Opening and closing device for lift-up sliding doors and windows

An opening and closing device includes a roller unit (10) which movably contacts a rail (203b) of a support frame (203), a pane frame support unit (20) which is provided in a pane frame (205) and moves away from and approaches the roller unit, a handle (5), which is rotatably provided on a leading end of the pane frame wherein rotation of the handle moves the roller unit relative to the pane frame support unit which causes the pane frame support unit and the pane frame to move vertically relative to the roller unit.

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2005-0127054 filed on Dec. 21, 2005 and 10-2005-0058719 filed on Jun. 28, 2006, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates, in general, to opening and closing devices for lift-up sliding doors and windows and, more particularly, to an opening and closing device for lift-up sliding doors and windows which has improved structure and performance.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, lift-up sliding type doors and windows, which are used as relatively large doors and windows, such as patio doors connecting living rooms to balconies, have advantages in that the sliding motion for opening or closing can be smoothly and quietly conducted, airtightness and watertightness are ensured, and soundproofing and crime prevention effects are superior.

FIG. 1shows a representative example of such lift-up sliding type doors and windows. As shown inFIG. 1, a conventional lift-up sliding type door or window201includes a support frame203having an opening203a, a pane frame205which supports a sheet of pane glass205aand is slidably provided in the support frame203to openably close the support frame203, and an opening and closing device101which locks or releases the pane frame205, which slides to open or close.

In response to the rotation of a handle120provided at a predetermined position on the pane frame205, the opening and closing device101allows the pane frame205to slide along a rail203bof the support frame203while being spaced apart from the rail203b, or allows the pane frame205to come into close contact with the rail203bof the support frame203due to its own weight such that the pane frame205is prevented from sliding along the rail203b. The minimization of noise during the process of sliding the pane frame205, convenience of opening and closing manipulation, airtightness, watertightness, and soundproofing and crime prevention effects are determined by the performance of the opening and closing device101.

To achieve the above-mentioned purposes, recently, various techniques for improving opening and closing devices for lift-up sliding doors and windows have been developed. A representative example of such techniques was disclosed in Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0349119, shown inFIGS. 2 through 4.

As shown in the drawings, a conventional opening and closing device101for lift-up sliding doors and windows includes a pair of roller units110, which are provided in a lower end of a pane frame (205ofFIG. 1). The roller units110slide the pane frame205along a rail203bof a support frame203and move the pane frame205in directions away from or approaching the rail203b. The opening and closing device101further includes a handle120, which is rotatably provided in a leading end of the pane frame205, and a handle assembly130, which has a plurality of gears131and a gear link133for converting rotation of the handle120into linear motion and has a pull slider135. The opening and closing device101further includes an upper connection link140, which couples the gear link133to the handle assembly130, and a damping spring150, which absorbs shocks generated when the pane frame205vertically moves.

In the conventional opening and closing device101having the above-mentioned construction, when the handle120is rotated in one direction by manipulation of a user, the operating force is transmitted to the gear link133through the gears131, which are provided in the handle assembly130and engage with each other, and thus is converted into upward linear motion of the gear link133before being transmitted to the pull slider135, which is coupled to the gear link133.

Then, as shown inFIG. 4, the upper connection link140, which is coupled to the pull slider135, is moved upwards, so that a pane frame support member111of the roller unit110is moved away from rollers113. Thus, the pane frame205enters a slidable state, in which it is spaced apart from the rail203bof the support frame203.

At this time, the weight of the pane frame205is reduced by the damping spring150while the pane frame205is moved away from the rail203bof the support frame203. After the pane frame205enters the lifted state, the pull slider135is locked to a stopper137, thus maintaining the upper connection link140in the upward moved state, that is, maintaining the pane frame205in the state of being spaced apart from the rail203bof the support frame203. Thereafter, when the user releases the handle120, the gears131are rotated in the opposite direction by a spring, so that the handle120is returned to the initial position thereof.

Furthermore, when the pane frame support member111is moved upwards away from the rollers113, a guide roller173, which is provided on a support plate171, which rotatably supports the rollers113, is moved downwards along a linear lift guide slot175, which is formed at a lower position in the pane frame support member111at an incline.

