FR2560271A1 - Universal metal door or window bascule handle - Google Patents

Abstract

The bascule handle, for metal door and window frames, has a body accommodating a pair of spur racks, with lugs to connect with blocks on rods, for opening and closing. Each spur rack (5) comprises a base rod (6) and removable lug (2). The L-shaped rods have symmetrical double, shallow serrations (7) on their longer side (6a). One of the serrations provides connection with the gearwheel (4). On the shorter side (6b), the rods have a seat (8) to accommodate the bottom end (2a) of the appropriate lug, when firmly connected.

Description

 There have been handles on the market for a long time called "cremone bolt" used in the case of metal crossbars, which comprise an external body, provided with an operating button, inside which are arranged the mechanisms for moving the rods for blocking and unblocking (closing and opening) of the window.

 The external body of the handles is fixed to the profile forming, for example, the window by means of common screws and the operation of the button causes the movement of these mechanisms; the latter normally comprise a pair of projections which penetrate, through corresponding slots made on the profile, in small blocks sliding by interlocking and arranged inside the same-profile, and leading to the rods (upper and lower) d opening and closing of the window.

 These handles are provided with a mechanism for setting in motion which uses a toothed wheel of small dimensions integral with the button and associated with a pair of planar racks provided with said projections; this coupling is carried out through a fixed assembly on which one cannot intervene "a posteriori", which involves obtaining a "right" handle and a "left" handle, that is to say relating to windows whose opening is in the opposite direction with respect to each other and in which the rotary movement of the button takes place in opposite directions.

 Obviously this implies the need for a stock in store of the two types of handle even if the demand of the "left" type is much lower than the other.

 In addition, given the different types of profiles which form the crosspieces on which said handles must be mounted, the position of said projections relative to the bearing surface of the handle body on the profile can change: in particular the projections can be arranged in the center relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle body or off-center thereof, as necessary; therefore there is the need for a stock for each type of handle requested, right or left, and with off-center projections.

 Another disadvantage of these handles is represented by the fact that the rupture of an element forming part of the mechanism of setting in motion necessarily involves the complete replacement of the handle.

 In order to overcome these drawbacks, in more recent embodiments, the mechanisms for moving the handles (toothed wheel and rack) have been produced so that they can be coupled to one another with the possibility of relative replacement: in particular, the racks are made removable from the toothed wheel so that they can be replaced or reciprocally interchanged, which makes it possible to obtain, by means of the projections, both right and left handles.

 In this way the handle takes a configuration defined by an immutable element (the body-button-gear wheel assembly) and by a series of interchangeable elements (rack with projections).

 The latter, in known cases, are obtained by molding or cutting and in one piece with the projection which must be coupled to the small block, which inevitably leads to the need for a number of racks depending on the use of the handle (right or left) and depending on the position of the projections (centered or off-center, right or left) and consequently the need to equip the mounting kit, this implies proportionally higher cost prices.

 Another disadvantage of these handles is represented by the fact that the mechanisms for setting in motion, obtained as already said by molding or cutting, create, during assembly, coupling games which prevent positioning of the button, both when opening than closing, with the optimal angle defining the two extreme positions for blocking and unblocking the frame.

 Furthermore, said body is normally obtained according to two different specific tendencies, that is to say entirely of metal or else using for the most part plastic material and it is fixed to the profile of the window by known means, such as biting screws.

 In the case of a body obtained entirely of metal, there is no problem of attachment between said body and profile because the attachment means have at their disposal a sufficiently high thickness of material constituted by the same body: however the latter needs, for its preparation, specific work such as milling, drilling, etc. etc., this obviously involves a waste of time and therefore high cost prices.

 In order to overcome this drawback, we therefore adopted the solution of producing handle bodies obtained for the most part from plastic, which, when mounted, are generally covered on the outside with a metallic finishing element in order to give to the whole a general aspect of solidity.

 These handle bodies represent a solution with regard to the overall price of the same handle, but their current structure has a drawback capable of compromising its proper functioning. Indeed blocking said plastic body to the profile of the window frame does not offer any guarantee of stability over time, since the plastic is deformable and less rigid than the metal body and the handle is subject to continuous opening and closing actions.

