Handle safety assembly for industrial machines or plants

Abstract

To provide a handle safety assembly which has flexibility in its positioning and is more quickly adapted to a particular opening mode.SOLUTION: A handle safety assembly comprises: a safety switch (2); an actuator device (4) comprising a slider (7) to be mounted on the access in a sliding manner along an actuation direction (X) and having actuator means (5) suitable for interacting with the safety switch (2) upon an approaching / departing movement of the slider (7) with respect to the safety switch (2); and an anchoring bracket (6) provided with fixing means (11, 12) for mounting the safety switch (2) on the fixed part of the access. The anchoring bracket (6) has a front face (14), which lies on a frontal plane parallel to the actuation direction (X) and on which the fixing means (11, 12) are made. The slider (7) is symmetrical with respect to a first symmetry plane (S1) including the actuation direction (X) and orthogonal to the frontal plane (F).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention finds application in the field of electronic devices for industrial applications, in particular the control of industrial machines and plants, and in particular relates to a handle safety assembly which may be designed, for example, for the protection of access to danger areas or safety boundaries of an industrial machine or plant. [Background technology]

[0002] Several types of safety assemblies with handles are known for protecting access to industrial machines or plants, such as panels, boundaries, safety barriers.

[0003] Generally, these assemblies consist of a safety switch suitable for mounting on a fixed part of the frame of the access to be protected, and an actuator device fixed to a movable part of the access in a position such that it interacts with the switch when the access is opened or closed, the actuator device being provided with a part shaped like a handle to facilitate movement of the access.

[0004] In the known manner, the safety switch always comprises a switching means connected to the power supply and / or service circuit of the machine or plant or part thereof, the switching means being designed to receive one or more commands for switching said circuit based on the interaction of the safety switch with an actuator device.

[0005] And the actuator device represents a component that also acts as a handle for moving the access and comprises a mounting bracket fixed to the frame of the movable part of the access and a handle fixed to the bracket.

[0006] Solutions are known on the market, for example as described in DE 102008032246, EP 1826472 or KR 10-1585038, which comprise a mounting bracket for mounting a safety switch on a fixed part of the access and a sliding actuator device with a slider, to which both an actuator interacting with the safety switch and a centering pin which fits into a seat formed in the mounting bracket above the safety switch are fixed.

[0007] In particular, EP 1 826 472 B1 discloses a safety switch comprising a switch mounted to a fixed part of the access frame by means of a flat bracket and an actuator device comprising a slider suitable for mounting to a respective mounting bracket integral with the movable part of the access.

[0008] The slider is mounted in a manner to slide along the mounting bracket in an actuation direction parallel to the mounting plane, and has an actuator mounted offset relative to the actuation direction, resulting in an asymmetric configuration of the slider relative to a horizontal plane passing through the actuation direction.

[0009] A drawback of these known solutions is therefore that in order to reverse the actuation direction of the actuator device, e.g. to switch from right-to-left actuation to left-to-right actuation, the actuator must necessarily be detached from the slider.

[0010] Therefore, in known solutions the actuator must necessarily be detachable from the slider and is therefore subject to intrusion.

[0011] Conversely, if the actuator device were fixedly attached, for example by rivets, one-way screws or other non-removable fastening means, it would be necessary to provide different devices depending on the direction in which the access is opened.

[0012] A further example of a handle safety assembly particularly suited for sliding opening access is described in EP 2 264 353 in the name of the same applicant as the present application.

[0013] The assembly comprises a handle having a mounting bracket fixed to the movable part of the access, which mounting bracket defines a guide for sliding the handle which is integral with a key actuator, generally defined by a plate-like element suitably shaped to fit into a corresponding slot provided in a safety switch associated with the fixed part of the access, and to interact with a locking / unlocking mechanism present in the same switch.

[0014] The safety switches are then fixed to the fixed portion of the access by respective L-shaped mounting brackets having a first mounting portion for mounting to the fixed portion of the access and a second mounting portion extending from the first portion at an angle of 90° to the first portion and to which the safety switch is fixed.

[0015] A limitation of this known solution is that in order to reverse the direction of use of the handle, e.g. from right-to-left opening to left-to-right opening, the bracket needs to be flipped 180° about a horizontal axis.

[0016] This is a complex process that makes installation of the mounting bracket, and therefore the entire safety assembly, tedious.

[0017] There is therefore a need for a handle safety assembly that provides greater positioning flexibility and is suitable for more rapid adaptation to a particular opening mode of access.

