FRAMELESS GLASS BALUSTRADE AND METHOD OF OBTAINING SAME

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a frameless glass balustrade in particular in combination with at least one concrete floor element. More in particular the invention relates to a combination of a prefabricated cast concrete floor element and at least one frameless glass panel forming a balustrade. The invention also relates to a method of forming an integral groove in cast concrete floor elements for receiving an edge of a glass panel therein.

[0002] A plate shaped balustrade attached to an edge of a floor in a building construction is know from Dutch patent document NL 1035234. This known balustrade uses a mounting profile that has a flange attached to the floor edge, and a U-shaped accommodation space for receiving the plate shaped balustrade element. The balustrade element can be a glass panel, but as shown in this known arrangement it is provided with an upper railing. To obtain full benefit of an unobstructed view through glass panels, such panels are preferably used without frames, which presents a challenge to their mounting especially when structural security is needed, such as with balcony balustrades. Also the use of mounting profiles and railings in the known balustrade may obstruct free view, or may esthetically be objectionable.

[0003] US2015110552A1 shows a glass balustrade showing the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to propose an improved frameless glass balustrade in combination with a concrete floor element, and method of obtaining same. In a more general sense it is thus an object of the invention to overcome or reduce at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. It is also an object of the present invention to provide alternative solutions which are less cumbersome in assembly and operation and which moreover can be made relatively inexpensively. Alternatively it is an object of the invention to at least provide a useful alternative.

[0005] To this end the invention provides for a frameless glass balustrade and method of obtaining same as defined in one or more of the appended claims.

[0006] By positioning the glass panel with a lower edge thereof directly within a recessed groove integrally formed in the concrete floor element, and by separating the glass panel from concrete walls of the recessed groove by elastic spacer means, it has become possible to eliminate all mounting hardware that is usually involved. Furthermore an unobstructed view has been obtained thereby. The elastic spacer means in particular can contain at least one of rubber, sealant and caulking. When in one embodiment the glass panel is separated from a bottom of the recessed groove by at least one pre-formed rubber element, it becomes very convenient to position the glass panel without any risk of damage.

[0007] Also a drain hole is provided that extends between a bottom of the groove and a lower surface of the floor element opposite the upper surface. This is particularly advantageous when the prefabricated concrete floor element is installed at a building site, while the glass panels are to be installed at a later stage. In such a situation any water spillage or rain collecting in the recessed groove can drain off through the drain hole, before it would interfere with the mounting of the glass panel. Notably the structural integrity of sealant or caulking could be seriously compromised, when any water would be present in the groove.

[0008] In forming a recessed groove in a cast concrete floor element of various sizes, and with various groove arrangements, it can be advantageous to have core elements with complementary ends that can be coupled with one another to obtain different lengths and arrangements. Further core elements can be provided for forming drain holes, and advantageously these can also be connected with the groove forming core elements.

[0009] The invention will further be elucidated by description of some specific embodiments thereof, making reference to the attached drawings. The detailed description provides examples of possible implementations of the invention, but is not to be regarded as describing the only embodiments falling under the scope. The scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and the description is to be regarded as illustrative without being restrictive on the invention. Further advantageous aspects of the invention will become clear from the appended description and in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a prefabricated concrete floor element;

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional illustrations of an in-mould concrete floor element according to Fig. 1 during the hardening step in the moulding procedure;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional illustration as indicated at III, in Fig. 2;

Figure 4 depicts a cross-sectional illustration of a finished product, wherein a prefabricated cast concrete floor element is provided with a frameless panel;

Figure 5a-e are perspective views of various embodiments;

Figure 6 shows a top view of an arrangement of core element;

Figure 7 is a cross-section of the core elements as indicated at VII, in Fig. 6;

Figure 8 illustrates a first top view of assembled core elements of Fig. 6 and 7;

Figure 9 illustrates a top view of assembled core elements in an alternative arrangement; and

Figure 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3 of an embodiment of assembled core elements and a concrete floor element during the hardening step in the moulding procedure.

[0010] Figure 1 schematically depicts a cross-section of an embodiment of the prefabricated concrete floor element 1. The element 1 is provided with a recessed groove 3 formed in an upper surface 4 of the concrete floor element 1. An elevation 5 along the substantially horizontal upper surface 4 of the floor element 1 surrounds the recessed groove 3 and a drain hole 7 which extends between a bottom of the recessed groove 3 and a lower surface 2 of the floor element opposite to the upper surface 4.

