The present invention relates to a pinching-prevention device for automatic doors, in particular for lifts and/or elevators of the type comprising one or more sliding wings with telescopic opening or with central opening.

In the field of lifts and elevators, known safety devices are destined to prevent accidental pinching of the users, both between the abutment surfaces of the wings during their closure phase, and in the gap present between two wings with telescopic opening or between a sliding wing and a jamb, during the opening of the wings.

To prevent users from being pinched between the abutment surfaces of the wings during their closure phase, known devices are generally based on photoelectric cell systems in which the interruption of a light beam reveals the presence of an obstacle between the wings.

The use may also be provided, for the same purpose, of pressure sensors that detect the presence of a person between the wings and command the inversion of the motion of the wings themselves and the reopening of the door.

All the devices described above are activated in the closure phase and serve solely to prevent a person from remaining pinched and/or trapped between the wings.

In regard to devices able to prevent the pinching of users in the gap present between two wings with telescopic opening or between a sliding wings and

a jamb during the opening phase of the wings themselves, the safety device disclosed in the patent for industrial invention IT 1272823.

Said device solves the problem of the possible pinching of the users, in particular of their fingers, by using means so shaped as to constitute a movable surface which is positioned between the wing and the external frame or jamb, and which, when impacted, moves activating a device for arresting the actuation of the wing and possibly for inverting the direction of actuation.

Said movable surface is preferably obtained with a section bar made of metal or rubber applied to means for connecting with the jamb and able to operate a micro-switch for arresting the actuation of the wing.

Said device, however, was provided for use between the wing and the jamb, but in the case of doors with multiple wings, in particular with telescopic opening, the problem of pinching could emerge even in the gaps present between two contiguous wings.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION.

An aim of the present invention is to eliminate the aforesaid drawbacks by making available a pinching-prevention device for automatic doors, in particular for lifts and/or elevators, that is suitable for being employed, during the closure and/or opening phase, both in doors with centrally opening wings and with telescopically opening wings.

Another aim of the present invention is to propose a pinching-prevention device whose shape and dimensions are such as to be suitable for protecting both the gaps between wing and jamb and those between two or more wings.

A further aim of the present invention is to obtain a pinching-prevention device that is suitable for being installed on transparent wings, without

compromising their appearance.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide a pinching-prevention device that is extremely sensitive and allows to invert the motion of the wings in the presence of obstacles, both during the opening phase and during the closing phase of the doors.

An additional aim of the present invention is to obtain this in simple and economical fashion.

Said aims are fully achieved by the pinching-prevention device for automatic doors of the present invention, which is characterised by the content of the claims set out below and in particular in that it comprises at least a capacitive sensor fastened to wings or positioned in correspondence with an exterior frame or jamb, to prevent the pinching of things or persons during the opening and/or closing of the doors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.

This and other characteristics shall become more readily apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment illustrated, purely by way of non limiting example, in the accompanying drawing tables, in which: Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a wing made of transparent material and provided with a device according to the invention; - Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the device shown in Figure 1; - Figure 3 shows an axonometric view of a wing made of metallic material and provided with a device according to the invention; - Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the wing shown in Figure 3 in which a device according to the invention is noted.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION.

With reference to the figures, the pinching-prevention device according to the invention is globally indicated with the number 1 and originally comprises a capacitive sensor 2 fastened to a shoulder 3 of a wing 4, preferably made of transparent material (Figures 1 and 2) or of a metallic material (Figures 3 and 4). In an alternative embodiment (not shown herein), in particular for wings sliding inside a compartment to the rear of an external frame or jamb, the possibility is provided of positioning the sensor 2 on said frame or jamb in correspondence with a gap present between it and the wing itself.

The device 1, installed on a wing as shown in the figures, allows to prevent pinching the users, both during the closure phase of the doors, if the shoulder 3 defines an abutment surface against an external frame or against a corresponding abutment surface belonging to another wing for doors with central opening, and during the opening phase, if the shoulder 3 is superposed to another wing, for sliding doors with telescopic opening. In particular, during the opening phase the device 1 prevents the accidental pinching of user's fingers in the gap present between a wing and a jamb or between two sliding wings with telescopic opening.

The capacitive sensor 2 is a substantially plate-like or wire-like element connected by means of cables 5 to a battery or to the electrical mains and preferably positioned along an entire development in height of the wing whereon it is installed.

Said plate-like or wire-like element is preferably coated with a coating body made, for instance, of metal, wood, ceramic, plastic or glass.

The operation of the device 1 is based on the fact that the sensor 2 is able to detect changes in the electric field through the coating body, caused by

contact with obstacles, such as a user's body or fingers.

The device 1 can be associated to electronic means for controlling and commanding the opening and closing of the doors, typically a known operating panel.

In this way, the sensor 2, generating an appropriate electrical signal, allows the operating panel automatically to invert the motion of the doors, making them reopen or re-close depending on the area where the obstacle is located.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the capacitive sensor 3 is housed inside a groove 6 and is not directly exposed to contact with any obstacle. In this embodiment, the walls of the groove 6 itself define the coating body through which the sensor 2 detects the variation of the electrical field, to signal the presence of an obstacle, both during the opening phase and during the closing phase of the wings.

The invention achieves important advantages.

First of all, such a device prevents accidental pinching of the users, both during the opening phase and during the closing phase of the doors and applies indifferently to doors with central opening and to sliding doors with telescopic opening. In particular, such a device has such dimensions as to be able to protect the gaps between wing and jamb and/or between two or more wings, in order to prevent pinching the fingers of users, and especially of children.

In the second place, such a device can be installed on clear wings, without compromising their appearance.

Another advantage is represented by the fact that the capacitive sensor 2 is extremely sensitive and can be associated to an operating panel to allow the inversion of the motion of the wings in the presence of obstacles, both during the opening phase and during the closing phase of the wings.

Advantageously, such a device is simple and economical to install.