|
(11) | EP 2 439 365 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| (54) | Shutter holder with selectable position |
| (57) The present invention relates to a device used to hold a shutter for windows in different
open positions, without forcing the user to lean out of the window.
|
[0001] The present patent application for industrial invention relates to a shutter holder with selectable position.
[0002] The device of the invention has been devised in order to solve a common problem, which consists in holding shutters provided in windows and French windows firmly in open position.
[0003] As it is known, the need of holding shutters in open position is due to the fact that, without such a device, shutters would tend to close uncontrollably and bang, rotating around hinges, under the action of strong wind.
[0004] In order to meet such a need, shutters can be normally fixed in completely open position by means of traditional hooks fixed on the external wall of the building, at the sides of the window.
[0005] Of course, such a stop can be provided when the shutter has completed its opening rotation, by an angle of approximately 180°, until it rests against the external wall of the building.
[0007] Firstly, the user may often suffer difficulties and discomfort - also in relation with height and general physical conditions - when said shutter holders must be actuated manually.
[0008] In fact, the user must lean out of the window in order to reach the hook mounted on the external wall of the building with his hand.
[0009] Moreover, it must be noted that such shutter holder hooks are also available in a version adapted to automatically hook the shutter when interference with lower edge is produced.
[0010] In such a case, it is easier for the user to stop the shutter, it only being necessary to push said shutter to the end of the opening travel, until it interferes with the "automatic stop" hook.
[0011] However, in order to release the shutter from such an automatic hook, the user must intervene manually, leaning out of the window.
[0012] Another drawback of such a traditional technology can be found in the difficulties and discomfort related with the installation of said shutter holder hooks on the external wall of the buildings, especially when such an operation must be carried out in windows on high floors.
[0013] Finally, it must be considered that said shutter holder hooks, both in manual and automatic version, are impaired by the additional limitation of holding shutters only in maximum open position, and not in partial open position, as it would be suitable in extremely cold or warm external temperature conditions.
[0014] The specific purpose of the present invention is to introduce a new solution to hold shutters, which is actually capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks.
[0015] Such a new technology, in fact, entrusts the task of holding shutters in open position to a new device that connects a typical shutter obtained with metal sections with a relevant frame fixed in the window masonry.
[0016] More precisely, such a device comprises an oscillating arm that is pivoted, at the back end, under the cross-piece of said window frame.
[0017] The front end of said arm is instead pivoted above a cursor, basically consisting in a long metal strip, inserted into the traditional longitudinal groove provided in the upper side of the cross-piece of the window.
[0018] Moreover, it must be noted that said cursor is provided with a longitudinal series of identical through circular holes.
[0019] The additional part of the new shutter holder consists in a latch mounted in vertical position on the window, in correspondence of the upright on which hinges are fixed.
[0020] In fact, such a latch is provided with point adapted to be selectively inserted, from down upwards, into the holes of said cursor.
[0021] It must be also noted that said oscillating arm fixed to the cross-piece of the frame is adapted to impose alternate travels to said cursor, according to the specific position with respect to the frame.
[0022] So, when the shutter is closed, inserted in the "space" of the frame, the oscillating arm maintains the cursor completely inside the groove provided in the cross-piece of the shutter.
[0023] Instead, while the shutter rotates outwards, the oscillating arm causes the progressive backward sliding of the cursor, which is now in more projecting position with respect to the upright where hinges are applied.
[0024] During the backward sliding of the cursor, the holes obtained on it are gradually brought on the vertical line of the latch that - as mentioned above - is mounted on the shutter in correspondence of the upright provided with hinges.
[0025] In view of the above, the shutter can be held in open position only on condition that the point of the latch is inserted in one of the holes of the cursor.
[0026] Such a position, in fact, prevents the cursor from sliding freely inside the groove of the cross-piece of the shutter.
[0028] It is worthless saying that, in such a technical-functional context, the presence of said series of holes provided on the cursor is justified with the capability of stopping the shutter in different opening angles by means of the same latch.
[0029] The aforementioned description of the invention has disclosed the advantageous characteristics of the same, also in relation with the capability of being mounted by the installer and actuated by the user without leaning out of the window.
[0030] The installation and actuation of the new shutter holder can be carried out in more comfortable and safer conditions compared to the prior art.
[0031] For explanatory reasons, the description of the invention continues with reference to the attached drawings, which only have an illustrative, not limiting value, wherein:
- Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the shutter holder of the invention, before being mounted on the window;
- Figure 2 is the same as Fig. 1, except for it shows said device mounted on the window;
- Figure 3 is an axonometric view of the new shutter holder in a different condition of use, before stopping the rotation of the window;
- Figure 4 is the same as the preceding figure, except for it shows the device of the invention in the position that stops the rotation of the window;
- Figure 5 is substantially the same as the preceding figure, except for it contains some sectioned parts;
- Figure 6 is the same as Fig. 3, except for the fact that it shows the shutter and relevant frame completely, with a lower detail level;
- Figure 7 is a section of figure 6 with plane A-A;
- Figure 8 is a section of figure 6 with plane B-B;
- Figure 9 is an axonometric view of the device of the invention when the shutter is brought to closed position;
[0032] Referring to the aforementioned figures, first of all it must be noted that the device of the invention is designed to be mounted in intermediate position between a traditional shutter (IM) and relevant frame (T) drowned in the masonry of the window, both being made of traditional metal sections.
