Patent Publication Number: US-9885207-B2

Title: Automatic open-close device for fittings

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is the U.S. national stage of application No. PCT/JP2015/050192, filed on Jan. 7, 2015. Priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) and 35 U.S.C. §365(b) is claimed from Japanese Application No. 2014-014563, filed Jan. 29, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
     The present invention relates to an automatic open-close device for fittings to automatically open and close fittings such as windows and doors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventionally known is an automatic open-close device for automatically opening and closing slider windows (Patent reference 1, for example). An automatic open-close device disclosed in Patent reference 1 is equipped with a rack secured to a window, a pinion which meshes with the rack, and a motor having an output shaft to which the pinion is secured. To a window frame to which a window is openably and closeably mounted, a support case is mounted; to the support case, a motor is secured. In this automatic open-close device, as the motor is driven to turn the pinion, the window to which the rack is secured opens and/or closes. 
     PATENT REFERENCE 
     [Patent Reference 1] Unexamined Japanese Patent Application 2006-194065 Publication 
     In the automatic open-close device disclosed in Patent reference 1, a rack secured to a window and a pinion secured to an output shaft of a motor are constantly in mesh engagement with one another. Therefore, when manually opening the window to which the rack is secured, the window cannot be opened unless, in addition to the force to slide the window against the window frame, more force is applied to the window to rotate the motor which is in the state with no electric current supplied. In other words, in the automatic open-close device disclosed in Patent reference 1, a greater load needs to be applied, due to the influence of the motor, to manually open the window to which the rack is secured, thus making it difficult to open and close the window by hand. 
     SUMMARY 
     Then, at least an embodiment of the present invention provides an automatic open-close device for fittings, which makes it easier to open and close the fittings by hand even with the automatic open-close device for fittings provided. 
     To achieve the above, an automatic open-close device for fittings of at least an embodiment of the present invention comprises a rack secured to an openable and closeable fitting, a pinion which meshes with the rack, a turn-driving mechanism for driving the pinion to turn, and a holding member for rotatably holding the pinion; the holding member is movable between an meshing position, in which the rack and the pinion are in mesh engagement with one another, and a disengaging position, in which the rack and the pinion are disengaged from one another; when the pinion turns with the force from the turn-driving mechanism when the holding member is in the meshing position, the fitting automatically opens and closes. 
     In the automatic open-close device for fittings of at least an embodiment of the present invention, the holding member for rotatably holding the pinion is capable of moving between the meshing position in which the rack and the pinion are in mesh engagement with one another and the disengaging position in which the rack and the pinion disengage from one another. Therefore, in at least an embodiment of the present invention, when the holding member is in the disengaging position, the load caused by the turn-driving mechanism does not affect the fitting when manually opening or closing the fitting. Therefore, in at least an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the load when manually opening and closing the fittings, by having the holding member to move to the disengaging position. Consequently, in at least an embodiment of the present invention, even when an automatic open-close device for fittings is provided, the fittings can easily be opened and closed manually. 
     In at least an embodiment of the present invention, for example, the automatic open-close device for fittings is equipped with a first fitting and a second fitting as fittings, which are arranged to move by each other, a first rack secured to the first fitting and a second rack secured to the second fitting as the rack, and a first pinion in mesh engagement with the first rack and a second pinion in mesh engagement with the second rack as the pinion; the first rack and the second rack are arranged such that the open-close direction of the first fitting and the second fitting coincides with the longitudinal direction thereof; as the holding member moves, the meshing state changes among the first meshing state in which the first rack and the first pinion are in mesh engagement with one another and the second rack and the second pinion are disengaged from one another, the second meshing state in which the second rack and the second pinion are in mesh engagement and the first rack and the first pinion are disengaged, and the disengaging state in which the first rack and the first pinion are disengaged and the second rack and the second pinion are disengaged. In this case, even when the automatic open-close device for fittings for automatically opening and closing the first fitting and the second fitting, which are arranged to move by one another, is equipped, the first fitting and the second fitting can easily be opened and closed manually. 
     In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the automatic open-close device for fittings may be equipped with a moving mechanism for moving the holding member between the meshing position and the disengaging position. With this configuration, the holding member can automatically move between the meshing position and the disengaging position. 
     In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the automatic open-close device for fittings may be equipped with a first holding member which rotatably holds the first pinion and is rotatable between the meshing position and the disengaging position and a second holding member which rotatably holds the second pinion and is rotatable between the meshing position and the disengaging position, and that the moving mechanism rotate the first holding member and the second holding member to change the meshing states among the first meshing state in which the first holding member is in the meshing position and the second holding member is in the disengaging position, the second meshing state in which the first holding member is in the disengaging position and the second holding member is in the meshing position, and the disengaging state in which the first holding member is in the disengaging position and the second holding member is in the disengaging position. With this configuration, the first holding member holding the first pinion and the second holding member holding the second pinion can individually be rotated; therefore, the disengaging state can be created easily compared to the configuration in which the first pinion and the second pinion are both held by a single holding member. 
     In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the moving mechanism may be equipped with a first cam member having a first cam groove cut therein for rotating the first holding member between the meshing position and the disengaging position, a second cam member having a second cam groove cut therein for rotating the second holding member between the meshing position and the disengaging position, and a driving source for sliding the first cam member and the second cam member in a straight line, and that the first holding member be equipped with a first cam follower which engages in the first cam groove, the second holding member be equipped with a second cam follower which engages in the second cam groove, the driving source be connected with the first cam member, and that the first cam member is formed with a first contact portion which, as the first cam member slides in the direction in which the first holding member rotates toward the disengaging position when in the first meshing state, makes contact with the second member after the first cam member has slid by a predetermined amount and pushes the second cam member so that the second holding member in the disengaging position rotates toward the meshing position, and a second contact portion which, as the first cam member slides in the direction in which the first holding member rotates toward the meshing position when in the second meshing position, makes contact with the second cam member after the first cam member has slid by a predetermined amount and pushes the second cam member so that the second holding member in the meshing position rotates toward the disengaging position. 
