TECHNICAL FIELD
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The present invention relates to an automatic door closing device for closing a leaf, such as for example a door leaf, a cabinet leaf and so on, constrained in a rotatable manner around an axis, such as for example hinged, to a fixed structure, such as for example to a door or cabinet jamb. In particular, the present invention relates to an automatic door closing device with optimized adjustment.
STATE OF THE ART
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Nowadays, door closing devices for the articulated connection of a leaf to a fixed structure by means of a joint which are provided with an elastic recall system that determines an automatic closing of the door are known. These devices generally provide a recall spring connected between an element fixed to the leaf or jamb and an element dragged by the opening movement of the leaf. When the door is opened, the element dragged by the opening movement of the leaf exerts a stress on the recall spring, which is therefore led to exert a recall force on the leaf in the closing configuration. The amount of the recall force that is generated is dependent on the preload condition to which the recall spring is subjected at rest, i.e. in the closing configuration.
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The door closing devices for the articulated connection of a leaf to a fixed structure by means of a hinge can be of the visible type or recessed in the connecting parts, such as in the thickness of the leaf and the jamb, and therefore concealed. The door closing devices of the concealed type, once installed, are difficult to access and therefore rather complex to adjust, in particular with reference to the elastic recall force with which they exert automatic closure.
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The adjustment of the preload of the elastic recall system is generally carried out before the door closing device is inserted into the leaf and/or jamb, therefore without the possibility of fine adjustment downstream of the installation and/or changes during use, for example to compensate for a change in the elastic recall force, as in the case of wear of the elastic means used.
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Door closing devices of the concealed type that allow a fine adjustment of the elastic recall force once the device is inserted in the leaf and/or in the jamb are also known. Documents
US 4,875,252 and
EP 3 469 177 describe concealed door closing devices in which the recall spring is connected between a fixed and an element translatable with respect to the fixed one, acting on one or more screws accessible from the outside of the door closing device downstream of its installation.
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In the known solutions, however, the joint of the door closing device is subject to high tensions exerted punctually by the recall spring. In addition, in the case of several screws for the adjustment of the preload, it is difficult to carry out the pre-tensioning, in a such a way that the recall force generated is kept well balanced. In case the pre-tensioning exerted by the screws is not well balanced, an increased wear of the spring itself is caused.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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In light of the foregoing, the task underlying the present invention is to obviate the problems of the prior art. As part of this task, it is the object of the present invention to devise a concealed automatic door closing device that allows the preload force responsible for the automatic closure of the device to be adjusted in a simple and reliable manner, even downstream of its installation.
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Another object of the present invention is to realize a concealed automatic door closing device capable of offering an always substantially balanced action of automatic closing recall.
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A further object of the present invention is to design a concealed automatic door closing device capable of keeping the tensions exerted on the joint by the elastic recall means reduced.
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Yet another object of the present invention is to study a concealed automatic door closing device that can be made in a simple way and at reduced costs.
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Not least object of the present invention is to devise a concealed automatic door closing device that is installable and adjustable in a quick and precise manner.
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In accordance with a first aspect thereof, the invention therefore relates to a concealed automatic door closing device comprising:
- an articulation hinge comprising a pair of hinge bodies respectively connectable to a leaf and to a fixed structure, wherein the hinge bodies are articulated to each other through a pair of arms to rotate around a hinge axis between a closed hinge condition and an open hinge condition; and
- an automatic recall group connected to a first arm of the pair of arms of the articulation hinge to return the articulation hinge to its closed hinge condition.
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In particular, the automatic recall group comprises a pair of elastic recall means, each mounted between a respective first abutment element fixed in translation with respect to the first hinge body and a respective second abutment element translatable with a movement of the first arm along a longitudinal axis.
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According to the present invention, the automatic recall group comprises a group for adjusting the preload of the elastic recall means configured to act in a centralised and synchronous manner on both the elastic recall means of the recall group in such a way as to modify the recall force exerted by each elastic recall means by a substantially equal or proportional amount.
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The adjustment group comprises a central drive interface configured to transfer a rotation imparted on the drive interface to a pair of rotating sleeves.
