GB2194274A - Extruded profiled bar of composite construction - Google Patents

Abstract

A corner piece, of variable arcuate extent, for windows &c for eg restraunts or balconies, comprises an extruded profiled bar (10) composed of two hinged sections (12, 14) each comprising a substantially planar portion (16/20) extending away from the hinge, and arcuate overlapping portions (18/22). Projections and depressions 24-34 enable the corner piece to be joined to other elements of the window &c.

Description

SPECIFICATION Extruded profiled bar of composite construction The present invention relates to extruded profiled bars as widely used in the field of light constructions such as show windows, glass panes partitions for balconies, sidewalk cafés, restaurants, and the like.

More specifically, the invention concerns corner pieces for such partitions, which are used in intersections between angled sections of the partition. The angles between such sections may vary, but the most common ones are of 90 or 45 degrees, for which standard profiled bars of hollow, integral designs are presently used.

However, demand has been felt for profiles serving as corner pieces for angles other than those'provided by the standard, off-shelf bars; moreover, the availability of only two standard categories has limited the design possibilities from the architectural point of view.

Furthermore, from the installer's point of view, the use of rigid, predetermined angled cornerpiece bars requires precision work and maintaining of close tolerance in the erection of the partitions in question.

It is thus the major object of the invention to provide corner piece bars adapted to be used in a variety of angles.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a profiled bar with variable angles.

According to the invention, there is a provided a composite, extruded profiled bar, forming corner pieces in the construction of show windows and the like light structures.

The bar is comprised of two complementary profiled sections hinged to each other along a side portion thereof, allowing a relative pivotal movement therebetween. Each profile section comprises a substantially planar portion extending away from the hinge, and an arcuate portion extending substantially normal to the planar portion. The arcuate portions are in a concentrically, at least partly overlapping relationship one with respect to the other.

The hingeable connection between the two bar sections is preferably constituted by a male, bead-like portion extending all along one of the sections and a circular, recessed, female portion extending all along the other section.

The arcuate portions may be provided at their free ends, one with an inwardly directed shoulder and the other with an outwardly-directed shoulder, which become interlocked one against the other in the openmost relative position of the sections.

There may be further provided at the arcuate portions incision lines for breaking-off a part of each portion, for attaining acute angles of, e.g., 30 degrees and less.

These and other constructional features and advantages of the profiled bar made according to the present invention will become apparent in the light of the following description, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 shows the composite profiled bar in its openmost position; and Figures 2-5 show the profiled bar of Fig. 1 in gradually decreasing angled positions.

The composite profiled bar generally indicated 10 in Fig. 1 is comprised of two sections, namely a male section designated 12 and a female section designated 14, the one being the mirror image of the other in its general shape.

In more detail, the profiled section 12 comprises a generally planar portion 16 and an arcuate portion or wing 18; the same applies to portions 20 and 22 of the section 14, respectively.

The planar sections 16, 20 are provided with various projections and/or depressions, such as those marked 24-34, of any known design and shape for coupling thereto extended profiled bars of conventional design (not shown) as known in the art of partition installation.

The section 12 comprises, alongside one of its edges, a bead-like elongated projection 36 (the "male" projection) whereas the section 14 is provided with an elongated, trough-like recess or socket 38 (the "female") which, in the engaged position shown, embraces and journals the two sections together. The assembly of the male and female sections to each other is attained by sliding one along the other.

At the other side of the section 12, the arcuate portion or wing 18 projects upward in a generally normal direction, having a radius of curvature R1 with respect to the axis of the bead 36. The arcuate portion 22 of the female section 14 has a radius of curvature R2, being somewhat shorter than the radius R1.

Portion 18 terminates with an inwardly directed shoulder 40 and portion 22 with an outwardly directed shoulder 42, both being adapted to interlock or engage each other in the openmost position of Fig. 1. Each of the arcuate portions is further provided with an incision line 44, 46 which allows the breakingoff of the respective portions (marked 48 and 50 respectively) associated with the shoulders 40 and 42 for a purpose to be described below.

The installation procedure of the bar 10 will now become apparent in the light of Figs.

2-5. Hence, in Fig. 2 there is shown an intermediate position where the two planar portions 12 and 14 form an angle of about 45 degrees while the arcuate portions 18 and 22 partly overlap as shown. In Figs. 3 and 4, the desired angle of the corner to be attained by the profile 10 is the same, namely about 35 degrees. However, as seen in Fig. 4, incision or section lines 44 and 46 have been used to break-off the respective portions 48 and 50, thus allowing the further closing of the sections on each other, should the need arise during the assembly of the partition, to obtain smaller angles in order to compensate for deviation or measurement drifts that may have occurred.

Fig. 5 represents the minimum angled position of about 20 degrees where the section 16 and 20 are closed to the extent allowed by the remaining portions of the wings 18 and 22.

The angularly variable, or 'universal' cornerpiece profiled bar so far described lends itself to various changes and modifications, i.e. in the following respects: Angles larger than the exemplified 70 degrees-or less than 20 degrees-are readily attained should there be a demand for such irregular ranges; the beadand-socket interlocking pivotal engagement of the profiled sections may be replaced by a knife edge and V-shaped recess seat (with sufficient clearance between the matching parts); and the like obvious changes.

It is thus established that the cornerpiece provided according to the present invention offers larger flexibility and diversification both for the designer and the installer of lightweight partition constructions.

Claims (8)

1. A composite extruded profiled bar, for forming corner pieces in the construction of show windows and the like structures, comprised of two complementary profiled sections hinged to each other along a side portion thereof, allowing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, each profile section comprising a substantially planar portion extending away from the hinge, and an arcuate portion extending substantially normal to the planar portion, the arcuate portions being in a concentrically, at least partly overlapping relationship one with respect to the other.

2. The bar as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the hinge is constituted by a male, bead-like portion extending along one of the sections seated within a circular recessed female portion extending along the other section.

3. The bar as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the arcuate portions are provided at their free ends, one with an inwardly directed shoulder and the other with an outwardly directed shoulder, which become interlocked one against the other in the openmost relative position of the sections.

4. The bar as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the arcuate portions are provided with an incision line for breaking-off a part of each portion.

5. The bar as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the sections are adapted to pivot by angles between 20 degrees and 70 degrees measured between their respective planar portions.

6. The bar as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the planar portions of the section are provided with projections/depressions for connecting thereto standard profiled bars.

7. A composite extruded profiled bar, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. The features herein described, or their equivalents, in any patentably novel selection.