Automatic drop seal

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic drop seal for sealing a gap between a door or window sash and a counter surface, comprising a retaining means (1), a slider (2), a sealing strip (31, 4) having a sealing element (4), and at least two pivot arms (32), wherein the retaining means (1) can be attached, in particular, to a door or window sash, wherein the sealing strip (31, 4) can be displaced transversely to its longitudinal direction between a release position in which the sealing element (4) is removed from a counter surface and a sealing position in which the sealing element (4) rests against the counter surface, wherein the pivot arms (32) are pivotably mounted on the sealing strip (31), and wherein the pivot arms (32) are arranged such that they are pivoted from a first position to a second position by a movement, thereby moving the sealing strip (31,4) is moved from the release position to the sealing position, and when the sealing strip (31, 4) is moved from the sealing position to the release position, it is pivoted from the second position to the first position, and - wherein the slide (2), the sealing strip (31, 4) and the pivot arms (32) form a parallel link, - wherein the seal has a return spring (5), - wherein the return spring (5) is arranged such that it is tensioned when the sealing strip (31, 4) is moved into the sealing position and is relaxed when the slide (2) is relieved of the external force, - wherein thereby the sealing strip (31, 4) is moved from the sealing position to the release position and the pivot arms (32) are pivoted from the second, pivoted-out position to the first, pivoted-in position, - wherein the seal has a slide (2), - wherein the slide (2) is linearly displaceable in its longitudinal direction in the retaining means (1),- wherein, to move the sealing strip (31, 4) from the release position to the sealing position, an external force directed in a first direction can be introduced into the slide (2), which is transmitted at least partially to the sealing strip (31, 4) via the pivot arms (32), and - wherein, by moving the sealing strip (31, 4) from the sealing position to the release position, the slide (2) is moved in the opposite direction to the first direction.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic drop-down seal for sealing a gap between a door leaf or window leaf and a counter surface with a holding means, with a sealing strip which has a sealing element and with at least two pivot arms, wherein the holding means can be fastened in particular to a door leaf or a window leaf, wherein the sealing strip can be displaced transversely to its longitudinal direction between a release position in which the sealing element is away from a counter surface and a sealing position in which the sealing element bears against the counter surface, wherein the pivot arms are pivotally mounted on the sealing strip, wherein the pivot arms are arranged such that they are pivoted by a movement from a first position into a second position, whereby the sealing strip is displaced from the release position into the sealing position, and are pivoted from the second position into the first position when the sealing strip is moved from the sealing position into the release position, and wherein the slider, the sealing strip and the pivot arms form a parallel link.

[0002] Various automatic door seals with different mechanisms are known from the prior art, with which the movement of a seal trigger can be converted into a movement of the sealing strip from the release position to the sealing position. They are also described in a large number of applications. Application EP 21 201 61.6.6 describes a simply constructed and easy-to-install seal which has pivoting arms. The focus in the development of the seal known from application EP 21 201 61.6.6 was on reducing the number of parts from which the seal is constructed. Starting from the seal from application EP 21 201 61.6.6 The object of the present invention was to create a further seal which is of simple construction and whose individual parts are easy to manufacture and assemble and in which the sealing strip can also be reliably transferred from the sealing position to the release position. A further example can be found in EP 3524765, which describes an automatic drop-down seal for sealing a gap between a door leaf or window leaf and a mating surface, having a holding means, a slider with a sealing strip which has a sealing element, and at least two pivot arms. The sealing strip can be moved transversely to its longitudinal direction between a release position, in which the sealing element is away from a mating surface, and a sealing position in which the sealing element rests against the mating surface.The pivot arms are arranged in such a way that they can be pivoted from a first position to a second position, thereby moving the sealing strip from the release position to the sealing position. Conversely, when the pivot arms are moved from a second position to a first position, the sealing strip is pivoted from the sealing position to the release position.

