FITTING FOR A WINDOW

The present invention relates to the metalware for a window, in particular the set of accessories, usually metallic, which are applied to the window frame to allow its opening and closure. The present invention also relates to a window comprising such metalware.

The term window will refer to the windows properly speaking, but also more generally to French windows, doors, skylights, and the like.

The technical features of the window are described below with reference to the arrangement that it most commonly assumes, that is, the configuration in which it is arranged vertically. For greater clarity, the description refers to the attached figures 1 and 2.

In a widely known manner, the window 20 comprises a fixed frame 22, a movable frame 24 and a handle 26 which facilitates movement of the movable frame during opening and closure. The fixed frame develops mainly in a vertical plane. In a known manner, the handle also controls window locking members which allow the movable frame (or shutter) to be locked in the closure position. The window locking members may comprise one or more latches, usually movable along the vertical direction. Each latch, vertically protruding from the shape of the movable frame 24, engages a respective seat obtained by means of a hole in the fixed frame 22. In addition, or alternatively to the latches, the window locking members may also comprise one or more locking pins. Also, the locking pins are usually movable along the vertical direction, but unlike the latches they do not vertically protrude from the movable frame shape. The locking pins run along a strut of the movable frame and are designed to engage suitable seats having a U shape (hereinafter referred to as U-shaped seats) formed on a matching structure to which the strut of the movable frame 24 matches when it is brought into the closed position. The matching structure may consist of the fixed frame in the case of a single-shutter window (like, for example, in fig. 1 ) or, in the case of a multiple-shutter window (like, for example, in fig. 2), from the strut of another movable frame.

The windows that allow two different types of opening are particularly widespread and appreciated. A first type of opening, called a swing opening, is that in which the shutter is free to rotate around the main hinge axis Y (usually vertical and placed laterally to the movable frame). This movement allows to open the window 20 completely, for example to let a large amount of air pass through. This opening allows at the same time the passage through the window of voluminous objects or people, possibly even unwanted. Moreover, unless auxiliary closure devices are provided outside the window, this type of opening leaves the shutter free to move independently with respect to the user's will, typically following the air drafts. A second type of opening is that which instead allows the shutter a limited movement and which, once the opening limit has been reached, keeps it almost steady in position. Usually this type of constrained opening is called“fanlight” or“bottom hung” and is obtained by rotating the shutter around a secondary hinge axis V (horizontal and located below the movable frame 24). This second type of opening allows the passage of a reduced amount of air, does not allow the passage of people at all and prevents the shutter from moving in an unwanted way.

In order to control the window locking members, the handle 26 can rotate around an axis X perpendicular to the movable frame plane, so as to take different positions. Usually, in the windows of known type, the handle comprises a lever which can rotate between three positions: a closure position, a swing opening position and a limited opening position, for example a bottom hung opening.

Generally, the block position of the shutter is obtained with the handle arranged vertically, for example with the lever facing downwards. By turning the handle by 90° and then bringing it horizontally, it usually moves into the swing opening position. By further turning the handle by 90°, and then bringing it vertically again but with the lever facing upwards, it moves into the limited opening position. Within an overall rotation by 180° the handle therefore provides a sufficient stroke for moving the window locking members so that they move from one to the other of the three configurations.

The window metalware of the known type comprises a strip and a beam which support the window locking members and the handle. The strip is fixed to the thickness of the free strut of the movable frame. Below the fixed strip, in a dedicated channel, the beam is housed which is free to slide along the strut of the movable frame. A latch can be mounted at the end of the beam. In addition, slots are provided along the fixed strip through which the locking pins mounted on the underlying beam protrude. The handle 26 is also mounted at an intermediate point of the strip. The handle comprises a pinion that engages a rack fixed on the beam. The handle rotation therefore determines the pinion rotation and thus the translation of the rack and of the beam fixed to it. The translation of the beam determines an identical translation of the latch and/or the locking pins, such translation being necessary to move from the block position of the shutter to the opening positions.

The dimensions of the metalware in general and of the pinion in particular are not free from constraints. In particular, it is commonly believed that the window structures (i.e. the fixed frame 22 and the movable frame 24) must be as small as possible in order to leave more space for the glazed surface.

