BALCONY DEVELOPMENTS

Abstract

A balcony is attachable to an attachment beam extending from a building in order to attach the balcony with respect to the building. The balcony comprises: a floor which provides a safe, usable surface for the end-user of the balcony to stand on; and a plurality of rafters. Each rafter comprises: a floor portion which defines a part of the floor, and a strengthening portion which is located below the floor portion and extends downwardly from the floor portion. The floor portions of the rafters cooperate to define the floor. Each of the plurality of rafters is an integrally formed component.

Claims

1. A balcony attachable to an attachment beam extending from a building in order to attach the balcony with respect to the building, the balcony comprising: a floor which provides a safe, usable surface for the end-user of the balcony to stand on; and a plurality of rafters each comprising: a floor portion which defines a part of the floor, and a strengthening portion which is located below the floor portion and extends downwardly from the floor portion, wherein the floor portions of the rafters cooperate to define the floor, and wherein each of the plurality of rafters is an integrally formed component.

2. The balcony according to claim 1 wherein each floor portion of the plurality of rafters is in abutment with adjacent floor portions.

3. The balcony according to claim 1 comprising a base below the floor and spaced from the floor by the strengthening portions of the plurality of rafters.

4. The balcony according to claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of rafters comprises a base portion which defines a part of the base and which is connected to the strengthening portion, and wherein the base portion is integrally formed with the strengthening portion and the floor portion, and wherein the base portions cooperate to define the base.

5. The balcony according to claim 4 wherein each base portion of the plurality of rafters is in abutment with adjacent base portions.

6. The balcony according to claim 1 wherein the floor portion of each rafter each have a length, a width and a thickness, the width and the thickness are smaller than the length and the thickness is smaller than the width and wherein a surface of the floor portion having a length and a width defines a part of an upper surface of the floor.

7. The balcony according to claim 6 wherein the strengthening portion of each rafter has a length, a depth and a thickness, the depth and the thickness are smaller than the length and the thickness is a smaller than the depth and wherein the lengths of the floor portion and the strengthening portion are parallel and wherein the strengthening portion is rotated relative to the floor portion by an angle about an axis parallel to the length of the strengthening portion such that the strengthening portion is a web extending from the floor portion.

8. The balcony according to claim 7 wherein the angle is about 90 degrees.

9. The balcony according to claim 6 wherein the base portion of each rafter has a length, a width and a thickness, the width and the thickness are smaller than the length and the thickness is smaller than the width and wherein the length of the base portion is parallel to the length of the floor portion and wherein the base portion is in the same orientation as the floor portion.

10. The balcony according to claim 9 wherein the base portion and the floor portion of each of the plurality of rafters are laterally offset from each other in a direction parallel to the width of the floor portion.

11. The balcony according to claim 10 wherein the floor portion of each rafter is directly above the base portion of a first adjacent rafter and the base portion of each rafter is directly below the floor portion of a second adjacent rafter on a side opposite the first adjacent rafter.

12. (canceled)

13. The balcony according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of rafters is a folded sheet of material.

14. The balcony according to claim 13 wherein the floor comprises a plurality of apertures which are configured to allow drainage and permit access below the floor.

15. The balcony according to claim 14 wherein the apertures are located adjacent to respective fold lines between the floor portion and the strengthening portion of one or more rafters.

16. A balcony attachable to an attachment beam extending from a building in order to attach the balcony with respect to the building, the balcony comprising: a floor for the end-user of the balcony to stand on, a base below the floor; and a plurality of rafters between the floor and the base, wherein the rafters each comprise: a strengthening portion which is located below the floor and extends downwardly from the floor, and a base portion, the base portion of each rafter being formed integrally with the strengthening portion of the respective rafter, and wherein the base portions of the plurality of rafters cooperate to define the base.

17. A building comprising: a balcony comprising: a floor which provides a safe, usable surface for the end-user of the balcony to stand on; a plurality of rafters each comprising: a floor portion which defines a part of the floor, and a strengthening portion which is located below the floor portion and extends downwardly from the floor portion, wherein the floor portions of the rafters cooperate to define the floor, and wherein each of the plurality of rafters is an integrally formed component; and one or more attachment beams which support the balcony.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES

[0203] Embodiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0204] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a balcony attachable to two attachment beams according to a first embodiment.

[0205] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the balcony according to the first embodiment, attached to two attachment beams.

[0206] FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of the balcony according to the first embodiment wherein a frame and balusters of the balcony are removed for simplicity.

[0207] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a single rafter which defines a part of the floor and the base of the balcony according to the first embodiment.

[0208] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the balcony according to the first embodiment, the frame, balusters and handrail of the balcony have been removed.

[0209] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the attachment beams used with the first embodiment and also shows how the clamping sets of the balcony are located on the attachment beam.

[0210] FIG. 7 is a detail perspective view of one of the clamping sets of the balcony according to the first embodiment in isolation.

[0211] FIG. 8 is a back view the balcony according to the first embodiment showing the section line A-A.

[0212] FIG. 9 is a section view of the balcony according to the first embodiment viewed from the section line shown in FIG. 8.

[0213] FIG. 10 is a back view of a clamping set of the balcony attached to an attachment beam according to the first embodiment. The direction of applied pressure is shown in FIG. 10.

[0214] FIG. 11 shows a partial top view at the back of the balcony 10 with the frame and balusters removed.

[0215] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a balcony system according to the first embodiment which comprises the balcony shown in FIG. 1.

[0216] FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the balcony system in FIG. 12 wherein the frame has been completely removed.

[0217] FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view which is a close-up view of FIG. 13 wherein the clamping set is also removed.

[0218] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a hook, the hook being part of the balcony system according to the first embodiment.

[0219] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the front of the balcony according to the first embodiment wherein the frame is removed.

