Technical Field

The invention relates to a fast coupling assembly for connecting a balcony to a building structure and to a method for connecting a balcony to a building structure, using the fast coupling assembly according to the invention.

The coupling assemblies for connecting an object to a building structure address the field of constructions and they are frequently used as part of a building construction process, for the purpose of fastening the various components of the building onto its structure. The structures generally are the building, the walls, the brackets or the slabs, onto which balconies, galleries or other accessories are fastened.

Background art

The biggest problems the construction industry currently faces are the delays in the construction schedule (due to the various weather, technical or overall context factors), the still quite high degree of exposure of the personnel to risks, such as working at heights on the outside of the building during the execution of the construction works, difficulties related to the use of recyclable materials and the design of buildings that are as modular as possible in order to be built at a constant quality and with an enhanced efficiency in a controlled environment, outside the construction site and then assembled on site. In case one opts for a concrete balcony, workers are exposed to the risk of working at heights for long periods of time. One of the causes is that, once the buildings erected, the scaffold used to help install the building facade elements (insulation, decorative panels, etc.) needs to bypass them, thus extending the scaffold installation/dismantling time. These circumstances, alongside the installation of the thermal brake elements between the concrete plate of the balcony and the building slab, lead to the search for options to modularly form the balconies and install them on the building after the removal of the facade installation scaffold. An attempt is made to solve the issues raised by typical concrete balcony by using metallic or aluminum profile frame balconies, but their connection onto the building and installation is still tedious requiring the long-term use of cranes to this end. The classical well-known methods of connecting the balcony using screws require long installation times and do not feature a high tolerance to the embedding of anchors into the building structure, on-site adjustments being often required. Moreover, the risk of working at heights is present for a long time, and, in some cases, works need to be carried out underneath the balcony, while it is still supported by the crane.

The balconies, the coupling assemblies, as well as the related methods for the connection thereof onto the structure of a building, currently known in the state of the art, solve some of the numerous aforementioned problems, but do not eliminate them all.

Thus, the patent application GB2577113A discloses a method for the installation of a balcony onto the facade of a building by positioning the balcony, having a support beam that protrudes outside the facade, preferably an I-beam, so that an actionable tapered shaft or pin, attached to the balcony, is aligned with a fastening socket, driving the shaft through the socket to position and correctly fasten the balcony onto the facade, subsequently locking the balcony onto the facade using additional fastening elements. The shaft may be driven by an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuator. The actuation device and the shaft need to be removed after the balcony is fastened using the fastening elements. A connection plate may be attached to the balcony to extend over a gap located between the balcony and the support beam, the plate featuring an opening. The disclosure also reveals a balcony fastening element, including a tapered shaft, an actuation device and a bracket, as well as a balcony and a part kit.

The method disclosed in the patent application GB25771 13A (Saphire) exemplified above, has tried to solve some of the problems in the art, but its implementation still requires a relatively long time during which the crane needs to be present, before the support screws are installed between the support beam that is connected to the building and the support beam present in the balcony. Moreover, depending on the number of the pieces of fastening equipment used on the balcony, the installation may be tedious and the balcony is not safe to walk on until all connection screws have been fastened. Essentially, it is a balcony that is screw-connected onto the building, but it includes a system for the alignment of the screw holes and a temporary fastening in one of the screw holes using a tapered shaft or pin. This tapered shaft actuation system needs to be installed on each individual balcony before it is lifted using the crane towards the installation place on the building. Patent application GB2559872A discloses a balcony for the installation on horizontal support beams that extend from a building. The structure comprises a metallic frame that defines a number of channels where the beams are inserted, the channel having a width that is larger than that of the beam in a direction perpendicular onto the beam length. The channels have top portions that overlap onto each beam when the balcony is installed. The frame also includes a means for the adjustment and fastening of the balcony frame once the balcony is placed onto the beams. The balcony adjustment consists in the screw-adjustment of the vertical frame. Side adjustment means may be provided in the channels.

