Sliding door or window with locking mechanism

Abstract

The invention is a door (100) or window comprising a sliding leaf (110) that slides in a horizontal direction (X), a lifting system (300) suited to lift said sliding leaf (110) and to selectively translate said leaf (110) in a vertical direction (Y), a locking mechanism (400) suited to lock the sliding movement of said leaf (110) when the latter is in the closed and lowered position (B), said locking mechanism (400) in turn comprising an idler rod (410) connected to said lifting system (300) and at least one lock (420) installed in said closing abutment jamb (210) and connected to said idler rod (410), and wherein the vertical translation of said idler rod (410) causes a latch (422) of the lock (420) to be moved between a rearward position (C), in which it does not interfere with said sliding leaf (110), and a forward position (D), in which it interferes with said sliding leaf (110), when the latter is in said closed position.

Description

[0001] SLIDING DOOR OR WINDOW WITH LOCKING MECHANISM

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present patent concerns sliding doors, and more specifically it concerns a new door or window with a sliding leaf and a mechanism suited to lock the sliding movement thereof.

[0004] Sliding doors are known, in which the leaves are constrained to and slide on guides mounted on the floor or on the head. The leaves of such doors can also be large and can also be entirely made of glass and very heavy.

[0005] Several sliding systems are known, including, for example, rollers or runners mounted between one edge of the leaf and the slide rail. Magnetic sliding systems are also known, which comprise magnetic runners mounted on one edge of the leaf, usually on the upper one, and a magnetic rail mounted in a corresponding position on the corresponding side of the frame. The magnetic sliding devices are sized according to the weight of the sliding leaf, in such a way that the magnetic attraction force is sufficient to keep the leaf lifted so that it can slide with minimum friction.

[0006] Doors or windows with a sliding leaf are also known, which comprise a sliding leaf lifting system, which selectively lifts and lowers the leaf between a lowered position, in which the leaf rests on the ground and cannot slide, and a lifted position, in which it can slide.

[0007] The lifting system, which is described, for example, in the patents EP 3365522 and EP 3365521, is mounted in the fixed frame of the door or window and is connected to the upper part of the leaf. It comprises an actuator connected to a tie rod which in turn is connected to the upper part of the leaf and configured to act on it by lifting or lowering it by means of one or more levers connected to the leaf.

[0008] For example, the tie rod is arranged vertically and joined to said lever in such a way that lifting the tie rod causes the rotation of the lever, which in turn causes the leaf to be lowered, while, on the contrary, when the tie rod is lowered the rotation of the lever causes the leaf to be lifted. For example, the actuator is activated through the rotation of a handle.

[0009] The subject of the present patent is a new door or window with at least one sliding leaf and a mechanism for locking the leaf.

[0010] The main object of the present invention is to provide a door or window the unwanted opening of which is prevented thanks to the presence of a locking mechanism which is automatically activated / deactivated through the activation of the door lifting system.

[0011] The door comprises a fixed frame suited to be constrained into a compartment created in a wall in general and at least one leaf sliding in a horizontal direction. The door is also provided with a sliding system suited to make the leaf slide in said horizontal direction.

[0012] The sliding system can be any of the currently known sliding systems comprising, for example, at least one guide rail in which the leaf slides, preferably mounted on the head of the fixed frame of the door.

[0013] The sliding system can be operated manually, where the sliding movement of the leaf is caused by a user pushing it, or automatically, the latter solution being more convenient in the case of large and heavy leaves.

[0014] According to the invention, in the case of an automated sliding system, this comprises means suited to make the door slide, such as chain systems and motors, and means suited to selectively activate the sliding movement, such as proximity switches or sensors, remote control devices, etc.

[0015] According to a preferred solution, the sliding system can be of the magnetic type, which is particularly useful if the doors are large and / or very heavy.

[0016] The new door comprises also a leaf lifting system, for example of the known type, comprising a lifting actuator or motor, connected to a first tie rod that can be moved by said actuator between a lowered position and a raised position.

