Arrangement for reversible glazing-in of an open space

ES 2 201 826 T3

DESCRIPTION

Arrangement of a reversible interior glazing in an open space.

Technical field

The present invention relates to an arrangement of a reversible interior glazing of an open space, said arrangement comprises one or more cover units transported on roller elements between upper guide rails for substantially horizontal transport along said guide rails , wherein each cover unit has a first edge and a second edge, and comprises, near the first edge, a first hinge device connected to a first roller element carried by the upper guide rail and a second hinge device connected to a second roller element carried by the lower guide rail, so that each cover unit can rotate around its first edge when in a predetermined position along said guide rails while the cover unit is stopped from subsequent horizontal transport along the guide rails by means of a parking station acting on at least one of said hinge devices, and one or more of the cover units further comprising (s) a third roller element, whereby the first roller element, the second roller element and the third roller element comprise spherical shapes or truncated spherical shapes, and that both the upper guide rail and the lower guide rail substantially comprise tubular profiles with internal surfaces, which partially surround the spherical shapes or the truncated spherical shapes of the first roller element, of the second roller element and the third roller element during horizontal transport and partially surrounds the spherical shapes or the truncated spherical shapes of at least the first roller element and the second roller element during the rotary movement.

As used herein, by "interior reversible glazing" is meant the type of open space that can be fully or partially enclosed by roof elements that are transported and slide along guide rails, and that this process can also be given in the reverse direction when you want to open the space totally or partially.

The invention is primarily intended to be implemented in relation to the reversible interior glazing of fully or partially open spaces such as balconies, terraces, patios and the like by means of sliding windows, sliding doors, sliding panels or the like, but it can also be implemented for, for example , greenhouses.

Background of the invention

Within the field of interior glazing or covering of open spaces, a number of different systems are previously known with sliding elements, windows, doors or panels, and in certain cases also rotating.

Consequently, for example patent publication WO 97/11247 shows a method for glazing an open space, for example balconies, using a plurality of rectangular or square units comprising a glass or plastic panel, in which it is intended that the Units move on upper longitudinal rails and lower longitudinal rails. According to WO 97/11247, the units move along the rails and pass one or more 90 ° corners, which form a connecting region for two adjacent rails that form a 90 ° angle relative to themselves. When the glazed space is to be reopened, the units move towards the end region of a rail and each unit rotates outward so that it remains in position on the upper rail and on the lower rail through two means that are arranged substantially straight above each other, after which the unit is parked near a unit in front.

In WO 97/11247, an apparatus for glazing an open space, such as balconies, is also presented. The apparatus comprises a plurality of rectangular and square units with glass or plastic panels intended to collaborate in covering the open space, in which the units can be brought to a parking position in which the previously glazed space is open and the Units are intended to move along an upper longitudinal rail and a lower longitudinal rail. It is reported that the apparatus shown comprises that each unit is provided with an upper means and a lower means to cooperate with the two rails, in which the means are arranged so that their positions form a triangle. Each means is arranged in a corner part of the unit and has a first part attached to the corner part of the unit, and a second part comprising a rotating wheel that is mounted on bearings on a substantially horizontal axis. The second part of the middle can rotate relative to the first part. Each unit is reported to be designed to allow a 90 ° corner to pass which constitutes a connecting region for a first rail and a second rail which form a 90 ° angle relative to the first rail. Furthermore, it is stated that each unit can rotate out from the position it has when moving along the rails, so that the suspended unit in the upper middle and in the lower middle can be moved to an extreme position. , in which each unit can be parked near the next unit in a minimum space.

In WO 97/11247 it is also shown that each unit advantageously contains two means in its lower part, one in each corner of the unit, and that a part of the lower longitudinal rail is cut off and replaced by an openable door and closing through which one of the lower means can be released from the rail and the unit can consequently be rotated outward while the unit is suspended in the upper half and the remaining lower means.

Furthermore, patent publication EP 0 685 024 B1 shows a rotating and sliding glazing structure comprising one or more window units transported between upper guide rails and lower guide rails for horizontal sliding movement along these, in wherein each window unit has a leading edge and a trailing edge and is adapted to, in a predetermined position for each window unit along said guide rails, perform a rotary movement around its front edge by means of a hinge arrangement carried in the window unit and arranged near the front edge, wherein the structure further comprises means for closing the

ES 2 201 826 T3 hinge arrangement and prevent its subsequent sliding movement in a predetermined position before and during the rotary movement.

