WO2003040505A1

WO2003040505A1 - A lower profile structure for a glazing system

Info

Publication number: WO2003040505A1
Application number: PCT/FI2002/000857
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erkki Hilliaho
Original assignee: Lumon Oy
Priority date: 2001-11-05
Filing date: 2002-11-05
Publication date: 2003-05-15
Also published as: ES2322042T3; NO20041842L; CN1282814C; FI20012129A0; DK1446545T3; FI118818B; NO327705B1; FI20012129A; EP1446545B1; EP1446545A1; ATE425338T1; PT1446545E; CN1582360A; DE60231533D1

Abstract

Longitudinal lower profile (1) for a glazing system comprising at least a longitudinal upper surface (2); two side walls (7, 8) and a lower surface (17a) and an opening (3) positioned on the upper surface (2a), providing an access inside the lower profile (1); a bottom groove (10) positioned inside the lower profile (1) and underneath the opening (3), being open at least from the top and comprising a bottom surface (10a) that is horizontal at least by the opening (3) for the mounting of the lower profile (1); an installation groove (14) opening on the side surface (7a) of the lower profile and being intended for the mounting of an external sill to the lower profile (1); a mounting groove (15) opening on the lower surface of the lower profile (1) and being intended for the mounting of the lower profile (1). The lower profile (1) also comprises a collecting chamber (12) positioned inside the lower profile (1) and next to the bottom groove (10), and at the same time on a lower level with respect to the bottom groove (10) for collecting water and moisture. The collecting groove (12) is connected to the bottom groove (10) to remote water and moisture from the bottom surface (10a) of the bottom groove (10), wherein the installation groove (14) is positioned underneath the chamber (12) next to the mounting groove (15) and the mounting groove (15) is positioned underneath the bottom groove (10).

Description

A LOWER PROFILE STRUCTURE FOR A GLAZING SYSTEM

The invention relates to a longitudinal lower profile structure for a glazing system according to the preamble of claim 1.

In the construction of new buildings and in building renovation, glazing systems of prior art are installed in connection with balconies, said glazing systems being called for example balcony glazings. The systems typically comprise an upper profile and a lower profile inside which necessary guide members are placed, single glass panes being suspended between said guide members. The profiles typically extend horizontally and they are fastened to the structures of the building. By means of guide members it is possible to open and close individual glass panes, typically around a vertical axis of rotation, and they can also be transferred aside along the profiles, wherein several glass panes form a vertical stack, and the balcony is completely open.

The lower profiles are typically structures that are open from the top, and rain and snow have access therein especially when the glass panes are open. The moisture accumulated in the lower profile is harmful especially in view of the mounting of the lower profile. The mounting should not weaken under the effect of moisture, not even during a longer period of time. Moisture should not be transferred for example inside the balcony either.

One known example of a lower profile for a balcony glazing is disclosed in the application publication WO 99/05383 in which a slanting external sill protects the mountings of the lower profile from rain. There are also holes on the side of the profile, said holes guiding the water on top of the external sill. It is, however, necessary to utilize an external sill always when the aim is to efficiently protect the mounting and the structure below the same. In some situations the external sill covers the mounting in such a manner that it is not possible to tighten or check the mounting.

The application publication EP 1 085 153 A2 also discloses a lower profile in which moisture is accumulated in the middle of the bottom of the lower profile. The lowermost point on the sides can be provided with flow openings, but water is still always conveyed on top of the structure below. The holes on the sides can be equipped with an external sill, but the hole produced in the lowermost point does not convey water on top of the external sill. Because of the accumulated water it is not possible to use mountings that extend through the bottom of the lower profile to a lower structure.

The application publication EP 0 440 152 A1 discloses a lower profile that also accumulates moisture. It is possible to provide the lower profile with different kinds of drain holes, but they always guide the water on top of a lower structure. Another lower profile is disclosed in the application publication FI 92517, in which moisture is accumulated in the middle of the lower profile, where it cannot be conveyed anywhere else but on top of a lower structure. The accumulated water is especially harmful in view of the mounting, because said mounting may become entirely covered with water. If the mounting is not tightened properly or if it only comprises a ready-made opening, moisture ends up directly inside the lower structure. Yet another lower profile is pre- sented in the application publication WO 92/17673. The lower profile accumulates water inside itself, and possible drain holes guide the water on top of the lower structure. Water cannot be conveyed on top of the external sill.

