Patent Description:
Such terrace canopies are usually set up to screen off or clear an outdoor area. For instance, such screen devices are often set up near houses, restaurants, shops, etc. to screen off an outdoor terrace or the like from sunlight, precipitation and/or wind, or conversely, to temporarily allow in sunlight. These terrace canopies can be implemented, for example, in the form of awnings, pergolas, verandas, carports, a pavilion, etc..

Such a terrace canopy typically comprises a roof frame that is at least partially supported by columns. Exceptionally, the roof frame may also be supported by another roof construction. The roof frame is generally constructed of several beams that are composed into one or more frames into which a roof infill can be attached. The beams themselves are often a composition of a plurality of individual profiles. Such a roof frame is typically supported by four (or more) columns between which a wall infill may be provided. Likewise, less columns may be used in case the roof frame is supported by other structures, such as a wall of an already existing structure.

The roof infill may be stationary or movable, for example, a retractable roof. The roof infill of a retractable roof may, for instance, consist of a rollable cloth or screen, slats that rotate around their axis, or of segments that can slide over each other. The segments may be panels that are partly made of (laminated) glass or plastic, such as PC or PMMA. Depending on the choice of material, the light transmission and robustness of the roof may be adjusted to the desired application. The wall infill can also be stationary or movable. Examples are a rollable cloth or screen or movable, i.e. slidable or foldable, panels.

Furthermore, various types of columns have already been developed that also include other functions in addition to their general support function. For example, the columns may be adapted to also provide supply cables to electrical equipment and/or to include drainage tubes for discharging precipitation and/or to comprise guide profiles for a screen. Preferably, the column should be able to encompass all of the abovementioned functions and also be finished on the outside as aesthetically as possible.

A known problem with such a terrace canopy is the amount of customization and/or the number of standard components that may be required to provide sufficient variation in the construction possibilities of the terrace canopy.

<CIT> discloses a terrace canopy comprising a beam having a top side, bottom side, inner side and outer side, which beam is constructed from a set of profiles. The set comprises a beam profile provided to serve as a beam of the terrace canopy. A beam-finishing profile, i.e. a front cover, is attached to the beam profile by means of a first connection means provided on the beam profile.

However, it has been found that the set disclosed in <CIT> still offers too little the possibility for an integration of the many different types of side wall infill that are common with terrace canopies.

<CIT> discloses a terrace canopy having a roof construction based on rotatable slats. The roof construction has two beams with the slats extending therebetween. <CIT> discloses using different spacer profiles to create a height difference between the left beam and the right beam to tilt the slats between the beams so that precipitation runs to the left beam and is collected in gutter.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a set of profiles for constructing a terrace canopy that can be used in more variations of the terrace canopy.

This object is achieved with a set according to claim <NUM>.

Providing several, mutually different, spacer profiles allows to place the beam-finishing profile, namely the front cover, at different distances from the upright wall and the beam profile. In other words, the width of the beam can be varied, which benefits the variation in functionality. In particular, the width of the beam can be adjusted as a function of the wall infill. For example, if the wall infill comprises one or more (movable or stationary) panels, it is possible to design one or more beams thinner such that the beam together with the panels have the same width as another beam of the terrace canopy where none or another type of wall infill is present.

In an embodiment of the present invention the first connection means is connected to said upright wall by means of an opposite wall. The horizontal wall contributes to the distance between the upright wall and the beam-finishing profile.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first beam-finishing profile comprises a fifth connection means, in particular a pin, configured to cooperate with said third connection means. Providing corresponding connection means on the first beam-finishing profile and the first spacer profile allows to connect them to each other in a simple manner.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention the beam comprises a sixth connection means, in particular a slot, and the first beam-finishing profile a seventh connection means, in particular formed by an end portion of the first beam-finishing profile, configured to cooperate with said sixth connection means. In this way, the first beam-finishing profile is attachable both to the beam profile and the first spacer profile, which yields a more robust connection between these three profiles. In addition, the use of two separate connections is advantageous for the strength and mutual positioning of the profiles. The fact is that, if only one connection is used for two profiles, there is more clearance in the mutual positioning, which may give rise to a divergent positioning, in particular due to wind loads and/or precipitation.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second beam-finishing profile comprises an eighth connection means, in particular formed by an end portion of the second beam-finishing profile, configured to cooperate with said fourth connection means. Providing corresponding connection means on the second beam-finishing profile and the second spacer profile allows to connect them to each other in a simple manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, said second spacer profile is formed by a drip profile. The second spacer profile therefore has a dual function, as a result of which such a profile can be used to protect the top side of a wall infill, such as a stationary wall, against precipitation dripping from the terrace canopy. A drip profile is a profile that is intended to divert moisture and droplets from a surface in a controlled manner and, in this case, to prevent such droplets from ending up on the top side of a wall infill. An example of a drip profile has been described in<CIT>.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, said second spacer profile is formed by a wall holder profile. In this way, the second spacer profile also has a dual function and a sliding wall can be integrated into the terrace canopy.

In an embodiment of the present invention, said first spacer profile is formed by a connection profile.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first connection means comprises at least one hook and/or the second connection means comprises at least one hook and/or the third connection means comprises a female pin connection element and/or the fourth connection means comprises a slot. These different options offer flexibility when designing a terrace canopy.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the set further comprises: a support profile provided to serve as a support pillar of the terrace canopy ; at least one first support-finishing profile attachable to a side of the support profile, the first support-finishing profile having an outward-facing surface which, when the first support-finishing profile is attached to the support profile, is located at a third distance from said side ; and a second support-finishing profile attachable to said side of the support profile, the second support-finishing profile having an outwardly facing surface which, when the second support-finishing profile is attached to the support profile, is located at a fourth distance from said side, the third and fourth distance being different. In accordance with the beams of the terrace canopy, the width of the columns is also adjustable in this embodiment, for example according to the wall infill. In particular, this allows a wall infill to continue uninterruptedly along an outer corner of a column.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the outwardly facing surfaces of the first support-finishing profile and the first beam-finishing profile are located substantially in the same first plane and the outwardly facing surfaces of the second support-finishing profile and the second beam-finishing profile are located substantially in the same second plane, wherein these planes are typically different from each other. In this way, the outer side of the beams and the columns are aligned with each other such that a uniform appearance is obtained.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first beam-finishing profile and the second beam-finishing profile are different. This allows to vary their embodiment in accordance with the connection to the beam profile.

