EP1854714A2

EP1854714A2 - Element for closing spaces of boats

Info

Publication number: EP1854714A2
Application number: EP07107785A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giovanni Besenzoni
Original assignee: Besenzoni SpA
Current assignee: Besenzoni SpA
Priority date: 2006-05-11
Filing date: 2007-05-09
Publication date: 2007-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 2027-05-09
Also published as: EP1854714A3; ITVI20060141A1; EP1854714B1

Abstract

An element (1) for closing spaces (V) of boats comprising a shaped frame (2), which is associated perimetrically with the space (V) a laminar surface (3) that allows light to pass, associated with the shaped frame (2) so as to face the space (V) and restraining means (4), associated with the shaped frame (2), to partially open the space (V). The closing element (1) comprises locking devices (5) of the laminar surface (3) in the closed position of the space (V), associated with the shaped frame (2), and moving means (6) of the locking devices (5), which connect together the locking devices (5) and release the shaped frame (2) from the locking devices (5) to open the space (V).

Description

The present invention concerns an element for closing spaces of boats, for example made in the casing or in the deckhouse thereof.
As is well-known, boats, be they sports crafts, pleasure boats or other, have at least one porthole - an opening with closed profile and airtight seal - in the walls of the hull or in the possible overlying structures, with which a closing element is associated that is accessible by the user from inside the boats.
It should be specified that in the nautical field, by closing element we mean a door of certain dimensions that closes a small door a hatch or a window.
The main function of a porthole is to provide light to the inside of a boat, often supplemented, where the type of installation allows, by that of ventilation or aeration.
Indeed, there are some types of porthole in which the closing element is fixed to the wall of the boat, actually preventing the space from being opened and consequently the inside cabins from being aerated.
The closing element, according to constructive choices, can be of different shapes, for example circular, oval, elliptical or substantially rectangular, which obviously follow the profile of the space made in the boat.
The closing element is made from materials that allow the light coming from outside the boat to at least partially pass through.
Thus, for example, modern constructive solutions for the closing elements under examination comprise a sheet surface or plate made from glass, crystal, fibreglass, polymethylmetacrylate (better known by the trade name plexiglass), just to quote the most widely used materials in the field.
Fixed portholes foresee that the shaped frame belonging to the closing element be glued to the perimeter of the space, whereas in portholes that can be opened the closing element is provided with one or more hinges, associated with the shaped frame, which, in the case of opening, allow the element itself to rotate about a longitudinal axis, thus promoting the aeration of the inner cabins of the boat.
It is clear that compared to fixed ones, openable portholes are more complex and laborious to build and install, but they are preferable due to their flexibility of use.
If on the one hand, to enable circular or oval portholes to be opened, along the perimeter of the space of the boat it is generally sufficient to install a single hinge, on the other hand, for the same function, in practically rectangular portholes it is necessary to foresee a plurality of hinges.
For these last types of porthole of the prior art the main problem is represented by the fact that it is rather laborious to open them since the closing element must be freed, with distinct and successive manoeuvres, from many restrainers, which in general are suitable locking devices associated with the shaped frame opposite the hinges.
The present invention intends to avoid such a problem of the prior art.
In particular, the main purpose of the invention presented here is to provide an element for closing spaces of boats that involves simpler and quicker manoeuvres to open and subsequently close the space compared to what is allowed by equivalent known elements.
Said purpose is accomplished through an element for closing spaces of boats according to the attached claim 1, to which we refer for the sake of brevity.
Advantageously, the invention allows the user to simultaneously release the closing element from multiple locking devices, such as locks or similar, with a single manoeuvre.
Of course, the closing element is also simultaneously coupled with all of the locking devices with a single manoeuvre in the reverse locking operation.
Again advantageously, the invention allows even forced aeration, as sometimes required, of inner cabins of a boat, without the need to clearly if not almost completely open the space, but rather keeping the closing element almost at the front of the space itself. This occurs since the closing element of the invention is rather large, larger than known elements.
In any case, the closing element of the invention achieves the aeration of the inner cabins whilst still remaining stably connected to the restraining means that nevertheless, unlike the prior art, prevent uncontrolled rotation about the longitudinal axis defined by them in such conditions.
Thus, right from the outset, one avoids the risks associated with the possibility of uncontrolled knocks, not rare considering the field for which the invention is intended, undergone by the closing element, which lead to inevitable and always undesired breaking.
Moreover, the position of the closing element with respect to the space, in conditions of effective ventilation of the inner cabins of the boat, exposes the people that are situated in such cabins to less risk of dangerous accidental bangs.
Other characteristics and features of the invention shall become clearer from the following description of an embodiment, given as a preferred but not limiting example, in reference to the attached drawings, where:

figure 1 is a front view of the closing element according to the invention;
figure 2 is an enlarged partial section of figure 1 according to plane A-A;
figure 3 is an enlarged partial section of figure 1 according to plane X-X;
figure 4 is a partial enlargement of figure 1;
figure 5 is a partial enlargement of figure 1, in a different operative condition;
figure 6 is an enlarged exploded partial section of figure 4 according to plane B-B.

The closing element of the invention, illustrated in figure 1 where it is globally numbered with 1, lends itself to being associated with spaces V, in general through openings for example made in the wall M of seagoing vessels such as a boat, a ship, a powerboat and so on, according to what is shown in figure 2.
As can be observed, the closing element 1 comprises:

a shaped frame 2, suitable for being associated perimetrically with the space V;
a laminar surface 3 that allows light to pass and associated with the shaped frame 2 so as to face the space V;
restraining means, wholly indicated with 4, associated with the shaped frame 2, to partially open the space V;
five locking devices, each indicated with 5, of the laminar surface 3 in the closed position of the space V, associated with the shaped frame 2.

In accordance with the invention, the closing element 1 comprises moving means, generally numbered with 6, of the locking devices 5, which connect together the locking devices 5 themselves and that release the laminar surface 3 from them to partially open the space V.
The restraining means 4 define a longitudinal axis X, in this specific case horizontal, about which the shaped frame 2 and, consequently, the laminar surface 3 rotate. The restraining means 4 comprise a plurality of hinges 7 aligned with each other along the aforementioned longitudinal axis X, arranged at the bottom edge 2a of the shaped frame 2.
The shaped frame 2 comprises a pair of linear portions 21, 22 facing each other and having the same length L, and a pair of arched portions 23, 24 facing each other and also having the same length A.
Therefore, the frontal view of the shaped frame 2 has a substantially rectangular profile whose heights form arches.
In other constructive solutions of the invention, not shown, the shaped frame can comprise a different number of linear portions.
Thus, for example, the shaped frame can include a single linear portion in the case in which its profile consists of a half-circumference, or else four linear portions that define the sides of a rectangular profile as such.
There can also be other embodiments in which the shaped frame has a profile without linear portions, for example oval or elliptical.
The dimensions of the shaped frame 2 and, consequently, of the laminar surface 3 applied to it are larger than the shaped frames of known closing elements.
This determines a greater ventilation capability of the inner cabins of the vessel compared to the prior art also in the situation in which the closing element 1, of the so-called "folding shutter" type, is only partially separated from the space V, in any case stably fixed to the restraining means 4.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the shaped frame 2 comprises a rim 8, for example made from aluminium and that is associated with the space V, and a watertight profile 9, associated on the outside with the rim 8 through the interposition of an insulating gasket, visible in figures 2 and 3 where it is indicated with 10.
The insulating gasket 10 is connected to the rim 8 and to the watertight profile 9 through coupling means, wholly indicated with 11.
In detail, the coupling means 11 include shapings 12, projecting both from the rim 8 and from the watertight profile 9, which fit together with countershapings, not indicated, formed along the perimeter of the insulating gasket 10.
As regards the laminar surface 3, it comprises a see-through plate made in any of the conventional materials selected from crystal, glass, fibreglass, polymethylmetacrylate and similar plastic materials.
The laminar surface 3 is coupled with the watertight profile 9 through insulating means, wholly numbered with 13.
Exclusively preferably, the insulating means 13 comprise a layer of silicon 14 and two shaped gaskets 15, of the type specially made for seagoing, arranged at the bottom area 3a and the top area 3b of the laminar surface 3.
In relation to the moving means 6, the quoted figures show that they comprise a plurality of levers 16, associated with the locking devices 5, and transmission rods 17a, 17b, 17c operatively connected to the levers 16.
In this case, due to the embodiment of the shaped frame 2 and the relative laminar surface 3 considered here, there are three transmission rods, one of which is central 17a, and two are side 17b, 17c, both of equal length but shorter than the central rod 17a.
In this way, it is possible to say that overall the transmission rods 17a, 17b, 17c define an isosceles trapezium shaped profile without the large base.
According to the preferred embodiment of the invention described here, the levers 16 are rotatably coupled with support bases 18 (a, b, c, d, e, f, g), fixed to a support structure 19 and projecting towards the inside of the cabin of the craft.
Each of the support bases 18 defines a longitudinal rotation axis Z that represents the fulcrum of the levers 16.
The support bases 18 are uniformly distributed along the support structure 19 and include:

a central base 18a equipped with manoeuvring means, wholly indicated with 20, available to the user to move the levers 16 about the rotation axis Z;
four peripheral bases 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, one for each of the locking devices 5, in pairs symmetrically arranged with respect to the vertical central axis Y of the laminar surface 3;
two connecting bases 18f, 18g, arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical central axis Y.

It should be understood that in other embodiments of the invention, not followed by reference drawings, the number and arrangement of the support bases can be different, varying in accordance with the number and arrangement of the locking devices.
The central base 18a and each of the peripheral bases 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e comprise a single lever 16, whereas each of the connecting bases 18f, 18g comprises a pair of levers 16', 16" arranged according to longitudinal directions perpendicular to each other, therefore staggered by 90° with respect to each other.
The levers 16 of the peripheral bases 18b, 18d adjacent to the central base 18a are associated with the same transmission rod 17a.
The levers 16', 16" of each of the connecting bases 18f, 18g are associated to distinct and adjacent transmission rods 17a, 17b, 17c, thus connecting them together.
All of the levers 16, 16', 16" are in any case associated with the transmission rods 17a, 17b, 17c close to the ends of each of them through articulation means, wholly indicated with 25.
This can be observed in particular in figures 4 and 5 where the ends of the rods 17a and 17b involved in the connection with the levers 16, 16', 16" are highlighted with numbers 172a, 171b, 172b.
The articulation means 25 comprise a series of pins 26, each of which defines a rotation axis Z' parallel to the longitudinal axis Z defined by the support bases 18, as can be seen more clearly in figures 2 and 3.
As regards the manoeuvring means 20, they comprise a longitudinal rod 27 that forms a right angle with the direction defined by the lever 16 of the central base 18a and it is provided at the free end 27a with a handle 28 for the user.
In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, not shown in the following drawings, the manoeuvring means can be automatic, for example linear hydraulic actuators or else pneumatic actuators, associated with the support bases and connected through pipes to actuation means present inside the vessel.
With reference to the support structure 19, it comprises, exclusively preferably, a shaped bed 29, partially overlapping the rim 8, which is fixed through known means to the wall M of the cabin of the vessel.
According to further embodiments of the invention, not represented in the following drawings, the support structure can consist of the wall of the vessel, of the wall of an overlying structure present on the vessel or else of the shaped frame of the closing element.
The discussed figures illustrate that the shaped bed 29 in cross section has a substantially flat profile and in frontal view has a profile that follows the profile of the shaped frame 2.
Moreover, the shaped bed 29 extends for a perimetric length substantially equivalent to the half-perimeter of the shaped frame 2 and that engages the top edge 2b and half of the side edges 2c, 2d of the shaped frame 2.
In the case under examination, preferably but not bindingly, the closing element 1 of the invention comprises a protective casing 30, visible in figures 2 and 3, associated on the outside with the locking devices 5 and with the moving means 6.
The protective casing 30 is made from aluminium or fibreglass, according to the constructive choices.
In figures 2 to 5 it is highlighted that each of the locking devices 5 comprises:

a shaped aluminium block 31, connected through fastening means, wholly indicated with 32, to the rim 8 and in which is defined a seat with open profile 33, visible in figure 6;
a cylindrical body 34 integral with one of the peripheral support bases 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, removably snap-received in the seat 33.

