SE2150533A1 - Suspension system for a balcony, a method for suspending a balcony on an exterior wall structure of a building and the use of such suspension system - Google Patents

Abstract

A suspension system (1000) for a balcony is provided. The suspension system comprises a plurality of beams (100) and a framework (200) of a balcony. Each beam (100) is configured to be directly or indirectly mounted on an exterior wall structure (500) of a building. The framework (200) comprises a plurality of guiding rails (201), wherein the framework (200) is configured to be mounted to the plurality of beams (100) by longitudinally inserting the plurality of beams (100) into a respective guiding rail (201). Each beam (100) has an outer beam width (WB), and wherein one specific guiding rail (201a) of the plurality of guiding rails (201) has a first inner guiding rail width (WG1), and the remaining guiding rails (201 b-e) of the plurality of guiding rails (201) have a second inner guiding rail width (WG2). The first inner guiding rail width (WG1) is smaller than the second inner guiding rail width (WG2) and larger than the outer beam width (WB). Further, a method for suspending a framework (200) of a balcony on an exterior wall structure (500) of a building is provided.

Description

SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR A BALCONY, A METHOD FOR SUSPENDINGA BALCONY ON AN EXTERIOR WALL STRUCTURE OF A BUILDING ANDTHE USE OF SUCH SUSPENSION SYSTEM Field of the lnvention The invention relates to a suspension system for a balcony, a method forsuspending a balcony on an exterior wall structure of a building and the use of suchsuspension system.

Background Artlt is well known in the art to provide buildings with balconies. The balconies may either be integrally formed with the building or be provided as pre-formedbalcony modules that are mounted to the exterior wall structure of the building. The|atter may be made by providing the exterior wall structure of the building with aplurality of beams that project out from the wall structure and further providing aframework module which comprises a plurality of apertures to be aligned with thelongitudinal extension of the respective beams. The framework module is mounted tothe beams by inserting the beams into their respective apertures in the frameworkmodule. Hence, in other words, the framework module is slid onto the beams. ln theresulting installation, the weight of the balcony will be supported by the beams.

Since a balcony is arranged in an elevated position in view of the ground it isessential that the work of suspending the framework module as such may be madeas easy as possible. Any angular misalignment of the beams, even a small one asmeasured close to the wall structure, will cause a substantial angular misalignmentas seen at the free ends of the beams. Such angular misalignment may cause a socalled drawer effect which makes it more difficult to insert the beams intocorresponding openings in a framework module. The suspension work is made byone or more cranes, which requires a highly skilled personnel due to the overallsmall tolerances, heights and weights. Installation of a balcony also involves asubstantial cost in terms of machinery since at least one crane must be allocated.Thus, it is essential that the installation time may be reduced.

Further, it is essential that the following levelling of the suspended frameworkmodule may be made in an easy manner to ensure that the flooring of the finishedbalcony will be horizontal. Further, since the overall visual appearance of the buildingand the balconies is of essence, there is a strive towards balconies where beams,fastening elements etc are concealed to as large extent as possible.

There is hence a need for a framework of a balcony that allows a simplified mounting.

Summary of the lnvention The main object of the invention is to provide a system allowing an easysuspension of a modular balcony.

Another object is to provide a system that allows an easy suspension andlevelling of a modular balcony.

Yet another object is that the suspension system should be applicable nomatter if it is a mounting that is made during a new construction of a building or as aretrofit.

These and other objects are met by a suspension system for a balconycomprising: a plurality of beams having a longitudinal extension, each beam beingconfigured to be directly or indirectly mounted on an exterior wall structure of abuilding; and a framework of a balcony, the framework comprising a plurality ofguiding rails, wherein the framework is configured to be mounted to the plurality ofbeams by longitudinally inserting the plurality of beams into a respective guiding rail;wherein each beam has an outer beam width, and wherein one specific guiding rail ofthe plurality of guiding rails has a first inner guiding rail width, and the remainingguiding rails of the plurality of guiding rails have a second inner guiding rail width, thefirst inner guiding rail width being smaller than the second inner guiding rail widthand larger than the outer beam width.

Accordingly, a suspension system for a balcony is provided where aframework is provided which comprises a plurality of guiding rails, each guiding railbeing configured to receive a beam to be inserted into the guiding rail. Hence, theframework module is slid onto the beams. One specific guiding rail has an innerwidth that is smaller than inner width of the other guiding rails but larger than theouter width of plurality of beams. Thereby, when inserting the plurality of beams intothe plurality of guiding rails, the specific guiding rail with the smaller inner width willact as a guide that linearly controls the relative displacement between the completeframework of the balcony and the plurality of beams while at the same time reducingor even preventing any drawer effect i.e. any misalignment between the beams andthe inner walls of the guiding rails, which may cause an unwanted frictional lockingengagement. Thus, by the present invention, a simplified and faster suspension process is provided for and also an overall safer working environment is provided forsince the amount of manual hands-on work may be reduced. This applies no matterif the suspension is made during the erection of a new building or as a retrofitting toan existing building.

