PANEL SUPPORT APPARATUS

Abstract

 Panel support, comprising
- a support base defining an open seat for housing the edge of the panel,
- a device for regulating the inclination of the panel and locking the base thereof, interposed between the panel and the base,
characterized in that said device comprises a concave cradle housing the side edge of the panel that has a bottom and two opposing sides for containing said side edge of the panel, said sides being respectively associated with two lateral abutting units for the panel, at least a first of said lateral abutting units comprising
- a block having a first side abutting onto a support shoulder defined on a respective inner side of the seat of said base, and a second side inclined from the outside towards the bottom of said cradle,
- a wedge, constrained to said block and associated with a respective one of said containing sides of said cradle, said wedge being sliding with respect to the respective containing side in a direction from the bottom of said seat towards its opening, said wedge having a first abutting face on the panel and an opposite second face, inclined, adapted to slide on said second inclined side of said block,
- means for regulating the position of said wedge along the first inclined side of the block, by which, depending on the position, said wedge is more or less deeply inserted into said seat and backs more or less against the panel, with consequent regulation at least of the inclination of the panel.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention refers to the field of equipment for the fixing and support of structural or finishing panels in the building field, such as for example glazing, parapets, dividing walls etc.

[0002] More specifically, the invention refers to a panel support, particularly but not exclusively for glass type panels, for walls, dividing elements, parapets, etc.

State of the art

[0003] Different types of support are currently used to support glazed panels.

[0004] One type of support envisages a support base that defines an open seat for housing the edge of the panel, and a device for regulating the inclination of the panel, and/or locking the panel with respect to the base, interposed between the panel and the base itself.

[0005] Examples of supports are shown, for example, in WO2011/095779, EP1647663, EP1700990, EP2112296, FR2930270, US7730682, CH709045, US2015/110552, and DE202010016190.

[0006] All the known supports are fiddly to join to the panel, or are not very practical during any phase to adjust the inclination of the panel or to lock it.

[0007] In particular these supports do not satisfy certain essential requirements: a) the integrity of the panel must be guaranteed both during the installation phase and during the period of use, b) it must be possible to register the arrangement (inclination) of the panel with respect to the structure, c) the panel must be locked in the required configuration in a stable and fixed manner, so that it can resist any external stress.

Aim and summary of the invention

[0008] The main aim of the present invention is to solve the problems encountered in the panel supports of a known type.

[0009] In particular, an important aim of the present invention is to create a panel support, particularly but not exclusively for glazed panels, that allows easy installation of the panel.

[0010] Another important aim of the present invention is to create a panel support, particularly but not exclusively for glazed panels, that allows easy adjustment of the panel inclination.

[0011] Yet another important aim of the present invention is to create a panel support, particularly but not exclusively for glazed panels, that allows stable and lasting locking of the panel.

[0012] Not the last important aim of the present invention is to create a panel support, particularly but not exclusively for glazed panels, that is structurally simple, to allow economy of manufacture and ease of assembly.

[0013] These and other aims, which will be clarified in the following, are achieved by means of a panel support comprising
a support base defining an open seat for housing the edge of the panel,
a device for regulating the inclination of the panel and locking the base thereof, interposed between the panel and the base, comprising at least one lateral abutting unit comprising in turn

• a block having a first side abutting onto a support shoulder defined on a respective inner side of the seat of said base, and a second side inclined from the outside towards the bottom of said seat,
• a wedge provided with a first face abutting on the panel and an opposing inclined second face, adapted to slide on said second inclined side of said block,
• means for regulating the position of said wedge along the first inclined side of the block, by which, depending on the position, said wedge is more or less deeply inserted into said seat and presses more or less against the panel, with consequent regulation at least of the inclination of the panel,

wherein the contact surface of said support shoulder of said seat with said block is curved, with the convexity turned towards said block, and wherein said block has a contact surface with said shoulder that is concave, with the concavity turned towards said shoulder.

[0014] In practice, the interface between the seat and the lateral abutting unit is shaped so as to create a concave/convex torque that prevents transfer of the lateral abutting unit with respect to the base (restricted to the plane of the section) while retaining freedom of rotation. This rotation allows the inclination of the panel to be compensated/allowed inside the channel as the thickness of the lateral abutting unit changes.

[0015] The torque has been created in such a way that, at the interface, the base has a surface with a convexity facing towards the panel and the contact block on the contrary is concave: this feature means that the distance between the panel centers of rotation increases (while still being subject to hyperstatic restraint), improving the stability of the restraint.

