Arrangement for reversible glazing-in of an open space

(54) (56) (57)

INVENTOR

REPRESENTATIVE TITLE

Bo Persson, Kullavi SE Gothenburg Patent Office Dahl's Arrangement for Reversible

CALLED PUBLICATIONS: - - SUMMARY:

AB coverage of an open space

The invention relates to an arrangement (100) for reversibly covering an open space, with at least one cover unit (102) supported on roller means (103, 104, 105) between guide rails (106, 107). Each cover unit (102) can, in a predetermined position, perform a pivotal motion during locking from horizontal movement of a parking station (112,113). Some or all of the cover units (102) comprise a third roller member (105), all three roller members (103, 104, 105) comprising spherical or truncated spherical shapes. The guide rails (106,107) comprise substantially tubular profiles (114) with inner surfaces which, in the horizontal movement, partially enclose the three roller members (103, 104, 105) and at least the first (103) and the second (104) roller members. The first (110) and / or second (III) hinge device comprises a recess (116,117) and the parking station comprises at least one projecting member (118, 119) which, during pivotal movement, enters and cooperates with the recess (116, 117). The invention is practiced in open spaces such as balconies, balconies, patios and the like.

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The numbers in brackets indicate international identification code, INID code. Letters in clamps indicate international document code.

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Technical area

The present invention relates to an arrangement for reversible open space coverage.

By reversible coverage, it is understood herein that the current type of open space may be wholly or partially surrounded by coverings supported by and running along guide rails, and that this process may also occur in the opposite direction when fully or partially desired to open the space.

The invention is mainly intended to be practiced in connection with reversible coverage of fully or partially open spaces such as balconies, balconies, patios and the like by means of sliding windows, sliding doors, sliding panels, or the like, but can also be applied, for example, to greenhouses.

Background of the Invention

In the field of glazing or covering of various open spaces, it is already known in the past with a number of different systems with sliding and, in some cases, swingable window, door or panel units.

Thus, for example, patent publication WO 97/11247 describes a method for glazing an open space, for example balconies, utilizing a plurality of rectangular or square units comprising a glass or plastic box, the units being intended to move in upper and lower longitudinal rails. According to WO 97/11247, the units are moved along the rails and passed through one or more 90 ° hammers which form a bonding area for two adjacent rails forming a 90 ° angle with each other. When the glazed space is to be reopened, the units are moved towards the end region of a rail and each unit is pivoted out in such a way that it is retained in the

513 307 position in the upper and lower rails by two means substantially arranged one above the other, whereupon the unit is parked near a front unit.

WO 97/11247 also describes an apparatus for glazing an open space, such as balconies. The apparatus comprises a plurality of rectangular and square units with glass or plastic panes intended to cooperate to cover the open space, the units being able to be brought to a parking position in which the previously glazed space is open and the units are intended to move along an upper and a lower longitudinal rail. The apparatus described is said to include each unit having upper and lower means for interacting with the two rails, the means being arranged so that their positions form a triangle. Each means is provided at a lift portion of the unit and has a first portion attached to the unit portion of the unit, and a second portion comprising a rotatable wheel mounted on a substantially horizontal axis. The second part of the means is rotatable relative to the first part. Each unit is said to be designed to be able to pass a 90 ° heam which constitutes a bonding region for a first rail and a second rail forming a 90 ° angle to the first rail. Furthermore, it is stated that each unit from the position it has as it moves along the rails can be swung out so that the unit suspended in an upper and a lower means can be moved to an end position, where each unit can be parked close to each other on a minimal surface.

WO 97/11247 also states that each unit advantageously comprises two means in its lower part, one at each hem of the unit, and that a portion of the lower longitudinal rail is cut away and replaced by an openable and closable door through which one lower the agent can be detached from the rail and the unit is consequently swung out while the unit is suspended in the upper means and in the remaining lower means.

Further, patent specification EP 0 685 024 B1 discloses a pivotable and sliding glazing structure comprising one or more window units supported between upper and lower guide rails for horizontal sliding movement along them, each window unit having a front edge and a rear edge and adapted to, at a predetermined position for each window unit along said guide rails; perform a pivotal movement about its front edge with the help of a hinged arrangement arranged on the window unit and arranged nearby

IN

513 307 of the leading edge, the structure further comprising means for locking the hinge arrangement against further sliding movement at said predetermined position before and during the turning movement.

