EP3502371B1

EP3502371B1 - Shelter roof assembly with adjustable locking means and assembly method thereof

Info

Publication number: EP3502371B1
Application number: EP18195707.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giordano Bonomi
Original assignee: Metalglas Bonomi Srl
Current assignee: Metalglas Bonomi Srl
Priority date: 2017-12-21
Filing date: 2018-09-20
Publication date: 2021-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2038-09-20
Also published as: EP3502371A1

Description

The present invention relates to a shelter roof assembly of the type mountable on a wall. Specifically, the present invention relates to a shelter roof assembly which protrudes from the wall and identifies a shelter region, for example from the action of atmospheric agents, below it.
In particular, the shelter roof assembly object of the present invention is of the type comprising a glass plate.
In the prior art solutions, shelter roof assemblies of said type are known.
The typical problem of such solutions is that of securely locking said glass plate to the support device mounted to the wall in such a way as to obviate the possibility that said plate may fall into said shelter region, thus being a potential dangerous situation.
In this context solutions are known in which, by means of complex locking systems, the plate is securely fixed to the support device. An example of said solutions is disclosed in document EP2937490A1 .
It is therefore particularly felt the need to have shelter roof assembly solutions that meet the aforementioned need to securely clamp the plate to the support device by providing particularly simple locking means with respect to the solutions of the prior art.
In fact, this object is achieved by the shelter roof assembly claimed in claim 1. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiment variants involving further advantageous aspects.
Further features and advantages of the invention will be made readily apparent from the following description of preferred embodiment examples thereof, provided purely by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

figure 1 shows a shelter roof assembly according to the present invention in a perspective view;
figures 2a and 2b show the shelter roof assembly of figure 1 in a perspective view with separate parts and in a sectional assembled view, respectively, according to a first preferred embodiment;
figures 3a and 3b show the shelter roof assembly of figure 1 in a perspective view with separate parts and in a sectional assembled view, respectively, according to a second preferred embodiment;
figures 4a and 4b show the shelter roof assembly of figure 1 in a perspective view with separate parts and in a sectional assembled view, respectively, according to a third embodiment.

