WO2015092701A1

WO2015092701A1 - Attachment for glass railing

Info

Publication number: WO2015092701A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/067008
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anders Johansson
Original assignee: Anjo Konsult Ab
Priority date: 2013-12-17
Filing date: 2014-12-17
Publication date: 2015-06-25
Also published as: SE539588C2; SE1351511A1; WO2015092701A4

Abstract

The present invention relates to a holding device for panels, such as a glass pane, including a first mounting profile (2) designed to be mounted on a fixed structure (9) such as a wall or a floor structure, a second holding profile (3) designed to hold and support a glass pane (4), wherein said holding profile (3) is adapted to be interconnected with the mounting profile (2) via a lower connecting device (5), wherein the holding profile (3) in the mounted condition rests vertically on the mounting profile (2), as well as via an upper connecting device (6), wherein said lower connecting device (5) constitutes a fulcrum, and that the holding device (1) includes an adjusting assembly (8) by means of which the distance between the mounting profile (2) and the holding profile (3) at the upper portion (15) of the holding device (1) can be adjusted variably.

Description

ATTACHMENT FOR GLASS RAILING TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a holding device for panels, such as a glass pane, including a first mounting profile designed to be mounted on a fixed structure such as a wall or a floor structure, a second holding profile designed to hold and support a glass pane, wherein said holding profile is adapted to be interconnected with the mounting profile via a lower connecting device, as well as via an upper connecting device, wherein the holding profile in the mounted condition rests vertically on the mounting profile via said lower connecting device.

BACKGROUND

Today, glass railings for terraces, balconies, bridges and pools are commonly occurring and there are several products on the market that involve a laminated glass constituting the load-bearing component of a railing, for example a balcony railing. Typically, a glass pane is attached to a fixed structure (e.g. a balcony slab, a wall or a floor structure) by means of a holding device, and the upper edge of the pane can be provided with a longitudinal hand rail e.g. in the form of a rust resistant profile/rim. The

attachment/holding device of such balcony railings should be sufficiently rigid to meet certain requirements with regard to linear load, wind load, and impact tests, and moreover, the outward deflection of the glass at the upper edge may not be perceived as unpleasant by the user. In case the glass railing is to be attached to a balcony slab, it is also advantageous if the attachment is adjustable in such a manner that the glass pane can be made perfectly vertical, since balcony slabs often slope outwardly from the building they are placed on. In that case, an adjustable attachment facilitates the assembly of the glass railing at the corners of the balcony slab.

EP2194207 discloses a holding device by means of which one or more glass panes forming a protective railing is/are supported by a wall or a floor structure, wherein a carrier rail holding the glass panes can be adjusted variably by means of setscrews so that the inclination of the glass pane relative to the vertical plane can be varied.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims at providing an improved holding device, in which: -the position of the holding device can be adjusted in the vertical direction on the fixed structure (the balcony slab, wall, floor structure, or the like) when mounting;

-the inclination of the panel (glass plane) can be adjusted/angled inwardly toward or outwardly from the balcony slab (or corresponding fixed structure);

- adjustment of the inclination of the panel can be accomplished from the side of the glass pane that faces inwardly, and from above in a direction towards the balcony slab; and wherein

-a mounted holding device is positioned such that its top edge is substantially at the same level as the top edge of the balcony slab and forms an essentially smooth and natural extension of the balcony slab without any protruding and/or disturbing parts being a hindrance to people on the balcony.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to achieve at least the above-mentioned objects, which is attained by means of a solution in accordance with the accompanying claims.

Thanks to the invention, there is obtained a structural solution allowing a drastically improved accuracy, and a simplified adjustment when mounting since the holding device can be adjusted vertically on the balcony slab (i.e. be adjusted

"upwardly'V'downwardly" on the vertically oriented front edge of the balcony slab when mounting), and in that the inclination/angling of the glass pane relative to the vertical plane can be easily and quickly adjusted when the glass railing is mounted in the holding device.

Furthermore, great advantages are obtained both from a cost perspective and a mounting perspective in that adjustment of the inclination of the pane can be accomplished via an adjusting assembly which is accessible from above and from the side of the mounted glass pane that faces the balcony slab. In this way, the need for a lift or scaffold, which is required for adjusting devices of the kind where the inclination is set by means of an adjusting assembly accessible from the outside of the glass pane, is avoided.

