ANTI-FALL SAFETY SYSTEM FOR WINGS, DOORS, MAIN DOORS, UP-AND-OVER DOORS, WINDOWS, VASISTAS WINDOWS

Abstract

Anti-fall safety system intended to prevent the detachment of a first component with respect to a second component of an opening and closing system, wherein the first component and the second component are constrained to each other by a reciprocal retainer, in such a way that the first component is mobile with respect to the second component, the safety system having an at least partially flexible elongated means which is provided with at least one engagement element placed in correspondence of one end of the elongated means, the engagement element being intended to engage in correspondence of an engagement point, following the engagement the elongated means preventing the detachment of the first component with respect to the second component.

Claims

1. Anti-fall safety system intended to prevent the detachment of a first component with respect to a second component of an opening and closing system, wherein said first component and said second component are constrained to each other by means of a reciprocal retaining means so that the first component is mobile with respect to the second component, wherein said first component is mobile between at least two positions, a first position of which is a closing position in which said first component closes an access or a space and a second position of which is an opening position in which said first component leaves said access or space at least partially open, wherein said safety system comprises an at least partially flexible elongated means, said elongated means comprising at least one engagement element positioned in correspondence of one end of said elongated means, said at least one engagement element being intended to engage in correspondence of said first component or of said second component at an engagement point, following said engagement by means of said at least one engagement element said elongated means preventing the detachment or the displacement beyond a pre-set maximum limit of said first component with respect of said second component in case of failure, breaking or detachment of one or more of said reciprocal retaining means, at least one of said engagement elements engaging with the interposition of an elastic means whose compression and/or following release are intended to damp the falling energy due to said detachment of said first component with respect to said second component, at least one of said engagement elements engaging in correspondence of a first fixing element which is adapted to be applied in correspondence of said first engagement point or in correspondence of said second engagement point, characterised in that said elastic means is housed within a housing element of said first fixing element and said at least partially flexible elongated means is a cable which penetrates into a body of said housing element by means of a first hole, crosses said housing element passing internally to said elastic means and exits said housing element through a second hole obtained on a closing element of said housing element, the extraction of said cable with respect to said housing element being prevented by means of the application of one of said engagement elements, which is adapted to engage on said closing element of said housing element, said closing element being sliding within the body of said housing element, the sliding of said closing element in a first direction causing the compression of said elastic means and the sliding of said closing element in a second direction opposite to said first direction causing the release of said compression of said elastic means with a damping action of the falling energy due to said detachment of said first component with respect to said second component.

2. Anti-fall safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that said anti-fall safety system comprises at least one pair of said engagement elements which are placed in correspondence of opposite ends of said elongated means, one engagement element of said pair of engagement elements being intended to engage in correspondence of said first component at a first engagement point and another possible engagement element of said pair of engagement elements being intended to engage in correspondence of said second component at a second engagement point, following said engagement by means of said engagement elements said elongated means preventing the detachment or the displacement beyond a pre-set maximum limit of said first component with respect to said second component in case of failure, breaking or detachment of one or more of said reciprocal retaining means.

3. Anti-fall safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that said at least partially flexible elongated means in the form of a cable is a multi-strand cable, even more preferably a steel multi-strand cable or a cable of elastomeric material.

4. Anti-fall safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that said elastic means is a spring.

5. Anti-fall safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that said elastic means is an elastic element of rubber or of elastomeric material or of an equivalent at least partially elastic material.

6. Anti-fall safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that the length of said elongated means is at least equal to, preferably greater than the maximum distance between said first engagement point and said second engagement point when said first component is in said opening position.

7. Anti-fall safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that said elongated means is adapted to slide at least in correspondence of or in proximity to one of said engagement elements, preferably in correspondence of or in proximity to both said engagement elements.