Meanwhile, when a switch138of the handle assembly130is brought into contact with a striker160by closing the pane frame205and thus is pushed inwards, or when the switch138is forcibly pushed inwards to maintain a desired opened position of the pane frame205, the stopper137is operated through a switch link139in the unlocking direction. Thus, the pull slider135is released from the stopper137.

Then, as shown inFIG. 3, the upper connection link140, which is coupled to the pull slider135, is moved downwards, and the pane frame support member111of the roller unit110is moved towards the rollers113. Thus, the pane frame205is brought into close contact with the rail203bof the support frame203. As a result, the pane frame205enters the stationary state due to its own weight.

At this time, the weight of the pane frame205is damped by the damping spring150while the pane frame205is brought into contact with the rail203bof the support frame203. Furthermore, in the closed state, in which the pane frame205contacts the support frame203, a locking spring135aof the pull slider135engages with a locking protrusion (170ofFIG. 2) of the striker (160ofFIG. 2), which is fastened to the support frame203, so that the pane frame205is automatically locked. In the open state, the pane frame205is maintained at the opened position thereof by its own weight.

Furthermore, when the pane frame support member111is moved downwards towards the rollers113, the guide roller173, which is provided on the support plate171, which rotatably supports the rollers113, is moved upwards along the linear lift guide slot175, which is formed at a lower position in the pane frame support member111at an incline.

However, in the conventional opening and closing device for lift-up sliding doors and windows, a complex gear mechanism and a separate damping spring are required to reduce the operating force required to move the pane frame upwards and downwards away from and onto the rail of the support frame. Therefore, there is a problem in that the structure of the mechanism for reducing the operating force is very complex.

Furthermore, because the gear link and the pull slider are required for transmitting force from the gears to the upper connection link, the structure for operating the upper connection link is also complex.

As well, the structure for locking the pane frame, that is, the structure for locking and releasing the pull slider to and from the stopper, is also very complex.

As such, due to the complex structure of the device, the process of manufacturing the device is also complicated, and manufacturing costs thereof are increased.

Moreover, when the pane frame support member is moved upwards with respect to the rollers, the guide roller is linearly moved along the lift guide slot, which is formed at a lower position in the pane frame support member at an incline. Here, because the lift guide slot is linearly formed at an incline, the weight of the pane frame cannot be dispersed, but is continuously applied towards the lower end of the lift guide slot (in the direction of the arrow “H”, shown in the partially enlarged view ofFIGS. 3 and 4). Therefore, there is a problem in that the force required to rotate the handle and the force required to operate the gears, that is, the force required to open and close the pane frame, is increased.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an opening and closing device for lift-up sliding doors and windows which has a simple structure, so that the process of manufacturing it is simplified and the manufacturing costs thereof are reduced, and by which the force required for opening or closing a pane frame can be reduced, thus increasing manipulability.

Technical Solution

In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an opening and closing device for lift-up sliding doors and windows enabled a vertical including a roller unit in rolling contact with a rail provided in a lower end of a support frame, a pane frame support unit provided in a lower end of a pane frame and moving away from and approaching the roller unit in a vertical direction, a handle rotatably provided on a leading end of the pane frame, and a lift operating unit moving the pane frame support unit in a direction away from or towards the roller unit in response to rotation of the handle. The lift operating unit include: a lift operating bar provided in the leading end of the pane frame so as to be movable in a vertical direction, the lift operating bar being coupled to the roller unit, with a rack receiving slot, having a predetermined length, formed in the lift operating bar at a position adjacent to the handle; and a lift operating gear unit, comprising a drive gear coupled to the handle so that the drive gear is rotated by rotation of the handle, a driven gear increasing a rotating force of the drive gear, and a rack gear placed in the rack receiving slot of the lift operating bar so as to be movable in a vertical direction, the rack gear engaging with the driven gear and converting the rotating force into a linear motion force.

The driven gear may include a first driven gear engaging with the drive gear; and a second driven gear coaxially integrated with the first driven gear so that the second driven gear increases the rotating force of the first driven gear and transfers the rotating force to the rack gear.

