Patent Publication Number: US-9896839-B2

Title: Locking arrangement and panel system

Description:
OBJECT OF THE SOLUTION 
     The object of the solution is a panel system. The object of the solution further comprises a panel system locking arrangement. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT SOLUTION 
     Different types of panel systems may be incorporated in buildings, for example, in conjunction with the balcony or terrace of a building. These are often panels made of glass or a similar material, several panels being positioned most preferably in succession in a panel system. Panel systems may also be provided inside buildings, for example as walls. 
     A panel system typically comprises an upper guide and a lower guide, which may be rails guiding the travelling of the panel and inside or on top of which are one or more hinge elements and/or a control elements fixed to the panel. The hinge element and/or control element controls the travelling of the panel, or the panel is suspended on the upper guide by means of them, or the panel rests through them on the lower guide which supports the panel. The hinge element or the control element is either stationary or movable along the upper or lower guide with the panel. The panel may be movable along the upper and lower guides by means of the said hinge element or control element. Moving typically takes place manually. 
     The upper and lower guides are usually horizontal and fixed, for example, to the structures of the building. The lower guide may be positioned on floor level or higher, for example, on a railing. The panel may be opened and closed by using one or more hinge element, by means of which the panel turns around a vertical rotation axis. The said openable panel may in addition comprise one or more control elements, by means of which the panel remains closed, and which is allowed to come out of the upper or lower guide to enable the opening of the panel. The upper or lower guide may comprise an opening through which the control element passes, or the control element may be lifted out, for example from the lower profile. 
     The hinge element may be configured to lock with the hinge element of the adjacent panel, the upper guide or the lower guide when the panels are open and adjacent to one another. Two or more panels may be open and adjacent to one another in a stack, whereupon a free opening is formed, for example, for airing or access. 
     A known panel system is disclosed in publication WO-2014068178-A1. 
     Locking of the panel in place is important to prevent the panel from falling when it is opened. When the panel is opened, the control element leaves from the upper guide and/or lower guide and thus the panel must be supported and kept upright by the hinge element. This is ensured by the hinge element attaching, for example, to the upper guide. The said attachment should be ensured already with as small turning angles of the panel as possible to guarantee that the panel is always supported and safe to use. 
     A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SOLUTION PRESENTED 
     The panel system according to the solution comprises a lower guide and an upper guide which are essentially parallel, and at least one panel which is movable, vertical in its position of use and located between the lower guide and the upper guide, and connected to the lower guide and the upper guide for moving the panel on the lower guide. The panel system comprises a hinge element which is fixed to the panel, located inside the upper guide and allows opening of the panel by turning around an essentially vertical rotation axis. 
     The panel system further comprises at least two locking housings located in the upper guide and positioned successively in the longitudinal direction of the upper guide. The locking housings comprise two opposite locking recesses, the shapes of which together define a circle with a radius R 3  and between which remains a passage having a width P 2 . The passage is parallel with the longitudinal direction of the upper guide and the hinge element can travel through the passage from one locking housing to another. 
     The distance between the locking housings in the direction of the upper guide is distance P 1 , which is arranged to be less than two times radius R 3 . 
     The advantage of the solution presented is that by increasing the size of the locking housings, the spread angle of the panel, at which the hinge element begins to move into the locking recess and allows early locking of the hinge element, can be reduced. At the same time as the distance between the locking housings is allowed to be smaller than the circle defined by them, the opened panels can be brought as close to each other as possible and can thus be stored in as compact a space as possible. 
     According to one example, the hinge element also comprises two locking cams, which define a radius R 1 , and a guiding edge remaining between them which rotates around the rotation axis with the hinge element. The shape of the guiding edge defines the circle with radius R 2  in such a way that radius R 2  is smaller than radius R 1 , and in addition radius R 2  and radius R 1  together, and with clearance, equal distance P 1 . At the same time, radius R 2  is smaller than radius R 3 . 
