WO2008114299A2

WO2008114299A2 - Group of hardware for windows, doors and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2008114299A2
Application number: PCT/IT2008/000160
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ugo Avvanzini
Original assignee: Erreti S.R.L.
Priority date: 2007-03-12
Filing date: 2008-03-11
Publication date: 2008-09-25
Also published as: EP2134913A2; ITRA20070018A1; WO2008114299A3

Abstract

Hardware group (1) for windows, doors and the like which comprise a frame (3) and a leaf (2) movable in a slidable manner relative to the frame (3) along a first given direction (D); the group (1) comprising at least an abutment (32) which can be carried stably by the frame (3) and at least a corresponding closing member (34) carried by a rod (31) couplable to the leaf (2) in a freely slidable manner transversely to the first given direction (D); the group (1) further comprises an actuating device (20) to move with stops the rod (31) with alternating movement and this actuating device (20) comprising a cam-follower mechanism (10) suitable to contrast a reversing movement of the rod (31) in order to maintain each closing member (34) stably engaging the respective abutment (32).

Description

GROUP OF HARDWARE FOR WINDOWS, DOORS AND THE LIKE

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a hardware group for windows, doors and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to a hardware group for windows, doors and the like provided with sliding leaves. More in particular, the present invention relates to a hardware group provided with modular structure and particularly limited dimensions in order to be usable in sliding leaves with reduced thickness.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In the field of hardware for leaves carried by a frame in a slidable manner along a given direction, it is well known to make the leaf selectively constrainable to the frame along this direction by means of a closing device, which comprises a latch carried by the leaf itself and an abutment rigidly carried by the frame. Normally, the abutment comprises a pin transverse to the given direction, whilst the latch is suitable to move transversely to the given direction and is elbow-shaped in order to engage the respective pin.

If maximisation of the constraint degree between the leaf and the frame would be desirable, usually a multi- point closing device is used, which comprises more than one pair latch-abutment, and these pairs are usually arranged along the flanks of leaf and frame. In these cases, by analogy with the hardware systems for windows and doors openable in a rotatable manner relative to the frame, the closing device may comprise a control member which can be actuated by rotation, for example a cremone handle, associated with at least a rod carried by the leaf in a freely sliding manner transversely to the leaf sliding direction; each latch, typically one latch above and one under the handle, is connected to a respective rod and can be actuated transversely to the leaf sliding direction by rotating the handle.

It should be noted that, year by year, the choices of the interior designers have imposed aesthetic models, which lead the users to ask for brighter and brighter windows and doors, i.e. for windows and doors with increasingly reduced external frame. The designers shall, therefore, minimise the dimensions of the profiles for the construction of leaves and frames; hence, very little space is left for housing respective closing devices, which shall be produced in such a way as to occupy a reduced volume and, at the same time, to present high strength and easy installation. Patent application GB 2331546 describes, for example, a lock for a multi-point hardware group, provided with a switching device for switching the rods which is controlled through a handle and comprises a toothed coupling between a rotatable member, integral with and coaxial to the handle, and a toothed portion of a respective rod. Furthermore, the rotatable member is integral with a hook suitable to act as further latch arranged centrally with respect to the latches carried by the rods. This solution is extremely simple and economical, but it presents the disadvantages of not providing safety devices suitable to prevent an undesired switching of the position of the latches, for example due to burglar attempt. In order to overcome this drawback, GB 2239042 provides teachings for constructing a lock provided with a closing mechanism which, besides presenting a transmission comprising at least a toothed sector suitable to actuate a pair of respective rods, is equipped with a locking device for locking the latches. This device comprises a locking member which can be actuated through a key and is suitable to act as a stop for a projection of a respective rod in such a way as to constrain the rod and each respective latch stably in a position of engagement of the respective pins. Therefore, while on one hand the use of this locking device provided with key makes the hardware group safer, on the other hand it causes a significant increase in the complexity of the hardware group and a consequent increase in production and installation costs instead of the desired decrease thereof. Furthermore, the association of a further device to the hardware group causes an increase in the bulk of this latter, thus precluding its use in leaves presenting profiles with particularly reduced thickness and/or width. Alternatively, in order to reduce the bulk of the hardware group, the toothed transmission could be replaced with a slider-crank mechanism, as described, for example, in the patent document GB1253736. In particular, the handle is integrally coupled to a rotatable member connected to a respective actuating rod for moving a plurality of latches by means of a transmission of the crank-connecting rod type in such a way as to associate a respective movement of the rods with each rotation of the handle. However, the transmission described in the above-mentioned patent document can be easily fed back, in particular by stressing the rods with an adequately directed force. In this case too, it is possible to make the hardware group safer by associating with the switching device for switching the rods a locking device for locking the latches, which is suitable selectively to constrain each latch in a position of engagement of a respective abutment; examples of such locking devices can be found in the patent documents SE420220 and US2003/159478, which should be referred to for any further clarification. However, it should be noted that, also in this latter case, the use of a further locking device for locking the latches causes an increase in the bulk and the complexity of the device and in the costs of the respective hardware group causing, as described above, a lot of practical and economical disadvantages .