The objects of the present disclosure, consisting in a fast coupling assembly for connecting a balcony to a building structure and the method for connecting a balcony to a building structure using the fast coupling assembly according to the invention, are intended to at least mitigate or even fully remove the aforementioned drawbacks, by significantly reducing the balcony installation time and, thus, the crane use time, and the risks implicitly related to working at heights (e.g. the crushing of the fingers or even limbs of site workers), respectively, as well as by eliminating the support beams that are preinstalled and protrude outside the building by more than 1 m, being inconvenient during the works for the installation of the building facade and of the exterior scaffold, required in order to build the facade.

Brief description of the disclosure

According to the present disclosure, there is a fast coupling assembly for connecting a balcony to a building structure and a method for connecting a balcony to a building structure, the method using the fast coupling assembly according to the accompanying claims.

The fast coupling assembly for connecting a balcony to a building structure, developed in order to achieve the purpose of this disclosure, as described in the first claim and in its dependent claims, is made of a fixed part and a mobile part, the fixed part of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony comprising a base plate that is provided with holes for the fastening thereof onto the building structure, two side plates arranged perpendicularly onto or at an angle in relation to the base plate and parallel to or at an angle in relation to each other, and a swinging system which swings the mobile part, where the two side plates are connected to each other by a metallic guiding plate and are provided with one U-shaped cut which receives a coupling bolt located on the mobile part and with a hole to accommodate a safety pin, the mobile part of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony being attached to a balcony support beam and being made of a base plate onto which two side plates are welded, arranged perpendicularly onto or at an angle in relation to the base plate and parallel to or at an angle in relation to each other, where the side plates are provided with a cut accommodating a coupling bolt, having a guide wedge arranged in the central area of the coupling bolt and where a cut is provided in the lower portion of the side plates, for the safety pin.

The number of fast coupling assemblies for connecting a balcony to a building structure required to fasten a balcony results from the structural calculations and it amounts to at least 2 assemblies per balcony.

The method for connecting a balcony to a building structure, using the fast coupling assembly according to the invention detailed in the independent claim 9 and in its dependent claims, the connecting method consisting in:

- the arrangement of the fixed part of the fast coupling assembly of a balcony according to the invention to a building structure in the building structure fastening point, where the fixed part of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony comprises a base plate that is provided with holes for the fastening thereof onto the building structure, two side plates arranged perpendicularly onto or at an angle in relation to the base plate and parallel to or at an angle in relation to each other, and a swinging system which swings the mobile part, where the two side plates are connected to each other by a metallic guiding plate, and are provided with an U- shaped cut which receives a coupling bolt located on the mobile part and with a hole for a safety pin, where the mobile part of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony is attached to a balcony support beam and it is made up of a base plate onto which two side plates are welded, arranged perpendicularly onto or at an angle in relation to the base plate and parallel to or at an angle in relation to each other, where the side plates are provided with a cut each in the top portion where a coupling bolt is fastened, and with a guiding wedge arranged in the central portion of the coupling bolt and where in the lower half of the side plates, a cut is located for the safety pin, - the positioning of the mobile part of the fast coupling assembly, by sliding it onto the balcony structure, in the installation position located towards the balcony side disposed towards the building

- the engagement of the balcony structure having embedded the mobile part of the fast coupling assembly, at a height located slightly above the fastening point onto the structure of the building;

- the coupling of the fixed and mobile parts of the fast coupling assembly between them by directing and locating the coupling bolt in the cut provided on the side plates of the fixed part;

- the fastening of the safety pin;

- the slackening and detaching of the crane chains from the balcony;

- the adjustment of the balcony by actuating the swinging system which swings the mobile part, the swinging system being located on the base plate of the fixed part of the fast coupling assembly, so that the balcony executes a radial movement, where the center is the coupling bolt;

- the final positioning of the balcony by providing some spacers or through the adjustment of screws or other threaded elements between the balcony support beam and the balcony frame side located above the support beam;

- the mechanical fastening or soldering of spacers to prevent their displacement.

