"CLOSING DEVICE TO SELECTIVELY CLOSE OR OPEN AN APERTURE"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a closing device to selectively close, or open, an aperture by means of a closing element.

The term closing element is understood as comprising a panel for closing a door, a window, or in general any mobile structure intended to close an aperture.

The closing device according to the present invention can be applied to any support structure whatsoever defining said aperture. Possible applications of the invention are to buildings, furnishing elements, or access compartments.

The present invention also concerns a closing apparatus comprising a support structure, which defines the aperture, the closing element associated with the support structure and the closing device associated with the support structure, or with the closing element to selectively close, or open, the aperture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Closing apparatuses configured to close an aperture are known, and comprise a closing element, or panel, associated with a support structure in which the aperture is made.

Typically, the panel is pivoted to the support structure, for example the door jambs, or the window posts.

When the aperture is in the closed condition, the panel is located in abutment against the support structure.

One or more closing devices are also associated with the panel, for example a lock, which cooperate with one or more interference seatings made in the support structure. The closing device has the function of keeping the panel stably in the closed condition.

Panels are also known, whether they are for doors, or windows, defined by a peripheral frame and a transparent or opaque plate, usually made of glass, associated with the peripheral frame. The frame is necessary to allow the installation of the closing devices.

However, the need for the frame reduces the free space available to the plate, and therefore can limit, for example, the amount of light that can pass through the panel itself. Moreover, for particular applications, the presence of a frame may not always be aesthetically pleasing.

An example of an apparatus for closing an aperture is described in document DE-A- 16.59.852. This closing apparatus comprises a support structure made of a plurality of fixed section bars reciprocally connected to each other to define an aperture.

Inside the aperture, facing the fixed section bars, corresponding mobile section bars are installed, which are mobile toward/away from the fixed section bars.

In particular, the mobile section bars and the fixed section bars are provided with respective shaped portions of a cuneiform shape. The shaped portions present on the mobile section bars are made to slide on the shaped portions present on the fixed section bars, thus defining the reciprocal toward/away movement.

Inside the mobile section bars the panel is positioned which, when it is put to close the aperture, can be constrained by moving the mobile section bars into contact with its perimeter edges. The reciprocal interference between the perimeter edges of the panel and the mobile section bars determines the clamping of the panel with respect to the support structure.

This solution, however, is particularly cumbersome and complex to install, for example, in existing support structures such as doors or windows.

Moreover, the solution described in this document requires considerable interventions on the support structures to make them suitable to receive the section bars.

Another disadvantage of this known solution is that it is difficult to guarantee the hermetic seal of the panel with respect to the support structure. In fact, one of the most urgent problems with regard to the closing apparatuses applicable to buildings, is the possibility of leakages of water or air that can be generated.

Further examples of closing apparatuses for an aperture are also described in documents EP-A-0.945.582 and EP-A-2.674.562 which however have the same disadvantages as described above.

It is therefore a purpose of the present invention to obtain a closing device, which can be adopted in a closing apparatus, such as a door or window, or a furnishing element, which is simple to make and inexpensive. Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a closing device which is extremely simple to make, without requiring destructive interventions on already existing support structures.

Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain an extremely flexible closing device which can be adapted to different application configurations.

Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a closing device which guarantees a hermetic seal.

Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a closing device that is not bulky and minimally invasive for the support structure with which it is associated.

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

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

In accordance with the above purposes, the present invention concerns a closing device comprising:

- at least a first section bar and a second section bar with an at least partly oblong development and provided with a first contact surface and, respectively, a second contact surface, located resting one on the other. The first contact surface and the second contact surface are provided with respective shaped portions, mating with each other, which are configured to define a reciprocal movement toward/away from each other of the first section bar and the second section bar, when the latter are made to slide with respect to each other;

- an actuation element associated with the first section bar or the second section bar and configured to move the first section bar or the second section bar along the respective oblong development; and

- an elastic sheath that at least partly surrounds the first section bar and the second section bar and is configured to hold elastically in reciprocal contact the first contact surface and the second contact surface.

