Technical Field

The present invention concerns a sliding shutter arrangement comprising a first sliding shutter, which is horizontally displaceable along a first path and comprises a first pane mounted in an outer frame, said pane being rotatable around a vertical pivot axis, which runs along a vertical side edge of the pane, in relation to the outer frame between a closed position, in which the pane is aligned with the first path, and an open position, in which the pane is rotated away from the first path, a first side stop, against which a lower side edge of the first pane abuts when the pane is in its closed position, and a second sliding shutter, which is horizontally displaceable along a second path and comprises a second pane mounted in an outer frame, said pane being rotatable around a vertical pivot axis, which runs along a vertical side edge of the pane, in relation to the outer frame between a closed position, in which the pane is aligned with the second path, and an open position, in which the pane is rotated away from the second path.

Prior Art

A sliding shutter arrangement of this kind can be used in numerous applications, such as for instance in glazing of balconies or patios.

A sliding window arrangement, forming part of a balcony glazing, is known from SE 529 745. However, this sliding window arrangement has shown to be less suited in some applications. Summary of the Invention

The main object of the present invention is to provide a sliding shutter arrangement, which is designed such that it permits smooth opening of the sliding shutters of the arrangement.

This object is achieved by means of a sliding shutter arrangement comprising a first sliding shutter, which is horizontally displaceable along a first path and comprises a first pane mounted in an outer frame, said pane being rotatable around a vertical pivot axis, which runs along a vertical side edge of the pane, in relation to the outer frame between a closed position, in which the pane is aligned with the first path, and an open position, in which the pane is rotated away from the first path, a first side stop, against which a lower side edge of the first pane abuts when the pane is in its closed position, and a second sliding shutter, which is horizontally displaceable along a second path and comprises a second pane mounted in an outer frame, said pane being rotatable around a vertical pivot axis, which runs along a vertical side edge of the pane, in relation to the outer frame between a closed posi- tion, in which the pane is aligned with the second path, and an open position, in which the pane is rotated away from the second path, the sliding shutter arrangement being characterized in that an upper edge of the first side stop is arranged on the same level or on a vertically lower level than a lower edge of the second pane, such that the second pane can be rotated past the upper edge of the first side stop when the first pane occupies its open position.

Since the second pane can be rotated past the first side stop, such a sliding shutter arrangement allows smooth and easy opening, that is moving of the panes of the arrangement to an open position, particularly when the arrangement comprises only two sliding shutters or hen the arrangement comprises more than two sliding shutters and one or more of the shutters for one reason or another is blocked and cannot be displaced sideways. When the first pane is closed, the side edge of the pane abuts against the first side stop. Thus, the side stop defines a pivot stop of the pane, which allows smooth closing of the pane from the an open position. The side stop also pro- vides support for the pane in a horizontal direction, when it is closed, and renders adequate sealing possible preventing water from entering between the outer frame and the pane. A sealing arrangement, such as a sealing strip, may be provided between the pane and the side stop. Thus, the side stop renders a very effective sealing of the shutter arrangement possible in a sim- pie manner.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first side stop is provided on a lower horizontal frame member of the outer frame of the first sliding shutter, leading to a robust solution which is rather easy to assemble. The first side stop forms an integral part of the outer frame of the first sliding shutter, leading to a robust solution with few parts. Furthermore, the integrated side stop forms a solid and simple pivot stop for the first pane .

Preferably, the sliding shutter arrangement comprises a second side stop, against which an upper side edge of the first pane abuts when the pane occupies its closed position, wherein a lower edge of the second side stop is located on the same level or on a vertically higher level than an upper edge of the second pane, such that the second pane can be rotated past a lower edge of the second side stop when the first pane occupies its open position, such that it is rendered possible to further improve the robustness and/or the tightness of the arrangement.

Preferably, the paths of the sliding shutters are parallel with and adjacent to each other.

Preferably, the outer frames of the sliding shutters are C-shaped.

According to one embodiment, at least one of the first and second sliding shutters is a window.