[0017] The tie rod is connected to at least one first lever, which in turn is connected to the head of the frame and the top rail of the sliding leaf and rotates around a fixed point in such a way as to transmit the lifting movement of the tie rod to the leaf, thus lowering it, and, vice versa, in such a way as to transmit the lowering movement of the tie rod to the leaf, thus lifting it.

[0018] The sliding leaf is thus moved between a raised position, in which it can slide thanks to the sliding system, for example a magnetic or roller system, and a lowered position, in which the leaf rests on the ground and cannot slide, for example because the magnetic sliding system is not active, due to the increased distance between the top rail of the leaf and the head of the frame.

[0019] The new door also comprises a mechanism for locking the sliding movement of the leaf, installed in the fixed frame of the door, more specifically in the jamb where the leaf abuts when it is in the closed position.

[0020] Said locking mechanism comprises an idler rod, one end of which is connected to said lever of the lifting system. When the lever is rotated by the lifting system, it causes a corresponding movement of the idler rod and, more specifically, when the lever moves to lift the leaf, it lowers the idler rod, while when it moves to lower the leaf, it lifts the idler rod.

[0021] The rod is also connected to one or more locks arranged along the rod itself at various heights and constrained into said jamb of the fixed frame of the door.

[0022] Each lock comprises a support that is constrained to the jamb, and thus fixed, and a latch that is slidingly constrained to said support, for example horizontally, between a rearward position, in which it does not interfere with the leaf, and a forward position, in which it can interfere with the leaf when the latter is in the closed position.

[0023] Said latch comprises at least one cavity housing a pin that slides therein and translates with respect to the latch in a transverse direction with respect to the sliding direction of the latch, for example in a vertical direction. The pin slides between a position in which it is retracted into the latch and a position in which it protrudes from the latch. At the level of each lock, the corresponding edge of the leaf comprises a cavity that is aligned with the latch of the corresponding lock when the door is in the lowered closed position.

[0024] The movement of said latch and that of said pin are caused by the movement of said idler rod and, more specifically, when the idler rod is in the lowered position, meaning with the leaf lifted and free to slide, said pin is retracted into the latch and the latch is in the rearward position.

[0025] The lock, therefore, does not interfere with the leaf, which remains free to slide.

[0026] On the other hand, when the idler rod is lifted, that is, when the leaf is lowered, the lifting movement of the rod causes, in succession, the latch to move forward and the pin to protrude.

[0027] In this way, the latch is inserted into the corresponding cavity created in the edge of the leaf and correspondingly shaped, while the pin, protruding from the latch, is inserted beyond the opening of the leaf cavity, which for this purpose is provided with a corresponding internal recess. In this way, the sliding movement of the sliding leaf is locked and the door cannot be opened.

[0028] The door preferably comprises also a guide pin that is inserted in a bushing positioned on the floor and moves vertically in the bushing through elastic means that keep it in the normally projecting position. Said pin has the function of keeping the sliding leaf correctly guided during its movement.

[0029] In normal operating conditions, the pin is housed in a groove created within the thickness of the leaf, in which it remains hidden for the entire duration of the sliding stroke of the leaf itself.

[0030] The elastic means serve to allow the pin to be lowered inside its bushing and thus allow the sliding leaf to be removed, for example for maintenance and cleaning operations.

[0031] The elastic means also serve to facilitate the movement of the pin while the leaf is sliding, making it smoother and also reducing any noise.

[0032] The characteristics of the new door are better clarified in the following description, making reference to the drawings, which are attached by way of non-limiting example.

[0033] Figure 1 shows an example of embodiment of the new door (100) in a front view from the inside of the building, in the closed position, while Figure 2 shows a horizontal section of the new door (100). Figures 3a and 3b shows two vertical sectional views of two possible embodiments of the head (230) of the frame (200) and of the top rail (121, 121') of the sliding leaf (110).

[0034] Figure 4 shows a vertical sectional view of a guide pin (500) inserted in a bushing (510) embedded in the floor (S).