The present invention also concerns a closing apparatus, comprising a support structure defining an aperture, a panel associated with the support structure to selectively close, or open, the aperture, and at least one closing device.

The closing device is associated with one of either the support structure or the panel, and suitable to assume at least a condition of interference wherein the panel, in its closed condition, is constrained to the support structure, and a condition of non-interference wherein the panel can be taken from its open condition to its closed condition or vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- figs. 1 and 2 are schematic illustrations of a closing device in accordance with the present invention, applied to a closing apparatus respectively in an open condition and a closed condition of the panel;

- figs. 3 and 5 are longitudinal section views of details of respective closing devices, in accordance with possible embodiments, respectively in a condition of non-interference and a condition of interference;

- figs. 4 and 6 are section views along the section lines IV-IV of fig. 3 and respectively VI- VI of fig. 5;

- figs. 7 and 9 are longitudinal section views of details of closing devices, in accordance with other embodiments, respectively in a condition of noninterference and a condition of interference;

- figs. 8 and 10 are section views along the section lines VIII-VIII of fig. 7 and respectively X-X of fig. 9;

- fig. 1 1 is a cross section view of a detail of a closing apparatus according to a possible embodiment;

- fig. 12 shows a possible variant of fig. 1 1 ;

- figs. 13 and 14 are schematic illustrations of possible variants of the closing apparatus of fig. 1 respectively in an open condition and a closed condition;

- figs. 15 and 16 are schematic illustrations of other possible variants of the closing apparatus of fig. 1 respectively in an open condition and a closed condition;

- figs. 17 and 18 show other variants of the present invention; - fig. 19 shows a longitudinal section of a portion of the closing apparatus in accordance with another embodiment, and in a first operating position;

- fig. 20 is a cross section view along the line XX-XX of fig. 19;

- fig. 21 shows the closing apparatus of fig. 19 in a second operating position; - fig. 22 is a cross section view along the line XXII-XXII of fig. 21.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments described here with reference to figs. 1-22 concern a closing device 10 which can be installed in a closing apparatus 100.

The closing apparatus 100 comprises a support structure 101, defining an aperture 102, and a panel 103 associated with the support structure 101 in order to selectively close, or open, the aperture 102.

In particular, it is provided that the panel 103 is suitable to assume at least a closed condition in which it is put to close the aperture 102, and an open condition in which the aperture 102 is accessible.

The closing apparatus 100 also comprises the closing device 10, according to the present invention, which can be associated with one of either the support structure 101 or the panel 103, and suitable to assume at least a condition of interference in which the panel 103, in its closed condition, is constrained to the support structure 101 and therefore cannot be opened, and a condition of noninterference in which the panel 103 can be taken from its open condition to its closed condition, or vice versa.

In accordance with the embodiments shown in figs. 1-1 1 and 13-22, the closing device 10 is applied to the support structure 101 and generates an interference with the panel 103, while in the embodiment shown in fig. 12, the closing device 10 is applied to the panel 103 and generates an interference with the support structure 101.

In accordance with a possible solution, shown for example in figs. 1 and 2, the support structure 101 can comprise first support elements 104, disposed in opposite positions to each other, in the present case, in a vertical condition. Moreover, the support structure 101 can comprise at least a second support element 105, in the case shown here, two second support elements which connect the first support elements 104 in correspondence with their ends.

The first support elements 104 can for example define the jambs, while the at least one second support element 105 can define the lintel of a door or a window.

The first support elements 104 and the second support elements 105 are located, at least in the closed condition of the panel 103, facing the perimeter edges of the panel 103 itself.

Although in the attached drawings the aperture 102 is shown with a rectangular shape, it cannot be excluded that with the normal adaptations, the present invention can also be adapted to different shapes of the aperture 102, for example circular, or curvilinear, or polygonal, or mixed.

The panel 103 can be made of a transparent material, for example glass, or a transparent plastic material, such as polycarbonate, or with opaque materials, for example a metal material, wood, or a hollow panel.

