Striker for locks

Abstract

A striker (10) for locks, comprising a receiving body (20) having a cavity (20") formed on a front face (20a) adapted to receive a closure member along an insertion direction (Z), and a lateral surface (20b); a retaining element (30) positioned in a seat (22) of said receiving body (20) and movable between an extracted position, corresponding to an engagement configuration in which said striker (10) is secured in a seat of a frame, and a retracted position, corresponding to a release configuration in which said striker (10) is extractable from said seat. Wherein the striker (10) further comprises an adjustment member (50) insertable into said receiving body (20) and operatively associated with said retaining element (30); said adjustment member (50) being configured to be actuatable from inside the cavity (20") along a direction transverse to said insertion direction (Z), so that said retaining element (30) is activated along a direction of movement (Y) transverse to said insertion direction (Z).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a striker for locks.

[0002] In more detail, the striker according to the invention falls within the technical field of the production and marketing of strikers, in particular magnetic type strikers, for locks intended for closing fixtures, such as doors and windows, made of a variety of materials, e.g., aluminium, aluminium-wood, wood and PVC.

[0003] The striker according to the invention finds particular and advantageous use when installed on hollow-type frame profiles, such as frames made of an aluminium alloy.PRIOR ART

[0004] The use of strikers is known in the technical reference field for making locks intended for closing and / or opening fixtures, in particular doors and windows, installed in many types of buildings, such as offices, hotels, commercial shops, houses, flats and still others.

[0005] The strikers of known type for locks typically comprise a body insertable into a housing seat previously obtained on a fixture, in particular on the frame profile of a door or window.

[0006] The body typically comprises multiple openings, in particular holes, adapted to receive fixing means, in particular threaded, such as screws or the like, for fixing the striker to the profile of the frame.

[0007] The body further comprises a plurality of compartments, adapted to receive opening / closing members, in particular a member called a latch in the technical jargon of the field (e.g., of the magnetic or mechanical type), and sliders movable by the aforesaid fixing means to secure the striker in the seat of the frame.

[0008] It is clear that the strikers for locks such as those briefly described above have in practice proved to include drawbacks.

[0009] The main drawback lies in the fact that the strikers of known type for locks are difficult to assemble and disassemble from a seat of a door or window frame, e.g., in order to carry out maintenance and / or adjustment and / or inspection operations of the door or window itself. In fact, during the aforesaid operations, in particular if carried out by unspecialised personnel, such fixing means and the movable sliders risk falling inside the hollow profile of the frame, without the possibility of recovering them.

[0010] A further drawback lies in the fact that the strikers of known type for locks are aesthetically unattractive. In fact, such strikers have fixing means (i.e., screws or the like) visible to an operator, in particular such fixing means are disposed, in use, at the front face of the striker itself. This makes the door or window as a whole aesthetically unattractive. Therefore, the strikers of known type require covering elements intended to cover the aforesaid fixing means. This leads to an increase in the number of components required to complete the striker and thus greater construction and logistical complexity.

[0011] Documents WO 2011 / 030291 A1, EP 2 878 748 B1 and EP 2 248 968 B1 disclose examples of strikers for locks.OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The technical task of the present invention is to propose a striker for locks which allows to overcome, at least in part, the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0013] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a striker for locks which is simple and reliable to assemble and disassemble on a frame profile of a door or window, even by a non-specialist operator.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a striker for locks particularly suitable for frames with a hollow profile, such as aluminium alloy frames.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to propose a striker for locks capable of allowing a reliable installation while allowing aesthetic effects to be achieved.

[0016] All of the objects, either singly or in any combination thereof, and others which will result from the following description are achieved, according to the invention, by a striker for locks having the characteristics indicated in claim 1.

[0017] The dependent claims outline particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention is hereinafter further described in some of the preferred embodiments thereof, given for purely exemplary and non-limiting purposes with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 shows, according to a perspective view, a striker for locks according to an embodiment of the invention; figure 2 shows, according to a longitudinal sectional view, the striker for locks illustrated in figure 1; figure 3 shows, according to a frontal view, the striker for locks illustrated in figure 1; figure 4 shows, according to an exploded view, the striker for locks illustrated in figure 1.

[0019] With reference to the figures, they serve solely to illustrate embodiments of the invention with the aim of better clarifying, in combination with the description, the inventive principles on which the invention is based.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] With reference to the attached drawings, a striker for locks has been indicated overall with the number 10.