[0016] Furthermore, the sliding plane between block and wedge normally has one component facing upwards and one towards the panel: thanks to this feature, when locking, the wedge when in contact with the panel exerts (by friction) a downward thrust, serving to keep the panel itself adequately forced against the bottom of the channel.

[0017] Therefore, said shoulder preferably defines a convex cylindrical portion with the convexity turned towards the inner space of said seat and said block has a concave cylindrical portion with the concavity turned towards said base.

[0018] Appropriately, the contact surface of said shoulder with said block is a rotation surface for said block.

[0019] Preferably, said abutting unit forms a pre-assembled body, with said block and said wedge being provided with a sliding restraint one with respect to the other.

[0020] Preferably, said abutting unit is formed of only three elements, each preferably in a single piece, namely said block, said wedge and a threaded element coupled to them.

[0021] According to preferred embodiments, the means for adjustment of the position of said wedge along the first inclined side of the block comprise

• a threaded element that can swivel on its own axis, accessible to be regulated from the open part of said seat, provided with a rotation restraint with respect to said wedge or said block, and provided with a rotary-translation restraint with respect to said block or said wedge in a direction from the inside to the outside of said seat and vice-versa,
• a counter-threaded portion in a single piece with said block or said wedge, wherein said threaded element is rotatably engaged,

by which a rotation action of said threaded element in one direction or the other causes said wedge to slide on said block in a direction from the inside to the outside of said seat, or vice-versa.

[0022] Preferably, the regulation means comprise a housing provided on said wedge or said block, wherein said threaded element is constrained to rotate without translating, with one threaded part of said threaded element protruding from said housing and engaging with said counter-threaded portion provided on said block or said wedge.

[0023] In practice, according to a preferred embodiment, the lateral abutting unit is made up of two components preferably in plastic material and by a screw that can be adjusted during installation or during subsequent adjustment/locking phases; one of the two parts forms a flat contact on the face of the panel, the other part engages by geometry on the inner face of the respective side of the base. The two parts are held together by certain geometric restraints, but can slide with respect to each other, thus varying the overall thickness of the abutting unit, adapting to the space between the panel and the inner face of the base seat. This gives optimum control of registration of the arrangement (inclination) of the panel with respect to the base and locking of the latter in the required configuration in a stable, firm manner so that it can withstand any external stress.

[0024] The relative movement of the two parts in plastic material in the lateral abutting unit is controlled by means of the above-mentioned screw, which is housed in correspondence with the interface of the two parts themselves. The screw engages in the thread impressed into one of the two parts (this is substantially a threaded hole cut in half in correspondence with the axis of rotation of the screw); the screw also engages in a semi-hole (not threaded) impressed into the other part of the abutting unit: in this way the screw can turn but not translate with respect to the latter part.

[0025] The lateral abutting unit is preferably positioned in proximity to the base seat insertion point, in order to maximize the drag torque created by the restraint acting on the panel (which also involves any bottom fitting presented further below) to balance the external actions.

[0026] According to preferred embodiments, the abutting unit comprises a portion supporting the respective inner side of said seat in relation to the shoulder which said block backs against.

[0027] Preferably, said supporting portion is a hook portion provided on said block and adapted to hook onto a corresponding hook part positioned above the respective said shoulder of the seat.

[0028] Preferably, at least one side of said seat, preferably both, comprises, from the opening towards the bottom:

• a housing recess for a hook portion of said abutting unit,
• said shoulder with a shape forming a convex cylindrical portion towards the center of said seat,
• a part inclined from the outside towards the center of the seat and towards the bottom thereof, wherein said block at least partially enters,
• an end part, preferably inclined towards the bottom to a lesser degree with respect to said inclined part, with respect to a normal direction at the bottom, around the panel edge zone.

[0029] Preferably, said shoulder has, at the end turned towards the opening of said seat, an appendage for hooking on a hook portion of said abutting unit.

[0030] In practice, in certain preferred embodiments, the lateral abutting unit envisages hook portions, preferably elastic, that simplify positioning of the lateral abutting unit in the base seat. Sizing of the hook portions is such that it does not interfere with normal operation of the lateral abutting unit.

