INSPECTION PANEL FEATURING A MONOLITHIC STRUCTURE

Abstract

INSPECTION PANEL WITH A MONOLITHIC STRUCTURE The invention relates to an inspection panel comprising a fixed frame (1) adapted to be fixed to a wall corresponding to an opening in said wall, and a movable frame (2) adapted to rotate within the fixed frame (1) to alternately impose the open and closed positions on said inspection panel; the fixed frame (1) and the movable frame (2) having a monolithic structure obtained by molding suitable plastic materials. Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: INSPECTION PANEL COMPRISING A MONOLITHIC STRUCTURE

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection panel comprising a monolithic structure.

[0002] As is well known, an inspection panel is generally installed in correspondence with openings formed in walls so as to allow inspection of a compartment located behind the wall.

[0003] It should be noted that, in the present description, the term “wall” refers indifferently to vertical walls, ceilings or floors.

[0004] Traditionally, an inspection panel includes:

[0005] - a fixed frame capable of being fixed to a wall in correspondence with an opening formed in said wall;

[0006] - a movable frame arranged in an internal position relative to the fixed frame;

[0007] - a panel internally connected to said movable frame so as to close the opening;

[0008] - connecting means for connecting the movable frame to the fixed frame, such that the movable frame can move between an open position, in which the movable frame is inclined relative to the fixed frame, and a closed position, in which the movable frame is on the same plane as the fixed frame.

[0009] From such a substantially obligatory configuration, the way of manufacturing such an inspection panel has evolved over time.

[0010] Since a typical inspection panel normally has a square section, it has recently been devised to manufacture both the fixed frame and the movable frame by assembling four metal sections arranged two by two in opposite positions and cut at 45° at the ends.

[0011] Such a logical manufacturing principle has certainly proven effective, in particular due to the considerable strength of the inspection panel due to the use of said metal sections.

[0012] However, such technology was hampered by the complexity and the heaviness of the assembly operations of said connecting and articulation means to be provided between the fixed frame and the movable frame, in order to allow the movable frame to rotate alternately from its open position, i.e. extracted from the fixed frame, to the closed position, i.e. included in the fixed frame.

[0013] It is precisely to remedy this drawback that a new logical principle of manufacturing the fixed frame and the movable frame of an inspection panel has been introduced in recent years by the same applicant of the present invention, which is suitably described in document WO2022167230A1.

[0014] More specifically, the two frames were manufactured from four metal sections arranged at right angles, in a state in which each adjacent pair of said sections (thus arranged at 90°) is connected using a corner piece obtained by molding suitable plastic materials.

[0015] Furthermore, it should be considered that, in addition to serving as a connection for the four metal sections, in a monolithic solution, said corner pieces are also suitable for including the necessary connection and articulation means between the fixed frame and the movable frame of the respective inspection panel.

[0016] Such an advantageous arrangement makes it possible to avoid the aforementioned drawback of the pre-existing technology, namely the manual assembly of the necessary connecting and articulation means between the mobile frame and the fixed frame.

[0017] Nevertheless, a closer examination of such a novel manufacturing method of the fixed frame and the movable frame of an inspection panel has made it possible to identify an aspect which can still be improved.

[0018] Reference is made to the fact that the aesthetics of the fixed frame of such an inspection panel - just like the movable frame thereof - is altered by the cooperation between the four metal sections and the four plastic corner pieces which are assembled alternately with them.

[0019] To describe this drawback, it should be emphasized that the fixed frame of any inspection panel is mounted in correspondence with a similar opening formed on the installation wall, in a state in which the raised perimeter edge which usually surrounds the window of said fixed frame (the one suitable for receiving the movable frame during use) is in adjusted engagement against the edges of the corresponding opening formed on the wall.

[0020] In such a state, a person observing the fixed frame which is internally engaged in the respective opening on the wall cannot avoid noticing an aesthetically unpleasant structural and chromatic discontinuity along the raised perimeter edge of the fixed frame.

[0021] Otherwise, it can be said that such an observer will certainly notice the presence of the four metal sections alternating with the four corner pieces made of plastic materials in the structure of the fixed frame, with a consequent reduction in the aesthetic elegance of the inspection panel.