According to EP 0 685 024 B1, the means for locking the hinge arrangement at said predetermined position comprises a means for displacing a portion of the window unit inwardly to cause at least part of the hinge arrangement to be inserted into and retained in a receiving element mounted on one of said guide rails. .

U.S. Patent No. 4,573,286 discloses a device for suspending a movable panel or similar load which includes at least one roller member attached to the movable panel by means of a connecting member. The roller element is said to comprise two rollers in cooperation with roller surfaces of a tubular guide rail, which may have rectilinear portions and curved portions and curved portions, the roller surfaces of the guide rail being positioned in opposite relation on each side of the connection portion at an inclined angle relative to the connection portion. The profiles of the two roller surfaces and the two rollers are said to be aligned with each other to prevent movement of the roller element in a plane transverse to the tubular guide rail.

The prior art arrangements for reversible open space coverage with window units, panels, or other cover units may appear to be associated with certain problems.

Arrangements in which the units can only move in the direction of the guide rails and cannot be opened by pivoting inward show limited flexibility in the case that it is desired to open up the whole or cover only part of the space in question. For example, to be able to open up a glazed balcony, arrangements with sliding but non-pivoting cover units either have space available to be able to push the units in succession in the direction of the guide rails, or that several pairs of guide rails are arranged parallel to each other so that that the coverings on different pairs of guide rails can pass each other when covering or opening the balcony.

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As has been stated above, there are previously known arrangements in which the units can both slide on roller means in the direction of the guide rails and are opened by pivoting inward around one edge by means of hinge arrangements attached to upper and lower roller means supporting the unit during the pivoting movement. Such arrangements generally require a complicated opening procedure in which a hatch or the like is removed to allow one or more roller members at the other edge of the unit to be detached from the guide rail or rails by a recess. Furthermore, it may be perceived as less appealing that one or more rollers follow the cover unit upon opening, as the flared cover unit thereby becomes significantly more visible and may interfere with the aesthetic impression of a beautiful view, wall, or the like.

Prior art arrangements with cover units that can be pushed further along the guide rails in the open / swung position can entail a risk of cover units colliding in such a way that, for example, a window pane breaks.

When mounting with conventional type roller means, careful alignment of the guide rails is required in order for the cover units to be pushed back and forth on the guide rails without squeezing or moving, especially when the guide rails comprise curved portions past which the cover units can pass.

Conventional arrangements often have cylindrical cylindrical means and generally allow the roller members to move to some extent in the transverse direction of the guide rails, ie. in the axis direction of the cylinder molds. Such a gap is undesirable as it can cause problems with rattling or rattling as the units are pushed along the guide rails or in the event of severe wind gusts.

Furthermore, the previously known reversible cover arrangements often have bulky hinge devices and mileage, which means that cover units parked in the flared position need large space and can be perceived as disruptive.

Disclosure of the Invention

Thus, a first object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for reversible coverage which solves the problems of gaps in the suspension of the cover units.

513 307 in the guide rails and bulky hinge devices and roller means, ensuring that cover units of the arrangement can be slid along, and when parking is swung out from, the guide rails in a safe, even and quiet manner.

This first object of the invention is achieved, according to claim 1, in that the arrangement comprises one or more cover units supported on roller means between upper and lower guide rails for substantially horizontal movement along said guide rails. Each cover unit then has a first edge and a second edge, and includes in the vicinity of the first edge a first hinge device connected to a first roller member supported by the upper guide rail and a second hinge device connected to a second roller member supported by the lower guide rail. In this way, each cover unit, when in a predetermined position along said guide rails, can perform a pivotal movement about its first edge while locking the cover unit from further horizontal movement along the guide rails of a parking station acting on at least one of said hinge devices. Furthermore, one or more of the cover units also includes a third roller member.

According to the invention, the first, second and third miler members include spherical or truncated spherical shapes, while both the upper and lower guide rails comprise substantially tubular profiles with inner surfaces, which, in the horizontal movement, partially enclose the spherical or frusto-spherical forms of the first, second and third . In the pivotal movement, the inner surfaces partially enclose the spherical shapes or the truncated spherical shapes of at least the first and second roller members. Furthermore, the first and / or second hinge device comprises a recess and the parking station at least one projecting means, which is arranged to enter and cooperate with the recess during the pivotal movement.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a reversible coverage arrangement where the cover units parked in the flipped condition are as discreet as possible.