In the embodiment shown by way of example in figs. 1 1 and 12, the panel 103 can be defined by a double-glazed structure, or defined by a plurality of plates 107 located adjacent to each other and closed on the perimeter by a containing edge 108. Between the plates 107, interspaces are generated which, in a known manner, are put in a vacuum condition. The containing edge 108 has the function of ensuring that the vacuum condition is maintained and that the plates 107 are reciprocally positioned.

According to a variant embodiment, the containing edge 108 is provided with at least one perimeter groove 1 11 made for at least part of its length and which, during use, cooperates with the closing device 10, as described hereafter.

According to another variant embodiment, the perimeter groove 1 1 1 can be made directly on the perimeter edge of the panel 103.

In accordance with the embodiments shown in figs. 1-22, the closing device 10 comprises at least a first section bar 1 1 and a second section bar 12 having an oblong development.

The first section bar 1 1 and the second section bar 12 are provided, respectively, with a first contact surface 13 and a second contact surface 14 located, during use, one facing the other and in reciprocal contact. The first contact surface 13 and the second contact surface 14 are provided with respective shaped portions 15 of a shape mating with each other and configured to generate a reciprocal movement of the first section bar 11 away from/toward the second section bar 12, in a direction orthogonal to their oblong development, when at least one of either the first section bar 11 or the second section bar 12 is moved in a direction parallel to its oblong development.

In accordance with a possible solution, the shaped portions 15 can comprise cavities 16 and protrusions 17 made in the first section bar 1 1 and respectively in the second section bar 12, or vice versa.

In particular, the shaped portions 15 can be made in the respective first section bar 1 1 and in the second section bar 12, in positions distanced along their longitudinal extension.

According to a possible solution, the protrusions 17 can have an inclined plane shape, while the cavities 16 have a mating shape.

By way of example only, the protrusions 17 can have an angle of inclination toward the outside, and with respect to the oblong development of the first section bar 1 1, or of the second section bar 12, of an angle comprised between 5° and 30°.

When the protrusions 17 are completely inside the cavities 16, the first section bar 11 and the second section bar 12 are in their close-up condition, and define the condition of non-interference of the closing device 10. When the protrusions 17 protrude at least partly from the cavity 16, on the other hand, the first section bar 1 1 and the second section bar 12 reciprocally distance themselves from each other, and define the condition of interference of the closing device 10.

During use, the second section bar 12 is positioned resting against the support structure 101 while the first section bar 1 1, by the reciprocal sliding of one and/or the other of either the first section bar 1 1 or the second section bar 12, is brought closer to and/or distanced from the second section bar 12 to interfere or not with the panel 103, for example in the case shown in figs. 1-11 and 13-22.

In accordance with a possible alternative embodiment, shown in fig. 12, the second section bar 12 faces the perimeter edge of the panel 103, while the first section bar 1 1 is moved closer to and/or distanced from the second section bar 12 to interfere or not with the support structure 101, in which the perimeter groove 11 1 can be made.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the first section bar 1 1 and the second section bar 12, in the passage from the condition of noninterference to the condition of interference, are mobile in parallel form, that is, although during reciprocal sliding the reciprocal distance between the first section bar 1 1 and the second section bar 12 varies in a direction orthogonal to the oblong development, the longitudinal axes of development of the first section bar 11 and of the second section bar 12 are always kept parallel to one another. The first section bar 11 is provided with a sliding surface 18 opposite to the first contact surface 13 and configured to cooperate with the perimeter edge of the panel 103.

The second section bar 12 is also provided with a sliding surface 19 opposite to the second contact surface 14 and positioned, during use, resting against the support structure 101.

According to a possible solution of the present invention, the second section bar 12 is constrained to the support structure 101, for example by means of guides 29 (figs. 20 and 22) configured to allow only the sliding of the second section bar 12 in a parallel direction to its oblong development, and to prevent a movement in the direction orthogonal to the oblong development.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the closing device 10 comprises an elastic sheath 23 which at least partly surrounds the first section bar 1 1 and the second section bar 12 and elastically holds the first contact surface 13 and the second contact surface 14 respectively of the first section bar 11 and of the second section bar 12 in reciprocal contact with each other.