Furthermore, the solution according to the invention leads to great flexibility as regards the possibilities of choice when mounting, and makes it possible to either mount the glasses to the holding profile in the factory, into complete, prefabricated glass elements which thereupon can be mounted quickly, or to first mount long holding devices to the balcony slab, and to then mount the glasses therein on site. The latter may be advantageous for small projects, if the dimensions vary considerably, wherein mounting profiles as well as holding profiles can be cut to length at site.

The skilled person will appreciate that the invention is not limited to be attached to any particular type of structure, but that the holding device, and specifically the mounting profile described herein, can be attached to many different kinds of fixed structures such as, for example, walls, floor structures, footbridges, balcony slabs or other structures where glass railings are to be mounted. For practical reasons, hereinafter the term "balcony slab" is used, although this of course does not exclude other types of structures.

The skilled person will also understand that different types of panels can be mounted by means of the system according to the invention, and that glass panes is only one of several possible examples.

Further advantages and aspects of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Hereinafter the invention will be described in more detail with reference to figures showing an embodiment example, in which:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a holding device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, holding a panel and being mounted on a vertically oriented edge of a concrete slab;

Fig. 2A shows a cross-section through a holding device according to IIA in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 2B shows another cross-section through a holding device according to IIB in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 2C shows an exploded view of the holding device shown in Fig. 2A;

Fig. 2D shows a detail view of an upper connecting device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an adjusting assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an adjusting device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 shows an exploded view of an adjusting assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 shows stepwise mounting of a holding device holding a panel on a concrete slab; Fig. 7 A shows a perspective view of a mounting profile; and

Fig. 7B shows a spacing washer according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a holding device 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said holding device holding a panel in the form of a glass pane 4 and being mounted on the vertically oriented front edge of a concrete slab 9, which could constitute, for example, the floor slab of a balcony, but which conceivably also could represent many different fixed structures. The holding device 1 includes a first longitudinal mounting profile 2 and a second longitudinal holding profile 3, wherein the holding profile 3 is provided with U shaped flanges forming a support rail 34 intended to hold the lower portion of the glass pane 4. In the mounted position, the first, longitudinal mounting profile 2 is attached to the substantially vertically oriented front edge of the concrete slab 9. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting profile 2 is attached to the balcony slab 9 via prepositioned spacing washers 11 so that a drainage gap is formed between the edge of the balcony slab 9 and the mounting profile 2. In the mounted position, the holding profile 3 is interconnected with the mounting profile 2 via a lower connecting device 5, as well as via an upper connecting device 6, and also via an adjusting assembly 8. The holding profile 3 rests on the mounting profile 2 at said lower connecting device 5 so that the mounting profile

2 thus carries all of the vertically directed weight of the glass pane 4 plus the holding profile 3.

The lower 5 and the upper 6 connecting device, respectively, will later be described in greater detail. The holding device 1 further includes an adjusting assembly 8, by means of which the horizontal distance between the mounting profile 2 and the holding profile

3 at the upper portion 15 of the holding device 1 can be adjusted variably. The upper portion/part 15 should be understood so as to correspond to the upper half of the holding device 1, i.e. the portion located above an imaginary central plane. At the same time, the lower connecting device 5 is disposed such that the distance between the mounting profile 2 and the holding profile 3 there remains unchanged. When the distance at the upper connecting device 6 is changed by means of the adjusting assembly 8, the lower connecting device 5 thus will constitute a fulcrum for the inclination adjustment of the glass pane 4 held by the holding profile 3. When the adjusting assembly 8 is actuated, horizontally acting forces are transferred to the holding profile 3 so that the inclination thereof relative to the mounting profile 2 and the balcony slab 9 is changed. In this way, also the inclination of the glass pane relative to the plumb line L/vertical plane can easily be adjusted by angling the pane outwardly/inwardly relative to the slab 9 by means of the adjusting assembly 8.

According to the preferred embodiment, the adjusting assembly 8 is further positioned such that it is accessible from the side 42 of the mounted glass pane 4 that faces the concrete slab 9 (i.e. the balcony slab 9), i.e. accessible from the inside 42 of the glass pane. Furthermore, the adjusting assembly 8 is disposed such that it is accessible from the top side of the holding device 1 , which means that inclination adjustment can be done from the balcony slab 9 even if the entire vertical side of the holding device 1 is fixedly mounted against the vertical front edge of the balcony slab. This leads to great advantages when mounting, since an installer can adjust the inclination of the glass pane 4 while standing on the concrete slab 9, which eliminates the need for a scaffold or lift, which is required for the holder designs where the corresponding adjustment is done from the outside of the glass pane 4. The location of the adjusting assembly 8 and its accessibility from the concrete slab 9 also allows the holding device to be mounted neatly, wherein the upper edge of the holding device is placed substantially level with the top side of the balcony slab, so that a smooth transition without any protruding edges is formed, which of course is a great advantage especially for balconies, where user-friendliness and appearance are of importance.