This second object of the invention is achieved, in accordance with claim 2, in that the third mileage member is mounted on a locking unit, arranged for at the horizontal

513 307, the locks lock a locking member of the cover unit and in the predetermined position release the locking member and enable the pivotal movement, the inner surfaces of the tubular profile of either the upper or lower guide rail partially enclosing the spherical or truncated spherical shape of the third rolling member the horizontal movement.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description, while the features which make it possible to achieve these objects are set forth in the appended subordinate claims.

Brief description of the figure

The invention will be described in greater detail in the following with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of an arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 2 shows, greatly simplified and schematic, a top view with cut away portions of an arrangement according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, wherein an open space in the form of a rectangular, retracted balcony is covered by three covering units of the arrangement; FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of FIG. 2 while the front of the balcony is being opened, or alternatively closed by the arrangement according to the invention, fig. 4 shows from above the movement patterns of the quilts of an arrangement according to an alternative, particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein an open space in the form of a rectangular, projecting balcony is opened by means of the arrangement according to the invention,

513 Fig. 307 is a top plan view of the cover pattern movement of an arrangement according to another alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein an open space in the form of an oblique hammock-extending balcony is covered by the inventive arrangement; Fig. 6 is a detail view of a hinge arrangement included in the arrangement of FIG. 1 with a roller member connected thereto; FIG. 7 shows the various sub-components included in the hinge arrangement and the roller member of FIG. 6, and Fig. 8 shows the various subcomponents included in a locking unit with pendant roller means of the arrangement of Fig. 1, and a locking means intended to be attached to the rear edge of a cover to be locked in and detached from the locking unit.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

In the following, a preferred embodiment and a number of alternative embodiments of the arrangement according to the invention will be described with reference to the appended figures 1-8.

The inventive arrangement 100; 200, 200 '; 400; 500 is intended for reversible coverage of open space 101; 201.20 Γ; 401; 501, which is advantageously a balcony, a terrace or a patio, and in the embodiment described a balcony.

The arrangement comprises one or more blankets 102; 202a, 202b, 202c, 202 d, 202a ', 202b', 202c ', 202d'; 402, 502 supported on rollers 103, 104, 105; 203a ', 203b', 203c ', 203d', 205a ', 205b', 205c 'between upper 106; 206 'and lower 107 guide rails for substantially horizontal movement along said guide rails.

Various covers 102; 202a-d, 202a'-d '; 402,502 has a first edge 108; 208b 'and a second edge 109, and includes in the vicinity of the first edge 108; 208b 'a first hinge device 110; 210a ', 210b', 210c ', 210d' connected to a first rolling member 103;

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203a'-d 'supported by upper guide rail 106; 206 'and a second hinge device 111 connected to a second roller member 104 supported by the lower guide rail 107.

Each cover 102; 202a-d, 202a'-d ', when in a predetermined position along the guide rails 106, 107; 206 ', performing a pivotal movement about its first edge 108; 208b 'while the cover unit 102; 202b 'is locked from further horizontal movement along the guide rails 106, 107; 206 'of a parking station 112, 113; 212 'acting on at least one of the hinge devices 110, 111; 210a'-b ', 210d'.

Some or all of the cover units 102; 202a'-c 'of the arrangement also includes a third roller member 105; 205a'-c '.

According to the invention, the first, second and third roller means 103, 104, 105; 203a'-d ', 205a'-c' spherical or truncated spherical shapes, while both the upper 106; 206 'and the lower guide rail 107 comprise substantially tubular profiles 114,115; 214 'with inner surfaces which, in the horizontal movement, partially enclose the spherical or truncated spherical forms of the first, second and third rollers 103, 104, 104; 203a'-d', 205a'-c '. It is preferred that at least 60% of a first contemplated circular circumference of the sphere shape or the truncated sphere shape of the rollers 103-105; 203a'-d ', 205a'-c') are enclosed by a second contemplated circular circumference of tubular profiles 114, 115; 214 'inner surface. In the described embodiment, the degree of enclosure is about 75%. Thanks to the tight enclosure of the inner surfaces around the spherical shapes or the truncated spherical shapes, it is ensured that the covering units can be easily pushed along the guide rails in a safe, even and quiet manner.

