JULIET BALCONY MOUNTING SYSTEM

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120, and is a continuation, of co-pending International Application PCT/GB2024/050501, filed Feb. 23, 2024 and designating the US, which claims priority to GB Application 2305051.1, filed Apr. 5, 2023, such GB Applications also being claimed priority to under 35 U.S.C. § 119. These GB and International applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

Field

The present invention relates generally to a Juliet balcony mounting system for mounting a panel with its largest surface oriented substantially vertically and a method of mounting the system. The mounting system finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in reducing the installation complexity of Juliet balconies.

BACKGROUND

Juliet balconies are known, and are commonly used as aesthetically pleasing safety devices. Juliet balconies enable an orifice in a wall of a building above the ground floor that is substantially the full-height of a room for greater ventilation and accesses to natural light, without introducing a safety risk, such as the building occupants unintentionally exiting the building through the orifice. Traditional Juliet balconies are assembled using a panel, such as glass or acrylic, which is mounted into a fixed frame whilst on the ground prior to the installation onto a building. This offers no mounting flexibility and requires a glazing professional for refitting.

SUMMARY

Existing Juliet balcony mounting systems necessitate cumbersome installation techniques. For example, the techniques involve multiple human operators and require the relatively heavy panel to be held in place by other means whilst the fixings are set in position. This introduces safety concerns and increases installation time, complexity and cost.

This means that there is a problem associated with Juliet balcony mounting systems for mounting a panel of how to reduce safety concerns and decrease installation time, complexity and cost.

In a first aspect, there is provided a Juliet balcony mounting system for mounting a panel with its largest surface oriented substantially vertically, the Juliet balcony mounting system comprising: a support member for supporting a lowermost face of a panel, in use, on a support face of the support member; and a wall-mountable bracket comprising: a first mounting plane arranged to engage with a first vertical face of the panel in use for limiting movement of the panel therethrough; a second mounting plane arranged to engage with a second vertical face of the panel in use, different to the first vertical face, for limiting movement of the panel therethrough; a slot for removably-receiving the support member therein, the slot arranged to orientate the support face substantially perpendicular to the first and second mounting planes; and wherein, in use, the first plane and the second plane are orientated substantially vertically, and the support member is orientated substantially horizontally; and the slot is oriented substantially horizontally, in use, such that the support member is insertable into the slot in a substantially horizontal direction and the slot is arranged to limit movement of the support member in a substantially vertical direction.

In this way, a Juliet balcony may be constructed in a manner that is both faster and safer for the operator, as no tools are necessary when the installers are holding the weight of the panel. Therefore, an initial fitting can be provided to hold the panel securely and any further supports can be added without the need for the operator to hold the panel in place. This system may allow the removal and reinstallation of the balcony by an unskilled worker, which is particularly useful in creating an entry point in a building for large objects, such as a sofa, wardrobe, or conference table. Furthermore, rapid insertion or replacement of the support member is facilitated. This can be especially beneficial when levelling an installed panel by replacing the installed support member with another support member of a different thickness.

The Juliet balcony mounting system may be configured to mount a panel or, more specifically, configured to, in use, mount a panel with its largest surface in a vertical orientation.

The panel may have a first face disposed opposite a second face. The first and second faces may each be surfaces with a larger area than any other surface of the panel. It may be understood that the largest surface may be the surface with the largest surface area. The first face may be joined at each of its edges to the second face by a joining surface. In some examples, the panel may one, three, four, or five joining surfaces. For example, the panel may be a substantially flat cuboid. The lower most face of the panel, in use, may be a joining surface of the panel. In some examples, a panel may have a first face disposed directly adjacent to a second face.

The panel may be a see-through panel, such as a perforated panel, a transparent panel, and/or a translucent panel. The panel composition may be, or include, one or more of glass, acrylic, ceramic, metal or wood. The Juliet balcony mounting system may include a panel. In some examples, the panel may have a rectangular profile.

The wall mountable bracket may be a bar. The wall mountable bracket may have one flat portion substantially along its entire length to facilitate positioning against a wall. The wall mountable bracket may have one or more flat portions to facilitate handling of the wall mountable bracket. The wall mountable bracket may be a straight bar with a cross-sectional profile that is, or includes a portion that is, shaped like an “L” or a substantially hollow triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon or octagon. An L-shaped cross-sectional profile may be particularly lightweight.

