Sliding system for window units

Abstract

A sliding system is described comprising a lower crosspiece of a fixture, wherein the crosspiece comprises a linear bar made of ferromagnetic material; and a window unit which is slidable horizontally along a horizontal axis on the linear bar and comprises a pair of carriages and at least one magnetic levitation slider. The carriages and the at least one slider are mounted arranged in a row under the window unit and mounted slidably on the linear bar.

Description

[0001] SLIDING SYSTEM FOR WINDOW UNITS

[0002] The invention relates to a sliding system for window units and to an improved window unit.

[0003] There are known building finishing works with horizontally sliding window units on carriages whose wheels roll on linear guides built into the frame of the window unit. In more advanced versions, see e.g. WO2020221782A1 , the window unit can also be raised and lowered vertically, usually manually using a handle, to improve water and wind tightness and reduce transmitted noise.

[0004] On the ground the fixture associated with the window unit has a lower horizontal crosspiece, the so-called "threshold", which contains a track.

[0005] Well-known sliding systems, e.g. for doors or glass windows, are equipped with a window unit mounted on two roller carriages slidable on the track of the threshold.

[0006] The carriages are the only sliding interface between the track and the window unit, so the entire weight of the window unit is transferred to the carriages and consequently to restricted areas of the track. Not only do the carriages have to cope with significant frictional forces, which compromises the smooth movement of the window unit, but it is also necessary to produce very mechanically resistant thresholds, sacrificing their thermal insulation qualities.

[0007] The main object of the invention is to improve this state of the art.

[0008] Another object is to create a sliding system of the aforementioned type that improves the sliding characteristics of the window unit.

[0009] Another object is to create a sliding system of the aforementioned type that improves the thermal insulation properties of the fixture associated with the window unit.

[0010] Another object is to create a window unit with improved sliding capability.

[0011] Another object is to create a fixture associated with the window unit that is more thermally insulating.

[0012] The invention is defined in the attached claims where the dependent claims define advantageous variants, and refers to a sliding system, in particular for a finishing work of a building, the system comprising: a lower crosspiece of fixture, wherein the crosspiece comprises a linear bar; a window unit that

[0013] - is slidable horizontally along a horizontal axis on the linear bar and

[0014] - comprises a pair of carriages and at least one magnetic levitation slider, wherein the carriages and the at least one slider are mounted in a row under the window unit and slidably mounted on the linear bar installed in the crosspiece.

[0015] Another aspect of the invention relates to a window unit slidable horizontally along a horizontal axis on a linear bar of a fixture, comprising: a pair of carriages and at least one magnetic levitation slider, wherein the carriages and the at least one slider are mounted arranged in a row under the window unit and mounted slidingly on the linear bar installed in the crosspiece.

[0016] One or more magnetic levitation sliders distribute the weight of the window unit across all or most of the linear bar, taking it away from the carriages. This results in the carriages sliding more smoothly, and the user's horizontal push on the window unit is less tiring.

[0017] The sliding system is particularly advantageous when combined with (well-known) roller sliders.

[0018] To simplify the construction and to maintain for example the position of pre-existing carriages on the window unit, usually placed under the ends of the window unit, the carriages are preferably placed at the end of the row and the sliders are arranged at the centre of the row aligned.

[0019] To improve water tightness or draft resistance, the window unit may advantageously be of the type that can also be moved vertically. In this case, the carriages are connected to a manual mechanism, e.g. through a handle or other known mechanism, capable of moving them closer to the window unit to lower the window unit towards the ground (and towards the lower crosspiece).

[0020] In the case of a lowerable window unit, the aforementioned at least one levitation slider also has the advantage of simplifying the lifting mechanism for the window unit and reducing the human effort during its vertical displacement. To this end, one or each levitation slider is adapted to magnetically generate a supporting force for the window unit, wherein, as the carriage lowers (or is lowered) toward the crosspiece, the force first increases in magnitude, then reaches a maximum, and then decreases in magnitude.

[0021] That is, one or each levitation slider is adapted to magnetically generate a supporting force for the window unit that at the beginning of the vertical descent stroke towards the crosspiece, is increasing; reaches a maximum for a certain extent of the stroke, and beyond such extent, as the descent travel towards the crosspiece continues, the force decreases.

[0022] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for lowering a windoiw unit, as in any of the variants defined herein, onto and with respect to a lower crosspiece of a fixture, wherein the fixture comprises a linear bar and the slidable window unit is mounted on two carriages and on at least one magnetic levitation slider which are slidable on the linear bar, wherein at least one magnetic levitation slider magnetically generates a vertical force opposite to the weight of the window unit, with the step of varying the vertical force as a function of the distance between the at least one magnetic levitation slider and the linear bar.

