EP3122955A1

EP3122955A1 - Balustrade glazing system and method for levelling the handrail of a balustrade glazing system

Info

Publication number: EP3122955A1
Application number: EP15720786.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ari Laitinen
Original assignee: Skaala Production Oy
Current assignee: Skaala Ifn Oy
Priority date: 2014-03-25
Filing date: 2015-03-25
Publication date: 2017-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 2035-03-25
Also published as: WO2015145374A4; WO2015145374A1; EP3122955B1

Abstract

A balustrade glazing system (l) comprises an essentially horizontal handrail (2) which is fastened in a stationary manner only at the ends to support structures (8) by means of a support structure fastening (7) and which comprises a stationary installation strip (22) which has an installation groove (18a) for a seal (20a), a removable installation strip (11) which has an installation groove (18b) for a seal (20a) and which together with the stationary installation strip (22) and possible seals (20a) determines the installation groove (9), a number of locking elements (12) for fastening the removable installation strip (11) to the rail profile (10), an essentially horizontal lower rail (3) where an installation groove (38) which opens upwards has been arranged, and balustrade glazing (4) which is installable or which has been installed essentially in a floating manner on the span between the installation groove (9) of the handrail and the installation groove (38) of the lower rail, whereby the balustrade glazing (4) supports the handrail (2) so that the upper edge (41) of the balustrade glazing (4) can essentially move in the installation groove (9) with respect to the width direction of the installation groove (9). In addition to this, the balustrade glazing system (1) comprises a number of wedge-like elements (13) for adjusting the distance between the balustrade glazing (4) and the handrail (2) by wedging the handrail (2) upwards against the balustrade glass (4) or against the protective/fastening profile (42) on the balustrade glass (4). Also includes a method requirement.

Description

Balustrade glazing system and method for straightening the handrail of a balustrade glazing system

Field of invention

The invention relates more generally to the field of

construction, and more specifically to balustrade glazing systems or balustrade and balcony glazing systems.

Technical background

In prior art balustrade glazing, the handrail is implemented so that vertical posts placed on the spans support the handrail and receive the forces coming to the handrail. Such forces include internal loads caused by people, wind loads, and pressure and suction loads. In such balustrade glazing, the straightness of the handrail is determined by the vertical posts. The

implementation of a horizontal handrail requires precision in the manufacture and installation of the balustrade posts as well as possible adjustment grouting in order to install the lower profile in the direction of the handrail.

In prior art balustrade glazing which is supported without balustrade posts placed on the spans the balustrade glazing is fastened in a stationary raannef at the bottom part to some type of profile, which is anchored in a stationary manner to the base slab underneath (c.f . for example patent application US

2002/0195595 Al) . In such balustrade glazing, the horizontal position and straightness of the lower profile determine the position and straightness of the handrail on top of the glass. The implementation of a horizontal handrail requires precision and possibly mechanical adjustment pieces in order to install the lower profile in a horizontal position.

Balustrade glazing is known in international patent application publication 96/24739, French patent application publications 2 268 920 and 2 544 373, international patent application

publication 2013/162451, European patent application publication 2 017 399, United States patents 6,964,410 and 4,920,717, and Czech patent application publications 2010-151 and 300 485. Objective of invention

The fastening of the balustrade glazing to the lower rail in a stationary manner requires the use of a stronger balustrade glazing. At least two hardened glasses, which are laminated to each other by means of a plastic membrane, usually need to be used. Such glass is not workable.

When the balustrade glazing is installed in a floating manner, i.e. so that it can move at its lower end and upper end so that it can curve freely, it is possible to reduce the strength requirements of balustrade glazing, when the possible loading (especially wind loads, and pressure and suction loads) are transmitted from the balustrade glazing to the support

structures via both the handrail and the lower rail.

To date, it has only been possible to implement such balustrade glazing by means of vertical posts. In this case, as described under Technical background, th§ vertical posts have ensured that the handrail is straight.

