SAFETY DEVICE TO PREVENT THE SUDDEN CLOSING OF A MOVABLE ELEMENT

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns a safety device to prevent the sudden closing of a movable element, which is for example hinged or sliding with respect to a fixed element. The movable element could be, for example, the closing element of a piece of furniture or a door, of any weight and size.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is known that stresses of various type and great strength, such as draughts, or thrusts by the user, can cause the abrupt and violent closing of a closing element of a piece of furniture or a door, even of large sizes.

[0003] These conditions can constitute situations of potential danger, in particular if a person finds himself in proximity to the door or closing element, for example for children whose hands can be crushed between the door and the jamb. Furthermore, the sudden closing of a door can cause damage to the door itself or to the structure which supports it. The problem becomes particularly significant in the case of heavy metal doors, such as fire doors, armor-plated doors and compartmentation doors. In all these cases the mass of the door and the speed it can reach as it closes are decisive factors.

[0004] Even if some devices are known which allow to limit or prevent the sudden closing of doors, these have the disadvantage of being rather complex from the mechanical point of view, with a large number of components and are very bulky and not always efficient. Moreover, the known devices do not usually stop the door but only slow it down as it is closing.

[0005] From the patent application US-A-2007/0226954 a device is known to prevent a door involuntarily slamming against the corresponding fixed frame on which it is hinged. The known device, to be installed on the fixed frame, comprises a cylinder that slides axially with respect to a hollow seating, thrust toward an open position by a pair of helical springs, with a different elasticity constant and both coaxial to the cylinder itself. The gentle activation of the cylinder by the door causes the spring to be compressed with the smallest elasticity constant and enables the cylinder to slide axially as far as a closed position, with the door against the fixed frame. On the contrary, the abrupt activation of the cylinder by the door makes the spring compress with the maximum elasticity constant, and its compression blocks the cylinder, by means of the radial movement of a clamping ball associated to it and which is normally found in an annular groove of the cylinder. However, this known device has the disadvantage of being bulky and rather long, so that it needs a lot of space to be installed on the fixed frame, particularly in the direction perpendicular to the door, when the latter is closed.

[0006] Also the British patent GB 191 000836 and the US patents 1,221,580 and 2,869,171 describe safety mechanisms to prevent the abrupt closing of a door, all based on the axial sliding of an actuation element.

[0007] One purpose of the present invention is to make a safety device which prevents the sudden closing of a movable structure and at the same time is simple and guarantees reliability and safety.

[0008] Another purpose of the present invention is to make a safety device which comes into action and blocks the door only when force is applied to it, for example an impulsive force, higher than a determinate value and which instead remains inactive, allowing the normal closing of the movable structure, in all other cases.

[0009] Another purpose of the present invention is to make a safety device which takes up a very limited space, above all in a direction transverse to that of the movable element, when the latter is in the closed position, so that it can be easily installed in the corresponding fixed frame, on which the movable element is normally pivoted.

[0010] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0012] In accordance with the above purposes, a safety device according to the present invention, which overcomes the limits of the state of the art and eliminates the defects present therein, is provided to be associated to a frame of a piece of furniture or a door, which be a fire door, an armor-plated door, or a compartmentation door, or the door of a house.

[0013] According to a main characteristic of the present invention, the safety device comprises a lever mechanism, comprising, in turn, at least two levers articulated with respect to each other and at least two elastic members, with a different elastic constant.

[0014] The lever mechanism comprises at least an actuation lever and a connection lever, connected to the actuation lever in an articulated manner. The latter is pivoted on a pin and is provided to be actuated by the movable element in order to oscillate, with respect to the pin, between an open position and a closed position. The pin of the actuation lever can be fixed, or supported by the connection lever.

[0015] A first elastic member is provided to constantly apply a first elastic force on the lever mechanism, to thrust the actuation lever constantly toward the open position.

[0016] A sliding element is provided to slide in a guide between an initial position, where the sliding element is to be found when the actuation lever is in the open position, and a final position where the sliding element is to be found when the actuation lever is in a closed position.

[0017] A second elastic member is provided to apply a second elastic force, less than the first elastic force, constantly onto the mechanism lever, and to thrust the mechanism lever toward an operating condition, in which the sliding element is free to slide in the corresponding guide between its initial position and its final position.

[0018] A clamping member is provided to cooperate with the lever mechanism in order to prevent the sliding element from moving from its initial position toward its final position inside the guide, when a determinate actuation force of the impulsive type exceeding a determinate value, greater at least than that of the second elastic force, is applied suddenly by the movable element on the actuation lever.