[0003] This object is achieved according to the invention by that the seal has a return spring, wherein the return spring is arranged such that it is tensioned when the sealing strip is moved into the sealing position and is relaxed when the slide is relieved of the external force, wherein the sealing strip is thereby moved from the sealing position into the release position and the pivot arms are moved from the second position into the first position that the seal has a slide, wherein the slide is linearly displaceable in its longitudinal direction in the holding means, wherein in order to move the sealing strip from the release position into the sealing position an external force directed in a first direction can be introduced into the slide, which is transmitted at least in part via the pivot arms to the sealing strip, and wherein by moving the sealing strip from the sealing position into the release position the slide is moved opposite to the first direction.

[0004] In contrast to the seal from application EP 21 201 61.6.6, the seal according to the invention is constructed from several parts. In contrast to the known seal, it has in particular at least one return spring, which ensures that the sealing strip moves from the sealing position into the release position when the force that caused the sealing strip to move from the release position into the sealing position is removed from the slide. This at least one return spring is a separate part of the seal. The seal also has the slide. The force for moving the sealing strip from the release position into the sealing position is introduced into this slide. This force, or part of this force, is transmitted to the sealing strip via the pivot arms. The pivot arms convert the movement of the slide in the first direction into a movement of the sealing strip transverse to the first direction.The sealing strip essentially or exclusively performs this movement transversely to the first direction. The seal from application EP 21 201 61.6.6 does not have such a slider. In the known seal, the force for moving the sealing strip from the release position to the sealing position is introduced directly into the sealing strip.

[0005] Unlike many other known automatic seals, the pivot arms of a seal according to the invention are not elements of a scissor mechanism or the like.

[0006] The pivot arms, on the one hand, and the sealing strip or a retaining strip of the sealing strip, on the other, can be formed from a single piece. The connection between the pivot arms and the sealing strip or retaining strip can be designed so that the pivot arms can be pivoted relative to the sealing strip.

[0007] It is also possible for the pivot arms and the sealing strip or a retaining strip of the sealing strip to be formed from at least two pieces which are connected to each other via a hinge.

[0008] The slide of a seal according to the invention can have recesses on a side facing the sealing strip. First ends of the pivot arms, which are not connected to the sealing strip, can engage in these recesses in their first position and in their second position. The first ends of the pivot arms can be moved in the recesses when the pivot arms change from the first to the second position and vice versa. The recesses can form bearing shells for the first ends of the pivot arms, in which the first ends of the pivot arms are rotatably mounted.

[0009] It is also possible that the first ends of the swivel arms are rotatably mounted on the slider via a pivot bearing and are connected to it.

[0010] A seal according to the invention may have a trigger that is connected to the slide or that is an integral part of the slide.

[0011] In addition, the seal can have guide elements that guide the movement of the sealing strip from the first release position to the sealing position and vice versa and prevent displacement of the sealing strip in the first direction or counter to the first direction. These guide elements can be attached to the retaining means or be part of the retaining means. Such guide elements can prevent displacement of the seal in the first direction or counter to the first direction when the sealing strip moves into the sealing position or into the release position.

[0012] The return spring of a seal according to the invention can be a spiral spring having two ends that are attached to or supported by the retaining means. Furthermore, the spring can have a central region between the ends, which can be attached to or supported by the sealing strip. A straight line between the two ends is closer to the central region in the sealing position of the sealing strip than in the release position of the sealing strip. To tension the spiral spring, it is therefore compressed.

[0013] The retaining means of a seal according to the invention can be substantially U-shaped in cross-section and comprise a web and adjoining legs. The retaining means can form a seal housing. At least one of the legs, in particular a free end of the leg, has inwardly projecting elements to which the ends of the bending fields are attached or supported.

[0014] At least one outwardly projecting element can be provided on the sealing strip of a seal according to the invention, to which the central region of the spiral spring is fastened or supported.

