Space-saving handle for sashes of window frames
The redesigned 'sprocket-rack' kinematic pair in window frame handles eliminates ending teeth to reduce rack length, ensuring functional compactness and improved aesthetics.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ESINPLAST
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-11
AI Technical Summary
Traditional window frame handles require a long rack due to a central section and two ending teeth, leading to a bulky case that compromises the aesthetic appearance of the window frame, especially in minimalist designs.
The 'sprocket-rack' kinematic pair is redesigned to eliminate the upper and lower ending teeth, allowing alternative interaction means for reversing the rack's travel direction without modifying its functionality, thus reducing the rack's length.
The redesigned handle achieves a compact case design without compromising functionality, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the window frame by reducing the bulkiness of the handle mechanism.
Smart Images
Figure IB2025062417_11062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] SPACE-SAVING HANDLE FOR SASHES OF WINDOW FRAMES
[0002] DESCRIPTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a space-saving handle suitable for being mounted on sashes of window frames that are preferably made of metal.
[0004] Window handles that are commonly known as Cremonese handles have been known for some time. They comprise an operating handle that is rotatably engaged in a case suitable for being mounted on the inner surface of the upright of a respective sash, that is to say on the surface of the upright facing the room in which the window frame is installed.
[0005] The rotations of said handle are transmitted to a sprocket housed in said case to cooperate with a rack that operates in vertical direction, in a condition in which the reverse rotations imposed on the sprocket by the handle have the effect of imposing reverse travels in axial direction on the rack.
[0006] It should be noted that a plate in edgeways position protrudes from said rack, it being suitable for making alternate vertical travels integrally with those performed by the rack.
[0007] Two rods are connected to said plate and are suitable for axially sliding inside the upright to enable the opening, closing, and turn and tilt opening of the sash of the window frame with respect to the counterframe mounted on the wall depending on the rotational direction imposed on said handle and thanks to the interaction with said “sprocket-rack” mechanism,
[0008] In such a perspective, such a handle is suitable for alternately assuming three different operating positions:
[0009] - a horizontal position, wherein the lever handle of the handle is directed toward the center of the window frame, perpendicularly to the upright of said window frame; it being provided that, in such a position of the handle, the sliding rods do not interfere with the counterframe of the window frame, in such a way that the sash is disposed in open position;
[0010] - a first vertical position, wherein (after rotating downwards by 90° with respect to the open position) the lever handle of the handle is directed toward the lower crossbar of the sash and is exactly aligned with the upright, in such a way to enable the closing of the sash by means of the sliding rods;
[0011] - a second vertical position, wherein (after rotating upwards by 90° with respect to the open position) the handle is directed toward the upper crossbar of the sash and is exactly aligned with the upright, in such a way to enable the turn and tilt opening of the sash by means of the sliding rods.
[0012] Within the scope of such a well-established technology, it is important to describe the specific configuration that is currently attributed to the “sprocketrack” kinematic pair and the resulting mutual cooperation modes.
[0013] In particular, it should be noted that such a traditional rack adopts a significantly long toothing because said toothing must necessarily comprise a central section formed by a plurality of teeth, and two ending teeth, namely an upper tooth and a lower tooth with respect to said central section of the toothing; it being provided that, in any case, also the upper and lower ending teeth have the same configuration and center distance as those of the teeth of the central section of the toothing of the rack.
[0014] It should be considered that:
[0015] - the central section of the toothing of the rack is suitable for cooperating with corresponding teeth of the sprocket to ensure that the rack correctly performs the alternating travels that are necessary to operate the sash of the window frame; in a first case, reference is made to the travel that must be performed by the rack up to its upper end-of-travel position to force the sash of the window frame into a closing position and, in a second case, to the travel that must be performed by the rack up to its lower end-of-travel position to let the lower sliding rod impose a turn and tilt opening position onto the sash of the window frame;
[0016] - the lower and upper ending teeth of the toothing of the rack do not mesh with the teeth of the sprocket during the rotations of the sprocket aimed at bringing the rack toward the end-of-travel positions starting from the opening position of the frame, whereas the lower and upper ending teeth of the toothing of the rack mesh with the sprocket only when the rack has to reverse its travel after reaching one of said end-of-travel positions, when, in both cases, the meshing between the teeth of the central section of the toothing of the rack and the teeth of the sprocket has ceased.