Figures 2 A and 2B show cross-sections of a holding device 1 , including a first mounting profile 2 and a second holding profile 3, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, Fig. 2C shows an exploded view of a preferred holding device 1. Fig. 7a also shows a perspective view of a mounting profile 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. The skilled person will appreciate that these profiles may be given different cross-sectional configurations within the scope of the inventive idea, i.e. many different kinds of profile shapes have the capability of fulfilling the basic functionality required in order to utilize the inventive concept. This is of course also true for other shown profile elements.

Fig. 2A shows a cross-section according to IIA in Fig. 1. The cross-section shows the position of upper attachment screws 100. Here, it is seen that the first mounting profile 2 has at its lower end a longitudinal lower connecting member 24 constituted by a vertically upward-directed edge segment 24, which defines a U shaped retaining pocket 25. A curved portion 26 connects the lower connecting member 24 to the central portion 27 of the mounting profile 2, which includes ellipticholes 270 for attachment by screws/bolts and is provided with horizontally longitudinal grooves 28 designed to enable height/position adjustment of the mounting profile 2, which later will be described in more detail. The skilled person will appreciate that said curved portion 26 can also have other shapes, e.g. a chamfered plane with an inclined surface. Above the central portion 27, there is an additional upper connecting member 22 having a vertically upward-directed flange 22 and a web 21 , which together form a projecting hook- like groove 23. The hook- like groove 23 is thus limited by the flange 22, the web 21, and an inner wall 29. Above the inner wall 29, there is an oblique wall 290 which extends up to the upper part of the mounting profile 2, where a U shaped groove 20 is disposed. The U shaped groove 20 is defined by two parallel vertically upward-directed flanges. It will be appreciated that the wall portion 290 between the hook-like groove 23 and the U shaped groove does not need to be oblique, but could be straight, e.g. if the material of the mounting profile 2 would be thicker than shown in the example in the accompanying figures.

At its lower, outer end, the second holding profile 3 is provided with an L shaped rail 33 which, when the holding device 1 is mounted, gives the structure a smooth and closed bottom side. Furthermore, the holding profile 3 includes two parallel flanges 36, 37 which extend vertically upward and form a U shaped support rail 34 in which a pane 4 (e.g. of glass) is intended to be inserted and accommodated. At the lower inwardly directed end (i.e. on the side of the holding profile 3 that faces and is intended to receive the mounting profile 2), there is a vertically downward-directed projection 35. At its upper 15, inwardly directed end, the holding profile 3 is further provided with a protruding, vertically downward-directed claw 31 , which defines a downwardly directed groove 32. Above the claw 31, there is disposed a U shaped groove 30 which, like the corresponding groove 20 of the mounting profile 2, is defined by two parallel upwardly directed flanges,

The function of the lower connecting device 5 will now be described in more detail. The lower connecting device 5 includes said vertically upward-directed edge segment 24 as well as the adjacent retaining pocket 24, and also said vertically downward-directed projection 35. The downwardly directed projection 35 is intended to receive the lower connecting member of the mounting profile and to be inserted into the retaining pocket 25 so that the projection 35 in the mounted condition rests vertically with its weight in the retaining pocket 26. This is illustrated in e.g. Fig. 2A, in which the lower connecting device 5 is shown in mounted position. The lower connecting device 5 constitutes a fulcrum for inclination adjustment of the glass pane, which will be described more thoroughly later. The function of the upper connecting device 6 will now be described in more detail. The upper connecting device 6 includes said upper connecting member 22 with the vertically upward-directed flange 22 and web 21, respectively, which together form said projecting hook-like groove 23, as well as said protruding claw 31 , which defines the downwardly facing groove 32. The claw 31 on the holding profile 3 is intended to be brought down into the groove 23 projecting from the receiving mounting profile 2 and be anchored therein by the vertically upward-directed flange 22. Fig. 2D shows an enlarged detail view of the upper connecting device 6 in mounted position. Here, it is seen that both the downwardly directed groove 32 and the hook-like groove 23 have a depth X, Y, preferably the measured depths of the respective grooves 32, 33 are substantially equal. In the mounted position, as shown in Fig 2D, this will allow the vertically downward-directed claw 31 to be moved horizontally outwardly/inwardly between the flange 22 and the inner wall 29 of the hook-like groove 23, i.e. the claw 31 can be moved along the depth X, Y of the hook-like groove 23. Since the holding profile 3 (in mounted position) at the same time is connected to the mounting profile 2 via the lower connecting device 5, which in its turn constitutes a fulcrum, a