In the block position, each of the locking pins must be housed inside the respective U-shaped seat, while the latch sinks as far as possible into the respective hole seat. On the contrary, the locking pins in the opening position must be completely outside the respective U-shaped seats and the latch must be completely outside the respective hole seat.

However, the windows and the related window locking members described so far, although widely appreciated, are not free from defects.

In fact, the bottom hung opening of the window introduces some constructive complications. The need to rotate the shutter around two different axes requires first of all the arrangement of two sets of hinges. Usually the main hinge axis Y is defined by at least two actual hinges, while the secondary hinge axis V can be defined by other elements of the metalware, suitable to guarantee the degree of freedom required only for the small angle of rotation of the shutter typical of the bottom hung opening. This involves a significant complication of the metalware. Moreover, for this type of opening, a metalware that develops around the window is needed, so as to be able to manage moving members on several sides of the movable frame. In particular, for this purpose, angular transmissions are necessary which can transmit the movement also to the members mounted on the crosspieces and on the opposite strut with respect to that on which the handle is mounted. This entails an additional complication of the metalware.

This complex metalware and the various moving parts must be accommodated in the thickness of the elements of the movable frame, that is, of the vertical struts and of the horizontal crosspieces. This implies, above all if wood is used to make the frames, that the cross section cannot be reduced, thus penalizing the glazed surface.

Other problems connected to the bottom hung opening can be found in large windows and/or with very heavy shutters. In this regard it should be noted that, in the case of a very large glazed surface and a double or triple safety glass, the window shutter can weigh up to several hundred kilograms. As mentioned above, on the secondary axis V, there are no actual hinges which allow only the rotation of the pin in the respective seats. The metalware elements which constitute the partial hinges for the bottom hung opening usually also allow other relative movements between the pin and the respective seats, so that they can disengage for the swing opening. In the case of a very heavy shutter, the possibility, albeit remote, that the pin inadvertently disengages from its seats is obviously an unacceptable danger. Furthermore, it must be considered that the bottom hung opening involves a minimum translation of the centre of gravity of the shutter downwards. In the closing phase, the user must therefore impose on the shutter enough force to overcome the frictions and to raise the shutter, albeit slightly. In the case of very heavy doors, this can be a considerable problem, implying the risk that the user, once the shutter has been opened in the bottom hung mode, is no longer able to close it back.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks underlined before with respect to the known art.

In particular, a task of the present invention is that of providing a window metalware which allows a free swing opening and a limited opening, overcoming at the same time the limits of traditional windows with a bottom hung opening.

Furthermore, a task of the present invention is that of providing a window metalware which allows a totally safe limited opening, wherein there is no risk of disengagement between the pins and the respective seats

Moreover, a task of the present invention is that of providing a window metalware which allows at the same time the limited opening and the easy closing even with very heavy shutters.

Finally, a task of the present invention is to provide a metalware for a window which, alongside the advantages introduced with respect to the known solutions, can also maintain their respective benefits.

This object and these tasks are achieved by means of a window metalware according to claim 1 , and by means of a window according to claim 7.

To better understand the invention and appreciate its advantages, some of its exemplifying and non-limiting embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

- figure 1 schematically shows a first type of known window in a closure configuration;

- figure 2 schematically shows a second type of known window in a closure configuration;

- figure 3 shows the perspective view of a window according to the invention, in a closure configuration;

- figure 4 shows the front view of the window of figure 3;

- figures 5 show detailed views of a section operated in the plane XZ of figures 3 and 4, each flanked by a corresponding enlarged view of the detail indicated with V in figure 4, wherein:

figure 5. a shows the metalware in the block configuration, with the window in the closure configuration,

figure 5.b shows the metalware in the opening configuration, with the window in the closure configuration,

figure 5.c shows the metalware in the opening configuration, with the window in the swing opening configuration,

figure 5.d shows the metalware in the engagement configuration, with the window in the closure configuration,

figure 5.e shows the metalware in a transitional configuration, with the window in a partial opening configuration,

figure 5.f shows the metalware in the block configuration, with the window in the limited opening configuration.