Therefore, in view of the above description, the problem of having available a hardware group for closing sliding windows or doors, eventually to be closed through a plurality of latches and therefore of the multi-point type, is currently solved in a dissatisfactory manner, and represents an interesting challenge for the applicant. Furthermore, always in view of the above description, it is apparent that in the field of hardware groups for multi-point closing of windows and doors, great attention should be paid to the types of sliding windows and doors, also to construct mechanisms which are more compact and functional and, at the same time, safe as the mechanisms known and, at least partially, described above. This would enable better to support the creativity of designers and interior designers, because of the importance of windows and doors in furnishing houses and working environments. For this reason, in view of the above description, it would be desirable to have available a hardware group for sliding windows and doors, which has particularly reduced dimensions and is easy to install and, at the same time, suitable to assure a high safety degree. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a hardware group for windows, doors and the like, presenting minimal bulk and a high safety degree, that therefore allows the disadvantages described above to be solved, and which is suitable to satisfy a plurality of requirements that to date have still not been addressed, and therefore, suitable to represent a new and original source of economic interest and capable of modifying the current market of hardware groups for sliding windows and doors.

According to the present invention, a hardware group for sliding windows and doors is provided, whose main characteristics are described in at least one of the appended claims .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the hardware group for windows and doors according to the present invention will be more apparent from the description below, set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting example of embodiment, in which identical or corresponding parts are identified by the same reference numbers. In particular:

- figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a hardware group for windows and doors according to the present invention;

- figure 2 is a cross sectional view according to a median plane of a first detail of figure 1, in enlarged scale and in a plurality of operating positions; figure 3 shows, in enlarged scale, a detail extracted from figure 2;

- figure 4 is a cross sectional view according to a median plane of a second detail of figure 1, in enlarged scale and in a plurality of operating positions; and

- figure 5 is a cross sectional view according to a median plane of a third detail of figure 1 in enlarged scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In figure 1, number 1 indicates, in its entirety, a hardware group for windows and doors which comprise a frame

3 and a leaf 2 movable in a sliding manner relative to this frame 3 along a given direction D. The group 1 can be installed on the leaf 2 and comprises at least a hooking device 30 provided with at least an abutment 32 integrally carried by the frame 3 transversely to the given direction

D, and with a respective closing member 34 of the known type, suitable to act as a latch. As is well known, these closing members 34 - only one of which is illustrated with reference only to figure 1 - are normally L shaped in order to couple with the respective abutment 32 in an operating position C, shown in figure 4, in which a seat inside the elbow of the closing member 34 is positioned at the same height as the corresponding abutment 32 to couple thereto. Therefore, the operating position C of the closing member 34 can be interpreted both as a position C of engagement of the respective abutment 32, and, as it will be better explained hereunder, as a closing position C for closing the leaf 2 with respect to the frame 3. Each closing member 34 is carried integrally by a rod 31 in a freely sliding manner along a second given direction Q transverse to the first given direction D and parallel to a first flank 2' of the leaf 2. It should be specified that the rod 31 can be indifferently in a single piece, as shown, for the sake of simplicity, in figure 1, or subdivided into two or more branches depending on how the respective closing members 34 shall be moved; in any case, hereinafter reference will be made to a single rod 31 even when this latter is subdivided into more branches. The group 1 further comprises an actuating device 20 suitable to move with stops the rod 31 with alternating movement in order to bring each respective closing member 34 from and to the operating position C. At this point, it should be noted that the group 1 and the rod 31 can be supported directly by the first flank 2' or, alternatively, with particular reference to figure 1, they can be supported by a base 4 which can be coupled to the leaf 2 and is suitable to act as rod cover. Therefore, as the two different solutions are mechanically equivalent, hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, reference will be made only to an embodiment of the hardware group 1 comprising this base 4. Furthermore, it should be specified that associating at least an abutment 32 integrally with the frame 3 and a closing member 34 with the leaf 2 so as it is movable along a respective flank, as shown in the accompanying drawings, is technically equivalent to providing a closing member 34 integral with the frame 3 and an abutment 32 movable along a flank of the leaf 2. For this reason, and for the sake of simplicity, the present embodiment will be described only with reference to the first configuration, in which each abutment 32 is carried rigidly by the frame 3 and each closing member 34 is carried movable along the leaf 2 by the respective rod 31 transversely to the given direction D.