8. Anti-fall safety system according to claim 7, characterised in that at least one portion of said elongated means is adapted to slide within an interspace or a hiding seat obtained within profiled elements constituting said first component or said second component

9. Anti-fall safety system according to claim 7, characterised in that said elongated means is adapted to slide along a sliding length which is greater than or equal to the maximum distance between said first engagement point and said second engagement point when said first component is in said opening position.

10. Anti-fall safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that a first engagement element of said engagement elements engages in correspondence of said first fixing element which is adapted to be applied in correspondence of said first engagement point and a second engagement element of said engagement elements engages in correspondence of a second fixing element which is adapted to be applied in correspondence of said second engagement point, said second fixing element being shaped in the form of a plate provided with a passage which is intended to allow the passage of said elongated means but shaped with a size of the passage such as to prevent the passage of said engagement element, which engages on said second fixing element in correspondence of said passage.

11. Anti-fall safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that the compression of said elastic means occurs according to a direction essentially corresponding to the direction of displacement between said first component and said second component following said detachment of said first component with respect to said second component.

12. Anti-fall safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that the compression of said elastic means occurs according to a direction essentially orthogonal with respect to the direction of displacement between said first component and said second component following said detachment of said first component with respect to said second component

13. Anti-fall safety system according to claim 7, characterised in that it comprises at least one guiding means which is intended to guide and facilitate said sliding of said elongated means.

14. Anti-fall safety system according to claim 13, characterised in that said guiding means is a rotating roller, possibly provided with a sliding and containment groove for said elongated means

15. Anti-fall safety system according to claim 13, characterised in that said guiding means is an arched sliding guide joining two essentially rectilinear portions, a first rectilinear portion of which is a rectilinear portion which is oriented according to a direction corresponding to the direction of compression of said elastic means and a second rectilinear portion of which is a rectilinear portion oriented according to a direction of displacement between said first component and said second component following said detachment of said first component with respect to said second component.

16. Anti-fall safety system according to claim 1, characterised in that said engagement element comprises a sphere having a diameter greater than the dimension in section of said elongated means or it comprises a stop-dowel which is intended to be applied on said elongated means, wherein said stop-dowel has a dimension in section which is greater than the dimension in section of said elongated means, or a swelling portion of said elongated means.

17. Opening and closing system provided with at least one first component and one second component, wherein said first component and said second component are constrained to each other by means of reciprocal retaining means in such a way that the first component is mobile with respect to the second component, wherein said first component is mobile between at least two positions, a first position of which is a closing position in which said first component closes an access or a space and a second position of which is an opening position in which said first component leaves said access or space at least partially open, characterised in that it comprises at least one anti-fall safety system made in compliance with claim 1, said anti-fall safety system being intended to prevent the detachment or the displacement beyond a pre-set maximum limit of said first component with respect to said second component in case of failure, breaking or detachment of one or more of said reciprocal retaining means.

18. Opening and closing system provided with at least one first component and one second component, wherein said first component and said second component are constrained to each other by means of a reciprocal retaining means in such a way that the first component is mobile with respect to the second component, wherein said first component is mobile between at least two positions, a first position of which is a closing position in which said first component closes an access or a space and a second position of which is an opening position in which said first component leaves said access or space at least partially open, characterised in that it comprises at least one anti-fall safety system made in compliance with claim 1, said anti-fall safety system being able to prevent the detachment or the displacement beyond a pre-set maximum limit of said first component with respect to said second component in case of failure, breaking or detachment of one or more of said reciprocal retaining means, said opening and closing system being selected from the group consisting of window or door casings, wings, doors, main doors, up-and-over doors, windows, vasistas windows, gates.

19. Frame provided with at least one door and one casing, wherein said door and said casing are constrained to each other by means of hardware elements in such a way that the door is mobile with respect to the casing, wherein said door is mobile between at least two positions, a first position of which is a closing position in which said door closes an access or a space and a second position of which is an opening position in which said door leaves said access or space at least partially open, characterised in that it comprises at least one anti-fall safety system made in compliance with claim 1, said anti-fall safety system being intended to prevent the detachment or the displacement beyond a pre-set maximum limit of said door with respect to said casing in case of failure, breaking or detachment of one or more of said hardware elements.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In the following a solution is described with reference to the enclosed drawings, which are to be considered as a non-exhaustive example of the present invention in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of the anti-fall safety system made in accordance with the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 2 schematically shows a side view partially in section of the anti-fall safety system made in accordance with the present invention in a first condition.

