WO2012168808A1

WO2012168808A1 - Adjustable spacer

Info

Publication number: WO2012168808A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/052512
Authority: WO
Inventors: Renato GOMIERO
Original assignee: Gomiero Renato
Priority date: 2011-06-10
Filing date: 2012-05-18
Publication date: 2012-12-13
Also published as: ITPD20110189A1

Abstract

The invention is an adjustable spacer (D) for adjusting and positioning structures (F) like grates, doors, windows, railings and parapets etc on masonry structures (M) or counter frames in general, comprising two external shells (1, 3) that are drilled axially, a third adjusting element (2) for connecting said two shells (1, 3), suited to be constrained to one of said shells (1) in such a way as to be able to rotate freely with respect to it and at least partially threaded on the outside (24) so that it can be screwed into a corresponding inner thread (34) of said second shell (3), and wherein screwing/unscrewing said adjusting and connecting element (2) causes the relative axial sliding of said shells (1, 3), thus varying the length of the spacer (D).

Description

ADJUSTABLE SPACER

DESCRIPTION

The present invention concerns the assembly of frames of grates, doors, windows etc. and in particular concerns a new adjustable spacer for adjusting and positioning, exploitable in the assembly of frames of grates, doors, windows, standing finish, railings and parapets.

There are well-known anti-intrusion grates, installed in correspondence with doors and windows or openings in general.

Known railings comprise a plurality of metal bars arranged to form a flat grid, and a peripheral frame adapted to be bound to the doorposts of the opening, for example to the wall or on installed counter frames.

There are well-known spacer adjustable in length, adapted to be installed between the doorpost and the frame of the grate, which is smaller than the opening on which it is mounted.

Such adjustable spacers are used to solve problems of adaptation, for example in case of misalignment, with no need to perform particular operations of correction or installation of thicknesses, spacer, brackets, plates etcetera.

Said known spacers (E) currently comprise two parts or shells (A, B), for example of the type schematically shown in Figure la, screwable / unscrewable in one another to vary the length of the spacer itself and axially perforated (C) for the insertion of a fastening screw (V), which stably bind the frame of the grate (F) to the masonry structure or counter frame (M), once the spacer (E) has been successfully set.

A disadvantage of currently known spacers is the fact that said spacers can be easily forced to remove the grate using tools of wide use. In fact, as shown schematically in Figure lb, when assembled to the finished work, said spacers (E) can be shortened by turning one of the two shells (B) respect to each other (A), for example using a standard tool for coupling of the type "screw-nut", for example pipe wrench, in a way to expose the fixing screw (V), that can be cut using for instance a cutting tool, even manual, like a hacksaw.

Doing so, acting on all the spacers, it is possible to remove the grate with the fall of the fixing screw.

The external shape of known spacers is bound to the cylindrical shape since the part of a shell inserted in the second shell is necessarily cylindrical shaped for screwing.

To overcome all the mentioned troubles, we have studied a new type of adjustable and burglar-proof spacer, adjustable and positioning of frames of grates, doors, windows, railings and parapets etc..

The main task of the present invention is to be burglar-proof, since it is particularly shaped in order never to leave exposed the fixing screw, thus making extremely difficult if not impossible burglary attempts using common or manual tools.

With the present invention one can adjust the length of the spacer without rotating the external shells of the spacer, but by rotating a third internal adjusting and connecting element of said shells, adapted to cause the relative sliding of said shells in the axial direction.

Another advantage of the present invention is that of having the external shape cylindrical or prismatic, in general with squared, hexagonal or polygonal cross section.

The present invention also has aesthetic benefits.

Another scope of the present invention is that it can be applied on frames of structures of various material, shape and thickness.

These and other aims, direct and complementary, are reached by the new burglar-proof adjustable spacer and positioning of frames of grates, doors, windows, railings, parapets etc., adapted to be interposed between the grate or structure to bind and a masonry structure or counter frame in general, said spacer comprising in its main parts two external shells and an element for connecting said two shells and for the relative sliding between said shells themselves for adjusting.

