CONTACTLESS SECURITY DEVICE, PARTICULARLY FOR MOTORIZED VERTICAL SLIDING CLOSING SYSTEMS

Abstract

 The contactless security device (1), particularly for motorized vertical sliding closing systems, comprises:
- two opposite security units (5) each comprising:
- one supporting element (6) fixed to the internal face of the motorized door (2) and provided with at least one guiding slot (7); and
- one slider (8) provided with one sliding pin (9), movable along the guiding slot (7);

- optical barrier means (10), which are adapted to define one optical barrier (11) and comprising one emitter (12) and one receiver (13) associated with the sliders (8);
wherein the receiver (13) and the emitter (12) are associated with the sliders (8) by interposition of corresponding supporting units (18) and wherein the device (1) comprises two security elements (19) which are respectively associated with the supporting units (18) and being adapted to rotate the supporting units (18) to interrupt the optical barrier (11).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a contactless security device, particularly for motorized vertical sliding closing systems.

[0002] The doors of the aforementioned type are usually driven along guidance rails and, for their vertical movements between the open and closed positions, they can be controlled by an electric gear motor which can be activated by means of a remote control or by other means, such as a proximity sensor, key devices, push buttons or the like.

[0003] For security purposes, and in particular to avoid knocks, crushing or damage to persons or property when moving from top to bottom for closing, each of said doors is usually provided, along its lower horizontal edge, with a system capable of detecting the presence of bodies or obstacles on the trajectory of movement and then cause an automatic stop of the door itself.

[0004] Such a system can comprise means such as a so-called sensitive edge, infrared optical barriers or the like which, however, are activated and intervene to stop the door only when it physically encounters an obstacle, a condition that can still be dangerous and harmful if the obstacle is represented by a child, an animal or a fragile and delicate thing, due to the pressure exerted by the door before it stops. In addition, the sensitive edge or presence sensors, as set up so far, can be ineffective when the lower edge of the door is not in the vertical sliding plane and is therefore not exactly perpendicular to the obstacle, as can happen, e.g., with a vehicle that, being high, can interfere with the lower edge of the moving door when it starts to move from the open to the closed position.

[0005] In an attempt to overcome these drawbacks, security systems have also been proposed in which an infrared optical barrier, in particular at least one pair of emitting and receiving photocells, is applied to a door by means of arms capable of tilting from one side or sliding linearly to the ground when the door reaches the closed position. However, these systems are relatively complex and cumbersome.

[0006] A contactless security device is known from patent EP2273051B1 provided with two security units, which are applied to the inner face of the door, at its lower side adjacent to the lateral edges.

[0007] The security units are provided with transmitter and receiver photocells, defined on sliders which slide horizontally and vertically so as to bring the optical barrier below the lower side of the door.

[0008] This latter type of contactless security device is also subject to further upgrading.

[0009] In particular, this latter type of contactless security device ensures the automatic stop only when obstacles are detected in the area wherein the optical barrier is defined.

[0010] The main aim of the present invention is to devise a contactless security device, particularly for motorized vertical sliding closing systems which is able to guarantee automatic stop in the event of obstacle detection, for the entire width of the door.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to devise a contactless security device, particularly for motorized vertical sliding closing systems which is particularly simple, efficient and reliable, and capable of positioning itself in a work configuration by its own gravity and of withdrawing to a home configuration through a composite, substantially vertical movement when the door reaches the closed position.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to devise a security device for the type of door mentioned above and capable of perfectly positioning itself in the sliding plane of the door, at the base of the latter, and of detecting obstacles at any level within the range of the door closing stroke and cause it to stop automatically if obstacles are detected.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to devise a contactless security device, particularly for motorized vertical sliding closing systems, which allows overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in the ambit of a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and low-cost solution.

[0014] The objects set out above are achieved by the present contactless security device, particularly for motorized vertical sliding closing systems, having the characteristics of claim 1.

[0015] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a contactless security device, particularly for motorized vertical sliding closing systems, illustrated as an indication, but not limited to, in the attached tables of drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the contactless security device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a detailed view of the contactless security device in a configuration of use;

Figure 3 is a detailed view of the contactless security device in an additional configuration of use;

Figure 4 is a view of a detail of the contactless security device according to the invention;

Figure 4a is a view of the detail in Figure 4 in a position of use.

[0016] With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a contactless security device, particularly for motorized vertical sliding closing systems.