[0023] FIG. 3 schematically shows a side view partially in section of the anti-fall safety system made in accordance with the present invention in a second condition.

[0024] FIG. 4 schematically shows a side view partially in section of one of the components of the anti-fall safety system made in accordance with the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 5 schematically shows a perspective view of another one of the components of the anti-fall safety system made in accordance with the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 6 schematically shows a side view partially in section of a second embodiment of the anti-fall safety system made in accordance with the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 7 schematically shows a side view partially in section of a third embodiment of the anti-fall safety system made in accordance with the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 8 schematically shows a side view partially in section of a fourth embodiment of the anti-fall safety system made in accordance with the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 9 schematically shows a plan view partially in section depicting the assembly of the anti-fall safety system made in accordance with the present invention in the case of a frame.

[0030] FIG. 10 schematically shows a perspective view depicting the assembly of the anti-fall safety system made in accordance with the present invention in the case of a bottom-hinged frame.

[0031] FIG. 11 schematically shows a plan view partially in section depicting the assembly of the anti-fall safety system made in accordance with the present invention in the case of a gate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] With reference to the Figures (FIG. 1, FIG. 6, FIG. 9, FIG. 10) the anti-fall safety system (1) according to the present invention allows to prevent a mobile part, such as the door (18) of a frame (16) from falling with respect to the fixed part or fixed framework (17) of the frame (16) in the case in which there is a failure, breaking or detachment of the retaining means such as the hinges (19) which enable the rotation of the door (18). In fact, as it will be explained in the following of the present description, the application of the safety system (1) to the frame (16) allows to normally use the frame in a traditional way and without the use of the frame being hindered or affected by the presence of the safety system (1) itself but, in case of breaking or detachment of one or more hinges (19), the anti-fall safety system (1) according to the present invention intervenes preventing the door (18) from falling onto the user who operates the door or the opening mechanisms of the latter or, better, preventing the displacement beyond a pre-set maximum safety limit.

[0033] The safety system (1) according to the present invention can be applied in many contexts, such as casings (FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9), wings, doors, main doors, up-and-over doors, windows, vasistas windows (FIG. 10), gates (FIG. 11), etc.

[0034] In general the safety system (1) according to the invention (FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5) is intended to prevent the detachment of a first component (18) with respect to a second component (17) of an opening and closing system (16). In the opening and closing system (16), as in the case of casings (FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9), wings, doors, main doors, up-and-over doors, windows, vasistas windows (FIG. 10), gates (FIG. 11), etc., a first component (18) and a second component (17) are constrained to each other by means of reciprocal retaining means (19), for example by means of hinges (FIG. 9, FIG. 11). The constraint between the first component (18) and the second component (17) is realized in such a way that the first component (18) is mobile with respect to the second component (17) and in such a way that the first component (18) is mobile between at least two positions of which: [0035] a closing position in which the first component (18) closes (FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11) an access or a space (20); [0036] an opening position in which said first component (18) leaves said access or space (20) at least partially open.

[0037] The safety system (1) comprises (FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11) an at least partially flexible elongated means (2). Said elongated means (2) comprises at least one engagement element (3, 4) placed in correspondence of one end of the elongated means (2). For example the elongated means (2) can be a metal cable and the engagement element (3, 4) can be made in form of a sphere or a stop-dowel applied in correspondence of one end of the cable.

[0038] The engagement element (3, 4) is intended to engage in correspondence of the first component (18) or the second component (17) at an engagement point (22, 23).

[0039] Following the engagement by means of the at least one engagement element (3, 4), the elongated means (2) prevents the detachment of the first component (18) with respect to the second component (17) in case of failure, breaking or detachment of one or more of the reciprocal retaining means (19), for example in the form of hinges.