[0220] FIG. 17 is a detail perspective view of a stopper on an attachment beam wherein the only visible component of a clamping set attached to the balcony of the first embodiment is a clamping arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0221] Developments, aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0222] FIG. 1 shows a balcony 10 attachable to two attachment beams (not shown in FIG. 1) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the balcony 10 according to the first embodiment attached to two attachment beams 20a, 20b, extending away (into the page) from a building (not shown). Referring to FIG. 1, the balcony 10 comprises features of conventional balconies such as a plurality of balusters 11, a handrail 13 supported by the balusters (the combination forming a balustrade) and frame 15 comprising a back 17, a front (not shown), and two sides 19a, 19b which delimit the balcony 10. The balcony 10 comprises a floor 30 which provides a safe, usable surface for the end-user of the balcony 10 to stand on; and a plurality of rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c).

[0223] FIG. 3 shows a close-up view the balcony 10 according to the first embodiment focussing on the region of the rafters 40a, 40b, 40c. The plurality of balusters 11, the handrail 13 and the frame 15 are removed from FIG. 3 for simplicity. Each rafter (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) comprises a floor portion (e.g. 41a, 41b, 41c) which defines a part of the floor 30, and a strengthening portion (e.g. 43a, 43b, 43c) which is located below the floor portion (e.g. 41a, 41b, 41c) and extends downwardly from the floor portion (e.g. 41a, 41b, 41c). The floor portions (e.g. 41a, 41b, 41c) of the rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) cooperate to define the floor 30. Each of the rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) is an integrally formed component.

[0224] In alternative embodiments (not illustrated) it is possible for only the floor portion and the strengthening portion of each rafter to be provided integrally. In that case, if a base (soffit) is provided, it may be a separate component.

[0225] Similarly, in further alternative embodiments (not illustrated) it is possible for only the base portion and the strengthening portion of each rafter to be provided integrally. In that case, separate flooring may be provided, for example in the form of decking panels. These may be laid over and attached to abbreviated forms of the illustrated floor portions. In this arrangement, certain safety advantages of the present invention are provided by the base preventing items from falling through the balcony.

[0226] The floor 30 is substantially continuous (i.e. solid). Each of the plurality of rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) has a length that is parallel to the balcony projection direction (upward and to the right in FIG. 3). Each of the plurality of rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) are in abutment with one or two adjacent rafters in the balcony width direction (upward and to the left in FIG. 3). For example, rafter 40b is in abutment with a first adjacent rafter 40a on a first side of rafter 40b in the balcony width direction and is in abutment with a second adjacent rafter 40c on a second side of rafter 40b. Specifically, each of the floor portions (e.g. 41a, 41b, 41c) are in abutment with one or two adjacent floor portions in the balcony width direction. For example, floor portion 41b is in abutment with a first adjacent floor portion 41a on a first side of floor portion 41b and a second adjacent floor portion 41c on a second side of floor portion 41b.

[0227] The strengthening portions (e.g. 43a, 43b, 43c) of each rafter (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) are spaced from each other in the balcony width direction by a width of a floor portion (e.g. 41a, 41b, 41c). Voids (i.e. cavities) (e.g. 45a, 45b) are formed between the strengthening portions (e.g. 43a, 43b, 43c), the floor 30 and the base 32. For example, a void 45a is formed between a first strengthening portion 43b, a second strengthening portion 43c adjacent to the first strengthening portion 43b, the floor 30 and the base 32. An attachment beam receiving aperture 21a (shown in FIG. 1) opens into the void 45a. The balcony may comprise two attachment beam receiving apertures 21a, 21b which open into respective voids 45a, 45c (best shown in FIG. 1).

[0228] The balcony base 32 is below the floor 30. The base 32 is spaced from the floor 30 by the strengthening portions (e.g. 43a, 43b, 43c) of the plurality of rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) in the balcony thickness direction (down the page in FIG. 3). The floor 30 is intended to be horizontal. The base 32 slopes slightly with respect to the horizontal in order to provide a fall angle for drainage.

[0229] In this embodiment, each of the plurality of rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) comprises a base portion (e.g. 47a, 47b, 47c). The base portion (e.g. 47a, 47b, 47c) of each rafter (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) is connected to the respective strengthening portion (e.g. 43a, 43b, 43c) such that the strengthening portion (e.g. 43a, 43b, 43c) extends upwardly from the base portion (e.g. 47a, 47b, 47c). The base portion (e.g. 47a, 47b, 47c) defines a part of the base 32. The strengthening portion (e.g. 43a, 43b, 43c) connects the floor portion (e.g. 41a, 41b, 41c) and the base portion (e.g. 47a, 47b, 47c) and the base portion (e.g. 47a, 47b, 47c) is integrally formed with the strengthening portion (e.g. 43a, 43b, 43c) and the floor portion (e.g. 41a, 41b, 41c). The base portions (e.g. 43a, 43b, 43c) cooperate to define the base 32.

[0230] Each base portion (e.g. 47a, 47b, 47c) of the plurality of rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) is in abutment with one or two adjacent base portions in the balcony width direction. For example, base portion 47b is in abutment with a first adjacent base portion 47a on a first side of the base portion 47b and a second adjacent base portion 47c on a second side of the base portion 47b.

[0231] So that a rafter (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) can be seen in isolation, FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a single rafter 40b which is shown in FIG. 3. The features of this rafter 40b are applicable to the other rafters (seen in FIGS. 1 and 2) which define the floor 30 and base 32 of the balcony 10. The floor portion 41b has a length L.sub.f, a width W.sub.f perpendicular to the length L.sub.f and a uniform thickness (perpendicular to the length L.sub.f and the width W.sub.f). The width W.sub.f and thickness are smaller than the length L.sub.f and the thickness is smaller than the width W.sub.f. The length L.sub.f of the floor portion 41b is the same as the length of the rafter 40b, or in some embodiments slightly longer, e.g. in order to fill a gap to the building façade. A surface 42b of the floor portion 41b having width W.sub.f and length L.sub.f (i.e. with the largest surface area) defines part of an upper surface of the floor 30 when assembled (as shown in FIG. 3).