[0015] In a seal according to the invention, it is possible for the piece forming the sealing strip, the retaining strip, and the pivot arms, or the piece forming the sealing strip and the pivot arms, to be a multi-component injection-molded part. The sealing element of the sealing strip can then be made of a softer material than, for example, the retaining strip or the pivot arms. Elements, or the elements of the sealing strip, to which the spiral spring is attached or supported can also be made of a harder and, in particular, stiffer material than the sealing element.

[0016] An advantage of many of the individual parts, in particular the piece forming the retaining strip and the pivot arms, the sealing profile and the holding means, but also the spiral spring of the seal according to the invention, is that they can be manufactured to very great lengths. Before assembly, these individual parts can be cut to the lengths required for a desired seal according to the invention. These individual parts can then be assembled to form the seal according to the invention with the desired length. However, with the solution according to the invention, it is also possible to produce a seal according to the invention of very great length, for example several meters. Pieces can then be cut off from this very long seal using simple means, which then likewise form seals according to the invention.Depending on where the bending spring or the swivel arms are cut, it may be useful or necessary to remove remnants of the bending springs or swivel arms from the cut-off smaller seal or the remaining larger (residual) seal.

[0017] Further features and advantages of a seal according to the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are used for identical or similar parts and for parts with identical or similar functions. They show: Fig. 1a perspective view of the seal according to the invention with the sealing strip in a release position, Fig. 1a a perspective view of the seal according to the invention with the sealing strip in a sealing position, Fig. 2a a front view of the seal with the sealing strip in the release position, Fig. 2a a front view of the seal with the sealing strip in the sealing position, Fig. 3 an exploded view of the seal according to the invention, Fig. 4 a section through the seal according to the line IV-IV in Fig. 2 , Fig. 4a a section through the seal according to the line IVa-IVa in Fig. 2a , Fig. 5 a section through the seal according to the line VV in Fig. 2 , Fig. 5a a section through the seal along the line Va-Va in Fig. 2a and Fig. 6 a view of the retaining bar and the swivel arms.

[0018] It is not necessary for a seal according to the invention to have all of the features described below. It is also possible for a seal according to the invention to have only individual features of the exemplary embodiments described below.

[0019] The seal shown in the figures has a retaining element 1 with a U-shaped cross-section. The retaining element 1 forms a housing for the seal and serves to attach the seal, for example, to a door leaf or window sash. The attachment can be achieved with screws, with screws and mounting brackets, or by any other method known or suitable to a person skilled in the art.

[0020] The holding means, which is U-shaped in cross section, has a web 11, hereinafter referred to as connecting web 11, and legs 12 adjoining the connecting web 11. Inwardly projecting first webs 13 are adjoining the ends of the legs 12, and inwardly projecting second webs 14 are provided on the inside of the web.

[0021] The seal has a slider 2, which is arranged between the second webs 14 so as to be displaceable in a first direction in its longitudinal direction and is guided by the second webs 14. In a first position, one end of the slider protrudes beyond the side of the holding means 1. By a force acting in a first direction on the end of the slider 2 protruding from the holding means 1, the slider can be displaced into a second position in which the initially protruding end of the slider 2 is essentially flush with the end of the holding means 2. The slider has wedge-shaped recesses 21 on a side facing away from the connecting web 11. The slider otherwise has a rectangular cross-section.

[0022] As a further part, the seal has a sealing strip, which has a retaining strip 31 and a sealing element 4. Pivoting arms 32 are formed on the retaining strip 31, and the retaining strip 31 and the pivoting arms 32 form part 3.

[0023] The retaining strip 31 has a substantially trough-like cross-section, and the sealing element 4 is attached, preferably glued, to its side facing away from the retaining means 1 and the slider 2. The pivot arms 32 are attached to the side facing the retaining means 1 and the slider 2. The connection between the pivot arms 32 and the retaining strip 31 is flexible, allowing the pivoting of the pivot arms 32.

