EP1579098B1

EP1579098B1 - Draft stopper device, particularly for doors and similar

Info

Publication number: EP1579098B1
Application number: EP03812661A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luigi Geron
Original assignee: Cce Srl
Current assignee: Cce Srl
Priority date: 2002-12-12
Filing date: 2003-12-12
Publication date: 2006-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 2023-12-12
Also published as: EP1579098A1; DE60307142D1; AU2003302814A1; ITVI20020268A1; WO2004053274A1; DE60307142T2

Description

Technical field

The present invention generally finds application in the manufacture of frames for building, and relates to a draught excluder device, particularly for doors and similar frames, as described in the preamble of claim 1.

Background art

A number of draught excluder devices are known which may be fitted to the underside of doors and can prevent or restrict the passage of undesired air and/or noise through the gap that is usually formed between a closed door and the underlying floor.
EP-A-0338974 discloses a draught excluder device having a substantially inverted U-shaped stationary elongated element that may be secured to the underside of a door. A movable rod is accommodated in the stationary element, and is designed to slide transversely by means of suitable mechanisms, thereby forming a seal against the floor when the door closes and to be raised thanks to suitable elastic return means when the door is opens. The movable rod is formed by a pair of extruded sections, both substantially U-shaped, and mutually coupled at two fastening locations. One of the extruded sections is substantially rigid, whereas the other is made of a flexible elastomeric material. Over the fastening locations, the flexible elastomeric section has two appendices, having free ends that are adapted to slip against the inner walls of the stationary elongated element to prevent the passage of air between the latter and the movable rod.
An apparent shortcoming of such an arrangement is that the free ends of the flexible elastomeric section are always in contact with the walls of the stationary elongated element, and generate friction forces that hinder the displacement of the movable rod, thereby requiring a higher force to operate the draught excluder device.
Moreover, the rigidity of elastic return means should be enhanced to overcome friction, which may cause an excessive force to be required to close the door, and the action of closing the door to be difficult.
A further drawback is that a sharp noise may be heard when the door is opened, as soon as the movable rod is raised, which is caused by the impact between the rigid section and the stationary elongated element. On the other hand, if the downward travel of the movable rod is slightly longer than required, the free ends of the flexible elastomeric section may come out of the stationary elongated element. If this is the case, the free ends expand and prevent the movable rod from being raised when the door is opened, thereby requiring a manual action.
DE-A-29816448 discloses a draught excluder device similar to the previous one, wherein the flexible elastomeric section is substantially U-shaped with the upper ends being connected to the rigid section, to prevent slipping thereof against the inner walls of the stationary elongated element. The lower portion of the flexible elastomeric element is designed in such a manner as to be laterally deformed when it contacts the floor and to partially adhere to the inner walls of the stationary elongated element, to prevent air passage.
A drawback of the latter arrangement is associated to the fact that in hinged doors the flexible elastomeric section generally contacts the floor before the door is completely closed, whereby the lower portion of the section is subjected to a lateral deformation which may affect the sealing properties of the device. Also, such lateral deformation is uneven over the length of the section, but is related to the distance thereof from the hinge.

