WO2003040510A1

WO2003040510A1 - A sealing structure for a glazing system

Info

Publication number: WO2003040510A1
Application number: PCT/FI2002/000855
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: CN1494631A; FI20012128A; FI20012128A0; NO20033096L; EP1442194A1; EP1442194B1; NO20033096D0; DE60234706D1; CN1262732C; NO323865B1; ATE451533T1; FI116537B

Abstract

Sealing structure for a glazing system that comprises a fastening profile (4) for fastening glass panes (1) and a guide profile (2) for guide members, wherein said profiles (2, 4) are placed on top of each other, and said guide members, in turn, are arranged to move and fasten to said fastening profile. The sealing structure comprises a first sealing (9) that is fastened to the guide profile (2), and a second sealing (6) that is fastened to the fastening profile (4). Each said sealing (6, 9) comprises a first wall (6a, 9a) extending from each profile (2, 4) towards the opposite profile, and a second profile (6b, 9b) that is fastened to the first wall and positioned between each profile (2, 4) and the first wall of the opposite sealing, wherein the first walls (6a, 9a) are positioned within a distance from each other, thus allowing the deviations of the profiles, wherein also the second walls (6b, 9b) are positioned within a distance from each other, thus allowing the changes in the distance between the profiles (2, 4).

Description

A SEALING STRUCTURE FOR A GLAZING SYSTEM

The invention relates to a sealing 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.

One known balcony glazing is disclosed in the Finnish patent publication 84645. The guide members comprise a hinging and locking ele- ment for each glass pane, by means of which element the glass panes that have been moved aside and taken close to each other are locked together. The glass pane is opened and closed on the support of a hinge pin. Another known system for a balcony glazing is disclosed in the Finnish patent publication 92517. The lower profile comprises a roll moving in the longitudinal direction of the profile, said roll turning and at the same time lifting up the glass pane when the glass pane is opened. The upper profile also contains a roll for guidance. The glass panes also comprise profile elements located on the upper edge and on the lower edge of the glass pane, said profile elements fastening to the guide members. Between the glass pane and the lower profile there are also sealings that function to prevent the access of moisture and litter inside the lower profile especially when the glass pane is in its closed position.

In sealing structures of prior art problems have occurred that result especially from the stable or changing position between the glass pane and the lower profile. The problems result especially from the installa- tion, wherein for example the lower profile does not fully comply with the same horizontal or vertical line with the glass pane, wherein gaps remain between the sealing and the glass pane or between the sealing and the lower profile.

Reliable function of the sealing and good shielding capability are difficult to arrange optimally in a situation where the glass panes must be capable of opening inward and outward at the same time, the glass panes move vertically with respect to the lower profile and the distance of the glass pane from the lower profile varies in the horizontal direction.

It is an aim of the invention to eliminate the aforementioned problems by introducing a sealing structure of a new type. The sealing structure according to the invention is presented in claim 1.

By means of the invention special advantage is attained in a situation in which straight glass panes move on the support of a lower profile having the a shape of the arch of a circle or a curve. For example the edge of a balcony in a building can have a curved shape, wherein the lower profile can be constructed of straight pieces of the lower profile that are fastened to each other diagonally so that the lower profile would follow the railing or the curved or angular shape of the balcony. When the guide elements or the like that support the glass pane are transferred from one profile piece to another, especially the central part of the glass pane moves significantly further apart from the lower profile, because the glass pane does not have a corresponding angular shape. The distance can be so long that that sealing does not extend over the produced gap.

The invention allows the produced gap to be larger in size than in the related art, or gaps that remain uncovered at present can now be covered with the new sealing structure. Another advantage that is attained is the fact that the curved structure can be constructed of longer lower profile pieces, because the gap can be larger, wherein the number of work stages is reduced and the installation work is accelerated. At the same time the sealing structure according to the invention allows wider movements in the vertical direction, as well as the opening of the glass pane in both directions.

