SLIDING DOOR OR SLIDING WINDOW

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a sliding door or window.

[0002] In particular, the sliding door or window according to the invention is of the type having at least two sashes of which one is a fixed sash and one is a movable sash, the sash being movable in two different trajectories, in both directions, for its opening and closing.Background art

[0003] The current types of slidable doors and windows are divided into: sash sliding along a single linear trajectory, in both directions, and along a plane parallel to the plane in which the fixed sash lies and the plane defined by the compartment engaged by the door or window; sash sliding along a first trajectory substantially transversal to the plane in which the fixed sash lies (during opening) and followed by a second trajectory parallel to the plane in which fixed sash lies in such a way as to determine an overlapping of the two sashes in an open configuration; the closing movement is opposite to the opening movement described above.

[0004] In the first case described above, the door or window has the fixed sash and the movable sash, when the door or window is closed and open, positioned offset on two opening planes engaged by the door or window. In the second case described above, which is of particular interest in this description, the door or window has the fixed sash and the movable sash on a single plane with the door or window closed, whilst the planes are doubled during the opening of the movable sash.

[0005] This second type of sliding door or window comprises: a load-bearing frame having two uprights, a lower crosspiece and an upper crosspiece to define a compartment; a sash fixed to the frame to engage at least a part of the compartment defined by the frame; a movable sash having lower and upper movement units associated with corresponding crosspieces of the movable sash and configured for moving the sash from a closed position of the door or window, wherein the movable sash is positioned coplanar with the fixed sash for closing the compartment, to an open position of the door or window in which the movable sash is alongside the fixed sash on a plane parallel to that of the fixed sash; at least one lower guide and a upper guide made, respectively, on the horizontal planes of the upper and lower crosspieces of the frame and engaged by the movement units of the movable sash; each guide comprises a first rectilinear section extending on the free portion of the crosspiece alongside the fixed sash and a second section, connected to the first section, transversal or connected in a curved fashion to the first section and ending coplanar with plane of the fixed sash on the portion of frame engaged by the movable sash.

[0006] The movement of the movable sash according to the invention thus has two separate trajectories: the first trajectory for moving away (disengagement) or towards (engagement) the zone of the compartment to be closed substantially transversal to the plane of the movable sash and a second trajectory substantially parallel to the plane.

[0007] Some prior art solutions of these doors and windows are shown in patent documents FR 3 011 266, WO 2012150819 and EP 3 327 233.

[0008] In these solutions the movement units comprise carriages at the bottom associated with the lower crosspiece and equipped with at least a ball which can rotate freely about itself.

[0009] Normally, there are two carriages to the ends of the lower crosspiece with a corresponding ball.

[0010] Each ball, in use, rests inside a corresponding above-mentioned guide which has a semi-circular cross section to form a hollow channel.

[0011] The use of a ball allows a regular sliding of the movable sash along the above-mentioned two trajectories without excessive impediments during the opening and closing of the movable sash.

[0012] The upper sliding units are, usually, protruding pins engaging the upper guides which make it possible to keep the vertical nature of the movable sash during both movement and when stationary (open and closed).

[0013] The use of a ball allows, as mentioned, a fluid and continuous movement of the movable sash, but this solution has certain drawbacks.

[0014] Currently, in effect, the carriage units with a ball are fixed rigidly to the movable sash before assembly of the sash itself on the frame already provided with lower and upper guides.

[0015] After the movable sash is mounted on the frame, and if the relative position between the balls and the corresponding guides does not coincide exactly, it is necessary to remove the sash several times until reaching a correct coupling between them, with a consequent slowness in the overall assembly of the door or window.

[0016] Moreover, the use over time of the guides with balls leads to wear, even if only minimal, on the two components which may result in a worsening of the sliding fluidity or even a slight movement of the position adopted during assembly of the guides or of the ball which, also in this case, reduces the sliding fluidity.Disclosure of the invention

[0017] The aim of the invention is to provide a sliding door or window which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0018] In particular, the aim of the invention is to provide a sliding door or window which can be mounted quickly and easily whilst keeping the characteristics of high fluidity of movement.

[0019] A further aim of the invention is to provide a sliding door or window which can be regulated in terms of the sliding components in a simple and effective manner even with the sash mounted in such a way as to always maintain the fluidity of movement.

[0020] Said aims are fully achieved by a sliding door or window according to the invention as characterised in the appended claims.Brief description of drawings

[0021] The main features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment, illustrated purely by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a sliding door or window according to the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged detail of Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 illustrate, respectively, a perspective view from above and a perspective view from below of a lower carriage applied to the door or window of the above-mentioned drawings; Figure 5 illustrates a side cross-section view of the carriage of Figures 3 and 4; Figures 6 and 7 illustrate perspective views, with some parts in cross section and others cut away to better illustrate some details, of the carriage of Figures 3 to 5 in two different operating configurations relating to adjustment devices. Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0022] With reference to the accompanying drawings, and with particular reference to Figure 1, the door or window according to the invention, labelled 100 in its entirety, is slidable.