     In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the automatic open-close device for fittings may be equipped with a first holding member as the holding member which rotatably holds the first pinion and is rotatable between the meshing position and the disengaging position, that the first fitting be arranged on the exterior side and the second fitting be arranged on the interior side, that the first pinion be arranged to mesh with the first rack from the interior side and the second pinion be arranged to mesh with the second rack from the interior side, that the moving mechanism be equipped with the first cam member, which has the first cam grove cut therein for rotating the first holding member between the meshing position and the disengaging position and is capable of sliding in a straight line, and a lever member, which makes contact with the first cam member to have the first cam member slide in the direction in which the first holding member in the meshing position rotates toward the disengaging position, and that the lever member be arranged at a position at which the second fitting makes contact therewith when the second fitting in the closed state moves in the opening direction when in the first meshing state, and that the sliding direction of the first cam member coincide with the open-close direction of the first and second fittings, and when moving in the direction in which the second fitting in the closed state moves in the opening direction and makes contact with the lever member when in the first meshing state, the lever member turns to allow the first cam member to slide so that the first holding member in the meshing position rotates to the disengaging position. With this configuration, even when the second fitting in the closed state is manually opened under the first meshing state in which the first rack and the first pinion are in mesh engagement with one another, the first rack and the first pinion can be disengaged. Thus, even if the second fitting in the closed state is manually opened when in the first meshing state, the first pinion and the second fitting are prevented from making contact with each other, preventing damage to the first pinon and the second fitting. 
     In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the turn-driving mechanism may be provided with one motor and a power-transmitting mechanism for transmitting the power of the single motor to the first pinion and the second pinion. With this configuration, the first pinion and the second pinion can be turned by the single motor; therefore, the configuration of the turn-driving mechanism can be simplified. 
     In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the automatic open-close device for fittings may be equipped with as the holding member a first holding member which rotatably holds the first pinion and is rotatable between the meshing position and the disengaging position and a second holding member which rotatably holds the second pinion and is rotatable between the meshing position and the disengaging position and is also equipped with a rotation center shaft which rotatably supports the first holding member and the second holding member, and that the power-transmitting mechanism be equipped with a gear which is rotatably held by the rotation center shaft. With this configuration, the first holding member and the second holding member can be supported by the common rotation center shaft; therefore, the configuration of the automatic open-close device for fittings can be simplified. Also, with this configuration, the power of the motor can be transmitted to the first pinion and the second pinion by using the common gear which is held by the rotation center shaft; therefore, the configuration of the turn-driving mechanism can be simplified. 
     As described above, in at least an embodiment of the present invention, even when an automatic open-close device for fittings is provided to automatically open and close the fittings, the fittings can easily be opened and closed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary, not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike in several Figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  A perspective view of an automatic open-close device for fittings of at least an embodiment of the present invention which is mounted to a slider window. 
         FIG. 2  A perspective view of an open-close driving unit shown in  FIG. 1 , having a housing, etc. removed. 
         FIG. 3  A perspective view of a turn-driving mechanism shown in  FIG. 2  to explain the configuration thereof. 
         FIG. 4  A plan view of the open-close driving unit shown in  FIG. 2  to explain its configuration and operation, showing a first holding member and a second holding member in the disengaging position. 
         FIG. 5  A plan view of the open-close driving unit shown in  FIG. 2  to explain its configuration and operation, showing it with a second cam member, etc. removed from the condition of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  A plan view of the open-close driving unit shown in  FIG. 2  to explain its configuration and operation, showing it with the first holding member in the meshing position and the second holding member in the disengaging position. 
         FIG. 7  A plan view of the open-close driving unit shown in  FIG. 2  to explain its configuration and operation, showing it with the first holding member in the disengaging position and the second holding member in the meshing position. 
         FIG. 8  A plan view of the open-close driving unit shown in  FIG. 2  to explain its configuration and operation, showing that the lever member allows the first cam member to slide. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter referring to the drawings. 
     (Overall Configuration of Automatic Open-Close Device for Fittings) 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an automatic open-close device for fittings  1  of an embodiment of the present invention, mounted on a slider window. 
     An automatic open-close device for fittings  1  (hereinafter denoted as “automatic open-close device  1 ) of this embodiment is for automatically opening and closing windows which are openable and closeable. The automatic open-close device  1 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is mounted to a slider door  2  which opens and closes in the horizontal direction. The slider door  2  consists of an exterior door  3  as a fitting arranged on the exterior side, an interior door  4  as a fitting arranged on the interior side, and a window frame  5  inside which the openable/closable exterior window  3  and interior window  4  are arranged. The exterior window  3  and the interior window  4  are respectively configured by a rectangular piece of window glass and a door case surrounding the periphery of the window grass. The window frame  5  is provided with a guide which guides the exterior window  3  and the interior window  4  in the open-close direction. The automatic open-close device  1  operates the exterior window  3  and the interior window  4  to open and close automatically. The exterior window  3  of this embodiment is the first fitting; the interior window  4  is the second fitting. 
     In the description below, the open-close direction of the exterior window  3  and the interior window  4  (the X direction in  FIG. 1 , etc.) is the left-right direction; the thickness direction of the exterior window  3  and the interior window  4  (the Y direction in  FIG. 1 , etc.) is the front-rear direction. Also, the X 1  direction side is the “right” side, the X 2  direction side the “left” side, the Y 1  direction side the “front” side, and the Y 2  direction side the “rear” side. In this embodiment, when the slider window  2  is closed, the exterior window  3  is positioned on the left side and the interior window  4  is positioned on the right side. In other words, in this embodiment, the left direction is the direction along which the exterior window  3  closes (the closing direction of the exterior window  3 ) as well as the direction along which the interior window  4  opens (the opening direction of the interior window  4 ). Also, the right direction is the direction along which the exterior window  3  opens (the opening direction of the exterior window  3 ) as well as the direction along which the interior window  4  closes (the closing direction of the interior window  4 ). In this embodiment, the front side is the interior side and the rear side is the exterior side. Also, in the description below, the clockwise direction when viewed from the top is “clockwise” and the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the top is “counterclockwise”. 
