Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
I
A PANEL SYSTEM AND A PANEL WITH A SUPPORTING MEMBER
Field of the invention
The solution to be presented relates to a panel system having panels including
a panel
equipped with a supporting member.
Background of the invention
Various panel systems may be placed in connection with a building, for example
in
connection with a balcony or a terrace of the building. In many cases, the
panel system
comprises several panels made of glass or a similar material and placed
preferably
one after the other. Panel systems may also be installed inside a building,
for example
as walls.
The panel system typically comprises an upper profile and a lower profile
which are
used as guide tracks to receive one or more hinge members and/or guide
members,
to which the panel is mounted or attached. The hinge member or guide member is
either stationary or movable with the panel along the upper or lower profile.
The panel
may be movable along the guide tracks by means of said hinge member or guide
members. It is typically moved manually.
The upper and lower profiles are typically horizontal and fastened to e.g. the
structures
of the building. The lower profile may be placed on the floor level or higher
than that,
e.g. on top of a railing. The panel can be opened and closed by applying one
or more
hinge members, by which the panel is pivoted about a vertical rotation axis.
Said
openable panel may further comprise one or more guide members, which keep the
panel closed and which are allowed to come out of the upper or lower profile
to make
it possible to open the panel. The upper or lower profile may comprise an
opening, via
which the guide member passes, or the guide member can be lifted off e.g. the
lower
profile.
The hinge members may comprise a locking element, by means of which the panel
is
locked to the hinge member of the adjacent panel, the upper profile or the
lower profile,
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when the panels are in the open position and next to each other. Two or more
panels may be opened and placed against each other in a bundle, whereby a free
opening is formed in the panel system, for example for ventilation or passage.
The lower profile may also be embedded in a substantially horizontal surface,
floor,
support, plane, or the like in such a way that the hinge member and/or guide
member
placed in the lower profile is placed lower than the level of the surface. In
this case, the
guide member in the openable panel has to be lifted up, or there is no guide
member
in said panel. Thus, for opening the panel, it is also necessary to open the
guide
member, or in the latter case the panel is unstable because of the missing
guide
member.
Brief summary of the invention
The presented solution can be applied in the panel systems presented above.
The
panel system according to the solution is installable in a building, for
example in
connection with a balcony, a terrace, a shelter, or a roof. The panel system
can also
be placed in connection with a terrace, a shelter, or a roof separate from a
building, for
example as wall structures for a roof structure. In an example, the system
comprises
several panels made of glass or a similar material that is particularly
transparent.
In the presented solution, the opening in the lower profile, and/or the guide
member
provided in the panel and passing through the opening, are redundant. At the
same
time, this enables the embedding of the lower profile.
The supporting member according to the presented solution makes it possible to
support one corner of the glass panel, particularly one lower corner of the
same,
without applying a guide member placed in the lower profile. In particular, it
is the lower
corner adjacent to the vertical edge which is moved laterally away from the
lower profile
when the panel is opened.
By means of the supporting member, the panel which is substantially
rectangular can
be supported at its fourth corner as well. Thus, the two upper corners of the
panel may
be supported to the upper profile, for example by means of a hinge member and
a
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guide member, one lower corner is supported to the lower profile, for example
by means of a hinge member, and the other lower corner is supported to the
adjacent
panel by means of said supporting member.
It is an advantage of the supporting member that said supporting member can be
used
to support the panel to the adjacent panel, particularly to the hinge member
of the
adjacent panel.
By means of the supporting member, forces effective on the panel can be
distributed
and also transmitted by the hinge member of the adjacent panel to the lower
profile.
An advantage is the distribution of the support of the panel. It is an
advantage that
vibration, swaying or other unnecessary movement of the panel is prevented.
The panel system according to the presented solution comprises: a first panel
that is
openable and/or movable; a second panel that is openable and/or movable; a
lower
profile and an upper profile which are substantially parallel and between
which the first
and second panels are placeable one after the other when closed and to which
the first
and second panels are connected for opening and/or moving. The panel system
further
comprises a supporting member which is fastened to the first panel and placed
in the
first panel at the lower profile, separate from the lower profile, the
supporting member
being configured, for supporting the first panel, to engage the second panel.
The second panel is equipped with a frame member which is fastened to an edge
of
the second panel and to which a hinge member is coupled. The hinge member
extends
into the lower profile and allows the opening and the movement of the second
panel.
The supporting member extends underneath the second panel and the frame member
thereof and engages the hinge member of the second panel in a releasable way.