[0024] Adjacent to the connection between the pivot arms 32 and the retaining strip 31, a recess is provided in each retaining strip 31. The seal can be designed such that when the pivot arms 32 pivot, parts of the pivot arms engage in these recesses.

[0025] The sealing strip 31, 4 cannot be moved in its longitudinal direction.

[0026] The sealing element 4 is also substantially U-shaped in cross-section and has a connecting web 41 connecting two legs 42, which adjoin the ends of the connecting web 41. The outer sides of the legs are spaced apart by a distance slightly smaller than the clear width between the first webs 13 of the holding means 1, which are provided at the ends of the legs 12.

[0027] Outwardly projecting third webs 43 adjoin the free ends of the legs 42. The ends of these third webs 43 are spaced apart by a distance greater than the clear width between the first webs 13 of the holding means 1, which are provided at the ends of the legs 12. At the same time, however, the distance is smaller than the clear width between the inner sides of the legs 12 of the holding means 1.

[0028] The sealing element 4, the entire sealing strip 31, 4, the pivot arms 32, the slider 2, and the holding means 1 are arranged relative to one another such that the third web 43 is located between the first webs 13 and the connecting web 11 of the holding means 1. This limits movement between the holding means 1 and the sealing element 4 transversely to their longitudinal direction.

[0029] The illustrated seal has two return springs 5. These springs are spiral springs, each made of a single wire that is bent in a V shape and has two legs 51. Regions at the free ends 511 of the legs are angled relative to the other legs and lie on a straight line. A central region 52, located between the legs 51, is also angled and lies on a straight line parallel to the straight line on which the regions at the free ends 511 of the spiral springs 5 ​​lie. The spiral springs 5 ​​can be compressed by exerting a force on the free ends 511 and the central region 52, bringing the two straight lines closer together.

[0030] The bending springs 5 ​​are installed on both sides of the sealing element 4 between the legs of the sealing element 4 and the legs of the holding means 1. They are supported with their free ends 511 on the side of the first webs 13 of the holding means 1 facing the connecting web 11 and with their central region 52 on the side of the third webs 43 of the sealing element 4 facing away from the connecting web 11 of the holding means.

[0031] In the illustrated seal according to the invention, the ends of the pivot arms 32 not connected to the retaining strip 31 engage in the wedge-shaped recesses in the slide 2. These ends can be pivoted in the recesses. The slide 2, the pivot arms 32, and the retaining strip 31 form a parallel link.

[0032] If the slide 2 is moved in its longitudinal direction, also referred to as the first direction, from its first position to its second position due to an external force acting on the slide, the ends of the pivot arms 32 arranged in the recesses are taken along. Since the retaining strip 31 is not moved in the first direction at the same time, the pivot arms 32 pivot relative to the slide 2 and the retaining strip 31, and the pivot arms are pivoted out. This causes a movement between the slide 2 and the retaining strip 31, which increases the distance between the two. The longitudinal movement of the slide 2 is thus converted into a transverse movement of the retaining strip 31 relative to the slide 2. The sealing strip 31, 4 is moved from its release position to its sealing position. The return springs 5 ​​are compressed and tensioned.

[0033] If the external force is now removed from the slide 2, the bending springs 5 ​​can relax. In doing so, they push the sealing strip 31, 4 back into the release position, and the pivot arms 32 are pivoted in again, and the slide 2 is moved back into its original position.