     The advantage of this is that it prevents the locking cams of adjacent hinge elements from colliding. A panel locking cam may be configured to collide with the guiding edge of an adjacent panel in order to bring the panel to a stop. 
     A further advantage is that due to the guiding edge, an open panel may, in the opened position, be turned within a predetermined sector, or alternatively, the open panel may be turned to a certain turning angle towards an adjacent panel. 
     The panel system locking arrangement according to the solution presented comprises a hinge element intended to be fixed to a panel of the panel system. The hinge element allows the panel to be opened by turning it around the rotation axis. The locking arrangement further comprises at least two locking housings positioned in succession, the locking housings comprising two opposite locking recesses. The shapes of the locking recesses together define a circle with radius R 3  and between the recesses remains a passage with width P 2 , through which the hinge element can pass from one locking housing to another. The distance of the locking housings from one another is distance P 1 . 
     According to one example, the hinge element further comprises the locking cams and guiding edge described above. The locking cams and locking recesses are set at essentially the same point, for example on the same level, with respect to the rotation axis. The height of the locking cams corresponds to distance P 5  and the height of each locking recess corresponds to distance P 4 . Distance P 4  is configured to be greater than distance P 5 . 
     The advantage is that the position of the locking housings in height or with respect to the rotation axis is allowed to change or may be adjusted. Thus, also the position of the locking housings with respect to the panel and the hinge element is allowed to change or may be adjusted. 
     According to one example, distance P 1  is configured to be less than two times radius R 3 . 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The solution presented is described in greater detail in the following, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  shows a front view of a panel system to which the solution presented may be applied and which is vertical in its position of use. 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of an example of the panel system of  FIG. 1 , a hinge element and a panel, to which the solution presented may be applied when a moving panel is open and the adjacent panel is closed. 
         FIG. 3  shows a top view of the example of  FIG. 2 , a locking housing, a hinge element and a panel when the moving panel is open and the adjacent panel is about to open or close. 
         FIG. 4  shows a top view of the example of  FIG. 2 , a locking housing, a hinge element and a panel when the moving panel is open and the adjacent panel is closed. 
         FIG. 5  shows a top view of the example of  FIG. 2 , a locking housing, a hinge element and a panel when the moving panel is turned and the adjacent panel is closed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SOLUTION 
     In the Figures, the same or corresponding parts are marked with the same reference number. 
       FIG. 1  shows an example of a panel system to which the solution presented may be applied. In the position of use shown in the example of  FIG. 1 , the panel system is vertical. 
     The panel system may comprise at least one moving panel  10 , a lower guide  16 , an upper guide  14 , a hinge element  40  fixed to the upper edge of each panel  10  and a hinge element  42  fixed to the lower edge of each panel  10 . 
     According to one example, the panel system may further comprise at least one stationary panel  12  which does not move along the lower and upper guides  14 ,  16 , a hinge element  32  fixed to the upper edge of each panel  12  and a hinge element  34  fixed to the lower edge of each panel  12 . 
     The panel  12  may be opened in such a way that it turns around a vertical rotation axis X 1 . The rotation axis X 1  is perpendicular to the longitudinal directions of the lower and upper guides  14 ,  16 . The said rotation axis X 1  is furthermore located in the vicinity of one vertical edge of the panel  12 . 
     When closed, the panels  10 ,  12  are preferably parallel and positioned in succession in such a way that they form a wall or window or an access opening. The lower guide  16  and the upper guide  14 , which are parallel, are located at a distance from one another and positioned vertically on top of one another. The panels  10 ,  12  are located between the lower guide  16  and the upper guide  14  in such a way that the panels  10 ,  12  are vertical. The two opposite upright edges of the panel  10 ,  12  are vertical and the upper and lower edges of the panel  10 ,  12  are horizontal. The lower guide  16  may attach to a railing or a suitable surface, for example the floor. The lower guide  16  may be at least partly embedded in a railing or floor. The upper guide  14  may attach, for example, to a ceiling or other suitable structure. 
