ES2348560T3 - CORNER UNION. - Google Patents

Abstract

Aligning bracket for joining and moving together a first section (I) and a second section (II) of a window- or door-frame each provided with a longitudinal seat (S). The bracket (1) comprises an angle piece (2) having two arms (3a,3b), each of which is intended to be inserted inside a longitudinal seat (S) of the two sections (I,II) and four locking pieces mounted in seats (5) provided in pairs on each arm (3a,3b). The locking pieces (4) are operationally forced to move between a release position (A), where they do not intercept the corresponding section (I,II) leaving the arms (3a,3b) free to slide inside the associated longitudinal seat (S), and a locking position (B), where they act on the sections (I,II), forcing them to be joined together. Each locking piece (4) performs a rotary/translatory movement between the two positions, i.e. release position (A) and locking position (B).

Description

Scope

The present invention relates to an alignment support for joining sections to each other.

The alignment support in question is intended to be used advantageously in the sector of the production of frames, such as door and window fasteners, to connect the sections to each other.

The invention, in general, is within the industrial sector related to the production of frames and in particular in the sector related to the production of accessories for fasteners.

Prior art

As is known, a frame, whether made of metal or PVC, generally consists of several sections that are fixed together in pairs at the ends in the area of the vertices through suitable connection means. The latter consist of substantially angular L-shaped elements that are made of metal or plastic and are generally referred to as "mounting brackets" or "forced adjustment brackets."

In more detail, these angular elements have two arms that are perpendicular to each other, each of which can be inserted by sliding inside a longitudinally formed seat in one of the two sections to be joined together. Suitable fixing means, such as screws or bolts, for example, are used to fix the arms of the angular elements to the two sections.

Each angular element exerts, by means of its arms, a tensile force on the sections that are to be joined together to place them in contact with each other along the joint cross section. The angular elements therefore allow the different sections to be mounted next to each other to form the frame, ensuring that their adjacent surfaces have a continuous shape and are coplanar with each other.

In fasteners with a smaller thickness such as, for example, in the case of fasteners of the type called "cold section", the angular elements mentioned above fulfill in a substantially adequate manner their function of arranging the sections in an adjusted manner with each other along of the entire joint cross section.

In the case of thicker sections used, for example, to form the so-called fixation type of thermal bridge breakage, the angular elements are not always manipulated to prevent the sections from opening along their junction zones. This is mainly due to the fact that the sections used to form break frames of the thermal bridge have a cross section that is larger than that of the sections used for “cold section” fixings and require the use of other mechanical elements to complement the force of traction of the mounting brackets.

In particular, the sections for thermal break rupture fixations are formed by a main area that forms the load bearing part of the section and is intended to be oriented outwards, and by a secondary zone, which is connected to the zone principal through the thickness of a heat insulating material and forms the part of the fixation that is intended to be oriented inwards. The angular connection elements are mounted for structural reasons in parts in which the main areas of the two sections are joined together and therefore in a position that is displaced with respect to the central axes of the sections.

Therefore, the secondary areas can be opened, although slightly, not being able to be held directly together by the angular elements.

This problem has been solved by inserting appropriate alignment means between the secondary zones mentioned above in the joint part of the sections.

More generally, the alignment means ensure the restoration of continuity between the surfaces of the sections that are to be angularly joined together.

These alignment means consist of connection elements that are substantially similar to the angular connection elements mentioned above and which are generally referred to in the technical sector in question by the name "alignment supports".

To pull the sections and keep them arranged next to each other, the alignment brackets mentioned above are inserted in longitudinal seats where they are fixed using fixing means, such as screws or bolts, or, more recently, through elements locking cam that are rotatably mounted on the arms of the supports.

These cam elements are operatively forced against the edges of the seats of the sections into which the alignment support is inserted.

In greater detail, each of these cam elements can pass from a release position, in which it is removed within the arm contour to allow the latter to be inserted into the section, to a locked position, in which rotate to engage its protruding cam area against the section to pull the latter towards the joint cross section and fix it in the desired position adjacent to the other section.

European patent EP 1048816 describes an embodiment of an alignment support provided with cam elements formed by a cylindrical area inserted into a special circular seat of the arm and acting as a pivoting pivot, and a projecting tongue, formed as a single piece. with the cylindrical zone, from which it extends perpendicularly. The tongue is eccentric with respect to the axis of the cylindrical area so that, after the rotation, it can move from the release position, in which it is removed within the arm contour and does not interfere with the section, to the locked position in which, protruding from the contour of the arm, is forced to hold against the section.

