"Frame with sliding cover" DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an innovative frame with sliding lid for closing recesses in installations, for example electrical or fluid-conveying installations. Advantageously the frame may be used for frontally closing boxes in installations, in particular boxes which are flush-mounted or inset.

In the art various type of frames for supporting components of installations and/or for closing small recesses (as for example in the case of flush-mounted boxes) which receive installation components are well known.

For example, in the electrical installations sector, flush-mounted socket frames in which the sockets (generally formed as modular elements) are located in the plane of the frame so as to be exposed in the wall in which the frame is partially inset are known. These frames have the drawback that the plugs inserted into the sockets project at right angles from the wall, with consequent problems both of an aesthetic nature and in terms of volume.

Frames which define a recess for receiving one or more installation components such that that these components do not project from the frame have also been proposed. For example, frames which define a recess in which the sockets are inset in such a way that the engaged plug does not project from the wall have been proposed.

For these frames, lids which allow the recess inside the frame to be completely closed have also been proposed. Usually the lids are of the hinged type, namely they are pivolably mounted on the frame so as to open rotating about an axis parallel to the front side of the said frame. In this way it is possible for example to flush-mount the frame in the wall, arranging it alongside other parts, without the movement of its lid interfering with these other parts arranged alongside. The fact of having a lid which opens in a hinged manner, however, poses at least some problems with regard to the volume at the front. A laterally sliding lid would avoid these problems, but the sliding action results in the aforementioned interference with parts arranged alongside and prevents use of the frame when laterally there are obstacles such as similar frames (as for example usually occurs in modular installations).

The general object of the present invention is to provide an innovative frame provided with a sliding lid.

In view of this object, the idea which has occurred is to provide, according to the invention, a frame intended to close a recess for receiving components of an installation and comprising a front side, said front side having, associated therewith, a sliding lid which is constrained to the body of the frame by means of guiding and sliding means so as to be slidable between a closed position for covering the said front side and an open position which uncovers said front side, characterized in that the guiding and sliding means are shaped so as to cause the sliding lid to perform a movement away from the plane of the said front side when the lid is slidably displaced towards its open position. In order to illustrate more clearly the innovative principles of the present invention and its advantages compared to the prior art, an example of embodiment applying these principles will be described below with the aid of the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

- Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a frame according to the invention, for example for electric sockets;

- Figures 2 and 3 show perspective views of the frame according to Figure 1 assembled inside a box for flush-mounting with the lid in the open and closed position, respectively;

- Figure 4 shows a diagrammatic view, longitudinally sectioned from the top, of a frame according to the invention flush-mounted in a wall and arranged alongside a flush- mounted socket;

- Figures 5, 6 and 7 show diagrammatic views of a sliding system for the lid in a frame according to the invention;

- Figure 8 shows a longitudinally sectioned diagrammatic view of a frame according to the invention housed inside a flush-mounted box;

- Figure 9 shows a longitudinally sectioned diagrammatic view of a frame according to the invention during installation.

With reference to the figures, Figure 1 shows a frame - indicated generically by 10 - which is designed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The frame, which is preferably moulded from plastic, is advantageously intended to be inserted inside a known box 1 1 , preferably of the type for flush-mounting with breakable walls for the insertion of tubes, for example for electric wiring or for fluid (water, air, gas, etc..) installations

The frame 10 comprises a body 12 with a front side or surface 13 which has, for example formed in it at the front, an inset recess 14 intended to receive components such as one or more electric plugs.

For example, in the case of a frame for electrical installations, the recess may have, inside it, an inclined wall 18 from which one or more electric sockets face into the recess. The electric sockets may be of various known types as required.

Advantageously, the sockets, which are indicated generically by 15, may be of the modular type so as to be chosen according to need and are snap-engaged into position by means of known snap-engaging systems 16, 17 which are arranged on opposite sides of the modular element 15 and the seat for receiving it inside the frame.

The modular elements may advantageously have standard dimensions, and the frame may be designed with dimensions for receiving two modular elements arranged alongside each other with a "single-module" width, or a single modular element with a "double-module" width.

For example, advantageously, the size of the frame may be such as to receive a "shuko" socket modular element (with double-module width, indicated by 15a in Figure 1 ) or two modular elements arranged alongside each other (each with single-module width, indicated by 15b) with a socket of the type having contacts in line (for example of the Italian, French or similar type), with or without earth. The modular elements with inline contacts may also be of the 2-pin or similar type. In the case where it is required to use a single modular socket element with single-module width, the other element arranged alongside may be a suitable known covering cap (not shown).