[0040] As a consequence, during the normal use of the frame the user almost does not notice the presence of the safety system (1) because this will be preferably applied in correspondence of a zone where during the opening the frame there is minimum stroke, such as in proximity to one of the hinges. Should one of the hinges break or come off, the safety system (1) would intervene preventing the complete detachment of the door and preventing it from falling down onto the user.

[0041] Obviously one can also provide the presence of several safety systems (1) placed in various positions in order to subdivide the load of the first component (18) in case of detachment.

[0042] The anti-fall safety system (1) according to the present invention can comprise (FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3) at least one pair of engagement elements (3, 4) placed at opposite ends of the elongated means (2). One engagement element of said pair (4) of engagement elements (3, 4) will be intended to engage in correspondence of the first component (18) at a first engagement point (22) and another possible engagement element of said pair (4) of engagement elements (3, 4) will be intended to engage in correspondence of the second component (17) at a second engagement point (23), following said engagement by means of the engagement elements (3, 4) the elongated means (2) prevents the detachment of the first component (18) with respect to the second component (17) in case of failure, breaking or detachment of one or more of the reciprocal retaining means (19).

[0043] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least partially flexible elongated means (2) is a cable, preferably a multi-strand cable, even more preferably a steel multi-strand cable.

[0044] Furthermore, it is provided that at least one of the engagement elements (3, 4) engages with the interposition (FIG. 2, FIG. 3) of an elastic means (9) whose compression and/or following release are intended to damp the falling energy due to the detachment of the first component (18) with respect to the second component (17). In practice, in case of detachment, the first component starts falling, but following the tensioning of the cable (2) the falling would be stopped in a very sudden way with the consequence of causing serious damage anyway. By means of the interposition of the elastic means (9), on the other hand, before the falling is stopped, there is the compression of the elastic means (9), which, in this way, contributes to adsorbing at least part of the falling energy, preventing the tensioning of the cable (2) from occurring in a very sudden way. The elastic means (9) can be a spring or an elastic element of rubber, of elastomeric material or of an equivalent at least partially elastic material. The important characteristic is that the elastic means (9) or the material of which it is made is able to adsorb the falling energy transmitted to it by means of the engagement element (3, 4) which is pulled by means of the cable (2).

[0045] The reaction load provided by the elastic means (9), both if it is a spring and if it is an elastomeric material, can be adjusted by replacing it according to the weight of the component which is to be supported. For example for a wing of a window one can provide a spring with a smaller reaction load as compared to the case of an access door, which has a significantly greater weight with respect to that of the window. In an alternative embodiment the damping function may also be performed by the cable itself, which, in this case, could be made in the form of a spring or in the form of a cable of elastomeric material.

[0046] The length of the elongated means (2) or cable is at least equal to, preferably greater than the maximum distance between the first engagement point (22) and the second engagement point (23) when the first component (18) is in the opening position. For example in the case of a window, the length of the elongated means (2) is selected in such a way as not to hinder the opening of the wing of the window from the closed position to the completely open position. For this reason the installation of the safety system (1) preferably occurs in correspondence of a position in which the stroke of the door is minimal, for example in correspondence of the hinges, where the distance between the end of the door (18) and of the casing (17) is never too great.

[0047] The elongated means (2) is preferably sliding at least in correspondence of or in proximity to one of the engagement elements (3, 4), preferably in correspondence of or in proximity to both engagement elements (3, 4). In this way, thanks to the fact that the cable (2) is sliding, it can be advantageously concealed within the frame (16) so that only the portion corresponding to the angle of opening of the door is partially visible, while the remaining portion of cable (2) can be hidden within an interspace of the frame itself or within an interspace of fixing elements (5, 6) of the safety system (1). The elongated means (2) is preferably sliding over a sliding length which is greater than or equal to the maximum distance between the first engagement point (22) and the second engagement point (23) when the first component (18) is in the opening position.