It is an aim of the present invention to eliminate the aforementioned problems by introducing a structure of a new type for a lower profile. The longitudinal lower profile structure for a glazing system according to the invention is presented in claim 1.

By means of the invention it is possible to facilitate the exit of water from critical sections, especially from sections that contain mountings. By means of the structure water can be conveyed on top of an external sill, wherein it is not necessary to convey the water on top of the lower structure, wherein moisture absorption thereto is reduced and long- term durability is improved. The structure is of such a quality that it is possible to check the mountings made by different mounting methods in such a manner that the detachment of the external sill or the opening of the lower profile is not necessary. Said structure facilitates the steps to be taken, wherein anyone can check the durability and tightness of the mountings. Thus, the transfer of moisture via unfastened or loose mountings is avoided and reduced.

The lower profile is also designed in such a manner that even though the mountings were unfastened or loose, accumulation of water at the location of the mountings is prevented. The produced lower profile has also an especially low structure. The lower profile enables versatile mountings either directly to the structures below or through brackets and supports. It is possible to equip the lower profile with an external sill that guides the water away and at the same time protects the structures below more efficiently.

The invention will be described in more detail in the description herein- below by means of a preferred embodiment, referring at the same time to the appended Fig. 1 that shows a cross-section of a lower profile for a glazing system according to the invention, wherein the cross-section is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lower profile.

When installed in its place the glazing system typically comprises several successive glass panes that can be moved in the direction X which is typically the horizontal direction and the direction of the edge or the railing of a balcony. Typically the glass panes have a rectangular form, and they are positioned in parallel to the X and Y direction, wherein they are in an upright position, forming a closed wall when positioned one after the other. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction and complies with the vertical direction. Typically the glass panes can also be opened into a position in which they extend in the Y and Z direction, which position is perpendicular to the closed position. The Z direction is typically the lateral direction that is perpendicular to the X direction and Y direction. In this position the glass panes can be moved aside in such a manner that they are positioned close to each other, wherein they are stored on one side of a balcony or another corresponding opening in a building. At least in this situation the lower profile that is open from the top remains uncovered and snow and rain can gain access therein. The guide profiles, comprising an upper pro- file and a lower profile are positioned in parallel to the X direction (longitudinal direction) and the necessary guide members are installed in each one of them, the glass panes being fastened to said upper and lower profiles both from above and below by means of a fastening pro- file.

The lower profile 1 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a substantially horizontal (X and Z direction) upper surface 2a in the middle of which there is a longitudinal gap or opening 3 through which the guide members (not shown in the drawing) extend. Inside the lower profile 1 there is a space 4, which is larger than the opening 3, and the guide members are arranged therein. More detailed operation of the guide members may vary in a manner known as such, and their structure is based on a technique known as such. The opening 3 extends over the entire length of the lower profile 1 with the same length and in a straight position. The glass pane 1 is typically attached to two guide members located at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction. When the glass pane is opened, the second guide members operate as a hinge. The side surfaces 7a and 8a of the side walls 7 and 8 of the lower profile 1 are typically vertical, but their shape can also vary, as well as the shape of the upper surface 2 of the cover 2.