In this way, when the first section bar 1 1 and the second section bar 12 are commanded to move toward each other, the elastic sheath 23 exerts a retraction action which prevents, for example, the first section bar 1 1 from remaining adherent to the perimeter edge of the panel 103.

Moreover, in the condition of interference of the closing device 10, the elastic sheath 23 is interposed between the support structure 101 and the panel 103, generating a hermetic seal against the passage of air and water, through the possible gap present between the two.

Moreover, the presence of an elastic sheath 23 avoids the need to provide suitable retention means between the two section bars, as instead happens in the prior art solutions. This allows to drastically reduce the overall bulk of the closing device 10.

The elastic sheath 23 can have a tubular shape and completely surround both the first section bar 11 and the second section bar 12. This considerably simplifies the operations of making the closing device 10.

According to a variant embodiment, shown for example in figs. 1 1 and 12, the elastic sheath 23 can surround only part of one or the other of either the first section bar 11 or the second section bar 12, for example providing suitable attachment means in the elastic sheath 23 which can be attached directly or indirectly to one or the other of either the first section bar 1 1 or the second section bar 12, as described below.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the closing device 10 comprises an actuation element 20 (figs. 1, 2, 13-18) associated with the first section bar 11 or the second section bar 12 and configured to allow the first section bar 1 1 or the second section bar 12 to move along their oblong development.

The actuation element 20, according to the embodiment shown in the attached drawings, can comprise, for example, a handle, or one or more mechanisms of linear motion or motion conversion, for example from rotary to linear.

By way of example only, it can be provided that the actuation element 20 comprises a rack mechanism associated with one of either the first section bar 1 1 or the second section bar 12 and at least one toothed sector which can be rotated, for example by a handle, to determine the subsequent linear movement of the rack.

According to a possible embodiment (figs. 7-12), the closing device 10 can comprise a first guide body 21 and a second guide body 22 with which the first section bar 1 1 and the second section bar 12 are respectively associated. The first guide body 21 and the second guide body 22 are configured to guide in a suitable manner the movement in parallel form of the first section bar 1 1 and the second section bar 12.

The first guide body 21 and the second guide body 22 can have a C-shaped cross section, configured to receive part of the first section bar 1 1 or of the second section bar 12.

In accordance with the solution shown in figs. 7-1 1, the second guide body 22 can be attached to the support structure 101 and guide the sliding of the second section bar 12, while the first guide body 21 is slidingly coupled with the second guide body 22.

The first guide body 21 can be positioned and held in position inside at least part of the second guide body 22.

In accordance with the embodiments shown in figs. 7-12, the elastic sheath 23 at least partly surrounds also the first guide body 21 and the second guide body 22, elastically holding the first section bar 11 and the second section bar 12 close to each other.

In accordance with the embodiments shown in figs. 7-10, the elastic sheath 23 has a tubular shape and surrounds, that is, contains inside it, the first section bar 1 1 , the second section bar 12, the first guide body 21 and the second guide body 22.

In the embodiment shown in figs. 11 and 12, the elastic sheath 23 is attached, for example with its own attachment means, in correspondence with one of either the first guide body 21 or the second guide body 22, in this case in correspondence with the latter. The first guide body 21 or the second guide body 22 can be provided with respective attachment seatings in which to constrain the attachment means of the elastic sheath 23.

In accordance with the solutions shown in figs. 7-1 1, the elastic sheath 23 is configured to exert a retaining action on the first guide body 21, the first section bar 1 1 and the second section bar 12 in the cavity defined by the second guide body 22.

In accordance with a possible solution shown in figs. 1 , 2, 13-22, it can be provided that the closing device 10 comprises a plurality of first section bars 1 1 and second section bars 12 installed in opposite pairs on the respective edges of the panel 103, or of the support structure 101.