[0011] A schematic cross section of an embodiment of the concrete floor element during the moulding thereof can be seen in Fig. 2. In Figure 2 a mould 11 is provided that has an internal size and form substantially corresponding to a size and form of the floor element 1. The mould 11 comprises at least one elongated first core element 13 having a cross-section that substantially corresponds to that of the recessed groove 3. The first core element 13 can be of a relatively inflexible material, but preferably is of a material that has at least some flexible quality. The first core element 13 can be based on polystyrene, polyurethane foam, expanded thermoset polymers, other synthetic foam materials, elastomer, rubber, or like material. The flexible first core element 13 can be bended to allow for a curvature of a recessed groove to be formed thereby. The first core element 13 is shown to be held in position by an upwardly extending protrusion 15 from an internal bottom surface 14 of the mould 11. The mould 11 is shown to contain an appropriate amount of fluid concrete 17 to form the floor element 1. Further, a second core element 19 possesses a substantially cylindrical form, is provided to extend longitudinally upwards from the surface of the first core element 13 to above the upper surface level 20 of the fluid concrete 17. In this embodiment the second core element 19 can be of a plastic such as a polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, polyurethane or a steel, stainless steel, aluminum or other sturdy materials, and can have a tubular form. The mould 11 further comprises a recess 21 parallel to and along the elongated first core element 13 to form the elevation 5 in the concrete floor element 1 and is shaped in negative of an upper surface 4 of the floor element 1. The mould 11 is further provided with negative surface elements 23, 25. The cross-sectional view of Fig. 3 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first core elements 13. The first core elements 13 are depicted in Fig. 3 to be held in place by the upwardly extending protrusion 15 which extends over substantially the length of the first core element 13 in the form of a ridge, this protrusion 15 can also be formed by a series of separate upward protrusions either spaced at intervals, which are preferably regular, by which the core element 13 is held in position. The second core element 19 is provided to extend from the surface of the first core element 13 to above the upper surface level 20 of the fluid concrete 17.

[0012] Figure 4 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment a prefabricated cast concrete floor element 1 is provided with a frameless glass panel 27 positioned with a lower edge in the recessed groove 3 formed in the upper surface 4 of the concrete floor element 1. The glass panel 27 is separated from concrete walls of the recessed groove 3 by means of vertical spacers 29. The concrete floor element 1 contains the elevation 5 along its substantially horizontal upper surface 4 to surround the recessed groove 3. The drain hole 7 extends between a bottom of the recessed groove 3 and the lower surface 2 of the floor element 1. The glass panel 27 extends parallel to an adjacent outer edge 31 of the floor element 1, and is further separated from the bottom of the recessed groove 3 by a horizontal spacer 33. Both the vertical spacers 29 and the horizontal spacers 33 represent elastic spacer means. The elastic spacer means 29, 33 contain at least one of rubber, sealant or caulking.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention the recessed groove 3 of the floor element 1 and the glass panel 27 are linear and extend parallel to the adjacent outer edge 31, as can be seen in Figure 5a.

[0014] Alternatively, the recessed groove 3 of the floor element 1 and glass panel 27 are curved in parallel with an adjacent outer edge 31 of the floor element 1 that is also curved, such as illustrated in Figure 5b.

[0015] In yet another embodiment illustrated in Figures 5c-d the recessed groove 3 is formed as a combination of a first longitudinal channel 35 extending parallel to an adjacent first outer edge 39 of the floor element 1, and an at least one second longitudinal channel 37 extending parallel to an adjacent second outer edge 41 of the floor element 1, which is substantially perpendicular to the first outer edge 39. It can be understood that triangular shaped concrete floor elements 1 could similarly be fitted as such.

[0016] In Figure 5e an embodiment is shown in which the floor element 1 comprises its recessed groove 3 formed as a combination of a first longitudinal channel 35 and two second longitudinal channels 37, wherein the second longitudinal channels 37 each extend perpendicular to the first longitudinal channel 35 in substantially the same direction.