[0017] It is precisely the need to adopt a rack with a sufficient length in order to comprise all the teeth of its toothing, that is to say the teeth of the central section of the toothing and the two upper and lower ending teeth, currently constitutes the main limitation of the aforementioned technology, which particularly affects the configuration of the case wherein the lever handle of the handle is rotatably mounted and inside which the “sprocket-rack” kinematic pair operates.
[0018] Evidently, the length of the rack forces the manufacturer to use a case with a considerable longitudinal dimension, in a situation in which the conspicuous presence of such a bulky case on the upright of the rod of the window frame tends to compromise the overall aesthetic appearance of the window frame, especially in a time such as the present one, in which furnishing accessories are required to have a clean and minimalist design.
[0019] CN105545164 describes a locking mechanism of a sash of a window frame according to the prior art.
[0020] In order to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, and thus allow the new handle in question to adopt a case of limited length, it was devised to give an innovative configuration to the “sprocket-rack” kinematic pair, which is also used in this new handle; this was done with the specific aim of reducing the length of the rack, without, however, modifying its functionality and the operating modes of the sash of the respective window frame.
[0021] More precisely, in order to reduce the length of the rack, it was decided to eliminate the two traditional ending teeth from the toothing, that is to say the teeth that have so far been referred to as upper tooth and lower tooth.
[0022] Evidently, the elimination of the upper and lower teeth of the rack made it necessary to provide the sprocket-rack pair adopted in the new handle with alternative mutual interaction means capable of ensuring that the sprocket can transmit the impulse to the rack that is necessary to reverse its travel direction - from the upper end-of-travel position to the lower end-of-travel position, and vice versa - when all the teeth of the sprocket are disengaged from the toothing of the rack. The main purpose of the present invention has been achieved in accordance with the characteristics listed in the attached independent claim 1 .
[0023] Advantageous embodiments of this invention appear in the dependent claims.
[0024] For greater clarity, the description of the invention continues with reference to the attached drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting, wherein:
[0025] - Figs. 1 , 2, and 3 are three exploded views of the parts used in the new handle in question, taken from different perspectives;
[0026] - Fig. 2A is similar to Fig. 2, except for it shows the handle in question in assembled configuration;
[0027] - Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are enlarged views of the position assumed by the sprocket of the handle in question in relation to the rack, respectively in the opening, closing, and turn and tilt opening positions of the sash of the window frame;
[0028] - Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the sprocket provided in the handle in question interfaced with the respective rack.
[0029] With reference to Figs. 1 , 2, 2A, and 3, the new handle (M) in question usually comprises the following parts:
[0030] - a lever handle (1 ) to enable the opening and closing of the sash of a respective window frame; wherein said lever handle (1 ) comprises a hand grip (1 a) and a bulb (1 b) arranged at 90° relative to said hand grip (1 a) and wherein said bulb (1 b) comprises a circular front projection (1 b') and a central axial conduit (1 c) with square cross-section;
[0031] - a parallelepiped case (2) with rectangular base developed in the direction of the height and suitable for being fixed to the upright of the sash of said window frame, so that the longitudinal axis x -x of said case (2) is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upright of the sash of the window frame; wherein said case comprises a central hole (2a) suitable for being exactly aligned with said central axial conduit (1 c) of the bulb (1 b) of the lever handle (1 );
[0032] - a cover plate (3) for covering the front surface of the case (2), wherein said cover plate (3) has a central circular hole (3a) suitable for rotatably accommodating the circular front projection (1 b') of the bulb (1 b) of the lever handle (1 );
[0033] - a kinematic pair housed in said case (2) and comprising a sprocket (4) provided with teeth (4a) and a rack (5) provided with teeth (5a) suitable for meshing with the teeth (4a) of the sprocket (4); wherein said sprocket (4) is posteriorly provided with a square stem (40) suitable for passing through said central hole (2a) of the case (2) and engaging deeply into said central axial conduit (1 c) of the bulb (1 b) of the lever handle (1 ), in such a way that the reverse rotations of the lever handle (1 ) cause the integral rotation of the sprocket (4) that generates, during its reverse rotations, the reverse vertical strokes of the rack (5) inside the case (2);
[0034] - a plate (50) that protrudes in edgeways position from the rack (5) outside the case (2) on the opposite side to that occupied by the lever handle
[0035] (1 ) to act as securing and operating means in favor of the sliding rods that are normally used on the upright of the sash of the window frame to cause its opening, closing, and turn and tilt opening;
[0036] - a cover (20) for closing the case (2) mounted on the opposite side to that on which the cover plate (3) is positioned.
