The present invention relates to an accessory for a balcony door.

A balcony door is understood to mean a folding door to a balcony, terrace, outdoor area or the like .

A balcony door differs from an ordinary door in that said balcony door is used less intensively, besides providing access to the balcony oorr tteerrrraaccee is also used for ventilation and can also only be operated from one side

(the inside) , i . e . opened and closed, in the same way as windows .

Furthermore, it is known that doors and windows are provided with fittings . A difference is made between window fittings and door fittings, in view of their different functions .

The fittings comprise, aammoonngg ootthheerrss,, lock fittings to be able to shut or lock the door or window leaf in the door or window frame, hinge fittings, turn fittings or tilt-turn fittings which allow hinging the door or window leaf relative to the fixed door or window frame, handles and handholds, and the like .

Said fittings aarree mmoouunntteedd in grooves provided for this purpose, the so-called fitting grooves, said grooves being provided in the profiles forming the window and/or door leaf . Corresponding fittings are mounted in the window or door frame .

Window fittings are provided in all four profiles forming the leaf, thus also in the bottom profile, whereby in all four profiles forming tthhee frame, cooperative or corresponding fittings are provided.

For an ordinary door, typically no door fittings are provided in the bottom profile of the leaf and the bottom profile of the frame is often omitted.

Bottom profile of the leaf or the frame is understood to mean the horizontal profile located below the installed or mounted window.

Traditionally, a balcony door, in view of its functions, is provided with window fittings, whereby fittings are thus also provided in the bottom profiles of the leaf and the frame .

Thus, a bottom profile is provided with the frame in a balcony door, which is concealed in the floor for the most part .

As a result of this, the underside of the leaf will drag over the floor and affect normal operation and functioning of the balcony door. To prevent this, the fitting groove in the bottom profile of the frame could be raised by adapting the design of the bottom profile, causing the leaf profile to be higher, such that it no longer drags over the floor.

Such solution corresponds with a standard window detail, but is not, however, allowed in ddoooorrss according to accessibility regulations, wwhhiicchh prescribe a maximum threshold height, i . e . the maximum height with which the bottom profile is allowed to protrude from the frame above the floor. Such regulations vary from country to country.

To meet said building regulations, there is no possibility to create a stop on the bottom profile of the frame and instead a stop profile needs to be mounted on the underside of the leaf .

A disadvantage ooff this iiss that ssaaiidd stop profile may collide with the (window) fitting components mounted on the bottom profile of the frame when the balcony door is opened.

The stop profile is a profile on the bottom profile of the leaf which makes contact with the bottom profile of the frame to obtain a good weathertightness when the balcony door is shut .

To remedy this, said stop profile should be higher, but then the weathertightness can nnoo longer be guaranteed because the stop profile no longer makes sufficient contact with the bottom profile of the frame . Another solution consists in lowering the fitting groove in the bottom profile of the leaf .

This can be done by mounting, for example, aa lowering profile specifically designed to that end provided with a standard fitting groove, in the fitting groove of a standard bottom profile .

An advantage of this is that the standard, existing profiles of a leaf can be used.

The result is again that in this way the leaf of the balcony door is higher, such that the fittings in the bottom profile of the leaf and the frame do not collide with other components of the leaf and the frame when opening the balcony door.

A disadvantage is that said lowering profile is not mitred and obviously is only mounted in the bottom profile, such that the fitting groove is no longer continuous from the horizontal bottom profile to the vertical profiles of the leaf .

The lowering profile can consequently not continue to the outer edge of the leaf profiles, as in this way no fittings can be mounted in the fitting groove in the vertical profiles of the leaf . The consequence is that the fittings in the fitting grooves of the lowering profile and the vertical profiles are not supported in this zone .

Over time this will inevitably lead to problems because the fittings will not be completely fixed, will shift or sag such that the balcony door will no longer function properly.

A possible solution would be ttoo give the ends of the lowering profile an especially adapted form or to give the bottom leaf profile a special form, but consequently an extrusion profile can no longer be used for said lowering profile and the bottom leaf profile . Furthermore, for every dimension and every type of balcony door a special bottom leaf profile or lowering profile would have to be made .

The purpose of t thhee present invention is to provide a solution to at least one of the aforementioned and other disadvantages .