[0019] The articulated levers and elastic members cooperate with each other so as to receive, transmit and distribute the force applied to the actuation lever of the movable element.

[0020] In other words, impulsive-type forces of an entity higher than a certain threshold, applied to the actuation lever, overcome the resistance of that one of the two elastic members which functions as an elastic contrast mean, engaging the clamping member, which immediately stops the closing of the movable element. In this case, the device according to the present invention moves into the clamping position. Vice versa, forces of the non impulsive type and/or of an entity lower than the threshold, applied on the actuation lever, allow the elastic contrast mean to not yield, allowing the gentle closing of the closing element of the piece of furniture or door, and bringing the safety device into the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of three preferential forms of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

• fig. 1 is a plan view of a first form of embodiment of a safety device according to the present invention, in an open or loaded position;
• fig. 2 is a plan view of the safety device in fig. 1 in a clamping position;
• fig. 3 is a plan view of the safety device in fig. 1 in a closed position;
• fig. 4 is a plan view of a second form of embodiment of a safety device according to the present invention, in an open or loaded position;
• fig. 5 is a plan view of the safety device in fig. 4 in a clamping position;
• fig. 6 is a plan view of the safety device in fig. 4 in a closed position;
• fig. 7 is a plan view of a third form of embodiment of a safety device according to the present invention, in an open or loaded position;
• fig. 8 is a plan view of the safety device in fig. 7 in a clamping position;
• fig. 9 is a plan view of the safety device in fig. 7 in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THREE PREFERENTIAL FORMS OF EMBODIMENT

[0022] With reference to figs. 1, 2 and 3, a first form of embodiment of a safety device 10 according to the present invention is described, which can be used to prevent the sudden closing of a movable element, not shown in the drawings, which can be for example a closing element of a piece of furniture or a door, even of considerable size.

[0023] The safety device 10 comprises a lever mechanism 20, which, in turn, comprises an actuation lever 11 and a connection lever 18.

[0024] The actuation lever 11 is pivoted at one of its ends, by means of a fixed pin 12, to a fixed support 13, provided to be mounted for example on the fixed frame on which the movable element is hinged.

[0025] The actuation lever 11 comprises, on the side opposite that of the pivoting, a contact end 14, provided to enter into contact with the movable element. The latter is provided to apply an actuation force F on the contact end 14.

[0026] The connection lever 18 is pivoted at one of its ends to the actuation lever 11, by means of an articulation pin 15. The opposite end of the connection lever 18 is provided with a sliding element 21, which, in this case, is a peg provided to slide inside a guide slot 23 made in the fixed support 13. The guide slot 23 in this case is shaped like an L, so as to define a sliding cavity 27 and a clamping cavity 26, communicating and orthogonal with respect to each other.

[0027] The sliding element 21 is normally held in an initial position, shown in fig. 1, by a first elastic member, which in this case is a helical spring 25, taut between the fixed support 13 and the actuation lever 11. In the example shown here, the helical spring 25 applies a first elastic force R1, in the order of some tens of Newtons, for example about 20 N, on the actuation lever 11.

[0028] The connection lever 18 is provided to be thrust, by means of the sliding element 21, by a second elastic member, which in this case is a leaf spring 30, anchored to the fixed support 13 by means of an attachment element of a known type. In this way, the leaf spring 30 constantly applies a second elastic force R2, which is much less than R1, for example about 1 N, on the sliding element 21. The second elastic force R2 normally holds the sliding element 21 in an operating condition which allows it to slide along the sliding cavity 27.

[0029] The safety device 10 as described heretofore functions as follows.

[0030] When the movable element (for example a door or a closing element of a piece of furniture) is open, the safety device 10 is in an open position, or loaded position shown in fig. 1. In this position the helical spring 25 holds the actuation lever 11 substantially orthogonal to the connection lever 18, as the sliding element 21 is temporarily against the corner of the guide slot 23 formed by the two sliding 27 and clamping 26 cavities.

