Door tensioner device and door with such device

Abstract

A door tensioner device (10), comprising: - two aligned threaded bars (11a, 11b), respectively: - a first bar (11a), with a right-hand thread, - a second bar (11b), with a left-hand thread, - adjustment means (12), interposed between said two bars (11a, 11b), for moving said bars (11a, 11b) toward / away from each other, - two end plates (13a, 13b), each one placed at the outer / free end of a respective one of the bars (11a, 11b) and shaped complementarily with the latter, the plates (13a, 13b) being respectively: - a first plate (13a), - a second plate (13b), - two covering profiles (14a, 14b), each one for a corresponding one of the bars (11a, 11b). Each one of the plates (13a, 13b) has a recess (15) provided with both a right-hand complementary thread (16a) and a left-hand complementary thread (16b).

Description

[0001] DOOR TENSIONER DEVICE AND DOOR WITH SUCH DEVICE

[0002] The present invention relates to a door tensioner device.

[0003] The invention also relates to a door with such a device.

[0004] The invention is used in industry, in the sector of furniture production.

[0005] Nowadays, for making doors in the furniture industry the use is widespread of the following types of panels:

[0006] - laminated panels, which comprise wood fiber covered with a sheet,

[0007] - lacquered panels, which comprise wood fiber covered by a coat of varnish.

[0008] Such doors, with the passing of time and especially if they are of considerable height, tend to bend under the action of their own weight.

[0009] To overcome this drawback, door tensioner devices are usually applied on the non-visible surface of the door. These devices make it possible, by means of suitable adjustment, to adjust any curvature.

[0010] Door tensioner devices are inserted into a longitudinal groove in the door leaf and normally comprise:

[0011] - two aligned bars, with a threading and / or a taper,

[0012] - adjustment means, interposed between the two bars and interacting with the nearmost ends thereof, which make it possible to move the bars toward / away from each other,

[0013] - two end plates, each one of which is placed at the outer end of a respective bar and is shaped complementarily with the latter, which are adapted to prevent the rotation of the bars,

[0014] - two covering profiles, each one for a corresponding bar.

[0015] The adjustment means normally have a covering element provided with a slot in which there is a tubular element, with a hexagonal external profile and with internal threading, the thread being:

[0016] - a right-hand thread at a first axial end, at least partially screwed to one of the two bars,

[0017] - a left-hand thread at a second axial end, opposite to the previous end, at least partially screwed to the other bar.

[0018] In the present description, the term “right-hand” means that the screwing is executed in the clockwise direction.

[0019] In the present description, the term “left-hand” means that the screwing is executed in the anti-clockwise direction.

[0020] To modify the curvature of the door, a key is inserted through the slot and the tubular element is rotated. By virtue of the rotation of this element, the two bars are moved toward / away from each other, in the process straightening the door leaf.

[0021] Such prior art has a number of drawbacks.

[0022] In fact, if threaded bars are used, these have threads in the opposite direction with respect to each other, i.e:

[0023] - a first bar has a right-hand thread,

[0024] - a second bar has a left-hand thread.

[0025] As a consequence, the two end plates which are adapted to lock the rotation of the bars have, respectively:

[0026] - a recess with a right-hand complementary thread,

[0027] - a recess with a left-hand complementary thread.

[0028] This determines the need to apply the right plate to each bar, and assembly operations that are lengthy and inconvenient.

[0029] And if tapered bars are used, the annular raised portions are arranged along the bar with a preset spacing, therefore when it is necessary to cut the bar in order to adapt its length to the length of the door, it is strictly necessary to follow the spacing between the raised portions.

[0030] This means it is impossible to adapt the bars to any length of door.

[0031] Furthermore, the slots on the doors for inserting the door tensioner device are U-shaped, and conventional door tensioner devices comprise covering profiles for the bars which are also U-shaped, optionally provided with raised portions for interlocking with the wings of the profile.

[0032] The profiles are inserted by force into the groove, often with the aid of a hammer.

[0033] This operation, which lengthens assembly times, can damage the panel at the edges of the groove and / or deform the profiles themselves.

[0034] Moreover, with adjustment operations and / or with the passing of time, the profiles tend to slip out of the groove.

[0035] In order to overcome this drawback, some makers apply, above the profiles, transverse fixing plates which are coupled to the panel by screws and / or other fastening elements.

[0036] This results in assembly operations that are lengthy and inconvenient, plus the use of a considerable number of components and consumption of material.