The drive gear may be provided so as to be rotatable in opposite directions within a predetermined angular range, and gear teeth may be provided on a portion of a circumferential outer surface of the drive gear such that the drive gear engages with the driven gear at least within the angular range of rotation of the drive gear.

The angular range of rotation of the drive gear may be 45° or less.

The opening and closing device may further include a return spring biasing the drive gear in a direction in which the drive gear is returned to an initial position thereof.

Preferably, the opening and closing device may further include a locking control unit maintaining and releasing a lifted state of the lift operating bar.

Here, a stopper locking slot may be formed in the lift operating bar, and the locking control unit may include: a stopper releasably locked to the stopper locking slot; a stopper spring biasing the stopper in a direction in which the stopper is locked to the stopper locking slot; and a locking control switch protruding outside the pane frame towards the support frame so that, when the locking control switch is pushed inwards, a locked state of the stopper is released.

Alternatively, a stopper locking slot may be formed in the lift operating bar, and the locking control unit may include: a stopper releasably locked to the stopper locking slot; a stopper spring biasing the stopper in a direction in which the stopper is locked to the stopper locking slot; a stopper stop member maintaining and releasing a locked state of the stopper; a stop member spring biasing the stopper stop member in a direction in which the locked state of the stopper is maintained; and a locking control switch protruding outside the pane frame towards the support frame so that, when the locking control switch is pushed inwards, the locked state of the stopper is released.

The opening and closing device may further include a locking protrusion member, which has a fastening base part fastened to the support frame, a locking protrusion part protruding from the fastening base part towards the lift operating bar, and a locking head part provided on a distal end of the locking protrusion part. The lift operating bar may have, at a position corresponding to the locking protrusion member, a locking slot, which has a passing hole through which the locking head part passes and has a stop slot which extends upwards from the passing hole so that, when the lift operating bar is moved downwards, the locking head part is locked to the stop slot.

Furthermore, a locking guide surface, which is inclined from an upper end thereof to a lower end thereof towards the fastening base part, may be formed on a surface of the locking head part that faces the fastening base part.

Preferably, a lift guide slot having an upward curved arc shape may be formed in the pane frame support unit, and the roller unit may include a guide roller moving along the lift guide slot.

Here, the lift guide slot may include an upward curved section, which has a partial arc shape and extends a predetermined length from a lower end of the lift guide slot, and a horizontal section, which extends a predetermined length from an upper end of the upward curved section.

Alternatively, the lift guide slot may include an upward curved section, which has a partial arc shape and extends from a lower end to an uppermost position of the lift guide slot, and a curved seating end section, which extends downwards from the uppermost position of the upward curved section.

Advantageous Effects

As described above, the present invention provides an opening and closing device for lift-up sliding doors and windows which has a simple structure, so that the process of manufacturing it is simplified and the manufacturing costs thereof are reduced, and by which force required for opening or closing a pane frame can be reduced, thus increasing manipulability.

BEST MODE

FIG. 5is a perspective view of an opening and closing device1for lift-up sliding doors and windows, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 6is an enlarged perspective view showing a sliding lift unit3of the opening and closing device1.FIG. 7is an enlarged perspective view showing a lift manipulating unit7of the opening and closing device1. As shown in the drawings, the opening and closing device1for lift-up sliding doors and windows according to the present invention includes the sliding lift unit3, which is installed at a lower position in a pane frame205(see,FIG. 1) and supports the pane frame205on a rail203bof a support frame203such that the pane frame205can slide along the rail203band can be lifted upwards from and brought downwards to closely contact the rail203b, and the lift manipulation unit7, which operates the sliding lift unit3in response to the opening or closing operation of a handle5, which is provided at a predetermined position on the pane frame205.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the sliding lift unit3includes a roller unit10, which is in rolling contact with the rail203bof the support frame203, and a pane frame support unit20, which is coupled to the lower end of the pane frame205and is movable upwards and downwards, that is, in the directions in which the pane frame support unit20moves away from and approaches the roller unit10.

