EP1149222A1

EP1149222A1 - Arrangement for reversible glazing-in of an open space

Info

Publication number: EP1149222A1
Application number: EP99965680A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bo Persson
Original assignee: LMV ALNOVA BALKONGSYSTEM I SVE; LMV Alnova Balkongsystem I Sverige AB
Current assignee: Alnova Balkongsystem AB; F O Petersons Gata 7 421 31 Vaestra Froelunda
Priority date: 1998-12-23
Filing date: 1999-12-22
Publication date: 2001-10-31
Anticipated expiration: 2019-12-22
Also published as: PT1149222E; DE69908653D1; WO2000039426A1; NO20013172L; ES2201826T3; SE513307C2; EP1149222B1; SE9804540D0; NO20013172D0; DK1149222T3; NO315573B1; SE9804540L; DE69908653T2; AU2136700A; ATE242404T1

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement (100) for reversible glazing-in of an open space, with at least one covering unit (102) carried on roller elements (103, 104, 105) between guide rails (106, 107). When in a predetermined position, each covering unit (102) is able to perform a pivoting motion while being arrested from horizontal transport by a parking station (112, 113). One or several of the covering units (102) comprise(s) a third roller element (105), wherein all three roller elements (103, 104, 105) comprise spherical shapes or truncated spherical shapes. The guide rails (106, 107) comprise substantially tubular profiles (114) having inner surfaces which partially enclose the three roller elements (103, 104, 105) during the horizontal transport and at least the first (103) and the second (104) roller element during the pivoting motion. The first and/or second hinge device comprises a recess and/or a protuberance (116, 117), arranged for receiving or being inserted in, and for cooperating with at least one protuberance and/or at least one recess (118, 119) of the parking station during the pivoting motion. The invention is implemented in connection with open spaces such as balconies, terraces, patios and the like.

Description

Title

Arrangement for reversible glazing-in of an open space.

Technical field

The present invention relates to an arrangement for reversible glazing-in of an open space.

As used herein, "reversible glazing-in" should be understood as the type of open space which entirely or partially can be fenced in by covering elements which are carried on and slide along guide rails, and that this process also can take place in the reverse direction when it is desired to open up the space entirely or partially.

The invention is primarily intended to be implemented in connection with reversible glazing-in of entirely 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 can also be implemented for e.g. glasshouses.

Background of the invention

Within the field of glazing-in or covering up open spaces, a number of different systems with sliding, and in certain cases also pivoting, window, door, or panel elements are previously known.

Accordingly, for example the patent publication WO 97/11247 discloses a method for glazing-in an open space, for example balconies, utilising a plurality of rectangular or square units which comprise a pane of glass or plastic, wherein the units are intended to move on upper and lower longitudinal rails. According to WO 97/11247, the units are moved along the rails and are brought to pass one or several 90° corners, which form a connecting region for two adjacent rails which form a 90° angle in relation to each other. When the glazed-in space once again should be opened up, the units are moved towards the end region of a rail and each unit is pivoted outwards in such a way that it is retained in position in the upper and the lower rail by two means which are arranged substantially straight above each other, after which the unit is parked close to a unit in front.

In WO 97/11247, also an apparatus for glazing-in an open space, such as balconies, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of rectangular and square units with panes of glass or plastic which are intended to cooperate in order to cover up the open space, wherein the units can be brought to a parking position in which the previously glazed-in space is open and the units are intended to move along an upper and a lower longitudinal rail. The disclosed apparatus is reported to comprise that each unit is provided with upper and lower means for cooperation with the two rails, wherein the means are arranged so that their positions form a triangle. Each means is arranged at a corner portion of the unit and has a first portion which is attached to the corner portion of the unit, and a second portion comprising a rotatable wheel which is mounted in bearings on a substantially horizontal axis. The second portion of the means can pivot in relation to the first portion.Each unit is reported to be designed in order to be able to pass a 90° corner which constitutes a connecting region for a first rail and a second rail which forms a 90° angle in relation to the first rail. Furthermore, it is stated that each unit can be pivoted outwards from the position it has when it moves along the rails, so that the unit suspended in an upper and a lower means can be moved to an end position, in which each unit can be parked close to the next in a minimal space.

