EP4108856B1 - Device for controlling a system for locking/unlocking a door leaf, and joinery comprising same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of control devices for locking/unlocking systems of an opening. The devices can for example be sold separately from the openings to be installed on site on cremone type locking/unlocking fittings. It also concerns joinery containing it, in particular sliding joinery.

In the remainder of the description, the term “leaf” can be used to designate a movable leaf, in other words an opening, or a fixed leaf.

More particularly, the invention relates to control devices installed in the face of a leaf upright, in particular for the opening of sliding joinery such as window, French window, or door.

For example in the case of sliding leaf joinery, an upright of the frame of a sliding leaf is fitted with a fitting whose locking/unlocking mechanism makes it possible to lock the opening by blocking it against another upright, for example that of the frame, when it is in the closed position and to unlock it to move it open. A control device makes it possible to operate the locking/unlocking system.

In the case of a cremone locking/unlocking system, the control device comprises an actuating shaft integral in rotation with an operating handle, said shaft being introduced into the leaf upright to engage in the follower of cremone housed in said leaf upright. The handle may include a fixing sole and includes an operating stand which receives one end of the actuating shaft. The actuating shaft is commonly of square section like the shape of the orifice of the cremone which constitutes the follower, in the case of a usual so-called quarter turn or 90 degree cremone.

The use of operating handles fixed projecting on the upright of the movable leaf can pose a problem when you want to be able to cross the leaves sliding joinery, due to the risk of collision between the handle and the chicane upright of another leaf. Another disadvantage is that the horizontal handle (at 90 degrees) can limit the opening of the leaf by a space which may be equal to the length of the handle.

To try to respond to these problems, locking/unlocking control devices with handles recessed in an upright of the leaf frame can be proposed, as in the documents WO 2019/193559 A1 , EP 1 398 435 A1 , WO 2021/003534 A1 And US 2010/013247 A1 .

• verrouiller / déverrouiller l'ouvrant,
• permettre la manipulation en translation de l'ouvrant coulissant,
• autoriser le croisement des vantaux.

There are therefore different models of devices with recessed handles on the market, the main functions of which are as follows:

• lock/unlock the sash,
• allow the sliding sash to be manipulated in translation,
• authorize the crossing of the leaves.

Among these three main functions, the one relating to locking / unlocking presents a certain challenge from an ergonomic point of view. Indeed, the locking of a joinery is commonly done via a handle with an actuating square which comes into the follower of the cremone to activate the cremone on a circular stroke of 90 degrees. With a handle affixed to an upright of the opening, the user then has a crutch whose 90 degree maneuver is done with full hand, thus ensuring a felt effort in accordance with the French standard NF13126-3.

In the case of sliding joinery, the recessed handles, called shell or bowl type, must be able to integrate this locking function by circular stroke of 90 degrees of the square to operate a quarter-turn cremone bolt without significantly degrading its ergonomics.

Among the existing solutions on the market for devices with recessed handles operating an actuator square, we mainly find the three types of devices presented below

A first type of device with a recessed handle 1 is shown alone on the figure 1 . It comprises a shell 11 fitted into an opening upright, and an operating member 10. The latter is integrated into the hollow and open housing on the front face of the shell and can be maneuvered with a finger in translation to rotate the square 12 forming the tree actuation of a cremone. This type of solution has the main advantage of being able to cross the leaves of sliding joinery without risk of collision. However, the locking/unlocking operation with your finger can result in a lack of ergonomics, particularly when the cremone has a certain resistance. Indeed, the operation of the actuation square is not carried out by direct engagement, we observe a loss of efficiency when operating with the finger, which can then cause a certain discomfort in use.

A second type of device 2 with retractable recessed handle is shown on the figures 2A And 2B . It comprises a shell 21 fitted embedded in the opening amount, and an operating lever 20. The latter is retractable in the hollow housing of the shell as shown in the Figure 2B , in the locked leaf position, and protrudes in the unlocked leaf position as shown in Figure 2A . Ergonomics is thus improved due to the lever arm obtained, but this involves difficulties in crossing the leaves when the leaf being operated is the one equipped with the handle. In addition, the risk of collision with the chicane upright of the main leaf is real, which could lead to breakage of the handle, and even injure the user holding it.

A third type of device 3 with a doubly retractable recessed handle is shown on the Figure 3 . It comprises a bowl 31 fitted into the opening upright, and an operating lever 30. The latter is retracted into the housing of said bowl in the locked leaf position but also in the unlocked leaf position. Said device is thus arranged in such a way that said operating stand is retractable to retract to a position at 0 and 180 degrees in said housing and be extracted from said housing during rotation of said stand. This therefore allows the leaves to cross freely, whatever the configuration and avoid any risk of collision. To allow this double retraction, the operation of the crutch must be done over an angular stroke of 180 degrees rather than 90 degrees, which implies the use of a dead stroke within the mechanism controlling the actuating shaft of said device which rotates the bolt follower having an angular stroke of 90 degrees.

