The present invention relates to a profiled element for terraces and balconies.

In the present description, terms relating to orientation in space, such as "low", "lower", "upper", "internal" or "external", refer to the configuration for use of the profiled element.

Nowadays, it is common to use profiled elements to be laid along the outer perimeter of terraces or balconies in order to protect the edges of the terrace/balcony and to ensure proper downward water drainage.

Generally, such profiled elements are provided with:

- a perforated wing for anchoring to the balcony, above which the tiles are laid, which ensures the fixing of the profiled element to the supporting element and is provided with a line of drainage openings for any water that may have filtered under the tiles,

- a front portion adapted to be positioned in front of the outer edge of the flooring with sealant interposed,

- a drip lip, constituted by a drip bead that protrudes outward at the lowest point of the profiled element, with the purpose of slowing down the water and directing it outward, in order to make the water drip away from the walls, facilitating its vertical descent.

This background art has some drawbacks.

In fact, such profiled elements can be installed during the building of terraces and balconies but cannot be applied to existing structures, because it would be necessary to remove the tiles.

In order to overcome these drawbacks, profiled elements are commercially available which have:

- a wing for anchoring to the vertical edge of the terrace or balcony, having a substantially vertical extension,

- an upper portion, extending from the upper end of the wing and slightly inclined downward with respect to the plane of arrangement of the tiles of the terrace/balcony, in order to facilitate water drainage

- a front portion, extending downward from the upper portion and substantially parallel to the anchoring wing,

- a drip lip, constituted by a drip bead that protrudes outward at the lowest point of the front portion, with the purpose of slowing down the water and directing it outward, in order to make the water drip away from the walls, facilitating its vertical descent.

This background art, too, is not without drawbacks.

First of all, in such profiled elements, the drip bead is often, especially for large amounts of water, not sufficient to ensure a vertical descent of the water, which tends instead to move toward the vertical wall below the terrace.

Moreover, although such profiled elements can be applied to existing structures, they cannot be applied under-threshold, i.e., under the threshold of the floor on structures that are provided with a floor that protrudes with respect to the vertical walls of the balcony/terrace, for example, in terraces provided with a border paving slab, on the edge and protruding with respect to the fascia of said terrace.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a profiled element for terraces and balconies which is capable of avoiding the drawbacks of the background art in one or more of the above mentioned aspects.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a profiled element for terraces and balconies that can be applied to existing structures, even under-threshold.

Another object of the invention is to provide a profiled element for terraces and balconies that is able to prevent the return of water toward the wall, even in the event of a considerable amount of water.

A further object of the invention is to provide a profiled element for terraces and balconies that can be applied under-threshold, adapting to the structure. A further object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in a manner that is alternative to any existing solutions.

Not least object of the invention is to provide a profiled element for terraces and balconies that is highly reliable, relatively easy to provide and at competitive costs.

This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a profiled element for terraces and balconies, characterized in that it comprises:

- a wing for anchoring to the vertical edge of a terrace or balcony, said wing having a substantially vertical extension,

- an upper portion, which extends on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of arrangement of said anchoring wing,

- a front portion, which extends downward from said upper portion and is substantially parallel to said anchoring wing,

- a drip lip, at the lower end of said front portion, constituted by a contoured element which extends downward and comprises, at the lower end, at least one first raised portion and at least one second raised portion, which is lower than said first raised portion, said first raised portion and said second raised portion protruding downward and outward with respect to said front portion.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments, of the profiled element for terraces and balconies, according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a profiled element for terraces and balconies, according to the invention;

Figure 2 is perspective view of a portion of the profiled element for terraces and balconies of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the profiled element for terraces and balconies of Figure 1 in a configuration for use;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a profiled element for terraces and balconies, according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of a profiled element for terraces and balconies, according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a profiled element for terraces and balconies, according to the invention;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a profiled element for terraces and balconies, according to the invention.

With reference to the figures, a profiled element for terraces and balconies, according to the invention, in a first embodiment, is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

Such profiled element 10 is adapted for anchoring to the edge of a terrace and/or balcony and/or under the sill of windows and/or other structures provided with flat pavings such as marbles or ceramics, where a protrusion is provided which acts as an edge.

The profiled element 10 is made of extruded aluminum.

In constructive variations, the profiled element 10 can be made of plastic and/or metallic material.

The profiled element 10 comprises:

- a wing 11 for anchoring to the vertical edge 12 of a terrace or balcony 13 (or window sill), the wing 11 having a substantially vertical extension,

- an upper portion 14, which extends on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of arrangement of the anchoring wing 11 ,

- a front portion 15, which extends downward from the upper portion 14 and is substantially parallel to the anchoring wing 11,

- a drip lip 16, at the lower end of the front portion 15, constituted by a contoured element which extends downward and comprises, at the lower end, at least one first raised portion 17 and at least one second raised portion 18, which is lower than the first raised portion 17.