The objective of the invention is to enable the adjustment of the straightness of the handrail of the balustrade glazing system which has been implemented without vertical posts placed on the span. This objective can be accomplished by means of a balustrade system according to claim 1. This objective can be accomplished by means of a balustrade glazing system according to claim 1 and by means of a method according to claim 13. The objective according to a second aspect of the invention is to facilitate the installation of the balustrade glazing of the balustrade glazing system. This objective can be accomplished by means of a balustrade system according to the dependent claim 3.

The other dependent claims describe the preferred aspects of the balustrade system.

Advantages of invention

The balustrade glazing system comprises an essentially

horizontal handrail which is fastened in a stationary manner only at the ends to support structures by means of a support structure fastening and which comprises a stationary installation strip which has ah installation groove for a seal. Moreover, the balustrade glazing system comprises a removable installation strip which has ah installation groove for a seal and which together with the stationary installation strip and possible seals determines the installation groove, and a number of locking elements for fastening the removable installation strip to the rail profile. The balustrade glazing system also includes an essentially horizontal lower rail provided with an installation groove which opens upward. Moreover, the balustrade glazing system includes balustrade glazing which is installable or which has been installed essentially in a floating manner on the span between the installation groove of the handrail and the installation groove of the lower rail, whereby the balustrade glazing (4) supports the handrail (2) so that the upper edge (41) of the balustrade glazing (4) can essentially move in the installation groove (9) with respect to the width direction of the installation groove (9) . Balcony slabs, to which the lower rail is installed, may have a tolerance of up to 20 mm from the horizontal direction in installations of prefabricated sections by virtue of standards, regulations or practices valid when this is being written.

The balustrade glazing system also comprises a number of wedgelike elements for adjusting the distance between the balustrade glazing and the handrail by wedging the handrail upwards against the balustrade glass or against the protective/fastening profile on the balustrade glass .

In this way, the straightness of the handrail on the span can be adjusted steplessly, for example regardless of the straightness of the lower rail of the balustrade glazing. The adjustability enables looser installation tolerances, and thus it is possible to expedite the installation. With the balustrade glazing system, it is possible to compensate for the installation tolerances of balcony slabs, most preferably up to 20 mm.

In addition to this, the straightness of the handrail on a span is important for aesthetic reasons in any case. The straightness of the handrail is, however, especially important when the balcony glazing is installed ori the handrail. The functioning of the balcony glazing may be disturbed if the handrail is not straight .

Possible additional benefits include:

- When an installation groove of the balustrade glass is constituted between the seals to be installed in the

installation grooves of the lower rail profile, where the installation groove of the balustrade glass is open upwards, the balustrade glazing can be installed safely from above.

- When the lower rail is fastened to the support structure by means of fastening elements, the lower rail can receive half of the forces in the direction of the normal of the balustrade glass directed to the balustrade glazing.

- When the installation groove of the balustrade glazing is constituted by a stationary installation strip integrated into the handrail profile, where the stationary installation strip has an installation groove for a seal, and by a removable installation strip, which has an installation groove for a seal to be installed, the upper edge of the balustrade glazing can be installed in its installation groove from the inside of the balcony. This enhances occupational safety. Moreover, the falling of the balustrade glazing during installation can be prevented better.

When the balustrade glazing system further comprises a number of protective/fastening profiles which are installable or which have been installed to the upper edge of the balustrade glass, which protective/fastening profile/profiles is/are used for straightening the handrail by wedging it/them between the balustrade glass and the handrail, the damage caused by the wedging of the balustrade glazing can be prevented. When the protective/retaining profile has the shape of an h- profile, its shape keeps the balustrade glass reliably in the installation groove during installation, and the installation of the balustrade glazing is facilitated, and the balustrade glazing can be installed by just one installer. When the protective/fastening profile which is installable or which has been installed to the upper edge of the balustrade glass in the balustrade glazing system leads the vertical forces coming from the handrail to the upper edge of the balustrade glass over a larger area, whereby the concentrated forces coming from the handrail are distributed more evenly to the upper edge of the glass, the risk of breakage of the upper edge of the glass can be reduced.