[0018] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT The object of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks by providing a handle safety assembly for securing access to an industrial machine or plant, which has efficient and cost-effective characteristics.

[0019] One particular object is to provide a handle safety assembly for protection of access to industrial machines or plants, which is suitable for adaptation in a simple and easy manner to different types of access openings with sliding openings and which minimizes the number of operations that have to be performed to correctly orient the several components of the assembly.

[0020] A further object is to realize a handle safety assembly for protecting access to an industrial machine or plant which is particularly safe and in particular prevents any possibility of detachment of the actuator which could represent a risk of intrusion.

[0021] These objects, as well as other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a handle safety assembly for protecting access to an industrial machine or plant, which according to claim 1 comprises a safety switch, the safety switch being provided with switching means suitable for being connected to a power supply and / or a service circuit of an industrial machine or plant, an actuator device with a slider suitable for being mounted on said access in a sliding manner along an actuation direction and having actuator means suitable for interacting with said safety switch as said slider moves towards / away from said safety switch along said actuation direction, and a mounting bracket for mounting the safety switch to a fixed part of the access, the mounting bracket being provided with fixing means for said safety switch.

[0022] The mounting bracket is provided with a front face lying in a front plane parallel to the direction of operation, on which the fastening means are formed.

[0023] Furthermore, the slider is symmetrical about a first plane of symmetry that contains said actuation direction and is perpendicular to said front plane.

[0024] In this way, the arrangement for a right-opening opening would differ from the arrangement for a left-opening opening only in the fact that the actuator device would have to be fixed to the access tilted by 180° in the respective plane of symmetry and, possibly, the head of the safety switch would also have to be rotated by 180° about the vertical axis to allow interaction between the actuator device and the switching means.

[0025] Conversely, it is no longer necessary to change the orientation of the mounting bracket of the safety switch or to remove and reinsert the actuator means in the correct orientation from time to time.

[0026] Preferably, the assembly may comprise a guide mounted on the movable part of the access to define said actuation direction, said guide having a symmetrical configuration with respect to a first plane of symmetry, said slider being slidably mounted along said guide.

[0027] In this way, the guide can be attached to the movable portion of the access in either of two orientations, regardless of whether the access opening is right- or left-handed.

[0028] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are obtained according to the dependent claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in the light of the detailed description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of an assembly according to the invention, shown by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembly in a closed access state with no actuator means inserted. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembly in a closed access state with the actuator means inserted. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the assembly in the state of FIG. 1 without the safety switch. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 3 along the trace plane AA. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the assembly in the state of FIG. 2 without the safety switch. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 5 along the trace plane BB in a first operating state. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view of the mounting bracket. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view of the mounting bracket. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the guide. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a front view of the guide. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the slider. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a front view of the slider. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The accompanying drawings show one particular embodiment, to be considered as a non-limiting example, of a handle safety assembly (generally referenced 1) suitable for mounting on an access to a working area of ​​a machine or industrial plant protected by a barrier or other protection, the assembly having the function of guarding such access and limiting or ensuring safe access to the working area.

[0032] In a known manner, the access (not shown) comprises a fixed part suitable for delimiting a working area and a movable part acting as a guard for the entrance to the working area, near which the safety assembly 1 will be mounted.

[0033] The handle safety assembly 1 comprises a safety switch provided with a case 3 housing a switching means (not shown), suitable for being connected to the power supply and / or service circuit of a machine or industrial plant, and an actuator device 4 suitable for being mounted in an access in a sliding manner along a predetermined actuation direction X, generally used horizontally, and having actuator means 5 suitable for interacting with the safety switch 2 as the actuator device 4 moves towards / away from the safety switch 2 along the actuation direction X.

[0034] In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, the handle safety assembly 1 is oriented in a manner suitable for fastening to an access with a right-hand opening sliding opening.

[0035] In particular, in FIG. 1 the safety assembly 1 is shown corresponding to a closed but unlocked access operating state, in which the actuator means 5 does not interact with the safety switch 2 .

[0036] And in FIG. 2 the handle safety assembly 1 is shown corresponding to the closed access operating condition, with the actuator means 5 interacting with the safety switch 2 .

[0037] The state of FIG. 2 may correspond to a state in which the access is closed but not blocked, i.e. the actuator means 5 is inserted inside the safety switch 2 but not blocked, or a state in which the access is closed and blocked, i.e. the actuator means 5 is inserted inside the safety switch 2 and blocked.

