[0001] This invention relates to the field of locks to secure a door or a window, or a similar item, to an upright . In particular, the subj ect matter of this invention is a lock for sliding doors or windows .

[0002] There are known lock solutions consisting of a lock body, that is , the box that contains the latch mechanism, to which a faceplate is connected .

[0003] Examples of embodiments of such locks are described in EP3249140A1 by the same applicant .

[0004] The faceplate serves the dual purpose of hiding the location that accommodates the lock body and also hiding the lock body .

[0005] Usually, when a lock is installed on a door or window, connection means , typically threaded screws necessary to connect the faceplate to the lock body, are used .

[0006] In addition, the faceplate is also secured to the door or window by connection means , typically threaded screws , thus allowing the lock body to be secured in its housing . In this way, the proper operation of the lock is ensured .

[0007] Such a means of installation of the lock on the door or window therefore requires numerous manual operations that slow down the installation work and require special tools . In addition, the heads of the connection screws are visible and therefore constitute an unattractive characteristic of the lock .

[0008] In addition, since the moving panels of doors or windows may have a housing for the lock body at di f ferent heights compared to the location for the faceplate , it is necessary when installing or replacing a lock to have di f ferent faceplates so that the one suitable for the housings made in the moving panel can be selected .

[0009] The obj ect of the present invention is to propose a lock capable of at least partially overcoming the limitations mentioned above concerning known locks .

[0010] This obj ect is achieved by the lock according to claim 1 . The dependent claims describe preferred or advantageous embodiments of the lock .

[0011] Further features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the description given below of its preferred embodiments as non-limiting examples , with reference to the attached figures , wherein :

[0012] - figure 1 shows a perspective view of separate parts of the lock according to the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment ;

[0013] - figures 2a and 2b show two perspective views , respectively, of separate parts of a component of the lock according to the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment ;

[0014] - figures 3a and 3b show a side view of the installed lock according to the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment ;

[0015] - figure 4 shows a cross-section of the installed lock according to the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment ;

[0016] Figure 5 shows a detail of the cross-section of the installed lock of figure 4 ;

[0017] - figure 6 shows a perspective view of the lock assembled and installed on the moving panel according to the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment ;

[0018] With reference to the attached figures , the number 1 indicates the lock as a whole .

[0019] The lock is designed to secure a sliding panel of a door or a window, or a similar item, to an upright .

[0020] In the present description, a panel plane P parallel to the door or window that uses lock 1 , is defined . In other words , the panel plane P is substantially vertical to the floor .

[0021] The lock 1 comprises a locking device 2 and a plate

5 installed on locking device 2 .

[0022] The locking device 2 is insertable into a housing of device 950 made in panel 900 . Lock device 2 comprises a lock body 3 and a latch mechanism 4 .

[0023] The lock body 3 is provided with securing means 6 for securing to panel 900 .

[0024] The latch mechanism 4 is movable along the panel plane P, parallel to the panel , thus de fining two configurations of panel 900 . In the first configuration, namely the released configuration, panel 900 is free of the upright . In the second configuration, namely the engaged configuration, panel 900 is locked to the upright .

[0025] The plate 5 lies primarily along a vertical direction in such a way as to hide the housing of device 950 . In other words , when lock 1 is installed on panel 900 , the body of device 3 is completely inserted into the housing of device 950 and is hidden by plate 5 .

[0026] When lock 1 is installed on panel 900 , plate 5 defines a front face 5 ' , that is , facing the outside of panel 900 , and a rear face 5" facing the body o f lock 3 . [0027] According to one aspect of this invention, plate 5 and lock body 3 are connected by means of plate connection means acting in a direction perpendicular to the panel plane P in such a way that , when lock 1 is installed on the panel , front face 5 ' of plate 5 is free of any connection elements of plate 5 to lock body 3 and to panel 900 .

[0028] In other words , according to this invention, when lock 1 is installed on panel 900 , front face 5 ' is a continuous surface without any protrusions , recesses , holes , or other items intended to secure plate 5 to lock body 3 and to panel 900 .

[0029] According to one embodiment , lock body 3 comprises a first hal f-shell 38 , also referred to as a "box, " and comprises a second hal f-shell 39 , also referred to as a "cover . "

[0030] According to an embodiment that includes them, the two hal f-shells 38 and 39 are held together in a direction perpendicular to the panel plane P by means of added securing means , for example threaded screws 32 shown in figures 2b, 3a, and 3b .

[0031] According to an embodiment that includes them, the two hal f-shells 38 and 39 contain latch mechanism 4 and define between them a connection seat 389 that houses the plate connection means .

[0032] According to one embodiment , the plate connection means achieve a shape and/or force coupling . In other words , said plate connection means are j oined by means of a geometric coupling along the surfaces thereof .

[0033] According to one embodiment , the plate connection means are made as a single integral part together with plate 5 and/or with lock body 3.

[0034] The plate connection means are described in detail below .

[0035] According to one embodiment, the plate connection means comprise first body elements 315 fixed to first half-shell 38 and second body elements 316 fixed to second half-shell 39. First body elements 315 and second body elements 316 protrude facing each other, in the connection seat 389, for example along a direction perpendicular to the panel plane P.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the plate connection means comprise plate elements 511 fixed to plate 5.