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 sealing structure according to the invention, a lower profile, guide members, a fastening profile and a glass pane for a glazing system, 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 1 that can be moved in the direction X which is typically the horizontal direction and the direction of the edge of the balcony or the railing. Typically the glass panes have a rectan- gular form, and they are positioned in the X and Y direction, wherein they are in an upright position, forming a closed wall when placed one after the other. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction and complies with the vertical direction. Typically the glass panes 1 can also be opened into a position in which they extend in the Y and Z di- rection, which position is perpendicular to the closed position. The Z direction is the lateral direction that is perpendicular to the X direction and Y direction. In this position the glass panes 1 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. The guide profiles, comprising an upper profile (not shown in the drawing) and a lower profile 2 are positioned in parallel to the X direction (longitudinal direction) and each of them comprises the necessary guide members 3 to which the glass panes 1 are fastened both from above and below by means of a fastening profile 4.

The lower profile 2 comprises a substantially horizontal (X and Z direction) upper profile 5 in the middle of which there is a longitudinal gap 7 through which the guide members extend. Inside the lower profile 2 there is a space 13, which is wider than the gap 7, and the guide mem- bers 3 are arranged therein. More detailed operation of the guide members 3 may vary in a manner known as such, and their structure is based on a technique known as such. The gap 7 extends over the en- tire length of the lower profile 2 with the same length and in a straight position. Some parts of the lower profile 2 also contain an opening to the side, typically inward in relation to the building, and the guide members 3 are detached from the lower profile 2 via said opening when the glass pane 1 is being opened. The glass pane 1 is typically attached to two guide members 3 located within a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction. When the glass pane 1 is opened, the second guide members 3 function as a hinge and remain inside the lower profile 2. The guide members 3 are arranged to extend from one edge of the gap 7 to the other, wherein the movement in the Z direction that results from the clearance is small. The side surfaces of the lower profile are typically vertical, but their shape can also vary, as well as the shape of the upper surface 5.

The lower profile 2 is typically an extruded aluminium profile whose overall cross-section is similar to the one shown in Fig. 1. The upper surface 5 is equipped with a groove 8 on that side of the lower profile 2 that is located outside and exposed to the effect of weather conditions. The groove 8 has substantially the shape of an upside-down turned letter T. The substantially L-shaped sealing 9 is attached to the groove 8 also via the T-shape 9c. The sealing 9 comprises two straight sealing walls 9a and 9b that are substantially perpendicular to each other. To the wall 9b, to its opposite end and to the opposite side with respect to the wall 9a is perpendicularly attached a T-shape 9c. The dimensions of the groove 8 and the shape 9c are substantially arranged to comply with each other, wherein the sealing 9 remains in the groove 8 also when loadings are exerted on it in the Z direction. The wall 9b is positioned against the surface 5, and supported against the same on its entire length and the wall 9a is positioned against the guide members 3 and vertically on the plane of the edge of the gap 7. The wall 9a extends towards the fastening profile 4, and its apex is lower than the profile 4 within such a range that substantially corresponds to the thickness of the wall 6b of the sealing 6. The sealing 9 extends in parallel to the lower profile 2, either as a continuous element or as an ele- ment composed of several pieces, and it advantageously extends on the entire length of the lower profile 2. The fastening profile 4 comprises a substantially horizontal lower surface 10 on the inner edge of which there is a longitudinal gap 11 through which the guide members 3 extend and fasten to the profile 4. Inside the profile 4 there is a space 14 larger than the gap 11 , and the guide members 3 are positioned therein. The profile 4 is typically an extruded aluminium profile whose overall cross-section is similar to the one shown in Fig. 1. The outer edge of the lower surface 10 is provided with a T-groove 12 on the outer side of the profile 4. The L-sealing 6 corresponding to the sealing 9 is attached to the groove 12 via the T- shape 6c. The sealing 6 comprises two straight sealing walls 6a and 6b that are substantially perpendicular to each other. To the wall 6b, to its opposite end and to the opposite side with respect to the wall 6a is perpendicularly attached a T-shape 6c. The dimensions of the groove 12 and the shape 6c are substantially arranged to comply with each other, wherein the sealing 6 remains in the groove 12 also when loadings are exerted on it in the Z direction, and especially when the sealings 6 and 9 are pressed against each other or cross each other by means of a horizontal movement, when the glass pane 1 is opened or closed.

