DEVICE FOR TURNABLE AND SLIDABLE SUSPENSION OF PLATES

Abstract: A device for turnable and slidable suspension of sheet-like elements comprises a coupling member (100) which is supported by a rail and has an elongate groove (101) in essentially the same direction as the rail, and a coupling pin which is non-rotationally arranged on the sheet-like element coinciding with its pivot axis and which is slidable in the groove of the coupling member. The groove of the coupling member has an inclined lateral cam surface (102) and at least one essentially part-circular recess (104), with a centre axis (E) which is essentially parallel to the pivot axis of the sheet-like element, in the inclined lateral surface (102). The coupling pin has a cylindrical surface with a centre axis which is essentially parallel to the pivot axis of the sheet-like element, the cylindrical surface having a bevelled portion of a shape which is essentially the same as the cam shape of the lateral surface in the groove of the coupling member, the coupling pin and the coupling member being adapted to engage each other when the sheet-like element is turned relative to the rails.

Description: DEVICE FOR TURNABLE AND SLIDABLE SUSPENSION OF PLATES Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for turn- able and slidable suspension of sheet-like elements, which are slidably supported by at least one rail and which are turnable about a pivot axis which is fixed relative to the sheet-like element. The device comprises a coupling member which is supported by said rail and has an elongate groove m essentially the same direction as the rail, and a coupling pm which is non-rotationally arranged on the sheet-like element so as to coincide with the pivot axis and which is slidable m the groove of the coupling member, the coupling pm and the coupling member being adapted to engage each other when the sheet-like element is turned relative to the rail . Background Art A device of the type stated by way of introduction is known from Patent Specification WO 94/09238, m which a sliding element system, with guide wheels at the upper rail and a supporting wheel at the lower rail, for sus- pension of wmdowpanes is described. For the lower wheel to follow the correct path, a groove is formed the lower rail . The forming of the lower wheel so as to have a rounded running tread engaging the edges of the groove and so as to be non-rotating relative to the wmdowpane results m the property that, when opening the window, the wheel is turned relative to the groove, which causes the wheel to rise. This motion is used to let a pm adjacent to the upper wheel enter a hole m the upper rail . When the pm is positioned m the hole and the lower wheel is arranged transversely the rail, these two elements are locked relative to the longitudinal direction of the rails, which means that the wmdowpane cannot tilt when m the open position. Without such locking, the wmdowpane would tilt by the upper part of the wmdowpane, owing to the weight of the wmdowpane which causes a moment relative to the suspension from the rails m the plane of the wmdowpane, sliding along the upper rail and the lower part of the wmdowpane sliding along the lower rail. This construction necessitates a large number of components, which makes the solution expensive. Moreover, when using this construction, there is a great risk that, when opening the wmdowpane by turning, the wmdowpane is turned upwards to a position m which the pm does not coincide with a hole, which results m a risk that the entire supporting structure is damaged or the wmdowpane is broken . A further prior art device of the type stated by way of introduction is disclosed m WO 92/17673 and WO 93/08355. These two specifications disclose a device with a coupling member which is attached to an upper rail and chisel-like pm of rectangular cross-section, which is attached to the wmdowpane which is slid gly and turnably suspended between the upper rail and a lower rail. The coupling member has an elongate groove which is slightly broader than the smallest dimension of the chisel and extends through the coupling member m the longitudinal direction of the rail. A number of circular recesses are formed along the groove. Each of these circular recesses accommodates a turnable sleeve, which is formed with a groove which m a certain direction of rotation of the sleeve coincides with the groove of the coupling member. When the chisel is made to slide the groove of the coupling member, with one of its short sides m the sliding direction, it also passes through the groove m each of the sleeves. The largest dimension of the chisel is slightly smaller than the diameter of the turning sleeve and the recess. Thus, when the chisel merely rests against the rail mside a turning sleeve, it is possible to open the wmdowpane by turning the same round the chisel and the axis that forms. The number of components m this device is large, and narrow tolerances are necessary m respect of the mounting of the rails for the device to work m a satisfactory manner. Also m connection with this construction, there is a great risk that the rail or the coupling device is damaged if the chisel is not arranged so as to coincide exactly with