EP0342137A1 - Latch assembly for sliding wings - Google Patents

Abstract

A latch assembly for sliding wings is composed of: - a base (2) formed by a bracket, of which one wing (6) is surface-mounted on the inner face of the wing and the other wing (7) projects relative to the latter; - a control handle (3) mounted pivotably on the said base (2) and having a locking member (4) intended for interacting with a latch (5) or equivalent arranged on the frame. To ensure some degree of safety in the manipulation of this latch assembly, whilst at the same time reducing the degree of complexity of its component elements, it possesses, furthermore, single elastic means (19) capable of pushing the control handle (3) either into the released position or into the locked position, depending on the angular offset imparted to the said control handle (3). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a locking fitting for sliding doors comprising:
- A base formed by an angle iron, one wing of which is attached to the internal surface of the opening leaf and the other wing of which is protruding from the latter;
- A control handle pivotally mounted on said base and comprising a locking member intended to cooperate with a keeper or equivalent disposed on the frame.

The present invention relates to the industry specialized in the field of building hardware.

Document FR-A-2,506,372 already discloses a locking fitting incorporating the constituent elements as listed above. Thus, this locking fitting comprises a base that comes to bear on the internal face of the front upright of a sliding leaf. This base supports a control handle to which is fixed a locking member cooperating with a keeper, disposed on the frame of the door, window or the like, when the latter is closed.

More specifically, the base is constituted by an obtuse angle angle, one wing of which is attached, by means of fixing elements such as screws, rivets or the like, to said internal face of the front upright of the opening, l other wing projecting from the plane thereof. In the inner corner of this angle iron is arranged a vertical groove for accommodating a semi-cylindrical bead, integral with the control handle, and constituting the means of rotation of the latter. As for the precise structure of said handle control, it is formed by a radial wing comprising on one of its vertical edges the aforementioned semi-cylindrical bead. On the opposite vertical edge is attached a curvilinear wing, called circumferential, due to its arrangement and its displacement relative to the pivot axis formed, substantially, by said semicylindrical bead.

The locking member, cooperating with the keeper disposed on the frame, is in the form of a blade fixed on the radial wing of the control handle and having an end in the form of a spout capable of coming into contact with a design element identical to a hook constituted by the keeper.

This known locking fitting is also provided with elastic return means of the control handle in the locked position, which gives said fitting an automatic nature by systematically locking the door, window or the like in the event of closing. of the opening.

These elastic return means consist of a pre-stressed helical spring disposed between the projecting wing of the angle iron forming the base and the radial wing of the control handle. Thus, by acting on the latter, the user causes the compression of this helical spring and the release of the locking member from its corresponding keeper. At the end of the sliding of the opening, the release of the control handle releases these elastic return means bringing the locking fitting back into its locked position.

However, in such an arrangement, an untimely operation of the opening, executed, for example, by a child, can cause the locking of the door, window or the like, and order the user who has just crossed the open leaf to stay outside the house.

To overcome this drawback and avoid such incidents, provision is made, according to the prior document, to provide the locking fitting with a locking device making it possible to keep the control handle in the locked position. This locking device consists, on the one hand, of a groove, of oval section, in which is engaged the semi-cylindrical bead of the control handle so as to allow a perpendicular movement of the latter relative to its pivot axis . On the other hand, there is provided, on the vertical edge of the projecting wing of the angle iron constituting the base, a cavity capable of receiving a boss present on the underside of the circumferential wing forming the gripping element. the control handle.

This locking device is completed by the elastic return means of the control handle in the locked position, these means also exerting a radial action on said control handle to ensure the transverse movement of the latter relative to its axis. of rotation. The advantage of this radial action of the elastic return means consists in bringing the aforementioned boss of the circumferential wing into the corresponding cavity and, finally, maintaining the control handle in the unlocked position.

Such a locking device requires, after unlocking the door or other, the intervention of the user to release, again, the control handle, the latter then resuming, its locked position under the action of the return means elastic.

Although providing a certain improvement in terms of security, this type of fitting provided with such a locking device has a number of drawbacks, essentially due to the particular design and the reduced reliability of the latter.

Indeed, the elastic return means, with radial action, have a specific, non-standard configuration, due to their action on the control handle, on the one hand, to bring it back into the locked position and, on the other hand, to give it a movement transverse to its pivot axis.