According to EP 0 685 024 B1, the means for closing the hinge arrangement in said predetermined position comprises means for moving a part of the window unit inward to achieve that at least a part of the hinge arrangement is inserted and remains retained in a receiving element mounted on one of said guide rails.

In patent publication US 4573286, a device for suspending a movable panel or a similar load is shown, which device comprises at least one roller element attached to the movable panel through a connecting member. The roller element is said to comprise two cylinders in collaboration with rolling surfaces of a tubular guide rail, which can have rectilinear parts and curved parts, in which the rolling surfaces of the guide rail are located in opposite relationship on each side. of the connecting member at an oblique angle relative to the connecting member. It is reported that the profile of the rolling surfaces and the two cylinders are adapted to each other to prevent movement of the roller element in a plane transverse to the tubular guide rail.

Previously known arrangements for reversible glazing of open spaces with window units, panels or other roof units can be perceived as being associated with certain problems.

Arrangements where the units can only be moved in the direction of the guide rails and cannot be opened by turning inwards demonstrate limited flexibility in case it is desired to fully open the whole or to glaze only part of the space in question. . In order to be able to fully open, for example, a glazed balcony from the inside, arrangements with sliding but non-rotating roof units need so much that there is enough space available to be able to push the units in sequence one after the other in the direction guide rails, such that several pairs of guide rails are arranged in parallel to each other so that the roof units of the different pairs of guide rails can pass each other when glazing or fully opening the balcony.

As is evident from the foregoing, there are previously known arrangements in which the units can both slide along roller elements in the direction of the guide rails, as well as be opened by rotating them around one of their edges by arrangements hinge elements attached to an upper roller element and a lower roller element that carry the unit during rotary movement. Such arrangements generally require a complicated opening method in which a cover or the like is removed to allow one or more roller elements on the second edge of the unit to be released from the guide rail (s) through a recess. In addition, it may be less attractive for one or more roller elements to follow the cover unit when opening it, since the cover unit turned outwards becomes considerably more visible and can disturb the aesthetic impression of the a beautiful view, wall or similar.

Previously known arrangements with cover units whose rotated open / out position can be slid even further along the guide rails, may involve the risk of the cover units colliding causing, for example, the breaking of a window sash. .

When mounting arrangements with roller elements of the conventional type, an engagement of the guide rails is needed to be able to push the cover units back and forth on the guide rails without causing jamming or jerky movement, in particular when the guide rails comprise past curved parts that the roof units should be able to pass.

Conventional arrangements often have roller elements of a cylindrical shape and generally allow the roller elements to move slightly in the transverse direction of the guide rails, that is, in the axial direction of the cylindrical shape. This is not recommended as it can cause noise or vibration problems when the units are pushed along the guide rails, or when there are violent gusts of wind.

Furthermore, previously known arrangements for reversible interior glazing have poor hinge and roller member arrangements, causing roof units that are parked in an outward-turned position to require a large space and may be cumbersome.

Summary of the invention

Consequently, a first object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for reversible interior glazing, which solves the problem of suspension of the roof units on the guide rails and poor hinge and roller element arrangements, and which ensures that the deck units in the arrangement can slide and swing out from the guide rails safely, smoothly and quietly when parking.

Accordingly, this first object of the invention is achieved through an arrangement comprising one or more cover units transported on roller elements between the upper guide rail and the lower guide rail for substantially horizontal transport along the along said guide rails. With this, each cover unit has a first edge and a second edge, and comprises, near the first edge, a first hinge device connected to a first roller element carried by the upper guide rail and a second hinge device connected to a second roller element carried by the lower guide rail. In this way, each cover unit can perform a rotary movement around its first edge when in a predetermined position along said guide rails while the cover unit is stopped from subsequent horizontal transport along the guide rails. by means of a parking station acting on at least one of the hinge devices. Furthermore, one or more of the cover units also comprises (s) a third roller element.

In particular, the invention is characterized in that, as defined in the following claims, the first hinge device and / or the second hinge device comprises a recess or a protrusion, arranged to receive or to be inserted, and to collaborate with the minus one bump or at

ES 2 201 826 T3 minus a recess, respectively, of the parking station during rotary movement, that the third roller element is mounted on a closure unit, arranged to stop a closure member of the cover unit during transportation horizontal and to release the closure member and enable rotary movement when it is in the predetermined position, in which the inner surfaces of the tubular profile of the upper guide rail or the lower guide rail partially surround the spherical shape or the truncated spherical shape of the third roller element both during rotary movement and during horizontal transport, and that in the lower guide rail and / or a closing station is arranged on the upper lower guide rail, the closure station of which is arranged to influence the closure unit to release the closure member and allow rotary movement when the cover unit is in the predetermined position and to stop the closure member during horizontal transportation of the cover unit from and to the default position.