With particular reference to figures 1 and 2, the group 1 comprises a first case 15, which has substantially parallelepipedal shape, is integrally coupled to the base 4, is arranged along the second given direction Q and is suitable, in use, to house and support the actuating device 20. With particular reference to figure 2, the actuating device 20 comprises a slider-crank mechanism 25 provided with a crank member 26 carried by the first case 15 in a rotatably free manner around an axis 150 of rotation, and a connecting rod 27. In particular, the crank member 26 presents a first pivot portion 264 shaped in a substantially cylindrical manner to engage at least a respective hole 16' obtained in one of the lateral surfaces 16 of the first case 15, or, preferably, a pair of these holes 16' mutually aligned and opposite. This first portion 264 can hence be interpreted as a first pin 24 coaxial with the axis 150 and obtained in a single piece in the crank member 26, or, alternatively, it can be produced in a mechanically equivalent manner by coupling integrally a first pin 24 coaxial with the axis 150 with the crank member 26 in order to connect this latter to the first case 15 in a rotatably free manner. In more detail, the crank member 26 presents a second portion 266 positioned opposite to the first portion 264 and hinged to a first end 274 of the connecting rod 27 by means of a second pivot pin 260; preferably, although without limitation, this second portion 266 is fork shaped to couple bilaterally the first end 274. With particular reference to figure 3, the crank member 26 presents at least a transverse cross-section thereof delimited by two substantially rectilinear segments 262, which have substantially identical extension and are substantially orthogonal to each other. These segments 262 are positioned relative to the axis 150 so that, following a given rotation, they are alternatively brought in contact with a cover 152, which is parallel to the second given direction Q and delimits the first case 15 at opposite side from the rod 31/the base 4. In particular, both the segments 262 are substantially separated from the axis 150 of rotation by a same distance L, while the cover 152 is separated from the axis 150 by a distance which approximates in excess this distance L so that the crank member 26 is suitable to rotate between a first and a second limit positions P' and P'', shown in figure 2, in which the first or the second segment 262 alternatively abuts against the cover 152 of the first case 15. In more detail, the crank member 26, and thus the respective actuating device 20, is in the first limit position P' when the second pivot pin 260 is in the position of maximum proximity to the rod 31/the base 4, whilst it is in the second limit position P' ' when the second pin 260 is separated from the rod 31/the base 4 by a distance which approximates in excess the distance of the axis 150 from the rod 31/the base 4. In addition, in at least one transverse section of the crank member 26, the segments 262 are mutually connected by means of a substantially circular arched segment 264 of given radius R substantially equal to a distance between the axis 150 and an inner face 315 of the rod 31, so that the crank member 26 is substantially circumscribed by a square, whose side substantially approximates the sum of the distance L and the radius R. At this point, it should be interesting to note that the first case 15 delimits a first volume V suitable to house at least a lever 31 and the respective actuating device 20; in particular, this first volume V is delimited along the first given direction D by the cover 152, and extends along this direction for an overall length which approximates in excess the sum of the distance L and the radius R so that the crank member 26 is suitable selectively to connect the rod 31 with the cover 2 in order to stiffen the first case 15. Furthermore, these constructive choices allow the bulk of the first case 15 along the first given direction D to be minimised in order to allow the use of the group 1 also in leaves provided with profiles of extremely reduced dimensions .

With particular reference to figure 2, the connecting rod 27 further presents a second free end 276, positioned at opposite side from the crank member 26 and coupled in a substantially articulated manner to at least a rod 31 to move it along the second given direction Q. In particular, this rod 31 presents at least a first slot 310 suitable, in use, to be engaged by this second free end 276 and it can preferably present a second service slot 316 suitable to be engaged temporarily by the body of the connecting rod 27 during respective alternating movements for moving the rod 31. It should be noted that the presence of this second service slot 316 allows to further reduce the extension of the first case along the first given direction D and to facilitate, also in this case, the use of the group 1 in leaves with profiles of extremely reduced dimensions.

Again with reference to figure 2, it should be noted that the first case 15 presents at least an inner projection 12 carried rigidly by at least one of the lateral surfaces 16 transversely to this first given direction D, and that the connecting rod 27 presents, at the side of the cover 152, a substantially S shaped profile 278 suitable to slide on the projection 12 in such a way as to maintain the second end 276 constantly engaged in the first slot 310. In more detail, the profile 278 presents, in an intermediate portion thereof, a housing 270 which can be snap engaged by the projection 12 to lock the actuating device 20 and the respective slider-crank mechanism 25 in the operating position P' ' .

In other words, during the rotation of the crank member 26 from the first limit position P', shown in figure 2a, the projection 12 follows the profile 278 until it engages the housing 270 and simultaneously the crank member 26 achieves the second limit position P' ' , shown in figure 2b. The coupling between the projection 12 and the respective housing 270 is suitable to contrast reversing movements of the connecting rod 27 which are not actuated by a rotation towards P" of the crank member 26; this rotation, in fact, is suitable to decouple the projection 12 and the connecting rod 27, in order to allow a free movement of this latter and of the respective rod 31. In addition, it should be noted that the crank member 26 is shaped so that, when it is in the respective second limit position P' ' , the second pivot pin 260 is positioned above a line (I) joining the projection 12 and the axis 150 so that, in use, the actuating device 20 cannot be fed back and can be interpreted as a toggle to lock the rod 31 in a respective operating position.