A disadvantage of this solution remains the non-negligible dimension of the bowl impacting both its integration in the workshop to carry out large-scale machining in the receiving profile of the bowl, which weakens the profile, and its aesthetic integration. This further involves a complex operating mechanism combining retraction of the crutch to extract the crutch from the bowl during the maneuver and angular stroke comprising a dead stroke portion.

Devices for controlling a locking/unlocking system of an opening comprising an operating handle on the front of the upright have been described in patents such as those cited below.

The patent application DE19937401 describes a device comprising a handle with a crutch movable radially and in rotation, said crutch having to be moved in translation from top to bottom to move from a rest position to a working position. The crutch therefore undergoes two different maneuvers.

The patent application US2011/156411 describes a device with a two-piece 90 degree handle, the crutch fitting into locking position when at rest.

The patent application IT201900005042 describes a device comprising a handle having a crutch embedded in a bowl, movable in rotation and movable axially in use.

The patent application EP2213816 describes a device comprising a handle having a crutch movable in rotation and movable axially in use.

The patent application EP2405087 describes a device comprising a handle having a crutch movable in rotation and movable axially.

All these patent documents describe handles with crutches subjected to several maneuvers to go from locking to unlocking, which may be in different planes. The multiplication of maneuvers to which the handle is subjected weakens this handle and complicates the opening of an opening for the user.

In the case of so-called knock-on joinery, the opening of which is done by pivoting the leaf along one of its uprights, a handle protruding from the upright may be considered unaesthetic, present too much space, can disrupt the visual field, and in addition the handle can hit against a wall for example when the leaf is open.

The invention aims to resolve the drawbacks of the prior art. A particular aim of the invention is to provide a locking/unlocking control device easily allowing maximum opening of a sliding leaf, the crossing of the leaves of sliding joinery, to have a pleasant aesthetic of the joinery, all by having efficient operating ergonomics, without loss of operating efficiency, whatever the flexibility of the cremone bolt used for the locking/unlocking system.

• une béquille de manoeuvre apte à se disposer en applique dudit montant récepteur,
• un fût récepteur d'au moins une extrémité de l'arbre d'actionnement, solidaire de la béquille, et
• une semelle de fixation qui comprend un boitier apte à s'encastrer dans le montant récepteur de l'ouvrant, et un orifice récepteur du fût de la poignée et que traverse ledit arbre d'actionnement.

For this purpose, the invention provides a device for controlling a cremone locking/unlocking system for a leaf comprising an upright receiving the cremone follower and said control device, said device comprising a cremone actuating shaft , and a handle rotating said shaft and comprising:

• an operating stand capable of being placed on the surface of said receiving upright,
• a barrel receiving at least one end of the actuating shaft, secured to the stand, and
• a fixing sole which comprises a housing capable of fitting into the receiving upright of the opening, and a receiving orifice in the barrel of the handle and through which said actuation shaft passes.

According to the invention, said crutch extends in a plane parallel to the plane of the front face of the sole, and is only movable in rotation following a circular stroke around the axis of the actuating shaft between a position of locking and an unlocking position in the plane parallel to the plane of the front face of the sole. Furthermore, said stand covers at least partially said front face of the sole, in particular said housing, in the locking position.

Said stroke of the crutch is therefore described in the same plane projecting from said built-in box whatever the position of said crutch, in particular between the locking position and the unlocking position. The operation of the handle is easy for a user who wants to open the opening, he can do it by simply turn the stand with one hand, without forcing. The crutch only undergoes a single rotation maneuver when you want to use it, which avoids weakening it.

By “front face” we mean the face which faces a user who turns the handle to open the leaf. The rear face is therefore the face opposite to the front face.

Said control device according to the invention is thus very compact. The operating lever is therefore not embedded in the box or in the receiving upright of the leaf. At most, the receiving barrel of the actuating shaft can be at least partially embedded in said housing. In the locked position, said crutch is in a plane parallel to the plane of the front face of the sole, in particular of the housing, that is to say the face of the housing which will open into the face of the upright which receives the device, and it rotates in this same plane throughout its circular travel around the axis of the actuating shaft. The crutch always remains in the same plane whether it is at rest or being activated. The handle is therefore mounted on the surface of the upright, practically pressed against the face of the upright in a plane parallel to the plane of the leaf, and also parallel to the plane of said face of the upright. The crutch is practically pressed against the plane defined by the face of the upright, that is to say that the crutch rotates in a plane parallel to and almost coincident with that of the plane defined by the face of the upright. The plane of rotation of the crutch can be spaced from the plane defined by the face of the upright, for example by one or a few millimeters at most.

Advantageously, the crutch comprises a flat rear face, which in particular allows the crutch to be pressed against the sole in the locked position.

According to the invention, said handle has a circular, in other words angular, reversible stroke ranging from 0 degrees to 180 degrees, so that the handle can extend along the upright of the leaf, on the face of the receiving upright, in the locked position and in the unlocked position.

