TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a stabilization system for opening and closing a wing. In particular, the present invention finds its preferred application in the stabilization of the closing and opening of a roto- translating, hinged or swing wing.

In addition, the present invention relates to a wing assembly comprising the aforesaid stabilization system.

BACKGROUND ART

The kinematics of wings known of today, i.e. of elements moving for selective access to a room, can be divided into different categories. In particular, rotating or hinged systems are known of, in which the wing is hinged along one side and rotates about an axis of rotation; translating systems, in which the wing is provided with one or more carriages able to slide along a linear guide; and roto-translating systems in which the wing is able to rotate about an axis and simultaneously translate in a predetermined direction. In addition, a "swing" wing is known of in which the hinge is not integral with a structure but performs movements, which albeit small, to allow the opening of the wing in both directions within a range of about 180°.

Among these the roto-translating system is particularly useful in places where the space available for moving the wing is limited such as toilets in public places like airports, service stations, schools, etc. In such environments the manoeuvring space of the wing may be reduced to a minimum while ensuring that the user can move comfortably within the space while ensuring safety and hygiene.

As is known, the correct movement of a roto- translating wing requires that the latter is moved by acting on one of the two side edges i.e. where the handle and a locking mechanism which secures such edge to the adjacent structure when required, are present. The opposite edge is trailing and with the wing closed is free and flush with a corresponding adjacent structure. In this configuration small movements or extra rotations of this free edge beyond its natural movement are therefore possible. For example, it may happen that a user acts manually by mistake on such portion of the wing. In addition, in the event of an overly violent closure the free edge may be overly stressed consequently discharging its forces on the guides of the assembly. In the long run such stresses can lead to malfunction of the wing assembly. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a stabilization system for opening and closing a wing free of the drawbacks mentioned of the prior art.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a stabilization system for opening and closing a wing, preferably of the roto-translating, hinged or swing kind, which overcomes the drawbacks abovementioned in a simple and economical manner, both functionally, and from the construction point of view.

According to such objectives, the present invention relates to a stabilization system for opening and closing a wing assembly, preferably of the roto-translating, hinged or swing kind. In particular, the wing assembly comprises: - a wing, for example a door, provided with an inner face, an outer face, a handling side edge and a trailing side edge ;

-at least one structural element facing the trailing side edge when the wing is in the closed position.

Wing edge as used herein refers not only to the perpendicular edge itself connecting the two faces, but also to a neighbouring portion of the faces themselves. In this sense the handling edge usually comprises a handle or an indication to act manually at that point to move the wing. As is known, at a structural element facing such edge a locking mechanism of the ratchet kind is provided, for example, to keep the wing in the closed position. The terms "inside" and "outside" thus refer to the room, which the wing is intended to selectively limit.

According to the invention, the stabilization system for opening and closing comprises:

-a first body coupled to the trailing side edge of the wing and configured to form a localised lateral protrusion;

-a second body comprising a base coupled to a side structural element and provided with a stable seat for receiving at least part of the protrusion of the first body .

The first body may also be in one piece with the wing or an independent element to be coupled to wings currently in use. Obviously, the seat is positioned on a lateral structural element, such as a panel or a masonry wall, in such a way as to receive the first body when the wing is in the closed position. The first and second body are substantially localized or punctual elements along the main vertical extension of the wing. In particular, the first and the second body are substantially located in the middle of the vertical extension of the wing in an easily accessible position when the wing is closed without the aid of ladders or other accessories. In particular, according to the invention the seat made in the second body is configured on one side to allow the free entry and exit of the first body when the wing is moved correctly at the handling side edge and on the other side to lock the first body in the seat when the wing is moved incorrectly at the trailing side edge.

Advantageously, this way the normal opening and closing manoeuvres that take place by acting on the handling side edge are in no way compromised and at the same time when the wing is closed movements of the trailing edge caused by erroneous actuations of the wing are not possible.

In particular, the first body is C-shaped and comprises an outer wall coupled to the outer face of the wing, an inner wall coupled to the inner face of the wing, and a connecting wall of the outer and inner walls coupled to the trailing side edge of the wing. The seat is C-shaped in a complementary manner and comprises a projecting abutment inner wall for the inner wall of the first body, a projecting abutment outer wall for the outer wall of the first body, and a bottom receiving wall of the connecting wall of the first body.

Advantageously, this way the two abutment walls avoid incorrect opening and form an end stroke for the correct closing movement of the wing avoiding extra rotations damaging the system. In particular, the bottom wall comprises an inclined outer portion and a curved inner portion. The connection wall comprises a corresponding inclined portion and a curved portion .

