Constructive arrangement applied to self-locking glass locks for enclosing balconies and verandas

Abstract

The present patent application relates to a self-locking glass lock (1) comprising a prismatic rail (R) with an isosceles trapezoidal base along most of its entire length and a cylindrical rail (CR) at its ends, two locks (T1 and T2) and interconnecting elements, such as a pair of tips (PT) and a pair of supports (S) for fixing it to the structure of the building, wherein the distinguishing feature of the glass lock (1) proposed herein is the practicality of automatically and instantaneously locking the glass panels (P) which are juxtaposed in one of the corners of the balcony opening without the need to loosen or tighten knobs with screws which require frequent maintenances or replacements, as well as the advantage of allowing the total immobilisation of the last panel (P1) to be closed (the first to be opened) at the desired angle between fully open (90 degrees) and fully closed (zero degrees), so that the wind passing through it is safely controlled. The present patent pertains to the construction industry field, more particularly, it applies to glass panels on residential, commercial balconies and the like.

Description

CONSTRUCTION DISPOSITION INTRODUCED IN SELF-LOCKING GLASS LOCKS FOR ENCLOSING BALCONIES AND VILLAS BRIEF PRESENTATION

[0001] This patent application refers to a glass lock for closing balconies and terraces, the difference being that it is an instant locking system, extremely practical, which allows the retention of any number of articulated glass panels of the European system or similar in the open position at 90 degrees, without the need for the use of handles with screws, in addition to allowing its user to choose the opening angle of the last panels to be closed at intermediate angles between fully open (90 degrees) and fully closed (zero degrees) and having seven working parts: a rail, two locks, two ends and two supports. FIELD OF APPLICATION

[0002] The present patent has its field of application focused more particularly on civil construction, being indicated for the containment of articulated glass panels in the separation of environments or protection of balconies and verandas, residential or commercial. PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED

[0003] Balcony and veranda enclosures with a variable number of tempered or laminated glass panels are increasingly being used these days. These panels can be moved horizontally supported by pulleys that run inside metal profiles that serve as tracks, or sliding on a high-density polymer on tracks installed at the top and bottom of the balcony span and, at the end of the course, can be articulated vertically in the well-known “European system”, or “glass curtain”.

[0004] When, at the end of the course, they are articulated to be juxtaposed in one of the corners, each panel is supported by only one of the sides, hanging like flags, which leaves them with 90 degrees free to be moved by the winds and, therefore, there is a need for effective locking of these panels. STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

[0005] The locks currently known consist of a mobile lock, equipped with a handle with a fixing screw, which runs along a fixed cylindrical tubular rail to be positioned in the place where it must fulfill its locking role.

[0006] For the said lock to be put into action, three actions are necessary: ​​a handle must be loosened, the lock must be positioned and the handle must be tightened again, and tightened very tightly. Otherwise, because the rail is cylindrical, the lock will rotate around it and lose its effectiveness.

[0007] As a result, two conditions often occur, rendering the locking system useless: a) If the lock is moved too frequently, wear on the screw thread is inevitable due to the need for great force applied to the handle to properly secure the lock; b) If the lock is left unused for a long time, it is quite likely to become stuck due to oxidation, especially in places close to the sea.

[0008] Another disadvantage of conventional locking systems is that, when closing the glass curtain wall, the last panel (the first panel to be opened) cannot be immobilized at any angle between fully open (90 degrees) and fully closed (zero degrees), which would be crucial for controlling the amount of wind entering or exhausting the room. With the single lock available, conventional systems can only limit the opening angle or the closing angle, never both at the same time. In other words, if the lock limits the closing of the panel to angle "X," this panel will have a (90 - X) degree angle to be moved by the wind; if, on the contrary, the lock limits the opening of the panel to angle "Y," this panel will have a (90 - Y) degree freedom for the wind to use to force it to close. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[0009] This patent was developed with the aim of solving the problems inherent in the state of the art and, to this end, an instant self-locking glass lock was developed that does not require any tightening by means of a screw-type fastening element to provide its operation, thus eliminating the problems of jamming or wear of the threads of conventional screw-type fastening elements, in addition to providing practicality, as a gentle sliding of the lock along the rail to the position desired by the user is sufficient, so that one or more glass panels are properly locked when opened and juxtaposed in one of the corners of the opening.

