according to any of the claims 1 , 2, 3, or 8, characterized in that the guide surface (18) has the shape of a circular arc when viewed in horizontal cross-section, wherein the radius of the same substantially corresponds to the inner horizontal width between the vertical walls of the profile piece. 10. Balcony glazing or corresponding structure according to any of the claims 1 , 2, 3, 8, or 9, characterized in that the first part (16) is a curved, elongated, fillet-like form piece, whose ends are provided with support surfaces (19) placed in alignment with the angle (K) with respect to each other and containing means (20) for fixing the first part (16) to the profile pieces (8, 9), which are connected together by means of the angle (K), and that the second part (17) is formed as an angle piece which contains means (20) for fixing the second part to the profile pieces (8, 9) which are connected together by means of the angle (K).

Inventors: HILLIAHO ERKKI, HILLIAHO, ERKKI
Applicants: HILLIAHO ERKKI, LUMON OY, HILLIAHO, ERKKI
Application year: 1998
Main classification: E06B3
IPC codes: E04B1, E05D15, E06B3