displacement of the claw 31 relative to the flange 22 will affect the inclination of the holding profile 3 relative to the mounting profile 3, which is fixed to the balcony slab 9, and thus also the inclination of the pane 4 held by it, in relation to the plumb line L. The maximum outward angling of the glass (corresponding to a maximum distance between the mounting profile 2 and the holding profile 3) is obtained in the position where the downwardly directed claw 31 abuts against the flange 22, and correspondingly, the maximum inward angling of the glass (corresponding to a minimum distance between the mounting profile 2 and the holding profile 3) when the downwardly directed claw 31 abuts against the inner wall 29 of the groove 23. The downwardly directed claw 31 is nominally located at the centre of the groove 23 (i.e. at the same distance from the flange 22 as from the wall 29) and can be adjusted inwardly and outwardly by the same amount. It will be appreciated that a small horizontal adjustment of the upper connecting device 6 results in a large deflection at the upper edge of the glass pane.

The holding device 1 according to the invention further includes an adjusting assembly 8 by means of which the distance between the mounting profile 2 and the holding profile 3 at the position of said upper connecting device 6 can be adjusted and locked variably. The position of the adjusting assembly 8 in a mounted holding device is shown in the cross-section in Fig. 2B, taken according to IIB in Fig. 1. The adjusting assembly 8 is positioned such that it is accessible from the side 42 of a mounted glass pane 4 that faces in a direction toward the fixed structure 9 (the balcony slab 9), meaning that said distance between the mounting profile 2 and the holding profile 3 can be adjusted from said inside 42 of the balcony slab 9. The maximum and minimum distance, respectively, which can be selected is limited by the shape of the upper connecting device 6, as has been previously described. It will thereby be appreciated that actuation of the adjusting assembly 8 allows adjustment of the horizontal distance between the holding profile 3 and the mounting profile 2 at the upper portion 15 of the holding device 1. Put together with the fact that the fulcrum is constituted by the lower connecting device 5, this means that actuation of the adjusting assembly 8 results in a tilting of the holding profile 3 relative to the mounting profile 2, so that the inclination of the panel 4 thereby can be adjusted.

The components of the adjusting assembly 8 are seen in cross-section in Fig. 2B, in profile from the side in Fig. 2C, and in perspective in Figs. 3 - 5, and, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, include a first connecting member 80 adapted to be connected to the mounting profile 2, a second connecting member 81 adapted to be connected to the holding profile 3, and at least one adjusting device 82 adapted to be adjustably connected to said first 80 and second 81 connecting members, respectively, in such a manner that actuation of the adjusting device 82 results in a change of the distance between the first 80 and the second 81 connecting member.

From the figures, it is seen that said first 80 and second 81 connecting members can be constituted by a first 80 and a second 81 washer, each having a substantially elongated, rectangular shape. Each washer 80, 81 is provided with screw holes 800, 810, in the example shown in the figures, each washer has two screw holes placed at distance from each other and which are preferably threaded. According to one embodiment of the invention, the adjusting device 82 is constituted by an adjusting screw 82, including a first threaded outer portion 821 with threads in a first direction, and a second threaded outer portion 822 with threads in a second direction opposite to the first direction, as well as an intermediate adjusting holder 820 intended for adjusting/rotating the adjusting screw.

An adjusting screw 82 is intended to be connected to the first and the second washer by means of screwing one 821 of the two threaded outer portions 821, 822 into one of the screw holes of 800 of one washer 80, at the same time as the other threaded outer portion 822 is screwed into the corresponding screw hole 810 of the other washer 81. When assembling the adjusting assembly 8, the two washers 80, 81 are positioned in parallel, directly opposite each other, and, according to one embodiment, each pair of washers 80, 81 includes two adjusting screws 82, which are screwed into the respective threaded screw holes substantially simultaneously or alternately. When the components have been assembled, the adjusting assembly 8, accordingly, includes two washers 80, 81 extended in parallel which are held to together by means of said transverse adjusting screws 82, as shown in Fig. 3. By rotating the adjusting holder 820 of the adjusting screw, its threaded outer portions 821, 822 are rotated in the same direction, and since they are threaded in different directions, the rotation will cause the two outer portions 821, 822 to be simultaneously screwed either into or out of their respective screw holes 800, 810. In this way, the distance between the washers 80, 81can be adjusted by actuating the adjusting device, i.e. by rotating the adjusting holder 820.