In the pivotal movement, the inner surfaces of the profiles partially enclose the spherical shapes or the truncated spherical shapes of at least the first 103,203a'-d 'and the second 104 roller member, the first 110; 210a'-d 'and / or other 111 hinge apparatus includes a depression 116, 117; 216b 'while parking station 112, 113; 212 'comprises at least one projecting member 118, 119; 218 b ', which is arranged to enter and cooperate with the depression 116,117 in the pivotal movement; 216b '. The cooperation achieved by the invention between the protruding member and the recess

513 307 ensures that the cover units in parking can be swung out from, the guide rails in a safe, even and quiet manner, without the risk of, for example, a window pane breaking. In the embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention shown in Fig. 1, the parking station 112,113 operates on both the first 110 and the second 111 hinge device. However, one can also imagine the embodiment in which the parking station operates only on the first or on the second hinge device. By parking station is meant herein the entire area where the cover units are intended to be parked in a flipped position. By forming the hinge devices with a recess, they become very compact and lightweight, which is an advantage from the standpoint of appearance and when the cover units are to be moved along the guide rails.

In the preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the third roller means 105; 205b 'mounted on a locking unit 120; 220b ', 220c'. The locking unit is thereby arranged to lock in the horizontal movement a locking means 121; 221c 'of the cover 102; 202c 'and, in the predetermined position, releasing the locking means 221b' and enabling the pivoting movement, the tubular profile 114; 214 'inner surfaces of either upper 106; 206 'or the lower guide rail partially encloses the sphere shape or the truncated sphere shape of the third roller member 105; 205b'-c 'both at the pivotal movement and at the horizontal movement. This means that the third roller means 105; 205b'-c 'in the preferred embodiment is retained in the tubular profile regardless of the cover unit position, or whether the cover unit runs along or is pivoted from the guide rails. Since the locking unit and the third roller means do not accompany the cover unit during pivoting, the cover units are very discreet even in the pivoted state.

It is also possible to envisage embodiments of the arrangement according to the invention without a locking unit and where the third roller means follows in the swivel movement of the cover unit (not shown in the figures). Such an embodiment requires that the degree of enclosure of the current guide rail is locally reduced by a recess or the like so that the third mileage member can be detached from the guide rail when the cover unit is in the predetermined position. Such embodiments do not provide all of the aforementioned aesthetic advantages, but may be economically advantageous.

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In the preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, furthermore, there is a locking station 122; 222 'provided at the upper 106; 206 'and / or the lower guide rail, in the described embodiment only at the upper guide rail. The locking station is arranged to actuate the locking unit 220b 'to release the locking member 221b' and to allow the pivoting movement when the cover unit 202b 'is in the predetermined position and to lock the locking member 121; 221c 'at the horizontal movement of the cover unit 102; 202c 'from and to the predetermined position. However, less advantageous embodiments may be envisaged where locking or unlocking takes place in another way, for example manually by pressing a button or the like.

In the preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the locking unit comprises 120; 220a 'of one or more cover units a coupling member 123; 223a ', 223b', which is arranged for coupling with a coupling portion 124, 125 of the first 110; 210b ', 210c' or other 211 hinge device of another cover unit during the horizontal movement of the parking station 112, 113; 212 'to the locking station 122; 222 'and for disengaging from said first or second hinge device upon further horizontal movement past said locking station 122; 222 '. This feature guarantees that a third roller member with its locking unit is always in the correct position to be able to lock a locking member of a cover unit which is closed by pivotal movement and thereafter moves substantially horizontally along the guide rails. Of course, it is also possible to envisage embodiments where coupling instead, or even, occurs between a coupling means and a second hinge device running along the lower guide rail. Furthermore, of course, it is not absolutely necessary that the locking unit located at the outermost end has any coupling means, since there is no additional hinge device to connect with. Similarly, there is also no need for a hinge device which is located at the outermost end of any coupling part, since there is no coupling means for connecting the outermost hinge device with.