In WO 97/11247 it is also disclosed that each unit advantageously comprises two means in its lower portion, one at each corner of the unit, and that a portion of the lower longitudinal rail is cut away and replaced by a door which can be opened and closed through which one of the lower means can be released from the rail and the unit, accordingly, can be pivoted outwards while the unit is suspended in the upper means and in the remaining lower means.

Furthermore, the patent publication EP 0 685 024 Bl discloses a pivoting and sliding glazing-in structure which comprises one ore several window units carried between upper and lower guide rails for horizontal sliding motion along these, wherein each window unit has a front edge and a rear edge and is adapted to, at a predetermined position for each window unit along said guide rails, perform a pivoting motion around its front edge by means of a hinge arrangement carried on the window unit and arranged close to the front edge, wherein the structure further comprises meas for locking the hinge arrangement from further sliding movement at said predetermined position before and during the pivoting motion.

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

In the patent publication US 4,573,286, a device for suspending a movable panel or similar load is disclosed, which device comprises at least one roller element attached to the movable panel by means of a connecting member. The roller element is said to comprise two rolls in cooperation with rolling surfaces of a tubular guide rail, which can have rectilinear portions and curved portions, wherein the rolling surfaces of the guide rail are located in an opposing relationship on each side of the connecting member in an oblique angle in relation to the connecting member. The profile of the rolling surfaces and the two rolls are reported to be adapted to each other in order to prevent a movement of the roller element in a plane transverse to the tubular guide rail.

The previously known arrangements for reversible glazing-in of open spaces with window units, panels, or other covering units, can be perceived as being associated with certain problems.

Arrangements in which the units only can move in the direction of the guide rails and cannot be opened by being pivoted inwards exhibit a limited flexibility in case it is desired to open up the entire or to glaze in only part of the space in question. In order to be able to open up for example a glazed-in balcony, arrangements with sliding but non-pivoting covering units either require that there is a sufficient space available in order to be able to push the units away in a sequence after each other in the direction of the guide rails, or that several pairs of guide rails are arranged in parallel with each other so that covering units on different pairs of guide rails can pass each other when glazing-in or opening up the balcony.

As has become evident in the foregoing, there are previously known arrangement in which the units both can slide on roller elements in the direction of the guide rails and can be opened by means of being pivoted around one of their edges by means of hinge arrangements attached to upper and lower roller elements which carry the unit during the pivoting motion. Such arrangements generally require a complicated opening method where a cover or the like is removed for allowing that one or several roller elements at the second edge of the unit is released from the guide rail or rails through a recess.

Furthermore, it can be perceived as less attractive that one or several roller elements follow(s) the covering unit when opening it, since the outwardly pivoted covering unit thereby becomes considerably more visible and can disturb the aesthetic impression of a beautiful view, wall, or the like.

Previously known arrangements with covering units which in their opened/outwardly pivoted position can be slided further along the guide rails can imply a risk that covering units collide in such a way that, for example, a window pane is broken.

When mounting arrangements with roller elements of conventional type, an accurate fϊtting-in of the guide rails is required in order to make it possible for the covering units to be pushed forwards and backwards on the guide rails without jamming or moving in a jerky way, particularly when the guide rails comprise curved portions past which the covering 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 cross-direction of the guide rails, i.e. in the axial direction of the cylinder shape. Such a play is undesired, since it can cause problems with noise or rattling when the units are pushed along the guide rails, or when violent gusts of wind occur. Furthermore, the previously known arrangements for reversible glazing-in often have ungainly hinge arrangements and roller elements, with the result that covering units which are parked in an outwardly pivoted position require a large space and can be perceived as disturbing.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for reversible glazing-in, which solves the problem with play in the suspension of the covering units in the guide rails and ungainly hinge arrangements and roller elements, and which ensures that covering units in the arrangement can be slided along, and pivoted outwards from the guide rails in a safe, smooth and quiet way when being parked.

In accordance with claim 1, this first object of the invention is achieved by means of the arrangement comprising one or several covering units carried on roller elements between upper and lower guide rails for substantially horizontal transport along said guide rails.

Thereby, each covering unit has a first edge and a second edge and comprises, close to 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 covering unit is able to perform a pivoting motion around its first edge when in a predetermined position along said guide rails while the covering unit is arrested from further horizontal transport along the guide rails by a parking station acting on at least one of said hinge devices. Furthermore, one or several of the covering units also comprise a third roller element.