[0048] It can be provided that at least one portion of the elongated means (2) is sliding within an interspace or a hiding seat obtained within profiled elements constituting the first component (18) or the second component (17). In this way the elongated means (2) is advantageously hidden and does not interfere with the operations of opening and closing of the frame.

[0049] As observed, the safety system (1) can comprise fixing elements (5, 6) which facilitate installation also on existing casings, wings, doors, main doors, up-and-over doors, windows, vasistas windows, gates. For example, it is possible (FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3) to use a first fixing element (5) in a solution in which at least one of the engagement elements (3, 4) engages in correspondence of said first fixing element (5) which is adapted to be applied in correspondence of the first engagement point (22) or in correspondence of the second engagement point (23). Said first fixing element (5) can also constitute the element within which one can mount or house the elastic means (9), which will be, therefore, advantageously housed within a housing element (7) of the first fixing element (5). In this case the elongated means, for example in the form of a cable (2) penetrates (FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4) into a body of the housing element (7) by means of a first hole (11), it crosses the housing (7) passing internally to the elastic means (9) and exits the housing element (7) through a second hole (10) which is obtained on a closing element (8) of the housing element (7). The extraction of the cable (2) with respect to the housing element is prevented by the application of one of the engagement elements (3, 4), which is intended to engage on the closing element (8) of the housing element (7). In this solution the closing element (8) is sliding within the body of the housing element (7), the sliding of said closing element (8) in a first direction causing (FIG. 3) the compression of the elastic means (9) and the sliding of the closing element (8) in a second direction opposite to the first direction causing (FIG. 2) the release of the compression of the elastic means (9) with a damping action of the falling energy due to the detachment of the first component (18) with respect to the second component (17).

[0050] One can also provide a solution in which: [0051] a first engagement element (3) engages in correspondence of the first fixing element (5) which is adapted to be applied in correspondence of the first engagement point (22); [0052] a second engagement element (4) engages in correspondence of a second fixing element (6) which is adapted to be applied in correspondence of the second engagement point (23).

[0053] The second fixing element (6) can be shaped (FIG. 5) in the form of a plate provided with a passage (13) which is intended to allow the passage of the elongated means (2) but shaped with a size of the passage (13) such as to stop the passage of the engagement element (3, 4), which engages on said second fixing element (6) in correspondence of the passage (13) obtained on the body (12) of the second fixing element (6) itself. Obviously, while the passage (13) is represented in the form of a slit that may facilitate the passage of the cable after the assembly of the second fixing element (6), the passage (13) can also be shaped as a hole, in which case the corresponding engagement element which is intended to engage with it can be a stop-dowel that can be fixed on the cable itself after the cable has been made to pass in the passage (13) in the form of a hole, the stop-dowel having a dimension in section greater than that of the passage (13) in the form of a hole in order to prevent its extraction.

[0054] The compression of the elastic means (9) can occur: [0055] according to a direction essentially corresponding (FIG. 1, FIG. 6, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11) to the direction of displacement between the first component (18) and said second component (17) following the detachment of the first component (18) with respect to the second component (17); [0056] according to a direction essentially orthogonal (FIG. 7, FIG. 8) with respect to the direction of displacement between the first component (18) and the second component (17) following the detachment of the first component (18) with respect to the second component (17).

[0057] Thanks to the second solution it is possible to obtain a more compact and thinner anti-fall safety system (1) which can be applied more easily in existing frames or in frames that are difficult to be worked in order to obtain some internal insertion seats, as in the case of wooden frames. In these solutions one can provide the presence (FIG. 8) of at least one guiding means (21), which is intended to guide and facilitate the sliding of the elongated means (2). For example the guiding means (21) can be a rotating roller, possibly provided with a sliding and containment groove for the elongated means (2) in the form of a cable. As an alternative, in order to increase friction and energy damping without affecting sliding facility too much, the guiding means (21) can be an arched sliding guide joining two essentially rectilinear portions of which a first rectilinear portion is a rectilinear portion which is oriented according to a direction corresponding to the direction of compression of the elastic means (9) and a second rectilinear portion is a rectilinear portion which is oriented according to a direction of displacement between the first component (18) and the second component (17) following the detachment of the first component (18) with respect to the second component (17). For example in this case the guiding means (21) can be a metal pipe bent at a right angle within which the cable (2) is slid and which allows to align the movement of the cable on the one side with the preferred direction of compression of the elastic means (9) and on the opposite side with the preferred direction of displacement of the door with respect to the framework of the fixed part of the frame.