[0023] The sliding door or window 100 comprises a load-bearing frame 1 having two uprights 2 (vertical), a lower crosspiece 3 and an upper crosspiece 4 (horizontal) to define an opening or compartment.

[0024] The door or window 100 comprises at least one sash 5 fixed to the frame 1 for engaging a part of the compartment defined by the frame 1.

[0025] The door or window 100 comprises at least one movable sash 6 having lower and upper movement units 7 associated with corresponding crosspieces 6a (horizontal) of the movable sash 6 and configured for moving the movable sash 6 from a closed position of the door or window 100 (Figure 1), wherein the movable sash 6 is positioned coplanar with the fixed sash 5 for closing the compartment, to an open position of the door or window 100 in which the movable sash 6 is alongside the fixed sash 5 on a plane parallel to that of the fixed sash 5 (position not illustrated here); The door or window 100 also comprises at least one lower guide 8 and a upper guide made, respectively, on the horizontal planes 3a and 4a of the upper and lower crosspieces 3, 4 of the frame 1 and engaged by the movement units 7 of the movable sash 6.

[0026] As illustrated, each upper and lower guide 8 comprises a first rectilinear section 8a extending on the free portion of the crosspiece 3a, 4a alongside the fixed sash 5 and a second section 8b transversally connected to the first section 8a and ending on the plane the fixed sash 5 lies on the portion of the crosspiece 3a, 4a engaged by the movable sash 6 in the closed position (see also Figure 2).

[0027] At least the lower movement unit 7 comprises one wheel with a spherical or ball shape 9.

[0028] As illustrated (Figures 3 to 7), the lower movement unit 7 comprises a first outer box-shaped body 10 configured to connect stably to the lower crosspiece 6a of the movable sash 6.

[0029] The lower movement unit 7 comprises the wheel with a spherical or ball shape 9 located in a housing 11 of the first box-shaped body 10 in such a way as to allow the free rotation about itself of the ball 9 and with a portion of the ball 9 protruding downwards to the first box-shaped body 10.

[0030] As illustrated, the lower movement unit 7 comprises a device 12 for adjusting the height position of the ball 9 positioned on the first box-shaped body 10 and acting on the ball 9 in such a way as to vary, along a vertical axis Z or parallel to the uprights 2 of the frame 1, the distance of the ball 9 relative to the lower crosspiece 6a of the movable sash 6.

[0031] In other words, the lower movement unit 7 may be adjusted in height through the modification of the position of the ball 9 (in contact with the guide 8) in such a way as to move the sash 6 towards or away from the guide 8 (for example, to improve the position or the alignment of the sash 6 relative to the frame 1).

[0032] Again as illustrated, the lower movement unit 7 comprises a device 24 for longitudinal adjustment of the ball 9, that is, along an axis X parallel to the lower crosspiece 6a of the movable sash 6, which is able to modify the position of the ball 9 relative to the upright 2 of the frame 1.

[0033] In other words, the lower movement unit 7 may be adjusted longitudinally through the modification of the position of the ball 9 (in contact with the guide 8) in such a way as to move the ball towards or away from the upright 2 of the frame 1 (for example, to correctly centre the position of the ball in the guide 8).

[0034] In the case illustrated, the wheel with a spherical or ball shape 9 is composed of a ball partly contained in a cylindrical cell 9a inside of which there can be groups of recirculation balls.

[0035] It should be noted that the lower guide 8 has a hollow cross-section with a semi-curved shape in such a way as to partly house, in use, a portion of the wheel with a spherical or ball shape 9.

[0036] It should be noted that the upper movement units can be of the same type as the lower movement units described above (and are therefore not described further).

[0037] In this case, the upper guides may also be structured in a similar way to the guides lower 8.

[0038] Alternatively, the upper movement units may comprise vertical guide pins housed in upper guides formed by grooves having the same path with two sections of the path as described above.

[0039] Preferably, there are at least two lower and upper movement units 8, each positioned close to the respective ends of the crosspieces 6a of the sash 6.

[0040] Preferably, the ball 9 is partly housed inside a second box-shaped body 13 interposed between the ball 1 and the seat 11 of the first box-shaped body 10.

[0041] It should be noted that the device 12 for adjusting the height position of the ball 9 comprises a movement unit 14 positioned on the first box-shaped body 10 and configured to impart a thrust to or reduce the contact with the second box-shaped body 13, when required, in such a way as to move the second box-shaped body 13 inside the first box-shaped body 10 along the vertical axis Z.