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In particular, when rotated, each rotating sleeve of the pair of rotating sleeves is configured to impart a movement along the longitudinal axis of a respective second abutment element moving it closer to or away from a corresponding first abutment element.
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Within the scope of the present description and in the attached claims by "closed hinge" it is intended to indicate the condition in which the two hinge bodies are facing each other, and the surfaces of the leaf and of the fixed structure to which the bodies are connected are juxtaposed. In the closed hinge condition, the two hinge bodies define a hollow compartment in which the arms are substantially enclosed.
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Similarly, in the scope of the present description and in the attached claims by "open hinge" it is intended to indicate the condition in which the two hinge bodies are not facing each other, and the surfaces of the leaf and of the fixed surface to which the bodies are connected are distant from each other. In the open hinge condition, the arms are only partially accommodated in the hinge bodies and are accessible from the outside.
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Additionally, by "opening the hinge" it is intended to indicate the transition of the hinge from the closed hinge condition to the open hinge condition, while by "closure of the hinge" it is intended to indicate the transition of the hinge from the open hinge condition to the closed hinge condition.
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The Applicant has considered that thanks to the use of a pair of elastic recall means, the door closing device offers an automatic recall action of distributed and substantially balanced closure. In this way, the localized high tensions exerted by the single elastic recall means are avoided.
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In addition, the particular group for adjusting the preload configured to act in a centralised and synchronous manner on both the elastic recall means guarantees that a balance between the two elastic recall means is maintained, regardless of the skill of the operator who performs the preload adjustment.
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Further characteristics of the preferred embodiments of the concealed automatic door closing device according to the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.
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In a variant of the invention, the automatic recall group comprises a pair of rods each coupled to the first arm at a first rod end and translatable along a longitudinal axis. Each rod supports an elastic recall means of the pair of elastic recall means and, at a second rod end, a respective second abutment element.
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Preferably, each rod is coupled to a respective nut screw in such a way that a relative rotation between the nut screw and the rod determines a translation of the second abutment element along the longitudinal axis.
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In a variant of the invention, when rotated, each rotating sleeve is configured to rotate the respective second abutment element.
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In a variant of the invention, each rotating sleeve is mounted in the automatic recall group in a fixed manner upon translation and integrates or carries a stop wall which forms the first abutment element, between which a respective elastic recall means is mounted.
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In a variant of the invention, each second abutment element comprises a first washer retained by a nut tightened at a first end of a respective rod. At a second end thereof, each rod is coupled to the respective nut screw, wherein each nut screw is pivoted to the first arm.
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Preferably, each rod is coupled to the respective sleeve in a manner fixed to rotation.
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In a different variant of the invention, each second abutment element comprises a head wall of a nut screw coupled to a first threaded end of a respective rod, wherein the rod is pivoted to the first arm at a second end thereof.
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Preferably, each sleeve is connected to the respective nut screw by means of the interposition of a sheath integrally constrained to the nut screw, wherein the sheath is connected to the respective sleeve in a manner fixed to rotation.
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In a variant of the invention, the central drive interface of the adjustment group comprises a drive cavity accessible through the first hinge body, the drive cavity being shaped so that it can be rotated by the action of a mechanical tool.
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In a different variant of the invention, the central drive interface of the adjustment group is connected to a rotary actuator, such as an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuator. Preferably, the rotary actuator is configured to rotate the central drive interface.
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In a variant of the invention, the adjustment group comprises at least one pair of movement conveying elements configured to transfer a rotation imparted on the drive interface to the pair of rotating sleeves.
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Preferably, the conveying elements are selected from the group consisting of:
- a pair of toothed rollers;
- a pair of friction wheels;
- a pair of toothed belts;
- a pair of V-belts; and
- a pair of smooth belts.
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In a variant of the invention, the automatic recall group comprises at least one damping group of the movement of the articulation hinge configured to at least partially counteract an action exerted by at least one elastic recall means of the pair of elastic recall means to return the articulation hinge to its closed hinge condition.
