FITTING

Abstract

 A fitting (10, 11) to support an element (2, 2', 2") turnable in relation to a substantially vertical axis (12), and/or movable in the substantially horizontal direction. The fitting (10, 11) comprises a body (20) of the fitting (10, 11) and at least one arm part (21) of one uniform structure with the body (20) of the fitting (10, 11) to fix the fitting (10, 11) to the element (2, 2', 2"). The fitting (10, 11) further comprises at least one support part (22, 24) of one uniform structure with the body (20) of the fitting (10, 11) to support the element (2, 2', 2") to be fixed to the fitting (10, 11) at its installation location, and at least one slide part (23, 25) adapted in connection with the support part (22, 24) to move the element (2, 2', 2") horizontally.

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a fitting to support an element turnable in relation to a substantially vertical axis, and/or movable in the substantially horizontal direction.

[0002] The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising at least one element which is at least turnable in relation to a substantially vertical turning axis.

[0003] Terrace glazing extending from floor to ceiling, balcony glazing or glazing that forms at least a part of an exterior wall, as well as balcony glazing above a balcony railing are some examples of structures and arrangements which may comprise an element turnable in relation to a substantially vertical turning axis, or at least two adjacent elements where the element at one edge of the arrangement is locked in place in relation to movement in the horizontal direction, but may, however, be turned in relation to a substantially vertical turning axis, and at least one other element is both movable in the substantially horizontal direction and turnable in relation to a substantially vertical turning axis, said element being, after its moving, at a specific horizontal position in said arrangement. Said arrangement in such a case often includes a bottom rail placed in connection with a bottom part of said elements to support said elements and to guide the movement of said elements on the bottom part of the elements, and a top rail placed in connection with an upper part of said elements to support the top part of said elements and to guide the movements of said elements on the upper part of said elements.

[0004] In connection with the bottom part of said elements, at one edge, there is typically fixed at least one fitting acting as a hinge, supported by which and through which said elements may be turned in relation to a substantially vertical turning axis formed by the fitting, and supported by which the elements to be moved may be moved in a substantially horizontal direction. In addition to said fitting acting as a hinge, in connection with the bottom part of the element, at a second edge of the element, there is usually arranged at least one other fitting acting as a guiding and supporting fitting, which supports the element by its bottom part as the element is in place and guides the element as it is moved in the horizontal direction.

[0005] Said fittings are typically structures comprising a plurality of parts and various wheels, the assembly of which, as a whole, is difficult and operation uncertain due to a possible long period of nonuse or lack of servicing.

Brief description of the invention

[0006] An object of the invention is to provide a novel fitting.

[0007] The fitting and arrangement according to the invention are characterized by what is disclosed in the independent claims.

[0008] The idea of the invention is that the fitting body, arm part, at least one support part and possible locking part are of one integral structure, and a sliding part adapted in said at least one support forms a sliding surface by means of which the element equipped with the fitting may be moved in its horizontal direction.

[0009] The fitting described is simple to manufacture. The fitting body, the arm part, at least one support part, and possible locking part may be manufactured as one piece by, for example, casting from metal, and it is only necessary to fit the sliding parts, to be placed in connection with one or more support parts, to it separately. The disclosed fitting is also maintenance-free because it does not employ wheels that it practice need regular lubrication.

[0010] Some embodiments of the invention are presented in the dependent claims.

Brief description of the figures

[0011] The invention will now be described in more detail in connection with preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a glazing arrangement,

Figure 2 is a schematic front view of a portion of the glazing arrangement of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a schematic front view of a second portion of the glazing arrangement of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a schematic end view of a bottom rail of the glazing arrangement of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a schematic view obliquely from below of a hinge fitting,

Figure 6 is a schematic view, as seen obliquely from above, of the hinge fitting according to Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the hinge fitting of Figure 5,

Figure 8 is a schematic end view of the hinge fitting of Figure 5,

Figure 9 is a schematic view obliquely from below of a guide fitting,

Figure 10 is a schematic view, as seen obliquely from above, of the guide fitting according to Figure 9,

Figure 11 is a schematic side view of the guide fitting of Figure 9,

Figure 12 is a schematic end view of the guide fitting of Figure 9,

Figure 13 is a schematic top view of a third portion of the glazing arrangement of Figure 1, and

Figure 14 is a schematic top view of a fourth portion of the glazing arrangement of Figure 1.