Disclosure of the invention

A primary object of this invention is to obviate the above drawbacks, by providing a draught excluder device having a noiseless operations, with no irregular, stick-slip motion.
A particular object is to provide a draught excluder device which can effectively prevent the passage of undesired air flows and noise between the closed door and the floor.
A further object of the invention is to provide a draught excluder device which combines reliability and sturdiness and requires no excessive operating force.
Yet another particular object is to provide a draught excluder device which may be operated several times with no perceivable degradation of its functional properties.
A further particular object is to provide a draught excluder device which is particularly suitable to be fitted to the underside of hinged doors.
These objects, as well as other objects that will be apparent hereafter, are achieved thanks to a draught-excluder device according to claim 1.
Thanks to this design, a particularly noiseless device may be obtained, which can deaden or dampen any shock or contact between the movable and fixed profiles.
Preferably, the movement means comprise one or more articulated mechanisms for guiding the movable profile in a substantially vertical motion parallel to itself, allowing it to slightly rotate about a longitudinal axis upon contact with the floor during closure of the door.
Thanks to this slight rotation, the movable profile comes in contact with the fixed profile and prevents the passage of undesired air, while improving the effectiveness of noise insulation.
Suitably, the fixed profile has two vertical walls, the distance between the inner surfaces thereof being slightly greater than the maximum width of the movable profile, to allow free sliding thereof when it passes from the raised position to the lowered position.
Thanks to this particular arrangement, the device will perform no irregular, stick-slip motion and will be operable by a small force.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood from the detailed description of a few preferred, non-exclusive embodiments of a device according to the invention, which are described as non-limiting examples with the help of the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional and partial side view of a first embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the device as shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 in the raised position;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 in a first lowered position;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 in a second lowered position;
FIG. 6 is a partly sectional side view of a door having a device according to the invention;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention;
FIG. 8 is a sectional and partial side view of a third embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 9 is a partly sectional perspective view of a detail of the device as shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a first perspective view of a second detail of the device as shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 11 is a second perspective view of the detail of FIG. 10.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