     The automatic open-close device  1  is equipped with a rack  10  which is the first rack secured to the exterior window  3 , a rack  11  which is the second rack secured to the interior window  4 , and an open-close driving unit  12  having a pinion  16  (see  FIG. 2 ), which will be described later, and meshes with the rack  10 , and a pinion  17  ( FIG. 2 ), which will be described later, and meshes with the rack  11 . The rack  10  is secured to the top edge portion of the window case of the exterior window  3 , and the rack  11  is secured to the top edge portion of the window case of the interior window  4 . Also, the rack  10  is secured to the front face of the window case of the exterior 
     window  4 . Further, the rack  10  is secured to the exterior window  3  such that the longitudinal direction thereof agrees with the left-right direction, and the rack  11  is secured to the interior window  4  such that the longitudinal direction thereof agrees with the left-right direction. In other words, the racks  10  and  11  are arranged such that the open-close direction of the exterior window  3  and the interior window  4  agrees with the longitudinal direction thereof. 
     The housing  13  of the open-close driving unit  12  is mounted on a top edge portion  5   a  which configures the top edge portion of the window frame  5 . Also, the housing  13  is fixed at the center position of the top edge portion  5   a  in the left-right direction. In other words, the open-close driving unit  12  is arranged so as to coincide in the left and right direction with the right end side portion of the exterior window  3  in the closed state and the left end side portion of the interior window  4  in the closed state. Also, the housing  13  is positioned on the front side of the racks  10  and  11  and also on the front side of the exterior window  3  and the interior window  4 . 
     (Configuration of Open-Close Driving Unit) 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the open-close driving unit  12  shown in  FIG. 1 , having the housing  13  removed.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the turn-driving mechanism  20  shown in  FIG. 2 , to explain the configuration thereof.  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 8  are plan views of the open-close driving unit  12  shown in  FIG. 2 , to explain the configuration and operation thereof. 
     The open-close driving unit  12  is provided with a pinion  16  as the first pinion which meshes with the rack  10 , a pinion  17  as the second pinion which meshes with the rack  11 , a holding member  18  as the first holding member which rotatably holds the pinion  16 , a holding member  19  as the second member which rotatably holds the pinion  17 , and a turn-driving mechanism  20  for driving the pinions  16  and  17  to turn. A fixed shaft  21  as the rotation center axis is secured to the main frame (no illustration) of the open-close driving unit  12  to rotatably support the holding members  18  and  19 . The fixed shaft  21  is secured to the main frame such that its axial direction agrees with the top-bottom direction. 
     The holding member  18  is rotatable centered on the fixed shaft  21  between the meshing position  18 A (see  FIG. 6 ), at which the rack  10  and the pinion  16  are in mesh engagement with each other and the disengaging position  18 B at which the rack  10  and the pinion  16  are disengaged. The holding member  19  is rotatable centered on the fixed shaft  21  between the meshing position  19 A (see  FIG. 7 ), at which the rack  11  and the pinion  17  are in mesh engagement with each other and the disengaging position  19 B at which the rack  11  and the pinion  17  are disengaged. In other words, the holding member  18  is capable of moving between the meshing position  18 A and the disengaging position  18 B; the holding member  19  is capable of moving between the meshing position  19 A and the disengaging position  19 B. The open-close driving unit  12  is provided with the moving mechanism  22  which rotates the holding member  18  between the meshing position  18 A and the disengaging position  18 B and rotates the holding member  19  between the meshing position  19 A and the disengaging position  19 B. 
     The holding member  18  is provided with a holding plate  23  which is formed by bending a metal sheet in a predetermined shape. The holding plate  23  is formed such that the shape thereof is an L shape when viewed in the top-bottom direction. One end of the holding plate  23  is rotatably supported by the fixed shaft  21 . The other end of the holding plate  23  is arranged to the left side of one end side of the holding plate  23 . The holding plate  23  is also provided with two flat holding parts  23   a  which are arranged at a predetermined gap in the top-bottom direction. 
     A shaft  24  is mounted at the bending portion of the holding plate  23  which is in an L shape when viewed in the top-bottom direction. The shaft  24  is mounted at the holding plate  23  such that its axial direction agrees with the top-bottom direction; the top end side of the shaft  24  is held by one of the holding parts  23   a  and the bottom end side of the shaft  24  is held by the other one of the holding parts  23   a . The pinion  16  is rotatably supported by the shaft  24 . The pinion  16  is also arranged between the two holding parts  23   a.    
     A shaft  25  is mounted on the other end side of the holding plate  23 . The shaft  25  is mounted on the other end side of the holding plate  23  such that its axial direction agrees with the top-bottom direction. Two ends of the shaft  25  protrude outside the two holding parts  23   a  in the top-bottom direction. The two end portions of the shaft  25 , protruding outside the two holding parts  23   a  in the top-bottom direction, are engaged in cam grooves  45   b  cut in a cam member, which will be described later, of the moving mechanism  22 , and function as a cam follower which moves along the cam grooves  45   b . The shaft  25  of this embodiment is a first cam follower. 