[0012] For reasons of clarity, some embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the Figures in a simplified form. In the figures, like reference numerals identify like elements.

Detailed description of the invention

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a glazing arrangement 1. The glazing arrangement 1 of Figure 1 may constitute, for example, terrace glazing extending from floor to ceiling, balcony glazing, or glazing forming at least a part of an exterior wall, or balcony glazing on top of a balcony railing.

[0014] The glazing arrangement 1 of Figure 1 comprises three adjacent glass pane elements placed on the same line in the horizontal direction, that is, a first glass pane element 2, a second glass pane element 2', and a third glass pane element 2". Each glass pane element 2, 2', 2" comprises a glass pane 3 and, at the lower edge of the glass pane 3, a bottom strip 4 in connection with which the required fittings may be fixed to install the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" to be supported and held by a bottom guide or rail 8 which is part of the glazing arrangement 1. Further, each glass pane 3, at the top edge, has a top strip 5, in connection with which the required fittings may be fixed to support the top part of the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" to a top guide or rail 9 which is part of the glazing arrangement 1. Said bottom strips 4 and top strips 5 are not compulsory, if said fittings may be fixed directly to the glass pane 3 of the glass pane element 2, 2', 2".

[0015] In the glazing arrangement 1 of Figure 1, the leftmost glass pane element 2, so the first glass pane element 2, is placed in a manner to be described in more detail below so as to be supported and held by a bottom rail 8 so that it is locked in place in the longitudinal direction of the bottom rail 8 and top rail 9, indicated by the arrow L, that is, the first glass pane element 2 is not in a normal usage situation of the glazing arrangement 1 movable in the longitudinal direction L of the bottom rail 8 or top rail 9. However, the first glass pane element 2 may, as will be described below, be turned in relation to a substantially vertical turning axis so that the first glass pane element 2 may be turned to the open position shown in Figures 13 and 14 as well as back to the closed position shown in Figure 1.

[0016] In the glazing arrangement 1 of Figure 1, the centre glass pane 2', so the second glass pane 2' and the rightmost glass pane 2", so the third glass pane element 2", are placed in a manner to be described in more detail below so as to be supported and held by a bottom rail 8 so that the glass pane elements 2, 2" may be moved, supported by the bottom rail 8, in the longitudinal direction L of the bottom rail 8 and top rail 9 both to the left, so towards the first glass pane element 2, and back to the right, so away from the first glass pane element 2, when the first glass pane elements 2 is turned into its open position.

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the portion on the rear edge 6 side of the first glass pane element 2, and its support to the bottom rail 8. Figure 3 is a schematic front view of both the portion on the front edge 7 side of the second glass pane element 2' and its support to the bottom rail 8, and the portion on the rear edge 6 side of the third glass pane 2" and its support to the bottom rail 8. In the example of Figures 1 to 3, the rear edge 6 of the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" is formed by the substantially vertical edge of the glass pane element 2, 2', 2", adjacent to which the fitting that forms the turning axis of the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" is meant to be adapted. The front edge 7 of the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" is formed by the substantially vertical edge opposite to the rear edge 6 of the glass pane element 2, 2', 2". In the schematic examples of Figures 2 and 3 there are sectional views of the bottom rail 8 so that a first wall 13, only, of the bottom rail 8, shown in more detail in Figure 4, is shown in Figures 2 and 3..

[0018] In the bottom strip 4 of the glass pane elements 2, 2', 2", in the vicinity of the rear edge 6 of the glass pane elements 2, 2', 2", a hinge fitting 10 is fixed, by means of which the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" is placed by its rear edge 6 to be supported and held by the bottom rail 8 so that the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" may be turned on the hinge fitting 10 in a manner to be schematically shown below in Figures 13 and 14 in relation to a vertical turning axis 12 established by the hinge fitting 10 when the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" is locked in place by the hinge fitting 10 in the longitudinal direction of the bottom rail 8. The hinge fitting 10 additionally guides the travel of the rear edge 6 of the second glass pane element 2' and third glass pane element 2", movable in the longitudinal direction of the bottom rail 8, on the bottom rail 8 when said glass pane elements 2, 2', 2" are moved in the longitudinal direction of the bottom rail 8.