According to the invention, the first, second and third roller element all comprise spherical shapes or truncated spherical shapes, wherein both the upper and the lower guide rail comprise substantially tubular profiles having inner surfaces, which partially enclose the spherical shapes or the truncated spherical shapes of the first, second and third roller element during the horizontal transport and partially enclose the spherical shapes or the truncated spherical shapes of at least the first and the second roller element during the pivoting motion. Thereby, the first and/ or the second hinge device comprises a recess and/or a protuberance arranged for receiving, or being inserted in, and for cooperating with at least one protuberance and/or at least one recess of the parking station during the pivoting motion.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for reversible glazing-in where the covering units are as discreet as possible when parked in an outwardly pivoted condition.

In accordance with claim 2, this second object of the invention is achieved by means of the third roller element being mounted on a locking unit, arranged for arresting a locking member of the covering unit during the horizontal transport an for releasing the locking member and enabling the pivoting motion when in the predetermined position, wherein the inner surfaces of the tubular profile of either the upper or the lower guide rail partially enclose the spherical shape or the truncated spherical shape of the third roller element both during the pivoting motion and during the horizontal transport.

Further objects of the invention are evident from the following description, while the features which enable these objects to be reached are evident from the attached, dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Fig.1 shows a schematic perspective view of a portion of an arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a simplified and schematic top view, with cut-away portions, of an arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein an open space in the form of a rectangular, retracted balcony is glazed-in by three covering units of the arrangement, Fig. 3 shows the arrangement in Fig. 2, while the front face of the balcony is being opened up, alternatively closed, by means of the arrangement according to the invention,

Fig. 4 shows the motion pattern, seen from above, of the covering units in 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 being opened up by means of the arrangement according to the invention,

Fig. 5 shows the motion pattern, seen from above, of the covering units in an arrangement according to another alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein an open space in the form of a projecting balcony with oblique corners is being glazed-in by means of 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 thereto connected roller element,

Fig. 7 shows the different sub-components which are included in the hinge device and the roller element in Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 shows the different sub-components which are included in a locking unit with associated roller element of the arrangement in Fig. 1 , and a locking member intended to be attached to the rear edge of a covering unit for enabling the locking member to be arrested in and released from the locking unit,

Fig. 9A shows a schematic top view of a portion of an arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention with a covering unit which has completed its pivoting motion to an open and parked position,

Fig. 9B shows the arrangement in Fig.9A during the pivoting motion of the covering unit, and Fig. 9C shows the arrangement in Fig. 9A immediately before the pivoting motion starts.

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 attached

Figs. 1-9C.

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

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

Each covering unit has a first edge 108; 208b' and a second edge 109 and comprises, close to 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 the 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 covering unit 102; 202a-d, 202a' -d'; 602 is able to perform a pivoting motion around its first edge 108; 208b' while the covering unit 102; 202b' ; 602' is arrested from further horizontal transport along the guide rails 106, 107; 206' by a parking station 112, 113; 212': 612' acting on at least one of the hinge devices 1 10, 111; 210a' -b', 210d;

610'.

One or several of the covering units 102; 202a' -c' of the arrangement also comprises a third roller element 105; 205a' -c'.

According to the invention the first, second and third roller element 103, 104, 105; 203 a'- d', 205a'-c'; 603 comprise spherical shapes or truncated spherical shapes, while both the upper 106; 206'; 606 and the lower guide rail 107 comprise substantially tubular profiles 114, 115; 214' having inner surfaces, which partially enclose the spherical shape or the truncated spherical shapes of the first, second and third roller element 103 , 104, 105 ; 203 a' - d', 205a'-c'; 603 during the horizontal transport. During the pivoting motion, the inner surfaces of the profiles partially enclose the spherical shapes or the truncated spherical shapes of at least the first 103, 203a'-d'; 603 and the second 104 roller element. It is preferred that at least 60% of a first imaginary circumference of the spherical shape or the truncated spherical shape of the roller elements 103-105; 203a' -d', 205a'-c'; 603 is enclosed by a second imaginary circumference of the inner surfaces of the tubular profiles 114, 115 ; 214'. In the described embodiment, the winding degree is about 75%. Since the inner surfaces tightly surround the spherical shapes or the truncated spherical shapes, it is ensured that the covering units easily can be slided along the guide rails in a safe, smooth and quiet way.

