Air seal for a liftable closure

Abstract

A liftable closure element movable between a lowered and a raised configuration, is associated with a portal structure having a compartment for storing the closure element, delimited by a front wall, a space being provided which communicates with the compartment and with the outer environment between the wall and the closure element. An air seal device for the liftable closure includes first and second sealing members adapted to reach a facing position in which they adhere by magnetic attraction to close the transverse space, one connected to the wall for supporting a ferromagnetic plate, the other consisting of a magnetic member fixed to the closure element. The first sealing member includes a base structure which can be fixed to said wall by first and second adjustable fasteners in a position exactly corresponding to the position of the sealing member fixed to the surface of the closure element.

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10: An air sealing device for a liftable closure comprising a closure element slidably mounted along vertical guide elements of a portal structure so as to be movable between a lowered configuration in which it closes an opening defined by said portal structure, and a raised configuration in which said opening is open, and a compartment arranged above the portal structure to accommodate the closure element in its raised configuration, which compartment is delimited by a front wall spaced from the portal structure, a transverse space being defined between the closure element and said front wall which communicates on one side with said compartment and on the other side with the outer environment, the device including a first and a second sealing member, one of which is connected to said front wall on the side facing the compartment and supports a ferromagnetic plate, the other of which is a magnetic member, preferably in the form of a strip, fixed on the surface of the closure element that faces the outside of the portal structure, said sealing members being adapted to reach respective mutually facing positions in the completely lowered configuration of the closure element to adhere to each other as a result of their magnetic attraction in order to close said transverse space for preventing communication between said compartment and the outer environment, wherein the sealing member connected to said front wall comprises a base structure adapted to be fixed to said front wall in an adjustable manner by a first fastener, said ferromagnetic plate being supported by the base structure in an adjustable manner by a second fastener, so that said ferromagnetic plate can be fixed to the front wall in a position that corresponds punctually to the position reached by said sealing member fixed to the surface of the closure element when the latter is in its lowered configuration.

11: The device of claim 10, wherein the base structure of the sealing member connected to the front wall comprises at least one L-shaped angular section bar arranged substantially perpendicular to said vertical guide elements.

12: The device of claim 10, wherein the base structure of the sealing member connected to said front wall comprises a pair of parallel L-shaped angular section bars, arranged substantially perpendicular to said vertical guide elements.

13: The device of claim 11, wherein each of said angular section bars has a first wing intended to be applied to the front wall and provided with a series of first slots directed transverse to its axial direction which form part of said first fastener, at least some of said first slots being adapted to be engaged by respective adjustable fastening members projecting from the front wall, such as screws or pins associated with anchors or the like, and a second wing substantially perpendicular to the front wall for the connection of a lamina connected to said ferromagnetic plate and having a series of second slots, and in which a series of third slots is formed in said lamina which are directed perpendicular to the ferromagnetic plate, a pair of slots of said series of second and third slots, both being engaged by adjustable rod-shaped fixing members which are part of said second fastener, each of which preferably comprises a nut screw and a respective tightening nut.

14: The device of claim 13, wherein said ferromagnetic plate is connected to a pair of laminas parallel and transverse thereto, both provided with respective series of slots.

15: The device of claim 14, wherein an inclined wall is interposed between said ferromagnetic plate and each transverse lamina.

16: The device of claim 13, wherein said ferromagnetic plate is connected to a single lamina transverse thereto, provided with a respective series of slots.

17: The device of claim 16, wherein an inclined wall is interposed between said ferromagnetic plate and the respective transverse lamina, the ferromagnetic plate having an inclined or arched edge on its side opposite to the transverse lamina.

18: The device of claim 10, wherein said closure element comprises a flexible curtain of plastic material such as PVC, polyethylene or polyurethane.

19: The device of claim 10, wherein said closure element comprises a series of substantially rigid elongated panels connected to each other in an articulated manner by hinges.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following detailed description, provided by way of non-limiting example and referred to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a liftable closure according to a first prior art, with the relevant closure element in its lowered configuration,

[0020] FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view sectioned along the line II-II of FIG. 1, showing in particular a space defined between the portal structure and a shelter compartment for the closure element in its raised configuration, through the which space can circulate air,

[0021] FIG. 3 is a sectioned side elevational view of a closure element according to another prior art, made in the form of a flexible sheet on whose surface facing the outer environment a magnetic member is associated which is intended to cooperate magnetically with a ferromagnetic plate associated with a wall arranged in front of said shelter compartment,

[0022] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the closure element according to the other prior art in its fully lowered configuration, in which the magnetic member and the ferromagnetic plate cooperate to close the space defined between the portal structure and the storage compartment of the closure element,

[0023] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective schematic view of an air seal device according to a first modification of the present invention,

[0024] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of a second modification of the air seal device of the invention,