[0019] In the bottom rail 4 of the glass pane elements 2, 2', 2", in the vicinity of the front edge 7 of the glass pane elements 2, 2', 2", a guide fitting 11 is fixed, by means of which the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" is placed by its front edge 7 to be supported and held by the bottom rail 8. The guide fitting 11 additionally guides the travel of the front edge 7 of the second glass pane element 2' and third glass pane element 2", movable in the longitudinal direction of the bottom rail 8, on the bottom rail 8 when said glass pane elements 2', 2" are moved in the longitudinal direction of the bottom rail 8. However, the guide fitting 11 is not compulsory in the vicinity of the front edge 7 of the first glass pane element 2, if the first glass pane element 2 is only supported by the hinge fitting 10 in the vicinity of the rear edge 6 of the glass pane element 2 and adapted in connection with the bottom rail 8, as well as a fitting adapted in connection with the top rail 9 so that the glass pane element 2 cannot fall even if there were no guide fitting 11 referred to in the above in the vicinity of the front edge 6 of the glass pane element.

[0020] The hinge fitting 10 and guide fitting 11 form means by which each glass pane element 2, 2', 2" may be placed to the supported and held by the bottom rail 8 so that the bottom rail 8 supports the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" by its bottom part and that the glass pane elements movable in the longitudinal direction of the bottom rail 8, so in this example the second glass pane element 2' and the third glass pane element 2", may be moved, supported and held by the bottom rail 8, in the longitudinal direction of the bottom rail 8. In addition, the hinge fitting 10 defines the vertical turning axis 12 of the glass pane element 2, 2', 2", to be schematically shown below in Figures 13 and 14, in relation to which the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" may be turned when the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" is in the position shown in Figures 13 and 14 at the end of the bottom rail 8, in connection with which the first glass pane element 2 is locked. In the following, the structure of the bottom rail 8 and the structure and support of the hinge fitting 10 and guide fitting 11 to the bottom rail 8 are described in more detail in Figures 4 to 12.

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic end view of a bottom rail 8 and hinge fitting 10 adapted in connection with it, and a bottom strip 4 of a glass pane element, adapted in connection with the hinge fitting 10. The bottom rail 8 comprises two substantially vertical walls running in the longitudinal direction of the bottom rail 8, that is, mutually opposing walls 13, 14 in the width direction W of the bottom rail 8, so a first wall 13 and second wall 14 which define between them a longitudinal groove 15, or slot 15, in the longitudinal direction of the bottom rail 8. The first wall 13 has two substantially horizontal supporting shelves, or shelves, directed towards the centre line of the bottom rail 8, so a first support shelf 16 of the first wall 13 and below it a second support shelf 17 of the first wall 13, the second support shelf 17 thus being, in the vertical direction of the first wall 13, at a distance from the first support shelf 16 and below it. The second wall 14 has, at corresponding locations of the aforementioned support shelves 16, 17, corresponding two substantially horizontal supporting shelves, or shelves, directed towards the centre line of the bottom rail 8, so a first support shelf 18 of the second wall 14 and below it a second support shelf 19 of the second wall 14, the second support shelf 19 thus being, in the vertical direction of the second wall 14, at a distance from the first support shelf 18 and below it. The top surfaces of said supporting shelves 16, 17, 18, 19 have bevelled surfaces 16', 17', 18', 19', directed obliquely downward towards the centre line of the bottom rail 8, which form support surfaces for the hinge fittings 10 and guide fittings 11 arranged to be supported by the bottom rail 8.

[0022] Figure 5 is a schematic view of a hinge fitting 10 obliquely from below, Figure 6 shows a schematic view of the hinge fitting 10 of Figure 5 obliquely from above, Figure 7 shows a schematic side view of the hinge fitting 10 of Figure 5, and Figure 8 is a schematic end view of the hinge fitting 10 of Figure 5.

