ANTI-WATER SEEPAGE SYSTEM FOR A FIXTURE WITH NO RAISED THRESHOLD

Abstract

 An anti-water seepage system (1), comprising a door or window (S) with no raised threshold and having a leaf (L) with a horizontal bottom edge (E₁) and a pair of vertical side edges (E₂), as well as a frame (T) with a pair of uprights (M), a draught-excluder device (2) mounted along the bottom edge (E₁) of the leaf (L) and having a box-shaped body (3) defining a longitudinal axis (X), a first seal (6) associated with the body (3) and adapted to vertically move from a lifted idle position to a lowered operating position, a pair of vertical extension elements (25) adapted to be mounted to the edges (E₂) and a pair of vertical second seals (26) adapted to be mounted to the uprights (M), wherein the box-shaped body (3), the first seal (6) in the lowered position and the elements (25) have respective abutment surfaces (27, 27', 27") for the second seals (26) when the leaf (L) is in the closed position. The extension elements (25) are placed on top of the box-shaped body (3) and the first seal (6) and form an assembly therewith, whose total height (h₁ + h₂ + h₃) is greater than the height (h₁ + h₂) of the draught-excluder device (2) and substantially equal to the height (h) of the second seals (26) to form a raised threshold therewith and prevent water seepage.

Description

Field of The Invention

[0001] The present invention generally finds application in the field of heat and sound insulating devices for doors and windows, and particularly relates to an anti-water seepage system for a door or window with no raised threshold.

Background art

[0002] Systems have been long known to be installed in the door or window leaves, to prevent water seepage between outside and inside environments.

[0003] These systems are provided in different forms depending on how the doors/windows are to be closed and the position thereof with respect to the outside environment.

[0004] Generally, these systems include seals that are fitted into seats formed in the side and bottom edges of the leaf and are adapted to abut the uprights of the frame and a raised threshold installed at the floor or ground, respectively.

[0005] For proper operation, the seals must be as long as the edges of the door/window and must have a high sealing capability under water pressure.

[0006] Nevertheless, these seals cannot prevent massive water seepage and are not easy to install, especially at the corners of the leaf.

[0007] A further drawback is that the raised threshold is a critical element in such systems, but also constitutes an architectural barrier for handicapped people who shall access the inside environment to through the opening of the door/window.

[0008] In order to at least partially obviate these drawbacks, sealing systems have been developed, which comprise draught-excluder devices secured to the bottom edge of the leaf and acting in combination with seals installed on the uprights of the door/window frame.

[0009] WO2008152664 discloses an anti-water seepage system comprising an automatic draught-excluder device with a seal that can be automatically lowered to block the space between the leaf and the threshold.

[0010] In addition, the system comprises a pair of seals installed on the uprights of the frame and acting on the leaf and the draught-excluder to block the space between the jamb and the leaf when the latter is closed.

[0011] A first drawback of this arrangement is that the pair of seals only partially acts on the draught-excluder device by creating a barrier against water seepage whose height is equivalent to that of the device.

[0012] Therefore, this system can only block water columns against the door/window, that have a small height.

[0013] A second drawback of this arrangement is that the seal in the draught-excluder device has an geometry that can only partially prevent water seepage toward the interior of the device.

[0014] Another common drawback of this arrangements is that the seal does not entirely conform the profile of the threshold in case of uneven flooring, which will affect the sealing effect on the entire system.

Technical Problem

[0015] In light of the prior art, the technical problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a system for a door or window with no raised threshold that can effectively block water seepage and ensure a stable sealing effect over time.

Disclosure of the invention

[0016] The object of the present invention is to obviate the above drawback, by providing an anti-water seepage system for a door or window having no raised threshold that is highly efficient and relatively cost-effective.

[0017] A particular object of the present invention is to provide a device as described hereinbefore that can prevent massive water seepage.

[0018] A further object of the present invention is to provide a system as described hereinbefore that can block seepage caused by water columns having different heights and in any case greater than the height of the draught-excluder device.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system as described hereinbefore that can block seepage without using raised thresholds.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide a system as described hereinbefore that can be installed in doors and windows of different types.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system as described hereinbefore that can be simply manufactured and maintained.

[0022] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system as described hereinbefore that does not alter the exterior appearance of the door or window on which it is installed.