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Preferably, the at least one damping group comprises a stem translatable within a cylindrical body in contrast to a force exerted by a fluid contained in the cylindrical body and by an elastic thrust means configured to return the stem to a position at least partially extracted from the cylindrical body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof made with reference to the appended drawings.
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The different characteristics in the individual configurations can be combined with each other at will according to the previous description, if the advantages resulting specifically from a particular combination were to be used.
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In such drawings,
- figure 1 is a front elevational view of a concealed automatic door closing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention in an open hinge condition;
- figure 2 is a top plan view of the device of figure 1, in which some parts have been sectioned for greater representative clarity;
- figure 3 is a rear perspective view, partially in section, of the device of figure 1, in which some parts have been illustrated in transparency for greater representative clarity;
- figure 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the device of figure 1;
- figure 5 is a top plan view of a concealed automatic door closing device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, in which some parts have been sectioned for greater representative clarity;
- figure 6 is a rear perspective view, partially in section, of the device of figure 5, in which some parts have been illustrated in transparency for greater representative clarity;
- figure 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of the device of figure 5;
- figure 8 is a partial front perspective view of the device of figure 5, in which some parts have been removed for greater representative clarity;
- figures 9 is a schematic view of a variant of the adjustment group of the concealed automatic door closing device according to the present invention;
- figure 10 is a partial front perspective view of a concealed automatic door closing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which some parts have been removed for greater representative clarity;
- figures 11a and 11b are schematic views of some variants of the adjustment group of the device of figure 10;
- figure 12 is a front elevational view of a concealed automatic door closing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in an open hinge condition; and
- figure 13 is a partial front perspective view of the device of figure 12, in which some parts have been removed and others shown in transparency for greater representative clarity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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For the illustration of the drawings, use is made in the following description of identical numerals or symbols to indicate construction elements with the same function. Moreover, for clarity of illustration, certain references may not be repeated in all drawings.
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While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings and are described hereinbelow in detail. It must in any case be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated, but, on the contrary, the invention intends covering all the modifications, alternative and equivalent constructions that fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
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The use of "for example", "etc.", "or" indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise indicated. The use of "comprises" and "includes" means "comprises or includes, but not limited to", unless otherwise indicated.
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With reference to figures 1-4, a concealed automatic door closing device according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated, overall indicated with 10.
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The door closing device 10 comprises an articulation hinge 20 comprising in turn a pair of hinge bodies 21,22 respectively connectable to a leaf and to a fixed structure (not illustrated), such as for example a jamb. Specifically, the door closing device 10 is of the concealed type and the hinge bodies are configured to be recessed respectively in the thickness of the leaf and of the fixed structure. To this end, the hinge bodies 21,22 have a tub-shaped portion 21a,22a configured to be accommodated in the thickness of the leaf and of the fixed structure and two flange portions 21b,22b for fixing the bodies 21,22 to the respective structures in which they are accommodated.
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The hinge bodies 21,22 are articulated to each other through a pair of arms 23,24 that allow the rotation of one hinge body 21, with respect to the other 22 around a hinge axis A at which the two arms 23,24 are pivoted to each other and, consequently, of the leaf with respect to the fixed structure to pass from a closed hinge condition to an open hinge condition and vice versa.
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The door closing device 10 further comprises an automatic recall group 30 connected to a first arm 23 of the pair of arms 23,24 of the articulation hinge 20. Preferably, the automatic recall group 30 is connected to the arm 23 accommodated in a slidable manner in the hinge body 21 intended to be connected to the leaf, hereinafter for brevity "first hinge body 21" and pivoted to the hinge body 22 intended to be connected to the fixed structure, hereinafter for brevity "second hinge body 22". The automatic recall group 30 is configured to return the first hinge body 21 to the condition facing the second hinge body 22, i.e. to the closed hinge condition.
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The recall group 30 comprises a pair of elastic recall means 31, for example a compression spring, each constrained between a respective first abutment element 32 fixed in translation with respect to the first hinge body 21 and a respective second abutment element 33 translatable with the movement of the first arm 23.