Preferably according to the invention, said sole comprises a gripping zone allowing the leaf to be maneuvered. In particular, said zone comprises an open recess on the front face of the sole and housing gripping means. In particular, said gripping means are completely integrated into the recess. In particular, said recess constitutes said gripping means, its shape and size being able to be adapted to receive one or more fingers of a hand, for example at least two or three fingers, for gripping when the crutch is not in position locking. Said gripping means can also be for example a protruding button but completely integrated into said recess. A user can thus easily move the leaf using the sole and not the handle, which allows the handle to be preserved.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said housing comprises said gripping zone.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said box is completely recessed into the receiving upright of the leaf.

Preferably said crutch comprises a rear face covering at least partly said gripping area of the sole when the device is in the locking position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the stand comprises a flat front face. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said crutch is mainly constituted by a plate. For example, said plate has an overall parallelepiped shape.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said crutch has a maximum thickness, excluding the barrel of the handle; between 1 and 7 millimeters, preferably between approximately 1.5 and 5 millimeters.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the crutch comprises a finger handling element, preferably located on its front face and recessed, making it possible to manipulate the crutch with a finger, in particular to rotate it in its plane of rotation , which helps make it easier to move between locking and unlocking positions.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, in the case of a device for sliding joinery with several leaves of which at least one is sliding, the maximum thickness of the lever is adapted to the distance between two leaf uprights which intersect. In other words, the maximum thickness of the handle is strictly less than the distance separating the face of a respective upright of a sliding leaf and the face of a respective upright of another leaf when said respective faces of said uprights are located next to it. The crutch is thin enough that it can pass between the two uprights when rotating.

In the case of striking joinery, the support is thin enough not to create an aesthetic inconvenience, bulk or the risk of hitting a wall for example or another nearby element.

In particular according to the invention, said crutch has a maximum width substantially equal to the width of the sole.

In particular according to the invention, said crutch has a maximum length less than or equal to that of the sole.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said built-in box comprises said orifice, receiving the barrel of the handle and through which said actuation shaft passes.

In particular, said crutch and said barrel of the handle are joined in rotation. Advantageously according to the invention, the barrel of the handle is integrated into the crutch, in particular on the rear face of said crutch. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said barrel and said crutch form a single piece.

Preferably according to the invention, said actuating shaft has a reversible angular stroke ranging from 0 to 90 degrees and said crutch has a reversible angular stroke ranging from 0 degrees to 180 degrees, the locking position of the handle corresponding to 0 degrees for the crutch and 0 degrees for the actuation shaft, and the handle unlock position corresponding to 180 degrees for the crutch and 90 degrees for the actuation shaft. The device can thus be used with a common quarter-turn bolt mechanism.

Preferably according to the invention, the device comprises means for producing a dead stroke, so that a portion of the circular stroke of the prop around the axis of the actuating shaft is incapable of driving the actuating shaft during this portion of travel.

For this purpose according to a particular embodiment, said means for producing a dead stroke comprise a coupling means between said actuating shaft and said barrel, and said barrel comprises at least one slot in its wall cooperating with said means of coupling, said at least one slot extending along a length delimited along the circumference of said barrel, said slot length defining the angular amplitude of a dead circular stroke of said crutch, so as not to rotate said actuating shaft time to go through this slot. Said shaft is thus rotated by the stand only when said coupling means abuts against one end of said slot. Preferably said barrel comprises two slots arranged in opposition in its wall. In particular, said barrel has a cylindrical shape and comprises at least one slot extending along a length delimited in an arc of a circle following the circumference of said barrel, in particular two slots arranged diametrically opposite each other.

In particular, said coupling element is composed of two elements projecting from the periphery of said part of the actuating shaft and which are arranged in opposition on said periphery of the square and inserted in said slots.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said actuating shaft has a square section and comprises a through conduit extending from one of its faces to the opposite face, and said coupling means is an elongated element inserting into said conduit, said element having a length greater than that of said conduit so that its ends appear to project from said faces of the square and said ends of said coupling element being introduced respectively into said at least two opposite slots of said barrel.

As other means of producing a dead stroke, an angular converter can be used comprising a support with a cylindrical cavity, and the actuating shaft consisting of an incoming shaft part and an outgoing shaft part . The incoming shaft portion includes an end which is inserted into the inlet hole in the cavity of said support and its opposite end is inserted into the receiving orifice in the operating stand. The outgoing shaft part comprises an end which is inserted into the outlet orifice which the cavity of said support comprises and its opposite end is capable of being inserted into the follower of the cremone, said outgoing shaft part being provided with a coupling element. Said cylindrical cavity support comprises openings in its wall, along its circumference, cooperating with said coupling element. The openings circulate around the coupling element in dead stroke and as described for the previous particular mode, when one end of the opening abuts against said coupling element, the outgoing shaft part is rotated and activates the cremone. The support of the angular converter is arranged at least partly in the barrel of the handle which may have a solid wall. Such a device is described in the French patent application filed by the applicant, under number FR2021/01910 .

