The present invention relates to a closing device for windows and doors and a window and door.

The present invention further relates to a lock for a closing device for windows and doors.

Window and door is intended as a movable structure that allows closing the openings left in buildings for use as an entrance or to allow the passage of air and light. In particular, windows and doors are divided into exterior windows and doors and interior windows and doors depending on the application for which they are used.

The windows and doors comprise a frame which is mounted on the opening of the wall of the building and at least one panel reversibly movable with respect to the frame to allow or prohibit the passage through the aforementioned opening.

Generally, the panels for windows and doors are equipped with closing systems of the rotary handle type, in which the lowering movement of the handle determines the unlocking of the panel to allow its opening.

In essence, the handle moves a latch between a closing position of the window and door in which it is at least partially engaged within a suitable housing afforded in the frame and an opening condition in which it is arranged outside of the aforementioned housing.

In the known systems the handle is directly mounted on the lock block, generally by means of a pin with a square section of the handle that is inserted into a square hole in the lock. Such pin-hole coupling determines at the same time both the support of the handle and the transmission to the latch of the rotary movement impressed on the handle.

Disadvantageously, such systems constrain unlocking the panel to the presence of the handle, thereby limiting the possible embodiments adapted to enhance the design of the window and door. More recently devised windows and doors comprise a magnetic induction closing device which, while retaining the panel in a closing configuration, allows the opening thereof by pushing and/or pulling the panel itself.

Magnetic induction closing devices generally exploit the sole action of attraction of two opposite poles of respective permanent magnets which, in the closing configuration of the window and door, are mutually facing one another. To open the window and door, it is therefore sufficient to push or pull the panel so as to overcome the magnetic attraction action.

A magnetic catch is known from document WO2009/142513.

The use of magnetic induction closing devices allows the position and presence of the handle with respect to the closing device itself to be unconstrained. However, such versatility is counterbalanced by the fact that the force of attraction generated between the opposite poles of the magnetic induction closing device may not be sufficient to guarantee the maintenance of the closing configuration in any condition and requires precise and necessary alignment between the two magnets, in any assembly condition of the window and door.

Magnetic induction locks are known from documents FR3018091 , US2014/319850, DE102013101294.

With reference to the present description and appended claims, the term “magnetic system” means a system able to generate a magnetic field characterised by a direction, an orientation and an intensity. The term “permanent magnet” means an element or bar that generates its own magnetic field characterised by a direction, an orientation and an intensity. The term electromagnet means an element able to generate its own magnetic field from an electric current.

In light of the problems disclosed above, the aim of the present invention is to make available a closing device for windows and doors and a window and door that overcome the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a closing device for windows and doors and a window and door that have high versatility of use allowing different types of operation to be selected.

The technical task stated and the objects specified are substantially achieved by a closing device for windows and doors and a window and door according to the present invention, comprising the technical characteristics disclosed in one or more of the appended claims. The dependent claims herein incorporated for reference, correspond to different possible embodiments of the invention.

In particular, a closing device comprises a striker having a magnetic abutment system, preferably a permanent magnetic abutment system, and a lock defining a further aspect of the present invention and comprising a lock body and a latch housed in the lock body. The latch has a magnetic closing system, preferably a permanent magnetic closing system and can be moved along a direction of motion between a retracted position and at least one extracted position with respect to the lock body. The movement of the latch according to a closing direction from the retracted position to the extracted position is caused by the magnetic interaction between the magnetic abutment system and the magnetic closing system. The lock body comprises a locking system which can be switched between a first configuration, wherein the latch is free to perform the movement along the direction of motion, and a second configuration, wherein the latch is locked in the retracted position and creates a magnetic induction catch.

Such characteristics allow great versatility of use, being able to set the closing device as a magnetic induction closing device for the simple retaining of the panel in the closing configuration, following magnetic interaction only, in two different configurations, one of which is adapted to make the closing device operate also by mechanical interference between the latch and the striker. The technical characteristics and advantages thereof will become more apparent in the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

- figure 1 and figure 2 schematically illustrate a partially sectioned view of a portion of a window and door comprising a possible embodiment of a closing device in a first configuration and respectively in two different operating conditions;

- figure 3 and figure 4 schematically illustrate a partially sectioned view of a portion of a window and door comprising a possible embodiment of a closing device in a first configuration and respectively in two different operating conditions.