Therefore, in view of the above description, when the crank member 26 is in the second limit position P'' and the projection 12 engages the housing 270 of the connecting rod 27, the rod 31 is constrained relative to the leaf 2 in a given operating position thereof shown in figure 2b, and each further movement of at least a rod 31 shall necessarily be preceded by operation of the crank member 26. At this point, it should be noted that the set of the projection 12 and the connecting rod 27, provided with the respective housing 270, can be interpreted as a cam tapped mechanism 10 associated with at least a rod 31 in order to contrast reversing movements thereof. More in particular, if the position C of engagement of the closing members 34 is associated with the given operating position of the rod 31 shown in figure 2b, the set of the projection 12 and the connecting rod 27 can be thus interpreted as a burglar proof device 10 suitable to prevent any disengagement of the closing members 34 from the respective abutments 32 which is not controlled by a rotation of the crank member 26 towards the first limit position P' .

At this point, it should be noted that the actuating device 20 is designed to be coupled to a control member 21 of the rotatable type, for example a cremone handle or a lever handle, in such a way as to associate each rotation of the control member 21 with a respective movement of the rod 31 and of each respective closing member 34 along the second given direction Q. In this regard, and with particular reference to figures 1 and 2, the crank member 26 presents a first seat 23 for housing integrally a third pin 210 coaxial to the axis 150 and associated with the rotatable control member 21. Alternatively, the third pin 210 of the control member 21 could coincide with the first pin 24, thus acting as fulcrum for the crank member 26. In both cases, it should be noted that the crank member 26 is integral with the control member 21 and is suitable to rotate simultaneously with this latter about the axis 150 of rotation.

Furthermore, it should be useful to note that the first case 15 is obtained preferably by juxtaposing a pair of substantially C shaped shells 15' , which are substantially symmetrical to each other and can be produced by moulding or by sheet moulding and subsequent bending in order to minimise the respective production costs. In particular, each shell 15' comprises a lateral surface 16 arranged, in use, transversely to the first given direction D and provided with a respective projection 12 and with a hole 16'; with a substantially L shaped third portion 152' of the cover 152; and with a first and a second base edges 154 and 156 shaped so as to couple to the base 4 by means of a respective screw 415. To this end, each first edge 154 presents a threaded hole and can overlap a second respective edge 156 associated with a further shell 15' to couple it rigidly in stiff contact to the leaf 2. In more detail, each shell 15' is shaped so as to shape couple, and preferably snap couple, to a respective further shell 15' in order to facilitate operations for coupling to the base 4. In fact, once two shells 15' were juxtaposed, the resulting first case 15 will present a cover 152 obtained by juxtaposing two third portions 152' matching each other; a pair of holes 16' mutually aligned to support the crank member 26 in a freely rotatable manner; two pairs formed by a first and a second base edges 154 and 156 overlapping each other and stably coupled to the base 4 by means of the screw 415; and two projections 12 positioned symmetrically at opposite sides from the axis 150 so that it is possible to install alternatively the actuating device 20 inside the first case 15 according to two different symmetrical operating configurations and thus to use the actuating device 20 to determine an opening direction of each closing member 34. Lastly, with reference to figure 2, it should be noted that the portion of the rod 31 housed inside the shell 15 presents a bulge 312 in correspondence of each screw 415 to define a second volume Z delimited by the respective rod 31 and by the base 4 and housing each first and/or second edges 154 and 156. With particular reference to figures 1 and 4, the group 1 comprises a safety device 50 for preventing incorrect operations, suitable to prevent accidental displacements of at least one closing member 34 when the leaf 2 is not close to the respective frame 3. This device comprises a second case 55 carried integrally by the base 4 and substantially U-shaped so that it can be crossed, in use, by a respective rod 31. In particular, this second case 55 houses and supports in a rotatable manner a locking member 51 provided with a fourth end portion 52 suitable to act as longitudinal stop for this rod 31 so as to prevent displacements thereof along the second given direction Q. In more detail, with reference to figure 4, the rod 31 presents a second through seat 314 suitable to house, in use, a fourth end portion 52 of the locking member 51; this fourth portion 52 is substantially L-shaped and presents a first projection 52' suitable, in use, to act as a longitudinal stop for the respective rod 31, and a second projection 52^rι which extends in the first given direction D through a service slot, known and therefore not shown, of the first flank 2' in order frontally to intercept the frame 3. The incorrect operation safety device 50 further comprises an elastic member 56 which couples the second case 55 to the locking member 51 at opposite side from the rod 31 and is suitable to exert on this latter a thrust constantly oriented towards the rod 31 in order to maintain the fourth end portion 52 and the respective first projection 52' engaging the second seat 314. Again with particular reference to figure 4, the locking member 51 comprises a fifth pivot portion 53 positioned at opposite side from the fourth end portion 52. This fifth portion 53 is delimited by a substantially cylindrical blanket so that it can be interpreted as a fourth pin 53 suitable to couple in a rotatably free manner to at least a third seat 552 obtained in one of the flanks of the second case 55. In particular, the second case 55 preferably presents a pair of these third seats 552 aligned to each other to support bilaterally the fourth pivot portion 53, and these third seats 552 are substantially shaped as slits delimited by two first opposite sides 552', parallel to the first given direction D and separated one from the other by a distance which approximates in excess the diameter of the fifth pivot portion 53.