[0022] Furthermore, the same deplorable aesthetic effect also occurs for the movable frame of the inspection panel, at least in the case where the movable frame is manufactured by means of the cooperation of four alternating metal sections with four corner pieces made of plastic materials.

[0023] In such a case, the unsightly presence of metal and plastic parts can be detected by observing the raised perimeter edge which, in a typical movable frame, circumscribes the space in which the panel suitable for covering the inspection panel is to be installed.

[0024] Starting from such a prior state of the art, the present invention aims to produce an inspection panel which uses a fixed frame comprising a monolithic structure which is perfectly homogeneous from a structural and aesthetic point of view and which is manufactured by molding suitable plastic materials.

[0025] The present invention also aims to ensure that said inspection panel according to the invention uses a movable frame which similarly comprises a monolithic structure manufactured by molding plastic materials.

[0026] The present invention also aims to ensure that said movable frame and said fixed frame also integrate mutual connection and articulation means in the respective monolithic structure.

[0027] The present invention finally aims to make the structure of the inspection panel according to the invention more economical and more practical, in particular because it avoids having to resort to personnel to assemble the parts, namely the metal sections and the corner pieces made of plastic materials, which are used to manufacture the fixed frames and the movable frames of the pre-existing inspection panels.

[0028] The present invention therefore relates to an inspection panel comprising a fixed frame and a movable frame capable of rotating in said fixed frame from a closed position to an open position using coupling means and pivoting means, respectively, characterized in that said fixed frame and / or said movable frame have a monolithic structure manufactured by molding plastic materials suitable for a specific use.

[0029] Advantageously, said fixed frame comprises: - a front section, a rear section parallel to the front section, two side sections parallel to each other and orthogonal to said front section and to said rear section, and a central window circumscribed by said sections; - an outer surface comprising a raised perimeter edge surrounding said central window; - an inner surface comprising: - said coupling means operating in correspondence with said front section of said fixed frame and adapted to be coupled to respective hooks arranged in said movable frame; - two pairs of substantially wedge-shaped projections, each provided in a longitudinal direction on one of said side sections near said rear section;the two wedge-shaped projections of each of said pairs being interfaced with each other so that their respective front surfaces face each other, between which the formation of an intermediate seat is generated; - a pair of; steps arranged at the junction between each of said side sections and the respective side end of the rear section.

[0030] Advantageously, said movable frame comprises: - a front section, a rear section parallel to the front section, two lateral sections parallel to each other and orthogonal to said front section and to said rear section; - an outer surface circumscribed by a raised perimeter edge capable of receiving in a fitted manner a cover panel; - an inner surface comprising: - the two hooks projecting from said front section, capable of cooperating with said coupling means provided in said front section of the fixed frame; - two rotation axes having a cam-shaped section and projecting from the respective longitudinal ends of said rear section, resting on said steps arranged in the fixed frame;wherein, at the end of the opening rotation of the movable frame relative to the fixed frame, each of said rotation axes is adapted to be engaged inside one of said seats comprised between said pairs of substantially wedge-shaped projections provided in the two lateral sections of said fixed frame.;

[0031] Advantageously, said coupling means arranged on said front section of the fixed frame comprise elastic coupling devices comprising respective cylindrical pawls capable of being engaged with hooked ends of said hooks arranged on said front section of said movable frame.

[0032] Advantageously, said rear section of said fixed frame comprises a pair of C-shaped supports on said rear surface of said fixed frame, which are adapted to removably receive respective borders projecting from said rear section towards the center of said window.

[0033] Advantageously, said fixed frame and said movable frame have a monolithic structure manufactured by molding plastic materials suitable for a specific use.

[0034] For the sake of explanatory clarity, the description of the invention continues with reference to the appended drawings, which have only an illustrative and non-limiting value, in which:

[0035] [Fig. 1] is a front view of the fixed frame and the movable frame of the inspection panel according to the present invention, before assembly of these parts;

[0036] [Fig.2] is a rear view of the fixed frame and the movable frame of the inspection panel according to the present invention, before the assembly of these parts;

[0037] [Fig.3] is a rear view of the two aforementioned fixed and movable frames now assembled, shown in the position adopted in the closed state of the respective inspection panel;

[0038] [Fig.4] is a partial front view of the two fixed and mobile frames mentioned above, now assembled, shown in the position adopted in the open state of the respective inspection panel;

[0039] [Fig.5] is an enlarged view of a first moment of the cooperation between the fixed frame and the movable frame aimed at bringing the respective inspection panel into the open state;

[0040] [Fig.6] is an enlarged view of a second moment of cooperation between the fixed frame and the movable frame aimed at bringing the respective inspection panel into the open state.