Each guiding rail may comprise a top wall and two opposing side walls, thetop wall and the side walls having a longitudinal extension configured to coincidewith the longitudinal extension of a respective beam, said top wall having acontinuous or discontinuous extension as seen transverse to the longitudinalextension.

The guiding rail may be provided by two extruded longitudinally extendingprofiles, each having a L-shaped cross-section. ln an alternative design, the guidingrail may be provided by an extruded longitudinally extending profile having a U-shaped cross section. Two L-shaped profiles may even be preferred as compared toa single U-shaped profile since the weight of the guiding rails and hence the overallweight of the framework of the balcony may be reduced.

The top wall of each guiding rail may comprise at least two adjusting bolts,each bolt having a free end configured to abut a top wall of a respective beam,thereby allowing levelling of the framework of the balcony by adjusting the at leasttwo adjusting bolts.

Thus, by adjusting the bolts in their respective axial direction, the frameworkof the balcony will be either lifted or lowered in view of the beams which as such arefixedly mounted to the building. Thereby the framework of the balcony, and henceany flooring to be arranged thereon, may be horizontally levelled.

The plurality of guiding rails may be ordered in a parallel relationship in viewof each other, such that the specific guiding rail is centrally located among theplurality of guiding rails.

At least one guiding rail of the plurality of guiding rails may comprise twoprofiles, each profile having an L-shaped cross-section. The two profiles may beconnected by a plurality of transversally extending coupling members. One or moreof said coupling members may be provided with a through-going hole configured tothreadingly receive an adjusting bolt.

At least one guiding rail of the plurality of guiding rails may in oneembodiment comprise a U-shaped cross-sectional profile. The web of said U-shapedcross-sectional profile may be provided with at least two through-going holes, eachhole being configured to threadingly receive an adjusting bolt.

At least one guiding rail of the plurality of guiding rails may have a straightlongitudinal extension or a tapered longitudinal extension. A tapered longitudinalextension facilitates guiding of the framework of the balcony in view of the beams.

At least one guiding rail of the plurality of guiding rails may in oneembodiment comprise a hollow quadrangular cross-sectional profile. A top wall ofsaid hollow quadrangular cross-sectional profile may be provided with at least t\Nothrough-going holes, each hole being configured to threadingly receive an adjustingbolt.

The plurality of guiding rails may comprise a combination of an L-shapedprofile, a U-shaped profile and a hollow quadrangular cross-sectional profile.

The at least two adjusting bolts, no matter form of the guiding rails, may bethreadingly received in a respective member forming part of the framework of thebalcony.

The suspension system may further comprise at least one bracket configuredto clamp the framework into a firm engagement with the plurality of beams.

Each beam may in one embodiment comprise: a first support being configured to be mounted on the exterior wall structure ofthe building, said first support, in a free end thereof facing away from the building,comprising an end plate supporting a projection, and a second support being configured to be mounted to the framework of thebalcony, said second support comprising a rear end configured to face the exteriorwall structure of the building and a front end configured to be longitudinally insertedin a respective guiding rail of the framework of the balcony, and the rear end of the second support comprises a locking plate, said lockingplate comprising an opening configured to receive the projection of the end plate ofthe first support, thereby lockingly engaging the first and the second supports.

Accordingly, the respective beam may be divided into tvvo sections - the firstsupport and the second support. The first support is configured to be fixedly mountedto the exterior wall structure of the building. The second support is configured to bemounted to the first support by the locking plate of the second support directly, orindirectly lockingly engaging the end plate of the first support. The second supportwill thereby constitute the beam which is configured to be inserted into a guiding railof the framework of the balcony.

By dividing the beam in two sections, the mounting of the beam to thebuilding will be substantially facilitated. Since the beam is typically mounted to thebuilding by means of casting concrete in the event of a new construction, by bolting,or by inserting rebars in drilled holes in an existing wall structure, it is easier to handle a smaller sub-element, i.e. the first support, during fixation of the beam to thewall structure as such, both in terms of volume and weight. When the first support isproperly fixated to the wall structure, the second support may be mounted to the firstsupport to thereby form the beam to which the framework of the balcony is to besuspended. The division of the beam into two sections facilitates a proper alignmentof the first support in the horizontal and vertical direction in view of the wall structurebefore fixation and before mounting the second support thereto. Further, the divisionof the beam into tvvo supports facilitates scaffolding since the first support typicallycan be substantially shorter than the second support, which second support can bemounted in connection to the installation of the framework of the balcony.