It will be appreciated that it is possible that the adjusting assembly 8 includes two washers 80, 81, which are interconnected by a single adjusting screw 82, instead of two, and that the same function can be achieved also with that solution.

Furthermore, it should be understood that also other types of adjusting devices 82 than a double threaded adjusting screw can be used, for example it is conceivable that a screw element is attached to one washer 80 so that it can be freely rotated therein, and at the same time has a protruding threaded portion, intended to be screwed into the other washer 81, wherein the distance between the washers can be adjusted by rotating the screw element. In such a solution, the screw hole in which the adjusting device 82 freely rotates may lack threads. The adjusting assembly 8 is adapted to be connected to the mounting profile 2 and to the holding profile 3, respectively. This is shown in the cross-section in Fig. 2B.

According to this, the first washer 80 is adapted to be connected to the mounting profile 2 by being pushed down into said U shaped groove 20 that is exposed at the upper edge of the mounting profile, and, correspondingly, the second washer 81 is adapted to be connected to the holding profile 3 by being pushed down into said U shaped groove 30 that is exposed at the upper edge of the holding profile. In their respective upper parts, the profiles 2, 3 include gaps 14 (see Fig. 3) so that the transverse adjusting screws 82 have enough space when the adjusting assembly is pushed down into the grooves 20, 30 as previously described, and connects the two washers 80, 81 to each other. The gaps 14 for the adjusting screws 82 also contribute to the accessibility of the adjusting screw 82 so that a user/an installer can reach and rotate it. As previously described, turning (rotation) of the adjusting screw 82 will cause the washers 80, 81 to be displaced in a direction toward or away from each other. Since each washer 80, 81 is connected to the mounting profile 2 and the holding profile 3, respectively, the displacement movement will be transmitted via the washers 80, 81 to the profiles 2, 3. Accordingly, actuation of the adjusting device 82, in this case the adjusting screw, causes the horizontal distance between the mounting profile 2 and holding profile 3 to be adjusted at the upper part 15 of the holding device 1.

As described previously, the obtainable maximum and minimum distance, respectively, between the profiles 2, 4 are limited by the upper connecting device 6. Furthermore, via the lower connecting device 5, the profiles 2, 3 are fixed at a predetermined distance from each other, and actuation of the adjusting device 82 will thereby result in an adjustment of the angle of the holding profile relative to the extension of the mounting profile, wherein said retaining pocket 25 constitutes a fulcrum for the inclination adjustment/angle adjustment.

The mounting profile 2 is adapted to be attached to a vertical side of the balcony slab by means of a mounting device 7, which is seen e.g. in Fig. 2A. The mounting device 7 includes attachment elements, preferably in the form of a bolt 70, a washer 71, and a toothed washer 72. Like the spacing washer 1 1, the balcony slab 9 is preferably provided with a pre-drilled hole for the bolt 70. Also the mounting profile 2 includes through holes 270, which preferably are elliptic in the vertical direction, at its central portion 27 provided with grooves 28. The toothed washer 72 has a circular hole dimensioned for the bolt 70 and preferably has teeth on the side intended to receive the central portion 27 of the mounting profile 2. The shapes of the teeth are designed so that they match said grooves 28. By selecting the fastening position of the bolt 70 in the ellipticholes 270, the position in the vertical direction of the mounting profile can be adjusted. When fastening the bolt 70, the toothed washer 72 will hook into the horizontal grooves 28 so that the mounting device 7 is secured in vertical position. Preferably, the mounting profile 2 is positioned such that its upper edge ends up substantially at the same level as the top edge of the balcony slab 9 to thereby form a transition which is as smooth as possible, with a minimal difference in height between balcony slab 9 and holding device 1. The smooth transition contributes to a good environment on the balcony without any protruding edges which could be a hindrance to people on the balcony. The transition between balcony slab and holding device can be seen, for example, in Fig. 2A. The glass pane 4 is intended to be placed in the U shaped support rail 34, which is defined by the two vertically upward-directed flanges 36, 37. A filler strip 40 made, for example, of plastic material, is placed in the rail 34 partially around and on the side of the glass pane 4. The filler strip may be longitudinal or consist of shorter pieces. There is also a filler wedge 41 disposed on the other side of the glass pane for stability. A longitudinal sealing strip 12, e.g. a rubber strip 12, can be disposed between the upper edge of the support rail 34 and the glass pane 4 in order to prevent water from seeping into the rail 34. In the following, the mounting procedure of a holding device will be described, with reference primarily to Fig. 6 and the mounting steps A-E shown therein. The mounting procedure as described should be seen as exemplifying, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In a first step A, the mounting profile 2 is attached to the forward vertical side of a balcony slab 9. According to one example, the concrete slab can be provided with an embedded anchoring insert that includes threaded sleeves. The mounting profile 2 can thereby be attached to the balcony slab by screwing bolts 70, or other attachment means suitable for the purpose, into the threaded sleeves. Other conventional attachments are of course possible for the mounting profile 2, depending on the type of support: balcony slab of concrete, steel beam, or wooden floor structure.