 The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks by means of a universal lever handle for metal cross bars, obtained in such a way that it can be transformed from right to left and vice versa thanks to with the simple interchangeability and the different arrangement of the only movement racks with which it is fitted and without the need to provide other accessories in the kit. This obviously leads to reduced cost prices and the possibility of easily carrying out adaptation and transformation.

 Another object of the invention consists in realizing a handle capable of being adapted to the different types of profiles, with the possibility of using projections which can be coupled to the small rod operating blocks, centered or off-center, on the right. or on the left: in particular the main aim is to make the handle universal by using a limited number of) building elements.

 Yet another object of the invention is the creation of a handle of very simple construction and assembly and in which the rotation of the button, from the open to the closed position, is equal to a right angle, this that is to say in which the opening and closing positions of the button are aesthetically well defined.

 Yet another object of the invention is to create a handle allowing a stable and secure fixing of the bodies and accessories to the metal cross sections, with particular reference to the plastic bodies, all this by means of a very simple and inexpensive solution, easy to implement by the industries of the sector and likely to be adopted on any type of accessory.

 All the aforementioned aims are achieved by the handle in question of the type comprising a body containing the movement mechanisms, comprising a pair of racks provided with projections intended to be coupled to corresponding small blocks for controlling the opening rods and closure of the cross, with this body being fixed, with the possibility of rotation about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the same body, a button on which is fitted a toothed wheel disposed inside said body and meshing with said racks for the movement of the latter so that they approach or move away from one another; said handle being characterized in that each rack is formed by a base bar and a removable projection, these bars, identical to each other and essentially in the shape of an "L", being provided, in correspondence with their long side, with a double planar toothing arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry parallel to the plane defined by the same bar, one of said teeth being meshed with said toothed wheel, said bars being also provided, along on their short side, at least one housing intended to receive, in stable coupling, the lower end of the corresponding projection.

 Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment illustrated simply by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is an exploded view of the handle in question; - Figure 2 is a rear view of the handle in question of the type intended for crossings with opening to the right, respectively in the opening (2a) and closing (2b) configuration; - Figure 3 is a rear view of the handle for opening view to the left, respectively in the opening (3a) and closing (3b) configuration; - Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the bars seen from different sides; - Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view, from the front, of a handle body, provided with the device in question; - Figure 6 is a rear front view of a part of the handle body; - Figure 7 shows a side view of the same handle body shown in Figure 6, parts having been removed to better highlight others.

 Referring to the appended drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, the lever handle object of the invention is generally indicated at 20; it comprises a body t and a button 3 connected to said body with the possibility of rotation about an axis X-X perpendicular to the plane of the body 1.

 On the button 3 is fitted, by means of a connecting pivot, a toothed wheel 4, by means of the interposition of a contrast spring It surrounding the same pivot.

This spring, after mounting, penetrates inside a cavity 12 formed in the rear part of the body 1 and it is shaped so that it defines four stable positions of the button oriented at 90 relative to each other. on horizontal and vertical axes.

 In 5 there are indicated two racks forming the elements for moving the handle, together with the assembly represented by said toothed wheel and said button, each rack comprising a bar 6, substantially in the shape of a "1L", provided with a removable projection 2.

 These bars 6, identical to each other, are each provided, in correspondence of their long side 6a, with a double toothing 7 arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal plane of symmetry parallel to the plane defined by the same bar ; in operating condition of the handle, only one of said teeth 7 will be meshed with the toothed wheel 4, as will be better clarified subsequently.

 Along its short side 6b, each of the bars 6 is also provided with a plurality of passage housings 8 (here three) made up of loops spaced apart from one another transversely, that is to say perpendicularly to large side 6a, intended to receive in stable coupling the corresponding end 2a of the projection 2.

 The latter will enter the corresponding small block arranged inside the profile on which the handle must be mounted, this small block controlling the respective closing or opening rod of the cross.