During the turning movement, the tongue engages the section, forcing it to slide longitudinally in order to favor its movement towards the other section in the joining area. The tongue has an outer edge that is shaped like an arc of circumference and is provided with a series of teeth to increase the clamping in the section.

The alignment support described in EP 1048816 has the disadvantage that the force exerted by the tabs on the sections is transmitted on the support through the pivot and therefore on a plane that is different from that where the clamping occurs against the section, producing a pair that can cause the cam element to be removed from its seat in the support.

Another drawback of this known support consists in the fact that the cam locking position is secured only by the engagement of the teeth that occurs at the edge of the tongue against the section. Between the pivot and the seat where the force transmitted by the tongue is applied, there are in fact no fastening means to prevent the cam from moving back and releasing the section.

This is detrimental to a stable coupling of the support with the section and can lead, under conditions of particular mechanical stress, to a gradual loosening of the blocking means and therefore to a displacement (or misalignment) of the sections.

Another drawback is the construction complexity and the high production costs of the supports designed in accordance with what is described in EP 1048816, where the two cam elements in the two arms are produced as two independent asymmetric elements, each one of which is formed to work in a different associated direction of rotation.

Similar solutions are also described in patents DE 2656958, US 4538936, DE 4369274 and US 4547986. Other alternatives are described in US 4 122 617, DE 1 252 399 or EP 1 688 578.

Brief Description of the Invention

In this situation, therefore, the objective of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the known technique mentioned above by providing an alignment support for joining together sections that ensure a more stable coupling.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an alignment support that, in operation, is completely reliable and fail-safe.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an alignment support that is simple and economical to produce.

Brief description of the drawings

The technical characteristics of the invention according to the aforementioned objectives can be clearly determined from the content of the claims indicated below and their advantages will be clearer from the following detailed description given with reference to the attached drawings. which show two embodiments thereof only by way of example and not limitation, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a first example of an alignment support according to the invention mounted to join two sections of a frame together;

Figure 2 a first plan view of the alignment support according to Figure 1 mounted to join two sections of the frame together;

Figure 3 is a second plan view of the alignment support according to Figure 1 mounted to join two sections of the frame together;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line III-III of Figure 3 of the support according to Figure 1 and the section into which it is inserted;

Figures 5 and 6 show two exploded perspective views from above and below the support according to Figure 1;

Figures 7 and 8 show the two plan views of the support according to Figure 1;

Figure 9 shows a side view of the support according to Figure 1;

Figure 10 shows a schematic view of a second example of an alignment support according to the invention mounted to join two sections of a frame together;

Figure 11 shows a first plan view of the alignment support according to Figure 10 mounted to join the two sections of the frame together;

Figure 12 shows a second plan view of the alignment support according to Figure 10 mounted to join the two sections of the frame together;

Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view, along line XII-XII shown in Figure 12, of the support according to Figure 10 and the section into which it is inserted;

Figures 14 and 15 are exploded perspective views from above and below the support according to Figure 10;

Figures 16 and 17 show two plan views of the support according to Figure 10;

Figure 18 shows a side view of the support according to Figure 10.

Detailed description

With reference to the accompanying drawings, 1 indicates the alignment support for joining sections according to the invention. This support 1 is intended, in particular, for the assembly of frames for thermal break breakage fixings, but can also be used as a forced adjustment support during the mounting of frames of any type, shape and size and, in particular, for fasteners. of cold section in supports by itself or in addition to other support also of conventional tightening type.

Each break section of the thermal bridge is composed of a main zone, intended to form the outer frame of the fixation, and a secondary zone, intended to form the inner frame. The two zones are connected to each other by another heat insulating zone. The alignment support 1 according to the invention is mounted, in the non-limiting example of a thermal bridge break frame, in the part where the secondary zones of a first and a second section I and II are joined together in order to move the two sections together and keep them in coplanar. The actual structural connection between the two sections I and II is made in the part of its main areas by means of a common forced adjustment support (not shown).

From an operational point of view, the alignment support 1 according to the invention is associated with the two sections I and II as well as the forced adjustment support mentioned above during the assembly of the frame. Each section I and II is provided with a special longitudinal seat S formed in the interior area indicated above. The said seat extends longitudinally along the entire section I and II and is limited by two opposite parallel edges, one of which, indicated by B2, is located closer to the inner edge of the section than the other indicated by B1 .

The alignment support 1 according to the invention is mainly formed by an angular piece 2 in the form of a flat plate, preferably made of an aluminum alloy or, where appropriate, of steel, which has two arms 3a and 3b perpendicular between they do form an L-shaped section. The two arms are intended to be inserted inside the seats S of the first and second sections I and II, respectively. This insertion is carried out with the sections separated, by means of a sliding movement of direct translation, longitudinally with respect to the individual section I, II.