[0037] With specific reference to Fig. 2A, it should be noted that the cover (20) has a lower width than the case (2) in order to provide the back of said case
[0038] (2) with a vertical lateral slot (21 ) through which the plate (50) protrudes slidingly and integrally with the rack (5).
[0039] To stabilize the assembly of the aforementioned parts, a first screw (V1 ) is usually provided and inserted into an axial conduit (41 ) that passes through the sprocket (4) and the respective square stem (40), thus engaging into a hole provided at the bottom of the central axial conduit (1 c) of the bulb (1 b) of the lever handle (1 ), when the square stem (40) of the sprocket (4) has been perfectly engaged in said central axial conduit (1 c) of the bulb (1 b) of the lever handle (1 ).
[0040] To stabilize the position of the cover (20) on the back of the case (2) and assemble the entire handle (M) on the front of the upright of a respective window frame, a pair of second screws (V2) is provided, which are designed to successively pass through two holes (2b) provided on the case (2) and the two corresponding holes (20b) provided on the cover (20), thus engaging with the upright of the respective window frame.
[0041] Starting from such a traditional structure, the distinctive feature of the new handle (M) in question lies in the configuration and cooperation mode of the kinematic pair formed by the sprocket (4) and the rack (5).
[0042] At this regard, it should be noted that:
[0043] - the rack (5) comprises a row of teeth (5a), which in the embodiment shown in the attached Figures are three in number, and is side-mounted on a back side edge (51 ) that supports the plate (50); wherein said side edge (51 ) has a greater width than the height of the teeth (5a) of the rack (5) and comprises a first horizontal tab (51 a) provided at its upper transverse edge, and a second horizontal tab (51 b) provided at its lower transverse edge, such that a longitudinal seat (S) is formed in said side edge (51 ), extending between the two tabs (51 a, 51 b) and anteriorly relative to the heads of the teeth (5a) of the rack (5), as shown in Fig. 1 ;
[0044] - the teeth (4a) of the sprocket (4) support an arcuate claw (42) in projecting position, which extends between a first end (42a) and a second end (42b) and has a profile (420) conforming to the head circumference of said teeth (4a); wherein said claw (42) is configured as an arc of a circumference and has a chord (C) having a slightly lower length than the distance (D) between said tabs (51 a, 51 b) of the plate (43), in such a way that, when the teeth (4a) of said sprocket (4) mesh with the teeth (5a) of the rack (5), said claw (42) is exactly engaged in the seat (S) provided on the side edge (51 ) that supports the rack (5), as shown in Figs. 4 and 7.
[0045] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the attached Figures, it is preferably provided that the sprocket (4) comprises the teeth (4a) in correspondence with only one section of its perimeter border, which is otherwise perfectly smooth.
[0046] As shown in the appended Figures, the claw (42) preferably consists in the end of a shaped appendage (43a) of a plate (43) mounted on the outer surface of the sprocket (4). This description continues by illustrating the specific cooperation modes between the sprocket (4) and the rack (5) in the various conditions of use of the window frame whereon the new handle (M) in question is mounted.
[0047] Fig. 4 shows the conditions that are established in the “sprocket-rack” kinematic pair when the handle (M) remains in the position that ensures the opening of the sash of the window frame.
[0048] In particular, the following occurs in this case:
[0049] - the hand grip (1 a) of said handle (M) is disposed in perpendicular position with respect to the longitudinal axis (x-x) of the case (2) fixed to the inner surface of the upright of the window frame;
[0050] - the rack (5) is positioned at half height inside the case (2);
[0051] - the teeth (4a) of the sprocket (4) are engaged with the teeth (5a) of the rack (5);
[0052] - the claw (42) supported by the sprocket (4) is exactly positioned inside the seat (S) provided anteriorly relative to the teeth (5a) of the rack (5), in a condition in which the first pointed end (42a) of said claw (42) touches the inside of the first horizontal tab (51 a) provided on the side edge (51 ) that supports the rack (5), and the second pointed end (42b) of said claw (42) touches the inside of the second horizontal tab (51 b) provided on the side edge (51 ) that supports the rack (5).