[0031] When a determinate impulsive-type actuation force F exceeding a determinate value, greater than that of the second elastic force R2, is applied suddenly by the movable element onto the actuation lever 11, the safety device 10 moves into the clamping position shown in fig. 2 and prevents the movable element from slamming against the corresponding fixed frame. Indeed, the impulsive-type actuation force F, higher than a certain threshold and applied to the actuation lever 11, overcomes the resistance of the leaf spring 30 and not that of the helical spring 25. Consequently, the sliding element 21 is thus inserted inside the clamping cavity 26 and stops the rotation of the actuation lever 11 with respect to its fixed pin 12, and therefore that of the movable element. In this case, the actuation lever 11 and the connection lever 18 remain substantially orthogonal with respect to each other.

[0032] On the contrary, when the movable element closes gently and applies a determinate actuation force F, less than that of the second elastic force R2, onto the contact end 14 of the actuation lever 11, the safety device 10 does not block, and moves into a closed position shown in fig. 3. Indeed, in this case, the leaf spring 30 does not yield, so that the sliding element 21 can slide along the sliding cavity 27 as far as a final position, allowing the gentle closing of the closing element of the piece of furniture or of the door in contact with the actuation lever 11. In this case, the connection lever 18 is disposed substantially parallel to the actuation lever 11, and both the levers 11 and 18 are contained inside the fixed support 13.

[0033] The helical spring 25 allows to return the safety device 10 to the loaded position at the moment when the closing element of the piece of furniture or the door is reopened.

[0034] In accordance with a second form of embodiment of the present invention, a safety device 110 (figs. 4, 5 and 6) comprises a lever mechanism 120 which in turn comprises an actuation lever 111 and a connection lever 118.

[0035] The actuation lever 111 is pivoted with one end on a fixed pin 112 of a fixed support 113, provided to be mounted on the fixed frame for example on which the movable element is hinged.

[0036] The actuation lever 111 comprises, on the side opposite that of the pivoting, a contact end 114, provided to enter into contact with the movable element. The latter is provided to apply an actuation force F on the contact end 114. The rotation in a clockwise direction of the actuation lever 111 is limited by a stop element 116, anchored to the fixed support 113.

[0037] The mechanism lever 120 also comprises an intermediate lever 117, which has one of its ends articulated on a peg 115 of the actuation lever 111 and the opposite end articulated on a peg 127 of the connection lever 118. The end of the connection lever 118 opposite the one where there is the peg 127 is connected to a block 121, by means of a peg 122. The block 121, which acts as a sliding element, is provided to slide along a rectilinear guide slot 123, by means of the peg 122 and an auxiliary peg 124, between an initial position, shown in fig. 4, and a final position, shown in fig. 6. The presence of the auxiliary peg 124 guarantees that the motion of the block 121 is rectilinear. Normally the block 121 is maintained in its initial position by a helical spring 125, fixed, at its opposite end, to the fixed support 113. The helical spring 125 constitutes the first elastic member, able to apply the first elastic force R1.

[0038] The connection lever 118 is provided with a toothing 128, provided to engage with a corresponding fixed toothing 129, solid with the fixed support 113.

[0039] The connection lever 118 is provided to enter into contact with a leaf spring 130, which constitutes the second elastic member able to apply the second elastic force R2. The leaf spring 130 is anchored to the fixed support 113 by means of a fixed element of the known type.

[0040] The safety device 110 as described heretofore functions as follows.

[0041] When the movable element (for example a door or a closing element of a piece of furniture) is open, the safety device 110 is in the open position, or loaded position, as shown in fig. 4. In this position the actuation lever 111 is substantially orthogonal to the intermediate lever 117. Moreover the toothing 128 is slightly distanced from the fixed toothing 129.

[0042] When a determinate impulsive-type actuation force F exceeding a determinate value, greater than that of the second elastic force R2, is applied suddenly by the movable element on the actuation lever 111, the safety device 110 moves into the clamping position shown in fig. 5 and prevents the movable element from slamming against the corresponding fixed frame. In fact the impulsive-type actuation force F, higher than a certain threshold and applied to the actuation lever 111, first overcomes the resistance of the leaf spring 130 and not that of the helical spring 125. Consequently, the toothing 128 of the connection lever 118 engages with the fixed toothing 129, immediately blocking the rotation of the actuation lever 111 in an anti clockwise direction around its own fixed pin 112 and consequently stopping the closing of the closing element of the piece of furniture or the door.

[0043] In this case the actuation lever 111 and the intermediate lever 117 remain substantially orthogonal with respect to each other.