the turning sleeve. Great forces arise since the user utilises a great lever when grasping the wmdowpane and the coupling device has ust extremely small levers since the profile of the rail must accommodate all the components . A problem which is common to these two constructions thus is that there is a risk of breaking the rail or the coupling device by turning if the wmdowpane is not arranged m the correct position. Furthermore they necessitate narrow mounting tolerances and they are composed of a large number of components. As a result, it will be expensive to manufacture and mount the wmdowpanes and there is no space for absorbing settlements m the building structure or wear on the components included the construction. Summary of the Invention The object of the invention is to solve the problems described above and thus provide a device for slidable and turnable suspension of sheet-like elements, which is simple and robust . This object is achieved by a device which is of the type described by way of introduction and characterised m that the groove of the coupling member has an inclined, lateral cam surface, that the coupling member has at least one essentially part-circular recess m the m- clmed lateral surface, the recess having a centre axis which is essentially parallel to the pivot axis of the sheet-like element, that the coupling pm has a cylmdri- cal surface with a centre axis which is essentially parallel to the pivot axis of the sheet-like element, and that the cylindrical surface of the coupling pm has a bevelled portion having a shape which is essen- tially the same as the cam shape of the lateral surface m the groove of the coupling member, the coupling member and the coupling pm being arranged to be relatively dis- placeable when the coupling pm is turned m such manner that the inclined lateral surface m the groove and the bevelled portion of the coupling pm abut against each other, and to engage each other when the cylindrical surface of the coupling pm, during turning of the sheetlike element, engages the part-circular recess of the coupling member. By forming the coupling member and the coupling pm with cylindrical surfaces which are turned relative to each other about a common axis, the device will be very stable and robust. Only a small angle of turning is necessary before the coupling pm of the device engages the coupling member. The inclined cam surface and the corresponding bevelled portion make it possible to displace the cylindrical surfaces relative to each other m the direction along the rail when the coupling pm is correctly aligned. The cutting edge forming between the inclined cam surface and the part-circular recess will have such a shape that the bevelled portion of the coupling pm and, thus, the coupling pm are affected towards the centre of the recess if one tries to turn the sheet-like element upwards without the coupling pm being perfectly aligned with a recess. As the coupling pm is being turned, with the bevelled portion abutting against the cutting edge, a surface with an ever increasing circumference will abut against the cutting edge, which makes it necessary, from considerations of space, to move the coupling pm to a position where the entire circumference can be accommodated, i.e. closer and closer to a position where the centre axes of the coupling p and the recess coincide. This means that the device by itself takes an incorrect position of the sheet-like element at the stage of upwards turning into consideration and compensates for the same. This eliminates the risk that the rail or some other component is broken by turning. Preferred embodiments are evident from the dependent claims . Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described m more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings which for exemplification illustrates currently preferred embodiments of the invention. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the coupling member. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the coupling pm seen obliquely from above. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the coupling pm seen obliquely from below. Fig. 4 is a side view of the coupling pin. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the coupling pm. Fig. 6 illustrates how the coupling pm cooperates with the coupling member m three different upward turning positions. Fig. 7 shows how the coupling member and the coup- lmg pm, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, are adapted to be mounted m the rail. Fig. 8 shows how the coupling member and the coupling pm are adapted to be mounted m the rail. Fig. 9 shows three sheet-like elements suspended between two rails. Fig. 10 is a top plan view of how a sheet-like element is opened by being turned about its pivot axis. Description of a Preferred Embodiment As is evident from Fig. 1, the coupling member 100 is formed with a groove 101, which extends through the entire coupling member 100 and has an essentially constant width F m its longitudinal direction. The groove 101 has a lateral surface 102 which is inclined, and a lateral surface 103 which is straight. In the inclined lateral surface 102 there are part-circular recesses 104, which are equidistantly