In an alternative, particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the arrangement comprises a plurality of cover units, a first cover unit 202d 'being arranged to cooperate with a childproof locking device 226'. The first cover unit 202d 'is thereby permanently arranged in the predetermined position to be able to carry out pivotal movement only. In the described l

513 In the embodiment, the child-proof locking device can only be actuated by means of a special key (not shown) intended to fit into a keyhole of the locking device. Since none of the other cover units can be moved horizontally or swung out before the first cover unit 202d 'has been unlocked via the locking device 226' and swung out, this embodiment ensures that no toddler can withstand the opening of the covered, open surface 201 without providing an adult key.

In another advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the upper and lower guide rails are curved at one or more places at an angle in the horizontal plane to form one or more hulls 427a, 427b; 527a, 527b, 527c, 527d past which one or more cover units 402; 502a, 502b may pass during the substantially horizontal movement. This is made possible by the fact that all roller members are arranged pivotally in relation to their respective cover units and that the enclosure of the guide rails in the hay is adjusted so that all moving parts go freely but without unintentionally loosening the roller members. Such adjustment must be made separately on a case-by-case basis, depending on the drawing of the guide rails and the geometric design of the arrangement in general. By allowing the cover units to pass through the home, the inventive arrangement in this embodiment provides great flexibility, and can be utilized for open spaces with a number of different shapes.

In another advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the parking station is 412; 512 disposed in the vicinity of a home 428; 528 of open space 401; 501.1 in this embodiment, the cover units are thus parked in a place where they are in the road as small as possible, and the open space can be utilized in the best possible way.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a preferred construction of a first hinge assembly 110 with associated first mileage means 103 for use in the arrangement of the invention, wherein the roller member 103 is rotatably arranged on a curved shaft 129 by means of a ball bearing 130. rotatably arranged attachment link 131 intended to be attached to a cover unit (not shown in FIGS. 6-7). The illustrated structure can also be used for a second hinge device with a second roller member. Within the framework of

513 Of course, the invention is conceivable with many other design solutions than those shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Figure 8 illustrates the parts included in a preferred construction of a lock assembly 120 with its associated third roller member 105 for use in the arrangement of the invention, wherein also the third roller member 105 is rotatably supported by a ball bearing 132 on a curved shaft 133. Further shown is the coupling member 123 which is intended to couple with a coupling portion of a hinge device (not shown) belonging to another cover unit (not shown) and a locking member 121, in the form of a fixed link, which is intended to be fixedly mounted on the associated covering unit. (not shown) to be locked into and detached from the locking unit 120.

Also included in the preferred construction is a spring-loaded opening tongue 134 on which the previously discussed locking station 122 is intended to operate with a raised 135, shown in Figure 1. When a cover unit is in the predetermined position, the raised 135 will act on the opening tongue 134 so that the locking member 121 is released from the locking unit 120 and the cover 102 can be swung out for parking.

The above-mentioned clutch member 123 is designed to be locked into a clutch portion (similar to those designated by 124, 125 in, for example, Fig. 1) of an adjacent hinge device (not shown).

The coupling portion 124, in the preferred construction, is a recess in the hinge assembly 110 having dimensions adapted to permit insertion of a clutch member on an adjacent hinge assembly of a cover unit which is closed. and, by friction, retaining the coupling means of an adjacent locking unit with a force adapted to allow the locked coupling means to be released when a cover unit during horizontal movement in the direction away from the parking station along the guide rails arrives at the locking station and passes it. This is evident from Fig. 3 through the swivel cover 202b ', and the cover unit 202c' passing through the locking station 222 '. However, many other design solutions that enable interconnection are conceivable within the scope of the invention.

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The present invention shall in no way be regarded as limited to what has been described above in connection with the various embodiments, or to what is shown in the appended drawings, without the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims.

With regard to the choice of material for the components included in the arrangement according to the invention, one can think of both different metal alloys and polymeric materials. The choice of materials should take into account a number of different factors, such as price, weight, strength, appearance and friction. Having considered these factors, and as set forth in the foregoing description and shown in the appended figures, the person skilled in the art can make a suitable choice of material for the particular application.

It is also possible to envisage embodiments within the scope of the invention where the number of roller means is greater than three and / or with more than one parking station and locking station.

Further, embodiments of the invention may also envisage embodiments where, viewed from a viewer's point of view, the cover units are swung out to the right or to the left, and embodiments where the parking station or stations are to the left and / or to the right.

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