[0044] On the contrary, when the movable element closes gently and applies a determinate actuation force F, less than that of the second elastic force R2, on the contact end 114 of the actuation lever 111, the safety device 110 does not block and moves into a closed position shown in fig. 6. In fact, in this case, the leaf spring 30 does not yield, so that the toothing 128 does not engage with the corresponding fixed toothing 129 and the block 121 can slide linearly, in its operating condition, until it moves into its final position, allowing the gentle closing of the closing element of the piece of furniture or the door in contact with the actuation lever 111. In this case the intermediate lever 117 and the connection lever 118 are disposed substantially parallel to the actuation lever 111, and all three levers 111, 117 and 118 are contained within the fixed support 13.

[0045] The helical spring 125 allows to return the safety device 10 back into the loaded position, at the moment when the closing element of the piece of furniture or the door is re-opened.

[0046] In accordance with a third form of embodiment of the present invention, a safety device 210 (figs. 7, 8 and 9) comprises a lever mechanism 220 which in turn comprises an actuation lever 211 and a connection lever 218.

[0047] The actuation lever 211 comprises a central part which is pivoted on a pin 215, which is mounted at a first end 218a of the connection lever 218. The latter, in turn, is pivoted with its second end 218b, opposite the first end 218a, on a fixed pin 212 of a fixed support 213, provided to be mounted for example on the fixed frame on which the movable element is hinged.

[0048] At a first end 221 a of the actuation lever 211 a contact wheel 214 is mounted, provided to enter into contact with the movable element. The latter is provided to apply an actuation force F to the contact wheel 214, and therefore to the actuation lever 211.

[0049] At a second end 211b of the actuation lever 211 a sliding element 221 is mounted, which in this case is a peg provided to slide inside a guide slot 223, similar to the slot 23 in the first form of embodiment, and made in the fixed support 213. In fact, the guide slot 223 is also L shaped, so as to define a sliding cavity 227 and a clamping cavity 226, communicating and orthogonal with respect to each other.

[0050] The sliding element 221 is normally held in an initial position, shown in fig. 7, by a helical spring 225, disposed coaxial to the fixed pin 212 and compressed between the fixed support 213 and the connection lever 218. The helical spring 225 represents the first elastic member of the safety device 210, able to apply the first elastic force R1.

[0051] A leaf spring 230, which constitutes the second elastic member able to apply the second elastic force R2, is anchored to the fixed support 213 and is provided to cooperate with the sliding element 221 in order to keep it in the initial position, in an operating condition.

[0052] The safety device 210 as described heretofore functions as follows.

[0053] When the movable element (for example a door or a closing element of a piece of furniture) is open, the safety device 210 is in the open position, or loaded position, shown in fig. 7. In this position the helical spring 225 holds the actuation lever 211 substantially orthogonal to the connection lever 218, since the sliding element 221 is temporarily thrust by the leaf spring 230 against the corner of the guide slot 223 formed by the two sliding 227 and clamping 226 cavities.

[0054] When a determinate impulsive-type actuation force F exceeding a determinate value, greater than that of the second elastic force R2, is applied suddenly by the movable element on the actuation lever 211, the safety device 210 moves into the clamping position shown in fig. 8 and prevents the movable element from slamming against the corresponding fixed frame. In fact the impulsive-type actuation force F and higher than a certain threshold, applied to the actuation lever 211, makes the latter rotate in an anti-clockwise direction with respect to its pin 215, because it overcomes first the resistance of the leaf spring 230 and not that of the helical spring 225. Consequently the sliding element 221 is inserted inside the clamping cavity 226 and stops the rotation of the actuation lever 211 with respect to its pin 215, and therefore also that of the movable element with respect to the fixed frame. In this case the actuation lever 211 and the connection lever 18 remain substantially orthogonal with respect to each other.

[0055] On the contrary, when the movable element closes gently and applies a determinate actuation force F, less than that of the second elastic force R2, on the end 211 a of the actuation lever 211, the safety device 210 does not block and moves into a closed position shown in fig. 9. In fact, in this case, the leaf spring 230 does not yield, so that the sliding element 221 remains in its operating condition and can slide freely along the sliding cavity 227 until it moves to its final position, allowing the gentle closing of the closing element of the piece of furniture or of the door in contact with the actuation lever 211. In this case the connection lever 218 is disposed substantially parallel to the actuation lever 211, and both levers 211 and 218 are contained within the fixed support 213.

[0056] The helical spring 225 allows to return the safety device 210 back into the loaded position, at the moment when the closing element of the piece of furniture or the door is re-opened.

[0057] Also in the second safety device 110 and in the third safety device 210 the first elastic force R1 is in the order of about 20 N and the second elastic force R2 is in the order of about 1 N.