[0038] The fixing of the safety switch 2 to the fixed part of the access is obtained by a mounting bracket 6 suitable for being fixed to the fixed part of the access. And furthermore the case 3 is mounted on the mounting bracket 6.

[0039] The actuator device 4 comprises a slider 7 slidably mounted on the movable part of the access for movement parallel to the actuation direction X both in the sense of movement towards and away from the case 3 .

[0040] The slider 7 supports the actuator means 5 allowing simultaneous movement towards or away from the safety switch 2, allowing their interaction or disengagement depending on operational needs, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0041] Preferably, the actuator means 5 is fixed in a non-detachable manner to the slider 7. For example, the actuator means 5 is riveted to the slider 7 or fixed by other known non-detachable means.

[0042] This type of fixation increases the security and reduces the risk of intrusion of the handle safety assembly 1. Furthermore, this feature is possible even if the actuator device 4 has a symmetrical shape.

[0043] Preferably, the handle safety assembly 1 also comprises a guide 8 making it possible to slidably fix the slider 7 to the movable part of the access, the guide 8 defining an actuation direction X.

[0044] Optionally, the slider 7 has a symmetrical configuration with respect to a first plane of symmetry S1 which, in use, is horizontal and contains the working direction X.

[0045] With regard to the structure of the safety switch 2, both in its configuration and internal structure, as well as in the configuration of the switching means and the configuration of the actuator means 5, a person skilled in the art will understand that what is shown in the figures is to be understood only as one of many possible ones and can equally be replaced by different configurations without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0046] In particular, the safety switch 2 comprises a case 3 also associated with a head 9 , the head 9 being fixedly or orientably mounted to the case 3 and comprising a slot 10 for inserting the actuator means 5 .

[0047] Alternatively, the safety switch 2 may not have a head 9 and a slot 10 may be provided in the case 3 .

[0048] The safety switch 2 also comprises a locking / unlocking mechanism (not shown) designed to selectively lock the actuator means 5 relative to the safety switch 2 .

[0049] According to a first variant, the head 9 may have a pair of slots 10 arranged on opposite sides of a vertical plane perpendicular to the first plane of symmetry S1 and centred on the case 3, in order to allow the actuator means 5 to enter from both sides depending on the assembly.

[0050] The head 9 may be fixed or orientable relative to the case 3, for example rotatable through at least 180° about an axis of rotation R that is perpendicular to the first plane of symmetry S1 and approximately centred on the case 3.

[0051] According to another variant, there is only one slot 10, in which case the head 9 will rotate relative to the case 3 about the above-mentioned axis of rotation R so as to enable the slot 10 to always be oriented in a position facing the actuator means 5.

[0052] More precisely, the embodiment in the drawings shows a safety switch 2 of the mechanically operated type, which is suitable for interaction with an actuator device 4 provided with actuator means 5 having a symmetrical configuration with respect to a first plane of symmetry S1.

[0053] Preferably, the actuator means 5 extends on a lying plane parallel to or coinciding with the first plane of symmetry S1 and comprises an actuator having a symmetrical structure with respect to such first plane of symmetry S1.

[0054] According to the embodiment of the drawings, the actuator means 5 comprises or is defined by a key actuator which extends from the slider 7 in a lying plane parallel to or coinciding with a first plane of symmetry S1 and is symmetrical with respect to such first plane of symmetry S1.

[0055] The key actuator, also identified simply as 5, is designed to fit inside a slot 10, which, during use, is positioned such that it is aligned with the key actuator 5 relative to the recumbency plane.

[0056] In this way, the sliding of the slider 7 along the guide 8 and approaching the safety switch 2 allows the insertion of the key actuator 5 into the head 9 and interaction with the switching means.

[0057] According to another embodiment (not shown), the handle safety assembly 1 may be of the electronically operated type, i.e. it may have a safety switch 2 and an actuator device 4 provided with respective remote communication elements suitable for enabling interaction between the switching circuit and the actuator means 5, for example by exchanging proximity signals of the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) type, NFC (Near Field Communication) type or other electronic or magnetic signals, enabling the safety switch 2 also to identify in a unique way the presence of the actuator means 5 when they are at a distance such that access is considered to be closed.

[0058] In this case, the slider 7 may be free of protruding elements allowing access blocking or, preferably, may be provided with centering and retaining pins which are inserted into special slots or centering holes provided in the head 9, preferably always having a symmetrical configuration at least relative to the first plane of symmetry S1.