It is self-evident that all the particular features, properties, as well as the advantages or other such, as explained herein below exclusively with regards to one aspect of the invention, in order to avoid useless repetitions, adequately apply with regards to the other aspects of the invention as well, without requiring an explicit mention in this respect.

Moreover, it is self-evident that with regards to the value specifications to be mentioned below, i.e., numbers and related ranges, they should not be understood as restrictive; rather, it will be self-evident for the specialist in the art that deviations from the ranges or specified information are possible in individual cases or based on the application, without exceeding the scope of the present invention.

Moreover, all values, ranges, parameters or other such, mentioned herein below, may be, in principle, determined or established by methods that are known as such to a specialist in the art. The fast coupling assembly of the balcony and the method for connecting a balcony to a building structure using the fast coupling assembly according to the invention, features a number of advantages as compared to the ones offered in the known state of the art, which will be mentioned herein below.

The assembly and the method for the fast coupling of a balcony to the structure of a building according to the invention allow for the connection of the fixed and mobile parts of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony, when the latter still is at a distance of 20-30 cm from the building, thus preventing the undesired collision between the balcony and the building facade.

The swinging system, alongside the mobile part adjustment system onto the frame of the balcony, feature a high tolerance for the situations where there are 50 mm errors in the left-right-hand side positioning on the building, 50 mm in the downwardsupwards positioning and angle deviations of 10 degrees from the horizontal in the fastening of the anchors on the structure of the building, allowing in these cases as well for the fast coupling of a balcony to the structure of a building, which, as such, is both an element of novelty according to the invention, and a special advantage as compared to the scenarios known in the background art. These tolerances accommodating the errors in the fastening of the anchors to the structure of the building may be increased upon client’s request.

At the same time, the fast coupling assembly of a balcony to the structure of a building according to the invention allows for the coupling of the balcony to the building, while also ensuring the access on the balcony immediately after the coupling and the insertion of the safety pin. The derived advantage is that the balcony does not need to be maintained onto the crane until the coupling screws between the balcony support beam and the fastening socket provided on the building are inserted, because these screws do not exist, which materially shortens the use time of the crane, with all the positive implications deriving from this fact. Another advantage is that the fast coupling assembly according to the invention does not require auxiliary devices aligning, guiding or temporarily coupling the balcony to the coupling points existing on the building, which also shortens the time required for the installation/dismantling of these tapered coupling devices. Since the auxiliary equipment is not required, an enhanced efficiency is ensured in the case of the installation of the balconies, while also mitigating the risk related to the relocation of the auxiliary coupling equipment from a balcony connected to the building to a balcony located on ground. Moreover, after the insertion of the safety pin, the coupling assembly still remains adjustable, allowing for the positioning of the balcony at an angle, upwards or downwards, while in the case of the technical solutions known so far, the coupling becomes fixed after the insertion of the connection screws/rivets.

The fast coupling assembly for connecting a balcony to a building structure and the method for connecting a balcony to a building structure using the fast coupling assembly according to the invention allow for the coupling of the balcony to the structure of the building by simply hooking the balcony to the building and inserting a safety pin, which leads to the advantage that the actuation or installation of other components allowing for the detachment of the balcony from the crane is no longer required. Moreover, if required, the balcony may be detached from the building by simply eliminating the safety pin and lifting the balcony with the help of the crane.

The method for connecting a balcony to a building structure using the fast coupling assembly according to the invention also ensures advantages such as the faster and more efficient installation, through the elimination of the time required for the installation of the screws between the balcony and the building, because this operations are no longer required.

Brief description of the figures

Figure 1 shows the fixed and the mobile parts of the fast coupling assembly, in a coupled position, in 3D view

Figure 2 shows a 2D cross section view and a side 3D view of the fixed part of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony

Figure 3a shows a 2D cross view of the mobile part of the fast coupling assembly Figure 3b shows a 3D view of the mobile part of the fast coupling assembly Figure 3c shows a 3D view of the coupled mobile and fixed parts

Figure 4 shows a 2D longitudinal section view of the balcony with its component elements

Figure 5 shows a longitudinal section view of the balcony assembled/installed on the structure of a building and the auxiliary component parts that allow for the installation of the balcony to the structure of the building Detailed description of the invention

The objectives of the invention will be disclosed in detail herein below, with reference to the figures.

