ES1299429U - DRIVING MEANS FOR CLOSING DEVICE, SUCH CLOSING DEVICE AND CLOSING SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

Driving means (10, 10', 10'') for a closing device (100), the driving means (10) comprising: - a block (11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f) adapted to be coupled to a mobile profile (1) of the closure device (100); - a connecting element (12) between the block (11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f) and a door panel (30); the block (11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f) comprising means to house at least part of the connecting element (12), and the connecting element (12) being configured to be able to be coupled to a pivoting element (20, 20') from the door panel (30). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

DRIVING MEANS FOR CLOSING DEVICE, SUCH CLOSING DEVICE

CLOSING AND CLOSING SYSTEM

TECHNIQUE SECTOR

This disclosure belongs to the field of panel enclosures made of glass and aluminum, PVC or equivalent materials.

BACKGROUND

The enclosure system in which the drive means and the lateral closure device referred to in this disclosure are framed are normally used to divide spaces and/or to close spaces on terraces, balconies, rooms, etc. Usually, an enclosure system of this type comprises a set of glass panels or materials with similar mechanical characteristics. These panels are normally supported and guided by upper and lower rails that are mounted on the roof and floor of the room on which the enclosure is to be made. These types of enclosures are also called glass curtains.

On the market there are various closing systems with sliding panels, normally having a first panel called a door panel or simply a door, which can be opened and closed by rotating on a virtual fixed axis that joins the upper and lower rails. The panels of the enclosure system can be collected after being moved by sliding on the rails to one end or both ends of said rails. In this way the panels, once slid, are collected or stored at one or both ends after a pivoting operation in the area where the door panel is located.

The door panel is usually a fixed door panel, without the possibility of sliding through the closing system and with a series of extra components than conventional panels, which makes the system more expensive or limits its possibilities. This door panel in the standard configuration usually has a limitation because it requires an arm at the top of the system, which can be unsightly and less hermetic. On the other hand, it does not create such a tight union as some cases may require (especially in areas with a lot of wind or rain). In addition, if you want to increase security, you have to add a lock to the glass of the door panel, which generates a visual impact since a recess in the glass is necessary.

In order to solve these problems, utility model document ES-1179533-U proposed a lateral locking or closing device for a door panel of a sliding door closing system, the locking device being such that it dispenses with locks -with the corresponding slot in the glass, which also had to be tempered glass. The closing device proposed in this document includes an actuator or handle, two profiles -a fixed profile and a mobile profile-, and pushers mechanically coupled to rods, which in turn are coupled to the mobile profile. The handle can be actuated between two positions, a blocking/closing position and an unlocking/opening position. The tappets are configured to convert an input movement of the lever to an output movement essentially perpendicular to the input movement. The closing device works in such a way that in the locked/closed position, the mobile profile is configured to push the rest of the panels that make up the closing system, keeping the panels pressed against each other, so that possible gaps are eliminated and gaps that may exist between them. And when this profile happens to be in the unlocking/opening position, this profile moves in the opposite direction, thus making it possible to open a hole to be able to move the adjacent panel, and to be able to make it pivot, so that, consecutively, they can be move the panels until they reach the opening area, pivot and remain open.

In utility model ES-1179533-U, to open (or unlock) the locking system, the handle is operated by turning it from one position to another, which moves the mobile profile of the lateral locking device, leaving a gap that generates the mobile profile when set back inside the fixed profile. But the door panel does not open in that position and must be moved to bring its upper and lower turning assemblies (also called pivot elements) to a correct position within the turning mechanism. In the system presented in the utility model, this movement of the door panel must be done by hand, moving the door panel slightly towards the mobile and fixed profiles of the side locking device. Once the door panel is in the correct position, the turning assembly can be rotated in a controlled manner in the turning mechanism. But this movement is carried out "blindly", which can lead to the assembly being forced and possibly breaking the turning mechanism.