[0021] The striker 10 according to the invention finds particular application in the technical field of manufacturing and marketing locks, in particular of the magnetic type, intended to be mounted in a profile, in particular internally hollow, of a door or window frame. More specifically, such a profile is in particular made of an aluminium alloy, e.g., by means of an extrusion or drawing process or the like.

[0022] However, the striker according to the invention can also be used on profiles made of wood or PVC, without thereby falling outside the scope of protection.

[0023] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in figure 1, the striker 10 for locks comprises a receiving body 20.

[0024] In particular, the receiving body 20 extends along a longitudinal extension direction, between a first end 21a and a second end 21b.

[0025] According to an aspect of the invention, the receiving body 20 has a cavity 20" formed on a front face 20a adapted to receive a closure member, commonly referred to as a "latch" in the technical jargon of the field and preferably of the magnetic type (not illustrated in the attached figures), along an insertion direction Z. The receiving body 20 also has a lateral surface 20b.

[0026] As illustrated in figure 1, the cavity 20" is defined by two lateral walls disposed facing each other and extending substantially parallel to the extension direction of the body 20, and by two head walls facing each other and extending substantially orthogonal to the two lateral walls. In particular, the two lateral walls and the two head walls are connected to each other.

[0027] The cavity 20" is also defined by a bottom wall 29a (introduced and described in more detail below) mechanically connected to the two lateral walls and to the two head walls.

[0028] The striker 10 further comprises a retaining element 30 positioned in a seat 22 of the receiving body 20.

[0029] According to an aspect of the invention, the seat 22 is preferably obtained at the first end 20a or preferably at the second end 20b of the receiving body 20.

[0030] According to an aspect of the invention, the seat 22 has a substantially compartmentalised, i.e., substantially partially closed, shape. That is, as illustrated in figure 4, the seat 22 essentially defines a guiding corridor which delimits, at least partially, the direction along which the retaining element 30 can move.

[0031] Is illustrated in figure 4, the retaining element 30 is movable between an extracted position, corresponding to an engagement configuration in which the striker 10 is secured in a seat of a frame (not illustrated in the attached figures), and a retracted position, corresponding to a release configuration in which the striker 10 is extractable from the seat itself.

[0032] According to an aspect of the invention, the retaining element 30 comprises at least one slider slidably disposed in the seat 22 of the receiving body 20, and movable between the engagement configuration and the release configuration along a direction of movement Y that is transverse, preferably orthogonal, to the insertion direction Z.

[0033] As illustrated in the attached figures, the receiving body 20 extends along a longitudinal extension direction that is substantially parallel to the direction of movement Y.

[0034] In addition, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the cavity 20" and the seat 22 of the receiving body 20 are disposed substantially aligned with each other, in particular they are intercepted by the direction of movement Y at the respective centreline.

[0035] In accordance with the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the retaining element 30 preferably comprises two sliders, in particular a first slider and a second slider.

[0036] According to an aspect of the invention, the first slider is preferably substantially the same as the second slider. Advantageously, the first slider and second the slider are interchangeable in the respective locations 22.

[0037] In more detail, each slider is slidingly disposed in a respective seat 22 obtained in the receiving body 20 and movable between the engagement configuration and the release configuration along a respective direction of movement Y that is transverse, preferably orthogonal, to the insertion direction Z. In particular, the sliders are disposed on opposite sides of the receiving body 20 relative to the cavity 20".

[0038] That is, a first slider is insertable into a seat 22 disposed at the first end 21a, and a second slider is insertable into a seat 22 opposite the previous seat and disposed at the second end 20b.

[0039] In accordance with the embodiment in particular illustrated in the attached figures, the striker 10 comprises an adjustment member 50 insertable into said receiving body 20 and operatively associated with said retaining element 30. In particular, the adjustment member 50 is configured to be actuatable from inside the cavity 20" along a direction transverse to the insertion direction Z, so that the retaining element 30 is activated along a direction of movement Y transverse to the insertion direction Z.

[0040] Thereby, the striker 10 is free of visible adjustment members. Advantageously, the front face 20a is therefore free of discontinuities and substantially planar on its extension. That is, such a front face 20a is devoid of any machining, e.g., holes, seats, cavities or the like, intended to receive fixing elements, such as screws or the like. This allows to obtain an aesthetically pleasing striker for locks 10.