[0010] The proposed window lock consists of a prismatic rail with an isosceles trapezoidal base in its largest extension and cylindrical at its ends, two structures that are fixed to the base frame of the building's opening and support the ends of the rail and a pair of small mobile towers, the locks themselves, whose cuboid bases are hollowed out by an opening with the same trapezoidal shape as the rail, through which the rail passes with a small and calculated clearance.

[0011] The combination of these locks with the rail with this trapezoidal shape allows the instant and safe locking of the windows, avoiding accidental closings, simply by sliding the lock (or locks, depending on the situation) to the desired point, without having to loosen or tighten any handle or screw. ADVANTAGES

[0012] This patent has the following advantages: It allows the user to adjust the opening angle of the last glass panel to be closed, which is extremely important, as it allows the passage of wind into or out of the room, as the panel remains immobilized at the desired angle without the risk of accidental closing or opening; The self-locking window lock provides practicality and convenience in its operation, making its use accessible to users of different skill levels; Because the rail has a cylindrical shape at its ends, the locks, which cannot come out of the vertical when they are located in the prismatic portion of the rail, positioned in these cylindrical parts, they can rotate downwards and allow free passage to the glass panels. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0013] Below, the figures are presented to better explain the patent application, in an illustrative and non-limiting manner: Figure 1: shows, from a top perspective, the self-locking glass lock mounted in a balcony opening to show its location in relation to the glass and frames with which it will be connected; Figure 2: Another top perspective view of the assembled self-locking window lock; Figure 3: shows the self-locking window lock exploded and in perspective; Figure 4: shows the lock itself in perspective, identifying its important parts; Figure 5: shows the lock itself in side, front, top and bottom projections; Figure 6: shows the rail in perspective, pointing out its main parts; Figure 7: shows the fixing support of the self-locking system to the base frame of the opening closed with a glass curtain, seen in perspective from three different angles, where the holes of interest are pointed out; Figure 8: shows, in greater detail, the lock-rail relationships under the action of gravity; Figure 9: shows the relationship between the lock and the rail when the force of gravity is canceled by applying light pressure from bottom to top on the base of the lock; Figure 10: shows tips that have a prismatic end with a trapezoidal base and another cylindrical end, separated by a projection that limits the insertion of the prismatic part of these tips into the internal part of the rail. DETAILED TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

[0014] The self-locking glass lock for closing balconies and terraces basically consists of four types of parts: a pair of supports (S), a pair of locks (T1 and T2), a rail (R) which, for the most part, is made up of a prismatic body with an isosceles trapezoidal base (PR) and cylindrical ends at the expense of a pair of tips (PT) firmly fitted into the hollow ends of the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR) which, from then on, behave like the cylindrical parts (CR) of the rail (R).

[0015] The relationship between the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR) and the locks (T1 and T2) is the basis for the operation of the self-locking glass lock (1) proposed here, which is intended to contain the glass panels (P) in the European or similar balcony closing system, which works as follows: each lock (T1 and T2) is passed through, with little and calculated clearance, by the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR) through an opening (OT) that each lock (T1 and T2) has in its base (BT), an opening that has the same trapezoidal shape as the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR), so that, while the lock (T1) or (T2) is in the prismatic body (PR) of the rail, it will not be able to rotate around it and will always remain with its tower (H) vertical, facing upwards.

