The present invention relates to an adjustment assembly for multipoint locks.

Multipoint locks are specific locks studied to ensure the simultaneous locking of the installation wing on multiple points, by means of pins, hooks and bolts, in order to increase security against a break-in of the door or window.

These locks comprise a main body, provided with a central latch and bolt (it is specified that there are constructive solutions which provide for the presence of a single central latch and other embodiments in which there are also peripheral latches), provided with at least one coded device (which can be operated by means of a respective key), which allows the movement of all the bolts that are present (latches and bolts).

The lock furthermore comprises at least one transmission lever, which protrudes from its upper front and/or from its lower front, with which a rod is associated which is designed to move a peripheral bolt (in some cases also a latch).

The peripheral bolts can be constituted by actual mechanical devices, of the type known generally known in the field by the term "diverters", which produce the protrusion of an actual bolt from the front edge of the wing (the one from which the central latch and bolt also protrude) following a translational motion of the rod that actuates them: this bolt engages a selvage which is present on the edge of the frame (above and/or below the central selvage designed to accommodate the central latch and bolt).

In other cases, the bolts can be constituted by pins, which are integral with the terminal ends of the actuation rods and protrude from the upper edge and/or from the lower edge of the wing, in order to engage respective seats provided on the top of the frame or on the threshold.

For both embodiments (in particular for the version that provides for locking pins), the installation operations can be complicated due to the need to adjust the length of the rods perfectly.

The problem that is observed is due to the fact that an excessive length of the rods does not allow the pins to protrude correctly from the respective seats, thus preventing a correct opening of the wing.

In particular, if there is an upper pin and a lower pin, the problem is amplified, since the protrusion of one pin before another from the respective seats can produce an incorrect movement of the wing, which might tilt, inducing a malfunction.

This problem is particularly evident if an anti-panic device (a handle, a bar and the like) is associated with the central lock: by pushing on the anti-panic device the simultaneous retraction of all the latches and of all the bolts (and therefore also of the pins) must be induced.

A thrust is in fact applied to the wing (by the person who operated the anti-panic device) and therefore the non-simultaneous retraction of latches and bolts (comprising the pins) may temporarily warp the wing with respect to the hinges for hinging to the frame, preventing its opening. This condition is extremely dangerous.

Similar conditions may occur also in multipoint locks that provide for the presence of peripheral diverters, albeit with a smaller incidence.

In any case, the adjustment of the length of the rods (in order to have a perfectly simultaneous retraction of all the latches and bolts, so as to free the opening of the wing in a single instant) is normally entrusted to the skill of the installation technicians, who adapt their length (by cutting them to size) to the installation specifications.

The adjustment of the respective lengths in order to allow a simultaneous retraction of the bolts (and also of the latches) is therefore particularly complicated, since any variation of the length of the rods forces their disassembly in order to shorten them. There are means for performing small adjustments, which generally consists of the presence of slots for mating the rods with the respective transmission lever which allow small variations of the mutual position: in any case, these operations must be performed while the wing is still without the perimetric borders, so as to access its internal compartments which accommodate the rods. This fine adjustment mode, therefore, also is rather complicated and the correct result is predominantly entrusted to the skill of the installation technicians.

The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems described above, proposing an adjustment assembly for multipoint locks that allows easy and intuitive operations for the adjustment of the peripheral locking elements.

Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to propose an adjustment assembly for multipoint locks that allows the adjustment of the peripheral locking elements while the wing is in the configuration for use, i.e., when all the associated components are assembled completely and correctly.

Another object of the invention is to propose an adjustment assembly for multipoint locks that allows to vary the length of the actuation means of the peripheral locking elements even with strokes of great extent.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustment assembly for multipoint locks that has low costs, is relatively simple to provide in practice, and is safe in application.

This aim and these objects, as well as others which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an adjustment assembly for multipoint locks, comprising a boxlike body suitable for the functional accommodation of an actuation device, which is interconnected, by means of appropriate kinematic systems, with at least one component chosen from at least one bolt, at least one latch, and at least one transmission element which is associated with respective actuation rods for peripheral closure elements, characterized in that it comprises

- at least one sleeve, which is threaded internally and is freely pivoted on a component chosen between the at least one transmission element and a respective rod,

- at least one appendage, which is associated with a component chosen between an actuation rod and the respective transmission element provided with a threaded portion that is complementary to the portion of said sleeve and can be accommodated therein, the rotations of said at least one sleeve producing a mutual translation of said at least one rod with respect to the corresponding transmission element, with consequent mutual approach and spacing.