The first raised portion 17 and the second raised portion 18 protrude downward and outward with respect to the front portion 15.

It should be noted that the presence of the second raised portion in the drip lip allows to avoid the return of the water toward the wall even in case of a considerable amount of water.

The profiled element 10 has an inclined portion 19 which is comprised between the anchoring wing 11 and the upper portion 14 and is inclined with respect to both.

The upper portion 14 has, on its upper surface, a plurality of first longitudinal incisions 20, which are constituted by longitudinal grooves or hollows, in order to facilitate the mechanical anchoring of an adhesive 21 and/or of a connecting strip, of a known type.

The anchoring wing 11 has:

- on the surface 23, directed toward the front portion 15, one or more longitudinal guides 22, formed by corresponding grooves, which are adapted to facilitate the perforation of the profiled element 10 to fix the wing 11 to a structure by means of fixing elements such as screws and/or screw anchors and/or nails and/or the like,

- on the surface 25, which is opposite to the preceding surface (surface 23), a plurality of second longitudinal incisions 26, which are constituted by longitudinal grooves or hollows, in order to facilitate the mechanical anchoring of an adhesive of a known type.

In constructive variations of the profiled element 10, not shown in the figures, the profiled element does not have the first longitudinal incisions 20 and/or the second longitudinal incisions 26.

Advantageously, the profiled element 10 can be provided with a front joining element 29, which is adapted to be applied to the outer surface of the front portion 15 and is shaped at least partially complementarily thereto and to the first raised portion 17 and the second raised portion 18.

Such front joining element 29 is adapted to connect, in the configuration for use, two consecutive profiled elements 10.

The drip lip 16 has a longitudinal tab 40 which extends in the direction of the upper portion 14, parallel to the front portion 15, and forms a recess 41 between the tab 40 and said front portion 15.

Advantageously, the profiled element 10 can be provided with an internal connecting element 42 which is adapted to be applied inside the profiled element 10 and is at least partly shaped complementarily to:

- the surface 23 of the wing 11 that is directed toward the front portion 15,

- and/or the internal surface of the inclined portion 19,

- and/or the lower surface of the upper portion 14,

- and/or the surface of the front portion 15 that is directed toward the inclined portion 19 and/or toward the anchoring wing 11,

- and/or the recess 41.

The recess 41 is adapted to accommodate a complementarily shaped portion 43 of the internal connecting element 42.

The internal connecting element 42 is adapted to connect, in the configuration for use, two consecutive profiled elements 10.

Figure 3 shows, in cross-section, an application for use of the profiled element 10.

In this application, the profiled element 10 is used on an existing structure and is applied under the threshold.

In particular:

- the wing 11 of the profiled element 10 is fixed to the fascia 27 of the balcony 13 by means of screws 24, after perforation of the wing 11 at the longitudinal guide 22,

- the upper portion 14 is fixed to the border paving slab 28, below it, for example by means of a layer of adhesive 21. It should be noted that in the profiled element 10, the anchoring wing 11 and the upper portion 14, which is substantially perpendicular to the former, allow it to be easily applied under the threshold.

Furthermore, the presence of the inclined portion 19 between the anchoring wing 11 and the upper portion 14 allows the profiled element 10 an under-threshold application even in structures in which in the interface region 30 between the fascia 27 and the border paving slab 28, the surface of the fascia 27 is not perfectly perpendicular to the latter.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a profiled element for terraces and balconies, according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 110.

The profiled element 110 is made of extruded aluminum.

In constructive variations, the profiled element 110 can be made of plastic and/or metallic material.

The profiled element 110 comprises:

- a wing 111 for anchoring to the vertical edge of a terrace or balcony, said wing 111 having a substantially vertical extension,

- an upper portion 114, which extends on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of arrangement of the anchoring wing 111 and starting from it,

- a front portion 115, which extends downward from the upper portion 114 and is substantially parallel to the anchoring wing 111,

- a drip lip 116, at the lower end of the front portion 115, constituted by a contoured element which extends downward and comprises, at the lower end, at least one first raised portion 117 and at least one second raised portion 118, which is lower than the first raised portion 117.

The first raised portion 117 and the second raised portion 118 protrude downward and outward with respect to the front portion 115.

In a constructive variation, not shown in the figures, the upper portion 114 has, on its upper surface, a plurality of first longitudinal incisions, constituted by longitudinal grooves or hollows, in order to facilitate the mechanical anchoring of an adhesive and/or a connecting strip, of a known type.