[0033] In particular, the new device of the invention is provided with a lever mechanism (L) composed of the following cooperating parts.
[0034] The first of these parts consists in a plate (1) provided in upper position with two shaped profiles (1 a) adapted to be engaged and attached into the traditional longitudinal groove (S) generated, in correspondence of the lower side of the cross-piece (TT) of the frame (T), between two parallel stiffening ribs (C), as shown in Fig. 8.
[0035] As shown in Fig. 8, the plate (1) is firmly fixed inside said groove by means of a locking pin (G) mounted in tilted position.
[0036] Referring to Figs. 6 and 9, said plate (1) is fixed to said cross-piece (TT) of the frame (T) in proximity of upright (MT) in correspondence of which hinges for rotation of shutter (IM) are applied.
[0037] In particular, Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 show the device of the invention seen from outside the window, whereas Fig. 9 shows the device of the invention seen from inside the window.
[0038] The second part of said lever mechanism (L) consists in a cursor (2), made as a shaped strip (preferably molded from plastics) adapted to be exactly engaged, alternatively slidingly, inside the longitudinal groove (S1) generated, in correspondence of the upper side of the cross-piece (TIM) of the shutter (IM), between two parallel stiffening ribs (C1), as expressly shown in Figs. 7 and 9.
[0039] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said cursor (2) is provided with a longitudinal series of through circular holes (2b, 2b') disposed at the back end (2a), as well as with an opposite pair of longitudinal steps (2c) obtained towards the top of said back end (2a) and adapted to reduce its section.
[0040] The third part of the lever mechanism (L) consists in a rectilinear arm (3) obtained with metal plate, provided with circular hole (3a) situated approximately at half of its length.
[0041] The back end (3b) of said arm (3) is pivoted, by means of a first pin with vertical axis (P1), under the plate (1) engaged in the cross-piece (TT) of the frame (T), whereas the front end (3c) is pivoted above the cursor (2), towards the front end (2d), by means of a second pin with vertical axis (P2).
[0042] Moreover, said arm (3) is provided, in correspondence of one longitudinal border and in a position comprised between said back end (3b) and hole (3a), with a projection (3d) that shortly protrudes downwards, beyond the thickness of the arm (3).
[0043] Within the shutter holder of the device, said lever mechanism (L) is adapted to cooperate with a latch (4) vertically mounted in external position on the upright (MIM) of the shutter IM) on which corresponding hinges are fixed.
[0044] Said latch (4) ends with a point (4a) adapted to be engaged both in said holes (2b, 2b') of the cursor (2) and in said hole (3a) of the arm (3).
[0045] So, because of the mutual pivoting modes provided between plate (1), arm (3) and cursor (2), the lever mechanism (L) can change position consequently to alternate rotations of the shutter (IM) with respect to said fixed frame (T).
[0046] In particular, Fig. 9 shows the position of said lever mechanism (L) when the shutter (IM) is in closing position inside the frame (T) fixed to the window masonry.
[0047] In such a case, the cursor (2) is completely contained inside the cross-piece (TIM) of the shutter (IM), in correspondence of said groove (S1), whereas said arm (3) is perfectly overlapped for its entire length.
[0048] When the shutter (IM) is rotated outwards with respect to said upright (MT) of the frame (T), also the arm (3) makes a similar rotation with respect to the plate (1) firmly housed in the cross-piece (TT) of the frame (T), because of the presence of said first pivoting pin (P1).
[0049] The combination of rotation of shutter (IM) and rotation of arm (3) makes the front end (3c) push said cursor (2) backwards, in such a way that it progressively slides outside the housing groove (S1), in a position in which the back end (2a) is in projecting position with respect to said upright (MIM) of the shutter (IM) hinged to the frame (T).
[0050] An additional consequence produced during the first rotation phase of the shutter (IM) is that arm (3) and cursor (2) tend to diverge progressively, assuming a basically V-shaped position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
[0051] However, when the opening rotation of the shutter continues (IM), said diverging movement between arm (3) and cursor (2) progressively tends to decrease.
[0052] In fact, when the shutter (IM) has reached the maximum opening, said arm (3) and cursor (2) are perfectly overlapped again, as shown in Fig. 3.
[0053] In any case, it must be noted that said backward sliding of the cursor (2), outside the housing groove (S1), brings said holes (2b, 2b') progressively above said latch (4) mounted on said upright (MIM) of the shutter (IM).
[0054] In such a situation, the first of the holes (2b), that is the closest one to the back end (2a) of the cursor (2), is brought above the latch (4) in presence of the initial opening rotation of the shutter (IM), whereas the other holes (2b, 2b') of the series respectively reach the same condition while the opening rotation of the shutter (IM) continues.
[0055] The last of the holes (2b'), that is the closest one to the center of the cursor (2), is brought above the latch (4) when the shutter (IM) has reached the maximum opening angle possible.
