System and method for adjusting alignment of a panel

Abstract

It is known for balustrades and partitions to be formed from a flat panel, such as glass, and for such panels to be anchored along a lower edge and substantially unsupported at an upper edge. Vertical alignment of such panels has been achieved by ensuring that the trough in which they are anchored is itself precisely aligned on a horizontal, such that any flat panel inserted therein stands in a vertical plane. According to the invention, a panel may be aligned with its major face in a substantially vertical plane, even when the trough is located with its base substantially not horizontal. In addition, the panel may be held in the base of the trough by the force of an adjustment part on a first joint surface, thereby increasing stability of the panel.

Claims

1. A system for adjusting alignment of a flat panel, the system comprising: a longitudinal trough having a left side wall and a right side wall opposing the left side wall and a base connected therebetween, the trough being open on a side opposing the base, the trough configured to be attachable to a surface; a left gripping part for securely holding a section of the flat panel, the left gripping part having a substantially planar left contact surface for engaging with a left face of the flat panel and a first left joint surface inclined obliquely to the left contact surface, the left gripping part locatable within the longitudinal trough with the first left joint surface at least partially facing the open side of the trough opposing the base and at least partially facing the left side wall; a left adjustment part connected at a left fixed end to the left side wall of the trough at a point between the base and the first left joint surface by means selected from the group comprising: cooperating hooking parts; screw-threading parts; gluing; welding; integrally forming the left adjustment part with the left side wall; and slidably received the left adjustment part in a left slot in the left side wall, where the left slot extends in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the trough, the left adjustment part having a second left joint surface spaced from the left fixed end of the left adjustment part by a left distance that is adjustable by a user, the second left joint surface arranged to face at least partially toward the left fixed end of the adjustment part and at least partially toward the base, the second left joint surface arrangable in contact with the first left joint surface to form a left planar joint with one rotational and two translational degrees of freedom, the left side wall and the second left joint surface each arranged to pull in opposing directions on the left adjustment part, away from a middle of the left adjustment part such that the left adjustment part is under tension; and a right gripping part for securely holding a section of the flat panel, the right gripping part having a substantially planar right contact surface for engaging with a right face of the flat panel and a first right joint surface inclined obliquely to the right contact surface, the right gripping part locatable within the longitudinal trough with the first right joint surface at least partially facing the open side of the trough opposing the base and at least partially facing the right side wall; and a right adjustment part connected at a right fixed end to the right side wall of the trough at a point between the base and the first right joint surface by means selected from the further group comprising: cooperating hooking parts; screw-threading parts; gluing; welding; integrally forming the right adjustment part with the right side wall; and slidably received the right adjustment part in a right slot in the right side wall, where the right slot extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trough, the right adjustment part having a second right joint surface spaced from the right fixed end of the right adjustment part by a right distance that is adjustable by a user, the second right joint surface arranged to face at least partially toward the right fixed end of the adjustment part and at least partially toward the base, the second right joint surface arrangable in contact with the first right joint surface to form a right planar joint with one rotational and two translational degrees of freedom, the right side wall and the second right joint surface each arranged to pull in opposing directions on the right adjustment part, away from a middle of the right adjustment part such that the right adjustment part is under tension; and the system configured such that mutually increasing the distance between the second left joint surface and the left fixed end of the left adjustment part, and reducing the distance between the second right joint surface and the right fixed end of the right adjustment part results in: a decrease in a force being applied by the second left joint surface onto the first left joint surface, resulting in decreased gripping of the left gripping part on the panel and decreased urging of the panel toward the base of the trough; an increase in a force being applied by the second right joint surface onto the first right joint surface, resulting in increased gripping of the right gripping part on the panel and increased urging of the panel toward the base of the trough; and pivoting of the panel within the trough about an axis parallel to a longitudinal length of the trough toward the left side wall, while the panel is being securely held, to achieve adjustment of alignment of the panel.

2. The system of claim 1, configured such that, when in use, the left and right adjustment parts are under tension.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first left joint surface and the first right joint surface is each orientated at an angle of between 20 and 70 degrees to the respective left and right contact surface, measured about an axis that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal length of the trough.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one joint surface selected from the first left joint surface, the first right joint surface, the second left joint surface and the second right joint surface has a substantially lower coefficient of friction than at least one contact surface selected from the left contact surface and the right contact surface.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the left adjustment part is secured to the left side wall of the trough at the left fixed end by a left cooperating engaging mechanism, and the right adjustment part is secured to the right side wall of the trough at the right fixed end by a right cooperating engaging mechanism.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the left adjustment part comprises: an externally threaded shank having a head; a sliding part arranged to be slidably receivable on the threaded shank, the sliding part comprising the second left joint surface; and an internally threaded nut; and wherein the sliding part is biased away from the left fixed end by the first left joint surface, and relative rotation of the nut and the head about an axis of the shank causes movement of the sliding part with respect to the left fixed end.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the head is located at the left fixed end such that rotation of the nut moves the sliding part along the threaded shank.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the nut is located at the left fixed end such that rotation of the head moves the sliding part with the head in relation to the left fixed end.