According to the invention, the first roller element, the second second roller element and the third roller element comprise spherical shapes or truncated spherical shapes, in which both the upper guide rail and the lower guide rail substantially comprise tubular profiles with internal surfaces, which partially surround the spherical shapes or the truncated spherical shapes of the first roller element, the second roller element and the third roller element during horizontal transport and partially surrounds the spherical shapes or the truncated spherical shapes of at least the first roller element and the second roller element during the rotary movement.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for reversible interior glazing in which the cover units are as inconspicuous as possible when parked turned outward.

According to claim 1, this second object of the invention is achieved through the third roller element.

Further objects of the invention will be deduced from the following description, while the characteristics that enable these objects to be achieved are deduced from the attached dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a part of an arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 2 shows a simplified and schematic top view, with parts cut away, of an arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which an open space in the form of a folded rectangular balcony is glazed by three cover units of the arrangement, fig. . 3 shows the arrangement in fig. 2. while the front face of the balcony is being alternately opened and closed by the arrangement according to the invention, fig. 4 shows the movement pattern, seen from above, of the roof units in an arrangement according to a particularly preferred alternative embodiment of the invention, in which an open space in the form of a rectangular projecting balcony is opened by the arrangement according to the invention , fig. 5 shows the movement pattern, seen from above, of the roof units in an arrangement according to another alternative embodiment of the invention, in which an open space in the form of a projecting balcony with oblique corners is glazed by the arrangement according to the invention , fig. 6 shows a detailed view of a hinge device included in the arrangement in fig. 1 with a roller element connected thereto, fig. 7 shows the different sub-components that are included in the hinge device and the roller element in fig. 6, fig. 8 shows the different sub-components that are included in a closure unit with an associated roller element of the arrangement of fig. 1, and a closure member adapted to be attached to the rear edge of a cover unit to allow stopping and release of the closure member from the closure unit, fig. 9A shows a schematic top view of a part of an arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention with a cover unit that has completed its rotary movement to a parked and open position, fig. 9B shows the arrangement of fig. 9A during the rotating movement of the cover unit,^Y fig. 9C shows the arrangement of fig. 9A immediately before the rotary movement begins.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Next, a preferred embodiment and a number of alternative embodiments of the arrangement according to the invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1-9C attached.

The arrangement according to the invention, 100; 200, 200 '; 400; 500; 600, is intended for reversible interior glazing of an open space 101; 201, 201 '; 401; 501, which is preferably a balcony, a terrace or a patio, and a balcony in the described embodiment.

The arrangement comprises one or more cover units 102; 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202a ', 202b', 202c ', 202d'; 402, 502; 602, carried on roller elements 103, 104, 105; 203a ', 203b', 203c ', 203d', 205a ', 205b', 205c '; 603, between upper guide rails 106; 206 '; 606, and lower guide rails 107 for substantially horizontal transportation along said guide rails.

Each cover unit has a first edge 108; 208b 'and a second edge 109 and comprises, near the first edge 108; 208b ', a first hinge device 110; 210a ', 210b', 210c ', 210d'; 610, connected to a first roller element 103; 203a'-d '; 603 carried by upper guide rail 106; 206 '; 606, and a second hinge device 111 connected to a second roller element 104 carried by the lower guide rail 107. When in a predetermined position along the guide rails 106, 107; 206 ', each cover unit 102; 202a-d, 202a'-d '; 602 can rotate around its first edge 108; 208b 'while the cover unit 102; 202b '; 602 ', is stopped from the subsequent horizontal transport along the guide rails 106, 107; 206 'by means of a sta4

ES 2 201 826 T3 parking lot 112, 113; 212 '; 612 'acting on at least one of the hinge devices 110, 111; 210a'-b ', 210d; 610 '.

One or more cover units 102; 202a'-c 'of the arrangement also comprise a third roller element 105; 205a'-c '.