- figure 5 illustrates a component of the closing device of figure 1 ;

- figure 6 illustrates the component of figure 5 in a second configuration. With reference to the appended figures, the reference number 100 has been used to indicate generally a window and door of which a portion is illustrated. The window and door 100 comprises a panel 101 and a frame 102.

The frame 102 is adapted to be housed for example in the passage opening of a wall that divides two contiguous environments and comprises, in the most general and widespread configuration, two uprights and an upper crosspiece connected to the two upper ends of the uprights. In other words, the frame 102 covers the perimeter of the opening in the wall.

The frame 102 can be made of different types of material, for example wood or metal, giving aesthetic pleasantness and a high level of customisation to the window and door 100.

The frame 102 has an edge surface 102a interposed between the two main faces opposing one another. The edge surface 102a covers the thickness of the passage opening at the side and at the top.

The panel 101 is reversibly movable with respect to the frame 102 between a closing condition and an at least partial opening condition of the window and door 100. In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the appended figures, the panel 101 is hinged to an upright of the frame 102, for example by means of two or more hinges. In this way, the panel 101 is rotatable with respect to a vertical hinge axis, substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the uprights.

The panel 101 can be made of different types of material, such as wood and metal and comprise glass portions.

The panel 101 has an edge surface 101 a interposed between the two main faces opposing one another. The edge surface 101 a surrounds the main faces 101 b at the side, at the top and at the bottom.

Advantageously, the window and door 100 comprises a closing device 1 operatively interposed between the panel 101 and the frame 102. The closing device 1 is active between the panel 101 and the frame 102 so as to retain or lock the panel in the closing condition of the window and door. The closing device 1 comprises a lock 2 mounted onto the panel 101 and a striker 3 mounted onto the frame 102.

The lock 2 comprises a lock body 4 adapted to be mounted on the panel 101 and a latch 5 housed in the lock body 4.

The latch 5 can be moved along a direction of motion “X” between a retracted position (figure 1 or figure 3) and at least one extracted position with respect to the lock body 4 (figure 2 or figure 4).

The latch 5 comprises a magnetic closing system, preferably a permanent magnetic closing system comprising a permanent closure magnet 6. Further permanent magnets may possibly be provided or the latch 5 may be made of a material adapted to realise the magnetic closing system.

The permanent closure magnet 6 can be housed inside a main body 7 of the latch 5 configured so as to interact with the opening/closing mechanisms of the lock 2.

The striker 3 comprises a magnetic abutment system, preferably a permanent magnetic abutment system comprising a permanent abutment magnet 8. Further permanent magnets may also be envisaged. Alternatively, an electromagnet can be provided having the characteristics described herein for the permanent magnet 8.

The magnetic abutment system and the magnetic closing system, in particular the permanent closure magnet 6 and the permanent abutment magnet 8, are arranged and configured to cause an exit movement of the latch 5 from the lock body 4 i.e. a movement of the latch 5 according to a closing direction X1 from the retracted position to the extracted position. In other words, the exit movement of the latch is caused by magnetic interaction, preferably magnetic attraction, between the magnetic abutment system, in particular the permanent abutment magnet 8, and the magnetic closing system, in particular the permanent closure magnet 6.

Preferably, the latch 5 in the extracted position abuts on an abutment surface 9 that defines a front surface of the striker 3.

A return movement of the latch 5 into the lock body 4, i.e. a movement of the latch 5 according to an opening direction X2 from the extracted position to the retracted position can be performed in various ways, e.g. through a lever kinematic mechanism or inclined planes.

Preferably, the latch 5 in the retracted position is arranged flush with the lock body 4.

Preferably, the striker 3 defines a cavity 10 accessible through a front opening 10a for receiving an end portion 5a of the latch 5 and generating a mechanical interference adapted to lock the panel 101 in the configuration of use of the closing device. In this case the abutment surface 9 is defined by a bottom of the cavity 10.

The striker 3 can comprise a box-shaped body 1 1 adapted to be mounted on the frame 102 and having the front opening 10a. Even more preferably, the box-shaped body 1 1 has a housing seat adapted to contain the permanent abutment magnet 8 defining the cavity 10 and the abutment surface 9.

Preferably, the cavity 10 has a depth comprised between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, preferably equal to 3 mm. Alternatively, the cavity 10 is at least partially afforded in a housing seat 103 of an edge surface 102a of the frame 102 adapted to receive the striker 3. As previously described, the exit of the latch 5 from the lock body 4 is caused by the magnetic interaction between the magnetic abutment system and the magnetic closing system and, in the extracted position of the latch 5, the panel 101 is locked in the closing condition both by the aforesaid magnetic interaction and, in the case of the cavity 10 also by the mechanical interference between latch and striker following the insertion of the end portion 5a of the latch 5 in the cavity 10 itself.