Once mounted, the support 1 is therefore astride the junction areas of the two sections I and II. Each arm 3a and 3b of the angular piece 2 is provided with suitable means for making a block with section I, II, said means being able to lock in place said arm 3a, 3b inside the longitudinal seat S and, at the same time , apply an additional sliding movement to the joining area to section I and II.

For this purpose, the aforementioned means are formed as a locking piece 4 mounted in a seat 5 formed in each arm 3a, 3b and capable of moving between a release position A, in which it does not intercept the section, allowing the arm 3a, of 3b slides inside the longitudinal seat S, and a blocking position B, in which it acts against section I, II, forcing it to join the other section.

In accordance with the idea that forms the basis of the present invention, each locking piece 4 performs a combined rotation and translation movement between the release position A and the lock position B.

For this purpose, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking piece 4 is formed by a head area 6 and a pivot area 7 which are made as a single piece, for example by molding.

In greater detail, the head area 4 defines a retention surface 8 capable of being held against the corresponding section I and II and a cam surface 9 capable of resting against a sliding surface 10 formed in the seat 5 of the corresponding arm 3a, 3b of the angular piece 2.

The pivot zone 7 can slide in a guided manner inside a track 11 formed in the bottom 12 of the seat 5 of the corresponding arm 3a, 3b of the angular piece 2.

The locking piece 4 moves with a combined rotation and translation movement between the release position A and the lock position B, performed by the coupling of the cam surface 9 on the sliding surface 10 and by the coupling of the pivot zone 7 inside the track 11.

In the same way, in both positions A and B, the retention surface 8 of the head area 6 is located inside the contour of the arm 3a, 3b to allow the latter to slide freely inside the longitudinal seat S of the corresponding section I, II, and outside the contour of the arm 3a, 3b to be held against the corresponding section I, II.

The locking piece 4 preferably has a mushroom shape, with the cover defining the head area 6 and the rod defining the pivot area 7.

In greater detail, the head area 6 has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to an X axis that crosses the coupling points of its cam surface 9 and the retention surface 8 with the sliding surface 10 and with section I, II, respectively. Preferably, this symmetrical shape is substantially oval with the axis of symmetry corresponding to the major axis of the oval.

The retention surface 8 and the sliding surface 10 of the head area 6 are symmetrically divided by the axis of symmetry, allowing the locking piece to have an identical functional capacity in the two directions of the corresponding rotation / translation movement to the mounting on the arm of angular piece 2 on the right or left.

Alternatively, the pivot zone 7 has a substantially cylindrical shape fixed on the axis of symmetry X under the head area 6. The track 11 has the width of the rod to restrict its sliding movement in its interior, made by the coupling of the cam surface 9 with sliding surface 10.

The locking piece 4, due to its symmetry, can work correctly in both directions of rotation and, therefore, can be arranged equally well on the two arms 3a, 3b of the angular piece 2, resulting in an important ease of assembly of the support 1 that does not require, as in solutions of known type, the arrangement of different pushers in which each can only be associated with one arm of the support. Alternatively, however, the locking piece 4 may also have an asymmetrical shape and the sliding surface 10 may also be formed not parallel to the edge of the arm 3a, 3b of the angular piece 2, but conveniently inclined to allow the element of clamping get an optimal clamping inside the section.

Each seat 5, which is intended to receive the locking piece 4, is formed by a depression with the bottom 15 located approximately half the thickness of the angular piece 2 and is formed on a first surface 12 of the arm 3a, 3b, extending from at least one of its sides 13, 14.

The depression mentioned above is in the form of a step with the vertical part perpendicular to the bottom 15 and defining in the inner part the sliding surface 10 with a curved progression which, therefore, is perpendicular to the plane defined by the angular piece 2.

Track 11 is made in the form of a through cavity formed at the bottom of the depression.

The seats 5 can be formed on the inner side 13 and on the outer side 14 or on both sides as in the case of the examples shown in the accompanying figures.

Preferably, two locking pieces 4 will be arranged on each arm 3a, 3b and on the same inner side 13 or outer side 14.

The arrangement of the seats also on the side on which the locking pieces 4 are not mounted has the objective of minimizing production and storage costs by manufacturing a single piece.

Figures 1-9 show a first example of an alignment support 1 according to the invention with the locking pieces 4 mounted on the inner side 13 of the arms 3a and 3b of the angular piece 2, while Figures 10- 18 show a second example of an alignment support 1 according to the invention with the locking pieces 4 mounted on the outer side 14 of the arms 3a and 3b of the angular piece 2.

