EP3155192B1

EP3155192B1 - Silent closure system for main doors or the like, with a detection sensor for the closed and open state of the main door

Info

Publication number: EP3155192B1
Application number: EP15730281.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luciano Corvo; Orlando CORVO; Giuliana CORVO; Mario CORVO
Original assignee: Iron 2000 Service Di Corvo Simone
Current assignee: Iron 2000 Service Di Corvo Simone
Priority date: 2014-06-16
Filing date: 2015-05-21
Publication date: 2018-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2035-05-21
Also published as: WO2015193754A1; EP3155192A1

Description

Field of the art

The present invention refers to the lock systems for the secure closure of main doors, gates or the like, and more particularly to a silent closure system which reduces or even eliminates the noise during the closure of the movable wing and which also comprises a system for indicating the closed or open state of the movable wing, i.e. of the main door, gate, or the like, to an observer who is situated in the direct vicinity of the main door, and/or remotely, i.e. to an observer who is distant from the main door, e.g. situated inside a home that is accessed through the main door.

Prior art

In the prior art, the locks of main doors, gates or the like are provided with a conventional strike plate, in whose hole the spring latch is inserted - at the end of the rotation of the wing on which the door closer spring acts.
In a very widespread electric lock model produced by the CISA company, the closure system has the actual lock case and the so-called strike plate, the latter having a small plastic wheel which, by acting on a striker of the electric lock (lock case), makes the striker return within the lock case while the spring latch enters into the relative hole of the strike plate. Even if the small wheel of the strike plate facilitates the return of the striker inside the case, such electric lock closure system has the drawback of being neither silent nor secure since the user must often carry out a final blow for definitively closing the main door or the like, thus making the spring latch return within the hole of the strike plate.
In addition, due to weather changes, when the temperature falls, the density of the oil of the door closer spring increases and therefore the main door or the like is closed more slowly or may simply fit and remain open, sufficient force (in the final wing movement phase) not being present for making the spring latch enter within its hole and also making the striker return within the case of the electric lock. As is known, the striker (in pressed condition within the lock case of the closure system) serves for enabling the opening of the main door or the like, by means of the command button of the intercommunication system, in a manner such that the electromagnet residing inside the electric lock case causes - with the aid of a mechanical kinematic mechanism integrated in the lock case - the retreat of the spring latch following the command of the intercommunication system.
In summary, the conventional electric lock systems, with lock case and strike plate, often do not at all facilitate the correct closure of the main door or the like.
Another factor that can prevent the correct closure of the main door or the like, also in non-winter months, is the wind. Indeed, it is known that if one is unaware of a possible gust of wind when entering or exiting a main door of a condominium, the force exerted by the door closer spring - being opposed by the wind in the final wing rotation phase - might not suffice for definitely closing the main door and hence also its lock. The user often does not have the patience or wisdom to give the classic 'final blow' to the main door, which would be absolutely indispensable in these situations. It follows that the main door remains open - to the complete disadvantage of condominium safety. This is particularly inadmissible during the night.
Hence, a first object of the present invention is to obtain a closure system for main doors or the like which is able to ensure in any case the silent closure of the main door. This improves the safety and comfort of the people who live in a condominium or in a residential complex and otherwise, especially where the removal of the noise plays a crucial role, for example in luxury residences, in hospitals and other structures.
In the prior art, systems are known with sensors for detecting the closed or open state of a main door, gate or the like; nevertheless, in general such systems are not integrated in the actual electric lock closure system, i.e. in the lock case and in the strike plate. This signifies that for the installation of one such system for detecting the open/closed state of the movable wing, it is necessary that the installer technician carries out a job ad hoc, with electric lines that lead from the sensor to, for example, an alarm control unit, a video-intercommunication system, or the like, and in any case this requires more work by the installer.
In the abovementioned CISA electric lock model (as in the other closure conventional electric lock systems), it would be impossible to mount, in the strike plate, a sensor for detecting the closed state; this because such strike plate has a rather limited interior space, which is already completely occupied by the small wheel for the striker and by the spring latch (when the main door is closed).
Therefore, another object of the present invention is to integrate a system for detecting the closed state of the main door or the like, with/in the closure system of the main door or the like, in a manner so as to further increase the security, at the same time facilitating the installation of the closure and detection system in general.
In such a manner, due to such system for detecting the closed state of the movable wing of the main door or the like, it will be possible to ascertain the open and closed state both remotely (e.g. from the display of an intercommunication system or a home or from a LED of the intercommunication system) and, alternatively or additionally, for a person situated close to the main door, for example by means of the turning on of a LED that identifies such open or closed state.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the following detailed description thereof, applied to a conventional lock of electric type. The present invention of course is not limited to a specific electric lock, but rather is generally applicable to electric locks.
Document GB 514,386 discloses (see GB 514,386 page 4, lines 95-108) a system in which a striking plate is made in two main parts, one part being of channel section and being provided with an attachment flange for securing the striking plate to the framework or structure adjacent the door. Housed in this channel part is the second part forming an adjustable abutment for cooperation with the latch proper and having at its outer end a pair of lugs between which extends a pin on which is mounted a roller adapted to be engaged by the nose of the latch.
It may be seen that this construction differs from the present invention in that it employs a roller that comes into rolling contact with the latch. The roller requires maintenance in order to be able to properly rotate around its pin. The mounting of a roller implies use of this further component, which however is susceptible to failure over time. No (electric, optic, magnetic etc.) sensors are described in GB 514,386 to sense an open or closed condition of the door.
JP H07 247739 A discloses all the features of the preamble of present claim 1. In the figures (especially Fig. 4) of that document it may be seen that the surface (1c) on which the spring latch can slide is actually integrated at and in the edge of the stationary wing of the door, without projecting from the front surface of the door wing. Moreover, the surface (1c) is made of plastic but, contrary to the present invention, no further indication is given in JP H07 247739 A about the nature of this plastic material. Summing up, the spring latch cannot slide along a long path that insures a gradual retraction of the spring latch itself: this would insure both low noise, because the spring latch does not strongly and instantly impacts on a surface, and safety, because the door wing would close in all circumstances, that is in presence of wind, in the winter season (problem of higher viscosity of the oil in the door wing closing device), etc.
According to JP H07 247739 A the retraction motion of the spring latch is more or less instantaneous and not slowed down in time by any means, which implies that the force to be overcome is greater.