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle comprises a fixing part. More particularly, the sole comprises said fixing part, and this fixing part is at least partially non-embedded. In particular, said fixing part includes an extra thickness relative to the plane of the front face of the sole which will be apparent on the face of the upright.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said stand is substantially flat and has a thickness less than or equal to said extra thickness of the sole.

Preferably according to the invention, the front face of the stand and the front face of said extra thickness are substantially in the same plane, and in particular said plane is parallel to the plane of the front face of the receiving upright.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said fixing part is arranged at the end of the sole opposite another end of the sole comprising the orifice receiving the handle barrel and the actuating shaft. Said barrel defines a proximal end of the sole and the fixing part defines a distal end of the sole.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said sole comprises a non-recessed covering which extends on the front face of the sole, at least partly around the recessed box, to cover the machining opening into the front face of the upright. This covering can be combined with the case to make a single piece.

The invention also relates to a joinery comprising at least one movable leaf and a cremone locking/unlocking system for said leaf, and at least one device for controlling said locking/unlocking system, mounted on an upright of said leaf, capable of reversibly move from a locking position to an unlocking position, as described previously.

In particular, said joinery is sliding joinery and comprises two leaves which can partially or totally cross, and said lever has a maximum thickness strictly less than the distance separating the face of a respective upright of the sliding leaf and the face of an upright respective of the other leaf when said respective faces of said amounts are facing each other.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said sole casing is embedded, preferably completely embedded, in a machining which comprises the receiving leaf upright of said device, said machining opening into the front face of said upright on which the lever is in place. applies and said machining is of a size adjusted to the size of said housing, the stand secured to the sole appearing pressed on said front face of the upright, and said actuating shaft of said device being mounted transversely to said upright and one of its ends being inserted into the barrel of the handle which is inserted into the receiving orifice which comprises the sole, and the other end of said actuation shaft being inserted into the actuation orifice of the cremone opening into said machining.

The invention also relates to a sliding bay comprising at least two leaves including at least one leaf sliding in its own plane, and a cremone locking/unlocking system for at least one leaf, said leaf comprising at least one upright in which is incorporated the follower of the cremone and receiver of a device for controlling said mechanism, said device comprising an actuating shaft of the mechanism and a handle rotating said shaft mounted perpendicular to the plane of the face of the upright between the handle and the cremone follower. Said handle comprises a fixing sole and an operating stand and a barrel receiving at least one end of said actuating shaft, said stand being movable in rotation between a locking position and an unlocking position of said system. According to the invention, the housing of the sole of said device is embedded in said upright, including the receiving orifice of the barrel of the handle and through which passes said actuation shaft, the other end of which is inserted into the follower. cremone. Furthermore according to the invention, said lever extends generally in a plane parallel to the plane of the leaf and projects from said receiving upright between the locking position and the unlocking position, by application on the front face of said upright, and said lever. comprises a rear face which at least partially covers said sole at least in the locking position. Furthermore, said lever has a maximum thickness strictly less than the distance separating the face of a respective upright of the sliding leaf and the face of a respective upright of the other leaf when said respective faces of said uprights are facing each other. The leaves can thus cross partially or completely in substantially parallel planes.

Preferably according to the invention, said sole housing (including the receiving orifice of the barrel of the handle) is completely embedded in a machining which comprises said receiving leaf upright of said device, said machining opening into the front face of said upright on which the crutch is surface-mounted and said machining is of a size adjusted to the size of the part of the sole comprising said housing (including the receiving orifice of the barrel of the handle.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said sole comprises a part which is extra thick relative to the recessed box and projects from the face of said receiving upright, and the stand has a maximum thickness less than or equal to this extra thickness of the sole, so that the handle is integrated into said control device, appearing as if melted on the front face of the device and applied and barely perceptible by its relief in front of the receiving upright of the leaf. The crutch can nevertheless be made perceptible by its color.

In particular, said extra thick part of the sole is a fixing part for fixing said sole to the receiving face of said upright.

According to a preferred mode of the invention, said sole comprises an overhanging covering around said recessed box, said covering being applied to the receiving face of the leaf upright, and the rear face of said handle coming at least partly to cover said covering when it is in the locked position. In particular, said covering has a thickness of at most equal to the distance separating the face of a respective upright of the sliding leaf and the face of a respective upright of the other leaf when said respective faces of said uprights are facing each other, minus the thickness of the handle, so that the handle always allows the leaves to cross regardless of the position of the handle.

More particularly, said device for controlling the locking/unlocking system of said sliding window conforms to that described above.

The invention also relates to the use of a control device as described above to activate a cremone locking/unlocking system of a joinery with a movable leaf, in particular a joinery with a sliding leaf.

The locking/unlocking control device applies more particularly to a bay, in particular a bay window comprising a leaf sliding vertically in its own plane and locking against an amount such as a frame amount, but not limited to the invention. In fact the leaf could lock against another amount such as another amount of the bay like an amount of another leaf or a panel that would comprise the bay. The invention applies in particular to a sliding bay window, with at least two sliding leaves.

The invention also relates to striking joinery equipped with a control device which has just been described.

