EP1558829A1

EP1558829A1 - Closing device for doors

Info

Publication number: EP1558829A1
Application number: EP03772661A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Allessandro Goppion
Original assignee: Goppion SpA
Current assignee: Goppion SpA
Priority date: 2002-10-25
Filing date: 2003-10-15
Publication date: 2005-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2023-10-15
Also published as: DE60314001T2; ITMI20022267A1; WO2004038140A1; AU2003279553A1; EP1558829B1; DE60314001D1

Abstract

+he closing and gasket compression device (10) is specifically devised for doors (4) of display cases (1) in which a gasket (6) is compressed between the door (4) and a frame (5) of the case (1). This device (10) comprises a main body (11) and a secondary body (12). The main body (11) comprises a casing (20) with an inner sliding seat (21), a cursor (30) sliding in the seat (21) and mobile between two end closure and opening positions, a latch (35) mounted on the cursor (30) so as to protrude from the casing through a latch hole (25) when the cursor (30) is in closure position, and an access opening (27) to the sliding seat (21), through which opening (27) it is possible to insert an actuation tool (7) of the cursor (30) for the displacement thereof between its two operating positions. The secondary body (12) comprises a seat (51) for receiving the latch (35).

Description

Closing device for doors * * * * *

DESCRIPTION

The present invention concerns a closing and gasket compression device for doors of display cases in which a sealing gasket is elastically compressed between the door and a frame structure of the case.

In many display cases, particularly for public display ofprecious and delicate objects of art, which require a controlled atmosphere, it is necessary to ensure the airtight seal of the openings in the case. 'For such a purpose, gaskets in elastomeric material are generally used which - when the door is closed - are elastically compressed between, the door and a frame structure of the case.

In cases of the aforementioned type there is therefore the problem of ' ensuring the closing of the door and the adequate compression of the gasket.

Consequently, the present invention concerns a closing and gasket compression device for doors of display cases in which a sealing gasket is elastically compressed between the door and a frame structure of the case, comprising a main body intended for attachment to one of the door and the frame structure and a secondary body intended for attachment to the other of the two, characterised in that: the main body comprises: , a bόx-shaped casing with an inner sliding seat, - ' a cursor,., free to slide in the 'sliding seat, obile between two end positions, one closure position and the other opening position, a latch mounted on the cursor so as to protrude from the casing through a latch hole when the cursor is in closure position, an access opening to the sliding seat, through which it is possible to insert a cursor actuation tool to displace the cursor between its two operating positions; the secondary body comprises a receiving seat for the latch.

This device allows easy and secure closing of the 'doors, and ensures that the gasket is kept as the desired compression.

Further characteristics and advantages _. of a device according to the invention shall become clearer from the following ^' description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given with reference to the attached drawings . In such drawings : figure 1 is a perspective view of a display case in which two closing and gasket compression devices according to the invention are used; figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the closing and gasket compression devices applied to the case of figure 1, with the door open; figure 3 is a vertical section view of the device of figure 2; figure 4 is a horizontal section view of the device of figure 2;

- figure 5 is a perspective view of the device of figure 2, with the case closed; - figure 6 is a vertical section view of the device of figure 5; figure 7 is a horizontal section view of the device of figure 5; figure 8 is an exploded view of the main block of the device of figure 2; figure 9 is a view of the block of figure 8, mounted and in position with the door closed; figure 10 is a view of a variant of the latch of the block of figure ^'8.

In the figures, a display .case is wholly indicated with 1, co prising a base 2, a plurality of fixed walls 3 and at least one door 4. At the door 4, the case 1 comprises a fixed frame structure 5 on which the door 4 abuts, with the interposition of a gasket 6 of elastomeric material, which must be compressed when the door 4 is closed, in order to ensure the seal of the case 1; it should be noted that the particular door 4 illustrated (of the hinged type) is only an example, but - for the purposes of the. applicability of the present invention - it could be whatever other type (for example translating, sliding or totally removable) which requires the compression of a gasket.

Two closing and gasket compression devices 10, identical to each other, are applied to the case 1. The device 10 comprises two distinct bodies, a main body 11 and a secondary body 12, intended to be fixed one to the door 4, the other to the frame 5. In the illustrated example, the main body 11 is fixed to the frame 5 whereas the secondary body 12 is fixed to the door 4, but the opposite is of course possible.

The main body 11 comprises an elongated parallelepiped box- shaped casing 20, inside of which a longitudinal sliding seat 21 is formed, completely open on one side 19 of the casing 20. This seat 21 comprises two compartments 22 and 23, partially separated from each other by a partition 24; as can be seen above all in figures 3, 6 and 8, the partition 24 extends only for part of the width of the seat 21, without therefore interrupting it, but limiting itself to defining the two compartments 22 and 23.

