(19) |
|
|
(11) |
EP 2 491 835 B1 |
(12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
(45) |
Mention of the grant of the patent: |
|
05.10.2016 Bulletin 2016/40 |
(22) |
Date of filing: 28.02.2011 |
|
(51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC):
|
|
(54) |
Safety device
Sicherheitsvorrichtung
Dispositif de sécurité
|
(84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
|
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL
NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
(43) |
Date of publication of application: |
|
29.08.2012 Bulletin 2012/35 |
(73) |
Proprietor: MOTTURA S.p.A. |
|
I-10090 San Giusto Canavese (Torino) (IT) |
|
(72) |
Inventor: |
|
- Camerlo, Andrea
10090, S. Giusto Canavese (Torino) (IT)
|
(74) |
Representative: Frontoni, Stefano |
|
Buzzi, Notaro & Antonielli d'Oulx
Via Maria Vittoria, 18 10123 Torino 10123 Torino (IT) |
(56) |
References cited: :
US-A- 6 085 824 US-A1- 2011 036 517
|
US-A1- 2009 205 788
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
|
[0001] The present invention refers to a safety device to be applied on the control chord
or chain - technically referred to as "control loop" - of a curtain. Hereinafter,
specific reference shall be made to control chains, but it is clear that what has
been described shall be deemed valid even regarding a control chord and, generally,
for any control loop, regardless of the specific embodiment. In the installed condition,
the control chain is arranged hanging from the support structure of the curtain with
a portion which extends up to reaching an area easily accessible by the user. In particular,
such hanging portion has two branches substantially parallel to each other which are
joined at the lower part defining a loop portion.
[0002] US2009/205788 discloses a safety device according to the preamble of claim 1.
[0003] The device in question has the function of avoiding that a child, playing with the
abovementioned control chain, be exposed to the risk of strangling by inadvertently
twisting it around the neck.
[0004] In the specific case the present invention regards a safety device having a casing,
intended to be fixed to a wall or floor, which is adapted to receive at least one
portion of the control loop of the curtain and it has an abutment element adapted
to prevent the exit of the loop from the casing.
[0005] Once such device, after being provided on the chain, is fixed onto the wall, it forces
the chain into the normal vertical configuration thereof, preventing it from twisting
in a noose-like manner or the like hence serving as a protection for children who
might play with such chain.
[0006] It should be observed that such device is generally associated to the respective
chain right from the moment it is sold and installed; however, it has been observed
that often the user does not fix, like required, the device to the wall, but leaves
it hanged on the chain, free to oscillate, in a condition wherein it is thus not capable
of operating in the safety condition thereof.
[0007] The present invention has the aim of overcoming such drawback by providing a device
capable of offering greater safety guarantees.
[0008] Such aim is attained by means of a safety device having the characteristics of claim
1. As observable hereinafter, the device described herein is such to require fixing
thereof to the wall, so as to allow using the control chain on which it is applied.
[0009] As observable hereinafter, the safety device described herein has locking means adapted
to prevent the sliding, with respect to the device, of the portion of chain on which
the device is applied, and means adapted to disable such locking means when the device
is fixed to a wall or floor.
[0010] The claims are an integral part of the technical disclosure provided herein in relation
to the invention.
[0011] Now, the invention shall be described, purely by way of non-limiting example, with
respect to the attached representations wherein:
- figure 1 represents a perspective view of the safety device described herein;
- figures 2 and 3 represent exploded views of a first embodiment of the safety device
described herein;
- figure 4 represents a perspective view of the safety device of figures 2 and 3;
- figure 5 represents a sectional view of the safety device of figures 2 and 3;
- figures 6a, 6b and 6c schematically represent the methods for fixing the device of
figures 2 and 3 to a wall;
- figures 7 and 8 represent exploded perspective views of a second embodiment of the
safety device described herein;
- figure 9 represents a sectional view of the device of figures 7 and 8;
- figures 10a and 10b schematically represent the method for fixing the device of figures
7 and 8 to a wall.