[0037] In one embodiment, first body elements 315 and second body elements 316 constrain the movement of plate elements 511 in a direction parallel to the panel plane P.

[0038] In other words, with first half-shell 38 joined to second half-shell 39, the movement of said plate elements 511 is inhibited.

[0039] In addition, with first half-shell 38 separated from second half-shell 39, i.e. they are mutually distant from each other in a direction perpendicular to the panel plane P, said plate elements 511 are only movable in a direction perpendicular to the panel plane P.

[0040] In other words, in some embodiments, in order to secure plate 5 to lock body 3 , i . e . to connect plate elements 511 to first body elements 315 and to second body elements 316 , it is possible to couple the plate elements 511 to one of first body elements 315 and second body elements 316 , for example the first body elements 315 , by moving said plate elements 511 in a direction perpendicular to the panel plane P .

[0041] Subsequently, the remaining between first body elements 315 and second body elements 316 , such as the second body elements 316 , is coupled to the plate elements 511 in a direction perpendicular to the panel plane P .

[0042] In other words , plate elements 511 are bounded in a sandwich type manner between first body elements 315 and second body elements 316 .

[0043] According to one embodiment , a lower region 381 and an upper region distanced apart and vertically separate from each other, i . e . along the main direction of plate 5 , are defined in connection seat 389 . In particular, the plate connection means act in a direction perpendicular to the panel plane P in each of said regions 381 and 382 . [0044] In one embodiment , lock body 3 comprises a first auxiliary partition 81 that protrudes into connection seat 389 , distanced vertically from an upper edge of lock body 3 , delimiting therewith upper region 381 . [0045] In one embodiment, first auxiliary partition 81 is broken down into a first portion 811 fixed to first halfshell 38, and a second portion 812 fixed to second halfshell 39.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, lock body 3 comprises a second auxiliary partition 82 that protrudes into connection seat 389, distanced vertically from a lower edge of lock body 3, delimiting therewith region 382.

[0047] In one embodiment, second auxiliary partition 82 is broken down into a third portion 821 fixed to first halfshell 38, and a fourth portion 822 fixed to second halfshell 39.

[0048] According to one embodiment, plate elements 511 are female-type 50.

[0049] According to one embodiment, first body elements 315 and second body elements 316 are male-type 30.

[0050] In an embodiment variant not shown, the plate elements are male and the first body elements and the second body elements are female.

[0051] In one embodiment, the plate elements 511, for example female connection elements 50, and the body elements 315, 316, for example male connection elements 30, are joined together in connection seat 389 along a direction perpendicular to the panel plane P.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the plate elements 511 comprise at least one connection block 51 that extends from rear face 5" of plate 5 . In addition, at least one connection cavity 510 opens to at least one of halfshells 38 and 39 is made in said connection block 51 .

[0053] According to one embodiment , the body elements 315 , 316 comprise at least one connection pin 310 that extends from one of the two hal f-shells 38 and 39 so as to be inserted into said connection cavity 510 .

[0054] In one embodiment , the plate connection means and connection seat 389 have substantially the same dimension in the direction perpendicular to the panel plane P such that the coupling of the two hal f-shells 38 and 39 locks the plate connection means .

[0055] In other words , in one embodiment , after two hal fshells 38 and 39 have been j oined, the at least one connection pin 310 and the at least one connection block 51 comprise flat surfaces that rest against at least one of hal f-shells 38 and 39 .

[0056] According to an embodiment variant , plate 5 , preferably rear face 5", is provided with two connection blocks 51 vertically distanced from each other and engaged by corresponding connection pins 310 . Speci fically, said connection pins 310 extend from one or both hal f-shells 38 and 39 .

[0057] In other words , according to one embodiment not shown in the figures , only one of first hal f-shell 38 and second hal f-shell 39 comprises , in a non-limiting way, a pair of connection pins 310 , while the other does not , providing a mating surface for connection pins 310 .

[0058] In yet another embodiment not shown, the pair of connection pins 51 is divided among first hal f-shell 38 and second hal f-shell 39 .

[0059] In the embodiment shown in figure 2b, both first hal f-shell 38 and second hal f-shell 39 comprise connection pins 310 , i . e . are present in the amount of four connection pins 310 . In particular, said four connection pins 310 extend by a length equal to hal f the dimension of connection seat 389 in the direction perpendicular to the panel plane P .

[0060] In one embodiment , the pairs of connection pins 310 that belong to separate hal f-shells come into contact with each other inside connection cavity 510 of connection blocks 51 .

[0061] In one embodiment , the connection pins 310 that belong to the same hal f-shell are distanced apart vertically and positioned in upper region 381 and in lower region 382 , respectively .

[0062] In particular, each of said connection pins 310 protrudes in a direction substantially perpendicular to the panel plane P and engages with a corresponding connection block 51 , i . e . engages with a corresponding connection block 51 positioned in upper region 381 and in lower region 382 , thus reali zing an example of plate connection means acting in upper region 381 and in lower region 382 , respectively .