As shown e.g. in Fig. 2A, the mounting profile 2 is fixed to the balcony slab 9 via discontinuously positioned spacing washers 1 1. One example of a spacing washer is shown in Fig. 7B. Drainage gaps are formed between the spacing washers 11 so that e.g. rain water can flow down between the balcony slab 9 and the mounting profile 2.

Furthermore, the spacing washers 11 serve the function of accommodating curvatures at the front edge of the balcony slab (which are common especially on long balconies) and thus contribute to ensuring that the mounting profile 2 is straight before the glass is to be installed.

When mounting, the mounting profile 2 is first fastened by screwing to the balcony slab 9 with the bolts 70, but it is then fastened so loosely that a gap sufficiently wide to allow the spacing washers 1 1 to be pushed down thereinto remains. As seen in Fig. 7, the spacing washers include recesses 110 intended for the bolts 70, i.e. when the spacing washer 11 is put in place, it is pushed down into said gap in such a manner that the bolts 70 end up in the recesses 110. Thereupon the mounting profile 2 is tightened against the spacing washers to thereby be fixed.

As seen in Fig. 7A, the central portion 27 of the mounting profile 2 includes holes 270 intended for the bolts 70, which holes preferably are ellipticin the vertical direction. A toothed washer 72 is placed between the bolt 70 and the grooved central portion 27 of the mounting profile 2 in such a manner that the toothed side, in mounted position, engages the grooves 28 and holds the mounting device 7 in the vertical direction.

According to one embodiment, an additional washer 71 is placed between the head of the bolt 70 and the back side of the toothed washer 72. The toothed washer 72 in cooperation with the bolt 70, the elliptic holes 270, and the grooves 28 of the mounting profile allows the mounting profile 2 to be adjusted in position in the vertical direction when mounting. This owing to the fact that the bolt 70 can be screwed into the balcony slab 9 at different vertical positions along the elliptichole 270, and that the toothed washer 72 secures the bolt 70 relative to the mounting profile 2 by cooperating with the grooves 28 as described above.

When the mounting profile 2 has been attached to the balcony slab 9, the holding profile 3 with the glass pane 4 can be mounted, which is illustrated in step B. First, the holding profile 3 is connected to the mounting profile 2 via the lower connecting device 5, which in practice is done by placing the vertically downward-directed projection 35 down into the receiving retaining pocket 25. Thereby, the holding profile 3 is tilted slightly outwardly at the upper edge. Before the vertically downward-directed projection 35 reaches the bottom of the retaining pocket 25, the upper edge of the holding profile is tilted inwardly to substantially vertical position, and also hooking engagement occurs at the upper connecting device 6 of the holding device 1 in that the claw 31 is brought over the flange 22 and down into the hook-like groove 23.

Thereupon the holding profile is lowered vertically the last few millimetres until the flange 22 reaches the bottom of the downwardly directed groove 32. Thereby, the holding profile 3 with the glass pane 4 is secured in place so as to not be able to fall out, but it can still be moved or angled outwardly and inwardly, respectively, at the upper edge relative to the mounting profile 2. To enable the holding profile 3 to be angled, the edge segment 24 of the lower connecting device 5 is preferably inclined slightly outwardly, in a direction toward the holding profile 3.

Now, the inclination of the glass pane 4 is to be adjusted/set by means of said adjusting assembly 8, corresponding to step C. By means of the adjusting assembly, the horizontal distance between the mounting profile 2 and the holding profile 3 at the upper part of the holding device 1 can be adjusted variably, which now will be described generally. The adjusting assembly 8 is positioned such that it is accessible from above and from the side 42 of the mounted glass pane 4 that faces the balcony slab 9, which facilitates the adjusting step C considerably, since the installer can stand on the balcony slab 9 while working. The adjustment of the inclination of the glass pane is done so that the top edge of the railing, which is often located more than a meter above the balcony slab 9, will end up in line with the other adjacent panels. When mounting glass railings, it is often also necessary to compensate for the slope of the balcony slab 9 itself, which usually slopes slightly outwardly from the building it is placed on to achieve drainage of rain water, or simply because the slab is deflected downward due to the weight. The front edge of the slab will then deviate from the plumb line L, and this has to be compensated for when mounting glass railings, since it is often preferable that the glass pane stands substantially vertically, i.e. plumb.