[0042] In light of this, the movement unit comprises a threaded shaft 14 housed (horizontally or longitudinally relative to the extension of the first box-shaped body 10) in a through seat 15 of the first box-shaped body 10.

[0043] It should be noted that the threaded shaft 14 is connected, at a first end, to a plug 16 (inside the first box-shaped body 10) having a inclined surface in stable contact (and frontal) with a inclined counter-surface made on a radial enlargement 17 of the second box-shaped body 13 in such a way as to allow the sliding, in both directions (and along the axis Z), of the second box-shaped body 13 inside the seat 11 of the first box-shaped body 10 by the action of the threaded shaft 14.

[0044] Preferably, the threaded shaft 14 has its second end accessible from the outside of the first box-shaped body 10 through a zone or opening 18 made on the first box-shaped body 10.

[0045] Moreover, the threaded shaft 14 is screwably coupled to a threaded nut 19 positioned inside the first box-shaped body 10 in such a way as to allow a correct and stable rotation of the threaded shaft 14 inside the through seat 15 of the first box-shaped body 10.

[0046] As illustrated, the second box-shaped body 13 has a unit 20 for stable connection with the first box-shaped body 10 comprising an appendage 21 protruding from the second box-shaped body 13 provided with a slot 22 engaged by a pin 23 integral with the first box-shaped body 10.

[0047] It should be noted that the slot 22 has an extension equal to the adjustment stroke which can be carried out by the second box-shaped body 13, in both directions, relative to the first box-shaped body 10.

[0048] This structure allows the second box-shaped body 13 to remain stably connected to the first the box-shaped body 10, to keep a correct vertical alignment relative to the first box-shaped body 10 and also act as an end of stroke element between the two limit positions which can be reached by the ball 9.

[0049] As mentioned above, the lower movement unit 7 also comprises a device 24 for the longitudinal adjustment of the ball 9.

[0050] In light of this, the first box-shaped body 10 is divided into a first part 10a fixed to the lower crosspiece 6a of the movable sash 6 and a second part 10b slidably associated with the lower crosspiece 6a of the movable sash 6. It should be noted that the ball 9 is housed on the second part 10b of the first box-shaped body.

[0051] Preferably, the device 24 for longitudinal adjustment comprises a threaded screw 25 housed in a first through hole 26 formed internally on the first fixed part 10a of the first box-shaped body 10.

[0052] The device 24 comprises a second blind threaded hole 27, made on a contact body 28 positioned in the second movable part 10b of the first box-shaped body 10 in such a way as to allow a sliding along the axis X parallel to the lower crosspiece 6a of the movable sash 6, in both directions, of the second part 10b of the first box-shaped body 10 housing the ball 9 and through the rotation of the threaded screw 25.

[0053] It should be noted that the threaded screw 25 is positioned above the threaded shaft 14 for the adjustment in height of the ball 9 and parallel to it in such a way as to allow the corresponding necessary adjustment by a single zone of the first box-shaped body 10.

[0054] In light of this, the threaded screw 25 has its free end accessible from the outside of the first fixed part 10a of the first box-shaped body 10 through an opening 33 formed on the first fixed part 10a.

[0055] Preferably, the first box-shaped body 10 has a unit 29 for stable connection between the first fixed part 10a and the second movable part 10b.

[0056] The unit 29 for stable connection comprises an appendage 30 made on an outer surface of the first fixed part 10a equipped with a slot 31 engaged by a pin 32 integral with the second movable part 10b.

[0057] The slot 31 has an extension equal to the adjustment stroke which can be carried out by the second movable part 10b, in both directions, relative to the first fixed part 10a.

[0058] Thanks to this structure of the movement unit, the door or window according to the invention fully achieves the preset aims.

[0059] Each lower movement unit has a reduced size and is provided with two adjustment systems which can be accessed from the outside and with a sash mounted.

[0060] The double adjustment of the units with a ball allows, in a fast and precise fashion, a correction of the position of the sash or of the ball relative to the guides or to the frame both in height and horizontally.

[0061] The presence of this adjustment system also makes it possible to resolve and problems due to wear over time both of the ball and of the guides.