Furthermore, this blocking device proves to be unreliable and totally ineffective in the event of fatigue of the elastic return means. Indeed, it is found that only their radial action ensures the locking of the control handle in the unlocked position. However, these same elastic return means exert, simultaneously, a pressure on said control handle tending to dissolve the connection, boss-cavity, this action being, therefore, completely antagonistic to the previous one.

Consequently, it is necessary to find a perfect compromise between the coefficient of stiffness, in the axial direction, of these elastic return means and their coefficient of radial stiffness to ensure correct operation of the blocking device while allowing easy manipulation of the control handle.

Of course, in theory, these stiffness coefficients can be determined strictly, however, this seems much more delicate in the context of product design. Indeed, in the event of fatigue of the material, this never having identical consequences in both directions of action of the elastic element, it is very likely that the locking device will be put out of use.

The antagonistic aspect of the effects of these elastic return means also affects the security of the locking fitting. More precisely, being considered that the operating handle, kept unlocked, is in an unstable equilibrium position, an untimely operation, even commanded by a child, causing the sash to collide against the frame, can release the blocking device and finally cause the door to lock; incident for which it was right to provide a solution.

Note, moreover, that a device for blocking the control handle in the unlocked position is only useful in the context of sliding doors allowing the user to leave the dwelling. This is not the case, in particular, for upstairs windows giving access to no terrace. Consequently, for such openings, it is preferable to keep the automatic appearance of the locking fitting and to proceed with the removal of the device for locking the control handle in the unlocked position.

However, in the context of the known locking fitting for sliding doors, described in the aforementioned prior document, such removal of the locking device requires significant modifications to certain components of said locking fitting.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a locking fitting comprising a device for locking the control handle in the unlocked position which is particularly reliable and which necessarily requires: the intervention of a user to return said control handle to the locked position.

In addition, the object of this invention is to standardize the equipment involved in one or other of the conditions of use of these locking fittings for sliding doors, namely:
- automation with systematic return of the control handle to the locked position;
- or semi-automatic system offering the possibility of also maintaining said control handle in the unlocked position.

However, this standardization of the material, tending towards a reduction in the overall cost price of these locking fittings, should not generate an increase in the complexity of the parts used, which could completely destroy the previous effects.

The invention, as characterized in the claims, solves the problem of creating a locking fitting for sliding doors comprising:
- A base formed by an angle iron, one wing of which is attached to the internal surface of the opening leaf and the other wing of which is protruding from the latter;
- A control handle pivotally mounted on said base and comprising a locking member intended to cooperate with a keeper or equivalent disposed on the frame.

This locking fitting further comprising unique elastic means capable of pushing back the control handle, either in its unlocked position, either in the locked position, according to the angular offset conferred on said control handle.

According to another characteristic of the present invention, the locking fitting comprises means for moving the point of application of the elastic means on the control handle to ensure the constant return of the latter in the locking position.

The advantages obtained thanks to this invention consist, essentially, in that elastic means of current characteristics are able to fulfill the function of maintaining the control handle in the unlocked position without, however, it being necessary to have available 'A specific articulation of said control handle on the base. In addition, it should be noted that these elastic means also ensure, the return of the control handle to the locked position, this while avoiding that this function is contrary to those fulfilled in the previous situation.

Another advantage of this locking fitting according to the invention is its versatility. Indeed, thanks to appropriate means, it can be, alternatively, either automatic or semi-automatic, thus adapting to any type of door, window or the like. This standardization has also made it possible to simplify the constituent parts of the locking fitting, both in terms of their number and in terms of their design.

• - la figure 1 représente une vue schématisée et en coupe de la ferrure de verrouillage conforme à l'invention, la poignée de commande étant rappelée dans sa position de verrouillage ;
• - la figure 2 représente une vue identique à la figure 1, la poignée de commande étant maintenue dans sa position déverrouillée par l'intermédiaire de moyens élastiques conçus selon l'invention ;
• - la figure 3 représente la cinématique des moyens élastiques lors de la manipulation de la poignée de commande
• - la figure 4 représente la ferrure de verrouillage dans une position identique à celle de la figure 1, le point d'application des moyens élastiques sur la poignée de commande étant décalé de manière à repousser, systématiquement, cette dernière en position de verrouillage.

The invention is set out below, in more detail, using drawings representing only one embodiment:

• - Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of the locking fitting according to the invention, the control handle being returned to its locking position;
• - Figure 2 shows a view identical to Figure 1, the control handle being held in its unlocked position by means of elastic means designed according to the invention;
• - Figure 3 shows the kinematics of the elastic means when handling the control handle
• - Figure 4 shows the locking fitting in a position identical to that of Figure 1, the point of application of the elastic means on the control handle being offset so as to push, systematically, the latter in the locking position.