spaced from each other at a dis- tance A along the groove 101 (see Fig. 6) . The recesses 104 have a centre axis E which is perpendicular to the extension of the groove and perpendicular to the base 106 of the groove and a circular extension which is about one third of an entire circumference. Figs 2-5 show that the coupling pm 200 has a cylindrical head 201 and a cylindrical shank 202, the diameter Dl of the head 201 being greater than the diameter D2 of the shank. The head 201 is formed with a plane, inclined bevelled portion 203 which has a shape corresponding to the inclined lateral surface 102 m the groove 101 of the coupling member 100. The bevelled portion 203 is formed m such manner the head 201 has a portion B which extends along the longitudinal axis C of the coupling pm 200 and which has a complete circle diameter Dl . Moreover, the bevelled portion 203 cuts the upper side 204 of the head 201 on that side of the centre axis C on which the coupling pm 203 is positioned at a distance D from the centre axis C. The bevelled portion 203 is angled at an angle α=45° m relation to the centre axis C of the coup- ling pm 200. The bevelled portion 203 is positioned at one end of the coupling pm 200 and the shank 202 is positioned at the other end. As is evident from Fig. 6, the coupling pm 200 is slidable m the groove 101 of the coupling member 100 when the coupling pm 200 is oriented m such manner that the bevelled portion 203 of the head 201 abuts against the inclined lateral surface 102 of the groove 101. The abutment surfaces of the two inclined surfaces 102, 203 are large owing to this design, which makes the construc- tion very strong and stable. When the coupling pm 200 has been displaced m the groove 101 m such manner that the coupling pm 200 is aligned with one of the recesses 104 m the coupling member 100, the coupling pm can be turned about its centre axis C. The centre axis E of the recesses 104 and the centre axis C of the coupling pm 200 are parallel with each other during the entire movement and the cylindrical inner surface 110 of the part-circular recess 104 then cooperates with the cylindrical surface 206 of the head 201 of the coupling pm 200, which results m a very stable engagement. If the coupling pm 200 is arranged m the vicinity of a recess 104 and one tries to turn the coupling pm 200, the bevelled portion 203 will cooperate with the edge 105 which is defined by the inclined surface 102 and the recesses 104 and move the head 201 of the coupling pm 200 into the recess 104. This results in a play of forces which resembles meshing. The inclined surface 102 extends upwards from the base 106 of the groove 101 so far as to extend past the recesses 104, thus forming a space for the portion B of the head 201 of the coupling pm 200 with an entire cylindrical surface. The coupling member 100 also has a plate 107, which can be arranged on the coupling member 100 or be integrated therewith. The plate 107 has a lower engaging sur- face which engages the surface 205 which is defined on the coupling pm 200 by the underside of the head 201 owing to the fact that the head 201 has a diameter Dl greater than the diameter D2 of the shank 202. The engagement of this surface 205 with the plate 107 prevents the head 201 of the coupling pm 200 from being moved away from the groove 101 m a direction which is parallel to its centre axis C. In the above-mentioned upwards turning of the coupling pm 200 m the vicinity of a recess 104, the play of forces m fact also causes a power component parallel to the centre axis C of the coupling pm 200. The plate 107 extends m such manner that its edge engages the shank 202 of the coupling pm 200 and thus guides the coupling pm 200 so that its centre axis C is all the time kept parallel with the centre axes E of the recesses. The plate 107 can also be supplemented with a corresponding plate (not shown) from the other direction of the groove . The lateral surface 103 which is straight, i.e. perpendicular to the base 106 of the groove 101, can be completely plane but can also be wave-shaped. The wave formations 108 are arranged along the extension of the groove 101 so as to result m a wider groove 101 opposite to the portions where the recesses 104 cause the narrowest width of the groove 101. The above-described locking device preventing turning is adapted to be used for slidable and turnable suspension of sheet-like element, such as wmdowpanes for balconies, glazed verandas or the like. As is evident from Figs 9 and 10, a number of wm- dowpanes 302 are m their four corners slidably suspended between an upper and a lower rail 300, 600. The locking device is arranged m one of the upper corners, but can also be arranged m two corners on the same side or even m all four corners. If it should be possible to open the wmdowpane about only one of the side edges, it is m most cases sufficient to have a locking device m the upper corner on this side. This is due to the fact that m most cases the wmdowpane 302 is opened by turning when it has been displaced to abut against one end of the rails 300, 600. Owing to the weight of the wmdowpane 302, the upper part of the wmdowpane 302 strives towards that part of the wmdowpane 302 which is turned