[0058] The engagement element (3, 4) can comprise (FIG. 1) a sphere having a diameter greater than the dimension in section of the elongated means (2) or (FIG. 1) it can comprise a stop-dowel which is adapted to be applied on the elongated means (2) itself wherein said stop-dowel has a dimension in section greater than the dimension in section of the elongated means (2), or a swelling of the elongated means (2) or a swelled portion of the elongated means (2).

[0059] The present invention also relates to (FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11) an opening and closing system (16) which is provided with at least one first component (18) and one second component (17), such as a casing or fixed framework (17) and a door or mobile framework (18), wherein the first component (18) and the second component (17) are constrained to each other by means of reciprocal retaining means (19), such as a hinge, in such a way that the first component (18) is mobile with respect to the second component (17). The first component (18) of the opening and closing system (16) is mobile between at least two positions of which a closing position in which the first component (18) closes an access or a space (20) and an opening position in which the first component (18) leaves said access or space (20) at least partially open. The opening and closing system (16) according to the invention comprises at least one anti-fall safety system (1) made in compliance with the previous description, said anti-fall safety system (1) being intended to prevent the detachment of the first component (18) with respect to the second component (17) in case of failure, breaking or detachment of one or more of the reciprocal retaining means (19).

[0060] For example the opening and closing system (16) can be selected from the group consisting of door or window casings, wings, doors, main doors, up-and-over doors, windows, vasistas windows, gates.

[0061] Furthermore, in particular, the present invention also relates to (FIG. 9, FIG. 10) a frame (16) which is provided with at least one door (18) and one casing (17), wherein the door (18) and the casing (17) are constrained to each other by means of hardware elements (19) in such a way that the door (18) is mobile with respect to the casing (17), wherein the door (18) is mobile between at least two positions of which a closing position in which the door (18) closes an access or a space (20) delimited by the casing (17) and an opening position in which the door (18) leaves said access or space (20) at least partially open, the frame (16) comprising at least one anti-fall safety system (1) made in compliance with the previous description, said anti-fall safety system (1) being intended to prevent the detachment of the door (18) with respect to the casing (17) in case of failure, breaking or detachment of one or more of the hardware elements (19).

[0062] The description of the present invention has been made with reference to the enclosed figures in a preferred embodiment, but it is evident that many possible changes, modifications and variations will be immediately clear to those skilled in the art in the light of the previous description. Thus, it must be underlined that the invention is not limited to the previous description, but it includes all the changes, modifications and variations in accordance with the appended claims.

NOMENCLATURE USED

[0063] With reference to the identification numbers in the enclosed figures, the following nomenclature has been used: [0064] 1. Safety system [0065] 2. Cable or elongated means [0066] 3. Second engagement element [0067] 4. First engagement element [0068] 5. First fixing element [0069] 6. Second fixing element [0070] 7. Housing element [0071] 8. Closing element [0072] 9. Elastic means [0073] 10. Second hole [0074] 11. First hole [0075] 12. Body [0076] 13. Passage [0077] 14. Third hole [0078] 15. Fourth hole [0079] 16. Frame or opening and closing system [0080] 17. Casing or fixed framework or second component [0081] 18. Door or mobile framework or first component [0082] 19. Hinge or hardware element or reciprocal retaining means [0083] 20. Access or space [0084] 21. Guiding means [0085] 22. First engagement point [0086] 23. Second engagement point