The lower profile 1 is typically an extruded aluminium profile whose overall cross-section is similar to the one shown in Fig. 1 The opening 3 is surrounded by a protective collar that comprises vertical walls 6a and 6b attached to each edge of the opening 3, said walls extending downward. Below and between the walls 6a, 6b there is a space 4 that is larger than the width (Z direction) between the walls 6a and 6b, because the guide members are also wider than the opening 3. The guide members slide in the X direction and rest on top of horizontal partition walls 9a, 9b. Water has easy access from the sliding surfaces of the partition walls 9a, 9b to the bottom groove 10. Directly below the opening 3 there is also a bottom groove 10 that is open from the top, and it is preferably larger in width than the opening 3. Thus water is better guided from the opening 3 and via the walls 6a, 6b to the bottom groove 10. The bottom groove 10 is also open in its other side, at least from the bottom part of said side, wherein a connection 11 to a cham- ber 12 is formed. The connection 11 connects the bottom groove 10 to the chamber 12 whose bottom surface 12a is positioned on a lower level than the bottom surface 10a of the bottom groove 10, and thus the chamber 12 is located partly on a lower level and on the same lower level than the bottom surface 10a of the bottom groove 10. The chamber 12 is intended for accumulation of water and moisture, wherein water is conveyed away from the bottom surface 10a in which water should remain for as little time as possible. The distance between the bottom surfaces 10a, 12a in the vertical direction can be di- mensioned in accordance with the amount of water to be removed, which also depends on the number of drain holes 13. Thus, water is accumulated in the chamber 12, and the water level preferably remains below the bottom surface 10a. Between the bottom surfaces 10a, 12a there is a shape 5 that does not rise above the bottom surface 10a, wherein water is not accumulated on the bottom surface 10a, but flows easily to the chamber 12. The bottom surface 10a is at least partly horizontal for the mounting purpose, wherein it is horizontal at least underneath a bolt fastening. The mounting is located centrally by the opening 3. The bottom surface 12a is horizontal or it descends as the distance to the groove 10 grows in the lateral direction. The lowermost point of the chamber 12 can also be positioned in that point where the flow opening is intended to be positioned.

It is possible to drill flow openings in the bottom surface 12a of the chamber 12, the hole 13 being an example thereof. The drilling is typically conducted from below. Underneath the chamber 12 there is an installation groove 14 with an open side that is produced on the side wall 7, on the outer surface of the lower profile. The installation groove 14 is facing outwards for example in a balcony. The installation groove 14 can be provided with an external sill as a rain shield, said external sill extending in the lateral direction on top of the structure below and over the same, wherein water drips from the opening 13 on top of the oblique external sill and further away from the lower profile or the structure below. The external sill also protects from rain and guides water obliquely downward and away from the lower profile. Directly underneath the bottom groove 10 in a central position and next to the installation groove 14, inside the balcony there is a mounting groove 15 for mountings that is open at least from below. The opening 15a of the mounting groove 15 is dimensioned in such a manner that the bolt of a bolt mounting fits through it, but not the nut. The nut has a space 15b of its own whose width is preferably dimensioned in such a manner that a hexagonal bolt will not turn therein when the bolt is tightened. The mounting groove 15 also contains a space 15c for the bolt head.

Alternatively, the lower profile 1 is fastened only by means of a bolt or a screw to the structure below, wherein the mounting groove 15 is also used, but the head of the bolt or the screw is positioned on top of the bottom surface 10a of the bottom groove 10. Holes are drilled in the wall 16 between the bottom groove 10 and the mounting groove 15, the fastening means, for example a bolt or the like, extending through said holes to the lower structure that can be for example the edge of a bal- cony that is made of wood or concrete. The drilling can be easily conducted from above through the opening 3, and at the same time directly to the structure below. Alternatively, the bolt of the bolt mounting is positioned on the bottom surface 10a, wherein a suitable clearance is arranged between the bolt head and the guide members by placing the wall 16 within a suitable distance from the walls 9a and 9b. Thus, it is possible to gain access to the fastening means by tightening tools via the opening 3. The bottom groove 10 is dimensioned in such a manner that is sufficiently wide at the location of the bolt so that for example an alien key could be positioned around the bolt or nut. In differ- ent types of mountings the bolts are positioned on the same vertical line that is positioned centrally in view of the groove 3 as well, wherein it is easy to change the mounting type and no additional space is required. At the same time the lower profile 1 forms a low construction when the installation groove 14 is positioned next to the mounting groove 15.