When at least some, and most preferably all of the wedge-like elements in the balustrade glazing system are screws, screw threads or bolts or comprise such, the distance of the handrail and the upper surface of the profile located at the upper edge of the glass can be adjusted steplessly by turning the screw, screw thread or bolt. The moment required to turn a screw, screw thread or bolt is usually small in relation to the force produced by it, so the screw, screw thread or bolt facilitates the straightening of an even heavy handrail..

When the seals are made of or contain rubber-elastic mass, the seals attenuate the movement oi the balustrade glazing and the sharp impacts caused by the movement, reducing the risk of breakage of the balustrade glazing. When seals are arranged on both sides of the balustrade glazing tightly against the balustrade glazing, the seals also serve in this case as an attenuator of the vibration of the balustrade glazing: when the lower end and/or upper end of the balustrade glazing differs from the position of balance as a result of a force in the direction of its normal, the seal causes a restoring force.

When in the balustrade glazing system the balustrade glazing -supports the handrail -at the middle- area of the span so that the balustrade glazing is freely deflectable by the effect of the forces in the direction of the normal of the balustrade glazing, and where the lower rail and the handrail are arranged so that the forces in the direction of the normal of the balustrade glazing directed to the balustrade glass are transmitted to the support structures only via essentially horizontal rails, the balustrade glazing system can be implemented without vertical posts installed on the span by using in the balustrade glazing thinner glass which has weaker strength requirements. Such glass is usually cheaper glass. When unhardened glass is used, it is also workable. This facilitates the installation of the

balustrade glazing considerably. As an example, possible dimensional errors (too wide or too high glazing) can be corrected during installation.

When the balustrade glazing system also comprises balcony glazing suspended from an upper rail of an overhead support structure of the balustrade glazing system, where the balcony glazing is supported at its lower end to the handrail, the handrail can carry one half of the forces in the direction of the normal of the balcony glazing directed both to the

balustrade glazing and one half of these forces directed to the possible balcony glazing. In this way, it is also possible to implement the balcony glazing using a balustrade glazing system implemented without vertical posts installed on the span, where glass with weaker strength requirements can thus be used in the balcony glazing.

When the balustrade glazing system is configured to use a protective/retaining profile which has been installed or which is installable to the upper edge of the balustrade glazing in order to hold the balustrade glazing or to support the

balustrade glazing during the installation of the balustrade glazing, the installation of the balustrade glazing is

facilitated, and the balustrade glazing can be installed by just one installer.

When the balustrade glazing is fastened after installation at the middle area of the span using elastic adhesive both to the bottom of the material of the lower rail and to the bottom of the protective/fastening profile, which is further glued to the installation groove of the handrail, most preferably to its bottom, the staying of the balustrade glass in its installation grooves can be ensured when forces that tend to raise the handrail upwards are directed to the handrail. However, the elastic adhesive does not prevent the deflection of the

balustrade glass. When the balustrade glazing system further comprises a guide to be installed in the fastening groove., where the run surface of the guide together with the run surface of the handrail

constitutes an even surface along which the slide surface of the lower profile of the balcony glass can be carried so that the balcony glass is runnable against the run surface of the handrail and against the run surface of the guide from the closed position to the open position and vice versa, an even run surface is constituted on the slide surface of the balcony glasses for the opening and closing of the balcony glasses.

The balustrade glazing of the balustrade glazing system

preferably comprises a glazing of 4+4 mm, 5+5 mm or 6+6 mm, which is made of unhardened arid laminated glass. Thus, it is possible to avoid the hardening of the balustrade glazing of the balustrade glazing system implemented without vertical posts installed on the span. Unhardened glass can be worked (for example cut), unlike hardened glass. Moreover, unhardened glass is usually cheaper than hardened glass, at least currently. In the balustrade glazing systems implemented so far, the use of unhardened glass has not been possible without vertical posts placed on the span.