[0025] FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional side elevational views similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively, showing two subsequent steps of the operation of the air seal device of the first modification of the invention, which is used with a closure element consisting of a flexible sheet, and

[0026] FIGS. 9 and 10 are sectional side elevation views, respectively similar to FIGS. 7 and 8, showing two subsequent steps of the operation of an air sealing device of the invention applied to a closure element comprising a series of substantially rigid and mutually articulated panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] With initial reference to FIGS. 5 to 8 of the drawings, a liftable closure equipped with the sealing device according to the invention comprises a sliding closure element 20, in this case made by means of a flexible curtain 22 of plastic material, such as PVC, polyethylene or polyurethane which, in general, is also suitable for performing the function of a thermal barrier and may include, for this purpose, an insulating intermediate layer (not shown).

[0028] The opposite longitudinal edges of the closure element 20 are slidably inserted into respective opposite guide formations 24 shaped like a rail and associated with the vertical parallel uprights 16 of a stationary portal structure 12 which delimits an opening 10 formed in a vertical wall 11, whereby the closure element 20 is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, respectively lowered and raised, with respect to a transversal plane 18 which delimits the portal structure 12 below.

[0029] The upper edge of the portal structure 12 is defined by a crosspiece 14 arranged adjacent to a front wall 28 which delimits a compartment 26 for sheltering the closure element 20 in the raised configuration, in which the latter is wrapped about a rotating drum 29 received within this compartment 26. Between the front wall 28, which is spaced apart from the portal structure 12, and the element 20 there is a transverse space indicated 30 which communicates on one side with the compartment 26 and on the other side with the outer environment through the opening 10.

[0030] An air sealing device according to a first modification of the invention is connected to the internal side surface of the front wall 28, which faces the compartment 26. This air sealing device (shown in FIG. 5), comprises a first sealing member indicated by the reference 32a in the drawings and including a ferromagnetic plate 36a, and a second sealing member consisting of a magnetic member 40 preferably in the form of a strip, which is fixed, for example by gluing, on the surface of the closure element 20 facing the outside of the portal structure 12, the first sealing member 32a and the second sealing member 40 being adapted to mutually cooperate by magnetic attraction.

[0031] The sealing member 32a comprises a base structure including a pair of spaced apart and parallel L-shaped angular section bars 42, arranged substantially perpendicular to the vertical guide elements 24, the length of which is conveniently equal to the width of the closure element 20. Each angular section bar 42 comprises a pair of wings, i.e. a first wing 44 and a second wing 48 perpendicular to the wing 44.

[0032] The first wing 44 is provided with a series of first slots 46 oriented transversely to its axial direction, at least some of which are engaged by respective adjustable fastening members, such as screws or pins associated with anchors or the like (not shown as being of a type known per se), installed on the wall 28 so as to protrude therefrom towards the compartment 26, to allow the first sealing member 32a to be fixed in an adjustable manner in the vertical direction with respect to this wall 28. Therefore, the slots 46 of the wing 44 of the angular section bars 42 and the fastening members projecting from the front wall 28 which engage them, constitute first adjustable fastening means for positioning the first sealing member 32a.

[0033] The second wing 48 of the angular section bars 42, intended to be arranged perpendicularly to the front wall 28, has a series of second slots 50 oriented transversally to its axial direction. The wings 48 of the two section bars 42 support respective transverse laminas 52 connected to the plate 36a on opposite sides, which laminas 52 have a series of third slots 56 equal to the series of second slots 50 and oriented perpendicularly to the plate 36a.

[0034] Between the plate 36a and each transverse lamina 52 an inclined wall 54 is interposed, for example of about 45°, having the function of invitation for the magnetic adhesion of the sealing member 40 on the plate 36a as a result of the sliding of the closure element 20.

[0035] Some pairs of slots 50 and 56 of the series of second and third slots are both engaged by rod-type adjustable fastening members, for example each comprising a nut-screw 58 and a respective tightening nut 60, to fix the plate 36a in an adjustable manner along the direction perpendicular to the wall 28 with respect to the base structure, in particular with respect to the pair of L-shaped angular sections bars 42. Therefore, the slots 50 of the wing 48 of the sections bars 42, together with the slots 56 of the transverse laminas 52 and the fastening members constituted by the elements 58, 60 which engage respective pairs of aligned slots 50 and 56, constitute second adjustable fastening means for positioning the first sealing member 32a.

[0036] By virtue of the presence of the aforementioned first and second adjustable fixing means, the plate 36a can be fixed to the front wall 28 in such a position as to result exactly facing the second magnetic sealing member 40 fixed to the surface of the closure element 20, when the latter is in its lowered configuration, to allow the magnetic sealing member 40 to adhere on the plate 36a so as to close the transversal gap 30 and prevent communication between the compartment 26 and the outer environment.

