EP0916297A1

EP0916297A1 - Window support for objects such as flower-pot holders, clothes drying racks or the like

Info

Publication number: EP0916297A1
Application number: EP97119701A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paolo Rostello; Giovanni Polistena
Original assignee: Siris Garden Srl
Current assignee: Siris Garden Srl
Priority date: 1997-11-11
Filing date: 1997-11-11
Publication date: 1999-05-19

Abstract

The invention is a transverse extending window (1) bar characterised by the fact that it is fixed to windows by compression of the two end plates (3) and feet (5) against the window jamb as a result of the elongation of the bar (1), and by special plates (3",4") anchored in the runners of roller shutters. Various objects such as flower-pot holders, clothes drying racks and child safety structures can be fixed to the said bar (1).

Description

The invention relates to a transverse extending window bar which is fixed to windows by compression of the two ends against the window jamb as a result of the elongation of the bar, to support various objects such as flower-pot holders, clothes drying racks and child safety structures can be fixed to the said bar.
External areas of the home are commonly used to display pots of flowers or hang out washing to dry.
In the case of flats, flower pots and clothes drying racks are generally hung over the balcony railings; there are no structures specifically designed for this purpose which can be fitted to the outside of windows.
The purpose of this invention is to obtain an object allowing specific flower-pot holders and clothes drying racks to be hung outside windows, without having to use masonry structures.
The annexed drawings are described below.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention assembled and ready for use.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the dismantled invention.
Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the assembled invention.
Figs. 4 and 5 are views of the two tubes which make up part of the invention.
Figs. 6 and 7 are perspective views of the anchorage plates.
Fig. 8 is a cross-section of the foot.
Fig. 9 is a cross-section of the threaded bar.
Fig. 10 is a view of the bushing with threaded hole.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the invention applied to a window.
Figs. 12 and 13 are views of two applications of the invention, used as support for a flower-pot holder and a clothes drying rack respectively.

As shown in figure 2, the invention consists of a bar made of two tubes 1 and 2, one of which is inserted inside the other, which make it telescopically extendible.
At the end of the bar there are two shaped plates 2 and 4, which anchor the bar in the shutter runners in the case of windows with roller shutters, or behind the stone jambs in the case of windows with leaf shutters.
The two feet 5, which press against the window jambs, therefore increase the anchorage of the bar.
As shown in figure 5, a bushing 1
with a hollow threaded centre is inserted a few centimetres from one of the ends of tube 1. A threaded rod 1'', inserted in and welded to this bushing, runs through the whole length of tube 1, from the bushing to the opposite end.
Figure 4 shows a second tube, which is shorter and has a smaller diameter than tube 1, so that it can be completely inserted inside it, and has a threaded bushing 2' fixed to one of its ends. This bushing is screwed to the free end of threaded rod 1'', so that tube 2 can be totally inserted into tube 1.
As shown in figures 6 and 7, anchorage plates 3 and 4, which can advantageously be made of sheet metal, are shaped with two folds.
These two plates are exact mirror images of one another, and can therefore be described as the left-hand plate and the right-hand plate. Each plate has an upper fold that creates a top flange 3''' and 4''', which determines the distance from the window jamb and combines with other elements to stabilise the bar.
There is also another fold on the plate which creates an L-shaped bottom flange 3'' and 4'' . The long part of the "L" has the same function as the top flange, and also rests on the windowsill, thus helping to stabilise the bar even more than the top flange. The short part of the "L" is inserted into the runners of the roller shutters at sill level. In this way, the bar is prevented from moving to the outside of the window, but the shutters can still close fully.
The said short part of the "L" can also be suitably housed in windows which have the traditional leaf shutters instead of roller shutters, as it can be anchored behind the stone jamb, a typical structural element of such windows. The plates also contain a hole 3' and 4' designed to allow the passage of pin 5'' of foot 5. The centre of the said hole is located at a given minimum distance from the start of the plate and therefore from the shutter runners. As will be seen below, this distance ensures the free passage of the roller shutter limit blocks.
Figure 8 shows the special design of the feet. The said feet, two to each bar, are fitted with a rapid-coupling swivel pin 5'' which is coupled to plastic tube reducer 5'''. The reducers are inserted in tube 1, in the short section 1''' of the tube between the bushing and the end of the tube, and in tube 2, in end 2'' with no bushing.
Pins 5'', before being inserted in the corresponding rapid-coupling plastic reducers, pass through the holes in the plates: one through hole 3' and the other through hole 4'. As a result of the swivel coupling, they allow tube 1 to rotate, while still remaining stationary with their base 5' against the window jambs. The base of the foot, ie, the part that terminates with 5', is housed in the inner part of the plates ie, between top flanges 3''' and 4''' and bottom flanges 3'' and 4'', and presses against the window jambs, thus helping to stabilise the system.
Figures 1 and 11 show the assembled bar in operation. Starting with tube 2 fully inserted in tube 1, tube 1 is unscrewed by rotating it until the two feet 5 and the flanges of plates 3 and 4 touch the window jambs. Care must be taken to ensure that the short parts of the "L" of flanges 3'' and 4'' rest on the windowsill and are inserted in the shutter runners or behind the stone jamb in the case of windows with leaf shutters. Rotation of tube 1 continues until both feet press against the window jambs.
After installation, the bar is situated at a pre-set distance from the outer surface of the shutters; as mentioned, this distance is determined by the position of holes 3' and 4' in plates 3 and 4. The said distance is calculated in such a way that, given a certain dimension of larger-diameter tube 1, the two limit blocks normally fitted on all roller shutters can run freely when the shutters are opened and closed.
Figures 11 and 12 show two possible applications of the invention, namely a flower-pot holder and a clothes drying rack respectively, similar to those commonly present on the market but fitted with two or more rings or hooks so that they can be hooked over or threaded onto the bar.

Claims

A window support for objects such as flower-pot holders, clothes drying racks, child safety structures or the like, characterised by the fact of providing an extendible transverse bar (1) to be applied to windows, said bar comprising systems (1
, 2) designed to vary its total lateral extension and being fitted at the ends with systems (3, 5) designed to anchor to shutter runners or window jambs.
A window support as claimed in claim 1, characterised by the fact that its elongation is determined by telescopic extension of two tubes (1, 2) by means of a rotatory movement of one of the two in relation to the other.
A window support as claimed in claim 2, characterised by the fact of providing, at the ends, two feet (5), which press against the windows jambs, said feet being fitted with a rapid-coupling swivel pin (5 ) which is coupled to plastic reducer (5 ) inserted in the tube (1).
A window support as claimed in the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that it has plates (3 , 4 ) designed to be inserted into the runners of a shutter, and that the said plates allow the bar to be secured while still allowing the shutters to slide.
A window support as claimed in claim 4, characterised by the fact that said extensible bar (1) is applied to lateral plates (3) at a pre-set distance from said plates (3 , 4 ) designed to be inserted into the runners of a shutter, in such a way that, given a certain dimension of tube (1), the two limit blocks normally fitted on all roller shutters can run freely when the shutters are opened and closed.
Assembly constituted by a window bar as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims and by an object to be hung from the said bar, comprising at least a hook designed to hook over the said bar.