[0023] The hinge fitting 10 comprises a body 20, directed substantially vertically, which has a first end 20' and a second end 20". To the first end 20' of the body 20, an arm part 21 of the hinge fitting 10 has been adapted, which is of one uniform structure with the body 20 and by means of which the hinge fitting 10 is locked to the bottom strip 4 of the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" by a clamp screw, for example. The arm part 21 is adapted on the body 20 of the hinge fitting 10 in substantially the direction of the normal of the body 20 of the hinge fitting 10.

[0024] The hinge fitting 10 further comprises at a distance from the first end 20' of the body 20, two support parts 22, 24 toward the second end 20" of the body 20, so a first support part 22 and a second support part 24 which are arranged in parallel on the body 20 at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the body 20 directed in the vertical direction so that the second support part 24 is under the first support part 22 in the vertical longitudinal direction of the body 20. The support part 22, 24 are of one uniform structure with the body 20. Through the support parts 22, 24, the hinge fitting 10 and the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" fixed to it are supported to the bottom rail 8.

[0025] The hinge fitting 10 further comprises a first slide part 23 adapted in connection with the first support part 22, and a second slide part 25 adapted in connection with the second support part 24, the slide parts 23, 25 being adapted to settle against the support shelves 16, 17, 18, 19 of the bottom rail 8, as schematically shown in Figure 4, when the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" and the hinge fitting 10 on it are adapted to be supported by the bottom rail 8. The slide parts 23, 25 form, between the support parts 22, 24 of the hinge fitting 10 and the bottom rail 8, low-friction elements by means of which the movable glass pane elements 2', 2" slide easily with the use of little effort on the bottom rail 8, being supported by the supporting shelves 16, 17, 18, 19.

[0026] In the embodiment of Figures 5 to 8 of the hinge fitting 10, the support parts 22, 24 have a substantially circular shape, and the slide parts 23, 25 are rings or ring elements adapted with a clearance around the supports parts 22, 24 and rotating in relation to the support parts 22, 24, which may thus rotate relatively freely on a plane defined by the support part 22, 24 in relation to the support part 22, 24 or vice versa due to the clearance between the support part 22, 24 and slide parts 23, 25.

[0027] In the embodiment of Figures 5 to 8 of the hinge fitting 10, there are formed, on the bottom surface of the slide parts 23, 25, bevels 26 downward from the outer periphery of the slide part 23, 25 towards the centre of the slide part 23, 25, or to be more specific, one bevel 26 per each quarter of the periphery of the slide part 23, 25. In other words, the bottom surfaces of the slide parts 23, 25 are adapted to narrow conically downward. Said bevels 26 form support surfaces by which the slide parts 23, 25 and further the hinge fitting 10 may firmly set against the bevel surfaces 16', 17', 18', 19' of the support shelves 16, 17, 18, 19 of the bottom rail 8. Said bevels 26 also form the slide surfaces of the slide parts 23, 25, which are adapted to slide along the bevel surfaces 16', 17', 18', 19' of the support shelves 16, 17, 18, 19 of the bottom rail 8 as an element provided with a hinge fitting 10 is being moved along the bottom rail 8.

[0028] In the embodiment of the hinge fitting 10 presented in Figures 5 to 8, the aforementioned bevels 26 are separate bevels each extending in the direction of the slide part 23, 25 only across one fourth of the periphery of the slide part 23, 25, but they could be replaced with one bevel surface extending around the entire periphery of the slide part 23, 25 and narrowing conically downward.

[0029] The hinge fitting 10 further comprises a locking part 27 arranged at a second end 20' of the body 20, so on the opposite side of the support parts 22, 24 in relation to the arm part 21, which is of one uniform part with the body 20 of the hinge fitting 10 and by which the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" may be locked in place in the longitudinal direction of the bottom rail 8 to turn the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" in relation to the vertical turning axis 12 defined by the body 20 of the hinge fitting 10 as shown below in Figures 13 and 14.

[0030] Figure 9 is a schematic view of a guide fitting 11 obliquely from below, Figure 10 shows a schematic view of the guide fitting 11 of Figure 9 obliquely from above, Figure 11 shows a schematic side view of the guide fitting 11 of Figure 9, and Figure 12 is a schematic end view of the guide fitting 11 of Figure 9.