In an example, the supporting member comprises a frame and a supporting
element
as an extension to the frame, equipped with a recess for a part of the second
panel,
for engaging the second panel.
In an example, the supporting element is forked or comprises two substantially
parallel
protrusions, between which said recess is formed.
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In an example, the supporting member is fastened to the first panel in a
movable
way so that the supporting member can be shifted inwards for disconnecting it
from
the second panel, and be shifted outwards again.
Brief description of the drawings
In the following, the presented solution will be described in more detail with
reference
to the appended figures.
Figure 1 shows a front view of a panel system according to the example
which
applies the panel system according to the solution and in which all the
panels are closed, parallel, and placed one after the other.
Figure 2 shows the example of Fig. 1 seen from the end.
Figure 3 shows a panel system according to the example, with one panel
opened.
Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a lower profile according to an
example,
applied in the panel system of Fig. 3.
Figure 5 shows the panel system according to Fig. 3, with all the panels
closed.
Figure 6 shows a supporting member according to an example, applicable
in the
panel system of Fig. 3 and Fig. 5.
Figure 7 shows the supporting member of Fig. 6 placed in the panel
system of
Fig. 3 and Fig. 5.
Figure 8 shows a supporting member according to another example,
applicable in
the panel system of Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 and placed in the panel system of
Fig. 3 and Fig. 5.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-03-07
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Detailed description of different embodiments of the invention
In Figs. 1 to 8, the same or corresponding elements are indicated with the
same
reference numerals.
Figures 1 and 2 show an example of a panel system and a panel for the same, in
which
a supporting member according to the presented solution can be applied.
The panel system comprises two or more panels 1 and 2. When closed, the panels
are
preferably parallel and placed one after the other, whereby they constitute a
wall or a
window, or an openable passage.
The panel system comprises a lower profile 5 and an upper profile 4 which are
parallel,
spaced from each other and placed on top of each other in the vertical
direction. The
panels 1, 2 are placed between the lower profile 5 and the upper profile 4 so
that the
panels are in an upright position. The two opposite vertical edges of the
panel 1, 2 are
vertical, and the upper and lower edges of the panel are horizontal. The lower
profile
5 is fastened to a railing or a suitable surface, or is embedded in it, for
example in the
floor. The upper profile 4 is mounted on e.g. the ceiling or another suitable
structure.
In an example and Fig. 1, the panel 2 is stationary and not movable along the
upper
and lower profiles 4, 5. The panel system may comprise two or more stationary
panels
which can be opened. However, the panel 2 can be opened in such a way that it
pivots
about a vertical rotation axis X1. The rotation axis X1 is perpendicular to
the
longitudinal directions of the upper and lower profiles 4, 5. Further, said
rotation axis
X1 is placed close to one vertical edge of the panel 2.
A hinge member 22 is fastened to the upper edge of the panel 2 and placed
inside the
upper profile 4, allowing the panel 2 to be opened. The rotation axis X1
extends via the
hinge member 22. The hinge member 22 may be locked to the upper profile 4.
A hinge member 23 is fastened to the lower edge of the panel 2 and placed
inside the
lower profile 5, allowing the panel 2 to be opened. Said rotation axis X1
passes through
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the hinge member 23 as well. The hinge member 23 may be locked to the lower
profile 5.
The hinge member 22 and/or the hinge member 23 may comprise an axle journal
which
supports the panel 2 when pivoted. The hinge member 22 and/or the hinge member
23 may comprise a locking element by which the hinge member 22, 23 is locked
to the
hinge member 6 or 7 of the adjacent panel 1, to the upper profile 4 or to the
lower
profile 5.
The upper edge of the panel 2 may be equipped with a frame member 9, to which
the
hinge member 22 can be fastened, for example with screws or nuts. Further, the
lower
edge of the panel 2 may be equipped with a frame member 8, to which the hinge
member 23 can be fastened, for example with screws or nuts. The frame member 8
constitutes a part of the panel 2.
In an example and Fig. 1, the upper edge of the panel 2 may be provided with a
locking
element 20 which engages the upper profile 4 and is spaced from the hinge
element
22. For opening the panel 2, the locking element 20 can be released and
disengaged
from the upper profile 4. The locking element 20 is controlled by means of
e.g. a pull
wire 25, a chain, a cord, or the like. The panel 2 may be equipped with a
handle part
27. The handle part 27 may be applied to control the locking element 20,
another
locking element, or other parts of the panel system, for example by means of a
force
transmitted by the wire 25, chain or cord. The locking part 20 is released by
moving
the handle part 27. The handle part 27 is, for example, a pivotable or
rotatable handle
or knob fastened to the mid-section of the panel 2 as shown in Fig. 1, or
alternatively
to the lower edge of the panel 2, for example to the frame member 8. In an
example,
the handle part 27 is part of said locking element or said other part of the
panel system,
for example its mechanisms.