[0053] Fig. 5 shows the conditions that are established in the “sprocket-rack” kinematic pair when the handle (M) is rotated downwards by 90° to enable the closing of the sash of the window frame.
[0054] In fact, the following occurs in this case:
[0055] - the hand grip (1 a) of said handle (M) is disposed in parallel position with respect to the longitudinal axis (x-x) of the case (2) fixed to the inner surface of the upright of the window frame;
[0056] - the rack (5) is disposed at the top of the case (2), at its upper end-of- travel position;
[0057] - the teeth (4a) of the sprocket (4), which have previously favored the upward sliding movement of the rack (5), are now completely disengaged from the teeth (5a) of the rack (5); - the claw (42) supported by the sprocket (4) is almost completely extracted from the seat (S) provided anteriorly relative to the teeth (5a) of the rack (5), even though the second pointed end (42b) remains in a position immediately above the second horizontal tab (51 b) provided in the rack (5).
[0058] In view of the above, it is easy to understand that when the user intends to return the sash of the window frame to the open position (towards the condition shown in Fig. 4) and therefore returns the hand grip (1 a) to the horizontal position, the rotation transmitted to the sprocket (4) causes the second pointed end (42b) of the claw (42) to interfere from up down, namely like a hook, with the second horizontal tab (51 b) of the side edge (51 ) that supports the rack (5), imposing such a thrust on said second horizontal tab (51 b) to let the rack (5) begin a new downward sliding movement that will then be definitively completed thanks to the new engagement that occurs immediately afterwards between the teeth (4a) of the sprocket (4) and the teeth (5a) of the rack (5).
[0059] Finally, Fig. 6 shows the conditions that are established in the “sprocketrack” kinematic pair when the handle (M) is rotated upwards by 90° to enable the turn and tilt opening of the sash of the window frame.
[0060] In fact, the following occurs in this case:
[0061] - the hand grip (1 a) of said handle (M) is disposed in parallel position with respect to the longitudinal axis (x-x) of the case (2) fixed to the inner surface of the upright of the window frame;
[0062] - the rack (5) is disposed at the bottom of the case (2), at its lower end- of-travel position;
[0063] - the teeth (4a) of the sprocket (4), which have previously favored a similar downward sliding movement of the rack (5), are now completely disengaged from the teeth (5a) of the rack (5);
[0064] - the claw (42) supported by the sprocket (4) is almost completely extracted from the seat (S) provided anteriorly relative to the teeth (5a) of the rack (5), even though the first pointed end (42a) remains in a position immediately below said first horizontal tab (51 a) provided in the rack (5). Starting from such a condition, it is easy to understand that when the user intends to bring the sash of the window frame back into the open position (towards the condition shown in Fig. 4) and therefore brings the hand grip (1 a) back to the horizontal position, the rotation transmitted to the sprocket (4) causes the first pointed end (42a) of the claw (42) to interfere from the bottom upwards, namely like a hook, on the first horizontal tab (51 a) of the side edge (51 ) that supports the rack (5), imposing such a thrust on said first horizontal tab (51 a) to let the rack (5) begin a new upward sliding movement that will then be definitively completed thanks to the new engagement that occurs immediately afterwards between the teeth (4a) of the sprocket (4) and the teeth (5a) of the rack (5).
[0065] To complete the description of the new handle (M) in question, it should be noted that four cylindrical seats (60) arranged at 90° intervals and axially formed into the bulb (1 b) of the lever handle (1 ) end on the front of the circular front projection (1 b') of the bulb (1 b).
[0066] The cylindrical seats (60) are exactly interfaced with corresponding hemispherical cavities (61 ) provided on the surface of the case (2), all around the central hole (2a).
[0067] The four cavities (61 ) of the case (2) are suitable for selectively accommodating the same number of balls (62) depending on the rotations of the lever handle (1 ), whereas the cylindrical holes (1 1 ) provided on the bulb (1 b) accommodate the same number of cylindrical helical springs (63) suitable for permanently pushing the balls (62) in the direction of the hemispherical cavities (61 ) suitable for accommodating them from time to time.