[0031] The use of said support or hook portion has the following advantages:

• the lateral abutting units inserted in the base seat through said support or hook portions are in the correct coupling position with the seat itself, even in the absence of contrast on the part of the panel;
• the same also applies in the absence of the panel: if the lateral abutting units are used on both sides, the ones on the side opposite the operator can be positioned even before the panel itself, limiting the need for the operator to access both sides of the panel;
• the support or hook portions, that engage in a special niche formed in the base seat, retain the lateral abutting units in the position assigned even in the event of installation on a slope (e.g. along a ramp).

[0032] According to preferred embodiments, the support comprises a lower fitting interposed between the panel edge zone and the bottom of said seat.

[0033] Preferably, the fitting is made from a plastic material, is separate from said abutting unit, and has a cradle shape comprising a hollow defined by a bottom section and two opposing sides for containing the panel edge zone.

[0034] Preferably, at least one of said sides, preferably both, of said hollow have an inner face comprising a first part inclined towards the bottom section and towards the center of the hollow and a second end part adapted to come into contact with the edge zone of said panel.

[0035] Preferably, at least one side of said seat comprises, on the inner face, at least one part in relief with respect to the main development of the face, adapted to create interference with said fitting by pressing from the outside a corresponding side of said hollow, so that said hollow is pressed from the outside inward, deforming itself and recovering any play present between said edge zone of the panel and said hollow.

[0036] Preferably, said fitting presents at least one elastically deformable fin, extending in the opposite direction to that in which the panel is inserted into the fitting and adapted to strike the bottom of said seat.

[0037] Preferably, the fitting comprises a pair of said fins, extending from the corners of said fitting towards the outside of said bottom section.

[0038] According to preferred embodiments, the support comprises

• a pair of said lateral abutting units, interposed between the panel and the respective sides of said base,
• or one said lateral abutting unit interposed between the panel and a respective side of said base and a contrasting element, preferably elastically deformable, interposed between the panel and the other respective side of the base.

[0039] According to another version, the invention relates to a panel support that comprises

• a support base defining an open seat for housing the edge of the panel,
• a device for regulating the inclination of the panel and locking the base thereof, interposed between the panel and the base, comprising at least one lateral abutting unit comprising in turn
  • a block having a first side abutting onto a support shoulder defined on a respective inner side of the seat of said base, and a second side inclined from the outside towards the bottom of said seat,
  • a wedge provided with a first face abutting on the panel and an opposing inclined second face, adapted to slide on said second inclined side of said block,
  • means for regulating the position of said wedge along the first inclined side of the block, by which, depending on the position, said wedge is more or less deeply inserted into said seat and presses more or less against the panel, with consequent regulation at least of the inclination of the panel,
  in which said regulation means comprise at least one said abutting unit is formed of only three elements, each preferably in a single piece, namely said block, said wedge and a threaded element coupled to them.

[0040] According to preferred embodiments, the means for adjustment of the position of said wedge along the first inclined side of the block comprise

• a threaded element that can swivel on its own axis, accessible to be regulated from the open part of said seat, provided with a rotation restraint with respect to said wedge or said block, and provided with a rotary-translation restraint with respect to said block or said wedge in a direction from the inside to the outside of said seat and vice-versa,
• a counter-threaded portion in a single piece with said block or said wedge, wherein said threaded element is rotatably engaged,
• by which a rotation action of said threaded element in one direction or the other causes said wedge to slide on said block in a direction from the inside to the outside of said seat, or vice-versa.

[0041] Preferably, the regulation means comprise a housing provided on said wedge or said block, wherein said threaded element is constrained to rotate without translating, with one threaded part of said threaded element protruding from said housing and engaging with said counter-threaded portion provided on said block or said wedge.

[0042] According to preferred embodiments, the abutting unit comprises a portion supporting the respective inner side of said seat in relation to the shoulder which said block backs against.

[0043] Preferably, said supporting portion is a hook portion provided on said block and adapted to hook onto a corresponding hook part positioned above the respective said shoulder of the seat.

[0044] Preferably, at least one side of said seat, preferably both, comprises, from the opening towards the bottom,

• a housing recess for a hook portion of said abutting unit,
• said shoulder with a shape forming a convex cylindrical portion towards the center of said seat,
• a part inclined from the outside towards the center of the seat and towards the bottom thereof, wherein said block at least partially enters,
• an end part, preferably inclined towards the bottom to a lesser degree with respect to said inclined part, with respect to a normal direction at the bottom, around the panel edge zone.

[0045] Preferably, said shoulder has, at the end turned towards the opening of said seat, an appendage for hooking on a hook portion of said abutting unit.