[0059] The fixing of the safety switch 2 to the fixed part of the access is in turn obtained by a mounting bracket 6 suitable to be fixed to the fixed part of the access, and onto which the case 3 will be fixed.

[0060] Advantageously, the mounting bracket 6 making it possible to fix the safety switch 2 to a fixed part of the access may in particular be symmetrical with respect to a second plane of symmetry S2 which, in use, is orthogonal to both the first plane of symmetry S1 and to the actuation direction X of the actuator device 4.

[0061] As can be more clearly seen from Figures 7 to 9, the mounting bracket 6 has a generally rectangular planar shape having a lateral dimension W which will preferably be equal to the lateral dimension of the safety switch 2 for which the mounting bracket 6 is designed.

[0062] In particular, the mounting bracket 6 has a front surface 14 lying on a front plane F (FIG. 9) parallel to the working direction X and perpendicular to the first plane of symmetry S1.

[0063] The fastening means 11 , 12 are arranged on the front side 14 and are suitable for enabling both fastening to the fixed part of the mounting bracket 6 and fastening of the safety switch 2 to the mounting bracket 6 .

[0064] In a preferred and particularly advantageous manner, said fastening means will be formed directly on the front surface 14 of the mounting bracket 6, preferably so as not to protrude thereto.

[0065] For example, as always visible in the drawings, the fastening means comprises a first fastening member 11 suitable for enabling the assembly of the mounting bracket 6 to a fixed part of the access, and a mounting member 12 for attaching the case 3 to the mounting bracket 6. Preferably, the case 3 is fixed to a front face 14 of the mounting bracket 6.

[0066] In the embodiment of the drawings, both the first fixing member 11 and the mounting member 12 are formed directly on the front surface 14 of the mounting bracket 6 and consist of through holes or slots suitable to enable the case 3 to be mounted to the mounting bracket 6 by screws 13 or equivalent means and for the mounting bracket 6 to be fixed to a fixed part of the access, although these may be replaced by different types of fixing elements.

[0067] Furthermore, in a particularly advantageous manner, the first fixing members 11, and possibly also the mounting members 12, are distributed on the front surface 14 of the mounting bracket 6 according to a configuration that is symmetrical with respect to the second plane of symmetry S2, and possibly also with respect to a third plane of symmetry S3 (Figure 3) parallel to the first plane of symmetry S1.

[0068] Also, the mounting members 12 will be distributed according to the same configuration as the corresponding passages provided in the case 3 are distributed, suitable for allowing the insertion of screws 13 or other equivalent means.

[0069] 10 and 11 show a preferred embodiment of a guide 8 in which the slider 7 is slidably mounted.

[0070] Preferably, the guide 8 also has a symmetrical configuration relative to the first plane of symmetry S1 and is provided with a second fixing member 15 suitable for enabling attachment to the mobile part of the access.

[0071] The slider 7 will remain blocked inside the central groove 16 of the guide 8 , leaving it the only possibility to slide along the actuation direction X.

[0072] For this purpose, the central groove 16 will be provided with longitudinal fins 26 which act as a restraint in the forward direction and thus hold the slider 7 inside the central groove 16. Furthermore, at the end of the central groove 16, at the outlet of the actuator means 5, there is an end stroke seat 27 for a slider 28 which is placed inside the slider 7, as can be seen more clearly in figures 4 and 6.

[0073] A comparison of these figures shows that the slider 7 translates along the guide 8 between a first end position in which the actuator means 5 does not interact with the safety switch 2 and a second end position in which the actuator means 5 interacts with the safety switch 2.

[0074] Also, when the slider 7 is translated to its maximum stroke in the withdrawal direction of the actuator means 5 and moves to its first end position, the slider 28 will be inserted into the end stroke seat 27 by the pressure of a spring or other elastic element (not visible), preventing the slider 7 from continuing its stroke further and holding the slider 7 stably in place.

[0075] Advantageously, this prevents unintentional movement of the slider 7 as a result of shock or vibration.

[0076] The slider 28 is suitably integrated with a locking element 29 which acts as a locking element and which may be manually operated such as a key, button or the like so that when activated by an operator, the slider 28 can be withdrawn from the end stroke seat 27, unlocking the slider 7 and allowing it to slide in the opposite direction, i.e. towards the second end position.

[0077] Advantageously, the slider 7 is provided with a receiving seat 30 for the release member 29 shaped to fully receive the release member 29 when the slider 7 is in the first end position, so that the locking release member 29 will have no part protruding outside the receiving seat 30 which could be accidentally touched to cause unauthorised movement of the slider 28.