In the method, the balustrade glazing of the handrail of the balustrade glazing system is implemented by using some

balustrade glazing system according to the invention. On the span area between the support structure fastening, the handrail is straightened by a number of wedge-like elements by wedging the handrail upwards in the direction of the balustrade glazing against the balustrade glass (4) or against the

protective/fastening profile (42) on the balustrade glass (4) . List of drawings

In what follows, the balustrade glazing system is presented in more detail by means of the exemplary embodiment of the

balustrade glazing system shown in the enclosed drawings FIG 1 to FIG 10. Of the drawings: FIG 1 shows the cross-section of the balustrade glazing

system; FIG 2 shows cross-section II - II of the balustrade glazing system with balcony glazing shown in FIG 5;

FIG 3a shows the cross-section of the handrail in a

balustrade glazing system without balcony glazing (c.f . FIG 2, item III) ;

FIG 3b shows detail III shown in FIG 2, i.e. cross-section of a balustrade glazing system and balcony glazing system which also includes a balcony glass and guide;

FIG 4 shows detail IV shown in FIG 2 of the cross-section of the lower rail;

FIG 5 shows the balustrade glazing system and balcony

glazing system seen from the inside;

FIG 6 shows detail VII, i.e. concealed fastening of the

balustrade glazing system to the support structure; FIG 7 shows cross-section VII - VII of the concealed

fastening shown in FIG 6;

FIG 8 shows a detail of an alternative fastening of the

concealed fastening of the balustrade glazing system to the support structure ; FIG 9 shows cross-section IX - IX of the fastening shown in

FIG 8; and

FIG 10 shows the lower rail, alternative fastening, cross- section

The same reference numbers refer to the same parts in all drawings (FIG) .

Detailed description

Drawing FIG 1 shows the cross- section of a balustrade glazing system 1. The balustrade glazing system 1 is otherwise similar to the balustrade glazing system 1 shown in FIG 2, but balcony glazing 6 has also been installed in the balustrade glazing system 1 of drawing FIG 2. FIG 5 shows the balustrade glazing system and balcony glazing system seen from the inside. The quantity of the balustrade glasses 4 and balcony glasses 60 can vary .

The balustrade glazing system 1 comprises an essentially horizontal handrail 2 provided with an installation groove 9 and having a span length of at least 3.0 m and fastened in a stationary manner only at the ends to support structures 8 by means of a support structure fastening system 7 , and an

essentially horizontal lower rail 3 where an installation groove 38 has been arranged in the lower rail profile 30 of the lower rail 3. Moreover, the balustrade glazing system comprises balustrade glazing 4 installed essentially in a floating manner on the span between the installation groove 9 of the handrail and the installation groove 38 Of the lower rail, which

balustrade glazing 4 supports the handrail 2 at the middle area of the span so that the balustrade glazing 4 is freely

deflectable by the effect of the forces in the direction of the normal F of the balustrade glazing 4, and where the lower rail 3 and the handrail 2 are arranged so that the forces in the direction of the normal F of the balustrade glazing 4 directed to the balustrade glass 4 are transmitted to the support structures 5 and 8 only via essentially horizontal rails 3 and 2.

Free deflection here means that seals 20a, 20b at the lower end of the balustrade glass 4 and correspondingly seals 20a at the upper end serve as support lines. When the force F pulls or pushes the balustrade glass 4 outwards or inwards, the upper edge and the lower edge of the balustrade glass 4 can move somewhat in the respective installation groove 9, 38 when the balustrade glass 4 turns around the respective support line. The expression "essentially ho izontal" means a horizontal direction where the deviation from the horizontal direction remains within the limits permitted by standards valid at the time of examination.