[0023] In particular, the step of varying the vertical force envisages generating the force in such a way that, as the slider lowers (or is lowered) towards the crossbar, the force increases in magnitude, then reaches a maximum and then decreases in magnitude.

[0024] More specifically, the step of varying the vertical force envisages generating the force by sliding the linear bar inside a channel of the at least one slider.

[0025] More specifically, the step of varying the vertical force envisages generating the force by sliding the linear bar inside a channel of the at least one magnetic levitation slider, wherein the walls of the channel comprise means for producing a magnetic field whose field lines cross the channel from one wall to the other orthogonally to the length of the linear bar.

[0026] The well-known thresholds are made of aluminum parts separated by plastic parts (to create thermal breaks) or coated fiberglass. The threshold then is equipped with a metal profile for the sliding of the sliders. These thresholds are typically installed over an insulating layer, which complicates installation and increases cost. Furthermore, the very structure of the threshold is massive, to support the load of the fixture, making it expensive and heavy.

[0027] The aforementioned sliding system can be advantageously associated with a less massive threshold structure, making it lighter and above all modifying its constituent materials to improve its thermal insulation qualities.

[0028] Thus, an object of the invention is to provide a crosspiece of fixture of window unit, the crosspiece comprising a sliding guide for a window unit, which is lightweight and thermally insulating. Another object is to create a crosspiece of fixture with aesthetic finishes and customizable cladding materials without compromising thermal performance.

[0029] A crosspiece of fixture is then proposed to support a slidable window unit along a horizontal axis, wherein the crosspiece is elongated parallel to the axis (and preferably has a constant cross-section) and comprises:

[0030] - a support plate made of thermally insulating material,

[0031] - a pedestal elevating from the support plate, wherein the linear bar develops parallel to the axis and is mounted on the pedestal to remain at a distance from the support plate.

[0032] Said thermally insulating material has a thermal conductivity equal to or less than 2 W / mK.

[0033] The crosspiece is, in use, preferably horizontal and placed at the lower portion of the fixture.

[0034] The crosspiece is in use preferably integrated into the fixture, or a component separate from the fixture or the window unit and cooperating with it.

[0035] The support plate is preferably covered with a layer of rigid material, e.g. as metal (e.g. aluminum, steel, stainless steel, brass, or bronze) or plastic. These materials provide mechanical strength to the crosspiece.

[0036] To simplify the crosspiece structure, the support plate preferably comprises a first and a second side, opposite each other, with a larger area than other sides of the crosspiece. The pedestal is mounted on the first side to protrude from the first side, the rigid material layer covers only the first side, and the second side is flat and rests on the building structure in which the crosspiece is installed.

[0037] To simplify the structure and construction of the crosspiece, in the support plate preferably the layer of rigid material is a section bar shaped to follow the profile of the thermally insulating material in a complementary manner; preferably the section bar is made of metal or plastic.

[0038] Specifically, the thermally insulating material is alveolar material, or expanded polymer, e.g. EPS, or a polymer from the polystyrene family, or a polyurethane foam. Alternatively, the thermally insulating material is wood or recycled material. These materials give the crosspiece thermal insulation qualities.

[0039] To facilitate the sliding of the aforementioned carriages, preferably the support plate comprises a first portion and a second portion which develop mainly along a direction parallel to the axis and are contiguous and juxtaposed to each other in a direction orthogonal to the linear bar, wherein the first portion is substantially a flat parallelepiped or a parallelepiped tapered towards a free end (an edge of the support plate) provided on a side opposite the second portion, and the second portion comprises a linear groove having a bottom, the pedestal being mounted so as to protrude from the centre of the bottom to support the linear bar elevated with respect to said bottom and centred with respect to the longitudinal development of the groove.

[0040] In particular, a first surface of the first portion and a first surface of the second portion are the extension of each other and form the first side, and a second surface of the first portion and a second surface of the second portion, both respectively opposite the relative first surfaces, are the extension of each other and form the second side.

[0041] In particular, the groove is delimited by two parallel walls that define the width of the groove and have equal height with respect to said bottom (the depth of the groove within the second portion), and the linear bar is preferably placed in the groove so that the top of the linear bar is flush with the top of the side walls.

[0042] The pedestal is preferably made of plastic material, such as POM or PVC, or fiberglass, or wood. In particular, to increase thermal insulation and simplify the production of the crosspiece, the pedestal may be made of the same material as the support plate or of one of the materials mentioned above for the support plate.