The roller unit10includes roller support plates11, at least one roller, which is rotatably coupled to the roller support plates11and is brought into rolling contact with the rail203bof the support frame203, and a guide roller15, which is rotatably coupled to the roller support plates11and moves along a lift guide slot25of the pane frame support unit20, which will be explained later herein.

Preferably, two roller units10are respectively provided at longitudinal front and rear positions in the lower end of the pane frame205. In this case, the opposite roller units10are connected to each other by a connection bar17. Furthermore, a lift link11ais rotatably coupled to the front ends of the roller support plates11of the roller unit10, which is disposed at the front position in the lower end of the pane frame205. The lift link11ais rotatably coupled at a front end thereof to a lift hinge27, which will be explained later herein.

The pane frame support unit20includes a support member21, which is coupled to the lower end of the pane frame, rail contact members23, which are integrally provided under the support member21, and a lift guide slot25, which guides the guide roller15of the roller unit10upwards and downwards.

Furthermore, a plurality of coupling holes21a, through which screws for coupling the supper member21to the pane frame205are inserted, are formed in the support member21. An upside-down U-shaped contact end23a, which can be brought into contact with and be spaced apart from the rail203b, is provided under the lower end of each rail contact member23. The lift guide slot25has an arc shape, which is curved upwards.

Here, because the lift guide slot25has an arc shape curved upwards, the roller unit10can be smoothly moved towards and away from the pane frame205in vertical directions using a minimum operating force.

In detail, while the guide roller15is moved from the lower end towards the upper end of the lift guide slot25, after the guide roller15passes over top dead center, which is designated by the character “A” inFIGS. 8 through 12, it is smoothly moved to and seated in the upper end of the lift guide slot25along the curved surface. Conversely, when the guide roller15is moved from the upper end towards the lower end of the lift guide slot25, after the guide roller15passes over top dead center “A”, it is smoothly moved to and seated in the lower end of the lift guide slot25along the curved surface by the weight of the pane frame205. That is, in the process in which the guide roller15is moved along the lift guide slot25, at the moment at which the guide roller15passes over the top dead center “A”, the weight of the pane frame205, which was in a distributed state, as shown by the character “a”, is applied in the direction in which the guide roller15is moved. Therefore, the pane frame205can be moved away from or towards the rail203bupwards or downwards using relatively small operating force.

Here, the lift guide slot25may have the following various shapes within the limitation that at least one section is curved upwards.

As shown inFIG. 13, it may be configured such that an upward curved section “B” having a partial arc shape is formed from the lower end to the top dead center “A” of a lift guide slot25′, and a horizontal section “C” is formed from the top dead center “A” to the upper end of the lift guide slot25′.

Thanks to this shape, when the guide roller15is moved upwards, that is, when the pane frame205is moved downwards and thus approaches the rail203b, the guide roller15can smoothly move along the horizontal section “C” after passing over the top dead center “A”, thus preventing the pane frame205from being abruptly moved downwards by its own weight.

Furthermore, when the guide roller15is moved downwards, that is, when the pane frame205is moved upwards and thus is moved away from the rail203b, the guide roller15can be moved from the horizontal section “C” of the lift guide slot25to the top dead center “A” using a relatively small operating force and, thereafter, can be smoothly moved along the upward curved section “B”, which is formed at a lower position of the lift guide slot25. Therefore, the operating force required for moving the pane frame205upwards, that is, the force required when a user manipulates the handle5, is minimized.

As shown inFIG. 14, a lift guide slot25″ may be configured such that an upward curved section “D” having a partial arc shape is formed from the lower end to the uppermost position of the lift guide slot25″, and a curved seating end section “E” extends downwards from the uppermost position of the upward curved section “D”. In this case, when the guide roller15is moved toward the upper end section of the lift guide slot25″, that is, the pane frame205is moved downwards and thus approaches the rail203b, the guide roller15can smoothly enter the downward seating end section “E” after passing over the top dead center “A”, thus preventing the pane frame205from abruptly moving downwards and minimizing the operating force required.

Meanwhile, the pane frame support unit20is coupled to the roller unit10such that they can be moved away from and towards each other. Preferably, at least two pane frame support units20are respectively provided at front and rear positions in the lower end of the pane frame205, in the same manner as the roller unit10.