According to the invention, the first and/or the second hinge device further comprise(s) a recess 636 and/or a protuberance 116, 117; 216b'; 616, arranged for receiving or being inserted in and for cooperating with at least one protuberance 637 and/or at least one recess 118, 119; 218 b'; 618 of the parking station during the pivoting motion. The cooperation, which according to the invention is achieved between the above-mentioned protuberances and recesses, ensures that the covering units can be pivoted outwards from the guide rails in a safe, smooth and quiet way when being parked, without any risk of e.g. a window pane being broken. In the embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention shown in Fig. 1, the parking stationl 12, 113 acts both on the first 110 and the second 111 hinge device. However, it is also conceivable with embodiments in which the parking station only acts on the first or on the second hinge device.

As used herein, "parking station" should be understood as the entire area where the covering units are intended to be parked in an outwardly-pivoted position. The design of the hinge devices makes them very compact and light, which is an advantage when the appearance is concerned and when the covering units are to be transported along the guide rails. In the preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the third roller element 105; 205b' is mounted on a locking unit 120; 220b', 220c'. Thereby, the locking unit us arranged for arresting a locking memberl21 ; 221c' of the covering member 102; 202c' during the horizontal transport and for releasing the locking member 221b' and enabling the pivoting motion when in the predetermined position, wherein the inner surfaces of the tubular profile 114; 214' of either the upper 106; 206' or the lower guide rail partially enclose the spherical shape or the truncated spherical shape of the third roller elementl05; 205b'-c' both during the pivoting motion and during the horizontal transport. Accordingly, this implies that the third roller element 105; 205b'-c' in the preferred embodiment is retained in the tubular profile independently of the position of the covering unit, or whether the covering unit is running along or is pivoted outwards from the guide rails. Since the locking unit and the third roller element do not follow the covering unit during the pivoting, the covering units become very discreet also when in their outwardly- pivoted condition.

It is also conceivable with embodiments of the arrangement according to the invention without any locking unit and in which the third roller element participates in the pivoting motion of the covering unit (not shown in the drawings). Such an embodiment requires that the winding degree of the rail in question is reduced locally with a recess or the like so that the third roller element can be released from the guide rail when the covering unit is in the predetermined position. Suck embodiments do not provide all the above-mentioned aesthetic advantages but, however, can be advantageous from an economic point of view.

In the preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, a locking station 122; 222' is arranged 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 for influencing the locking unit 220b' to release the locking member 221b' and allow the pivoting motion when the covering unit 202b' is in the predetermined position and for arresting the locking member 121; 221c' during the horizontal transport of the covering unit 102; 202c' from or to the predetermined position. However, it is also conceivable with less advantageous embodiments where locking or unlocking takes place in another way, for example manually by means of pushing a button or the like. In the preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the locking unit 120; 220a' of one or several covering units comprises a connecting member 123; 223a', 223b', which is arranged for coupling to a connecting portion 124, 125 of the first 110; 210b', 210c' or second 211 hinge device of another covering unit during the horizontal transport from the parking station 112, 113; 212' to the locking station 122; 222' and for uncoupling from said first or second hinge device during further horizontal transport past said locking station 122; 222'. This feature ensures that a third roller element with its locking unit always is in a correct position for being able to arrest a locking member of a covering unit which is closed by pivoting motion in order to be transported further thereafter substantially horizontally along the guide rails. However, it is of course also conceivable with embodiments in which the coupling instead, or also, takes place between a connecting member and a second hinge device which run along the lower guide rail. Furthermore, it is of course not entirely necessary that the locking unit in the end of the row has any coupling member, since there is no further hinge device to be coupled to. Consequently, a hinge device in the end of the row does not need any connecting portion, since there is no connecting member to couple the hinge device in the end of the row to.

In an alternative, particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the arrangement comprises a plurality of covering units, out of which a first covering unit 202d' is arranged for cooperating with a child-safe locking device 226'. Thereby, the first covering unit 202d' is permanently arranged in the predetermined position in order to be able only to perform pivoting motion. In the described embodiment, the child-safe locking device can be operated exclusively by means of a special key (not shown) intended to fit into a keyhole of the locking device. Since none of the other covering units can be transported horizontally or pivoted outwards before the first covering unit 202d' has been unlocked via the locking device 226' and pivoted outwards, this embodiment ensures that small children cannot commence opening up the glazed-in, open space 201 unless an adult has provided the key.