Brief description of the drawings

The enclosed figures show:

FIGURE 1: a plan view of a particular embodiment of the silent closure system for main doors or the like, according to the present invention, in the closed condition of the lock;
FIGURE 2: a side view, in partial section, of the entire silent closure system for main doors or the like, according to the present invention, mounted on a main door or the like and in the lock open state (movable wing half-open);
FIGURE 3: a plan view of the section (horizontal section) of the single electric lock case (or "lock case"), in the open state, belonging to the closure system for main doors or the like already illustrated in the preceding Figures 1 and 2;
FIGURE 4: a plan view of the section (or horizontal section) of the entire closure system of the invention according to Figures 1-3, in the closed condition;
FIGURE 5: is a view entirely analogous to that of the preceding figure 4, but in which the cylinder of the lock case for the manual opening has been actuated by means of the key, for bringing the spring latch into the retreat position, thus allowing the opening of the movable wing of the main door or the like;
FIGURE 6: is a view analogous to that of the preceding Fig. 4, but after the automatic remote actuation (e.g. by means of intercommunication system) of the lock case, whose command made the spring latch automatically retreat (open condition of the closure system); or after the manual actuation of the button which allows a person, situated inside, to open the silent closure system of the invention.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention

The present invention will be illustrated as being essentially based on a particular type of conventional electric lock, although of course it is not limited to this specific embodiment. The silent closure system for main doors or the like, according to the present invention, substantially comprises two essential elements, that is the lock case (or electric lock case), indicated overall with the reference number 1, and a silent closure device, indicated with the reference number 2. The element 3 indicated on the right in Fig. 1 will be discussed hereinbelow, while for the moment it will be disregarded.
The lock case 1 is of generally conventional type and has been produced by the CISA company for some time, in Italy; nevertheless such lock case 1 has been in part modified by the inventor of the present invention in the manner described hereinbelow, in order to reach the specific objects of the present invention. The silent closure device 2 according to the present invention, making up part of the complete silent closure system (1, 2) of the present invention for main doors or the like, substitutes the conventional strike plate which normally, in conventional closure systems, cooperates with the completely conventional lock case, i.e. non-modified by the inventor of the present invention (see the following description).
The lock case 1 (see Fig. 2) is conventionally composed of a base 1a and an upper cover 1b, fit and/or screwed together. The button 4 with return spring serves for opening the lock from the inside, without requiring keys or the like, and hence it is situated on the side of the main door that is directed towards the protected zone of the same main door. The small lock 5 (see Fig. 1) is normally not used since it would prevent (if activated with a suitable key) the pressing of the button 4; of course, this could be dangerous in case of fire or another serious danger, since it would prevent the escape of people/condominium residents outside the "zone protected by the main door".
With reference to Fig. 2, one observes the movable wing 7 of the main door and the fixed wing 6 of the same main door; the lock case 1 is mounted on the movable wing 7 which is completely traversed by the cylinder 8 of the key for opening the main door (6, 7) from the outside. The silent closure device according to the invention, indicated with the reference number 2, is instead mounted on the fixed wing 6 (Fig. 2). The zone 11 is the "protected zone" or internal zone, while the zone 10 in Fig. 2 is the external zone, i.e. the "non-protected zone" not protected by the main door (6, 7).
The handle 9 forms a single piece 9a made of plastic material, which is fitted on the generally metallic part 1b (upper cover) of the lock case 1. Also the base 1a of the lock case 1 is normally made of metal. The button 4 with return spring that serves to open the main door (6, 7) from the inside (i.e. from the protected zone 11), as stated above, is arranged in a seat of said plastic part 9a which also comprises the actual handle 9.
The lock case 1 can house various conventional mechanisms or kinematic mechanisms at its interior, since it is internally hollow, forming a substantially parallelepiped metal box, closed on the upper part by the cover 1b (substantially a metal plate with edges 12 of minimum height); see Fig. 2.
One wall 13 of the base 1a - that directed towards the silent closure device 2 according to the present invention (see Fig. 2) - has respective cross-through holes, in order to respectively allow the spring latch 14 to pass along with the striker or bar 15 which serves to preload the release mechanism for retreating the spring latch 14 (see below).