In the seat 21 a cursor 30 is housed, formed from a flattened sled 31 equipped at the opposite ends with two heads 32 and 33, widened with respect to a side of the sled 31. The head 32 is housed in the compartment 22 and the head 33 is housed in the compartment 23. The cursor 30 is free to slide in the sliding seat 21, with the sled 31 not blocked by the partition 24, between two end positions: a closure position (visible in figures 6 and 9) and an opening position (visible in figures 3) .

The cursor 30 is equipped with two elements protruding in the longitudinal direction, a latch 35 fixed to the head 32 and a peg 36 fixed to the head 33. The latch 35 is cylindrical in shape, with a threaded inner end 37, screwed into a corresponding threaded hole 45 formed on the head 32. The peg 36 is cylindrical in shape, with a threaded inner end 38, screwed into a corresponding threaded hole 46 formed on the head 33. The peg 36 is more slender than the latch 35, i.e. is longer and thinner. The latch 35 illustrated in figures 1 to 9 is cylindrical in shape up to its outer end 39 (disregarding the normal chamfers typical of any mechanical piece) ; in a variant embodiment shown in figure 10, the outer end 39a of the latch 35 is, on the other hand, significantly chamfered, so as to take up a frusto-conical shape.

In the main body 11, the latch 35, in its motion together with the cursor 30, can protrude from the casing 20 through a suitable latch hole 25; in the same way the peg 36, in its motion together with the cursor 30, can protrude from the casing 20 through a suitable peg hole 26. When the cursor 30 is in closure position (figures 6 and 9) , the latch 35 protrudes from the casing 20, whereas the peg 36 does not protrude; vice-versa, when the cursor 30 is in opening position (figure 3) , the latch 35 does not protrude from the casing 20, whereas the peg 36 protrudes.

The main body 11 also comprises an opening 27, formed in the casing 20 on the side thereof opposite the open side 19 and facing the compartment 23. Correspondingly, the cursor 30 comprises a manoeuvring seat 40, in the form of a hole made in the sled 31 near to the head 33. Through the opening 27, it is thus possible to insert a suitable tool 7 to actuate the cursor 30 into sliding. The secondary body 12 is formed from a small block 50 equipped with a seat 51 for receiving the latch 35.

Both the casing 20 on its side 19, and the small block 50 are equipped with threaded holes for the assembly of the two bodies 11 and 12; in the figures 8 and 9 the holes 28 on the body 11 are visible, whereas the analogous holes on the body 12 are not visible in the figures.

In the case 1, the bodies 11 and 12 are respectively mounted on the frame 5 and on the door 4 so that when the door 4 is closed, with the gasket 6 adequately compressed so as to ensure the desired seal, the latch 35 and the seat 51 for receiving the latch are aligned.

To close an open door 4, it is necessary to exert pressure upon the door 4 (by hand or with other means) so that the gasket 6 is adequately compressed and therefore the seats 51 are aligned with the latches 35. Then, it is possible to easily act upon each of the devices 10 with the tool 7 so as to move all of the respective cursors 30 in closed position, so as to make each latch 35 engage correctly in its receiving seat 51.

After the devices 10 have been closed, it is possible to release the pressure on the door 4. The elastic reaction of the compressed gasket 6 ensures that the friction between the cylindrical latches 35 and the sides of the seats 51 does not allow the disengagement thereof. The closed state is thus maintained. In this state, the pegs 36 do not protrude from the bodies 11.

The possible protrusion of a peg 36 visibly indicates in a direct manner that the corresponding device 10 is open, allowing a quick intervention to close it once again.

It should be noted that with the variant of figure 10 the alignment of the latches 35 with the respective seats 51 is eased in the closing step of the door.

Claims

1. Closing and gasket compression device for doors of display cases in which a sealing gasket is elastically compressed between the door and a frame structure of the case, comprising a main' body intended for attachment to one of the door and the_ frame structure and a secondary body^' intended for attachment to the other of the two, characterised in that: the^'~main body comprises: a box-shaped casing with an inner sliding seat, a cursor free to slide in the _. sliding seat, mobile between two end positions, one closure position and the other opening position, a latch mounted on the cursor so as to protrude from the casing through a latch hole when the cursor is in closure position, an access opening to the sliding seat, through which it is possible to insert a cursor actuation tool to displace the cursor between its two operating positions; - the secondary body comprises a receiving seat for the latch. -. -

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the main body comprises an indicator peg mounted on the cursor in a position ^' opposite the latch, so as to protrude from the casing through a peg hole when the cursor is in opening position.

3. Device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein ^• the sliding seat comprises two compartments partially separated by a _. partition, and wherein the cursor comprises a flattened sled equipped at the opposite ends with two widened heads, each of such heads being housed in a respective one of the two compartments of the seat.

4. Device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the cursor has a manoeuvring seat, suitable for being engaged by the actuation tool of the cursor inserted through the access opening to the sliding -seat .

5. Device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the latch is cylindrically shaped.

6. Device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the latch has frusto-conical shaped ends. .