[0035] Figure 5 shows a three-dimensional view of a possible embodiment of the lifting system (300) designed to lift the sliding leaf (110), in which the locking mechanism (400) of the leaf (110) is also shown.

[0036] Figures 5a and 5b show two operating positions of a lock (420) of the locking mechanism (400).

[0037] Figures 6a, 6b and 6c show the operation of a lock (420) of the locking mechanism (400).

[0038] Figure 7 shows a detail of Figure 5, where it is possible to observe the lever system designed to lift / lower the sliding leaf (110) and to operate the locking mechanism (400).

[0039] Figures 8a and 8b show two examples of embodiment of the lifting system (300, 300').

[0040] The new door (100) comprises a fixed frame (200) suited to be constrained into a compartment (Pl) created in a wall or structure (P) in general and at least one sliding leaf (110) that slides in a horizontal direction (X).

[0041] The fixed frame (200) comprises a pair of jambs (210, 220), of which a first jamb (210), hereinafter referred to as the closing abutment jamb, and a second jamb (220), hereinafter referred to as the opening abutment jamb, which the sliding leaf (110) respectively abuts in the closed and in the open position of the door. More specifically, a first vertical side of the sliding leaf (110), or closing abutment side (140), abuts said closing abutment jamb (210) when the door is closed, while the second vertical side of the sliding leaf (110), or opening abutment side (150), abuts said opening abutment jamb (220) when the door is completely open.

[0042] The frame (200) also comprises a head (230) and may or may not comprise a lower rail, wherein said head (230) and said lower rail are associated with the respective upper part (120) and lower part (130) of the sliding leaf (110) so as to guide the movement of the leaf itself.

[0043] The upper part (120) of the sliding leaf (110) comprises a top rail (121, 121') configured to slide with respect to the head (230).

[0044] In the example shown in Figure 3a, the top rail (121) is configured for sliding with rollers, while in the example shown in Figure 3b it is configured for magnetic sliding. The lower part (130) of the sliding leaf (110) can be configured to slide on a corresponding lower rail, for example as shown in Figure 4, where it is possible to observe a guide pin (500) inserted in a bushing (510) embedded in the floor (S). The guide pin (500) normally partially protrudes from the bushing (510) and serves as a guide for the sliding movement of the leaf (110) which, along its lower part (130), is provided with a rail (131) in which said guide pin (500) is housed.

[0045] Said guide pin (500) can be moved vertically inside the bushing (510) through elastic means (520) which allow the guide pin (500) to be retracted into the bushing (510) so that the leaf (110) can be removed.

[0046] According to the invention, the door may comprise one or more magnetic blocks (600) constrained to the floor (S) and housed in said rail (131) in the lower part of the leaf (110), so as to further guarantee the correct alignment of the leaf (110) and thus improve stability and make it easier to control the sliding movement.

[0047] The combination of said guide pin (500) together with the bushing (510) and said one or more magnetic blocks (600) guarantees reliability, precision and smooth operation of the sliding door, thus optimizing its performance. The sliding movement of the sliding leaf (110) can be carried out manually, by simply pushing or pulling the leaf, or it can be motorized and automated by means of known devices.

[0048] As shown in Figure 5, the new door comprises a lifting system (300) suited to selectively lift / lower the sliding leaf (110) in a vertical direction (Y).

[0049] Said lifting system (300) is installed in said closing abutment jamb (210) of the frame (200) of the door (100) and comprises a lifting actuator or motor (310) connected to a first lever (312), for example by means of a tie rod (311).

[0050] Said actuator or motor (310) is fixed with respect to the closing abutment jamb (210) and can move said first lever (312), which in turn can be rotated around a fixed point (313) integral with the head (230) of the frame (200).

[0051] Said first lever (312) is also constrained, in at least one second point (314), to the top rail (121) of the sliding leaf (110).

[0052] More specifically, said lifting motor (310) can, by lowering the tie rod (311), cause the rotation of said first lever (312) in a first direction, for example counterclockwise in the drawing shown in Figure 7. By rotating in this first direction, the first lever (312) causes the top rail (121), that is, the sliding leaf (110), to be lifted.