For this reason, there is a need to improve the closing device proposed to reduce the margin of error in moving the door panel to the correct position.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure solves the problems described above by means of a driving means as defined in claim 1, as well as in its dependent claims. The driving means disclosed herein, when it is mounted on a closing device, makes it possible to move a door panel of a closing system integrally with a mobile profile of the closing device, since, thanks to the driving means, the mobile profile in its setback movement it "pulls" the door panel. This makes the door panel always open in the correct position, thus avoiding deterioration of the turning mechanism.

A first aspect of the disclosure refers to a driving means for a closing device, the driving means comprising:

- a block adapted to be coupled to a mobile profile of the closing device;

- a connecting element between the block and a door panel;

where the block comprises means to house at least part of the connecting element, and the connecting element being configured to be able to be coupled to a pivoting element of the door panel.

In this way it is achieved that the mobile profile pulls the door panel, making the opening movement of the closing device always go together with the movement of the door panel.

In certain embodiments of the driving means, the connecting element comprises a filiform element. This filiform element can be made of a malleable material, that is, a material that allows the filiform element to be manipulated without it breaking. In this way, the filiform element can be manipulated to surround and embrace the pivoting element of the panel, door, more specifically, an axis of rotation of the pivoting element.

The filiform element can have a diameter between 0.7 and 2 mm; the through holes of the block are designed accordingly. In some embodiments, the diameter can have a diameter of less than 1.6 mm if the material used is sufficiently resistant with that section, as may be the case when synthetic fiber is used.

In some embodiments, the filiform element comprises a fork, a flange, or a thread that can be bent into a U-shape. Any of these embodiments allows a simple manufacturing of the connecting element and easy assembly, as will be explained later.

In certain embodiments, the connecting element is made of a material that is resistant, especially to traction, so that it does not break when the closing device is operated by means of handling means -such as a handle- acting on the mobile profile and the mobile profile pulls the door panel by means of driving. In certain embodiments the joining element is made of a polymeric material, such as a plastic material or a synthetic fiber or the like, preferably in embodiments thereof that are malleable. The connecting element can also be made of a metallic material.

In certain embodiments of the driving means, the connecting element also comprises a fastening element, such as a stop or another element that makes it possible to fix the position of the filiform element around an axis of rotation of the pivoting element. Thus, the threadlike element might not be malleable. This holding element can be made of polymeric material or metallic material.

In certain embodiments, the means for housing at least part of the connecting element comprise two through holes, configured to allow the threadlike element to pass through. In this way, the through holes of the block have a size according to that of the threaded element, so that the threaded element can pass through the block. In the event that the filiform joining element has the shape of a fork or U-shaped curved wire, once both ends of the U-shaped curved wire have been inserted through two through holes, the ends of the curved wire remain as free ends. to be able to be coupled to the pivoting element of the door panel.

In some embodiments, the block comprises at least one other through hole, preferably two through holes, configured to house coupling means to be coupled to the profile.

In certain embodiments, the driving means comprise coupling means to couple the block to the mobile profile. These coupling means can be materialized in the form of one or more grub screws; Other embodiments to couple the block to the mobile profile can also be used.

The drive means block may be essentially in the shape of a right rectangular prism. This configuration has the advantage of being robust and being able to be easily coupled to the mobile profile. In certain embodiments, the block also includes a shoulder with a width less than that of the block, which allows easier installation of the drive means, since the lower width of the shoulder allows the block to be placed in a more advantageous position for its installation. .

This block - in the rectangular shape or in another shape, such as a cube - can be made of a polymeric material. For example, it can be a solid block of glass fiber reinforced polyamide, but it could also be made of another plastic or metallic material. It could also be a hollow prism.

A second aspect of the present disclosure refers to a closing device for a door panel of a closing system with sliding panels. This closing device comprises:

- a mobile profile, movable between a locked position and an unlocked position;

- a fixed profile, arranged with respect to the mobile profile so that in the unlocked position, the mobile profile is at least partially housed within the fixed profile;

- handling means attached to the fixed profile,

- the mobile profile being mechanically coupled with the handling means, the closing device also comprising a drive means as defined in the first aspect presented above, or in any of its possible embodiments, the drive means being coupled to the panel door and mobile profile.