One of said shells, or wall side shell, is suited to lean on the wall or on the counter frame where the grate is installed, the second of said shells, or structure side shell, is suited to lean on the frame of the grate or structure to be applied.

Said adjusting and connecting element is internally bound to both said shells, while said grate is fixed to the wall or counter frame through a fixing screw inserted in holes made on said shells and said adjusting and connecting element.

Said wall side shell and said structure side shell both comprise a substantially box-shaped body, axially perforated, each having a substantially flat face adapted to the support respectively to the wall or to the counter frame or to the grate.

At least one of said shells, preferably said wall side shell, also comprises an elongated substantially tubular part, with an axial cylindrical hole and suited to be partly inserted in said second structure side shell.

Said adjusting and connecting element comprises a substantially cylindrical body suited to be inserted in both said shells and in said tubular portion and axially perforated for the insertion of the passing fixing screw.

In the preferred solution said hole of the adjusting and connecting element has a section at least partially hexagonal or generically polygonal shaped cross or with cavities or grips to facilitate the adjusting operation.

Alternatively it can be provided that said fixing screw can be integrated in said adjusting element.

Said cylindrical body of said adjusting and connecting element is bound to said structure side shell in a way to be freely rotating with respect to the shell and is at least partially externally threaded in order to screw in a corresponding internal thread of said wall side shell.

Screwing/unscrewing said adjusting and connecting element on said wall side shell, you cause the relative axial sliding of said shells, thus varying the length of the spacer.

Said tubular portion of said wall side shell has such a length that said connecting and adjusting element is entirely contained in length in said shells between which is it inserted.

Said tubular portion of said wall side shell can be bound to said box-shaped body of the shell itself in a removable manner, resulting for example interchangeable with tubular parts of different lengths, depending on the length of the space between the wall and the structure and of the slack to cover.

For example, said tubular part comprises a coupling edge adapted to be folded on the edge of an insertion hole realized on that wall side shell, to fix said tubular portion to the shell itself.

In order to adjust the spacer, namely to vary the length of the spacer, said adjusting and connecting element is rotated with respect to said two shells, causing the relative axial sliding.

The slack of said adjusting and connecting element, that is the variation of maximum length of the spacer is determined by the length and by the position of said threaded portions that determine the maximum length of the spacer, and by the length of said tubular part that determines the end in the screwing between the two shells, namely the minimum length of the spacer. Once installed the spacers, by acting on said adjusting element, you cause the relative axial sliding of the shells, in direction of approaching or distancing of these ones, but you never expose the internal fixing screw that will be installed later, nor said adjusting and connecting element.

The spacer is therefore burglar-proof, as said fixing screw and said adjusting and connecting element remain inaccessible from outside.

To apply the burglar-proof spacer one has to proceed primarily by inserting the spacer itself between the counter frame and the grate or structure to be installed, in the vicinity of a hole on the frame of the grate itself, said hole being suitable for the subsequent insertion of the fixing screw.

In this case, the position is regulated and the spacer is adjusted, therefore said security screw is inserted in said hole and in said spacer, binding stably the structure to the counter frame.

You can also plan that two or more spacers can be combined or overlapped on each other, as simple support and maintained assembled by means of said fixing screw.

The new spacer is preferably made of metallic material and said adjusting and connecting element is realized in a way to stand high loads.

The spacer is therefore applicable in a wide range of uses.

The new spacer is completely or partially made of the same or different materials, such as iron, steel, stainless steel, PVC, aluminium, plastic, wood etc.

The new spacer is completely or partially made for mechanical processing, die casting or moulding. Said shells can be of any external shape, cylindrical or prismatic in general with polygonal cross section.

In the preferred solution said connecting element is fixed at one end to said structure side shell in a way that the end is levelled with said face of support of the shell.

The new spacer can be self- levelling. In this case said end of said connecting element has a countersunk support face structure-side. For the same purpose, alternatively, said connecting element comprises the opposed threaded round in shape end.

The characteristics of the new spacer will be better clarified by the following description with reference to the drawings, enclosed as non- restrictive examples.