Particularly referring to the above figures, a draught excluder device according to the invention is described, which is generally designated with numeral 1, particularly designed to be fitted to doors and similar frames. For the sake of simplicity, reference will be made hereafter to a door P having an underside B and a door post S, and placed at a certain distance G from the floor T.
The device 1 comprises a fixed profile 2, having a hollow, downwardly open shape, which may be secured to the underside B of the door P. Particularly, the fixed profile 2 may substantially have the shape of an inverted "U".
A movable profile 3 may be at least partly inserted in the fixed profile 2, so as to be able to be displaced from a raised position, speed apart from the floor T, with the door P in its opened condition, to a lowered position, in contact with the floor T, with the door P in its closed condition.
The displacement between the raised and the lowered positions occurs thanks to suitable movement means 4 operating on the movable profile 3.
A peculiar characteristic of the invention consists in that the movable profile 3 has a substantially rigid body 5, and an outer covering element 6 made of elastically yielding material, internally thereof the substantially rigid body 5 is housed.
The covering element 6 has a substantially closed cross section, to enclose the rigid body 5 and prevent any contact between the latter and the fixed profile 2.
More in detail, the covering element 6 may extend over at least the whole length M of the rigid body 5 and be made of a polymeric material. If the covering element 6, with the rigid body 5 housed therein, extends longitudinally beyond the length M of the latter, it may be cut by using scissors or other similar tools to make it of the same length M as the rigid body 5.
The shape of the covering element 6 and the elastic and shock absorbing properties of the polymeric material make the device 1 noiseless, as the movable profile 3 always bumps against the fixed profile 2 by its covering element 6, regardless of the contact location.
The rigid body 5 may have a substantially closed or open cross section, depending on different requirements. In a preferred embodiment, which is shown in the annexed drawings, the rigid body 5 substantially has a "U"-shape, and is fitted in such a manner that this shape is mutually facing to the substantially "U"-shape of the fixed profile 2.
The covering element 6 is formed by a pair of substantially flat side walls 7, connected by a transverse top wall 8 and by at least a first transverse bottom wall 9, to define the substantially closed section.
The movement means 4 consist of one or more articulated mechanisms 10, known per se, for instance as described in European Patent 915 226, in the name of the same applicant .
Such mechanisms are designed to guide the movable profile 3 in a substantially vertical motion parallel to itself. Each articulated mechanism 10 may have a first member 11 integral with the movable profile 3 and particularly with the rigid body 5, and a second member 12, linked or slideably coupled along the longitudinal direction with the fixed profile 2.
As is apparent from the above, each articulated mechanism 10 may only operate properly if it passes through the covering element 6, which has a closed section. To this end, one or more apertures 13 having a predetermined longitudinal extension, are formed on the transverse top wall 8 of the covering element 6.
Also, the articulated mechanisms 10 allow the movable profile 3 to slightly rotate about a longitudinal axis L, when the door P closes, i.e. when the covering element 6 comes in contact with the floor T.
For instance, if the door P is hinged, the rotation of the movable profile 3 about the longitudinal axis L is caused by the relative transverse displacement between the underside B of the door P and the floor T, which generally occurs as soon as the covering element 6 contacts the floor T and until the door P is completely closed.
The fixed profile 2 may have two vertical walls 14, housing a space D_F between the inner surfaces 15 that is slightly greater than the maximum width D_M of the movable profile 3. Thus, the movable profile 3 may slide freely inside the fixed profile 2 upon displacement from the raised position to the lowered position. Also, since the covering element 6 has a substantially closed cross-section, the device 1 has a proper operation, with no risk that the movable profile 3 might get stuck in the lowered position, even when the maximum width D_M of the movable profile 3 is substantially equal to the distance D_F between the inner surfaces 15, and the movable profile 3 contacts the fixed profile 2 at one or more locations during the mutual displacement thereof.
This appropriate dimensioning allows the movable profile 3 to be displaced without generating undesired friction forces between the covering element 6 and the vertical walls 14 of the fixed profile 2 until contact with the floor T. Later, the relative displacement between the underside B and the floor T causes the movable profile 3 to rotate until it contacts the vertical walls 14 of the fixed profile 2, to prevent the passage of air.
Advantageously, to improve the sealing action between the vertical walls 14 of the fixed profile 2 and the covering element 6, the side walls 7 of the latter have a plurality of longitudinal projections or ribs 16, which are designed to come in sealing contact with the inner surfaces 15 of the vertical walls 14 of the fixed profile 2 as the door P closes.
In a second embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the longitudinal projections or ribs 16, the fixed profile 2 also has two projecting upper portions 16', at least one whereof is designed to come in contact with the fixed profile 2, as the door P closes.
Suitably, the covering element 6 may have a second transverse bottom wall 17, below the first transverse bottom wall 9, to contact the floor T as the door P closes. More in detail, the second transverse bottom wall 17 may be substantially curved, with a predetermined radius of curvature, and convexity oriented toward the floor T.
Moreover, in order to stabilize the contact between the floor T and the second transverse bottom wall 17, longitudinal support projections 18 are provided on the latter.
The covering element 6 may have at least one engagement appendix 19, which may be inserted in corresponding longitudinal recesses 20 of the rigid body 5, to stabilize its connection with the later, and limit the transverse deformation of the first and second transverse bottom walls 9, 17 upon contact with the floor T. In fact, an excessive deformation of the transverse bottom walls 9, 17 might affect air flow tightness and cause an early wear of the covering element 6.
The engagement appendix 19 may substantially have a "T" shape and extend from the top surface 21 of the first transverse bottom wall 9 in a center position of the latter.
The vertical motion of the movable profile 3 is stopped by the floor T when passing from the raised position to the lowered position, and is stopped by one or more abutment surfaces 22 integral with the fixed profile 2, when passing from the lowered position to the raised position. The abutment surfaces 22 may extend from the inner surfaces of the vertical walls 14 of the fixed profile 2.
Suitably, the movement means 4 include a plunger 23, which is totally inside the fixed profile 2 and can slide longitudinally to actuate the articulated mechanisms 10. The plunger 23 is further fitted with an end member 24, which is shaped to come in contact with a post S of the door P. Particularly, the end member 24 has a face 25 which is designed to rest on the post S of the door P. The face 25 may have a slight bulge, as shown in FIG. 9, or be substantially straight, as shown in FIG. 10; in both cases, the design of the face 25 will allow the latter to come in contact with a substantially straight post S and will not require the use of additional components fitted on the post.
The above description clearly shows that the device according to the invention fulfils the predetermined objects and particularly the presence and design of the covering element having elastic and shock absorbing properties provide a highly noiseless and regular operation, while avoiding undesired noise and stick-slip motion.
Furthermore, thanks to the fact that the movable profile may be displaced vertically without contacting the vertical walls of the fixed profile, and rotate slightly upon contact with the floor, a frictionless motion is provided during the vertical travel thereof, as well as a high air and noise-tightness when the movable profile is in the lowered position.
The device of the present invention is susceptible of a number of modifications and changes, falling within the inventive concept disclosed in the appended claims. All the details thereof may be replaced by other technically equivalent parts, and the materials may vary depending on different needs, without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
While the device has been described with particular reference to the accompanying figures, the numerals referred to in the disclosure and claims are only used for the sake of a better intelligibility of the invention and shall not be intended to limit the claimed scope in any manner.