[0017] The device 1 is intended to be fitted to a movable motorized door 2 along lateral guides 3 for sliding between at least one closed position, wherein a lower side 4 of the motorized door 2 is adjacent to an underlying floor, and at least one open position, wherein the lower side 4 is moved away from the floor.

[0018] The lateral guides 3 of the motorized door 2 are fixed to the vertical uprights of a wall wherein there is an access that can be opened and closed by means of the motorized door 2.

[0019] The device 1 comprises at least two opposite security units 5 applied to an internal face of the motorized door 2, in the proximity of the lateral edges of its lower side 4.

[0020] Each security unit 5 comprises at least one supporting element 6 fixed to the internal face of the motorized door 2 and provided with at least one guiding slot 7, and at least one slider 8 provided with at least one sliding pin 9, movable along the aforementioned guiding slot 7.

[0021] This allows the slider 8 to move with respect to the supporting element 6 and, in particular, to extend overhanging thereto.

[0022] In addition, the device 1 comprises optical barrier means 10, which are adapted to define at least one optical barrier 11 in a first area Z1 comprised between the security units 5 and to cause the stop of the motorized door 2 in the presence of a body or of an obstacle B.

[0023] In particular, the optical barrier means 10 comprise one emitter 12, associated with one of the sliders 8, and at least one receiver 13, associated with the other of the sliders 8 and substantially in line with the emitter 12.

[0024] The optical barrier 11 has the function of blocking the movement of the motorized door 2 in the presence of an obstacle B.

[0025] When the optical barrier 11 is intercepted and interrupted for whatsoever reason, the motorized door 2 is automatically and quickly stopped.

[0026] The sliders 8, each supporting the emitter 12 and the receiver 13, respectively, are adapted to move the aforementioned optical barrier 11 with respect to the lower side 4 of the motorized door 2, and each slider 8 is susceptible of combined horizontal and vertical translation movements, with respect to the supporting element 6.

[0027] In the embodiment shown in the figures, each supporting element 6 comprises two parallel vertical walls 14, each provided with at least two guiding slots 7 arranged on two different levels.

[0028] Each guiding slot 7 has a lower portion 15 inclined away from the internal face of the motorized door 2 in the direction from bottom to top, followed by an upper vertical portion 16.

[0029] In addition, again in the embodiment shown in the figures, each slider 8 has at least two pairs of sliding pins 9, each individually driven in each guiding slot 7.

[0030] In more detail, each slider 8 is substantially rectangular in shape and has two long sides opposite each other.

[0031] The pairs of sliding pins 9 are defined on the aforementioned long sides, in an upper part of the slider 8, while the optical barrier means 10 are associated with a lower part of the slider 8 itself.

[0032] The particular conformation of the sliders 8 allows them to extend outside or inside the parallel vertical walls 14 and to remain in a substantially parallel position with respect to the motorized door 2.

[0033] In addition, each slider 8, bound to follow the shape of the guiding slots 7, makes a combined horizontal and vertical movement when the motorized door 2 moves from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa.

[0034] In more detail, the sliders 8 can be moved between a work configuration, wherein the optical barrier 11 is arranged in parallel below the lower side 4 and on a sliding plane of the motorized door 2 between the open position and the closed position, and a home configuration, wherein the optical barrier 11 is arranged in parallel at a distance from the inner face of the motorized door 2, when the latter is in the closed position.

[0035] In particular, in the work configuration, the sliders 8 are moved closer with respect to the sliding plane of the motorized door 2, while in the home configuration they are moved away from it.

[0036] Advantageously, each slider 8 also comprises at least one roller 17 resting on the floor which is rotatable around a horizontal axis substantially parallel to the lower side 4 of the motorized door 2 itself.

[0037] The latter is adapted to facilitate the movement of the slider 8 when the motorized door 2 is moved towards the closed position, in the proximity of the floor.

[0038] In this case, in fact, the rollers 17, after having been in contact with the floor, allow the movement of the sliders 8 which, by following their respective guiding slots 7, travel progressively inwards, with respect to the inner face of the motorized door 2, and upwards.

[0039] By doing this, any interference is prevented between the optical barrier 11 and the lower side 4 of the motorized door 2 until the latter is completely closed.

[0040] When, on the other hand, the motorized door 2 is moved towards the open position, the sliders 8 move downwards due to their own gravity, and tend to remain in the work configuration, protruding from the supporting element 6.