[0043] In particular, the pedestal has a flat base from which a straight stem extends orthogonally, to the end of which the linear bar is fixed. In particular, the pedestal has a T-shaped cross-section.

[0044] As a preferred construction variant, the base of the pedestal is covered by the layer of rigid material and the stem protrudes from a slot made in the layer of rigid material, thus the layer of rigid material contributes to the stability of the pedestal.

[0045] Preferably, also the lateral surface of the stem is partially covered by the layer of rigid material, as reinforcement.

[0046] The linear bar is e.g. a cylindrical bar.

[0047] The linear bar is made of ferromagnetic material (e.g. metal), so it can be used for the sliding of magnetic levitation sliders. In a variant, the linear bar may comprise a cylindrical bar on which is superimposed a section bar with a cross-section adapted to receive the profile of a carriage wheel.

[0048] It should be noted that a crosspiece according to the invention has advantageous characteristics even when considered in isolation, and can also be used in a sliding system different from the one described here, for example without magnetic levitation sliders or with a different type of fixture or with different means for making the window unit translate on the fixture.

[0049] Another aspect of the invention is a fixture comprising said crosspiece.

[0050] Another aspect of the invention is a sliding system as defined above, comprising the crosspiece according to the invention.

[0051] Another aspect of the invention is an openable structure for plugging an opening in a building, comprising: a window unit slidable horizontally along an axis and preferably cooperating with a fixed leaf, a fixture comprising a crosspiece as defined above, and the slidable window unit is mounted on two roller carriages and on at least one magnetic levitation slider, wherein the carriages and the or each slider are mounted arranged in a row under the fixture and mounted above the linear bar installed in the crosspiece.

[0052] Another aspect of the invention is an assembly or kit comprising: said crosspiece; a carriage with wheels adapted to, or mounted to, slide on the linear bar; a magnetic levitation slider mounted or mountable astride the linear rod, and preferably also a window units under which the carriage and the magnetic levitation slider are mounted.

[0053] In this text relative adjectives such as high and low refer to the components of the structure as in use.

[0054] The advantages of the invention will be more clear from the following description of a preferred embodiment, with reference to the attached drawing in which:

[0055] • Fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of an openable structure,

[0056] • Fig. 2 shows a partial side view of the openable structure,

[0057] • Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a lower crosspiece of a fixture comprised in the openable structure; Fig. 4 shows a graph of the magnetic force developed by a magnetic levitation slider.

[0058] In the drawings, equal numbers indicate equal parts, and in order not to crowd the drawings in some figures some elements have not been numbered.

[0059] Fig. 1 schematically shows an openable structure 10 for plugging an opening in a building. The structure 10, in the example a door or glass door, is equipped with a window unit 12 that is slidable along a horizontal axis X and preferably cooperates with a fixed leaf 14.

[0060] The window unit 12 is mounted on two carriages 17 with wheels and on N magnetic levitation sliders 16 (N >= 1 ). The carriages 17 and the sliders 16 are arranged in a row and mounted on a same metal rail 18, installed in a lower horizontal crosspiece 20 of the structure 10, so that the wheels of the carnages 17 slide on the rail 18.

[0061] For constructional convenience, the carriages 17 are located at the end of the row, the sliders 16 in the center of the row. For a specific structure of a slider 16 see for example W02020044199.

[0062] The crosspiece 20 extends parallel to the X-axis preferably along the entire length of the structure 10, and constitutes, for example, a walkable threshold at the base of the structure 10 (at floor level).

[0063] Since the sliders 16 are designed to provide a supporting force to the window unit 12 contrary to the force of gravity, see Fig. 4, their presence improves the sliding of the window unit 12, since the load on the wheeled carriages 17 is shifted to the sliders 16 and they are characterized by low friction. That is, the sliders 16 also help to discharge most of the weight of the window unit 12 over the entire length of the crosspiece 20, so that the carriages 17 can slide less burdened and more easily.

[0064] Preferably a slider 16 (see Fig. 2) comprises a body 30 that carries at least two rows of magnets 32, parallel and spaced apart from each other. Overall, the slider 16 has a U- shaped cross-section, wherein the legs of the U are constituted by, or house, the magnets 32 and define a rectilinear channel 300 whose longitudinal axis is parallel to the X-axis.

[0065] The magnets 32 are arranged on the sides of the channel 300 so as to produce a magnetic field whose field lines run from one leg of the U to the other. That is, the field lines cross the channel 300 orthogonally to the length of the channel 300, namely they cross the space between the two legs of the U, so that they strike the rail 18. This slider structure has the effect that, when the slider 16 is mounted astride the rail 18, a vertical force is generated between the magnets 32 and the rail 18 (see arrow F) which opposes the weight of the window unit 12.