[0012] In the following description there are illustrated various specific details aimed
at an in-depth understanding of the embodiments. The embodiments can be provided without
one or more of the specific details, or through other methods, components or materials,
etc. In other cases, known structures, materials or operations are not shown or described
in detail so as to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiment.
[0013] The references used herein are used solely for the sake of facilitating the reader
and thus they do not define the scope of protection or range of the embodiments.
[0014] With reference to the figures, the reference number 10 indicates a safety device
of the type subject of the present invention. As illustrated in figure 1, the device
10 is applied to a control chain of a curtain.
[0015] The device 10 comprises a casing 2, which is adapted to receive a portion of the
control chain and it has an abutment element adapted to prevent the exit of the chain
from the casing 2. In particular, the abutment element is adapted to prevent the exit
of the chain due to a pulling action exerted thereon and tending to remove it from
the casing.
[0016] Preferably, the device 10 is provided to be applied at the loop portion of the chain.
Alternatively, the device can instead be provided to be applied on the parallel branches
of the chain.
[0017] The casing 2 is intended to be fixed to a wall (or floor) in proximity of the control
chain, for example the wall on which the curtain is mounted. Regarding what has been
described previously, in such installed condition, the safety device 10 forces the
chain into the normal vertical condition thereof.
[0018] The safety device described herein is such to require fixing thereof to the wall,
so as to allow using the control chain on which it is applied.
[0019] For such purpose, the safety device 10 actually comprises locking means adapted to
prevent the sliding of the control chain with respect to the device and means adapted
to disable such locking means when the device is fixed to a wall.
[0020] In various embodiments, like the ones illustrated in the figures, the casing 2 has
a base plate or base 6, intended to be fixed to the wall, and the abovementioned locking
means comprise a plate 8, which is pushed by elastic means 11 towards the base plate
6, at an operating position wherein such plate 8 blocks the sliding of the control
chain with respect to the device. Furthermore, the plate 8 has ribs 13 which, in the
abovementioned operating position of the plate, traverse corresponding openings 6'
of the base plate 6, up to projecting outside the latter, so that when the base plate
6 is fixed against the wall, such ribs return towards the internal of the device against
the action of the abovementioned elastic means 11 and move the plate 8 away from the
operating position thereof, allowing the chain to slide with respect to the device.
As observable in the figures, such ribs can have a circular-arc development.
[0021] In various preferred embodiments, like in the illustrated ones, the casing 2 comprises
an outer shell 4, adapted to be coupled to the base plate 6 so as to enclose the plate
8 therein. The plate 8 is slidably mounted on the shell 4 and the abovementioned elastic
means 11 are interposed between such shell and the plate 8.
[0022] The embodiment of figures 2 to 6 and the embodiment of figures 7 to 10 represent
two alternative embodiments, which shall be described in detail hereinafter. In such
figures, the elements shared between the two embodiments were indicated with the same
reference numbers.
[0023] In the example illustrated in figures 2 to 6, the plate 8 is adapted to engage the
control chain blocking the sliding thereof with respect to the device. Preferably,
the plate 8 has, for such purpose, ribs 8' which form a grid adapted, in the operating
condition of the plate 8, to trap the beads of the control chain. In the case in which
a control chord is provided instead of the chain, the plate 8 can have projecting
teeth adapted to pinch the chord against the base plate 6. In the embodiment in question,
the plate 8 also carries the abutment element, mentioned previously, having the function
of preventing the exit of the chain from the device 10. In particular, in the example
illustrated in the figures, such element is constituted by the same rib 13 (the rib
in central position illustrated in figure 3) of the plate 8.
[0024] In the example illustrated in figures 7 to 10, on the base plate 6 there is instead
mounted - free rotatably -, through a bearing 16, a wheel 14, adapted to be rotatably
engaged by the control chain and constitute the aforementioned abutment element of
the casing. In the operating condition thereof, the plate 8 is adapted to block such
wheel. Preferably, the plate 8 has, for such purpose, one or more projecting pins
17, which, in the operating condition of the plate 8, are inserted into openings provided
for on the opposite side of the wheel 14.