Before describing the kinematic mechanisms inside the lock case 1, the silent closure device 2 of the present invention will first be summarily or partially described. Such device comprises a metal mounting plate 16 (Fig. 2), which can be directly fixed to the fixed wing 6 by means of fixing screws (not shown in the figures). Possibly, for the objects described hereinbelow, between the fixing plate 16 and the fixed wing 6, one or more (metal) thicknesses 3 (e.g. of one millimeter) are provided, which, observing the plan, are geometrically congruent with the fixing plate 16 and for example have the shape represented (in plan view) in Fig. 1, right side. The thicknesses 3 have the function described hereinbelow, and, like the fixing plate 16, they have openings or slots 17 for the passage of the screws (not shown) for fixing the plate 16 to the fixed wing 6; such fixing screws thus cross through both the fixing plate 16 and the thickness 3 (or the thicknesses 3, if there are more than one) at the aforesaid slots 17.
The fixing plate 16 is in turn fixed to a shell made of antifriction plastic material, indicated with the reference number 18. Such shell 18 therefore forms the device 2 of the present invention, together with the fixing plate 16 and with the possible thickness/thicknesses 3, while the silent closure system according to the present invention comprises, in addition to the silent closure device 2 of the invention, also the lock case 1 modified by the inventor of the present invention in the manner indicated hereinbelow.
The silent closure device 2 of the present invention has, on the side thereof directed towards the lock case 1, a smooth, continuous and convex surface 19, which is extended starting from the fixing plate 16 of the shell 18, up to the convex apex 20 of the same device 2; said smooth, continuous and convex surface 19 has an interruption opening 22 with smoothed edge 21 for introducing the spring latch 14 inside the shell 18 at the time of closure of the main door or the like. During the operation of the silent closure system (1, 2) according to the present invention, the spring latch 14 (which is partially hidden by the striker or bar 15 in the view of Fig. 1) gradually slides under the effect of the door closer spring (not shown in the figure) along said smooth, continuous and convex surface 19, until it enters into the internally hollow shell 18, due to the guide or chamfer 21 and to the window opening 22 mentioned above (see also Fig. 4). This ensures a certain and silent closure in all cases, even in the presence of wind or during winter (see above).
The introduction in the art of innovative materials (in particular plastics) with very low static friction coefficient allows optimizing the operation (the security) of the device of the present invention, employing such materials for the construction of the shell 18 of the silent closure device 2 according to the present invention.
During the above-described operation, i.e. when the movable wing 7 rotates under the action of the door closer spring, the striker 15 slides along the convex surface 19 of the shell 18, without however entering into any opening on the convex surface 19 (see also Fig. 4); in other words, the striker 15, as in the conventional art, retreats by preloading the release mechanism for retreating the spring latch 14 during a subsequent opening of the door (see below).
In order to be able to correctly function, the convex surface 19 must be smooth and antifriction, at least along the entire slide path or "track" of the tips of the spring latch 14 and of the bar 15 on the surface 19 itself. In addition, for the device 2 to be able to correctly function, the extension of the convex surface 19, measured as height between the convex apex 20 and the fixing plate 16, must be equal to at least about 5 cm, and preferably equal to about 8 cm. A height less than 5 cm of the device 2 does not provide the desired silence effect, and/or certainty of closure of the main door in all cases. On the other hand, a height greater than 8 cm is useless also for the excessive bulk, i.e. for the poor practicality and aesthetics that the silent closure system (1, 2) according to the invention would have in this case.
The internal kinematic mechanisms of the lock case will now be described only for the sake of description completeness, since they are of conventional type and as such do not regard the present invention, even if being useful for the general comprehension thereof.
For such purpose, reference is made to Figures 3 to 6.