[0066] The window unit 12 may be of the type capable of improving water or draught tightness, therefore it may also be moved vertically, for example by means of a handle and known mechanisms.

[0067] Then the sliders 16 can also have the advantage of simplifying the lifting mechanism and reducing human effort during the vertical movement of the window unit 12.

[0068] For this purpose, the slider 16 is adapted so that the magnitude of the force F depends on the relative position of the rail 18 within the channel 300 as qualitatively illustrated by the graph in Fig. 4. The graph illustrates the magnitude of the force as a function of a stroke z given by the distance of the center of the rail 18 from the lower edges of the channel 300.

[0069] The graph shows that the force is increasing on the left branch of the graph, is maximum at a point z1 of the stroke z, and decreasing on the right branch of the graph.

[0070] The slide 16 is designed so that when the window unit 12 is maximally raised with respect to the crosspiece 20, the weight of the window unit 12 brings the stroke z to the point z2, that is, to the left of the maximum. That is, when the window unit 12 is maximally raised, and the rail 18 is placed in the minimum z position, the derivative dF / dz is positive.

[0071] During the lowering maneuver, the window unit 12 is lowered via the manual mechanism by bringing the carriages 17 closer to the window unit 12. This transfers the weight of the window unit 12 onto the sliders 16. Consequently, in the sliders 16 the position z of the rail 18 increases, and z changes from z2 to z1 , reaching the maximum load for the slider 16 (i.e. the maximum force F that that slider can generate). A further load shift from the carriages 17 to the sliders 16 causes the maximum load in the sliders 16 to be exceeded: z increases and the maximum in z1 has been passed. By further progressively lowering the slider 16 with respect to the rail 18 (and the crosspiece 20), the rail 18 is moved with respect to the magnets 32 until the magnetic force F that develops between them is weakened. From here on, as the window unit 12 is lowered, the sliders 16 develop an increasingly smaller support force F, facilitating the descent of the window unit 12, namely the maximum of F is passed and the distance z travels the right branch of the graph with a negative derivative dF / dz. With the window unit 12 completely lowered, z reaches the point z3.

[0072] In general we have z2 < z1 < z3 and F(z2) < F(z1 ) and F(z3) < F(z1 ), where F(-) is the function with argument z that expresses the force F.

[0073] When the window unit 12 is lifted again, in the slider 16 the z coordinate returns from z3 to z1 and the force F has a qualitatively identical trend to before (first it increases, then reaches a maximum and then decreases).

[0074] The section with dF / dz < 0 from z3 to z1 is useful because the force F increases at the beginning of the rise of the window unit 12, making the maneuver of the user easier.

[0075] As mentioned, the sliding system described here allows installing an improved crosspiece 20, that is making it lighter and more thermally insulating. Since the sliders 16 distribute the load of the window unit 12 along the crosspiece 20, it is possible to use a less mechanically resistant but more thermally insulating material for the crosspiece 20.

[0076] Figs. 2 and 3 show a preferred structure for the crosspiece 20, which comprises a support plate 50, a rail and a pedestal 86 for the rail.

[0077] The rail is preferably a linear metal bar 80, which develops parallel to the X axis, on which the wheels of the carriages 17 can slide. The sliders 16 are also mounted astride the linear bar 80 (see fig. 2).

[0078] The support plate 50 is made internally of expanded polymer material 52, e.g. EPS, coated by a layer 54 of rigid material, e.g. metal. The expanded polymer material 52 makes the crosspiece 20 an excellent thermal insulator, while the layer 54 gives it structural strength and resistance to trampling.

[0079] In particular, the support plate 50 comprises a first side 56 for resting on the ground and a second side 58. The sides 56, 58 are opposite each other and have a larger area than the other sides of the crosspiece 20. The pedestal 86 is mounted on the side 58 so that it protrudes from the side 58, and the layer 54 preferably covers only the side 58. The layer 54 is, for example, a section bar shaped to follow the profile of the expanded polymeric material 52 in a complementary manner.

[0080] As per example in figure 3, the support plate 50 preferably comprises a first portion 60 and a second portion 70 which have an elongated shape parallel to the X axis and are contiguous and juxtaposed to each other in a direction orthogonal to the linear bar 80.