[0025] In both embodiments described above, the shell 4, the plate 8 and the base plate
6 can have respective openings 21, 21' and 21" in corresponding positions, so that,
through such openings, any fixing means suitable for such purpose, for example screws
23 illustrated in the figures, can engage the casing 2 on the side of the shell 4
and project from the base plate 6, to allow fixing such casing to a wall. In such
case, according to preferred embodiments, the openings 21" of the base plate 6 are
defined by respective cylindrical portions 25 which traverse the openings 21' of the
plate 8, reaching up to the openings 21 of the shell 4, and constitute a seat for
the abovementioned screws or fixing means 23. According to preferred embodiments,
the abovementioned elastic means are constituted by helical springs each mounted around
a respective cylindrical portion 25, interposed between the plate 8 and the shell
4.
[0026] Figures 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate the method according to which the device according
to the first embodiment can be fixed to a wall. In particular, figure 6a illustrates
the device in a condition wherein the plate 8 is still in the operating condition
in which it blocks - in this case trapping the beads thereof in the grid formed by
the ribs 8' - the chain, and the ribs 13 project from the base plate 6. Figures 6b
and 6c instead illustrate the step of fastening the screws 23 into the wall, during
which, as the screws are progressively fastened, the base plate nears the wall and
correspondingly the ribs 13 move the plate 8 away from the operating position thereof.
As illustrated in figure 6c, once the base plate 6 is fixed to the wall, the plate
8 had entirely freed the chain, which can thus be finally used.
[0027] As illustrated in figures 10a and 10b, an analogous operation is provided for the
second embodiment. Regarding this, figure 10a illustrates the operating condition
of the plate 8, in which, in this case, the pins 17 engage the corresponding openings
provided for in the wheel 14, while figure 10b illustrates the condition in which
such pins have abandoned such wheel, making the latter free to rotate, to enable using
the chain.
[0028] Obviously, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the construction
details and the embodiments may vary, even widely, with respect to what has been illustrated
purely by way of non-limiting example, without departing from the scope of protection
of the invention, as defined in the attached claims.
1. Safety device (10) to be applied on the control loop of a curtain, said loop having
two substantially vertical branches, hanging from the support structure of the curtain,
which extend substantially parallel to each other and are joined at the lower part
defining a loop portion,
said safety device (10) having
a casing (2) intended to be fixed to a wall or floor, which is adapted to receive
at least one portion of said control loop and having an abutment element adapted to
prevent the exit of said portion of said loop from said casing (2), and
locking means (11, 8) adapted to prevent the sliding of said portion of control loop
with respect to the safety device (10) and means (13) adapted to disable said locking
means (11, 8) when said casing (2) is fixed to said wall or floor,
wherein said casing (2) has a base (6), intended to be fixed to said wall, and wherein
said locking means (11, 8) comprise a plate (8) which is pushed by elastic means (11)
at an operating position wherein said plate (8) blocks the sliding of said portion
of control loop,
said safety device (10) being characterised in that said plate (8) is pushed by said elastic means (11) towards said base (6) in said
operating position and
in that said plate (8) has ribs (13) which, in said operating position, traverse corresponding
openings (6') of said base (6) up to projecting outside therefrom, so that when said
base (6) is fixed against said wall, said ribs (13) are pushed towards the internal
of the safety device (10) against the action of said elastic means (11) and move said
plate (8) away from said operating position.
2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said casing comprises an outer shell (4) coupled
to said base (6) so as to enclose said plate (8) therein, said plate being slidable
on said shell and said elastic means being interposed between said shell and said
plate.
3. Device according to claim 2, wherein said shell (4), plate (8) and base (6) have respective
openings (21) in corresponding positions, so that, through such openings, fixing means
can engage said casing (2) on the side of said shell (4) and project from said base
(6), to allow fixing said casing to said wall.