out of the rails 300, 600, and the lower part of the wmdowpane 302 strives away from that part of the wmdowpane 302 which is turned out of the rails 300, 600, i.e. at the lower rail, the abut- ment against the end of the rail 600 and, nus, also the position are maintained. In the lower corners 303, 304, the w dowpane 302 rests on two ball castors running along a path m the lower rail 600. At the upper rail 300, the wmdowpane 302 is supported by pms 305, 306 extending upwards through a slot m the upper rail 300. These pms can be, for example, the shank 202 of the coupling pm 200. The coupling member 100 of the locking device is usually mounted the upper rail 300 of the two rails between which the wmdowpane is suspended. The coupling member 100, 400 is arranged mside the upper rail 300 and the coupling pm 200 is non-rotationally arranged on the window frame 301. A wmdowpane 302 that is to be opened is displaced along the rails 300, 600 until the coupling pm 200 is aligned with a recess 104 m the coupling member 100. The wmdowpane 302 can then be opened by being turned about the coupling p 200 and, thus, about the pivot axis G. The coupling member and the coupling pm can be designed m such manner that the bevelled portion 503 is directed towards the window frame 301 and the inclined surface 402 is directed away from the window frame 301 or vice versa, so that the bevelled portion 203 is directed away from the window frame 301 and the inclined surface 102 directed towards the window frame 301 (see Figs 7 and 8, respectively) . As is evident from Figs 7 and 8, the coupling member 100, 400 is arranged at the upper rail 300 m such manner that the upper rail can be displaced up and down m a direction parallel to the centre axis of the coupling pm 200, 500. Since the recesses 104 are equidistantly spaced from each other at a distance A, it is easy to ensure that the subsequent coupling pms 200 are fit into an adjoining recess 104. For example, the distance A between the recesses 104 can equal the diameter Dl of the head 201 of the coupling pm 200. Consequently, a subsequent wmdowpane 302 can easily be pushed so that its coupling p 200 abuts against the coupling pm 200 of the adjoining wmdowpane 302. It will be appreciated that a great number of modifications of the embodiments of the invention as described are feasible within the scope of the invention, which is defined m the appended claims. For instance, the groove of the coupling member or the coupling pm can be formed with a portion bevelled for entering. A coupling pm portion bevelled for entering is then suitably arranged on that part of the circumference of the head which first comes into contact with the coupling member, i.e. a part of the circumference which makes an angle of 90° to that bevelled portion of the head which is adapted to cooperate with the inclined surface of the groove. Moreover, the shank of the coupling pm can be provided with a telescopic function instead of letting the coupling member be vertically slidable m the rail. According to a further embodiment (not shown) , the inclined lateral surface m the groove is not a plane surface but has a more complex cam shape, which however has a portion which is essentially plane and inclined m a manner similar to that of the inclined plane surface m the preferred embodiment . Furthermore the inclined surface 102 and the bevelled portion 203 can make a different angle to each other. Under the current conditions, it is convenient if the angle relative to the pivot axis of the sheet-like element is the range 10-70°, preferably 25-65° and most preferably 35-55°.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A device for turnable and slidable suspension of sheet-like elements (302), which are slidably supported by at least one rail (300) and which are turnable about a pivot axis (G) which is fixed relative to the sheetlike element (302), comprising a coupling member (100) which is supported by said rail (300) and has an elongate groove (101) m essentially the same direction as the rail (300), and a coupling p (200) which is non-rota- tionally arranged on the sheet-like element (302) so as to coincide with the pivot axis (G) and which is slidable m the groove (101) of the coupling member (100) , the coupling pm (200) and the coupling member (100) being adapted to engage each other when the sheet-like element (302) is turned relative to the rail (300) , c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that the groove (101) of the coupling member (100) has an inclined, lateral cam surface (102), the coupling member (100) has at least one essentially part-circular recess (104) m the inclined lateral surface (102), the recess (104) having a centre axis (E) which is essentially parallel to the pivot axis (G) of the sheet-like element (302) , the coupling pm (200) has a cylindrical surface (206) with a centre axis (C) which is essentially parallel to the pivot axis (G) of the sheet-like element (302) , and the cylindrical surface (206) of the coupling pm (200) has a bevelled portion (203) having a shape which is essentially the same as the cam shape of the lateral surface (102) m the groove (101) of the coupling member (100) , the coupling member (100) and the coupling pm (200) being arranged to be relatively displaceable when the coupling pm (200) is turned m such manner that the m- clmed lateral surface (102) m the groove (101) and the bevelled portion (203) of the coupling pm (200) abut against each other, and to engage each other when the cylindrical surface (206) of the coupling pm (200) , during turning of the sheet-like element (302), engages the part-circular recess (104) of the coupling member (100) . 