Advantageously, this way, the closing movement of the wing reaches the correct end stroke without the first body being braked by the second body. In addition, the opening phase is optimally guided.

In particular, the projecting abutment outer wall for the outer wall of the first body is movable between a raised position, in which it locks the first body in the seat when the wing is moved at the trailing side edge, and a lowered position in which it allows the exit of the first body when the wing is moved at the trailing side edge.

Advantageously, this way in the case of an emergency a different kind of opening from the inside towards the outside of the room is possible, in which the wing can be rotated along the axis passing through the handling edge. The complementary mechanisms needed for such opening are known, for example the release of the carriages from their guides at the trailing edge.

In particular, the projecting abutment outer wall of the first body is an independent rocker body housed inside the base of the second body and movable in a split thereof. In such embodiment, the base comprises a split for the transit of the outer abutment wall while between the base and the rocker body releasable mutual constraint portions are provided configured to constrain the outer projecting wall in a raised position. Such releasable mutual constraint portions between the base and the rocker body can be accessed from the outer face of the wing when closed.

Advantageously, this way there is a simple uncoupling or deactivation mechanism of the outer projecting wall accessible from the outside and therefore useful to help a person who may be in difficulty in the room on the other side of the wing.

Although the deactivating mechanism accessible from the outer face of the wing has been described above with reference to the particular configuration of the base and of the rocker body, according to the present invention, this feature can be implemented in all the other embodiments of the first and second body. In general, therefore according to the present invention, the stabilization system for opening and closing a wing assembly comprises a deactivation mechanism of the coupling between the first and the second body accessible from the outer face of the wing when closed, in particular at the first and second body, and configured to allow the opening of the wing even when the latter is moved at the trailing side edge. Even in the presence of a first body and a relative seat as described and shown in the accompanying figures, the deactivation mechanism is therefore not to be considered limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying figures.

The re-activation of the projecting abutment outer wall, or its positioning in the correct raised working position, can take place in a spontaneous manner, for example by means of a spring. Alternatively, an actuator, such as a push-button may be provided for a manual reset of the projecting outer wall in a raised position. Of course, the reset mechanism according to the present invention can also be generalized to any form of the first and second body and in any case is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying figures.

Of course, the present invention also relates to the wing assembly, preferably roto-translating, hinged or of the swing kind in its entirety and comprising:

- a wing provided with an inner face, an outer face, a handling side edge and a trailing side edge;

-at least one structural element facing the trailing side edge when the wing is in the closed position;

- a stabilization system for opening and closing as claimed previously in any of its multiple embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of a non-limiting example of an embodiment made with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a roto- translating wing assembly according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a diagram of the movement kinematics of the wing of the assembly in Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the detail indicated as III in Figure 1;

- Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the stabilization system of the present invention in a condition of stabilization of the closing of the wing.

- Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the stabilization system in Figure 4 in an exploded condition;

- Figure 6 is a schematic view in cross-section of the stabilization system of the present invention in a condition of stabilization of the closing of the wing;

- Figure 7 is a schematic view in cross-section of the stabilization system of the present invention in possible emergency opening condition;

- Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the wing opened in emergency mode.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Figure 1 reference numeral 1 denotes a roto translating opening and closing system of a wing 2.

In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the system 1 is applied to a vertical panelling 3 arranged in an environment so as to define a plurality of rooms 5 suitable to accommodate toilets, offices, etc.

Generally the panelling 3 is defined by a plurality of panels 4 coupled to each other and made of a laminate material consisting of multiple layers of paper impregnated with thermosetting resins and compacted through the combined action of heat and high pressure.

It is understood that the system according to the present invention can be applied to walls or wings made of any material, having any thickness.

Figure 1 shows a portion of panelling 3 in which a side panel 4a, a bottom panel 4b and a further side panel 4c, which define a room 5 are visible.

In most cases, the bottom panel 4b is not present and the side panels 4a and 4c are fixed directly to a wall of the building.

Each panel 4 is supported by at least one foot 6 so as to prevent the panel 4 from being placed in contact with the floor. This solution is preferable to avoid the presence of corners which are difficult to clean. It is understood that the system according to the present invention can also be applied to walls in direct contact with the floor.

In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein each panel 4a, 4b, 4c is supported by two feet 6 and the wing 2 is a door.

The wing 2 has an inner face 7 (visible in Figure 8) , which in use faces towards the room 5, an outer face 8, which in use faces outside the room 5, an upper edge 9, a lower edge 10, a handling side edge 27 provided with a handle 25 and an opposite trailing side edge 28. At the handling side edge 27, a locking mechanism 26 is shown schematically. The upper edge 9 is provided with two upper corners 11, 12, while the lower edge 10 is provided with two lower corners 13 14.