[0081] The first portion 60 is a substantially flat parallelepiped or a parallelepiped tapered towards one of its free ends 62 which constitutes a lateral edge of the support plate 50. The end 62 is placed on the side opposite the second portion 70. The part of layer 54 on the first portion 60 is in practice a surface which is normally walked on when crossing the structure 10. The second portion 70 comprises a linear groove 72 that extends parallel to the X- axis, has a bottom 74 and is delimited by two parallel walls 76, 78 that define the width of the groove 72 and have equal height with respect to the bottom 74. That is to say, the depth of the groove 72 inside the second portion 70 is equal to the height of the side walls 76, 78. In particular, the two parallel walls 76, 78 are equal.

[0082] The pedestal 86 is mounted inside the groove 72 so as to protrude at the center of the bottom 74 to support the linear bar 80 elevated with respect to the bottom 74 and centered with respect to the longitudinal development of the groove 72 along the X-axis.

[0083] In particular, the pedestal 86 has a flat base 88 from which extends orthogonally a straight stem 89 to the end of which the linear bar 80 is fixed. Substantially, the pedestal 86 has an inverted T-shaped cross-section.

[0084] Preferably the base 88 is covered by the layer 54 and the stem 89 protrudes from a slot made in the layer 54. Preferably also the lateral surface of the stem 89 is mostly covered by the layer 54.

[0085] Not only does the structure of the crosspiece 20 allows it to be easily associated with the window unit 12, or to integrate the rail 18 into a crosspiece of a fixture, but the crosspiece 20 itself, alone, has excellent characteristics of thermal insulation, lightness, robustness and ease of production.

[0086] Among the advantages of the structure 10 is also the possibility to use multiple materials and finishes for the layer 54, while maintaining the thermal insulation performance (given by the material 52).

[0087] The material 52 may also be a polymer from the polystyrene family or a polyurethane foam, wood or recycled material.

[0088] The pedestal 86 is preferably made of plastic material, e.g. POM or PVC, or fiberglass, or wood.

[0089] The structure 10 could also be a window opening, where the crosspiece 20 is mounted at the level of the windowsill.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Sliding system comprising:- a lower crosspiece of a fixture, wherein the crosspiece comprises a linear bar made of ferromagnetic material;- a window unit which is slidable horizontally along a horizontal axis on the linear bar and comprises a pair of carriages and at least one magnetic levitation slider, wherein the carriages and the at least one slider are mounted arranged in a row under the window unit and mounted slidably on the linear bar.

2. Window unit slidable horizontally along a horizontal axis on a linear bar of a fixture, comprising a pair of carriages and at least one magnetic levitation slider, wherein the carriages and the at least one slider are mounted arranged in a row under the window unit and mounted on the linear bar.

3. System or window unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the carriages are placed at the end of the row and the sliders are aligned in the centre of the row.

4. System or window unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein the carriages are connected to a manual mechanism adapted to move the carriages closer to the window unit in order to lower the window unit towards the ground and towards the lower crosspiece, one or each levitation slider being adapted to magnetically generate a supporting force for the window unit, such that the force, as the slider is lowered towards the crosspiece, first increases in magnitude, then reaches a maximum and then decreases in magnitude.

5. System or window unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, wherein the crosspiece is elongated parallel to the axis and comprises:- a support plate made of thermally insulating material,- a pedestal rising from the support plate, wherein the linear bar extends parallel to the axis and is mounted on the pedestal to remain at a distance from the support plate.

6. System or window unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, wherein the support plate is covered with a layer of rigid material.

7. System or window unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6, wherein the thermally insulating material is alveolar material or expanded polymer, or a polymer of the polystyrene family or a polyurethane foam, or EPS or wood.

8. System or window unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7, wherein the layer of rigid material is a section bar shaped to follow the profile of the thermally insulating material in a complementary manner.

9. System or window unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8, wherein the support plate comprises a first portion and a second portion which- develop mainly along a direction parallel to the axis and- are contiguous and juxtaposed to each other in a direction orthogonal to the linear bar, wherein the first portion is substantially a flat parallelepiped or a parallelepiped tapered towards a free end provided on a side opposite to the second portion, and the second portion comprises a linear groove having a bottom, the pedestal being mounted so as to protrude at the centre of the bottom to support the linear bar raised with respect to said bottom and centred with respect to the longitudinal development of the groove.

10. Method for lowering a slidable window unit, as in any of claim 2 to 9, onto and with respect to a lower crosspiece of a fixture, wherein the fixture comprises a linear bar and the slidable window unit is mounted on two carriages and on at least one magnetic levitation slider both slidable on the linear bar, wherein the at least one magnetic levitation slider magnetically generates a vertical force opposite to the weight of the window unit, with the step of varying the vertical force as a function of the distance between the at least one magnetic levitation slider and the linear bar.

Images