[0037] Also, the covering profiles are usually made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and protrude at least partially from the groove, and this results in an unappealing visual impact and presents a hindrance to operations to clean the door.

[0038] The aim of the present invention is to provide a door tensioner device and a door with such a device that are capable of improving the known art in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects.

[0039] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a door tensioner device that enables assembly operations that are easier and quicker than similar, conventional devices.

[0040] Another object of the invention is to provide a door tensioner device and a door with such a device that prevent the covering profiles from slipping out of the groove without needing to insert these profiles by force and without needing to use further fixing elements.

[0041] A further object of the invention is to provide a door tensioner device and a door with such a device that present an appealing visual impact and which facilitate cleaning operations, with respect to similar, conventional solutions.

[0042] A further object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in a manner that is alternative to any existing solutions.

[0043] Another object of the invention is to provide a door tensioner device and a door with such a device that are highly reliable, easy to implement, and at low cost.

[0044] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a door tensioner device, comprising:

[0045] - two aligned threaded bars, respectively:

[0046] - a first bar, with a right-hand thread,

[0047] - a second bar, with a left-hand thread,

[0048] - adjustment means, interposed between said two bars, for moving said bars toward / away from each other,

[0049] - two end plates, each one placed at the outer / free end of a respective one of said bars and shaped complementarily with the latter, said plates being respectively:

[0050] - a first plate,

[0051] - a second plate,

[0052] - two covering profiles, each one for a corresponding one of said bars, said device being characterized in that each one of said plates has a recess provided with both a right-hand complementary thread and a lefthand complementary thread.

[0053] The above aim and objects are also achieved by a door with such a device.

[0054] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the door tensioner device and of the door with such a device, according to the invention, which are illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0055] - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a door with a door tensioner device according to the invention;

[0056] - Figure 2 is an exploded view of the portion of door with the door tensioner device of Figure 1;

[0057] - Figure 3 is a detail view, in cross-section, of the portion of door of Figure 1;

[0058] - Figure 4 is a perpendicular view from above of a first component of the door tensioner device according to the invention;

[0059] - Figure 4a is a cross-sectional view of the component of Figure 4;

[0060] - Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second component of the door tensioner device according to the invention;

[0061] - Figure 6 is a perpendicular view from above of a third component of the door tensioner device according to the invention;

[0062] - Figure 6a is a cross-sectional view of the component of Figure 6;

[0063] - Figure 7 is a view of a fourth component of the door tensioner device according to the invention;

[0064] - Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of door according to the invention.

[0065] With reference to the figures, a door tensioner device according to the invention is generally designated by the reference number 10.

[0066] The device 10 is applied to a door 1.

[0067] The device 10 comprises:

[0068] - two aligned threaded bars 1 la, 1 lb, respectively:

[0069] - a first bar I la, with a right-hand thread,

[0070] - a second bar 11b, with a left-hand thread,

[0071] - adjustment means 12, interposed between the bars I la, 11b, for moving the bars I la, 11b toward / away from each other, - two end plates 13a, 13b, each one placed at the outer / free end of a respective one of the bars I la, 11b and having a recess 15 which is shaped complementarily with the latter, said plates being respectively:

[0072] - a first plate 13 a,

[0073] - a second plate 13b,

[0074] - two covering profiles 14a, 14b, each one for a corresponding one of the bars I la, 11b.

[0075] The plates 13a, 13b are adapted to prevent the rotation of a corresponding bar I la, 11b.

[0076] The profiles 14a, 14b are preferably made of aluminum, however they can also be made of other materials, such as for example plastic material (PVC).

[0077] One of the peculiarities of the device 10 consists in that each one of the plates 13 a, 13b has a recess 15 provided with both a right-hand complementary thread 16a and a left-hand complementary thread 16b.

[0078] This characteristic makes it possible to install the first plate 13a or the second plate 13b independently of the direction of the thread of the corresponding bar I la, 11b.

[0079] Furthermore, such characteristic makes it possible to cut the bar I la, 11b, if necessary, along its entire length and without needing to adhere to a given spacing.

[0080] This makes it possible to adapt the length of the bar I la, 11b to any length of the door 1.

[0081] In particular, the adjustment means 12 comprise:

[0082] - a covering element 17 provided with a slot 18,

[0083] - a tubular element 19, with a hexagonal external transverse profile and with an internal complementary thread, with:

[0084] - a right-hand complementary thread 20a at a first axial end, at least partially screwed to the first bar I la, - a left-hand complementary thread 20b at a second axial end, opposite to the previous end, at least partially screwed to the second bar 11b.