[0232] Similarly, the strengthening portion 43b has a length L.sub.s, a depth D.sub.s perpendicular to the length L.sub.s, and a uniform thickness (perpendicular to the length L.sub.s and the depth D.sub.s). The depth D.sub.s and thickness are smaller than the length L.sub.s and the thickness is smaller than the depth D.sub.s. In other words, the strengthening portion 43b is a similar shape to the floor portion 41b where the width W.sub.f is taken to be equivalent to the depth D.sub.s. The length L.sub.s of the strengthening portion 43b is the same as the length L.sub.f of the floor portion 41b, or as noted above in some embodiments these lengths may not be identical. The strengthening portion 43b is at a different orientation to the floor portion 41b. The strengthening portion 43b is rotated relative to the floor portion 41b by an angle of about 90 degrees about an axis parallel to the length L.sub.s of the strengthening portion 43b. In other words, the strengthening portion 43b is a web extending from the floor portion 41b such that the depth D.sub.s of the strengthening portion 43b is substantially perpendicular to the width W.sub.f of the floor portion 41b. The depth D.sub.s varies along the length L.sub.s of the strengthening portion 43b such that the depth D.sub.s is greater at a front of the balcony 10 (distant from the building when the balcony 10 is attached to the building) than at a back of the balcony 10. This results in a fall angle so that the base 32 is sloped such that liquid can be drained from the balcony 10. The slope could be in another direction in order to achieve a required drainage direction, e.g. towards the building

[0233] The base portion 47b has a length L.sub.b and a width W.sub.b perpendicular to the length L.sub.b, and a uniform thickness (perpendicular to the length L.sub.b and the width W.sub.b). The width W.sub.b and thickness is smaller than the length L.sub.b and the thickness is smaller than the width W.sub.b. In other words, the base portion 47b is similar shape to the floor portion 41b. The length L.sub.b of the base portion 47b is the same as the length of the strengthening portion 43b and the floor portion 41b. As noted above, in some embodiments these length may not be identical, e.g. in order to provide space fora gutter or other drainage element adjacent the building, or to close a gap to the building façade. A face of the base portion 47b having width W.sub.b and length L.sub.b forms part of an upper surface of the base 47b. The base portion 47b is in the same orientation as the floor portion 41b.

[0234] The floor portion 41b and the base portion 47b of the rafter 40b are laterally offset from each other in a direction parallel to the width W.sub.f of the floor portion 41b (i.e. both the floor portion 41b and the base portion 47b extend away from the strengthening portion 43b in opposite directions). This means that the floor portion 41b and the base portion 47b are laterally offset from each other in the balcony width direction when the rafters 40b is assembled as part of the balcony 10, Specifically (as shown in FIG. 3), the floor portion 41b of the rafter 40b is directly above (i.e. vertically aligned with) the base portion 47c of the second adjacent rafter 40c and the base portion 47b of the rafter 40b is directly below (i.e. vertically aligned with) the floor portion 41a of the first adjacent rafter 40a. In other words, each of the rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) has a Z-shaped, step-shaped or S-shaped transverse (i.e. perpendicular to the length of the rafter) cross-section.

[0235] The floor portion 41b of each rafter 40b comprises a series of floor portion castellation lips (e.g. 53a, 53b, 53c) to allow connection with the second adjacent rafter 40c (shown in FIG. 3). The base portion 47b of each rafter 40b comprises a continuous base portion lip 55 to allow connection with the first adjacent rafter 47a (shown in FIG. 3). Each of the floor portion lips and the base lip comprise rivet holes e.g. 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d. As shown in FIG. 3, the rivet holes (e.g. 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d) are used to allow rivets (or, in other embodiments, bolts and nuts or screws) to fix the adjacent rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) together. Each of the plurality of rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) are formed from a folded metal sheet having a first fold line 57 between the floor portion 41b and the strengthening portion 43b which extends the length of the rafter 40b and a second fold line 59 between the base portion 47b and the strengthening portion 43b which extends the length of the rafter 40b.

[0236] The rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) which define the floor 30 and base 32 of the balcony 10 have the same structure (excluding the floor closer rafter and base closer rafter discussed below).

[0237] FIG. 5 shows the balcony 10 of the first embodiment. The plurality of balusters 11, the handrail 13 and the frame 15 are removed from FIG. 5 for simplicity. The example rafters 40a, 40b, 40c discussed above are indicated in FIG. 5. Rafter 40a is at a first side of the balcony 10 in the balcony width direction (upward and to the left in FIG. 5) and rafter 40d is shown at a second side of the balcony 10 in the balcony width direction. Rafter 40d has the same structure as the rafters 40a, 40b, 40c described above (e.g. in FIG. 4). The floor 30 comprises a floor closer rafter 49 which has a length equal to the length of the plurality of rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) described above (i.e. the same as the length L.sub.f of the floor portions (e.g. 41a, 41b, 41c)). The floor closer rafter 49 aligns with and is parallel to the plurality of rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c). The floor closer rafter 49 is at the first side of the balcony 10 in the balcony width direction. The floor closer rafter 49 accounts for the difference between the extensions of the floor 30 and the base 32 in the balcony width direction at the first side of the balcony 10. The extension of the floor 30 in the balcony width direction towards the first side of the balcony 10 is less than the extension of the base 32 in the balcony width direction towards the first side of balcony 10. This is because of the rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) having a Z-shaped, step-shaped or S-shaped transverse cross-section. The floor closer rafter 49 has a width which is the same as the difference between the respective extensions of the floor 30 and the base 32 in the balcony width direction towards the first side of the balcony 10 (i.e. the width of the floor closer rafter 49 is the same as the width Wb of the base portion 47a of the rafter 40a at the first side of the balcony 10).

