GB2301945A

GB2301945A - Strengthened external stations for intercom systems

Info

Publication number: GB2301945A
Application number: GB9610931A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ernesto Santini
Original assignee: BTicino SpA
Current assignee: BTicino SpA
Priority date: 1995-06-05
Filing date: 1996-05-24
Publication date: 1996-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-24
Also published as: FR2734982A3; ITMI950395U1; ITMI950395V0; ES1035788U; DE29609978U1; FR2734982B3; GB9610931D0; BE1009132A6; IT236938Y1; ES1035788Y; PE4697Z; GB2301945B; MX9602125A

Abstract

The invention provides a pushbutton unit (30) of the flush-mounted or wall-resting type, in particular for external stations of intercom and video-intercom systems, comprising a convex front plate (10) on the inside of which there is a housing (25, Fig.3, not shown) for containing the electrical and electronic component modules. To strengthen the structure (28) of the pushbutton unit (30) against vandalism there are provided two metal ties (22, 22A, Fig.3) positioned within the housing (25) and which when in use constitute, together with two frontal fillets (11, 11A), a rigid impact-resistant assembly and also preserve the appearance of the pushbutton unit (30) itself; ribs (26, 26A, Fig.3) provided on the sides (17, 17A) of the structure (28) further strengthen the faceplate (27) and the front plate (10). Electronic modules are carried on the faceplate (27), which is attached to the front plate (10) via screws (24, Fig.3).

Description

SINGLE-BLOCK PUSHBUTTON UNIT FOR HOUSING ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS OF MODULAR VERSION, IN PARTICULAR FOR EXTERNAL STATIONS OF INTERCOM AND VIDEO-INTERCOM SYSTEMS This invention relates to a single-block pushbutton unit, of the flush-mounted or wall-resting type, in particular for external stations of intercom and video-intercom systems.

Pushbutton units for external stations of intercom and videointercom systems are currently known, consisting of a frame (flush-mounted into the wall or resting on the wall), covered with a front plate housing the name-strips and the pushbuttons for calling the various floors.

Pushbutton units of sectional structure are also known, consisting of modular elements inserted directly into the frames of flushmounted boxes. The modular elements are provided with a terminal block, lighting members, a series of pushbuttons, a series of name-strip carriers accessible from the outside, and perspex strips on which to engrave names.

Starting from the modular elements and the relative flush-mounted boxes, different configurations in the horizontal or vertical sense can be obtained.

In this respect, the installer combines several modules together by operating directly on the external station of the system. The frame is formed from parallel bars which support the modular elements in superposed positions, and can be broken into different lengths depending on the number of said constituent elements of the pushbutton unit.

Although this structure enables the number of intercom and videointercom appliances installed to be varied by using modular elements identical in dimensions and geometry, it has certain drawbacks, the main one being its relative fragility in case of vandalism.

In this respect the pushbutton unit, which is housed in the external station of the system, is divided into various modular elements, each of which, depending on the version, comprises a variable number of call pushbuttons and relative name-strips.

It is clear that increasing the number of modular elements and hence the number of divisions in the front plate decreases the overall rigidity of the station in the case of tampering, violent blows or acts of vandalism.

In addition, the structure of known pushbuttor units is complicated and requires the manufacture and storage of numerous pieces, which are assembled directly on site by the installing technician, with consequent cost increase in terms of material used and manpower, which has to be qualified and specialized in combining several modular elements on the basis of the dimensions of the external station of the system and the number of intercom and video-intercom units provided.

An object of the present invention is to obviate the aforesaid drawbacks by providing a single-block pushbutton unit, of the flush-mounted or wall-resting type, in particular for external stations of intercom and video-intercom systems, which within one and the same structure combines the advantages deriving from modularity of the electrical and electronic operating components (installation flexibility due to the fact that elements of standard dimensions and geometry are combined, rapidity of assembly and rapidity of maintenance and parts replacement) with substantial strength, in order to discourage acts of vandalism or tampering attempts against the external station.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pushbutton unit having a structure which preserves both its appearance and its operability (in terms of operating life and reliability).

A further object of the invention is to provide a pushbutton unit which simplifies and facilitates installation, such that it can be carried out by random unqualified users.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pushbutton unit of simple and economical construction, without the use of complex or costly techniques.

These and further objects are attained by the single-block pushbutton unit of the present invention, in accordance with claim 1.

Advantageously, the single-block pushbutton unit according to the invention comprises a rough front plate of bright metal (for example aluminium) covered with a thin silver film, and provided with two fillets of bright metal (aluminium in the illustrated embodiment), covered with a gold film.

