EP4678864A1

EP4678864A1 - Support assembly for supporting a sash on a door or window frame

Info

Publication number: EP4678864A1
Application number: EP25188849.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michele Loperfido; Lorenzo LAFRONZA
Original assignee: Masterlab SRL
Current assignee: Masterlab SRL
Priority date: 2024-07-12
Filing date: 2025-07-10
Publication date: 2026-01-14

Abstract

A support assembly (1) for supporting a sash (100) on a door or window frame (200), comprising: a first support (2) configured to be fixed to a post (101) of a sash (100) of a door or window, a second support (3) configured to be fixed to a corresponding post (201) of a frame (200) of said door or window, a rod (4) extending longitudinally between a first end (4a) associated with said first support (2) and a second end (4b) associated with said second support (3), wherein the rod (4) extends longitudinally along a longitudinal broken line (Aa-Ab) comprising a plurality of straight segments and/or curved sections.

Description

The present invention relates to a support assembly for supporting a sash on a door or window fixed frame.
In particular, the present invention refers to a support assembly adoptable together with a so-called "concealed"-type hinging system for connecting a fixed frame to a movable sash of a door or window, and which allows to reach an opening angle of the movable sash with respect to the fixed frame of maximum 180°.
Various hinging systems for sashes of doors or windows for residential, office, or industrial buildings are currently known, which cause the sash, during opening and closing movements, not only to rotate with respect to the fixed frame of the door or window, but also to move perpendicularly to the plane in which the fixed frame lies, approaching and moving away from it.
Examples of this type of hinging systems are described in EP1830024 or EP1918498 .
In particular, concealed hinging systems are already known which allow to reach an opening angle of the movable sash with respect to the fixed frame of maximum 180°.
Examples of such concealed hinging systems are, for example, known from EP3256676 (GSG ), EP3322873 (Fapim ), EP2811092 (Schuco ), EP2708692 (WSS WILH SCHLECHTENDAHL & SOEHNE GMBH & CO KG ), in patents IT1406348 and IT102017000126014 ( EP3480398 ) in the name of the same holder, or in application EP4374040A1 .
All these hinging systems share the feature of comprising a first body that is fixed in a perimeter channel of a profile of the fixed frame, a second body that is fixed in a perimeter channel of a corresponding profile of the movable sash, and a group of levers that articulate the first body and the second body to each other, such that the latter performs a roto-translational motion during the opening and closing of the movable sash with respect to the fixed frame, with a motion component orthogonal to the plane defined by the opening (port) delimited by the fixed frame itself.
In all known solutions, however, when the movable sash is open at opening angles greater than 90°, and in particular at angles greater than 140° up to angles of 180°, the weight thereof rests solely on the levers and components of the hinging system.
The known support assemblies, such as for example those shown in EP4374040A1 (Figures 2 and 3A) and marketed by the same holder (https://www.masteritaly.com/catalogo/shop/product/516-ween-ween-hide-110-ween-hide-180-supporto-anta-autodimante), are indeed not applicable for opening angles greater than 90°, and in particular for angles greater than 140°, due to interferences between the respective support strut (which consists of a straight rod) and the components of the frame and/or the sash.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a support assembly that allows to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a support assembly particularly adoptable together with concealed hinging systems, allowing a movable sash to be opened with respect to a fixed frame up to a maximum opening angle of 180°, while supporting the weight of the sash under all conditions, consequently relieving the components of the hinging system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a support assembly particularly adoptable together with concealed hinging systems which allows to preserve the integrity and proper operation of the latter.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a support assembly that is simple and economical to make and easy to install and employ.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a support assembly for supporting a movable sash with respect to a fixed frame of a door or window, having the features according to claim 1.
Further features are the subject of the dependent claims.
These and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, illustrated with reference to the following figures:

Figure 1 shows in axonometric view a rod of a support assembly according to a first possible embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 2, 3, and 4 are orthogonal views of the rod of Figure 1;
Figures 5A and 5B show, according to two different mutually orthogonal sectional planes, respectively vertical and horizontal, a portion of a sash hinged to the respective fixed frame of a window with a support assembly mounted according to the first embodiment of the present invention, with the sash in the closed position;
Figures 6A and 6B are views analogous to those of Figures 5A and 5B with the sash in a tilt open position;
Figures 7A and 7B respectively show in axonometric view and in section along a horizontal plane the portion of sash and fixed frame of Figures 3A to 4B with the sash in a 90° open position;
Figures 8A and 8B are views analogous to those of Figures 7A and 7B with the sash in a 180° open position;
Figure 9 shows in axonometric view a rod of a support assembly according to a second possible embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 10, 11, and 12 are orthogonal views of the rod of Figure 9;
Figures 13A and 13B show, according to two different mutually orthogonal sectional planes, respectively vertical and horizontal, a portion of a sash hinged to the respective fixed frame of a window, with a support assembly mounted according to the second embodiment of the present invention, with the sash in a closed position;
Figures 14A and 14B are views analogous to those of Figures 13A and 13B, with the sash in a tilt open position;
Figures 15A and 15B respectively show in axonometric view and in section along a horizontal plane the portion of sash and fixed frame of Figures 13A to 14B, with the sash in a 90° open position;
Figures 16A and 16B are views analogous to those of Figures 15A and 15B, with the sash in a 180° open position;
Figures 17, 18, and 19 are orthogonal views of a rod of a support assembly according to a third possible embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to the attached figures, a support assembly for supporting a sash 100 on a fixed frame 200 of a door or window is overall indicated by 1.
The support assembly 1 is usable together with a system for hinging the sash 100 to the frame 200.
The hinging system can advantageously comprise at least one hinge 300, preferably a pair of hinges 300, by means of which a post 101 of the sash can be coupled to the respective post 201 of the fixed frame 200.
The hinge 300 is configured to couple the sash 100 to the frame 200 in a rotatable manner around a vertical axis, with an opening angle which, advantageously, is between 0° (closed position) to 180° (fully open position). The opening angle can vary within such range and/or be adjustable using appropriate limiters, which are not described as they are known to those skilled in the art.
Preferably, the hinge 300 is of the so-called "concealed" type, i.e., a type that is not visible from the outside of the door or window when closed, while it is only partially visible from the outside of the door or window when open.
Furthermore, the hinge 300 can be configured to allow both swing opening and tilt-and-turn opening, also allowing, in the latter case, the sash 100 to tilt with respect to the frame 200 around a substantially horizontal axis defined at a respective crosspiece (generally the lower one) thereof.
The attached figures show a possible embodiment of the hinge 300 which, only by way of example, is of the type described and illustrated in EP4374040A1 .
The support assembly 1 comprises:

a first support 2 configured to be fixed to the post 101 of the sash 100;
a second support 3 configured to be fixed to the corresponding post 201 of the frame 200;
a rod 4 that extends longitudinally between a first end 4a associated with the first support 2 and a second end 4b associated with the second support 3.

According to the present invention, the rod 4 extends longitudinally between the first end 4a and the second end 4b along a longitudinal broken line Aa-Ab comprising a plurality of straight segments and/or curved sections.
In a first possible embodiment (Figures 1-8B), the longitudinal line Aa-Ab is a flat broken line, that is, the plurality of straight segments and/or curved sections composing it are contained in a single plane indicated by trace P1 in Figures 2 and 4 (plane P1 is parallel to the plane of Figure 3).
Advantageously, plane P1 is a symmetry plane of the rod 4.
In a second possible embodiment (Figures 9-16B), the longitudinal line Aa-Ab is a skew broken line, that is, the plurality of straight segments and/or curved sections composing it are contained in at least two different planes. In such case, preferably, the straight segments and/or curved sections having as respective extreme points the opposite ends of the longitudinal line Aa-Ab lie in two planes parallel to each other. In Figures 10 and 12, such two planes, respectively a first plane and a second plane, are indicated respectively by trace P1' and trace P2. Advantageously, the first plane P1' and the second plane P2 are symmetry planes of the respective portion of the rod 4. In this case, the rod 4 comprises at least one connecting portion at which the longitudinal line Aa-Ab comprises at least one straight segment and/or curved section lying on a third plane different from and not parallel to the first and second planes P1', P2.
Preferably, as noted in the exemplary embodiments shown in the attached figures, the first end 4a and the second end 4b and, with them, the corresponding ends of the longitudinal line Aa-Ab are non-coaxial to each other (at least not in the plane of Figures 3 and 11).
That is, the first end 4a and the second end 4b, and, with them, the corresponding ends of the longitudinal line Aa-Ab, are mutually misaligned, offset, staggered.
Preferably, the rod 4 comprises at least:

a first straight section 40 extending from the first end 4a and at which the longitudinal line Aa-Ab consists of a first straight segment Aa-Ac; and
a second straight section 41, subsequent and preferably consecutive to the first straight section 40 and at which the longitudinal line Aa-Ab consists of a second straight segment Ac-Ad,

In the first embodiment, the plane containing the first straight segment Aa-Ac and the second straight segment Ac-Ad is the aforementioned plane P1.
In the second embodiment, the plane containing the first straight segment Aa-Ac and the second straight segment Ac-Ad is the aforementioned first plane P1'.
The first angle α is preferably between -5° and 20°.
Preferably, the rod 4 further comprises a third straight section 42, at which the longitudinal line Aa-Ab consists of a third straight segment Ae-Ab, wherein the third straight section 42 is subsequent to the second straight section 41 and ends with the second end 4b of the rod.
The third straight section 42 is not necessarily consecutive to the second straight section 41. Preferably, at least one fourth straight, curved, or mixed connecting section 43 is interposed between the second straight section 41 and the third straight section 42.
In the first embodiment, the third straight segment Ae-Ab is contained in the same plane P1 in which the first and second straight segments Aa-Ac and Ac-Ad are contained. On such plane P1, the third straight segment Ae-Ab is inclined at a second acute angle β with respect to the extension of the first straight segment Aa-Ac.
The second angle β is preferably between 5° and 40°.
Advantageously, the third straight segment Ae-Ab is inclined at a third acute angle θ with respect to the extension of the second straight segment Ac-Ad.
The third angle θ is preferably between 0° and 20°.
In plane P1, therefore, the first end 4a (and thus the corresponding end Aa of the longitudinal line Aa-Ab) and the second end 4b (and thus the corresponding end Ab of the longitudinal line Aa-Ab) are spaced apart along a direction orthogonal to the first straight segment Aa-Ac by a not-zero distance D1.
Preferably, such distance D1 is between 15 mm and 50 mm.
In the second embodiment, the third straight segment Ae-Ab is contained in a plane (the aforementioned second plane P2) parallel to the plane in which the first and second straight segments Aa-Ac and Ac-Ad are contained (the aforementioned first plane P1'). In such case, the projection of the third straight segment Ae-Ab on the plane (i.e., the first plane P1') containing the first and second straight segments Aa-Ac and Ac-Ad is inclined at a second acute angle β' with respect to the extension of the first straight segment Aa-Ac.
The second angle β' is preferably between 5° and 40°.
Advantageously, the projection of the third straight segment Ae-Ab on the plane (i.e., the first plane P1') containing the first and second straight segments Aa-Ac and Ac-Ad is inclined at a third acute angle θ' with respect to the extension of the second straight segment Ac-Ad.
The third angle θ' is preferably between 0° and 20°.
With reference to the second embodiment, on the first plane P1', therefore, the first end 4a (and thus the corresponding end Aa of the longitudinal line Aa-Ab) and the orthogonal projection of the second end 4b (and thus the projection of the corresponding end Ab of the longitudinal line Aa-Ab) are spaced apart along a direction orthogonal to the first straight segment Aa-Ac by a first not-zero distance D1'.
Preferably, such first distance D1' is between 15 mm and 50 mm.
The first end 4a (and thus the corresponding end Aa of the longitudinal line Aa-Ab) and the second end 4b (and thus the corresponding end Ab of the longitudinal line Aa-Ab) are then spaced apart along a direction orthogonal to the first and second planes P1', P2 by a second not-zero distance D2 equal to the distance between the first plane P1' and the second plane P2.
Preferably, such second distance D2 is between 0 mm and 20 mm.
Preferably, the first end 4a consists of a curved surface cap, advantageously hemispherical, whose centre defines the end Aa of the longitudinal line Aa-Ab.
Preferably, the second end 4b consists of a curved surface cap, advantageously hemispherical, whose centre defines the end Ab of the longitudinal line Aa-Ab.
Advantageously, both the first end 4a and the second end 4b consist of respective curved surface caps, advantageously hemispherical, whose centres define the corresponding ends Aa and Ab of the longitudinal line Aa-Ab.
The distance between the first end 4a and the second end 4b of the rod 4 along a direction parallel to the first straight section 40 is not-zero and is substantially equal to the mounting distance between the first support 2 and the second support 3.
The first support 2 and the second support 3 are not depicted or described in detail, as they are of a type known to those skilled in the art.
In a possible embodiment, the first support 2 comprises:

a containment body 20 configured to be fixed, for example by screws, to the post 101 of the sash 100;
a body forming a spherical joint coupling with the first end 4a of the rod 4 (not visible in the attached figures) and housed in the containment body 20 with axial sliding capability against at least one elastic thrust element 21;
a member, for example a screw 22, for adjusting the elastic stiffness of the elastic thrust element 21.

In a possible embodiment, the second support 3 comprises a main body 30 configured to be fixed, for example by screws, to the post 201 of the frame 200. At one end of the main body 30, there is a coupling and/or resting seat configured to couple with and/or accommodate the second end 4b of the rod 4, thereby making a spherical or hemispherical joint therewith.
The course of the longitudinal extension of the rod 4 allows to open the sash 100 in any allowed open position, transferring in any case the weight of the sash 100 to the frame 200, thus relieving the levers of the hinge 300 that articulate to each other.
As noted in the attached figures, the support assembly 1, due to the structure of the rod 4 as described above, allows the sash 100 to be opened in any possible allowed mode without interfering with any component of the door or window. The support assembly 1 allows the sash 100 to be opened in tilt or swing mode, reaching in the latter case opening angles greater than 90° and advantageously greater than 140°, up to 180°, ensuring in any case the support of the sash 100, whose weight therefore no longer rests on the hinge 300, which is only responsible for the opening/closing kinematics, but rather on the support assembly 1 and thus on the frame 200. The integrity of the levers and components of the hinge 300 is thus preserved, avoiding jamming or malfunctions due to their deformation and, due to the structure of the rod 4, any interference of the support assembly 1 with components of the door or window is avoided.
During the opening of the sash 100 by rotation with opening angles greater than 90°, the successive bends of the rod 4, resulting in the non-straight course of the longitudinal line Aa-Ab, prevent interferences between the rod 4 and the frame 200 and the sash 100, while ensuring, in any case, the coupling and/or resting of the opposite ends of the rod 4 with the first support 2 and the second support 3.
The second embodiment involves an offset between the planes on which the end sections of the rod 4 lie and, although it is structurally more complex to produce compared to the first one, it allows to obtain smoother rotation of the sash by compensating for the variability in the sash-frame overlap clearance, which can range from a minimum of 7 mm to a maximum of 22 mm.
In the exemplary embodiment, the frame 200 and the sash 100 are depicted schematically and partially for illustrative purposes only. Both the frame 200 and the sash 100 can be formed of profiles each having at least one perimeter channel formed respectively on the inner perimeter of the frame 200 and on the outer perimeter of the sash 100, in which the hinging system and the support assembly 1 are accommodated.
The frame 200 defines and delimits an opening which is closed by the sash 100.
In the exemplary embodiment, the hinge 300 comprises:

a first body 301 fixedly connectable in the perimeter channel of the profile forming one of the crosspieces 202 of the frame 200;
a second body 302 fixedly connectable in the perimeter channel of the profile forming the corresponding crosspiece 102 of the sash 100; and
a group of levers that articulates the first body 301 and the second body 302 to each other.