When the sockets are formed using modules to be introduced inside the frame, the wall 18 defines a suitable opening for the modules and will be closed by the front side of the said modules. Usually the modular elements are to be introduced into the frame in a direction perpendicular to the inclined wall 18, as can be clearly seen in Figure 1, such that the engaging means retain them with the front side which forms or completes the inclined wall 18.

The frame advantageously comprises screws 19, 20 for fixing it in position inside the inset seat, which usually consists of the box 1 , as will be clarified below.

The front side of the frame usually has a rectangular shape and the screws will be situated preferably close to the two short sides of the rectangle and pass through eyelets 21, 22 so as to be screwed into bored eyelets 23, 24 present in corresponding positions on the sides of the box 1 1.

Associated with the front side 13 of the frame there is also a lid 25 which is able to slide on this front side so as to move between an open position, shown in Figure 2, in which the recess 14 is accessible, and a closed position, shown in Figure 3, in which the lid covers the recess 14 and, preferably, completely covers the front side of the frame. In the case of a frame for an electrical installation with sockets, the dimensions of the recess 14 are such as to be able to receive the plugs and allow closing again of the sliding lid with the electrical wires of the plug which advantageously pass out from the frame through a passage 26 which is provided between frame and lid in a position opposite to the wall 18. Advantageously, as can be clearly seen in Figures 1 and 2, this passage 26 is obtained by means of a stepped lowering of the surrounding edge formed by the front wall of the frame around the recess 14.

Whatever the design of the frame (depending on the type of installation in which it is to be used and the components which it must house), suitable guiding and sliding means are present between frame 12 and lid 25 so as to allow the movement of the lid between open and closed position. These guiding and sliding means are designed to guide the lid so as to move it away from the plane of the front side 13 during its movement towards the open position. The plane of the front side is substantially parallel to the mounting surface of the frame.

In particular, the guiding and sliding means are advantageously designed so that the sliding lid in the closed position is parallel to the said front side 13 and in its open position is inclined at the rear with respect to said front side 13 so as to move away with its edge 54 (situated at the rear with respect to the closing direction) from the plane of the said front side 13.

In other words, the lid has advantageously a movement such as to be raised at least at the rear from the plane of the side 13 (as can be seen in Figure 2) when it slides towards the open position, and so as to return into a condition substantially parallel to the side 13 when it is displaced into its closed position shown in Figure 3.

The at least rear raising of the lid moves the lid away from the wall in which the frame is flush-mounted (or fixed) and allows the lid to pass above another frame which may be adjacent, as shown diagrammatically in the wall cross-section of Figure 4.

The displacement of the open lid may be chosen so as to be able to arrange a second flush-mounted frame (for example a second flush-mounted socket 27) at a normal distance (for example a few centimetres) from the flush-mounted frame according to the invention, with the frames which project usually at least half a centimetre from the plane of the wall (if necessary with their finishing surround applied on the outside of the wall). The second frame may also obviously be of the type forming the subject of the present invention. Still with reference to Figure 4, it can be seen how the box 1 1 (essentially of the standard type) may be mounted in the wall with the open front side which is arranged flush with the wall, such that the frame 12 fixed to it is located with the front side parallel and outside the wall. The lid in the closed position is thus located parallel to the wall and with sufficient play to allow sliding thereof.

Known wail-mounted tubes 28 may convey electrical conductors inside the box, as is normal for flush-mounted electrical installations.

As can be clearly seen in Figures 1 and 2 and, in greater detail, in Figures 5 and 6, the guiding and sliding means comprise advantageously lateral guiding grooves or channels 30, 31 which are formed on opposite lateral edges of the front side 13 of the frame. Corresponding engaging and sliding elements 32, 33 arranged on the inside of edges or lateral flanges 34, 35 of the sliding lid 25 engage and slide inside these lateral grooves 30, 31.

As will be explained below, the lid has engaging means which are symmetrical with respect to a transverse plane so as to allow reversal of the lid with respect to the front side 13. In particular, the lid may have advantageously a U-shaped cross-section and a symmetrical structure of the engaging parts so that it can be fitted onto the side 13 of the frame equally well via one or other of its short sides, as can be seen for example from a comparison of Figures 1 and 2.

