Assembly for closing a door or window opening, and closing mechanism therefore

The invention firstly relates to an assembly of a closure for a door opening or window opening, and a closing mechanism therefor, which closure is of the type comprising two guide tracks mountable at two opposite sides of the door or window opening, a winding mechanism mountable to a third side of the opening and a flexible screen connected with a first end to the winding mechanism and connected with a second, opposite, end to an operating beam of which two opposite ends are guided in the guide tracks, said winding mechanism being preloaded for winding thereon the flexible screen.

In a conventional closure of the type referred to above, the closing mechanism comprises locking means operating between the guide tracks and operating beam and main- taining the operating beam in a chosen position notwithstanding the preload of the winding mechanism.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved assembly of the type referred to above.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention an assembly of the type referred to is provided, which is characterized in that the closing mechanism is adapted for being mounted to a fourth side of the opening, opposite to the winding mechanism, and is provided with a house and at least one pull member of which a first end is connectable to the operating beam and of which a second end extends into the house, and which is preloaded for moving the operating beam away from the winding mechanism.

The closing mechanism of the assembly in accordance with the present invention is of a type automatically closing the closure while overcoming the preload of the winding mechanism. This means, that a user for opening the closure should move the operating beam towards the winding

mechanism while overcoming the preload of the pull member. When the user does so, the preload of the winding mechanism will assure that the flexible screen is wound onto the winding mechanism in a proper manner. When the user releases the operating beam, the preload of the pull member overcomes the preload of the winding mechanism and moves the operating beam back towards the closing mechanism, thus moving the closure towards a closed position.

Because the closing mechanism is adapted for being mounted to a fourth side of the opening, it can be used to retrofit an already existing closure (which, originally, is preloaded towards a position in which the closure is opened) for defining a closure which automatically moves towards its closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the closing mechanism comprises two pull members which are located for being connected to the opposite ends of the operating beam.

Connecting two pull members to the opposite ends of the operating beam causes an even distribution of closing forces acting on the operating beam, thus preventing a tilting and jamming thereof in the guide tracks.

It should be noted, however, that mechanism are known for assuring, that both opposite ends of the operating beam travel with the same velocity in the corresponding guide tracks. In such a case only one pull member (connected to an outer end of the operating beam) would be sufficient.

Preferably, the pull member comprises a flexible cable, rope or similar member. Such a flexible cable, rope, or similar member makes the assembly, and in particular the closing mechanism, very versatile in its use.

When, in accordance with another embodiment, the connection between the pull member and operating beam is re- leasable, one and the same closing mechanism could be used several times in combination with different closures. Also, such a releasable connection between the pull member and op-

erating beam facilitates any dismounting of the assembly, for example for servicing.

Such a releasable connection can be obtained in many different manners. For example, the connection between the pull member and operating beam may occur through snap members, clamping members, screws or similar means.

It is also possible, that the connection between the pull member and operating beam is non-releasable . For example, the connection between the pull member and operat- ing beam may occur through welding, glueing or similar means .

As stated above, the pull member is preloaded for moving the operating beam away from the winding mechanism. In one particular embodiment, the pull member is preloaded by a tensioning mechanism positioned within the house. For example, a gravity-operated mass connected to the second end of the pull member could be provided. The effectivity of such an embodiment is best, when the fourth side of the door opening or window opening, to which the closing mechanism is mounted, extends vertically. For a horizontally extending fourth side such an embodiment normally cannot be used.

When providing such a gravity-operated mass, damping means could be connected to the mass for damping its movement when the operating beam moves towards the closing mechanism. Such damping means assure, that the operating beam does not hit the closing mechanism too hard when the closure moves towards its closing position.

For example, the damping means could comprise a piston connected to the mass and movable in a cylinder while displacing a fluid in said cylinder through an opening. The opening defines a flow resistance which prevents the piston (and thus the pull member and operating beam) from moving too fast. The cylinder can be an integral part of the house, or can be a separate part provided therein.

When the size of the opening is settable (for example using a setting screw) the damping characteristics of the damping means can be regulated, for example after an extended period of use to compensate for wear. Although in its most simple embodiment, the fluid in said cylinder is air, also other fluids (for example a hydraulic fluid) could be used.

In an alternative embodiment of the assembly in accordance with the present invention, the tensioning means comprise a spring member, such as a tension spring, torsion spring or similar member. One of the advantages of such a spring member is, that it also operates when the fourth side of the opening to which the closing mechanism is mounted, extends horizontally. A disadvantage, however, is that the preload is not constant, but depends on the degree of stretching of the spring member (although complicated spring arrangements are known which at least partially can overcome such a disadvantage) .

When using a gravity-operated mass or a spring member, the pull member basically will be non-stretchable . However, it is also possible that the pull member is stretchable and has its second end directly attached to the house of the closing mechanism. In such an embodiment, the pull member itself creates the preload which is necessary for moving the operating beam towards the closing mechanism.

For example, the pull member can comprise a poly- urethane tendon.

When, in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, the house of the closing mechanism has a variable length, such a closing mechanism becomes universally applicable to many different closures.

For example, the length of the house could be varied by using different end caps which are connectable to the opposite ends of the house. In an alternative embodiment, the house has a telescoping construction.