According to the invention, the first roller element, the second roller element and the third roller element 103, 104, 105; 203a'-d ', 205a'-c'; 603, comprise spherical shapes or truncated spherical shapes, while both the upper guide rail 106; 206 '; 606, as the lower guide rail 107 substantially comprise tubular profiles 114, 115; 214 'with internal surfaces, which partially surround the spherical shapes or the truncated spherical shapes of the first roller element, the second roller element and the third roller element 103, 104, 105; 203a'-d ', 205a'-c'; 603 during horizontal transport. During the rotary movement, the internal surfaces of the profiles partially surround the spherical shapes or truncated spherical shapes of at least the first roller element

103, 203a'-d '; 603, and the second roller element

104. It is preferred that at least 60% of a first imaginary circumference of the spherical shape or of the truncated spherical shape of the roller elements 103-105; 203a'-d ', 205a'-c'; 603 is surrounded by a second imaginary circumference of the internal surfaces of the tubular profiles 114, 115; 214 '. In the embodiment described, the degree of winding is approximately 75%. Since the internal surfaces closely surround the spherical shapes or the truncated spherical shapes, it is ensured that the cuberite units can slide easily along the guide rails in a safe, smooth and quiet way.

According to the invention, the first hinge device and / or the second hinge device further comprise a recess 636 or a protrusion 116,117; 216b '; 616, arranged to receive or to be inserted, and to cooperate with at least one protrusion 637 or at least one recess 118, 119; 218b '; 618, respectively, of the parking station during the rotary movement. The collaboration, which according to the invention is obtained between the aforementioned protrusions and recesses, ensures that the cover units can swing out from the guide rails safely, smoothly and silently when parking, without any risk of, for example , break the a window pane. In the embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention shown in fig. 1, the parking station 112, 113 acts on both the first hinge device 110 and the second hinge device 111. However, it can also be designed with embodiments where the parking station only acts on the first hinge device. hinge or second hinge device.

As used herein, the term "parking station" is to be understood as the entire area in which the deck units are to be parked in an out-turned position. The design of the hinge devices makes them very compact and light, which is an advantage in terms of appearance and when transporting the cover units along the guide rails.

According to the invention, the third roller element 105; 205b ', is mounted on a closure unit 120; 220b ', 220c'. Thus, the closure unit is arranged to stop a closure member 121; 221c 'of cover unit 102; 202c 'during horizontal transportation and to release the closure member 221b' and enable rotary movement in the predetermined position, in which the inner surfaces of the tubular profile 114; 214 'of the upper guide rail 106; 206 'or the lower guide rail partially surrounds the spherical shape or the truncated spherical shape of the third roller element 105; 205b'-c 'both during rotary movement and horizontal transport. Consequently, this implies that the third roller element 105; 205b'-c 'in the preferred embodiment is retained on the tubular profile regardless of the position of the cover unit, or if the cover unit is moving along or rotating away from the guide rails. Since the closing unit and the third roller element do not follow the cover unit during rotation, the cover units become very inconspicuous also when they are turned outwards.

According to the invention, on the upper guide rail 106; 206 'and / or on the lower guide rail a closing station 122 is arranged; 222 ', in the embodiment described only on the upper guide rail. The closure station is arranged to influence the closure unit 220b 'to release the closure member 221b' and allow rotational movement when the cover unit 202b 'is in the predetermined position and to stop the closure member 121; 221c 'during horizontal transportation of the cover unit 102; 202c 'from or to the predetermined position.

In the preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the closure unit 120; 220a 'of one or more cover units comprises a connecting member 123; 223a ', 223b', arranged to engage a connecting portion 124, 125, of the first hinge device 110; 210b ', 210c', or second hinge device 211 of another cover unit during horizontal transportation from parking station 112, 113; 212 ', to closing station 122; 222 ', and to disengage from said first hinge device or second hinge device during horizontal transportation past said closing station 122; 222 '. This feature ensures that the third roller element with its closing unit is always in the correct position to be able to stop a closing member of a cover unit that is closed by rotary movement to be transported further substantially horizontally along the rails. as guide. However, of course, embodiments can also be designed in which the coupling occurs, instead of or in addition to, between a connecting member and a second hinge device that travels along the lower guide rail. Furthermore, it is obviously not entirely necessary for the row end closure unit to have any coupling member, since there is no hinge device to engage, therefore, the row end hinge device does not need any. connecting part since there is no connecting member to engage the hinge device at the end of the row.

Alternatively, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the arrangement comprises a plurality of cover units, of which a first cover unit 202d 'is arranged to cooperate with a closure device

ES 2 201 826 T3 childproof 226 '. With this, the first cover unit 202d 'is permanently arranged in the predetermined position in order to be able to exclusively perform a rotary movement. In the embodiment described, the child-resistant locking device can be operated exclusively by a special key (not shown) intended to fit into a keyhole of the locking device. Since none of the other cover units can be carried horizontally or turned outwards before the first cover unit 202d 'has been opened by the closure device 226' and turned outwards, this embodiment ensures that small children do not They can begin to open the interior glazed open space 201 unless an adult has given them the key.

