Patent Description:
A balcony door is understood to mean a folding door to a balcony, terrace, outdoor area or the like.

A balcony door differs from an ordinary door in that said balcony door is used less intensively, besides providing access to the balcony or terrace is also used for ventilation and can also only be operated from one side (the inside), i.e. opened and closed, in the same way as windows.

Furthermore, it is known that doors and windows are provided with fittings. A difference is made between window fittings and door fittings, in view of their different functions.

The fittings comprise, among others, lock fittings to be able to shut or lock the door or window leaf in the door or window frame, hinge fittings, turn fittings or tilt-turn fittings which allow hinging the door or window leaf relative to the fixed door or window frame, handles and handholds, and the like.

Said fittings are mounted in grooves provided for this purpose, the so-called fitting grooves, said grooves being provided in the profiles forming the window and/or door leaf. Corresponding fittings are mounted in the window or door frame.

Window fittings are provided in all four profiles forming the leaf, thus also in the bottom profile, whereby in all four profiles forming the frame, cooperative or corresponding fittings are provided.

For an ordinary door, typically no door fittings are provided in the bottom profile of the leaf and the bottom profile of the frame is often omitted.

Bottom profile of the leaf or the frame is understood to mean the horizontal profile located below the installed or mounted window.

Traditionally, a balcony door, in view of its functions, is provided with window fittings, whereby fittings are thus also provided in the bottom profiles of the leaf and the frame.

Thus, a bottom profile is provided with the frame in a balcony door, which is concealed in the floor for the most part.

As a result of this, the underside of the leaf will drag over the floor and affect normal operation and functioning of the balcony door.

To prevent this, the fitting groove in the bottom profile of the frame could be raised by adapting the design of the bottom profile, causing the leaf profile to be higher, such that it no longer drags over the floor.

Such solution corresponds with a standard window detail, but is not, however, allowed in doors according to accessibility regulations, which prescribe a maximum threshold height, i.e. the maximum height with which the bottom profile is allowed to protrude from the frame above the floor. Such regulations vary from country to country.

To meet said building regulations, there is no possibility to create a stop on the bottom profile of the frame and instead a stop profile needs to be mounted on the underside of the leaf.

A disadvantage of this is that said stop profile may collide with the (window) fitting components mounted on the bottom profile of the frame when the balcony door is opened.

The stop profile is a profile on the bottom profile of the leaf which makes contact with the bottom profile of the frame to obtain a good weathertightness when the balcony door is shut.

To remedy this, said stop profile should be higher, but then the weathertightness can no longer be guaranteed because the stop profile no longer makes sufficient contact with the bottom profile of the frame.

Another solution consists in lowering the fitting groove in the bottom profile of the leaf.

This can be done by mounting, for example, a lowering profile specifically designed to that end provided with a standard fitting groove, in the fitting groove of a standard bottom profile. Document <CIT> shows a balcony door with such a lowering profile.

An advantage of this is that the standard, existing profiles of a leaf can be used.

The result is again that in this way the leaf of the balcony door is higher, such that the fittings in the bottom profile of the leaf and the frame do not collide with other components of the leaf and the frame when opening the balcony door.

A disadvantage is that said lowering profile is not mitred and obviously is only mounted in the bottom profile, such that the fitting groove is no longer continuous from the horizontal bottom profile to the vertical profiles of the leaf.

The lowering profile can consequently not continue to the outer edge of the leaf profiles, as in this way no fittings can be mounted in the fitting groove in the vertical profiles of the leaf.

The consequence is that the fittings in the fitting grooves of the lowering profile and the vertical profiles are not supported in this zone.

Over time this will inevitably lead to problems because the fittings will not be completely fixed, will shift or sag such that the balcony door will no longer function properly.

A possible solution would be to give the ends of the lowering profile an especially adapted form or to give the bottom leaf profile a special form, but consequently an extrusion profile can no longer be used for said lowering profile and the bottom leaf profile. Furthermore, for every dimension and every type of balcony door a special bottom leaf profile or lowering profile would have to be made.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution to at least one of the aforementioned and other disadvantages.

The object of the present invention is an accessory for a balcony door consisting of a frame constructed from four frame profiles and a leaf with four mitred leaf profiles, whereby the frame profiles and leaf profiles are provided with fitting grooves, whereby in a fitting groove of a bottom leaf profile a lowering profile is mounted with a fitting groove profile, whereby said lowering profile is cut or sawn off straight at least at one end, whereby the accessory is intended to be mounted to a straight cut or sawn off end of the lowering profile, whereby the accessory is provided with a groove section which can be slid on the fitting groove of the lowering profile which contains a partial extension of the fitting groove of the lowering profile and a partial extension of a fitting groove of a leaf profile adjoining the bottom leaf profile, with an arm adjoining the groove section which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction and in a plane of the fitting groove of the lowering profile and which comprises first means to affix the accessory to the lowering profile.