     The holding member  19  is provided with a holding plate  28  which is formed by bending a metal sheet in a predetermined shape. The holding plate  28  is formed such that its shape is in a straight line when viewed in the top-bottom direction. One end of the holding plate  28  is rotatably supported by the fixed shaft  21 . The other end of the holding plate  28  is arranged more on the right than one end. The holding plate  28  is also provided with two flat holding parts  28   a  which are arranged at a predetermined gap in the top-bottom direction. Note that the distance between the two holding parts  28   a  in the top-bottom direction is wider than that of the two holding parts  23   a , and one end of the holding plate  23  supported by the fixed shaft  21  and one end of the holding plate  28  overlap with one another in the top-bottom direction. Also, the one end of the holding plate  28  is arranged outside the one end of the holding plate  23  in the top-bottom direction. 
     A shaft  29  is mounted in the middle portion of the holding plate  28  which has the straight shape when viewed in the top-bottom direction. The shaft  29  is mounted in the holding plate  28  such that its axial direction agrees with the top-bottom direction; the top end of the shaft  29  is held by one of the holding parts  28   a  and the bottom end of the shaft  29  is held by the other one of the holding parts  28   a . The pinion  17  is rotatably supported by the shaft  29 . The pinion  17  is also arranged between the two holding parts  28   a.    
     Two ends of the shaft  29  protrude outside the two holding parts  28   a  in the top-bottom direction. The two end portions of the shaft  29  protruding outside the two holding parts  28   a  in the top-bottom direction are engaged in cam grooves  52   c  cut in a cam member  42  configuring the moving mechanism  22 , which will be described later, and function as a cam follower which moves along the cam grooves  52   c . The shaft  29  of this embodiment is a second cam follower. 
     The turn-driving mechanism  20  is equipped with a motor  32  as a driving source and a power-transmitting mechanism  33  for transmitting the power of the motor to the pinions  16  and  17 . The motor  32  is secured to the main frame of the open-close driving unit  12 . On the output shaft of the motor  32 , a worm  32   a  is formed. The power-transmitting mechanism  33  is equipped with a gear  34  which is rotatably held by the fixed shaft  21  and a gear train  35  which transmits the power of the motor  32  to the gear  34 . The gear train  35  consists of multiple gears. The gear on the input end of the gear train is a worm wheel  36  which meshes with the worm  32   a.    
     The gear  34  is arranged between two holding parts  23   a . The gear  34  meshes with the pinon  17 . Also, the gear  34  meshes with the pinion  16  via the gear  37 . Therefore, as the motor  32  rotates, the pinions  16  and  17  turn in the same direction. The gear  37  is rotatably supported by the shaft  38  which is mounted in the holding plate  23 . The shaft  38  is mounted in the holding plate  23  such that its axial direction agrees with the top-bottom direction; the top end of the shaft  38  is held by one of the holding parts  23   a  and the bottom end of the shaft  38  is held by the other one of the holding parts  23   a.    
     The moving mechanism  22  is configured by a cam member  41  as the first cam member, a cam member  42  as the second cam member, a motor  43  as a driving source for allowing the cam members  41  and  42  to slide, and a power-transmitting mechanism  44  for transmitting the power of the motor  43  to the cam member  41 . The cam members  41  and  42  are capable of sliding in a straight line in the left-right direction. In other words, the sliding direction of the cam members  41  and  42  coincides with the open-close direction of the exterior window  3  and the interior window  4 . 
     The cam member  41  is provided with two cam plates  45  which are arranged at a predetermined distance in the top-bottom direction and a connecting member  46  for connecting the two cam plates  45 . The cam plates  45  are formed flat and arranged such that the thickness direction thereof agrees with the top-bottom direction. Also, the cam plates  45  are formed in a pentagon shape elongated in the left-right direction. The right edge face  45   a  of the cam plate  45  is parallel to the plane configured by the front-rear direction and the top-bottom direction. The connecting member  46  connects the front end portions of the two cam plates  45 . Note that the illustration of the connecting member  46  is omitted in  FIG. 2 . 
     Formed in the respective cam plate  45  are a cam groove  45   b  as the first cam groove which allows the holding member  18  to rotate between the meshing position  18 A and the disengaging position  18 B, a guide groove  45   c  which guides the cam member  41  in the left-right direction, an engage groove  45   d  with which a shaft  53 , configuring the cam member  42  and described later, is engaged, a notch groove  45   e  which prevents the interference with the fixed shaft  21 , and a notch groove  45   f  which prevents the interference with the support shafts of the gears which configure the gear train  35 . 
     The cam groove  45   d  is cut on the left end side of the cam plate  45 . The cam groove  45   b  is configured by an arc portion which inclines to the far side as it goes to the right and two straight line portions which extend straight outside in the left-right direction from the two ends of the arc portion. In the cam grooves  45   b , two end portions of the shaft  25  are engaged. In this embodiment, the cam groove  45   b  is so formed that as the cam member  41  slides to the left, the holding member  18  rotates centering on the fixed shaft  21  to the meshing position  18 A at which the rack  10  and the pinion  16  are in mesh engagement with one another (that is, the holding member  18  rotates clockwise) as shown in  FIG. 6 ; after that, as the holding member  18  remains in the meshing position  18 A and then the cam member  41  slides to the right, the holding member  18  rotates centering on the fixed shaft  21  toward the disengaging position  18 B at which the meshing between the rack  10  and the pinion  16  is canceled (that is, the holding member  18  rotates counterclockwise) as shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 7 ; then, the holding member  18  remains in the disengaging position  18 B. Also, in this embodiment, the pinion  16  meshes with the rack  10  from the front side (that is, from the interior side). 