The group of levers is configured to allow the sash 100 to perform a roto-translational motion with respect to the frame 200, moving, during opening and closing of the door or window, with a motion component orthogonal to the plane formed by the opening delimited by the frame 200.
The group of levers comprises a first lever 303 and a second lever 304, each of which has a first end, a second end and a middle portion.
The first lever 303 and the second lever 304 are both articulated to the respective ends opposite to the first body 301 and the second body 302, directly or indirectly by interposition of connecting rods.
The first lever 303 and the second lever 304 are then hinged to each other at the middle portions thereof. The first lever 303 has:

the first end articulated to the first body 301 rotatably around a first rotation axis 305 which is fixed with respect to the first body 301,
the second end articulated (by a connecting rod) to the second body 302 rotatably around a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis 305 and fixed with respect to the second body 302.

The second lever 304 has:

the first end articulated to the first body 301,
the second end articulated to the second body 302 rotatably around a third rotation axis, parallel to the first rotation axis 305 and fixed with respect to the second body 302.

The first lever 303 and the second lever 304 are articulated to each other at their corresponding middle portions rotatably around a fourth rotation axis 306, parallel to the first rotation axis 305 and fixed with respect to them.
Preferably, the first end of the second lever 304 is articulated to the first body 301 through a kinematic pair making a relative motion of the first end of the second lever 304 with respect to the first body 301 by rotation and translation, respectively, around a fifth rotation axis 307, which is parallel to the first rotation axis 305, and along a trajectory T extending towards the first rotation axis 305 and, at least for a section, tangent to or coincident with at least a straight direction contained in a plane orthogonal to the first rotation axis 305 and intersecting the plane formed by the opening delimited by the frame 200.
Advantageously, the first end of the second lever 304 is articulated to the first body 301 by means of a pin forming the fifth rotation axis 307, which is fixed with respect to the first body 301 and which is slidably accommodated along a slot 308 formed along the second lever 304 and having an advantageously straight course.
A hinge 300 of such type is described in greater detail in EP4374040A1 .
The support assembly 1 according to the present invention can be applied together with hinging systems with hinges 300 configured also differently from the one exemplified in the attached figures.
Another object of the present invention is a system for coupling a sash 100 on a frame 200 of a door or window, comprising:

at least one hinge 300 adapted to couple a post 101 of a sash 100 to a corresponding post 201 of a door or window fixed frame 200, in a movable manner between at least one closed position and at least one open position; and
a support assembly 1 as described above.

In light of the foregoing, another object of the present invention is an assembly comprising a sash 100 mounted on a door or window frame 200, in a movable manner between at least a closed position and at least an open position by means of such a coupling system, wherein the hinge 300 couples a post 101 of the sash 100 to a corresponding post 201 of the frame 200, and wherein the first support 2 of the support assembly 1 is fixed to the post 101 of the sash 100 and the second support 3 of the support assembly 1 is fixed to the post 201 of the frame 200, the rod 4 of the support assembly 1 having its first end 4a associated with the first support 2 and its second end 4b associated with the second support 3.
As is apparent from the description above, the support assembly 1 is configured to transfer the weight of the sash 100 to the frame 200 in any open position of the sash 100 with respect to the frame 200.
In particular, considering the support assembly 1 in mounting conditions, wherein the first support 2 is fixed to the post 101 of the sash 100, and the second support 3 is fixed to the post 201 of the frame 200, and the rod 4 has its first end 4a associated with the first support 2 and its second end 4b associated with the second support 3, the rod 4 itself transfers the weight of the sash 100 on the frame 200 in any open position of the sash 100 with respect to the frame 200.
The mounting and operation of the support assembly according to the present invention is immediately understandable to those skilled in the art in the light of the above description and the attached figures.
It has been practically found that the support assembly according to the present invention allows to achieve the prefixed objects.
Indeed, the support assembly according to the present invention allows to reach a maximum opening angle of 180°, while in any case supporting the entire weight of the sash 100 without interfering with any component of the sash 100 or the frame 200.
Therefore, the support assembly according to the present invention allows to preserve the integrity and correct operation of the system for hinging the sash to the frame 200.
The support assembly according to the present invention is simple and economical to make.
The support assembly thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept; furthermore, all the details are replaceable by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any depending on the technical requirements.