[0085] The tubular element 19 has an axis of extension that coincides with the axis of extension of the two bars I la, 11b and of the device 10.

[0086] The covering element 17 comprises:

[0087] - a first flat portion 21, passed through by the slot 18,

[0088] - a plurality of first bodies 22a, 22b, in relief, extending at right angles to a face of the first flat portion 21 and monolithically with the latter, such first bodies 22a, 22b being adapted to retain the tubular element 19, and adjacent to the slot 18, and to provide a substantially circular first protrusion 34.

[0089] The first flat portion 21 of the covering element 17 has:

[0090] - the longitudinally-extended slot 18, having an axis of extension that is perpendicular to the axis of extension of the tubular element 19,

[0091] - two through first holes 23a, 23b, which are mutually opposite and mirror- symmetrical with respect to the slot 18 and are aligned with the latter.

[0092] In the example shown in Figure 6a, which is a cross-sectional view, only two first bodies 22a, 22b are shown, but the covering element 17 comprises another two first bodies, mirror- symmetrical to those shown.

[0093] Corresponding first screws 24 are inserted in the first holes 23a, 23b for fixing to the door 1.

[0094] The plates 13a, 13b each comprise:

[0095] - a second flat portion 25a, 25b,

[0096] - a plurality of second bodies 26a, 26b, 27a, in relief, extending at right angles to a face of the second flat portion 25a, 25b and monolithically with the latter, such second bodies 26a, 26b, 27a being adapted to retain the corresponding bar I la, 11b, and adjacent to the recess 15, and to provide a substantially circular second protrusion 35a, 35b. The second flat portion 25a, 25b of the plates 13a, 13b has a quadrangular contour and a plurality of through second holes 28.

[0097] The second holes 28 are, for example, four in number and are each arranged at a corner of the second flat portion 25a, 25b.

[0098] Corresponding second screws 29 are inserted in the second holes 28 for fixing to the door 1.

[0099] Advantageously, the second plate 13b has an elongated, longitudinal appendage 30, which is monolithic with the second flat portion 25b and is substantially coplanar with the latter.

[0100] This appendage 30 is adapted to cover the inlet portion 2 of the groove 3 of the door 1 , in which the device 10 is inserted.

[0101] For convenience, Figure 7 shows only the profile 14a, but the profile 14b is similar to it.

[0102] The profiles 14a, 14b are substantially Q-shaped in cross-section, with:

[0103] - a core 31 ,

[0104] - two opposite and mirror- symmetrical wings 32a, 32b, each one extending from the core 31 , at right angles to the latter,

[0105] - two opposite and mirror- symmetrical primary appendages 33a, 33b, each one extending at the free end of a corresponding one of such wings 32a, 32b, at right angles to them, such primary appendages 32a, 32b extending parallel to the core 31 and toward the outside of the substantially Q-shaped cross-section.

[0106] In a variation of embodiment, not shown in the figures, the profiles 14a, 14b also have two secondary appendages, extending from the core 31, and coplanar with it, toward the outside of the substantially Q-shaped crosssection.

[0107] The invention also relates to a door 1 with such a device 10.

[0108] The door 1 has a longitudinal groove 3, in which the device 10 is accommodated, at least partially. Advantageously, the groove 3 has, in the following order:

[0109] - a longitudinal first portion 2, which defines the inlet portion 2 and coincides with a longitudinal first end El of the door 1, the appendage 30 of the second plate 13b corresponding to such longitudinal first portion 2,

[0110] - a first region 4 with a widened cross- section, the shape and dimensions of which are substantially comparable with those of the second protrusion 35b of the second plate 13b, into which such second protrusion 35b of the second plate 13b, and the corresponding outer / free end of the second bar 1 lb, is inserted,

[0111] - a longitudinal second portion 5, interposed between the first region 4 with a widened cross-section and a second region 6 with a widened crosssection, the second bar 11b and its corresponding profile 14b being inserted into such longitudinal second portion 5,

[0112] - such second region 6 with a widened cross-section, the shape and dimensions of which are substantially comparable with those of the first protrusion 34 of the covering element 17 of the adjustment means 12, the first protrusion 34 of the covering element 17 and the tubular element 19 being inserted into such second region 6 with a widened cross- section,

[0113] - a longitudinal third portion 7, interposed between the second region 6 with a widened cross-section and a third region 8 with a widened crosssection, the first bar I la and its corresponding profile 14a being inserted into such longitudinal third second portion 7,

[0114] - such third region 8 with a widened cross-section, the shape and dimensions of which are substantially comparable with those of the second protrusion 35b of the second plate 13b, the second protrusion 35b of the second plate 13b and the corresponding outer / free end of the first bar I la being inserted into such third region 8 with a widened cross-section, the latter being located proximate to a longitudinal second end E2 of the door 1 , opposite with respect to the longitudinal first end El .