The wall mountable bracket may include a plurality of holes therethrough to facilitate fixing it to a wall. Alternatively, or additionally, the wall mountable bracket may include a projection, hook and/or eyelet for attaching to existing fixings on a wall.

The mounting plane may be a surface or portion of a surface that is substantially flat. Each mounting plane may be configured to engage with a face of the panel. For example, in use, each mounting plane may be in direct or indirect contact, and/or in parallel with, a face of the panel. In some examples, in use, a mounting plane may be in indirect contact with the panel via an engagement member or, more specifically, only via an engagement member.

The engagement member may be a resilient member and/or have a relatively high friction surface. For example, the composition of the engagement member may be or include nylon, rubber or silicone. The engagement member may be a strip of material. The engagement member may be a strip of material with a length in its longitudinal axis of at least 50%, at least 70%, or at least 90% of the length of longitudinal axis of the wall mountable bracket.

In some examples, the slot comprises an opening that opens into a cavity. The slot, or more specifically the opening or cavity, may be integral to the wall-mountable bracket. In some examples, at least a portion of the slot is an indentation into the wall-mountable bracket. In some examples, at least a portion of the slot is a protrusion from the wall-mountable bracket.

The slot may be a closed slot with an opening in only two-dimensions to, in use, permit entry of a support member from only one direction. The slot may be an open slot with an opening in three-dimensions to, in use, permit entry of a support member from a plurality of directions. For example, the slot opening may permit entry of a support member from only one direction, from no more than two perpendicular directions, or from no fewer than three perpendicular directions.

The composition of the support member may be, or include, nylon, rubber or silicone. The support member may be a resilient member. The profile of the support member may be configured to fit through the opening of the slot and rest in the cavity of the slot. In some examples, the support member may be deformable. For example, in use, the weight of the panel resting on the support member may deform said support member such that the profile of the support member extends beyond the opening of the slot in at least one dimension. The support member may have at least two flat surfaces.

In some examples, the support member may be a variable height support member. Layered and/or variable height support members enable quick and simple alignment adjustment to correct for construction errors. For example, the support member may comprise a plurality of layers. Each layer of the support member may be detachable from one another to enable a variable height support member. Each layer of the support member may interlock with another such member. A variable height support member may include a screw thread to enable more precise adjustment of the panel alignment.

The support face may be relatively hard and/or relatively rigid compared with the support member to distribute the load of the panel over a larger area of the support member. This enables the use of a softer material for the support member by reducing the direct pressure of the panel on the support member. In some examples, the support face composition may be, or include, metal, relatively hard plastic, or wood arranged to spread the pressure of the panel over a larger surface area of the support member in use. The panel may rest directly atop of the support face in use.

The support face may cover an entire surface of the support member. Alternatively, or additionally, the support face may cover a portion of the area of a surface of the support member, such as at least 25%, at least 50% or at least 75% of the surface of the support member. In some examples, the support face may extend across the surface of the support member in a dimension to cover at least 25%, at least 50% or at least 75% of the surface of the support member in that dimension. For example, the dimension may be the longest length of the support member or a dimension perpendicular to the longest length of the support member.

In some examples, the support face may provide a protrusion from the support member to control the orientation of insertion of the support member, with a corresponding indentation provided in an opening of the slot.

The slot is for removably-receiving the support member. For example, the slot may be configured to removably-receive the support member horizontally in use.

The slot is provided to underpin the support member. For example, in use, the slot may prevent the support member located within the slot from falling under the influence of gravity. The slot may underpin the support member, in use, across the entire lower surface of the support member. In some examples, the slot may provide one or more protrusions for steadying a support member retained therein. The slot may be configured to be in contact with more than 50% of the edges of the support member in use.

The first mounting plane and second mounting plane may be arranged to form a channel. The channel may be configured to receive the panel, such as an edge of the panel. In use, the channel may substantially prevent the motion of the panel in a first direction using the first mounting plane. In use, the channel may substantially prevent the motion of the panel in a second direction using the second mounting plane. The second direction may be different to the first direction. The first direction may be oriented along one axis of three mutually perpendicular axes and the second direction may be oriented along one axis of the three mutually perpendicular axes.