[0041] According to an aspect of the invention, the striker 10 for locks further comprises arresting means 21, 31 interposed between the retaining element 30 and the receiving body 20 to limit a movement of the retaining element 30 along a predetermined stroke so as to avoid the detachment of the retaining element 30 from the receiving body 20 when the retaining element 30 switches between the retracted position and the extracted position.

[0042] That is, the arresting means 21, 31 essentially define a limit-stop barrier, so as to prevent a movement beyond the limit defined by the barrier itself of the retaining member 30.

[0043] Advantageously, the retaining member 30 remains engaged with the receiving body 20 during an assembly or disassembly operation of the striker in a seat. Thereby, the risk is avoided of the retaining element 30 exiting from the receiving body 20, and thus the element 30 itself falling, e.g., inside the seat of the hollow profile of the frame.

[0044] According to an aspect of the invention, the arresting means 21, 31 are directly obtained on the receiving body 20 and on the retaining element 30, respectively.

[0045] That is, the arresting means 21, 31 are obtained in a single piece on the receiving body 20 and on the retaining element 30, respectively.

[0046] Advantageously, the striker 10 is simple and inexpensive as it does not require any additional fixing means, such as screws, rivets or the like, to fix the aforesaid arresting means 21, 31 on the body 20 and on the retaining element 30, respectively.

[0047] In more detail, the arresting means 21, 31 comprise an abutment element associated with the retaining element 30 and a corresponding stop member integral with the seat 22 of the receiving body 20 so as to define a limit stop configured to abut against the abutment element.

[0048] In more detail, the abutment element is preferably tooth-shaped, in particular it has a curved portion R, preferably connected, facing outwards from the cavity 20" of the body 20, and a first planar operating surface, opposite the curved portion R.

[0049] In contrast, the stop member is barrier-shaped, in particular it has a second planar operating surface that is substantially parallel to the corresponding first planar operating surface of the abutment element, and an inclined surface opposite the second planar operating surface.

[0050] As illustrated in detail in figure 2, the arresting means 21, 31 are configured to enter into abutment by means of a contact between the first operating surface and the second operating surface. In particular, such contact is of the interference type.

[0051] Advantageously, the curved portion R and the inclined surface allow a simple and quick snapping movement of the retaining element 30 into the corresponding seat 22 (as described in more detail below).

[0052] According to an aspect of the invention, in particular to carry out the aforementioned snapping movement, at least one of the abutment element and the stop member is made of a deformable material to enable the retaining element 30 to be snap fitted into the seat 22 of the receiving body 20.

[0053] According to an aspect of the invention, the adjustment member 50 is actuatable, preferably by means of a wrench, so as to move the retaining element 30 along the direction of movement Y that is transverse to the insertion direction Z.

[0054] According to an aspect of the invention, the adjustment member 50 and the retaining element 30 define a preferably threaded coupling of the screw-nut type.

[0055] In particular, the adjustment member 50 comprises a screw of the hexagon socket countersunk head type, and the retaining element 30 has a threaded hole, preferably through, configured to mechanically couple with the screw. Preferably, the adjustment member 50 has a nominal thread size selectable in the range between M3 and M5, preferably M4.

[0056] The receiving body 20 comprises a first sliding guide 25 obtained on the lateral surface 20b and configured to receive the adjustment member 50 (i.e., the hexagon socket countersunk head screw).

[0057] In accordance with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in detail in figure 4, the receiving body 20 comprises a second sliding guide 25 obtained on the lateral surface 20b and configured to receive a second adjustment member 50.

[0058] Preferably, the first sliding guide 25 and the second sliding guide 25 are substantially equal to each other.

[0059] More specifically, the first sliding guide 25 and the second sliding guide 25 are obtained on the same face of the lateral surface 20b of the receiving body 20.

[0060] Thereby, the insertion of the adjustment members 50 into the aforesaid first and second sliding guides 25 occurs on the same side of the lateral surface 20b. This is advantageous in the particular case of the assembly of the striker 10 by means of automatic systems, for example robots of the anthropomorphic type or the like, since the striker 10, once oriented in accordance with the face on which the first and second sliding guides 25 are obtained, does not need to be moved, in particular rotated substantially by 180°, to insert the adjustment members 50 into the respective sliding guides 25.

[0061] In addition, each sliding guide 25 is preferably shaped to allow a customised insertion of the adjustment member 50.

[0062] That is, the first sliding guide 25 and the second sliding guide 25 have a shape which essentially replicates the shape of a longitudinal section of the adjustment member, as illustrated in figures 2 and 4.