The invention will hereinafter further be explained in detail with reference to the following description and to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention will hereinafter be described using particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto and is only defined by the claims. The drawings presented here are only schematic representations and are not limiting. In the drawings, the dimensions of certain components may be shown enlarged, which therefore means that the components in question are not shown to scale, and this for illustrative purposes only. The dimensions and relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to the actual practical embodiments of the invention.

In addition, terms such as "first", "second", "third", and the like are used in the description and in the claims to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily to indicate a sequential or chronological order. The terms in question are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, and the embodiments of the invention may operate in other sequences than those described or illustrated herein.

The term "comprising" and derivative terms, as used in the claims, should not be construed as being limited to the means stated thereafter; the term does not exclude other elements or steps. The term should be interpreted as a specification of the mentioned properties, integers, steps, or components referenced, without excluding the presence or addition of one or more additional properties, integers, steps, or components, or groups thereof. The scope of an expression such as "a device comprising the means A and B" is therefore not limited only to devices consisting purely of components A and B. On the other hand, what is intended is that, for the purpose of the present invention, the only relevant components are A and B.

With reference to <FIG>, each reference to an orientation of the beams will be interpreted with reference to the position when mounted in the terrace canopy. In this way there are four orientations, namely above, below, outer side and inner side. Here, "above" refers to the part of the beam that is or will be oriented towards the top surface (the sky, e.g. the open sky), "below" refers to the part of the beam that is or will be oriented towards the ground plane (the soil, e.g. the terrace floor), "outer side" to the part of the beam that is or will be oriented away from the roof, i.e. away from the roof infill (i.e. the left side in <FIG>) and "inner side" to the part of the beam that is or will be oriented towards the inner side of the roof, i.e. towards the roof infill (i.e. the right side in <FIG>).

The term "substantially" includes variations of +/- <NUM>% or less, preferably +/- <NUM>% or less, more preferably +/- <NUM>% or less, and more preferably +/-<NUM>% or less, of the specified state, insofar as the variations are applicable to function in the disclosed invention. It is to be understood that the term "substantially A" is intended to also include "A".

<FIG> illustrates a terrace canopy <NUM> for a ground surface, for example a terrace or garden. The terrace canopy comprises a plurality of columns <NUM> that support different beams <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The columns and beams together form frames to which wall infills <NUM> and/or roof coverings <NUM> can be attached, as described hereafter. The terrace canopy <NUM> comprises three types of beams <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, namely:.

It will also be appreciated that the beams <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be attached to other structures, for example a wall or facade, instead of relying solely on columns <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In such a way, the terrace canopy <NUM> can be used generally used to shield an outdoor space as well as an indoor space.

<FIG> show terrace canopies <NUM> with alternative wall infills <NUM>. The terrace canopies <NUM> shown have in common that four support columns <NUM> are provided which support a frame, also called a roof frame. The frame is formed from two external pivot beams <NUM> and two tension beams <NUM> in between a roof covering <NUM> is provided.

In the embodiments shown, the roof covering <NUM> is formed by slats which are rotatably attached at their front ends to pivot beams <NUM>. The slats are rotatable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, there is an intermediate space between the slats through which, for example, air can be introduced into the underlying space or can leave this underlying space. In the closed position, the slats form a closed roof with which the underlying space can be shielded from, for example, wind and/or precipitation, such as rain, hail or snow. For the drainage of precipitation, the slats are typically arranged sloping towards one of both pivot beams <NUM>.

The slats are typically manufactured of a rigid material. This can be aluminium, for example. Aluminium has many advantages as a material, as it is at the same time robust and light-weighted, it can withstand bad weather conditions and requires little maintenance. However, other materials are also suitable and their advantages or disadvantages are assumed to be known by the skilled person. A slat can be produced using various techniques depending on the material, including extrusion, cutting, setting, casting, welding, etc. The appropriate production technique is assumed to be known by the skilled person. Preferably, the slats are manufactured by means of an extrusion process. Optionally, filling elements of, for example, polycarbonate, glass, wood, etc. can be used to fill the hollow slats at least partially, for instance to obtain a different appearance of the slat.

Additionally, in an embodiment, in their open position, the slats may optionally be provided slidable in the terrace canopy <NUM>, in order to further increase the control options in terms of incidence of light, radiant heat and ventilation.

More generally, the roof covering <NUM> is stationary or movable. A movable roof covering comprises, for example, tiltable and/or slidable slats (such as described above) and/or roll-in/roll-out screens and/or slidable panels. The individual elements of the movable roof covering <NUM> in their closed position form a substantially watertight roof with which the underlying space can be screened off from, for instance, wind and/or precipitation, such as rain, hail or snow. This roof covering <NUM> is typically drained to the pivot beams <NUM>, <NUM> and from there directly or via the tension beams <NUM> to the columns <NUM>. By sliding and/or rotating the slats and/or the panels and/or by rolling in a screen, the roof covering <NUM> can be at least partially opened and/or closed in order to be able to determine the incidence of light, radiant heat, ventilation, precipitation, etc. to the space below the roof covering <NUM> as desired.

Wall infills <NUM> are typically intended to screen openings below the terrace canopy <NUM> between the columns <NUM>. The wall infills <NUM> can be stationary or movable. Movable side walls comprise, for example, roll-in/roll-out screens and/or wall elements that are slidably arranged with respect to each other, etc. Stationary side walls can be manufactured of various materials, such as plastic, glass, metal, textile, wood, etc. Combinations of different wall infills <NUM> are also possible.

<FIG> illustrates a wall infill in the form of a roll-in/roll-out screen 5A. The screen 5A extends between two adjacent columns <NUM> and can be rolled out from the external pivot beam <NUM>. The screen 5A mainly serves as a wind and/or sun screen.

