Patent Description:
Position adjustments for plates of large scale, for instance glass plates in the size of several meters, are usually difficult to perform in order to achieve a desired alignment. This difficulty may occur when alignment is applied at one end of the large plate and where a slight movement or misalignment (e.g., of about <NUM> millimeters) at the that end, e.g. bottom of the plate, translates into a large movement or misalignment (e.g., of about <NUM> millimeters) at the top for large scale plates, thereby causing an undesired inclination of the plate.

Plates of large scale having even the slightest inclination may suffer from structural damage with time (e.g., within a year of installation), and in some cases may require replacement of the entire plate. It would therefore be advantageous to provide a solution for easy to perform and accurate alignment of plates. It describes a holding system for an all-glass railing consisting of a U-shaped floor profile for attachment to the ground, in the guide channel of which glass supports and glass wedges are placed in order to place one in the guide channel between the glass supports and glass wedges to hold and fix the glass pane to be received. <CIT> describes an ornamental handrail assembly is disclosed which provides an improved base assembly for mounting the glass panels such that the panels are easily leveled without removing the panels from the base assembly.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which illustrates a perspective view of a plate stabilizing device <NUM> positioned within a portion of an external plate profile <NUM>. External U-shaped plate profile <NUM> includes two walls <NUM> such that plate stabilizing device <NUM> may be positioned and/or coupled therebetween, for example engaging base <NUM> of external plate profile <NUM>. It may be appreciated that only a portion of external U-shaped plate profile <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>.

The plate stabilizing device <NUM> moves along a longitudinal axis 'Y' of external U-shaped plate profile <NUM>, as indicated with a double headed dashed arrow in <FIG>, for example for positioning plate stabilizing device <NUM> in a desired position.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which show the plate stabilizing device <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a perspective view of plate stabilizing device <NUM> and <FIG> illustrates a bottom perspective view of the same.

Plate stabilizing device <NUM> includes an external segment <NUM>, corresponding in its outer shape to the external U-shaped plate profile <NUM> and configured to fit therein (e.g., as shown in <FIG>). The external segment <NUM> includes a socket <NUM> adapted to at least partially accommodate an external alignment tool <NUM> (e.g., as shown in <FIG>) through a passage serving as a turning point for the external alignment tool <NUM>, as further described hereinafter.

Plate stabilizing device <NUM> further includes an internal segment <NUM>, configured to accommodate an end side, such as bottom portion, of the plate and adapted to slide within external segment <NUM> along a transversal axis 'X' perpendicular to the the longitudinal axis of external segment <NUM>, which coincides with the longitudinal axis 'Y' of the external U-shaped plate profile <NUM> when installed in it. In some embodiments, engagement of alignment tool <NUM> with external segment <NUM> is configured to indicate an angle of inclination of the plate. In some embodiments, internal segment <NUM> includes an alignment tool wedge-like portion <NUM> capable of accommodating a tip <NUM> of the alignment tool <NUM> (e.g., as shown in <FIG>). According to some embodiments, at least one of external segment <NUM> and internal segment <NUM> includes an elastic and/or resilient material.

The internal segment <NUM> is configured to move transversally to the longitudinal axis 'Y' when external segment <NUM> slides along the longitudinal axis 'Y', as further described hereinafter. The internal segment <NUM> includes an elastic bottom portion <NUM> configured to prevent or resist movement of internal segment along the longitudinal axis of base <NUM> and concurrently allow movement of internal segment <NUM> transerversal to the longitudiunal axis of base <NUM> of the external U-shaped plate profile <NUM> (e.g., as shown in <FIG>). Accordingly, when externlal segment <NUM> is forced by alignment tool <NUM> to move along the longitudinal axis, as descrinbed below, internal segment <NUM> will resist movement with external segment <NUM> in that direction, but will be forced to move transversally to that direction. Since the resistance of internal segment <NUM> to move longitudinally is due to friction prodcuced by elongated prtrusions formed on the bottom face of bottom portion <NUM>, when plate stabilizing device <NUM> carries the weight of a plate, such as plate <NUM> (<FIG>), the resistance force grows bigger, thereby ensuring longitudinal stability of plate <NUM> with respect to external U-shaped plate profile <NUM>. In some embodiments, bottom portion <NUM> includes an aperture <NUM>.