     The guide groove  45   c  is formed on the front end of the cam plate  45 . The guide groove  45   c  is formed in a straight line extending in the left-right direction. Through the guide groove  45   c , a guide shaft  47  (see  FIG. 2 ) is inserted. The guide shaft  47  is secured to the main frame of the open-close driving unit  12  such that its axial direction coincides with the top-bottom direction. The engage groove  45   d  is formed on the right end side in the cam plate  45 . The engage groove  45   d  is formed in a straight line extending in the left-right direction. The notch groove  45   e  is formed on the far end side in the cam plate  45 . The notch groove  45   e  is formed in a straight line extending in the left-right direction. The notch groove  45   f  is formed between the guide groove  45   c  and the engage groove  45   d  in the front-rear direction. The notch groove  45   f  is formed in a straight line extending in the left-right direction. Note that the notch grooves  45   e  and  45   f  function as guide grooves for guiding the cam member  41  in the left-right direction. 
     Formed to the connecting member  46  are a protruding portion which slightly protrudes further downward from the bottom end of the connecting member  46  and an abutting portion  46   a  which extends to the far side from the bottom end of the protruding portion. The abutting portion  46   a  is formed at a position which is slightly shifted to the right from the center of the connecting member  46  in the left-right direction. Also, the abutting portion  46   a  is formed flat and arranged such that its thickness direction coincides with the top-bottom direction. The abutting portion  46   a  is arranged below the cam plate  41  arranged on the bottom side. Also, a lever member  57 , which will be described later, abuts on the abutting portion  46   a.    
     The motor  43  is secured to the main frame of the open-close driving unit  12 . The power-transmitting mechanism  44  is equipped with, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a rack  50  secured to the front end and the top end of the cam member  41  and a gear train  51  which transmits the power of the motor  43  to the rack  50 . In other words, the motor  43  is connected to the cam member  41  via the rack  50  and the gear train  51 . The rack  50  is secured t the cam member  41  such that its longitudinal direction coincides with the left-right direction. The gear train  51  consists of multiple gears. 
     The cam member  42  is provided with a cam plate  52  which is formed by bending a metal sheet in a predetermined shape and a shaft  53  mounted in the cam plate  52 . The cam plate  52  is configured by two flat plane portions  52   a  which are arranged at a predetermined distance in the top-bottom direction, and a connecting portion  52   b  which connects the two plane portions  52   a . The plane portion  52   a  is formed to be a rectangular shape elongated in the left-right direction and arranged such that its thickness direction coincides with the top-bottom direction. The connecting portion  52   b  is formed flat connecting the front ends of the two plane portions  52   a . The distance between the two plane portions  52   a  in the top-bottom direction is narrower than the distance between the two cam plates  45 , and the cam plates  52  are arranged between the two cam plates  45  in the top-bottom direction. 
     Cut in the plane portion  52   a  are a cam groove  52   c  as the second cam groove which allows the holding member  19  to rotate between the meshing position  19 A and the disengaging position  19 B, a guide groove  52   d  for guiding the cam member  42  in the left-right direction, and a notch groove  52   e  for preventing the interference with the fixed shaft  21 . Also, on the right end of the plane portion  52   a , a protruding portion  52   f  protruding outside in the top-bottom direction is formed. The protruding portion  52   f  is parallel to the plane configured by the front-rear direction and the top-bottom direction. The protruding portion  52   f  is arranged on the more right side than the right edge face  45   a  of the cam plate  45 . The protruding portion  52   f  is also arranged in the top-bottom direction at a position at which the right edge face  45   a  can contact from the left side. 
     The cam groove  52   c  is formed on the left end side in the plane portion  52   a . The cam groove  52   c  is configured by an inclining portion which inclines toward the front as it goes to the right and two straight portions which extend in a straight line outside from the two ends of the inclining portion in the left-right direction. The two end portions of the shaft  29  are engaged in the cam grooves  52   c . In this embodiment, the cam grooves  52   c  are formed such that as the cam member  42  slides to the right, the holding member  19  rotates centering on the fixed shaft  21  (that is, the holding member  19  rotates counterclockwise) to the meshing position  19 A at which the rack  11  and the pinion  17  mesh with one another, as shown in  FIG. 7 ; after that, as the holding member  19  stays in the meshing position  19 A and the cam member  42  slides to the left, the holding member  19  rotates centering on the fixed shaft  21  (that is, the holding member  19  is rotated clockwise) to the disengaging position  19 B at which the meshing between the rack  11  and the pinion  17  is canceled, as shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 7 ; and then the holding member  19  stays at the disengaging position  19 B. In this embodiment, the pinion  17  meshes with the rack  11  form the front side (that is, from the indoor side). 
     The guide groove  52   c  is formed on the right far end side of the plane portion  52   a . The guide groove  52   d  is formed in a straight line extending in the left-right direction. Through the guide grooves  52   d , a guide shaft  54  (see  FIG. 2 ) is inserted. The guide shaft  54  is secured to the main frame of the open-close driving unit  12  such that its axial direction coincides with the top-bottom direction. The notch groove  52   e  is formed extending in a straight line from the left end of the plane portion  52   a  toward the right. Note that the notch groove  52   e  functions as a guide groove for guiding the cam member  42  in the left-right direction. 
     The shaft  53  is mounted in the cam plate  52  such that its axial direction coincides with the top-bottom direction; the top end of the shaft  53  is held by one of the plane portions  52   a  and the bottom end of the shaft  53  is held by the other of the plane portions  52   a . The shaft  53  is mounted on the front end side of the plane portion  52   a . Also, the shaft  53  is mounted at the center position in the left-right direction in the plane portion  52   a . The two ends of the shaft  53  protrude outside the two plane portions  52   a  in the top-bottom direction. The two end portions of the shaft  53  protruding outside the two plane portions  52   a  in the top-bottom direction are engaged in the engaging grooves  45   d  cut in the cam plates  45 . 