In the accompanying figures, reference numeral 1 indicates a shelter roof assembly according to the present invention.
Preferably, such a shelter roof assembly 1 may be mounted to a wall which extends in height.
In particular, the shelter roof assembly 1 projecting from the wall identifies an upper side S and a lower side I; the upper side S is that facing the sky (i.e. upwards), the lower side I is the one facing a region that is habitable or usable by people (i.e. downwards). In fact, preferably, the shelter roof assembly 1 identifies a shelter region below the lower side I. In other words, the shelter region is therefore that region below the shelter roof assembly sheltered from atmospheric agents such as rain or snow.
According to the present invention, the shelter roof assembly 1 comprises a glass plate 2.
Plate 2 extends planarly defining a plate plane L.
The plate 2 comprises an upper plate face 21 and a lower plate face 22 parallel to the plate plane L.
Furthermore, the plate 2 is bounded on the perimeter by edges. In particular, the plate 2 comprises a leading edge, side edges and a base edge 23.
Preferably, the plate 2 has variable dimensions, from normal dimensions to large dimensions.
Preferably, moreover, the plate 2 identifies a support zone 200 proximal to said base edge 23, which as described below and shown in the accompanying figures can be specifically engaged by a support device 3 to be positioned on the wall. Preferably, said support zone 200 is also identifiable as the "plate foot".
According to the present invention, the plate 2 has at least one plate housing 25, obtained on the upper plate face 21.
In particular, said plate housing 25 is an opening in said upper plate face 21.
According to an embodiment variant, said opening passes through the plate 2.
According to a preferred embodiment, instead, said opening is not through. Preferably, the plate housing 25 extends in height in the plate only by a portion.
According to a preferred embodiment, the plate 2 is a multilayer plate consisting of at least two layers of glass (as shown by way of example in the accompanying figures), in which the plate housing 25 is only formed in the upper glass layer.
According to a preferred embodiment, said plate housing 25 extends along a locking axis X-X.
Preferably, said plate housing 25 has a substantially axial symmetrical shape, preferably circular, with respect to the locking axis X-X. Some embodiments are also possible with plate housings 25 of different shapes, for example of polygonal shapes, preferably in the form of a regular polygon.
According to a preferred embodiment, each plate comprises a plurality of plate housings 25. According to this embodiment, said plate housings 25 are arranged along the same longitudinal axis Y-Y, substantially parallel to the base edge 23, preferably mutually equidistant from each other.
According to a preferred embodiment, the plate housing 25 or plate housings 25 is/are formed in the support zone 200 of the plate 2.
According to the present invention, the shelter roof assembly 1 comprises a support device 3 comprising a base 30 which is fixable on the wall, an upper wing 31 and a lower wing 32 which extend from said base 30 forming with each other a cavity 300 in which a portion of the plate 2 is insertable, preferably said support zone 200 thereof.
According to a preferred embodiment, the support device 3 therefore has a substantially U-shaped section.
According to a preferred embodiment, the support device 3 extends in length along the aforementioned longitudinal axis Y-Y.
Preferably, the longitudinal length of the support device 3 is equal to that of the plate 2. However, in some embodiments the support device 3 has a greater extension than that of a plate 2, being suitable, for example to support more than one plate 2.
According to an embodiment variant, instead, the support device 3 has a smaller extension than that of a plate 2, in order to better support a plate 2 it is necessary to align more than one support device 3.
Preferably, the support device 3 is an aluminum extruded section along said longitudinal axis Y-Y. In other words, along said longitudinal axis Y-Y each section of the support device 3 has the same shape.
According to the present invention, the upper wing 31 has at least one support device housing 35 formed in a position in which, with plate 2 inserted in the support device 3, plate housing 25 and support device housing 35 are facing each other.
That is to say, with the plate 2 inserted in the support device 3, said support device housing 35 is located axially disposed frontally to the locking axis X-X.
According to a preferred embodiment, the support device housing 35 comprises a single housing cavity.
According to an embodiment variant, the support device housing 35 comprises a plurality of housing slots.
Preferably, the support device housing 35 has said housing slots with walls extending substantially parallel to said locking axis X-X.
According to the foregoing, said support device housing 35 extends in length along the entire axial length.
Preferably, the support device housing 35 is formed directly in the extruded profile.
According to an alternative embodiment, the support device 3 comprises abutment elements 350 engaging the upper wing 31 and adapted to define the device housing 35 therebetween.
According to the present invention, moreover, the shelter roof assembly 1 comprises locking means 5 engaging the plate 2 and the support device 3 suitable for performing a mutual blocking such as to prevent the plate 2 from falling from said support device 3.
Said locking means 5 comprise a locking device 50 which is structured to be adjustable by the installer, so as to guarantee mutual engagement between the support device 3 and the plate 2. In particular, as described below, the locking device 50 comprises suitable components adapted to be adjusted in their position along the locking axis X-X. The locking device 50 is therefore always suitable for performing the housing in the respective plate and device housings.
According to the present invention, in fact, the locking device X-X comprises a pair of jibs whose mutual position is adjustable with respect to said locking axis X-X.
In fact, the locking device 50 comprises an upper jib 51 and a lower jib 52. Preferably, the two jibs are arranged in such a way as to be facing each other with respect to an imaginary plane, which with locking device 50 placed on the plate 2 is parallel to said plate plane L.
The upper jib 51 comprises a device portion 513 extending in height having at least the cross section of a shape substantially complementary to the device housing 35.
The lower jib 52 comprises a slab portion 522 extending in height having a shape substantially complementary to the plate housing 25.
That is to say, both said device portion 513 and said plate portion 522 are adapted to extend along said locking axis X-X.
According to the present invention, it is noted that both the upper jib 51 and the lower jib 52 respectively comprise two positioning surfaces 518, 528 arranged on the two opposite sides inclined in mutually opposite direction so that they create two compartments.
In other words, the two jibs identify two compartments: the first compartment positioned proximal to the base 30, the second compartment positioned distal from the base 30.
According to the present invention, the locking device 50 comprises two positioning members 58 housed in said compartments which engage the respective positioning surfaces 518, 528 to perform an action thereon.
In particular, according to the present invention, the locking device 50 also comprises control elements 57 extending in length between the two jibs to engage the two positioning members 58 operable to command the mutual position in a direction parallel to the plate plane and involving a movement in the orthogonal direction of the two jibs.
Preferably, the control elements 57 are threaded rod-shaped elements whose rotation involves an axial approaching or distancing of two positioning members 58 which have special threaded holes adapted to operate with said threaded rod-like elements.
Preferably, the number of said rod-like elements is substantially proportional to the longitudinal width of the locking device 50.
According to a preferred embodiment, the positioning members 58 have a shape such as to be substantially suitable for engaging the positioning surfaces 518, 528.
In fact, preferably, said positioning members 58 have a substantially tapered shape, preferably, angled, rounded or curved, suitable for cooperating with the positioning surfaces 518, 528.
Preferably, the positioning members 58 have a substantially wedge shape to be inserted between the two jibs and move them away from each other.
According to a preferred embodiment, the locking device 50 comprises an elastic retaining member 56 which engages the two jibs to hold them in a mutual proximal position. That is to say, in their reciprocal movement the two positioning members 58 are suitable for engaging the jibs to overcome the action of the elastic holding member.
According to a preferred embodiment, moreover, the upper jib 51 comprises an upper bearing surface 511 adapted to rest on the upper wing 31 in which said device portion 513 extends in height starting from said upper bearing surface 511.
According to a preferred embodiment, the lower jib 52 comprises a lower support surface 521 adapted to rest on the upper plate face 21 in which said a plate portion 522 extends in height starting from said lower support surface 521.
According to what has been described above, the locking device 50 is therefore suitable for being first positioned on the slab 2, resting on it, with the slab portion 522 housed in the slab housing 52, and subsequently, by adjusting the position of the two jibs it is suitable for bringing the device portion 513 inside the device housing 35.
In other words, with an adjusted locking device 50, axial extraction of the plate 2 from the cavity 3 is prevented.
According also to the accompanying figures, proposed by way of example, the described device portion 513 is suitable for complementarily housing, in the groove and/or in the cavities which compose the housing device 35 engaging its walls.
According to a preferred embodiment, the locking means 5 also comprise a lower support 590 engaging the lower plate face 22 and the lower wing 32.
According to a preferred embodiment, the lower support 590 is positioned on the lower wing 32 in a distal position from the base 30.
According to an embodiment variant, the lower support 590 extends in length on the lower wing 32 by a planar section in such a way as to ensure a wide resting surface on the lower wing 32.
Preferably, said lower tip support 590 is in a soft material (e.g., crushable), so as to be at least partly crushable by the weight force of the plate 2.
In other embodiments, said lower support 590 is made of a rigid material, for example PVC.
According to a preferred embodiment, moreover, the locking means 5 also comprise a support foot 59 adapted to protect the edges of the plate which define the plate foot in its engagement with the support device 3.
Preferably, in fact, the support foot 59 is made of a soft crushable material.
It is an object of the present invention also a method of assembling a shelter roof assembly 1 having the features described above.
In particular, said method comprises the steps of:

mounting the support device 3 to a wall;
inserting the locking device 50 in the respective plate housing 25, i.e. inserting the plate portion 522 of the lower jib 52 into the plate housing 25;
inserting the plate 2 comprising the locking devices 50 into the cavity 300 of the support device 3;
acting on the control elements 57 to actuate the positioning devices 58 and thus move the two jibs 51, 52 until the device portion 513 of the upper jib 51 is accommodated in the device housing 53.

Innovatively, the shelter roof assembly described above amply meets the object of the present invention overcoming the typical drawbacks of the prior art.
Advantageously, in fact, the shelter roof assembly is designed to allow a secure engagement between a glass plate and the relative support device.
Advantageously, the shelter roof assembly is designed to allow a simple adjustment that returns the safety of the engagement.
Advantageously, the locking device allows to carrying out a simple and safe assembly of the shelter roof assembly.
Advantageously, by means of the regulated action of the two jibs it is also possible to perform, in the embodiment with jibs with support surfaces, also a clamping action adapted to push the plate against the lower wing.
Advantageously, the shelter roof assembly is suitable for supporting large glass sheets, as well as being able to withstand the action of the water or snow force engaging said plates.
Advantageously, the locking element is adapted to relieve the action of the weight force of the slab on the support device, and in particular on the upper wing.
It is clear that a man skilled in the art may make changes to the shelter roof assembly described above in order to meet incidental needs, all falling within the scope of protection defined in the following claims.