[0046] According to a further version, the invention relates to a panel support that comprises

• a support base defining an open seat for housing the edge of the panel,
• a device for regulating the inclination of the panel and locking the base thereof, interposed between the panel and the base, comprising at least one lateral abutting unit comprising in turn
  • a block having a first side abutting onto a support shoulder defined on a respective inner side of the seat of said base, and a second side inclined from the outside towards the bottom of said seat,
  • a wedge provided with a first face abutting on the panel and an opposing inclined second face, adapted to slide on said second inclined side of said block,
  • means for regulating the position of said wedge along the first inclined side of the block, by which, depending on the position, said wedge is more or less deeply inserted into said seat and presses more or less against the panel, with consequent regulation at least of the inclination of the panel,
  and further comprising a lower fitting interposed between the panel edge zone and the bottom of said seat, and in which said fitting is made from a plastic material, is separate from said abutting unit, and has a cradle shape comprising a hollow defined by a bottom section and two opposing sides for containing the panel edge zone.

[0047] Preferably, at least one of said sides, preferably both, of said hollow have an inner face comprising a first part inclined towards the bottom section and towards the center of the hollow and a second end part adapted to come into contact with the edge zone of said panel.

[0048] Preferably, at least one side of said seat comprises, on the inner face, at least one part in relief with respect to the main development of the face, adapted to create interference with said fitting by pressing from the outside a corresponding side of said hollow, so that said hollow is pressed from the outside inward, deforming itself and recovering any play present between said edge zone of the panel and said hollow.

[0049] Preferably, said fitting presents at least one elastically deformable fin, extending in the opposite direction to that in which the panel is inserted into the fitting and adapted to strike the bottom of said seat.

[0050] Preferably, the fitting comprises a pair of said fins, extending from the corners of said fitting towards the outside of said bottom section.

[0051] The bottom fitting compensates for possible variations in the thickness of the panel (in the specific case of a panel of laminated glass, both the thickness of the interlayer and, within certain tolerances, the thickness of the sheets of glass may vary).

Brief description of the drawings

[0052] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof, shown by way of non-limiting example in the attached drawings, in which

figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a portion of support according to the invention, associated with a panel;

figure 2 shows a cross-section view of a portion of the support of figure 1;

figure 3 shows an axonometric view of an exploded drawing of a lateral abutting unit for the support of the preceding figures;

figure 4 shows a further axonometric view of an exploded drawing of a lateral abutting unit for the support of the preceding figures;

figure 5 shows a cross-section view of the support of the preceding figures, in an insertion phase of the panel into the base of the support;

figure 6 shows a cross-section view of the support according to an alternative form of the invention according to the preceding figures.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0053] With reference to the figures mentioned above, a panel support according to the invention is indicated as a whole with 10.

[0054] Said support 10 comprises a support base 11 made for example from a profile with a bottom face 11A to be placed and stably fixed, in this example, on a horizontal or almost horizontal surface, in which a channel is provided that is open at the top and defines a seat 12, upwardly open, for insertion of the edge zone 13A of a glass panel 13, to be arranged vertically or almost vertically.

[0055] It is clear that in other embodiments, the support base 11 may be used as an oblique support, for example as a handrail for an inclined, or vertical, ramp, for example fixing the base 11 with the bottom face 11A against a wall, or also with a lateral face of the base 11 (or the outer face of the base 11 orthogonal to the bottom face 11A) against the wall or a jamb.

[0056] The seat 12 has a bottom 12A and two inner sides 12B, that develop longitudinally, or in the direction along which the base/profile develops.

[0057] The support 10 further comprises a device to regulate the inclination of the panel and lock the base of said panel, which, when in position, is interposed between panel 13 and the sides 12B of the base 12. In that example said regulation device comprises a pair of equal lateral abutting units 15 to be inserted between the sides 12B and the face of the panel 13. Figure 7 shows a variant in which a single lateral abutting unit 15 is present, interposed between a side 12B and a face of the panel 13, and an elastically deformable contrast element 15" (for example a rubber element) interposed between the panel and the other respective side of the base.

[0058] Again, the support 10 comprises a lower fitting 16, in plastic material, interposed between the panel edge zone 13A and the bottom 12A of the seat 12.