     In the moving mechanism  22 , as the motor  43  rotates, the power of the motor  43  is transmitted to the rack  50  via the gear train  51  and the cam member  41  slides in the left-right direction together with the rack  50 . The right edge faces  45   a  of the cam plates  45  are positioned more to the left side of the protruding portions  52   f ; therefore, when the cam member  41  slides to the right when the right edge faces  45   a  and the left side faces of the protruding portions  52   f  are distanced, the cam member  42  won&#39;t slide until the right edge faces  45   a  make contact with the left side faces of the protruding portions  52   f , but the cam member  42  slides to the right together with the cam member  41  when the right edge faces  45   a  come to contact with the left side faces of the protruding portions  52   f.    
     When the right edge faces  45   a  are in contact with the left side faces of the protruding portions  52   f , the right edge of the shaft  53  is positioned more to the left side of the right edge of the engage groove  45   d  of the cam member  41 , and the right edge of the engage groove  45   d  and the right edge of the shaft  53  are distanced. If the cam member  41  slides to the left when the right edge of the engage groove  45   d  and the right edge of the shaft  53  are distanced, the cam member won&#39;t slide until the right edge of the engage groove  45   d  comes into contact with the right edge of the shaft  53 ; when the right edge of the engage groove  45   d  comes into contact with the right edge of the shaft  53 , the cam member  42  slides to the left together with the cam member  41 . Note that the shaft  53  and the engage groove  45   d  also function together to guide the cam member  42  in the left-right direction. 
     Also, the moving mechanism  22  is equipped with a lever member  57  which makes contact with the cam member  41  to have the cam member  41  to slide to the right. In other words, the moving mechanism  22  is equipped with the lever member  57  which makes contact with the cam member  41  to have the cam member  41  to slide in the direction in which the holding member  18  in the meshing position  18 A rotates toward the disengaging position  18 B. The lever member  57  is rotatably supported by the fixed shaft  58  which is secured to the main frame of the open-close driving unit  12 . The fixed shaft  58  is secured to the main frame such that its axial direction coincides with the top-bottom direction. The fixed shaft  58  is arranged slightly more to the far side of the fixed shaft  21  in the front-rear direction. Also, the fixed shaft  58  is arranged slightly more to the left side than the fixed shaft  21 . 
     The lever member  57  is configured by a shaft-supported portion  57   a  which is supported by the fixed shaft  58 , an interior window contact portion  57   b  which extends from the shaft-supported portion  57   a  to one side, and a cam member contact portion  57   c  which extends from the shaft-supported portion  57   a  to the other side. In the front-rear direction, the interior window contact portion  57   b  is positioned more to the far side of the fixed shaft  58 , and the cam member contact portion  57   c  is positioned more to the front side of the fixed shaft  58 . The lever member  57  is arranged below the cam plate  45  which is arranged on the bottom side. Also, the lever member  57  is arranged such that the interior window  4  which moves to the left from the closed state is capable of making contact with the interior window contact portion  57   b  from the right, and that the contact portion  46   a  of the cam member  41  which slides to the left is capable of making contact with the cam member contact portion  57   c  from the right. 
     (Operation of Automatic Open-Close Device) 
     In the automatic open-close device  1  configured as above, to open and close the exterior window  3 , the motor  43  rotates in one direction and the cam member  41  slides to the left. When the cam member  41  slides to the left and stops there, the holding member  18  is positioned in the meshing position  18 A, as shown in  FIG. 6 . When the holding member  18  is positioned in the meshing position  18 A, the holding member  19  is in the disengaging position  19 B and therefore the rack  11  and the pinion  17  are disengaged. When the motor  32  rotates under this condition, the pinion  16  turns and the exterior window  3  moves either to the right or to the left (that is, either in the opening direction or in the closing direction). In other words, when the pinion  16  turns with the power of the turn-driving mechanism  20  when the holding member  18  is positioned in the meshing position  18 A, the exterior window  3  opens or closes automatically. 
     Note that the pinion  17  runs idle under this condition. Also, under this condition, the right edge of the engage groove  45   d  of the cam member  41  is in contact with the right edge of the shaft  53 , and the right edge faces  45   a  of the cam plate  45  are distanced from the left side faces of the protruding portions  52 . Further, under this condition, the contact portion  46   a  of the cam member  41  is in contact with the cam member contact portion  57   c  of the lever member  57 , and the interior window  4  contact portion  57   b  of the lever member  57  is positioned at a place at which the interior window  4  makes contact therewith when the window  4  in the closed state moves to the left. 
     When the motor  43  rotates to the other direction in this condition and the cam member  41  slides to the right, the holding member  18  rotates counterclockwise centering on the fixed shaft  21  and moves from the meshing position  18 A to the disengaging position  18 B. As the cam member  41  keeps sliding to the right until the right edge face  45   a  comes into contact with the left side face of the protruding portion  52   f , the cam member  42  slides to the right together with the cam member  41 . When the holding member  18  has reached the disengaging position  18 B, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the holding member  19  is in the disengaging position  19 B as well. In other words, when the holding member  18  completely rotates to the disengaging position  18 B, the mesh engagement between the rack  10  and the pinion  16  is released and the mesh engagement between the rack  11  and the pinion  17  is also released. For this reason, the exterior window  3  and the interior window  4  can easily be opened and closed manually at that time. 
     Under this condition, as the motor  43  rotates in the other direction and the cam members  41  and  42  slide to the right and stop, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the holding member  19  rotates counterclockwise centering on the fixed shaft  21 , moves from the disengaging position  19 B to the mesh engaging position  19 A and is positioned in the mesh engaging position  19 A. When the holding member  19  is positioned in the mesh engaging position  19 A, the holding member  18  is in the disengaging position  18 B and the mesh engagement between the rack  10  and the pinion  16  is canceled. When the motor  32  rotates under this condition, the pinion  17  turns and the interior window  4  moves to the right or to the left (that is, in the opening direction or in the closing direction). In other words, if the pinion  17  turns with the power of the turn-driving mechanism  20  when the holding member  19  is in the meshing position  19 A, the interior window  4  automatically opens and closes. Note that the pinion  16  runs idle at that time. Also, the right edge face  45   a  of the cam plate  45  is in contact with the left side face of the protruding portion  52   f  and the right edge of the engage groove  45   d  and the right edge of the shaft  53  are distanced at that time. 