<FIG> illustrates a wall infill in the form of sliding wall panels 5B. In the embodiment shown, three panels 5B are provided on either side of the wall. The panels 5B are slidable in pairs (namely one on either side) in a rail provided for this purpose in the external pivot beam <NUM>. On the ground, also a guide <NUM> is provided for the wall panels 5B, but this guide <NUM> is optional. <FIG> illustrates the terrace canopy <NUM> of <FIG> with the wall panels 5B in their closed position. The wall panels 5B are transparent and preferably made of glass. Naturally, non-transparent wall panels 5B are also possible. Their function is mainly wind and water protection, but depending on their material, sun protection is also possible. A combination of the wall infills of <FIG> is shown in <FIG>. There, a double wall infill is provided, which, on the one hand, comprises a roll-in/roll-out screen 5A and, on the other hand, slidable wall panels 5B (in this case four panels 5B on either side).

Another type of wall infill is shown in <FIG>. The wall infill comprises foldable wall panels 5C. The wall panels 5C are foldable towards the column <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the terrace canopy <NUM> of <FIG> with the wall panels 5C in their closed position. Additional wall panels 5C are required to cover the entire wall between the columns <NUM>. The wall panels 5C are transparent and preferably made of glass. Also, non-transparent wall panels 5C are also possible. Their function is mainly wind and water protection, but depending on their material, sun protection is also possible. The same type of wall infill, i.e. foldable wall panels 5C, is also shown in <FIG>. However, in this case, the panels 5C are located below the external pivot beam <NUM>, while, in the embodiment of <FIG>, the panels 5C, in their closed state, almost completely cover the external pivot beam <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate stationary wall infills 6d. The characteristic feature of the stationary wall infill 6d is that it is possible to have it continue uninterruptedly on the outside of a column <NUM>. In other words, the column <NUM> may be hidden from view as in <FIG>. The stationary wall infill 6d can also be completely transparent as in <FIG> or partly transparent as in <FIG>. The function of a stationary wall infill depends on the type and generally includes wind, water and sun protection.

The different variations of beams <NUM>, <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. The beams <NUM>, <NUM> are constructed from one or more profiles, as described hereafter. The profiles are typically manufactured of a rigid material. This can be aluminium, for example. Aluminium has many advantages as a profile material, as it is at the same time robust and light-weighted, it can withstand bad weather conditions and requires little maintenance. However, other materials are also suitable and their advantages or disadvantages are assumed to be known by the skilled person. A profile can be produced using various techniques depending on the material, including extrusion, cutting, setting, casting, welding, etc., with extrusion being the preferred technique. The appropriate production technique is assumed to be known by the skilled person.

The beams <NUM>, <NUM> of the terrace canopy <NUM> are hollow as is apparent from <FIG>. The beams <NUM>, <NUM> are composed of a plurality of profiles <NUM>, <NUM>,. In what follows, the different profiles of the beams and their interconnection are briefly discussed. It goes without saying that several variants are conceivable for both the composition of the beams and the interconnection of the profiles, as well as that the specific design of the profiles may differ. In addition, it is also possible that the functionality of different profiles is combined into the same integrally manufactured profile, for instance it is possible to form the base profile <NUM> together with the intern or external gutter profile <NUM>, <NUM> as an integrally formed core profile.

It is generally intended to indicate profiles with the same placement and functionality, but with a divergent design with the same reference numeral by using one or more accent marks, e.g. base profile <NUM> and <NUM>" in <FIG> and <FIG>. It is generally intended to indicate profiles with the same placement but with a modified form as a result of a modification in functionality of the beam by the same reference numeral by the use of letters, for example finishing profile <NUM>, 14a in <FIG> and <FIG>.

To form the beams <NUM>, <NUM>, the profiles <NUM>, <NUM>,. , <NUM> are connected to each other in a specific way. Generally, use is made of pin connections and/or hook connections. In a pin connection typically an elastic element (not shown) is present in a female element, for example a slot element, into which a male element, for example a pin, engages. Hence, a pin connection generally includes an elastically interlocking male and female element; an additional elastic element may be provided for this purpose, but this is not necessarily the case. The elasticity may also arise from the design of the male and female elements. Hook connections typically involve two elements with such a design that they hook into each other. There is no elastic element and the connection is separated by moving the elements away from each other in the correct direction.

In addition, generally, for each interconnection of two profiles, use is made of two separate connections. This improves the strength of the connection, but mainly contributes to the correct mutual positioning of the profiles. The fact is that if only one connection is used for two profiles, there is more clearance in the mutual positioning, which can give rise to a divergent positioning, in particular due to wind loads and/or precipitation loads.

A first design of an external pivot beam <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The pivot beam <NUM> is intended not to be provided with a wall infill <NUM>. The pivot beam <NUM> comprises a base profile <NUM> and a double gutter profile <NUM> connected to each other. The base profile <NUM> and the double gutter profile <NUM> are also shown per se in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The base profile <NUM> (see <FIG>) comprises an upright wall <NUM> of which a horizontal wall <NUM> extends to the outer side of the base profile. The upright wall <NUM> is provided at the bottom with a first lower connection means <NUM>, in particular a hooking means. The upright wall <NUM> also has a bottom branch <NUM> which ends in a second lower connection means <NUM>. The lower connection means <NUM>, <NUM> serve to attach the base profile <NUM> with the double gutter profile <NUM>.

The double gutter profile <NUM> (see <FIG>) has a central cavity <NUM> which is formed at the top side by an top horizontal wall <NUM>. The wall <NUM> ends on its inner side in an upright branch <NUM> which ends in a first top connection means <NUM>, in particular a hooking means. The horizontal wall <NUM> is provided on its top side with an top branch <NUM> which serves as the second top connection means <NUM>. The base profile <NUM> and the double gutter profile <NUM> are connected to each other by, on the one hand, hooking the hooking means <NUM>, <NUM> into each other (i.e. hook connection <NUM>) and, on the other hand, to connect the walls <NUM>, <NUM> directly to each other, for example by riveting them (connection <NUM>). Alternatively, these profiles may be manufactured integrally as one single core profile. The drawback here is that such a profile, in view of the considerable height, is not easy to manufacture by means of an extrusion process.