The object of the present invention is an accessory for a balcony door consisting of a frame constructed from four frame profiles and a leaf with four mitred leaf profiles, whereby the frame profiles and leaf profiles are provided with fitting grooves, whereby in a fitting ggrroooovvee of a bottom leaf profile a lowering profile is mounted with a fitting groove profile, whereby said lowering profile is cut or sawn off straight at least at one end, whereby the accessory is intended to be mounted to a straight cut or sawn off end of the lowering profile, whereby the accessory is provided with a groove section which can be slid on the fitting groove of the lowering profile which contains a partial extension of the fitting groove of the lowering profile and a partial extension of a fitting groove of a leaf profile adjoining the bottom leaf profile, with an arm adjoining the groove section which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction and in a plane of the fitting groove of the lowering profile and which comprises first means to affix the accessory to the lowering profile .

Hereby, t thhee groove section is a section that does not necessarily possess a groove form, but a section that is provided with (fitting) grooves .

This provides the advantage that such accessory will be an extension of the lowering profile .

The lowering profile is, as already mentioned, not as long as the bottom leaf profile, such that the ends of the bottom leaf profile, or thus the bottom corners of the leaf frame are not covered by the lowering profile .

The accessory will eennssuurree the coverage of said ends and corners, such that the fittings in the fitting grooves of the bottom leaf profile and a leaf profile are supported.

The accessory will thus ensure tthhaatt the fittings in the fitting grooves are fully supported and secured.

Furthermore, the accessory will ensure an extension of the fitting groove of the lowering profile . To this end the groove section will contain a partial extension of the fitting groove of the lowering profile in the form of a fitting groove which after mounting the accessory adjoins seamlessly to the fitting groove of the lowering profile .

Additionally, the accessory will also ensure an extension of a fitting groove of a leaf profile adjoining the bottom leaf profile. To this end, the groove section will contain a partial extension of a fitting groove of a leaf profile adjoining the bottom leaf profile in the form of a fitting groove which after mounting the accessory lies in the extension of and possibly adjoins seamlessly to the fitting groove of the leaf profile .

Said leaf profile is a leaf profile that adjoins the bottom leaf profile, and will thus extend vertically.

The aforementioned partial extensions in the form of two fitting grooves will be perpendicular to each other, as the fitting groove of the lowering profile and the fitting groove of the aforementioned leaf profile will also extend perpendicularly to each other.

At the same time the accessory will not block the fitting grooves in the bottom leaf profile and lowering profile such that the necessary fittings can be easily slid in the fitting grooves .

The arm of the accessory will be oriented such that it comes into contact with the lowering profile, more specifically the straight sawn or cut off end and can be affixed against it with the aforementioned first means .

The arm extends in a plane of the fitting groove, this means that at least one plane in which the fitting groove lies is also a plane in which the arm will lie .

According to a preferred characteristic of the invention the accessory is constructed from a first component and a second component, whereby the first component is made from metal and comprises the aforementioned groove section and arm and whereby the second component is made from a synthetic material and comprises a first part that can be slid over the arm of the first component and comprises second means for affixing to the lowering profile and a second extending part that extends in aa direction transversely to the plane of the first part, whereby said second extending part is provided with third means for affixing to the lowering profile .

An advantage of this is that by combining a metal component with a synthetic material component, a combination of strength for supporting fittings by the metal component with an aesthetic finish and weathertightness by the synthetic material component is made possible .

In a practical embodiment, the accessory is provided with detailings which fit in corresponding detailings on the bottom leaf profile . The accessory is mounted and affixed with one side to the straight sawn off end of the lowering profile . Another side of the accessory will partially lean against the bottom leaf profile, whereby the corresponding detailings can cooperate with each other for ensuring an affixing of the accessory to the bottom leaf profile.

This will ensure a good and seamless connection of the accessory to the lowering profile and to the bottom leaf profile .