Since the invention is designed to be used in presence of gravitational acceleration g, it is intended that the latter uniquely defines the vertical direction. In the description that follows, with regard to the aspects and features not explicitly described, it is considered that the invention maintains technical features similar to those described above for known solutions.

The present invention relates to a window 20 and the respective metalware 50. In a manner known per se, the window 20 comprises a fixed frame 22 and a movable frame 24 which can rotate around a hinge axis Y. Below reference will be made, in an exemplary and non-limiting manner, to the most common arrangement of the window 20, in which the hinge axis Y is vertical. However, the skilled person will have no difficulty in applying the teachings of the invention to a window 20 having a different arrangement.

The metalware 50 is, in a manner known per se, the set of accessories, usually metallic, which are applied to the window 20 to allow its opening and closure.

The metalware 50 according to the invention comprises a movable portion 30 suitable to be mounted on a movable strut 240 of the movable frame 24 and a fixed portion 52 suitable to be mounted on a matching structure 242. The fixed portion 52 comprises a rod 520 hinged at a first end 521 and carrying a hook 522 at the second end;

the movable portion 30 comprises:

- a stop tooth 31 fixed with respect to the movable strut 240;

- a manoeuvre pin 38 movable among at least three positions: a block position B near the stop tooth, an engagement position I far from the stop tooth and an opening position A intermediate between the block position B and the engagement position I.

In the metalware 50 according to the invention, the manoeuvre pin 38 is suitable for engaging the hook 522 and the hook 522 is suitable for being partially clamped between the stop tooth 31 and the manoeuvre pin 38 in the block position B. Preferably, the hook 522 comprises a pea 522’ adapted to be constrained between the stop tooth 31 and the manoeuvre pin 38 in the block position B.

In the following discussion it is understood that the position of the manoeuvre pin 38 defines the configuration assumed by the entire metalware 50. In particular, therefore, the metalware 50 can assume at least three different configurations: a block configuration B, an engagement configuration I and an opening configuration A intermediate between the block configuration B and the engagement configuration I.

In the windows 20 with one shutter (as for example the one represented schematically in figure 1 ) the matching structure 242 is a fixed strut 220 of the fixed frame 22. Alternatively, in windows 20 with multiple shutters (such as the one shown in figures 2 and 3), the matching structure 242 is a strut of a second movable frame preferably constrained to the fixed frame 22.

In the embodiments shown in the attached figures, the fixed portion 52, the movable portion 30 and therefore the entire metalware 50 share the same prevailing development direction, and the manoeuvre pin 38 is movable along the movable portion 30 along such direction, named axis Z in the following.

Preferably, the movable portion 30 of the metalware 50 comprises

- a strip 32 suitable for being mounted in a fixed manner on the movable strut 240; and

- a beam 34 mounted on the strip 32 so as to be slidable with respect to the strip 32 along the direction Z.

Advantageously, the movable portion 30 comprises window locking members such as locking pins 36 and possibly one or more latches 368 mounted fixedly on the beam 34. The strip 32 is designed to be fixed on the thickness of the movable strut 240. Below the fixed strip 32, in a dedicated channel, the beam 34 is housed which instead is free to slide along the movable strut 240. The latch 368 can be mounted at the end of the beam 34. In addition, slots 320 are provided along the strip 34 through which the locking pins 36 mounted on the underlying beam 34 protrude. When the movable portion 30 comprises one or more locking pins 36, the fixed portion 52 preferably comprises as many U-shaped seats 244, each of which is suitable for receiving a locking pin 36 which enters therein by sliding in the direction Z.

Analogously, when the movable portion 30 comprises one or more latches 368, the fixed frame 22 preferably comprises as many hole seats 246, each of which is suitable for receiving a latch 368 which enters therein by sliding in the direction Z.

In the case in which a strip 32 and a beam 34 are present, also the manoeuvre pin 38 is mounted on the beam 34 and can therefore slide along the direction Z together with the window locking members. The strip 32 comprises a slot 320 also in correspondence with the manoeuvre pin 38.