<FIG> further illustrates that the upright wall <NUM> of the base profile <NUM> is provided on its top side with a bend <NUM>, through which a first top connection means <NUM>, in particular a female pin connection means, is provided further to the outer side of the base profile <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first top connection means <NUM> is used to connect the cover profile <NUM>. The cover profile <NUM> comprises a horizontal wall <NUM> which merges at its ends into two upright walls <NUM>, <NUM> and is therefore substantially U-shaped. The underside of the horizontal wall <NUM> is provided with two connection means <NUM>, <NUM>, in particular pins. The pin <NUM> is used together with the first top connection means <NUM> for connecting the cover profile <NUM> to the base profile <NUM>. Due to the bend <NUM>, the upright wall <NUM> of the base profile <NUM> and the upright wall <NUM> of the cover profile <NUM> are in the same plane.

The cover profile <NUM> serves to close off a technical space <NUM> in the external pivot beam <NUM>. This technical space <NUM> may serve to house drive means for tilting the slats of the roof covering <NUM> and/or cabling for, for example, lighting, etc. In other words, the slats of a roof covering <NUM> are attached to a wall part 100a (see <FIG>) which forms part of the upright wall <NUM> and extends between the horizontal wall <NUM> and the bend <NUM>. In particular, the slats are partially positioned through these and fixedly attached to an attachment mechanism (not shown) inner side the technical space <NUM>. The presence of this attachment mechanism is also part of the reason why the horizontal wall <NUM> comprises two wall parts 101a, 101b which are at different heights and are connected by a bend <NUM>. The lower placement of wall part 101a leaves sufficient space for the attachment mechanism, while the higher placement of wall part 101b allows the necessary space for arranging a roll-in/roll-out screen in a screen cavity <NUM>.

The horizontal wall is provided near its end with a plurality of connection means, the functionality of which is described hereafter. The connection means comprise a first connection means <NUM>, in particular a hooking means formed by two hooks, and a second connection means <NUM>, in particular a slot. These connection means serve for the attachment of a front cover <NUM> for shielding the screen cavity <NUM>. This front cover <NUM> typically forms the outer side of the external pivot beam <NUM>. The distance between the front cover <NUM> and the upright wall <NUM> of the base part is indicated as d1 in <FIG>.

The front cover <NUM> is attached to the base profile by means of a connection profile <NUM>. The connection profile <NUM> comprises a hollow chamber formed between four walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The wall <NUM> forms the top side of the connection profile <NUM> and is provided with a first connection means <NUM>, in particular a hooking means formed by two hooks, corresponding to the first connection means <NUM>. From the top wall <NUM>, a branch <NUM>, in particular elastically deformable, extends towards the inner side of the external pivot beam <NUM>. The end of branch <NUM> engages in a notch <NUM> in the base profile <NUM>. On the bottom wall <NUM>, the connection profile <NUM> is provided with a second connection means <NUM>, in particular a female pin connection means. The second connection means <NUM> serves for receiving a corresponding second connection means <NUM>, in particular a pin. This second connection means <NUM> is provided on the inner side of the front cover <NUM>. A further attachment of the front cover <NUM> to the base profile <NUM> is formed, in particular by a pivotal movement, by placing the end part <NUM> of the front cover <NUM> in a slot <NUM> in the base profile <NUM> intended for this purpose.

In itself, the above-described attachment of the front cover <NUM> to the base profile <NUM> is sufficient. However, in view of the relatively long distance over which the front cover <NUM> downwardly extends, it is preferable to use an additional support profile <NUM> and/or a filler profile <NUM>. The support profile <NUM> comprises a horizontal wall <NUM> terminating in a first connection means <NUM>, in particular a female pin connection means. A corresponding connection means <NUM>, in particular a pin, is provided on the inner side of the front cover <NUM>. At the other end of the horizontal wall <NUM>, an upright wall <NUM> and a branch <NUM>, in particular elastically deformable, are provided. The upright wall <NUM> serves as a abutment against the internal cavity <NUM> of the double gutter profile <NUM>, i.e. against the outer upright wall <NUM>. The end of the upright wall <NUM> engages in a notch <NUM> in the double gutter profile <NUM>, in particular a notch <NUM> in the outer wall <NUM> of the cavity <NUM>. Similarly, the end of the branch <NUM> engages in an opening <NUM> near the corner of the internal cavity <NUM>.

The filler profile <NUM> is generally U-shaped with a flat underside <NUM> and upright side walls <NUM>, <NUM>. The upright side wall <NUM>, in particular the end thereof, is intended to be rigidly connected to wall part 209a of an outer upright branch <NUM> of the double gutter profile <NUM>. In an example, rivets are used for this connection. The remaining upright side wall <NUM> is free and serves as an abutment for the underside of the front cover <NUM>. If desired, the upright side wall <NUM> can also be fixedly attached to the front cover <NUM>. Finally, it should be noted that the upright side wall <NUM> is provided with a connection means <NUM>, in particular a pin, the function of which will be described later.

In the embodiments shown, the front cover <NUM> is further provided with a reinforcing rib <NUM> and a slot <NUM>. The reinforcing rib <NUM> contributes to the rigidity of the front cover <NUM> and is useful for obtaining the required resistance at higher loads, especially when bridging relatively long lengths.

Naturally, the front cover <NUM> is detachable by disconnecting several of the connections. Thereby, the screen cavity <NUM> is accessible such that modifications, adjustments and/or repairs may be made, if necessary. In a similar manner, the cover profile <NUM> is removable for modifications, adjustments and/or repairs of elements in the technical space <NUM>, such as the drive of the slats that may form the roof infill <NUM>.

<FIG> further illustrates that the horizontal wall <NUM> merges into an outer upright wall <NUM> which is provided on its underside with a lower connection means <NUM>, in particular a hooking means, and on its top side is provided with a second top connection means <NUM>, especially a female pin connection means. As shown in <FIG>, the second top connection means <NUM> is used to connect the cover profile <NUM> via pin <NUM>. Also, the outer side of the upright wall <NUM> is provided with a branch <NUM> that serves as connection means and/or container. An opening <NUM> is provided between the front cover <NUM> and the cover profile <NUM>, in particular the outer wall <NUM> thereof.