[0078] In practice, the second fastening elements 15 will also be distributed on the front surface 17 of the guide 8 according to a configuration that is symmetrical with respect to the first plane of symmetry S1.

[0079] Figures 12 and 13 show a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the slider 7, which comprises a rigid shell 18 having a grip portion 19 shaped like a handle suitable for a user to grasp in order to easily slide the slider 7 along the guide 8, and an actuation portion 20 integral with the grip portion 19, from which the key actuator 5 protrudes or in any event the actuator means are provided.

[0080] Advantageously, the rigid shell 18 also has a symmetrical configuration with respect to the first plane of symmetry S1, such that simply tilting the rigid shell 18 by 180° in the first plane of symmetry S1 will be sufficient to change from a configuration for left-hand access to a configuration for right-hand access, or vice versa.

[0081] Advantageously, the entire actuator device 4 has a symmetrical configuration with respect to the first plane of symmetry S1, so that simply tilting the entire actuator device 4 by 180° in the first plane of symmetry S1 will be sufficient to change from a configuration for left-opening access to a configuration for right-opening access, or vice versa.

[0082] The slider 7 is also provided with a centering bracket 21 which, in the configuration shown in the drawings, is located behind the actuator means 5 but may be located in a different position, for example above or below, and which slides into the central groove 16 of the guide 8 to restrain the rigid shell 18 thereto.

[0083] The centering bracket 21 has a centering end 22 shaped to fit into a seat 23 formed in a side 24 of the mounting bracket 6 to ensure further stability of the connection between the safety switch 2 and the actuator device 4 in the closed access state.

[0084] Suitably, the mounting bracket 6 will be provided with seats 23 on both sides 24, or with a single seat 23 extending along its entire lateral extension, to allow the centering end 22 of the centering bracket 21 to be inserted whether the guide 8 is mounted on the right or left side of the mounting bracket 6.

[0085] Preferably, the mounting bracket 6 is formed in one piece comprising the first fastening member 11, the mounting member 12 and at least one seat .

[0086] Preferably, the mounting bracket 6 has a constant thickness and the seat 23 is obtained on a side surface 24 of the mounting bracket 6 without changing the thickness of the mounting bracket 6. In this way, the front surface 14 is substantially planar and free of protruding elements. Furthermore, this makes it possible to arrange the seat 23 below the part of the front surface 14 on which the head 9 of the safety switch 2 rests and / or in which the slot 10 is formed.

[0087] In some cases, the actuator device 4 also comprises locking means designed to selectively lock the sliding of the slider 7 along the guide 8 towards the safety switch 2 when the slider 7 is in a first end position in which the actuator means 5 does not interact with the safety switch 2.

[0088] The locking means comprises a fin 31 integral with the rigid shell 18 and positioned so as to project laterally relative to the guide 8 when the slider 7 is in the first end position.

[0089] The fin 31 is formed with one or more through holes 32, which are suitable for allowing the insertion of a padlock therein. In this way, when the slider 7 is in the extended position, an operator can apply a padlock to the through hole 32 of the fin 31 to prevent the slider 7 from sliding towards the safety switch 2 due to interference with the guide 8 and thus activation of the switching means by the actuator means 5.

[0090] Advantageously, this prevents the machine from being restarted until an operator has removed the padlock from the locking means.

[0091] Additionally or alternatively, the locking means may comprise a mechanical selector 33, for example a key-type selector, integrated into the rigid shell 18 and associated with the end stroke seat 27. The mechanical selector 33 is designed such that the mechanical selector 33 is accessible to an operator and goes through an unlocked position in which it does not interact with the end stroke seat 27, and a locked position in which it interacts with the end stroke seat 27 to lock the sliding of the slider 7 along the guide 8 by mechanical interference.

[0092] From an operational point of view, upon closing of the access, the slider 7 will slide along the guide 8 and the actuator means 5 will be inserted into the slot 10, which through interaction with an electrically or electronically controlled locking / unlocking mechanism or directly allowing interaction with a switching means will lock the actuator means 5 inside the head 9 and prevent the opening of the access under unsafe conditions.

[0093] Following release of the actuator means 5, which can be managed either remotely by sending an appropriate control to the locking / unlocking mechanism or also locally by acting on a suitable safety device present in the safety switch 2, such as for example the key selector 25, it will be possible to run the slider 7 along an actuation direction X which lies in the attachment / detachment and withdrawal direction of the actuator means 5.

