[0001] The subject of the present invention is an automatic device for blocking leaves of
doors or windows and the like of the type specified in the preamble of Claim 1.
[0002] Currently known are devices for blocking the leaves of doors or windows and the like,
in particular for the leaves of windows.
[0003] As is known, in fact, windows or doors can present external leaves, which, once opened,
are set up against the external walls of the building on which they are set.
[0004] Said external leaves are moreover frequently fixed to the external walls of the building
by means of purposely provided blocking elements.
[0005] Said blocking elements prevent the leaves from being closed or moved by the wind
or by other atmospheric agents, etc.
[0006] In particular, blocking elements are used formed by mechanical hooks of various kinds
that constrain the outermost portion of the leaf to the external wall of the building.
[0007] They must be removed for closing or moving the leaf.
[0008] There then exist automatic blocking devices that enable automatic blocking of the
leaf when the latter is set up against the wall.
[0009] Blocking is referred to as "automatic" because it is not necessary to intervene manually
on the device itself, but it is sufficient to set the leaf against the wall. To unblock
the leaf it is instead necessary to intervene manually on the automatic blocking device.
[0010] Automatic blocking devices of this sort are described, for example, in the patent
applications Nos.
EP-A-0823524 and
BE-A-891498.
[0011] The known art referred to above presents some important drawbacks.
[0012] In fact, blocking devices of a known type are subject to failure and malfunctioning
and to a high rate of wear.
[0013] The same devices comprise in fact small arrest elements, which are mobile with respect
to the remaining portion of the blocking device and are designed to block an appropriate
mobile portion of the device itself. Said arrest elements, on account of their reduced
dimensions, are then subject to failure, malfunctioning, and wear.
[0014] Furthermore, the blocking devices of a known type generally comprise a fixed portion
that is fixed with respect to the wall, extending perpendicular thereto and to the
dimension of the leaf.
[0015] The latter constitutes a marked limitation for the movements of the blocking device
and is moreover subject to failure on account of involuntary forcing exerted thereon.
[0016] Not the least important drawback is the fact that automatic blocking devices are
costly on account of their complexity.
[0017] In the above situation, the technical task underlying the present invention is to
devise an automatic device for blocking leaves of doors or windows and the like that
is able to overcome substantially the drawbacks referred to above.
[0018] In the framework of said technical task, an important purpose of the invention is
to provide an automatic device for blocking leaves of doors or windows and the like
that will be simple and resistant to wear and to various stresses.
[0019] Another important purpose of the invention is to obtain an automatic device for blocking
leaves of doors or windows and the like that will present an extensive possibility
of movement.
[0020] Not the least important purpose of the invention is to devise an automatic device
for blocking leaves of doors or windows and the like that will be inexpensive and
simple to install.
[0021] The technical task and the purposes specified are achieved by an automatic device
for blocking leaves of doors or windows and the like as claimed in the annexed Claim
1.
[0022] Preferred embodiments are specified in the subclaims.
[0023] Further characteristics and the advantages of the invention are clarified hereinafter
by the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference
to the attached drawings, in which:
Figure 1a shows a side view of the automatic blocking device according to the invention in
the blocking position;
Figure 1b represents a side view of the automatic blocking device according to the invention
in the position of release;
Figure 1c illustrates an enlargement of a portion of Figure 1a;
Figure 2 shows an exploded view of Figure 1 a;
Figure 3 illustrates an overall three-dimensional view of the blocking device;
Figure 4 represents a first three-dimensional view of a portion of the blocking device ;
Figure 5 shows a second three-dimensional view of said portion of the blocking device;
Figure 6 represents a first three-dimensional view of a further portion of the blocking device;
Figure 7 represents a second three-dimensional view of said further portion of the blocking
device;
Figure 8 represents a three-dimensional view of a third portion of the blocking device;
Figure 9a shows a side view of a second variant of the automatic blocking device according
to the invention in the blocking position; and
Figure 9b represents a side view of the automatic blocking device according to the invention
of Figure 9a, in the position of release.
[0024] With reference to the above figures, the automatic blocking device according to the
invention is designated as a whole by the number
1.
[0025] The blocking device is set on leaves
30 of doors or windows and the like. By the term "leaf" 30 is meant any type of element
that develops substantially in a plane, designed to close or free an opening, part
of a wall, of a piece of furniture, or the like.
[0026] The leaf 10 is preferably mobile by means of rotations about one or more hinges and
can be set up against a supporting surface
31, constituted in particular by the external wall of the building on which the door
or window or the like is set.
[0027] The automatic blocking device 1 can be SET in positions of stable equilibrium in
an engagement position (Figure 1a), in which it is designed to constrain the leaf
30 to the supporting surface 31, and in a disengagement position (Figure 1 b), in
which it is designed to allow movement of the leaf 30.
[0028] The automatic blocking device 1 comprises, roughly speaking, a supporting element
2 and a first blocking body
3 and a second blocking body
4, which are designed to constrain the leaf 30 temporarily in the blocking position.