With reference for example to Fig. 3, this shows the lock case 1, in plan view, without cover 1b and in lock open condition (in order to avoid confusion, the representation of the silent closure device 2 of the invention was omitted from Fig. 3). The spring latch 14 and the striker 15 therefore project completely, in this figure, from the open box, formed by the base 1a of the lock case 1. The striker 15 comprises a first portion 15a and a second portion 15b, the first portion 15a having square section (if one excludes the tip 15c) greater than the section of the second portion 15b, which is instead circular. Between the first and the second portion 15a, 15b, a ledge 15d (see Fig. 4) is formed. The second portion 15b bears a guide pin 15e (orthogonal to the plane of the drawing sheet) adapted to slide in a guide slot 23a obtained longitudinally in the bracket 23, with overturned U shape, as is also seen in Fig. 2. Around the second portion 15b with circular section, there is a compression spring 24, mounted in a coaxial manner on the striker 15 between said ledge 15d and a wall 25 of the bracket 23. The cylindrical end 15f of the striker 15, opposite its tip 15c, can slide in a complementary guide element 26, i.e. with circular fork 26 shape, such fork 26 being fixed on the lower part to the base 1a of the box of the lock case 1.
Hereinbelow in the present description, the words "fixed" or "stationary" refer to elements that are fixed or stationary with respect to the open box 1a, while "movable" assumes an opposite meaning.
Now, in the open condition of the lock, a lever 27 pivoted in the fixed fulcrum 28 is retained in "horizontal" position, or in mounting and rest position (see Fig. 3), by means of the bracket 23 which is engaged with the right tooth of a U-shaped notch 29 (clearly visible in Fig. 6). In the closure position of the main door (Fig. 4), the bracket 23 rests on the left tooth of the U-shaped notch 29. The lever 27 is also retained in this horizontal rest position by a second lever 30, or leaf lever 30, pivoted in the fulcrum 31 and preloaded by a spring (not shown) towards the rest position (illustrated for example also in Fig. 3) of such leaf spring 30. The latter is mounted by means of its fulcrum 31 on a support 32 (made of plastic) of a release electromagnet 33, which serves for attracting the leaf lever 30 towards itself (when excited), as can be inferred from Fig. 6 which shows the release and retreating situation of the spring latch 14 when the main door is opened (this release step is described hereinbelow). The spring latch 14 is mounted on a movable i.e. slidable case 34 and is integrally movable with such movable case 34, the latter being guided by the fixed pin 35 and by the relative slot 36 obtained on the same movable case 34.
A third lever 37 is pivoted on the bottom wall of the base 1a (i.e. of the open box 1a), and the fulcrum 38 of this third lever 37, or lever 37 of the drum, is drivable (see movement in the direction of the arrow "F" in Fig. 3) from outside the main door, by means of the key of the drum 8 of the lock (Fig. 2). The free end of the lever 37 of the drum bears a helical spring 39; the helical spring 39 and the lever 37 of the drum cooperate in order to make the movable case 34 retreat, and hence the spring latch 14 retreat that is integral therewith, during the manual opening of the lock by means of the key of the drum 8. In addition, the helical spring 39 acts as return spring of the lever 37 of the drum, also cooperating with another helical spring 40.
The operation of the automatic opening of the lock is the following.
Assuming that the main door is perfectly closed (Fig. 4), it is noted that the striker 15 is retreated and the helical compression spring 24 is compressed (preloaded) between the ledge 15d and the wall 25 of the bracket 23 which is integral - integrally movable, in this case - with said movable case 34.
When the electromagnet 33 is excited, it attracts the leaf lever 30 towards itself, thus freeing the first lever 27, which, receiving an initial mechanical pulse - from the preloaded spring 24- on the left tooth of its notch 29, rotates via gravity and completely frees the bracket 23; the latter drives (under the action of the spring 24) the movable case 34 therewith, which terminates its retreating travel integral with the spring latch 14 under the effect of the force of said compression spring 24, which thus unloads its previously accumulated mechanical energy. Such situation is clearly shown in Fig. 6, which shows the situation of release of the retreating mechanism of the spring latch 14 by means of actuation of the electric coil 33.
Once the main door is open, the described mechanism automatically passes into the condition of Fig. 3, and hence into that of Fig. 4, when the main door is reclosed. In reality, the small lever of the drum is composed of two parts rather than one, but these details like various others are ignored since they are not essential for illustrating the invention.
It is important to recall that the button 4 that allows opening the main door from the protected internal zone 11 acts, being tilted and by means of a non-illustrated projection inside the box (1a, 1b), by pressing against the lower end 42 (Fig. 3) of the small leaf lever 30, thus mechanically causing the same movement of the leaf lever 30 which is obtained by exciting the electric coil 33, already described above.