[0058] It can be noted that in all three forms of embodiment, the lever mechanism 20, 120, 220 described above is completely inside the space defined by the fixed support 13, 113, 213, respectively, when the actuation lever 11, 111,211 is in the closed position.

[0059] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the safety device 10, 110, 210 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0060] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of safety device, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

1. Safety device to prevent the sudden closing of a movable element such as a closing element of a piece of furniture or a door, comprising a fixed support (13, 113, 213) and

- a lever mechanism (20, 120, 220) comprising in turn at least an actuation lever (11, 111, 211) and a connection lever (18, 118, 218) both being connected at one of its ends to said fixed support (13, 113, 213), said connection lever (18, 118, 218) being connected in an articulated manner to said actuation lever (11, 111, 211), said actuation lever (11, 111, 211) being pivoted on a pin (12, 112, 215) and provided to be actuated by said movable element in order to oscillate with respect to said pin (12, 112, 215), between an open position and closed position;

characterized in that it further comprises:

- a first elastic member (25, 125, 225) which constantly applies a first elastic force (R1) on said lever mechanism (20, 120, 220) in order to constantly thrust said actuation lever (11, 111, 211) toward said open position;

- a sliding element (21, 121, 221) provided to slide in a guide (23, 123, 223) made in said fixed support (13, 113, 213) between an initial position, in which said sliding element (21, 121, 221) finds itself when said actuation lever (11, 111, 211) is in said open position, and a final position in which said sliding element (21, 121, 221) finds itself when said actuation lever (11, 111, 211) is in said closed position; said sliding element (21, 121, 221) being mounted at said end of said connection lever (18, 118, 218) or of said actuation lever (11, 111, 211), and being connected to said fixed support (13, 113,213);

- a second elastic member (30, 130, 230) which constantly applies a second elastic force (R2), less than said first elastic force (R1), on said lever mechanism (20, 120, 220) and provided to thrust said lever mechanism (20, 120, 220) toward an operating condition, in which said sliding element (21, 121, 221) is free to slide in said guide (23, 123, 223) between said initial position and said final position; said first elastic member (25, 125, 225) and said second elastic member (30, 130, 230) being fixed on one of its ends to said fixed support (13, 113, 213);

- a clamping member (26; 128, 129; 226) provided to cooperate with said lever mechanism (20, 120, 220) to prevent said sliding element (21, 121, 221) from moving from said initial position toward said final position inside said guide (23, 123, 223), when a determinate impulsive-type actuation force (F) exceeding a determinate value, greater at least than that of said second elastic force (R2), is applied suddenly by said movable element on said actuation lever (11, 111, 121).

2. Safety device as in claim 1, characterized in that said actuation lever (11, 111, 211) is substantially orthogonal to said connection lever (18, 118, 218), when said actuation lever (11, 111, 211) is in said open position and is substantially parallel to said connection lever (18, 118, 218) when said actuation lever (11, 111, 211) is in said closed position.

3. Safety device as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said sliding element comprises a peg (21, 221), in that said guide comprises an L-shaped slot (23, 223), with a rectilinear sliding cavity (27, 227) in which said peg (21, 221) slides between said initial position and said final position, and in that said clamping member comprises a clamping cavity (26, 226) perpendicular to said rectilinear sliding cavity (27, 227) and disposed in correspondence to said initial position of said peg (21, 221).

4. Safety device as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said sliding element comprises a sliding block (121), in that said guide comprises a rectilinear slot (123) in which said sliding block (121) slides between said initial position and said final position, and in that said clamping member comprises a fixed toothing (129) with which a corresponding toothing (128) of said connection lever (118) is adapted to cooperate.

5. Safety device as in claim 1 or 4, characterized in that said lever mechanism (120) also comprises an intermediate lever (117) interposed between said actuation lever (111) and said connection lever (118) in an articulated manner.

6. Safety device as in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said actuation lever (211) comprises a central part pivoted on said pin (215), which is mounted on a first end (218a) of said connection lever (218), which has a second end (218b), opposite said first end (218a), pivoted on a fixed pin (212).

7. Safety device as in claim 1, 2, 3 or 6, characterized in that said actuation lever (211) comprises a first end (211a) on which said movable element is provided to apply said actuation force (F) and a second end (211b), opposite said first end (211 a), on which said sliding element (221) is mounted.

8. Safety device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said first elastic force (R1) is at least one order of magnitude greater than said second elastic force (R2).

