WO2010012741A1

WO2010012741A1 - Device for adjusting the trim of a chain-type actuator for automating doors or windows

Info

Publication number: WO2010012741A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/059764
Authority: WO
Inventors: Toni Cavalcante
Original assignee: Topp S.P.A.
Priority date: 2008-07-30
Filing date: 2009-07-28
Publication date: 2010-02-04
Also published as: ITPD20080226A1

Abstract

A device (10) for adjusting the trim of a chain-type actuator (11) for automating doors or windows (12) of the type that comprises, within a box-like container that is fixed to the frame of the casing related to the shutter, a chain that is guided so as to slide by guiding elements within a preset path that leads outside through an opening in the box-like container. The device comprises a pair of brackets (13) to be fixed to the frame (14) of a door or window (12), the brackets (13) being designed so that each one supports one end (11a, 11b) of a chain-type actuator (11) with means for adjusting the position of the end (11a, 11b) of the actuator (11) with respect to the corresponding bracket (13) in the direction for spacing and approach with respect to the frame (14) of the door or window (12).

Description

DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE TRIM OF A CHAIN-TYPE ACTUATOR FOR AUTOMATING DOORS OR WINDOWS Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the trim of a chain-type actuator for automating doors or windows. Background Art

Chain-type actuators are currently known and widespread which allow the automatic opening and closing of shutters, especially of shutters located in positions that are difficult to reach, such as for example skylights of a gymnasium or of an industrial building.

These actuators comprise, within a box-like container that is fixed to the frame of the casing related to the shutter, a chain that is guided so as to slide by guiding elements within a preset path that leads outside through an opening in such box-like container. The chain is of the type that flex only in one direction and is prevented from flexing in the opposite direction.

The chain has a free end that is associated with a device for anchoring to the corresponding shutter, which is composed of an engagement terminal, jointly fixed to the free end of the flexible element, and a complementary engagement block, associable with the engagement terminal, which is jointly fixed to the shutter.

The movement actuator is generally applied to the frame of the casing by means of a fixed or adjustable bracket; to achieve optimum closure of the shutter onto the casing, when the chain is fully retracted and therefore the shutter is closed, there must be no gap between the shutter and the casing.

Unfortunately, adjustment of the bracket alone hardly ever achieves perfect closure of the shutter on the casing and can only provide a coarse adjustment, without being able to determine the correct degree of compression of the gaskets between the shutter and the casing. Various devices have been studied in order to perform a fine adjustment of the closure.

One of these, for example, comprises an engagement terminal, which is fixed to the shutter and comprises a threaded head element screwed onto the free end of the chain; adjustment occurs by screwing more or less such threaded element onto the free end.

This device and the other ones that have been studied, however, are very awkward in the adjustment operation, since it is always nevertheless necessary to disengage the engagement terminal from the shutter and perform the adjustment, which is usually not straightforward. In the case cited above, for example, turning the threaded element can be difficult; this operation further almost always requires a spanner-type tool.

It should also be noted that this adjustment operation is difficult due to the inconvenient position in which such shutters are located, such as for example at. considerable heights of industrial buildings, gymnasiums, et cetera.

Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide a device for adjusting the trim of a chain-type actuator for automating doors or windows that is designed to solve the drawbacks noted in known shutter movement actuators.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a device for adjusting the trim of a chain-type actuator for automating doors or windows that allows to perform simply and rapidly a fine adjustment of the closure of the shutter. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for adjusting the trim of a chain-type actuator that is simple to install and equally simple to use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for adjusting the trim of a chain-type actuator for automating doors or windows that can be associated also with known actuators that are already in use. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for adjusting the trim of a chain-type actuator for automating doors or windows that can be manufactured with known systems and technologies.

This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a device for adjusting the trim of a chain-type actuator for automating doors or windows of the type that comprises, within a box-like container that is fixed to the frame of the casing related to the shutter, a chain that is guided so as to slide by guiding elements within a preset path that leads outside through an opening in said box-like container, characterized in that it comprises a pair of brackets to be fixed to the frame of a door or window, said brackets being designed so that each bracket supports one end of a chain-type actuator with means for adjusting the position of the end of the actuator with respect to the corresponding bracket in the direction for spacing and approach with respect to said frame of the door or window.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chain-type actuator provided with a device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the device;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention in a partially assembled configuration;

Figure 4 is a partially sectional view of the perspective view of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention in the fully assembled condition; Figure 6 is a partially sectional view of the perspective view of Figure 5.

With reference to the figures, a device for adjusting the trim of a chain-type actuator for automating doors or windows according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

The device 10 is shown in Figure 1 applied to a chain-type actuator

1 1 for automating a door or window 12 of the type that comprises, within a box-like container that is fixed to the frame of the casing related to the shutter, a chain that is guided so as to slide by guiding elements within a preset path that leads outside through an opening in the box-like container.

The device 10 comprises a pair of brackets 13 to be fixed to a frame 14 of the door or window 12.