Further, by dividing the beam into two sections, any remaining angular errorsbetween the extension of the first support in view of the wall structure may becompensated for by adjusting the second support in view of the first support beforemounting the framework of the balcony to the resulting beam. The adjustment of thesecond support in view of the first support may be made by one or more adjustingbolts which may be arranged to act between the end plate of the first support and thelocking plate of the second support. Accordingly, the division of the beam into twosupports will allow improved possibilities of correction of angular errors which maycause problems during suspension of the framework of the balcony when theplurality of beams should be inserted into the plurality of guiding rails of theframework of the balcony.

The locking plate may comprise a first adjusting bolt and a second adjustingbolt, said adjusting bolts being arranged on opposite sides of a longitudinal centerline of the locking plate, wherein said bolts are threadingly received by threading inthrough-going bores in the locking plate, and wherein a free end of the respectiveadjusting bolt is configured to abut the end plate of the first support in a conditionwhen the second support is connected to the first support. As the two adjusting boltscan be independently adjusted, the adjusting bolts may allow adjusting a direction ofthe second support in the horizontal plane and in the vertical plane prior to mountingthe framework of the balcony to the resulting beam. The adjustment is made in orderto ensure that the top surface of the framework of the balcony will be levelled, i.e.have a horizontal extension. Further, since the framework of the balcony isconfigured to be suspended by a plurality of beams, it is essential that all beams areproperly arranged in a parallel relationship. This adjustment may as well be made bythe two adjusting bolts of each beam. Accordingly, by providing the locking plate withtwo adjusting bolts, an effect corresponding to a ball joint may be achieved.

According to another aspect, a method for suspending a framework of abalcony on an exterior wall structure of a building is provided. The method comprisesthe following steps: mounting a plurality of beams, directly or indirectly, to an exterior wallstructure of a building, each beam having a longitudinal extension, and each beamhaving an outer beam width; providing a framework of a balcony, the framework comprising a plurality ofguiding rails, each guiding rail comprising a top wall and two opposing side walls, thetop wall and the side walls having a longitudinal extension coinciding with thelongitudinal extension of a respective beam, and one specific guiding rail of theplurality of guiding rails having a first inner guiding rail width, and the remainingguiding rails of the plurality of guiding rails having a second inner guiding rail width,the first inner guiding rail width being smaller than the second inner guiding rail widthand being larger than the outer beam width; and longitudinally inserting the plurality of beams into a respective guiding rail ofthe framework of the balcony.

The advantages with a suspension system using such combination of beamsand framework of a balcony have been thoroughly discussed above. Theadvantages are equally applicable to a method which involves the use of suchsuspension system. ln short, when inserting the plurality of beams into the plurality ofguiding rails, the specific guiding rail with the smaller inner width will act as a guidethat linearly controls the relative displacement between the complete framework ofthe balcony and the plurality of beams while at the same time reducing or evenpreventing any drawer effect i.e. any misalignment between the beams and the innerwalls of the guiding rails, which may cause an unwanted frictional lockingengagement. Thus, by the present invention, a simplified and faster suspensionprocess is provided for, and also an overall safer working environment is provided forsince the amount of manual hands-on work may be reduced. This applies no matterif the suspension is made during the erection of a new building or as a retrofitting toan existing building.

The method may further comprise levelling of the framework of the balconyby adjusting at least two adjusting bolts, said at least two adjusting bolts beingarranged in the top wall of each guiding rail, and each adjusting bolt having a freeend configured to abut a top wall of a respective beam.

According to yet another aspect, the invention refers to the use of asuspension system according to any one of claims 1-10 for mounting a framework ofa balcony on a building. The suspension system and its advantages have been thoroughly described above. These advantages are equally applicable to the use ofsuch suspension system. Hence to avoid undue repetition, reference is made to the sections above.

Brief Description of the Drawinqs The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 disc|oses the overall design of a balcony as mounted to a wall structureof a building.

Fig. 2 schematically disc|oses a schematic cross section of a framework of abalcony as being suspended to a building.

Figs. 3a-3b disclose one embodiment of a beam and its assembling.

Fig. 4 schematically disc|oses a perspective view of a framework of abalcony.

Fig. 5 schematically disc|oses a front view of a portion of a framework of abalcony.

Fig. 6 disc|oses an initial step of mounting a framework of a balcony to a wallsection of a building.

Fig. 7 disc|oses an intermediate step during mounting of a framework of abalcony to a wall section of a building.