An additional wall-mountable bracket may be provided and may include the features attributed to the wall-mountable bracket.

The longest dimension of the channel of the wall-mountable bracket and/or the additional wall-mountable bracket may be at least 25 cm, at least 50 cm, at least 100 cm, or at least 150 cm. In some examples, the longest dimension of the channel may be no more than 150 cm, no more than 250 cm, or no more than 350 cm. In particular, the longest dimension of the channel may be 110 cm. A dimension of the panel may be substantially the same as the longest dimension of the channel.

The slot may be arranged to intersect the channel and may be configured to removably receive the support member. The support member of the Juliet balcony mounting system may be configured to extend across the slot, in use, to block the motion of the panel along a length of the channel in a third direction, wherein the third direction is oriented along one axis of three mutually perpendicular axes that is different to the first and second directions.

The Juliet balcony mounting system may comprise a securing member which is slidably receivable within the wall-mountable bracket such that the securing member prevents movement of the support member in a first horizontal direction.

In this way, the support member may be retained with an additional layer of security to prevent accidental removal of the support member.

For example, the securing member may be retained by the wall-mountable bracket using an interference fit or, more specifically, only using an interference fit. The securing member may include a lip to prevent horizontal movement of the support member in one or more directions. The wall-mountable bracket may include an insertion point for receiving the securing member therein, and in use the insertion point may be arranged substantially vertically such that the securing member is insertable into the insertion point in a substantially vertical direction.

It may be understood that the securing member may be inserted into the wall-mountable bracket horizontally or vertically.

The Juliet balcony mounting system may comprise a cover portion, the cover portion slidably attachable to the wall-mountable bracket to provide a third mounting plane arranged to engage with a third vertical face of the panel to limit movement of the panel therethrough, wherein the slot is arranged to orientate the support face substantially perpendicular to the third mounting plane, and wherein the securing member protrudes beyond the cross-section of the wall-mountable bracket to prevent the cover portion sliding therebeyond.

In this way, the panel may be retained more securely without the use of tools.

The wall-mountable bracket may include one or more rails, and the cover portion may include one or more guides, each guide being configured to slide over and retain a rail of the wall-mountable bracket.

The cover portion may be arranged to prevent movement of the support member in a second horizontal direction, which is different to the first horizontal direction.

In this way, removal of the support member may be prevented by the combination of the securing member and cover portion.

For example, in use, the cover portion may present a physical barrier to the movement of the support member in a horizontal direction. In some examples, the cover portion may present a physical barrier to the movement of the support member in a plurality of directions, such as a plurality of horizontal directions or a in at least one horizontal direction and at least one vertical direction. A protrusion from the cover portion may rest, directly or indirectly, on the top of the support member in use.

The slot of the Juliet balcony mounting system may comprise one or more internal surfaces that are smooth, flat, and/or include a pattern that is non-helical to enable insertion of the support member using a push-fit.

In this way, the support member can be fitted faster and retained without the use of tools. Removing the need to use tools at height vastly increases the level of safety associated with fitting the system, and in some cases, removes the need for scaffolding when fitting the system.

A non-helical pattern in this context may be a series of ridges, arranged in a pattern that is not a helix. In some examples, the series of ridges may be a series that is symmetrical about a plane. Alternatively, or additionally, the non-helical patten may be formed using asymmetrical ridges, wherein the each ridge has at least two surfaces that protrude from the wall mountable bracket at different angles.

It may be understood that a push-fit enables one part to be inserted into another by sliding it in using relatively moderate force from a user. For example, the push-fit may be configured using the dimensions of the support member and/or the slot to enable insertion of the support member into the slot with a force no greater than 110 Newtons, 130 Newtons, 190 Newtons or no greater than 225 Newtons.

It may be understood that, without tools, an upper force limit of 110 Newtons is achievable by most working age adults when leaning over an obstacle, 130 Newtons is achievable by most working age adults when seated, 190 Newtons is achievable by most working age adults when kneeling, and 225 Newtons is achievable by most working age adults when standing. In contrast, a hammer strike often provides in excess of 500 Newtons.

The Juliet balcony mounting system may comprise a slot and a support member, wherein the slot and support member are sized to provide an interference fit therebetween in use.

In this way, the panel may be supported more robustly without the use of tools.