The invention also relates to a balcony door consisting of a frame constructed from four mitred frame profiles and a leaf with four mitred leaf profiles, whereby the frame and leaf profiles are provided with fitting grooves, whereby in a fitting groove of aa bottom leaf profile a lowering profile is mounted with a fitting groove profile, whereby said lowering profile is cut or sawn off straight at least at one end, whereby the balcony door is equipped with an accessory mounted to a straight cut or sawn off end of the lowering profile, whereby the accessory is provided with a groove section which can be slid on the fitting groove of the lowering profile which contains a partial extension of the fitting groove of the lowering profile and a partial extension of a fitting groove of a leaf profile adjoining the bottom leaf profile, with an arm adjoining the groove section which eexxtteennddss transversely to the longitudinal direction and in a plane of the fitting groove of the lowering profile and which comprises first means to affix the accessory to the lowering profile . The advantages of such balcony door are of course similar to the aforementioned advantages of the accessory.

With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, a few preferred embodiments of an accessory according to the invention for a balcony door and a balcony door equipped with such accessory are described hereinafter by way of an example, without any limiting nature, with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: figure 1 schematically shows a balcony door according to the invention; figure 2 shows the cross-section according to line Illi of figure 1; figure 3 shows a view according to arrow F'3 in figure 1; figure 4 shows a perspective view according to arrow

F3 in figure 1, but with omission of some components; figure 5 schematically shows a perspective view of an accessory according to the invention; figures 6 and 7 schematically show the different views of an exploded accessory.

Figure 1 schematically shows a balcony door 1 according to the invention.

As is known, the balcony door 1 consists of a frame 2 with a movable leaf 3 affixed therein. The leaf 3 is able to open like a door, and it is not excluded that the leaf 3 can also be put in a tilting position.

The frame 2 is constructed from four frame profiles 4.

Three of said frame profiles 4 are identical and mitred, whereby the fourth frame profile 4 , the lower horizontal frame profile 4' , is ssaawwnn off straight and transversely connected to two vertical frame profiles 4.

It is not excluded that four identical and mitred frame profiles 4, 4' are used to form a rectangular frame .

The lower horizontal frame profile 4' is partially concealed in the ground or floor 5.

This is necessary to eennssuurree tthhaatt nnoo oorr only a limited height of the lower horizontal frame profile 4' protrudes from the ground or floor 5.

The leaf 3 is constructed from four leaf profiles 6, which are mitred to form a rectangular leaf 3 corresponding with the frame 2.

The lower horizontal leaf profile 6' is hereinafter referred to as bottom leaf profile 6' .

The leaf 3 is provided with a panel 7 , for example from glass, which fits in the leaf 3. As is known, the frame and leaf profiles 4, 4' , 6, 6' are provided with fitting grooves 8 respectively 9.

Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the lower leaf and frame profile 4' , 6' .

In this figure 2 the fitting grooves 8 , 9 in said profiles 4' , 6' are visible . The other leaf and frame profiles 4, 6 also comprise such fitting grooves .

As known, the profiles 4' , 6' in this case are constructed from two half-shells 10a, 10b which are connected by insulation profiles 11. Obviously the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the figure and the profiles 4' , 6' may possess different cross-sections without departing from the scope of the invention.

A lowering profile 12 is mounted in a fitting groove 9 of a bottom leaf profile 6' .

Said lowering profile 12 is provided with a fitting groove 13 and in essence ensures that the fitting groove 12 of the bottom leaf profile 6' comes to lie lower as it were or is replaced by a subjacent fitting groove 13.

The lowering profile 12 is cut off straight, at least at one end 14 and preferably at both ends .

This is shown in the view of figure 3. The length of the lowering profile 12 is practically as long as the length of the bottom leaf profile 6' .

According to the invention an accessory 15 according to the invention is mounted on the straight cut or sawn off ends 14 of the lowering profile 12, aass schematically shown in figure 3.

Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the bottom leaf profile 6' whereby the lowering profile 12 is mounted on the bottom.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of figure 3, whereby the lowering profile 12 is omitted for the sake of clarity.

The accessory 15 is shown in more detail in figures 5 to 7.

The accessory 15 as shown in figures 5a and 5b is in this case, but not necessarily according to the invention, constructed from two components 16a, 16b.

The first component 16a as shown in figures 6a, 6b and 6c is made from metal, such as for example steel, and comprises a groove section 17 and an aim 18 adjoining thereto .