In the case of this invention, the balcony 3 on which the fast coupling assembly thereof is mounted to the structure of the building is shown in figure 4. The balcony 3 has a metallic or aluminum structure, made of profiles, pipes and bent sheet metal, having various regular or irregular shapes, which, after assembly, will give the shape and final aspect of the balcony. All the architectural, safety and water drainage elements will be mounted on the balcony frame 3.4, as follows: the aluminum or WPC decking boards, which are arranged above the floor support profiles 3.3, profiles that are, in their turn, arranged on the balcony frame 3.4. The cuts 3.7 are performed in the balcony frame 3.4 to allow for the passage of the balcony support beam 2.6 inside it. On the outside, in the front and side sections of the balcony, the fascia is located, and in the lower part of the balcony the water drainage trays 3.6 are located, which are meant to direct the water accumulated on the balcony towards a desired drainage point. After the final adjustment, another series of screws 3.8 is used, which is meant to secure the balcony

3 on its support beam 2.6. The balcony support assembly is made of the following main component parts: the anchor 4 (fig. 5), which is cast into the floor slab (cast-in anchor), and optionally, the stub beam 5. The casting of the anchor into the floor slab

4 is carried out by fastening the balcony 3 to the structure of the building, in the fastening points. These points must be known starting the very construction phase of the building, so as to be installed in the correct positions, i.e. , the locations where the balcony support beams 2.6 and the balcony fast coupling assemblies, respectively, will be arranged.

Figure 4 also shows the stub beam 5, which is used when the fixed part 1 of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony is not directly fastened to the structure of the building.

Figure 1 shows the fast coupling assembly of a balcony to the wall of a building according to the invention, which is made of the following main component parts: the fixed part 1 of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony, which connects to the structure of the building or to the stub beam 5 as applicable, and the mobile part 2 of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony, which connects to the fixed part 1 of the fast coupling assembly, after the connection, fastening and adjustment of the balcony to the structure of the building.

The fixed part 1 of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony is shown in figure 2. As it follows from this figure, the fixed part 1 of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony according to the invention is made up of a base plate 1 .1 of the fixed part 1 , which is provided with holes for the fastening thereof onto the building structure or onto the stub beam 1.6, holes that are required for the coupling of the connection screws 1.7 to the structure of the building or to the stub beam 5, as applicable. Two side plates

1.2 of the fixed part 1 are welded into the base plate 1.1 , at a distance that results from the structural calculation. The side plates 1.2 may be arranged perpendicularly into or at an angle in relation to the base plate 1 .1 and parallel to or at an angle in relation to each other. The angle at which the side plates 1.2 are arranged in relation to the base plate 1.1 ranges between 90 and, respectively, 45 degrees, and the angle for the arrangement of the side plates 1.2 in relation to each other is of 0-45 degrees. The two side plates 1.2 of the fixed part 1 are provided with a cut 1.3 each, which is U- shaped, its sizes and base shape being adapted to accommodate the coupling bolt

2.3 belonging to the mobile part 2, and its base may be rounded or, respectively, right- angled. In the lower portion of the side plates 1.2 a hole 1.4 is provided for a safety pin (not shown). A metallic guiding plate 1.5 is also welded on the two side plates 1.2 of the fixed part 1, which connects the two side plates 1.2 of the fixed part 1. The metallic guiding plate 1.5 is meant to guide a guiding wedge 2.4, which is fastened onto the coupling bolt 2.3 (these are part of the mobile part 2 of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony).

A swinging system 1 .8 which swings the mobile part is provided on the base plate 1 .1 of the fixed part 1. The swinging system 1.8 is made either of a threaded bolt and a threaded sleeve, or of a screw and nut. After the coupling, the swinging system 1.8 carries out the swinging of the mobile part 2 through screwing/unscrewing.