Here, a lift hinge27is provided on the front end of the pane frame support unit20, which is disposed at the front position of the lower end of the pane frame205, so as to be rotatable downwards and forwards with respect to the pane frame205. In detail, the portion of the lift hinge27that is adjacent to the lower end of the pane frame205is rotatably coupled to a lift link11aof the roller unit10, and a lift connection arm29is rotatably coupled at a lower end thereof to a portion of the lift hinge27which is adjacent to the leading end of the pane frame205. The lift connection arm29is coupled at an upper end thereof to a lower end of a lift operating bar40, which will be explained later herein.

Therefore, when the lift operating bar40is moved upwards, the lift connection arm29rotates the lift hinge27from the lower end to the leading end of the pane frame205. Due to the rotation of the lift hinge27, the lift link11apulls the roller unit10. Then, the pane frame support unit20is moved away from the roller unit10.

Conversely, when the lift operating bar40is moved downwards, the lift connection arm29rotates the lift hinge27from the leading end to the lower end of the pane frame205. Due to the rotation of the lift hinge27, the lift link11apushes the roller unit10. Then, the pane frame support unit20approaches the roller unit10.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 7, the lift operating unit7includes a lift operating bar40, which is provided in the leading end of the pane frame205, which faces the support frame203, so as to be movable in a vertical direction, so that the sliding lift unit3is operated by the lift operating bar40. The lift operating unit7further includes an operating bar guide member90, which guides the vertical movement of the lift operating bar40, and a plurality of locking protrusion members50, which are provided on the inner surface of the support frame203which faces the lift operating bar40. The lift operating unit7further includes a lift operating gear unit60, which is provided in the leading end of the pane frame205and operates the lift operating bar40in a vertical direction in response to opening or closing manipulation of the handle5, and a locking control unit70, which prevents or allows upward movement of the lift operation bar40.

As described above, the lift operating bar40is coupled at the lower end thereof to the lift connection arm29of the sliding lift unit3. A stopper locking slot41and a rack receiving slot43are formed through the surface of the lift operating bar40at positions adjacent to the handle5. Furthermore, locking slots45are formed through the surface of the lift operating bar40at positions corresponding to respective locking protrusion members50, which are provided on the support frame203.

Here, the rack receiving slot43has a length greater than that of a rack gear67, which will be explained later herein. Each locking slot45includes a passing hole45a, which has a width greater than the size of a locking head part55of the associated locking protrusion member50, which will be explained later herein, such that locking head part55passes through the passing hole45a, and a stop slot45b, which extends upwards from the passing hole45aand has a predetermined width such that the locking head part55is stopped by the lift operating bar40.

As shown inFIG. 5, the operating bar guide member90is at least as long as the distance that the lift operating bar40is moved in a vertical direction. The operating bar guide member90includes an operating guide part91, which surrounds the lift operating bar40such that the lift operating bar40is movable in a vertical direction, and a coupling part93, which is coupled both to the leading end of the pane frame205, which faces the support frame203, and to a housing30of the lift operating gear unit60, which will be explained later herein.

Furthermore, locking protrusion passing holes95, corresponding to the respective locking protrusion members50, are formed through the surface of the operating guide part91, which faces the support frame203.

The operating bar guide member90guides vertical movement of the lift operating bar40and serves as a finishing member, which defines the exterior shape of the leading end of the pane frame205in which the lift operating bar40is installed.

Meanwhile, each locking protrusion member50integrally includes a fastening base part51, which is fastened to the support frame203, a locking protrusion part53, which protrudes from the fastening base part51towards the leading end of the pane frame205, in which the lift operating bar40is installed, and a locking head part55, which is provided on a distal end of the locking protrusion part53. Here, the thickness of the locking protrusion part53is less than the width of the stop slot45bof the associated locking slot45, and the thickness of the locking head part55is greater than the width of the stop slot45bbut is less than the width of the passing hole45a, so that the locking head part55can pass through the passing hole45a.