Hereby, the groove section is a section that does not necessarily possess a groove form, but a section that is provided with (fitting) grooves.

This provides the advantage that such accessory will be an extension of the lowering profile.

The lowering profile is, as already mentioned, not as long as the bottom leaf profile, such that the ends of the bottom leaf profile, or thus the bottom corners of the leaf frame are not covered by the lowering profile.

The accessory will ensure the coverage of said ends and corners, such that the fittings in the fitting grooves of the bottom leaf profile and a leaf profile are supported.

The accessory will thus ensure that the fittings in the fitting grooves are fully supported and secured.

Furthermore, the accessory will ensure an extension of the fitting groove of the lowering profile. To this end the groove section will contain a partial extension of the fitting groove of the lowering profile in the form of a fitting groove which after mounting the accessory adjoins seamlessly to the fitting groove of the lowering profile.

Additionally, the accessory will also ensure an extension of a fitting groove of a leaf profile adjoining the bottom leaf profile. To this end, the groove section will contain a partial extension of a fitting groove of a leaf profile adjoining the bottom leaf profile in the form of a fitting groove which after mounting the accessory lies in the extension of and possibly adjoins seamlessly to the fitting groove of the leaf profile.

Said leaf profile is a leaf profile that adjoins the bottom leaf profile, and will thus extend vertically.

The aforementioned partial extensions in the form of two fitting grooves will be perpendicular to each other, as the fitting groove of the lowering profile and the fitting groove of the aforementioned leaf profile will also extend perpendicularly to each other.

At the same time the accessory will not block the fitting grooves in the bottom leaf profile and lowering profile such that the necessary fittings can be easily slid in the fitting grooves.

The arm of the accessory will be oriented such that it comes into contact with the lowering profile, more specifically the straight sawn or cut off end and can be affixed against it with the aforementioned first means.

The arm extends in a plane of the fitting groove, this means that at least one plane in which the fitting groove lies is also a plane in which the arm will lie.

According to a preferred characteristic of the invention the accessory is constructed from a first component and a second component, whereby the first component is made from metal and comprises the aforementioned groove section and arm and whereby the second component is made from a synthetic material and comprises a first part that can be slid over the arm of the first component and comprises second means for affixing to the lowering profile and a second extending part that extends in a direction transversely to the plane of the first part, whereby said second extending part is provided with third means for affixing to the lowering profile.

An advantage of this is that by combining a metal component with a synthetic material component, a combination of strength for supporting fittings by the metal component with an aesthetic finish and weathertightness by the synthetic material component is made possible.

In a practical embodiment, the accessory is provided with detailings which fit in corresponding detailings on the bottom leaf profile.

The accessory is mounted and affixed with one side to the straight sawn off end of the lowering profile. Another side of the accessory will partially lean against the bottom leaf profile, whereby the corresponding detailings can cooperate with each other for ensuring an affixing of the accessory to the bottom leaf profile.

This will ensure a good and seamless connection of the accessory to the lowering profile and to the bottom leaf profile.

The invention also relates to a balcony door consisting of a frame constructed from four mitred frame profiles and a leaf with four mitred leaf profiles, whereby the frame and leaf profiles are provided with fitting grooves, whereby in a fitting groove of a bottom leaf profile a lowering profile is mounted with a fitting groove profile, whereby said lowering profile is cut or sawn off straight at least at one end, whereby the balcony door is equipped with an accessory mounted to a straight cut or sawn off end of the lowering profile, whereby the accessory is provided with a groove section which can be slid on the fitting groove of the lowering profile which contains a partial extension of the fitting groove of the lowering profile and a partial extension of a fitting groove of a leaf profile adjoining the bottom leaf profile, with an arm adjoining the groove section which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction and in a plane of the fitting groove of the lowering profile and which comprises first means to affix the accessory to the lowering profile.

The advantages of such balcony door are of course similar to the aforementioned advantages of the accessory.

With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, a few preferred embodiments of an accessory according to the invention for a balcony door and a balcony door equipped with such accessory are described hereinafter by way of an example, without any limiting nature, with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:.

<FIG> schematically shows a balcony door <NUM> according to the invention.