<FIG> shows more details about the double gutter profile <NUM> of the external pivot beam <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The double gutter profile <NUM> comprises an top horizontal wall <NUM>, an outer upright wall <NUM>, a bottom horizontal wall <NUM> and an upright intermediate wall <NUM> which together enclose the cavity <NUM>. Further walls of the double gutter profile <NUM> are a bottom outer branch <NUM> which is substantially the extension of the outer wall <NUM>, a horizontal branch <NUM> which is substantially an extension of the bottom horizontal wall <NUM>, a lower inner branch <NUM> which is substantially the extension of the intermediate wall <NUM>, and an upright inner side wall <NUM> extending upwardly from the end of the branch <NUM> and defining a space <NUM> together with the branch <NUM> and the intermediate <NUM>. The walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the double gutter profile <NUM> also form a number of spaces. For example, there is a space <NUM> located below the external gutter <NUM> and next to the branch <NUM>. Furthermore, there is also a space <NUM> located between the branches <NUM>, <NUM>. In the external pivot beam <NUM> of <FIG>, these spaces have no function, such that they can be hidden from view by providing an end profile <NUM>.

The external pivot beam <NUM> is intended to be placed on the outer side of the terrace canopy <NUM> and should provide for water drainage of precipitation incident on the terrace canopy. In particular, this precipitation may, for example, be collected by a slatted roof <NUM> which drains precipitation to this pivot beam <NUM>. The roof infill <NUM> drains the precipitation to the pivot beam <NUM> where it is collected in the external gutter <NUM>. Between the external gutter <NUM> and the cavity <NUM> the intermediate wall <NUM> is present which is provided with one or more openings, for example a series of perforations, such that the precipitation from the external gutter <NUM> is diverted to the cavity <NUM>. That is why the bottom of the external gutter <NUM> also preferably slopes towards the cavity <NUM>. The cavity <NUM> serves as an internal gutter for the passage of precipitation from one or more adjoining pivot beams <NUM> to a column <NUM> along which this precipitation may leave the terrace canopy <NUM>.

Furthermore, the double gutter profile <NUM> is further provided with an inner connection means <NUM>, in particular a female pin connection means, of a lower inner connection means <NUM>, in particular a hooking means, which forms the end of the branch <NUM> of a bottom outermost connection means <NUM>, in particular a hooking means, which forms the end of the branch <NUM>, and a connection means <NUM>, in particular a hooking means, just below the inner gutter <NUM>. The function of the lower outer connection means <NUM> is not further described, while the function of the connection means <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> is described hereafter.

The end profile <NUM> is substantially U-shaped with a bottom wall <NUM> and two upright walls <NUM>, <NUM>. The bottom wall <NUM> is provided on its top side with a connection means <NUM>, in particular a hooking means, provided to cooperate with the lower inner connection means <NUM> for the attachment of the end profile <NUM> to the double gutter profile <NUM>. The upright inner side wall <NUM> is provided on its top side with a connection means <NUM>, in particular a pin, provided to cooperate with the inner connection means <NUM> for attaching the end profile <NUM> to the double gutter profile <NUM>. Furthermore, the upright outer wall <NUM> is provided on its top side with a connection means <NUM>, in particular a hooking means, provided to cooperate with the connection means <NUM> for attaching the end profile <NUM> to the double gutter profile <NUM>. The bottom outer connection means <NUM> is in turn provided to cooperate with the connection means <NUM> on the filler profile <NUM> for their interconnection.

Furthermore, the external pivot beam <NUM> is further provided with screw channels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for screwing a headboard to an end of this beam <NUM> with the aid of screws or bolts for the purpose of connecting the beam with a column of the terrace canopy <NUM>. Screw channel <NUM> is provided on the underside of the branch <NUM> ; screw channel <NUM> is provided on the underside of wall part 101a ; screw channel <NUM> is provided adjacent to the second top connection means <NUM> in the technical space <NUM>; the screw channel <NUM> is provided on the top outer corner of the internal gutter <NUM>; and the screw channels <NUM>, <NUM> are provided below the internal gutter <NUM> on either side thereof. Of course, more or less screw channels are also possible and/or the placement thereof may differ.

It should be understood that other ways are possible with fewer or more connection means to connect together the different profiles forming the external pivot beam <NUM>. Additional connections, for example by means of glue, bolts, rivets, etc., may also be provided between certain profiles in order to connect these substantially permanently to each other. Rivets can be used, for example, to join walls <NUM>, <NUM> or walls 209b, <NUM> or walls 209a, <NUM>.

As already described above, the external pivot beam <NUM> (<FIG>) is intended to not use a wall infill, unlike the external pivot beams of <FIG> and onwards. This also immediately means that this external pivot beam <NUM> is almost completely visible in the terrace canopy <NUM>. It is therefore advantageous that the visible surfaces have a sleek finish. Examples include: the co-planarity of the front cover <NUM> and the cover wall <NUM>; the co-planarity of the upright wall <NUM> of the base profile <NUM> and the cover wall <NUM>; the co-planarity of the filler profile <NUM> and the end profile <NUM>; the only sporadic presence of an opening between visible profile surfaces; etc..

<FIG> illustrates a second type of external pivot bar, wherein the pivot bar is intended to form a side wall <NUM>. Identical elements will be indicated by the same numeral and are not described.

The pivot beam of <FIG> is designed to cooperate with a stationary wall (see <FIG>). The main differences with the pivot bar of <FIG> are the design of the front cover 14a and the filling element 18a and the presence of a drip profile <NUM> as an alternative to the connection profile <NUM>.

The drip profile <NUM> has a substantially horizontal wall <NUM> which is provided on its top side with first connection means <NUM>, in particular a hooking means formed by two hooks, corresponding to the first connection means <NUM> in the base profile <NUM>. The drip profile <NUM> also has a second connection means <NUM>, in particular a hook as the end of an elastically upright wall <NUM>. This second connection means <NUM> engages a corresponding connection means <NUM> (see <FIG>), in particular a hook on the underside of the lower connection means <NUM>, on the base profile <NUM>. The connection means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> together ensure the attachment of the drip profile <NUM> to the base profile <NUM>.

On its outwardly facing side, the drip profile <NUM> is finished with an upright wall <NUM> extending downwardly from the horizontal wall <NUM>. In particular, this upright wall <NUM> is located in the same plane as the cover wall <NUM>. A slot <NUM> is provided at the bottom side of the horizontal wall <NUM> which has the same function as slot <NUM> in the base profile <NUM>, namely an attachment for the front cover 14a, in particular the end 37a thereof. There is also the opening <NUM> present between the outer wall <NUM> of the cover profile <NUM> and the upright wall <NUM> of the drip profile <NUM>.