Preferably, a locking guide surface57, which is inclined from the upper end thereof to the lower end thereof towards the fastening base part51, is formed on the surface of the locking head part55which faces the fastening base part51. Thanks to this, when each locking protrusion member50is locked to a corresponding locking slot45, which is formed in the lift operating bar40, the lower end of the stop slot45bsmoothly moves along the locking guide surface57and thus the locking head part55is reliably held to the stop slot45bwithout interference from the locking protrusion part53, thus avoiding malfunction.

Meanwhile, the lift operating gear unit60and the locking control unit70are provided in the housing30, which is provided in the pane frame205around the position at which the handle5is disposed.

The lift operating gear unit60includes a drive gear61, which is rotated by rotating force from the handle5, a return spring63, which elastically biases the drive gear61in the direction in which the drive gear61is returned to the initial position thereof, a driven gear65, which engages with the drive gear61, and the rack gear67, which engages with the driven gear65, converts rotation of the handle5into linear motion force, and transmits this to the lift operating bar40.

The drive gear61is provided in the housing30so as to be rotatable within a predetermined angular range. A key hole61afor coupling the handle5to the drive gear61is formed in the drive gear61at a position facing the sidewall of the housing30. Here, gear teeth61bof the drive gear61may be formed within a rotating angular range only in a region in which the drive gear61engages with the driven gear65. Furthermore, it is preferable that the rotating angular range of the drive gear61be an angle of approximately 45°. This angular range corresponds to the angle by which the handle5is rotated when manipulated, which is an angle by which the user can easily conduct rotation of the handle5.

The return spring63is coupled at opposite ends thereof to a predetermined position on the circumferential outer surface of the drive gear61and to a predetermined position on the housing30adjacent to the circumferential outer surface of the drive gear61. When the user rotates the handle5, the return spring63is stretched by the rotation of the drive gear61. When the user releases the handle5, the return spring63elastically contracts and thus rotates the drive gear61to the initial position thereof. Therefore, even if no outside force is applied to the handle5, the handle5is returned to the initial position thereof.

The driven gear65includes a first driven gear65b, which engages with the drive gear61, and a second driven gear65a, which increases rotating force of the first driven gear65band transmits the rotating force to the rack gear67. Preferably, the first and second driven gears65band65aare integrated with each other. The driven gear65is rotatably provided in the housing30between the drive gear61and the rack gear67.

Gear teeth67a, which engage with the second driven gear65a, are provided on the surface of the rack gear67which faces the interior of the housing30. Furthermore, rack guides67bare provided on upper and lower ends of the rack gear67at positions facing the interior of the housing30and are slidably seated in rack guide grooves31, which are formed in the inner surface of the housing30. A portion of the rack gear67, which faces the lift operating bar40, is placed in the rack receiving slot43of the lift operating bar40so as to be movable in a vertical direction.

The rack gear67converts rotational kinetic energy, which is transmitted from the handle5through the drive gear61and the driven gear65by rotation of the handle5, into vertical linear kinetic energy, thus moving the lift operating bar40upwards.

That is, when the user rotates the handle5, the rotating force is transmitted to the rack gear67through the drive gear61and the driven gear65so that the rack gear67is moved upwards. Then, the upper end of the rack gear67is brought into contact with the upper end of the rack receiving slot43of the lift operating bar40and thus moves the lift operating bar40upwards.

Thereafter, when the user releases the handle5, the drive gear61and the driven gear65are rotated in the direction in which they are returned to initial positions thereof by the returning force of the drive gear61. Thus, the rack gear67is moved downwards. At this time, the lift operating bar40, which was moved upwards before the rack gear67was moved downwards, maintains the state of being held by a stopper71of the locking control unit70, and only the rack gear67is moved downwards.

Meanwhile, the locking control unit70includes the stopper71, which is removably stopped to the stopper locking slot41of the lift operating bar40, a stopper stop member73, which maintains and releases the stopped state of the stopper71, and a locking control switch75, which manipulates the stopper stop member73.

The stopper71includes a locking stop71a, to which the upper end of the stopper locking slot41of the lift operating bar40is stopped, and a locked state-maintaining stop71b, which is stopped by the stopper stop member73. Furthermore, the stopper71is constructed such that it is elastically rotated from the inside of the housing30towards the stopper locking slot41of the lift operating bar40by the elasticity of a stopper spring71c.