Claims

Support assembly (1) for supporting a sash (100) on a door or window frame (200), comprising:
- a first support (2) configured to be fixed to a post (101) of a sash (100) of a door or window;

- a second support (3) configured to be fixed to a corresponding post (201) of a frame (200) of said door or window;

- a rod (4) extending longitudinally between a first end (4a) associated with said first support (2) and a second end (4b) associated with said second support (3), wherein said rod (4) extends longitudinally along a longitudinal broken line (Aa-Ab) comprising a plurality of straight segments and/or curved sections.
Support assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinal broken line (Aa-Ab) is flat, said plurality of straight segments and/or curved sections being contained in a same plane (P1).
Support assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinal broken line (Aa-Ab) is skew, said plurality of straight segments and/or curved sections being contained in at least two different planes (P1', P2).
Support assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein at least the straight segments and/or the curved sections ending in said first end (4a) and in said second end (4b) are contained in at least two planes (P1', P2) parallel to each other and spaced by a not-zero distance.
Support assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first end (4a) and said second end (4b) are non-coaxial to each other.
Support assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said rod (4) comprises at least:
- a first straight section (40) extending from said first end (4a) and at which said longitudinal broken line (A-Ab) consists of a first straight segment (Aa-Ac); and

- a second straight section (41) subsequent to said first straight section (40) and at which said longitudinal broken line (Aa-Ab) consists of a second straight segment (Ac-Ad),
wherein said first straight segment (Aa-Ac) and said second straight segment (Ac-Ad) are contained in a same plane (P1; P1') on which said second straight segment (Ac-Ad) is inclined at a first acute angle (α) with respect to the extension of said first straight segment (Aa-Ac).
Support assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein said rod (4) comprises a third straight section (42) at which said longitudinal broken line (Aa-Ab) consists of a third straight segment (Ae-Ab), wherein said third straight section (42) is subsequent to said second straight section (41) and ends with said second end (4b).
Support assembly (1) according to claim 7, wherein said third straight segment (Ae-Ab) is contained in the same plane (P1) in which said first and second straight segments (Aa-Ac; Ac-Ad) are contained and on which plane (P1) said third straight segment (Ae-Ab) is inclined at a second acute angle (β) with respect to the extension of said first straight segment (Aa-Ac).
Support assembly (1) according to claim 8, wherein said third straight segment (Ae-Ab) is inclined at a third acute angle (θ) with respect to the extension of said second straight segment (Ac-Ad).
Support assembly (1) according to claim 7, wherein said third straight segment (Ae-Ab) is contained in a plane (P2) parallel to the plane (P1') in which said first and second straight segments (Aa-Ac; Ac-Ad) are contained and wherein the projection of said third straight segment (Ae-Ab) on the plane (P1') containing said first and second straight segments (Aa-Ac; Ac-Ad) is inclined at a second acute angle (β') with respect to the extension of said first straight segment (Aa-Ac).
Support assembly (1) according to claim 10, wherein the projection of said third straight segment (Ae-Ab) on the plane (P1') containing said first and second straight segments (Aa-Ac; Ac-Ad) is inclined at a third acute angle (θ') with respect to the extension of said second straight segment (Ac-Ad).
Support assembly (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, configured to transfer the weight of said sash (100) on said frame (200) in any open position of said sash (100) with respect to said frame (200).
System for coupling a sash (100) on a door or window frame (200), comprising:
- at least one hinge (300) adapted to couple a post (101) of a sash (100) to a corresponding post (201) of a door or window frame (200) in a movable manner between at least a closed position and at least an open position; and

- a support assembly (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims.
Assembly comprising a sash (100) mounted on a door or window frame (200) in a movable manner between at least a closed position and at least an open position by means of a coupling system according to claim 13, wherein said hinge (300) couples a post (101) of the sash (100) to a corresponding post (201) of the frame (200) and wherein said first support (2) is fixed to said post (101) of the sash (100) and said one second support (3) is fixed to said post (201) of the frame (200), said rod (4) having said its first end (4a) associated with said first support (2) and said its second end (4b) associated with said second support (3).