Drawing FIG 2 shows the balustrade glazing system 1 in section II - II (see FIG 5) , onto which balustrade glazing system 1 balcony glazing 6 is integrated. The balcony glazing 6 comprises a number of balcony glasses 60 , In this case, the balustrade glazing system 1 comprises balcony glazing 6 suspended from an upper rail 61 of an overhead support structure 62 of the balustrade glazing system 1, where the balcony glazing 6 is supported at its lower end to the handrail 2. The handrail 2 carries one half of the forces in the direction of the normal F of the balcony glazing 6 directed both to the balustrade glazing 4 and one half of these forces directed to the possible balcony glazing 6. Drawing FIG 3b shows a balustrade glazing system 1 which also comprises a guide 50 to be installed in the fastening groove 17, where the run surface 25 of the guide 50 together with the run surface 27 of the handrail constitutes an even surface along which the slide surface 26 of the lower profile 63 of the balcony glass 60 can be carried so that the balcony glasses 60 are runnable against the run surface 27 of the handrail 2 and against the run surface 25 of the guide 50 from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.

Unhardened and laminated glass is used as the balustrade glazing 4. The thickness of the glass is 4 to 12 mm (e.g. 4+4 mm, 5+5 mm or 6+6 mm) .

FIG 3a shows a balustrade glazing system 2 without balcony glazing 6. The installation groove 9 of the balcony glazing 4 is constituted by a stationary installation strip 22 integrated into the handrail profile 10, where the stationary installation strip 22 has an installation groove 18a for a seal 20a to be installed, and by a removable installation strip 11, which has an installation groove 18b for a seal 20a to be installed. The seals 20a are installed into place before installation. The - handrail profile 10 and the removable installation strip 11 are cut to the pre-determined dimension before bringing them to the installation site. The seals 20a are usually installed at the factory after the cutting of the handrail profile 10 and the removable installation strip 11. FIG 3b shows a handrail 10, into which balcony glazing 6 has been integrated. In this case, the possible cover 21 which has been in the handrail 10 (FIG 3a) has been removed. Moreover, guide 50 has been installed in the installation groove 17 of the handrail 2 at a location suitable to the opening of the balcony glass 60, along which guide 50 the balcony glasses can be opened and closed.

FIG 4 shows a cross-section of the lower rail 3. The lower rail 3 is fastened to the support structure 5 by means of fastening elements 32. Between the lower rail 3 and the support structure 5, there can be an installation bracket of metal 33 shown for example in FIG 4 for the installation or for the adjustment of the installation, to which installation bracket of metal 33 the lower rail 2 is fastened by means of fastening elements 32. The installation bracket of metal 33 is fastened to the support structure 5 by means of fastening elements 34. There can be a washer 35 between the fastening element 34 and the angle bracket of metal 33. The angle bracket of metal 33 can have oval holes for the fastening elements 34 and 32 both for fastening the lower rail 30 to the installation bracket of metal and for fastening the installation bracket of metal 33 to the support structure 5. By means of the oval holes, the balustrade glazing 4 can be adjusted both in the depth direction and height direction of the balcony. If the fastening element 34 is a concrete screw, it can have ah integrated washer 35. FIG 10 shows an alternative fastening of the lower rail 3 to the support structure 5, where the lower rail 3 is fastened directly to the support structure 5 by means of a fastening element 44. An installation groove 38 of the balustrade glass 4 is

constituted between the seals 20a and 20b to be installed in the installation grooves 36 of the lower rail profile 30, where the installation groove 38 is open upwards. The seal 20a is

installed into place in the installation groove 36 after the lower rail profile 30 has been cut to the pre-determined dimension before installation. The cutting of the lower rail profile 30 and the installation of the seal 20a are usually performed at the factory. The internal seal 20b of the

balustrade glazing 4 is installed into place after the

installation of the balustrade glazing 4. The seal 20b is used for sealing and centering the lower part of the balustrade glazing 4 in the installation groove 38 of the lower rail 3. The seals 20a, 20b can be of rubber-elastic mass, for example rubber. The seals 20a, 20b are most preferably made of or contain EPD rubber (ethylene propylene diene monometer (M- class) ) . FIG 6 shows detail VII of the balcony glazing and balustrade glazing shown in FIG 5, and FIG 6 describes concealed fastening. A fastening plate 101 is fastened to the support structure 8 by means of a fastening element 105, after which the handrail profile 10 is lowered onto it through the opening 106 made in the profile, presented in FIG 7, and fastened to the fastening plate 101 at the side by means Of a fastening element 102 and at the top by means of fastening elements 103.