This allows the frame 12 to be mounted with the lid which opens sliding to the right or left as required, while keeping the lid with the same orientation. In this way it is possible, for example, to provide lids with writing, logos or designs which may be kept straight irrespective of the direction of mounting of the frame body in order to obtain a sliding opening movement to the right or to the left.

Figures 5 and 6 show a partially cut-away diagrammatic view of an advantageous assembly of guides and engaging and sliding elements for frame and lid which may advantageously form the aforementioned guiding means. Figure 7 shows a partial view from below of the lid according to Figures 5 and 6, with the progression of the guide on the frame shown in broken lines.

Only one of the two lateral guide channels 30 and 31 is described and shown here, since the other one is advantageously substantially a mirror image on the other side of the frame relative to a longitudinal plane 40, shown schematically in Figure 7. Similarly, the corresponding engaging and sliding elements present on the lid are also mirror images (relative to the plane 40) on the two flanges 34 and 35 so as to project towards each other from the two sides of the lid.

As can be clearly seen in Figure 5, the lateral groove 30 extends along the lateral edge of the side 13 in the direction of sliding of the lid along the side 13 and is contained within the thickness of the frame part intended to project from the wall after flush- mounting.

The grooves are advantageously open at their ends 36 towards the direction of opening movement of the lid. so as to allow the corresponding engaging elements present on the lid to pass inside and outside of the groove. This allows insertion of the lid on the frame and total removal of the lid by means of a further displacement of the lid beyond the open position.

The engaging and sliding elements 32, 33 have advantageously teeth 37 which are intended to slide inside the respective grooves 30, 31 and which are arranged close to the edge or front end of the lid ("front" is understood as meaning with respect to the closing direction).

The grooves comprise advantageously a first section 38 and a second section 39 which are formed so that the lid 25 is guided to slide while remaining parallel to the said front side 13, while the teeth 37 slide along the said first section 38, and so as to be arranged inclined with respect to the said front side 13 while the teeth slide along the said second section 39.

In particular, as can be clearly seen in Figures 5 and 6, these teeth advantageously extend over a certain distance in the sliding direction and are inclined with respect to the plane defined by the lid in the closed position (Figure 6) and/or by the front side 13. As can be clearly seen in Figure 6, the first front section 38 of the groove 30, 31 has a transverse width such as to allow sliding therein with a small amount of play of the teeth 37 in their inclined position with respect to the sliding direction and corresponding to the lid in the closed position.

In this way the lid moves along this section 38 with its lengthwise plane which remains parallel to the front side of the frame.

In other words, along the section where the teeth 37 slide along the initial segment or part 38 of the groove, the lid moves solely parallel to itself from its completely closed position towards the open position.

After the initial part 38, the groove 30, 31 narrows advantageously along the second section 39 so as to have a transverse width substantially equal to the transverse width of the elongated tooth 37 such that the latter is obliged to rotate as shown in Figure 5, in order to be able to slide with minimum play along the second section 39 of smaller thickness. The inclination of the tooth with respect to the plane of the lid is such that rotation of the tooth in order to pass along the section 39 raises at the rear the lid by the desired amount. The lid thus continues advantageously towards the completely open position always parallel to itself, but inclined with respect to the sliding direction, as can be clearly seen again in Figure 5.

Advantageously, between widened section 38 and narrow section 39 there is a connecting section 41 which has a surface inclined with respect to the sliding direction, so as to guide rotation of the tooth from the inclined position shown in Figure 6 to the position shown in Figure 7, parallel to the sliding direction.

The front end of the groove may also have advantageously an inclined surface 42 for supporting the side of the tooth 37 when the lid is in the closed position.

Advantageously, between the lid and front side 13 of the frame, there are engaging means 43, 44 (for example respective teeth projecting from the facing surfaces, as can be seen more clearly in Figure 1 ) which stop sliding of the lid in the opening direction when the recess 14 is correctly uncovered (Figure 5).

These engaging means 43, 44 are preferably designed to be resiliently yielding so that it is possible, by applying a given extra force, to overcome the mutual engaging point and continue until the lid is completely extracted from the frame body. Likewise, yielding of the engaging means 43, 44 allows assembly of the lid on the frame body.

