The invention relates to a mechanical structure, in particular a ulti-layer glass door, comprising a pair of plates opposing each other in a spaced relationship, the structure further comprising hollow profiled rails extending, along edges of the plates, said rails having a T-shaped.overall cross-section, the leg portion of the T-profile being arranged as a spacer between the plates and the arm portions of the T-profile abutting on the respective narrow faces of the plates, with a circumferentially closed first chamber formed in the foot portion of the T-profile.

Several ways of interconnecting a pair of plates, preferably in a multi-layer glass door, have been known. The pair of plates or panes may be mounted in a frame by attaching a first plate to a first external frame, providing a surrounding intermediate part or spacer on said first plate, placing a second plate thereon, and providing the second plate with a second external frame. The connection between the plates and the framework may be established by screws or adhesives, for example. Further, instead of designing the frame in a surrounding manner, it is possible to provide a frame only at the upper and lower edges or only at the lateral edges of a multi-layer glass door.

EP-A2-0 608 063 discloses a door comprising a pair of plates, more specifically a multi-layer glass door, in which the connecting means are constituted by profiled rails and corner elements inserted between the panes in a surrounding fashion. These profiled rails each have a T-shaped cross-section, with the leg of the T-profile disposed between the plates or panes and serving as a supporting and spacing member. The arras of the T-profile extend from between the panes and are flush with the flat surfaces thereof. The leg portion of the profiled rail comprises one or several closed spaces, into which hygroscopic agents may be injected, for example. The corner elements are comprised of parts defining an L-profile, and the width and thickness of their legs correspond to the respective dimensions

of the leg portion in the T-profile. The leg ends of the four corner elements are joined to the respective adjacent leg portions of the T-profiles by screwing or inserting, for example. The exterior edges of the L-profile parts flush with the panes are provided with flat panels, corresponding to the arms of the T-profile, in order to give the profiled frame an aesthetic appearance and to allow the inner space between the panes to be sealed. The corner elements of the frame comprise catching means or door locks. A drawback of this type of frame resides in its complicated construction. A plurality of different profiled parts are required to accommodate within the frame all the components necessary for locking the door, for example.

The invention solves the problem of how to design a profiled rail of the above-mentioned type such that all the required edge finishing elements and closing and locking mechanisms can be received without any additional profiled parts of different shapes .

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features that a second chamber arranged in the leg portion of the T-profile adjoins the first chamber and opens into a third chamber in the head part of the profile, the third chamber in turn opening towards the exterior side of the profiled rail opposite to the foot part, the third chamber being wider than the second chamber, wherein rectangular grooves adjacent to the third chamber and facing each other are arranged in the lateral confining walls of the second chamber and extend in the longitudinal direction of the profiled rail.

While the profiled rail in the prior art has a closed head part (ie the part comprising the arms of the T-profile) , the profiled rail according to the invention has its head part open. Owing to this arrangement, all the required closing and locking elements of different shapes as well as all the frame finishing elements can be accommodated in the profiled rail without mounting supplementary profiled parts of different

design.

If locking means, for example, are inserted in the second chamber, or in the second and third chambers, said means have to be secured to the desired place such that said means cannot slide within the rail. This may be accompl_ished by introducing fixing members, one in front of and one behind the locking element, into the part of the profile defined by the opposed grooves and thus supporting the fixing members on the walls of the grooves. The fixing members each comprise a threaded bore. A second type of fixing member, having a through hole, is inserted in the third chamber such as to face one of the first- mentioned fixing members. A screw is inserted through the through hole from the head part of the profiled rail and tightened into the first fixing member so that the fixing members are clamped to the lateral groove walls adjoining the third chamber and to the bottom of the third chamber.

Advantageously, the bottom of the third chamber is provided with a respective triangular groove on each side thereof, both triangular grooves extending in the longitudinal direction of the profiled rail. In this case, the fixing members inserted in the third chamber comprise triangular projections conforming to the triangular grooves and engaging these grooves to further stabilise the connection of the fixing members . The lateral walls of the third chamber may be provided with two dove- ail grooves facing each other and extending in the longitudinal direction of the profiled rail for receiving cleaning lips, cleaning brushes, frame finishing battens or the like, by snapping these items into the dove-tail grooves. This allows an individual choice to be made of the sort of cover to be used for the frame.

