EP3260639B1

EP3260639B1 - Movable panel system with a pair of sliding trolleys

Info

Publication number: EP3260639B1
Application number: EP17176912.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giordano Bonomi
Original assignee: Metalglas Bonomi Srl
Current assignee: Metalglas Bonomi Srl
Priority date: 2016-06-21
Filing date: 2017-06-20
Publication date: 2019-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2037-06-20
Also published as: ITUA20164550A1; EP3260639A1; ES2742253T3

Description

The object of the present invention is a packable movable panel system, in particular glass panels.
In the state of the art are known packable movable panel systems that allow one to enclose an environment, such as a veranda, when weather conditions are unpleasant, in this way enabling its use as an additional sheltered space. When, however, the weather permits, the panels can be packed into a small space and the veranda can thus be used as an open environment.
In the known embodiments, the panels, preferably glass, are large, so as to allow an effective illumination of the environment even with the panels in the closed position.
Large glass panels are not easy to handle. In fact, to move the panels, special guides and special sliding means suitable to operate with such guides are provided to allow both the axial translation and movement in rotation.
In particular, embodiments are known in which the panel, in a rotated position, is placed cantilevered with respect to the guides. In fact, the panel is supported only on one side, while the other is rotated outside of the guide.
A critical problem with these typical solutions of the prior art, therefore, lies in the fact that the panels, in the open position, due to their dimensions and their weight, tend to tilt, assuming an undesirable and unappealing appearance.
Many packable movable panel solutions exist that have tried to solve this problem; for example, some of these solutions for movable panel systems are shown in the document number BS2009A000229, in the document number WO2013/121330 and in the document number WO2016/016801 in the name of the Applicant.
The object of the present invention is to provide a system of packable movable panels which ensures an efficient movement of the panels both in their axial translation, along the guides, and in their rotational movement, wherein the panels are cantilevered with respect to the guides.
This object is achieved by a packable movable panel system according to claim 1 below.
The features and advantages of the panel system according to the present invention will be apparent from the description given below, provided by way of nonlimiting example, in accordance with the accompanying figures, wherein:

figures 1 and 1' show respectively two views in perspective of the packable movable panel system, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, in a closed configuration;
figures 1a, 1b and 1c show two enlarged views of some panel system portions as shown in figure 1, respectively near the upper guide and the lower guide;
figures 2 and 2' show two views, respectively, in perspective of the packable movable panel system, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, in a configuration wherein a first panel is rotated;
figures 2a and 2b show two enlarged views of some panel system portions as shown in figure 2, respectively near the upper guide and the lower guide;
figures 3 and 3' show respectively two views in perspective of the packable movable panel system of figure 1 in a configuration wherein a second panel is axially translated;
figures 3a and 3b show two enlarged views of some panel system portions as shown in figure 3, respectively near the upper guide and the lower guide;
figures 4 and 4' show respectively two views in perspective of the packable movable panel system of figure 1 in a configuration wherein the second panel is rotated.
figures 4a and 4b show two enlarged views of some panel system portions as shown in figure 4, respectively near the upper guide and the lower guide;
figures 5 and 5' show respectively two views in perspective of the packable movable panel system of figure 1, in an open configuration, with all the panels rotated and packed;
figures 5a and 5b show two enlarged views of some panel system portions as shown in figure 5, respectively near the upper guide and the lower guide;
figure 6 is a sectional view of the upper guide of the panel system along the cross-section plane V-V shown in figure 1;
figure 7 shows a perspective view in separate parts of a first trolley device comprised in the support and sliding means of the movable panel system object of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment;
figures 7', 7a, 7b and 7c show respectively a perspective view, a top view, a bottom view, and a side view of the first trolley device shown in figure 7;
figures 8 and 8' respectively are a perspective view and a perspective view in separate parts of a second trolley device comprised in the support and sliding means of the movable panel system object of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment;
figures 9 and 9' show respectively a perspective view and a perspective view in separate parts of a pin element comprised of the movable panel system object of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment;
figures 10 and 10a show two views in perspective of a lateral mouth comprised in an upper guide of the movable panel system object of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment.