In a manner known per se, the movable portion 30 also comprises a rack and a pinion. The rack is mounted fixedly on the beam 34. The pinion is mounted on the strip 32 so that it can rotate about a fixed axis X with respect to the strip 32, engaging the rack. This makes it possible to impose a stroke to the beam 34 with respect to the strip 32 along the axis Z. Preferably, the metalware 50 further comprises a handle 26 suitable for imposing a rotation around the axis X to the pinion.

The metalware 50 defines a working stroke of the rack (and therefore of the beam 34 and of the locking pins 36 and of the manoeuvre pin 38) along the direction Z. The working stroke is obtained with an ordinary rotation angle a of the pinion and allows the metalware 50 to switch from one to another among the configurations of use.

According to the invention, the configurations of use of the metalware 50 are three: block B, opening A, engagement I. The angle a of ordinary rotation of the handle 26 is formed by an angle a1 , which separates the block configuration B from the opening configuration A, and by an angle a2, which separates the opening configuration A from the engagement configuration I. See figure 4 for this purpose.

Preferably, the rod 520 is arranged in such a way that in the absence of external forces, i.e. typically when the hook 522 is not engaged by the manoeuvre pin 38, the rod 520 is arranged autonomously along the direction Z. Such result can be achieved in a number of ways. For example, according to the embodiments shown in the attached figures in which the direction Z is vertical, the first end 521 of the rod 520 can be hinged to the fixed portion 52 of the metalware 50 vertically above the hook 522 placed at the second end. In this way, in the absence of external forces, the rod 520 independently assumes the vertical arrangement by gravity. Furthermore, the alignment of the rod 520 to the direction Z can be obtained by means of a torsion spring at the hinge located at the first end 521. In this case the alignment of the rod 520 to the direction Z can be obtained even when the latter is not vertical.

Preferably, the axis about which the rod 520 is free to rotate is parallel to the plane of the fixed frame 22 and is perpendicular to the axis Z. Thus, in the illustrated embodiments, the axis about which the rod 520 is free to rotate is horizontal and perpendicular to the axis X when the window 20 is in the closure configuration.

As the skilled person may well understand, the fixed portion 52 and the movable portion 30 of the metalware 50 are conjugated with one another. They are intended to be mounted on the two vertical struts which, when the window is in the closure configuration, are placed next to each other. Furthermore, the metalware 50 is intended to be mounted in such a way that the hook 522 arranged on the fixed portion 52 corresponds in the vertical direction to the manoeuvre pin 38 when the latter is in the engagement configuration I. Furthermore, the metalware 50 is intended to be mounted in a manner that each of the U-shaped seats provided on the fixed portion 52 corresponds in a vertical direction to the respective locking pin 36 when the latter is in the block configuration B.

According to a second aspect thereof, the invention relates to a window 20 comprising a movable frame 24, a matching structure 242 and a metalware 50 as described above. In particular, the metalware 50 comprises a movable portion 30 mounted on a movable strut 240 of the movable frame 24 and a fixed portion 52 mounted on the matching structure 242. The fixed portion 52 comprises a rod 520 hinged at a first end 521 and carrying a hook 522 at the second end;

the movable portion 30 comprises:

- a stop tooth 31 fixed with respect to the movable strut 240;

- a manoeuvre pin 38 movable among at least three positions: a block position B near the stop tooth, an engagement position I far from the stop tooth and an opening position A intermediate between the block position B and the engagement position I.

In the window 20 according to the invention, the manoeuvre pin 38 is suitable for engaging the hook 522 and the hook 522 is suitable for being partially clamped between the stop tooth 31 and the manoeuvre pin 38 in the block position B.

Advantageously, the movable frame 24 can rotate around a hinge axis Y. The direction of the hinge axis Y is preferably parallel to the prevalent development direction Z of the metalware 50. Usually, both the hinge axis Y and the prevalent development direction Z of the metalware 50 are substantially vertical.

Preferably, as already mentioned above, the window 20 further comprises a handle 26 suitable for imposing a rotation around the axis X on the pinion. One way of connecting the handle 26 to the pinion is to mount both of them on a bar suitable for transmitting the rotation, for example a square-section bar. However, as the skilled person can well understand, other kinematic connections can be employed for this purpose.