     The hinge element  32  is located inside the upper guide  14  and allows the panel  12  to be opened. Rotation axis X 1  passes through the hinge element  32 . The hinge element  32  may be locked to the upper guide  14 . 
     The hinge element  34  is located inside the lower guide  16 , on top of it, and allows the panel  12  to be opened. Rotation axis X 1  also passes through the hinge element  34 . The hinge element  34  may be locked to the lower guide  16 . 
     Hinge element  32  and/or hinge element  34  may comprise a shaft journal  60  on which the panel  12  turns. Hinge element  32  and/or hinge element  34  may be configured to lock with the hinge element  40 ,  42 , upper guide  14  or lower guide  16  of the adjacent panel  10  when panel  10  is opened and panel  12  is open. 
     According to one example and  FIG. 1 , on the upper edge of the panel  10 ,  12  may be fixed a lath  18  to which the hinge element  32 ,  40  can be fixed, for example, with screws or nuts. On the lower edge of the panel  10 ,  12  may be fixed a lath  20  to which the hinge element  34 ,  42  can be fixed, for example, with screws or nuts. The lath  19 ,  20  forms a part of the panel  10 ,  20 , for example, the lower edge or upper edge of the panel  10 ,  12 . 
     According to one example and  FIG. 1 , on the upper edge of the panel  12  may be fixed a lock part  24  which attaches to the upper guide  14  and is at a distance from the hinge element  32 . The lock part  24  can be opened and detached from the upper guide  14  for opening the panel  12 . The lock part  24  is controlled, for example, by means of a pulling cable, chain or wire or the like  28 . To the panel  12  may be fixed a handle part  22 . The handle part  22  may control the lock part  24 , other locking part or other parts of the panel system, for example, by means of the power conveyed by a cable, chain, wire or the like  28 . Moving the handle part  22  opens the lock part  24 . The handle part  22  is, for example a turning or rotating handle or knob fixed to the centre part of the panel  12  or alternatively on the lower edge of the panel  12 , for example on a lath  20 . According to one example, the handle part  22  is a part of the above-mentioned locking part or other above-mentioned part of the panel system. 
     According to one example and  FIG. 1 , on the lower edge of the panel  12  may be fixed a lock part  26  which attaches to the lower guide  16  and is at a distance from the hinge element  34 . The lock part  26  is controlled, for example, by means of a handle and a pulling cable, chain, wire or the like  28 . 
     The moving panel  10  may be moved along the lower and upper guides  14 ,  16 . The panel  10  may, in addition, be opened in such a way that it turns around a vertical rotation axis X 2 . For opening, the panel  10  may be moved to a predetermined point where, for example, rotation axes X 1  and X 2 , or two rotation axes X 2 , are close to one another. Rotation axis X 2  is perpendicular to the longitudinal directions of the lower and upper guides  14 ,  16 . The said rotation axis X 2  is furthermore located in the vicinity of one vertical edge of the panel  10 . 
     The hinge element  40  is located inside the upper guide  14  and allows the panel  10  to be opened. Rotation axis X 2  passes through the hinge element  40 . The hinge element  40  is able to move along the upper guide  14 . 
     The hinge element  42  is located inside the lower guide  16 , on top of it, and allows the panel  10  to be opened. Rotation axis X 2  also passes through the hinge element  42 . The hinge element  42  is able to move along the lower guide  16 , for example by means of a roller or wheel. 
     Hinge element  40  and/or hinge element  42  may comprise a shaft journal  60  on which the panel  10  turns. Hinge element  40  and/or hinge element  42  may be configured to lock with the upper guide  14 , the lower guide  16  or the hinge element  40 ,  42  of the adjacent panel  10  when the adjacent panel  10  is opened and panel  10  is open. 
     The panel  10  may in addition comprise a control element  44  attached on the upper edge of the panel, for example, to a lath  18 . The control element  44  is located inside the upper guide  14 , able to move along the upper guide  14 , and at a distance from the hinge element  40 . While inside the upper guide  14 , the control element  44  keeps the panel  10  closed. The upper guide  14  may comprise an opening  30  allowing the control element  44  to exit from the upper guide  14  and to detach from the upper guide  14  in order to make the opening the panel  10  possible. The opening  30  may be situated under the lock part  24 . By the opening  30  may be located an upper control unit  50  which supports the control element  44  exiting from and returning to the upper guide  14 . 