FIG 7 shows section VII - VII of the fastening of the handrail 2 shown in FIG 6. FIG 7 shows that there is a cavity 107 at both ends of the handrail 2 for the installation of a fastening piece 101. The fastening pieces 101 are installed in the support structures 8 by means of fastening elements 105 before the installation of the handrail 2, An opening 106 has been made in the cross-sectional surface of the handrail profile 10, through which opening 106 the handrail 2 is lowered onto the fastening pieces 101. The handrail 2 is fastened at the side and at the top by means of fastening elements 102 (e.g. hexagonal socket head screw M6x30 ST) and 103 (e.g. pop rivet 4.2x13 ST) . FIG 8 and FIG 9 show an alternative fastening of the handrail 2 to the support structure 8, where a fastening bracket of metal is fastened to the support structure 8 means of fastening elements 108 and washers 109, and the handrail is fastened onto the installation bracket of metal 104 by means of fastening elements 110. A stiffener profile 15 which increases the section modulus has been installed or is installable inside the handrail profile 10 of the handrail 2, which stiffener profile 15 is fastened to the cavity 107 (FIG 3a) of the handrail profile 10 by means of fastening elements 16. The handrail 2 is an extrusion, the cross-section of which is constant with the exception of possible fastening lead- throughs , whereby the cavity 107 is usable for accommodating both the fastening plates 101 (see FIG 7) and the stiffener profile 15 (see FIG 3a) . The stiffener profile 15 can be solid (e.g. barlike) or open (e.g. tubular) . The bottom of the installation groove 38 of the lower rail 3 contains material 31 (e.g. plastic), the hardness of which is smaller than the hardness of the balustrade glass 4 and the friction coefficient of which is smaller than the friction coefficient of the balustrade glazing 4 and of the installation groove 38 of the lower rail 3 In the example, the material 31 is shaped into the shape of a U-profile. The material is installed into place to the bottom of the lower rail profile 30, where it locks under the shoulders 45 in the lower rail profile 31. The purpose of the protective/fastening profile 42 which is installable or which has been installed to the upper edge 41 of the balustrade glazing 4 is to lead the vertical forces coming from the handrail 2 to the upper edge 41 of the balustrade glazing 4 over a larger area. The balustrade glazing system 1 is configured to use a

protective/retaining profile 42 which has been installed or which is installable to the upper edge 41 of the balustrade glazing 4 in order to hold the balustrade glazing or to support the balustrade glazing during the installation of the balustrade glazing 4. In this case, the protective/retaining profile 42 can preferably have the shape of ah h-profile.

The protective/retaining profile 42 can be used for

straightening the handrail 2 by wedging it between the

balustrade glass 4 and the handrail 2. In this case, the balustrade glazing system 1 preferably comprises a wedge-like element 13 for straightening the handrail 4 on a span.

The wedge-like element 13 can be a screw or bolt or comprise one .

The balustrade glazing system 1 is used in a multistorey building in the implementation of the balustrade glazing or balustrade and balcony glazing Of external balconies located on different storeys or for the implementation or a roof terrace or terraces on different storeys. In this case it is preferably not necessary to use a stiffener profile 15 in the handrails 2 of the lower storeys of the building, and a stiffener profile 15 can be used in the handrails 2 of the upper storeys.

The balustrade glazing 4 is fastened at the middle area of the span using elastic adhesive 39 (e.g. silicone-type adhesives such as Sikaflex^®-221 or Sikaflex^®-222 UV) both to the bottom of the material 31 of the lower rail 3 and to the bottom of the protective/fastening profile 42, which is further glued to the bottom of the installation groove 9 of the handrail 2.

When calculating the deflection of the handrail 2, the loads are calculated in accordance with Eurocodes. Such Eurocodes include European standard 1991-1-1 Eurdcode 1: Actions on structures. Part 1-1: General actions - Densities, self-weight, imposed loads for buildings, and European standard 1991-1-4 Eurocode 1: Actions on structures. Part 1-4: General actions - Wind actions.