The wall 6b is positioned partly against the lower surface 10, and it extends further outward in the horizontal direction than the lower surface 10. Thus, it is capable of bending more upward. The wall 6a is located within a distance from the wall 9a, and the wall 6b is located within a distance from the wall 9b, wherein the sealings 6 and 9 form a quadratic or rectangular sealing structure when they are positioned against each other, which is the normal situation when the profiles 2 and 4 are positioned in parallel to and against each other, wherein the glass panes are closed. The end of the wall 6a is positioned at the lo- cation of the front end of the wall 9b, and the end of the wall 9a is positioned at the location of the rear end of the wall 6b. The T-shapes are also fastened to the front end and the other walls to the rear end. The wall 6a extends towards the fastening profile 2, and its lowest point is located such a distance higher than the profile 2 that substantially cor- responds to the thickness of the wall 6b of the sealing 9. Thus, the end of the wall 6a slides along the wall 9b, when the distance of the profiles 2 and 4 varies in the Z direction. The space between the sealings is preferably closed, wherein the sealing would be efficient, but it is also sufficient that the sealing 9 slides along the sealing 6. The walls 6b, 9b can also extend past the walls 6a, 9a.

The walls 6a and 9a are located within a distance from each other in the Z direction, wherein changes in the distance between the profiles 2 and 4 are allowed. The differences are caused by the rotating movement of the glass pane, and by the way in which they are installed, wherein the directions of the profiles 2 and 4 occasionally slightly devi- ate from the X direction. Similarly, the walls 6a and 9a are also located within a distance from each other in the Y direction, wherein changes in the height position between the profiles 2 and 4 are allowed within certain limits. When the glass pane 1 is opened and rotated, the walls 6a, 9a collide with each other and are positioned elastically against each other, wherein they at the same time bend and give space for each other so that the wall 6a could move over the wall 9a entirely, in Fig. 1 to the left. When the glass pane is closed (return movement to the right), the walls collide again, and now they bend to opposite directions each, wherein they finally pass each other and return to the posi- tion shown in Fig. 1. The sealings 6, 9 are positioned against each other, and a space 15 parallel to the X direction is formed therebetween. The sealing 6 extends in parallel to the fastening profile 4, either as a continuous element or as an element composed of several pieces, and it advantageously extends over the entire length of the lower profile 4 and the glass pane 1.

The walls 6b and 9b are located within a fixed distance from each other, which makes it possible for the profiles 2 and 4 to move closer to each other in the vertical direction, wherein the walls 6a and 9a yield. Their divergence from each other is also possible, wherein the two walls 6a and 9a that intermesh one another at a distance from each other in the horizontal direction, efficiently prevent for example access of water to the inner side and inside the profile 2. The sealings can also have substantially the shape of letter J, wherein the walls 6a, 6b are slightly curved. The sealing walls of the sealing can be attached to each other also by means of a curved formed part. The sealings are preferably positioned against each other between opposite profiles, and they are fastened to the profiles at points located on the opposite angles of the sealing structure. The sealings 6, 9 are positioned next to the guide members 3.

The walls 6b and 9b are located within a predetermined distance from each other, which makes it possible for the profiles 2 and 4 to move closer to each other in the horizontal direction. Finally, the walls 6a and 9a are positioned against each other, but the gap between them remains closed for as long as possible when the sealings bend, and the gap is also directed downwards, wherein water has no access inside. The mutual width of the sealings in the Z direction makes it possible to cover and shield larger gaps, when compared to related art.