[0041] In this configuration, the optical barrier means 10, defined on an internal surface of the slider 8, facing the motorized door 2, are positioned below the lower side 4, in the sliding plane of the motorized door 2, during its entire opening and closing stroke.

[0042] According to the invention, the receiver 13 and the emitter 12 are associated with the sliders 8 by interposition of corresponding supporting units 18 rotatable around corresponding axes of rotation A.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the axes of rotation A are substantially orthogonal to the sliding plane of the motorized door 2.

[0044] In addition, the device 1 comprises at least two security elements 19 which are respectively associated with the supporting units 18 and which extend to the second areas Z2 of the sliding plane of the motorized door 2, comprised between the security units 5 and the lateral guides 3.

[0045] In the presence of obstacles B in the aforementioned second areas Z2, the security elements 19 are adapted to set the supporting units 18 in rotation and, consequently, the emitter and the receiver 13 around the axes of rotation A and thus to interrupt the optical barrier 11.

[0046] The security elements 19 conveniently comprise at least one bar 20 provided with a first end 21 associated with the supporting unit 18 and a free second end 22 arranged in the proximity of a respective lateral guide 3.

[0047] In more detail, each security element 19 extends along at least a first longitudinal direction and is movable between at least a first position, wherein the aforementioned first direction is horizontal and the receiver 13 and the emitter 12 are aligned with each other to define the optical barrier 11, and at least a second position, wherein the aforementioned first direction is inclined and the receiver 13 and the emitter 12 are misaligned with each other to interrupt the optical barrier 11.

[0048] Substantially, the security elements 19 have such a conformation that they are made to rotate, together with their respective supporting units 18, upwards, once an obstacle B, present inside the second areas Z2, has been found.

[0049] After the obstacle B has been removed from contact with the security elements 19, the latter, due to their own gravity, tend to rotate downwards together with their respective supporting units 18.

[0050] Conveniently, the security elements 19 are made of a metallic material, characterized by such a weight that it facilitates the aforementioned rotation downwards.

[0051] In the embodiment shown in the figures, each security element 19 and the respective supporting unit 18 are made of separate bodies assembled to each other.

[0052] It cannot however be ruled out that each security element 19 and the respective supporting unit 18 can be made in a single monolithic body.

[0053] Conveniently, each slider 8 comprises at least one abutment element 23 adapted to come into contact with at least one of either the supporting units 18 or the security elements 19, with the latter in the first position, and to block the rotation thereof around the axes of rotation A.

[0054] This rotation is blocked by the aforementioned abutment element 23 in order to stop the security elements 19 in the first position, which are arranged horizontally towards the respective lateral guides 3.

[0055] The operation of the present device 1 is as follows.

[0056] The device 1 performs its main function during the sliding of the motorized door 2, onto which it is applied, from the open position to the closed position.

[0057] Throughout the duration of this sliding, and in the absence of obstacles B, the sliders 8 of the security units 5 are in the lowered position, in their work configuration, wherein they tend to place the optical barrier means 10 below the lower side 4 of the motorized door 2 and along its sliding plane, and the security elements 19 are in the first position.

[0058] In particular, in the work configuration, the optical barrier 11 is defined in the first area Z1, comprised between the two security units 5.

[0059] At the same time, in the first position, the security elements 19 are arranged horizontally, in extension in the second areas Z2, between the security units 5 and in the proximity of the respective lateral guides 3.

[0060] In the presence of obstacles B in the first area Z1, the optical barrier 11 is interrupted and is able to ensure that the motorized door 2 stops before the lower side 4 thereof can come into direct contact with them.

[0061] Once the obstacle B has been removed, the optical barrier 11 is immediately restored.

[0062] When, on the other hand, the obstacle B is in one of the second areas Z2, then it comes into contact with the corresponding security element 19, which is moved upwards, by rotating together with the corresponding supporting unit 18 towards the second position.

[0063] The rotation of the supporting unit 18 leads to the misalignment of the emitter 12 and of the receiver 13, and therefore the optical barrier 11 is interrupted causing the motorized door 2 to stop.

[0064] In this case, by removing the obstacle B, the security element 19 returns by gravity to the first position, wherein it again allows the alignment of the emitter 12 and of the receiver 13.

[0065] Finally, if the obstacle B is at the point where one of the sliders 8 is located, the latter is displaced upwards, towards the home configuration, leading, also in this case, to the misalignment of the emitter 12 and of the receiver 13, and therefore to the interruption of the optical barrier 11.