In an example and Fig. 1, the panel system comprises at least one panel 1
which is
movable along the upper and lower profiles 4, 5. Further, the panel 1 is
openable so
that it will pivot about a vertical rotation axis X2. For opening, the panel 1
is movable
to a predetermined location where the rotation axes X1 and X2 are close to
each other.
The rotation axis X2 is perpendicular to the longitudinal directions of the
upper and
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-03-07
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lower profiles 4, 5. Further, said rotation axis X2 is placed close to one
vertical edge
of the panel 1.
The upper edge of the panel 1 is provided with a hinge member 6 which is
placed
inside the upper profile 4 and allows the panel 1 to be opened. The rotation
axis X2
passes through the hinge member 6. The hinge member 6 is movable along the
upper
profile 4.
The lower edge of the panel 1 is provided with a hinge member 7 which is
placed inside
the lower profile 5 and allows the panel 1 to be opened. Said rotation axis X2
passes
through the hinge member 7 as well. The hinge member 7 is movable along the
lower
profile 5. The hinge member 7, as well as the other corresponding hinge
members,
extends to the inside of the lower profile 5, and part of the hinge member 7
is placed
inside the lower profile 5.
The hinge member 6 and/or the hinge member 7 may comprise an axle journal
which
supports the panel 1 when pivoted. The hinge member 6 and/or the hinge member
7
may comprise a locking element, by which the hinge member is locked to the
upper
profile 4, the lower profile 5, or the hinge member of the adjacent panel, for
example
the hinge member 7 of the panel 12 in Fig. 7.
The upper edge of the panel 1 may be equipped with a guide member 3 which is
placed
inside the upper profile 4, is movable along the upper profile 4, and is
spaced from the
hinge member 6. Remaining inside the upper profile 4, the guide member 3 keeps
the
panel 1 closed. The upper profile 4 may be equipped with an opening that
allows the
guide member 3 to come out of the upper profile 4 and to disengage from the
upper
profile 4 to make it possible to open the panel 1. Said opening may be placed
underneath the locking element 20.
Next to the panel 1, corresponding panels may be placed which are also
equipped with
corresponding hinge members 6 and 7 which may have corresponding axle journals
and locking elements, and possibly also a corresponding guide member 3 as well
as
frame members 8 and 9. Said panels are also placed between the upper and lower
profiles 4 and 5. At least one of said panels may be a mirror image of the
panel 1, with
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respect to its structure and the elements fastened to it, as well as its
function. One
example of said panels is the panel 12 shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 7.
The panel 1 and the following panels may be followed by a panel corresponding
to the
panel 2 and having corresponding hinge members 22 and 23 which may comprise
corresponding axle journals and locking elements, and possibly a corresponding
locking element 20, a handle part 27 or a wire 25 as well. Said panel is also
placed
between the upper and lower profiles 4 and 5. Said panel may also be a mirror
image
of the panel 2, with respect to its structure, the elements connected to it,
and its
function.
In Fig. 3, the panel 2 is shown in an open position, pivoted about the
rotation axis X1.
A supporting member 10 is fastened underneath the frame member 8 of the panel
2.
The supporting member 10 is in a position in which it extends further than the
vertical
edge of the panel 2 in the longitudinal direction of the lower profile 5 and
in the direction
determined by the plane of the panel 2. With respect to its reach, the
supporting
member 10 is configured to extend to the adjacent panel 1 and to be capable of
engaging it.
In some examples, the supporting member 10 engages the adjacent panel 1 or the
frame member 8 on it, for example by means of an end connector or cover in the
frame
member 8. An end connector or cover according to an example, installable in
the end
of the frame member 8, is shown in the figures.
Preferably, the supporting member 10 is separated from the lower profile 5 and
thereby
from the upper profile 4 as well. Preferably, the supporting member 10 is
placed at that
edge of the panel 2 which is placed at the lower profile 5, for example the
lower edge
of the panel 2, and to which the frame member 8 is fastened as well. The edge
refers
to the narrow end surface of the panel, or the combination of the panel and
the frame
member, and also the adjacent edge area of the large side surface of the
panel.