[0063] Advantageously, the adjustment member 50 remains housed in the first and second sliding guides without running the risk of exiting.

[0064] According to an aspect of the invention, the first sliding guide 25 and the second sliding guide 25 extend along respective housing directions S that are substantially orthogonal to the direction of movement Y of the adjustment members 50 and to the insertion direction Z.

[0065] According to an aspect of the invention, the receiving body 20 has a through opening 28 which internally faces the cavity 20" of the closure member.

[0066] In particular, the opening 28 is configured to put the cavity 20" in communication with the seat 22 so as to enable access (e.g., by means of the wrench described above) to the first adjustment member 50.

[0067] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the receiving body 20 has two openings 28, preferably substantially equal to each other and disposed facing each other, in particular one opening 28 is disposed at the first end 20a and a second opening 28 is disposed at the second end 20b of the receiving body 20.

[0068] According to an aspect of the invention, the two openings 28 are preferably holes.

[0069] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the receiving body 20 comprises a compartment 29 adapted to receive a magnetic closure element, said compartment 29 is adjacent to the cavity 20" and separated therefrom by the bottom wall 29a.

[0070] According to an aspect of the invention, the retaining element 30 and / or the receiving body 20 are made of a material selectable from: a polymeric material or preferably a fibre-reinforced polymeric material.

[0071] Otherwise, the receiving body 20 and / or the retaining element 30 can preferably be made of a metal material, e.g., steel or an aluminium alloy.

[0072] According to an aspect of the invention, the seat 22 is obtained on the lateral surface 20b and is positioned below an edge of the front face 20a.

[0073] Advantageously, as mentioned above, the front face 20a is substantially free of discontinuities, such as holes, openings, concavities or the like. This allows to give the front surface 20a and consequently the receiving body 20 of the striker 10 a pleasing aesthetic effect.

[0074] According to a further aspect of the invention, the retaining element 30 has an active sawtooth-shaped portion 30a for engaging the seat of the frame.

[0075] Advantageously, such a sawtooth shape allows to obtain a better grip between the retaining element 30 and a corresponding surface of the seat of the frame.

[0076] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in figures 1-4, the operation of the invention is as follows.

[0077] Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the striker 10 for locks, in particular, an operator takes an adjustment member 50 and inserts it along the sliding guide 25 so as to dispose it inside the receiving body 20, substantially aligned along the direction of movement Y.

[0078] Subsequently, the operator takes a retaining element 30 and screws it in manually by a stroke so that it can be gripped with the adjustment member 50. Subsequently, the operator takes a wrench, in particular a male key, and rotates the adjustment member 50 therewith so as to move the retaining member 30 along the threaded stem of the adjustment member 50, i.e., along the direction of movement Y. During such movement, when the arresting means 21, 31 come into mutual contact, in particular between the curved portion R of the abutment element and the inclined surface of the stop member, a snap-fitting of the retaining element 30 in the seat 22 occurs.

[0079] Such a snap-fit is facilitated by the fact that at least one of the retaining element 30 and / or the receiving body 20 is made of a deformable material, in particular elastic, as specified above.

[0080] The retaining element 30, once inserted into the seat 22, continues its movement along the direction of movement Y until it travels the entire extension of the threaded stem of the adjustment member 50, and substantially comes into contact with a bottom wall of the recess 22.

[0081] In the above-described configuration, the striker 10 can be inserted into the seat of the frame and fixed therein by reversing the direction of rotation of the adjustment member 50, so as to move the retaining element 30 outwards, i.e., away from the cavity 20", and engage the surface 30a against a corresponding surface from the seat of the frame.

[0082] In particular, during the movement just described, the retaining element 30 cannot travel a stroke beyond that defined by the contact between the first and second planar operating surface. In fact, such surfaces define a planar contact, in particular substantially orthogonal to the direction of movement Y. This prevents a decoupling of the retaining element 30 from the adjustment member, and thus a detachment of the retaining element 30 itself from the seat 22 of the receiving body 20.

[0083] It is further an object of the present invention a method for securing a striker 10, of the type described above, in a seat of a frame, the numerical references of which will be retained for the sake of descriptive simplicity.

[0084] The method comprises the following steps: providing a profile of a door or window frame; preferably internally hollow and preferably made of an aluminium alloy, forming a housing seat in the profile; housing a striker 10 for locks in accordance with one or more of the claims in the housing seat; activating the adjustment member 50 to move the retaining element 30 between a retracted position, corresponding to the release configuration, and an extracted position, corresponding to the engagement configuration.