[0031] The guide fitting 11 of Figures 9 to 12 has a similar structure as the hinge fitting 10 of Figures 5 to 8, but the guide fitting 11 does not comprise a locking part 27.

[0032] The hinge fitting 10 of Figures 5 to 8 and guide fitting 11 of Figures 9 to 12 have two support parts 22, 24, but the hinge fitting 10 and guide fitting 11 could also be formed as a structure having only one support part and an associated slide part. Support for the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" to the bottom rail 8, established with a hinge fitting 10 and guide fitting 11 comprising two support parts is, however, more sturdy than support for the glass pane element 2, 2', 2' established with a hinge fitting 10 and guide fitting 11 comprising only one support part. Furthermore, with a hinge fitting 10 and guide fitting 11 comprising two support parts, the force created by the weight of the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" on the hinge fitting 10 and guide fitting 11 and further to the bottom rail 8 may be divided onto more support points than with a hinge fitting 10 and guide fitting 11 comprising only one support part, which also facilitates moving the glass pane elements 2', 2". The hinge fitting 10 and possible guide fitting 11 may convey the entire weight of the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" onto the bottom rail 8. If the top rail 9 and the fittings at the top part of the glass pane elements 2, 2', 2" to be adapted in connection with it are so implemented that part of the weight of the glass element 2, 2', 2" is conveyed by the fittings in question to the top rail 9, the hinge fitting 10 and possible guide fitting 11 are adapted to convey only part of the weight of the glass element 2, 2', 2" onto the bottom rail 8.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the body 20, arm part 21, at least one support part 22, 24 and possible locking part 27 of the hinge fitting 10 or guide fitting 11 are of one uniform metal structure. According to an embodiment, the body 20, arm part 21, at least one support part 22, 24 and possible locking part 27 of the hinge fitting 10 or guide fitting 11 are of one uniform structure that is pressure die-cast of aluminium.

[0034] According to an embodiment, the slide part 23, 25 is of slippery plastic, so plastic having a surface with a low friction coefficient. According to an embodiment, the slide parts 23, 25 are injection-moulded plastic parts. Said plastic raw material may be, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyacetal. In the plastic raw material, substances improving its ultraviolet light radiation resistance, frost resistance, and/or strength/sliding properties may be added.

[0035] The hinge fitting 10 and guide fitting 11 are structurally very simple and therefore durable and maintenance-free. The hinge fitting 10 and guide fitting 11 are also simple to assemble by snapping the slide part 23, 25 around the corresponding support part 22, 24. In the hinge fitting 10 and guide fitting 11 of the figures, the outer diameter of the second support part 24 is adapted to be smaller than the outer diameter of the first support part 22, whereby the first slide part 23 may be adapted in connection with the first support part 22 past the second support part 24.

[0036] The outer periphery of the support part 22, 24 may comprise one or more protrusions or recesses where a corresponding recess or protrusion on the inner periphery of the slide part 23, 25 sets with a clearance so that the support part 22, 24 may rotate or turn in relation to a stationary slide part 23, 25 or vice versa. The bottom surface 22', 24' of the outer periphery of the support part 22, 24 forms a circumferential support surface against which a circumferential upward surface 23', 25' on the slide part 23, 25 is set with a clearance when the slide part 23, 25 is fastened to the support part 22, 24.

[0037] In a usage situation, the first slide part 23 around the first support part 22 of the hinge fitting 10 and guide fitting 11 is set to be supported by the first support shelves 16, 18 of the bottom rail 8 so that the bevel surfaces 26 on the bottom surface of the first slide part 23, on opposite sides of the slide part 23, set against the bevel surfaces 16', 18' of the first support shelves 16, 18. Correspondingly, the second slide part 25 around the second support part 24 of the hinge fitting 10 and guide fitting 11 is set to be supported by the second support shelves 17, 19 of the bottom rail 8 so that the bevel surfaces 26 on the bottom surface of the second slide part 25, on opposite sides of the slide part 25, set against the bevel surfaces 17', 19' of the second support shelves 17, 19. In such a case, the slide parts 23, 25 and through them the hinge fitting 10 and guide fitting 11, and further the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" fixed to them are firmly set to be supported by the bottom rail 8, and the weight of the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" rests, through the hinge fitting 10 and guide fitting 11 support parts 22, 24 and the slide parts 23, 25 surrounding them, on the supports shelves 16, 17, 18, 19 of the bottom rail 8 so that the slide element 23, 25 cannot detach from its fixing to the corresponding support part 23, 25, because the circumferential upward surface 23', 25' on the slide part 23, 25 sets against the bottom surface 22', 24' on the outer periphery of the support part 22, 24.