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In the first embodiment illustrated, each second abutment element comprises a first washer 33 retained by a nut 37 tightened at a first end of a respective rod 35 around which a helical spring 31 is fitted. At a second end thereof, each rod 35 is indirectly coupled to the first arm 23. Each rod 35 is also housed in a respective tubular casing 36 in a translatable manner along a longitudinal axis B of the casing 36, so that a rotation of the first arm 23 following an opening of the hinge determines a translation of the rods 35 in extraction from the casing 36. Preferably, the tubular casing 36 is made of two parts, of which a first part 36a constrained in an integral manner to the first hinge body 21 and a second part 36b fittable on the first part 36a.
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In the first embodiment illustrated, each first abutment element 32 is made by a stop wall of an element fixed to translation with respect to the first hinge body 21, against which the helical spring 31 ends.
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When the hinge is brought into its own open condition, by moving the hinge bodies 21,22 away from each other, the hinge arms 23,24 slide inside the respective hinge body 21,22. The sliding of the first hinge arm 23 determines a translation of the rods 35 along the longitudinal axis B of the respective casings 36, and with them of the respective nut 37 and of the relative first washer 33. This determines a compression of the corresponding spring 31 against the respective stop wall 32, which is not subject to the same translation. The helical springs 31 are thus led to exert a recall force on the first hinge body 21 proportional to their compression, tending to return it to the condition facing the second hinge body 22 (closed hinge condition).
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The recall group 30 also preferably comprises at least one damping group 50 of the movement of the hinge 20 housed internally to a casing 36, in an end portion thereof, for example at a cap 54 of the casing 36. The damping group 50 is configured to at least partially counteract an action exerted by at least one elastic recall means 31 of the pair of elastic recall means 31 to return the articulation hinge 20 into its closed hinge condition.
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In the embodiment illustrated, a pair of damping groups 50 of the movement for closing the hinge 20 is provided, each housed internally to a respective casing 36, in an end portion thereof, for example at a cap 54 of the casing 36.
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In the first embodiment illustrated, each damping group 50 comprises a stem 51 translatable within a cylindrical body 52 in contrast to a force exerted by a fluid contained in the cylindrical body 52 and by an elastic thrust means 53 capable of returning the stem 51 to a position at least partially extracted from the cylindrical body.
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When the first hinge body 21 is returned to the condition facing the second hinge body 22 under the action of the helical springs 31, the rods 35 each abut against a respective stem 51, pushing it to enter the respective cylindrical body 52 in contrast to the force exerted by the fluid contained therein and by the elastic thrust means 53. In this way, the force exerted by the helical springs 31 is partially absorbed by the damping groups 50 which therefore brake the travel of the rods 35.
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The recall group 30 further comprises a group 40 for adjusting the preload of the elastic recall means 31. According to the present invention, the adjustment group 40 is configured to act in a centralised and synchronous manner on both the elastic recall means 31 of the recall group 30 in such a way as to modify the recall force exerted by both elastic means 31 by a substantially equal amount.
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The adjustment group 40 comprises a central drive interface 41 and at least one pair of movement conveying elements 42, configured to transfer an action imparted on the drive interface 41 to a pair of rotating sleeves 43. In particular, each rotating sleeve 43 is coupled to a respective second abutment element 33 in such a way that, a rotation of the rotating sleeve 43 determines a corresponding rotation of the second abutment element 33.
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In the first embodiment of figures 1-4, the central drive interface 41 has a drive cavity 45 accessible from the first hinge body 21 and shaped so that it can be rotated by the action of a mechanical tool. For example, the cavity has a hexagonal sectional shape to be rotated through a common Allen key. In particular, as shown in figure 1, the cavity 45 faces a bottom wall of the tub-shaped portion 21a in such a way that it can also be accessed downstream of the installation of the door closing device 10.