This aim and these objects are also achieved by means of an adjustable multipoint lock of the type comprising a boxlike body suitable for the functional accommodation of an actuation device, which is interconnected, by means of appropriate kinematic systems, with at least one component chosen from at least one bolt, at least one latch, and at least one transmission element associated with respective actuation rods for peripheral closure elements, characterized in that it comprises, interposed between at least one said transmission element and a respective rod, an adjustment assembly provided with

- at least one sleeve, which is internally threaded and is freely pivoted on a component chosen between the at least one transmission element and a respective rod,

- at least one appendage, which is associated with a component chosen between an actuation rod and the respective transmission element provided with a threaded portion which is complementary to the portion of said sleeve and can be accommodated therein, the rotations of said at least one sleeve producing a mutual translation of said at least one rod with respect to the corresponding transmission element, with consequent mutual approach and spacing.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the adjustment assembly for multipoint locks according to the invention, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic rear perspective view of a multipoint lock provided with an adjustment assembly according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic front perspective view of the multipoint lock of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic rear perspective view of the multipoint lock of Figure 1 without the front closure plate;

Figure 4 is a front schematic perspective view of the multipoint lock of Figure 1 without the front closure plate;

Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the multipoint lock of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a schematic rear view of the multipoint lock of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 is a sectional view, taken along a longitudinal central plane, of the multipoint lock of Figure 1.

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates an adjustment assembly for multipoint locks 2.

The multipoint locks 2 on which it is possible to install the assembly 1 according to the invention comprise a boxlike body 3 suitable for the functional accommodation of an actuation device, which is interconnected, by means of suitable kinematic systems, to at least one component chosen from at least one bolt 4, at least one latch 5 and at least one transmission element 6 associated with respective actuation rods 7 for peripheral closure elements, not shown in the accompanying figures.

The adjustment assembly 1 according to the invention comprises at least one internally threaded sleeve 8, which is freely pivoted on a component chosen between the at least one transmission element 6 and a respective rod 7. According to this configuration, the assembly 1 according to the invention also comprises at least one appendage 9 which is associated with a component chosen between an actuation rod 7 and the respective transmission element 6. Said appendage 9 is provided with a threaded portion 10 which is complementary to the threaded portion of said sleeve 8 and can be accommodated therein.

It is specified that if the sleeve 8 is associated with the transmission element 5, then the appendage 9 is associated with the corresponding rod 7; if instead the sleeve 8 is associated with the rod 7, then the appendage 9 is associated with the corresponding transmission element 5.

In any case (i.e., in both possible structural configurations described above), the rotations of the at least one sleeve 8 advantageously produce a mutual translation of the at least one rod 7 with respect to the corresponding transmission element 6, with consequent mutual approach and spacing.

In practice, in other words, it is possible to adjust the distance between each rod 7 and the corresponding transmission element 6 by acting on the sleeve 8 (rotating it): the rotation of the sleeve 8 in fact produces an axial displacement of the threaded portion 10 inside the threaded cavity of the sleeve 8 in which it is engaged.

By selecting an appropriate pitch of the thread (of the cavity of the sleeve 8 and of the portion 10 of the appendage 9) it is possible to generate a stroke for mutual approach and spacing between each rod 7 and the corresponding transmission element 6 by virtue of simple and limited rotations of the sleeve 8, which can be provided by an installation technician in order to adjust the correct and simultaneous actuation of said peripheral closure elements.

In the constructive solutions shown by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying figures, the sleeve 8 is integral with the transmission element 6 and the appendage 9 is integral with the rod 7.

It is highlighted that in order to facilitate the adjustment operations that must be performed by the installation technician, the sleeve 8 can advantageously comprise perimetrically distributed locator means 11 for a respective tool. The locator means 11 can be of the type chosen among holes (as exemplified in the accompanying figures by way of nonlimiting example), facets, sets of teeth, grooves, raised portions, recesses and the like.

In any case it must be possible for the installation technician to associate with said locator means 11 a respective tool (which can engage said means stably and temporarily), so as to use it to turn the sleeve 8 and thus vary the mutual distance between the transmission element 6 and the respective rod 7. In the case exemplified in the accompanying figures, the user can turn the sleeve 8 by using a stem that has a smaller diameter than the holes (for example by using an awl or a screwdriver or a hex key of the type known as "Allen key").

With particular reference to a constructive solution of unquestionable interest in practice and in application, the sleeve 8 can validly comprise an element 12 for fixing to the respective component chosen between the at least one transmission element 6 and the corresponding rod 7.

The sleeve 8 furthermore comprises a tubular body 13 which is associated with the fixing element 12 and is provided with the threaded cavity in which the portion 10 of the appendage 9 engages.

In the constructive solution shown in the accompanying figures, the fixing element 12 is a pin which can be accommodated within a hole of the transmission element 6: said pin comprises a groove within which it is possible to accommodate a stop ring made of spring steel in order to prevent exit from the hole, allowing in any case the rotation of pin (and of the tubular body 13 associated therewith) with respect to it.

The adoption of other constructive solutions that allow the stable association of the fixing element 12 to the transmission element 6, allowing the rotation of the sleeve 8 with respect to the transmission element 6, is not excluded.