In the accompanying figures, reference number 1 indicates a packable movable panel system object of the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment.
In particular, the movable panel system 1, object of the present invention, is not limited to, or by, the number of panels 3 included therein.
The movable panel system 1 comprises an upper guide 2 and a lower guide 6.
The upper guide 2 extends along an axis X-X lying on a centerline plane M having a vertical extension. Preferably, also a vertical axis Z-Z extends on said centerline plane M. The centerline plane defines a first side M1 and a second side M2.
The upper guide 2, furthermore, has internally a channel 20 provided with a lower opening 21. In other words, the upper guide 2 has a substantially C or U shape, with the opening facing downwards.
Conversely, the lower guide 6 in turn has internally a channel and an upper opening. In other words, the lower guide 6 has a substantially C or U shape, with the opening facing upwards. Preferably, also the lower guide 6 extends along the axis X-X parallel to the guide 2. Preferably, the lower guide 6 extends in length only for a stretch, unlike the upper guide 2, which extends the entire length of the panel system 1. Preferably, the lower guide 6 extends only for a final stretch corresponding to the packing area.
The panel system 1 comprises at least one panel 3 operatively connected to the upper guide 2 and is operatively connectable also to the lower guide 6.
The panel 3 is operatively connected to the upper guide 2 to slide along the axis X-X, and, once it arrives in a predefined rotational position, to rotate with respect thereto around a vertical axis Z-Z.
Preferably, the panel system 1 comprises a plurality of panels 3, which in a closed configuration are arranged in a closed position, i.e. substantially coplanar to each other and planarly to the centerline plane M; in such a configuration, the system encloses, at least partially, an open environment, such as a veranda or balcony (as shown by way of example in the figures 1). Preferably, on the other hand, in an open configuration, as described below, the panels 3 are rotated and packed parallel to one another at one end of the system 1, and arranged perpendicularly to the centerline plane M (as shown, for example, in the figures 5).
Therefore the panel system 1 provides support and sliding means 5 suitable to allow the sliding and support of a panel in the upper guide 2.
Such support and sliding means 5 comprise a pair of trolleys 50 housable in the housing channel 20 fixed to the panel 3 through the lower opening 21.
The trolleys composing the pair 50 are mutually spaced, for example respectively positioned near the two side ends of the top of a panel 3.
The pair of trolleys 50 comprises a first trolley device 51 and a second trolley device 52.
The first trolley device 51 supports the panel 3 in sliding and in rotation on the top guide 2.
The first trolley device 51 comprises two pairs of support and sliding wheels 510 consisting of:

a first pair of vertical wheels 511 each having a rotation axis Y'-Y' perpendicular to the centerline plane M, positioned on the first side M1;
a pair of horizontal wheels 512 each having a rotation axis Z'-Z' parallel to the centerline plane M, positioned on the second side M2.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the first trolley device 51 comprises a first bearing portion 501 housed in the upper guide 2 on which the two pairs of support and sliding wheels 510 are connected.
Furthermore, the first trolley device 51 comprises a rotation element 515 fixed to the panel 3 and rotationally movable with respect to the guide 2. In other words, the panel 3 rotates with respect to the bearing portion 501 and with respect to the guide 2 by means of the rotation element 515.
In a preferred embodiment, the first bearing portion 501 has two housings 501' specially shaped to contain the pair of horizontal wheels 512, wherein each horizontal wheel 512 is housed in the respective housing 501' in such a way as to overhang the bearing portion 501 and thus come in contact with the upper guide 2.
Preferably, the pair of horizontal wheels 512 is positioned on the top of the bearing portion 501 at a height higher than the pair of vertical wheels 511.
In a preferred embodiment, not shown in the figures, the upper guide 2, inside the housing channel 20, comprises a support tooth extending in length along the axis X-X, perpendicular to the centerline plane M, wherein the pair of horizontal wheels 512 has a concave shape suitable to house such support tooth.
Preferably, moreover, the movable panel system 1 also provides the presence of gripping means 8 suitable to operate during the rotation of the panel 3 with respect to the upper guide 2. Specifically, such gripping means 8 are suitable to operatively connect the panel 3 to the guide 2 to distribute the weight force of the rotated panel 3 not only on the first trolley device 51, but rather also and especially on the guide 2.
Preferably, the gripping means 8 comprise a receiving element 81 comprising a rail 810 delimited by two side walls 811 and placed on the upper guide 2. In addition, the gripping means 8 comprise an engagement element 82 placed on the rotation element 515 of the first trolley device 51.
In a preferred embodiment, the engagement element 82, in a rotated configuration of the panel 3, is inserted into the rail 810, engaging the side walls 811.
Preferably, the rail 810 extends according to a curvilinear trajectory, and the engagement element 80 is suitable to slide into said rail 810 comprising a wedge 820 that extends according to the same curvilinear trajectory.
Preferably, the wedge 820 extends in such a way as to remain housed in at least one of its portions within the rail 810 at each rotation angle of the panel 3.
Preferably, the receiving element 81 is positioned on the upper guide 2 externally therefrom, facing the panel 3, to be penetrated by the engagement element 80.
In other words, in a preferred embodiment, the gripping means 8 are spatially located between the upper guide 2 and the panel 3.
The second trolley device 52 supports the panel 3 in sliding.
In particular, the second trolley device 52 comprises a pair of support and sliding wheels 520 comprised of a second pair of vertical wheels 522. Said second pair of vertical wheels 522, when the second trolley device 52 is housed in the upper guide 2, have a rotation axis Y"-Y" perpendicular to the centerline plane M. The pair of vertical wheels 522 is positioned on the second side M2.
In other words, in the configuration wherein the first trolley device 51 and the second trolley device 52 are housed in the upper guide 2, the respective first pair of vertical wheels 511 and the second pair of vertical wheels 522 are positioned in such a way that they are respectively the first on one side and the second on the other side, namely the first on the first side M1 and the second on the second side M2.
According to a preferred embodiment, the upper guide 2 comprises a first sliding track 211 and a second sliding track 212 on the sides of the lower opening 21. In other words, a track is positioned on the first side M1 while the other track is positioned on the second side M2; preferably, the first pair of vertical wheels 511 and the second pair of vertical wheels 522 respectively slide in axial movement on said tracks.
The upper guide 2 defines a packing end 25 wherein the panel 3 is positionable and rotatable with respect to the upper guide 2. In other words, in the packing end 25, all the panels 3 of the system 1 are suitable to be rotated and packed.
Specifically, in the packing end 25, the upper guide 2 has a lateral mouth 250 traversable by the second trolley device 52 in the rotational operations of the panel 3. In other words, the lateral mouth 250 is an entry/exit side opening of the channel 20.
In a preferred embodiment, the lateral mouth 250 is located on the second side M2. Preferably, in fact, the panel 3 rotates to arrange itself cantilevered on the second side M2.
According to the invention, the lateral mouth 250 comprises two inclined portions 251 engageable by the second pair of vertical wheels 522 in the operations of crossing the lateral mouth 250. In other words, each second vertical wheel 522 slides on the respective entry slide in the crossing of the lateral mouth 250.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, similar to the first trolley device 51, also the second trolley device 52 comprises a second bearing portion 502 housed in the upper guide 2 to which the second pair of vertical wheels 522 is connected.