The fillets are positioned vertically, parallel to the major sides of the pushbutton unit on opposite sides thereof, they having the double purpose of strengthening the plate and decorating the structure of the pushbutton unit.

Two metal ties are provided in the internal housing in correspondence with said fillets, to the sides of a mazak faceplate to further strengthen the assembly.

The front plate is convex and is bent on itself along the major sides. In the curvature regions it comprises support ribs.

Finally, the electrical and electronic component modules are assembled together within the internal housing and are applied to the faceplate by a mechanical snap-fixing system.

This assembly is done by the component manufacturer during a pushbutton unit production cycle, so that the user is able to order from the factory the entire pushbutton unit which, having left the factory, is immediately ready for installation in the external station of the intercom or video-intercom system, in accordance with the specific methods and geometrical dimensions requested.

This avoids the problem of having to obtain specialized costly labour for installing (and assembling) the pushbutton unit on site at the external station.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the single-block pushbutton unit, illustrated by way of non-limiting example on the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the pushbutton unit according to the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the pushbutton unit of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the internal housing of the pushbutton unit of Figure 1.

In the said figures, the reference numeral 30 indicates the single-block pushbutton unit overall, 10 indicates the front plate of convex profile, and 28 indicates the structure of the pushbutton unit 30, which is curved and ribbed along its two major sides 17, 17A. The ribs are indicated by 26, 26A.

The reference numeral 12 indicates the seat provided for the protection glass for the telecamera lens (in the case of videointercom systems), 13 indicates a series of holes positioned in correspondence with the loudspeaker module and duly protected against the action of atmospheric agents, 14 indicates a further hole positioned in correspondence with the microphone 14A and also duly protected against the action of atmospheric agents, 15 indicates a series of hemispherical pushbuttons used for calling the various floors and illuminated if the external light is insufficient, and 16 indicates the name-strips, accessible from the outside.

The holes 13, 14 are provided on the outside with a curved visortype cover so that any rain reaching the external station slides 10 vertically along the plate/without lingering at said holes 13, 14, with the risk of penetrating into the electrical and electronic system modules, with evident possibility of damage.

This avoids the need to construct anti-rain canopies above the pushbutton unit 30 in correspondence with the upper crosspiece 18 (for flush-mounted versions) or canopied housings (for wallresting versions).

The fillets 11, 11A strengthen the structure 28 of the pushbutton unit 30, which is completed by upper and lower covering crosspieces 18, 18A respectively.

Within the inner housing 25 there is provided a faceplate 27, on which the electrical and electronic component modules required for the operation of the intercom or video-intercom system are snapfitted.

The faceplate 27 is fixed to the structure 28 by screws 24 and carries a plate portion 21 provided with slots 13A for the passage of the voice from the loudspeaker to the outside, a number of name-strip holders 16A equal to the number of name-strips 16, a microphone 14A, a panel 20 supporting the telecamera protection glass, and a series of holes 15A forming the slide seats for the pushbuttons 15 and which receive their hemispherical heads at the moment in which said pushbuttons 15 are pressed for calling the various floors.

These seats are provided with preloaded springs (not shown), the purpose of which is to return the hemispherical head of said pushbuttons 15 to the outside each time they are released after having been pressed for calling purposes.

Laterally to the housing 25, along the major sides 17, 17A of the pushbutton unit 30 in correspondence with the two frontal fillets 11, 11A, there are provided two ties 19, 19A provided with fixing and centering means 22, 22A, which support the structure 28 and strengthen it against impact.

The lower covering crosspiece 18A is provided with recesses 23, 23A shaped to facilitate the mounting of the plate 10 on the external station (during installation of the pushbutton unit 30) and to facilitate access to the electrical and electronic component modules within the internal housing 25, for maintenance and/or repair.

The pushbutton unit 30 of the invention is hence based on several system operating modules, which are inserted by aligning them horizontally or vertically directly within the internal housing 25.

Moreover, starting from the standard configuration of said pushbutton unit 30, the most varied combinations of more than one pushbutton unit 30 of the same type can be achieved, connected together by suitable spacers, so providing a greater number of name-strips 16 on the external station of the system.

In this manner innumerable arrangements can be achieved, able to satisfy the most varied client requirements (intercom system, video-intercom system, single-family house, firm, large condominium, large residential complex).

According to the present invention, the pushbutton unit 30 is constructed of impact, time and weather-resistant metal and has a structure which preserves both its appearance and its operability and reliability.

The installation is completed by a bezel (not shown), positioned along the entire perimeter of the external station, which covers, flush with the wall, any apertures remaining after its flushmounted.