• [Fig.1] représente suivant une vue en perspective de trois-quarts, un dispositif de verrouillage/déverrouillage selon un premier art antérieur.
• [Fig. 2A] représente suivant une vue en perspective depuis la face avant, un dispositif de verrouillage/déverrouillage selon un deuxième art antérieur, en position intermédiaire.
• [Fig. 2B] représente suivant une vue depuis la face avant, du dispositif de verrouillage/déverrouillage selon le deuxième art antérieur représenté en fig.2A, en position de verrouillage.
• [Fig. 3] représente suivant une vue en perspective de trois-quarts, un dispositif de verrouillage/déverrouillage selon un troisième art antérieur.
• [Fig. 4] représente suivant une vue en perspective de trois-quarts depuis la face avant et le profil latéral gauche, un dispositif de verrouillage/déverrouillage selon l'invention, dans une position de verrouillage.
• [Fig. 5] représente suivant une vue en perspective de trois-quarts depuis la face arrière et le profil latéral gauche, le dispositif de verrouillage/déverrouillage selon l'invention, représenté en figure 4, dans une position de verrouillage.
• [Fig. 6] illustre le dispositif de verrouillage/déverrouillage selon l'invention comme celui illustré aux figures 4 à 5, suivant une vue en perspective éclatée.
• [Fig. 7] illustre suivant une vue en perspective de trois-quarts et partiellement éclatée, l'intégration d'un dispositif de verrouillage/déverrouillage selon l'invention tel que représenté aux figures 4 à 6, dans un usinage creusé dans un montant d'ouvrant.
• [Fig. 8] illustre le dispositif de verrouillage/déverrouillage selon l'invention comme celui illustré aux figures 4 à 7, monté dans un montant d'ouvrant et dans la position de verrouillage.
• [Fig. 9] illustre le dispositif de verrouillage/déverrouillage selon l'invention comme celui illustré aux figures 4 à 8, monté dans un montant d'ouvrant et dans une position intermédiaire entre la position de verrouillage et la position de déverrouillage.
• [Fig. 10] illustre le dispositif de verrouillage/déverrouillage selon l'invention comme celui illustré aux figures 4 à 9, monté dans un montant d'ouvrant et dans la position de déverrouillage.

Other particularities and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description given below of embodiments of the invention, for information only but not limitation, with reference to the appended figures and for which:

• [ Fig.1 ] represents, in a three-quarter perspective view, a locking/unlocking device according to a first prior art.
• [ Fig. 2A ] represents, in a perspective view from the front face, a locking/unlocking device according to a second prior art, in an intermediate position.
• [ Fig. 2B ] represents, in a view from the front face, the locking/unlocking device according to the second prior art represented in fig.2A , in the locked position.
• [ Fig. 3 ] represents, in a three-quarter perspective view, a locking/unlocking device according to a third prior art.
• [ Fig. 4 ] represents, in a three-quarter perspective view from the front face and the left side profile, a locking/unlocking device according to the invention, in a locking position.
• [ Fig. 5 ] represents in a three-quarter perspective view from the rear face and the left side profile, the locking/unlocking device according to the invention, represented in Figure 4 , in a locked position.
• [ Fig. 6 ] illustrates the locking/unlocking device according to the invention like that illustrated in figures 4 to 5 , following an exploded perspective view.
• [ Fig. 7 ] illustrates in a three-quarter perspective view and partially exploded, the integration of a locking/unlocking device according to the invention as shown in figures 4 to 6 , in a machining hollowed out in an opening amount.
• [ Fig. 8 ] illustrates the locking/unlocking device according to the invention like that illustrated in figures 4 to 7 , mounted in a sash jamb and in the locking position.
• [ Fig. 9 ] illustrates the locking/unlocking device according to the invention like that illustrated in figures 4 to 8 , mounted in an opening post and in an intermediate position between the locking position and the unlocking position.
• [ Fig. 10 ] illustrates the locking/unlocking device according to the invention like that illustrated in figures 4 to 9 , mounted in an opening jamb and in the unlocked position.

In the remainder of the description, reference is made to the trihedron X,Y,Z represented in the figures, which respectively defines the longitudinal axis, the transverse axis and the vertical axis for the device which is the subject of the invention as 'installed in an opening upright usually arranged vertically, sliding in its own vertical plane following a longitudinal translation (direction X) and locking against another upright. The notions of lower or higher, relating to the locking/unlocking device which will be described, are therefore defined in relation to this usual position of the device on a vertical upright. The notion of “front” is defined in relation to the face of the opening upright at which the locking/unlocking control device is visible, and the notion of “rear” is defined in relation to the opposite direction.

The notions of “left” and “right” are determined in relation to the left and right of a user of the device, said device being positioned on a vertical opening post, as indicated above, the user facing the crutch.

In the remainder of the description, the proximal part of the sole or the crutch of the device will be called the “upper part”, and their distal part will be called the “lower part”, with reference to the position of the device and the shaft of the device. actuation on the leaf upright, for this example.

Identical references may be used from one figure to another to designate identical or similar elements.

THE figures 1 to 3 have been commented on above in prior art.