In a manner known per se, when the movable frame 24 is in the complete closure position, the movable strut 240 on which the movable portion 30 of the metalware 50 is mounted matches to a matching structure 242. In a likewise known way, in the windows 20 with one shutter (as for example the one represented schematically in figure 1 ) the matching structure 242 is a fixed strut 220 of the fixed frame 22. Alternatively, in multi-shutter windows 20 (such as, for instance, that represented schematically in figures 2 and 3), the matching structure 242 is a strut of a second movable frame. Preferably, the second movable frame is fixed with respect to the fixed frame 22, in order to remain firmly in position and to provide reliable abutment for the movable frame 24.

The window 20 as a whole is suitable for assuming at least three different configurations: a closure configuration, a swing opening configuration and a limited opening configuration. In the closure configuration, the frame 24 is leaning against the matching structure 242 and is constrained thereto. In the swing opening configuration, the frame 24 is free to rotate about the hinge axis Y, without limits imposed by elements internal to the metalware 50. In the limited opening configuration, the movable frame 24 is constrained to remain at a predetermined distance from the matching structure 242.

The fixed portion 52 and the movable portion 30 of the metalware 50 are conjugated with each other and are mounted on the two vertical struts which, when the window 20 is in the closure configuration, are placed next to each other. In particular, the metalware 50 is mounted in such a way that the hook 522 arranged on the fixed portion 52 corresponds in vertical direction to the manoeuvre pin 38 when the latter is in the engagement configuration I. In this way the manoeuvre pin 38 does not interfere with the hook 522 neither in its opening configuration A nor in its block configuration B. These last two configurations of the metalware 50 are those that alternate in passing from the closure configuration to the swing opening configuration of the window 20.

Furthermore, the metalware 50 is mounted in such a way that each of the U-shaped seats provided on the fixed portion 52 corresponds in a vertical direction to the respective locking pin 36 when the latter is in the block configuration B. This enables the movable frame 24, on which the movable portion 30 of the metalware 50 is mounted, to be constrained to the matching surface 242.

With particular reference to figures 5, the operation of the metalware 50 according to the invention is described below. These figures show respective sections of the metalware 50 in a plane XZ defined by the direction X and the direction Z. For greater clarity in the figures 5, the outline of the movable portion 30 of the metalware 50 and of the handle 26 are shown in dashed lines, although strictly speaking they should not be visible in the section.

Figure 5. a shows the metalware 50 in the block configuration B when the window 20 is in its closure configuration. The box at the bottom right shows the position assumed by the handle 26 in this configuration of the metalware 50. In this configuration, the manoeuvre pin 38 is free while the locking pin 36 is received in the respective U-shaped seat 244. Although the figure does not show it, the metalware 50 may also comprise one or more latches 368. In this case, in the configuration of figure 5. a, the latch 368 is received in a respective hole seat 246 arranged in the fixed frame 22. The movable portion 30 is therefore constrained to the fixed portion 52 and the movable strut 240 cannot move away from the matching structure 242.

Figure 5.b shows the metalware 50 in the opening configuration A, while the window 20 is still in the closure configuration. The box at the bottom right shows in turn the position assumed by the handle 26 in this configuration of the metalware 50. Thus, to switch from the configuration of figure 5. a to that of figure 5.b, the handle has been rotated by 90° counterclockwise. In this way, the pinion has imposed a translation in the direction Z to the rack and to the beam 34. Following the translation in the direction Z, the locking pin 36 has left the respective U-shaped seat 244 and, if present, the latch 368 has come out of the respective hole seat 246. The manoeuvre pin 38 that was already free remained free. In this configuration, the movable portion 30 is therefore released from the fixed portion 52 and the movable strut 240 can move away from the matching structure 242.

Figure 5.c shows the metalware 50 in the opening configuration A, while the window 20 is in a swing opening configuration. The box at the bottom right shows the position assumed by the handle 26 in this configuration of the metalware 50. To switch from the configuration of figure 5.b to that of figure 5.c the movable portion 30 has been moved away from the fixed portion 52 of the metalware 50. In other words, the movable strut 240 has been moved away from the matching structure 242, causing the movable frame 24 to rotate about the hinge axis Y. Figure 5.c shows the metalware 50 in a partial opening situation of the window 20, but in this configuration there are no elements internal to the window 20 which limit the rotation of the movable frame 24 in any way.