[0041] With reference to said Figures, the inspection panel B according to the present invention comprises in the usual manner a fixed frame 1 and a movable frame 2 which is able to rotate inside said fixed frame 1 from an open position to a closed position thanks to suitable connecting and articulation means 23 described hereinafter in the present description.

[0042] First of all, it should be noted that said fixed frame 1 is made with a monolithic structure molded from suitable plastic materials.

[0043] Such a monolithic structure of said fixed frame 1 comprises sections arranged at right angles, which can be identified as follows:

[0044] - a section before the ;

[0045] - a rear section 1b parallel to the section part la;

[0046] - two lateral sections 1c, 1d parallel to each other and orthogonal to said front section and to said rear section 1b.

[0047] Said four sections 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d define a central window 1c.

[0048] Furthermore, such a frame 1 comprises a preferably smooth outer surface 10, adapted to face the center of the room in which the inspection panel B in question is installed, and an inner surface 11 which preferably comprises a grid of stiffening ribs and is adapted to be engaged inside the opening of the inspection panel B, thus not being visible.

[0049] The front surface 10 of the fixed frame 1 comprises a raised perimeter edge 12 which circumscribes said central window 1e; while the rear surface 11 of the fixed frame 1 comprises:

[0050] - a pair of recesses 13 projecting from said section before the substantially at the height of the two lateral ends of said front section 1a; said recesses 13 receiving in a fitted manner a pair of elastic fixing devices 130 of traditional type in the direction of said window 1c; said fixing device 130 comprising a cylindrical ratchet 131 located at the height of the inner edge of said front section 1a and arranged in an orthogonal position relative to the longitudinal axis of the front section 1a;

[0051] - a pair of C-shaped supports 14a made longitudinally in correspondence of said rear section 1b, each of said supports 14a receiving a edge 14 which projects from said rear section 1b towards the center of said central window 1e during use;

[0052] - two pairs of substantially wedge-shaped projections 15a, 15b, each provided in longitudinal direction on one of said side sections 1c, 1d near said rear section 1b; the two wedge-shaped projections 15a, 15b of each of said pairs being interfaced with each other, their respective front surfaces facing each other, between which an intermediate seat 15c is generated;

[0053] - a pair of steps 16 substantially provided at the junction between each of said side sections 1c, 1d and the respective side end of the rear section 1b.

[0054] As indicated above, the fixed frame 1 is capable of cooperating with a mobile frame 2 which also preferably comprises a monolithic structure manufactured by molding suitable plastic materials.

[0055] Said mobile frame 2 comprises:

[0056] - a front section 2a;

[0057] - a rear section 2b parallel to the front section 2a;

[0058] - two lateral sections 2c, 2d parallel to each other and orthogonal to said front section 2a and to said rear section 2b.

[0059] The movable frame 2 also has an outer surface 20 and an inner surface 21, wherein said outer surface 20 is circumscribed by a raised perimeter edge 20a in which the cover panel 3 of said movable frame 2 is fittedly engaged.

[0060] The inner surface 21 of said movable frame 2 comprises:

[0061] - two hooks 22 projecting from said front section 2a, each of them being oriented so as to face the respective hooked end 22a in the direction of the adjacent side section 2c or 2d; said hooks 22 occupying positions in said front section 2a of the movable frame 2 so as to receive said pawls 131 of the fixing devices 130 received in the recesses 13 provided in correspondence with the first section 1a of the fixed frame 1 during use;

[0062] - two rotation axes 23 with a cam-shaped section, projecting from respective longitudinal ends of said rear section 2b and carried by sets of holding parts 23a projecting from said rear section 2b; each of said rotation axes 23 being adapted to be engaged inside one of said recesses 15c provided in the two side sections 1c, 1b of the fixed frame 1 during use.