Each pair is defined by a first section bar 1 1 and a second section bar 12 and can be disposed according to an angle or shaping different from the pair of section bars located upstream and/or downstream, so as to follow predefined shapes of the panel 103. In accordance with this embodiment, it can be provided that the first section bars 11 or the second section bars 12 are connected by a connection element 26, so that to a movement of one of the first section bars 1 1 or the second section bars 12 there corresponds a similar movement also of the connected first section bars 1 1 or respective second section bars 12.

The connection element 26 can comprise a flexible element such as a belt, a cable, a chain, or suchlike.

In this way, a user acting on the actuation element 20 associated with one of the section bars, in the case shown a second section bar 12, determines the movement of all the other second section bars 12.

In accordance with possible embodiments of the present invention, the connection element 26 can be provided to connect to each other the first section bars 1 1 or the second section bars 12, which are disposed substantially aligned with each other.

According to possible variant embodiments, the first section bars 1 1 or second section bars 12 can be angled with respect to each other, and one or more return elements 25 can be associated with the support structure 101 and provided to deflect the orientation of the connection element 26.

The return elements 25 can comprise one or more rolling elements, or one or more curved profiles on which the connection element 26 can slide easily.

In accordance with the embodiment shown here, it can be provided that the connection element 26 and the pairs of first section bars 1 1 and second section bars 12 define a closed-loop closing device 10. The closing device 10 surrounds the entire perimeter of the aperture 102, in the case where it is applied to the support structure 101, or surrounds the entire perimeter of the panel 103 in the case where the closing device 10 is applied to the panel 103 itself.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the elastic sheath 23 can extend according to a closed-loop configuration and surround a plurality of pairs, defined by a first section bar 1 1 and a second section bar 12, located one in succession to the other.

In accordance with possible variant embodiments shown by way of example in figs. 13 and 14, the closing device 10 has an open conformation, that is to say, it only affects part of the perimeter edge of the panel 103, or only part of the perimeter of the aperture 102.

Advantageously, this solution avoids important interventions to obtain a compartment, for example inside the floor, to install the complete closing device 10.

In this particular variant embodiment, it can be provided that at least one of the ends of the connection element 26 is stably connected to the support structure 101 and that an elastic compensation element 27 is associated with at least one of the ends of the connection element 26. In this way, during the movement performed with the actuation element 20 it is possible to obtain an elastic elongation of the elastic element 27 such as to take the closing device 10 from its condition of non-interference to its condition of interference.

According to this variant embodiment, it can be provided that the elastic sheath 23 extends over the entire surface development affected by the closing device 10.

In accordance with other embodiments provided in the case where the closing device 10 is installed in correspondence with the aperture 102 of the support structure 101, the first section bar 11 or, if present, the first guide body 21, is provided with a pivoting pin 28, while at least one of the perimeter edges of the panel 103 is provided with a pivoting seating 1 10 positioned, during use, in a manner coordinated with the position of the pivoting pin 28.

In the condition of non-interference of the closing device 10, the pivoting pin 28 is positioned outside the pivoting seating 1 10.

In the condition of interference of the closing device 10, on the contrary, the pivoting pin 28 is inserted in the pivoting seating 1 10 and it is therefore possible to define a pivoting of the panel 103 around an axis passing through the pivoting pins 28.

In accordance with figs. 17, 18, 19 and 21, another variant embodiment is shown in which the first section bar 1 1 can be defined by a first segment 1 la and a second segment l ib, both having an oblong development and connected transversely to each other. The reciprocal connection between the first segment 1 1a and the second segment l ib can define a connection edge of the support structure 101. The first segment 1 la and the second segment 1 lb can be made in a single body. Alternatively, according to a variant embodiment shown in figs. 19 and 21, the first segment 1 1a and the second segment l ib can be connected integrally with each other by means of a connection bracket 30.

The first segment 1 la and the second segment 1 lb can be moved toward/away from part of the perimeter edge of the panel 103 with which they are associated.