[0115] Advantageously, the longitudinal first portion 2, the longitudinal second portion 5 and the longitudinal third portion 7 of the groove 3 have a transverse cross- section with a T-shaped profile and two parallel and mirror- symmetrical longitudinal undercuts 36a, 36b at the wings of the T-shape, each one being intended to accommodate and retain a respective primary appendage 33a, 33b of the profiles 14a, 14b.

[0116] It should be noted that such a groove 3, together with the Q-shaped cross-section of the profiles 14a, 14b, ensures that the profiles are retained inside the groove 3, even if the bars I la, 11b are subjected to considerable stress, and without the need to apply further transverse plates or fixing elements.

[0117] Furthermore, the dimensions of the transverse cross-section with T- shaped profile of the groove are such as to allow a play with the profiles 14a, 14b, thus facilitating and speeding up their insertion.

[0118] Also, these characteristics make it possible to avoid placing stresses and deformations on these profiles 14a, 14b, as happens in similar profiles with a U-shaped cross-section.

[0119] Moreover, the above characteristics allow the profiles 14a, 14b to be flush with the surface of the door 1, so ensuring a pleasing visual impact and ease of cleaning of the door 1.

[0120] The profiles 14a, 14b and the bars I la, 11b are inserted, by simple sliding, starting from the longitudinal first end El of the door 1.

[0121] The use of the device 10 according to the invention is the following.

[0122] When it is necessary to modify the curvature of the door 1, it is necessary to insert, through the slot 18, an open-ended spanner of the correct shape to fit onto the external profile of the tubular element 19, and engage it with the same. Then, it is sufficient to rotate the spanner, and hence the tubular element 19, clockwise / anticlockwise in order to move the bars I la, 11b toward / away from each other, and vary the curvature of the door 1.

[0123] In practice it has been found that the device according to the present invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing a door tensioner device that enables assembly operations that are easier and quicker than similar, conventional devices, since it is not necessary to insert the profiles by force or with the aid of tools.

[0124] With the invention a door tensioner device, and a door with such a device, are provided that prevent the covering profiles from working their way free from the groove without needing to insert these profiles by force and without needing to use further fixing elements.

[0125] With the invention a door tensioner device, and a door with such a device, are provided that present an appealing visual impact and which facilitate cleaning operations, with respect to similar, conventional solutions.

[0126] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0127] In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0128] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102023000025641 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0129] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, such reference signs have been inserted for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A door tensioner device (10), comprising:- two aligned threaded bars (I la, 11b), respectively:- a first bar (I la), with a right-hand thread,- a second bar (11b), with a left-hand thread,- adjustment means (12), interposed between said two bars (I la, 11b), for moving said bars (I la, 11b) toward / away from each other,- two end plates (13a, 13b), each one placed at the outer / free end of a respective one of said bars (I la, 11b) and shaped complementarily with the latter, said plates (13a, 13b) being respectively:- a first plate (13a),- a second plate (13b),- two covering profiles (14a, 14b), each one for a corresponding one of said bars (I la, 1 lb), said device (10) being characterized in that each one of said two end plates (13a, 13b) has a recess (15) provided with both a right-hand complementary thread (16a) and a left-hand complementary thread (16b).

2. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said profiles (14a, 14b) are substantially Q-shaped in cross- section, with:- a core (31),- two opposite and mirror- symmetrical wings (32a, 32b), each one of said wings (32a, 32b) extending from said core (31), at right angles to the latter,- two opposite and mirror-symmetrical primary appendages (33a, 33b), each one of said primary appendages (33a, 33b) extending at the free end of a corresponding one of said wings (32a, 32b) at right angles to them, said primary appendages (33a, 33b) extending parallel to said core (31) and toward the outside of said substantially Q-shaped cross- section.