9. Safety device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said first elastic force (R1) is in the order of 20 N and said second elastic force (R2) is in the order of 1 N.

10. Safety device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said first elastic member is a helical spring (25, 125, 225) and said second elastic member is a leaf spring (30, 130, 230).

Ansprüche

1. Sicherheitsvorrichtung zur Verhinderung des plötzlichen Schließens eines beweglichen Elementes, wie eines Schließelementes eines Möbels oder einer Tür, umfassend einen festen Träger (13, 113, 213) und

- einen Hebelmechanismus (20, 120, 220), seinerseits umfassend zumindest einen Betätigungshebel (11, 111, 211) und einen Verbindungshebel (18, 118, 218), wobei die beiden an einem ihrer Enden jeweils mit dem genannten festen Träger (13, 113, 213) verbunden sind, wobei der genannte Verbindungshebel (18, 118, 218) mit dem genannten Betätigungshebel (11, 111, 211) gelenkig verbunden ist, der genannte Betätigungshebel (11, 111, 211) an einem Stift (12, 112, 215) drehbar gelagert ist und vorgesehen ist, um von dem genannten beweglichen Element betätigt zu werden, um mit Bezug auf den genannten Stift (12, 112, 215), zwischen einer offenen Stellung und einer geschlossenen Stellung, zu schwenken;

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie ferner Folgendes umfasst:

- ein erstes elastisches Glied (25, 125, 225), das eine erste Federkraft (R1) auf den genannten Hebelmechanismus (20, 120, 220) ständig aufbringt, um den genannten Betätigungshebel (11, 111, 211) zur genannten offenen Stellung ständig zu schieben;

- ein Gleitelement (21, 121, 221), das vorgesehen ist, um in einer Führung, die im genannten festen Träger (13, 113, 213) geformt ist, zwischen einer Anfangsstellung, in der das genannte Gleitelement (21, 121, 221) sich dann befindet, wenn der genannte Betätigungshebel (11, 111, 211) in der genannten offenen Stellung ist, und einer Endstellung, in der das genannte Gleitelement (21, 121, 221) sich dann befindet, wenn der genannte Betätigungshebel (11, 111, 211) in der genannten geschlossenen Stellung ist, zu gleiten; wobei das genannte Gleitelement (21, 121, 221) am genannten Ende des genannten Verbindungshebels (18, 118, 218) oder des genannten Betätigungshebels (11, 111, 211) montiert ist, und am genannten festen Träger (13, 113, 213) verbunden ist;

- ein zweites elastisches Glied (30, 130, 230), das eine zweite Federkraft (R2), die kleiner als die genannte erste Federkraft (R1) ist, auf den genannten Hebelmechanismus (20, 120, 220) ständig aufbringt, und das vorgesehen ist, um den genannten Hebelmechanismus (20, 120, 220) zu einem Betriebszustand zu schieben, in dem das genannte Gleitelement (21, 121, 221) frei ist, in der genannten Führung (23, 123, 223) zwischen der genannten Anfangsstellung und der genannten Endstellung zu gleiten; wobei das genannte erste elastische Glied (25, 125, 225) und das genannte zweite elastische Glied (30, 130, 230) an einem ihrer Enden am genannten festen Träger (13, 113, 213) befestigt sind;

- ein Klemmglied (26; 128, 129; 226), das vorgesehen ist, um mit dem genannten Hebelmechanismus (20, 120, 220) zusammenzuarbeiten, um zu verhindern, dass das genannte Gleitelement (21, 121, 221) sich innerhalb der genannten Führung (23, 123, 223) von der genannten Anfangsstellung zur genannten Endstellung dann bewegt, wenn eine bestimmte impulsartige Betätigungskraft (F), die einen bestimmten Wert überschreitet, der größer zumindest als derjenige der genannten zweiten Federkraft (R2) ist, plötzlich vom genannten beweglichen Element auf den genannten Betätigungshebel (11, 111, 121) aufgebracht wird.

2. Sicherheitsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der genannte Betätigungshebel (11, 111, 211) zu dem genannten Verbindungshebel (18, 118, 218) im Wesentlichen orthogonal ist, wenn der genannte Betätigungshebel (11, 111, 211) in der genannten offenen Stellung ist, und zum genannten Verbindungshebel (18, 118, 218) im Wesentlichen parallel ist, wenn der genannte Betätigungshebel (11, 111, 211) in der genannten geschlossenen Stellung ist.

3. Sicherheitsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das genannte Gleitelement einen Zapfen (21, 221) umfasst, dass die genannte Führung einen L-förmigen Schlitz (23, 223), mit einer geradlinigen Gleithohlraum (27, 227), aufweist, in dem der genannte Zapfen (21, 221) zwischen der genannten Anfangsstellung und der genannten Endstellung gleitet, und dass das genannte Klemmglied einen Klemmhohlraum (26, 226) aufweist, der zum genannten geradlinigen Gleithohlraum (27, 227) senkrecht und in Übereinstimmung mit der genannten Anfangsstellung des genannten Zapfens (21, 221) angeordnet ist.

4. Sicherheitsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das genannte Gleitelement ein Gleitstück (121) umfasst, dass die genannte Führung einen geradlinigen Schlitz (123) aufweist, in dem das genannte Gleitstück (121) zwischen der genannten Anfangsstellung und der genannten Endstellung gleitet, und dass das genannte Klemmglied eine feste Verzahnung (129) umfasst, mit der eine dazugehörige Verzahnung (128) des genannten Verbindungshebels (118) zusammenarbeiten kann.

5. Sicherheitsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der genannte Hebelmechanismus (120) auch einen Zwischenhebel (117) umfasst, der zwischen dem genannten Betätigungshebel (111) und dem genannten Verbindungshebel (118) in gelenkiger Weise zwischengeschaltet ist.

6. Sicherheitsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der genannte Betätigungshebel (211) einen am genannten Stift (215) schwenkbar gelagerten Mittelteil umfasst, der an einem ersten Ende (218a) des genannten Verbindungshebels (218) montiert ist, der ein zweites, dem genannten ersten Ende (218a) entgegengesetztes Ende (218b) aufweist, das an einem festen Stift (212) schwenkbar gelagert ist.

7. Sicherheitsvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, 2, 3 oder 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der genannte Betätigungshebel (211) ein erstes Ende (211a), an dem das genannte bewegliche Element vorgesehen ist, um die genannte Betätigungskraft (F) aufzubringen, und ein zweites, dem genannten ersten Ende (211a) entgegengesetztes Ende (211b), an dem das genannte Gleitelement (221) montiert ist, aufweist.

8. Sicherheitsvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannte erste Federkraft (R1) um zumindest eine Größenordnung als die genannte zweite Federkraft (R2) größer ist.

9. Sicherheitsvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannte erste Federkraft (R1) in der Größenordnung von 20 N ist und die genannte zweite Federkraft (R2) in der Größenordnung von 1 N ist.

10. Sicherheitsvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das genannte erste elastische Glied eine Schraubenfeder (25, 125, 225) und das genannte zweite elastische Glied eine Blattfeder (30, 130, 230) ist.

Revendications

1. Dispositif de sécurité pour empêcher la fermeture brusque d'un élément mobile, tel qu'un élément de fermeture d'un meuble ou d'une porte, comprenant un support fixe (13, 113, 213) et

- un mécanisme de levier (20, 120, 220), comprenant à son tour au moins un levier d'actionnement (11, 111, 211) et un levier de liaison (18, 118, 218), les deux étant reliés à l'une de leurs extrémités audit support fixe (13, 113, 213), ledit levier de liaison (18, 118, 218) étant relié de façon articulée audit levier d'actionnement (11, 111, 211), ledit lever d'actionnement (11, 111, 211) pivotant autour d'un pivot (12, 112, 215) et étant conçu pour être actionné par ledit élément mobile pour basculer par rapport audit pivot (12, 112, 215) entre une position d'ouverture et une position de fermeture ;

caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend par ailleurs :

- un premier élément élastique (25, 125, 225) pour l'application constante d'une première force élastique (R1) sur ledit mécanisme de levier (20, 120, 220) afin de pousser constamment ledit levier d'actionnement (11, 111, 211) vers ladite position d'ouverture ;

- un élément coulissant (21, 121, 221) conçu pour coulisser dans un rail de guidage (23, 123, 223) formé dans ledit support fixe (13, 113, 213) entre une position initiale, dans laquelle ledit élément coulissant (21, 121, 221) se trouve lorsque ledit levier d'actionnement (11, 111, 211) est dans ladite position d'ouverture, et une position finale dans laquelle ledit élément coulissant (21, 121, 221) se trouve lorsque ledit levier d'actionnement (11, 111, 211) est dans ladite position de fermeture ; ledit élément coulissant (21, 121, 221) étant monté à ladite extrémité dudit levier de liaison (18, 118, 218) ou dudit levier d'actionnement (11, 111, 211), et étant relié audit support fixe (13, 113, 213) ;

