[0001] The present invention relates to an incorrect operation safety lock device for door
or window handle control units, in particular for tilt/turn doors or windows made
of metal, PVC or the like, wood - PVC, etc.
[0002] Widespread use of doors or windows of the above-mentioned type has been known for
some time, in most cases with application of Cremone bolt handles as the part for
opening and closing the door or window.
[0003] This type of handle (see for example patent EP - 446.566 by the same Applicant) basically
consists of an outer handgrip rotatably attached to a handle body (normally prismatic
in shape), which houses the actual operating means connected, inside the profile,
to rods and transmission means which, sliding along the usual seats made along the
entire perimeter of the profile, allow the door or window to be opened (either by
turning or by tilting) and closed.
[0004] Inside the handle body the handgrip is connected to a pinion meshing on opposite
sides with a pair of racks having relative transversal rods, connected inside the
above-mentioned rods and transmission means.
[0005] Another known solution is that of separating the two elements forming the handle,
that is to say, the control means and the handgrip: this solution is used to make
only the handgrip rapidly and economically interchangeable according to the colour
- appearance requirements of the room in which the door or window is fitted.
[0006] In practice, in this solution the control means can be housed in tubular chambers
in the profile forming the door or window sash, whilst only the handgrip (for example,
a customary window handle) is applied on the outside of the profile and mechanically
connected to the control means which are normally enclosed in a box-shaped body.
[0007] An incorrect operation safety lock device is also fitted on the control means to
prevent a change in the sash configuration when the sash is in the open configuration,
whether turned or tilted.
[0008] This device normally consists of a slider located in the box-shaped body and acting
on a sliding control rod for the rods or transmission means located on the sash.
[0009] The slider is parallel with the handgrip operating axis and can slide between two
end positions: the first stops the rod sliding, with the slider projecting from the
box-shaped body and a portion of it interfering with the control rod (sash open configurations),
and the second position releases the rod, with the cursor housed in the box-shaped
body thanks to the action, for example, of a fixed contact element on the inside of
the door or window fixed frame, allowing the rod released by the slider constraining
portion to slide freely.
[0010] However, the device structured in this way has functional limitations, due to the
above-mentioned arrangement in the box-shaped body, since its position is constrained
to a single type of sash opening, that is to say, a right-hand opening sash or a left-hand
opening sash, in order to function correctly.
[0011] Therefore, this constraint necessitates two different types of box-shaped bodies
with the incorrect operation safety lock device positioned according to the appropriate
operating directions, or disassembly of the box-shaped body before its application
on the door or window to correctly reposition the device. Obviously, this increases
the overall costs of the product, assembly and storage.
[0012] Therefore, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages
by providing an incorrect operation safety lock device for door or window handle control
units which is extremely practical, versatile and so can be used irrespective of the
opening configuration of the door or window sash.
[0013] Accordingly, the present invention achieves said aim with an incorrect operation
safety lock device for door or window handle control units, the doors or windows being
of the type comprising a fixed frame and a sash equipped with operating means for
opening it, whether by turning or by tilting, and closing it. The sash houses control
means acting on the operating means during use of a handgrip which can be turned about
a horizontal axis. The operating means also comprise means for stopping and releasing
handgrip rotation, comprising: an operating slider, extending according to an operating
axis transversal to the horizontal axis, and attached to the operating means; elastic
means, acting on the slider and designed to allow maintenance of a configuration which
stops rotation of the handgrip when the sash is in the open configuration; a slider
contact element located on the fixed frame and designed to intercept the slider laterally
and at an angled surface when the sash passes from one of the open configurations
to the closed configuration, allowing slider movement corresponding to the release
of handgrip rotation.