The closed first chamber in the profiled rail advantageously comprises two flanges opposing each other in the longitudinal direction of its cross-section, said flanges dividing the chamber into two chamber halves and serving as stops for two fixing elements to be supported respectively in the chamber

halves. Such a fixing element may take the form of a U-shaped receiving element provided with slots, the bridge portion of the U-shape having a hole, and the receiving element having an insert piece insertable between the legs of the U-shape. The insert piece comprises a threaded sleeve shaft having a head projecting therefrom. In the assembled state of the fixing element, the shaft extends through the hole. As the diameter of the hole is chosen larger than the ^* diameter of the shaft, and the head projecting from the shaft is smaller than the space enclosed by the legs of the U-shape, the shaft can be displaced in all directions within the hole. The hole in the receiving element may be arranged as an elongate hole, for example. This mobility of the threaded sleeve shaft is advantageous if a bore pre-manufactured in the pane for fixing the pane does not coincide with the profile. Providing the legs of the U-shaped receiving element with slots achieves resilient arms, which on the one hand facilitate introduction of the fixing element into the first chamber and, on the other hand, ensure that the fixing element remains in its introduced position and cannot displace itself.

Alternatively, the closed chamber may not be provided with the flanges, and the panes may be screwed to the profiled rail through the closed chamber without using any additional mounting element.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the profiled rail, the two side faces of the leg portion of the T-shaped rail each comprise two projecting shoulders, extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail, one shoulder arranged adjacent to the respective arm portion of the T-profile and the other shoulder arranged at the free foot portion of the leg of the T-shaped profiled rail, said shoulders defining support surfaces for the plates or panes. Owing to this arrangement, the panes do not rest on the entire lateral faces of the profile leg, rather on defined support areas which provide beneficial effects in case of uneven side faces of the leg. Advantageously, sealing strips made of silicone or double-sided

adhesive film, for example, may be placed or stuck onto said projecting shoulders.

Advantageously, flexible tube sealings may be placed or stuck onto the sides of the T-arms facing the T-leg, the flexible tube sealings extending along the profiled, rail on both sides of the T-leg. Further, it is possible to provide the sides of the T-arms facing the T-leg -on both sides of the T-leg with respective grooves extending in the longitudinal direction of the profiled rail and having a dove-tail cross-section. In this case, the flexible tube sealings are provided with a foot portion having a dove-tail cross-section engaging the grooves of the T-arms. These flexible tube sealings additionally seal the space between the opposing plates against entry of ambient air. The flexible tube sealings are particularly advantageous in that they are compressible so as to act as a sort of buffer when the pre-manufactured bores in the plates are not precisely positioned, for example, thus reducing the distance between the plate edges and the T-arms. Therefore, within a predetermined tolerance range, this arrangement always ensures a-reliable sealing. Alternatively, the gap formed between the plate edges and the T-arms may be sealed, of course, by inserting or injecting an adhesive or other sealant into the gap possibly produced during assembly of the profiled rails and pair of plates.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the pair of plates may be provided with edge strips, for example, for covering the opposing plate edges extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the profiled rails. These edge strips may be either stuck to the plate edges or clamped between the plate edges. Moreover, a silicone sealing layer may be additionally applied between the plate edges and the edge strips. A collar screw, for example, may be provided as an additional or alternative fixing means screwed to the profiled rail through the edge strip. To this end, the foot portion of the T-leg may be provided with threaded bores on both end faces of the profiled rail, and said exemplary collar screw may be

screwed into these threaded bores .

The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings without limiting the invention to these examples.

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a profiled rail according to the invention;

Figure 2 illustrates the profiled rail comprising an adjustable hinge insert;

Figure 3 depicts the profiled rail comprising a corner lock insert;

Figure 4 shows the profiled rail comprising a fixing element;

Figure 5 shows the profiled rail with a closing strip inserted; Figure 6 illustrates the profiled rail having sealing lips;

Figure 7 depicts the profiled rail comprising flexible tube sealings;

Figure 8 shows the edge strips perpendicular to the profiled rail; and Figure 9 represents -an overview of selected inserts.

The profiled rail according to the invention is preferably used in multi-layer glass doors or multi-layer glass door leaves. In so doing, the parts of the profiled rail may be mounted to the door leaf exclusively on the upper and lower edges thereof or only on its sides, or as a surrounding frame. Referring to Figure 1, the profiled rail 1 is hollow, and its overall cross- section is T-shaped. In the foot portion of its leg, the profiled rail 1 includes a closed first chamber 2 provided with two flanges 3 opposing each other and dividing the chamber 2 into two chamber halves. A second chamber 4 adjacent to said first chamber 2 opens into the head part of profiled rail 1 comprising the arms of the T-profile. Two rectangular grooves 5 facing each other are arranged in the lateral confining walls of the second chamber 4 and extend in the longitudinal direction of the profiled rail. A third chamber 6 adjoining the second chamber 4 is arranged in the head part of profiled rail 1, the third chamber 6 being wider than the second chamber 4.

This widening of the head part forms a shoulder-like bottom 7 provided on both sides with a respective triangular groove 8 extending in the longitudinal direction of profiled rail 1.