In another advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the upper and lower guide rails are curved at an angle in the horizontal plane in one or more positions to form one or more corners 427a, 427b; 527a, 527b, 527c, 527d, beyond which one or more cover units 402; 502a, 502b, can pass during substantially horizontal transport. This is possible since all the roller elements are rotatably arranged relative to their respective cover units and since the degree of winding of the corner guide rails is adapted so that all movable parts can move freely. but without allowing the roll members to be unintentionally removed. Said adaptation has to be carried out separately for each specific case depending on the configuration of the guide rails and the geometric design of the rest of the arrangement in question. Since the cover units can pass corners, the arrangement according to the invention gains great flexibility in this embodiment, and can be used in open spaces in a number of different ways.

In another advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the parking station 412; 512 is arranged near a corner 428; 528 of open space 401; 501. Consequently, in this embodiment the cover units are parked in a place where they obstruct as little as possible, and the open space can be used in the best possible way.

In still another advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the upper guide rail has the same geometric shape as the lower guide rail (not shown in the drawings). This also allows at least the first and second roller elements to be identical. This embodiment offers a particularly low manufacturing cost, since the number of different components is minimized.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a preferred design of a first hinge member 110 with an associated first roller element 103 for use in the assembly according to the invention, wherein the roller element 103 is rotatably disposed about a curved axis 129 by a ball bearing 132.

In addition, a tie link 131 is included, which is rotatably disposed relative to the axis and is intended to be attached to a cover unit (not shown in FIGS. 6-7). The illustrated design can also be used for a second hinge device with a second roller element. Within the scope of the invention, it can of course be conceived with many other design solutions apart from those shown in figs. 6 and 7.

Fig. 8 illustrates the components that are included in a preferred design of a closure unit 120 with its associated third roller element 105 for use in the arrangement according to the invention, in which also the third roller element 105 is rotatably mounted on bearings by a ball bearing 132 on a curved shaft 133. Furthermore, fig. 8 illustrates connecting member 123 intended to be coupled to a connecting portion of a hinge device (not shown) that forms part of another cover unit (not shown), and a closure member 121 in the form of a hinge link. joint intended to be permanently mounted on the associated cover unit (not shown) to enable its arrest by and its release from the closure unit 120.

In the preferred design, also a spring-loaded opening tab 134 on which the above-mentioned closing station 122 is adapted to act via a shoulder 135, shown in FIG. 1. When a cover unit is in the predetermined position, the shoulder 135 will act on the opening tab 134 so that the closing member 121 is free from the closing unit 120 and the cover unit 102 can be rotated outward. for your parking. The aforementioned connecting member 123 is designed to close at a connecting portion (similar to 124, 125 indicated in, for example, FIG. 1) of an adjacent hinge device (not shown).

In the preferred design, the connection portion 124 is a recess in the hinge device 110, with dimensions adapted to allow insertion of a connecting member of an adjacent hinge device of a cover unit being closed and to hold the coupling member of an adjacent closure unit by friction with a force that is adapted to allow the release of the stopped connecting member when a cover unit during horizontal transport along the guide rails in the opposite direction to the station parking lot comes to the closing station and passes it. This becomes evident in fig. 3, in which the cover unit 202b 'performs a rotary movement, and the cover unit 202c' is about to pass the closing station 222 '. However, many other design solutions are conceivable, as defined in the following claims, that allow coupling within the scope of the invention.

The present invention should not be considered in any way limited to what is described above in relation to the different embodiments; or as shown in the accompanying drawings, but the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

Regarding the choice of material for the components included in the arrangement according to the invention, it can be conceived both with different metal alloys and with polymeric materials. When selecting the material, a number of different factors must be considered, such as price, weight, durability, appearance, and friction. Once these factors and the information shown in the above description have been taken into account, the skilled person will be able to make an appropriate selection of material for the application in question.

ES 2 201 826 T3

It can also be conceived with embodiments within the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims, when the number of roller elements is greater than three and when it has more than one parking station and closing station.

Within the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims, it can also be conceived with embodiments in which, seen from the viewer direction, the cover units are turned out to the right or left, and embodiments in those in which the parking station (s) is / are located to the left and / or to the right.