3. The device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that saidcovering profiles (14a, 14b) have two secondary appendages, each one of said secondary appendages extending from said core (31) toward the outside of said substantially Q-shaped cross-section and being coplanar with respect to said core (31).

4. The device (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said adjustment means (12) comprise:- a covering element (17) provided with a slot (18),- a tubular element (19), which has a hexagonal external transverse profile and is complementarily threaded internally, with:- a right-hand complementary thread (20a) at a first axial end, at least partially screwed to said first bar (I la),- a left-hand complementary thread (20b) at a second axial end, opposite the previous end, at least partially screwed to said second bar (Hb), said tubular element (19) having an axis of extension that coincides with the axis of extension of said bars (I la, 11b).

5. The device (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said covering element (17) comprises:- a first flat portion (21), provided with:- said longitudinally-extended slot (18), having an axis of extension that is perpendicular to the axis of extension of said tubular element (19), said slot (18) passing through said first flat portion (21),- two through first holes (23a, 23b), which are mutually opposite and mirror- symmetrical with respect to said slot (18) and are aligned with the latter,- a plurality of protruding first bodies (22a, 22b), said first bodies (22a, 22b) extending at right angles to a face of said first flat portion (21) and monolithically with the latter, said first bodies (22a, 22b) being adapted to retain said tubular element (19) and adjacent to said slot (18), said first bodies (22a, 22b) being adapted to provide a first protrusion (34).

6. The device (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said plates (13a, 13b) comprises:- a second flat portion (25a, 25b), having a quadrangular contour and a plurality of through second holes (28),- a plurality of protruding second bodies (26a, 26b, 27a), said second bodies (26a, 26b, 27a) extending at right angles to a face of said second flat portion (25a, 25b) and monolithically with the latter, said second bodies (26a, 26b, 27a) being adapted to retain the corresponding one of said bars (I la, 11b) and adjacent to said recess (15), said second bodies (26a, 26b, 27a) being adapted to provide a second protrusion (35a, 35b).

7. The device (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second plate (13b) has an elongated, longitudinal appendage (30), which is monolithic with said second flat portion (25b) and is substantially coplanar with the latter.

8. A door (1), provided with a longitudinal groove (3), characterized in that it comprises a door tensioner device (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims.

9. The door (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said groove (3) has, in the following order:- a longitudinal first portion (2), which coincides with a longitudinal first end (El) of said door (1), said appendage (30) of said second plate (13b) corresponding to said longitudinal first portion (2),- a first region (4) with a widened cross- section, the shape and dimensions of which are substantially comparable with those of said second protrusion (35b) of said second plate (13b), said second protrusion (35b) of said second plate (13b) and the corresponding outer / free end of said second bar (11b) being inserted into said first region (4),- a longitudinal second portion (5), interposed between said first region (4) with a widened cross-section and a second region (6) with a widened cross-section, said second bar (11b) and the corresponding one ofsaid profiles (14a, 14b) being inserted into said longitudinal second portion (5),- said second region (6) with a widened cross-section, the shape and dimensions of which are substantially comparable with those of said first protrusion (34) of said covering element (17) of said adjustment means (12), said first protrusion (34) of said covering element (17) and said tubular element (19) being inserted into said second region (6) with a widened cross-section,- a longitudinal third portion (7), interposed between said second region (6) with a widened cross-section and a third region (8) with a widened cross-section, said first bar (I la) and the corresponding one of said profiles (14a, 14b) being inserted into said longitudinal third portion (7),- said third region (8) with a widened cross-section, the shape and dimensions of which are substantially comparable with those of said second protrusion (35b) of said second plate (13b), said second protrusion (35b) of said second plate (13b) and the corresponding outer / free end of said first bar (I la) being inserted into said third region (8) with a widened cross-section, said third region (8) with a widened cross-section being located proximate to a longitudinal second end (E2) of said door (1), opposite with respect to said longitudinal first end (El).

10. The door (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that said longitudinal first portion (2), said longitudinal second portion (5) and said longitudinal third portion (7) of said groove (3) have a transverse crosssection with a T-shaped profile and two parallel and mirror- symmetrical longitudinal undercuts (36a, 36b) at the wings of said T-shape, each one of said undercuts (36a, 36b) being intended to accommodate and retain a respective one of said primary appendages (33a, 33b) of said profiles (14a, 14b).

11. The door (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that said transverse cross-section with a T-shaped profile has dimensions that aresuch as to produce play with said profiles (14a, 14b).

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