The locking fitting 1, object of the present invention, and shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, is more particularly intended for doors, windows or the like whose opening is of the sliding type. Thus, this locking fitting 1 is composed of a base 2, fixed to the wall on the internal face of the front upright of the sliding leaf and on which is mounted, pivotally, a control handle 3. The latter is provided with a locking member 4 intended to cooperate with a keeper 5, disposed on the frame of the door, window or the like.

More specifically, the base 2 is formed by an angle iron comprising a wing 6, attached to bear on the internal face of the opening leaf and a projecting wing 7 disposed perpendicularly to the plane of the latter.

On the inner face 8 of the surface-mounted wing 6 is arranged a groove 9 in which is housed a semi-cylindrical bead 10 secured to the control handle 3 and constituting the axis of rotation of the latter. To this end, said control handle 3 is formed by a radial wing 11 comprising, on one of its vertical edges 12, said semi-cylindrical bead 10. A wing 13, called circumferential because of its arrangement and its displacement relative to the axis of rotation of the control handle 3, is attached to the opposite vertical edge 14 of this radial wing 11 and constituted l gripping element of said control handle 3. As for the locking member 4, integral with the latter, it is formed by a blade 15 depending on the radial wing 11 and comprising, at its free end 16, a spout 17 capable of cooperating with a hook-shaped element 18 such as a keeper 5 disposed on the amount of the door frame, window or the like.

Advantageously and according to a characteristic of the present invention, the locking fitting 1 further comprises elastic means 19 capable of pushing the control handle 3 alternately, either in its locking position 20, as shown in the figure 1, or in the unlocked position 21 corresponding to the configuration of said control handle 3 shown in FIG. 2.

This alternative depends, more exactly, on the angular displacement imparted to the control handle 3, when handling the locking fitting 1. Thus, these elastic means 19 consist of an elastic element 22 connected, at one of its ends 23, to the projecting wing 7 of the base 2, the other end 24 of this elastic element 22 being fixed to the radial wing 11 of the control handle 3.

More specifically, the arrangement of the elastic element 22 is determined so that its connection points 25, 26 respectively on the base 2 and the control handle 3, are able to align with the axis of rotation of the latter, consisting essentially of the semi-cylindrical bead 10 during the pivoting of said control handle 3.

Thus, when the latter is rotated, this elastic element 22 passes through an unstable equilibrium position in which the different forces present cancel each other out. On either side of this point of equilibrium, this elastic element 22 causes the control handle 3 to rotate in different directions.

Since the connection point 25 of the elastic element 22 on the base 2 is immutable when the locking fitting 1 is ordered, only the connection point 26 is subjected to an angular displacement equivalent to that effected by the control handle 3. Therefore, when ordering it, this connection point 26 must, necessarily, cut, during its movement, the segment 27 connecting the connection point 25 to the pivot axis of the control handle 3, this segment 27 materializing the line of balance of forces.

Thus, when said connection point 26 is positioned on said segment 27, between the connection point 25 and the pivot axis of the control handle 3, the elastic element 22 is in an unstable equilibrium position. In fact, in this arrangement, the distance 28 separating the connection points 25, 26 tends towards a minimum, corresponding to maximum compression of the elastic element 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, this distance 28 tends to increase when said connection point 26 moves in one or the other direction relative to the segment 27.

This transition from the elastic return of the control handle 3 to the unlocked 21 and locked 20 position can be ensured either at the start or at the end of rotation of the control handle 3 or even when the latter has reached a median angular position. It depends on the objectives sought by the manufacturer and, in particular, market requirements. Thus, when this transition takes place at the start of manipulation of the control handle 3, preference is given to the safety side of the locking fitting 1 by ensuring, almost systematically, the maintenance of the control handle in the position of opening when the door is unlocked. Otherwise, priority will be given to the automation of the locking fitting 1 while offering the possibility of maintaining the control handle 3 in the unlocked position by giving the latter a maximum rotation.

In the various figures accompanying the description, the elastic element is represented in the form of a leaf spring. However, it can be envisaged to replace this spring with any other elastic element capable of fulfilling identical functions, such as a helical spring with the analog.