 Advantageously, each bar B is provided, along its short side 6b, with a transverse passage hole 9, centered along the median axis of said short side, which crosses said housings 8 in the center; similarly, the lower end 2a of the projection 2 will be provided with a corresponding hole 2b equal to the previous one, both being intended to receive, in stable coupling, a locking pin 10 intended to achieve in this way the union between the bar 6 and the projection 2.

 Finally, there is indicated at 13 a closure plate for the movement mechanisms placed inside the body 1; it is provided with loops 13a with longitudinal development which allow the free sliding of the projections 2.

 When the handle 20 shown in FIG. 1 has to be mounted, if for example a straight handle is desired with the projections 2 arranged at the center of the longitudinal axis of the handle body, it suffices to lock the lower end 2a of the projection 2, by means of the pin 10, to each bar 6, being careful to introduce the same bar inside the body 1 so that it meshes with the last tooth 7a of the toothed wheel 4; at this point it suffices to carry the button in one of the two extreme positions of rotation indicated in FIGS. 2a and 2b. The subsequent assembly of the plate 13 prevents the exit of the constituent elements of the handle, independently of the position of the button 3.

 As can be seen in FIG. 2, in particular in configuration 2a, the bars 6 and the projections 2 are in the position of maximum approximation, which implies the open crossover condition: in this position the facing surfaces 6 'and 6 "of the two bars, parallel to one another, will abut each other so as to define exactly, together with the spring 11, the perfectly horizontal configuration of the button 3.

 By simple rotation of 90 anticlockwise (see arrow A) of the button, the bars 6 and the respective projections 2 are brought to their position of maximum reciprocal spacing, by means of translation according to the arrows F, this which involves closing the window: also in this case the exact vertical position of the button 3 will be defined not only by the spring 11, but also by the fact that the surfaces 6 "'of the bars 6 abut against flat parallel surfaces corresponding 1 "defining, at the two upper and lower parts, the rear cavity of the body 1 in which the said bars 6 are housed and move.

 If you have to "transform" the handle from right to left, you must first remove the plate 13; then removing the two bars 6 previously introduced, removing from them the projections 2 from their initial position; at this point it suffices to invert each bar by 1800 so that the toothed wheel 4 meshes with the toothing 7 opposite to the previous one, again introduce the projections 2 into the housings 8 concerned and block the bars and the projections by means of the ankle 10.

 By adopting this solution, the knob should not be turned empty before the introduction of the racks. We will then introduce the racks inside the body and everything will unfold exactly as previously described with regard to the right handle, with the only difference that the passage from the open position (in the case of a left handle), see figure 3a, at that of closing the window, see FIG. 3b, takes place this time through a rotation of the button clockwise according to the indication given by the arrow B.

 Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, it can be seen how the handle 20 can be stably coupled to a profile 27, by known means, for example screws 22. This handle generally consists of a body 1, obtained entirely in plastic, to which the button 3 is engaged. The body 1, in most cases, is covered on its outside with a metallic finishing element 29, not shown in FIG. 5 but clearly visible in section on the figure 6.

 On said body 1, two housings 28 are provided, in correspondence of the free ends, provided with a plurality of first through holes 24, here dis placed on two rows. Each housing 28 is intended to receive, in stable coupling, preferably by interference, a small block 23, obtained in plastic material and provided with second holes 25 arranged in correspondence with the first: preferably these holes will be formed of a pair of loops 25 extending parallel to each other, of length at least equal to the maximum dimension occupied by the first holes 24.

 The assembly of the handle with the device in question appears very simple and quick for an operator.

 Indeed, after having introduced the small block 23 into the housing 28, the outside of the body 1 is covered with the same handle, by means of the finishing element 29, as visible in FIG. 6. At this point the the operator introduces the screw from the rear part of the frame, passing freely through the desired hole 24 of the housing 28 which thus serves as a guide and tightening the screw on said small block 23 stably. The plurality of holes 24 in the housing 28 and the loops 25 of the small block 23 offer the operator a wide choice for the positioning of the handle on the profile, with the certainty that the screw always bites the small block 23 whatever whether the hole 24 is of interest: obviously the width of the loops 25 will be chosen as a function of the diameter of the screw 22, of the self-tapping type.