9. A method of adjusting alignment of a flat panel, the method comprising: providing a flat panel; providing a system according to claim 1; attaching the trough to a surface; engaging at least one of the left and right contact surfaces of at least one of the left and right gripping parts with a face of the flat panel; securely holding a section of the flat panel with the at least one of the left and right gripping parts; locating the at least one of the left and right gripping parts within the longitudinal trough with at least one of the left and right first joint surfaces at least partially facing the open side of the trough opposing the base; connecting at least one of the left and right adjustment parts at a respective fixed end to one of the side walls of the trough; arranging at least one of the left and right second joint surfaces in contact with the at the least one of the left and right first joint surfaces to form a joint; reducing at least one of the left and right distances between the at least one of the left and right second joint surfaces and at least one of the left and right fixed ends of the at least one of the left and right adjustment parts; applying a force with the at least one of the left and right second joint surfaces onto the at least one of the left and right first joint surfaces; gripping the panel with the at least one of the left and right gripping parts; urging the panel with the at least one of the left and right gripping parts toward the base of the trough; and pivoting of the panel within the trough about an axis parallel to a longitudinal length of the trough.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first arrangement.

(3) FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the first arrangement.

(4) FIG. 3 shows an end view of the first arrangement in a first configuration.

(5) FIG. 4 shows an end view of the first arrangement in a second configuration.

(6) FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a second arrangement.

(7) FIG. 6 shows an end view of the second arrangement in a first configuration.

(8) FIG. 7 shows an end view of the second arrangement in a second configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

(10) Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

(11) Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

(12) It is to be noticed that the term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device comprising means A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

(13) Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in an aspect” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

(14) Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

(15) Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

(16) In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

(17) In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

(18) The use of the term “at least one” may mean only one in certain circumstances.

(19) The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features of the invention. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

(20) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first arrangement in which a panel 2 is supported in a trough 4 having side walls 6 and a base 10. A portion of the lower edge of the panel is gripped by gripping parts 12, which are urged together and into a tapering slot 14 in the base of the trough 4 by adjustment mechanisms 16.

(21) FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the first arrangement and, in particular, the detail of the adjustment mechanism 16. A block 20 is received on two threaded shafts 22, such that it may slide thereon via through holes 24 in the block 20. Lower ends of the threaded shafts 22 are connected to an elongate hook 26 that is configured to cooperate with projection 28 on an interior of the side wall 6. Nuts 30 on an upper end of the threaded shafts 22 maintain the block 20 thereon. A hole 32 is provided in the base of the trough for securing the trough to a surface.

(22) FIG. 3 shows an end view of the first arrangement in a first configuration; that is, with the trough 4 located on a horizontal surface (not shown) such that the panel 2 is disposed symmetrically within the trough 4 and vertical. The nuts 30 have been tightened equally such that both blocks 20 push against the surfaces 34 of the gripping parts 12. The blocks 20 are held against the surfaces 34 by the elongate hooks 26 pulling on the projections 28. The force through the surfaces 34 acts to push the panel 2 down into the tapering slot 14, and to clamp the panel from either side adjacent to the open top of the trough. As can be seen from the figure, the nuts 30 remain exposed above the open top of the trough for ease of manipulation. In particular, a user may be able to rotate a spanner/wrench by more than 180 degrees in a single turn of the nut 30.

(23) FIG. 4 shows an end view of the first arrangement in a second configuration; that is, with the trough 4 located on a substantially non-horizontal surface (not shown) such that asymmetric adjustment of the adjustment mechanisms 16 is required in order to align the panel 2 vertically.

(24) The nut on the right hand side 30a has been tightened more than the nut on the left hand side 30b, such that the block on the right hand side 20a is lower than the block on the left hand side 20b. This asymmetric distribution of the blocks 20 results in an asymmetric positioning of the surfaces 34 against which the blocks 20 push.

(25) FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a second arrangement in which the configuration of the adjustment mechanisms 16 differs, and an alternative trough 4′ is required. In this arrangement, the blocks 20 are disposed on threaded shafts 36 that have a head including a screw drive socket 38 (shown as an Allen or Hex socket; however, other forms of screw drive are contemplated). The threaded shafts 36 pass through the through holes 24 in the blocks 20 as before, and engage with t-slot nuts that sit within a t-slot track 42.

(26) FIG. 6 shows an end view of the second arrangement in a first configuration; that is, with the trough 4′ located on a horizontal surface (not shown) such that the panel 2 is disposed symmetrically within the trough 4′ and vertical. The threaded shafts 36 have been tightened into the t-slot nuts 40 equally such that both blocks 20 push against the surfaces 34 of the gripping parts 12.

(27) FIG. 7 shows an end view of the second arrangement in a second configuration; that is, with the trough 4′ located on a substantially non-horizontal surface (not shown) such that asymmetric adjustment of the adjustment mechanisms is required in order to align the panel 2 vertically.

(28) The threaded shaft on the right hand side 36a has been tightened more than the threaded shaft on the left hand side 36b, such that the block on the right hand side 20a is lower than the block on the left hand side 20b. This asymmetric distribution of the blocks 20 results in an asymmetric positioning of the surfaces 34 against which the blocks 20 push.

(29) As can be seen from the figure, the screw drives on the threaded shafts 36 are fully accessible to a user such that either may be operated without hindrance.