[0037] In the use of the air sealing device described above, after having fixed the magnetic sealing member 40 on the surface of the closure element 20 and having brought this latter element into its fully lowered configuration, the base structure including the pair of angular sections 42 is positioned on the front wall 28, which is arranged in such a manner that the plate 36a to be connected to the section bars 42 through the pair of laminas 52 is arranged exactly in front of the magnetic sealing member 40. Then, a series of fastening members, such as screws or pins associated with dowels or the like, are installed on the front wall 28 so as to project from this wall towards the compartment 26 to engage some of the slots 46 of the section bars 42, which fastening members are then locked in the desired position after making a fine adjustment of the vertical position of the base structure of the air sealing device.

[0038] Furthermore, in some of the pairs of slots 50 of the other wing 48 of the section bars 42, and of the slots 56 of the laminas 52 connected to the plate 36a, the slots 50 and 56 being arranged aligned with each other, respective nut screws 58 are inserted to which respective tightening nuts 60 are associated on the side of the wing 48, which are tightened after reaching the desired position of the ferromagnetic plate 36a by fine adjustment.

[0039] In this manner, by virtue of the presence of the first and second adjustable fixing means described above for positioning the first sealing member 32a, the position of the plate 36a can be adjusted as desired in the parallel direction and in the transverse direction with respect to the front wall 28, to allow the plate 36a to be fixed in a position exactly corresponding to the position reached by the sealing member 40 applied on the surface of the closure element 20 when the latter is in its lowered configuration.

[0040] When the element 20 reaches the completely lowered position and the magnetic strip 40 faces exactly the plate 36a (FIG. 8), the strip 40 applies on the plate 36a as a result of the magnetic attraction, closing the space 30 and preventing the passage of air so as to perform its sealing function. In this condition, the area of the closure element 20 on which the strip 40 is applied deforms slightly as it moves towards the front wall 28 to adhere to the plate 36a.

[0041] During the ascent of the element 20 towards its raised position, this deformation of the element 20 is nullified as a result of the tension applied to its upper part, causing the element 20 to move away from the wing 36a.

[0042] The air seal device can also be made according to a simplified modification shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, in which the same or similar references have been used to indicate parts that are the same or similar to those of the modification described above.

[0043] In particular, the base structure of the present modification includes a single section bar 42 connected to the front wall 28 for supporting a ferromagnetic plate indicated 36b. The first wing 44 of this section bar 42 is equipped with the series of first slots 46, some of which are engaged by fastening members projecting from the wall 28, such as screws or pins associated with plugs or the like for the adjustable fastening in the vertical direction of the first sealing member 32b.

[0044] Therefore, the slots 46 together with the fastening members which project from the wall 28 and which engage said slots 46, constitute the adjustable fastening means for positioning the first sealing member 32b.

[0045] In this case, the ferromagnetic plate 36b comprises a single lamina 52 arranged in its lower part with the interposition of an inclined wall 54, for fixing the wing 48 to the single section bar 42 by means of the slots 50 and 56, of the wing 48 and of the lamina 52 respectively, and by respective nut screws 58 with associated respective tightening nuts 60 which engage some pairs of said slots. The plate 36b, on the opposite side of the lamina 52, comprises an inclined or arcuate leading edge 54b to facilitate the sliding of the closure element 20 with the relative magnetic sealing member 40.

[0046] The invention can also be used with a closure element 20 other than a flexible sheet, for example including a series of substantially rigid elongated panels 22a connected to each other in an articulated manner by means of hinges, as schematically shown in the attached FIGS. 9 and 10. In short, these Figures shown in a manner respectively similar to FIGS. 7 and 8, a closure element 20 consisting of elongated panels 22a articulated to each other, which may comprise an inner layer of insulating material (not shown) to constitute a thermal barrier, the sealing member 40 being applied on the surface facing the front wall 28 of one of the panels 22a.

[0047] Although in this case the compartment 26 can be provided with the winding drum 29, it can, as an alternative, include a storage structure of the closure element 20 comprising rails (not shown) for housing this element 20 according to a raised and substantially flat arrangement when it is in the raised configuration, for example perpendicular to the guide formations 24.

[0048] The operation of the device of the invention applied to a closure element 20 including a series of elongated panels 22a is completely similar to that described above with reference to the closure element 20 consisting of a flexible curtain 22.

[0049] Although in the above description the plate member 36a or 36b has been indicated as a ferromagnetic plate, it could also be made as a plate of magnetic material with opposite polarity to that of the member 40.

[0050] Of course, the positions of the plate 36a or 36b and of the strip 40, which constitute respectively the first and the second member of the sealing device of the invention, can be reversed, whereby a strip of ferromagnetic material applied to the element 20 can be provided, as well as a magnetic plate fixed to the internal side of the front wall 28, as an alternative to what has been described above. In the latter case, in particular, the magnetic plate can be associated with an electromagnetic device, rather than being made up of a permanent magnet.