     The panel  10  may comprise a control element  46  fixed to the lower edge of the panel, for example to a lath  20 . The control element  46  is located inside the lower guide  16 , or on top of it, so as to allow the control element  46  to move along the lower guide  16 . The control element  46  is at a distance from the hinge element  42 . The control element  46  moves along the lower guide  16 , for example, by means of a roller or wheel. The control element  46  is allowed to detach or distance itself from the lower guide  16 , thus enabling the opening of the panel  10 . 
     The lower guide  16  may comprise a support part  48 . A support part  48  fixed in place adjacent to the lower guide  16  supports an opening panel  10  which has been moved to a predetermined point for opening the panel  10 . The support part  48  is then at a distance from the hinge element  42  of the opening panel  10 . 
     The hinge element  40  of the panel  10  moving according to the solution presented and  FIGS. 2 and 3  may comprise a shaft journal  60  which is attached, on the one hand, by its lower end to the panel  10 , for example, by means of a lath  18 , and on the other hand, positioned by its upper end inside the upper guide  14 . For the sake of clarity, the upper guide  14  is omitted in  FIG. 2  and cut open at the top in  FIG. 3  as well as in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     The hinge element  40  is attached to the panel  10  rigidly so that, for example, the shaft journal  60  and the structures formed in it turn around rotation axis X 2  together with the panel  10  when the panel  10  is opened. 
     At the upper end of the hinge element  40 , for example, at the end of the shaft journal  60 , are two locking cams  62  extending in opposite directions which rotate with the hinge element  40 . 
     The locking cams  62  are configured to extend parallel with the upper guide  14  and its longitudinal direction when the panel  10  is in a closed position and parallel with the upper guide  14 . The locking cams  62  are directed in opposite directions, diagonally or transversely with respect to the upper guide  14 , when the panel  10  is in the open position, for example, turned by 90° with respect to the upper guide  14  in accordance with  FIG. 3  or  FIG. 4 . 
     The shape of the end surface  66  of each locking cam  62  follows the shape of the circumference of a circle having a radius R 1  and a midpoint located on rotation axis X 2  and a circular disc perpendicular to rotation axis X 2 . Each locking cam  62  is configured so that the end surface  66  covers a predetermined part of the circumference of a circle with radius R 1 , preferably an equal part. The perpendicular distance of the end surface  66  from rotation axis X 2  thus corresponds at most to radius R 1 . 
     The hinge element  40  comprises a tapered section  64  located between two locking cams  62 . The tapered section  64  covers a predetermined part of the circumference of the circle with radius R 1 . The tapered section  64  may cover, on one side of the hinge element  40 , the section of the circumference of the circle with radius R 1  remaining between the locking cams  62  almost completely. The shape of the tapered section  64  is preferably essentially straight and extends parallel with the upper guide  14  and its longitudinal direction when the panel  10  is in a closed position and parallel with the upper guide  14 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The shape of the tapered section  64  extends diagonally or transversely with respect to the upper guide  14 , when the panel  10  is in the open position, for example, turned by 90° with respect to the upper guide  14 , as shown in  FIG. 3  or  FIG. 4 . 
     According to one example and  FIG. 5 , the hinge element  40  comprises a corresponding opposite tapered section  78  located between two locking cams  62  and on opposite side of the hinge element  40  with respect to the rotation axis X 2 . The shape of the opposite tapered section  78  is most preferably essentially straight and parallel with the shape of tapered section  64 . The perpendicular distance between tapered section  64  and the opposite tapered section  78  equals at most distance P 3 . The shape of the said opposite tapered section  78  is sketched with a broken line in the Figure. 