[0238] The base 32 comprises a base closer rafter 51 which has a length equal to the length of the plurality of rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) described above. The base closer rafter 51 aligns with and is parallel to the plurality of rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c). The base closer rafter 51 is at a second side of the balcony 10 in the balcony width direction. The base closer rafter 51 accounts for the difference between the extensions of the base 32 and the floor 30 in the balcony width direction at the second side of the balcony 10 opposite the first side of the balcony 10. The extension of the base 32 in the balcony width direction towards the second side of the balcony 10 is less than the extension of the floor 30 in the balcony width direction towards the second side of balcony 10. This is because of the rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c) having a Z-shaped, step-shaped or S-shaped transverse cross-section. The base closer rafter 51 has a width which is the same as the difference between the respective extensions of the base 32 and the floor 30 in the balcony width direction towards the second side of the balcony 10 (i.e. the width of the base closer rafter 51 is the same as the width W.sub.f of the floor portion 41d of the rafter 40d at the second side of the balcony 10).

[0239] Referring to FIG. 3, the balcony 10 comprises a clamping mechanism 100 located below the floor 30. The clamping mechanism 100 is engageable with an attachment beam 20a (shown best in FIG. 6 and FIG. 10).

[0240] FIG. 6 shows the attachment beam 20a and the clamping sets 150, 350 (discussed later) of the balcony engaged with the attachment beam 20a, the rest of the balcony 10 is removed for clarity. In this embodiment, the attachment beam is an I-beam. The clamping mechanism 100 is part of the clamping set 150. The attachment beam 20a has a lateral recess 21a on a first side of the attachment beam 20a comprising a first surface 23a and a second surface 25a facing the first surface 23a. The lateral recess 21a extends into the attachment beam 20a perpendicular to the direction the attachment beam 20a extends (upward and to the right in FIG. 6) from the building (not shown). The lateral recess 21a also extends the entire length of the attachment beam 20a (i.e. parallel to the direction the attachment beam 20a extends from the building (not shown)). The attachment beam has a counterpart lateral recess 27a on a second side of the attachment beam 20a opposite the first side of the attachment beam 20a. The counterpart lateral recess 27a comprises a first counterpart surface 28a and a second counterpart surface 29a facing the first counterpart surface 28a. The counterpart lateral recess 27a extends into the attachment beam 20a perpendicular to the direction the attachment beam 20a extends from the building (not shown). The counterpart lateral recess 28a also extends the entire length of the attachment beam 20a (i.e. parallel to the direction the attachment beam 20a extends from the building (not shown)).

[0241] The balcony 10 is attached to two attachment beams 20a, 20b (see FIG. 2) which extend from the building (not shown). The attachment beam 20b is not described here in detail for brevity but has the same structure and function as described herein regarding the attachment beam 20a. In other embodiments, there may be more than two attachment beams, e.g. three or more.

[0242] FIG. 7 shows the clamping set 150 (discussed later) in isolation which comprises the clamping mechanism 100. The clamping mechanism 100 comprises a first adjustable clamping arm 101 for engaging with the attachment beam 20a; and a second adjustable clamping arm 103 spaced from the first clamping arm 101 in a clamping arm spacing direction (downward in FIG. 7) for engaging with the attachment beam 20a. The first and second clamping arms 101, 103 are configured to engage with the attachment beam 20a by applying pressure respectively to the first surface 23a and to the second surface 25a of the lateral recess 21a. The lateral recess 21a is configured to receive the first and second clamping arms 101, 103.

[0243] The positions of the first and second clamping arms 101, 103 are independently adjustable. In other words, the location of the first clamping arm 101 relative to the balcony 10 is changeable without changing the location of the second clamping arm 103 relative to the balcony 10. Similarly, the location of the second clamping arm 103 relative to the balcony 10 is changeable without changing the location of the first clamping arm 101 relative to the balcony 10.

[0244] The first clamping arm 101 is aligned with the second clamping arm 103 in the clamping arm spacing direction. The clamping arm spacing direction is parallel to the balcony thickness direction (i.e. the first clamping arm 101 and the second clamping arm 103 are vertically aligned).

[0245] The clamping mechanism comprises a housing 105. The first clamping arm 101 extends from the housing 105 and the second clamping arm 103 extends from the housing 105.

[0246] Best shown in FIG. 3, the clamping mechanism 100 is located between the floor 30 and the base 32. The clamping mechanism 100 is fixed to the first strengthening portion 43b. This is achieved using fasteners (e.g. 60a, 60b) respectively passed through the clamping mechanism attachment holes (e.g. 104a, 104b), best shown in FIG. 7. The first and second clamping arms 101, 103 extend away from the first strengthening portion 43b. Specifically, the housing 105 of the clamping mechanism 100 is fixed to the first strengthening portion 43b. The first and second clamping arms 101, 103 extend into the void 45a between the first strengthening portion 43b and the adjacent second strengthening portion 43c. The first strengthening portion 43b to which the clamping mechanism 100 is attached comprises an aperture 61 (also shown in FIG. 4). The housing 105 of the clamping mechanism 100 is fixed over the aperture 61. The first and second clamping arms 101, 103 extend through the aperture 61 into the void 45a between the two strengthening portions 43b, 43c. This means that the housing 105 is fixed to the first strengthening portion 43b on a side of the first strengthening portion 43b outside the void 45a between the two strengthening portions 43b, 43c.

[0247] Referring to FIG. 7, the movement of the first clamping arm 101 is limited by a first housing end stop 109 at one end of the housing 105 in the vertical direction (i.e. the balcony thickness direction). The first housing end stop 109 extends in the same direction as the first clamping arm 101 extends from the housing 105. The first housing end stop 109 is configured to abut the first clamping arm 101 such that the first clamping arm 101 cannot move past the first housing end stop 109 (in a direction away from the second clamping arm 103).

[0248] The movement of the second clamping arm 103 is limited by a second housing end stop 111 at an end of the housing 105 opposite the first housing end stop 109. The second housing end stop 111 extends in the same direction as the second clamping arm 103 extends from the housing 105. The second housing end stop 111 is configured to abut the second clamping arm 103 such that the second clamping arm 103 cannot move past the second housing end stop 111 (in a direction away from the first clamping arm 101).