Each third seat 552 is furthermore delimited by the base 4 and by a second side 552'' parallel and opposite to the base 4 and separated from this latter by a length which exceeds each diameter of the fifth pivot portion 53 so that, as it is apparent in figure 4, the fifth pivot portion 53 can freely rotate and have at most three points of contact with each third seat 552 in order to minimise the friction between the locking member 51 and the second case 55. At this point, it should be noted that, with reference to figure 4, the fifth portion 53 can be provided exclusively with a pair of substantially circular projections 532, facing each other and supported laterally in a cantilevered fashion by the fifth portion 53.

Clearly, the use of a pair of projections 532 instead of a substantially massive cylindrical portion allows to reduce the material used for producing the fifth portion 53 so as to minimise production costs without substantially decreasing stiffness and reliability of the locking member 51. With particular reference to figure 4, it should be noted that the second case 55 is stably coupled to the base 4 through a single screw 58, and that the locking member 51 presents an intermediate slit 510 to house this screw 58 so that the screw 58 itself is able to act as a guide for the locking member 51 and for the elastic element 56, which can preferably comprise a spiral spring 56 wound about this screw 58.

At this point, with particular reference to figure 4a, it should be noted that, in use, when the first flank 2' of the leaf 2 is in a position far from the frame 3, the first projection 52' is maintained in contact with the base 4 through the action of the spring 56 and abuts the inner edge of the second seat 314 so as to inhibit longitudinal movements of the rod 31 towards the locking member 51.

Therefore, when the leaf 2 is in an opening position, the incorrect operation safety device 50 is triggered and is therefore suitable to prevent the rod 31 and each respective closing member 34 from switching from a position A of disengagement of a respective abutment 32 to the position C of engagement of this abutment. Vice-versa, when the first flank 2' of the leaf 2 is in contact with the frame 3, this latter intercepts frontally the second projection 52'', extracting it from the second seat 314 against the action of the spring 56 and causing the rotation of the locking member 51 around the fifth pivot portion 53 thereof. In this case, and with particular reference to figure 4b, it should be noted that the first projection 52' does not engage the second seat 314 and is separated from the base 4 by a distance that approximates in excess the thickness of the respective rod 31 so that this latter can freely move along the second given direction D eventually engaging the space between the base 4 and the first projection 52. Therefore, when the first edge 2' is in contact with the frame 3, the incorrect operation safety device 50 is not triggered and the rod 31 and each respective closing member 34 can therefore freely switch from the position A of disengagement of a respective abutment 32 to a position C of engagement of this abutment and vice versa. In other words, when the leaf 2 is open, the incorrect operation safety device 50 prevents switching of the hooking device 30, thus preventing accidental impacts between at least a closing member 34 and the respective abutment 32; these impacts can, in fact, damage the group 1 compromising the operability thereof. It should also be noted that the incorrect operation safety device 50 and in particular the second case 55 and the locking member 51 can be produced economically by moulding and, in more detail, by sheet moulding and, if required, subsequent bending. Lastly, the use of a minimal number of components stably coupled to the base 4 through a single screw 58 makes the respective installation operations particularly easy and fast.

With particular reference to figure 5, it should be noted that the group 1 comprises for each closing member 34 a respective regulating device 36 for adjusting the position of this closing member 34 along the first given direction D. Again with reference to figure 5, each respective regulating device 36 comprises a third case 35, which is stably coupled to the respective rod 31 by means of a pair of screws 355 and houses a respective closing member 34. In particular, each regulating device 36 comprises a threaded member 39 and a regulating member 346 associated with a respective closing member 34 and suitable, in use, to cooperate with the respective threaded member 39 in order to adjust a given operating position of the respective closing member 34 along the first given direction D. In more detail, the threaded member 39 comprises preferably, although without limitation, a dowel 39, whilst the regulating member 346 is carried in a single piece by the respective closing member 34 and presents a toothed segment 346' which, in use, couples with the respective dowel 39. With particular reference to figure 5, each third frame 35 presents a single space 350 which houses a closing member 34, a respective dowel 39 and a tangential thrust device 37 suitable to exert a thrust against this closing member 34 in order to maintain the respective toothed segment 346' stably engaged with the respective dowel 39. In particular, each third case 35 presents a slit 354 arranged in a substantially intermediate position of the space 350 and engaged by the respective closing member 34 in order to guide this latter along the first given direction D. In more detail, with reference to figure 5, this space 350 presents a substantially semi-cylindrical fourth seat 352 engaged by the dowel 39, closed laterally by the toothed segment 346 and axially by the rod 31 in order to maintain this closing member 34 in position. Always with reference to figure 5, the tangential thrust device 37 can be economically produced through a spring 37 arranged so as to be compressed between a closing member 34 and a respective inner surface of the space 350 at opposite side from the dowel 39; in particular, the spring 37 may present a fork- shaped end, designed to envelop laterally the respective hooking member 34 in order to maintain it substantially parallel to the first given direction D.