The external segment <NUM> is moved by alignment tool <NUM> when the alignment tool is inserted through the passage and rests at wedge-like portion <NUM> such that alignment tool <NUM> is rotatably turned about the passage thereby sliding external segment <NUM> along the longitudinal axis 'Y'.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which illustrates a frontal view of alignment tool <NUM> engaged with wedge-like portion <NUM> of internal segment <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the invention. The alignment tool <NUM> is inserted, for instance by a user, into wedge-like portion <NUM> while internal segment <NUM> accommodates a bottom portion of the plate, as further describe hereinafter. It may be appreciated that moderate movements by alignment tool <NUM> may cause external segment <NUM> to move relatively to internal segment <NUM> along the longitudinal axis 'Y', and thereby move internal segment <NUM> along the transversal axis 'X' so as to align the plate accommodated by internal segment <NUM>. In some embodiments, movement of external segment <NUM> allows fine-tuning, for instance with long movement of the user causing small movement of the plate stabilizing device.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which illustrates a frontal partial view of extrnal segment <NUM> moved to a first end and second end relative to internal segment <NUM> by alignment tool <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the invention. It may be appreciated that the user moving alignment tool <NUM>, for instance engaged with wedge-like portion <NUM> of internal segment <NUM>, may move external segment <NUM> between a first end (as shown in <FIG>) and a second end (as shown in <FIG>).

In some embodiments, alignment tool <NUM> is reusable and after aligning a first plate, a second plate is aligned in a similar fashion with the same alignment tool <NUM>. In some embodiments, it is possible to know where, inside the range of tuning, i.e. the range of transversal movement of internal segment <NUM> with respect to external segment <NUM> as a result of angular inclination of alignment tool <NUM> about the tips of socket <NUM>, plate stabilizing device <NUM> resides just by insertion of alignment tool <NUM> and realizing its angle of inclination with respect to a predetermined reference angle.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which illustrates a top view of plate stabilizing device <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the invention. It may be appreciated that external segment <NUM> is moved, for instance by alignment tool <NUM>, along the longitudinal axis 'Y' of plate stabilizing device <NUM>, thereby moving internal segment <NUM> along the transverse axis 'X' indicated with a double headed dashed arrow in <FIG>.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which illustrates a perspective view of the internal segment <NUM> and external segment <NUM> respectively, according to some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, external segment <NUM> includes a first window <NUM> configured to accommodate a corresponding first projection <NUM> of internal segment <NUM>, where first projection <NUM> includes wedge-like portion <NUM>. It may be appreciated that movement of internal segment <NUM> within external segment <NUM>, for instance external segment <NUM> moved by alignment tool <NUM>, may cause first projection <NUM> to move inside first window <NUM>. It should be appreciated that according to some embodiments the range of movement of projection <NUM> inside window <NUM> defines the range of tuning.

The external segment <NUM> further includes at least one second window <NUM> configured to accommodate at least one corresponding second projection <NUM> of internal segment <NUM>. In some embodiments, internal segment <NUM> further includes at least one third projection <NUM>, for example shaped as vertical trapezoid. It may be appreciated that second projections <NUM> is configured to cause the transversal movement when sliding abut inclined surfaces of corresponding second window <NUM>. Similarly to movement within first window <NUM>, movement of internal segment <NUM> within external segment <NUM>, for instance when external segment <NUM> moved by alignment tool <NUM>, may cause at least one second projection <NUM> to move inside at least one second window <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, internal segment <NUM> includes a tilted surface <NUM> (e.g., tilted in respect to bottom portion <NUM>) corresponding in shape to socket <NUM> of external segment <NUM>. For example, alignment tool <NUM> moving external segment <NUM> along the longitudinal axis to a first end, may contact socket <NUM> and tilted surface <NUM>.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which illustrate a perspective view and a back perspective view of a plate <NUM> coupled to plate stabilizing device <NUM> within external plate profile <NUM> respectively, according to some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, additional utility elements are coupled and/or attached to external plate profile <NUM> in order to further stabilize and/or align and/or provide sealing and/or cladding to plate <NUM>. Plate <NUM> may be, for instance, a glass plate of twenty millimeter thickness.

In some embodiments, at least one first hanging profile <NUM> and/or at least one second hanging profile <NUM> is attached to a first side 10a of external plate profile <NUM> in order to attach external plate profile <NUM> to an existing structure (e.g. attach to a wall). In some embodiments, at least one first cladding attachment <NUM> is attached to first side 10a in order to at least partially cover external plate profile <NUM>. In some embodiments, an elastic barrier <NUM> is attached to first cladding attachment <NUM> in order to prevent contact with plate <NUM>. According to some embodiments, a user uses alignment tool <NUM> (e.g., moving tool <NUM> along the plane 'YZ') to move external segment <NUM> located inside plate stabilizing device <NUM> along the longitudinal axis 'Y', whereby internal segment <NUM> may not move along the longitudinal axis 'Y' due to coupling with plate <NUM>. Thus, moving internal segment <NUM> along the transverse axis 'X', so as to move the bottom end 300a of plate <NUM> transversally, thereby inclining plate <NUM> along the plane 'XZ' to a desired inclination angle about inclination fixed point provided by a resilient barrier <NUM> (e.g. made of glass) thereby enabling alignment of plate <NUM>, prior to attachment of first cladding attachment <NUM>. In some embodiments, the resilient barrier <NUM> is attached to external plate profile <NUM>, for instance attached to a top groove <NUM> in external plate profile <NUM>, in order to provide a longitudinal pivot element and thereby further stabilize plate <NUM>.