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The conveying elements 42 of the first embodiment are a pair of toothed rollers that engage a perimeter toothing made on an outer surface of the central drive interface 41. In addition, also the rotating sleeves 43 have a perimeter toothing made on an outer surface thereof. The pair of toothed rollers 42 also engages the perimeter toothing of the rotating sleeves 43. Advantageously, the ratio between the perimeter toothing made on the outer surface of the central drive interface 41 and each of the toothed rollers 42 is the same. Similarly, the ratio between each toothed roller 42 and the perimeter toothing of the respective rotating sleeve 43 is also the same for both pairs consisting of a toothed roller 42 and a rotating sleeve 43. In this way it is ensured that the rotation imparted to the central drive interface 41 is transferred in an equal and synchronous manner on both rotating sleeves 43 through the conveying elements 42.
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Preferably, the pair of toothed rollers 42, the perimeter toothing made on the outer surface of the central drive interface 41, as well as the perimeter toothing of the rotating sleeves 43 are housed in a containment body 47 integral with the first hinge body 21.
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Each rotating sleeve 43 is connected to a respective rod 35 in a manner constrained to rotation and free to translation in such a way that the rod 35 can slide inside the rotating sleeve along the longitudinal axis B, but is rotated by it around the same axis B. To this end, the rod 35 has a longitudinal groove 34 in which it engages a pin 46 integral with the sleeve 43. The pin 46 is free to translate within the longitudinal groove 34 and cooperates therewith to rotate the rod 35 with the sleeve 43 about the longitudinal axis B, and with it the respective nut 37 and the relative first washer 33.
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Each rotating sleeve 43 is fixed upon translation and integrates or carries the stop wall which forms the first abutment element 32 against which the helical spring 31 ends. In particular, in the first embodiment illustrated, the first abutment element 32 is a second washer fitted on the rotating sleeve 43 so that it cannot translate along the longitudinal development thereof, at least in the direction of the force exerted thereon 32 by the elastic means 31.
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The recall group 30 also comprises a pair of nut screws 44 each housed in a translatable manner within a respective sleeve 43. Each nut screw 44 is pivoted at a first end thereof to the first arm 23; at a second end thereof each nut screw 44 is coupled to a second threaded end of a respective rod 35.
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The nut screws 44 are mounted in the recall group 30 in a manner fixed to rotation. Therefore, the rotation of the sleeves 43 around the longitudinal axis B determines a rotation of the rods 35 around the same axis B and therefore a translation thereof with respect to the nut screws 44, due to the threaded coupling between the second end of the rod 35 and the respective nut screw 44 fixed to the rotation. In this way, each second abutment element 33 is moved closer to or away from the respective first abutment element 32, thus varying the preload of the elastic means 31.
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Referring to Figures 5-8, a concealed automatic door closing device 10 in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated.
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The door closing device 10 comprises an articulation hinge 20 similar to what is described with reference to the first embodiment and a recall group 30 associated therewith configured to return the first hinge body 21 of the hinge 20 in the condition facing the second hinge body 22, i.e. in the closed hinge condition.
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Also in the second embodiment illustrated, the recall group 30 comprises a pair of elastic recall means 31, for example a helical spring, each constrained between a respective first abutment element 32 integral with the first hinge body 21, such as for example a stop wall of an element fixed to translation, and a respective second abutment element 33 translatable with the movement of the first arm 23, such as for example a stop wall of an element translated by the first arm 23.
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However, unlike the first embodiment, each second abutment element comprises a head wall 33 of a nut screw 44' coupled to a first threaded end of a respective rod 35 around which the helical spring 31 is fitted.
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Also in the second embodiment, each rod 35 is housed in a respective tubular casing 36 in a translatable manner along a longitudinal axis B of the casing 36, in such a way that a rotation of the first articulation arm 23 around the hinge axis A, following an opening of the hinge 20, determines a translation of the rods 35 in extraction from the casing 36 along the longitudinal axis B and with them of the respective nut screws 44'. This determines a compression of the springs 31 against the respective stop walls 32. The helical springs 31 are thus led to exert a recall force on the first hinge body 21 proportional to their compression.
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The recall group 30 also preferably comprises a pair of damping groups 50 of the movement for closing the hinge 20 each housed internally to a respective casing 36, in an end portion thereof, for example at a cap 54 of the casing 36, and configured to counteract the action exerted by the respective elastic recall means 31.