In Figure 2 the new spacer (D) is represented fully assembled, while in Figure 3 is shown a splitted one.

Figure 4 shows a side view with partial cross section of the new spacer (D) completely assembled.

Figures 5 a, 5b and 5 c respectively represent two three-dimensional views and a section of a first shell (1) of the spacer (D), or side structure shell, while Figures 6a and 6b respectively represent a three-dimensional view and a section of the second shell (3), or side wall shell.

Figures 7a and 7b respectively represent a three-dimensional view and a section of the connecting and adjusting element (2).

In Figures 8 and 9 is represented an applicative example of the new spacer (D) for the installation of a grate (F) on a counter frame or masonry structure (M) through a fixing screw (V).

This is a spacer (D) adjustable and burglar-proof for adjusting and positioning structures (F) such as frames of grates, doors, windows, railings and parapets, etc. on masonry structures (M) or counter frames in general. The new spacer (D) comprises two external shells (1, 3) suited to be partially inserted inside each other and an element (2) for adjusting and connecting said two shells (1 , 3) suited to allow the relative sliding in axial direction between said shells (1, 3) to perform the adjustment.

One of said shells, or structure side shell (1) comprises a box- shaped body (11) with an axial through hole (12) and a substantially plane face (13) suited to find support on the frame (Fl) of the structure to be installed, for example, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, to the frame (Fl) of a grate (F). Similarly, the second shell, or side wall shell (3), comprises a box-shaped body (31) with an axial through hole (32) and a substantially plane face (33) suited to lean on the masonry structure (M), as illustrated in Figure 8 and 9. Said side wall shell (3) also comprises an elongated substantially tubular portion (35), with axial through hole (351) and suited to be at least partially inserted in said box-shaped body (11) of said structure side shell (1).

Said tubular part (35) can be fixed to said box-shaped body (31) of the shell (3) in a removable way, thus being interchangeable.

Said tubular part (35) has preferably a functional length (352) according to the space between the masonry structure (M) or counter frame and the structure to be installed, and so that said connecting element (2) is completely contained in said shells (1, 3), for its entire length, as in Figures 2 and 4.

Said adjusting and connecting element (2) comprises a substantially cylindrical body (21) with an axial through hole (22) for the insertion of a screw (V) of said structure or grate (F) in said masonry structure or counter frame (M), as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

Said adjusting and connecting element (2) is bound at one end (23) to one of said shells (1, 3), for example to the structure side shell (1), so that the respective axial holes (12, 22) are aligned and in a way as to be freely rotating around its axis with respect to the shell (1) itself.

In the preferred embodiment, said connecting element (2) is fixed to said structure side shell (1) in a way that the surface of the end (23) of said connecting element (2) is at the same level as the inner surface (82) of said supporting face (13) of the shell (1).

In order to make the spacer (D) self-levelling, said end (23) of said hole (22) of said connecting element (2) is flared. For the same purpose, alternatively or in combination, said connecting element (2) comprises the opposite threaded end (24) rounded in shape, adapted to be screwed into said through hole (32) of said wall side shell (3) that is correspondingly at least partially threaded (34).

Said through hole (22) of said adjusting and connecting element (2) has an at least partially hexagonal or shaped cross section (25) to facilitate the adjusting operation.

Said adjusting and connecting element (2) is therefore fixed to one of said shells (1) and is able to rotate freely with respect to it and is also suitable to be screwed into the second of said shells (3), thus realizing the connection between the shells (1, 3).

Screwing / unscrewing said adjusting and connecting element (2) causes the relative axial sliding of said shells (1, 3), thus varying the length of the spacer (D).

Once adjusted the length of the spacer as a function of its specific application, one can proceed to fasten the structure, such as a grate (F) to the masonry structure (M) by means of a fixing screw (V) inserted in each interposed spacer (D). Once installed the spacers (D), said connecting element (2) is never exposed, being contained between the shells (1, 3) and in said elongated tubular part (35) of one of said shells (3).