In order to secure the glass panes in the desired position relative to the plumb line L, said adjusting assembly 8 including the parallel washers 80, 81, connected to each other by means of two adjusting screws 82 (also called adjusting devices), is used. The adjusting assembly 8 is positioned in the holding assembly 1 by pushing one washer 80 down into the U shaped groove 20 of the mounting profile 2, at the same time as the other washer 81 is pushed down into the corresponding U shaped groove 30 of the holding profile 3. The transverse adjusting screws 82 are positioned at gaps 14 machined into the respective profile 2, 3. By rotating the adjusting screw, the distance between the washers 80, 81 is changed, and thus also the distance between the profiles themselves 2, 3 in which the washers are placed. Since the mounting profile 2 is fixed to the balcony slab 9, this in practice means that the holding profile 3 thereby is angled outwardly/inwardly, and that the inclination of the glass pane can thus be set. During such angular adjustment, the lower connecting device 5 constitutes a fulcrum for the movement. It will also be appreciated that the adjusting assembly 8 is intended to absorb horizontal loads, and that cooperation between the lower connecting device 5, where vertical load is absorbed, and the adjusting assembly 8, where horizontal load is absorbed, constitutes the static attachment and at the same time the adjustment of the inclination/extension of the glass relative to the plumb line L. According to an example, the lever between the fulcrum and up to the top edge of the railing is more than a meter, and the lever between the lower and the upper connecting device is of the order of 100 mm. This means that a small adjustment of only a few mm in the adjusting assembly 8 is sufficient to cause the upper edge of the glass railing to move several cm, which is sufficient to be able to adjust the inclination of the glass.

When the angle of the glass pane 4 has been adjusted, e.g. stands completely vertically, a longitudinal covering profile 10 is mounted in step D. The covering profile 10 serves the functions of securing the holding device 1 in the position set in step C, as well as protecting the top side of the holding device 1 and forming a smooth transition to the balcony slab 9. The covering profile 10 includes holes positioned in such a manner that they are located above each of the U shaped grooves 20, 30 when the covering profile 10 is placed in position. The screw holes located above the U shaped groove of the mounting profile 2 are circular whereas the screw holes located above the U shaped groove of the holding profile 3 are elliptic to compensate for the inclination adjustment of the glass pane. The covering profile 10 is attached by fastening screws 100 into the respective screw holes and threads in the material of the U shaped grooves 20, 30. The screws 100 are positioned between the prepositioned adjusting assemblies 8, i.e. where the adjusting assemblies 8 are no located. The covering profile 10 prevents water and dirt from seeping down into the structure 1, and it also secures the adjusting assemblies 8 in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the covering profile 10 prevents unauthorized persons from rotating the adjusting screws 82. Should access to the adjusting assemblies 8 be needed (e.g. in order to replace a smashed glass, or for a readjustment due to the balcony slabs sagging at the front edge during the warranty period), the covering profile 10 is simply unscrewed.

Finally, a sealing wedge strip 16 (e.g. of rubber) is pushed down between the glass 4 and the covering profile 10 to prevent penetration of water.

Thereby, the installation of the holding device 1 according to the invention is completed, as shown in Fig. 6, step E. When the holding device 1 is completely installed, the weight is thus supported by the holding profile 3 and the glass pane in the vertical direction of the mounting profile 2 at said lower connecting device 5. The pane 4 has been adjusted by means of the adjusting screws 82, with a fulcrum in said lower connecting device 5, so that it extends at a desired angle relative to a plumb line L (e.g. so that it stands vertically, which corresponds to an extension where said angle is zero) and thereby the adjusting assembly 8 supports all of the load in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, cooperation between the lower connecting device 5 and the upper adjusting assembly 8 enables the adjustment, and at the same time constitutes the static attachment of the holding device 1. (The upper connecting device 6 may of course constitute a safety connection during mounting and in the event of failure of the adjusting assembly 8, and does not absorb any horizontal load except in the extreme outer/inner positions.) Finally, the covering profile 10 contributes to securing the adjusting assembly 8 in its position.