While the release mechanisms (i.e. retreating mechanisms) of the spring latch 14, described above in relation to the lock case 1, belong to the prior art, the inventor of the present invention has instead addressed the problem of modifying such lock case 1 in a manner such that it is also able to directly indicate - and/or communicate remotely - the open or closed state of the main door. In the conventional art, the sensors and the system used for such purpose are not integrated in the closure system (electric lock) of the main door and thus require greater work by the installer. The inventor therefore had the idea of also integrating a system for detecting the open/closed state of the main door or the like in the silent closure system (1, 2).
The system for detecting the open/closed state of the lock comprises a sensor, formed by a permanent magnet, or "magnetic transmitter" 43, mounted in a hole of the wall 13 of the lock case 1 directed towards the device 2 of the invention, such permanent magnet 43 being arranged between the striker 15 and the spring latch 14, as the figures show. A non-metal and isolating washer 45, inserted above and around the end 43a (of the magnet 43) projecting outside the lock case 1, i.e. outside the wall 13 of the box (1a, 1b) of the lock case 1, acts as an isolator so as to prevent the magnetic dispersions otherwise produced over time by the metal material of the base 1a; in other words, such washer 45 decreases the extent of the time decrease of the magnetic field intensity generated - in the vicinity of said external end 43a - by the magnet 43 (or "magnetic transmitter" 43). If the box or part thereof was made of plastic material, for example, then it would be possible to avoid using the isolating washer 45.
The other component or second component of the sensor for detecting the open/closed state of the lock, comprises a magnet switch indicated overall with the number 44 in the figures, said switch acting as "receiver" of the magnetic signal generated by the permanent magnet 43. In other words, at the time in which, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the movable wing 7 of the main door (6, 7), being gradually closed, finally makes the magnetic transmitter 43 reach the magnet switch 44 (closed position of Fig. 4 of the main door), the magnet switch 44 closes an electric circuit power supplied by a battery 46, thus turning on a LED 47, and/or setting off an alarm in a control unit of the building in question, and/or turning on a light of an intercommunication system or on the relative display, and/or activating a video-surveillance system, and/or one or more surveillance light barriers formed by a grid of light beams (e.g. infrared) around the building complex in question, etc. etc. In particular the present invention is also applicable in general to the field of domotics and contributes the security of a zone to be monitored.
The shell 18, e.g. made of ABS, has the advantage with respect to the conventional strike plate of having an internal space sufficient for housing the battery 46, the receiver 44 of the magnetic signal generated by the permanent magnet 43, and the electric circuit which connects these elements (44, 46) to the LED 47 or other element.
The sensor (43, 44) and the battery circuit 46 just described can operate in two different modes. When the two elements 43, 44 of the sensor reach each other, the LED 47 could be turned on or, on the contrary, it could be turned off. In the first case, the LED is "normally turned on", and in the latter case it is "normally turned off'. A possible intruder could observe the turning on or off of the LED 47 and (also in case of absence of an actual alarm system) could be induced by one such "fake alarm system" to go away.
A possible system of radio transmission (by means of a small antenna) could signal, via radio to a control unit, the state of passage between "open" and "closed", being based on the above-described system.
The silent closure system (1, 2) for main doors or the like, provided with electric lock 1 (modified according to the invention) and with silent closure device 2 according to the invention, equipped with integrated detection sensor (43, 44) for signaling the open or closed state of a main door or the like, also has an adjustment system, constituted for example by said thicknesses 3 of 1 mm.
Said adjustment system allows modifying the vertical position (orthogonal to the plane of the fixed wing 6) of the inlet opening 22 of the spring latch in the shell 18. The opening 22 is obtained in the thin wall of the shell 18, and is essential for being able to compensate for possible non-alignments (due to time) between the spring latch 14 and the opening 22. The thicknesses 3 indeed serve for compensating for these non-alignments produced over time by the wood deformations of the main door, by the movements/yielding of the hinges of the main door, etc. In addition, the above-illustrated adjustment system also serves, of course, for maintaining the alignment between the two components of the sensor (43, 44) with main door closed, in a manner so as to ensure the functionality of the detection system of the invention integrated in the lock.
For the sake of descriptive completeness, several possible variants within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims are illustrated below:

The sensor could be formed by a microswitch applied outside the device 2 on its convex surface 19 and which could be activated by the pressure of the tip 15c of the striker 15 once the wing 7 has completed its closing rotation of the main door. Nevertheless, such solution has the drawback of not exploiting the available internal space in the shell 18 and to make the microswitch subject to the action of weathering agents, since it is not protected from oxidations or the like. The magnetic receiver 44 is instead protected from such effects.
The adjustment system could be such to move the relative position of the shell 18 with respect to the fixing plate 16. In this case, it would not be necessary to first disassemble the fixing plate 16 and insert the thicknesses 3 below the fixing plate 16. Such adjustment system could consist of metal tabs that are perimetric, orthogonal and also integral with the fixing plate 16 (like those actually used by the invention for fixing the fixing plate 16 to the shell made of ABS 18) but have longitudinal slots (rather than circular holes) for the passage of the screws and for adjusting, obtained on the metal tabs themselves. Nevertheless, such adjustment system, which allows an adjustment of the distance between the fixing plate 16 and the lower edge of the shell 18, makes the device 2 less secure and hence it would also be necessary to provide for airtight sealing gaskets around the fixing plate, between the latter and the lower edge of the shell 18;
Of course, LED has very low energy consumption. Nevertheless, one could also provide for a cover on the rear side of the shell 18, opposite the smooth and convex surface 19, so to be able to "open the shell" and substitute the battery 46.
Normally, the box (1a, 1b) of the case 1 of the electric lock is made of metal. Nevertheless, it cannot be excluded that it be at least partly made of plastic. In this case, the isolating washer 45 might become unnecessary, if this part of the box (1a, 1b) - where the component 43 of the sensor is mounted - is made of plastic.