[0023] The above mentioned purposes, as well as others that will be more clearly explained hereinafter, are fulfilled by an anti-water seepage system for a door or window with no raised threshold, as defined to in claim 1, wherein the shutter comprises a leaf with a substantially horizontal bottom edge and a pair of substantially vertical side edges and a frame with a pair of substantially vertical uprights.

[0024] The system includes a draught-excluder device mounted along the bottom edge of the leaf and having a box-shaped body defining a longitudinal axis and a first seal associated with the box-shaped body and adapted to vertically move from an idle lifted position to an operating lowered position in contact with the ground.

[0025] In addition, the system comprises a pair of substantially vertical extension elements which are adapted to be mounted to the side edges of the leaf and a pair of second substantially vertical seals adapted to be mounted to the uprights of the frame. The box-shaped body, the first seal in the lowered position and the extension elements have respective abutment surfaces for the second seals when the leaf (L) is in the closed position and its side edges face the uprights.

[0026] According to a peculiar aspect of the invention, the extension elements are placed on top of the box-shaped body and the first seal and form an assembly therewith, whose total height is greater than the height of the draught-excluder device and substantially equal to the height of the second seals to form a raised threshold therewith and prevent water seepage.

[0027] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are obtained in accordance with the dependent claims.

Brief Description of The Drawings

[0028] Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of one or more preferred, non-exclusive embodiments of an anti-water seepage system for a door or window with no threshold, which is described as a non-limiting example with the help of the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 to 3 are top perspective views of the inventive system, installed in the door or window;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the system of Figs. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 is a top diagrammatic view of the system of the previous figures in the operating position;

FIGS. 6A to 6C are sectional views of a detail of the inventive system according to a first embodiment;

Figs. 7A and 7B are sectional views of an alternative embodiment of the detail of Figs. 6A to 6C.

Fig. 8 is a top view of a detail of the inventive system.

Detailed description of a preferred exemplary embodiment

[0029] Particularly referring to the figures, an anti-water seepage system is shown, generally designated by numeral 1, which is designed for a door or a window S with no raised threshold.

[0030] For example, water seepage may be caused by a water column having a variable height formed proximate to the door or window S.

[0031] The door/window S may be made of an impermeable material such as PVC, aluminum or wood treated with waterproof paints.

[0032] As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the door/window S comprises a leaf L with a substantially horizontal bottom edge E₁ and a pair of substantially vertical side edges E₂.

[0033] Furthermore, the door/window S comprises a frame T having a pair of uprights M, which are also substantially vertical, and secured to an opening of a wall, delimited at the bottom by a ground or a non-raised threshold F.

[0034] The leaf L is hinged to the frame T, particularly to one of its uprights M, to pivot about a substantially vertical axis, and in the closed position its side edges E₂ face its respective upright M.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system 1 comprises a draught-excluder device 2 mounted along the bottom edge E₁ of the leaf L and having a box-shaped body 3 which defines a longitudinal axis X.

[0036] The box-shaped body 3 can be mounted by means of gluing or screwing means within a longitudinal groove H formed along the bottom edge E₁ of the leaf L.

[0037] Furthermore, the box-shaped body 3 has a substantially U-shape with a pair of vertical side walls 4 and a horizontal top wall 5, which are adapted to be secured to the inner walls of the groove H of the leaf L.

[0038] As is well known, the length of the box-shaped body 3 is selected to engage the longitudinal groove H of the leaf L substantially all along its extent.

[0039] The system 1 comprises at least one first seal 6 associated with the box-shaped body 3 and adapted to vertically move from an idle lifted position, spaced apart from the threshold F to an operating lowered position contacting the ground and the threshold F.

[0040] Advantageously, the seal 6 may be made of a flexible material selected from the group comprising elastomers or polymeric materials.

[0041] The idle position of the seal 6 corresponds to the open state of the leaf L and the operating position of the seal 6 corresponds to the closed state of the leaf L.

[0042] Furthermore, the vertical translation of the first seal 6 may be caused by a control mechanism, not shown, such as an actuator, which is adapted to contact a respective upright M when the leaf L is closed.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the first seal 6 may comprise a pair of central appendages 7, which are adapted to contact the ground F in the lowered position and a substantially vertical lateral branch 8 which is partially accommodated in the box-like body 3 and has an outer surface 9 that faces one of the side walls 4 of the box-shaped body 3.

[0044] The first seal 6 may be mounted to appropriate vertically moving actuator means 10, which are accommodated in the box-shaped body 3 to cause vertical movement thereof relative to the threshold F. In addition, the actuator means 10 may be operably connected to the above described control mechanism.