According to a preferred embodiment, the lower guide 6 defines a groove element 600, provided with groove walls 600 and having extension parallel to the upper guide 2.
Preferably, the groove element 600 is placed in a position corresponding to the packing end 25.
Preferably, the movable panel system 1 comprises a pin element 7 extending in height, positioned below the panel 3 in a manner integral thereto. Such pin element 7 is suitable to cooperate with said groove element 6.
Specifically, the pin element 7 is firstly adapted to be housed in the groove element 600 and to engage with the groove walls 600 to guide the axial sliding along the axis X-X of the panel 3; in particular the pin element 7 is suitable to engage the groove walls 600 by sliding thereon in order to slide guided by such walls 600.
Secondly, the pin element 7 is also suitable to impart, during the rotation action of the panel 3, a locking action on the groove walls 600 so as to keep the panel 3 centered along the vertical axis Z-Z in the rotation with respect thereto.
Preferably, the pin element 7 is shaped comprising an insertion portion 71 of a size such as to slide between the groove walls 600, and an engagement portion 72 larger in size with respect to the distance between the groove walls 600 in such a way that, with the panel 3 rotated, said engagement portion 72 imparts an action to the groove walls 600.
Preferably, the insertion portion 71 is radially less distant from the pin axis P-P with respect to the two engagement portions 72.
In other words, the insertion portion 71 is radially less distant from the pin axis P-P with respect to the two engagement portions 72.
According to a preferred embodiment, the engagement portion 72 is comprised of engagement strips 72' spaced axially along the pin axis P-P.
Preferably, the pin element 7 is substantially a cylindrical element having two diametrically opposed portions in which, for example, with a mechanical operation, a respective circular segment is removed.
In a preferred embodiment, the pin element 7 extends in height along a pin axis P-P and has a central insertion portion 71 and two engagement portions 72 arranged distally with respect to the pin axis P-P.
In a preferred embodiment, the groove element 60 is made of a material having less rigidity with respect to the pin element 7, for example the pin element 7 is made of a material selected from among the metals while the groove element 60 is made of a material selected from among the plastic materials. In other words, in the rotation of the panel 3, the rotation of the pin element 7 causes a plastic deformation of the groove element 60 on the groove walls 600 thereof.
Further embodiments of the above described components are also foreseeable; e.g., not covered by the claims, depending on their shape, the wheels have different inclination axes than those described above, e.g. the rotation axes are not parallel or perpendicular to the centerline plane, but rather inclined to some degree, e.g. about 5° with respect to the described axes.
Innovatively, the packable movable panel system has a particularly efficient rotational and translational movement of the panel.
Advantageously, by virtue of the two trolley devices, the panel is suitable to slide planarly along the centerline plane in translation.
Moreover, advantageously, the first trolley device and the second trolley device are of compact size comprising a minimum number of wheels. Advantageously, the upper guide is small in size.
According to a further advantageous aspect, the first trolley comprises horizontal wheels suitable to distribute the action of the weight force of the rotated panel on the upper guide. Advantageously, the pair of vertical wheels and the pair of horizontal wheels are suitable to hold the first trolley device centered in the upper guide.
According to a further advantageous aspect, the movable panel system comprises gripping means suitable to engage mutually through insertion, suitable to distribute the action of the weight force of the rotated panel on the upper guide.
Another advantageous aspect is that the gripping means are adapted to act as soon as the panel is rotated; in other words in any rotation angle of the panel, the gripping means keep the panel from tilting.
Yet another advantageous aspect lies in the fact that the gripping means remain in engagement with the rotated panel and only cease to act when the panel is returned to a sliding position relative to the guide so as not to interfere with the sliding operations.
In addition, advantageously the horizontal wheels are suitable to distribute the action of the weight force on the wall of the upper guide on the side on which the panel is rotated.
Advantageously, the interaction between the groove element and the pin element keeps the panel centered and aligned along the vertical axis when positioned at the packing end and rotated.
Moreover, advantageously, the pin element performs an action that involves the plastic deformation of the groove element so that in the groove element a specific rotational position of the pin element, and in particular the panel, is identified.
It is clear that one skilled in the art, in order to meet specific needs, may make changes to the movable panel system described above, all contained within the scope of protection defined by the following claims.
To the embodiments of said system, one skilled in the art, in order to meet specific needs, may make variants or substitutions of elements with others functionally equivalent.