[0249] The clamping mechanism 100 comprises a stiffener 113 located between the first and second clamping arms 101, 103. The stiffener 113 is fixed relative to the housing 105 in the balcony thickness direction. The stiffener 113 is fixed using two tabs (e.g. 115) which pass through the housing 105 such as the tab 115 (another tab passes through the housing on the opposite side to the tab 115 but is not shown in FIG. 7). The stiffener 113 limits the movement of the first clamping arm 101 in a direction opposite the direction limited by the first housing end stop 109. The stiffener 113 is configured to abut the first clamping arm 101 such that the first clamping arm 101 cannot move past the stiffener 113 (in a direction towards the second clamping arm 103). In other words, at the extremities of the first clamping arm 101 movement, the first clamping arm 101 abuts either the first housing end stop 109 or the stiffener 113.

[0250] The stiffener 113 also limits the movement of the second clamping arm 103 in a direction opposite the direction limited by the second housing end stop 111. The stiffener 113 is configured to abut the second clamping arm 103 such that the second clamping arm 103 cannot move past the stiffener 113 (in a direction towards the first clamping arm 101). In other words, at the extremities of the second clamping arm 103 movement, the second clamping arm 103 abuts either the second housing end stop 111 or the stiffener 113.

[0251] The clamping mechanism 100 comprises two adjusters 117, 119. The first clamping arm 101 is adjustable by a first adjuster 117 and the second clamping arm 103 is adjustable by a second adjuster 119. Although the first adjuster 117 is used to adjust the first clamping arm 101 and the second adjuster 119 is used to adjust the second clamping arm 103, both adjusters 117, 119 pass through both clamping arms 101, 103. The first adjuster 117 extends from the first housing end stop 109 to the second housing end stop 111 and the second adjuster 119 extends from the top of the first clamping arm 101 and towards and through the second housing end stop 111. Consequently, the rotational movement of the first clamping arm 101 about a vertical axis is prevented by the adjusters 117, 119 which pass through the first clamping arm 101. Similarly, the rotational movement of the second clamping arm 103 about a vertical axis is prevented by the adjusters 117, 119 which pass through the second clamping arm 103. Thus the first clamping arm 101 and the second clamping arm 103 are constrained to vertical movement only.

[0252] The adjusters 117, 119 are rotatable, which results in linear motion of the corresponding clamping arms 101, 103. For example a rotation of the first adjuster 117 of the clamping mechanism 100 results in linear motion of the clamping arm 101. The first adjuster 117 is a lead screw, the threaded part of which engages with the first clamping arm 101 via a first threaded hole 125 in the first clamping arm 101. The second adjuster 119 is a lead screw, the threaded part of which engages with the second clamping arm 103 via a second threaded hole 126 in the second clamping arm 103. Rotation of the first adjuster 117 in a first rotational direction results in the first clamping arm 101 moving in a first linear direction (up the page in FIG. 7). Rotation of the second adjuster 119 in a first rotational direction results in the second clamping arm 103 moving in the first linear direction. Rotation of the first adjuster 117 in a second rotational direction results in the first clamping arm 101 moving in a second linear direction (down the page in FIG. 7). Rotation of the second adjuster 119 in a second rotational direction results in the second clamping arm 103 moving in the second linear direction.

[0253] It is possible to select the handedness of the threads of the first and second adjusters, and the corresponding threads of the first and second clamping arms. For example, the threads may be selected so that clockwise rotation of each adjuster results in tightening of each clamping arm against the respective face of the attachment beam. Typically this would require that the threads of the first and second adjusters are opposite to each other.

[0254] The first clamping arm 101 comprises a first clearance hole 118, which is a through hole in the first clamping arm 101 and is not threaded. The second adjuster 119 which adjusts the second clamping arm 103 passes through the first clearance hole 118 so that the second adjuster 119 does not engage with the first clamping arm 101. The second clamping arm 103 comprises a second clearance hole 120, which is a through hole in the second clamping arm 103 and is not threaded. The first adjuster 117 which adjusts the first clamping arm 101 passes through the second clearance hole 120 so that the first adjuster 117 does not engage with the second clamping arm. The first housing end stop 109 is provided with an access hole 121. The access hole 121 allows the second adjuster 119 to be accessible to and operable with a tool to adjust the second clamping arm 103. Because the stiffener 113 is located between the first and second clamping arms 101, 103, the stiffener 113 comprises two stiffener clearance holes 123a, 123b. The respective adjusters 117, 119 pass through the respective stiffener clearance holes.

[0255] The adjusters 117, 119 are operable with a tool (not shown) to adjust the respective clamping arms 101, 103. The first adjuster 117 comprises a first tool-engaging feature which is a hexagonal screw head 127 configured to engage with the tool. The second adjuster 119 comprises a second tool-engaging feature which is a hexagonal screw head 129 configured to engage with the tool.

[0256] The first and second clamping arms 101, 103 have a C-shaped transverse cross-sectional shape i.e. transverse to the direction of extension of the respective clamping arms 101, 103.

[0257] As can be seen in e.g. FIG. 3, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the balcony comprises a clamping set 150, shown in detail in FIG. 7. The clamping set 150 comprises: the clamping mechanism 100 engageable with the attachment beam as described above; and a counterpart clamping mechanism 200 engageable with the attachment beam 20a. The counterpart clamping mechanism 200 comprises: a first counterpart adjustable clamping arm 201 for engaging with the attachment beam 20a; and a second counterpart clamping arm 203 spaced from the first counterpart clamping arm 201 for engaging with the attachment beam 20a. The first and second counterpart clamping arms 201, 203 are configured to engage with the attachment beam 20a by applying pressure respectively to the first counterpart surface 28a and the second counterpart surface 29a of the counterpart lateral recess 27a. The counterpart lateral recess 27a is configured to receive the first and second counterpart clamping arms 201, 203. The counterpart clamping mechanism 200 is spaced from and aligned with the clamping mechanism 100 in a balcony width direction (best shown in FIG. 3).