Claims

A draught-excluder device (1) particularly for doors and similar frames, comprising a fixed profile (2), having a hollow downwardly open shape, attachable to the underside (B) of a door (P), a movable profile (3) at least partly inserted in said fixed profile (2) and having a substantially rigid body (5), movement means (4) acting on said movable profile (3) to move it between a raised position spaced apart from the floor (T), with the door (P) in open condition and a lowered position, in contact with the floor (T), with the door (P) in closed condition, said fixed profile (2) and said rigid body (5) having substantially "U"-shaped transverse portions which are mutually faced; characterised in that said device comprises a covering element (6) having a pair of substantially flat side walls (7) connected by a transverse top wall (8) and by at least one first transverse bottom wall (9) forming a substantially closed section; said fixed profile (2) having a pair of vertical walls (14); having a space (D_F) between their inner surfaces (15) slightly greater than the maximum width (D_M) of said movable profile (3), to allow free sliding upon moving thereof from said raised position to said lowered position; whereby said movable profile (3) comprises said outer covering element (6) made of elastically yielding material having said substantially closed cross-section whereby internally thereof said substantially rigid body (5) is housed.
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said side walls (7) of said covering element (6) have a plurality of longitudinal projections or ribs (16), suitable to come in seating contact with the inner surfaces (15) of said vertical walls (14) of the fixed profile (2) during closure of the door (P).
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said covering element (6) extends over at least the whole length (M) of said rigid body (5).
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said movement means (4) comprise one or more articulated mechanisms (10) for guiding said movable profile (3) in a substantially vertical motion parallel to itself, thereby allowing said movable profile (3) to slightly rotate about a longitudinal axis (L) upon contact with the floor (T) during closing of the door (P).
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said covering element (6) has one or more apertures (13) having a predetermined longitudinal width, to allow the passage of said movement means (4).
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said apertures (13) are formed on said transverse top wall (8) of said covering element (6).
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said vertical walls (14) of said fixed profile (2) have on the inner surfaces (15) one or more abutment surfaces (22) suitable to come in contact with said covering element (6) and to lock said movable profile (3) in said vertical motion.
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said covering element (6) has a second transverse bottom wall (17) adapted to contact the floor (T).
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second transverse bottom wall I (17) is substantially curved, with a predetermined radius of curvature and convexity oriented toward the floor (T).
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized In that said second transverse bottom wall (17) has longitudinal projections (18) for abutting against the floor (T).
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said covering element (6) has at least one engagement appendix (19), insertable in corresponding longitudinal recesses (20) of said rigid body (5).
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one engagement appendix (19) has a substantially "T" shape, which extends from said first transverse bottom wall (9) of the covering element (6).
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said engagement appendix (19) Is positioned on the top surface (21) of said first transverse bottom wall (9), to stabilize its engagement with said rigid body (5) and to limit the transverse deformation thereof.
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said movement means include a plunger having an end shaped member for contacting with a flush post (S) of the door (P).