[0014] The technical features of the invention, with reference to the above aims, are clearly
described in the claims below and its advantages are apparent from the detailed description
which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred
embodiment of the invention provided merely by way of example without restricting
the scope of the inventive concept, and in which:
- Figure 1 is a schematic front view with some parts cut away to better illustrate others,
of part of a door or window fitted with the incorrect operation safety lock device
for handle control units in accordance with the present invention;
- Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a detail of the door or window fitted with the
incorrect operation safety lock device;
- Figure 3 is a perspective exploded view of a control device for handles fitted with
the incorrect operation safety lock device in accordance with the present invention;
- Figure 4 is a top plan view with some parts cut away to better illustrate others,
of the incorrect operation safety lock device located inside control means and illustrated
in the previous figures;
- Figure 5 is a top plan view of another detail, that is to say, a contact plate, which
is part of the incorrect operation safety lock device;
- Figure 6 is a schematic view from direction S shown in Figure 2, with some parts cut
away to better illustrate others, of the incorrect operation safety lock device as
it changes from a first to a second configuration;
- Figures 7 and 8 are respectively a perspective view and a perspective exploded view
of the incorrect operation safety lock device;
- Figures 9, 10 and 11 are all perspective views of the contact plate in three different
embodiments.
[0015] With reference to the accompanying drawings, in particular Figures 1, 2 and 3, the
incorrect operation safety lock device according to the invention is used on a control
unit, labelled 1 as a whole, for handles which can be applied to doors or windows
2.
[0016] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the door or window 2 comprises a fixed frame PF
and a sash 3, each consisting of vertical and horizontal external members (in the
accompanying drawings the door or window is only partly illustrated, being typical).
[0017] The sash 3 has a central tubular section and an external seat or channel CP which
houses operating means 4 for opening and closing the sash 3 relative to the fixed
frame PF (Figure 1 partly illustrates transmission rods forming part of the operating
means, since they are of the known type and are not part of the subject matter of
the present invention).
[0018] The sash 3 also has a seat housing control means 5 acting on the operating means
4 to open (either to a turned or tilted configuration) and close the sash 3. These
operations are controlled using a handgrip 6 kinematically connected to the control
means 5, the handgrip being outside the sash 3 and able to turn about a horizontal
axis Y.
[0019] As illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, the operating means 5 also comprise means 7 which
stop and release handgrip 6 rotation, acting on the control means 5 according to the
configuration assumed by the sash 3.
[0020] These stop and release means 7 comprise at least:
- an operating slider 8, extending according to an operating axis X transversal to the
horizontal axis Y of rotation of the handgrip 6, and attached to the operating means
5;
- elastic means 9, acting on the slider 8 from inside the operating means 5, and designed
to allow maintenance of a configuration which stops handgrip 6 rotation, with the
slider 8 outside the operating means 5, when the sash 3 is in one of the open configurations;
- a slider 8 contact element 10 located on the fixed frame PF of the door or window
2 and designed to intercept the slider 8 laterally and at an angled surface 11 (see
also Figure 6) when the sash 3 passes from one of the open configurations to the closed
configuration, allowing slider 8 movement, corresponding to the release of handgrip
6 rotation.
[0021] With the exception of the contact element 10, these elements forming the incorrect
operation safety lock device are located in the operating means 5.
[0022] The operating means may, by way of example only and without limiting the scope of
the invention, comprise (see Figure 3) a box-shaped body 12 for slidably housing a
rod 13 connected to the operating means 4 and having a rack 14 which meshes with rotation
means 15 kinematically connected to the handgrip 6.
[0023] The rotation means 15 may, again by way of example only, consist of a partially toothed
wheel 15a with a seat 15b for connection to the handgrip 6 and a toothed carriage
15c for transmission of motion inserted and meshing between the wheel 15a and the
rack 14.
[0024] According to the structure in the example embodiment, the slider 8 passes through
a first slot 16 made in a bottom surface 17 of the box-shaped body 12 and a second
slot 18 in the rod 13 so that it partly projects from the box-shaped body 12.
[0025] The rod 13 also has three seats 19 for connection to a base 8a of the slider 8, the
seats made on the surface of the rod with the rack 14 (there are three seats to allow
relative positioning according to the configuration assumed by the sash 3 and therefore
the position of the rod 13).