[0017] As mentioned above the first core element 13 is designed to be fixable on the internal bottom surface 14 of the mould 11. Each at least one first core element 13 comprises a first longitudinal end 43 and a second 45 longitudinal end, which are formed to be complementary to each other. The first longitudinal end 43 is preferably also complementary to the radial outer surface of the second core element 19. In Figure 6 it is shown that the first core element 13 is extendable with additional first core elements 13 to vary the total length of the core element. A vertical cross-section parallel to the length of the first core element 13 as indicated by VII in Fig. 6 is shown in Fig. 7. In the cross-sectional view of Fig. 7 it can be seen that in this embodiment the second core element 19 between adjacent core elements 13 extends from the internal bottom surface 14 of the mould 11 to at least above the surface level 20 of the fluid concrete 17 in the mould 11. In this embodiment, the first core element 13 is connected to another first core element 13 and the second core element 19 by the first longitudinal ends 43 as shown in Figure 8.

[0018] In yet another embodiment, illustrated in Figure 9, the first core element 13 is connected to another first core element 13 opposite the second core element 19, but at an angle 47. The longitudinal direction of the first core element 13 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the other first core element 13 as is illustrated in Figure 9. The angle 47 between the longitudinal directions of the first core elements 13 subject to requirement can be varied between 0°-180°.

[0019] Figure 10 portrays a cross-sectional view parallel to the first elongated core element 13, similar to Figure 3, of yet another embodiment. In the embodiment of Figure 10 adjacent first core elements 13 comprise confronting first longitudinal ends 43, which receive there between the second core element 19, which then extends from the bottom surface 14 of the mould or from the upwardly extending protrusion 15 to at least above the upper surface level 20 of the cast fluid concrete 17. One of the first core element 13 in this embodiment is equipped to also receive the second core element 19 to extend upwardly from an upper surface thereof to at least above the upper surface level 20 of cast fluid concrete 17.

[0020] Accordingly there has been disclosed a prefabricated cast concrete floor element 1 in combination with a at least one glass panel 27 forming a balustrade. The glass panel 27 is frameless and positioned with a lower edge directly within a recessed groove 3. The recessed groove 3 being integrally formed in an upper surface 4 of the concrete floor element 1, and the glass panel 27 is separated from concrete walls of the recessed groove 3 by elastic spacer means 29, 33.

Claims

1. Combination of a prefabricated cast concrete floor element (1) and at least one frameless glass panel (27) forming a balustrade, wherein the glass panel (27) is positioned with a lower edge thereof directly within a recessed groove (3) that is integrally formed in an upper surface (4) of the concrete floor element (1), and wherein the glass panel (27) is separated from concrete walls of the recessed groove (3) by elastic spacer means (29, 33), characterized in that a drain hole (7) extends between a bottom of the groove and a lower surface (2) of the floor element (1) opposite the upper surface (4).

2. Combination according to claim 1, wherein the elastic spacer means (29) contains at least one of rubber, sealant and caulking.

3. Combination according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the recessed groove (3) is formed as a linear channel that extends parallel to an adjacent edge of the floor element.

4. Combination according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the recessed groove (3) is formed as a combination of a first longitudinal channel extending parallel to an adjacent first edge of the floor element (1), and a second longitudinal channel extending parallel to an adjacent second edge of the floor element (1) that is substantially perpendicular to the first edge.

5. Combination according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the floor element (1) is shaped with a curved edge, and wherein the recessed groove (3) is formed as a curved channel to coextends adjacent to the curved edge.

6. Combination according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the glass panel (27) is separated from a bottom of the recessed groove by elastic spacer means (33) including at least one pre-formed rubber element.

7. Combination according to claim 6, wherein the at least one pre-formed rubber element (33) is a strip having a width substantially corresponding to a predefined width of the recessed groove (3).