[0068] Because of the thrust exerted on the balls (62) by the respective springs (63), the function of the balls (62) is to instantly determine and stabilize the position assumed from time to time by the lever handle (1 ) in relation to the case (2), following the rotations performed by said lever handle (1 ) to selectively bring the sash of the window frame to the opening, closing, turn and tilt opening position.
Claims
CLAIMS1. Handle for slashes of window frames, comprising:- a lever handle (1 ) to enable the opening and closing of the sash of the window frame; wherein said lever handle (1 ) comprises a hand grip (1 a) and a bulb (1 b) arranged at 90° relative to said hand grip (1 a) and centrally comprising an axial conduit (1 c) with square cross-section;- a parallelepiped case (2) with rectangular base developed in the direction of the height and suitable for being fixed to the upright of the sash of said window frame, so that the longitudinal axis x-x of said case (2) is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upright of the sash; wherein said case comprises a central hole (2a) suitable for being exactly aligned with said axial conduit (1 c) of the bulb (1 b) of the lever handle (1 ) during use;- a kinematic pair housed in said case (2) and comprising a sprocket (4) provided with teeth (4a) and a rack (5) provided with teeth (5a) suitable for meshing with said teeth (4a) of the sprocket (4), wherein said sprocket (4) is posteriorly provided with a square stem (40) suitable for passing through said central hole (2a) of the case (2) and engaging deeply into said axial conduit (1 c) of the bulb (1 b) of the lever handle (1 ), in such a way that the reverse rotations of said lever handle (1 ) are transmitted to said sprocket (4);- a plate (50) that protrudes in edgeways position from said rack (5) outside the case (2), configured to act as securing and operating means of sliding rods provided in the upright of said sash of the window frame to alternately cause its opening or closing;- a cover (20) for closing said case (2); handle (M) characterized by the fact that:- the rack (5) is side-mounted on a back side edge (51 ) that also acts as support means of said plate (50); wherein said side edge (51 ) has a greater width than the height of said teeth (5a) of the rack (5) and comprises a first horizontal tab (51 a) provided at its upper transverse edge, and a second horizontal tab (51 b) provided at its lower transverse edge, such that a longitudinal seat (S) is formed in said side edge (51 ), extending between thetwo tabs (51 a, 51 b) and anteriorly relative to the heads of the teeth (5a) of the rack (5);- the sprocket (4) supports a claw (42) in projecting position abutting the teeth (4a), said claw (42) extending between a first end (42a) and a second end (42b) and having a profile (420) conforming to the head circumference of said teeth (4a); wherein said claw (42) is configured as an arc of circumference and has a chord (C) having a lower length than the distance (D) between said tabs (51 a, 51 b) of the plate (43), in such a way that, when the teeth (4a) of said sprocket (4) mesh with the teeth (5a) of the rack (5), said claw (42) is exactly engaged in said seat (S) provided on the side edge (51 ) that supports the rack (5).
2. The handle according to claim 1 , wherein:- said handle (M) comprises a cover plate (3) suitable for frontally covering said case (2); wherein said cover plate (3) comprises a central circular hole (3a);- said bulb (1 b) of said handle (M) frontally comprises a circular front projection (1 b') suitable for being revolvingly inserted into said central hole (3a) of the cover plate (3).
3. The handle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said sprocket (4) comprises said teeth (4a) suitable for meshing with said teeth (5a) of the rack (5) in correspondence with only one section of its perimeter border.
4. The handle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said teeth (5a) of the rack (5) are three in number and said teeth (4a) of the sprocket (4) are two in number.
5. The handle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said claw (42) consists in the end of a shaped appendage (43a) of a plate (43) mounted at the outer surface of the sprocket (4).
6. The handle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein:- four cylindrical seats (60) end on the front of said bulb (1 b) of the lever handle (1 ), said cylindrical seats (60) being arranged at 90° intervals and axially formed in the bulb (1 b);- four hemispherical cavities are provided on the surface of said case (2), said hemispherical cavities (61 ) being suitable for being exactly interfaced with said cylindrical seats (60) provided on the bulb (1 b) of the lever handle (1 );- said cylindrical seats (60) accommodate respective cylindrical helical springs (63) suitable for energetically interfering with respective balls (62) arranged in said hemispherical cavities (61 ) of the case (2).