THE figures 4 to 10 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a device for controlling a locking/unlocking mechanism 4, object of the invention. THE figures 8 to 10 respectively illustrate three positions of the handle of the device during its stroke passing successively from a position at zero degrees, called the locking position (locked leaf) to an intermediate position up to a position at 180 degrees, called the unlocking position (leaf unlocked).

The locking/unlocking control device 4 comprises an actuating shaft 42 with a square section and a handle 40 composed of a sole 41, and an operating stand 400.

Said handle 40 comprises a crutch 400 of flat shape, sufficiently flat to allow in particular the crossing of leaves whatever its position. It also incorporates a barrel 401 disposed on the rear face and in the upper part of said crutch to receive one end of the actuation square 42 of the cremone locking/unlocking mechanism.

Said barrel and the crutch are integral in rotation. Said barrel and said crutch are formed in one piece, therefore constituted by a single piece. For example, this one-piece part can be formed by molding a plastic material or another material, and/or by machining.

The sole 41 has a shell shape. Said sole comprises a housing 410, 411 which can be completely embedded in the opening amount, consisting of a recessed central part 410 open on the front face and comprising a bottom 4101 and a perimeter wall 4102, delimiting the central recess according to the example , as well as an upper part 411, located as an extension of one end of said recessed central part. Said upper part 411 comprises the orifice 4110 receiving the barrel of the handle and the actuating shaft 42. The recess 4100, open on the front face, constitutes a gripping means to allow a grip for the fingers of a person wanting to slide the opening equipped with said locking/unlocking control device. The size of the recess is of sufficient size for grip by at least one finger, and preferably at least three fingers.

In addition, an arrangement 4001, preferably hollow to avoid any hindrance and any extra thickness at the level of the crutch, is provided on the front face of the crutch 400 (see Fig. 8 ). This handling arrangement makes it easier to operate the crutch with your finger, particularly when it is in the locked position.

Said sole further comprises a covering, which extends all around the recess on the front face of the sole, and which comprises a lower part 412, located as an extension and in front of the housing 410. Said covering comprises also two left lateral edges 413 and right 414, substantially flat, which border each side of the recess from one end to the other of the recess, edge to edge with said perimeter wall 4102, and which extend up to 'at the edge and in the plane of said upper part 411 and until it comes into contact at the rear of the upper end of the lower part 412. These lateral edges 413, 414 are of low thickness, for example of the order of 0.5 mm.

The different parts of said sole 41 are formed in one piece according to the example, otherwise said sole is a single piece. For example, this one-piece part can be formed by molding a plastic material or another material, or by machining.

Said lower part 412 of the sole 41 allows in particular the fixing of the lower part of said locking/unlocking control device on the receiving upright of a leaf. A movable flange 6 and a support part 47 of the flange with a screw-nut fixing 470,471 is arranged at the rear of said lower part 412 for fixing the sole on the upright, on the front of the upright. Access is provided in the lower sole part 412 to act on the screw 470 causing the fixing, for example via a hex key type tool. This access can be visible or hidden when locking for more aesthetics. In addition, a ball 49 and a spring 48 constitute indexing means for maintaining the position of the crutch.

Said upper part 411 of the sole 41 in particular receives the barrel 401 of the handle as explained below.

The lower part 412 of the sole formed by an extra thickness added to the front face of the sole, projects onto this said front face. According to the non-limiting example, said extra thickness relative to the plane defined by said lateral edges of the covering is substantially equal to the thickness (e) of the flat stand 400. Furthermore, the stand 400 is of a length "L » substantially at least equal to that extending from the upper end of the sole, that is to say from the upper end of the upper part 411, to the upper edge of the lower part 412 of the sole, so that when said crutch is in the locking position, the upper edge of said lower part 412 of the sole and the free end of the crutch 400 are substantially contiguous. There crutch 400 and the lower part 412 of the sole are substantially in the same plane. The stand in the locking position completely covers the recess, which makes the device aesthetic.

In reference to the Figure 7 and following, the sole 41 is arranged in the machining U hollowed out in a receiving leaf upright M provided with a cremone locking/unlocking control device system (not visible in the figure). The housing comprising the recessed part 410 and the upper part 411 is embedded in the machining U while the side edges 413, 414 and the lower part 412 of the sole remain applied to the surface of the front face M1 of the upright.

As illustrated by figures 8 to 10 in particular, the handle takes up little space projecting from the receiving face (front face) of the leaf upright so that it does not interfere with the crossing of leaves. The rear face 4000 of the crutch is flat, it is applied to the upright, pressed onto the sole according to the example. When turning the stand 400 from its locked position to zero degrees ( Fig. 8 ) by describing an arc of a circle of 180 degrees to bring it into the unlocking position ( Fig. 10 ), the flat handle is not bulky, it does not hinder the crossing of leaves because it always remains in the same plane. The handle 400 is barely visible on the leaf upright, so it produces a very aesthetic effect. If we want this locking/unlocking control device to be very discreet or even to the point of confusing it with the upright, we can for example put the lower part 412 of the sole 41 and the support 400 of the same color and also of the same color as the leaf post M.