[0053] Vice versa, when the lifting motor (310) lifts the tie rod (311), it causes the first lever (312) to rotate in the opposite direction and thus lowers the top rail (121) and consequently the sliding leaf (110).

[0054] The lifting system (300) may also conveniently comprise further levers (315) distributed along the length of the head (230), each constrained between said head (230) and said top rail (121), said further levers (315) being useful for maintaining the top rail (121) parallel to the head (230) during the vertical movement of the sliding leaf (110).

[0055] Figures 8a and 8b show how said lifting system (300) of the sliding leaf (110) can be applied in a substantially equivalent manner both in the roller sliding configuration (Figure 8a) and in the magnetic sliding configuration (Figure 8b). The sliding leaf (110) can thus be moved between a lifted position (A), in which it can slide thanks to the sliding system, for example in the roller sliding configuration or in the magnetic sliding configuration, and a lowered position (B), in which the sliding leaf (110) rests on the ground and cannot slide.

[0056] The new door (100) comprises also a locking mechanism (400), which prevents the sliding leaf (110) from sliding when the latter is in the closed position, that is, when its closing abutment side (140) abuts the closing abutment jamb (210).

[0057] Said locking mechanism (400) comprises an idler rod (410), one end (411) of which is connected to said first lever (312) of the lifting system (300).

[0058] When said first lever (312) is rotated by the lifting system (300) as described above, it causes a corresponding movement of the idler rod (410).

[0059] More specifically, when said first lever (312) rotates to lift said sliding leaf (110), it causes, for example, the idler rod (410) to be lowered, while when it moves to lower the sliding leaf (110) it lifts the idler rod (410).

[0060] Said idler rod (410) is also connected to one or more locks (420) arranged along the idler rod (410) itself at different heights and constrained in said closing abutment jamb (210) of the frame (200).

[0061] Each lock (420) comprises a support (421), for example substantially box-shaped, constrained to said closing abutment jamb (210) or to the floor, and thus fixed, and a latch (422) slidingly constrained to said support (421) so that it slides in a transverse direction with respect to the closing abutment jamb (210), for example in a horizontal direction (X), between a rearward position (C), in which it does not interfere with the sliding leaf (110), and a forward position (D), in which it can interfere with the sliding leaf (110) when the latter is in the closed position.

[0062] Said latch (422) comprises at least one cavity (423) which slidingly houses a pin (424) that translates with respect to the latch in a transverse direction with respect to the sliding direction of the latch (422), for example and preferably in a vertical direction (Y). Said pin (424) slides between a position (C, D) in which it is retracted into the latch (422) and a position (E) in which it protrudes from the latch (422).

[0063] At the level of each lock (420), the corresponding closing abutment side (140) of the sliding leaf (110) comprises a cavity or seat, not shown in the figures, which is aligned with said latch (422) of the corresponding lock (420) when the sliding leaf (110) is in the closed position and lowered position (B).

[0064] The movement of said latch (422) and that of said pin (424) are caused by the movement of said idler rod (410) and, more specifically, for example when the idler rod (410) is in the lowered position, meaning with the sliding leaf (110) in the lifted position (A) and free to slide, said pin (424) is retracted into the latch (422) and said latch (422) is in the rearward position (C).

[0065] In this configuration, therefore, the lock (420) does not interfere with the sliding leaf (110), which remains free to slide.

[0066] On the other hand, when the idler rod (410) is lifted, that is, when the sliding leaf (110) is lowered, the lifting movement of the idler rod (410) causes, in succession, the latch (422) to move forward and the pin (424) to protrude (position E).

[0067] In this way, the latch (422) of each lock (420) engages in the corresponding cavity created in the sliding leaf (110) and the pin (424), protruding from the latch (422), engages vertically beyond the opening of the seat in the sliding leaf (110), thus locking its sliding movement.