[0094] It is understood that the operational modality of the handle safety assembly 1 can vary according to needs according to a number of methods known to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. 1. A handle safety assembly for protecting access to an industrial machine or plant, comprising: said access comprises at least one fixed part suitable for separating a working area of ​​said industrial machine or plant and at least one movable part serving as a protection for the entrance to said working area, The handle safety assembly includes: a safety switch (2) provided with switching means suitable for being connected to the power supply and / or service circuit of said industrial machine or plant; an actuator device (4) comprising a slider (7) suitable for being attached to said access in a slidable manner along an actuation direction (X) and having actuator means (5) suitable for interacting with said safety switch (2) when said slider (7) moves towards / away from said safety switch (2) along said actuation direction (X); a mounting bracket (6) for mounting the safety switch (2) on the fixed part of the access, the mounting bracket (6) being provided with fixing means (11, 12) for the safety switch (2); Equipped with A handle safety assembly, wherein the mounting bracket (6) is provided with a front surface (14) lying on a front plane (F) parallel to the actuation direction (X) and on which the fixing means (11, 12) are formed, and the slider (7) is symmetrical with respect to a first plane of symmetry (S1) which contains the actuation direction (X) and is perpendicular to the front plane (F).

2. A handle safety assembly according to claim 1, wherein the actuator device (4) is symmetrical with respect to the first plane of symmetry (S1).

3. A handle safety assembly according to claim 1, wherein said actuator means (5) is fixed in a non-detachable manner to said slider (7).

4. 2. A handle safety assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixing means (11, 12) comprises a plurality of first fixing members (11) arranged on the front surface (14) of the mounting bracket (6) in a symmetrical configuration with respect to a second plane of symmetry (S2) perpendicular to the actuation direction (X) of the actuator device (4) in use for fixing the mounting bracket (6) to the fixed part of the access.

5. 2. A handle safety assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixing means (11, 12) comprises a plurality of mounting members (12) arranged on the front surface (14) of the mounting bracket (6) in a symmetrical configuration with respect to a second plane of symmetry (S2) perpendicular to the actuation direction (X) of the actuator device (4) in use for fixing the safety switch (2) to the mounting bracket (6).

6. A handle safety assembly according to claim 2, wherein said actuator means (5) has a symmetrical configuration with respect to said first plane of symmetry (S1).

7. A handle safety assembly according to claim 6, wherein the actuator device (4) has a symmetrical configuration with respect to the first plane of symmetry (S1).

8. The actuator means (5) is an actuator extending from the slider (7) in a lying plane parallel to or coinciding with the first plane of symmetry (S1) and symmetrical with respect to the first plane of symmetry (S1).

8. The handle safety assembly of claim 7, comprising an actuator wherein:

9. 2. A handle safety assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising a guide (8) adapted to be mounted on said movable part of said access to define said actuation direction (X), said slider (7) being mounted to slide on said guide (8) along said actuation direction (X).

10. A handle safety assembly according to claim 9, wherein said guide (8) has a symmetrical configuration with respect to said first plane of symmetry (S1).

11. 11. A handle safety assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the slider (7) comprises a rigid shell (18) having a handle portion (19) shaped like a handle to be gripped by a user to facilitate sliding the slider (7) along the guide (8), and an actuation portion (20) integral with the handle portion (19) and on which the actuator means (5) is provided.

12. 11. A handle safety assembly according to claim 10, wherein the slider (7) slides along the guide (8) between a first end position in which the actuator means (5) does not interact with the safety switch (2) and a second end position in which the actuator means (5) interacts with the safety switch (2), and accommodates therein a slider (28) or locking member suitable for entering an end stroke seat (27) formed in the guide (8) when the slider (7) is in the first end position.

13. A handle safety assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the slider (28) or the locking member is associated with an unlocking member (29) suitable for enabling withdrawal of the slider (28) from the end stroke seat (27) to unlock the slider (7) and allow it to slide towards the second end position.

14. A handle safety assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the slider (7) comprises a receiving seat (30) for the unlocking member (29), the receiving seat (30) being shaped to fully receive the unlocking member (29) when the slider (7) is in the first end position.

15. 2. A handle safety assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slider (7) is provided with a centering bracket (21) having a centering end (22) and arranged rearward of the actuator means (5), the mounting bracket (6) having a side (24) in which a seat (23) for inserting the centering end (22) is formed, the mounting bracket (6) being of substantially constant thickness and free of protruding elements.

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