     As the motor  43  rotates in one direction under this condition, the cam member  41  slides to the left and the right edge of the engage groove  45   d  comes into contact with the right edge of the shaft  53 , the cam member  42  slides to the left together with the cam member  41 . When the cam member  42  slides to the left, the holding member  19  rotates clockwise centering on the fixed shaft  21  moving from the mesh engaging position  19 A to the disengaging position  19 B. When the holding member  19  has reached the disengaging position  19 B, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the holding member  18  is in the disengaging position  18 B, the mesh engagement between the rack  10  and the pinion  16  is canceled, and the mesh engagement between the rack  11  and the pinion  17  is canceled. As the motor  43  further rotates in one direction under this condition and the cam member  41  slides to the left and stops there, the holding member  18  is positioned in the mesh engaging position  18 A. Also, the holding member  19  is in the disengaging position  19 B at that time. 
     As described above, in this embodiment, the moving mechanism  22  rotates the holding members  18  and  19  to change the engaging states from the first meshing state in which the holding member  18  is in the meshing position  18 A and the holding member  19  is in the disengaging position  19 B, to the second meshing state in which the holding member  18  is in the disengaging position  18 B and the holding member  19  is in the meshing position  19 A, and to the disengaging position in which the holding member  18  is in the disengaging position  18 B and the holding member  19  is also in the disengaging position  19 B. In other words, in this embodiment, as the holding members  18  and  19  are moved, the meshing state is changed to the first meshing state at which the rack  10  and the pinion  16  are meshed with one another and the rack  11  and the pinion  17  are disengaged, the second meshing state at which the rack  11  and the pinion  17  are meshed with one another and the rack  10  and the pinion  16  are disengaged, or the disengaging state at which the rack  10  and the pinion  16  are disengaged and the rack  11  and the pinion  17  are disengaged as well. 
     Also, the right edge face  45   a  of the cam plate  45  of this embodiment is the first contact portion which, when the cam member  41  slides in the direction in which the holding member  18  rotates toward the disengaging position  18 B in the first meshing state, makes contact with the cam member  42  after the cam member  41  slides by a predetermined amount and pushes the cam member  42  so that the holding member  19  in the disengaging position  19 B rotates toward the meshing position  19 A. The right edge of the engage groove  45   d  of this embodiment is the second contact portion which, when the cam member  41  slides in the direction in which the holding member  18  rotates toward the disengaging position  18 B in the first meshing state, makes contact with the cam member  42  after the cam member  41  slides by a predetermined amount and pushes the cam member  42  so that the holding member  19  in the meshing position  19 A rotates toward the disengaging position  19 B. 
     If the interior window  4  in a closed state is opened manually (that is, the interior window  4  moves to the left) when the holding member  18  is in the meshing position  18 A and the rack  10  and the pinion  16  are in mesh engagement with one another, the interior window  4  makes contact with the interior window contact portion  57   b  of the lever member  57  from the right side and the lever member  57  turns counterclockwise centering on the fixed shaft  58 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . When the lever member  57  turns counterclockwise, the cam member contact portion  57   c  pushes the contact portion  46   a  of the cam member  41  to the right; therefore, the cam member  41  slides to the right and the holding member  18  rotates from the meshing position  18 A to the disengaging position  19 B. In other words, when the interior window  4  in a closed state moves in the opening direction and makes contact with the lever member  57  in the first meshing state in which the holding member  18  is in the meshing position  18 A and the holding member  19  is in the disengaging position  19 B, the lever member  57  turns to allow the cam member  41  to slide so that the holding member  18  in the meshing position  18 A rotates all the way to the disengaging position  18 B. 
     (Major Effects of this Embodiment) 
     As described above, in this embodiment, the moving mechanism  22  rotates the holding members  18  and  19  to change states from the first meshing state in which the holding member  18  is in the meshing position  18 A and the holding member  19  is in the disengaging position  19 B, the second meshing state in which the holding member  18  is in the disengaging position  18 B and the holding member  19  is in the meshing position  19 A, and the disengaging state in which the holding member  18  is in the disengaging position  18 B as well as the holding member  19  is in the disengaging position  19 B. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the interior window  3  or the exterior window  4  is manually opened and closed in the disengaging state, the load caused by the turn-driving mechanism  20  is not applied to the exterior window  3  or the interior window  4 . For this reason, in this embodiment, the load applied to manually open and close the exterior window  3  and the interior window  4  can be reduced by keeping [the holding members] in the disengaging state; as a result, in this embodiment, even if the automatic open-close device  1  for automatically opening and closing the exterior window  3  and the interior window  4  is provided, the exterior window  3  and the interior window  4  can easily be opened and closed manually. 
     In this embodiment, the pinion  16  is held by the holding member  18  and the pinion  17  is held by the holding member  19  which is formed separately from the holding member  18 . Also, in this embodiment, the holding member  18  rotates between the meshing position  18 A and the disengaging position  18 B responding to the sliding movement of the cam member  41 , and the holding member  19  rotates between the meshing position  19 A and the disengaging position  19 B responding to the sliding movement of the cam member  42  which is formed separately from the cam member  41 . Further, in this embodiment, when the cam member  41  slides to the right in the first meshing state in which the holding member  18  is in the meshing position  18 A and the holding member  19  is in the disengaging position  19 B, the right edge face  45   a  of the cam plate  45  makes contact with the cam member  42  after the cam member  41  slides by a predetermined amount and the cam member  42  starts moving to the right; when the cam member  41  slides to the left in the second meshing state in which the holding member  18  is in the disengaging position  18 A and the holding member  19  is in the meshing position  19 A, the right edge of the engage groove  45   d  makes contact with the shaft  53  of the cam member  42  after the cam member  41  slides by a predetermined amount, and the cam member  42  starts moving to the left. 