4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said plate has one or more projections
(8') adapted, in said operating condition, to trap or pinch said portion of control
loop.
5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein on said base there is mounted
- free rotatably - a wheel (14), which is adapted to be rotatably engaged by said
portion of control loop, in said operating position said plate being adapted to block
the rotation of said wheel.
6. Device according to claim 5, wherein said plate has at least one pin adapted, in the
operating condition of said plate, to be inserted into a corresponding opening of
said wheel (14).
7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said ribs have a circular-arc
development.
1. Sicherheitsvorrichtung, die bei der Einstellschleife eines Vorhangs eingesetzt wird,
wobei die Schleife zwei im Wesentlichen vertikale Verzweigungen aufweist, die an der
Aufhängungsstruktur des Vorhangs hängen, die sich im Wesentlichen parallel zueinander
erstrecken und die an dem unteren Teil verbunden sind, so dass ein Schleifenabschnitt
gebildet wird,
wobei die Sicherheitsvorrichtung (10) ein Gehäuse (2), das zur Befestigung an einer
Wand oder einem Boden bestimmt ist und das so eingerichtet ist, dass es wenigstens
einen Abschnitt der Einstellschleife aufnimmt und ein Anschlagelement aufweist, das
so eingerichtet ist, dass es das Austreten des Abschnitts der Schleife aus dem Gehäuse
(2) verhindert, sowie
eine Arretiereinrichtung (11, 8) aufweist, die so eingerichtet ist, dass sie das Gleiten
des Abschnitts der Einstellschleife in Bezug auf die Sicherheitsvorrichtung (10) verhindert,
und eine Einrichtung (13), die so eingerichtet ist, dass sie die Arretiereinrichtung
(11, 8) deaktiviert, wenn das Gehäuse (2) an der Wand oder dem Boden befestigt ist,
wobei das Gehäuse (2) einen Sockel (6) aufweist, der zum Befestigen an der Wand bestimmt
ist, und wobei die Arretiereinrichtung (11, 8) eine Platte (8) umfasst, die durch
elastische Einrichtungen (11) an eine Funktionsposition gedrückt wird, an der die
Platte (8) das Gleiten des Abschnitts der Einstellschleife blockiert, und die Sicherheitsvorrichtung
(10) dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass die Platte (8) durch die elastischen Einrichtungen (11) in der Funktionsposition
auf den Sockel (6) zu gedrückt wird, und dadurch, dass die Platte Stege (13) aufweist,
die sich in der Funktionsposition durch entsprechende Öffnungen (6') des Sockels (6)
hindurch erstrecken und darüber nach außen vorstehen, so dass, wenn der Sockel (6)
an der Wand befestigt ist, die Stege (13) gegen die Wirkung der elastischen Einrichtungen
(11) auf den Innenraum der Sicherheitsvorrichtung (10) zu gedrückt werden und die
Platte (8) aus der Funktionsposition weg bewegen.
2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Gehäuse eine äußere Schale (4) umfasst, die
so mit dem Sockel (6) verbunden ist, dass die Platte (8) darin eingeschlossen ist,
die Platte an der Schale verschoben werden kann und die elastischen Einrichtungen
zwischen der Schale und der Platte angeordnet sind.
3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Schale (4), die Platte (8) und der Sockel (6)
jeweilige Öffnungen (21) an entsprechenden Positionen aufweisen, so dass über die
Öffnungen Befestigungseinrichtungen mit dem Gehäuse (2) an der Seite der Schale (4)
in Eingriff kommen und von dem Sockel (6) vorstehen können, so dass das Gehäuse an
der Wand befestigt werden kann.
4. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei die Platte einen oder mehrere
Vorsprung/Vorsprünge (8') aufweist, der/die so eingerichtet ist/sind, dass er/sie
in dem Funktionszustand den Abschnitt der Einstellschleife einschließt/einschließen
oder festklemmt/festklemmen.
5. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei an dem Sockel ein Rad (14) frei
drehbar angebracht ist, das so eingerichtet ist, dass es drehbar in Eingriff mit dem
Abschnitt der Einstellschleife kommt, und die Platte so eingerichtet ist, dass sie
in der Funktionsposition die Drehung des Rades blockiert.
6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 5, wobei die Platte wenigstens einen Zapfen aufweist, der
so eingerichtet ist, dass er in dem Funktionszustand der Platte in eine entsprechende
Öffnung des Rades (14) eingeführt wird.
7. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei die Rippen eine kreisbogenförmige
Abwicklung haben.
1. Dispositif de sécurité (10) à appliquer sur une boucle de commande d'un rideau, ladite
boucle ayant deux branches sensiblement verticales, en suspension à partir de la structure
de support du rideau, qui s'étendent sensiblement parallèlement l'une à l'autre et
sont assemblées au niveau de la partie inférieure définissant une partie de boucle,
ledit dispositif de sécurité (10) ayant
un boîtier (2) prévu pour être fixé à une paroi ou un sol, qui est adapté pour recevoir
au moins une partie de ladite boucle de commande et ayant un élément de butée adapté
pour empêcher la sortie de ladite partie de ladite boucle dudit boîtier (2), et
des moyens de verrouillage (11, 8) adaptés pour empêcher le coulissement de ladite
partie de boucle de commande par rapport au dispositif de sécurité (10),
et des moyens (13) adaptés pour désactiver lesdits moyens de verrouillage (11, 8)
lorsque ledit boîtier (2) est fixé à ladite paroi ou au sol,
dans lequel
ledit boîtier (2) a une base (6) prévue pour être fixée à ladite paroi, et dans lequel
lesdits moyens de verrouillage (11, 8) comprennent une plaque (8) qui est poussée
par des moyens élastiques (11) dans une position opérationnelle, dans laquelle ladite
plaque (8) empêche le coulissement de ladite partie de boucle de commande,
ledit dispositif de sécurité (10) étant caractérisé en ce que ladite plaque (8) est poussée par lesdits moyens élastiques (11) vers ladite base
(6) dans ladite position de fonctionnement et
en ce que ladite plaque (8) a des nervures (13) qui, dans ladite position de fonctionnement,
traversent des ouvertures (6') correspondantes de ladite base (6) jusqu'à faire saillie
à l'extérieur de cette dernière, de sorte que lorsque ladite base (6) est fixée contre
ladite paroi, lesdites nervures (13) sont poussées vers l'intérieur du dispositif
de sécurité (10) contre l'action desdits moyens élastiques (11) et déplacent ladite
plaque (8) à distance de ladite position de fonctionnement.
2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit boîtier comprend une coque
externe (4) couplée à ladite base (6) afin d'y enfermer ladite plaque (8), ladite
plaque pouvant coulisser sur ladite coque et lesdits moyens élastiques étant intercalés
entre ladite coque et ladite plaque.
3. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, dans lequel ladite coque (4), la plaque (8) et
la base (6) ont des ouvertures (21) respectives dans des positions correspondantes,
de sorte que, à travers de telles ouvertures, des moyens de fixation peuvent mettre
en prise ledit boîtier (2) sur le côté de ladite coque (4) et font saillie de ladite
base (6), pour permettre la fixation dudit boîtier sur ladite paroi.
4. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel ladite plaque
a une ou plusieurs saillies (8') adaptées, dans ladite condition de fonctionnement,
pour piéger ou pincer ladite partie de boucle de commande.
5. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel, sur ladite
base, on monte une roue (14) - libre en rotation - qui est adaptée pour être mise
en prise en rotation par ladite partie de boucle de commande, dans ladite position
de fonctionnement, ladite plaque étant adaptée pour empêcher la rotation de ladite
roue.
6. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, dans lequel ladite plaque a au moins une broche
adaptée, dans la condition de fonctionnement de ladite plaque, pour être insérée dans
une ouverture correspondante de ladite roue (14).
7. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel lesdites nervures
ont un développement d'arc circulaire.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description