The anchoring wing 111 has:

- on the surface 123, directed toward the front portion 115, one or more longitudinal guides 122, formed by corresponding grooves, which are adapted to facilitate the perforation of the profiled element 110 to fix the wing 111 to a structure by means of fixing elements such as screws and/or screw anchors and/or nails and/or the like,

- on the surface 125, which is opposite the preceding surface (surface 123), a plurality of second longitudinal incisions 126, which are constituted by longitudinal grooves or hollows, in order to facilitate the mechanical anchoring of an adhesive of a known type.

In constructive variations of the profiled element 110, not shown in the figures, the profiled element does not have the second longitudinal incisions 126.

Advantageously, the profiled element 110 can be provided with a front joining element 129, which is adapted to be applied to the outer surface of the front portion 115 and is shaped at least partially complementarily thereto and to the first raised portion 117 and the second raised portion 118.

Such front joining element 129 is adapted to connect, in the configuration for use, two consecutive profiled elements 110.

Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of a profiled element for terraces and balconies, according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 210.

The profiled element 210 is made of extruded aluminum.

In constructive variations, the profiled element 210 can be made of plastic and/or metallic material.

The profiled element 210 comprises: - a wing 211 for anchoring to the vertical edge of a terrace or balcony, said wing 211 having a substantially vertical extension,

- an upper portion 214, which extends on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of arrangement of the anchoring wing 211 and starting from it,

- a front portion 215, which extends downward from the upper portion 214 and is substantially parallel to the anchoring wing 211,

- a drip lip 216, at the lower end of the front portion 215, constituted by a contoured element which extends downward and comprises, at the lower end, at least one first raised portion 217 and at least one second raised portion 218, which is lower than the first raised portion 217.

The first raised portion 217 and the second raised portion 218 protrude downward and outward with respect to the front portion 215.

In a constructive variation, not shown in the figures, the upper portion 214 has, on its upper surface, a plurality of first longitudinal incisions, constituted by longitudinal grooves or hollows, in order to facilitate the mechanical anchoring of an adhesive and/or a connecting strip, of a known type.

The anchoring wing 211 has:

- on the surface 223, directed toward the front portion 215, one or more longitudinal guides 222, formed by corresponding grooves, which are adapted to facilitate the perforation of the profiled element 210 to fix the wing 211 to a structure by means of fixing elements such as screws and/or screw anchors and/or nails and/or the like,

- on the surface 225, which is opposite to the preceding surface (surface 223), a plurality of second longitudinal incisions 226, which are constituted by longitudinal grooves or hollows, in order to facilitate the mechanical anchoring of an adhesive of a known type.

In constructive variations of the profiled element 210, not shown in the figures, the profiled element does not have the second longitudinal incisions 226.

The profiled element 210 has, below the upper portion 214, between the wing 211 and the front portion 215, and adjacent to the latter and/or to the drip lip 216, a longitudinal seat 231 for the insertion/engagement of one or more accessories, such as a connecting element 232 at least partially shaped complementarily to the longitudinal seat 231 and to the second raised portion 218.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a profiled element for terraces and balconies, according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 310.

The profiled element 310 is made of extruded aluminum.

In constructive variations, the profiled element 310 can be made of plastic and/or metallic material.

The profiled element 310 comprises:

- a wing 311 for anchoring to the vertical edge of a terrace or balcony, said wing 311 having a substantially vertical extension,

- an upper portion 314, which extends on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of arrangement of the anchoring wing 311,

- a front portion 315, which extends downward from the upper portion 314 and is substantially parallel to the anchoring wing 311,

- a drip lip 316, at the lower end of the front portion 315, constituted by a contoured element which extends downward and comprises, at the lower end, at least one first raised portion 317 and at least one second raised portion 318, which is lower than the first raised portion 317.

The first raised portion 317 and the second raised portion 318 protrude downward and outward with respect to the front portion 315.

The profiled element 310 has an inclined portion 319 which is comprised between the anchoring wing 311 and the upper portion 314 and is inclined with respect to both.

At the interface line between the upper portion 314 and the inclined portion 319, the profiled element 310 has a first longitudinal joint 333 which is formed by a longitudinal recess along the same interface line between the upper portion 314 and the inclined portion 319, which is directed downward and/or toward the front portion 315.

At the interface line between the wing 311 and the inclined portion 319, the profiled element 310 has a second longitudinal joint 334 which is formed by a longitudinal recess along the same interface line between the wing 311 and the inclined portion 319, which is directed downward and/or toward the front portion 315.

The first longitudinal joint 333 and the second longitudinal joint 334 are weakened regions of the profiled element 310 which allow to bend and thus vary the inclination of the inclined portion 319 with respect to the upper portion 314 and/or the wing 311, at the same time allowing the profiled element 310 to adapt to the structure to which it is to be applied, depending on how much the border paving slab and/or the floor protrudes, with respect to the fascia.

In a constructive variation, not shown in the figures, the upper portion 314 has, on its upper surface, a plurality of first longitudinal incisions, constituted by longitudinal grooves or hollows, in order to facilitate the mechanical anchoring of an adhesive and/or a connecting strip of a known type.