The lock body 4 comprises a locking system 12 that can be switched between a first configuration (figure 5) and a second configuration (figure 6).

In the first configuration, as previously described, the latch 5 is free to perform the aforesaid movement along the direction of motion“X” whereas in the second configuration the latch 5 is locked in the retracted position to make a magnetic induction catch.

In the second configuration, it is only the magnetic interaction between the magnetic abutment system and the magnetic closing system which retains the panel 101 in the closing condition. Between the first and the second configuration the intensity of such magnetic interaction varies and, in the case of the cavity 10, there is a passage from a magnetic induction closing device with mechanical safety locking to a closing device with magnetic induction only.

Preferably, the locking system 12 comprises a locking member 13 that is movable between a first position (figure 5) and a second position (figure 6). The first position corresponds to the first configuration of the locking system, i.e. to a position in which the locking member 13 does not interfere with the movement of the latch 5 along the direction of motion“X”.

The second position corresponds to the second configuration of the locking system and is the position in which the locking member 13 locks the latch 5 in the retracted position. Preferably, the locking system 12 comprises a control member configured to move the locking member 13 at least according to a first direction of movement between the first position and the second position. For example, the control member is configured to move the locking member 13 according to a first direction of movement Y1 from the first position to the second position and preferably to retain it in the second position. The control member can be for example made through a key, a knob or other similar systems.

An elastic return system 14 may preferably be provided configured to move the locking member 13 according to a second direction of movement Y2 opposite the first direction of movement Y1 , e.g. towards a second direction of movement Y2 directed from the second position towards the first position. Preferably, the locking member 13 can be moved along a transverse direction of motion“Y”, preferably perpendicular, to the direction of motion “X” of the latch 5.

Preferably, the locking member 13 and the latch 5 have respective shaped portions 15a, 15b configured to achieve a form-coupling to lock the latch 5 at the second position of the locking member 13 and the retracted position of the latch 5.

The shaped portion 15a of the locking member 13 is for example made of a C-shaped appendage or that has at least one protrusion. The shaped portion 15b of the latch 5 is for example made to receive the aforesaid C- shaped appendage or the aforesaid protrusion.

By setting the configuration of the locking system 12, preferably the position of the locking member 13, it is possible to lock or unlock the movement of the latch 5 with respect to the box-shaped body 4.

In the first configuration/position, the latch 5 can perform an exit stroke from the lock body 4 which brings it to cross the front opening 10a and preferably to be inserted into the cavity 10. The exit stroke preferably ends against the abutment surface 9. In this way the panel is locked due to the effect of the magnetic interaction between latch and striker and, in the event in which the latch 5 is inserted into the cavity 10, also due to the effect of the magnetic interference between latch and striker.

In the second configuration/position, the latch 5 remains locked in the retracted position. In this way, a magnetic induction closing device is obtained wherein the panel is retained due to the effect of a magnetic interaction between latch and striker having a lower intensity with respect to the first configuration and not accompanied by any mechanical interference. The present invention allows the prefixed aims to be reached thanks to the fact that the latch can assume two distinct configurations. Such configurations are obtained quickly and guaranteeing the retaining and locking effectiveness of the panel.

In particular, the latch can assume a retracted and fixed position, remaining flush with the lock body, in the event in which the panel is to be aligned with the frame following the sole linking between magnets (latch with magnetic induction catch function). Furthermore, the latch can be unlocked and, attracted by the permanent magnet of the striker, intensify the magnetic linking and possibly perform the function of a magnetic latch that is engaged in the relevant cavity afforded in the striker (mechanical safety closing function).

The dimensions of the cavity can be reduced with respect to a striker of standard dimensions in order to balance the mechanical safety closing function and the magnetic induction catch function.

The use of keys for managing the passage from one configuration to the other allows the presence of other kinematic mechanisms to be prevented (such as for example the handle, even if it could however be provided).

It is therefore possible to have, in the same closing device, a magnetic induction catch with variable intensity that can be unlocked simply by pushing or pulling the panel, and possibly a mechanical closure point that guarantees that the door is kept safely closed. Thanks to the fact of having only one component that performs two functions, the dimensions can be reduced.