In some embodiments, the closing device comprises two driving means, each driving means mounted at the top and bottom, respectively, of the profile of the closing device. With this configuration, it is achieved that the closing device drags or "pulls" both up and down, the resulting transversal movement being balanced. Likewise, this configuration is advantageous for very tall or heavy panels, in which the movement with a single drive means - which would normally be mounted on the bottom - is difficult.

Another aspect of the present disclosure refers to an enclosure system that comprises a plurality of sliding panels and at least one door panel. This plurality of sliding panels and door panels are normally mounted on a lower rail and an upper rail. According to this aspect, the door panel of the closing system comprises a closing device as defined in relation to the second aspect presented above, or in any of its possible embodiments.

In certain embodiments, the drive means has a connecting element in the form of a filiform element -it can comprise a fork, a flange or a U-shaped curved wire- and this filiform element is introduced into the block and coupled to an axis of the drive. pivoting element of the door panel, moving the mobile profile in solidarity with the door panel.

Another aspect of the present disclosure refers to a method for assembling a driving means in a closure device, the driving means being as defined in relation to the first aspect presented above, or in any of its possible embodiments and the closure device according to the second aspect presented above, or in any of its possible embodiments. The method comprises:

- inserting and coupling the block inside a mobile profile of the closing device;

- attach the connecting element to the block; and

- coupling the joining element to the pivoting element of the door panel.

In certain embodiments, the step of coupling the connecting element to the block comprises inserting respective ends of the threadlike element through the through holes of the block.

In certain embodiments, the step of coupling the connecting element to the pivoting element of the door panel comprises encircling the ends of the filiform element around an axis of the pivoting element; and, closing the ends around the axis to establish a position between the mobile profile and the door panel in the closing system.

The different aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure defined in the above can be combined with each other, as long as they are compatible.

Other advantages and features of the present disclosure will be apparent from the detailed description that follows and will be pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of this disclosure, is attached as an integral part of said description, a set of drawings where, with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, the following has been represented:

Figures 1A-1B schematically show a closure device according to the state of the art. Figure 1A shows the unlocked position and Figure 1B shows the locked position, in which the panels of the enclosure system are pressed together.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a side locking device according to the present disclosure, with the handle in the locked position.

Figures 3A and 3B show some internal components of a possible embodiment of the lateral closing device (the profiles have not been shown), in which the handle has been rotated 180° between both figures, Figure 3A corresponding to the unlocked position. and Figure 3B to the locked position.

Figure 4 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the driving means according to the present disclosure.

Figures 5A and 5B show the driving means coupled to an upper and lower pivoting element, respectively, of a door panel of an enclosure system with a plurality of panels.

Figure 6A shows a perspective view of the drive means coupled on the one hand to two upper and lower pivoting elements, respectively, of a door panel of an enclosure system with a plurality of panels, and on the other hand, to the mobile profile. of a lateral closing device of the closing system. Figure 6B is a side view of the perspective shown in Figure 6A.

Figure 7 shows a view, partially oblique, of an enclosure system with respective driving means of the present disclosure mounted between the lateral closure device and the first panel or door panel of the enclosure system.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the closing system.

Figures 9, 10A-10B and 11A-11B show other possible embodiments of the driving means block that is coupled to the mobile profile of the closing device.

Figure 12 shows another possible embodiment of the drive means block, already attached to a lower turning assembly.

Figure 13 shows another possible embodiment of the driving means, in which the joining element is formed by a fork and a stop.

Figure 14 shows an embodiment of the driving means like that of Figures 5A-5B, but in which the fork closes around the axis of rotation in another way.