8. Method of forming a frameless glass balustrade from a combination of a prefabricated cast concrete floor element (1) and at least one frameless glass panel (27), characterized by the steps of:

- providing the floor element (1) obtained by forming a recessed groove (3) having a predefined transverse cross section for receiving an edge of a glass panel (27) therein in the cast concrete floor element (1), comprising the steps of:

providing a mould (11) substantially corresponding to a size and form of the floor element (1);

providing at least one elongate core element (13) having a cross section substantially corresponding to the recessed groove (3);

at least temporarily locating and retaining the at least one core element (13) in respect of the mould (11);

pouring an appropriate amount of fluid concrete into the mould (11);

allowing the poured-in amount of concrete to solidify;

removing upon solidification the floor element (1) from the mould (11) together with the at least one core element (13); and

removing the at least one core element (13) from the floor element (1) to obtain the groove (3) as a void left by the at least one core element (13), after being removed from the floor element (1) ;

providing a further core element (19), and connecting the further core element (19) to the groove forming at least one core element (13) to allow it to extend upwardly to above an upper surface (20) of the poured-in concrete (17), so that a drain hole (7) is obtained that in the finished floor element (1) extends between a bottom of the groove (3) and a lower surface (2) of the floor element (1) opposite the upper surface (4), further comprising the steps of

- placing elastic spacer means (33) on a bottom of the groove (3) formed in the floor element (1);

- inserting a pane of glass (27) of a thickness smaller than a width of the groove (3) with a bottom edge into the groove to rest upon the previously placed elastic spacer means (33);

- retaining the glass pane (27) by temporary applied auxiliary support means in a substantially upright position with respect to floor panel (1), and laterally centered with respect to the groove (3) to allow for a gap at both sides of the glass pane (27);

- filling the gaps on both sides of the glass pane (27) with a settable sealant or caulking substance (29);

- allowing the sealant or caulking substance to set; and

- releasing the glass pane (27) from being retained by the auxiliary support means.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the at least one core element (13) has first and second longitudinal ends (43, 45) that are each formed to be complementary to one another.

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the first longitudinal end (43) has a recess formed therein, and wherein the second longitudinal end (45) has a prong formed thereon, so that the at least one core element (13) can be coupled on each of its opposite longitudinal ends with core elements having at least one of similar first and second longitudinal ends (43; 45).

11. Method according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the at least one core element (13) is positioned and retained by an internal bottom surface (14) of the mould (11).

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the internal bottom surface (14) of the mould (11) has an upwardly extending protrusion (15), and wherein the at least one core element (13) in a lower surface thereof has a cavity adapted to accommodate the protrusion (15).

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the upwardly extending protrusion (15) is formed as a ridge, and wherein the cavity in the at least one core element (13) is formed as an elongate slot.

14. Method according to one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the internal bottom surface (14) of the mould (11) is shaped in accordance with a negative of an upper surface (4) of the cast concrete floor element (1).

15. Method according to one of claims 8 to 14, further including the step of placing the further core element (19) on top of the at least one core element (13).

16. Method according to claim 10, wherein the further core element (19) is positioned to be received between confronting first longitudinal ends (43) of adjacent core elements (13), and wherein the further core element (19) has a radial outer surface that is complementary to the first longitudinal end (43) of the at least one core element (13).

Ansprüche

1. Kombination eines vorgefertigten gegossenen Betonbodenelements (1) und wenigstens einer rahmenlosen Glasplatte (27), die eine Balustrade bildet, wobei die Glasplatte (27) mit ihrer Unterkante direkt in einer vertieften Nut (3) positioniert ist, die einstückig in einer oberen Oberfläche (4) des Betonbodenelements (1) ausgebildet ist, und wobei die Glasplatte (27) von Betonwänden der vertieften Nut (3) durch elastische Abstandsmittel (29, 33) getrennt ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich ein Ablaufloch (7) zwischen einem Boden der Nut und einer der oberen Oberfläche (4) gegenüberliegenden unteren Oberfläche (2) des Bodenelements (1) erstreckt.

2. Kombination nach Anspruch 1, wobei das elastische Abstandsmittel (29) Gummi, Dichtstoff und/oder Dämmstoff enthält.

3. Kombination nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die vertiefte Nut (3) als linearer Kanal ausgebildet ist, der sich parallel zu einer benachbarten Kante des Bodenelements erstreckt.

4. Kombination nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, wobei die vertiefte Nut (3) als Kombination aus einem ersten Längskanal, der sich parallel zu einer benachbarten ersten Kante des Bodenelements (1) erstreckt, und einem zweiten Längskanal, der sich parallel zu einer benachbarten zweiten Kante des Bodenelements (1) erstreckt, das im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu der ersten Kante ist, ausgebildet ist.