The system 1 comprises an upper guide assembly 15, suitable to guide the roto-translation movement of the wing 2 at the top, and a lower guide assembly 16, suitable to guide the roto-translation movement of the wing 2 at the bottom. The upper guide assembly 15 comprises a first guide 20, a second guide 21, a first carriage 22 and a second carriage 23. In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the first guide 20 and the second guide 21 are arranged substantially orthogonal and form an angle of 90 ⁰ . The first carriage 22 and second carriage 23 are configured so as to slide respectively along the first guide 20 and the second guide 21. In detail, the first guide 20 is supported by one out of the first side wall 4a and the second 4c side wall, while the second guide 21 is supported by the panelling 3 so as to be placed substantially orthogonal to the side wall which supports the first guide 20. Preferably, the second guide 21 is supported by an upright 24, which extends between the first side wall 4a and the second side wall 4c, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the side wall 4a which supports the first guide 20. A variant non-illustrated provides that the second guide 21 is self-supporting. The first carriage 22 and second carriage 23 are fixed to the upper edge 9 of the wing 2, substantially at the respective top corners 11 and 12.

The second guide 21 and the second carriage 23 differ from the first guide 20 and the first carriage 22 for the presence of a quick release system (not shown) configured to allow the release of the second carriage 23 from the wing 2. The release system is particularly useful in so far as the wing 2 can make a rotation towards the outside of the room 5 and ensure, therefore, access to the room 5 also from the outside. This solution is of paramount importance in cases where the user remains locked inside the room 5 or in the case where, for example, after being taken ill, the user prevents the roto-translation towards the inside of room 5. The lower guide unit 16 comprises a third guide 50, a third carriage 51 and a spacer arm 52. The third guide 50 is supported by one out of the first side wall 4a and the second side wall 4c and is placed parallel to the first guide 20. Preferably, the third guide 50 is placed along the lower edge of the side wall 4a so as to be as concealed as possible. Preferably, the third guide 50 is coupled to the side wall 4a. The third carriage 51 is coupled to the lower edge 10 of the wing 2 at the lower vertex 13 next to the side wall 4a to which the third guide 50 is coupled. The third carriage 51 is slidable along the guide 50. The guide 50 and the carriage 51 are substantially shaped and coupled in a similar manner to the first guide 20 and to the first carriage 22 and therefore will not be described below. It is understood that the third carriage 51 and the guide 50 may have a different structure from that described for the first carriage 22 and the first guide 20, provided that their structure allows the carriage 51 to slide along the guide 50.

The spacer arm 52 is provided with a first end 54 coupled rotatably to the foot 6 which supports the side wall 4a to which the third guide 50 is coupled and a second end 55 fixed to the lower edge 10 of the wing 2. The first end 54 is rotatable about a first vertical axis VI and the second end 55 is preferably rotatable about a second vertical axis V2. The second end 55 is preferably fixed to the frame 2 in a median position of the lower edge 10. In the case in which the first guide 20 and the second guide 21 are arranged so as to form an angle between 91 ⁰ and 179 °, the spacer arm 52 is telescopic, so as to follow the movement of the wing 2 during the roto-translat ion and always remain coupled along the bottom edge 10 and in a median position. This way, the spacer arm 52 keeps the wing 2 stable to prevent tilting of the lower edge 10 of the frame 2 during the roto-translat ion . Preferably, the spacer arm 52 is a metal bar provided with a pin 57 at the first end 54. The pin 57 is perpendicular to the metal bar and engages in a rotating manner a seat 58 made in the foot 6. At the second end 55, the metal bar comprises a further pin 60, which engages a respective seat 61 made in a cylindrical element 62 coupled to the inner wall 7 of the wing 2.

More details relating to the known components of the assembly 1 and the release system are described in the patent publication EP3004502 incorporated herein by reference .

Innovat ively , the assembly 1 in Figure 1 comprises a stabilization system 17 for opening and closing configured on the one hand not to interfere with the normal closing of the wing 2 when it is moved at the handling side edge 27 and on the other, and without performing any action, to lock in the closed position the trailing side edge 28 when the wing 2 is moved precisely at the trailing side edge 28. To achieve such purpose, according to Figure 1, the stabilization system 17 comprises:

-a first body 18 coupled to the trailing side edge 28 of the wing 2 and configured to form a localised lateral protrusion;

- a second body 19 coupled to the structural element 4c and comprising a stable seat for receiving at least part of the first body.