Claims

1. A sliding door or window comprising: - a load-bearing frame (1) having two uprights (2), a lower crosspiece (3) and an upper crosspiece (4) to define an opening or compartment; - at least one sash (5) fixed to the frame (1) for engaging a part of the compartment defined by the frame (1); - at least one movable sash (6) having lower and upper movement units (7) associated with corresponding crosspieces (6a) of the movable sash (6) and configured for moving the movable sash (6) from a closed position of the door or window (100), wherein the movable sash (6) is positioned coplanar with the fixed sash (5) for closing the compartment, to an open position of the door or window (100) in which the movable sash (6) is alongside the fixed sash (5) on a plane parallel to that of the fixed sash (5); - at least one lower guide (8) and a upper guide made, respectively, on the horizontal planes (3a, 4a) of the upper and lower crosspieces (3, 4) of the frame (1) and engaged by the movement units (7) of the movable sash (6); each upper and lower guide (8) comprising a first rectilinear section (8a) extending on the free portion of the crosspiece (3a, 4a) alongside the fixed sash (5) and a second section (8b) transversally connected to the first section (8a) and ending on the plane the fixed sash (5) lies on the portion of the crosspiece (3a, 4a) engaged by the movable sash (6) in the closed position; - the lower movement unit (7) comprising: - at least one wheel with a spherical or ball shape (9); - a first outer box-shaped body (10) configured to connect stably to the lower crosspiece (6a) of the movable sash (6); - the wheel with a spherical or ball shape (9) located in a housing (11) of the first box-shaped body (10) in such a way as to allow the free rotation about itself of the ball (9) and with a portion of the ball (9) protruding downwards to the first box-shaped body (10); characterised in that it comprises: - the first box-shaped body (10) divided into a first part (10a) fixed to the lower crosspiece (6a) of the movable sash (6) and a second part (10b) slidably associated with the lower crosspiece (6a) of the movable sash (6); the ball (9) being housed on the second part (10b) - a device (24) for longitudinal adjustment of the ball (9), that is, along an axis (X) parallel to the lower crosspiece (6a) of the movable sash (6), which is able to modify the position of the ball (9) relative to the upright (2) of the frame (1) and wherein the device (24) for longitudinal adjustment comprises a threaded screw (25) housed in a first through hole (26) formed internally on the first fixed part (10a) of the first box-shaped body (10) and in a second blind threaded hole (27), made on a contact body (28) positioned in the second part (10b) of the first box-shaped body (10) in such a way as to allow a sliding along the axis (X) parallel to the lower crosspiece (6a) of the movable sash (6), in both directions, of the second part (10b) of the first box-shaped body (10) housing the ball (9) and through the rotation of the threaded screw (25).

2. The door or window according to claim 1 , wherein the first box-shaped body (10) has a unit (29) for stable connection between the first fixed part (10a) and the second movable part (10b); the unit (29) for stable connection comprising an appendage (30) made on an outer surface of the first fixed part (10a) equipped with a slot (31) engaged by a pin (32) integral with the second movable part (10b); the slot (31) having an extension equal to the adjustment stroke which can be carried out by the second movable part (10b), in both directions, relative to the first fixed part (10a).

3. The door or window according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the threaded screw (25) has its free end accessible from the outside of the first fixed part (10a) of the first box-shaped body (10) through an opening (33) formed on the first fixed part (10a).

4. The door or window according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ball (9) is partly housed inside a second box-shaped body (13) interposed between the ball (9) and the seat (11) of the first box-shaped body (10) and wherein the lower movement unit (7) comprising a device (12) for adjusting the height position of the ball (9) positioned on the first box-shaped body (10) and acting on the ball (9) in such a way as to vary, along a vertical axis (Z) or parallel to the uprights (2) of the frame (1), the distance of the ball (9) relative to the lower crosspiece (6a) of the movable sash (6), and wherein the device (12) for adjusting the height position of the ball (9) comprises a movement unit (14) positioned on the first box-shaped body (10) and configured to impart a thrust to or reduce the contact with the second box-shaped body (13), when required, in such a way as to move the second box-shaped body (13) inside the first box-shaped body (10) along the vertical axis (Z); the movement unit comprising a threaded shaft (14) housed in a through seat (15) of the first box-shaped body (10); the threaded shaft (14) being connected, at a first end, to a plug (16) having a inclined surface in stable contact with a inclined counter-surface made on a radial enlargement (17) of the second box-shaped body (13) in such a way as to allow the sliding, in both directions, of the second box-shaped body (13) inside the seat (11) of the first box-shaped body (10) by the action of the threaded shaft (14).

5. The door or window according to claim 4, wherein the threaded shaft (14) has its second end accessible from the outside of the first box-shaped body (10) through a zone or opening (18) made on the first box-shaped body (10).

6. The door or window according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the threaded shaft (14) is screwably coupled to a threaded nut (19) positioned inside the first box-shaped body (10) in such a way as to allow a correct and stable rotation of the threaded shaft (14) inside the through seat (15) of the first box-shaped body (10).

7. The door or window according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the second box-shaped body (13) has a unit (20) for stable connection with the first box-shaped body (10) comprising an appendage (21) protruding from the second box-shaped body (13) provided with a slot (22) engaged by a pin (23) integral with the first box-shaped body (10).