Claims

1. A striker (10) for locks, comprising: - a receiving body (20) having a cavity (20") formed on a front face (20a) adapted to receive a closure member along an insertion direction (Z), and a lateral surface (20b); - a retaining element (30) positioned in a seat (22) of said receiving body (20) and movable between an extracted position, corresponding to an engagement configuration in which said striker (10) is secured in a seat of a frame, and a retracted position, corresponding to a release configuration in which said striker (10) is extractable from said seat, - an adjustment member (50) insertable into said receiving body (20) and operatively associated with said retaining element (30); said adjustment member (50) being configured to be actuatable from inside the cavity (20") along a direction transverse to said insertion direction (Z), so that said retaining element (30) is activated along a direction of movement (Y) transverse to said insertion direction (Z); characterised in that said retaining element (30) comprises at least one slider slidably disposed in said seat (22) of the receiving body (20), and movable between said engagement configuration and said release configuration along a direction of movement (Y) that is transverse to said insertion direction (Z).

2. The striker (10) for locks according to claim 1, wherein said direction of movement (Y) is orthogonal to the insertion direction (Z).

3. The striker (10) for locks according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said retaining element (30) comprises a first slider and a second slider, each slider being slidably disposed in a respective seat (22) obtained in said receiving body (20) and movable between said engagement configuration and said release configuration along a respective direction of movement (Y) that is transverse, preferably orthogonal, to said insertion direction (Z), and wherein said sliders are disposed on opposite sides of the housing body (20) relative to said cavity (20").

4. The striker (10) for locks according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising arresting means (21, 31) interposed between said retaining element (30) and said receiving body (20) to limit a movement of said retaining element (30) along a predetermined stroke so as to avoid the detachment of said retaining element (30) from said receiving body (20) when the retaining element (30) switches between said retracted position and said extracted position.

5. The striker (10) for locks according to claim 4, wherein said arresting means (21, 31) are directly obtained on said receiving body (20) and on said retaining element (30), respectively.

6. The striker (10) for locks according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said arresting means (21, 31) comprise an abutment element associated with said retaining element (30) and a corresponding stop member integral with said seat (22) of the receiving body (20) so as to define a limit stop configured to abut against said abutment element.

7. The striker (10) for locks according to claim 6, wherein at least one of said abutment element and said stop member is made of a deformable material to enable the retaining element to be snap fitted into said seat (22) of the receiving body (20).

8. The striker (10) for locks according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said retaining element (30) has an active sawtooth-shaped portion (30a) for engaging the seat of the frame.

9. The striker (10) for locks according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said receiving body (20) comprises a first sliding guide (25) obtained on said lateral surface (20b) and configured to receive said adjustment member (50).

10. The striker (10) for locks according to claim 9, wherein said receiving body (20) comprises a second sliding guide (25) obtained on said lateral surface (20b) and configured to receive a second adjustment member (50).

11. The striker (10) for locks according to claim 10, wherein said first sliding guide (25) and said second sliding guide (25) are obtained on a same face of said lateral surface (20b).

12. The striker (10) for locks according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said first sliding guide (25) and said second sliding guide (25) extend along respective housing directions (S) that are substantially orthogonal to said direction of movement (Y) of the adjustment members (50) and to said insertion direction (Z).

13. The striker (10) for locks according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said adjustment member (50) and said retaining element (30) define a threaded coupling of the screw-nut type.

14. The striker (10) for locks according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said receiving body (20) has a through opening (28) that internally faces the cavity (20") of the closure member, said opening (28) being configured to place said cavity (20") in communication with said seat (22) so as to enable access to said first adjustment member (50).

15. The striker (10) for locks according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said receiving body (20) comprises a compartment (29) adapted to receive a magnetic closure element, said compartment (29) being adjacent to the cavity (20") and separated therefrom by a bottom wall (29a).

16. The striker (10) for locks according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said seat (22) is obtained on said lateral surface (20b) and is positioned below an edge of said front face (20a).

17. A method for securing a striker (10) in a seat of a frame, comprising the following steps: - providing a profile of a door or window frame; - forming a housing seat (20") in the profile; - housing a striker (10) for locks in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims in the housing seat; activating the adjustment member (50) to move the retaining element (30) between a retracted position, corresponding to the release configuration, and an extracted position, corresponding to the engagement configuration.

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