In some examples, the interference fit may have different levels of interference along the length of the slot. For example, the slot and/or support member may be configured such that, in use, a first portion of the support member enters the slot with a first level of interference and a second portion of the support member enters the slot with a second level of interference, wherein the second level of interference is higher than the first level. The different level of interference along the length of the slot may enable a first fit of the panel using a push fit with no tools to secure the panel in place, followed by a high interference fit using a hammer. It may be understood that the amount of interreference controls the tightness of the fit, or the friction involved in the fitting. A high interference fit between parts has a greater amount of friction present between the parts than a low interference fit between two parts.

The wall-mountable bracket may include a support portion, wherein an edge of the support portion is aligned to, or integral with, an edge of the slot, and wherein in use the support member is disposed above the support portion for receiving the panel thereon.

In this way, additional support can be provided such that a push-fit support with a cuboidal shape is insertable into the slot with additional weight bearing characteristics.

In some examples, the wall-mountable bracket may include one or more support portions, wherein an edge, and/or surface, of each support portion is aligned to, or integral with, an edge of the slot, and wherein in use the support member is disposed between the one or more support portions and the panel. In some examples, each support portion may extend across the cavity of the slot, such as from one side to an opposite side.

The mounting system may include a panel. In some examples, the slot and the support member may be, in use, disposed below the panel. In this way, support of the weight of a vertical panel may be provided.

More specifically, the slot and the support member may be, in use, disposed directly below the panel. The slot and the support member may be, in use, intersect a channel, such as the channel formed by the first mounting plane and second mounting plane.

The Juliet balcony mounting system may include an additional wall-mountable bracket, wherein the span of the panel between the wall-mountable bracket and the additional wall-mountable bracket may be at least 100 cm, in use. A longest dimension of the channel of the wall-mountable bracket and/or a longest dimension of a channel of the additional wall-mountable bracket may be at least 25 cm long.

In some examples, the mounting system may comprise an additional wall-mountable bracket having a channel. The panel may be engaged with the wall-mountable bracket and the additional wall-mountable bracket. For example, the panel may be engaged in the respective channels of each of the wall-mountable bracket and the additional wall-mountable bracket, and may rest on the support member of the wall-mountable bracket and the further support member of the additional wall-mountable bracket. In use, the span of the panel between the wall-mountable bracket and the additional wall-mountable bracket may be at least 100 cm, at least 150 cm, at least 200 cm, at least 240 cm or at least 300 cm. In some examples, in use, the span of the panel between the wall-mountable bracket and the additional wall-mountable bracket may be no more than 100 cm, no more than 150 cm, no more than 200 cm, no more than 240 cm or no more than 300 cm. For example, in use, the span of the panel between the wall-mountable bracket and the additional wall-mountable bracket may be between 235 cm and 245 cm, or more specifically 240 cm.

The span of the panel between the wall-mountable bracket and the additional wall-mountable bracket may be at least twice the length of the channel of the wall-mountable bracket and/or the additional wall-mountable bracket.

The support member may be a resilient member. In this way, potentially panel damaging forces created during installation of the panel, or due to imperfections in the wall-mountable bracket or panel, are less likely to cause permanent damage to the panel as these forces may be damped by utilising this resilient member. Moreover, vibrations are damped, which reduces noise pollution and may result in extended panel life, especially in high vibration areas, such as near relatively large or heavy moving vehicles, such as lorries, trains or busses.

The first mounting plane and the second mounting plane may each engage with the pane, in use, with a resilient interface. In this way, the panel may be subjected to reduced forces during installation.

For example, the resilient interface may be a strip of resilient material. The resilient interface may be or comprise silicone, rubber, or nylon.

The support face may be a portion that is relatively hard and relatively rigid. In use, the support face may be in direct contact with the panel and/or the support member. For example, in use, the support face may be disposed between the panel and the support member.

The opening of the slot may be asymmetrical to control the orientation of the support member on insertion.

The support member may comprise a plurality of interlocking layers. In use, the panel may rest atop of the support face of the support member, such that in use the height of the panel and alignment of the panel are determined by a thickness of the support member. The thickness of the support member may be determined by a number of interlocking layers of the support member. In some examples, the support face may be disposed only on a single layer of the support member, and the panel may rest directly atop of the support face in use.