[0045] In the idle state, the seal 6 may have a predetermined width l₁ and will be configured to deform transversely to an increased width l₂ and submit an increased width l₂ with respect to the predetermined width as it contacts the ground F due to the thrust exerted by the actuator means 10 as they slide vertically.

[0046] Thus, as the ground F contacts the first seal 6, a gap of a predetermined size p exists between the outer surface 9 of the latter and the outer surface 11 of the side wall 4 of the box-shaped body 3.

[0047] The transversal deformation allows the first seal 6 to fill the gap p such that its outer surface 9, and particularly the outer surface of one of the appendages 7, will be coplanar with the outer surface 11 of the box-shaped body 3.

[0048] In a first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the actuator means 10 may comprise a thrust track 12 with a pair of L-shaped lower projections 13', 13", which are joined together by a horizontal connecting portion 14 and a substantially horizontal upper projection 15.

[0049] Particularly, the thrust track 12 may have a substantially U-shaped upper portion 16 which is susceptible to interact with the control mechanism, and a C-shaped lower portion 17.

[0050] Advantageously, the upper portion 16 of the track 12 may comprise the upper projection 15 and an additional projection 18 located below the upper projection 15 and having a horizontal section and a vertical section adapted to delimit a recess 19, whose function will be explained below. Furthermore, the lower C-shaped portion 17 comprises the L-shaped lower projections 13', 13".

[0051] The actuator means 10 also comprise a pair of at least partially rigid specially shaped elements 20, 21 which are coupled to the central appendages 7 and the lateral branch 8 of the first seal 6 respectively and the track 12 is adapted to slide vertically relative to the specially shaped elements 20, 21 when the first seal 6 contacts the ground F.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the specially shaped element 20 coupled to the central appendages 7 may comprise a housing 22 delimited by a respective inclined wall 23 and a T-shaped formation 24 with a surface 24' fitting into the lower C-shaped portion 17 of the track 12.

[0053] Advantageously, the housing 22 will be adapted to receive one of the lower projections 13' of the track 12 as the latter slides relative to the specially shaped elements 20, 21.

[0054] The sliding movement of the lower projection 13' along the inclined wall 23 of the housing 22 causes the above described first seal 6, as shown in FIG. 6C.

[0055] In addition, the specially shaped element 21 coupled the lateral branch 8 of the first seal 6 has a folded profile, which is adapted to be housed in the recess 19 of the thrust track 12 when the first seal 6 is in the idle position.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, as the track 12 slides relative to the specially shaped elements 20, 21, the specially shaped element 21 coupled the lateral branch 8 may define a limit stop for the upper projection 15 of the track 12 and the specially shaped element 20 coupled to the appendages 7 may define a limit stop for the connecting portion 14.

[0057] In the operating configuration as shown in FIG. 6C, the upper projection 15 abuts the specially shaped element 21 coupled the lateral branch 8, the connecting portion 14 abuts the surface 24' of the other specially shaped element 20, one of the two lower projections 13' is fully seated in the housing 22 and pushes on the inclined wall 23 thereof, and the first seal 6 is transversely deformed.

[0058] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the first seal 6 may comprise a pair of flexible elements 6', 6", each having a respective appendage 7', 7" and a respective lateral branch 8', 8".

[0059] Each of the appendages 7', 7" and each of the lateral branches 8', 8" has a specially shaped respective connecting portion 7'" and 8'".

[0060] In this embodiment, the thrust track 12 only comprises the U-shaped upper portion 16 with respective interlocking seats 16' for insertion of the connecting portions of the flexible elements 6', 6".

[0061] As the thrust track 12 is lowered, it causes simultaneous transverse deformation of both flexible elements 6', 6" of the first seal 6 in two opposite transverse directions.

[0062] In a peculiar aspect of the invention, the system 1 comprises a pair of substantially vertical extension elements 25 which are adapted to be mounted to the side edges E₂ of the leaf L and a pair of second substantially vertical seals 26 adapted to be mounted to the uprights M of the frame T.

[0063] For convenience, the figures only show one extension element 25 and a second seal 26 of corresponding pairs at one end of the leaf L.

[0064] The extension elements 25 and the second seals 26 have a predetermined height to act as a raised threshold and block water seepage.

[0065] The box-shaped body 3, the first seal 6 in the lowered position and the extension elements 25 have respective abutment surfaces 27, 27', 27" for the second seals 26 when the leaf L is in the closed position and its side edges E₂ face the uprights M.