[0038] When the movable glass pane element 2', 2" is moved along the bottom rail 8, the support parts 22, 24 and slide parts 23, 25 of the hinge fitting 10 and guide fitting 11 guide, through the support shelves 16, 17, 18, 19 of the bottom rail 8, the travel of the glass pane element 2', 2" in the longitudinal direction of the bottom rail 8. As the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" moves, the slide parts 23, 25 are sliding on the support shelves 16, 17, 18, 19 of the bottom rail 8, said slide parts 23, 25 thus replacing the wheel arrangements used previously in connection with movable glass pane elements. The support parts 22, 24 with the slide parts 23, 25 placed around them establish a very reliable and maintenance-free solution for moving glass pane elements in the horizontal direction.

[0039] Figure 13 is a schematic top view of the portion on the rear edge 6 side of the first glass pane element 2, and its locking to the bottom rail 8 when the glass pane element 2 is in the open position. Figure 14 is a schematic top view of both the portion on the rear edge 6 side of the first glass pane element 2 and its locking to the bottom rail 8, and the portion on the rear edge 6 side of the second glass pane element 2' and its locking to the bottom rail 8 when the glass pane elements 2, 2' are in the open position. Insofar as the second glass pane element 2' and the third glass pane element 2" are not shown in Figures 13 and 14, the support of the second glass pane element 2' and the third glass pane element 2" to the bottom rail 8 correspond with what is shown in Figures 13 and 14. For the sake of clarity, Figure 13 and 14 only show the bottom of the bottom rail 8.

[0040] Still referring to Figures 13 and 14, there is arranged at the bottom rail 8 end on the side of the rear edge 6 of the first glass pane element 2, in connection with the bottom of the bottom rail 8, a locking comb 28, originally separate from the bottom rail 8 but fixed to it. The locking comb 28 comprises locking slots 29, adapted at a distance from each other, in the examples of Figures 13 and 14 schematically only two locking slots 29, 29', that is, a first locking slot 29 and a second locking slot 29'. The locking slots 29, 29' are adapted to receive the locking part 27 at the bottom part of the hinge fitting 10 and both to guide, through said locking part 27, the turning of the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" in relation to the vertical turning axis 12 defined by the hinge fitting 10 of the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" and to lock in place, through said locking part 27, the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" turned in its open position shown in Figures 13 and 14, so that the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" turned in the open position cannot be moved along the bottom rail 8 in the longitudinal direction of the bottom rail 8. As the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" is turned, the hinge fitting 10 body 20, support parts 22, 24, and locking part 27 rotate in relation to the slide parts 23, 25 remaining stationary against the support shelves 16, 17, 18, 19 of the bottom rail 8. So, the slide parts 23, 25 remain in place against the bevel surfaces 16', 17', 18', 19' of the support shelves 16, 17, 18, 19 thanks to the bevels 26 of the slide parts 23, 25.

[0041] As the glazing arrangement 1 is being assembled, the glass pane element intended closest to one edge of the glazing, so in this case the first glass pane element 2 which is intended to turn, only, but not to be movable along the rails 8, 9, is locked in place through the locking comb 28. This takes place so that the first glass pane element 2 is adapted to be supported by the bottom rail 8 so that the locking part 27 of the hinge fitting 10 on the first glass pane element 2 is positioned at the first locking slot 29 adjacent the edge of the glazing closest to the end of the bottom rail 8. After this, next to said locking slot 29, a locking piece 30 separate from the locking element 28 but compatible with it, is fastened to the locking element 28, on the side facing away from the aforementioned end of the bottom rail 8. The locking piece 30 blocks the locking part 27 of the hinge fitting 10 on the first glass pane element 2 at said first locking slot 29 so that the hinge fitting 10 of the first glass pane element 2 cannot move away from said first locking slot 29. This means that the first glass pane element 2 cannot be moved along the bottom rail 8, but only turned in relation to its vertical turning axis 12, guided by the edges of the locking slot 29. When the first glass pane element 2 is being installed, it is usually necessary, anyhow, to move it to some extent while supported by the bottom rail.