According to one embodiment, the sliding shutter arrangement comprises exactly two sliding shutters, which is particularly advantageous in applications where space is limited in the longitudinal direction of the paths, that is when there is no room for or one wishes to avoid three or more shutters in the arrangement.

According to one embodiment, said first shutter is an inner shutter and said second shutter is an outer shutter, wherein the outer shutter in the open position is rotated inwards towards an inside of the sliding shutter arrange- ment, which significantly facilitates cleaning of outsides of the shutters.

According to one embodiment, the sliding shutter arrangement is intended for use in glazing of a balcony side. In this embodiment, preferably said first shutter is an inner window and said second shutter an outer window, wherein the outer window in the open position is rotated inwards towards an inside of the sliding window arrangement in order to be rotated inwards towards the balcony, which significantly facilitates cleaning of glass panes arranged in the windows. Another object of the invention is to provide a balcony glazing, which renders smooth opening of window of the balcony glazing possible.

This object is achieved by a balcony glazing comprising a sliding shutter arrangement according to the invention on at least one balcony side.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described with reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a sliding shutter arrangement according to the invention, arranged on a short side of a balcony glazing according to the invention, wherein windows forming part of this arrangement are shown in a displacement position completely shutting the short side of the balcony.

Fig. 2 corresponds to fig. 1 but shows all windows displaced to an opening end position and in an open position.

Fig. 3 is a section along the line III -III in fig. 1 .

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV of fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along line V-V of fig. 1 when both windows are displaced to the open end position.

Fig. 6a-d illustrates the opening of the windows of the sliding window arrangement.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing a part of a sliding shutter arrangement according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 shows three sliding shutter arrangements according to the invention forming part of a patio glazing according to the invention and being ar- ranged on three free sides of a patio.

Fig. 9 shows a sliding shutter arrangement according to the invention arranged in a wardrobe.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Fig. 1 shows a sliding shutter arrangement in the form of a sliding window arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sliding window arrangement is provided on one short side of a balcony's and forms part of a balcony glazing, which extends along three "free" sides of the balcony. Thus, a similar sliding window arrangement is provided at each of the two other sides.

The sliding window arrangement according to the invention comprises an upper and a lower horizontal guide rail 1 and 2, respectively, extending between the two vertical posts 3 and 4. The guide rails 1 and 2 carry between them a plurality - in the example shown, two vertical windows 5 and 6, which are arranged beside each other and are horizontally displaceable.

Each window 5 and 6 consists of a rectangular window pane 8 and 9, respectively, preferably of glass, a rectangular inner frame 1 1 and 12, respec- tively, in which the window pane is inserted, and a rectangular outer frame 14 and 15, respectively, in which the inner frame is mounted rotatable around a vertical pivot axis, which runs along a side edge (the right one in fig. 1 ) of the window. The pivot axes of the inner frames 1 1 and 12 are in this embodiment defined by an upper (not shown) and a lower pivot pin 17b, 18b, respectively (c.f. fig. 4) . Each inner frame 1 1 and 12 is rotatable between a closed position (illustrated in fig. 3), in which it extends along the guide rails 1 and 2, and an open position (illustrated in fig. 4), in which it is rotated inwards towards the balcony and in which cleaning of the outsides of the window panes is rendered considerably easier.

The outer frames 14 and 15 and hence the windows 5 and 6 as a whole are displaceable forwards and backwards each along a straight path of its own. The displacement paths of the outer frames 14 and 15 are parallel with and run adjacent to each other along the entire length of horizontal guide rails 1 and 2. The displacement paths are defined by upper guide ribs 20a and 21 a, which are formed on the under side of the upper guide rail 1 (c.f. fig. 5), and by lower guide ribs 20b and 21 b, which are formed on the top side of the lower guide rail 2 opposite to the corresponding upper guide rib. The outer frames 14 and 15 are supported on the lower guide rib 20b and 21 b, respectively, in a known manner by rollers 23 and controlled in a known manner by means of their upper guide ribs 20a and 21 a, respectively. The lower guide ribs 20b and 21 b, respectively, are arranged on the same vertical level L3, which is illustrated in fig. 5. Each window 5 and 6 is movable between a first end position, in which it is placed close to the left post 3, when seen from the inside, and a second end position, called open end position, in which it is placed close to the right post 4, when seen from the inside. Each window is displaceable in a first di- rection P1 from the first end position to the open end position and in a direction P2 opposite to that direction (c.f. fig. 1 ). When the windows 5 and 6 are placed in the displacement positions shown in fig. 1 , they covers a short side of the balcony along its entire width .