The stopper stop member73is disposed adjacent to the stopper71such that it is elastically rotated towards the locked state-maintaining stop71bof the stopper71by the elasticity of a stop member spring73a.

The locking control switch75is coupled at an inside end thereof to the stopper stop member73. The distal end of the locking control switch75passes through the stopper locking slot41of the lift operating bar40and protrudes outside the pane frame205. Here, preferably, the locking control switch75and the stopper stop member73are connected to each other through a link connection structure such that the stopper stop member73can be rotated by linear movement of the locking control switch75. To achieve the above purpose, an oblique link slot75bcorresponding to the rotational radius of the stopper stop member73is formed in the stopper stop member73, and a link pivot75a, which is movably inserted into the link slot75b, is provided on the inside end of the locking control switch75.

In the locking control unit70having the above-mentioned construction, when the locking control switch75is pushed inwards, the stopper stop member73is rotated inwards, so that the locked state between the stopper stop member73and the locked state-maintaining stop71bof the stopper71is released.

Meanwhile, as well as the above-mentioned construction, the locking control unit70may have the following construction. As shown inFIG. 15, a locking control unit70′ includes a stopper71′, which is removably stopped to a stopper locking slot41′ of a lift operating bar40′, a stopper spring71c′, which maintains the stopped state of the stopper71′, and a locking control switch75′, which releases the stopped state of the stopper71′.

In this case, a link slot75b′ is formed in an outer end of the stopper71′ (the lower end of the stopper as seen in the drawing), and a link pivot75a′ of the locking control switch75′ is movably inserted into the link slot75b′ of the stopper71′.

Here, the stopper spring71c′ must have sufficient elasticity to maintain the stopper71′ locked to the stopper locking slot41′ of the lift operating bar40′. As such, the structure of the locking control unit70′ can be simplified.

The operation of the opening and closing device for lift-up sliding doors according to the present invention having the above-mentioned construction will be explained herein below.

While the pane frame205closes an opening203aof the support frame203, the pane frame205is at a lower position, and the pane frame support unit20and the roller unit10are close to each other, as shown inFIG. 8.

At this time, the lift operating bar40is also in a descended state, and the contact ends23aof the rail contact members23of the pane frame support unit20contact the rail203band compress the rail203bdownwards using the weight of the pane frame.

Furthermore, the locking control switch75of the locking control unit70is in a pushed state because it is in contact with the support frame203. Thus, the stopper stop member73and the stopper71are in states of being rotated in the directions in which the lock is released. The locking heads55of the locking protrusion members50, which are provided on the support frame203, are in states of being locked to the respective stop slots45bof the locking slots45of the lift operating bar40. Therefore, the pane frame205is in a locked state.

Furthermore, the drive gear61of the lift operating gear unit60is at the initial position thereof, and the rack gear67is in a lower position of the rack receiving slot43of the lift operating bar40. The guide roller15of the roller unit10is in the upper end of the lift guide slot25of the pane frame support unit20.

In this state, to open the pane frame205, when the user rotates the handle5in the direction in which the pane frame205is opened, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, the drive gear61coupled to the handle5is rotated. Then, the second driven gear65ais rotated by the rotation of the first driven gear65b, which engages with the drive gear61. Thus, the rack gear67is linearly moved upwards.

While the rack gear67is moved upwards, the upper end of the rack gear67pushes the lift operating bar40upwards by contacting the upper end of the rack receiving slot43of the lift operating bar40.

As such, when the lift operating bar40is moved upwards, the lift connection arm29, which is coupled to the lower end of the lift operating bar40, rotates the lift hinge27of the pane frame support unit20from the lower end of the pane frame205towards the leading end of the pane frame205. Due to the rotation of the lift hinge27, the lift link11apulls the roller unit10. At this time, the guide roller15of the roller unit10is moved towards the lower end of the lift guide slot25of the pane frame support unit20. Thereby, the pane frame support unit20is moved away from the roller unit10.