[0063] According to one embodiment , the latch mechanism 4 comprises a square pin 41 designed to pass through lock body 3 in a direction perpendicular to the panel plane P . In other words , said lock body 3 is provided with square hole 31 designed to receive square pin 41 .

[0064] Furthermore , latch mechanism 4 comprises a pair of actuation elements 42 , for example knobs , designed to hold said square pin 41 axially along an axis of rotation R .

[0065] In addition, the pair of actuation elements 42 can be rotated about said axis of rotation R so as to move latch mechanism 4 between the two configurations .

[0066] Preferably, said actuation elements 42 care graspable by a user .

[0067] According to one embodiment , the side of square pin 41 measures 6 millimeters or 7 millimeters or 8 millimeters .

[0068] According to one embodiment , square pin 41 passes through lock body 3 so as to protrude beyond both sides of the latter by a predefined length . In other words , it protrudes beyond at least one of the two hal f-shells 38 and 39 in a direction perpendicular to the panel plane P . [0069] In an embodiment variant , square pin 41 is telescopic, i . e . the length of the section that protrudes from lock body 3 is adj ustable .

[0070] According to yet another embodiment of this invention, the square pin is made of a male portion and a female potion that are j oined together axially in a direction perpendicular to the panel plane P . Said male and female portions can be j oined together in multiple positions along the axis of rotation R, thus achieving the telescopic function of square pin 41 .

[0071] As mentioned initially, lock body 3 also comprises securing means 6 for securing to panel 900 .

[0072] In an embodiment variant , said securing means 6 comprise a pair of built-in housings 60 at least in the location of device 950 .

[0073] In addition, said securing means 6 are designed to house square pin 41 and a corresponding actuation element 42 .

[0074] In other words , securing means 6 engage with the sections of square pin 41 that protrude beyond lock body 3 , respectively .

[0075] In an embodiment variant , at least one of said pair of housings 60 , preferably both housings 60 , comprises an elastically-def ormable elastic body 68 .

[0076] Preferably, elastic body 68 is made of a material belonging to the family of plastics .

[0077] In one embodiment , elastic body 68 comprises protrusions in a direction perpendicular to the panel plane P that are axially deformable .

[0078] According to one embodiment , as shown in figure 2b, latch mechanism 4 comprises a rotor 45 rotatable by square pin 41 , a rack 47 operationally connected to rotor 45 so as to move translationally between a withdrawn position and an extended position inside connection seat 389 , and latch 48 connected to rack 47 .

[0079] According to one embodiment , securing means 6 further comprise finish elements 62 that can be connected to at least one elastic body 68 , designed to elastically deform the latter .

[0080] Preferably, the connection is made by means of threads on both components or by interlocking .

[0081] According to one embodiment , finish elements 62 make it possible to hold housings 60 in the housing of device 950 by elastically deforming elastic body 68 .

[0082] In other words , the holding function described above prevents removal of housings 60 and actuation elements 42 that engage with square pin 41 .

[0083] In other words , by inserting lock body 3 into the housing of device 950 after installation of actuation elements 42 , the latter hold housings 60 in position while elastically deforming them .

[0084] According to one embodiment , plate 5 can be made with a multitude of dimensions , in which the position of space 55 , which receives latch mechanism 4 in the locked configuration, essentially varies .

[0085] In particular, plate 5 is not linked to the dimensions and characteristics of lock body 3 , such as the height of the housing of device 950 .

[0086] Innovatively, the lock according to this invention amply achieves the intended obj ect by solving the problems typical of the prior art .

[0087] Advantageously, this lock is installed on the door with a substantially sel f-locking system that can be released with unaided hands .

[0088] Indeed, the claimed lock advantageously makes possible a simpli fied installation without tool s .

[0089] Advantageously, the lock improves the esthetic appearance of the panel on which it is installed . Indeed, the plate does not have any attachment screws either for the lock body or for securing the lock to the panel .

[0090] According to an advantageous feature , the problem of erroneous installation potential ly causing the breakage of components and damage to surfaces , which are typically coated, is solved .

[0091] Advantageously, the lock allows for simpli fied positioning and attachment of the plate to the lock body . Indeed, the plate is advantageously fixable to the lock body in an extremely quick and easy way without the use of tools or other accessories .

[0092] Advantageously, the installation of the plate is foolproof . Advantageously and in a similar fashion, the operations of disassembling the plate are likewise improved .

[0093] Indeed, both the operations of installation and removal are advantageously possible merely with separate hal f-shells and are only possible in a direction perpendicular to the panel plane P, i . e . improper removal of the plate , such as along the panel plane P, is prevented .

[0094] Advantageously, the plate concealing the lock body in the device location can easily be adapted to di f ferent previous heights of the device housing in the panel . For example , during the faceplate stamping process , it is easy to change the position of blocks 51 along the plate . [0095] Furthermore , the square pin can advantageously be adapted to various panel thicknesses thanks to the telescopic function .

[0096] It is clear that a person skilled in the art may make changes to the invention described above in order to meet incidental needs , all falling within the scope of protection as defined in the following claims .