[0042] Figure 14 shows the glazing arrangement 1 in such a usage situation in which the first glass pane element 2 has been turned in its opened position and the second glass pane element 2' has been moved towards the first glass pane element 2 to such an extent that the hinge fitting 10 fixed to the bottom strip 4 of the second glass pane element 2' has ended up at the second locking slot 29' in the locking element 28 and where the second glass pane element 2' has further been turned in relation to its vertical turning axis 12 so that the locking part 27 on the hinge fitting 10 of the second glass pane element 2' has ended up inside the second locking slot 29. In this opened position of the second glass pane element 2', the second glass pane element 2' is locked to the locking element 28 through the hinge fitting 10 on the second glass pane element 2' so that the second glass pane element 2' cannot be moved along the bottom rail 8 to the right in Figure 14 when it is in the opened position. The movable glass pane element 2', 2" is locked in the horizontal direction of the bottom rail 8 to the locking comb 28 when the glass pane element 2', 2" has been turned open by a few degrees. To allow the turning of the glass pane elements 2, 2', 2", an opening 31, known per se and shown schematically in Figure 1, is formed in the second wall 14 of the bottom rail 8, through which the guide fitting 11 close to the front edge 7 of the glass pane element 2, 2', 2" can move to uncouple from the bottom rail 8. Said opening 31 is achieved by removing the portion above the horizontal dotted line 32 shown schematically in Figure 4 in the second wall 14, from the second wall 14 at said opening 31.

[0043] The hinge fitting 10 and guide fitting 11 according to the above description may be used, in addition to balcony glazing on top of balcony railings, also in terrace glazing extending from floor to ceiling, balcony glazing, or in glazing that forms at least part of an external wall, and in addition to these, also in partition wall structures or internal door structures which comprise a plurality of adjacent elements. The elements of these partition walls or internal doors are not necessarily glass pane elements, but they may be elements made of an opaque material. Furthermore, the hinge fitting 10 and possibly guide fitting 11 may also be used in an arrangement, such as a side edge of balcony glazing, which in its horizontal longitudinal direction only comprises one horizontally fixed element but turnable in relation to its vertical turning axis, but not a single element movable in the horizontal direction.

[0044] A person skilled in the art will find it obvious that, as technology advances, the basic idea of the invention may be implemented in many different ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not restricted to the above-described examples but may vary within the scope of the claims. The disclosed hinge fitting and guide fitting are intended to the adapted in connection with a bottom rail, in particular, but they may be utilized in connection with a top rail as well, depending on the implementation of the top rail. The hinge fitting and guide fitting may also comprise one support part, only, whereby the bottom rail and possibly top rail may correspondingly have only one support shelf corresponding to the support part, supported by which the support part of the fitting is placed. Further, the hinge fitting and guide fitting may also comprise more than two support parts whereby the bottom rail and possibly top rail may correspondingly have a number of support shelves corresponding to the number of support parts.

Claims

1. A fitting (10, 11) to support an element (2, 2', 2") turnable in relation to a substantially vertical axis (12), and/or movable in the substantially horizontal direction, the fitting (10, 11) comprising a body (20) of the fitting (10, 11), to be directed substantially vertically, at least one arm part (21) to fix the fitting (10, 11) to the element (2, 2', 2"), and at least one support part (22, 24) to support the element (2, 2', 2") to be fixed to the fitting (10, 11) at its installation location, characterised in that
the at least one arm part (21) and at least one support part (22, 24) of the fitting (10, 11) are of one integral part with the body (20) of the fitting (10, 11), and in that
in connection with the support part (22, 24) there is adapted at least one slide part (23, 25) to move the element (2, 2', 2") horizontally, and in that
the support part (22, 24) has a substantially circular shape, and the slide part (23, 25) is a ring adapted with a clearance around the support part (22, 24) and rotating in relation to the support part (22, 24).