Fig. 8 disc|oses an intermediate step during mounting of a framework of abalcony to a wall section of a building.

Figs. 9a-9b disclose the levelling of the framework of the balcony.

Figs. 10a-10b disclose the fixation of the framework of the balcony to the beams.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment Turning to Fig. 1 one example of a suspension system 1000 for a balcony asmounted to a highly schematically wall structure 500 of a building is disclosed. Thewall structure 500 may by way of example be a casted concrete element. lt is to beunderstood that the suspension system 1000 may be arranged to other structuralelements of a building with remained function.

Turning to Fig. 2, a schematic cross section of a framework 200 of a balconyas being suspended to the wall structure 500 of the building is disclosed. The crosssection is taken along the longitudinal extension of one beam.

The suspension system 1000 comprises a plurality of beams 100 and aframework 200 of a balcony. Each beam 100 has a longitudinal extension and each beam 100 is configured to be directly or indirectly mounted to the wall structure 500of the building.

The framework 200 of the balcony comprises a plurality of guiding rails 201.The framework 200 is configured to be mounted to the plurality of beams 100 bylongitudinally inserting the plurality of beams 100 into an opening of 225 of therespective guiding rail 201. Hence, in other words, the framework is configured to beslid onto the plurality of beams. The framework 200 of the balcony is configured tobe levelled in view of the plurality of beams 100 by a plurality of adjusting bolts 202.

As is best seen in Figs. 1 and 2, a top wall 203 of the framework 200 isconfigured to be covered by a plurality of tiles 400 forming a flooring. The tiles 400are preferably laid when the framework 200 has been suspended and properlylevelled. A peripheral outer edge 204 of the framework 200 is covered by protectivecovering plates 205. Further, the peripheral outer edge 204 of the framework 200 ofthe balcony is surrounded by a protective side wall forming a balcony railing 206.

Now turning to Figs. 3a-3b, one embodiment of the beam 100 is disclosed.The suspension system 1000 comprises a plurality of beams 100. All beams 100 arepreferably identical.

The beam 100 is divided into two sub-sections - a first support 101 and asecond support 102. The first and second supports 101, 102 are preferably made ashollow extruded steel profiles. The cross sections are disclosed as beingquadrangular, however it is to be understood that other cross sections with remainedfunction may be used. The cross section of at least the second support 102 shouldbe complementary to the respective guiding rail 201 in the framework 200 of thebalcony to be discussed below.

A longitudinal centerline L1 of the first section 101 forms an angle oi to thehorizontal plane. The angle may be positive or negative. This may reduce a verticalmounting space of the first support on the building, hence providing a verticalalignment of the balcony floor with respect to a floor level of a room in connectionwith the balcony.

The first support 101 comprises a rear end 103 which is configured to bemounted on the wall structure 500 of the building and a front end 104 which isconfigured to lockingly engage the second support 102. The rear end 103 of the firstsupport 101 comprises a plurality of optional projecting rebars 105. The rebars 105are connected to the first support 101 via a rear end plate 106. The skilled personrealizes that the number of rebars 105 and their design should be adapted to thetype of the structural design of the wall structure and also the dimensional load of thebalcony. The rebars may even be omitted. Hence, the design of the first support 101 may be varied within the scope of the invention. Also, the skilled person realizes thatthe first support 101, within the scope of the invention, may be connected to the wallstructure 500 of the building by other means than rebars. The first support 101 mayby way of example be bolted to the floor of the building.

The first support 101 further comprises, in a free end thereof configured toface away from the building, a front end plate 107. The front end plate 107 supportsa projection 108, see Fig. 3b. The projection 108 is in the disclosed embodimentprovided with a waist portion 109 having a first width w1 and a head portion 110having a second width w2, the second width w2 being larger than the first width w1.

The second support 102 comprises a rear end 111 configured to face theexterior wall structure 500 of the building and a front end 112 configured to belongitudinally inserted in the respective guiding rail 201 of the framework 200 of thebalcony. The rear end 111 of the second support 102 comprises a locking plate 113.The locking plate 113 comprises an opening 114 which is configured to receive thehead portion 110 of the projection 108 of the front end plate 107 of the first support101, thereby lockingly engaging the first and the second supports 101, 102.

The opening 114 in the locking plate 113 may by way of example have a key-hole shape having an insertion portion 115 and a locking portion 116. Thereby thesecond support 102 may be mounted to the first support 101 by a linear movementwhere the head portion 110 of the projection 108 of the first support is linearlyinserted into the insertion portion 115 of the locking plate 113 and then lowering thesecond support 102 whereby the projection 108 will be lockingly received in thelocking portion 116. ln the lowered position the first and second supports 101, 102will be prevented from being linearly separated.