[0066] These parts together will be able to form a kind of barrier, which is rigidly joined to the leaf L and is able to block a water column as high as the extension elements 25.

[0067] For example, if the characteristics of the door/window S so permit, the system 1 may withstand a wave as high as 7,5cm, considering that the top end 28 of each extension element 25 is raised to 8cm from the floor, thereby guaranteeing a seal class "E+" for the door/window S.

[0068] Furthermore, it may be appreciated from the figures that the height h of the second seals 26 corresponds at least to the sum of the heights h₁, h₂, h₃ of the first seal 6 in the lowered position, the box-shaped body 3 and the corresponding extension element 25.

[0069] Therefore, the extension elements 25, the box-shaped element 3 and the first seal 6 form together an assembly whose total height h₁ + h₂ + h₃ is greater than the height h₁ + h₂ of the draught-excluder device 2 and substantially equal to the height h of the second seals 26 to form a raised threshold therewith and prevent water seepage.

[0070] As shown in the figures, the extension elements 25 may substantially have a T shape, with a first vertical portion 29 adapted to be secured in a recess R of the side edge E₂ of the leaf L and a second elongated portion 30 comprising the abutment surface 27".

[0071] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown, the section of the extension elements 25 may have a U shape, or an L shape, with a cavity complementary to a projection of the side edge E₂ of the leaf L and at least a straight appendage comprising the abutment surface 27".

[0072] Conveniently, the abutment surfaces 27, 27' of the first seal 6 and the box-shaped body 3 correspond to the above described outer surfaces 9, 11 and face outwards with respect to the leaf L.

[0073] Particularly, the outer surface 9 of the seal 6 will be adapted to abut the corresponding second seal 26, to define the respective abutment surface 27, after its transverse deformation caused by the pressure of the ground F and of the actuator means 10.

[0074] Therefore, after the transverse deformation, the first seal 6 fills the gap p and abuts the respective second seal 26. In the alternative embodiment as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, only one of the flexible elements 6' of the first seal 6 abuts the respective second seal 26 after transverse deformation.

[0075] Furthermore, the extension elements 25 are placed on top of the box-shaped body 3 and the first seal 6.

[0076] Particularly, the lower end 31 of each of the extension elements 25 may rest, be welded or glued to the top surface 5 of the box-shaped body 3 at its longitudinal ends 32 upon application to the side edges E₂ of the leaf L.

[0077] In this embodiment, the abutment surface 27" of a respective extension element 25 is oriented outwards with respect to the leaf L and is coplanar with the outer surfaces 9, 11 of the first seal 6 and the box-shaped body 3 along a substantially vertical plane π.

[0078] It will be appreciated that the positions of the pair of extension elements 25 and the pair of second seals 26 is essential to provide a waterproof abutment surface.

[0079] Each extension element 25 may be made of a rigid material, allowing the bottom end 31 to contact the entire top surface 5 of the box-shaped body 3 and may be selected from the group comprising low-resilience, high-surface friction coefficient rubbers.

[0080] The system 1 may comprise a pair of supports 33 adapted to be mounted to the uprights M of the door/window S and to support each a respective second seal 26.

[0081] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, each of the supports 33 may be selected from metal sections and may comprise an elongated seat 34 which is adapted to stably retain a respective second seal 26 by friction.

[0082] Namely, the second seal 26 may have a lip portion 26' which projects out of its respective support 33 to interact both with the draught-excluder device 2 and with a respective extension element 25, as well as an interlocking portion 26" for stably interacting with the elongate seat 34 of its respective support 33.

[0083] As shown in the figures, the projecting lip 26' of each second seal 26 may interact with the abutment surface 27 of the first seal 6 upon its transverse deformation in the lowered position and with the above described abutment surfaces 27', 27" of the box-shaped body 3 and the extension element 25 along the continuous vertical plane π.

[0084] In an alternative embodiment, the second seal 26 may be formed by co-extrusion of silicone having hardness of 60sh at the interlocking portion 26" and silicone foam at the end 26'" of the projecting lip 26', as shown in FIG. 8.

[0085] By this arrangement, the silicone foam end 26'" may ensure a better contact during interaction with the draught-excluder device 2 and with the extension element 25 even in case of heat distortion, mechanical deformation, or imperfect installation.

[0086] The above disclosure clearly shows that the system of the invention fulfills the intended objects and can particularly effectively prevent water seepage, while avoiding the use of raised thresholds.