The brackets 13 are each designed to support ends 1 Ia and 1 Ib of the chain-type actuator 1 1, with means, described in greater detail hereinafter, for adjusting the position of the ends 11a and l ib of the actuator 1 1 with respect to the corresponding bracket 13 in the direction for spacing and approach with respect to the frame 14 of the door or window 12.

The position adjustment means comprise a longitudinally elongated guiding portion 15 that cantilevers out from each bracket 13. The guiding portion 15 is provided with a first set of teeth 16 designed for reversible engagement with a corresponding complementarity shaped second set of teeth 17 that is formed within a slider body 18 to be fixed to the corresponding end 1 Ia or 1 Ib of the actuator 1 1.

The slider body 18 is designed to be subjected to a translational motion on the guiding portion 15 and be coupled thereto by way of locking means, described hereinafter, in a position chosen among a plurality of positions that is determined by the length and number of teeth of the first and second sets of teeth 16 and 17.

The locking means are constituted by a pair of elastic wings 19 and 20, which lie within the slider body 18, which is substantially tubular, on a face 21 that lies opposite a face 22 on which the second set of teeth 17 is formed.

The elastic wings 19 and 20 are adapted to push against the surface 23 of the guiding portion 15 that lies opposite the surface 24 in which the first set of teeth 16 is formed, in order to keep the second set of teeth 17 meshed with the first set of teeth 16.

The elastic wings 19 and 20 are adapted to flex during an operation for adjusting the position of the slider body 18 on the guiding portion 15, with uncoupling of the first and second sets of teeth 16 and 17, The locking means comprise an insert 25 for blocking the flexing of the wings 19 and 20, which is adapted to prevent the flexing of the wings 19 and 20 and accordingly the uncoupling of the two first and second sets of teeth 16 and 17, so as to stabilize the chosen position of the slider body 18 on the guiding portion 15. The slider body 18 is fixed to the corresponding end of the actuator

11 by way of a threaded element 26, which is arranged so as to be inserted through a bush 26a that is interposed between a head 27 of the threaded element 26 and the shell of the actuator 1 1 , in order to be accommodated with the head 27 in the slider body 18 and screw into a corresponding complementary thread 28 on the end 1 1 a or 1 1 b with its stem 29.

The bush 26a rests against the shell of the actuator 1 1 , spacing the slider body 18 and thus allowing the rotation of the actuator 1 1 during the opening and closing of the shutter without generating, between the shell and the slider body 18, frictions or other hindrances that might lead, over time, to the unwanted unscrewing of the threaded element 26.

The flexing locking insert 25 is provided by a plug 30_» which is adapted to be inserted in the slider body 18 so as to block a lateral opening 31 thereof.

Two tabs 32 and 33 extend from the plug 30 and are contoured so that each one penetrates between one of the elastic wings 19 and 20 and the face 21 of the slider body 18 from which the wings 19 and 20 protrude, so as to prevent its flexing, said wings being already pressed against the surface 23 that lies opposite with respect to the surface 24 on which the first set of teeth 16 is formed. The plug 30 has means for snap engagement with the lateral opening

31 of the slider body 18, which conveniently are provided by at least one tooth 34, which protrudes from a projection 35 that in turn protrudes from the plug 30 toward the guiding portion 15 and is adapted to enter a corresponding slot 36 formed on the guiding portion 15. The slot 36 is adapted to prevent, in addition to the wings 19 and 2O₅ the uncoupling of the first and second sets of teeth 16 and 17, so as to make the chosen position of the slider body 18 on the guiding portion 15 stable.

The brackets 13, the slider bodies 18 and the wing locking inserts 25 are made of plastics; as an alternative, such elements can be made of another material that can be cast, such as for example aluminum, aluminum-zinc- magnesium alloy or other similar and equivalent materials.

The operation of the device 10 according to the invention is as follows.

The brackets 13 are fixed to the frame 14 of the door or window 12. The slider bodies 18 are fixed to the corresponding ends l la and 1 1 b of the actuator 1 1 by means of the threaded element 26.

The guiding portions 15 are inserted so as to pass through the corresponding slider bodies 18; in performing this operation, the elastic wings 19 and 20 are free to flex, allowing the translational motion of the slider body 18 on the corresponding guiding portion 15, since the free flexing of the wings allows position snap, in translational motion by one or more steps, where the step is defined by the dimensions of a tooth, of the two facing sets of teeth 16 and 17.

The actuator is provided with a device for anchoring the end of the chain to the shutter. Once the anchoring operation has been performed, i.e., once the engagement of the end of the chain of the actuator to the shutter to be moved has been performed, the actuator 1 1 is moved and the two slider bodies 18 are moved with it, until optimum overlap is achieved, this term being understood to reference the distance between the fixing region of a bracket 13 and the fixing region on the shutter of the engagement block for the end of the anchoring device cited above.

With the device 10 according to the invention, adjustment of the overlap is far simpler and quicker than what is feasible with known types of device, since there are no screws to be turned and therefore it is not necessary to use screwdrivers, pliers, spanners or other dedicated tools.