According to the Eurocodes, balustrade glasses 4 and balcony glazing 6 must be dimensioned to withstand wind pressure on the basis of the height of the building in question and the terrain category in question.

As an example, in a building which is 20 m high and has a terrain category of 0, the wind pressure to be used in the dimensioning is 1.25 kN/m². In a building which is 40 m high and has a terrain category of 1, the wind pressure to be used in the dimensioning is 1.01 kN/m².

By means of the balustrade glazing system 1 according to the invention, manufactured as a prototype, the balustrade glazing can be implemented in a building which is 20 m high (terrain category 0) for example when the width of the balcony is 4.6 m or less. By means of the balustrade glazing system 1 according to the invention, manufactured as a prototype, the balustrade glazing can be implemented in a building which is as high as 40 m high (terrain category 1) when the width of the balcony is 6 m or less. In the cases of the numerical figures presented here, the balustrade glazing system 1 also comprises balcony glazing 6 above the handrail 2. The wind load is illustrated in the drawings by the force F in the direction of the normal of the balustrade glazing 4. In some locations, for example in Helsinki, building supervision authorities give guidelines cohcerning the maximum permitted deflection of the handrail. When this is being written, this value in Helsinki is 25 mm. The maximum deflection of the balustrade glazing system 1 according to the invention,

manufactured as a prototype, in the above-mentioned cases is smaller than or equal to the maximum permitted deflection.

In these cases, the handrail 2 is strengthened at least on the uppermost storeys by means of a stiffener profile 15. When implemented in this way, the balustrade and balcony glazing system can be used for implementing balustrade and balcony glazing of the types presented in the enclosed examples, conforming to the Eurocodes and building regulations.

The invention should not be understood to be limited only by the below claims, but the invention is to be understood to include all their legal equivalents arid the combinations of the

embodiments presented.

List of reference numbers used i

S inner side of balustrade glazing

U outer side of balustrade glazing

F force in the direction of the normal of the balustrade glazing

1 balustrade glazing system

2 handrail

3 lower rail

4 balustrade glass

5 support structure

6 balcony glazing

7 support structure fastening system

8 support structure (e.g. wall, facade, side edge) 9 installation groove

10 handrail profile

11 removable installation strip

12 fastening element

13 wedge-shaped element

15 stiffener profile

16 fastening element

17 fastening groove

18a installation groove

18b installation groove

19 locking cavity

20a seal

20b seal

21 cover

22 stationary installation strip

23 threaded hole

24 seal

25 run surface

26 slide surface

27 run surface

28 oval hole

29 oval hole

30 lower rail profile

31 material

32 fastening element 33 installation bracket of metal

34 fastening element

36 installation groove

37 bottom of U-profile

38 installation groove

39 elastic adhesive

40 lower edge of balustrade glass

41 upper edge of balustrade glass

42 protective/retaining profile 43 covering profile

44 fastening element

45 shoulder

50 guide

60 balcony glass

61 upper rail

62 support structure

63 lower profile

101 fastening plate

102 fastening element

103 fastening element

104 installation bracket of metal

105 fastening element

106 opening made in the profile

107 cavity

108 fastening element

109 washer

110 fastening element

Claims

Claims:

1. A balustrade glazing system (1), characterized in that it comprises : an essentially horizontal handrail (2) which is fastened in a stationary manner only at the ends to support structures (8) by means of a support structure fastening (7) and which comprises a stationary installation strip (22) which has an installation groove (18a) for a seal (20a) ;

- a removable installation strip (11) which has an installation groove (18b) for a seal (20a) and which together with the stationary installation strip (22) and possible seals (20a) determines the installation groove (9) ;

- a number of locking elements (12) for fastening the removable installation strip (11) to the rail profile (10) ;

an essentially horizontal lower rail (3) provided with an installation groove (38) , which opens upwards; and

- balustrade glazing (4) which is installable or

which has been installed essentially in a floating manner on the span between the installation groove (9) of the handrail and the installation groove (38) of the lower rail, whereby the balustrade glazing (4) supports the handrail (2) so that the upper edge (41) of the balustrade glazing (4) can essentially move in the installation groove (9) with respect to the width direction of the

installation groove (9) .