[0063] Having completed the description of the parts of the inspection panel B according to the present invention, the present description continues by illustrating the mode of cooperation between the fixed frame 1 and the movable frame 2.

[0064] With specific reference to Figures 3 to 6, there is first illustrated the mode of cooperation between the two aforementioned frames 1, 2, as long as the inspection panel B is in the closed position, in which the movable frame 2 is fittedly engaged and stopped inside said window 1c of the fixed frame 1.

[0065] In such a first situation, the following conditions are met:

[0066] - the ratchets 131 of the elastic fixing devices 130 arranged in the fixed frame 1 are engaged in the hooked ends 22a of the two hooks 22 of the movable frame 2;

[0067] - the rotation axes 23 of the mobile frame 2 rest on said steps 16 provided in fixed frame 1;

[0068] - the edges 14 projecting from the rear section 1a of the fixed frame 1 are arranged, without interfering with each other, partially above the rear section 2a of the movable frame 2.

[0069] The present description continues by illustrating the mode of cooperation between the two frames 1, 2 while the inspection panel B is in the open position, in which the movable frame 2 comes out of the window 1c of the fixed frame 1 by means of a rotation of approximately 90° relative to said axes of rotation 23, until reaching a position substantially orthogonal to that of the fixed frame 1, as shown in [Fig.4].

[0070] In such a second situation, the following conditions are met:

[0071] - the ratchets of the elastic fixing devices 130 arranged in the fixed frame 1 lose their engagement with the hooked ends 22a of the two hooks 22 of the movable frame 2;

[0072] - the rotation axes 23 of the mobile frame 2 are engaged in the seats 15c provided in each of the side sections 1c, 1b of the fixed frame, in an intermediate position between the respective wedge-shaped projections 15a, 15b; in such a situation, each of said rotation axes 23 rests firmly on said flat section of the respective first wedge-shaped projection 15a, while said flat section of the respective second wedge-shaped projection 15b rests just as firmly on the rotation axis 23 (see [Fig.6]);

[0073] - the edge of the rear section 2a of the movable frame 2 rests against said edges 14 which protrude from the rear section 1a of the fixed frame 1.

[0074] With regard to the latter indications, it must be emphasized that the two rotation axes 3 can rotate like two cams, since they can thus impose a roto-translation on the movable frame 2 in such a way that the rear section 2a of the movable frame 2, which was flat against the rear section 1a of the fixed frame 1 in the closed position of the inspection panel B, rests above the rear section 1a of the fixed frame 1 in the open position of the inspection panel B, as can be verified by comparatively referring to Figures 3 and 6.

[0075] In view of the above description, it is easy to understand the reasons why the inspection panel B according to the present invention manages to overcome the aforementioned limitations which are typical of inspection panels of the prior art in which the fixed frame and / or the movable frame are aesthetically altered by the presence of metal sections and corner pieces molded from plastic materials.

[0076] It is referred to that, in the new hatch, it has been planned to produce the fixed frame 1 and / or the movable frame 2 with a monolithic structure by means of a casting.

[0077] With such a solution, in reality, it is no longer possible to see a structural and chromatic discontinuity in the two raised perimeter edges 12, 20a, that is to say:

[0078] - the raised perimeter edge 12 which circumscribes the central window 1c of the fixed frame 1 ;

[0079] - the raised perimeter edge 20a which circumscribes the front surface 20 of the frame mobile 2 and which is responsible for snugly containing the cover panel 3.

[0080] It is now appropriate to clarify certain additional provisions of the inspection panel B according to the present invention.

[0081] First of all, it is specified that said fixing means 130 capable of holding the movable frame 2 inside the window 1c of the fixed frame 1 are of the type commonly called "press and open", because they are capable of ensuring that the opening of the movable frame 2 relative to the fixed frame 1 can be carried out on the simple condition of imposing a small push in the direction of the window 1c of the fixed frame 1 on the movable frame 2, and more precisely on the panel 3 carried by the latter.

[0082] Secondly, it is emphasized that the two edges 14 engaged in the respective supports 14a arranged in the rear section 1a of the fixed frame 1 can be easily removed from said supports 14a.