DESCRIPTION OF POSSIBLE EMBODIMENTS

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is given solely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figures 1A-1B schematically show the profiles of a lateral closure device such as the one disclosed in the Spanish utility model ES-1179533-Y. This lateral closing device has two profiles, a mobile blocking profile 1, which is movable by acting on a handle 101 between a blocking/closing position (shown in Fig. 1B) and an unlocking/opening position (shown in Fig. 1A), and a fixed profile 2. This fixed profile 2 is arranged with respect to the mobile profile 1 in such a way that, in the unlocked position shown in Figure 1A, the mobile profile 1 is at least partially housed inside of the fixed profile 2. The handle 101 is part of handling means that include internal elements -such as a mechanism with a rack or an elongated rod in the form of a cam -through which, after acting on the handle 101, it operates on some rods 4, 5, as will be explained below in connection with Figures 3A and 3B.

Figures 3A and 3B schematically show some of the internal components of a closing device 100. Similar to the Spanish utility model ES-1179533-Y, the lateral closing device 100 comprises the first and second rods 4, 5. In this case, these first and second rods 4, 5 are coupled to the means of driving. These handling means include the handle 101, which acts as an actuating element for the user and can be actuated between the locked/closed position shown in Figures 1A-2A and the unlocked/opened position shown in Figures 1B-2B. . The mobile blocking profile 1 is connected by means of screws that fix it to upper and lower pushers 102, 102', respectively (such as those shown in Figures 3A-3B) which, in turn, are connected to rods 4, 5 to convert an input movement -by means of a 180° turn of the handle 101- into a horizontal movement of the tappets 102, 102'.

Shown in Figure 2 is a side closure device 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. The lateral closing device 100 is similar to the one disclosed in Figures 1A-1B, but it also includes a block 11 that forms part of specific driving means of the present disclosure.

In order to avoid the problems mentioned above, the lateral closing device 100 comprises driving means 10 specific to the present disclosure. As shown in the embodiment of Figure 4, these driving means 10 comprise:

- a block 11; and,

- a fork 12.

In Figs. 4 and 5A-5B, the block 11 has a main body 11x shaped essentially like a right rectangular prism, and the block 11 has a shoulder 11y on one of its block faces. This projection 11y has a width less than that of the main body 11x to enter the gap in the lower 120 or upper 120' rails (in Fig. 8) of the system; the projection 11y has a low height so as not to collide with other elements fixed within these lower or upper rails 120, 120'. On the other hand, the fork 12 can also be a U-shaped curved wire on one side, with two free ends 121.

Block 11 has two pairs of through holes:

- a first pair of holes 111, intended to accommodate two respective screws 13, topped by nuts 14, to couple and fix the block 111 to the mobile profile 1. This first pair of holes 111 are made in the main body 11x of the block 11; and

- a second pair of holes 112, designed to accommodate each hole 112 one of the tines or free ends 121 of the fork 12. This second pair of holes 112 are practiced in the body highlight 11y of block 11.

In the shown embodiments the block 11 - in the rectangular shape or in another shape, such as a cube - can be made of a polymeric material. For example, it can be a solid block of glass fiber reinforced polyamide, but it could also be made of another plastic or metallic material. It could also be a hollow prism.

As shown in Figure 4, the fork 12 is inserted through the second pair of through holes 112 of the projection 11 and prismatic block 11. The ends 121 of the fork remain free and are provided for fixing the drive means to the axis 21, 21' of a pivoting element 20, 20' intended to be mounted on a first panel or door panel 30 of the closing system.

The distance between the free ends 121 of the fork 12 is somewhat greater than the diameter of the shaft 21.21' on which it is to be coupled.

In Figures 5A and 5B, the drive means 10 is coupled on the one hand to respective upper and lower pivoting elements 20, 20', respectively, of a door panel 30 (not shown in these Figs. 5A-5B, but in the Fig. 7) of an enclosure system with a plurality of panels, and on the other hand, to the fixed profile 1 of a lateral closing device of the enclosure system. This door panel 30 is the first panel to open when the locking device is unlocked.

Figure 6A shows a perspective view of the closing device 100 in which the driving means 10:

- On the one hand, it is coupled to two upper and lower pivoting elements 20, 20', respectively, of the door panel (not shown in this figure) of the closing system. This coupling is carried out by means of the fork 12 of the drive means 10 that surrounds the axis 21, 21' of the pivoting elements 20, 20', respectively; and

- on the other hand, the block 11 of the driving means is coupled to the mobile profile 1 of the lateral closing device 101 of the closing system.