In some embodiments, at least one second cladding attachment <NUM> is attached to a second side 10b (opposite to first side 10a) of external plate profile <NUM> in order to at least partially cover external plate profile <NUM> from the external side. In some embodiments, an elastic barrier <NUM> is attached to second cladding attachment <NUM> in order to prevent contact with plate <NUM>. In some embodiments, second cladding attachment <NUM> has a shape and/or size configured to be compatible with an exterior of a wall, for example compatible with a drywall. In some embodiments, second cladding attachment <NUM> includes a bottom groove <NUM> configured to allow engagement with additional external elements.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which illustrate a top view and a perspective view of a plate locking wedge <NUM> respectively, according to some embodiments of the invention. According to some embodiments, at least one wedge <NUM> is attached to external plate profile <NUM> in order to further align plate <NUM>, as further described hereinafter.

Wedge <NUM> may include a body <NUM> configured to attach and/or couple with external plate profile <NUM>. Body <NUM> may include at least one recess configured to allow accommodation of at least one of first slab <NUM> and second slab <NUM>, wherein the surface of at least one of first slab <NUM> and second slab <NUM> may be configured to engage plate <NUM>. According to some embodiments body <NUM> is attached to plate <NUM> while at least one of first slab <NUM> and second slab <NUM> is configured to engage with external plate profile <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, at least one of first slab <NUM> and second slab <NUM> is narrower at one end, so as to allow wedge operation including partial movement of the slab along movement line parallel to the longitudinal axis and thereby at least partially engage the plate. In some embodiments, first slab <NUM> is narrower at a first end 40a, and second slab <NUM> is narrower at a second opposite end <NUM>.

In some embodiments, first slab <NUM> is configured to move within the recess in an opposite direction to the movement of second slab <NUM>. In some embodiments, movement of at least one of first slab <NUM> and second slab <NUM> towards the center of wedge <NUM> may move adjacent plate <NUM> away from wedge <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least one of first slab <NUM> and second slab <NUM> is moved by an external tool, for instance operated by the user.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which illustrates a back perspective view of the plate locking wedge <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the invention. Plate locking wedge <NUM> may further include a tilting lock <NUM>, configured to secure plate locking wedge <NUM> into it's position within external plate profile <NUM>. It should be appreciated that such securing of the position may allow plate locking wedge <NUM> to be resilient to force applied by plate <NUM> upon engagement with plate locking wedge <NUM>, thus maintaining position of plate locking wedge <NUM>.

In some embodiments, securing of the position of plate locking wedge <NUM> is achieved with tilting lock <NUM> that swivels about a tilting axis indicated with a dashed arrow marked 'T'. Tilting lock <NUM> may include a first retractable protrusion <NUM>, configured to protrude from back side 40c of wedge <NUM>, and a second retractable protrusion <NUM>, configured to protrude from frontal side 40d of wedge <NUM>, that tilt together with first retractable protrusion <NUM> about the tilting axis. When first retractable protrusion <NUM> protrudes from back side 40c then second retractable protrusion <NUM> retracts from frontal side 40d, and vice versa when second retractable protrusion <NUM> protrudes from frontal side 40d then first retractable protrusion <NUM> retracts from back side 40c and inwards to plate locking wedge <NUM>.

In some embodiments, first retractable protrusion <NUM> is configured to engage top groove <NUM> of external plate profile <NUM> (for instance as shown in <FIG>) in order to abut top groove <NUM> and thereby secure the position of wedge <NUM> until first retractable protrusion <NUM> is retracted and stop abutting top groove <NUM>.

In some embodiments, plate locking wedge <NUM> further includes at least one stopper <NUM> configured to resist movement of first slab <NUM> and/or second slab <NUM>, as further described hereinafter.

In some embodiments, at least one of first slab <NUM> and second slab <NUM> includes a first channel <NUM> and a second channel <NUM>. First channel <NUM> may at least partially accommodate stopper <NUM>, so as to limit movement of first slab <NUM> and/or second slab <NUM> due to stopper <NUM> resisting movement thereof. Thus, any movement of first slab <NUM> and/or second slab <NUM> may be refined such that accurate positioning of first slab <NUM> and/or second slab <NUM> may be.