[0066] When the obstacle B is removed, the slider 8 returns downwards by gravity, in the work configuration, and restores the optical barrier 11.

[0067] It has in practice been found that the described invention achieves the intended objects and in particular it is underlined that the contactless security device is able to position itself perfectly in the sliding plane of the motorized door 2 and to detect obstacles at any level within the range of the closing stroke of the motorized door 2 itself causing it to stop automatically.

[0068] In addition, the contactless security device is capable of detecting an obstacle throughout the entire width extension of the aforementioned motorized door 2 and consequently of ensuring the automatic stop thereof.

Claims

1. Contactless security device (1), particularly for motorized vertical sliding closing systems, comprising:

- at least two opposite security units (5) applied to an internal face of a motorized door (2) movable along lateral guides (3) for sliding between at least one closed position, wherein a lower side (4) of said motorized door (2) is adjacent to an underlying floor, and at least one open position, wherein said lower side (4) is moved away from said floor, each of said security units (5) comprising:

- at least one supporting element (6) fixed to said internal face of the motorized door (2) and provided with at least one guiding slot (7); and

- at least one slider (8) provided with at least one sliding pin (9), movable along said guiding slot (7);

- optical barrier means (10), which are adapted to define at least one optical barrier (11) in a first area (Z1) comprised between said security units (5) and to cause the stop of said motorized door (2) in the presence of an obstacle (B), said optical barrier means (10) comprising one emitter (12), associated with one of said sliders (8), and at least one receiver (13), associated with the other of said sliders (8) and substantially in line with said emitter (12), wherein each of said sliders (8) is susceptible of combined horizontal and vertical translation movements to displace said optical barrier (11) between a work configuration, wherein said optical barrier (11) is arranged in parallel below said lower side (4) and on a sliding plane of said motorized door (2) between said open position and said closed position, and a home configuration, wherein said optical barrier (11) is arranged in parallel at a distance from said inner face of the motorized door (2) when the latter is in said closed position;

characterized by the fact that said receiver (13) and said emitter (12) are associated with said sliders (8) by interposition of corresponding supporting units (18) rotatable around corresponding axes of rotation (A), and by the fact that said device (1) comprises at least two security elements (19) which are respectively associated with said supporting units (18) and which extend to second areas (Z2) comprised between said security units (5) and said lateral guides (3), in the presence of said obstacle (B) in said second areas (Z2), said security elements (19) being adapted to rotate said supporting units (18), said emitter and said receiver (13) around said axes of rotation (A) and to interrupt said optical barrier (11).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said axes of rotation (A) are substantially orthogonal to said sliding plane of the motorized door (2).

3. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said security elements (19) comprise at least one bar (20) provided with a first end (21) associated with said supporting unit (18) and a free second end (22) arranged in the proximity of a respective lateral guide (3).

4. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said security elements (19) are made of a metallic material.

5. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that each of said security elements (19) extends along at least a first longitudinal direction and is movable between at least a first position, wherein said first direction is horizontal and said receiver (13) and said emitter (12) are aligned with each other to define said optical barrier (11), and at least a second position, wherein said first direction is inclined and said receiver (13) and said emitter (12) are misaligned with each other to interrupt said optical barrier (11).

6. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that each of said security elements (19) and the respective supporting unit (18) are made of separate bodies assembled to each other.

7. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that each of said security elements (19) and the respective supporting unit (18) are made in a single monolithic body.

8. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that each of said sliders (8) comprises at least one abutment element (23) adapted to come into contact with at least one of said supporting units (18) and said security elements (19) in said first position and to block the rotation thereof around said axes of rotation (A).

9. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that each of said supporting elements (6) comprises two parallel vertical walls (14), each provided with at least two guiding slots (7) on two different levels, wherein each of said guiding slots (7) has a lower inclined portion (15), followed by an upper vertical portion (16), with said lower portion (15) inclined away from said internal face of the motorized door (2) in the direction from bottom to top, and wherein each of the said sliders (8) extends outside or inside said parallel vertical walls (14) and has at least two pairs of sliding pins (9) each driven individually in each of said guiding slots (7).

10. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that each of said sliders (8) comprises at least one roller (17) resting on said floor which is rotatable around a horizontal axis substantially parallel to said lower side (4).

Drawing