[0258] Note that the clamping mechanism and the counterpart clamping mechanism are not necessarily mirror symmetrical (although in some embodiments they may be). In the present embodiment, because the adjustment aperture is formed slightly offset from the interface between adjacent rafters, the adjusters are positioned appropriately with respect to the end stop 109. Accordingly, the position of the adjusters with respect to the end stop of the clamping mechanism 100 is not the same as the position of the adjusters with respect to the end stop of the counterpart clamping mechanism 200.

[0259] The counterpart clamping mechanism 200 comprises all the features of the clamping mechanism 100 described above. For example, the counterpart clamping mechanism 200 comprises adjusters (also referred to as counterpart adjusters). For example, the counterpart clamping mechanism comprises a first counterpart adjuster 217 having a first counterpart tool-engaging feature 227 and a second counterpart adjuster 219 having a second tool-engaging feature 229 (visible in FIG. 11).

[0260] FIG. 3 shows the clamping set 150 in position in the balcony 10. The first and second counterpart clamping arms 201, 203 extend towards the clamping mechanism 100 and the first and second clamping arms 101, 103 extend towards the counterpart clamping mechanism 200. The counterpart clamping mechanism 200 is fixed to an adjacent (second) strengthening portion 43c to the first strengthening portion 43b to which the clamping mechanism 100 is fixed. The counterpart clamping mechanism 200 is fixed to the second strengthening portion 43c in similar way to the way that the clamping mechanism 100 is fixed to the first strengthening portion 43b. Thus the first and second clamping arms 101, 103 and the first and second counterpart clamping mechanisms 201, 203 extend towards each other into the void 45a between the strengthening portions 43b, 43c.

[0261] The balcony 10 comprises a four clamping sets as described above, these are best shown in FIG. 9, which shows a section view of the balcony 10 (located as shown in FIG. 8) and the clamping sets 150, 250, 350, 450. Two clamping sets 150, 350 are aligned in the balcony projection direction and engage with the attachment beam 20a in the manner described above for the clamping set 150. The other two clamping sets 250, 450 are aligned in the balcony projection direction and engage with the other attachment beam 20b. The plurality of clamping sets 150, 250, 350, 450 form a grid of clamping sets aligned in the balcony width direction and the balcony projection direction.

[0262] FIG. 10 shows a back view of the clamping set 150, comprising the clamping mechanism 100 and the counterpart clamping mechanism 200, attached to the clamping beam 20a. The rest of the balcony 10 is removed from FIG. 10 for clarity. To install the balcony 10, the balcony 10 is first located on the attachment beams 20a, 20b (see FIG. 2). When located on the balcony, the second clamping arm 103 and the second counterpart clamping arm 203 of the clamping set 150 respectively rest on the second surface 25a of the lateral recess 21a and the second counterpart surface 29a of the counterpart lateral recess 27a (see also FIG. 6). Further, the clamping arms of the other clamping sets 250, 350, 450 which correspond to the second clamping arm 103 and the second counterpart clamping arm 203, also rest on surfaces corresponding to the second surface 25a of the lateral recess 21a and the second counterpart surface 29a of the counterpart lateral recess 27a on respective attachment beams 20a, 20b.

[0263] Next, to secure the balcony 10 to the attachment beams 20a, 20b, the first clamping arm 101 and the first counterpart clamping arm 201 are adjusted so that they respectively engage with the first surface 23a and first counterpart surface 28a of the attachment beam 20a. Pressure (a representation of which is shown by the thick arrows in FIG. 10) is applied to the attachment beam at the regions of contact with the clamping set 150. Further, the clamping arms of the other clamping sets 250, 350, 350 which correspond to the first clamping arm 101 and the first counterpart clamping arm 201 are similarly adjusted.

[0264] In addition, any of the clamping arms or counterpart clamping arms (e.g. 101, 103, 201, 203) of any of the clamping sets 150, 250, 350, 450 can be independently adjusted so that the balcony is level with the building and/or so that the balcony is a desired height from the ground.

[0265] FIG. 11 shows a partial top view of the balcony 10, the view being aligned with the clamping set 150. The floor 30 comprises a plurality of apertures (e.g. 70a, 70b) which extend through the floor in an aperture extension direction parallel to the balcony thickness direction. As can be seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the balcony 10 comprises many more apertures than the example apertures (70a, 70b) shown in FIG. 11. The adjusters 117, 119 of the clamping mechanism 100 are vertically aligned with a first aperture 70b and counterpart adjusters 217, 219 of the counterpart clamping mechanism 200 are vertically aligned with a second aperture 70a. This means that the adjusters 117, 119 of the clamping mechanism 100 are accessible and operable to adjust the clamping arms (not visible in FIG. 11) via the first aperture 70b and the counterpart adjusters 217, 219 of the counterpart clamping mechanism 200 are accessible and operable to adjust the counterpart clamping arms (not visible in FIG. 11) via the second aperture 70a. Each aperture (e.g. 70a, 70b) which extends through the floor 30 has a first dimension parallel to the balcony width direction (across the page in FIG. 11) which is about 9 mm and a second dimension, perpendicular to the first dimension and parallel to the balcony projection direction (up the page in FIG. 11), which is about 108 mm in the region of the aperture (e.g. 70a, 70b) which has the first dimension. Accordingly, the area of the aperture is about 972 mm.sup.2.

[0266] All of the apertures (e.g. 70a, 70b) in the floor 30 are drainage weep apertures which allow liquid to drain off the floor 30 of the balcony.

[0267] The apertures (e.g. 70a, 70b) are defined by two adjacent floor portions (e.g. 41a, 41b, 41c) of the rafters (e.g. 40a, 40b, 40c). The floor portion lips (e.g. 53a, 53b, 53c) partly define the apertures (e.g. 70a, 70b). For example, the aperture 70a is partly defined by the floor portion 41b and the floor lip portions 53a, 53b (see also FIG. 4) of the rafter 40b. Additionally, one edge of the aperture 70a is defined by the floor portion 41c of the second adjacent rafter 40c. All of the apertures (e.g. 70a, 70b) in the floor 30 are defined in this way.