At this point it should be specified that the rod 31 presents, in correspondence of each hooking device 31, a third slot 38, engaged by a respective closing member 34 to guide it parallel to the first given direction D, and a service hole suitable to allow to access the dowel 39 in order to adjust, during the assembly and installation of the group 1, the position of this closing member 34 along the given direction D so as to facilitate the coupling thereof to the respective abutment 32. It should be noted that this service hole presents a diameter which approximates in excess the diameter of the respective dowel 39, so as to maintain it stably in seat. It is also important to note that the case 35, presenting a single seat 350 housing with clearance the closing member 34 and the respective dowel 39, can be economically produced through a single moulding operation, with no need for further works, thus reducing in a substantial manner the production costs with respect to the prior art. Lastly, with reference to figure 1, the hardware group 1 comprises anchoring devices 80 to couple stably the base 4 to the leaf 2; clearly, these anchoring members 80 will not be necessary if the hardware group 1 is coupled directly to the leaf 2 without interposing the base 4.

Lastly, it is apparent that modifications and variants can be made to the hardware group 1 described and illustrated herein without however departing from the protective scope of the present invention. The use of the hardware group 1 is easily understood from the description above and requires no further explanation; nonetheless, it may be advisable to specify some advantages deriving from the use of this group 1.

First of all, the group 1 presents a high safety degree as it allows the use of many closing members 34 and is provided with a burglar proof device 10. Furthermore, the hardware group 1 presents high construction and installation simplicity, and allows to pre-instali the actuating device 20 and/or the incorrect operation safety device 50 and/or the rod 31 with each respective closing member 34 and regulating device 36 on a single base 4, which can be then coupled selectively to the leaf 2 through a single installation operation, thus simplifying installation and maintenance of the group 1. Lastly, the bulk of the hardware group 1 is extremely reduced and allows to use the group also in association with leaves 2 provided with a profile of extremely reduced thickness; this characteristics is principally due to the fact that the slider-crank mechanism 25 is suitable to act both as a switching device for switching the rod supporting the latches, and as a burglar proof device, with consequent reduction due to the fact of using a single mechanism instead of two distinct mechanisms. Therefore, the group 1 appears to be a hardware group for sliding windows and doors, which presents particularly reduced dimensions, is easy to install and, at the same time, is able to assure a high safety degree, and is thus suitable to solve the technical problem described above.

Claims

1. Hardware group (1) for windows, doors and the like, comprising a frame (3) and a leaf (2) movable in a slidable manner relative to said frame (3) along a first given direction (D); said group (1) comprising hooking means (30) provided with at least an abutment (32) which can be carried stably by said frame (3) and at least a corresponding closing member (34) carried by a rod (31) couplable to said leaf (2) in a freely slidable manner transversely to said first given direction (D) in such a way as to be operatable from and to a position (C) of engagement of said respective abutment (32) in which said leaf (2) is stably constrained to said frame (3) ; an actuating device (20) being provided to move with stops said rod (31) with alternating movement in order to bring each said closing member (34) from and to said position (C); characterised in that said actuating device (20) comprises a cam-follower mechanism (10) suitable to contrast reversing movements of said rod (31) and to maintain each said closing member (34) stably engaged with said respective abutment (32) .

2. A group according to claim 1, characterised by comprising a first case (15) rigidly couplable to said leaf (2) to support said actuating device (20); said actuating device (20) comprising a crank member (26) carried by said first case (15) in a freely rotatable manner about an axis

(150) transverse to said first given direction (D) by means of a first pin (24), and a connecting rod (27) coupled to both said crank member (26) by means of a second pivot pin (260) and to said rod (31) to move it transversely to said first given direction (D) ; said cam tapped mechanism (10) comprising a first projection (12) carried rigidly by said first case (15) transversely to said first given direction (D) and a housing (270) obtained peripherally in said connecting rod (27) so that it can be transversely snap engaged by said first projection (12) to lock said rod (31) with each said closing member (34) in said respective position (C) .

3. A group according to claim 2, characterised in that said crank member (26) is rotatable with alternating movement between a first and a second limit positions

(P' ) (P' ' ) and presents a transverse cross-section thereof delimited by two substantially rectilinear segments (262) of substantially equal extension, substantially orthogonal to each other and arranged relative to said first pin (24) so as to be suitable to be placed alternatively in inner contact with a cover (152) of said first case (15) positioned transversely to said first given direction (D) ; said two rectilinear segments (262) being connected to each other by means of a substantially circular arched segment (264) with given radius (R) which is substantially equal to a distance between said axis (150) and an inner face (315) of said rod (31) .

4. A group according to claim 3, characterised in that said cover (152) is separated from said axis (150) by a length which approximates in excess said distance (L) between said axis (150) and each said rectilinear segment

(262).