In the embodiment represented in the figures, said shells (1, 3) have a substantially prismatic external shape, with squared section, while said axial holes (12, 32, 351) have cylindrical shape with circular section for the insertion of said adjusting and connecting element (2) and of said fixing screw (V).

Therefore, with reference to the above description and to the enclosed drawings, the following claims are put forth.

Claims

1. Adjustable spacer (D) for adjusting and positioning structures (F) like grates, doors, windows, railings and parapets etc on masonry structures (M) or counter frames in general, comprising two external shells (1, 3) drilled axially and suited to be partially inserted inside each other, wherein one of said shells, or structure side shell (1), is suited to rest on the frame of the structure (F) to be installed, while the second of said shells (3), or wall side shell (3), is suited to rest on the masonry structure (M) or counter frame, characterized in that it comprises a third adjusting element (2) for connecting said two shells (1, 3), suited to be constrained to one of said shells (1) in such a way as to be able to rotate freely with respect to it and at least partially threaded on the outside (24) so that it can be screwed into a corresponding inner thread (34) of said second shell (3), and wherein screwing/unscrewing said adjusting and connecting element (2) causes the relative axial sliding of said shells (1, 3), thus varying the length of the spacer (D).

2. Adjustable spacer (D) according to claim 1, characterized in that each one of said shells (1, 3) comprises a box-shaped body (11, 31) with an axial through hole (12, 32) and a substantially plane face (13, 33) suited to rest respectively on the frame (Fl) of the structure (F) to be installed and on the masonry structure (M) on which the structure (F) is to be installed, and wherein at least one of said shells (3) comprises also a substantially tubular elongated part (35) provided with an axial through hole (351) and suited to be inserted at least partially in said box- shaped body (11) of said first shell (1), the length (352) of said tubular part (35) being functional to the space between the masonry structure (M) or counter frame and the structure to be installed, and such that said connecting element (2) is completely contained in said shells (1, 3) for its whole length.

3. Adjustable spacer (D) according to claim 3, characterized in that said tubular part (35) of said shell (3) is constrained to said box-shaped body (31) of the shell (3) in a removable way, thus being interchangeable.

4. Adjustable spacer (D) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the maximum length variation of said spacer (D) is determined by the length and the position of said threaded parts (24, 34) that determine the maximum length of the spacer (D), and by the length of said tubular part (35) that determines the stop point in the screwing of the two shells (1, 3), that is, the minimum length of the spacer (D).

5. Adjustable spacer (D) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said adjusting and connecting element (2) comprises a substantially cylindrical body (21) with an axial through hole (22) for the insertion of a screw (V) of said structure or grate (F) in said masonry structure or counter frame (M), and wherein said adjusting and connecting element (2) is constrained at one end (23) to said structure side shell (1), so that the respective axial holes (12, 22) are aligned and in such a way as to be freely rotating around its axis with respect to the shell (1), and is suited to be screwed in said wall side shell (3) that is correspondingly threaded (34).

6. Adjustable spacer (D) according to claim 5, characterized in that said adjusting and connecting element (2) is self-levelling, and wherein said end (23) of said connecting element (2) is countersunk and its surface (81) is level with the inner surface (82) of said supporting face (13) of the shell (1), while the opposite threaded end (24) is rounded in shape.

7. Adjustable spacer (D) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said through hole (22) of said adjusting and connecting element (2) has an at least partially hexagonal or shaped cross section (25) to facilitate the adjusting operation.

8. Adjustable spacer (D) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the external shape of said shells (1, 3) is substantially cylindrical or prismatic, in general with polygonal cross section.

9. Adjustable spacer (D) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said fixing screw (V) is integrated in said adjusting and connecting element (2).

10. Adjustable spacer (D) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two or more of said pairs of external shells (1, 3) with corresponding adjusting and connecting element (2), combined with each other or overlapping and kept together by means of said fixing screw (V).

11. Adjustable spacer (D) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it is completely or partially made of the same or different materials, such as iron, steel, stainless steel, PVC, aluminium, plastic, wood etc and completely or partially obtained through mechanical processing, die casting or moulding.