[0059] More specifically, in this example, the two sides 12B of the seat 12 are symmetrical and each have, in series from the opening towards the bottom, a hollow 17 housing part of a hook portion 18 of a respective abutting unit 15, described more fully below, and a support shoulder 19 for a respective abutting unit 15; said shoulder defines, at its end facing towards the opening of the seat, an appendage 19A for hooking of the hook portion 18 of the abutting unit 15.

[0060] The shoulder 19 has a form corresponding to the outer portion of a cylinder (with the axis of the cylinder developing longitudinally, or parallel with the longitudinal development of the base), or a cylindrical portion, and therefore has a convex surface 19B with the convexity facing towards the inner space of the seat 12, or towards the mid plane X.

[0061] Beyond the shoulder 19, the side 12B continues with a part 20 inclined from the outside towards the center of the seat 12 (or towards the mid plane X of the seat orthogonal to the bottom 12A) and towards the bottom thereof, which defines with the shoulder 19 a recess into which part of the abutting unit 15 enters; furthermore, in series therewith, the side 12B has an end part 21, slightly inclined towards the bottom (with respect to a normal direction at the bottom), or inclined to a lesser extent than the inclined part 20, which bounds the bottom 12A of the seat 12 in which the fitting 16 is provided and which therefore surrounds the edge zone of the panel 13.

[0062] Each lateral abutting unit 15 comprises a block 22 having a first side 23 abutting the support shoulder 19 and a second opposite side 24 inclined from the outside towards the bottom of the seat 12.

[0063] Furthermore, the lateral abutting unit 15 comprises a body at least partially conformed as a wedge 25, having a first face 26 in contact with the panel 13 and constrained by the opposite second face 27 to slide on the second side 24 of the block 22.

[0064] Each lateral abutting unit 15 furthermore comprises means 28 to regulate the position of the wedge 25 along the second inclined side 24 of the block 22, so that according to its position, the wedge 25 is inserted more or less deeply into the seat 12, pressing more or less against the panel 13, with consequent regulation of the panel inclination, and if necessary pushing it downwards (or upwards) through friction. These regulation means are described more fully hereinafter.

[0065] As stated, the shoulder 19 has a convex cylindrical surface 19B and that surface is the contact surface with the first side 23 of the block 22. The surface of the first side 23 in contact with the shoulder 19 also has a curved shape, which is complementary to the convex surface 19B of the shoulder, or it is concave, preferably with a cylindrical countershaped concavity, with the concavity facing towards the shoulder, or towards the side of the base.

[0066] In practice, the contact surface 19B of the shoulder 19 with the block 22 is a rotation surface for the block 22.

[0067] The abutting unit 15 is for example a pre-assembled body, with the block 22 and the wedge 25 that are coupled and held together by a teeth-retaining notch type joint (not shown in the figures, for the sake of simplicity) and have a sliding restraint one with respect to the other in the direction from the bottom of the seat towards the outside thereof and vice-versa.

[0068] For example, guide ribs 29 are present on the second side 24 of block 22 and corresponding guide slots 30 on the second face 27 of the wedge 25, in which the ribs 29 slide in the guide slots 30 (or vice-versa).

[0069] The means 28 for regulation of the position of the wedge 25 along the second inclined side 24 of the block 22 comprise a threaded element 31, such as a screw or setscrew, that can swivel on its own axis, accessible to be regulated from the open part of the seat 12, provided with a rotation restraint with respect to the wedge 25, and provided with a rotary-translation restraint with respect to the block 22 in a direction from the inside to the outside of the seat 12 and vice-versa.

[0070] A housing 32 for the threaded element 31 is made on the wedge 15, in which the threaded element 31 is constrained to rotate without translating. One threaded part of the threaded element 31 protrudes from the housing 32 and engages with a counter-threaded portion 33 provided on the block 22 so that rotation of the threaded element (for example due to the use of a tool on its actuating element 34) in one direction or the other causes the wedge to slide on the block in a direction from the inside to the outside of the seat, or vice-versa (in practice the setscrew 31 is free to turn in the housing 32 in the wedge, but it is integral therewith in the adjustment direction, so that the setscrew and therefore the wedge itself slide on the rack defined by the counter-threaded portion 33).

[0071] In this example, the abutting unit 15 is made up of only three elements, each one preferably a single piece made of plastic material, that is the block 22, the wedge 25 and the threaded element 31.

[0072] The abutting unit 15 comprises a portion supporting the respective inner side 12B of the seat 12 in relation to the shoulder 19 which the block backs against. Said supporting portion is the hook portion 18 already described above, adapted to hook itself to the corresponding appendage 19A of the shoulder 19.