[0268] All the apertures (e.g. 70a, 70b) in the floor 30 are elongate (i.e. slots) which extend in the balcony projection direction (up the page in FIG. 10). Because the apertures (e.g. 70a, 70b) are slots, the adjusters 117, 119 and the counterpart adjusters 217, 219, which are respectively spaced laterally in the balcony projection direction, are easily accessible and operable to adjust the clamping arms (not visible in FIG. 11) and the counterpart clamping arms (not visible in FIG. 11).

[0269] The other clamping sets 250, 350, 450 which are in the balcony 10 are arranged in the same way as described above, such that the respective adjusters and counterpart adjusters of the clamping sets 250, 350, 450, which correspond to the adjusters 117, 119 and counterpart adjusters 217, 219 of the clamping set 150, are aligned with apertures (identical to apertures 70a, 70b) such that the respective adjusters and counterpart adjusters are accessible and operable to adjust the respective clamping arms of the other clamping sets 250, 350, 450. Note that the floor 30 of the balcony 10 comprises more apertures than required for the clamping sets 150, 250, 350, 450 to be arranged as described above (best shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2).

[0270] So that the adjusters (e.g. 117, 119) and counterpart adjusters (e.g. 217, 219) are operable to adjust the corresponding clamping arms (e.g. 101, 103) and counterpart clamping arms (e.g. 201, 203), the tool-engaging features (e.g. 127, 129, 227, 229) are aligned with respective apertures (e.g. 70a, 70b). Accordingly, when installing the balcony 10 on the attachment beams 20a, 20b as described above, a tool is inserted into the apertures (e.g. 70a, 70b) to engage with each adjuster (e.g. 117, 119) and counterpart adjuster (e.g. 217, 219) in turn so that the adjusters (e.g. 117, 119) and counterpart adjusters (e.g. 217, 219) can be rotated to adjust the clamping arms (e.g. 101, 103) and counterpart clamping arms (e.g. 201, 203). The clamping arms (e.g. 101, 103) and counterpart clamping arms (e.g. 201, 203) can thus engage with the respective attachment beams 20a, 20b.

[0271] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a balcony system 5 comprising the balcony 10 which is described previously and four identical hooks 500, 520, 540, 560. Respective apertures in the floor (the apertures being identical to the example apertures 70a, 70b described above) are configured to receive the four hooks 500, 520, 540, 560. Each of the four hooks 500, 520, 540, 560 are configured to hook onto respective hooking anchors (not visible in FIG. 12) located below the floor 30 to allow the balcony 10 to be lifted by the hooks 500, 520, 540, 560. Accordingly, the hooking anchors are aligned with respective apertures.

[0272] The hooking anchors are arranged in a grid aligned in the balcony width direction and the balcony projection direction. This means that when the hooks 500, 520, 540, 560 are attached to the respective hooking anchors, the hooks 500, 520, 540, 560 are arranged in a grid aligned in the balcony width direction and the balcony projection direction.

[0273] As an example of the hooks 500, 520, 540, 560 and the hooking anchors, FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the balcony system 5, showing rafters 40a and 40b described above. Aperture 70b which allows access to the adjusters 117, 119 of the clamping mechanism 100 is also shown. Additionally, FIG. 13 shows aperture 70d, which is identical to aperture 70b. Aperture 70d is configured to receive the hook 500 so that the hook 500 is capable of being hooked onto the hooking anchor 700 which is vertically aligned with (i.e. directly below) the aperture 70d. The hook 500 is also held in place by the locking key 600. The other hooks 520, 540, 560 also have a corresponding locking keys identical to the locking key 600 and corresponding hooking anchors similar to hooking anchor 700, which are not shown in detail for brevity. Like all apertures in the floor 30, the aperture 70d is a drainage weep aperture which functions as such when the hook 500 is removed (all hooks 500, 520, 540, 560) are removed when the balcony 10 is installed as shown in FIG. 2).

[0274] FIG. 14 shows a close up view of FIG. 13 with the clamping set 150 removed for simplicity. The hooking anchor 700 is attached to the strengthening portion 43b of the rafter 40b. Specifically, a threaded cap screw 701 passes through a hole (not visible) in the strengthening portion 43b in a direction perpendicular to the length of the strengthening portion 43b. The threaded shaft of the cap screw 701 has a shaft diameter.

[0275] The hooking anchor 700 has a lateral constraint 703 which is concentric with and fixed to the cap screw 701. The lateral constraint 703 comprises a washer 705 and a lock nut 707. The diameter of the lock nut 707 and the diameter of the washer 705 are larger than the shaft diameter). The lateral constraint 703 is spaced from the strengthening portion 43b of the rafter 40b by a spacer 709. The spacer 709 is concentric with the cap screw 701.

[0276] When hooked onto the hooking anchor 700, the hook may be laterally constrained between the lateral constraint 703 and the corresponding strengthening portion 43b of the rafter 40b. The spacer 709 has a spacer diameter which is greater than the shaft diameter and smaller than the diameter of the washer 705. The spacer 709 is also a washer.

[0277] The hook 500 is able to hook onto the hooking anchor 700 at the spacer 709 and is laterally constrained between the washer 705 of the lateral constraint 703 and the strengthening potion 43b.

[0278] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the hook 500, which is substantially identical to the other hooks 520, 540, 560. The hook 500 comprises a stem 501 which extends in a longitudinal direction (upwards in FIG. 15) away from a curved crook portion 503. The curved crook portion 503 is configured to engage with the hooking anchor 700 (shown in FIG. 14). The transverse cross-sectional area (perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) of the hook 500 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the aperture 70d (shown in FIG. 14) so that the hook 500 can be received in the aperture 70d. The stem 501 comprises an eyelet 505 which extends through the stem 501 perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 12, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the eyelet protrudes above the floor 30 of the balcony 10 when the hook 500 is hooked onto the hooking anchor 700. The eyelet 505 is used to attach lifting equipment to the hook. The thickness of the hook (in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) is configured to fit between the lateral constraint 703 and the strengthening portion 43b when the hook 500 is hooked onto the hooking anchor 700 (best shown in FIG. 14). The hook 500 comprises a keyhole 507 in the stem 501. The keyhole 507 is merged with the eyelet 505 to form a single aperture through the stem 501 of the hook 500. The locking key 600 is configure to be received in the keyhole 507.