Claims

Movable panel system (1) comprising:
A) an upper guide (2) that extends along an axis (X-X) lying on a centreline plane (M) having vertical extension identifying a first side (M1) and a second side (M2), wherein the upper guide (2) internally has a channel (20) that has a lower opening (21);

B) at least one panel (3) operatively connected to the upper guide (2) to slide along the axis (X-X) and, once arrived in a predefined rotational position, to rotate with respect to it about a vertical axis (Z-Z);

C) a pair of trolleys (50), mutually spaced apart, housable in the housing channel (20) fixed to the panel (3) through the lower opening (21), comprising:
i) a first trolley device (51) that supports the panel (3) in sliding and in rotation on the upper guide (2) comprising two pairs of support and sliding wheels (510) constituted by:
- a first pair of vertical wheels (511) each having a rotation axis (Y'-Y') perpendicular to the centreline plane (M), positioned in the first side (M1);

- a pair of horizontal wheels (512) each having a rotation axis (Z'-Z') parallel to the centreline plane (M), positioned in the second side (M2);

ii) a second trolley device (52) that supports the panel (3) in sliding and that comprises a pair of support and sliding wheels (520) constituted by a second pair of vertical wheels (522), with which the second trolley device (52) is housed in the upper guide (2), and which have a rotation axis (Y"-Y") perpendicular to the centreline plane (M) being positioned in the second side (M2); wherein the upper guide (2) identifies one packing end (25) in which the panel (3) is positionable and rotatable with respect to the upper guide (2), wherein in the packing end (25) the upper guide (2) has a lateral mouth (250) traversable by the second trolley device (52) in the rotation operations of the panel (3), wherein the lateral mouth (250) comprises two inclined portions (251) engageable by the second pair of vertical wheels (522) in the traversing operations of the lateral mouth (250).
Movable panel system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the upper guide (2) comprises a first sliding track (211) and a second sliding track (212) at the sides of the lower opening (21) on which respectively the first pair of vertical wheels (511) and the second pair of vertical wheels (522) slide in axial movement.
Movable panel system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper guide (2), inside the housing channel (20), comprises a support tooth that extends in length along the axis (X-X), perpendicular to the centreline plane (M), wherein the pair of horizontal wheels (512) has a concave shape suitable to house this support tooth.
Movable panel system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first trolley device (51) comprises a first bearing portion (501) housed in the upper guide (2) to which are connected the two pairs of support and sliding wheels (510) and a rotation element (515) fixed to the panel (3) and rotationally movable with respect to the upper guide (2).
Movable panel system (1) according to claim 4, wherein the first bearing portion (501) has two housings (501') for the pair of horizontal wheels (512), wherein each horizontal wheel (512) is housed in the respective housing (501') so as to overhang from the bearing portion (501) and thus contact the upper guide (2).
Movable panel system (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the pair of horizontal wheels (512) is positioned on top of the bearing portion (501), at a height higher than the pair of vertical wheels (511).
Movable panel system (1) according to any of claims 4 to 6, further comprising gripping means (8) suitable to operate during rotation of the panel (3) with respect to the upper guide (2), comprising:
- a receiving element (81) comprising a rail (810) delimited by two side walls (811) and placed on the upper guide (2); and

- an engagement element (82) placed on the rotation element (515) of the first trolley device (51);
wherein the engagement element (82) in a rotated configuration of the panel (3), inserts the rail (810) engaging the side walls (811).
Movable panel system (1) according to claim 7, wherein the rail (810) extends according to a curvilinear trajectory, and the engagement element (80) is suitable to slide in said rail (810) comprising a wedge (820) that extends according to the same curvilinear trajectory.
Movable panel system (1) according to claim 8, wherein the wedge (820) extends in such a way as to remain housed at least in a portion thereof inside the rail (810) at every angle of rotation of the panel (3).
Movable panel system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second trolley device (52) comprises a second bearing portion (502) housed in the upper guide (2) to which is connected the second pair of vertical wheels (522).
Movable panel system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising:
D) a lower guide (6) that identifies a groove element (60), provided with groove walls (600) and having extension parallel to the upper guide (2);

E) a pin element (7) that it extends in height, positioned below the panel (3) in a manner integral to it, suitable to:
- be housed in the groove element (60) and to engage the groove walls (600) to guide the axial displacement along the axis (X-X) of the panel (3);

- impart, during the rotation action of the panel (3), a locking action to the groove walls (600), in such a way as to keep the panel (3) centred along the vertical axis (Z-Z) in rotation with respect to it.
Movable panel system (1) according to claim 11, wherein the pin element (7) is shaped comprising an insertion portion (71) of a size such as to slide between the groove walls (600) and an engagement portion (72) larger in size than the distance between the groove walls (600) in such a way that, with the panel (3) rotated, said engagement portion (72) imparts an action to the groove walls (600).
Movable panel system (1) according to claim 11, wherein the pin element (7) extends in height along a pin axis (P-P) and has a central insertion portion (71) and two engagement portions (72) distally arranged with respect to the pin axis (P-P).
Movable panel system (1) according to claims 11 to 13, wherein the groove element (60) is made of a material having less rigidity with respect to the pin element (7), for example the pin element (7) is made of a material selected from among the metals while the groove element (60) is made of a material selected from among the plastic materials.
Movable panel system (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the panels (3) are substantially made of glass.