The two side faces of the leg portion of profiled rail 1 each comprise two projecting shoulders 9, extending in the longitudinal direction of profiled rail 1, one shoulder 9 adjacent to the respective arm portion of the T-profile and the other shoulder 9 arranged at the free foot portion of the leg. Said shoulders 9 form defined support surfaces for the panes 10. As can be seen in Figure 8, respective sealing strips 30 extending in the longitudinal direction of profiled rail 1 may be additionally arranged between the shoulders 9 and the plates 10.

As can be seen in the drawing figures, the profiled rail 1 is designed symmetrically with respect to its longitudinal median plane.

Figure 2 shows cross-sectional, side elevational and plan views of a profiled rail 1 to be used as an upper door frame part comprising an adjustable hinge insert 11 mounted therein. The outline of hinge insert 11 is designed to conform to the cross- sections of the second chamber 4 and of the adjoining third chamber 6 so as to be insertable in the profiled rail 1. Since both sides of the hinge insert 11 are provided with longitudinal projections 14 engaging the grooves 5, the hinge insert 11 cannot fall out of the profiled rail 1. Prior to inserting the hinge insert 11 into profiled rail 1, the hinge insert 11 is coupled to a clamping block 13 through an adjustment screw 25 and pre-adjusted to the desired distance. Said clamping block 13 has a T-shaped cross-section, with the arm portions of the "T" exceeding the leg portion thereof in one longitudinal direction, while a covering panel 26 is attached to the opposite side of the clamping block 13. The clamping block 13 comprises two threaded bores, one of which is arranged as a pocket hole and penetrates the arm portion to the leg portion of clamping block 13. The second threaded bore

extends through the exceeding arm part. The clamping block 13 is dimensioned such that its T-arm portions can be introduced into the opposing grooves 5 of chamber 4 while the T-leg portion fits into the remainder of chamber 4. The hinge insert 11 preliminarily coupled to clamping block 13 is inserted into profiled rail 1 until the covering panel 26 rests on the cross- sectional end of profiled rail 1. In order to fix the hinge insert 11 and the clamping block 13 in the profiled rail l, a counter plate 15 provided with countersunk holes is inserted in chamber 6 of profiled rail 1. The side of counter plate 15 oriented towards the T-leg portion of profiled rail 1 is provided with two projections or blades extending in the longitudinal direction of the profile and having triangular cross-sections engaging the triangular grooves 8 in bottom 7 of chamber 6. The clamping block 13 is firmly clamped to profiled rail 1 by means of countersunk screws inserted through the countersunk holes in the counter ^" plate 15 and screwed into the threaded bores of clamping block 13 which thus holds the hinge insert 11 at the desired place.

Figure 3 illustrates how a corner lock insert 16 ^" may be mounted. Corner lock inserts are preferably provided in the bottom frame part of an all-glass door. The lock insert 16 comprises a bottom and two plates opposing each other, with all the required recesses provided therein, and is introduced into the chambers 4 and .6. The leading end of lock insert 16 comprises a counter piece 15 connected to the lock insert. A clamping block 23 of rectangular cross-section is loosely fitted to counter piece 15 by means of a screw. The clamping block 23 is dimensioned so as to be insertable into the opposing grooves 5 of chamber 4 in order to be supported by the walls of said grooves. The end of lock insert 16 flush with the end of profiled rail 1 is provided with a clamping plate 24 corresponding to clamping block 23 and designed to be wider than the lock insert 16 from which clamping plate 24 projects laterally to define supporting surfaces bearing on the bottoms of grooves 5. The lock insert 16 is introduced into the profiled rail 1, with the counter piece 15 and the loosely

fitted clamping block 23 sliding ahead; in so doing, the clamping plate 24 is likewise introduced into the shaft defined by the grooves 5. In order to fix the lock insert 16 in profiled rail 1, the screw coupling the counter piece 15 in the third chamber 6 to the clamping block 23 is tightened thus clamping these two elements to the profiled rail 1. In the same manner, lock inserts 16 may be mounted in profiled rails 1 confining the doors laterally, at a height normal for other door locks. For this purpose, a corresponding lock insert - as opposed to the lock insert 16 described above - comprises two counter pieces 15 fixed to the lock insert on both sides thereof. In this case, the lock insert is fixed to the profiled rail 1 by clamping the leading and trailing counter pieces 15 with the aid of two identically designed clamping blocks 23 supported in the grooves 5.