[0068] The movement of said latch (422) and of said pin (424) in succession takes place, for example, thanks to mechanisms described below and shown in Figures 6a, 6b and 6c. The lock (420) comprises a rotatable lever system (425), which is constrained to said support (421) and slidingly constrained to said latch (422) by means of a pin (426) sliding in a non-rectilinear rail (427, 428) obtained on said latch (422).

[0069] Said lever system (425) is rotated by said idler rod (410), to which it is rigidly constrained by means of a connection element (429) shown in Figure 5.

[0070] Lifting the idler rod (410) causes said lever system (425) to rotate and its pin (426) to slide in a first vertical section (427) of said curved rail (427, 428), causing the translation of said latch (422), as shown in Figure 6b.

[0071] Further lifting the idler rod (410) causes said lever system (425) to rotate further and its pin (426) to slide in a second section (428) of said rail (427, 428), which is inclined with respect to said first vertical section (427), causing said pin (424) to protrude from the inside of the latch (422).

[0072] Vice versa, lowering the idler rod (410) causes first the pin (424) and subsequently the latch (422) to be retracted.

[0073] The door may also comprise an additional locking device (700), shown for example in Figures 10a and 10b which illustrate a part of the sliding leaf (110), more specifically its comer close to the lower part (130) and to the opening abutment side (150). Said locking device (700) is mounted in this position, wherein said locking device (700) is constrained to said sliding leaf (110) and comprises a vertical pin (710) in a normally lowered position, that is, protruding to a certain extent beyond said lower part (130) of said leaf (110).

[0074] In a position corresponding to that of said vertical pin (710) when said sliding leaf (110) is in the closed position, there is a seat or hole (720) created in the floor (S) or in a lower rail and intended to house said vertical pin (710) when the sliding leaf (110) is in the lowered position (B). In this way, an additional locking and anchoring point for the sliding leaf (110) is provided.

[0075] In the preferred solution, said vertical pin (710) is connected to elastic means that keep it in said normally protruding position but allows it to be retracted if there is no hole in the floor (S), thus still allowing the door to function properly.

[0076] Said lifting system (300) and said locking mechanism (400) can be controlled, for example, by means of a switch or a door handle or a remote control.

[0077] Therefore, with reference to the above description and the attached drawings, the following claims are made.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Door (100) or window comprising a fixed frame (200), at least one leaf (110) sliding in a horizontal direction (X), means for making said sliding leaf (110) slide in said horizontal direction (X), at least one lifting system (300) suited to lift said sliding leaf (110) and to selectively move said sliding leaf (110) in a vertical direction (Y), said lifting system (300) comprising a first lever (312) that in turn can be rotated around a fixed point (313) of the head (230) of said frame (200) and is also constrained, in at least one second point (314), to the top rail (121) located on the upper part (120) of the sliding leaf (110), and wherein the rotation of said first lever (312) in one direction causes said sliding leaf (110) to be lowered to a lowered position (B), while the rotation of said first lever (312) in the opposite direction causes said sliding leaf (110) to be raised to a raised position (A), characterized in that it comprises a locking mechanism (400) suited to block the sliding movement of said leaf (110) when the latter is in the lowered and closed position (B), in which one vertical side thereof (140) abuts a jamb of said frame (200), or closing abutment jamb (210), said locking mechanism (400) in turn comprising: an idler rod (410) directly or indirectly connected to said first lever (312), and wherein said rotation of said first lever (312) in one direction causes said idler rod (140) to be raised, while the rotation of said first lever (312) in the opposite direction causes said idler rod (140) to be lowered; at least one lock (420) installed in said closing abutment jamb (210) and connected to said idler rod (410), each lock (420) comprising at least one latch (422) that can move in a transverse direction with respect to the closing abutment jamb (210), for example in a horizontal direction (X); and wherein the vertical translation of said idler rod (410) causes said at least one latch (422) to move between a rearward position (C), in which it does not interfere with said sliding leaf (110), and a forward position (D), in which it interferes with said sliding leaf (110), when the latter is in said closed position.