The front cover 14a has again a substantially flat outer side, which, in this embodiment, does not lie in the same plane as the cover wall <NUM>, but is located more towards the inner side of the external pivot beam <NUM>. In particular, the distance between the outer side of the front cover 14a and the upright wall <NUM> of the base profile <NUM> indicated as d2 in <FIG> is smaller than the distance d1 indicated in <FIG>. This allows to place the stationary wall 6d such that it lies substantially in the same plane as the cover wall <NUM>. In particular, the stationary wall 6d is located between the outer side of the front cover 14a and the upright wall <NUM> of the drip profile <NUM> with its top side substantially against the underside of the horizontal wall <NUM>. This also immediately explains the additional function of the drip profile <NUM>, in particular the wall <NUM>, namely, to prevent the incidence of precipitation on the top side of the stationary wall 6d, which precipitation may could damage, discoloration, etc. at the stationary wall 6d.

Again, the front cover 14a is provided on its inner side with a reinforcement 41a which, although the modified shape, compared to the front cover <NUM>, has the same function. A filler profile 18a is also provided on the underside of the external pivot beam <NUM>. Although the design of the filler profile 18a is changed, compared to the filler profile <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the function is unchanged, namely closing the space between the front cover 14a and the double gutter profile <NUM>. Further details are therefore not included.

It should be understood that, in an embodiment wherein the stationary wall 6d is not transparent, it is not necessary to mount the front cover 14a on the external pivot beam <NUM>. After all, the front cover 14a is not visible in such an embodiment. However, the filler profile 18a must be made slightly wider such that it fits closely with the stationary wall 6d such that, seen from the inner side of the terrace canopy <NUM>, the pivot beam <NUM> is finished almost without a visible opening between the pivot beam <NUM> and the stationary wall 6d.

<FIG> illustrates a third type of external pivot bar, where the pivot bar is intended to form a sidewall <NUM>. Identical elements will be indicated by the same numeral and are not described.

The pivot beam of <FIG> is designed to cooperate with a movable wall 5B, 5C (see <FIG>). The main difference with the pivot beam of <FIG> is the presence of a wall holder profile <NUM> which is positioned outwardly with respect to the front cover <NUM>', which therefore also has a modified shape, in particular the same shape as the front cover 14a described in a stationary wall infill with reference to <FIG>, such that a further description is not included here. It should be noted, however, that the front cover <NUM>' is located at a different distance from the upright wall <NUM> of the base profile <NUM> compared to the front cover 14a of the pivot beam <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The design of the cover profile 15a has also been changed. In particular, the horizontal wall 400a has a longer length such that the distance between the pins <NUM>, <NUM> is larger and such that the outer upright wall <NUM> is at a larger distance from the upright wall <NUM> of the base profile <NUM>. This longer length allows to integrate the wall holder profile <NUM> into the design of the pivot beam <NUM> without adversely affecting the quality of the finish.

The wall holder profile <NUM> includes a guide chamber <NUM> which is identical to that of wall holder profiles <NUM>, 21a and 21b. The guide chamber <NUM> is therefore limited by inner and outer upright walls <NUM>, <NUM>, an top horizontal wall <NUM> connecting the upright walls <NUM>, <NUM>, and a bottom wall <NUM> having an opening <NUM> therein. The upright walls <NUM>, <NUM> together form a rail <NUM> into which one or more rollers (not shown) can be movably arranged. A portion of the rollers and/or the wall extends through the opening <NUM>.

The bottom wall <NUM> comprises on its inwardly facing side a slot <NUM> for receiving the end <NUM>' of the front cover <NUM>' for the attachment of the front cover <NUM>' to the wall holder profile <NUM>. This slot <NUM> is in the particularly formed by a downwardly extending branch <NUM> that departs from the underside of the bottom wall <NUM>. At the inner end of the bottom wall <NUM> it merges into an upright wall <NUM> which is provided almost in the middle with a bend <NUM> such that a lower portion of wall <NUM> is located more inwardly of an upper portion thereof. The upright wall <NUM>, in particular the lower part thereof, is provided on its inner side with a first inner connection means <NUM>, in particular a hooking means. The first inner connection means <NUM> serves to cooperate with the lower connection means <NUM> (see <FIG>) for connecting the wall holder profile <NUM> to the base profile <NUM>. The bend <NUM> allows the upper part of the wall <NUM> to be positioned more outwardly and abuts against the branch <NUM>. At the top of the upright wall <NUM>, it merges into an top horizontal wall <NUM>. Also, the top wall <NUM> of the guide chamber <NUM> is connected to this top wall <NUM> by support member <NUM>. The horizontal wall <NUM> is provided at its inner end with a second inner connection means <NUM>, in particular a hooking means, which hooks over the second top connection means <NUM> for connecting the wall holder profile <NUM> to the base profile <NUM>.

The outer wall <NUM> of the guide chamber <NUM> also has an upward upright branch <NUM> which is provided on its upper side with an top connection means <NUM>, in particular a female pin connection means. As shown in <FIG>, the top connection means <NUM> is used to connect the cover profile 15a via pin <NUM>. A connecting wall <NUM> is provided between the horizontal wall <NUM> and the upright branch <NUM> for the strength and bearing capacity of the wall holder profile <NUM>. A branch <NUM> is also provided on the outer side of the upright branch <NUM>. The bottom wall <NUM> is provided on its outwardly facing side with an upright finishing wall <NUM> which is in the same plane as the outer wall <NUM> of the cover profile 15a. An opening 33a is provided between walls <NUM>, <NUM>.

Considering the presence of only one rail <NUM> in the external pivot beam of <FIG>, this means that only two types of movable wall 5B, 5C are possible. The purpose of this rail <NUM> is to hold a foldable side wall as shown in <FIG>. However, a single rail <NUM> can also be used to hold one or two sliding side wall panels.

<FIG> illustrates a fourth type of external pivot bar, wherein the pivot bar is intended to form a side wall <NUM>. Identical elements will be indicated by the same numeral and will not be described.

The pivot bar shown in <FIG> has a combined functionality, namely that of the pivot bars shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In other words, the external pivot beam <NUM> has, as side wall infill <NUM>, both a part with a stationary wall 6d and a part with a movable, in particular a foldable, side wall 5C. For example, a stationary wall 6d is provided on one side of one side of the terrace canopy <NUM>, while a foldable side wall 5C is present on the other side of the same side.