A fixing element for fixing the profiled rail 1 to the panes 10 is shown in Figure 4. The fixing element consists of a U-shaped receiving element 17 comprising an elongate hole, for example, in the bridge portion of the U-shape. From each leg of the U- shape, the receiving element 17 is provided with two slots extending almost to the elongate hole and rendering the receiving element 17 resilient by defining resilient arms. An insert piece 18 is inserted between the legs of the U-shape, said insert piece 18 consisting of a threaded sleeve shaft comprising a head projecting therefrom. In the assembled state, the shaft extends through the elongate hole. As the diameter of the shaft is smaller than the width of the elongate hole, the shaft is displaceable within the elongate hole in all directions. To fix the panes to the profiled rail 1, a respective fixing element is inserted into each half of the closed chamber 2 divided by the flanges 3, with one of the leg portions of the fixing element sliding ahead. In so doing, the position of the fixing element is chosen such that the bridge portion of the U-shape is supported by the flanges 3 while the feet of the legs are oriented towards the panes 10. In the inserted position of the receiving element 17, the elongate hole extends vertically. Owing to the resilient design of the

fixing element, the latter can be forced into the associated half of the first chamber 2, but gets seized at any location where it is left, and cannot slip out by itself. A particular advantage of this fixing element resides in the longitudinal play of the threaded sleeve. Since even the most modern manufacturing technique cannot prevent at least some of the pre-fabricated bores in a pane 10 being displaced from their desired positions, compensation may be achieved with the help of said play in the fixing element.

Figure 5 illustrates a two-part locking strip 19 comprising a rectangular recess 27 to be engaged by a locking bolt projecting from a bottom strip. The first part of locking strip 19 is constituted by a simple rectilinear strip of square cross-section. This first strip is inserted in the opposing grooves 5 and bears on the walls of these grooves. The first strip is provided with the above-mentioned rectangular recess 27 at the desired position thereof. The second strip is inserted in the third chamber 6 in the head of the profile, is of the same ^-" length and comprises a recess having the same size and position as the recess in the first strip. The cross- section of the second part of locking strip 19 corresponds to the cross-section of the counter piece 15 shown in Figure 2. Said two strips are screwed to each other, firmly clamped to profiled rail 1 and held therein.

Figure 6 illustrates how sealing lips 20 substantially having dove-tail fixing profiles are inserted in the dove-tail grooves 22. In order to close or seal the open profiled rail 1, various caps 21 or decorative battens may be snapped into the second chamber 4 or third chamber 6.

Figure 7 illustrates a flexible tube sealing 31. Respective flexible tube sealings 31 are arranged on the arm portions of the T-profile on both sides of the T-leg, and extend along the profiled rail 1. The flexible tube sealing 31 comprises a foot part 32 having a substantially dove-tail cross-section engaging corresponding grooves provided in the arm portions of the T-

profile on both sides of the T-leg. As shown in Figures 7a and 7b, the flexible tube sealing 31 serves not only as a sealing but provides the advantage that it can be compressed. This feature allows unintentional variations of the distance between the plate edges 36 and the arm portions of the T-profile to be compensated for within a given range. Such, variations may arise from inaccurately pre-manufactured bores in the plates 10, which bores serve to screw the plates 10 to the profiled rail 1.

In a multi-layer glass door, respective profiled rails 1 may be arranged between the upper edges and the lower edges of the plates 10. If the space between the opposing plates 10 coupled through the profiled rails 1 is to be sealed in an air-tight manner, for example, the opposing plate edges extending perpendicularly to the profiled rails 1 have to be provided with edge covers 33. Referring to Figure 8, such edge covers or edge strips 33 are snapped between the plates 10, and a sealing 35 made of silicone is applied between the plate edges and the edge strips 33. The edge strips 33 may be additionally fixed to the associated edge faces of profiled rail 1 by fixing means in the form of collar screws. To this end, threaded bores 34 may be provided in the foot portions of the associated ends of profiled rail 1, said threaded bores 34 extending from the respective edge faces in the longitudinal direction of profiled rail 1.

Figures 9a to 9f are perspective views of selected insert parts to be inserted in the profiled rail 1. Figure 9a shows a profiled rail 1 and two variants of the edge strips 28 to be snapped into profiled rail 1. Figure 9b shows the lock insert 16 comprising a clamping block 23 and a counter piece 15 as well as a lock cylinder 29. Figure 9c shows the two-part locking strip 19, while Figure 9e illustrates the hinge insert 11, the clamping block 13, and the counter piece 15. Figures 9d and 9f show two different fixing elements to be inserted respectively in the halves of the first chamber 2, with the embodiment shown in Figure 9d corresponding to the fixing

element described with reference to Figure 4. The fixing element according to Figure 9f consists of a cylindrical hollow body and a cap screwed into said body. This hollow body accommodates a threaded sleeve shaft having a head projecting therefrom, and the shaft extends through a bore provided in the cap. The head is supported in the hollow body in a manner displaceable in all directions so that the play of the threaded sleeve- of this fixing element likewise obviates any problems caused by possibly inaccurate bores in the panes 10.