Claims

A shelter roof assembly (1) mountable to a wall in such a way as to project from said wall, defining an upper side (S) and a lower side (I) below which a shelter region defined, wherein said shelter roof assembly (1) comprises:
- a glass plate (2), which extends planarly defining a plate plane (L) comprising a top plate face (21) and a lower plate face (22) parallel to the plate plane (L), wherein the plate (2) in the upper plate face (21) comprises at least one plate housing (25);

- a support device (3) comprising a base (30) fixable on the wall, an upper wing (31) and a lower wing (32) extending from said base (30) identifying a cavity (300) therebetween, in which a portion of the plate (2) can be inserted, in which the upper wing (31) has at least one device housing (35) formed in a position in which, with the plate (2) inserted in the support device (3), the plate housing (25) and the device housing (35) are facing;

- locking means (5) engaging the plate (2) and the support device (3) comprises a locking device (50) comprising:
i) an upper jib (51) comprising a device portion (513) extending in height having at least the cross section of a shape substantially complementary to the device housing (35); said locking device is characterized by further comprising :

ii) a lower jib (52) comprising a slab portion (522) extending in height having a shape substantially complementary to the plate housing (25);
wherein both the upper jib (51) and the lower jib (52) respectively comprise two positioning surfaces (518, 528) arranged on the two opposite sides inclined in mutually opposite direction so that they create two compartments therebetween;

iii) two positioning members (58) housed in said compartments which engage the respective positioning surfaces (518, 528) in such a way to be able to perform an action thereon;

iv) control elements (57) extending in length between the two jibs to engage the two positioning members (58) operable to command a mutual position in a direction parallel to the plate plane and involving a movement in the orthogonal direction of the two jibs.
Shelter roof assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the upper jib (51) comprises an upper bearing surface (511) adapted to rest on the upper wing (31) wherein said device portion (513) extends in height starting from said upper support surface (511) and/or wherein the lower jib (52) comprises a lower support surface (521) adapted to rest on the upper plate face (21) in which said a plate portion (522) extends in height from said lower support surface (521).
Shelter roof assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the positioning members (58) have a substantially tapered shape, preferably angled, rounded or curved, adapted to cooperate with the positioning surfaces (518, 528).
Shelter roof assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in wherein the control elements (57) are threaded rod-shaped elements whose rotation involves an axial approaching or distancing of two positioning members (58) which have special threaded holes adapted to operate with said threaded rod-like elements.
Shelter roof assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device (50) comprises an elastic retaining member (56) which engages the two jibs to hold them in a mutual proximal position.
Shelter roof assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device housing (35) comprises a single housing groove and the device portion (513) protrudes in such a way as to seat in said groove to engage the walls thereof.
Shelter roof assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device housing (35) extends in length along the entire axial length.
Shelter roof assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support device (3) comprises abutment elements (350) engaging the upper wing (31) and adapted to create a safety barrier for access to the cavities (300) and in particular to the locking devices (50).
Shelter roof assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate housing (25) has a substantially circular or polygonal shape.
Shelter roof assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate (2) comprises a plurality of plate housings (25) aligned with one another.
Shelter roof assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate (2) is a multilayer plate consisting of at least two layers of glass, wherein the plate housing (25) is formed only in the upper glass layer.
Shelter roof assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking means (5) also comprise a lower support (590) engaging the lower plate face (22) and the lower wing (32), wherein the lower support (590) is positioned on the lower wing (32) in a distal position from the base (30) or extends in length on the lower wing (32) by a planar section.
Assembly method of a shelter roof assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:
- mounting the support device (3) to a wall;

- inserting the locking device (50) in the respective plate housing (25), i.e. inserting the plate portion (522) of the lower jib (52) into the plate housing (25);

- inserting the plate (2) comprising the locking devices (50) into the cavity (300) of the support device (3) ;

- acting on the control elements (57) to actuate the positioning devices (58) and thus move the two jibs (51, 52) until the device portion (513) of the upper jib (51) is accommodated in the device housing (53).