As is known, the balcony door <NUM> consists of a frame <NUM> with a movable leaf <NUM> affixed therein.

The leaf <NUM> is able to open like a door, and it is not excluded that the leaf <NUM> can also be put in a tilting position.

The frame <NUM> is constructed from four frame profiles <NUM>. Three of said frame profiles <NUM> are identical and mitred, whereby the fourth frame profile <NUM>, the lower horizontal frame profile <NUM>', is sawn off straight and transversely connected to two vertical frame profiles <NUM>.

It is not excluded that four identical and mitred frame profiles <NUM>, <NUM>' are used to form a rectangular frame.

The lower horizontal frame profile <NUM>' is partially concealed in the ground or floor <NUM>.

This is necessary to ensure that no or only a limited height of the lower horizontal frame profile <NUM>' protrudes from the ground or floor <NUM>.

The leaf <NUM> is constructed from four leaf profiles <NUM>, which are mitred to form a rectangular leaf <NUM> corresponding with the frame <NUM>.

The lower horizontal leaf profile <NUM>' is hereinafter referred to as bottom leaf profile <NUM>'.

The leaf <NUM> is provided with a panel <NUM>, for example from glass, which fits in the leaf <NUM>.

As is known, the frame and leaf profiles <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>' are provided with fitting grooves <NUM> respectively <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cross-section of the lower leaf and frame profile <NUM>', <NUM>'.

In this <FIG> the fitting grooves <NUM>, <NUM> in said profiles <NUM>', <NUM>' are visible. The other leaf and frame profiles <NUM>, <NUM> also comprise such fitting grooves.

As known, the profiles <NUM>', <NUM>' in this case are constructed from two half-shells 10a, 10b which are connected by insulation profiles <NUM>. Obviously the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the figure and the profiles <NUM>', <NUM>' may possess different cross-sections without departing from the scope of the invention.

A lowering profile <NUM> is mounted in a fitting groove <NUM> of a bottom leaf profile <NUM>'.

Said lowering profile <NUM> is provided with a fitting groove <NUM> and in essence ensures that the fitting groove <NUM> of the bottom leaf profile <NUM>' comes to lie lower as it were or is replaced by a subjacent fitting groove <NUM>.

The lowering profile <NUM> is cut off straight, at least at one end <NUM> and preferably at both ends.

The length of the lowering profile <NUM> is practically as long as the length of the bottom leaf profile <NUM>'.

According to the invention an accessory <NUM> according to the invention is mounted on the straight cut or sawn off ends <NUM> of the lowering profile <NUM>, as schematically shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a bottom view of the bottom leaf profile <NUM>' whereby the lowering profile <NUM> is mounted on the bottom.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of <FIG>, whereby the lowering profile <NUM> is omitted for the sake of clarity.

The accessory <NUM> is shown in more detail in <FIG>.

The accessory <NUM> as shown in <FIG> is in this case, but not necessarily according to the invention, constructed from two components 16a, 16b.

The first component 16a as shown in <FIG> is made from metal, such as for example steel, and comprises a groove section <NUM> and an arm <NUM> adjoining thereto.

The groove section <NUM> can be slid on the fitting groove <NUM> of the lowering profile <NUM> and comprises a partial extension <NUM> of the fitting groove <NUM> of the lowering profile <NUM>.

Said partial extension <NUM> is a fitting groove <NUM> which is identical to the fitting groove <NUM> of the lowering profile <NUM> in terms of dimensions and design.

The groove section <NUM> also comprises a partial extension <NUM> of a fitting groove of a leaf profile <NUM> adjoining the bottom leaf profile <NUM>'. Said leaf profile <NUM> extends in the horizontal direction.

Said partial extension <NUM> too is a fitting groove <NUM> which is identical to the fitting groove <NUM> of the aforementioned horizontal leaf profile in terms of dimensions and design.

The arm <NUM> adjoining the groove section <NUM> extends transversely to the longitudinal direction and in a plane of the fitting groove <NUM> of the lowering profile <NUM>.

The arm <NUM> comprises first means <NUM> to affix the accessory <NUM> to the lowering profile <NUM>.

In this case, but not necessarily for the invention, said first means <NUM> are one or more cavities, passages or threaded holes <NUM> to be able to affix the accessory <NUM> to the lowering profile <NUM> using screws or the like. It is understood that said first means <NUM> can be executed in different ways.

In this case, but not necessarily for the invention, the first component 16a also comprises a protruding lip <NUM> that connects to the groove section <NUM>.

The lip <NUM> extends transversely to the arm <NUM> and in a plane parallel with the fitting groove <NUM> of the lowering profile <NUM>.