Figure 5.d shows the metalware 50 in the engagement configuration I, while the window 20 is in the closure configuration. The box at the bottom right still shows the position assumed by the handle 26 in this configuration of the metalware 50. To go from the configuration in figure 5.b to that of figure 5.d, the handle has been rotated by 90° counterclockwise. In this way, the pinion has imposed a further translation in the direction Z to the rack and to the beam 34. Following the translation in the direction Z, the manoeuvre pin 38 has engaged the hook 522. The locking pin 36 and, if present, the latch 368 which were already free have remained free. The movable portion 30 of the metalware 50 is therefore free to move away from the fixed portion 52, but the hook 522 will follow any movement thereof.

Figure 5.e shows the metalware 50 in an intermediate configuration, while the window 20 is in a partial opening configuration. The box at the bottom right shows a possible position assumed by the handle 26 in this configuration of the metalware 50. To switch from the configuration of figure 5.d to that of figure 5.e the movable portion 30 has been moved away from the fixed portion 52 of the metalware. In other words, the movable strut 240 has been moved away from the matching structure 242. Since the manoeuvre pin 38 firmly engages the hook 522, the latter has followed the movement of the movable portion 30. The handle 26 has been rotated by an indefinite angle clockwise to allow the manoeuvre pin 38 to follow the hook 522 along the direction Z. In this way, also the window locking members have undergone a translation in the direction Z, but since the movable portion 30 is separate from the fixed portion 52, the locking pin 36 and, if present, the latch 368 have not engaged the respective seats.

Figure 5.f shows the metalware 50 again in the block configuration B while the window 20 is in the limited opening configuration. The box at the bottom right shows the position assumed by the handle 26 in this configuration of the metalware 50. To switch from the configuration of figure 5.e to that of figure 5.f, the handle 26 has been rotated up to the end of stroke in a clockwise direction. In this way, the manoeuvre pin 38, already engaged with the hook 522, has approached the stop tooth 31 , thus constraining the pea 522’ of the hook 522. Conversely, the locking pin 36 and, if present, the latch 368 which were already free have remained free. The movable portion 30 of the metalware is thus constrained and locked with respect to the fixed portion 52 at a predefined distance therefrom. In other words, the window 20 as a whole assumes the limited opening configuration.

Preferably the pea 522’ of the hook 522 also comprises a notch 522” adapted to receive an edge of the stop tooth 31 in order to make the block of the pea 522' more secure between the stop tooth 31 itself and the manoeuvre pin 38.

As the skilled person can well understand, once the opening limit allowed by the length of the rod 520 has been reached and the metalware 50 has been brought into the block configuration B, the window 20 is held firmly in the limited opening configuration. As is known, this second type of opening allows the passage of a reduced amount of air, does not allow the passage of people at all and prevents the shutter from moving in an unwanted way.

As the skilled person can understand, the invention allows to overcome the drawbacks highlighted above with reference to the prior art.

In particular, the present invention provides a metalware for a window which allows free, swing opening and a limited opening, overcoming the limits of the traditional windows with bottom hung opening.

In particular, since according to the present invention, the limited opening employs the same hinges of the swing opening, the limited opening is totally safe and does not imply any risk of disengagement between the pins and the respective seats.

Moreover, it allows at the same time the limited opening and the easy closing even with very heavy shutters. In fact, in the movement, both in opening and closing, the user must only overcome the frictions but must not lift the shutter.

Finally, the present invention provides a metalware for a window which, alongside the advantages introduced with respect to known solutions, also maintains the benefits inherent in the latter.

It is clear that the specific features are described in relation to various embodiments of the invention with exemplifying and non-limiting intent. Obviously, a person skilled in the art may make further modifications and variations to this invention, in order to meet contingent and specific requirements. For example, the technical features described in connection with an embodiment of the invention may be extrapolated from it and applied to other embodiments of the invention. Such modifications and variations are, however, contained within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.