Claims

1. Automatic drop-down seal for sealing a gap between a door leaf or window casement and a mating surface, with a retaining means (1), a slider (2), a sealing strip (31, 4), which has a sealing element (4), and at least two pivoting arms (32), - wherein the retaining means (1) can be secured in particular to a door casement or a window casement, - wherein the sealing strip (31, 4) can be displaced transversely to its longitudinal direction between a release position, in which the sealing element (4) is removed from a mating surface, and a sealing position, in which the sealing element (4) bears against the mating surface, - wherein the pivoting arms (32) are pivotably mounted on the sealing strip (31), - wherein the pivoting arms (32) are arranged such that they are pivoted by a movement from a first position to a second position, whereby the sealing strip (31, 4) is displaced from the release position into the sealing position, and are pivoted from the second position into the first position when the sealing strip (31, 4) is moved from the sealing position into the release position, and - wherein the slider (2), the sealing strip (31, 4) and the pivoting arms (32) form a parallel guide rod, characterized in - that the seal has a return spring (5), - wherein the return spring (5) is arranged such that it is tensioned when the sealing strip (31, 4) is moved into the sealing position and is released when the external force is removed from the slider (2), - wherein the sealing strip (31, 4) is thereby moved from the sealing position into the release position and the pivoting arms (32) are pivoted from the second, pivoted-out position into the first, pivoted-in position, - that the seal has a slider (2), - wherein the slider (2) is linearly displaceable in its longitudinal direction in the retaining means (1), - wherein, in order to displace the sealing strip (31, 4) from the release position into the sealing position, an external force directed in a first direction can be introduced into the slider (2), which force is transmitted at least in part to the sealing strip (31, 4) via the pivoting arms (32), and - wherein the displacement of the sealing strip (31, 4) from the sealing position into the release position moves the slider (2) against the first direction.

2. Seal according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivoting arms (32) and the sealing strip (31, 4) or the pivoting arms (32) and a retaining strip (31) of the sealing strip (31, 4) are formed in one piece.

3. Seal according to claim 2, characterized in that the pivoting arms (31) and the sealing strip (31, 4) or the pivoting arms (31) and a retaining strip (31) of the sealing strip (31, 4) are formed from at least two pieces which are connected to one another via a hinge.

4. Seal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the slider (2) has recesses on a side facing the sealing strip (31, 4), in which recesses first ends of the pivoting arms (32) not connected to the sealing strip (31, 4) engage in their first position and in their second position and in which the first ends are moved when the pivoting arms (32) are changed from the first to the second position and vice versa.

5. Seal according to claim 4, characterized in that the recesses form bearing shells for the first ends of the pivoting arms (32), in which the first ends of the pivoting arms (32) are rotatably mounted.

6. Seal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first ends of the pivoting arms (32) are rotatably mounted on the slider (2) via a pivot bearing.

7. Seal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a trigger forms an integral part of the slider (2).

8. Seal according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the seal has guide elements which guide the movement of the sealing strip (31, 4) from the first release position into the sealing position and vice versa and prevent displacement of the sealing strip (31, 4) in the first direction or opposite the first direction.

9. Seal according to claim 8, characterized in that the guide elements are secured to the retaining means (1) or are parts of the retaining means (1).

10. Seal according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the return spring (5) is a bending spring which has two ends (511) which are secured or supported on the retaining means (1) and which has a central region (52) between the ends which is secured or supported on the sealing strip (31, 4), wherein a straight line between the two ends is closer to the central region (52) in the sealing position of the sealing strip (31, 4) than in the release position of the sealing strip (31, 4).

11. Seal according to claim 10, characterized in that the retaining means (1) is essentially U-shaped in cross-section and has a web (11) and adjoining limbs (12), wherein inwardly projecting elements (13) are provided on at least one of the limbs (12), in particular on a free end of the limb, on which elements the ends (511) of the bending spring (5) are secured or supported.

12. Seal according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the sealing strip (31, 4) has at least one outwardly projecting element (43) on which the middle region (52) of the bending spring (5) is secured or supported.

13. Seal according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the sealing strip (31, 4), the piece (3) forming the retaining strip (31) and the pivoting arms (32) or the piece forming the sealing strip (31, 4) and the pivoting arms (32) is a multi-component injection-moulded part.

14. Use of a first automatic seal according to any one of claims 1 to 13 with a first length for producing a second seal according to any one of claims 1 to 13 with a second length, wherein the second length is shorter than the first length, characterized in that a piece with the second length is cut off from the first seal to form the second seal.

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