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Also in the second embodiment of figures 5-8, the recall group 30 comprises a group 40 for adjusting the preload of the elastic recall means 31 configured to act in a centralised and synchronous manner on both the elastic recall means 31 of the recall group 30 in such a way as to modify the recall force exerted by both elastic means 31 by a substantially equal amount. To this end, the adjustment group 40 comprises a central drive interface 41 and at least one pair of movement conveying elements 42, configured to transfer an action imparted on the drive interface 41 to a pair of rotating sleeves 43, similar to the same elements of the first embodiment. Each rotating sleeve 43 is fixed upon translation and integrates or carries the stop wall which forms the first abutment element 32 against which the helical spring 31 ends.
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Also in the second embodiment illustrated, the central drive interface 41 has a cavity 45 accessible from the first hinge body 21 and shaped so that it can be rotated by the action of a mechanical tool.
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Each sleeve 43 is connected to the respective nut screw 44' by means of the interposition of a sheath 48 integrally constrained to the nut screw 44'. Each rod 35 extends inside the respective rotating sleeve 43 and the respective sheath 48, being able to translate with respect to the sleeve 43 along the longitudinal axis B. The translation of the rods 35 drags therewith the respective nut screw 44' and with it the sheath 48, which is connected to the respective sleeve 43 in a free manner upon translation. To this end, the sheath 48 comprises a pair of grooves 38 in each of which it engages at least one protuberance 39 made on the surface of the sleeve 43.
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However, the sheath 48 is connected to the respective sleeve 43 in a manner fixed to rotation. Therefore, the rotation of the sleeves 43 around the longitudinal axis B determines a rotation of the sheaths 48 and with them of the nut screws 44'. This determines a translation of the nut screws 44' along the rods 35 and, consequently, a movement of the nut screws 44' closer to or away from the corresponding first abutment element 32, thus varying the preload of the elastic means 31.
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Figure 9 schematically illustrates an alternative variant of the group 40 for adjusting the preload of the elastic recall means used in the door closing device 10 in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of figure 9, the rotation imparted to the central drive interface 41 is transferred by friction in a synchronous manner on both rotating sleeves 43 through the conveying elements 42. To this end, the drive interface 41, the rollers 42 and the rotating sleeves 43 each have a perimeter portion 41a,42a,43a of high friction coefficient material and are arranged in such a way that a first perimeter portion 42a of each roller 42 is placed into contact with a second perimeter portion 41a of the drive interface 41 and with a third perimeter portion 43a of a respective sleeve 43.
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Figure 10 partially illustrates the recall group 30 of a third embodiment of a concealed automatic door closing device 10 according to the present invention which differs from the recall group of the second embodiment in the implementation of the group 40 for adjusting the preload. In this case, the rotation imparted to the central drive interface 41 is transferred in a synchronous manner on both rotating sleeves 43 through conveying elements made in the form of a belt 42', specifically in the form of a toothed belt.
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In further alternative variants of the group 40 for adjusting the preload of the elastic recall means employable in the door closing device 10 in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention, the belt-like conveying elements 42' can be a V-belt (illustrated in figure 11a) or a smooth belt (illustrated in figure 11b).
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With reference to figures 12 and 13, a concealed automatic door closing device 10 in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated.
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The door closing device 10 of figures 12 and 13 differs from the second embodiment in the absence, in the central drive interface 41, of a cavity accessible from the first hinge body 21 and shaped so that it can be rotated by the action of a mechanical tool. Instead of such manual access, the central drive interface 41 is connected to a rotary actuator 49, for example an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuator.
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In this case, by operating the rotary actuator 49, a rotation is imparted to the central drive interface 41, which is transferred in an equal and synchronous manner on both rotating sleeves 43 through the conveying elements 42. The sleeves 43 are therefore rotated around the longitudinal axis B. This determines a rotation of the sheaths 48 and with them of the nut screws 44', leading the nut screws 44' to translate along the rods 35. In this way, the nut screws 44' are moved closer to or away from the corresponding first abutment element 32 (in this case, a head wall of the sleeve 43), thus varying the preload of the elastic means 31.