In a second aspect there is provided a method of fitting a Juliet balcony, that comprises providing the Juliet balcony mounting system of any preceding claim; fixedly attaching the wall-mountable bracket to one side of a wall orifice and fixedly attaching an additional wall-mountable bracket to an opposite side of the wall orifice; inserting the support member into the slot of the wall-mountable bracket; inserting a further support member into a slot of the additional wall-mountable bracket; engaging a panel with the wall-mountable bracket and the additional wall-mountable bracket.

In this way, the Juliet balcony may be fitted in a safer manner that is more tolerant to different shapes of wall orifice.

It may be understood that the wall-mountable bracket and the additional wall-mountable bracket may each be brackets of the first aspect and may each form part of a system of the first aspect. For example, each wall-mountable bracket may include the components described in relation to the Juliet balcony mounting system. In some examples, the Juliet balcony mounting system includes a plurality of wall-mountable brackets, a plurality of support members and a single panel. For example, the Juliet balcony mounting system may include a two wall-mountable brackets, two support members and a single panel.

The wall-mountable bracket and the additional the wall-mountable bracket may be mounted no more than five metres apart, no more than 3 metres apart, or no more than 2 metres apart.

Fixedly attaching each wall-mountable bracket to one side of the wall orifice, and/or the opposite side of the wall orifice may include fixed attachment with screws, nails, hooks, or glue.

Engaging a panel with the wall-mountable bracket and the additional wall-mountable bracket may include engaging the first vertical face of the panel with a first mounting plane of the wall mountable bracket arranged to limit movement of the panel therethrough and engaging the second vertical face of the panel with a second mounting plane of the wall mountable bracket arranged to limit movement of the panel therethrough, wherein the second vertical face is different to the first vertical face. For example, the first vertical face may be opposite the second vertical face, or the first vertical face may be perpendicular to the second vertical face. The vertical faces may be vertical when the mounting system is in use as a Juliet balcony.

Engaging a panel with the wall-mountable bracket and/or the additional wall-mountable bracket may further include sliding on a slidable cover portion to the wall-mountable bracket. For example, the slidable cover portion may slide on from one end of the wall-mountable bracket and at least partially cover a face of the panel and/or support member, in use.

Engaging a panel with the wall-mountable bracket and/or the additional wall-mountable bracket may further include inserting a securing member at an end of one or more of the wall-mountable brackets. In some examples, the securing member may protrude beyond the wall-mountable bracket to support the weight of the slidable cover portion, in use. The securing member may be retained in the wall-mountable bracket using an interference fit between a gripper portion of the securing member and the wall-mountable bracket. The securing member may include a protrusion that forms part of the slot. The securing member may include a protrusion that, in use, covers at least one face of the support member when it is located in the slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional schematic representation of a lower portion of a wall-mountable bracket.

FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional schematic representation of a Juliet balcony mounting system.

FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional schematic representation of a Juliet balcony mounting system.

FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional schematic representation of a Juliet balcony mounting system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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

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

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

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

Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term “connected”, used in the description, should not be interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device A connected to a device B” should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. “Connected” may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. For instance, wireless connectivity is contemplated.

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

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

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

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

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

The use of the term “at least one” may mean only one in certain circumstances. The use of the term “any” may mean “all” and/or “each” in certain circumstances.

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

FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional schematic representation of a lower portion of a wall-mountable bracket 100. The upper portion is not shown, for clarity. However, it may be appreciated that the features described may be implemented on the upper portion of the wall-mountable bracket, or a portion closer to the centre than either end of the bracket.

The bracket 100 shown includes a first mounting plane 106 for engaging with a first vertical face of a panel (not shown), the first mounting plane 106 orientated substantially vertically. The bracket 100 also includes a second mounting plane 108 for engaging with a second vertical face of the panel, different to the first vertical face, the second mounting plane 108 orientated substantially vertically and at right angles to the first mounting plane 106. In FIG. 1, the first 106 and second 108 mounting planes are shown in contact, forming an angled edge into which a panel to be mounted may be received; however, in alternative arrangements, the first 106 and second 108 mounting planes may be spaced apart from one another.