Then, the contact ends23aof the rail contact members23of the pane frame support unit20are spaced apart from the rail203bof the support frame203so that none of the weight of the pane frame205is transferred to the rail203bthrough the contact members23. Therefore, the rollers13are able to roll on the rail203bof the support frame203, so that the pane frame205enters an openable state. Here, when the user releases the handle5at a desired position at which the pane frame205is open, the return spring63of the drive gear61is elastically contracted, thus returning the drive gear61to the initial position thereof. At this time, the handle5is also returned along with the drive gear61to the initial position thereof even if no force is applied to the handle5.

Furthermore, when the lift operating bar40is moved upwards, the locking protrusion part53and the locking head part55of each locking protrusion member50are placed at the passing hole45aof each locking slot45of the lift operating bar40, thus the locked state of the pane frame205is released.

Subsequently, when the pane frame205is moved in the direction in which the window is opened, as shown inFIG. 10, the stopper71and the stopper stop member73are rotated in the directions in which they are locked by the elasticity of the stopper spring71cand the stop member spring73a, so that the locking stop71aof the stopper71is locked to the upper end of the stopper locking slot41of the lift operating bar40and, simultaneously, the stopper stop member73is locked to the locked state-maintaining stop71bof the stopper71, thus the lift operating bar40maintains the lifted state. Furthermore, the locking control switch75of the locking control unit70, which was pushed inward by contact with the support frame203, is protruded outwards from the lift operating bar40by the rotation of the stopper stop member73in the locking direction.

Meanwhile, as shown inFIG. 11, when the user desires to maintain the opened state of the pane frame205at a desired position, the user pushes the locking control switch75of the locking control unit70. Thereby, as shown inFIG. 12, the stopper stop member73is rotated in the direction in which it is unlocked, so that the locked state of the stopper71is released. Then, the lift operating bar40is moved downwards by the weight of the pane frame205, so that the pane frame support unit20approaches the roller unit10. At this time, the contact ends23aof the rail contact members23of the pane frame support unit20are brought into contact with the rail203bof the support frame203and compress the rail203busing the weight of the pane frame205, thus preventing the pane frame205from sliding on the rail203b. Therefore, the pane frame205maintains the opened state. In the above process, the guide roller15of the roller unit10smoothly moves upwards along the lift guide hole25of the pane frame support unit20, thus preventing the pane frame205from abruptly moving downwards.

Thereafter, when the user again rotates the handle5to slide the pane frame205, as described above, the pane frame support unit20is spaced apart from the roller unit10by the upward movement of the lift operating bar40and by the operation of maintaining the lifted state thereof, so that the pane frame205becomes slidable.

Meanwhile, when the pane frame205, which has been in the opened state, is closed, as shown inFIG. 8, the locking control switch75of the locking control unit70is brought into contact with the support frame203and thus is pushed inwards. Thus, the locking state of the stopper71is released, and the lift operating bar40is moved downwards. Thereby, the locking head parts55of the locking protrusion members50are locked to the respective stop slots45bof the locking slots45of the lift operating bar40and, simultaneously, the pane frame support unit20moves downwards and approaches the roller unit10. Therefore, the pane frame205closes the opening203aof the support frame203and automatically enters the locked state.

As such, in the opening and closing device for lift-up sliding doors and windows frame according to the present invention, the drive gear is rotated by rotation of the handle, and the rotational force of the drive gear is converted into linear kinetic energy through the driven gear and the rack gear. The linear kinetic energy directly moves the lift operating bar upwards. Therefore, the gear mechanism for operation of the lift operating bar is greatly simplified.

Furthermore, because the guide roller of the roller unit moves along the lift guide slot of the sliding lift unit, which has a partial arc shape that is curved upwards, the pane frame can be moved away from or towards the rail using a minimum operating force.

As well, because the stopper of the locking control unit is directly locked to or released from the stopper locking slot of the lift operating bar, the structure for locking the pane frame can be simplified.

Thanks to the above-mentioned advantages, the structure of the opening and closing device is greatly simplified, and the number of elements thereof is markedly reduced. Therefore, the process of manufacturing the device is simplified and the manufacturing costs thereof are reduced.