The front cover 14a and the drip profile <NUM> of the pivot bar of <FIG> are identical to those described with reference to <FIG>, and the cover profile 15a is identical to that described for the pivot bar of <FIG>. A further description is therefore not included here. In addition, the wall holder profile 20a is substantially identical to that described with reference to <FIG>. The only difference is the absence of branch <NUM> which served as attachment for the front cover 14a. This branch <NUM> is now not necessary since the front cover 14a is held by the drip profile <NUM> and is closer to the upright wall <NUM> of the base profile <NUM> such that there is sufficient space for placing a stationary wall 6d.

<FIG> illustrates a design of a tension beam <NUM>. The tension beam <NUM> is intended not to be provided with a wall infill <NUM>. The tension beam <NUM> comprises a base profile <NUM>" and a single gutter profile <NUM> that are connected to each other. The single gutter profile <NUM> is also shown per se in <FIG>.

The tension beam <NUM> shown is generally the same as the pivot beam shown in <FIG> but with a different type of gutter profile, namely a single gutter profile <NUM> instead of a double gutter profile <NUM>. Although the profiles <NUM>", <NUM>", <NUM>", <NUM>" of the tension beam <NUM> have a slightly different design, it should be clear that they are interchangeable with the profiles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> described above. It is also possible to replace one or more of the profiles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in the external pivot beams <NUM> described above with its modified form of the same profile shown in the tension beam <NUM> of <FIG>. Some of the modifications are briefly described. Notch <NUM> is not provided in the base profile <NUM>", but this functionality is taken over by hook <NUM>" which protrudes downwardly with respect to the horizontal wall <NUM>". The branch <NUM>" on connection profile <NUM>" has been modified accordingly. The inner upright wall <NUM>" of filler profile <NUM>" is shorter and is directly connected to the upright outer side wall 441a of the end profile 19a instead of on the gutter profile. The design of the slot <NUM>" has been changed.

The single gutter profile <NUM> is shown in more detail in <FIG>. In view of the many similarities with the double gutter profile <NUM>, it was decided to use the same numbering, but with the first digit "<NUM>" replaced by the digit "<NUM>". In concrete terms, the design at the top and the outer side of the gutter profiles <NUM>, <NUM> is identical, such that a further description of elements <NUM> to <NUM> and <NUM> to <NUM> is superfluous.

The modifications of the single gutter profile <NUM> compared to the double gutter profile <NUM> are therefore located on the inner side of this profile, where now no external gutter <NUM> is present. An additional upright wall part <NUM> is therefore placed, which is parallel to the intermediate wall <NUM> (which, for the sake of clarity, in the embodiment of a single gutter profile, is not provided with openings). In this way, the upright walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> together form the inner upright wall <NUM> of the single gutter profile <NUM>. This is also the externally visible wall, seen by someone located below the terrace canopy <NUM>. Furthermore, the lower inner connection means <NUM>, particularly a hooking means, is also substantially identical to connection means <NUM>, with the difference that the hook only extends outwardly such that the finish of wall <NUM> is uninterrupted.

Although only an embodiment of a tension beam <NUM> has been shown, it is clear that the only difference between an external pivot beam <NUM> and a tension beam <NUM> is the shape of the gutter profile <NUM>, <NUM>. Hence, the invention also relates to multiple tension beams having the same functionality of the external pivot beams shown in <FIG> where the double gutter profile <NUM> is replaceable by the single gutter profile <NUM> of <FIG>.

Just as the beams <NUM>, <NUM> are adapted to the functionality of the wall infill <NUM>, the columns <NUM> of the terrace canopy <NUM> are also adapted to it. A number of alternative embodiments of the columns <NUM> will be described hereafter with reference to Figures 7A to 7D, which show a cross-sectional view through the column <NUM>.

The column <NUM> comprises an integrally formed core portion (generally indicated by reference numeral <NUM>). In particular, the core part <NUM> is formed by a profile of the same or a similar type as the profiles <NUM>,. , <NUM> of the beams <NUM>, <NUM>. The profile <NUM> is typically manufactured of a rigid material. This can be aluminium, for example. Aluminium has many advantages as a profile material, namely, it is at the same time robust and light-weighted. However, other materials, such as steel, stainless steel, wood, plastic, etc., are also suitable and their advantages or disadvantages are assumed to be known by the skilled person. A profile can be produced using various techniques depending on the material, including extrusion, cutting, setting, casting, welding, etc., with extrusion being the preferred technique. The appropriate production technique is assumed to be known by the skilled person. Preferably, the profile <NUM> is extruded from aluminium.

The profile <NUM> serves as a support pillar for the terrace canopy <NUM>. In particular, almost the entire weight of the beams <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and the elements connected therewith, such as the side walls <NUM> of the roof covering <NUM>, is supported by the support pillar <NUM>.

In the embodiments shown, the core profile <NUM> has a substantially square shape. Hence, each core profile <NUM> has four side walls <NUM>, each having an outside <NUM> and an inside <NUM>. Each outside <NUM> is provided with two mounting means <NUM>, in particular mounting slots, preferably female pin connection means. These slots <NUM> serve for the attachment of finishing profiles <NUM> by means of a corresponding connection means <NUM>, preferably a pin. It should be understood that the pin connection <NUM> is only one example of a way of attaching the finishing profiles <NUM> to the core profile <NUM> and other ways are known to the skilled person. It should also be understood that the slots <NUM> need not necessarily be continuous, although this is preferred since the core portion <NUM> is preferably made by an extrusion process. The slots <NUM> are symmetrically positioned with respect to the centre of a side wall <NUM>, such that the attachment points of a finishing profile <NUM> to the side wall <NUM> are also symmetrical, which is advantageous.

Although the use of two mounting means <NUM> per side wall <NUM> is preferred, in view of the fact that the use of two separate attachments between two profiles allows for less clearance in the mutual positioning, which clearance may give rise to a divergent positioning, in particular by wind loads and/or precipitation loads, a connection with only one mounting means per side wall is also possible. On the other hand, more than two mounting means may also be provided per side wall.