The cut 1.3 may have different shapes depending on the shape of the coupling bolt

2.3 that may have a rectangular or a cylindric shape.

The mobile part 2 of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony, shown in figures 3a, 3b and 3c, is made of a base plate 2.1 of the mobile part 2 on which two side plates 2.2 of the mobile part 2 are welded. The side plates 2.2 may be arranged perpendicularly or at an angle in relation to the base plate 2.1 , the angle and distance between them being correlated to the angle and the distance between the side plates 1.2 on the fixed part 1 of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony, so that, when coupled, they are arranged on both sides, outside the side plates 1.2, in the immediate vicinity thereof, to allow for the arrangement of the safety pin.

The two side plates 2.2 are provided in the lower half, with one cut 2.5 for the safety pin. The safety pin cut 2.5 is placed in the lower half of the side plates 2.2, flush with the hole 1.4 for the safety pin on the fixed part 1 .

In the upper part of the side plates 2.2, a cut is provided, where a coupling bolt 2.3 is arranged. This cut for the fastening of the coupling bolt 2.3 is adapted in size and shape to the coupling bolt 2.3, and, hence, they can have a rectangular or cylindric shape. In the central part of the coupling bolt 2.3, a guiding wedge thereof 2.4 is provided. On the backside of the base plate 2.1 , a support beam 2.6 of the balcony is located, having a height of 120 mm to 220 mm and meant to allow the final positioning and to support the balcony frame.

The base plate 2.1. of the mobile part 2 has a thickness that may vary between 6 and 25 mm. The side plates 2.2 are welded onto it, having a thickness that may vary between 6 and 25 mm. The coupling bolt 2.3 has a diameter ranging between 10 mm and 40 mm and it is welded on the two side plates 2.2. The guiding wedge 2.4 is attached to the coupling bolt 2.3 by welding. On the backside of the base plate 2.1 a metallic beam with a height ranging between 120 mm and 220 mm is located. It is meant to support the balcony frame.

The mobile part 2 of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony also plays the role of supporting the balcony.

The cut 1.3 is U-shaped, with a rounded or right-angled base, depending on the rectangular or cylindric shape of the coupling bolt 2.3.

Example of an embodiment

The fast coupling assembly for connecting a balcony to a building structure is made up of a fixed part 1 and a mobile part 2, the fixed part 1 of the coupling assembly of the balcony comprising a base plate 1.1 that is fixed on the structure of the building. To this end, the base plate 1.1 is provided with the holes 1.6. The base plate 1.1 has two side plates 1.2 provided. They are disposed perpendicularly onto the base plate 1.1 and they face each other, being located at a distance of 50 mm (the distance results from the structural calculation and it is measured at the upper edge of the side plates 1.2). The angle at which the side plates 1.2 are located in relation to the base plate 1.1 is of 90 degrees and of 20 degrees, respectively, in relation to each other. The swinging system 1.8 is located on the side plates 1.2.

The two side plates 1.2 are joined together by a guiding metallic plate 1.5 and they are provided with one rounded-base U-shaped cut 1.3 which receives a cylinder-shaped coupling bolt 2.3. In the lower part of the side plates 1.2 a hole 1.4 is provided, for a safety pin. The mobile part 2 of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony is attached to a support beam 2.6 of the balcony and it is made of a base plate 2.1 on which two side plates 2.2 arranged perpendicularly in relation to the same are disposed, the angle and the distance between them being correlated to the angle and the distance between the side plates 1.2 on the fixed part 1 of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony (the distance is of 50 mm+30 mm, 90-degree angle from the base plate 2.1 and 20 degree angle, respectively, in relation to one another), so that, when coupled, they are disposed on both sides, outside the side plates 1.2, in the immediate vicinity thereof, to allow for the installation of the safety pin.

The swinging system 1.8 is made of a screw and nut.

The side plates 2.2 are provided in the upper part with a cut inside which a cylindershaped coupling bolt 2.3 is fastened. In the central part of the coupling bolt 2.3, a guiding wedge 2.4 is located.