[0026] As illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 7, 8, the elastic means 9 are inserted between
the slider 8 and the box-shaped body 12 and are designed to allow slider 8 movement
between:
- a first, forward operating position, in which the slider 8 projects outside the box-shaped
body 12 and the base 8a is connected to one of the seats 19 in the rod 13 (see also
the upper position of the slider 8 in Figure 6), the interference stopping the rod
13 from sliding; and
- a second operating position, in which the slider 8 is completely housed in the box-shaped
body 12 and the rod 13 can slide freely (see arrows F8 and slider 8 lower position
in Figure 6).
[0027] At a structural level, the elastic means comprise a spring 9 inserted between the
base 8a of the slider 8 and a supporting and contact wall 20 which can be elastically
and reversibly connected in a seat 21 in the box-shaped body 12.
[0028] This contact wall 20 is "U" shaped and at its free ends has bulges 22 for connection
in the seat 21 of the box-shaped body 12 when the arms 23 of the "U" are elastically
bent (see arrows F23 in Figure 4).
[0029] The base 24 of the contact wall 20 has a vertical tab 25 for positioning and retaining
the end of the spring 9 so as to keep the spring 9 along a predetermined operating
axis.
[0030] The slider 8 backward movement is caused, as indicated, by a contact element 10 with
the angled surface 11 that is laterally intercepted by the slider 8.
[0031] As illustrated in Figures 5, 9 and 10, the contact element 10 may comprise a plate
26 which can be attached, using relative means 27 (for example grub screws or plain
screws located and acting according to assembly and operating parameters which depend
on the type of fixed frame PF), to the fixed frame PF and which can be positioned
opposite the slider 8, when the door or window 2 is in a closed configuration.
[0032] The plate 26 has a central channel, formed by the angled surface 11 which can be
laterally intercepted by the slider 8.
[0033] The plate 26 may have several types of structures: for example, in Figure 11 the
plate 26 may be a single-block element with a central zone at the centre of which
the angled surface 11 is located, delimited on both sides by a pair of walls 28a and
28b and having two sets of holes 27 with different centre-to-centre distances to allow
greater adaptability for assembly on the fixed frame PF. In Figures 5, 9 and 10, the
plate 26 may, in contrast, comprise two separate parts, the first 26a, being the base,
for fastening it to the fixed frame PF, and the second part 26b being attached to
the first part 26a to form the angled surface 11, delimited on both sides by the two
guiding and thickness setting walls 28a and 28b.
[0034] The second part 26b may be equipped with means 29 for moving the second part 26b
along a plane parallel with the first part 26a (see arrows F29) to adjust the position
where the angled surface 11 is intercepted by the slider 8. This measure allows correction
of any contact discrepancies caused by wear over time or difficulty assembling the
contact element 10.
[0035] For example, the movement means 29 may consist of a pair of slots 29a made in the
second part 26b in which screws 29b that lock the plate 26 to the first part 26a are
inserted. Loosening the screws 29b allows movement of the second part 26b in both
directions, for correct positioning, which may be displayed by marks 29c on the sides
of the first part 29a.
[0036] Therefore, an incorrect operation safety lock device structured in this way achieves
the preset aims with a structure and positioning of the elements which make it extremely
rational, with fewer elements, and with the possibility, in a single element that
can be applied to the box-shaped body of the control means, of using the device on
both right- and left-hand opening sashes. The position of the slider, transversal
to the axis of rotation of the handgrip and the presence of a contact plate, allows
the creation of a single control means unit which adapts perfectly to all types of
doors or windows, reducing production and storage costs.
[0037] The special structure of the slider - spring - flexible contact body unit allows
rapid assembly, if the control means are not already fitted with it, and rapid disassembly
for maintenance or part substitution.
[0038] The contact plate can also easily be adjusted to suit requirements after assembly
thanks to the presence of the means for positioning the angled surface, thus optimising
operation of the incorrect operation safety lock device.
[0039] The invention described is suitable for many industrial applications and may be modified
and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive
concept. Moreover, all the details of the invention may be substituted by technically
equivalent elements.