The anchoring wing 311 has, on the surface 323 directed toward the front portion 315, one or more longitudinal guides 322, formed by corresponding grooves, which are adapted to facilitate the perforation of the profiled element 310 to fix the wing 311 to a structure by means of fixing elements such as screws and/or screw anchors and/or nails and/or the like.

In a constructive variation, not shown in the figures, the wing 311 has, on the surface 325, which is opposite to the preceding surface (surface 323), a plurality of second longitudinal incisions, which are constituted by longitudinal grooves or recesses, in order to facilitate the mechanical anchoring of an adhesive of a known type.

Advantageously, the profiled element 310 can be provided with a front joining element 329, which is adapted to be applied to the outer surface of the front portion 315 and is shaped at least partially complementarily thereto and to the first raised portion 317 and to the second raised portion 318.

The front joining element 329 is adapted to connect, in the configuration for use, two consecutive profiled elements 310.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a profiled element for terraces and balconies, according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 410.

The profiled element 410 is made of extruded aluminum.

In constructive variations, the profiled element 410 can be made of plastic and/or metallic material.

The profiled element 410 comprises:

- a wing 411 for anchoring to the vertical edge of a terrace or balcony, said wing 411 having a substantially vertical extension,

- an upper portion 414, which extends on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of arrangement of the anchoring wing 411,

- a front portion 415, which extends downward from the upper portion 414 and is substantially parallel to the anchoring wing 411,

- a drip lip 416, at the lower end of the front portion 415, constituted by a contoured element which extends downward and comprises, at the lower end, at least one first raised portion 417 and at least one second raised portion 418, which is lower than the first raised portion 417.

The first raised portion 417 and the second raised portion 418 protrude downward and outward with respect to the front portion 415.

The profiled element 410 has an inclined portion 419 which is comprised between the anchoring wing 411 and the upper portion 414, and is inclined with respect to both. At the interface line between the upper portion 414 and the inclined portion 419, the profiled element 410 has a first longitudinal joint 433 which is formed by a longitudinal recess along the same interface line between the upper portion 414 and the inclined portion 419, which is directed downward and/or toward the front portion 415.

At the interface line between the wing 411 and the inclined portion 419, the profiled element 410 has a second longitudinal joint 434 which is formed by a longitudinal recess along the same interface line between the wing 411 and the inclined portion 419, which is directed downward and/or toward the front portion 415.

The first longitudinal joint 433 and the second longitudinal joint 434 are weakened regions of the profiled element 410 which allow to bend and thus vary the inclination of the inclined portion 419 with respect to the upper portion 414 and/or the wing 411, at the same time allowing the profiled element 410 to adapt to the structure to which it is to be applied, depending on how much the border paving slab and/or the floor protrudes with respect to the front..

In a constructive variation, not shown in the figures, the upper portion 414 has, on its upper surface, a plurality of first longitudinal incisions, constituted by longitudinal grooves or hollows, in order to facilitate the mechanical anchoring of an adhesive and/or a connecting strip, of a known type.

The anchoring wing 411 has, on the surface 423 directed toward the front portion 415, one or more longitudinal guides 422, formed by corresponding grooves, which are adapted to facilitate the perforation of the profiled element 410 to fix the wing 411 to a structure by means of fixing elements such as screws and/or screw anchors and/or nails and/or the like.

In a constructive variation, not shown in the figures, the wing 411 has, on the surface 425, which is opposite the previous surface (surface 423), a plurality of second incisions, which are constituted by longitudinal grooves or hollows, in order to facilitate the mechanical anchoring of an adhesive of a known type.

The profiled element 410 has, below the upper portion 414, between the wing 411 and the front portion 415, and adjacent to the latter and/or to the drip lip 416, a longitudinal seat 431 for the insertion/engagement of one or more accessories, such as a connecting element 432 which is at least partially shaped complementarily to the longitudinal seat 431 and to the second raised portion 418.

It should be noted that in a profiled element 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, according to the invention, the anchoring wing 11, 111, 211, 311, 411 and the upper portion 14, 114, 214, 314, 414, which is substantially perpendicular to the former, allow it to be easily applied under the threshold, on already existing structures.

It should also be noted that the presence of the second raised portion in the drip lip of all the embodiments of the profiled element for terraces and balconies, according to the invention, allows to avoid the return of the water toward the wall even in the event of a considerable amount of water.

In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, providing a profiled element for terraces and balconies that can be applied on already existing structures, even under the threshold.

The invention provides a profiled element for terraces and balconies that is able to avoid the return of water toward the wall, even in the event of a considerable amount of water, more than similar profiled elements of a known type.

Moreover, the invention provides a profile for terraces and balconies that can be applied under the threshold, adapting to the structure.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102022000005678 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.