In the lower half of the side plates 2.2, the cut 2.5 is provided for the safety pin. The safety pin cut 2.5 is placed in the lower half of the side plates 2.2, flush with the hole 1.4 for the safety pin on the fixed part 1.

In a first stage, the method for connecting a balcony to a building structure using the fast coupling assembly according to claim 1 , consists in disposing the fixed part 1 of the fast coupling assembly of a balcony according to the invention on the structure of a building in the fastening point on the building structure.

Next, the positioning of the mobile part of the fast coupling assembly takes place, by sliding it onto the balcony structure, in the installation position located towards the balcony side disposed towards the building, followed by the engagement of the balcony structure having embedded the mobile part 2 of the fast coupling assembly, at a height slightly above the fastening point on the structure of the building.

The next stage is the joining of the fixed 1 and mobile 2 parts of the fast coupling assembly to each other, by directing and placing the coupling bolt in the cut provided on the sides of the fixed part 1 . After the joining stage of the fixed 1 and mobile 2 parts of the fast coupling assembly to each other, the fastening of the safety pin takes place, followed by the slackening and detaching of the crane chains from the balcony.

Then follows the adjustment of the balcony by actuating the swinging system located on the base plate 1.1 of the fixed part 1 of the fast coupling assembly, so that the balcony executes a radial movement, where the center is the coupling bolt 2.3.

After the adjustment of the balcony, the final positioning of the balcony takes place, by providing some spacers or through the adjustment of screws or other threaded elements between the balcony support beam 2.6 and the side of the balcony frame located above the support beam 2.6, followed by the mechanical fastening or soldering of spacers to prevent their displacement.

The base plate 2.1. of the mobile part 2 has a thickness of 12 mm . The side plates 2.2 are welded onto it, having a thickness of 12 mm. The coupling bolt 2.3 has an outer diameter of 30 mm and it is welded onto the two side plates 2.2. The guiding wedge 2.4 is attached to the coupling bolt 2.3 by welding. On the backside of the base plate 2.1 , a metallic beam having a height of 140 mm is located. It is meant to support the balcony frame.

The mobile part 2 of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony also plays the role of supporting the balcony 3.

The method for connecting the balcony 3 to the structure of the building using the fast coupling assembly according to the invention supposes the coupling between the fixed part 1 and the mobile part 2 of the fast coupling assembly of a balcony according to the invention.

The first stage of the method for connecting a balcony to a building structure, using the fast coupling assembly according to the invention, consists in disposing the fixed part 1 of the fast coupling assembly of a balcony according to the invention on the structure of a building in the fastening point on the building structure. The fixed part 1 of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony is attached to the building structure starting the very construction stage. The fixed part 1 of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony 3 is connected to the structure of the building or, as the case may be, to the stub beam.

The balcony 3 is hooked onto the crane to be lifted with a four-foot chain that is connected to the lifting points of the balcony. The positioning stage of the mobile part of the fast coupling assembly follows, by sliding it onto the balcony structure, in the installation position located towards the balcony side disposed towards the building. This fact is a novelty that confers to the invention a greater advantage as compared to the known methods, in that it allows for the coupling of the fixed part 1 and mobile part 2 of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony, when the latter is still located at a distance of 20-30 cm from the building, thus avoiding the undesired collision between the balcony and the building facade.

With the help of the crane, the balcony 3 having embedded the mobile part of the fast coupling assembly, is engaged towards the position on the building, so that it reaches a height located slightly above the fastening point on the structure of the building. The balcony 3 does not necessarily need to be raised in a perfectly horizontal position. It only needs to be brought in a position that is close to the horizontal one.

Once it reaches this position, the balcony is directed by one or two installation operators, so that the mobile part 2 of the fast coupling assembly is bought in the immediate vicinity of the fixed part 1 of the fast coupling assembly that is already fastened onto the building, above it.