List of reference numbers

1: electric lock case
1a: base
1b: cover
2: silent closure device
3: thickness
4: internal button
5: deadbolt (block) of the button 4
6: fixed wing
7: movable wing
8: cylinder for key for the manual opening from the outside
9: handle
9a: plastic part which comprises the handle 9
10: external zone, not protected by the main door
11: internal zone, protected by the main door
12: edge of 1b
13: wall of 1a
14: spring latch
15: striker/bar
15a: first portion of 15
15b: second portion of 15
15c: tip of 15
15d: ledge of the spring 24 (transition between the portions 15a and 15b)
15e: guide pin of 15
15f: cylindrical end of 15, opposite 15c
16: fixing plate of 18
17: slots of the thickness 3
18: shell
19: smooth and convex sliding surface of 14
20: vertex of 18
21: chamfer of 22
22: inlet opening (for 14)
23: bracket shaped as an overturned U
23a: slot of 23
24: compression spring
25: wall of 23
26: fork (with circular form)
27: first lever
28: fulcrum (of 27)
29: U-shaped notch (of 27)
30: second (leaf) lever
31: fulcrum (of 30)
32: support of 31 and 33
33: electromagnet/coil
34: movable case (integral with 14)
35: fixed guide pin of 34
36: slot of 34
37: third lever (drum)
38: fulcrum of 37
39: helical spring of 37
40: helical return spring of 34 and 37
41: wall of 23
42: lower end of 30
43: permanent magnet
43a: external end of 43
44: magnet switch
45: isolating washer
46: battery
47: light-emitting diode, LED