The aforementioned second component 16b as shown in <FIG> is made of synthetic material, such as for example PVC.

It comprises a first part <NUM> that can be slid over the arm <NUM> of the first component 16a.

To this end, the first part <NUM> has a U-shaped cross-section.

Said first part <NUM> furthermore comprises second means <NUM> to be able to affix the second component 16b to the lowering profile <NUM>.

In this case said second means <NUM> comprise one or more cavities, passages or threaded holes <NUM>, which correspond with the cavities, passages or threaded holes <NUM> of the arm <NUM> of the first component 16a.

The second component 16b also comprises a second extending part <NUM>. Said part <NUM> extends in a direction transversely to the plane of the first part <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the second component 16b is provided with a flat stop surface <NUM> and <NUM> respectively on the first part <NUM> and on the second extended part <NUM> at an end face.

Said two stop surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> ensure a weathertight seal (the stop surface <NUM> on the first part <NUM>) and an aesthetic finish (the stop surface <NUM> on the second extended part <NUM>).

The second extending part <NUM> is provided with third means <NUM> for affixing to the lowering profile <NUM>.

In this case, but not necessarily for the embodiment, said third means <NUM> comprise a protruding peg <NUM> which fit in a corresponding cavity, detailling or groove in the lowering profile <NUM> when the accessory <NUM> is mounted to the lowering profile <NUM>.

Finally in this case, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the accessory <NUM> is provided with detailings <NUM> which fit in corresponding detailings <NUM> on the bottom leaf profile <NUM>'.

In this case, the detailings <NUM> are mounted on the first part <NUM> of the second component 16b of the accessory <NUM>.

The operation of the accessory <NUM> is very simple and as follows.

The composed leaf <NUM> of a balcony door <NUM> is provided with a lowering profile <NUM> on the bottom leaf profile <NUM>', as shown in <FIG>.

An accessory <NUM> as shown in <FIG> is mounted on the straight cut or sawn off end <NUM>. This can be seen in <FIG>.

It is hereby ensured that the protruding peg <NUM> ends up in the straight cut or sawn off end of the lowering profile. The same applies to the protruding lip <NUM>.

Screws or the like are inserted through the cavities <NUM>, <NUM> to be able to affix the accessory <NUM> to the lowering profile <NUM>.

Subsequently, the desired fittings can be mounted in the fitting grooves <NUM> of the lowering profile <NUM> and the vertical leaf profile <NUM>.

Through the fitting grooves <NUM> and <NUM> in the groove section <NUM> of the accessory <NUM>, the fittings can be easily slid in the fitting groove <NUM> of the lowering profile <NUM>, respectively in the fitting groove of the vertical leaf profile <NUM>.

Indeed note that the accessory <NUM> will not block the fitting groove in the vertical leaf profile <NUM>.

The presence of the accessory <NUM> means the fittings will be fully supported.

Consequently, using the accessory <NUM> it is not only possible to work with the lowering profile <NUM>, but also to fully and correctly support the fittings such that the fittings remain neatly in the relevant fitting grooves during use.

Claim 1:
Accessory for a balcony door (<NUM>) consisting of a frame (<NUM>) constructed from four frame profiles (<NUM>, <NUM>') and a leaf (<NUM>) with four mitred leaf profiles (<NUM>, <NUM>'), whereby the frame profiles and leaf profiles (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>') are provided with fitting grooves (<NUM>, <NUM>), whereby in a fitting groove (<NUM>) of a bottom leaf profile (<NUM>') a lowering profile (<NUM>) is mounted with a fitting groove (<NUM>), whereby said lowering profile (<NUM>) is cut or sawn off straight at least at one end (<NUM>), characterised in that the accessory (<NUM>) is intended to be mounted to a straight cut or sawn off end (<NUM>) of the lowering profile (<NUM>), whereby the accessory (<NUM>) is provided with a groove section (<NUM>) which can be slid on the fitting groove (<NUM>) of the lowering profile (<NUM>) which contains a partial extension (<NUM>) of the fitting groove (<NUM>) of the lowering profile (<NUM>) and a partial extension (<NUM>) of a fitting groove (<NUM>) of a leaf profile (<NUM>) adjoining the bottom leaf profile (<NUM>'), with an arm (<NUM>) adjoining the groove section (<NUM>) which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction and in a plane of the fitting groove (<NUM>) of the lowering profile (<NUM>) and which comprises first means (<NUM>) to affix the accessory (<NUM>) to the lowering profile (<NUM>).