They are directly constrained to the supporting element 2, by means of a first rotational
hinge
5 and a second rotational hinge
6, respectively, and are able to turn about said hinges.
[0029] The rotational hinges 5 and 6 act preferably in parallel directions, defining a transverse
direction
1a and are aligned parallel to the supporting surface 31. There are then defined different
paths for the blocking bodies 3 and 4.
[0030] In detail, the supporting element 2 preferably comprises two flanges 7, designed
to support pins that constitute the rotational hinges 5 and 6. The supporting element
2 moreover preferably comprises spacer elements
9, which adjust the distance between the blocking bodies 3 and 4 and the supporting
surface 31.
[0031] The first and second blocking bodies 3 and 4 develop prevalently in a longitudinal
direction
1b, perpendicular to the supporting surface 31 and to the transverse direction 1a.
[0032] In particular, the first blocking body 3 (Figures 4 and 5) is constituted by an approximately
parallelepipedal element, provided with an internal recess
10, which also extends prevalently in a longitudinal direction 1b and is delimited by
a top plate
11 and by a bottom plate
12.
[0033] The first blocking body 3 moreover comprises an arrest element
13, illustrated in Figure 8, constituted by a wedge or the like designed to constrain
the leaf 30 by means of a part
13b substantially parallel to the external surface of the leaf 30, when the device 1
is in the blocking position.
[0034] The position of the arrest element 13 is then preferably adjustable in the longitudinal
direction 1b by means of appropriate adjustment means. In particular the arrest element
13 is provided separable from the first blocking body 3 and comprises an opening
13a that can be reclosed, by means of a screw, and is provided with a bottom toothing,
as illustrated in Figure 2.
[0035] The bottom toothing 13c can be constrained to a toothing set on two rails
14 forming part of the blocking body 3, illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.
[0036] The first blocking body 3 then comprises two arms
15 connected to a bushing defining a seat
16 for the first rotational hinge 5.
[0037] Finally, the first blocking body 3 is preferably made of polymeric material.
[0038] The second blocking body 4 (Figures 6 and 7) is instead constituted by an element
having a prevalent development in a longitudinal direction 1b and designed to fit
into the recess 10.
[0039] Furthermore, the length of the second blocking body 4 in a longitudinal direction
1b is greater than the length of the first blocking body 3. Consequently, the second
blocking body 4 has an end portion
17 that extends beyond the recess 10 and is designed to be pressed with the user's fingers,
as specified more clearly hereinafter.
[0040] Furthermore, said end portion 17 can be provided separate from the second blocking
body 4 and turnable with respect to the latter, as illustrated in Figures 9a and 9b.
[0041] The second blocking body 4 then comprises a rear lever
18, designed to constrain the leaf 30, in a direction opposite to the arrest element
13, when the device 1 is in the blocking position. The lever 18 is moreover designed
to enable automatic closing of the device 1, as specified more fully hereinafter.
[0042] Finally, the device 1 comprises a seat
19 for the second rotational hinge 6, set in the proximity of the rear lever 18, and
is preferably made of polymeric material.
[0043] The first and second blocking bodies 3 and 4 moreover comprise a slotting system
20 defining the engagement position in stable equilibrium (Figure 1a).
[0044] Said blocking bodies 3 and 4 are moreover manually disengageable from the engagement
position by means of an elastic deformation of the slotting system 20.
[0045] In particular, the slotting system 20 is constituted by a tooth
21 and a seat
22 for said tooth 21. The latter comprise a position of interference, in which they
are in mutual interference, in the proximity of the engagement position.
[0046] The position of interference corresponds to the position in which the path of the
tooth 21 and of the seat 22, defined by the rotational hinges 5 and 6, coincide with
one another.
[0047] Basically, in order to come out of the engagement position, the slotting system 20
must be forced and undergo deformation. This guarantees the stability of equilibrium
of the device 1 in the engagement position. Said forcing is conveniently obtained
by acting on the end portion 17.
[0048] In detail, the tooth 21 is preferably fixed on the bottom face of the top plate 11,
forming part of the first blocking body 3, whilst the seat 22 is set on the top face
of the second blocking body 4.
[0049] The device 1 moreover preferably comprises an elastic element
23, appropriately a spring or the like, constrained both to the first blocking body 3
and to the second blocking body 4.
[0050] The latter blocking bodies then comprise purposely provided hooks, respectively a
first hook
24 and a second hook
25 for the elastic element 23.
[0051] The elastic element is designed to stabilize the disengagement position (Figure 1b)
of the device 1 and increase the stability of the engagement position (Figure 1a).
[0052] Alternatively, said disengagement position can be stable simply on account of gravitational
force, as indicated in the example of Figures 9a and 9b.
[0053] Operation of the automatic blocking device 1 described above in a structural sense,
is described in what follows.