 Advantageously, the small block will be obtained in metal in order to ensure safe and lasting stability of the handle.

 Another advantage of the device in question is represented by the fact that said combination of small housing unit can be obtained on any plastic accessory which requires secure locking.

 Thanks to the solution illustrated above, the invention thus achieves the desired objectives, achieving a universal type handle through the use of a single bar which can be obtained by simple molding; this can be used interchangeably for each rack for setting in motion and can allow the formation of handles with opening to the right or to the left by the simple reversal of the same bar of 1800; this is possible because the projection in the rack has been released from the base body of the same rack, defined in the specific case by the bar.

 This obviously leads to lower cost prices (in the mounting kit, only two bars and two protrusions will be required) and offers practical advantages to the user during assembly.

 In addition, the fact of having released the projection of the base bar makes it possible to offset at will, as necessary, the same projections relative to the longitudinal axis, using for this purpose the most suitable housing 8, according to the user opinion, among those available.

 The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variants without departing from its protective framework. In addition, all the elements may be replaced by other technically equivalent ones, without this implying solutions outside the protection framework. Practically the materials used, the shapes and the dimensions can be any, as required.

Claims (10)

R E-V E N D I C A T I O N S 1. Universal lever handle for metal crossbars, comprising a body (1) containing the movement mechanisms, comprising a pair of racks (5) provided with projections (2) intended to be coupled to corresponding small blocks of control of the opening and closing rods of the cross, to this body (1) being fixed, with the possibility of rotation about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the same body, a button (3) on which is fitted a toothed wheel (4) arranged inside the body (1) and meshing with the said crampers (5) for the movement of the latter so that they approach or move away from one another; characterized in that each rack (5) is formed by a base bar (6) and a removable projection (2), these bars, identical to each other and essentially in the shape of an "L", being provided, in correspondence of their long side (6a), with a double planar toothing (7) arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry parallel to the plane defined by the same bar, one of said toothing being meshed with said toothed wheel, said bars also being provided, along their short side (6b) with at least one housing (8) intended to receive, in stable coupling, the lower end (2a) of the corresponding projection (2) . 2. Handle according to claim 1, characterized in that each bar (6) is provided, along its short side (6b), with a plurality of said housings (8) spaced apart from each other transversely, or well perpendicular to the long side (6a). 3. Handle according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that there is provided, transversely to the bar, at least one hole (9) for passage through said housings (8) intended to receive, in coupling, a corresponding blocking element acting also on the lower end (2a) of the projection (2). 4. Handle according to claim 3, characterized in that the lower end (2a) of the projection (2) is provided with a hole (2b) for the free passage of said locking means, comprising a pin (10). 5. Handle according to claim 4, characterized in that said housings (8) are passage housings and that said locking means and said holes are made centered along the median axis of said short side. 6. Handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the transverse end portions of each bar are obtained along parallel planes and are shaped relative to each other so as to define, when the bars abut, by approximation reciprocal, one against the other or, by reciprocal spacing, against corresponding planes obtained in the cavity containing the racks, corresponding limit positions of the button for opening and closing the handle. 7. Handle according to claim 1, whose bodies to be fixed to the profile forming the cross are obtained from plastic, characterized in that said body (1) is provided, in correspondence with its end, with at least one housing (28 ) provided with a first through hole (24) intended to receive in coupling a small block (23) provided with a second hole (25) arranged in correspondence with the previous one and intended to receive screw fixing means (22 ). 8. Handle according to claim 7, characterized in that said housing (28) is provided with a plurality of first holes (24) and that said small block (23) is also provided with a plurality of second holes (25) arranged in correspondence with the previous ones. 9. Handle according to claim 7, characterized in that said small block (23) is provided with at least one loop (25) extending in the direction of said first holes (24). 10. Handle according to claim 7, characterized in that said small block (23) is made of metal.