Each window 5 and 6 is designed such that vertical frame parts of the inner frame and the outer frame arranged at said second vertical side edge (i.e. the vertical side edge being opposite to the vertical side edge where the pivot pins are placed) are constituted by one and the same, and thus common, frame part 26 and 27. Each such common frame part 26 and 27 is re- leasable connected to the upper horizontal frame part 14a and 15a, respec- tively, and the lower horizontal frame part 14b and 15b, respectively, of the outer frame 14 and 15, respectively, by a lock arrangement of a suitable type, such as a locking device of the espagnolette type. Each such common frame part 26 and 27 is also fixedly joined to both horizontal frame parts of the inner frame 1 1 and 12, respectively, in be entrained when the inner frame is rotated in relation to the outer frame, after having been freed from the outer frame 14 and 15, respectively, by operating the locking device.

The inner outer frame 15 comprises a lower and an upper side stop 31 and 33, respectively, against which the inner frame 12 of the inner window pane 9 abuts when the window 6 is closed, as illustrated in fig. 5. Hence, in the closed position the lower and upper side edge of the inner window pane 9 indirectly abut against the lower and upper side stop 31 and 33 of the inner outer frame 15 via the inner frame 12. The lower side stop 31 is an integral part 32 of the outer frame 15. The upper side stop 33 is also an integral part of the outer frame 15 of the first window 6.

The outer outer frame 14 has a lower and an upper side stop 35 and

37, respectively, against which the inner frame 1 1 of the outer window pane 8 abuts when the outer window 5 is closed. Each side stop 31 , 33 , 35, 37 extend across the entire width of pane and comprises a sealing strip, in the form of a rubber strip 39, 41 , 43 and 45, respectively, sealing against e.g. water in the closed position. Furthermore, each side stop forms a swing stop, that stops the pane when rotating from the open position .

The outer bottom edge 47 of the inner frame 1 1 is located on a vertical level L2. The upper edge 49 of the inner lower side stop 32 is located on a vertical level L1 , which is vertically lower than L2 (c.f. fig. 5), allowing rotation of the outer window pane 8 past the lower side stop 32 of the first window. Similarly, the lower edge of the upper side stop 33 of the inner window 6 is located on a vertically higher level than the top edge of the outer inner frame 1 1 , allowing rotation of the outer window pane 8 past the upper side stop 33 of the inner window 6. Thus rotation of the outer window pane 8 past both side stops 31 , 33 of the inner window 6 is rendered possible.

By means of the above-described sliding window arrangement according to the invention one can easily open a glazed short side of a balcony across its entire width, that is arrive at the condition shown in fig. 4. This is done as follows:

Starting from the displacement situation shown in fig. 1 of the windows 5 and 6, the inner frame 12 of the window closest to the inside of the balcony is rotated from the closed position shown in fig. 6 to the open position, as illustrated by arrow A in fig. 6b.

Thereafter the window 5 closest to the exterior of the balcony is displaced to the open end position, as illustrated by the arrow B in fig. 6c, where its inner frame 1 1 is rotated past the side stops 31 and 33, respectively, of the inner window 6 to the open position, as illustrated by the arrow C in fig. 6d. Thus, in the situation of fig. 4 has been achieved, in which the front of the balcony is open over its entire width . As seen in fig. 4, in the open position the inner frames of the windows are arranged at an angle of about 90° in relation to the guide rails to 1 and 2.

Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment, in which the side stops are not arranged on the outer frames. In this embodiment, the side stops are instead arranged on the guide strips, as illustrated in fig. 7 for the lower side stops 131 or 135, and do as a result no follow the sliding shutters 6 and 5 when these are displaced horizontally.