The locking plate 113, see Figs. 3b and 3c comprises a first adjusting bolt117a and a second adjusting bolt 117b, said bolts being arranged on opposite sidesof a longitudinal centreline of the locking plate 113. The adjusting bolts 117a, 117bare threadingly received in through-going bores in the locking plate 113. A free endof the respective adjusting bolt 117a, 117b is configured to abut the front end plate107 of the first support 101 in a condition when the framework 200 of the balcony issuspended by the beam 100.

As the two adjusting bolts 117a, 117b are independently adjustable in view ofeach other, the second support 102 may be adjusted to be horizontally aligned. Also,the first and second supports 101, 102 may be aligned to extend in a commonvertical plane. Thereby, all beams 100 may be arranged to extend in a commonhorizontal plane and also to extend in parallel with each other prior to mounting theframework 200 of the balcony to the beams 100 as will be discussed below. Thereby it may be ensured that the top surface of the framework 200 of the balcony will havea horizontal extension in a mounted condition.

Now turning to Fig. 4 a schematic perspective view of the framework 200 ofthe balcony is disclosed. The framework 200 has a length L which is configured toextend in parallel with the wall structure of the building in a condition when thebalcony is mounted to the building. Correspondingly, the framework 200 has a widthW which is configured to extend perpendicular to the wall structure in a conditionwhen the balcony is mounted to the building.

The disclosed embodiment of the framework 200 comprises five guiding rails201, each having an extension in the width direction. The five guiding rails 201 areinterconnected by three connecting beams 207 having an extension in the lengthdirection L. Further, the framework 200 comprises two side beams 208 whichinterconnect the two outermost connecting beams 207. Thereby, the disclosedframework 200 has an overall rectangular shape. The skilled person realizes that thenumber of guiding rails 201 and connecting beams 207 may vary depending on thesize of the balcony to be formed. Also, the skilled person understands that theframework may have other shapes than a rectangular shape.

The side beams 208 and the connecting beams 207 are formed by hollowextruded beams having a substantially quadrangular cross section. The side beams208 and the connecting beams 207 may be interconnected by e.g. welding and/orbolting.

Each connecting beam 207 comprises a plurality of through-going openings209. The connecting beams 207 are configured to be arranged in a parallelrelationship with the openings 209 being aligned along the width W of the framework200. A guiding rail 201 is thereby allowed to extend through the thus alignedopenings 209. The number of through-going openings 209 in each connecting beam207 corresponds to the number or guiding rails 201.

Each guiding rail 201 comprises a top wall 210 and two opposing side walls211. The top wall 210 and the side walls 211 have a longitudinal extensionconfigured to coincide with the longitudinal extension of a respective beam 100.

Each guiding rail 201 is in the disclosed embodiment formed by two L-shapedprofiles 212 which are inserted through the aligned through-going openings 209 inthe connecting beams 207. The two L-shaped profiles 212 do together form alongitudinally extending and downwardly facing sliding and support surface 213. Thetwo L-shaped profiles 212 are arranged with an intermediate, longitudinallyextending gap 214. This gap 214 may be omitted in the event the guiding rail 201instead is formed by a U-shaped profile. ln the event of a U-shaped profile, the 11 longitudinally extending and downwardly facing sliding and support surface will beformed by the waist portion of the U-shaped profile.

As is best seen in Fig. 5, the framework 200 of the balcony comprises aplurality of adjusting bolts 202. The adjusting bolts 202 are threadingly received in aninterface between a guiding rail 201 and a respective connecting beam 207. ln theevent the guiding rail 201 is formed by two L-shaped profiles 212, it is preferred thata bridging coupling member 215 is arranged in the interface between the guiding rail201 and the respective connecting beam 207. The coupling member 215 is arrangedto bridge the gap 214 between the two L-shaped profiles 212. The coupling member215 comprises a threaded hole 216 forming an engagement portion for the adjustingbolt 202. A free end 217 of the respective adjusting bolt 202 is configured to actagainst a top wall 118 of the beam 100 in a condition when the beams 100 areinserted into their respective guiding rails 201 in the framework 200 of the balcony.This will be further discussed below.

As is best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, one specific guiding rail 201a of the pluralityof guiding rails 201 has a first inner guiding rail width WG1, and the remainingguiding rails 201b-201e of the plurality of guiding rails 201 have a second innerguiding rail width WG2, the first inner guiding rail width WG1 being smaller than thesecond inner guiding rail width WG2 and larger than the outer beam width WB. Thespecific guiding rail 201a is centrally located among the plurality of guiding rails 201.lt is understood that the specific guiding rail 201a may have another position in viewof the remaining guiding rails 201b-201e.