Industrial Applicability

[0087] The present invention may find application in industry, because it can be produced on an industrial scale in factories for production of sealing elements for doors and windows and may be used for various applications, e.g. for commercial, industrial and private purposes.

Claims

1. An anti-water seepage system (1), comprising a door or window (S) with no raised threshold and having a leaf (L) with a substantially horizontal bottom edge (E₁) and a pair of substantially vertical side edges (E₂), as well as a frame (T) with a pair of substantially vertical uprights (M), a draught-excluder device (2) mounted along the bottom edge (E₁) of the leaf (L) and having a box-shaped body (3) defining a longitudinal axis (X), a first seal (6) associated with said box-shaped body (3), said first seal (6) being adapted to vertically move from a lifted idle position to a lowered operating position in contact with the ground (F), a pair of substantially vertical extension elements (25) adapted to be mounted to the side edges (E₂) of the leaf (L) and a pair of substantially vertical second seals (26) adapted to be mounted to the uprights (M) of the frame (T), wherein said box-shaped body (3), said first seal (6) in the lowered position and said extension elements (25) have respective abutment surfaces (27, 27', 27") for said second seals (26) when the leaf (L) is in the closed position and its side edges (E₂) face the uprights (M),
characterized in that said extension elements (25) are placed on top of said box-shaped body (3) and said first seal (6) and form an assembly therewith, whose predetermined total height (h₁ + h₂ + h₃) is greater than the height (h₁ + h₂) of said draught-excluder device (2) and substantially equal to the height (h) of said second seals (26) to form a raised threshold therewith and prevent water seepage.

2. System as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a pair of supports (33) adapted to be mounted to the uprights (M) of the door/window (S) and to support each a respective second seal (26).

3. System as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that each of said supports (33) is a portion of a section bar having an elongate seat (34) which is adapted to stably retain a respective second seal (26) by friction, each of said second seals (26) having a lip portion (26') which projects out of its respective support (33) and which is adapted to interact both with said draught-excluder device (2) and with a respective extension element (25).

4. System as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said extension elements (25) substantially have a T shape, with a first vertical portion (29) adapted to be secured in a recess (R) of the side edge (E₂) of the leaf (L) and a second elongated portion (30) comprising said abutment surface (27").

5. System as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said box-shaped body (3) comprises an upper surface (5), upon which with the bottom end (31) of each of said extension elements (25) rests upon application to the side edges (E₂) of the leaf (L) at its longitudinal ends (32).

6. System as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the abutment surfaces (27, 27', 27") of said seal (6) in the lowered position, of said box-shaped body (3) and of a respective extension element (25) are coplanar along a substantially vertical plane (π).

7. System as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said first seal (6) is mounted to actuator means (10) which are vertically movable and are accommodated in said box-shaped body (3) and has a predetermined width (I₁) in the idle state, said first seal (6) being configured to be transversely deformed and have an increased width (l₂) with respect to the predetermined width, to abut a respective second seal (26) as it contacts the ground (F) as a result of the vertical sliding movement of said actuator means (10).

8. System as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said seal (6) comprises a pair of central appendages (7) which are adapted to contact the ground (F) in the lowered position and a substantially vertical lateral branch (8) which is partially accommodated in said box-shaped body (3).

9. System as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said actuator means (10) comprise a thrust track (12) with a pair of lower projections (13', 13") which are joined together by a horizontal connecting portion (14) and a substantially horizontal upper projection (15), said actuator means (10) further comprising a pair of at least partially rigid specially shaped elements (20, 21), which are coupled to the central appendages (7) and the vertical branch (8) of said first seal (6) respectively, said track (12) being adapted to vertically slide relative to said specially shaped elements (20, 21) when said first seal (6) contacts the ground (F).

10. System as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, as said track (12) slides relative to said specially shaped elements (20, 21), the specially shaped element (21) coupled the lateral branch (8) of said first seal (6) defines a limit stop for the upper projection (15) of said track (12) and the specially shaped element (20) coupled to said appendages (7) define a limit stop for said connecting portion (14).

11. System as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that said specially shaped element (20) coupled to the appendages (7) comprises a housing (22) delimited by an inclined wall (23) and adapted to slidably receive one of said lower projections (13') during the relative sliding movement of said track (12) relative to said specially shaped elements (20, 21), the sliding movement of said lower projection (13') along the inclined wall (23) being adapted to cause the transverse deformation of said first seal (6).

Drawing