Claims

Silent closure system (1, 2) for main doors or the like, comprising an electric lock case (1; 1a, 1b), mountable on a movable wing (7) of the main door, and a device (2) with the function of the conventional strike plate in receiving the spring latch (14) of the electric lock case, in the closed condition of the lock, and which is mountable on a fixed wing (6) of the main door, said device (2) being formed by a shell (18) which comprises plastic material, having a smooth and convex surface (19) on which the spring latch (14) can gradually slide during the closure of the movable wing (7), said device (2) also comprising plate means (16; 3) in order to fix the shell (18) to the fixed wing (6), said plate means (16; 3) having a thickness on the order of several millimeters, and said smooth and convex surface (19) being extended between a vertex or apex (20) of the shell (18) and a lower edge thereof and having an inlet opening (22) adapted to receive the spring latch (14) of the electric lock case, and in said or on said silent closure system (1, 2), a system for detecting the open and closed state of the main door is directly integrated, which comprises a detection sensor, characterized in that said plastic material of the shell (18) is antifriction plastic material and the shell (18) has a height greater than about 5 cm, measured starting from its lower edge up to a vertex (20) thereof, thus enabling the spring latch (14) to more gradually slide thereon while retracting, and in that a system (3) is also provided for adjusting the alignment between the spring latch (14) and the inlet opening (22) of the same in the shell (18), as well as the alignment between the parts of the detection sensor that cooperate with each other, one of which associated with the shell and the other associated with the case (1) of the electric lock.
Silent closure system (1, 2) according to claim 1, characterized in that said shell (18) is entirely made of antifriction plastic material, e.g. ABS.
Silent closure system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said sensor (43, 44) comprises a permanent magnet (43) and a magnet switch (44), as parts cooperating with each other, in which the permanent magnet (43) is inserted in the electric lock case (1; 1a, 1b) and projects therefrom by means of an end portion thereof (43a), and the magnet switch (44) is housed in the shell (18) and crosses through a further opening thereof.
Silent closure system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said electric lock case (1; 1a, 1b) comprises a striker (15) that crosses through an opening of the electric lock case (1; 1a, 1b) and that is adapted to cooperate with said smooth and convex surface (19), in a manner such that in a first retreated position thereof, it preloads a kinematic mechanism for the release and retreating of the spring latch (14), which is activatable by means of a command by the intercommunication system, power supplying an electric coil within the electric lock case (1; 1a, 1b), and/or by means of a manual button (4) placed on the electric lock case (1; 1a, 1b).
Silent closure system according to any one of the claims 1 or 2, and 4, characterized in that said sensor of the system for detecting the closed and open state of the main door or the like, comprises a microswitch, which is associated with said smooth and convex wall (19) and which is activated when the striker (15) associated with the electric lock case (1; 1a, 1b) reaches such case.
Silent closure system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said system (3) for adjusting the alignment between the spring latch (14) and the inlet opening (22) thereof in the shell (18), as well as the alignment between parts of the sensor cooperating with each other, one of which associated with the shell (18) and the other with the electric lock case (1; 1a, 1b), comprises a set of one or more thicknesses (3) arranged on the opposite side of a fixing plate (16) with respect to the shell (18), said set of one or more thicknesses (3) forming said plate means (16; 3) together with the fixing plate (16).
Silent closure system according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said system for adjusting the alignment between the spring latch (14) and the inlet opening (22) thereof in the shell (18), as well as the alignment between parts of the sensor cooperating with each other, one of which associated with the shell (18) and the other with the electric lock case (1; 1a, 1b), adjusts the position of the shell (18) with respect to a plate (16) for fixing the shell (18) to the main door or the like, in the direction vertical or orthogonal to a plane defined by the same fixing plate (16).
Silent closure system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in said shell (18), circuit means are housed, e.g. a printed circuit board, and power supply means (46) are housed for the circuit means, such as a battery (46), the microswitch or sensor being adapted to respectively close and open the electric circuit obtained by said circuit means, according to the mutual position momentarily assumed by their parts that cooperate with each other.
Silent closure system according to any one of the preceding claims, and in particular according to claim 8, characterized in that on the shell (18) of the device (2), a LED (47) is provided that is part of the detection system integrated in the silent closure system.
Silent closure system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detection system is capable of communicating said open or closed state of the main door to a video-surveillance system, e.g. to a video intercom, or to an electronic alarm control unit, or it is able to interact with a light barrier system for the monitoring of a protected zone, etc.
Silent closure system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an isolating washer (45) as means against the dispersion of the magnetism of said permanent magnet (43).
Silent closure system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the preferred height of the shell (18) is equal to about 7 cm, measured from its apex or vertex (20) up to its lower edge.
Silent closure system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a cover on the shell (18) on its side opposite that of the smooth and convex surface (19), in particular for the maintenance and/or substitution of the battery (46), hence without having to disassemble the shell (18) from the fixing plate (16).
Use of the silent closure system according to any one of the preceding claims, in the field of domotics.