[0016] The small clearance between the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR) and the trapezoidal opening (OT) of each lock (T) determines that, when at rest and under the action of Gravity (G), the internal side walls (PIT) of the lock (T) rest on the lateral faces (FLR) of the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR), like rider and horse (lock and rail, respectively), and, thanks to the narrowing in the upper part of the trapezoidal opening (OT) through which the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR) passes, the prismatic body (PR) of the rail will never touch the roof of said trapezoidal opening (OT), being, instead, pressed by the internal side walls (PIT) of the lock (T).

[0017] The operating principles of each self-locking lock (T), proposed here, are detailed in figures 8 and 9, where we see that the lock (T), under the action of gravity "G", rides on the prismatic body (PR) of the rail (R), placing its internal side walls (PIT) against the side faces (FLR) of the rail (PR), leaving no space (EL1) between them and not allowing it to be touched on its roof by the prismatic rail. trapezoidal (PR), because the upper face (FSR) of the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR) does not fit in that narrower part of the trapezoidal opening (OT) of the lock (T).

[0018] When a slight upward force is applied to the lower face of the latch (T), it rises relative to the prismatic body (PR) of the trapezoidal prismatic rail (R), offering the latter the widest part of its trapezoidal opening (OT). As a consequence, a space (EL2) opens between the inner wall (PIT) of the latch (T) and the side face (FLR) of the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR), eliminating the great friction that was there. As long as this condition remains, the latch (T) can be moved along the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR) very smoothly.

[0019] When applying a small pressure from the bottom upwards on the base (BT) of the lock (T), in addition to the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR) being positioned in the widest part of the trapezoidal opening (OT), the floor of this trapezoidal opening touches the lower face (FIR) of the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR) and, therefore, the lock (T) is kept vertical, a situation that is essential for its movement along the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR).

[0020] When the latch (T) is left in any position on the prismatic body (PR) of the rail (R), gravity "G" makes it "ride" the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR) again, pressing its inner side walls (PIT) against the side faces (FLR) of the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR) and, if any force is applied horizontally to the tower (H) of the latch (T), it will come off the vertical, which will cause the inner walls (PIT) of the latch (T) to tighten even more the side faces (FLR) of the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR), which will prevent its movement. The more the latch is forced to come off the vertical, the more it will tighten the rail.

[0021] The trapezoidal prismatic body (PR) of the rail (R) receives at each end the fitting of a ferrule (PT), which is incorporated into the rail (R) and becomes part of it as if they were a single piece. The pair of ferrules (PT) have a prismatic end with a trapezoidal base (PP) similar to the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR) with the appropriate dimensions for a firm fit inside the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR), and the other cylindrical end (CR), separated only by a projection (DIV), which is perfectly flush with the outside of the prismatic body. (PR); this cylindrical part is drilled transversely close to its end, through which the screw (PF) for fixing the support (S) of the rail (R) to the base frame of the opening to be closed will pass.

[0022] In time: The cylindrical part (CR) of each tip (PT) is only partially embedded (EM) in the side opening of the respective support (S), leaving part (EX) of the cylindrical segment (CR) exposed, which constitutes the cylindrical portion of the rail, where the lock (T1 or T2) is free to change position and rotate its tower (H) downwards and release the passage of the glass panels.

[0023] The supports (S) for fixing the rail to the base frame of the building have side holes (AR), upper holes (AP) with covers (TP) and lower holes (OPF).

[0024] The tips (PT) described above can be dispensed with if the choice is to produce the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR) in a single piece with this prismatic and cylindrical conformation. However, the pair of tips (PT), in addition to allowing the trapezoidal prismatic rail (PR) to be hollow, with a metal profile, allows it to be cut to the exact size required for each case, on the job site itself. Operation

[0025] Once installed in the base frame of the opening closed with a glass curtain using the European system or similar, the self-locking glass lock (1) provides practicality and safety, in addition to eliminating the need for additional manipulations, such as tightening or loosening knobs or screws. The glass lock (1) locking mechanism is activated automatically, simply by positioning the locking component (T1 or T2) in the desired location.