In order to provide rigidity and strength to the first 106 and second 108 mounting planes, a mounting structure 105 is provided attached thereto, with means for coupling the bracket 100 to an adjacent wall. The wall-mountable bracket 100 shown includes fixing holes 102, 104, extending through the mounting structure 105 to facilitate fixing of the bracket to a wall that is either parallel to the first 106 mounting plane (by virtue of fixing holes 104) or parallel to the second 108 mounting plane (by virtue of fixing holes 102), e.g. using screws, nails, or glue. Only one of each of the fixing holes 102, 104 are shown, but it is to be understood that similar holes may be provided along the length of the bracket 100 to ensure secure attachment to the wall.

In use, one or more of the planes may be in direct contact with the panel to be mounted. Alternatively, one or more of the planes may be in indirect contact with the panel to be mounted, with an intervening resilient member.

The wall-mountable bracket 100 shown includes a slot 110 formed in the first 106 and second 108 mounting planes, as well as in the mounting structure X. Portions of said first 106 and second 108 mounting planes and the mounting structure X below the slot 110 are indicated as a support portion 112a, or protrusion 112a, and an additional support portion 112b, or protrusion 112b.

FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional schematic representation of a Juliet balcony mounting system. The Juliet balcony mounting system includes a wall-mountable bracket 200. Only the lower portion of the wall-mountable bracket is shown, for clarity, but it will be understood that the features described may be implemented on an upper portion of the wall-mountable bracket, or a portion closer to the centre than either end of the bracket.

The bracket 200 shown includes a first mounting plane 206 and a second mounting plane 208. The bracket 200 is shown in use, with the planes 206, 208 in direct contact with the panel 224 to be mounted. However, it may be appreciated that one or more of the mounting planes 206208 may be in indirect contact with the panel 224 via an intervening member, such as a resilient member.

The first mounting plane 206 is shown engaging with a first vertical face of a panel 224, and the first mounting plane 206 is orientated substantially vertically. The second mounting plane 208 is shown engaging with a second vertical face of the panel 224, different to the first vertical face of the panel, the second mounting plane 208 orientated substantially vertically and at right angles to the first mounting plane 206. In FIG. 2, the first 206 and second 208 mounting planes are shown in contact with one another, and coming together to form part of a channel into which the panel 224 to be mounted may be received.

In order to provide rigidity and strength to the first 206 and second 208 mounting planes, a mounting structure 205 is provided attached thereto, with means for coupling the bracket 200 to an adjacent wall (not shown).

The wall-mountable bracket 200 shown includes a slot 210. The slot is shown, in use, with the slot 210 oriented substantially horizontally. The wall-mountable bracket 200 shown also includes a support portion 212a, or protrusion 212a. The support portion 212a is shown, in use, disposed below the support member 216 to provide additional holding strength.

A support member 216 is shown retained in the slot 210. In some examples, the slot 210 at least partially covers two faces of the support member 216 when the support member 216 is retained in the slot 210 to prevent motion of the support member 216 beyond the slot 210. The support member 216 having a support face 220. The support face 220 is shown arranged in direct contact with the panel 224. The support face 220 distributes the weight of the panel 224, in use, to enable the support member 216 to be formed from a greater range of materials, such as relatively soft materials.

A securing member 218 is shown inserted into the end of the wall-mountable bracket 200. The securing member 218 shown includes a protrusion 222 to cover at least one face of the support member 216 when it is located in the slot 210, in use. The protrusion 222 of the securing member 218 at least partially covers an additional face of the support member 218 to the faces at least partially covered by the slot 210. It may be understood that the protrusion 222 of the securing member 218 may at least partially cover a plurality of additional faces of the support member 218 to the faces at least partially covered by the slot 210.

The slidable cover portion 214 is shown such that it slides along the wall-mountable bracket 200 in a direction 215 toward the securing member 218. In use, the slidable cover portion 214 may slide into position to cover a face of the support member 216 under the influence of gravity. Although it may be appreciated that the slidable cover portion 214 may slide along the wall-mountable bracket 200 in a direction 215 to cover a face of the support member 216. The slidable cover portion 214 may move into position in direct contact with the securing member 218. In use, the securing member 218 is located below the slidable cover portion 214. The securing member 218 may be configured to support some or all of the weight of the slidable cover portion 214 with a lip intersects the path of the slidable cover portion 214 along the wall-mountable bracket 200.

FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional schematic representation of a Juliet balcony mounting system. Only the lower portion of the wall-mountable bracket is shown, for clarity, but it will be understood that the features described may be implemented on an upper portion of the wall-mountable bracket, or a portion closer to the centre than either end of the bracket.

The bracket 300 shown includes a first mounting plane 306 and a second mounting plane 308. In use, one or more of the planes may be in direct contact with the panel to be mounted. Alternatively, one or more of the planes 306, 308 may be in indirect contact with the panel to be mounted, e.g. with an intervening resilient member.

The first mounting plane 306 is suitable for engaging with a first vertical face of a panel, and the first mounting plane 306 is orientated substantially vertically. The second mounting plane 308 is suitable for engaging with a second vertical face of the panel, different to the first vertical face of the panel, the second mounting plane 308 orientated substantially vertically and at an angle with respect to the first mounting plane 306. The angle shown is 90 degrees, but in some examples the angle of the second mounting plane 308 with respect to the first mounting plane 306 may be an angle of greater than 45 degrees and less than 135 degrees. In FIG. 3, the first 306 and second 308 mounting planes are shown in contact with one another, and coming together to form part of a channel into which a panel to be mounted may be received.

In order to provide rigidity and strength to the first 306 and second 308 mounting planes, a mounting structure 305 is provided attached thereto, with means for coupling the bracket 300 to an adjacent wall (not shown).

The wall-mountable bracket 300 shown includes a slot 310. The slot is shown, in use, with the slot 310 oriented substantially horizontally. The wall-mountable bracket 300 shown also includes a support portion 312a, or protrusion 312a, and an additional support portion 312b, or protrusion 312b. The support portion 312a is shown, in use, disposed below the support member 316 to provide additional holding strength.

The support member 316 is shown, with dashed lines 317 indicating the horizontal insertion of the support member 316 into the slot 310, which permits insertion only in orientations which set the support face 320 against the panel to be mounted in use. In some examples, the slot 310 at least partially covers two faces of the support member 316 when the support member 316 is retained in the slot 310, e.g. after insertion into the slot 310 along the path indicated by the dashed lines 317, which indicate the horizontal insertion of the support member 316 into the slot 310. Once retained within the slot 310, motion of the support member 316 is substantially prevented beyond the slot 310.

A support face 320 is provided and oriented on top of the support member 316 in use, based on the asymmetrical slot 310 to ensure that the support face 320 is disposed in direct contact with the panel, in use. The support face 320 distributes the weight of a mounted panel, in use. The support face 320 may be integral with the support member or attached thereto with an adhesive, such as glue, or a mechanical fixing, such as pins or staples.

A securing member 318 is shown inserted into the end of the wall-mountable bracket 300. The securing member 318 is held in place using an interference fit between the a gripper portion 326 of the securing member 318 and a corresponding receiving portion 328 of the wall-mountable bracket 300. The receiving portion 328 of the wall-mountable bracket 300 may otherwise be known as an insertion point 328.

The insertion point 328 is shown arranged substantially vertically, such that the securing member is insertable into the insertion point in a substantially vertical direction, and then retained by an interference fit therebetween.

The securing member 318 shown includes a protrusion 322 to cover at least one face of the support member 316 when it is located in the slot 310, in use. The protrusion 322 of the securing member 318 at least partially covers an additional face of the support member 316, in use, when the support member 316 is disposed in the slot 310. It may be understood that the protrusion 322 of the securing member 318 may at least partially cover a plurality of additional faces of the support member 318 to the faces at least partially covered by the slot 310.

FIG. 3 shows the securing member 318 retained by the wall-mountable bracket 300 in the insertion point 328 of the bracket 300 using an interference fit or, more specifically, only using an interference fit. In some examples, the securing member 318 is retained by the wall-mountable bracket 300 in the insertion point 328 of the bracket 300 using an interference fit in combination with an adhesive, such as glue. The securing member 318 is shown with a protrusion 319 extending beyond the exterior of the cross-sectional area of the wall-mountable bracket 300 to prevent a cover portion sliding therebeyond.

FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional schematic representation of a Juliet balcony mounting system. Only the lower portion of the wall-mountable bracket is shown, for clarity, but it will be understood that the features described may be implemented on an upper portion of the wall-mountable bracket, or a portion closer to the centre than either end of the bracket.