Furthermore, due to the fact that the handle is extra-flat, the user is not tempted to use it to move the leaf, opting more naturally to use the recessed recessed part, which the handle 400 reveals when unlocks the leaf.

According to this embodiment of the invention, but not limited to it, the support 400 (apart from the barrel 401) is in the form of a plate, and has a thickness of around 2 mm.

A mounting and operating arrangement of the locking/unlocking control device will be described below in more detail.

The upper part 411 of the sole in particular receives the barrel 401 of the handle, said upper part 411 having a shape accommodating a through orifice 4110, cylindrical, of diameter allowing said barrel 401 to be introduced there with the actuation square 42. The actuation square 42 passes through said orifice 4110 to insert at its other end into the cremone follower. An elastic ring 44, also called circlip ( Figure 5 ), placed around the actuating shaft 42 makes it possible to retain said barrel 401 of the handle at the rear of said upper part 411 so as to secure said sole 41 and said crutch 400.

In reference to the Figure 6 , said barrel 401 has a cylindrical shape which includes two slots, through according to the example and also called slots, arranged diametrically opposite (only one of the slots 402 is visible on the Figure 6 ). Said slots have an arcuate shape with a length covering 90 degrees to obtain a dead angular travel of 90 degrees, for use of the locking/unlocking control device with a usual quarter-turn bolt (at 90 degrees). A coupling pin 43 between the square 42 and (the barrel of) the stand is inserted in the hollow conduit 420 which entirely passes through the actuating square 42 perpendicular to two opposite faces of said square. The ends of the pin project from said faces of the square to be inserted into said slots of the barrel 401, the ends of said slots forming driving stops of said pin 43 and consequently of the actuation square 42 when the stand is turned with said barrel 401.

The actuation square 42 is thus rotated by the rotation of the crutch, which activates the cremone, the other end of said actuation shaft being inserted into the actuation orifice of the locking/unlocking system, otherwise said in the cremone mess. Said actuation square 42 consists of a single shaft according to this example.

The pin ends are positioned abutting against one end of each light of the barrel 401 mounted in the upper part 411 of the sole, when the stand 400 is at zero degrees in the locking position ( Fig. 8 ), then when we turn the stand around the axis D of the actuating shaft, the barrel 401 rotates inside the upper part 411 of the sole so that the lights in an arc circulate around of the ends of the pin on a angular travel of 90 degrees which defines the dead (reversible) angular travel of the lock/unlock control device ( Fig. 9 ), until they come into abutment at their other respective end against the ends of the pin to rotate the square 42 through 90 degrees and thus activate the cremone bolt, the crutch finding itself at the end of its journey at 180 degrees (unlocking position) relative to its locking position, i.e. vertically along the leaf upright M, on the front face of said upright ( Fig. 10 ). To return to the locked position, the stand is turned in the opposite direction of rotation.

Depending on whether the handle turns to the left or to the right of the user, the person skilled in the art will mount the locking/unlocking control device by adapting the position of the ends of the pin 43 in the openings of the barrel 401 so as to perform the dead stroke first from the lock position to the unlock position.

The handle offers a comfortable lever arm to operate the output square with your finger. In addition, the stroke of the crutch is provided from 0 to 180 degrees, allowing in particular use with a usual 90 degree cremone bolt (with a dead angular stroke of 90 degrees). This gives it a certain ease of maneuver for the user.

The locking/unlocking control device can be used on sliding joinery without risk of collision of the handle with the baffle post and not limiting the initial opening of the leaf, the handle remaining vertical along a leaf post, in unlocking position (180 degrees), during the sliding leaf movement phases.

The object of the invention makes it possible to have an integrable operating member at low cost and as discreet as possible.

A notable difference between the object of the invention with the device of the third type of prior art cited above ( fig. 3 ) remains in the fact that since the crutch cannot be retracted, the locking/unlocking control device maintains very compact dimensions. This then limits the machining to be carried out on the profile, which avoids weakening the profile, and also contributes to the aesthetic integration of the handle. The drive mechanism of the actuating square is much simpler, therefore less expensive and less fragile.

The crutch is only subject to a single operation, rotational operation, between the locking position which is its rest position and the unlocking position. It therefore has the particular advantage of being subject to less stress, of being less weakened in use than the crutches of the prior art, which is all the more important for a thin crutch. The small thickness of the handle allows it to pass between two intersecting sliding doors.

The locking/unlocking control device described can be applied to a bay closed by leaves, in particular to bay windows with sliding openings in a building. The design of the bay consists of forming a fixed frame in relation to the masonry all around an opening and closing it with at least one movable opening which slides in the plane of this frame forming a frame, preferably two sliding leaves . The frame may include one or more guide rails allowing the sliding of the leaf(s) up to a frame amount against which the opening rests when the bay is completely closed. Alternatively, the opening amount can close against another mobile or fixed amount of the opening.