Preferably, the supporting member 10 is placed between the lower profile 5 and
the
panel 2, that is, between the lower profile 5 and the frame member 8. Thus,
the
supporting member 10 does not extend to the inside of the lower profile 5 or
lower than
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-03-07
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the top surface or part defined by it, when the panel 2 is in its position of
use. Thus,
the lower profile 5 may be left without the apertures opening to the side. The
supporting
member 10 is thus placed in its entirety on a higher level than the lower
profile 8.
.. In an example and Fig. 3, the supporting member 10 extends outwards
underneath the
adjacent panel 1 and the frame member 8 thereof, and engages the hinge member
7
fastened to the frame member 8.
For opening the panel 2, the supporting member 10 is fastened to the frame
member
.. 8 in a movable way so that the supporting member 10 can be shifted inwards
to reduce
its reach and to disengage it from the panel 1, the frame member 8 thereof, or
the
hinge member 7. The supporting member 10 is configured to move back and forth
in
the longitudinal direction of the lower profile 5 and in the direction
determined by the
plane of the panel 2.
In an example, the supporting member 10 is movable back and forth manually. In
another example, the supporting means 10 is movable manually inwards, and it
is
configured to reversibly shift outward by itself, for example pushed by a
force
generated by a spring.
In an example and Fig. 3, a mechanism 21 for generating an inwards movement of
the
supporting member 10 is connected to the supporting member 10. The mechanism
21
may be spaced from the hinge member 23, placed e.g. in the lower corner of the
panel
2.
The mechanism 21 is controlled by e.g. a pull wire 25, a chain, a cord, or the
like. Said
wire 25 may be connected to a handle part 27 as shown in Fig. 1, whose
movement
will activate the mechanism 21 and shift the supporting member 10. The
supporting
member 10 may be configured to reversibly shift outwards by itself, for
example
.. assisted by a force generated by a spring in the mechanism 21.
In Fig. 5, the panels 1, 2 and 12 are shown in the closed position, aligned
with the
lower profile 5. The supporting member 10 is fastened to the frame member 8 of
the
panel 1, for example underneath the frame member 8 or at its lower edge. The
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-03-07
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supporting member 10 is in a position in which it extends further from the
vertical
edge of the panel 1 in the longitudinal direction of the lower profile 5 and
in the direction
determined by the plane of the panel 1. The reach of the supporting member 10
is
configured such that it extends to the next adjacent panel 12 and may engage
it.
In some examples, the supporting member 10 engages the adjacent panel 1, 12 or
the
frame member 8 therein, for example via an end connector or cover in the frame
member 8. In an example and Fig. 5, the supporting member 10 extends outward
below the adjacent panel 1, 12 and its frame member 8 when the panel 1, 12 is
in the
position of use, and engages the hinge member fastened to the frame member 8.
The supporting member 10 may be fixed to the frame member 8. In the situation
of
Fig. 3, in which the panel 2 is open, the whole panel 1 may be shifted along
the lower
profile 5 so that the supporting member 10 may be released from the adjacent
panel
12 (see Fig. 5), its frame member 8 or the hinge member 7 (see Fig. 7).
In an example, the supporting member 10 of the panel 1 is manually movable
back
and forth or inwards, or movable outwards by e.g. a spring force, as described
above.
Figure 6 shows a supporting member 10 according to an example. The supporting
member 10 comprises a frame 16 which is placed under a frame member on the
panel
and fastened to the lath. The frame 16 of the supporting member 10 comprises
one or
more connecting and fastening elements 18, by which the supporting member 10
is
fastened to the panel in an either movable or immovable way. The connecting
and
fastening element 18 may be an integral part of the frame 16 or a separate
element
fastened to the frame 16. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the supporting
member 10
comprises at least two connecting and fastening elements 18 spaced from each
other
and configured to be placed in a groove in the frame member, where they are
movable
or stationary.
In an example and Fig. 4, the frame member 8 for the panel may comprise a
groove
13 that opens upwards when the frame member 8 is in the position of use and is
fastened to the panel. The frame member 8 comprises a groove 11 for the
supporting
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-03-07
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member 10, which groove opens downwards in said position of use. The
connecting and fastening element 18 of the supporting member 10 is received in
the
groove 11.
In an example and Fig. 6, the supporting member 10 comprises one or more brake
elements 20 by which the supporting member 10 can be locked to be immovable in
the
frame member. In an example and Fig. 6, the brake element 20 comprises a screw
provided in the frame 16, the end of the screw being placed and tightened
against the
frame member when screwed up. The end of the screw is placed against the
bottom
of the groove 11 of the frame member 8 shown, for example, in Fig. 3.