[0083] Indeed, in the open position of the inspection panel B illustrated in [Fig.6], their specific function is to prevent the movable frame 2 from accidentally sliding backwards, that is to say from sliding from the fixed frame 1 in the direction of the rear section 1a of the fixed frame 1.

[0084] On the other hand, the removal of said borders 14 must be carried out during the assembly of the inspection panel B, when the movable frame 2 is inserted into the fixed frame 1, starting with the rear section 1a of the fixed frame 1.

[0085] The last arrangement of the inspection panel B according to the present invention refers to the arrangement of a first eyelet 24 arranged inside the first section 2a of the movable frame 2 and a second eyelet (not shown in the attached Figures) projecting laterally from one of said recesses 13 provided in the first section 1a of the fixed frame 1.

[0086] The two eyelets are the attachment points of two spring latches mounted at the ends of a cable of suitable length (not shown in the attached Figures) capable of acting as a means of stopping the rotation of the movable frame 2 when it has reached the open position relative to the fixed frame 1.

Claims

Claims

1. Inspection panel comprising a fixed frame (1) and a movable frame (2) capable of rotating in said fixed frame (1) from a closed position to an open position by means of coupling means (131, 22) and pivoting means (23), respectively, characterized in that said fixed frame (1) and / or said movable frame (2) have a monolithic structure manufactured by molding plastic materials.

2. Inspection panel according to claim 1, characterized in that said fixed frame (1) comprises: - a front section (1a), a rear section (1b) parallel to the front section (1a), two lateral sections (1e, 1d) parallel to each other and orthogonal to said front section (1a) and to said rear section (1b), and a central window (1e) circumscribed by said sections (1a, 1b, 1e, 1d); - an outer surface (10) comprising a raised perimeter edge (12) surrounding said central window (1e); - an inner surface (11) comprising: - said coupling means (131) operating in correspondence with said front section (1a) of said fixed frame (1) and adapted to be coupled to respective hooks (22) arranged in said movable frame (2); - two pairs of wedge-shaped projections (15a, 15b), each provided in a longitudinal direction on one of said side sections (1c, 1d) near said rear section (1b);the two wedge-shaped projections (15a, 15b) of each of said pairs being interfaced with each other so that their respective front surfaces face each other, between which the formation of an intermediate seat (15c) is generated; - a pair of steps (16) arranged at the junction between each of said side sections (1e, 1d) and the respective side end of the rear section (1b).;

3. Inspection panel according to claim 2, characterized in that said movable frame (2) comprises: - a front section (2a), a rear section (2b) parallel to the front section (2a), two lateral sections (2c, 2d) parallel to each other and orthogonal to said front section (2a) and to said rear section (2b); - an outer surface (20) circumscribed by a raised perimeter edge (20a) adapted to receive in a fitted manner a cover panel (3); - an inner surface (21) comprising: - the two hooks (22) projecting from said front section (2a), adapted to cooperate with said coupling means (131) provided in said front section (la) of the fixed frame (1); - two rotation axes (23) having a cam-shaped section and projecting from the respective longitudinal ends of said rear section (2b), resting on said steps (16) arranged in the fixed frame (1); wherein, at the end of the opening rotation of the movable frame (2) relative to the fixed frame (1), each of said rotation axes (23) is adapted to be engaged inside one of said seats (15c) comprised between said pairs of wedge-shaped projections (15a, 15b) provided in the two lateral sections (1c, 1b) of said fixed frame (1).

4. Inspection panel according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said coupling means (130) arranged on said front section (la) of the fixed frame (1) comprise elastic coupling devices comprising respective cylindrical pawls (131) capable of being engaged with hooked ends (22a) of said hooks (22) arranged on said front section (2a) of said movable frame (2).

5. An inspection panel according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said rear section (1b) of said fixed frame (1) comprises a pair of C-shaped supports (14a) on a rear surface (11) of said fixed frame (1), which are adapted to removably receive respective edges (14) projecting from said rear section (1b) towards the center of said window (1e).

6. Inspection panel according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said fixed frame (1) and said movable frame (2) have a monolithic structure manufactured by molding plastic materials.