[0054] In a first situation, the leaf 30 is in a position of gripping of a window or the
like. The device 1 is, instead, in the disengagement position (Figure 1b).
[0055] Next, the leaf 30 is opened and set up against the supporting surface 31.
[0056] During opening, the leaf 30 interferes with the rear lever 18, forming part of the
second blocking body 4.
[0057] The same leaf 30 then causes rotation of the second blocking body 4 about the second
hinge 6 and raises it.
[0058] During rotation, and on account of the thrust of the leaf 30, the slotting system
20 of the device 1 is forced, and the latter is set in the engagement position.
[0059] On account of the presence of the slotting system 20 and of the arrest element 13,
the device 1 remains in the engagement position and constrains the leaf 30 even if
it is subjected to strong winds and various atmospheric agents. In fact, the latter
do not cause a rotation in the direction of disengagement of the second blocking body
4 about the second hinge 6, on account of the shape and direction of the vertical
wall 13b.
[0060] When it is necessary to close the leaf 30 again, it is sufficient to press the end
portion 17 of the second blocking body 4 in the direction of rotation downwards. The
slotting system 20 is then forced by the same pressure in a direction such as to enable
release from the position of engagement of the device 1.
[0061] In particular, the tooth 21 and the seat 22 are moved, respectively, according to
the paths
21' and
22', illustrated in Figure 1 c.
[0062] The second blocking body 4 comes into contact with the bottom plate 12 of the first
blocking body 3 and causes rotation also of the latter.
[0063] Rotation is also favoured by the elastic element 23, which causes a force of approach
of the two hooks 24 and 25, which are brought closer together into the disengagement
position, as illustrated in Figure 1b.
[0064] The device 1 is then set in the disengagement position (Figure 1b) and remains stable
in said position also on account of the elastic element 23, until it is again stressed
by the leaf 30.
[0065] The invention enables important advantages.
[0066] In fact, the automatic blocking device 1 for leaves of doors or windows and the like
has an extensive possibility of movement, since it does not have a fixed portion which
extends in a longitudinal direction 1b to which a mobile portion is constrained that
extends in a perpendicular direction, but has two portions that are both mobile, the
mutual position of which determines stable equilibrium in the engagement position
and in the disengagement position.
[0067] The automatic blocking device 1 is moreover inexpensive and simple to install, in
particular on account of the presence of the simple and functional engagement system
20.
[0068] The device 1 is moreover particularly advantageous if it is used with leaves 30 of
windows, in view of the fact that the latter present problems of blocking and are
frequently set in positions that are difficult to reach.
[0069] The invention may undergo variations, all of which fall within the scope of the inventive
idea. All the items may be replaced by equivalent elements, and the materials, shapes,
and dimensions may be any whatsoever within the scope of Claim 1.
1. An automatic device (1) for blocking leaves (30) of doors or windows and the like,
which can be set in stable equilibrium in an engagement position, in which it is designed
to constrain said leaf (30) to a supporting surface (31), and in a disengagement position,
in which it is designed to enable movement of said leaf (30), said device comprising:
a supporting element (2), fixed with respect to said supporting surface (31), blocking
bodies (3, 4), designed to constrain said leaf (30) in said blocking position, said
device being characterized in that: said first blocking body (3) and said second blocking body (4) are provided, constrained
to said supporting element (2) by means of a first rotational hinge (5) and a second
rotational hinge (6), respectively, which are designed to define different paths for
said first and second blocking bodies (3, 4); said first and second blocking bodies
(3, 4) comprise a slotting system (20) defining said engagement position; and said
slotting system (20) is elastically deformable in a way designed to enable manual
disengagement thereof.
2. The device according to Claim 1, wherein said slotting system comprises a tooth (21)
and a seat (22) for said tooth (21), said tooth (21) and said seat (22) presenting
a position of interference, in which they are in mutual interference, in the proximity
of said engagement position.
3. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising an elastic
element (23), designed to maintain said disengagement position in stable equilibrium.
4. The device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said disengagement position is
maintained in stable equilibrium by means of the gravitational force.
5. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first hinge
(5) and said second hinge (6) are parallel to said supporting surface (31).
6. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first blocking
body (3) is provided with a recess (10), which extends prevalently in a longitudinal
direction (1b) transverse to said supporting surface (31), and in which said second
blocking body (4) is constituted by an element having a prevalent development in said
longitudinal direction (1b), designed to fit into said recess (10).
7. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said second blocking
body (4) has an end portion (17), which extends in a longitudinal direction (1b) beyond
said recess (10) and is designed to be manoeuvred manually to enable exit of said
device from said engagement position.
8. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said end portion
(17) can be turned with respect to said second blocking body (4).
9. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first blocking
body (3) comprises an arrest element (13), designed to constrain said leaf (30) in
a position corresponding to a face (13b) substantially parallel to the external surface
of said leaf (30).
10. A leaf (30) for doors or windows and the like, comprising an automatic blocking device
(1) according to one or more of the preceding claims.