5. Kombination nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei das Bodenelement (1) mit einer gekrümmten Kante geformt ist und wobei die vertiefte Nut (3) als gekrümmter Kanal ausgebildet ist, um sich benachbart zu der gekrümmten Kante zu erstrecken.

6. Kombination nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei die Glasplatte (27) von einem Boden der vertieften Nut durch elastische Abstandsmittel (33) getrennt ist, die wenigstens ein vorgeformtes Gummielement umfassen.

7. Kombination nach Anspruch 6, wobei das wenigstens eine vorgeformte Gummielement (33) ein Streifen mit einer Breite ist, die im Wesentlichen einer vordefinierten Breite der vertieften Nut (3) entspricht.

8. Verfahren zum Bilden einer rahmenlosen Glasbalustrade aus einer Kombination eines vorgefertigten gegossenen Betonbodenelements (1) und wenigstens einer rahmenlosen Glasplatte (27), gekennzeichnet durch die folgenden Schritte:

- Bereitstellen des Bodenelements (1), das durch Bilden einer vertieften Nut (3) mit einem vordefinierten Querschnitt zum Aufnehmen einer Kante einer Glasplatte (27) in dem gegossenen Betonbodenelement (1) erhalten wird, umfassend die folgenden Schritte:

Bereitstellen einer Form (11), die im Wesentlichen einer Größe und Form des Bodenelements (1) entspricht;

Bereitstellen wenigstens eines länglichen Kernelements (13) mit einem Querschnitt, der im Wesentlichen der vertieften Nut (3) entspricht;

wenigstens zeitweiliges Lokalisieren und Halten des wenigstens einen Kernelements (13) in Bezug auf die Form (11);

Gießen einer geeigneten Menge flüssigen Betons in die Form (11);

Erstarrenlassen der eingegossenen Menge Betons;

Entfernen des Bodenelements (1) nach dem Erstarren aus der Form (11) zusammen mit dem wenigstens einen Kernelement (13); und

Entfernen des wenigstens einen Kernelements (13) von dem Bodenelement (1),

um die Nut (3) als einen durch das wenigstens eine Kernelement (13) hinterlassenen Hohlraum zu erhalten, nachdem es von dem Bodenelement (1) entfernt wurde;

Bereitstellen eines weiteren Kernelements (19) und Verbinden des weiteren Kernelements (19) mit der Nut, die wenigstens ein Kernelement (13) bildet,

um zu ermöglichen, dass es sich nach oben über eine obere Oberfläche (20) des eingegossenen Betons (17) erstrecken kann, so dass ein Ablaufloch (7) erhalten wird, das sich in dem fertigen Bodenelement (1) zwischen einem Boden der Nut (3) und einer unteren Oberfläche (2) des Bodenelements (1) gegenüberliegend der oberen Oberfläche (4) erstreckt, ferner umfassend die folgenden Schritte

- Platzieren eines elastischen Abstandsmittels (33) auf einem Boden der Nut (3), die in dem Bodenelement (1) ausgebildeter ist;

- Einsetzen einer Glasplatte (27) mit einer Dicke, die kleiner als eine Breite der Nut (3) ist, mit einer Bodenkante in die Nut, so dass sie auf dem zuvor platzierten elastischen Abstandsmittel (33) aufliegt;

- Halten der Glasplatte (27) durch vorübergehend aufgebrachte Hilfsstützmittel in einer im Wesentlichen aufrechten Position in Bezug auf die Bodenplatte (1) und seitlich zentriert in Bezug auf die Nut (3), um einen Spalt auf beiden Seiten der Glasplatte (27) zu ermöglichen;

- Füllen der Spalte auf beiden Seiten der Glasplatte (27) mit einem aushärtbaren Dicht- oder Verstemmstoff (29);

- Aushärtenlassen des Dicht- oder des Verstemmstoffes; und

- Lösen der Glasplatte (27), die von dem Hilfsstützmittel gehalten wird.

9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8, wobei das wenigstens eine Kernelement (13) erste und zweite Längsenden (43, 45) aufweist, die jeweils komplementär zueinander ausgebildet sind.