Now turning to Figs. 3a-3c, 6-8, the method mounting of the framework of thebalcony to the plurality of beams will be discussed. Starting with Figs. 3a-3c and 6, aplurality of beams 100 are mounted to the wall structure 500 of a building. This maybe made by embedding the rebars 105 (see Fig. 3a) of the first support 101 of thebeam 100 into the wall structure 500. ln an alternative, not disclosed embodiment,the first support 101 may be bolted to the floor of the building. ln the event of a newconstruction, this may be made while casting the wall structure 500. ln the event of aretrofitting it may be made by drilling holes (not shown) into the wall structure 500,inserting the rebars 105 and filling any remaining gaps with concrete. ln a conditionwhen the first supports 101 are fixedly mounted to the wall structure 500, the secondsupports 102 are mounted to their respective first supports 101 .This is made by, seeFig. 3b, linearly displacing the second support 102 in the horizontal direction towardsthe front end plate 107 of the first support 101 so that the head portion 110 of theprojection 108 is linearly inserted into the insertion portion 115 in the locking plate113 of the second support 102. Then, the second support 102 is lowered in the 12 vertical direction so that the projection 108 is received in the locking portion 116 inthe locking plate 113. ln this position, the second support 102 will be kept in positionin view of the first support 101 by gravity and is prevented from being linearlydisplaced in the horizontal direction.ln order to align the second supports 102 into a parallel relationship, see Fig.3c, and to allow a horizontal extension of the top surface of the framework 200 of abalcony to be mounted thereto, the first and second adjusting bolts 117a, 117b whichare arranged on opposite sides of a longitudinal centreline of the locking plate 113are used. As given above, the adjusting bolts 117a, 117b are threadingly received inthrough-going holes in the locking plate 113, and a free end of the respectiveadjusting bolt 117a, 117b is configured to abut the front end plate 107 of the firstsupport 101 in a condition when the second support 102 is mounted to the firstsupport 101. Since the two adjusting bolts 117a, 117b can be independentlyadjusted, the adjusting bolts 117a, 117b may allow adjusting a direction of thesecond support 102 in the horizontal plane and in the vertical plane prior to slidinglymounting the framework of the balcony to the resulting beam 100 by inserting thefree ends of the respective beams 100 into the respective guiding rails 201 of theframework 200. By adjusting all beams 100, it is made sure that all beams 100 arearranged in parallel.Now turning to Figs. 7 and 8, the framework 200 of the balcony is elevated bya non-disclosed crane. The framework 200 is moved into a position where therespective guiding rails 201 are aligned with the respective beams 100. Theframework 200 is then slid onto the beams 100 by inserting the free ends of therespective beams 100 into the respective guiding rails 201 of the framework 200.As discussed above in view of Fig. 5, each beam 100 has an outer beamwidth WB, and one specific guiding rail 201a of the plurality of guiding rails 201 has afirst inner guiding rail width WG1, and the remaining guiding rails 201b-201e of theplurality of guiding rails have a second inner guiding rail width WG2. The first innerguiding rail width WG1 is smaller than the second inner guiding rail width WG2 andlarger than the outer beam width WB. By one specific guiding rail 201a having asmaller inner width WG1 than the other guiding rails 201b-201e, any drawer effecti.e. any misalignment between the beams 100 and the inner walls of the guiding rails201 causing a frictional locking engagement, may be effectively reduced or evenavoided.Now turning to Fig. 9a, a schematic cross section of the framework 200 of the balcony is disclosed as in a condition when the beams 100 are fully inserted into theguiding rails. .The framework 200 rests on the beams 100 by an inner top wall 13 portion 224 of the respective guiding rails 201 abutting an outer top wall 118 of therespective beam 100.