Once the optimum position for the actuator 1 1 has been established, the inserts 25 are inserted in the slider bodies 18, so as to lock stably the position of the slider bodies 18 on the guiding portions 15. Fine adjustment of the overlap and of the closure of the shutter is no longer entrusted to a screw mechanism on the device for anchoring the end of the chain of the actuator to the shutter, but is provided on the supporting brackets 13 of said actuator.

In practice it has been found that the invention thus described achieves the intended aim and objects.

In particular, the present invention provides a device for adjusting the trim of a chain-type actuator for automating doors or windows that allows to perform simply and rapidly a fine adjustment of the closure, and therefore of the overlap, of the shutter. Moreover, the present invention provides a device for adjusting the trim of a chain-type actuator that is simple to install and equally simple to use.

Further, the present invention provides a device for adjusting the trim of a chain-type actuator for automating doors or windows that can also be associated with known actuators that are already in use, since it is substantially sufficient to prepare the actuator with the complementary thread 28 for the threaded element 26.

Moreover, the present invention provides a device for adjusting the trim of a chain-type actuator for automating doors or windows that can be manufactured with known systems and technologies.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD2008A000226 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by leference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A device (10) for adjusting the trim of a chain-type actuator (1 1 ) for automating doors or windows (12) of the type that comprises, within a box-like container that is fixed to the frame of the casing related to the shutter, a chain that is guided so as to slide by guiding elements within a preset path that leads outside through an opening in said box-like container, characterized in that it comprises a pair of brackets (13) to be fixed to the frame (14) of a door or window (12), said brackets (13) being designed so that each bracket supports one end (Ha, 1 Ib) of a chain-type actuator (1 1 ) with means for adjusting the position of the end (Ha, l ib) of the actuator (1 1) with respect to the corresponding bracket (13) in the direction for spacing and approach with respect to said frame (14) of the door or window (12).

2, The device according to claim 1 , characterized in that said position adjustment means comprise a longitudinally elongated guiding portion (15), which cantilevers out from each bracket (13) and is provided with a first set of teeth (16) designed for reversible engagement with a corresponding complementarity shaped second set of teeth (17) formed inside a slider body (18) to be fixed to the corresponding end (l la, l ib) of the actuator (11), said slider body (18) being designed to undergo a translational motion on said guiding portion (15) and being rigidly coupled thereto by way of means for locking in a position chosen among a plurality of positions determined by the length and the number of teeth of said first and second sets of teeth (16, 17).

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that said locking means are constituted by a pair of elastic wings (19, 20) that extend within the slider body (18), which is substantially tubular, on the face (21) that lies opposite the face (22) on which said second set of teeth (17) is formed, said elastic wings (19, 20) being adapted to push against the surface (23) of the guiding portion (15) that lies opposite the surface (24) on which the first set of teeth (16) is formed, in order to keep the second set of teeth ( 17) mated with the first set of teeth (16), said wings (19, 20) being adapted to flex during an operation for adjusting the position of the slider body ( 18) on the guiding portion ( 15), with uncoupling of the first and second sets of teeth (16, 17), said locking means comprising an insert (25) for locking the flexing of said wings (19, 20), which is adapted to prevent the flexing of said wings and accordingly the uncoupling of the two first and second sets of teeth (16, 17), so as to make the chosen position of said slider body ( 18) on said guiding portion ( 15) stable.

4. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said slider body (18) is fixed to the corresponding end ( H a, 1 I b) of the actuator (11 ) by means of a threaded element (26), which is arranged so as to be inserted through a bush (26a) that is adapted to be interposed between the head (27) of the threaded element (26) and the shell of the actuator ( 1 1), said head (27) being accommodated within said slider body (18), the stem (29) of said threaded element (26) being designed to screw into a corresponding complementary thread (28) on the end (Ha, l i b).

5. The device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said flexing locking insert (25) is constituted by a plug (30) that is adapted to be inserted in said slider body (18) so as to block a lateral opening (31) thereof, two tabs (32, 33) extending from said plug (30) so that each one is inserted between one of said elastic wings ( 19, 20) and the face (21 ) of the slider body (18) from which said wing extends, so as to prevent its flexing, said wing being already pressed against said face (23) that is opposite with respect to the face (24) on which said first set of teeth ( 16) is formed,

6. The device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said plug (30) has means for snap engagement with said lateral opening of said slider body (18).

7. The device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said snap engagement means are constituted by at least one tooth (34) that protrudes from a projection (35) that in turn protrudes from said plug (30) toward said guiding portion (25) and is adapted to be inserted in a coi responding slot (36) that is formed on said guiding portion and is adapted to prevent, in addition to the wings (19, 20), the uncoupling of the first and second sets of teeth (16, 17), so as to make the chosen position of the slider body (18) on the guiding portion (15) stable.

8. The device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said brackets (13), said slider bodies (18) and said inserts (25) are made of plastics or, as an alternative, of another material that can be cast, such as for example aluminum, aluminum-zinc-magnesium alloy, or other similar and equivalent materials.