As will emerge later, it is the particular shape of the aforesaid seat, and in a complementary manner the particular profile of the projecting portion of the first body 18, which allows on the one hand the free entry and exit of the first body 18 when the wing 2 is moved at the handling side edge 27 and on the other the locking of the first body 18 in the seat when the wing 2 is closed and is to be moved by acting at the trailing side edge 28.

Figure 2 shows the kinematic diagram of the movement of the wing 2 and it is evident that the trailing edge 28 in proximity with complete closure approaches the side panel 4c substantially in a direction orthogonal to the latter. Figure 3 shows this approach phase of the coupling between the bodies 18 and 19 and Figure 4 shows how these bodies are coupled with closing of the wing 2 performed.

According to the example shown, the first body 18 is C- shaped and comprises an outer wall 27' coupled to the outer face 8 of the wing 2 by means of through screws 31 in holes 30. The body 18 comprises in a similar manner an inner wall 28' coupled to the inner face 7 of the wing 2, and a connecting wall 29 coupled to the trailing side edge 28 of the wing 2. Such connecting wall 29 constitutes the above- mentioned protruding portion. The seat made in the second body 19 is shaped in a complementary manner to a C and comprises a projecting abutment inner wall 33 for the inner wall 28' of the first body 18, a projecting abutment outer wall 34 for the outer wall 27' of the first body 18, and a bottom wall 35, 36 for receiving the connecting wall 29 of the first body 18. Figures 4 and 6 show how although the seat has the abovementioned abutment walls 34 and 33, during normal movement of the wing 2, such abutment walls do not interfere with the coupling movement of the projecting portion 29 with the seat which occurs with a motion substantially parallel to the walls 33, 34.

However, it appears obvious that, with the wing 2 closed, any movements orthogonal to the abutment walls 33, 34 are blocked by the latter, thus avoiding that the assembly 1 is moved incorrectly.

As shown in Figure 6, the bottom wall 35, 36 of the seat comprises an inclined outer portion 36 and a curved inner portion 35. In a complementary manner, the connection wall 29 comprises a corresponding inclined portion 38 and curved portion 39.

The stabilization system 17 also implements the possibility of being able to access the room in an emergency acting from the inside outwards on the trailing edge 28.

To such purpose, the projecting abutment outer wall 34 for the outer wall 27' of the first body 18 is not in one piece with the base 32 of the second body 19 but is movable between a raised or working position as described above, and a lowered position in which it frees the exit of the body 18 when the wing 2 is moved at the trailing side edge 28.

To allow this movement, the base 32 of the second body 19 comprises a split 46.

Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the system 17 in which it can be seen how the projecting abutment outer wall 34 for the outer wall 27' of the first body 18 is part of an independent rocker body 40 housed inside the base 32 and movable in a split thereof. In particular, the motion of rotation takes place at the pins 42 housed in respective holes 43 in the base 32 of the second body 19. The attachment to the base 32 takes place by means of holes 41 aligned with the holes 37 of the base 32. In particular, the base 32 and rocker body 40 comprise releasable mutual constraint portions 44, 45 configured to connect the projecting outer wall 34 in the raised position. In the example shown such connection is achieved by means of teeth 44 made in the rocker body 40 which snap- couple in seats 45 made in the base 32 of the second body 19. As shown, preferably the teeth 44 are accessible from the outer face 8 of the wing 2 when closed.

This way it is possible to work from the outside of the room 5 to deactivate the seat and allow a different opening of the wing 2 as shown in Figure 8. In a known way, however, to perform such opening the upper guide must first be released.

The open seat condition is shown in Figure 7 showing how the projecting outer wall 34 when lowered is flush with the edge 53 of the base 32.

To reset the seat, i.e. to bring the wall 34 into the raised normal working condition, Figure 7 shows the presence of an actuator / pusher in the form of a push- button 47 with a base coupled with the rocker body 40. In the embodiment shown this coupling is made by means of pins 48 made on the push-button base 47 which couple in corresponding holes 48' made on the rocker body 40. When the wall 34 is lowered, automatically the stem 49 of the push-button 47 protrudes from the hole 56 of the base 32. Simply pressing said button 47 will restore the system 17 to its original condition in which the push-button 47 is aligned with the base 32. In place of the button 47 a pusher may be provided or a hole 56 may be simply left exposed for access to the rocker body 40 with an external element to the system 17.

The attached figures refer to a roto-translating wing but the present invention also refers to hinged wings with a 180° opening and swing wings where the stabilization system is mounted at the edge housing the hinges.

Finally, the system and assembly described herein may be subject to modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the appended claims.