Advantageously, the connections of the elastic element 22 with the projecting wing 7 of the base 2 and the radial wing 11 of the control handle 3 are formed by articulation means 29. This characteristic has, essentially, for function of reducing the local stresses on the elastic element 22 during the manipulation of the locking fitting 1. In fact, it can be seen that, in the case of a rigid connection, this elastic element 22 is highly stressed, in particular at the level from its ends 23, 24.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the locking fitting 1 comprises means 30 making it possible to move the point of application of the elastic means 19 on the control handle 3. The objective of such means 30 consists in proposing to the use a standard locking fitting whose operating characteristics can be modified without great difficulty and without requiring a change of parts.

In fact, these means 30 make it possible to restore its locking characteristic to its automatic characteristic by ensuring the systematic return of the control handle 3 to the locking position. This is done by a simple displacement of the connection point 26 of the elastic element 22 on said control handle 3. More specifically, these means 30 are constituted by a connection point 31 of the elastic element 22 on the wing radial 11 of the control handle 3, the position of which is determined so that, in no case, during the rotation of the latter, does it cross the segment 27 connecting the connection point 26 at the level of the base 2 and the axis of rotation formed by the semi-cylindrical bead 10.

In the context of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, this connection point 31 is located in the interior angle 32 formed by the radial wing 11 and the circumferential wing 13. However, it can be chosen a completely different arrangement for this connection point 31 while respecting the condition expressed above.

As before, the end 24 of the elastic element 22 is connected to the control handle 3 at this connection point 31 by means of articulation means 33.

Apart from the advantages already listed above in this description, it can be seen that the present locking fitting 1 has a particularly simplified design, which obviously has repercussions on its cost price.

However, this simplification was not achieved to the detriment of the reliability of the product, nor as a result of a specific design for a given application. On the contrary, this locking fitting tends to reach a standardization of the material for sliding door so as to reduce the importance of stocks at the manufacturer and the users.

Claims (9)

1. Locking fitting (1) for sliding doors, comprising:
- A base (2) formed by an angle iron, one wing (6) of which is fixed to the internal surface of the opening leaf and the other wing (7) of which projects from the latter;
- a control handle (3) pivotally mounted on said base (2) and comprising a locking member (4) intended to cooperate with a keeper (5) or equivalent disposed on the frame;
Lock fitting characterized in that it comprises unique elastic means (19) capable of pushing the control handle (3) either in the unlocked position or in the locked position, according to the angular offset imparted to said control handle ( 3). 2. Locking fitting according to claim 1, the control handle (3) of which is formed by a circumferential wing (13) integral with a radial wing (11) comprising, on one of its vertical edges (12) a semi-cylindrical bead (10) cooperating with a groove (9) arranged on the internal face (8) of the applied wing (6) of the base (2), characterized in that the elastic means (19) are constituted by an elastic element (22), such as a leaf spring, a helical spring or the like, connected at its ends (23, 24), respectively, to the projecting wing (7) of the base (2) and to the radial wing (11) of the control handle (3) so that said elastic element (22) passes through an unstable equilibrium position during the rotation of said control handle (3). 3. Locking fitting according to claim 2, characterized in that the arrangement of the elastic element (22) is determined so that its connection points (25, 26) respectively, on the base (2) and the control handle (3) come to align with the axis of rotation of the latter, constituted by the semi-cylindrical bead (10) during the pivoting of said control handle (3). 4. Lock fitting according to claim 3, characterized in that the connection point (25) of the elastic element (22) on the base (2) is fixed and that the connection point (26) on the 'radial wing (11) evolves on a curved path, concentric with the axis of rotation of the control handle (3) and cutting the segment (27) connecting the connection point (25) and this axis of rotation of said handle control (3) formed by the semi-cylindrical bead (10). 5. Lock fitting according to claim 2, characterized in that the elastic element (22) is connected to the base (2) and to the control handle (3) by articulation means (29). 6. Locking fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means (30) for moving the point of application of the elastic means (19) on the control handle (3) so as to ensure the return automatic and systematic of the latter in the locked position. 7. Locking fitting according to claim 6, characterized in that the means (30) consist of a connection point (31) of the elastic element (22) on the control handle (3) whose position is determined so that it does not cross the segment (27), connecting the connection point (25) of the elastic element (22) on the base (2) and the axis of rotation of the control handle (3), during the rotation of the latter. 8. Locking fitting according to claim 7, characterized in that the connection point (31) of the elastic element (22) on the control handle (3) is located in the interior corner (32) formed by the radial wing (11) and the circumferential wing (13) of said control handle (3). 9. Locking fitting according to claim 7, characterized in that the elastic element (22) is connected to the control handle (3) at the connection point (31) by articulation means (33) .

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