     According to one example and  FIG. 3 , the hinge element  40  may also comprise a guiding edge  68  located between two locking cams  62 . With respect to the tapered section  64 , the guiding edge  68  is located on opposite side of the hinge element  40  and the rotation axis X 2 . 
     According to the first example and  FIG. 3 , the shape of the guiding edge  68  follows the shape of the circumference of a circle having a radius R 2  and a midpoint located on rotation axis X 2  and a circular disc perpendicular to rotation axis X 2 . The guiding edge  68  covers a predetermined part of the circumference of a circle having a radius R 2 . The guiding edge  68  may cover almost completely the section of the circumference of the circle with a radius R 2  remaining between two locking cams  62 . According to another example, the shape of the guiding edge  68  remains inside the above-mentioned circle having a radius R 2 . According to above-mentioned examples, the perpendicular distance of the guiding edge  68  from rotation axis X 2  thus corresponds at most to radius R 2 . 
     Radius R 2  is configured to be smaller than radius R 1 . The distance between the tapered section  64  and the guiding edge  68 , perpendicular with respect to the tapered section  64 , equals at most distance P 3 . 
     The upper guide  14  comprises two or more successive identical locking housings  70 . The locking housings  70  are located successively parallel to the upper guide  14 . The hinge element  40  of the panel  10  is located at the locking housing  70  when the panel  10  is at a predetermined point for opening. Each locking housing  70  comprises locking recesses  74  located on opposite sides of the hinge element  40 . 
     Several successive locking recesses  74  may be configured in the same locking recess part  76  fixed to the upper guide  14 . Opposite locking recesses  74  may be configured in the same locking recess part  76  which is fixed to the upper guide  14  and through which the hinge element  40  can pass from one locking housing  70  to another. 
     The shapes of the two opposite locking recesses  74  of each locking housing  70  follow the shape of the circumference of a circle having a radius R 3 , a midpoint located in the centre of the locking housing  70  and a circular disc at the same time perpendicular to rotation axis X 2 . Each locking recess  74  covers a predetermined part of the circumference of the circle with radius R 3 . 
     From one locking housing  70  to another runs a passage  80  which is located between opposite locking recesses  74 , is parallel with the upper guide  14 , and through which the hinge element  40  can pass into one locking housing  70 , for example, the outermost locking housing  70  of the locking recess part  76 , and from there further to other locking housings  70 . The width of the said passage  80  in the perpendicular direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the upper guide  14  is width P 2 . The hinge element  40  is stopped in a predetermined locking housing  70  to which the panel  10  locks for the purpose of opening. 
     The midpoints of circles having radii R 3  in successive locking housings  70  are most preferably located on the same essentially straight line Z 1  which is parallel with the upper guide  14  and its longitudinal direction. Rotation axis X 2  follows line Z 1  or runs parallel with line Z 1  when the hinge element  40  of the panel  10  moves along the upper guide  14  from one locking housing  70  to another. 
     Radius R 3  is configured to be smaller than radius R 1  by a clearance. Width P 2  is configured to be smaller than two times radius R 1 . Width P 2  is configured to be greater than two times radius R 2  increased by a clearance. Width P 3  is at most equal or is less than width P 2 . According to one example, width P 3  increased by a clearance may correspond to width P 2 . 
     When the panel  10  moves and is parallel with the upper guide  14  as shown in  FIG. 4  or  FIG. 5 , the tapered section  64  faces the locking recess  74  and the locking cams  62  are directed in opposite directions parallel with line Z 1 . The tapered section  64  is most preferably located on the side of the upper guide  14  and line Z 1  towards which the panel  10  turns when it opens, as shown in  FIG. 3 . One of the locking cams  62  then comes into contact with a locking recess  74  already following a slight turn of the panel  10 . The said locking recess  74  is on the same side of line Z 1  as the said tapered section  64 . 