The appendage 9 provided with the threaded portion 10 comprises a head 14 provided with at least one surface whose shape and dimensions are complementary to those of the component chosen between the actuation rod 7 and the respective transmission element 6.

The head 14 advantageously comprises means 15 for coupling to the respective component.

In the accompanying figures, provided by way of nonlimiting example, the head 14 is coupled to the respective rod 7 by means of screws engaged within holes of the rod 7 and of the head 14: in this case, the coupling means 15 of the head 14 will be the holes designed to accommodate the fixing screws.

With particular reference to a version of assured practical implementation, it is specified that the assembly 1 conveniently comprises a first sleeve 8 and a first appendage 9, which are arranged above the boxlike body 3 of the lock 2 and are associated with a respective upper transmission element 6, and a second sleeve 8 and a second appendage 9, which are arranged below the boxlike body 3 and are associated with a respective lower transmission element 6.

This configuration ensures that the lock 2 can act effectively on an upper peripheral closure element and on a lower one, ensuring optimum security against break-in.

The lock 2 according to the invention is provided with a front closure plate 16, which is superimposed on at least one part of the front edge (the one from which the bolt 4 and the latch 5 will protrude) of the installation wing.

In order to allow an easy adjustment of the assembly 1, it is specified that the front closure plate 16 can conveniently comprise at least one respective opening 17 for access from the outside to the locator means 11 of the at least one sleeve 8.

Through the opening 17, the installation technician can insert from the outside a tool and couple it to the locator means 11 of the sleeve 8 in order to rotate it so as to perform the necessary adjustments. The present invention extends its protection also to a multipoint lock 2 of the adjustable type which comprises a boxlike body 3 suitable for the functional accommodation of an actuation device, which is interconnected, by means of appropriate kinematic systems, with at least one component chosen between at least one bolt 4, at least one latch 5 and at least one transmission element 6 which is associated with respective actuation rods 7 for peripheral closure elements. The lock 2 according to the invention advantageously comprises, between at least one transmission element 6 and at least one respective rod 7, an adjustment assembly 1 of the type described previously.

In particular, the assembly 1 is provided with at least one internally threaded sleeve 8, which is freely pivoted on a component chosen between the at least one transmission element 6 and the respective rod 7, and with at least one appendage 9 associated with a component chosen between an actuation rod 7 and the respective transmission element 6.

Said appendage 9 is conveniently provided with a threaded portion 10 which is complementary to the one of the sleeve 8, said portion 10 being accommodatable within the threaded cavity of the sleeve 8.

By imparting rotations to the sleeve 8 it is therefore possible to generate a mutual translation of the at least one rod 7 with respect to the corresponding transmission element 6 with consequent mutual approach and spacing and therefore with an adjustment of the position of the rods 7 in order to arrange them in the configuration that allows ideal conditions of actuation of the peripheral closure elements associated with them.

It is specified that the peripheral closure elements may be terminal pins.

In this case, the terminal pins are movable between a closure configuration and a retracted configuration.

In the closure configuration, the pins protrude from a face chosen between the upper edge and the lower edge of the installation wing and said protruding portion is accommodated within corresponding seats of the frame.

In the retracted configuration, instead, the pins are contained within the wing, with a negligible protrusion with respect to it.

The lock 2 according to the invention may also comprise an anti panic movement device, of a type chosen between a handle, a bar and the like.

In this case, by actuating the anti-panic device it is necessary to induce the simultaneous retraction of the bolt 4, of the latch 5 and of the peripheral closure elements (for example the pins described previously). This simultaneity in disengaging the wing from the frame (i.e., extracting the bolt 4, the latch 5 and the protrusions for the closure of the closure elements from the respective selvages and seats that are present on the frame and are designed to accommodate them in the closure configuration) will allow an easy opening of the wing as a consequence of the pressure applied by the user thereto, avoiding the risk of jamming of one of the closure protrusions of the closure elements.

The simultaneous retraction of the bolt 4, of the latch 5 and of the peripheral closure elements is ensured by the performed correct adjustment of the overall length of the transmission elements 6 and of the rods 7 performed by means of the adjustment assembly 1 according to the invention.

Advantageously, the present invention solves the problems described previously, proposing an adjustment assembly 1 for multipoint locks 2 that allows easy and intuitive operations for adjusting the peripheral locking elements.

Conveniently, the adjustment assembly 1 according to the invention comprises the adjustment of the peripheral locking elements while the wing is in the configuration for use, i.e., when all the related components are completely and correctly assembled. I I

Advantageously, the adjustment assembly 1 according to the invention allows to vary, even with strokes of great extent, the length of the actuation means of the peripheral locking elements.

Validly, the adjustment assembly 1 according to the invention is relatively simple to provide in practice and modest in cost: these characteristics make the assembly 1 according to the invention and the lock 2 that comprises it innovations of assured application.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the accompanying claims; all the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In the examples of embodiment shown, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other examples of embodiment. In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.