After the mobile part 2 reaches this position, the coupling of the fixed part 1 and mobile part 2 of the fast coupling assembly one to another is achieved, by directing, positioning and fixing the coupling bolt 2.3 in the cut adapted in terms of size and shape, provided on the side plates of the fixed part 1. To this end, the balcony 3 is lowered with the help of the crane until the two parts, fixed 1 and mobile 2, of the fast coupling assembly are connected one to another. The two parts are conceived so as to direct the coupling bolt 2.3 in the coupling bolt accommodation cut 1.3. At the same time, a first check takes place here, to make sure that all fast coupling assemblies are connected to each other. Depending on the size, two or several fast coupling assemblies are used for a balcony.

After all fast coupling assemblies on the balcony were connected, the safety pin is progressively inserted for each of them, starting with the closest, and ending with the farthest. The safety pin is inserted in hole 1 .4 and in the cut 2.5 especially provided for disposing the safety pin (not shown). The safety pins may be inserted in the hole 1.4 and in the cut 2.5 only if the fast coupling assembly is adequately connected, which means that this stage automatically includes the conducting of a new check.

When all safety pins have been inserted, the operators will leave the balcony, the next stage being that of slackening and detachment of the crane chains from the balcony. The successful completion of this stage implicitly represents the third check and confirmation of the correct connection of the balcony to the building. Once the chains have been slackened, they may be detached from the balcony. After coupling the two distinct parts of the fast coupling assembly, the adjustment of the balcony 3 on the structure of the building takes place. This stage takes place through the actuation of the threaded bolt or of the screw in the swinging system 1.8 located on the base plate 1.1 of the fixed part 1 of the fast coupling assembly. Both the threaded bolt and the screw in the swinging system 1.8 are meant to lift or lower the balcony 3, which will thus perform a radial movement where the coupling bolt 2.3 is the center. The balcony is finally positioned through the positioning of spacers 3.1 , which may be skids or wedges, between the support beam 2.6 of the balcony and the side of the balcony frame that is located above the support beam 2.6 or through the adjustment of screws or other threaded elements. The last stage of the method for connecting a balcony to a building structure, using the fast coupling assembly according to the invention, consists in securing the spacers via mechanical fastening or soldering, to prevent their displacement. The final inspection is preceded by the completion of the fit-out of the balcony with the decking boards.

The balcony 3 has a metallic or aluminum structure, made of profiles, pipes and bent sheet metal, having various regular or irregular shapes, which, after assembly, will give the shape and final aspect of the balcony.

All the architectural, safety and water drainage elements will be mounted on the balcony frame, as follows: the aluminum or WPC decking boards 3.2, which are arranged above the floor support profiles 3.3, which, in their turn, are arranged on the balcony frame 3.4. Cuts 3.7 are performed in the balcony frame 3.4 to allow for the passage of the support beam 2.6 of the balcony inside it. On the outside, in the front and side sections, the balcony fascia 3.5 is located, and in the lower part of the balcony the water drainage trays 3.6 are located, which are meant to direct the water accumulated on the balcony towards a desired drainage point. The screws 3.8 are meant to secure the balcony after the final adjustment.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the appended claims. The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1 Fixed part of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony

1.1 base plate of the fixed part

1 .2 side plates of the fixed part

1 .3 cut for the reception of a coupling bolt

1 .4 safety pin hole

1 .5 metallic guiding plate

1 .6 holes for the fastening of the base plate to the structure of the building

1.7 connection screws

1 .8 swinging system which swings the mobile part

2 Mobile part of the fast coupling assembly of the balcony

2.1 base plate of the fixed part

2.2 side plates of the mobile part

2.3 coupling bolt

2.4 coupling bolt guiding wedge

2.5 safety pin cut

2.6 balcony support beam

3 Balcony

3.1 spacers

3.2 aluminum or WPC decking board

3.3 deck support profiles/joist

3.4 balcony frame

3.5 balcony fascia

3.6 drainage trays

3.7 cuts in the balcony frame on the side towards the building

3.8 Screws securing the balcony onto the balcony support beam

4 Anchor cast into the building strength structure

5 Stub beam required for the passage through the structural elements of the building facade.