10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, wobei an dem ersten Längsende (43) eine Vertiefung ausgebildet ist und wobei an dem zweiten Längsende (45) eine Zacke ausgebildet ist, so dass das wenigstens eine Kernelement (13) an jedes seiner gegenüberliegenden Längsenden mit Kernelementen mit wenigstens einem ähnlichen ersten und zweiten Längsende (43; 45) gekoppelt werden kann.

11. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 10, wobei das wenigstens eine Kernelement (13) durch eine innere Bodenfläche (14) der Form (11) positioniert und gehalten wird.

12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 11, wobei die innere Bodenfläche (14) der Form (11) einen sich nach oben erstreckenden Vorsprung (15) aufweist und wobei das wenigstens eine Kernelement (13) in einer unteren Oberfläche davon einen Hohlraum aufweist, der dafür ausgelegt ist, den Vorsprung (15) aufzunehmen.

13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, wobei der sich nach oben erstreckende Vorsprung (15) als ein Grat ausgebildet ist und wobei der Hohlraum in dem wenigstens einen Kernelement (13) als ein länglicher Schlitz ausgebildet ist.

14. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 13, wobei die innere Bodenfläche (14) der Form (11) entsprechend einem Negativ einer oberen Oberfläche (4) des gegossenen Betonbodenelements (1) geformt ist.

15. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 14, ferner umfassend den Schritt des Platzierens des weiteren Kernelements (19) auf die Oberseite des wenigstens einen Kernelements (13).

16. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, wobei das weitere Kernelement (19) so positioniert ist, dass es zwischen gegenüberliegenden ersten Längsenden (43) benachbarter Kernelemente (13) aufgenommen wird, und wobei das weitere Kernelement (19) eine radiale äußere Oberfläche aufweist, die komplementär zum ersten Längsende (43) des wenigstens einen Kernelementes (13) ist.

Revendications

1. Combinaison d'un élément de sol en béton moulé préfabriqué (1) et d'au moins un panneau de verre sans cadre (27) formant une balustrade, le panneau de verre (27) étant positionné avec une arête inférieure directement à l'intérieur d'une rainure encastrée (3) qui est formée d'une seule pièce dans une surface supérieure (4) de l'élément de sol en béton (1) et le panneau de verre (27) étant séparé de parois en béton de la rainure encastrée (3) par des moyens d'espacement élastiques (29, 33), caractérisée en ce qu'un trou de drainage (7) s'étend entre un fond de la rainure et une surface inférieure (2) de l'élément de sol (1) en face de la surface supérieure (4).

2. Combinaison selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle le moyen d'espacement élastique (29) contient au moins parmi un caoutchouc, un mastic et un calfatage.

3. Combinaison selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle la rainure encastrée (3) présente la forme d'un canal linéaire qui s'étend parallèlement à une arête adjacente de l'élément de sol.

4. Combinaison selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, dans laquelle la rainure encastrée (3) présente la forme d'une combinaison d'un premier canal longitudinal s'étendant parallèlement à une arête adjacente de l'élément de sol (1) et d'un deuxième canal longitudinal s'étendant parallèlement à une deuxième arête adjacente de l'élément de sol (1) qui est globalement perpendiculaire à la première arête.

5. Combinaison selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle l'élément de sol (1) est formée avec une arête incurvée et dans laquelle la rainure encastrée (3) présente la forme d'un canal incurvé qui s'étend conjointement de manière adjacente à l'arête incurvée.

6. Combinaison selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, dans laquelle le panneau de verre (27) est séparé d'un fond de la rainure encastrée par des moyens d'espacement élastiques (33) comprenant au moins un élément en caoutchouc pré-formé.

7. Combinaison selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle l'au moins un élément en caoutchouc pré-formé (33) est une bande ayant une largeur correspondant globalement à une largeur prédéfinie de la rainure encastrée (3).