[0073] The fitting 16 is separated from the abutting units 15 and provides for a cradle shape comprising a hollow 40 defined by a bottom 41 and two opposite sides 42 to contain the edge zone 13A of the panel 13.

[0074] Each side 42 has an inner face comprising a first part 43 inclined towards the bottom 41 and towards the center of the hollow 40, inviting entry of the panel into the hollow, and a second end part 44 adapted to come into contact with the edge zone 13A of the panel.

[0075] Each side 12A of the seat 12 comprises, on the inner face, a part in relief 45 with respect to the main development of the face, in practice a bowed element, adapted to create interference with the fitting 16 by pressing from the outside a corresponding side 42 of the hollow 40, so that said hollow is pressed from the outside inward, deforming itself and recovering any play present between said edge zone 13A of the panel 13 and the hollow 40.

[0076] From the corners of the fitting, towards the outside and towards the bottom of the seat 12, a pair of elastically deformable fins 46 develop, which back onto the bottom of the seat 12.

[0077] The support functions as follows.

[0078] The base 11 is placed on the ground. The lateral abutting units 15 are already assembled. For example, a first lateral abutting unit 15 is hooked to a side 12B of the seat 12 of the base 11, by means of the hook portion 18. A single fitting 16 extending longitudinally 12 or a number of shorter fittings 16, is positioned in the seat 12, on the bottom thereof.

[0079] The panel 13 is inserted into the seat 12, bringing the edge zone 13A inside the fitting 16, as shown in figure 5.

[0080] The second lateral abutting unit 15 is then hooked to the side opposite to the previous one.

[0081] The phase for regulation of the inclination and locking of the panel provides for pushing of the wedges 25 against the panel. For example, as shown in figure 6, the panel is to be inclined slightly to the left (f1). To do this, adjust the threaded element in the left lateral abutting unit 15 so as to slide the corresponding wedge 25 downwards. By doing this, that lateral abutting unit 15 turns in an anticlockwise direction (f2) on the shoulder 19, due to the cylindrical coupling of the shoulder/unit. In a similar way, on the opposite lateral abutting unit 15', adjust the corresponding threaded element to move the wedge 25' upwards, with consequent rotation in an anticlockwise direction (f3) of the unit 15'. Locking is by friction of the two wedges on the panel.

[0082] As described above, any play present between fitting 16 and the panel edge zone, is recovered thanks to the parts in relief 45.

[0083] It is clear that along the base 11, on each side, just one lateral abutting unit 15 may be present or several units may be present, according to need.

[0084] Figure 7 shows an alternative version, in which the lateral abutting unit or units 15 are arranged along a single side of the seat 12, while on the opposite side an elastically deformable contrast element 15" is provided. In this case, after insertion of the panel, the contrast element 15" (or the contrast elements, if there is more than one) is interposed between the panel and the side, and regulation of the inclination and locking takes place by acting only on the side of the panel relating to the unit 15.

[0085] It is understood that what is depicted only represents possible, non-limiting embodiments of the invention, which may vary in its forms and arrangements without departing from the basic scope of the invention. The presence of any reference numbers in the attached claims merely has the purpose of facilitating their reading in light of the preceding description and the attached drawings and does not restrict the scope of protection.

Claims

1. Panel support (10), comprising

- a support base (11) defining an open seat (12) for housing the edge (13A) of the panel (13),

- a device for regulating the inclination of the panel (13) and locking the base thereof, interposed between the panel (13) and the base (11), comprising at least one lateral abutting unit (15) comprising in turn

• a block (22) having a first side (23) abutting onto a support shoulder (19) defined on a respective inner side of the seat (12) of said base (11), and a second side (24) inclined from the outside towards the bottom of said seat (12),

• a wedge (25) provided with a first face (26) abutting on the panel (13) and an opposing inclined second face (27), adapted to slide on said second inclined side (24) of said block (22),

• means (28) for regulating the position of said wedge (25) along the second inclined side (24) of the block (22), by which, depending on the position, said wedge (25) is more or less deeply inserted into said seat (12) and presses more or less against the panel (13), with consequent regulation at least of the inclination of the panel,

wherein the contact surface of said support shoulder (19) of said seat (12) with said block (22) is curved, with the convexity turned towards said block (22), and wherein said block (22) has a contact surface with said shoulder (19) that is concave, with the concavity turned towards said shoulder (19).