The groove section 17 can be slid on the fitting groove 13 of the lowering profile 12 and comprises a partial extension 19 of the fitting groove 13 of the lowering profile 12. Said partial extension 19 is a fitting groove 19 which is identical to the fitting groove 13 of the lowering profile 12 in terms of dimensions and design.

The groove section 17 also comprises a partial extension 20 of aa fitting groove of aa leaf profile 6 adjoining the bottom leaf profile 6' . Said leaf profile 6 extends in the horizontal direction.

Said partial extension 20 too is a fitting groove 20 which is identical to the fitting groove 6 of the aforementioned horizontal leaf profile in terms of dimensions and design.

The arm 18 adjoining t thhee groove section 17 extends transversely to the longitudinal direction and in a plane of the fitting groove 13 of the lowering profile 12.

The arm 18 comprises first means 21 to affix the accessory 15 to the lowering profile 12.

In this case, but not necessarily for the invention, said first means 21 are one or more cavities, passages or threaded holes 21 to be able to affix the accessory 15 to the lowering profile 12 using screws or the like . It is understood that said first means 21 can be executed in different ways .

In this case, but not necessarily for the invention, the first component 16a also comprises a protruding lip 22 that connects to the groove section 17 . The lip 22 extends transversely to the arm 18 and in a plane parallel with the fitting groove 13 of the lowering profile 12.

The aforementioned second component 16b as shown in figures 7a, 7b, 7c is made of synthetic material, such as for example PVC.

It comprises a first part 23 that can be slid over the arm 18 of the first component 16a .

To this end, the first part 23 has a U-shaped cross- section .

Said first part 23 furthermore comprises second means 24 to be able to affix the second component 16b to the lowering profile 12.

In this case said second means 24 comprise one or more cavities, passages or threaded holes 24, which correspond with the cavities, passages or threaded holes 21 of the arm 18 of the first component 16a .

The second component 16b also comprises a second extending part 25. Said part 25 extends in a direction transversely to the plane of the first part 23.

As shown in figure 4, the second component 16b is provided with a flat stop surface 26 and 27 respectively on the first part 23 and on the second extended part 25 at an end face . Said two stop surfaces 26, 27 ensure a weathertight seal (the stop surface 26 on the first part 23) and an aesthetic finish (the stop surface 27 on the second extended part

25) .

The second extending part 25 is provided with third means 28 for affixing to the lowering profile 23.

In this case, but not necessarily for the embodiment, said third means 28 comprise a protruding peg 28 which fit in a corresponding cavity, detaining or groove in the lowering profile 12 when the accessory 15 is mounted to the lowering profile 12.

Finally in this case, as shown in figures 4 and 5, the accessory 15 is provided with detailings 29 which fit in corresponding detailings 30 on the bottom leaf profile 6' .

In this case, the detailings 29 are mounted on the first part 23 of the second component 16b of the accessory 15.

The operation of the accessory 15 is very simple and as follows .

The composed leaf 3 of a balcony door 1 is provided with a lowering profile 12 on the bottom leaf profile 6' , as shown in figure 2.

An accessory 15 aass shown in figure 5 is mounted on the straight cut or sawn off end 14. This can be seen in figure 4. It is hereby ensured that the protruding peg 28 ends up in the straight cut or sawn off end of the lowering profile . The same applies to the protruding lip 22.

Screws or the like are inserted through the cavities 21, 24 to be able to affix the accessory 15 to the lowering profile 12.

Subsequently, the desired fittings can be mounted in the fitting grooves 13 of the lowering profile 12 and the vertical leaf profile 6.

Through the fitting grooves 19 and 20 in the groove section 17 of the accessory 15, the fittings can be easily slid in the fitting groove 13 of the lowering profile 12, respectively in the fitting groove of the vertical leaf profile 6.

Indeed note that the accessory 15 will not block the fitting groove in the vertical leaf profile 6.

The presence of the accessory 15 means the fittings will, be fully supported.

Consequently, using tthhee accessory 15 iitt is not only possible to work with the lowering profile 12, but also to fully and correctly support the fittings such that the fittings remain neatly iinn the relevant fitting grooves during use . The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described as an example and shown in the drawings, but an accessory for a balcony door and balcony door equipped with such accessory according to the invention can be realised in all kinds of forms and dimensions without departing from the scope of the invention.