A rubber gasket (also not shown) is inserted between said bezel and the structure 28 of the pushbutton unit 30 along the sides 17, 17A and along the covering crosspieces 18, 18A against water infiltration.

It is apparent that the materials and dimensions of the invention as described heretofore, as illustrated on the accompanying drawings and as hereinafter claimed, can be chosen at will according to requirements.

It is also apparent that all details can be replaced by others technically equivaient and that numerous modifications can be made by the expert of the art to the single-block pushbutton unit of the present invention, but without leaving the scope of protection of the following claims.

Claims

1. A single-block pushbutton unit (30) for housing electrical and electronic components of modular version, of the type in particular for external stations of intercom and video-intercom systems, comprising: - a front plate (10), on the inside of which there is provided at least one housing (25) for containing the electrical and electronic component modules forming the intercom system; - a plurality of pushbuttons (15) for calling the various floors; - a plurality of name-strips (16), on which names are written; - a plurality of first holes (13) positioned in correspondence with that electrical and/or electronic component module containing the system loudspeaker; - at least one second hole (14) positioned in correspondence with that electrical and/or electronic component module(l4A) containing the system microphone;; - crosspieces (18, 18A) for covering the housing (25), positioned at the top and bottom of the housing (25), at least one of said crosspieces (18A) comprising at least one recess (23, 23A) for the fixing to the wall or for the flush-mounting, said recess (23, 23A) being arranged to facilitate access to the electrical and electronic component modules of said housing (25); - at least one faceplate (27) positioned within the housing (25) and fixed to the structure (28) of the pushbutton unit (30) by fixing means (24!, and on which there are fitted: the electrical and electronic component modules; the name-strip holders (16A) for containing the name-strips (16); at least one plate portion (21) provided with slots (13A), in correspondence with which there is located that electrical and/or electronic component module containing the system loudspeaker, characterised in that said faceplate (27) comprises at least two ties (19, 19A) located laterally on opposite sides of said housing (25) and fixed by tightening and centering means (22,22A) said front plate (10) being provided with at least two stiffening fillets (11, 11A) positioned laterally on opposite sides of said name-strips (16) for the purpose of strengthening the structure (28) of the pushbutton unit (30), said structure (28) also being bent along at least two sides (17, 17A), the fold thus obtained being provided with ribs (26, 26A).

2. A single-block pushbutton unit (30) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said front plate (10) has a convex profile.

3. A single-block pushbutton unit (30) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said plate (10) and said stiffening fillets (11, 11A) are constructed of bright metal.

4. A single-block pushbutton unit (30) as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said plate (10) has a rough surface coated with a film layer of silver, said stiffening fillets (ll,llA) having a surface coated with a film layer of gold.

5. A single-block pushbutton unit (30) as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said plate (10) has a rough surface coated with a film layer of gold, said stiffening fillets (11,11A! having a surface coated with a film layer of silver.

6. A single-block pushbutton unit (30) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said faceplate (27) is constructed of zinc aluminium alloy, with a high zinc content (mazak).

7. A single-block pushbutton unit (30) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said front plate (10) comprises at least one circular third hole provided with protection glass (12) in correspondence with the lens of at least one telecamera present in the external station of the intercom or video-intercom system.

8. A single-block pushbutton unit (30) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said pushbuttons (15) are of hemispherical shape and are housed in seats provided with means which return the pushbuttons (15) to their initial position after they have been pressed.

9. A single-block pushbutton unit (30) as claimed in claim 1 or 8, characterised in that said pushbuttons (15) and said namestrips (16) are illuminated from the interior of the housing (25) if the external station is under conditions of poor visibility.

10. A single-block pushbutton unit (30) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that each of said first holes (13) and said second hole (14) are provided with a curved cover of visor type, such that dust and/or rain and/or other atmospheric agents flow away along the plate (10) of said pushbutton unit (30) with the result that the electrical and electronic component modules present in the interior of said housing (25) are protected from said inclement weaver.

11. A single-block pushbutton unit (30) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said electrical and electronic component modules are of plastics construction and are fitted to said faceplate (27) by snap action via coupling means.

12. A single-block pushbutton unit (30) as claimed in claim 1 or 11, characterised in that said electrical and electronic component modules are assembled together in the inside of the housing (25) by the manufacturer of said pushbutton unit (30) during the production cycle, so that the user can order directly from the factory the entire pushbutton unit (30) ready for installation in the external station of the intercom or videointercom system in accordance with the specific methods and geometrical dimensions required.

13. A single-block pushbutton unit (30) in accordance with the present description and the accompanying drawings.