[0026] The self-locking glass lock (1) uses two locking elements: T1 and T2. Lock T2 is positioned close to the corner of the wall where the panels (P) will be overlapped, and does not actively participate in the locking process of said panels (P), a function reserved for lock T1. To lock the juxtaposed glass in the open position, lock T2 is positioned and remains in the corner with its tower (H) pointing downwards during articulation, sequential overlapping and locking the panels (P). Latch T1, at the other cylindrical end of the rail (R), is positioned with its tower downwards until the last panel to be locked is positioned. Then, latch T1, now with its tower upwards, receives slight upward pressure applied to its base (BT), as illustrated in Fig. 9, which results in its release so that it can slide smoothly along the rail and be positioned next to the last overlapping panel (P), and there securely contain the panels (P), thanks to the trapezoidal prismatic configuration of the rail (PR) and the equally trapezoidal hole (OT) of the latches (T1 and T2), which prevents the latches from moving horizontally when they leave the vertical, which is what happens when their rods are pressed horizontally by the contained glass panels.

[0027] In the European system, when the glass curtain wall is fully closed, the first panel (P1) to be opened is the one in the corner, right in front of the latch (T2). It is easily identified as the only one with a latch (TR), since the other panels (P) can only be opened after panel (P1) is opened. This condition of being the first panel (P1) to be opened gives it great importance, not only because it is the most used of all, but also because on windier days it is this panel that we use to control the wind that must pass into or out of the internal environment enclosed by the glass curtain wall.

[0028] It is through the opening angle of the panel (P1 ) that the volume of air per minute that must pass through it is controlled, although, very rarely, the angle of the second panel (P1 ) can also be used to complement this control. In fulfilling this purpose, the second lock (T2) gains importance, as it is what allows the immobilization of the panel (P1 ) and, if necessary, also the immobilization of the second panel (P) at intermediate angles between zero degrees (fully closed) and 90 degrees (fully open), opposing the lock (T1 ) and keeping the panel (or panels) to be immobilized between them.

[0029] In summary, the present patent, the glass lock (1), now claimed, was developed with a focus on safety, practicality and ease of use, in addition to offering a solution to adjust the opening angle of the glass panels (P) in a precise and safe manner.

Claims

CLAIM 1) CONSTRUCTION DISPOSITION INTRODUCED IN SELF-LOCKING GLASS LOCKERS FOR CLOSING BALCONIES AND BALCONIES, consists of a self-locking glass locker (1) intended for use in the European or similar system of glazing balcony or balcony openings in containing the glass panels (P) after they have been articulated and overlapped in one of the corners and, also, immobilizing the last glass panel (P) to be closed at intermediate angles between fully open (90 degrees) and fully closed (zero degrees), in which the glass locker (1) is characterized by being composed of a rail (R) with a prismatic shape with an isosceles trapezoidal base for the most part and cylindrical (CR) at its ends at the expense of a pair of ends firmly fitted therein;a pair of supports (S) which, fixed to the base frame of the building, support the rail (R) along which run two mobile structures - the locks themselves (T) - which are made up of a cuboid base (BT) topped by a rod (H) which is long enough to touch the lower edge of the glass panels (P) and passed through their bases (BT), with little and calculated clearance, by the rail through a hole (OT) which is also trapezoidal and which, due to the shape of this hole (OT) which follows the trapezoidal shape of the rail (R), has two consequences: the first is that such locks (T1 and T2) cannot rotate around the rail and their rods must be kept vertical and facing upwards, unless they are positioned at the cylindrical ends (CR) of the rail (R), where such locks (T1 and T2) can rotate freely;the second is that, with a lock (T) resting on the prismatic part (PR) of the track (R), if any force is exerted horizontally on the rods (H), the lock (T) comes out of the vertical and, in this condition, the side walls (PIT) of the hole (OT) squeeze the side faces of the track, preventing the lock (T) from moving.;

Images