1. An incorrect operation safety lock device for door or window (2) handle control units
(1), the doors or windows being of the type comprising a fixed frame (PF) and a sash
(3), each consisting of vertical and horizontal external members; at least the sash
(3) having a central tubular section and an external seat or channel (CP) housing
operating means (4) for opening, either by turning or by tilting, and closing the
sash (3) relative to the fixed frame; the sash (3) housing, in a relative seat, control
means (5) acting on the operating means (4) for achieving the sash (3) open and closed
configurations controlled by a handgrip (6) kinematically connected to the control
means (5), the handgrip being outside the sash (3) and able turn about a horizontal
axis (Y); the operating means (5) also comprising means (7) which stop and release
the handgrip (6) rotation, acting on the control means (5) according to the configuration
assumed by the sash (3), the device being
characterised in that the stop and release means (7) comprise at least:
- an operating slider (8), extending according to an operating axis (X) transversal
to the horizontal axis (Y) of rotation of the handgrip (6), and attached to the operating
means (5);
- elastic means (9), acting on the slider (8) from inside the operating means (5),
and designed to allow maintenance of a configuration which stops handgrip (6) rotation,
with the slider (8) outside the operating means (5), when the sash (3) is in one of
the open configurations;
- a slider (8) contact element (10) located on the fixed frame (PF) of the door or
window (2) and designed to intercept the slider (8) laterally and at an angled surface
(11) when the sash (3) passes from one of the open configurations to the closed configuration,
allowing slider (8) movement, corresponding to the release of handgrip (6) rotation.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the angled surface (11) for laterally intercepting the slider (8) is part of the
contact element (10).
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the operating means (5) comprise at least
a box-shaped body (12) slidably housing a rod (13) connected to the operating means
(4), the rod having a rack (14) which meshes with rotation means (15) kinematically
connected to the handgrip (6), the device being characterised in that the slider (8) passes through a first slot (16) made in a bottom surface (17) of
the box-shaped body (12) and a second slot (18) in the rod (13); the rod (13) also
having at least three seats (19) for connection to a base (8a) of the slider (8),
the seats being made on the surface of the rod with the rack (14).
4. The device according to claims 1 and 3, characterised in that the elastic means (9) are inserted between the slider (8) and the box-shaped body
(12) and are designed to allow slider (8) movement between a first, forward operating
position, in which the slider (8) projects outside the box-shaped body (12) and the
base (8a) is connected to one of the seats (19) in the rod (13), the interference
stopping the rod (13) from sliding, and a second operating position, in which the
slider (8) is completely housed in the box-shaped body (12) and the rod (13) can slide
freely.
5. The device according to claim 4, characterised in that the elastic means comprise a spring (9) inserted between the base (8a) of the slider
(8) and a supporting and contact wall (20) which can be elastically and reversibly
connected in a seat (21) in the box-shaped body (12).
6. The device according to claim 5, characterised in that the contact wall (20) is "U" shaped, with bulges (22) at its free ends for connection
in the seat (21) in the box-shaped body (12) when the arms (23) of the "U" are elastically
bent; the base (24) of the contact wall (20) having a vertical tab (25) for positioning
the end of the spring (9).
7. The device according to claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the contact element (10) comprises a plate (26) which can be attached, using suitable
means (27), to the fixed frame (PF) and can be positioned opposite the slider (8)
when the door or window (2) is in a closed configuration; the plate (26) having a
central channel, formed by the angled surface (11) which can be laterally intercepted
by the slider (8).
8. The device according to claim 7, characterised in that the plate (26) comprises two separate parts, the first part (26a), being the base,
for fastening it to the fixed frame (PF) and the second part (26b), being attached
to the first part (26a) to form the angled surface (11), delimited on both sides by
the two thickness setting walls (28a) and (28b), and having means (29) for moving
the second part (26b) along a plane parallel with the first part (26a) and designed
to allow adjustment of the position where the angled surface (11) is intercepted by
the slider (8).