2. Door (100) or window according to claim 1, characterized in that said lifting system (300) comprises at least one lifting actuator or motor (310), fixed in said first jamb (210) and connected to said first lever (312) by means of at least one tie rod (311), and wherein raising said at least one tie rod (311) causes said lever (312) to rotate in a first direction and said sliding leaf (110) to be lowered, while lowering said at least one tie rod (311) causes said lever (312) to rotate in the opposite direction and said sliding leaf (110) to be raised.

3. Door (100) or window according to claim 1, characterized in that said idler rod (410) of the locking mechanism (400) is connected with one of its ends (411) to said first lever (312) of the lifting system (300), in such a way that:- when said first lever (312) rotates to raise said sliding leaf (110), it causes said idler rod (410) to be lowered;- when said first lever (312) moves to lower the sliding leaf (110), it raises the idler rod (410).

4. Door (100) or window according to claim 3, characterized in that said locking mechanism (400) comprises two or more of said locks (420) arranged along said idler rod (410) at different heights.

5. Door (100) or window according to claim 3, characterized in that said at least one lock (420) comprises: a support (421) fixed to said closing abutment jamb (210), said latch (422) which slides with respect to said support (421) in a transverse direction with respect to said closing abutment jamb (210), and preferably in a horizontal direction (X), between said rearward position (A) and said forward position (D), a pin (224) housed in a cavity (423) in said latch (422) and translating with respect to the latch (422) in a transverse direction with respect to the sliding direction of the latch (422), and preferably in a vertical direction (Y), between a position (C, D) in which it is retracted into the latch (422) and a position (E)in which it protrudes from the latch (422).

6. Door (100) or window according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said sliding leaf (110) comprises a cavity or seat at each of said one or more locks (420), on said side (140) intended to abut said closing abutment jamb (210), each of said seats being in such a position as to be aligned with said latch (422) of the corresponding lock (420) when the sliding leaf (110) is in the closed and lowered position (B), and the size of each of said seats being such as to allow said latch (422) to be inserted when the latter is in said forward position (D).

7. Door (100) or window according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said idler rod (410) is connected to said latch (422) and to said pin (424) of each of said one or more locks (420) by means of mechanisms, in such a way that:- when the idler rod (410) is lowered, that is, when the sliding leaf (110) is in the raised position (A) and free to slide, said pin (224) is retracted into the latch (422) and said latch (422) is in said rearward position (C), in such a way that it does not interfere with the sliding movement of said sliding leaf (110),- when the idler rod (410) is raised, that is, when the sliding leaf (110) is in the lowered position (B), the lifting movement of the idler rod (410) causes, in succession, the latch (422) to move forward and the pin (423) to be withdrawn, so that the latch (422) of each lock (420) engages in the corresponding cavity or seat provided in the sliding leaf (110) and the pin (424), protruding from the latch (422), engages vertically beyond the opening of the cavity, thus locking the sliding movement of the sliding leaf (110).

8. Door (100) or window according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a guide pin (500) inserted in a bushing (510) or a seat created in the floor (S), said guide pin (500) being vertically movable in said bushing (510) through elastic means which keep it normally exposed and housed in a groove or rail (131) obtained along the lower part (130) of said sliding leaf (110).

9. Door (100) or window according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprisesa locking device (700) constrained to the sliding leaf (110) in proximity of its corner between the lower part (130) and the vertical side (150) opposite said first jamb (210), wherein said locking device (700) comprises a vertical pin (710) in a normally lowered position, that is, protruding to a certain extent beyond said lower part (130) of said leaf (110) and suited to be engaged in a seat or hole (720) made in the floor (S) or in a lower rail in a position corresponding to said locking device when said sliding leaf (110) is in the closed and lowered position (B).

10. Door (100) or window according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said vertical pin (710) is connected to said sliding leaf (110) through elastic means that enable it to be translated vertically from a position in which it protrudes beyond said lower part (130) of the sliding leaf (110) and a position in which it is retracted above said lower part (130) of the sliding leaf (110).

11. Door (100) or window according to claim 1, characterized in that said means suited to make said sliding leaf (110) slide are of the magnetic type.

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