The invention is not limited by what has been described hereinabove, but can be varied within the scope of the following claims. The skilled person will, among other things, appreciate that the herein described invention for adjustable attachment of a glass pane used as a balcony railing/railing for terraces also can be used for other panel materials and for other product areas. Furthermore, the adjusting assembly could include two connecting members 80, 81, and one adjusting device 82 in the form of one adjusting screw, as well as two.

Claims

A holding device for panels, such as a glass pane, including a first mounting profile (2) designed to be mounted on a vertical side of a fixed structure (9) such as a wall or a floor structure, a second holding profile (3) designed to hold and support a glass pane (4), wherein said holding profile (3) is adapted to be interconnected with the mounting profile (2) via a lower connecting device (5), wherein the holding profile (3) in the mounted condition rests vertically on the mounting profile (2), as well as via an upper connecting device (6),

characterized in that

said lower connecting device (5) constitutes a fulcrum, and that

the holding device (1) includes an adjusting assembly (8) by means of which the horizontal distance between the mounting profile (2) and the holding profile (3) at the upper portion (15) of the holding device (1) can be adjusted variably.

The holding device according to claim 1, wherein said adjusting assembly (8) is positioned such that it is accessible from above and from the side (42) of a mounted glass pane (4) that faces the fixed structure (9).

The holding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said adjusting assembly (8) includes a first connecting member (80) adapted to be connected to the mounting profile (2), a second connecting member (81) adapted to be connected to the holding profile (3), and an adjusting device (82) adapted to be adjustably connected to said first (80) and second (81) connecting members, respectively, in such a manner that actuation of the adjusting device (82) results in a change of the distance between the first and the second connecting member.

The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting device (82) is constituted by an adjusting screw including a first outer portion (821) with threads in a first direction, and a second outer portion (822) with threads in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and an intermediate adjusting holder (820) intended for adjusting the adjusting screw (82).

The holding device according to claim 3, wherein said mounting profile (2) and said holding profile (3) each include a respective U-shaped groove (20, 30), at their respective upper ends, positioned on the holding device (1) in such a manner that they extend between a mounted glass pane (4) and the edge of the fixed structure (9) and are thus accessible from the side (42) of the mounted glass pane (4) that faces the fixed structure (9), and wherein said first and second connecting members (80, 81) are constituted by washer elements adapted to be placed in said respective U-shaped grooves (20, 30).

The holding device according to claim 1 , wherein said lower connecting device (5) includes a retaining pocket (25) of the mounting profile (2) and a

downwardly directed edge (35) of the holding profile (3), wherein the edge (35) is adapted to have its weight in the vertical direction resting in the retaining pocket (25).

The holding device according to claim 1 , wherein said upper connecting device (6) includes an upwardly directed hook element (23) of the mounting profile (2) and a downwardly directed claw element (31) of the holding profile (3), wherein the claw element (31) is adapted to hook into the hook element (23) so that the mounting profile (2) and the holding profile (3) are interconnected horizontally.

The holding device according to claim 1 , including a covering profile (10) adapted to cover the top sides of the respective mounting profile (2) and holding profile (3), and to be attached to the mounting profile as well as to the holding profile so that their spacing is fixed.

The holding device according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting profile (2) includes a central portion (27) provided with openings (270) which are elliptic the vertical direction, wherein the openings are intended for attachment means such as bolts (70), and wherein the central portion (27) has horizontally extending grooves (28) surrounding said ellipticopenings (270).

10. The holding device according to claim 9, wherein the holding device includes a toothed mounting washer (72) adapted to be placed between an attachment means (70) positioned in an opening (270) and the central portion (27) of the mounting profile in such a manner that the toothed side engages the grooves (28) of the mounting profile (2) and thereby secures the attachment means (70) relative to the mounting profile (2) in vertical position.

11. A method for mounting a panel, such as a glass pane, in a holding device (1) to a fixed structure (9), including the steps of: a. providing a first mounting profile (2);

b. mounting the mounting profile (2) on a vertical side of a fixed structure (9) such as a wall or a floor structure;

c. providing a second holding profile (3) supporting a glass pane (4);

d. connecting said holding profile (3) to said mounting profile (2) via a lower connecting device (5) so that the holding profile rests vertically on the mounting profile (2);

e. interconnecting the holding profile (3) and the mounting profile (2) via an upper connecting device (6) and via an adjusting assembly (8), characterized in that

said adjusting assembly (8) is disposed at the upper portion (15) of the holding device (15), so that the distance between the mounting profile (2) and the holding profile (3) at the upper portion (15) of the holding device (1) can be adjusted variably by actuating the adjusting assembly (8).