The next step, see Fig. 9b, is to level the framework 200 in the horizontaldirection. This is made by setting the plurality of adjusting bolts 202 which aresupported by the plurality guiding rails 201. By setting, i.e. by screwing, the individualadjusting bolts 202, the free end 217 of the respective adjusting bolt 202 will engagethe outer top wall 118 of the respective beam 100 and thereby either lift or lower theframework 200 until a complete levelling in the horizontal direction is achieved. ln order of maintaining this levelled position, the framework 200 of thebalcony may be provided with at least one bracket 218 that is configured to clampthe framework 200 into a firm engagement with the beams 100. One embodiment ofsuch bracket 218 is disclosed in Figs. 10a and 10b. The bracket 218 has a U-shapewith a web 219 which interconnects two legs 220. Each leg 220 comprises avertically extending groove 221 with a fixed nut 222. The bracket 218 straddles thelower side of the beam 100. The bracket 218 is supported by a lower side of theconnecting beam 207 of the framework 200 of the balcony by two bolts 223 onopposite sides of the beam 100. The two bolts 223 threadingly engage a respectivenut 222 of the bracket 218. By setting the bolts 223, the bracket 218 will moveupwardly, see Fig. 10b, into a position where the web 219 of the bracket 218 forcesthe beam 100 upwardly in the vertical direction into a firm engagement with the freeend 218 of the adjusting bolt 202. Thereby, the framework 200 will be effectivelylocked to the beams 100 and hence indirectly to the wall structure 500 of thebuilding. The skilled person realizes that the corresponding locking function may beprovided for in a number of ways within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, thedisclosed embodiment of the bracket 218 is one of many possible. Further, thenumber of brackets 218 may be one or more. ln this mounted position the top wall 203 of the framework 200 may beprovided with a suitable flooring such as tiles 400 or boards, see Fig. 1, Also, if notalready mounted thereto, the framework 200 should preferably be provided with anycovering plates 205 and also, the peripheral outer edge of the framework 200 of thebalcony should be provided with a protective a balcony railing 206.

Accordingly and in summary, in the embodiment discussed above, therespective beam 100 is divided into two sections - the first support 101 and thesecond support 102. The first support 101 is configured to be fixedly mounted to thewall structure 500 of the building and the second support 102 is configured to beadjustably mounted to the first support 101. By dividing the beam 100 in twosections, the mounting of the beam 100 to the building will be substantially 14 facilitated. Since the beam 100 is typically mounted to the building by means ofcasting concrete it is easier to handle a smaller sub-element, both in terms of volumeand weight. This facilitate a proper alignment of the first support 101 in view of thebuilding wall before mounting the second support 102 to the first support 101.Further, any angular errors between the extension of the first support 101 in view ofthe building may be compensated for by adjusting the second support 102 in view ofthe first support 101 by using the adjusting bolts 117a, 117b. This may be made foreach beam 100 before mounting the framework 200 of the balcony to the beams100. Also, the longitudinal extensions of the second supports 102 of the plurality ofbeams 100 may be adjusted so that all second supports 102 extend in parallel toeach other before mounting the framework 200 of the balcony to the beams 100.Thus, the division of the beam in two supports allows a "bi-directional" adjustment ofthe beam which contributes to a reduction or even elimination of any drawer effectduring mounting of the framework 200 to the beams 100.

Further, the framework 200 is configured to be mounted to the beams byinserting the plurality of beams into the corresponding plurality of guiding rails in theframework 200. This is made by a sliding movement. Since one specific guiding rail201a has a smaller inner width WG1 than the other guiding rails 201b-201e, anydrawer effect i.e. any misalignment between the beams 100 and the inner walls ofthe guiding rails 201 causing a frictional locking engagement, may be effectivelyreduced or even avoided. Thus, by the present invention, a simplified and fastersuspension process is provided for and also an overall safer working environment isprovided for since the amount of manual hands-on work may be reduced. Thisapplies no matter if the suspension is made during the erection of a new building oras a retrofitting to an existing building.

The guiding rails have been illustrated as being formed by two longitudinallyextending L-shaped profiles. The skilled person realizes that other designs arepossible within the scope of the invention. One or more of the guiding rails may beformed by a longitudinally extending extruded profile having a U-shaped cross-section or a hollow quadrangular cross-section. ln the event the guiding rail is formedby a U-shaped cross-sectional profile, the web of such U-shaped cross-sectionalprofile may be provided with a plurality of through-going holes, each hole beingconfigured to threadingly receive an adjusting bolt. Correspondingly, in the event theguiding rail is formed by a quadrangular cross-sectional profile, the top wall of suchprofile may be provided with a plurality of through-going holes, each hole beingconfigured to threadingly receive an adjusting bolt. ln yet another embodiment, the plurality of guiding rails may comprise acombination of an L-shaped profile, a U-shaped profile and a quadrangular profile.

No matter design of the guiding rail, at least one guiding rail of the plurality ofguiding rails may have a straight longitudinal extension or a tapered longitudinalextension.

Although the openings of the respective guiding rails have been illustrated asbeing aligned with each other and aligned with a rear end surface of the framework,it is to be understood that they may be mutually displaced in view of each otherand/or be longitudinally displaced in the width direction in view of the rear endsurface of the framework of the balcony.