In another advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the upper and lower guide rails are curved in an angle in the horizontal plane at one or several positions in order to form one or several corners 427a, 427b; 527a, 527b, 527c, 527d past which one or several covering units 402; 502a, 502b are able to pass during the substantially horizontal transport. This is made possible since all roller elements are arranged pivotally in relation to their respective covering units and since the winding degree of the guide rails in the corners is adapted so that all movable parts can run freely but without allowing the roller members to be removed unintentionally. Such an adaptation has to be performed separately for each specific case depending on the configuration of the guide rails and the geometrical design of the remainder of the arrangement in question. Since the covering units can pass corners, the arrangement according to the invention obtains great flexibility in this embodiment, and can be utilised for open spaces of a number of different shapes.

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

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

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a preferred design of a first hinge member 110 with associated first roller element 103 for use in the assembly according to the invention, wherein the roller element 103 is rotatably arranged on a curved axis 129 by means of a ball bearing 132. Furthermore, an attachment link 131, which is rotatably arranged in relation to the axis and intended to be attached to a covering unit (not shown in Figs 6-7), is included. The illustrated design can also be utilised for a second hinge device with a second roller element. Within the scope of the invention, it is of course conceivable with many other design solutions than those shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Fig. 8 illustrates the components which are included in a preferred design of a locking unit 120 with its associated third roller element 105 for use in the arrangement according to the invention, wherein also the third roller element 105 is rotatably mounted in bearings by means of a ball bearing 132 on a curved axis 133. Furthermore, Fig. 8 illustrates the connecting member 123 intended to be coupled to a connecting portion of a hinge device (not shown) being part of another covering unit (not shown), and a locking member 121 in the form of an attachment link intended to be permanently mounted on the associated covering unit (not shown) for being possible to be arrested by and released from the locking unit 120.

In the preferred design, also a spring-loaded opening tab 134 onto which the above- discussed locking station 122 is intended to be acting by means of a protrusion 135, shown in Fig. 1. When a covering unit is in the predetermined position, the protrusion 135 will act on the opening tab 134 so that the locking member 121 is released from the locking unit 120 and the covering unit 102 can be pivoted outwards for parking. The above-mentioned connecting member 123 is designed for being locked to a connecting portion (similar to those denoted 124, 125 in e.g. Fig. 1) of an adjacent hinge device (not shown).

In the preferred design, the connecting portion 124 is a recess in the hinge device 110, having dimensions which are adapted for allowing the insertion of a connecting member of an adjacent hinge device of a covering unit being closed and for holding the coupling member of an adjacent locking unit by means of friction with a force which is adapted for allowing the arrested connecting member to be released when a covering unit during horizontal transport along the guide rails in a direction away from the parking station arrives to the locking station and passes it. This is evident from Fig. 3, where the covering unit 202b' performs a pivoting motion, and the covering unit 202c' is about to pass the locking station 222'. However, many other design solutions enabling the coupling are conceivable within the scope of the invention.

The present invention should by no means be regarded as being limited to what has been described above in connection with the different embodiments, or to what is shown in the attached drawings, but the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. When the choice of material for the components included in the arrangement according to the invention is concerned, it is conceivable both with different metal alloys and polymer materials. When selecting material, a number of different factors should be taken into account, such as price, weight, durability, appearance and friction. When these factors and the information disclosed in the description above have been taken into account, the skilled person can make a suitable material selection for the application in question.

It is also conceivable with embodiments within the scope of the invention, where the number of roller elements is lager than three and with more than one parking station and locking station.

Within the scope of the invention, it is also conceivable with embodiments where, seen from a viewer's direction, the covering units are pivoted outwards to the right or to the left, and embodiments where the parking station or stations is/are situated to the left and/or to the right.