2. Panel support according to claim 1, wherein said shoulder (19) defines a convex cylindrical portion with the convexity turned towards the inner space of said seat (12) and said block (22) has a concave cylindrical portion with the concavity turned towards said base (11).

3. Panel support according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact surface of said shoulder (19) with said block (22) is a rotation surface for said block (22).

4. Panel support according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said abutting unit (15) forms a pre-assembled body, with said block (22) and said wedge (25) provided with a sliding restraint between one another.

5. Panel support according to claim 4, wherein said abutting unit (15) is formed of only three elements, each preferably in a single piece, namely said block (22), said wedge (25) and a threaded element (31) coupled to them.

6. Panel support according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said means (28) for regulating the position of said wedge (25) along the second inclined side (24) of the block (22) comprise:

- a threaded element (31) that can swivel on its own axis, accessible to be regulated from the open part of said seat (12), provided with a rotation restraint with respect to said wedge (25) or said block (22), and provided with a rotary-translation restraint with respect to said block (22) or said wedge (25) in a direction from the inside to the outside of said seat (12) and vice-versa,

- a counter-threaded portion (33) in a single piece with said block (22) or said wedge (25), wherein said threaded element (31) is rotatably engaged,

by which a rotation action of said threaded element (31) in one direction or the other causes said wedge (52) to slide on said block (22) in a direction from the inside to the outside of said seat (12), or vice-versa.

7. Panel support according to claim 6, wherein said regulation means (28) comprise a housing (32) provided on said wedge (25) or said block (22), wherein said threaded element (31) is constrained to rotate without translating, with one threaded part of said threaded element (31) protruding from said housing (32) and engaging with said counter-threaded portion (33) provided on said block (22) or said wedge (25).

8. Panel support according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said abutting unit (15) comprises a portion (18) supporting the respective inner side of said seat (12) in relation to the shoulder (19) which said block (22) backs against.

9. Panel support according to claim 8, wherein said supporting portion (18) is a hook portion provided on said block (22) and adapted to hook onto a corresponding hook part (19A) positioned above the respective said shoulder (19) of the seat (12).

10. Panel support according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein at least one side (12B) of said seat (12), and preferably both sides, comprises, from the opening towards the bottom,

- a housing recess (17) for a hook portion (18) of said abutting unit (15),

- said shoulder (19) with a shape forming a convex cylindrical portion towards the center of said seat (12),

- a part (20) inclined from the outside towards the center of the seat and towards the bottom thereof, wherein said block (22) at least partially enters,

- an end part (21), preferably inclined towards the bottom to a lesser degree with respect to said inclined part, with respect to a normal direction at the bottom, around the panel edge zone.

11. Panel support according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said shoulder (19) has, at the end turned towards the opening of said seat, an appendage (19A) for hooking on a hook portion (18) of said abutting unit (15).

12. Panel support according to one or more of the previous claims, comprising a lower fitting (16) interposed between the panel edge zone (13A) and the bottom (12A) of said seat; said fitting is made from a plastic material, is separate from said abutting unit (15), and has a cradle shape comprising a hollow (40) defined by a bottom section (41) and two opposing sides (42) for containing the panel edge zone; preferably at least one said sides (42), and preferably both, of said hollow (40) has an inner face comprising a first part (43) inclined towards the bottom section (41) and towards the center of the hollow (40) and a second end part (44) adapted to come into contact with the panel edge zone; preferably at least one side (12A) of said seat (12) comprises, on the inner face, at least one part in relief (45) with respect to the main direction of the face, adapted to create interference with said fitting (16) by pressing from the outside on a corresponding side (42) of said hollow (40), so that said hollow (40) is pressed from the outside inwards, deforming and filling any clearance present between said edge zone (13A) of the panel (13) and said hollow (40).

13. Panel support according to claim 12, wherein said fitting (16) has at least one elastically deformable fin (46), extending in the opposite direction to that in which the panel (13) is inserted into the fitting (16) and adapted to strike the bottom (13) of said seat (12); preferably said fitting (16) comprising a pair of said fins (46) extending from the corners of said fitting towards the outside of said bottom section.

14. Panel support according to one or more of the previous claims, comprising

- a pair of said lateral abutting units (15), interposed between the panel and the respective sides of said base,

- or one said lateral abutting unit (15) interposed between the panel and a respective side of said base and a contrasting element (15"), preferably elastically deformable, interposed between the panel and the other respective side of the base.

Drawing