8. Procédé de formation d'une balustrade de verre sans cadre à partir d'une combinaison d'un élément de sol en béton moulé préfabriqué (1) et d'au moins un panneau de verre sans cadre (27) caractérisé par les étapes suivantes :

- fourniture de l'élément de sol (1) obtenu par la formation d'une rainure encastrée (3) ayant une section transversale prédéfinie pour la réception d'une arête d'un panneau de verre (27) à l'intérieur dans l'élément de sol en béton moulée (1), comprenant les étapes suivantes :

fourniture d'un moule (11) correspondant globalement à une taille et une forme de l'élément de sol (1) ;

fourniture d'au moins un élément de noyau allongé (13) ayant une section transversale correspondant globalement à la rainure encastrée (3) ;

localisation et maintien au moins temporairement de l'au moins un élément de noyau (13) par rapport au moule (11) ;

versement d'une quantité appropriée de béton fluide dans le moule (11) ;

solidification de la quantité versée de béton ;

retrait, lors de la solidification, de l'élément de sol (1) hors du moule (11) conjointement avec l'au moins un élément de noyau (13) ; et

retrait de l'au moins un élément de noyau (13) de l'élément de sol (1) afin d'obtenir la rainure (3) sous la forme d'un vide laissé par l'au moins un élément de noyau (13), après avoir été retiré de l'élément de sol (1) ;

fourniture d'un élément de noyau supplémentaire (19) et connexion de l'élément de noyau supplémentaire (19) à la rainure en formant au moins un élément de noyau (13) afin de lui permettre de s'étendre vers le haut au-dessus d'une surface supérieure (20) du béton versé (17), de façon à ce qu'un trou de drainage (7) soit obtenu qui s'étend, dans l'élément de sol (1) fini, entre un fond de la rainure (3) et une surface inférieure (2) de l'élément de sol (1) en face de la surface supérieure (4),
comprenant en outre les étapes suivantes :

- placement de moyens d'espacement élastiques (33) sur un fond de la rainure (3) formée dans l'élément de sol (1) ;

- insertion d'un panneau de verre (27) d'une épaisseur inférieure à une largeur de la rainure (3) avec une arête inférieure dans la rainure afin de reposer sur les moyens d'espacement élastiques (33) placés précédemment ;

- maintien du panneau de verre (27) par des moyens de support auxiliaires appliqués temporairement dans une position globalement verticale par rapport au panneau de sol (1) et de manière centrée latéralement par rapport à la rainure (3) afin de laisser un interstice des deux côtés du panneau de verre (27) ;

- remplissage des interstices des deux côtés du panneau de verre (27) avec un mastic durcissable ou une substance de calfatage (29) ;

- durcissement du mastic ou de la substance de calfatage ; et

- libération du panneau de verre (27) du maintien par les moyens de support auxiliaires.

9. Procédé selon la revendication 8, dans lequel l'au moins un élément de noyau (13) comprend des première et deuxième extrémités (43, 45) qui sont chacun conçus pour être complémentaires entre eux.

10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, dans lequel la première extrémité longitudinale (43) comprend une gorge formée à l'intérieur et dans lequel la deuxième extrémité longitudinale (45) comprend une broche formée dessus, de façon à ce que l'au moins un élément de noyau (13) puisse être couplé sur chacune de ses extrémités longitudinales avec des éléments de noyau comprenant au moins des premières et deuxième extrémités longitudinales (43 ; 45) similaires.

11. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 8 à 10, dans lequel l'au moins un élément de noyau (13) est positionné et maintenu par une surface inférieure interne (14) du moule (11).

12. Procédé selon la revendication 11, dans lequel la surface inférieure interne (14) du moule (11) comprend une saillie (15) s'étendant vers le haut et dans lequel l'au moins un élément de noyau (13) comprend, dans une surface inférieure de celui-ci, une cavité conçue pour loger la saillie (15).

13. Procédé selon la revendication 12, dans lequel la saillie (15) s'étendant vers le haut présente la forme d'une crête et dans lequel la cavité dans l'au moins un élément de noyau (13) présente la forme d'une fente allongée.

14. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 8 à 13, dans lequel la surface inférieure interne (14) du moule (11) présente une forme conforme à un négatif d'une surface supérieure (4) de l'élément de sol en béton moulé (1).

15. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 8 à 14, comprenant en outre l'étape de placement de l'élément de noyau supplémentaire (19) en haut de l'au moins un élément de noyau (13).

16. Procédé selon la revendication 10, dans lequel l'élément de noyau supplémentaire (19) est positionné pour être logé entre des premières extrémités longitudinales (43), qui se font face, d'éléments de noyau adjacents (13) et dans lequel l'élément de noyau supplémentaire (19) comprend une surface externe radiale qui est complémentaire à la première extrémité longitudinale (43) de l'au moins un élément de noyau (13).

Drawing