When the house of the closing mechanism has a variable length, it is preferred that the position where the pull member enters the house is changed in correspondence with the variation of length of the house. As a result, it can be assured that the pull member is always optimally positioned, which generally means as close as possible to the opposite outer ends of the operating beam. This also offers the possibility of positioning the pull member in such a manner that it is hidden from view by a respective guide track of the operating beam.

The invention further relates to a closing mechanism being constructed and evidently intended for use in the assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Hereinafter the invention is elucidated while re- ferring to the drawing, in which embodiments of the assembly according to the present invention are illustrated.

Figure 1 shows, schematically, an assembly in accordance with the present invention, and figures 2-6 show alternative embodiments of a closing mechanism for use in such an assembly.

Firstly referring to figure 1, a door opening or window opening is illustrated having two opposite, horizontally extending sides 1, 2 and two opposite, vertically extending sides 3 and 4. A closure for said door opening or window opening firstly comprises two guide tracks 5 and 6 mounted at the sides 1 and 2 of the opening. A winding mechanism 7 is mounted to side 3 of the opening, and a movable operating beam 8 extends vertically between the guide tracks 5 and 6. Finally, a flexible screen 9 has a first end connected to the winding mechanism 7, and a second, opposite, end connected to the operating beam 8.

In so far, the closure is of a conventional type. For understanding the present invention it is not necessary to further detail such a closure.

At side 4 of the opening a closing mechanism is mounted. Basically, said closing mechanism comprises a house 10, two flexible pull members 11 and 12, each of which has a first end connected to the operating beam 8 and a second end connected to a gravity-operated mass 13. The pull members 11 and 12 extend around guide rolls 14 and 15 (i.e. the upper pull member 11 extends around guide roll 14, whereas the lower pull member 12, which is longer than the upper pull member 11, extends around guide roll 14 and guide roll 15) . The connections 16 between the pull members 11, 12 and the operating beam 8 can define a releasable connection, for example through snap members, clamping members, screws or similar means, or could define a non-releasable connection, for example through welding, glueing or similar means. The pull members 11, 12 can comprise flexible cables, ropes or similar members. In the embodiment illustrated in figure 1, these pull members are non-stretchable .

At least part of the house 10 of the closing mechanism forms a cylinder, in which a piston 26 attached to the mass 13 sealingly engages, to define a cylinder-piston assembly. A small opening 17 connects the surroundings with the inner chamber of the cylinder thus defined. When the gravity-operated mass 13 moves downward (for moving the operating beam 8 away from the winding mechanism 7) towards the closing mechanism for closing the door opening or window opening, air is compressed below the piston 26 and is forced out of the small opening 17. The flow resistance at the opening 17 dampens the movement of the piston 26 and, thus, the movement of the mass 13 and operating beam 8 with screen 9.

The damping effect could be changed by providing a setting screw or similar means at the opening 17 (not shown) . Moreover, it is possible that the opening 17 is constructed in such a manner, that an inflow of air into the

cylinder chamber, when the operating beam 8 moves towards the winding mechanism 7, is not restricted.

In the embodiment according to figure 1, the velocity of the mass 13 equals the velocity of the operating beam 8. However, for reducing the operating velocity of the mass 13, an embodiment as illustrated in figure 2 could be provided in which a flexible pull member 18 extends around a pulley 19 which carries the mass 13, whereas the end of the pull member 18 opposite to its end which is connected to the operating beam 8 is connected to a stationary point 20, for example part of the house 10 of the closing mechanism. Of course, for further reducing the velocity of the mass 13, more than one pulley 19 could be provided.

In figure 3 part of an embodiment is illustrated, in which a pull member 21 is attached to a tension sprig 22 which is attached to the house 10.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment, in which the pull member 23 is stretchable and has its second end (the end opposite to its end connected to the operating bema 8) di- rectly attached to the house 10. Such a stretchable pull member 23 could, for example, comprise a polyurethane tendon.

Again referring to figure 1, the guide tracks 5,6, winding mechanism 7, operating beam 8 and flexible screen 9 basically define a closure in accordance with the state of the art. The closing mechanism (house 10, pull members 11, 12 and gravity-operated mass 13) define the invention, alone or in combination with the closure. Without the inventive closing mechanism, such a closure is self-opening, and means are required for keeping it in a desired closed position.

After applying the inventive closing mechanism, however, the preload of the winding mechanism 7 is overcome by the force created by, for example, the gravity-operated mass 13, spring 22 or flexible pull member 23.

When applying the inventive closing mechanism, it can be advantageous when the length of the house 10 of the closing mechanism can be varied to cope with different dimensions of the door opening or window opening. Figures 5 and 6 show two embodiments for obtaining a house 10 of the closing mechanism with a variable length. Figure 5 schematically shows a telescoping house with telescoping parts 10 'and 10". Figure 6 shows a house 10, on the outer, opposite, ends of which end caps 24, 25 are positioned. The length of the end caps 24 and 25 is chosen such, of course, that the assembly of house 10 and end caps 24, 25 obtains the desired length. Also only one end cap could be provided. Further, the position where pull members 11' and 12' enter the house 10 (or, more exactly, the end caps 24, 25) should be changed in correspondence with the variation of length of the house. For example, the end caps 24, 25 could be provided with corresponding openings for passing through the pull members 11 ', 12 ', whereas the position of the pulleys 14' and 15' could be changed to cope therewith. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described before, which may be varied widely within the scope of the invention as defined by the appending claims.