For better guiding of the lid movement, the engaging and sliding elements 32 and 33, in addition to the teeth 37, comprise advantageously also ribs 45 which extend along the lateral flanges of the lid from the corresponding teeth 37 and towards the rear part of the corresponding sliding groove. As can be clearly seen in Figure 7, each rib 45 projects advantageously inside the corresponding sliding groove by a smaller amount than that of the corresponding tooth. The groove has advantageously in turn its edge (top edge in Figure 5) which borders with the plane of the front side 13 which has a through-recess 46 extending approximately from the start of the narrow section 39 so as to allow the rib 45, but not the tooth 37, to pass through the recess, as shown in Figure 5.

In this way, the rib 38 cooperates with the tooth so as to keep the lid in its position parallel to the front side 13 until the lid itself is slid as far as the point where the rib may enter the passage 46, while the tooth travels along the inclined section 41 and the lid is correspondingly inclined.

Advantageously the rib 45 has a surface 47 which rests slidably against the wall of the guide groove situated before the recess 46, so as to help keep the lid in the initial position parallel to the front side 13 of the frame body. Inclined sections of the rib may also cooperate with the surfaces of the groove so as to guide rotation of the lid, as can be imagined from Figure 6.

Advantageously, the rib may terminate with a transverse section 48 at its end which is opposite to the corresponding tooth 37. This transverse section may be positioned so as to rest, when the lid is in the closed position, against a zone 49 of the edge of the groove which connects together the wall of the groove before the recess 46 and the wall of the groove inside the recess 46. This ensures precise stopping of the lid in its closed position.

Alternatively or in addition, further resilient engaging means 50, 51 (for example, in the form of respective resilient teeth projecting from the facing surfaces, as can be seen

- i t - more clearly in Figure 1) may also be provided, said means keeping the lid in the closed position (as shown diagrammatically in Figure 6). Since the lid is advantageously formed substantially with a mirror-image arrangement (at least as regards its engaging and sliding means) relative to a transverse plane 52, so as to be reversible, the engaging means 51 on the lid may be a mirror image of the means 43, such that, when the lid is reversed, the means 43 and the means 51 exchange their positions and functions.

Advantageously, still in order to obtain complete reversibility of the lid, the engaging and sliding elements 32 and 33 are reproduced in mirror arrangement on the lid relative to the plane 52 such that the engaging and sliding elements 32' and 33' exchange their positions and functions with the engaging and sliding elements 32 and 33, when the lid is reversed.

Advantageously, the elements 32' and 33' comprise teeth 37' which may engage inside an end section 53 of the groove 30, 31 so as to help keep the lid in its condition parallel to the front side 13 when in the closed position. Again advantageously, the teeth 37' are a mirror image of the teeth 37 and exchange their positions and functions with the teeth 37 when the lid is reversed.

With the teeth 37' which are a mirror image of the teeth 37, the end or rear section 53 of the grooves 30, 33 is formed again widened like the initial or front section 38.

At this point it is clear to the person skilled in the art how the lid may be mounted on and removed from the frame, if necessary reversed and slid with the desired guided inclination.

Figure 8 shows in greater detail how the frame may be advantageously designed so as to optimize the overall dimensions and for example be suitable for use in standard electric housings such as the housings intended to receive standard flat frames for three electric modules arranged alongside each other.

As can be clearly seen in Figure 8, the frame comprises the front side 13 formed with a generic, thin, parallelepiped shape which on opposite greater side walls has the guiding grooves for the lid. A body 60 extends rearwards (with respect to the front side intended to be covered by the lid) from the front side, said body being moulded as one piece with the front side and having a thin wall for defining internally the recess 14 with the wall 18 inclined towards the inlet opening of the recess on the front side. Advantageously, the front side 13 projects around the body 60 (as can be clearly seen also in Figure 1) so as to define underneath a surface 61 for resting penmetraily on the edge of the box or seat intended to receive the frame.

A space 62 intended to receive the rear part of the socket 15 is defined behind the inclined wall 18 (namely on the side of the inclined wall 18 opposite to the recess 14). This space 62 is intended to remain closed and inaccessible when the frame is mounted in position and in use, for example inside a housing 1 1.

At the front of the recess 14 (namely on the opposite side of the recess relative to the wall 18) there is advantageously provided a second space 63 intended for example to allow the entry inside the box 1 1 of wiring directed from this side of the box towards the rear wall of the socket (as for example may be deduced from Figure 4).