The bracket 400 shown includes a first mounting plane 406 and a second mounting plane 408. In use, one or more of the planes may be in direct contact with the panel to be mounted. Alternatively, one or more of the planes 406, 408 may be in indirect contact with the panel to be mounted, e.g. with an intervening resilient member.

The first mounting plane 4064 is suitable for engaging with a first vertical face of a panel, and the first mounting plane 406 is orientated substantially vertically. The second mounting plane 408 is suitable for engaging with a second vertical face of the panel, different to the first vertical face of the panel, the second mounting plane 408 orientated substantially vertically and at an angle with respect to the first mounting plane 406. The angle shown is 90 degrees, but in some examples the angle of the second mounting plane 408 with respect to the first mounting plane 406 may be an angle of greater than 45 degrees and less than 135 degrees. In FIG. 4, the first 406 and second 408 mounting planes are shown in direct contact with one another. The first 406 and second planes 408 shown come together to form part of a channel into which a panel to be mounted may be received.

In order to provide rigidity and strength to the first 406 and second 408 mounting planes, a mounting structure 405 is provided attached thereto, with means for coupling the bracket 400 to an adjacent wall (not shown). The wall-mountable bracket 400 shown includes fixing hole 402, to facilitate fixing the bracket to a wall, e.g. using screws, nails, or glue.

The wall-mountable bracket 400 shown includes a slot 410 with a support member 416 disposed therein. The slot 410 is shown, in use, with the slot 410 oriented substantially horizontally. A support member 416 is shown retained horizontally in the slot 410, such that its lowest face is horizontal. In some examples, the slot 410 at least partially covers two faces of the support member 416 when the support member 416 is retained in the slot 410 to prevent motion of the support member 416 beyond the slot 410. The support member 416 having a support face 420. The support face 420 is shown arranged in direct contact with the panel 424. The support face 420 distributes the weight of the panel 424, in use, to enable the support member 416 to be formed from a greater range of materials, such as relatively soft materials.

A support face 420 is provided and oriented on top of the support member 416 in use, based on the profile of the asymmetrical slot 410 to ensure that the support face 416 is disposed in direct contact with the panel, in use. The support face 420 distributes the weight of a mounted panel, in use. The support face 420 may be integral with the support member or attached thereto with an adhesive, such as glue, or a mechanical fixing, such as pins or staples. It may be understood that the slot 410 is asymmetric in that the opening of the slot has no rotational symmetry, to facilitate the correct orientation of the support member 416.

A securing member 418 is shown with dashed lines 424 indicating the vertical insertion of the securing member 418 into the wall-mountable bracket 400. The securing member 418 is held in place using an interference fit between the a gripper portion 426 of the securing member 418 and a corresponding receiving portion 428 of the wall-mountable bracket 400. The receiving portion 428 of the wall-mountable bracket 400 may otherwise be known as an insertion point 428.

The insertion point 428 is shown arranged substantially vertically, such that the securing member 418 is insertable into the insertion point 428 in a substantially vertical direction, and then retained in this vertical orientation by an interference fit therebetween.

The securing member 418 shown includes a protrusion 422 to cover at least one face of the support member 416 when it is located in the slot 410, in use. The protrusion 422 of the securing member 418 at least partially covers an additional face of the support member 416, in use, when the support member 416 is disposed in the slot 410. It may be understood that the protrusion 422 of the securing member 418 may at least partially cover a plurality of additional faces of the support member 418 to the faces at least partially covered by the slot 410.

FIG. 4 shows the securing member 418 retained by the wall-mountable bracket 400 in the insertion point 428 of the bracket 400 using an interference fit or, more specifically, only using an interference fit. In some examples, the securing member 418 is retained by the wall-mountable bracket 400 in the insertion point 428 of the bracket 400 using an interference fit in combination with an adhesive, such as glue. The securing member 418 is shown with a protrusion 419 extending beyond the exterior of the cross-sectional area of the wall-mountable bracket 400 to prevent a cover portion sliding therebeyond.

The securing member 418 is held in place using an interference fit between the a gripper portion 426 of the securing member 418 and a corresponding receiving portion of the wall-mountable bracket 400. One or more additional gripper portions 430 may be provided to increase the friction between the securing member 418 and the wall-mountable bracket and/or the slidable cover portion (not shown).