The sealings 6 and 9 are preferably made of rubber or rubber-like ma- terial, wherein they easily and elastically bend to the shape that is necessary at each point for sufficient sealing. The other material properties and the dimensions of the sealings 6 and 9 are preferably identical, but their stiffness and dimensions can be changed in a desired manner so that they deviate from each other. The stiffness can also be adjusted by means of the structure, wherein for example the sealing wall 6a is capable of yielding more in the Y direction because it is not supported against the lower surface 10. The presented sealing structure can also be applied between the upper profile and the fastening profile. Corresponding sealing structure can be placed alternatively in- side or on both sides of the glass pane in the lower profile 2 or in the upper profile whose outer appearance corresponds to the outer appearance of the lower profile 2. In spite of this, the sealing structure functions in different locations and allows the opening and closing of glass panes.

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

Claims

1. A sealing structure for a glazing system that comprises:

a fastening profile (4) that can be positioned in parallel to the X direction for fastening of glass panes (1), and

- a guide profile (2) for guide members that is parallel to the X direction, wherein said profiles (2, 4) are placed on top of each other in the Y direction that is perpendicular to the X direction, said guide members, in turn, being arranged to move in the X direction and to fasten to said fastening profile,

wherein the sealing structure comprises:

- a first sealing (9) parallel to the X direction, said sealing being attached to the guide profile (2),

characterized in that the sealing structure also comprises:

- a second sealing (6) parallel to the X direction, said sealing being attached to the fastening profile (4), wherein each said sealing (6, 9) comprises a first wall (6b, 9b) extending from each profile (2, 4) towards the opposite profile, and a second wall (6b, 9b) attached to the first wall and positioned between each profile (2, 4) and the first wall of the opposite sealing, wherein the first walls (6a, 9a) are positioned within a distance from each other in the Z direction that is perpen- dicular to the X and Y directions, thus allowing the deviations of the profiles from the X direction, and wherein the second walls (6b, 9b) are also positioned within a distance from each other in the Y direction, thus allowing the changes in the distance between the profiles (2, 4).

2. The sealing structure according to claim 1 , characterized in that the guide profile (2) comprises a groove (8) in the X direction that has a substantially T-shaped cross section and to which the first sealing (9) is attached, and the fastening profile (4) comprises a groove (12) parallel to the X direction, said groove having a substantially T-shaped cross section and the second sealing (6) being fastened thereto.

3. The sealing structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the first sealing (9) comprises a formed part (9c) parallel to the X direction, said formed part having a substantially T-shaped cross section and being positioned to the groove (8) of the guide profile (2), and the second sealing (6) comprises a formed part (6c) parallel to the X direction, having a substantially T-shaped cross section and being positioned in the groove of the fastening profile (4).

4. The sealing structure according to any of the claims 1 to 3, charac- terized in that the first and the second sealing (6, 9) each comprise a formed part parallel to the X direction, said formed part having a substantially L-shaped cross section.

5. The sealing structure according to any of the claims 1 to 4, charac- terized in that the first and the second sealing (6, 9) are positioned against each other, wherein they form a sealing structure with a square or rectangular cross section.

6. The sealing structure according to any of the claims 1 to 5, charac- terized in that the end of the first wall (6a, 9a) of at least one sealing

(6, 9) is arranged to slide along the second wall (6b, 9b) of the opposite sealing.

7. The sealing structure according to any of the claims 1 - 6, charac- terized in that the second wall (6b, 9b) is positioned against the profile

(2, 4) to which said sealing (6, 9) is attached.

8. The sealing structure according to any of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sealings (6, 9) are continuous components made of an elastic material.

9. The sealing structure according to any of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first walls (6a, 9a) of the sealings (6, 9) are arranged to give space for each other when they move closer to each other and collide, when the distance of the profiles (2, 4) in the Z direction grows larger than the distance between said walls (6a, 9a).

10. The sealing structure according to claim 9, characterized in that the first walls (6a, 9a) of the sealings (6, 9) are arranged to give space for each other when they move closer to each other and collide, when the distance of the profiles (2, 4) in the Z direction is becoming smaller than the distance between said walls (6a, 9a).