According to a possible solution, the first segment 1 la and the second segment l ib have the respective sliding surface 18 facing toward the panel 103 and shaped mating with at least part of the perimeter edge of the panel 103 itself.

According to a possible solution, the first segment 1 la of the first section bar 1 1 is associated with a second section bar 12, while the second segment l ib of the first section bar 1 1 is associated with another second section bar 12, different from the previous one. The second section bars 12 considered, in turn, are connected by the connection element 26 which can surround one or more of the return elements 25.

The first section bar 1 1 with an angular configuration is associated with the second section bars 12 by means of the elastic sheath 23, in substantially the same way as described above.

According to possible solutions, in the case of a rectangular panel 103, a plurality of the first section bars 1 1 can be provided, equipped with the first segment 1 1a and the second segment l ib, each of which is disposed in cooperation with one of the tops of the panel 103. According to possible solutions, at least in the condition of interference the first section bars 11 can be disposed resting on the entire periphery of the perimeter edge of the panel 103. The second section bars 12 associated with the first section bars 1 1 described above can be connected to each other by means of the connection elements 26 and cooperate with one, two, or more of the first section bars 1 1.

In accordance with the variant embodiment shown in figs. 1 1 and 12, the panel 103 can be pivoted to the support structure 101 by means of pivoting elements 106, such as pins or hinges.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts can be made to the closing device 10 and to the closing apparatus 100 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

For example with reference to figs. 19-22, we will now describe another embodiment of the present invention in which between the first section bar 1 1 and the second section bar 12 guide and positioning means 31 are associated, provided to guide the reciprocal sliding of the latter defining their reciprocal positioning.

In particular, it can be provided that the first section bar 11 has a C-shaped cross-section defined by a central segment 32 and lateral segments 33 connected transversely and protruding from the central segment 32.

In the central segment 32 of the first section bar 1 1, the shaped portions 15 are made, in this case the protrusions 17 having an inclined plane conformation. The protrusions 17 are made, or positioned, in the concave region of the first section bar 1 1.

In particular, it is provided that in the central segment 32 the protrusions 17 are installed in facing pairs, each of which is disposed in correspondence with one of the two lateral segments 33.

The second section bar 12 also has a C-shaped cross-section defined by a central core 34 and by lateral wings 35 connected transversely and protruding from the central core 34.

The second section bar 12 is inserted in the cavity defined by the first section bar 1 1, which exerts a guiding action for the second section bar 12.

In the lateral wings 35 of the second section bar 12, the shaped portions 15 are made, in this case, the cavities 16 which are positioned resting on the protrusions

17. The cavities are made in the height of the lateral wings 35 and are open toward the outside.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the guide and positioning means 31 are associated with the lateral segments 33 and the lateral wings 35.

In accordance with possible solutions of the present invention, the guide and positioning means 31 comprise guide pins 37 and shaped slots 36 provided in the first section bar 1 1 and respectively in the second section bar 12 (as shown in figs. 19-22), or vice versa.

In particular, the guide pins 37 are positioned sliding in the shaped slots 36, preventing the first section bar 1 1 and the second section bar 12 from detaching from each other and ensuring that the first contact surfaces 13 and the second contact surfaces 14 always remain resting and in contact with each other. According to possible solutions, the shaped slots 36 are provided with at least a portion of a profile having an inclined plane shape. This portion of the profile can have a shape substantially mating with that of the protrusions 17.

During the sliding of the first section bar 1 1 with respect to the second section bar 12, the guide pin 37 slides in the shaped slot 36, ensuring that the first section bar 1 1 moves reciprocally toward the second section bar 12.

In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention (figs. 19- 22), moreover, a closing profile 38 associated with the sliding surface 19 of the second section bar 12 can be associated with the second section bar 12; the closing profile 38 is provided to guide the sliding of the second section bar 12 by means of the guides 29.

The closing profile 38 can be integrally attached to the second section bar 12.

The closing profile 38 can also be provided with attachment portions in correspondence with which the elastic sheath 23 is connected.

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 closing device 10 and closing apparatus 100, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.