According to some embodiments, the securing of plate locking wedge <NUM> into it's position within external plate profile <NUM>, is achieved with movement of first slab <NUM> thereby engaging tilting lock <NUM> so as to cause first retractable protrusion <NUM> to abut top groove <NUM> of external plate profile <NUM>. It should be appreciated that movement of first slab <NUM> and/or second slab <NUM>, towards the center of plate locking wedge <NUM>, may also tighten the positioning of plate <NUM> into place, due to the inclined surfaces of first slab <NUM> and/or second slab <NUM> that may push plate <NUM> while moving closer to center of plate locking wedge <NUM>. In some embodiments, movement of first slab <NUM> and/or second slab <NUM> is achieved with a dedicated external tool.

In some embodiments, a reverse movement of first slab <NUM> and/or second slab <NUM> (away from the center of plate locking wedge <NUM>) releases the tightening of plate <NUM>. In some embodiments, first slab <NUM> and/or second slab <NUM> is pulled by pulling edges <NUM> thereof. It should be appreciated that movement of tilting lock <NUM> (e.g., movement of first retractable protrusion <NUM>) to release top groove <NUM> may be accomplished only when first retractable protrusion <NUM> is completele moved away from the center of plate locking wedge <NUM>. In some embodiments, if plate locking wedge <NUM> no longer abuts top groove <NUM>, then it is possible to retrieve plate locking wedge <NUM> from external plate profile <NUM>, for instance, using a dedicated tool.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which shows a flow chart for a method of aligning a plate <NUM> within an external plate profile <NUM>. The method includes providing <NUM> an external segment <NUM>, corresponding in shape to the external plate profile <NUM>, wherein the external segment <NUM> includes a socket <NUM> adapted to at least partially accommodate an external alignment tool <NUM> through a passage serving as a turning point for the external alignment tool <NUM>, and providing <NUM> an internal segment <NUM>, configured to accommodate a bottom portion of plate <NUM> and slide within external segment <NUM> along the transversal axis of external plate profile <NUM>.

The method further includes positioning <NUM> internal segment <NUM> within the external segment <NUM>. The method further includes positioning <NUM> external segment <NUM> within the external plate profile <NUM>. The method further includes accommodating <NUM> a portion of plate <NUM> in internal segment <NUM>. The method further includes moving <NUM> external segment <NUM> with external alignment tool <NUM>. The method further includes moving <NUM> internal segment <NUM> within the external segment <NUM>. The method furthers include aligning <NUM> plate <NUM> to a desired position.

In some embodiments, the method further includes engaging external alignment tool <NUM> with socket <NUM>, wherein engagement of external segment <NUM> with external alignment tool <NUM> is configured to indicate an angle of inclination of the plate <NUM>. In some embodiments, the method further includes providing at least one additional external segment <NUM> and/or providing at least one additional internal segment <NUM>.

The internal segment <NUM> includes an alignment tool wedge-like portion <NUM> capable of accommodating a tip <NUM> of the alignment tool <NUM>, and wherein the method further includes engaging tip <NUM> of external alignment tool <NUM> with the wedge-like portion <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A system for the alignment of a plate, the system comprising an external U-shaped plate profile (<NUM>), a plate stabilizing device (<NUM>) and an alignment tool (<NUM>), the plate stabilizing device (<NUM>) being configured to couple with the external U-shaped plate profile (<NUM>), the device comprising:
an external segment (<NUM>), corresponding in shape to the external U-shaped plate profile (<NUM>) and configured to fit therein; and
an internal segment (<NUM>), configured to accommodate a bottom portion of the plate,
characterized in that
the external segment (<NUM>) comprises a socket adapted to at least partially accommodate the external alignment tool through a passage serving as a turning point for the external alignment tool (<NUM>),
the internal segment (<NUM>) comprising an alignment tool wedge-like portion (<NUM>) capable of accommodating a tip (<NUM>) of the alignment tool (<NUM>), wherein the internal segment (<NUM>) comprises an elastic bottom portion (<NUM>) configured to resist movement of the internal segment (<NUM>) along a longitudinal axis of the external U-shaped plate profile (<NUM>),
wherein the internal segment (<NUM>) is configured to move, within the external segment (<NUM>), transversally to the longitudinal axis of the external U-shaped plate profile (<NUM>) when the external segment (<NUM>) is forced by alignment tool (<NUM>) to move along the longitudinal axis; and
wherein the external segment (<NUM>) is configured to be moved by the alignment tool (<NUM>) when the alignment tool (<NUM>) is inserted through the passage at the wedge-like portion (<NUM>) such that the alignment tool (<NUM>) is rotatably turned about the passage thereby sliding the external segment (<NUM>) along the longitudinal axis,
wherein the external segment (<NUM>) further includes at least one second window (<NUM>) configured to accommodate at least one corresponding second projection (<NUM>) of the internal segment (<NUM>), and wherein the at least one second projection (<NUM>) is configured to cause the tranversal movement when sliding abut inclined surfaces of the corresponding second window (<NUM>).