As can be seen in figure 6, the fastening means 32 comprise first screws 35 that engage in first female screws 36 formed coaxially in the shaped block 31 and in a spacer element 37, arranged between the watertight profile 9 and the shaped block 31.
The fastening means 32 also include second screws 38 that engage in second female screws 39 formed coaxially in the watertight profile 9 and in the spacer element 37.
Preferably, the fastening means 32 also comprise a plate 40, arranged between the watertight profile 9 and the spacer element 37 and having through holes, not visible, coaxial to the second female screws 39.
In conditions of use, the closing element 1 is arranged totally covering the space V present in the wall M of the vessel and, as usual, allows light to pass through the laminar surface 3 inside the cabin in which it is arranged.
When the cabin needs to be aerated, the user acts upon the manoeuvring means 20, which are in the operative condition of figure 4.
He thus grips the handle 29 and rotates the longitudinal rod 27 in the anti-clockwise direction by an angle of 90°, arranging it as illustrated in figure 5.
During the aforementioned rotation of the manoeuvring means 20, the moving means 6 of the locking devices 5 are actuated.
Consequently, the levers 16, 16', 16" of the support bases 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f, 18g also rotate by 90° in the anti-clockwise direction.
The rotary movement of the levers 16, 16', 16" always pulls the transmission rods 17a, 17b, 17c towards the left and releases in jerk the cylindrical body 34 from attachment with the seat with open profile 33 of the shaped block 31.
At that point, the user opens the space V to allow air to pass according to moving systems of the closing element 1 of the type per se known to the man skilled in the art, for example through traction on the manoeuvring means 20 to make the shaped frame 2 rotate about the longitudinal axis X of the restraining means 4.
In this way, the closing element 1 partially overturns towards the inside of the cabin of the vessel.
When the user intends to close the space V, he repeats the aforementioned manoeuvres in reverse, firstly taking the entire perimeter of the shaped frame 2 close to the wall that defines the space V.
Then, the user grips the handle 28 and rotates the longitudinal rod 27 by 90° in the clockwise direction. In this way the cylindrical body 34 is once again snap coupled in the seat 32 of the shaped block 31.
The closing element 1 according to the invention allows the ways of opening and closing the space V inside a boat to be made simpler and faster compared to the similar prior art.
Indeed, with a single operation the moving means 6 unlock the shaped frame 2 simultaneously from every locking device 5, whilst still keeping it connected to the restraining means 4.
Also in conditions of ventilation, indeed, the closing element 1 according to the invention remains fixed to the restraining means 4.
The closing element 1 of the invention, when partially open, allows effective, even forced, aeration of the cabins of the vessel to be obtained, thanks to the large dimensions.
At the same time, the closing element 1, thanks to the fact that it is supported by the restraining means 4, keeps the bulk and danger limited with regard to people possibly accidentally banging into it.
Indeed, in order to obtain the same aeration as in the prior art it is sufficient to have a gap of smaller dimensions between the space and the closing element according to the invention.
Based upon what has been outlined above, it can therefore be understood how the element for closing spaces made in boats of the invention achieves the purpose and obtains the aforementioned advantages.
In the embodiment step, modifications can be made to the closing element of the invention consisting, for example, of a different shape of the shaped frame compared to the one quoted.
Moreover, the moving means can be of a different type to the one described and illustrated previously, which does not invalidate the underlying advantage of the present invention.
In addition to this, there can be further embodiments of the invention in which the locking devices have another composition, in accordance with the various types that can easily be found on the market and in the public domain.
Finally, it is clear that numerous other variants can be brought to the closing element in question, without for this reason departing from the novelty principles inherent to the inventive idea, just as it is clear that, in the practical embodiment of the invention, the materials, shapes and sizes of the illustrated details can be whatever, according to requirements, and they can be replaced with others that are technically equivalent.

Claims

Element (1) for closing spaces (V) of boats comprising:
- a shaped frame (2), suitable for being associated perimetrically with said space (V);

- a laminar surface (3) that allows light to pass, associated with said shaped frame (2) so as to face said space (V);

- restraining means (4), associated with said shaped frame (2), to at least partially open said space (V);