5. A group according to claim 3 or 4 , characterised in that said first case (15) envelops a first volume (V) delimited in said first given direction (D) by the cover (152) in order to contain said rod (31) and said actuating device (20) ; said first volume (V) extending in said first given direction (D) for an overall length which approximates in excess a sum of said radius (R) and said distance (L) , so that said crank member (26) is suitable to connect selectively said rod (31) with said cover (152) to stiffen said first case (15) and to minimise the bulk of said actuating device (20) .

6. A group according to any one of claims 3-5, characterised in that said connecting rod (27) presents a first end (276) thereof positioned at opposite side from said second pivot pin (260) and stably engaging a first slot (310) obtained in said rod (31) to couple said connecting rod (27) and said rod (31) in a substantially articulated manner.

7. A group according to any one of claims 3-6, characterised in that said connecting rod (27) is delimited from the side of said cover (152) by a substantially S- shaped profile (278) which presents said housing (270) in an intermediate position and is suitable to slide on said first projection (12) to maintain said first end (276) of said connecting rod (27) constantly engaged in said first slot (310) during alternating movements of said rod (31) .

8. A group according to any one of claims 3-7, characterised in that said crank member (26) presents a first portion (266) thereof arranged at opposite side from said axis (155) and fork-shaped so as to couple in a substantially articulated manner to a respective second end (274) of said connecting rod (27) by means of said second pivot pin (260) .

9. A group according to any one of claims 3-8, characterised in that said fork-shaped member (26) is shaped so that, with said first projection (12) coupled to said housing (270), said second pivot pin (260) is arranged above a line (I) joining said first axis (150) and said first projection (12) so that said actuating device (20) acts as a toggle to lock longitudinally said rod (31) and to maintain each said closing member (34) in said respective position (C) .

10. A group according to any one of claims 3-9, characterised in that said rod (31) presents a second service slot (316) substantially facing said housing (270) and suitable to be temporarily engaged by said connecting rod (27) during a movement for actuating said rod (31) to bring each said closing member (34) in said respective position (C) and to reduce the bulk along the first given direction D.

11. A group according to any one of claims 3-10, characterised in that said crank member (26) is shaped in such a way as to be integrally couplable to a control member (21) suitable to actuate in rotation said crank member (26) .

12. A group according to any one of claims 2-11, characterised in that said crank member (26) presents a first seat (23) to house integrally a third pin (210) coaxial to said axis (150) and rigidly coupled to said rotatable control member (21) .

13. A group according to claim 12, characterised in that said first pin (24) is rigidly couplable to said control member (21) .

14. A group according to any one of claims 3-13, characterised in that said first case (15) presents two said first projections (12) arranged symmetrically at opposite sides from said axis (150) to make said actuating device (20) usable to determine an opening direction of said closing members (34).

15. A group according to any one of claims 3-14, characterised in that said first case (15) comprises a pair of reciprocally facing shells (15') shaped in a substantially symmetric manner to be installable by shape coupling.

16. A group according to claim 15, characterised in that each said shell (15') is provided with a lateral surface

(16) positioned transversely to said rod (31) and with a second portion (152' ) of said cover (152) ; each said lateral surface (16) presenting at least a respective hole (16') opposite, in use, to a further hole (16') to support bilaterally said first pin (24) in a rotatably free manner.

17. A group according to claim 16, characterised in that each said shell (15' ) is substantially C-shaped and in that said cover (152) is composed of two said second portions (152') associated with two different said shells (15'), substantially L-shaped and juxtaposed in a substantially matching manner.

18. A group according to claim 16 or 17, characterised in that each said shell (15' ) comprises a first and a second base edges (154) (156) carried by said lateral surface (16) at opposite side from said second portion (152') and integrally coupled to said leaf (2) by means of a respective first screw (415)); each said first edge (154) presenting a threaded hole and being able to overlap said respective second edge (156) associated with a further said shell (15') to rigidly couple in pack said leaf (2) to said second edge (156) .

19. A group according to claim 18, characterised in that each said rod (31) presents a bulge (312) in correspondence of each said first screw (415) in order to define a second volume (Z) delimited by said rod (31) and by said leaf (2) , and accessible from said first and second base edges (154) (156) of said shells (15').

20. A group according to any one of claims 15-19, characterised in that each said shell (15' ) is shaped so as to be snap couplable to a further said shell (15' ) to form a said first case (15) thus facilitating assembly and installation operations thereof.

21. A group according to any one of claims 15-20, characterised in that each said shell (15' ) can be produced by moulding in order to minimise production costs.

22. A group according to claim 21, characterised in that each said shell (15') is produced in moulded sheet.

23. A group according to claim 21 or 22, characterised in that each said shell (15') is produced in moulded and bent sheet .

24. A group according to any one of claims 3-23, characterised in that said first case (15) and said rod (31) can be installed on said leaf (2) through interposition of a base (4) oriented transversely to said first given direction (D) and integrally couplable to said leaf (2) by means of corresponding anchoring means (80) in order to facilitate installation and/or maintenance operations and to act as rod cover.