[0279] Referring to FIG. 14, when the hook 500 is hooked onto the hooking anchor 700, the locking key 600 is passed through the keyhole 507 and moved to a locking position (the position of the locking key 600 in FIG. 14) to prevent vertical movement of the hook 500 relative to the balcony 10. The hook 500 is effectively constrained between the locking key 600 and the hooking anchor 700.

[0280] The locking key 600 is rotated from an insertion position (not shown) to the locking position (shown in FIG. 14). In the insertion position the shape of the locking key 600 aligns with the shape of the keyhole 507. The locking key 600 comprises a key bit 601 which, in the locking position, makes contact with the floor 30 of the balcony 10 to prevent vertical movement of the hook 500 relative to the balcony 10.

[0281] The key bit 601 is located on a key shaft 603 and extends along the length of the key shaft 603. In the insertion position, the key bit 601 and the key shaft 603 are aligned with the keyhole 507. The key bit 601 comprises a key recess 605 such that the key bit 601 extends from opposite sides of the key recess 605 along the length of the key shaft 603. In the locking position, the key recess 605 aligns with the stem 501 of the hook 500 and part of the stem 501 of the hook 500 is received in the key recess 605. To achieve this, an internal dimension of the key recess 605 along the length of the key shaft 603 is greater than the thickness of the hook 500.

[0282] Key bit 601 has a retainer hole 602. The hook has a corresponding retainer hole 604. Attached to retainer hole 602 and retainer hole 604 is a corresponding retainer cable 606, shown in thick dotted line in the drawing. This retainer cable serves to keep the key 600 and the hook 500 together when the key (at least) is not in use).

[0283] In order to lift the balcony 10, the hook 500 is received in the aperture 70d and is hooked onto the hooking anchor 700. The locking key 600 is inserted into the hook 500 (in the insertion position) and rotated to the locking position. Thus the hook 500 is held in position. A similar process is performed for the other hooks 520, 540, 560 so that all the hooks 500, 520, 540, 560 are hooked onto a corresponding hooking anchor (e.g. 700) and held in place by a corresponding locking key (e.g. 600). Lifting equipment is attached to the eyelets (e.g. 505) of each hook 500, 520, 540, 560 and the balcony 10 is lifted and located on the attachment beams 20a, 20b as shown in FIG. 2. The balcony 10 can be secured to the attachment beams 20a, 20b as described above. The locking keys (e.g. 600) are then removed from the hooks 500, 520, 540, 560 and the hooks 500, 520, 540, 560 are unhooked from the hooking anchors (e.g. 700) and removed from the apertures (e.g. 70d).

[0284] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the front of the balcony 10 with the front part of the frame 15 removed such that the clamping set 350 is exposed. For context, the clamping mechanism 100 discussed previously is at the back of the balcony 10 in FIG. 16. The attachment beam 20a extends through the balcony 10 and the balcony is attached to the attachment beam 20a as described above via the clamping sets 150, 350. FIG. 16 shows that the attachment beam 20a comprises a stopper 800.

[0285] FIG. 17 shows a close-up perspective view of the stopper 800 on the attachment beam 20a from a different direction to FIG. 16. In FIG. 17, all components of the clamping set 350 except the clamping arm 303 (which is identical to clamping arm 103 described above) have been removed for clarity.

[0286] Best shown in FIG. 17, the stopper 800 comprises a stopping face 801, facing the building end of the attachment beam 20a. The stopping face 801 is aligned with the clamping arm 303 (also known as the stopper engaging portion). Thus the stopping face 801 is configured to abut the clamping arm 303 if the balcony 10 comprising the clamping arm 303 were to slide away from the building (i.e. in FIG. 17, the balcony sliding away from the building would cause the clamping arm 303 to slide along the attachment beam 20a to the left).

[0287] The stopper 800 is located on the second surface 25a of the lateral recess 21a (see also FIG. 6) which faces upwards such that the stopping face 801 extends away from the second surface 25a. The stopping surface 801 is a flat surface.

[0288] The stopper also comprises a sloping face 803 which is spaced from the second surface 25a and on the side of the stopping face 801 furthest from the building. The sloping face 803 extends away from the building (i.e. away to the left in FIG. 17) and towards the second surface 25a of the attachment beam 20a (i.e. the sloping face 803 slopes downwards). The sloping face 803 extends from an edge 805 of the stopper 800 which is spaced furthest from the second surface 25a. The sloping face 803 is spaced from the second surface 25a at an end distant from the stopping face 801 by a spacing face 807. The sloping face 803 has a constant gradient such that the stopper 800 resembles a partial wedge. The sloping face 803 allows the balcony 10 to be slid over the stopping face 801 when the balcony 10 is installed on the building. The stopper 800 is proximate an end of the attachment beam 20a distant from the building.

[0289] As shown in FIG. 2, the balcony 10 is attached to two attachment beams 20a, 20b. The attachment beam 20b also comprises a stopper in a substantially identical arrangement to the stopper 800 on attachment beam 20a. A description of attachment beam 20b comprising a stopper is omitted for brevity.

[0290] The balcony 10 is installed on the attachment beams 20a, 20b by sliding the balcony towards the building and over the respective stoppers (e.g. 800). The balcony 10 is then secured to the attachment beams 20a, 20b as described above so that the stopping face (e.g. 801) is aligned with a clamping arm (e.g. 303). If the balcony 10 were to slide away from the building, the stoppers (e.g. 800) abut the respective clamping arms (e.g. 303) and prevent the balcony slidably detaching from the building.

[0291] While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0292] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

[0293] For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

[0294] Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0295] Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include”, and variations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0296] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example +/−10%.