Figure 6B is a side view of the perspective shown in Figure 6A. In the upper part of figures 6A and 6B the upper part of block 11 is shown, whose body prismatic is inserted inside the mobile profile 1.

Figures 7 and 8 show two views of an enclosure system 110 that usually comprises several sliding panels 40 and at least one first panel or door panel 30, mounted on an upper rail 120 and a lower rail 120. '. According to this aspect, the door panel 30 of the closing system 110 comprises a closing device 100.

As shown in the view, partially sectioned in the vertical direction, of Figure 7, the closing system 110 has respective driving means 10 of the present disclosure mounted between the mobile profile 1 and the door panel 30.

The way to mount the driving means 10 in a closing device is as follows:

- the block 11 is inserted inside a mobile profile 1 of the closing device;

- each of the ends 121 of the fork 12 are inserted through each of the through holes 112 that the block 11 has for this purpose;

- the mobile profile 1 is installed, fixing it to the rest of the closing system through the nuts included in the pushers 102 and 102'

- system panels are introduced;

- the free ends 121 of the fork 12 are surrounded by the axis 21, 21' of the pivoting element 20, 20' of the door panel 30; and,

- the ends 121 of the fork are closed around the axis 21, 21', it can be twisting them, to establish the proper position or distance between the mobile profile 1 and the door panel 30 in the closing system.

The method for assembling the driving means may include cutting the ends of the fork, before or preferably after having closed its ends around the axis 21, 21'. For example, in one embodiment the yoke (or U-bend wire) is 100mm long to facilitate mounting; part of that thread is cut when finishing fixing it to the turning assembly.

Figures 9, 10A-10B and 11A-11B show other possible embodiments of the drive means block that is coupled to the mobile profile 1 of the closing device.

In Figure 9, the block 11 has the first pair of holes 111A on the edges of the body. main 11x, which is shaped like a rectangular prism.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 10A and 10B the main body 11x of the block 11 is in the shape of a rectangular prism, the block 11 of Figure 10A having two through threaded holes 111b centered and vertically aligned; these holes could also be horizontally aligned. The block 11 of Figure 10B has a single through hole 111c, which is centered and designed to house a screw and the corresponding nut; in this embodiment the fixing of the block 11 to the profile would be less stable.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 11A and 11B the main body 11x of the block 11 is cube-shaped, the block 11 of Figure 11A having two through holes 111d centered and aligned horizontally; in block 11 of Figure 11B the two holes 111e are on the edges and are not aligned.

In the embodiment in which the through holes or bores are vertically centered, no type of additional machining is required in the mobile profile 1 that houses it. In the embodiments of the block in which the through holes are not centered, but are towards or on the edges, these embodiments imply machining the mobile profile 1 that houses it in order to access the fixing screws. The through hole or drill may be tapped; this other possibility implies that the mold is more expensive and complex to manufacture.

Figure 12 shows another possible embodiment of the drive means 10', in which the block 11f has the shape of a right rectangular prism, which coincides with its main body 11x'. In this case, the main body 11x' of the block 11f inside the closing device has to be in a higher position than in those embodiments of the block 11 that have a projection 11y in order not to interfere with other elements fixed inside the lower rails or top of the closing system. For this reason, as can be seen in this figure, the fork 12 is bent slightly in order to be able to embrace the axis 21' of the turning assembly, which is in a lower position.

Figure 13 shows another possible embodiment of the driving means 10'', in which the connecting element is formed by a fork 12 and a stop 122. This stop 122 acts as a clamping element to fix the fork 12 (or curved wire U-shaped) to the axis of rotation of the rotation assembly, and at the appropriate distance. The mechanism by which the fork 12 and the stop 122 fix their position, it may be similar to that of a bridle; or it could also be by pressing or crushing the stop 122 on the ends of the fork, once the position has been fixed.