A closed space 18 remains between the bottom groove 10 and the installation groove 14 and the side wall 8. On the lower edge of the side wall 8 there is also an installation groove 19 to which the inner external sill or the sealing structure can be fastened. The lower surface 17a of the bottom wall 17 of the lower profile 1 is horizontal and it contains grooves, wherein they are positioned against the lower structure as stationary manner as possible. In the presented embodiment the walls 2, 7, 8 and 17 form a substantially quadratic structure. The profile 1 can also comprise other different chambers and grooves if necessary, wherein they can also have other functions. It is also possible to place different kinds of openings and grooves on the outer surfaces, in which various sealings can be attached. The structure can also be symmetrical. Between the mounting groove 15 and the installation groove 14 there may also be for example closed chambers. Between the installation groove 14 and the collecting chamber 12 there may also be a chamber that increases the height of the lower profile 1 , provided that water has access on the external sill, and the openings 13 can be easily formed. The mounting groove 15 is preferably located in the immediate vicinity of the bottom groove 10 and underneath it, wherein the structure is low and drilling is necessary only through one wall.

The invention is not restricted solely to the advantageous embodiment presented above, but it may vary according to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A longitudinal lower profile (1) for a glazing system, which, when in- stalled in its place, comprises at least a longitudinal upper surface (2a), two side walls (7, 8) and a lower surface (17a), as well as

- an opening (3) positioned on the upper surface (2a), providing access inside the lower profile (1) and being intended for guide members to be placed in the lower profile (1),

- a bottom groove (10) positioned inside the lower profile (1) and underneath the opening (3), said bottom groove being open at least from the top and comprising a bottom surface (10a) that is horizontal at least by the opening (3) for the mounting of the lower profile (1 ),

- an installation groove (14) opening on the side surface (7a) of the lower profile, being intended for mounting an external sill to the lower profile (1),

- a mounting groove (15) opening on the lower surface (17a) of the lower profile (1), being intended for mounting of the lower profile (1),

characterized in that the lower profile (1) also comprises:

- a collecting chamber (12) positioned inside the lower profile

(1) and next to the bottom groove (10), and at the same time on a lower level with respect to the bottom groove (10) for collecting water and moisture, said collecting chamber being connected to the bottom groove (10) to remove water and moisture from the bottom surface (10a) of the bottom groove (10), wherein:

- the installation groove (14) is positioned underneath the chamber (12) and next to the mounting groove (15), and - the mounting groove (15) is positioned underneath the bottom groove (10).

2. The lower profile structure according to claim 1 , characterized in that the guide members are arranged to be positioned in the opening (3) and at the same time on top of the bottom groove (10), wherein the guide members are arranged to be positioned and to move on the sup- port of side walls (9a, 9b) located on both sides of the bottom groove (10).

3. The lower profile structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mounting groove (15) is located immediately underneath the bottom groove, wherein a wall (16) separates them.

4. The lower profile structure according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the installation groove (14) is located immediately underneath the collecting chamber (12).

5. The lower profile structure according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the bottom groove (10) comprises a bottom surface (10a) that extends horizontally at least for the part that is positioned centrally by the mounting groove (15) and accommodates the vertical fastening means when they extend through the bottom surface (10a) and fasten the lower profile (1) in its place.

6. The lower profile structure according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the shape (5) of the lower profile between the bottom groove (10) and the collecting chamber (12) is arranged to allow the flowing of water and moisture from the bottom surface (10a) of the bottom groove (10) to the collecting chamber (12).

7. The lower profile structure according to any of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that both edges of the opening (3) are lined by a downward directed collar (6a, 6b).

8. The lower profile structure according to any of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the opening (3) and the mounting groove (5) are located substantially concentrically.

9. The lower profile structure according to any of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least the lowermost point of the bottom surface (12a) of the collecting chamber (12) is positioned immediately above the installation groove (14).

10. The lower profile structure according to any of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the bottom groove (10) is provided with the necessary space for the vertical fastening means that extend through the bottom surface (10a) of the bottom groove (10) and fasten the lower profile (1) in its place.