[0056] Moreover, it must be noted that the end of the opening travel of the shutter (IM) is not obtained when the latter has made a rotation of approximately 180° (starting from closing position), until it touches the external wall of the building.
[0057] Instead, as shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the end of the opening travel is obtained when the arm (3) of the device of the invention interferes with the cross-piece (TIM) of the shutter (IM) during its rotation together with the shutter (IM).
[0058] It appears evident that the user of such a device can hold the shutter (IM) in any opening angle as desired by simply inserting selectively, from down upwards, the point (4a) of the latch (4) inside one of the holes (2b, 2b') of said cursor (2), as shown in Fig. 1.
[0059] In fact, the latch (4) causes the stop of the cursor (2) along the housing groove (S1) and consequently prevents the arm (3) cooperating with it from rotating again between cursor (2) and plate (1).
[0060] Reference is made to Figs. 3 and 4, which are also interesting to clarify an additional aspect of the operation of the device of the invention.
[0061] As mentioned earlier, when the shutter (IM) has reached the end of the opening travel, the arm (3) and cursor (2) are perfectly overlapped again.
[0063] In fact, the specific position of such a hole (3a) has been studied in such a way to be perfectly aligned with said last hole (2b') of the cursor (2), when the arm (3) and cursor (2) are exactly overlapped, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
[0064] This allows the point (4a) of the latch (4) to penetrate simultaneously both the hole (2b') of the cursor (2) and the hole (3a) of the arm (3) and lock the lever mechanism (L).
[0065] Attention is drawn on the projection (3d) provided in correspondence of the longitudinal border of the arm (3).
[0066] The function of the projection (3d) is to stop, during the complete opening of the shutter (IM), against the longitudinal step (2c) obtained on the corresponding side of the back end (2a) of the cursor (2).
[0067] Such an interference prevents the arm (3) from continuing rotation beyond said perfectly overlapping position with the cursor (2), given the fact that such a condition would impair the necessary alignment between the hole (3a) of th arm (3) and the last of the holes (2b') of the cursor (2), thus making the simultaneous insertion of the point (4a) of the latch (4) inside them impossible.
[0068] Referring to the enlarged view of Fig. 6, it must be noted that the external corner of the cross-piece (TIM) of the shutter (IM) is provided, exactly in the connection with the upright (MIM1), with two roundings (Z) in correspondence of the traditional stiffening ribs provided in metal windows.
[0069] Said roundings (Z) have been provided to allow for insertion of the cursor (2) into said housing groove (S1) provided in correspondence of upper side of cross-piece (TIM).
1. Shutter holder with selectable position characterized in that it comprises the following parts:
- a lever mechanism (L) composed of a rectilinear arm (3), the back end of which (3b) is pivoted by means of a first pin with vertical axis (P1) in a fixed point of the cross-piece (TT) of the frame (T) of a shutter (IM), whereas the front end (3c) is pivoted by means of a second pin with vertical axis (P2) above the front end (2d) of a cursor (2) slidingly engaged into a longitudinal groove (S1) situated above the cross-piece (TIM) of the shutter (IM); it being provided that said cursor (2) is provided at the back end (2a) with a longitudinal series of circular holes (2b, 2b') and said arm (3) is provided with a hole (3a) adapted to be perfectly aligned with the last hole (2b') of said holes of the cursor (2) when arm (3) and cursor (2) are brought in exactly overlapping position;
- a latch (4) adapted to be vertically mounted in external position on the upright (MIM) of the shutter (IM) on which corresponding hinges are fixed; it being provided that said latch (4) ends with upper point (4a) adapted to be selectively engaged in said holes (2b, 2b') of the cursor (2) when the latter reach its vertical axis further to the backward sliding of the cursor (2) outside the longitudinal groove (S1) that progressively occurs during the opening rotation of the shutter (IM); it being provided that the point (4a) of the latch (4) is also adapted to be simultaneously engaged in the last hole (2b') of said holes of the cursor (2) and in said hole (3a) of the arm (3) when the holes (2b', 3a) are perfectly aligned in coincidence with said exact overlapping position of cursor (2) and arm (3).
2. Shutter holder as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that said first pin with vertical axis (P1), in correspondence of which the back end (3b)
of said rectilinear arm (3) of the lever mechanism (L) is pivoted, protrudes downwards
from a plate (1) that is provided with upper shaped profiles (1 a) adapted to be engaged
and firmly stopped inside a longitudinal groove (S) obtained on the lower side of
the cross-piece (TT) of the frame (T).
3. Shutter holder as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said plate (1) is fixed inside the corresponding longitudinal groove (S) by means
of a locking pin (G) in tilted position.
4. Shutter holder as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arm (3) is provided, on one of its longitudinal borders and in a position comprised
between said back end (3b) and the hole (3a), with a projection (3d) that protrudes
downwards shortly beyond the thickness of the arm (3); it being provided that said
projection (3d) is adapted to stop against a longitudinal step (2c) obtained in lateral
position on said back end (2a) of the cursor (2) when perfect alignment is obtained
between the last hole (2b') of said cursor (2) and the hole (3a) of said arm (3).