As described for the example according to the figures, the leaf slides in its own vertical plane, in a longitudinal direction. It will be understood that, without departing from the context of the invention, the opening could be oriented differently in relation to the frame, for example so that the opening slides in a vertical direction.

In addition, the bay can be equipped with a hook locking system in which hooks carried by the closing amount of the opening cooperate with strikers dug into a frame amount. The hooks are attached to a locking rod which is mounted along the closing amount and which is movable along this amount by the action of the locking/unlocking control device according to the invention on a lock, in particular in the framework of the invention of a cremone fitting, which is recessed in the leaf upright and which includes the mechanical means necessary to transform the action exerted on the handle of the locking/unlocking control device, into a translational movement of the rod, which causes the rod and the hooks to pass through a passive position to an active locking position in which the hooks lock in the corresponding receiving strikers.

The invention was presented in the context of sliding windows, however the device according to the invention can also be suitable for equipping striking joinery. In fact, the locking/unlocking device according to the invention also solves their problems explained above.

Claims (15)

1. A device for controlling a locking/unlocking system with an espagnolette for a leaf comprising an upright (M) receiving the espagnolette follower and said control device, said device (4) comprising an espagnolette actuating shaft (42), and a handle (40) rotating said shaft and including:

   - a handling lever (400) capable of being disposed applied on the surface of said receiving upright,

   - a barrel (401) receiving at least one end of the actuating shaft, secured to the lever, and

   - a fixing sole (41) which comprises a casing (410, 411) capable of being flush-mounted into the receiving upright of the opening, and a receiving orifice (4110) of the barrel of the handle and which is traversed by said actuating shaft, such that said lever extends in a plane parallel to the plane of the front face of the sole, and is only movable in rotation following a circular stroke around the axis (D) of the actuating shaft (42) between a locking position and an unlocking position in said plane parallel to the plane of the front face of the sole, and it overlaps at least partially said front face of the sole, in particular said casing, in the locking position,

   and in that said lever has a reversible circular stroke ranging from 0 degree to 180 degrees, so that the lever can extend along the upright of the leaf, on the face of the upright, in the locking position and in the unlocking position.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the lever comprises a flat rear face (4000).
3. The device according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that said lever (400) consists of a plate.
4. The device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said lever (400) has a thickness (e) comprised between 1 and 7 millimetres, preferably comprised between approximately 1.5 and 5 millimetres.
5. The device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said sole comprises a gripping area (4100) allowing the leaf to be handled, in particular said casing comprises said gripping area.
6. The device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said flush-mounted casing comprises said orifice (4110) receiving the barrel of the handle and which is traversed by said actuating shaft.
7. The device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said barrel of the handle and said lever form a single piece.
8. The device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that said actuating shaft (42) has a reversible angular stroke ranging from 0 to 90 degrees and said lever (400) has a reversible circular stroke ranging from 0 degree to 180 degrees, the locking position of the handle (40) corresponding to 0 degree for the lever and 0 degree for the actuating shaft, and the unlocking position of the handle corresponding to 180 degrees for the lever and 90 degrees for the actuating shaft.
9. The device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that it comprises means for producing a dead stroke (402, 420, 43) so that a portion of the circular stroke of the lever around the axis of the actuating shaft is incapable of driving the actuating shaft during this portion of stroke.
10. The device according to claim 9, characterised in that said means for producing a dead stroke include a means (43) for coupling between said actuating shaft and said barrel, and that said barrel (401) comprises at least one slot (402) in its wall cooperating with said coupling means, said at least one slot extending along a length delimited along the circumference of said barrel, said slot length defining the amplitude of said dead circular stroke of said lever.
11. The device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the handle comprises a fixing part (412), in particular the sole includes said fixing part and this fixing part is at least partially non-flush mounted.
12. The device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the lever includes a finger handling element (4001), preferably located on its front face and recessed.
13. A joinery comprising at least one movable leaf and a locking/unlocking system with an espagnolette for said leaf, and at least one control device for said locking/unlocking system, mounted on an upright of said leaf, capable of reversibly moving from one locking position to an unlocking position, characterised in that said device (4) is as defined in one of claims 1 to 12.
14. The joinery according to claim 13, characterised in that said joinery is sliding and that it comprises two leaves which can cross partially or completely, and said lever has a maximum thickness strictly less than the distance separating the face of a respective upright of the sliding leaf and the face of a respective upright of the other leaf when said respective faces of said uprights are facing each other.
15. The joinery according to one of claims 13 to 14, characterised in that said sole casing (410,411) is flush-mounted, preferably completely flush-mounted, in a machining (U) comprised in the leaf upright (M) receiving said device, said machining opening into the front face (M1) of said upright on which the lever (400) is applied and said machining is of a size adjusted to the size of said casing, the lever secured to the sole appearing plated on said front face of the upright, and said actuating shaft (42) of said device being mounted transversely to said upright and one of its ends being inserted into the barrel of the handle which is inserted into the receiving orifice comprised in the sole and the other end of said actuating shaft being inserted into the actuation orifice of the espagnolette opening into said machining.

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