In an example and Fig. 6, the supporting member 10 further comprises a
supporting
element 17 formed as an extension to the frame 16 and engaging the adjacent
panel
or a frame member thereon, for example via an end connector or cover on the
frame
member.
The supporting element 17 according to the examples of Figs. 6 and 7 extends
outwards below the adjacent panel 12 and its frame member 8, and engages the
hinge
member 7 fastened to the frame member 8, as presented above.
In an example and Fig. 6, the supporting element 17 is equipped with a recess
19 for
the hinge member 7 or a part thereof. The recess 19 opens in the direction of
the
adjacent panel 12 and its hinge member 7. The panel 12 can be opened by
pivoting it
about a vertical rotation axis X3. The function of the panel 12 and its parts
corresponds
to the function of the panel 1. The hinge member 7 of the panel 12 or a part
thereof is
received in the recess 19 when the panel 12 moves along the lower profile
towards the
panel 1, or vice versa. In an example, the supporting element 17 is forked or
comprises
two substantially parallel protrusions forming the recess 19 between them.
Said
protrusions extend towards the hinge member 7 of the adjacent panel 12,
aligned with
the frame member 8.
In an example, the frame 16 corresponds to the frame member 8 in its width. In
an
example, the width of the supporting member 17 is greater than that of the
frame
member 8.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-03-07
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Figure 7 shows a more detailed view of the fastening of the supporting member
10
under the frame member 8 and the engagement of the supporting member 17 with
the
panel 12, particularly the hinge member 7 of the panel 12. The hinge member 7
comprises an axle journal 14 which supports the panel 1 when pivoted. The
hinge
member 7 may comprise a locking element 15 by which the hinge member 7 is
locked
to the hinge member of the adjacent panel. Figure 7 does not show the lower
profile in
which the hinge member 7 is partly placed. The locking element may be entirely
within
the lower profile. The locking element 15 and the other locking elements
mentioned
above utilize the locking of said e.g. rotatable axle journal 14 to the shape,
recess or
slot in the locking element 15. The supporting member 10 of Fig. 7 is coupled
to the
frame member 8 to be preferably immovable.
Figure 8 shows a more detailed view of the fastening of the supporting member
10
underneath the frame member 8 in a movable way, and the engagement of the sup-
porting member 17 with the panel 1, particularly the hinge member 7 of the
panel 1, in
a way corresponding to Fig. 7. What has been described above, applies to the
movable
supporting member 10 as well. Figure 8 does not show the lower profile inside
which
the hinge member 7 is placed.
In an example and Fig. 8, the supporting member 10 comprises a counterpart 24.
The
counterpart 24 is preferably a separate part to be fastened to the frame 16 of
the
supporting member 10, and via which the supporting member 10 is movable. The
counterpart 24 may extend from the frame member 8 in the lateral direction and
curve
upwards to extend in parallel with the frame member 8, if necessary. The
counterpart
24 is connected to the mechanism 21 which moves the supporting member 10. In
Fig. 8, the mechanism 21 is shown in the open position, the cover removed, for
the
sake of illustration. What has been described above, applies to the mechanism
21 as
well. The mechanism may be fastened to the frame member 8.
In an example and Fig. 8, e.g. the pulling force of the wire 25 turns a lever
mechanism
26 in the mechanism 21 to engage the counterpart 24 and to push the supporting
member 10 inwards by means of the counterpart 24. In an example, the lever
structure
26 can also be turned by applying a pivotable or rotatable handle or knob, as
an
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-03-07
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alternative or in addition to the wire 25. In an example, the handle part 27
is part of
the mechanism 21. The supporting member 10 may be reversed and shifted
outwards
by e.g. a spring force.
The upper profile 4 and/or the lower profile 5, or the frame member 8 and/or
the frame
member 9 are, in an example, made of aluminium or an aluminium mixture and
have
a continuous or elongated shape. Other materials and metals are also feasible.
The hinge member 22, 23, 6, and 7, the guide member 3, the supporting member
10
are preferably pieces made of a plastic material, and other materials, such as
metals,
can be used as well.
In an example, the panel is made of tempered glass. Other glass materials and
sheet-
like materials may be used as well. The panel is preferably transparent, but
opaque
panels are also feasible.
The presented panel system, panel for the panel system, supporting member, and
their
various embodiments are not limited solely to the examples presented in the
appended
figures or particularly described or referred to in the preceding description.
The above presented characteristics of the panel system may also be combined
and
implemented in various combinations which are not presented in the examples
given
above.
The different embodiments of the presented solution are disclosed in the
appended
claims.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-03-07