Advantageously, the longitudinal section of the body 10 in the plane 40 is generally trapezoidal with its larger base positioned inside the opening of the recess towards the outside. This enables the required spaces to be obtained and, at the same time, allows the plugs which are engaged with the socket or sockets formed in the wall 18 to be accommodated inside the recess 14, as shown in broken lines by way of example in Figure 8. As can be again seen in Figure 8, the inclination of the wall 18 is advantageously chosen so that the wiring of the plug is able to pass out, without unnatural bends, through the passage 26.

As can be clearly seen again in Figure 8, the front surface part 13 which extends behind the wall 18 covers one side (top side in the figure) of the rear part of the socket 15. This is advantageous when the frame is in use since this rear part cannot be reached from outside and, for example, accidental contact with the electrical contracts for fixing the wiring to the socket is prevented.

However, often the modular sockets have screws for screwing the conductors, which are also arranged in the side wall of the module which faces the inner part of the surface 13. In order to allow screwing of the conductors it is possible that the connections may be performed before stably fixing the modular socket in position.

However, advantageously, the wall 13 may be provided with a removable access cover 64 which allows a passage 65 to be opened in the front wall 13 in the region of the rear part of the socket with terminals.

As can be clearly seen in Figure 9, by removing the access cover 64 (after removing the sliding lid 25) it is possible to introduce into the passage 65 a screwdriver for operating the screws of the terminals of the socket which are formed in the socket towards the passage 65. It is thus possible to fix the electrical conductors 66 which are intended for these terminals and generally can be inserted inside the terminals from a direction perpendicular to the front wall 18 of the socket.

Advantageously, the access cover 64 is kept in position by the same screw 19 intended to fix the frame 10 in position. In particular, the eyelet 21 for the screw is formed in this cover 64 which in turn rests perimetrally on a suitably shaped edge of the passage 65. In this way it is ensured that the cover remains mounted when the frame is fixed and thus the possibilities of accidental removal of the cover 64 and making contact with the conductive parts of the electrical terminals of the socket are reduced. Moreover, without the cover 64, the screw 19 does not have a locating seat on the frame and complete fixing of the frame becomes impossible.

At this point it is clear how the predefined objects have been achieved by providing an innovative frame with a sliding lid.

Obviously the description provided above of an embodiment applying the innovative principles of the present invention is provided by way of example of these innovative principles and must therefore not be regarded as limiting the scope of the rights claimed herein.

For example, the sockets may also be formed substantially as one piece with the frame and the relative dimensions and proportions of the various parts of the frame may be different from those shown depending on the specific requirements and any standards which must be met.

The dimensions of the box may be those of standard boxes which are already commercially available and therefore very common, but the box may have other measurements in order to cater for any new standards. The frame, together with a box where provided, may obviously be flush-mounted in a wall made of any suitable material (optionally using suitable screws 19, 20) and not necessarily walled in. As may be easily understood by the person skilled in the art on the basis of the description provided, the frame may also be provided as one piece with the box or be shaped so as to form the box.

As can be clearly seen from the figures, the inset recess of the frame is advantageously formed with curved walls so as to facilitate assembly, there being envisaged a suitable amount of lateral play with respect to the box to be flush-mounted, so as to allow, during fixing with the screws, compensation for any irregular inclination of the inset box.

Obviously, the frame and any recess inside it may be differently formed depending on the component housed and the type of installation. For example, the frame may consist of a single surround or be generally flat, with optionally a small recess in the front surface or, in the case of fluid-conveying installations, the frame may be formed so as to accommodate a tap or another component for operating a tap or a connection point for fluids. In this case, the frame may also be generally flat with only a small inset recess which houses inside it the component for operating the tap or the connecting end of the connection point so as not to project outside beyond the sliding plane of the lid, while the remainder of the installation component is situated behind the frame (for example inside an inset box closed at the front by the frame itself), as may be easily imagined by the person skilled in the art on the basis of the description provided here.

Moreover, even though the example of a flush-mounted frame has been principally mentioned, clearly the term "flush-mounted" must be regarded here in a broad sense; for example, as may be easily imagined by the person skilled in the art, the frame must not necessarily be inset in a continuous wall, but may also be simply mounted on a housing which is not inset or inset only partially, and therefore project more or less from the fixing surface, which may also be situated at a distance from an actual wall. It is also obviously possible to arrange alongside each other frames designed according to the invention, but intended for installations of a different type.

All this may be easily deduced from the description provided and from the accompanying figures.