Figure 14 shows the drive means 10 of Figures 5A-5B, but in which the fork 12 is closed around the axis of rotation by means of a knot, which can be finished off with a spot weld (in the case of that are metallic materials) or similar.

In this text the terms first, second, third, etc. have been used. In describing various devices, elements or parameters, it is understood that the devices, elements or parameters should not be limited by these terms which are only used to distinguish one device, element or parameter from another.

In this text, the term "comprises" and its derivations (such as "comprising", etc.) should not be understood in an exclusive sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include other elements, steps, etc. On the other hand, the present disclosure is obviously not limited to the specific embodiment(s) described herein, but also covers any variation that any person skilled in the art may consider (for example, regarding the choice of materials, dimensions, components, configuration, etc.), within the general scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (17)

1. Drive means (10, 10', 10'') for a closing device (100), the drive means (10) comprising: - a block (11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f) adapted to engage a mobile profile (1) of the closing device (100); - a joining element (12) between the block (11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f) and a door panel (30); the block (11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f) comprising means to house at least part of the connecting element (12), and the connecting element (12) being configured to be able to be coupled to a pivoting element (20, 20') from the door panel (30). 2. The drive means (10, 10', 10'') of claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element (12) comprises a filiform element. 3. The drive means (10, 10', 10'') of claim 2, characterized in that the filiform element is made of a malleable material. 4. The drive means (10, 10', 10'') of any of claims 2-3, characterized in that the filiform element comprises a fork, a flange or a thread that can be curved to essentially U-shape. 5. The driving means (10'') of any of claims 2-4, characterized in that the joining element further comprises a fastening element (122). 6. The drive means (10, 10', 10'') of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (12) is made of a polymeric material or a metallic material. 7. The driving means (10) of any one of claims 2-6, characterized in that the means for housing at least part of said connecting element (12) comprise two through holes (112), configured to allow the passage of the threadlike element (12). 8. The driving means (10) of any one of claims 2-7, characterized in that the filiform element has a diameter of between 0.7 mm and 2 mm. The driving means (10) of claim 8, characterized in that the block (11) comprises at least another through hole (111) to house coupling means (13, 14) to be coupled to the mobile profile (1). 10. The drive means (10, 10', 10'') of any of claims 1-9, characterized in that the block (11) comprises a main body (11x) essentially shaped like a right rectangular prism. 11. The drive means (10, 10'') of any of claims 1 -8, characterized in that the block (11) further comprises a projection (11y). 12. The drive means (10, 10', 10'') of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises coupling means (13, 14) to couple the block (11) to the mobile profile (1) . 13. The drive means (10, 10', 10'') of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the block (11) is made of a polymeric material or a metallic material. 14. Closing device (100) for a door panel (30) of a closing system with sliding panels, the closing device comprising: - a mobile profile (1), movable between a locked position and an unlocked position; - a fixed profile (2) arranged with respect to the mobile profile (1) so that in the unlocked position, the mobile profile (1) is at least partially housed within the fixed profile (2); - handling means (101) attached to the fixed profile (2), - the fixed profile (1) being mechanically coupled with the handling means (101); Characterized in that the closing device comprises at least one drive means (10, 10', 10'') according to any one of claims 1-13, the drive means being coupled to the door panel (30) and to the mobile profile (1). 15. The closing device (100) of claim 13, characterized in that it comprises two driving means (10, 10', 10'') according to any one of claims 1-13, a first driving means (10 being , 10', 10'') of the two driving means (10, 10', 10'') coupled to the door panel (30) and to the first profile (1) at its upper part and with a second driving means (10, 10', 10'') of the two driving means coupled to the door panel ( 30) and the first profile (1) at the bottom. 16. The closing device (100) of any of claims 14-15, characterized in that the joining element (12) is according to any of claims 2-4, the joining element being inserted into the block and coupled to an axis (21, 21') of the pivoting element (20, 20') of the door panel, moving the mobile profile (1) integrally with the door panel (30). 17. An enclosure system (110) comprising a plurality of panels (40) and at least one door panel (30), characterized in that the enclosure system comprises a closing device (100) according to any of claims 13- 16.