Claims (13)

1. A suspension system (1000) for a balcony comprising a plurality of beams (100) having a longitudinal extension, each beam (100)being configured to be directly or indirectly mounted on an exterior wall structure(500) of a building; and a framework (200) of a balcony, the framework (200) comprising a plurality ofguiding rails (201 ), wherein the framework (200) is configured to be mounted to theplurality of beams (100) by longitudinally inserting the plurality of beams (100) into arespective guiding rai| (201); wherein each beam (100) has an outer beam width (WB), and wherein one specificguiding rai| (201a) of the plurality of guiding rails (201) has a first inner guiding rai|width (WG1), and the remaining guiding rails (201b-201e) of the plurality of guidingrails (201) have a second inner guiding rai| width (WG2), the first inner guiding rai|width (WG1) being smaller than the second inner guiding rai| width (WG2) and largerthan the outer beam width (WB).

2. The suspension system according to c|aim 1, wherein each guiding rai| (201)comprises a top wall (210) and two opposing side walls (211), the top wall (210) andthe side walls (211) having a longitudinal extension configured to coincide with thelongitudinal extension of a respective beam (100), said top wall (210) having acontinuous or discontinuous extension as seen transverse to the longitudinal extension.

3. The suspension system according to c|aim 2, wherein the top wall (210) of eachguiding rai| (201) comprises at least two adjusting bolts (201), each adjusting bolt(201) having a free end (217) configured to abut a top wall (210) of a respectivebeam (100), thereby allowing levelling of the framework (200) of the balcony byadjusting the at least two adjusting bolts (202).

4. The suspension system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the pluralityof guiding rails (201) are ordered in a parallel relationship in view of each other, suchthat the specific guiding rai| (201a) is centrally located among the plurality of guidingrails (201).

5. The suspension system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein at least oneguiding rai| (201) of the plurality of guiding rails (201) comprises two profiles (212), each profile (212) having an L-shaped cross-section, the two profiles (212) beingconnected by a plurality of transversally extending coupling members (215).

6. The suspension system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein at least oneguiding rail (201) of the plurality of guiding rails (201) comprises a U-shaped cross-sectional profile.

7. The suspension system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein at least oneguiding rail (201) of the plurality of guiding rails (201) comprises a hollowquadrangular cross-sectional profile.

8. The suspension system according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the pluralityguiding rails (201) comprises a combination of an L-shaped profile, a U-shapedprofile and a hollow quadrangular cross-sectional profile.

9. The suspension system according to any of the preceding claims, furthercomprising at least one bracket (218) configured to clamp the framework (200) into afirm engagement with the plurality of beams (100).

10. The suspension system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein eachbeam (100) comprises: a first support (101) being configured to be mounted on wall structure (500) ofthe building, said first support (101 ), in a free end thereof facing away from thebuilding, comprising an end plate (107) supporting a projection (108), and a second support (102) being configured to be mounted to the framework(200) of the balcony, said second support (102) comprising a rear end (111)configured to face the exterior wall structure (500) of the building and a front end(112) configured to be longitudinally inserted in a respective guiding rail (201) of theframework (200) of the balcony, and wherein the rear end (111) ofthe second support (102) comprises a lockingplate (113), said locking plate (113) comprising an opening (114) configured toreceive the projection (108) of the end plate (107) of the first support (101), therebylockingly engaging the first and the second supports (101, 102).

11. Method for suspending a framework (200) of a balcony on an exterior wallstructure (500) of a building, the method comprising: mounting a plurality of beams (100), directly or indirectly, to an exterior wallstructure (500) of a building, each beam (100) having a longitudinal extension, andeach beam (100) having an outer beam width (WB); providing a framework (200) of a balcony, the framework (200) comprising aplurality of guiding rails (201), each guiding rai| (201) comprising a top wall (210) andtwo opposing side walls (211), the top wall (210) and the side walls (211) having alongitudinal extension coinciding with the longitudinal extension of a respective beam(100), and one specific guiding rai| (201a) of the plurality of guiding rails (201) havinga first inner guiding rai| width (WG1), and the remaining guiding rails (201b-201e) ofthe plurality of guiding rails (201) having a second inner guiding rai| width (WG2), thefirst inner guiding rai| width (WG1) being smaller than the second inner guiding rai|width (WG2) and being larger than the outer beam width (WB); and longitudinally inserting the plurality of beams (100) into a respective guidingrai| (201) of the framework (200) of the balcony.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising levelling the framework(200) of the balcony by adjusting at least two adjusting bolts (202), said at least twoadjusting bolts (202) being arranged in the top wall (210) of each guiding rai| (201),and each adjusting bolt (202) having a free end configured to abut a top wall (210) ofa respective beam (100).

13. Use of a suspension system according to any one of claims 1-10 for mounting aframework (200) of a balcony on a building.