- one or more locking devices (5) of said laminar surface (3) in the closed position of said space (V), associated with said shaped frame (2),
characterised in that it comprises moving means (6) of said locking devices (5), which connect together said locking devices (5), said moving means (6) being suitable for releasing said shaped frame (2) from said locking devices (5) to at least partially open said space (V).
Element (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said shaped frame (2) comprises at least one linear portion (21, 22) of predefined length (L).
Element (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said shaped frame (2) comprises at least a pair of linear portions (21, 22) facing each other and having the same length (L).
Element (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said shaped frame (2) comprises a pair of arched portions (23, 24) facing each other and having the same length (A).
Element (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said shaped frame (2) comprises a rim (8), suitable for being associated with said space (V), and a watertight profile (9), associated on the outside with said rim (8) through the interposition of an insulating gasket (10).
Element (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that said insulating gasket (10) is connected to said rim (8) and to said watertight profile (9) through coupling means (11).
Element (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said laminar surface (3) comprises a see-through plate made from any of the materials selected from crystal, glass, fibreglass, polymethylmetacrylate and similar plastic materials.
Element (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that said laminar surface (3) is coupled with said watertight profile (9) through insulating means (13).
Element (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that said insulating means (13) comprise a layer of silicon (14) and at least one shaped gasket (15), arranged at the bottom area (3a) and the top area (3b) of said laminar surface (3).
Element (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said restraining means (4) define a longitudinal axis (X) about which said shaped frame (2) rotates.
Element (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that said longitudinal axis (X) is horizontal.
Element (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that said restraining means (4) comprise a plurality of hinges (8) aligned with each other along said longitudinal axis (X), arranged at the bottom edge (2a) of said shaped frame (2).
Element (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that said moving means (6) comprise a plurality of levers (16) associated with said locking devices (5), and one or more transmission rods (17a, 17b, 17c), operatively connected to said levers (16).
Element (1) according to claim 13, characterised in that said levers (16) are rotatably coupled with support bases (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f, 18g), fixed to a support structure (19) and projecting towards the inside of a cabin of said vessel, each defining a longitudinal rotation axis (Z) that represents the fulcrum of said levers (16).
Element (1) according to claim 14, characterised in that said support bases (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f, 18g) are uniformly distributed along said support structure (19) and include:
- a central base (18a) equipped with manoeuvring means (20) available to the user to move said levers (16) about said rotation axis (Z);

- a plurality of peripheral bases (18b, 18c, 18d, 18e), one for each of said locking devices (5), in pairs symmetrically arranged with respect to the vertical central axis (Y) of said laminar surface (3);

- two connecting bases (18f, 18g), arranged symmetrically with respect to said vertical central axis (Y).
Element (1) according to claim 15, characterised in that said levers (16) of said peripheral bases (18b, 18d) adjacent to said central base (18a) are associated with the same one of said transmission rods (17a).
Element (1) according to claim 15, characterised in that said central base (18a) and each of said peripheral bases (18b, 18c, 18d, 18e) comprise a single lever (16), whereas each of said connecting bases (18f, 18g) comprises a pair of levers (16', 16"), arranged according to longitudinal directions perpendicular to one another.
Element (1) according to claim 17, characterised in that said levers (16', 16") of each of said connecting bases (18f, 18g) are associated to distinct and adjacent transmission rods (17a, 17b, 17c), connecting them together.
Element (1) according to claim 17, characterised in that said levers (16, 16', 16") are associated close to the ends (172a, 171b, 172b) with each of said transmission rods (17a, 17b, 17c) through articulation means (25).
Element (1) according to claim 19, characterised in that said articulation means (25) comprise a series of pins (26), each of which defines a rotation axis (Z') parallel to said longitudinal axis (Z) defined by said support bases (18).
Element (1) according to claim 15, characterised in that said manoeuvring means (20) comprise a longitudinal rod (27) that forms a right angle with the direction defined by the lever (18a) of said central base (18a) and it is provided at the free end (27a) with a handle (28).
Element (1) according to claim 14, characterised in that said support structure (19) comprises a shaped bed (29), partially lying over said rim (8), suitable for being fixed to said vessel.
Element (1) according to claim 22, characterised in that said shaped bed (29) in cross section has a substantially flat profile and in the frontal view has a profile that follows the profile of said shaped frame (2).
Element (1) according to claim 22, characterised in that said shaped bed (29) extends for a perimetric length substantially equivalent to the half-perimeter of said shaped frame (2) and that engages the top edge (2b) and half of the side edges (2c, 2d) of said shaped frame (2).
Element (1) according to claim 15, characterised in that each of said locking devices (5) comprises:
- a shaped block (31), connected through fastening means (32) to said rim (8), in which a seat with open profile (33) is defined;

- a cylindrical body (34) integral with one of said peripheral support bases (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d), suitable for being removably snap-received in said seat (33).
Element (1) according to claim 25, characterised in that said fastening means (32) comprise:
- first screws (35) that engage in first female screws (36) formed in said shaped block (31) and in a spacer element (37), arranged between said watertight profile (9) and said shaped block (31);

- second screws (38) that engage in second female screws (39) formed in said watertight profile (9) and in said spacer element (37).
Element (1) according to claim 26, characterised in that said fastening means (32) comprise a plate (40), arranged between said watertight profile (9) and said spacer element (37) and having through holes coaxial to said second female screws (39).
Element (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a protective casing (30) associated on the outside with said locking devices (5) and with said moving means (6).