- un second élément élastique (30, 130, 230) pour l'application constante d'une seconde force élastique (R2), inférieure à ladite première force élastique (R1), sur ledit mécanisme de levier (20, 120, 220) et conçu pour pousser ledit mécanisme de levier (20, 120, 220) vers une condition de fonctionnement dans laquelle ledit élément coulissant (21, 121, 221) est libre de glisser dans ledit rail de guidage (23, 123, 223) entre ladite position initiale et ladite position finale ; ledit premier élément élastique (25, 125, 225) et ledit second élément élastique (30, 130, 230) étant fixés sur l'une de ses extrémités audit support fixe (13, 113, 213) ;

- un élément de serrage (26 ; 128, 129 ; 226) conçu pour coopérer avec ledit mécanisme de levier (20, 120, 220) pour empêcher le déplacement dudit élément coulissant (21, 121, 221) de ladite position initiale vers ladite position finale à l'intérieur dudit rail de guidage (23, 123, 223), lorsqu'une force d'actionnement impulsive déterminée (F) supérieure à une valeur déterminée, supérieure au moins à celle de ladite seconde force élastique (R2), est appliquée de façon brusque par ledit élément mobile sur ledit levier d'actionnement (11, 111, 121).

2. Dispositif de sécurité selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit levier d'actionnement (11, 111, 211) est sensiblement orthogonal audit levier de liaison (18, 118, 218) lorsque ledit levier d'actionnement (11, 111, 211) se trouve dans ladite position d'ouverture et est sensiblement parallèle audit levier de liaison (18, 118, 218) lorsque ledit levier d'actionnement (11, 111, 211) se trouve dans ladite position de fermeture.

3. Dispositif de sécurité selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément coulissant comprend un piquet (21, 221), en ce que ledit rail de guidage comprend une rainure en L (23, 223), avec une cavité de glissement rectiligne (27, 227) dans laquelle ledit piquet (21, 221) glisse entre ladite position initiale et ladite position finale, et en ce que ledit élément de serrage comprend une cavité de serrage (26, 226) perpendiculaire à ladite cavité de serrage rectiligne (27, 227) et située au niveau de ladite position initiale dudit piquet (21, 221).

4. Dispositif de sécurité selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément coulissant comprend un bloc coulissant (121), en ce que ledit rail de guidage comprend une rainure rectiligne (123) dans laquelle ledit bloc coulissant (121) glisse entre ladite position initiale et ladite position finale, et en ce que ledit élément de serrage comprend une denture fixe (129) avec laquelle une denture correspondante (128) dudit levier de liaison (118) est apte à coopérer.

5. Dispositif de sécurité selon la revendication 1 ou 4, caractérisé en ce que ledit mécanisme de levier (120) comprend par ailleurs un levier intermédiaire (117) interposé entre ledit levier d'actionnement (111) et ledit levier de liaison (118) de façon articulée.

6. Dispositif de sécurité selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que ledit levier d'actionnement (211) comprend une partie centrale pivotant autour dudit pivot (215), monté sur une première extrémité (218a) dudit levier de liaison (218), celui-ci ayant une seconde extrémité (218b) opposée à ladite première extrémité (218a) pivotant autour d'un pivot fixe (212).

7. Dispositif de sécurité selon la revendication 1, 2, 3 ou 6, caractérisé en ce que ledit levier d'actionnement (211) comprend une première extrémité (211a) sur laquelle ledit élément mobile est destiné à appliquer ladite force d'actionnement (F) et une seconde extrémité (211b) opposée à ladite première extrémité (211a), sur laquelle ledit élément coulissant (221) est monté.

8. Dispositif de sécurité selon n'importe laquelle des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ladite première force élastique (R1) est supérieure d'au moins un ordre de grandeur à la seconde force élastique (R2).

9. Dispositif de sécurité selon n'importe laquelle des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ladite première force élastique (R1) est de l'ordre de 20 N et ladite seconde force élastique (R2) est de l'ordre de 1 N.

10. Dispositif de sécurité selon n'importe laquelle des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit premier élément élastique est un ressort en hélice (25, 125, 225) et ledit second élément élastique est un ressort à lames (30, 130, 230).

Drawing