2. A fitting as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the fitting (10, 11) comprises two support parts (22, 24) that are of one uniform structure with the body (20) of the fitting (10, 11), and a slide part (23, 25) adapted in connection with both support parts (22, 24), and in that the support parts (22, 24) are adapted at a distance from each other in the substantially vertical longitudinal direction of the body (20) of the fitting (10, 11).

3. A fitting as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the fitting (10) further comprises a locking part (27) which is adapted on the opposite side of the support part (22, 24) in relation to the arm part (21) of the fitting (10), and which is of one uniform part with the body (11) of the fitting (10), and by which the element (2, 2', 2") may be locked in place in the horizontal direction to turn the element (2, 2', 2") in relation to the vertical axis (12) formed by the fitting (10).

4. A fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is on the bottom surface of the slide part (23, 25) at least one bevel (26) directed downward from the outer periphery of the slide part (23, 25) towards the centre of the slide part (23, 25).

5. A fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the body (20) of the fitting (10, 11) comprises a first end (20') and a second end (20") opposite to the first end, and in that the arm part (21) is adapted to the first end (20') of the body (20) of the fitting (10, 11), and said at least one support part (22, 24) is adapted at a distance from the first end (20') of the body (20) of the fitting (10, 11).

6. A fitting as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the locking part (27) is adapted to the second end (20") of the body (20) of the fitting (10).

7. A fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the arm part (21) of the fitting (10, 11) is adapted on the body (20) of the fitting (10, 11) in substantially the direction of the normal of the body (20) of the fitting (10, 11).

8. A fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the body (20), arm part (21), said at least one support part (22, 24) and locking part (27) of the fitting (10, 11) are of one uniform structure pressure die-cast of aluminium.

9. A fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the slide part (23, 25) is plastic.

10. An arrangement comprising at least one element which is at least turnable in relation to a substantially vertical turning axis,
characterised in that the element (2, 2', 2") has at least one fitting (10, 11) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 adapted to at least the bottom part of the element (2, 2', 2").

11. An arrangement as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the arrangement comprises at least two elements (2, 2', 2") adapted adjacently, of which at least one element (2) is at least turnable in relation to a substantially vertical turning axis (12), and at least one other element (2', 2") is both movable in the substantially horizontal direction and turnable in relation to the substantially vertical turning axis (12),
a bottom rail (8) adapted in connection with a bottom part of said elements (2, 2', 2") to support said elements (2, 2', 2") and to guide the movement of movable elements (2, 2', 2") on the bottom part of the elements (2, 2', 2"), and
a top rail (9) adapted in connection with a top part of said elements (2, 2', 2") to support the top part of said elements (2, 2', 2") and to guide the movement of movable elements (2, 2', 2") on the top part of the elements (2, 2', 2"), and in that
each element (2, 2', 2") has at least one fitting (10, 11) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 adapted to at least the bottom part of the element (2, 2', 2").

12. An arrangement as claimed in claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the bottom rail (8) comprises support shelves (16, 17, 18, 19) corresponding to each support part (22, 24) of the fitting (10, 11), which are adapted, facing each other, on opposite sides of the bottom rail (8) in the width direction of the bottom rail (8), supported by which the support part (22, 24) of the fitting (10, 11) is adapted.

13. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that there is adapted, in connection with the bottom rail (8), a locking comb (28) which comprises locking slots (29, 29'), arranged at a distance from each other, to receive the locking part (27) of the fitting (10) and both to guide, through said locking part (27), the turning of the element (2, 2', 2") in relation to its vertical turning axis (12) and to lock in place, through said locking part (27), the element (2, 2', 2") turned in relation to its vertical turning axis (12) on the bottom rail (8).

14. An arrangement as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that the locking part (27) of the fitting (10), adapted on at least the turnable element (2), is adapted at a specific locking slot (29) of the locking comb (28) and locked in place in the longitudinal direction (L) of the bottom rail (8) with a locking piece (30) separately fixed next to said locking slot (29).

15. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, characterised in that the arrangement is terrace glazing extending from floor to ceiling, balcony glazing, or glazing forming at least a part of an exterior wall, or balcony glazing on top of a balcony railing.

Drawing