In addition to this, the balustrade glazing system (1) comprises a number of wedge-like elements (13) for adjusting the distance between the balustrade glazing (4) and the handrail (2) by wedging the handrail (2) upwards against the balustrade glass (4) or against the protective/fastening profile (42) on the balustrade glass (4) .

2. A balustrade glazing system (1) according to claim 1, which balustrade glazing system (1) also comprises a number of protective/fastening profiles (42) which are installable or which have been installed to the upper edge (41) of the

balustrade glass (4), which protective/fastening

profile/profiles (42) is/are used for straightening the handrail (2) by wedging it/them between the balustrade glass (4) and the handrail (2) .

3. A balustrade glazing system (1) according to claim 2, where the protective/retaining profile (42) has the shape of an h- profile.

4. A balustrade glazing system (1) according to any of the preceding claims 2 to 3 , where a protective/fastening profile (42) which is installable or which has been installed to the upper edge (41) of the balustrade glass (4) leads the vertical forces coming from the handrail (2) to the upper edge (41) of the balustrade glass (4) over a larger area.

5. A balustrade glazing system (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 4 , where at least some of the wedge-like elements (13) are screws, screw threads or bolts or comprise such.

6. A balustrade glazing system (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 5, whe e the seal (20a) is made of or contains rubber-elastic mass.

7. A balustrade glazing system (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 6, where the balustrade glazing (4) supports the handrail (2) at the middle area of the span so that the balustrade glazing (4) is freely deflectable by the effect of the forces in the direction of the normal (F) of the

balustrade glazing (4) , and where the lower rail (3) and the handrail (2) are arranged so that the forces in the direction of the normal (F) of the balustrade glazing (4) directed to the balustrade glass (4) are transmitted to the support structures (5, 8) only via essentially horizontal rails (3, 2).

8. A balustrade glazing system (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 7 , which balustrade glazing system (1) also comprises balcony glazing (6) suspended from an upper rail (61) of an overhead support structure (62) of the balustrade glazing system (1) , where the balcony glazing (6) is supported at its lower end to the handrail (2) .

9. A balustrade glazing system (1) according to claim 8, where the balustrade glazing system (l) is configured to use a protective/retaining profile (42) which has been installed or which is installable to the upper edge (41) of the balustrade glazing (4) in order to hold the balustrade glazing or to support the balustrade glazing during the installation of the balustrade glazing (4) .

10. A balustrade glazing system (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 9, where the balustrade glazing (4) is fastened after installation at the middle area of the span using elastic adhesive (39) both to the bottom of the material (31) of the lower rail (3) and to the bottom of the protective/ fastening profile (42) , which is further glued to the installation groove (9) of the handrail (2) , most preferably to its bottom.

11. A balustrade glazing system (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 10, which balustrade glazing system (1) also comprises a guide (50) to be installed in the fastening groove (17) , where the run surface (25) of the guide (50) together with the run surface (27) of the handrail constitutes an even surface along which the slide surface (26) of the lower profile (63) of the balcony glass (60) can be carried so that the balcony glass (60) is runnable against the run surface (27) of the handrail (2) and against the run surface (25) of the guide (50) from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.

12. A balustrade glazing system (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 11, where the balustrade glazing (4) comprises a glazing of 4+4 mm, 5+5 mm or 6+6 mm, which is made of unhardened and laminated glass.

13. A method for straightening the handrail (2) of a balustrade glazing system, characterized in that the balustrade glazing (4) is implemented by using a balustrade glazing system (1)

according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 12. On the span area between the support structure fastening (7) , the handrail (2) is straightened by a number of wedge-like elements (13) by wedging the handrail (2) upwards in the direction of the balustrade glazing (4) against the balustrade glass (4) or against the protective/fastening profile (42) on the balustrade glass (4) .