25. A group according to any one of claims 3-24, characterised by comprising an incorrect operation safety device (50) provided with a second case (55) integrally couplable to said leaf (2) and substantially U-shaped so as to be crossed by said rod (31) ; said second case (55) housing a locking member (51) for locking said rod (31) ; said locking member (51) being provided with a first projection (52') suitable to engage with a respective second seat (314) obtained in said rod (31) so as to act as longitudinal stop for said rod (31) ; and with a second projection (52' ' ) extending in said first given direction

(D) to intercept frontally said frame (3) and to actuate said locking member (51) against the resistance of an elastic member (56) which connects said locking member (51) to said second case (55) in order to extract said first projection (52') from said second seat (314) and to allow longitudinal actuations of said rod (31) .

26. A group according to claim 25, characterised in that said locking member (51) is rotatably coupled to said second case (55) through a respective third pivot portion (53) produced in a single piece and delimited by a substantially cylindrical blanket (53) stably housed inside at least a third seat (552) obtained in said second case (55) so as to result freely rotatable and to minimise the number of components.

27. A group according to claim 26, characterised in that said third portion (53) carries laterally in a cantilevered fashion at least a second substantially circular projection (532) to engage a respective said third seat (552) .

28. A group according to any one of claims 25-27, characterised in that each said third seat (552) is substantially slit-shaped and is delimited by two opposite first sides (552' ) , parallel to the first given direction D and separated one from the other by a distance which approximates in excess a diameter of said third pivot portion (53) to minimise an extension of the reciprocal contact surface and thus the friction between said locking member (51) and said second case (55) .

29. A group according to claim 28, characterised in that each said third seat (552) is delimited by said leaf (2) and by a second side (552'') parallel and opposite to said leaf (2) which are separated by a distance which exceeds each diameter of said third pivot portion (53) so that said third portion (53) can freely rotate presenting at most three points of contact with each said respective third seat (552) in order to minimise the friction between said locking member (51) and said second case (55) .

30. A group according to any one of claims 25-29, characterised in that said incorrect operation safety device (50) comprises at least a second screw (58) which engages said second case (55) to connect it rigidly to said leaf (2); said second screw (58) engaging a first slit (510) obtained in said locking member (51) in a respective intermediate position to act as guiding member for guiding said locking member (51) .

31. A group according to claim 30, characterised in that said incorrect operation safety device (50) only comprises said second screw (58) to connect said second case (55) with said leaf (2) in order to simplify installation operations of said incorrect operation safety device (50) .

32. A group according to any one of claims 25-31, characterised in that said second case (55) and said locking member (51) can be produced by moulding in order to reduce production costs.

33. A group according to claim 32, characterised in that said second case (55) is produced in moulded sheet.

34. A group according to claim 32 or 33, characterised in that said second case (55) can be produced in moulded and bent sheet .

35. A group according to any one of claims 25-34 depending upon claim 22, characterised in that said second case (55) is carried by said leaf (2) through interposition of said base (4) in order to facilitate installation and/or maintenance operations and to act as rod cover; said base

(4) presenting a service slot suitable to be engaged by said second projections (52'').

36. A group according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said hooking means (30) comprise a regulating device (36) for each said closing member (34); each said regulating device (36) being provided with at least a regulating member (346) associated with each respective said closing member (34) in order to vary the position thereof along said first given direction (D) so as to facilitate the coupling thereof to said respective abutment (32) .

37. A group according to claim 36, characterised in that each said closing member (34) carries in a single piece said respective regulating member (346) which presents a toothed segment (346') to couple to a respective threaded member (39) suitable to constrain axially and bilaterally said closing member (34) in a given operating position along said first given direction (D) .

38. A group according to claim 37, characterised in that each said regulating device (36) comprises a third case (35) rigidly connected to said rod (31) and provided with a single space (350) presenting a substantially semi- cylindrical fourth seat (352) engaged by said threaded member (39) and closed laterally by said toothed segment

(36) and axially by said rod (31) to maintain said closing member (34) in position; tangential thrust means (37) being provided to maintain said toothed segment (346' ) constantly engaged with said threaded member (39) .

39. A group according to claim 38, characterised in that each said third case (35) presents a second slit (354) engaged by said closing member (34) to guide this latter along said first given direction (D) .

40. A group according to claim 38 or 39, characterised in that said tangential thrust means (37) comprise a spring

(37) provided with a fork-shaped portion designed to envelop laterally said closing member (34) and maintain it substantially parallel to said first given direction (D) .

41. A group according to any one of claims 36-40, characterised in that each said threaded member (39) comprises a threaded dowel (39) accessible through a service hole obtained in said respective rod (31) and whose diameter approximates by defect a diameter of said dowel (39) .

42. A group according to any one of claims 36-41, characterised in that said rod (31) presents a third slot (38) stably engaged by said closing member (34) in order to guide this latter along said first given direction (D) .

43. A group according to any one of claims 36-42, characterised in that said third case (35) can be produced by moulding in order to minimise production costs.