As shown in <FIG>, the walls <NUM> are also provided with a number of notches <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> on their outside. In particular, a notch <NUM> is provided centrally. Furthermore, each side wall <NUM> is provided near a vertex thereof with a first notch <NUM> closest to an application slot <NUM> and a second notch <NUM> nearer to the vertex.

It should be understood that the core profile <NUM>, as described above, is not limited to a substantially square shape. Also, the four side walls <NUM> can be arranged in a different geometric shape, for example a rectangle or parallelogram. In addition, it is also possible to provide more or less side walls <NUM> per core profile <NUM>, in particular tri-, hexa- or octagonal core profiles <NUM> are also possible. Furthermore, the core profile <NUM> may also be elliptical, in particular circular, in which case the desired number of application slots is then provided in the one continuous side wall comprising the core profile <NUM>.

The functionality of the column <NUM> is determined solely by the finishing profiles <NUM>. In other words, for each column <NUM> the core profile <NUM> is identical, as can be seen from <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a first design of a column <NUM> for use in a terrace canopy <NUM> without a wall infill. This column <NUM> is therefore suitable to be used together with the external pivot beam <NUM> of <FIG> and/or with the tension beam <NUM> of <FIG>. The column <NUM> is provided with four finishing profiles <NUM>, namely one on each side wall <NUM>. Each finishing profile <NUM> is provided with a flat outer wall <NUM>, the outside <NUM> of which determines the visual appearance of the column <NUM>. In other words, the finishing profile <NUM> hides the core profile <NUM> in the built-up terrace canopy <NUM>. Furthermore, each finishing profile <NUM> is provided with pins <NUM>, namely one pin per mounting slot <NUM>. The pins <NUM> are connected to the outer wall <NUM> by means of walls <NUM> that serve as spacer. In particular, the length of the walls <NUM> determines the distance (D1 as indicated in <FIG> and D2 as indicated in <FIG>) between the outside <NUM> of a wall <NUM> and the inside <NUM> of the outside wall <NUM>. By providing spacers <NUM>, cavities <NUM> are also created. One or more of these cavities <NUM> may be used for the integration of electrical cables that serve to drive the wall infill <NUM>, the roof infill <NUM> and/or other electrically driven elements present in the terrace canopy <NUM>.

The value of the distances D1, D2 are selected such that the outer side <NUM> of a finishing profile <NUM> lies in the same plane as the outer side of the front cover <NUM>, 14a of the beams <NUM>, <NUM>. In other words, the distances d1, d2, D1 and D2 are chosen as a function of each other, whereby d1 and D1 are larger than the respective ones of d2 and D2, since these distances are intended for a terrace canopy <NUM> with a stationary wall infill 6d. In this way, all walls that form the outer side of the terrace canopy <NUM> are in the same plane, which is desired.

<FIG> illustrates a second design of a column <NUM> for use with a stationary wall infill 6d that continues along a vertex of the terrace canopy <NUM> and thus forms at least a partial infill of two side walls (see <FIG>). Therefore, the column <NUM> is suitable to be used together with the external pivot beam <NUM> of <FIG> and/or 3D and/or with a tension beam <NUM> having such functionality.

The main difference with the column of <FIG> is that, for two side walls <NUM>, use is made of a finishing profile 78a without spacers <NUM>. Hence, the outer side <NUM> of the finishing profile 78a is closer to the wall <NUM> than the outer side <NUM> of the finishing profile <NUM>. In such a way, it is possible to provide a stationary side wall 6d below the beam <NUM>, <NUM> of the terrace canopy <NUM>, which continues along a column <NUM>. In the case of the stationary side wall 6d is not transparent, the finishing profiles 78a between the side wall 6d and the core profile <NUM> may also be omitted since they are not visible anyway.

<FIG> illustrates a third design of a column <NUM> for use with a stationary wall 6d infill in which the column <NUM> is located in a side wall of the terrace canopy, but is not a vertex. In such an embodiment, it is only required that on one side, namely the outwardly facing side of the column <NUM>, space is provided for the stationary side wall 6d. Hence, one finishing profile 78a is provided without spacers <NUM>. Also, this finishing profile may also be omitted if the side wall 6d is not transparent.

<FIG> illustrates a fourth design of a column <NUM> in which none of the finishing profiles 78a is provided with a spacer <NUM>. This embodiment has the advantage that the space occupied by a column <NUM> is minimized such that the available space below the terrace canopy <NUM> is maximized.

Claim 1:
A set of profiles for constructing a terrace canopy (<NUM>) comprising a beam (<NUM>; <NUM>) extending in a longitudinal direction and having a top side, a bottom side, an inner side and an outer side, wherein a height direction of the beam extends between the top side and the bottom side and a width direction of the beam extends between the inner side and the outer side, and wherein the set comprises:
- a beam profile (<NUM>) having an upright inner side wall (<NUM>) and a first connection means (<NUM>),
- a first spacer profile (<NUM>) provided with a second connection means (<NUM>) and a third connection means (<NUM>);
- a second spacer profile (<NUM>) different from the first spacer profile (<NUM>) and provided with a second connection means (<NUM>) and a fourth connection means (<NUM>; <NUM>), the second connection means of the first space profile and the second spacer profile being identical;
- a first beam-finishing profile (<NUM>) ; and
- a second beam-finishing profile (14a),
wherein a first beam can be constructed of at least the beam profile (<NUM>), the first spacer profile (<NUM>) and the first beam-finishing profile (<NUM>) so that the first spacer profile is attached to the beam profile by the first and second connection means and the first beam-finishing profile (<NUM>) is connected to the first spacer profile by the third connection means (<NUM>),
wherein a second beam can be constructed of at least the beam profile (<NUM>), the second spacer profile (<NUM>) and the second beam-finishing profile (14a) so that the second spacer profile is attached to the beam profile by the first and second connection means and the second beam-finishing profile (14a) is connected to the second spacer profile (<NUM>) by the fourth connection means (<NUM>; <NUM>),
characterised in that the first beam-finishing profile (<NUM>) has an outwardly facing surface located at a first distance (d1) from said upright inner side wall and the second beam-finishing profile (14a) has an outwardly facing surface located at a second distance (d2) from said upright inner side wall, said first distance and said second being measured in a direction parallel to the width direction of the beam, wherein the first distance and the second distance are different.