     When the stopped panel  10  is opened, the locking cams  62  turn inside the locking housing  70  and extend in opposite directions diagonally or perpendicularly to line Z 1 . The turning, opening panel  10  is supported through one locking cam  62  first in at least one locking recess  74  which locking cam  62  prevents the panel  10  from falling over or swaying. In the example of  FIG. 3 , when the said panel  10  is opened further, the panel  10  is supported through the opposite locking cam  62  in the opposite locking recess  74 . The locking cams  62  of the opened panel  10  are prevented from moving out of the locking housing due to the ratio of width P 2  to radius R 1  described above. 
     The guiding edge  68  of the turned opened panel  10  faces one locking cam  62  of the adjacent moving closed panel  10 , as shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . 
     According to one example and  FIG. 3 , the locking cam  62  of a moving panel  10  is configured to collide with the guiding edge  68  of the adjacent panel  10  and to stop the panel  10  so that the hinge element  40  will settle in the locking housing  70 . 
     When the guiding edge  68  follows the circumference of a circle with radius R 2 , the opened panel  10  may, in the opened position, be turned within a predetermined sector S 1 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , or towards the adjacent panel  10  to a specific turning angle. The midpoint of sector S 1  is on rotation axis X 2 . Despite the turned position of the opened panel  10 , the hinge element  40  of the adjacent panel  10  may settle in the locking housing  70 , for example, stopped by the guiding edge  68 . At the same time, a collision of the locking cams  62  of adjacent hinge element  40  with one another is prevented. 
     The said sector S 1  extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the upper guide  14  or line Z 1 . The minimum angle and maximum angle of sector S 1  with respect to line Z 1 , or correspondingly the minimum turning angle of an opened panel  10  with respect to line Z 1 , correspond to the opening angles of the panel  10  with respect to the longitudinal direction of the upper guide  14 . The said minimum angle, maximum angle and turning angle depend on the extent of the shape of the guiding edge  68  and of the end surface  66  of the locking cam  62 . 
     The distance P 1  between the midpoints of two successive locking housings  70  corresponds to the distance between adjacent locking housings  70  in the direction of the upper guide  14  and line Z 1 . Distance P 1  is configured to be smaller than two times radius R 3 . Distance P 1  is configured to be smaller than two times radius R 1 . In addition to this, radius R 1  and radius R 2  combined and increased with a clearance correspond to distance P 1 , in other words radius R 1  and radius R 2  combined is less than distance P 1 . 
     According to one example, distance P 1  is configured to be 15-20% less than two times radius R 3  or two times radius R 1 . According to one example, radius R 2  is at most ⅔ of radius R 1  or less. 
     According to one example and  FIG. 2 , the locking cams  62 , guiding edge  68  and locking recesses  74  settle essentially at the same height with respect to rotation axis X 2 , which is vertical in its position of use. The locking cams  62  and the guiding surface  68  may be equally high. The height of the end surfaces  66  of the locking cams  62  equals distance P 5 . The height of the locking recess  74  equals distance P 4 . Distance P 4  is configured to be greater than distance P 5 . It is, in addition, most preferable that distance P 4  is at least five times, or at least seven times, distance P 5 . Due to this, the position of the upper guide  14  and the locking housings  70  in elevation with respect to the panel  10  and the hinge element  40  is allowed to change or may be adjusted. 
     The upper guide  14  and/or the lower guide  16 , or lath  18  and/or lath  20  are, according to one example, made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy, and have a continuous or elongated in shape. It is also possible to use other materials and metals. 
     The hinge element  32 ,  34 ,  40 ,  42  or the control element  36 ,  38 ,  44 ,  46  or the locking recess part  76  is most preferably a piece made of plastic material but other materials, such as metal, may also be used. 
     According to one example, the panel  10 ,  12  is made of tempered glass. It is also possible to use other glass materials and sheet-like materials. The panel  10 ,  12  is preferably transparent, but opaque panels can also be used. 
     The solution presented is not limited only to the alternatives and examples shown in the accompanying Figures or specifically disclosed in the foregoing description, or to which reference has been made in the description. The features disclosed in the foregoing may be combined and implemented in various combinations. 
     The different embodiments of the solution are disclosed in the accompanying claims.