2. A device as claimed m claim 1, wherein the width (F) of the groove (101) varies m the direction along the pivot axis (G) of the sheet-like element (302) and is es- sentially constant m the direction along the groove (101) . 3. A device as claimed m claim 1 or 2, wherein the bevelled portion (203) of the coupling pm (200) is located at a first end (204) of the cylindrical surface (206) and the coupling pm (200) is non-rotationally arranged on the sheet-like element (302) at a second end (202) of the cylindrical surface (206) . 4. A device as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling pm (200) and the coupling member (100) have abutment surfaces (205, 107) which m cooperation with each other keep the coupling pm (200) m the coupling member (100) and counteract the forces arising m the contact between the lateral cam surface (102) m the groove (101) and the bevelled portion (203) of the coupling pm (200) . 5. A device as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, m which the coupling member (100) has a projecting portion (107) having an abutment surface directed towards the coupling pm (200) and the coupling pm (200) has a portion (202) with a diameter (D2) which is smaller then the diameter (Dl) of the cylindrical surface (206) to form a surface (205) which engages the abutment surface of the coupling member (100) . 6. A device as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inclined lateral cam surface is an essentially plane, inclined surface (102) . 7. A device as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bevelled portion of the coupling pm (200) is an essentially plane, inclined surface (203) . 8. A device as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lateral surface is essentially angled at an angle (α) relative to the pivot axis (G) of the sheet-like element (302) m the range 10-70°, preferably 25-60° and most preferably 35-50°. 9. A device as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bevelled portion (203) is essentially angled at an angle (α) relative to the pivot axis (G) of the sheet-like element (302) m the range 10-70°, preferably 25-65° and most preferably 35-55°. 10. A device as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bevelled portion (203) of the coupling pm (200) is such that the coupling p (200) has a circumferentially entire cylindrical surface (206) on a portion (B) extending along the pivot axis (G) of the sheet-like element (302) . 11. A device as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bevelled portion (203) of the coupling pm (200) is such that the cylindrical surface (206), at the greatest extent of the bevelled portion (203), m the circumferential direction exceeds half the entire cir- cumference . 12. A device as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, wherein the part-circular-shape (110) of the recesses (104) m the lateral surface (102) of the groove (101) constitutes at least one fifth, preferably at least one fourth and most preferably about one third, of the circumference of a corresponding entire circle. 13. A device as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling pm (200) has a portion which is adapted to take up changes m distance between the cylindrical surface (206) of the coupling pm (200) and the sheet-like element (302) m a direction essen- tially parallel to the pivot axis (G) of the sheet-like element (302) . 14. A device as claimed any one of the preceding claims, wherein the groove (101) of the coupling member (100) has, at least at one end, a portion bevelled for entering, to facilitate initial engagement between the coupling pm (200) and the coupling member (100) . 15. A device as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling pm (200) has, at least on one side, a portion bevelled for entering, to facilitate initial engagement between the coupling pm (200) and the coupling member (100) . 16. A device as claimed claim 15, wherein the portion bevelled for entering is formed on the coupling pm (200), displaced through about 90° m the circumferential direction m relation to the bevelled portion (203) of the coupling p (200) which has a shape which is essentially the same as the cam shape of the lateral surface (102) m the groove (101) of the coupling member (100) . 17. A device as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling member (100) has at least two recesses (104) m the lateral surface (102) of the groove (101), the centre (E) of the recesses (104) being positioned at a distance (A) from each other which equals the cylindrical surface (206) on the diameter (Dl) of the coupling p (200) .

Inventors: LOENNBERG BENTH, LOENNBERG, BENTH
Applicants: LOENNBERG BENTH, LOENNBERG, BENTH
Application year: 2000
Main classification: E05B15
IPC codes: E05D15