Referring to fig. 8 an alternative embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Fig. 8 shows a patio glazing comprising three sliding shutter arrangements of the invention. A first sliding shutter arrangement is provided at the front of the patio and does together with a second and a third sliding shutter arrangement according to the invention form a patio glazing extending along three "free" sides of the patio.

Each sliding window arrangement comprises an upper and a lower ho- rizontal guide rail extending between two vertical posts. Between them the guide rails carry a plurality of vertical sliding shutters, arranged beside each other and being horizontally displaceable .

The first sliding window arrangement comprises three sliding shutters in the form of an inner sliding shutter 205, an outer sliding shutter 207 and sliding shutter 206 placed between the inner 205 and outer 207 one. Each sliding shutter 205, 206 and 207 consists of a rectangular glass pane, a rectangular inner frame 21 1 , 212 and 213, respectively, in which the glass panes are inserted, and a rectangular outer frame, in which the inner frames are mounted rotatable around a vertical pivot axis extending along a vertical side edge (the left one in fig. 8) of the window. Each inner frame 21 1 , 212 and 213 is rotatable between a closed position, in which it extends along the guide rails, and an open position, in which it is rotated outwards from the patio . Each inner frame 21 1 , 212 and 213 is releasable connected to one outer frame each, as has been described previously.

Each sliding shutter 205, 206 and 207 has an upper and a lower side stop . The outer frame of the intermediate sliding shutter 206 is designed so that the frame 212 can be rotated past both side stops of the outer shutter 207, and the outer frame of inner slide shutter 205 is designed so that the inner frame 21 1 can be rotated past both side stops of the intermediate shut- ter 206, as described earlier with reference to figs. 5 and 6a-d . Thus, for example, the upper edge of the lower side stops of the outer sliding shutter 207 is located on the same level or at a vertically lower level than the lower edge of the intermediate pane. Each of the second and third sliding window arrangement, i.e. the arrangements which are provided at both short sides of the patio, comprises two sliding windows.

Fig. 9 shows a sliding shutter arrangement arranged at a wardrobe in the form of a sliding shutter arrangement according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The sliding shutter arrangement comprises a top and a bottom 302, horizontal guide rail. Between them the guide rails carry two sliding shutters 305 respectively 306, which are arranged beside each other and are horizontally displaceable .

Each sliding shutter 305 and 306 consists of a rectangular door pane, a rectangular inner frame 31 1 and 312, respectively, in which the door pane is inserted, and a rectangular outer frame, in which the inner frames are mounted rotatable around a vertical pivot axis along a vertical side edge (the right one in fig. 9) of the shutter. Each inner frame 31 1 and 312 is rotatable between a closed position, in which it extends along the guide rails, and an open position, in which it is rotated outwards from the wardrobe compartment. Each inner frame 31 1 , 312 is releasable connected to a respective outer frame, as previously described.

Each sliding shutter has a lower and an upper side stop. The outer frame of the second sliding shutter 305 is designed so that the inner frame 31 1 can be rotated past both side stops 306 of the first sliding shutter, as described earlier with reference to figs. 5 and 6a-d. Thus, the upper edge of the lower side stops of the first sliding shutter 306 is located at a vertically lower level than the bottom edge of the other pane.

The sliding shutter arrangement can be modified in different ways within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Particularly, the pane of the sliding shutter can be mounted in an arbitrary way in the outer frame, i.e. not necessarily by means of an inner frame, although this is preferred.

As mentioned above, the inner frames 1 1 and 12 are rotatably arranged in their outer frames 14 and 15. As shown in figs. 3 and 4, from the closed position the inner frames can be rotated from the closed position illustrated in fig. 3 only inwards, i.e. towards the balcony, to the open position but can not be pivoted outwards. Since the inner frames 1 1 and 12 can be rotated inwards towards the balcony, window cleaning is considerably facilitated. However, it will be appreciated that the arrangement can be modified so that the inner frames instead can be rotated only outwardly, such as illustrated in fig. 8.