Claims

1. An arrangement for reversible glazing-in of an open space, said arrangement ( 100;

200, 200'; 400; 500; 600) comprising one or several covering units (102; 202a, 202b, 202c, 202 d, 202a', 202b', 202c', 202d'; 402; 502; 602) carried on roller elements (103, 104, 105; 203a', 203b', 203c', 203d', 205a', 205b', 205c'; 603) between upper (106; 206'; 606) and lower (107) guide rails for substantially horizontal transport along said guide rails, wherein each covering unit has a first edge (108; 208b') and a second edge (109), and comprises, close to the first edge, a first hinge device ( 110; 210a' , 210b', 210c' , 210d' ; 610) connected to a first roller element (103; 203a'-d'; 603) carried by the upper guide rail (106; 206') and a second hinge device (111) connected to a second roller element ( 104) carried by the lower guide rail (107), so that each covering unit (102; 202a-d, 202a' -d'; 602) is able to perform a pivoting motion around its first edge (108; 208b') when in a predetermined position along said guide rails (106, 107; 206'; 606) while the covering unit (102; 202b'; 602') is arrested from further horizontal transport along the guide rails (106, 107; 206'; 606) by a parking station (112, 113; 212'; 612') acting on at least one ofsaid hinge devices (110, 111; 210a'- b', 210d'; 610'), and that one or several of the covering units (102; 202a' -c') further comprise(s) a third roller element (105; 205a' -c'), c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the first, second and third roller element (103, 104, 105; 203a' -d', 205a' -c'; 603) all comprise spherical shapes or truncated spherical shapes, and that both the upper (106; 206'; 606) and the lower guide rail (107) comprise substantially tubular profiles (114, 115; 214') having inner surfaces, which partially enclose the spherical shapes or the truncated spherical shapes of the first, second and third roller element during the horizontal transport and partially encloses the spherical shapes or the truncated spherical shapes of at least the first (103, 203a' -d'; 603) and the second (104) roller element during the pivoting motion, and that the first and/or second hinge device comprises a recess (636) and/or a protuberance

(116, 117; 216b'; 616), arranged for receiving or being inserted in, and for cooperating with at least one protuberance (637) and/or at least one recess (118, 119; 218 b'; 618) of the parking station during the pivoting motion.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the third roller element (105; 205b') is mounted on a locking unit (120; 220b', 220c'), arranged for arresting a locking member (121; 221c') of the covering unit (102; 202c') during the horizontal transport and for releasing the locking member (221b') and enabling the pivoting motion when in the predetermined position, wherein the inner surfaces of the tubular profile (114; 214') of either the upper (106; 206') or the lower guide rail partially enclose the spherical shape or the truncated spherical shape of the third roller element (105; 205b'-c') both during the pivoting motion and during the horizontal transport.

3. An arrangement according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that a locking station (122; 222') is arranged at the upper (106; 206') and/or the lower guide rail, which locking station is arranged for influencing the locking unit (220b') to release the locking member (221b') and allow the pivoting motion when the covering unit (202b') is in the predetermined position and for arresting the locking member (121; 221c') during the horizontal transport of the covering unit (102; 202c') from and to the predetermined position.

4. An arrangement according to claim 3, characterised in that the locking unit (120; 220a') of one or several covering units comprise(s) a connecting member (123; 223a', 223b'), which is arranged for coupling to a connecting portion (124, 125) of the first (110; 210b', 210c') or second (211) hinge device of another covering unit during the horizontal transport from the parking station (112, 113; 212') to the locking station (122; 222') and for release from said first or second hinge device during further horizontal transport past said locking station (122; 222').

5. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of covering units, characterised in that a first covering unit (202d') is arranged for cooperating with a child-safe locking device (226'), and that said first covering unit (202d') is permanently arranged in the predetermined position in order to only be able to perform a pivoting motion.

6. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least 60%> of a first imaginary circumference of the spherical shape or the truncated spherical shape of the roller elements (103-105; 203 a' -d', 205a' -c') is enclosed by a second imaginary circumference of the inner surfaces of the tubular profiles (114, 115; 214').

7. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the upper and lower guide rails are curved with an angle in the horizontal plane at one or several positions in order to form one or several corners (427a, 427b; 527a, 527b, 527c, 527d) past which one or several covering units (402; 502a,

502b) are able to pass during the substantially horizontal transport.

8. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the parking station (412; 512) is arranged close to a corner (428; 528) of the open space (401; 501).

9. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the open space (101; 201,201'; 401; 501) is a balcony, a terrace or a patio.

10. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the covering units (102;202a-d, 202a' -d') comprise window, door or panel units.

11. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the upper guide rail has the same geometrical shape as the lower guide rail.