Operationally speaking, once the support 1 has been inserted with the arms 3a, 3b of the angular piece 2 inside the longitudinal seats S of the two sections I and II with the locking pieces 4 in the release position A , the blocking pieces 4 will be forced to go to the blocking position B by means of a special key that acts in a specially shaped seat 16 formed in the head areas 6 of said blocking pieces 4. In greater detail, when it is moved from the release position A to the lock position B, the retention surface 8 of the head area 6 will protrude outward from the contour of the arm 3a, 3b until it is held against section I, II as a result of a combined movement of rotation and translation performed by the coupling of the cam surface 9 on the sliding surface 10 and by the coupling of the pivot area 7 inside the track 11.

Advantageously, the profiles of the cam surface 9 and the sliding surface 10 have been designed to determine a pressure that is less at the beginning and greater at the end of the combined rotation and translation movement which causes the alignment of sections I and II optimally.

Advantageously, the force transmitted by the coupling between the retention surface and section I, II is transmitted axially by means of the cam surface 9 on the sliding surface 10 and not on the track 11 of the pivot zone 7.

Consequently, no pairs are created that can move the locking piece 4 out of the seat 5. On the other hand, the locking position B is particularly stable due to the dual coupling between the cam surface 9 and the sliding surface 10 and between the retention surface 8 and section I, II, on which all force is transmitted.

Advantageously, the retention surface 8, the cam surface 9 and the sliding surface 10 are knurled or provided with teeth capable of increasing friction.

According to other embodiments not shown here, the two arms 3a and 3b may also not be perpendicular to each other to allow the support 1 according to the invention to be used also in frames for fasteners that

5 form angles that are not right angles.

The invention thus conceived therefore achieves the predefined objectives.

It is evident that they can also be adopted, in their practical realization,

10 shapes and configurations that are different from those illustrated above, without thereby departing from the present scope of the appended claims.

Claims (9)

 Claims 1. Alignment support for joining and moving together a first section (I) and a second section (II) of the profile of a window or door with at least one longitudinal seat (S), the support comprising: An angular piece (2) having two arms (3a, 3b), each of which can be inserted inside the longitudinal seat (S) of said first and second section (I, II); - at least one locking piece (4) mounted on a seat (5) formed in each arm (3a, 3b) and which can move between a release position (A), in which said corresponding section (I) does not intercept , II) allowing said arm (3a, 3b) to slide freely inside said longitudinal seat (S), and a blocking position (B), in which it acts on said section (I, II), forcing it to join to the other section, wherein said lock piece (4) performs a combined rotation and translation movement between said release position (A) and said lock position (B) and characterized in that said locking piece (4) is formed with a head area (6), which defines a retention surface (8) that can be held against the corresponding section, and a cam surface (9), which can slide on a sliding surface (10) formed in the corresponding arm seat, a pivot area (7) that can slide in a guided manner inside a track

(eleven)

 formed in the corresponding arm seat, so that the combined rotation and translation movement of said locking piece

(4)

between said release position (A) and said locked position

(B)

 it is carried out by the coupling of said cam surface with said sliding surface (10) and by the coupling of said pivot area (7) inside said track (11).

2.

Alignment support according to claim 1, characterized in that the retention surface (8) of said head area (6) moves in the same way inside the contour of said arm (3a, 3b) for

allowing the latter to slide freely inside the longitudinal seat of said corresponding section (I, II), and outside the contour of said arm to hold against said section.

3.

Alignment support according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking piece (4) is shaped like a mushroom, whose cover defines said head area with a shape that is substantially symmetrical with respect to an axis that crosses the coupling points of said cam surface (9) and said retention surface (8) with said sliding surface (10) and said section, respectively.

Four.

Alignment support according to claim 3, characterized in that said locking piece is shaped like a mushroom with the rod defined by said restricted pivot area to slide inside said track (11) with the combined rotation movement and translation performed by the coupling of said cam surface with said sliding surface (10).

5.

Alignment support according to claim 1, characterized in that said pivot zone (7) is substantially cylindrical.

6.

Alignment support according to claim 1, characterized in that said seat (5) comprises a depression formed on one side of said arm, extending from its inner side or outer side, and defining said sliding surface (10).

7.

Alignment support according to claim 6, characterized in that said sliding surface (10) is perpendicular to the plane defined by said angular piece (2).

8.

Alignment support according to claim 6, characterized in that said track (11) is made in the form of a through cavity formed at the bottom of said depression.

9.

Alignment support according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more of said retention surface (8), the cam surface

(9) and the sliding surface (10) are knurled or provided with teeth that can increase friction.