     Thus, in this embodiment, the holding member  18  and the holding member  19  can be rotated separately. Therefore, in this embodiment, the disengaging state in which the holding member  18  is in the disengaging position  18 B and the holding member  19  is in the disengaging position  19 B can easily be created, compared to the configuration in which the pinions  16  and  17  are both held by a single holding member. In this embodiment, also, the cam member  42  can be minimized in the left-right direction and the disengaging state in which the holding member  18  is in the disengaging position  18 B and the holding member  19  is in the disengaging position  19 B can easily be created, compared to the configuration in which the cam member  41  and the cam member  42  are formed together. 
     In this embodiment, when the interior window  4  in the closed state moves in the opening direction and then the lever member  57  makes contact [with the interior window  4 ] in the first meshing state in which the holding member  18  is in the meshing position  18 A and the holding member  19  is in the disengaging position  19 B, the lever member  57  turns to allow the cam member  41  to slide so that the holding member  18  in the meshing position  18 A rotates to the disengaging position  18 B. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the interior window  4  in the closed state is manually opened when the rack  10  and the pinion  16  are in mesh engagement with one another, the rack  10  and the pinion  16  can be disengaged. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the interior window  4  is manually opened when in the first meshing state, the pinion  16  and the interior window  4  are prevented from coming into contact, preventing damage to the pinion  16  and the interior window  4 . 
     In this embodiment, the pinions  16  and  17  are both driven by the power force of the single motor  32  which is transmitted by the power transmitting mechanism  33 . Therefore, in this embodiment, the configuration of the turn-driving mechanism  20  can be simplified, compared to a device in which the motor for turning the pinion  16  and the motor for turning the pinion  17  are separately provided. Also, in this embodiment, the power force of the motor  32  can be transmitted to the pinion  16  and the pinion  17  by using the common gear  34  and gear train  35 ; therefore, the configuration of the turn-driving mechanism  20  can be simplified. 
     In this embodiment, the holding member  18  and the holding member  19  are rotatably supported by the common fixed shaft  21 . Therefore, in this embodiment, the configuration of the automatic open-close device  1  can be simplified, compared to a device in which a fixed shaft for rotatably supporting the holding member  18  and a fixed shaft for rotatably supporting the holding member  19  are separately provided. 
     Other Embodiments 
     The above-described embodiment is an example of at least one embodiment of the present invention; however, it is not limited to this, but can varyingly be modified within the scope of the present invention. 
     In the above-described embodiment, the motor  43  is connected to the cam member  41 . Also, in the above-described embodiment, when the cam member  41  slides to the right when in the first meshing state, the right edge face  45   a  of the cam plate  41  makes contact with the cam member  42  after the cam member  41  has slid by a predetermined amount, and pushes the cam member  42  so that the holding member  19  in the disengaging position  19 B rotates toward the meshing position  19 A; when the cam member  41  slides to the left when in the second meshing state, the right edge of the engage groove  45   d  makes contact with the cam member  42  after the cam member  41  has slid by a predetermined amount, and pushes the cam member  42  so that the holding member  19  in the meshing position  19 A rotates toward the disengaging position  19 B. Beside this, the motor  43  may be connected to the cam member  42 ; when the cam member  42  slides to the left when in the second meshing state, a portion of the cam member  42  may make contact with the cam member  41  after the cam member  42  has slid by a predetermined amount, and push the cam member  41  so that so that the holding member  18  in the disengaging position  18 B rotates toward the meshing position  18 A; and when the cam member  42  slides to the right when in the first meshing state, a portion of the cam member  42  may make contact with the cam member  41  after the cam member  42  has slid by a predetermined amount, and push the cam member  41  so that the holding member in the meshing position  18 A rotates toward the disengaging position  18 B. 
     In the above-described embodiment, the holding member  18  rotates centering on the fixed shaft  21  to move between the meshing position  18 A and the disengaging position  18 B, and the holding member  19  rotates centering on the fixed shaft  21  to move between the meshing position  19 A and the disengaging position  19 B. Beside this, the moving mechanism  22  may be so configured that the holding member  18  moves in a straight line between the meshing position  18 A and the disengaging position  18 B and the holding member  19  moves in a straight line between the meshing position  19 A and the disengaging position  19 B. 
     In the above-described embodiment, the moving mechanism  22  is equipped with the motor  43  as a driving source for sliding the cam members  41  and  42 . Beside this, the moving mechanism  22  may be equipped with a driving source such as a solenoid, in place of the motor  43 , for sliding the cam members  41  and  42 . Also, the moving mechanism  22  may not be equipped with a driving source for sliding the cam members  41  and  42 . In this case, the cam members  41  and  42  can be slid manually. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the open-close driving unit  12  is equipped with the moving mechanism  22 ; however, the open-close driving unit  12  may not be equipped with the moving mechanism  22 . In this case, the holding embers  18  and  19  can be manually rotated between the meshing positions  18 A,  19 A and the disengaging positions  18 B,  19 B respectively. 
     In the above-described embodiment, the cam grooves  45   c  (lit:  45   b ),  52   c  are respectively cut in the cam members  41 ,  42 , and the shafts  25 ,  29  which respectively engages in the cam grooves  45   b ,  52   c  are respectively provided to the holding members  18 ,  19 . Beside this, the cam grooves may be cut in the holding members  18 ,  19 , and the shafts to engage in the cam grooves may be provided to the cam members  41 ,  42 . 
     In the above-described embodiment, the pinion  16  is held by the holding member  18  and the pinion  17  is held by the holding member  19  which is formed as a separate body from the holding member  18 ; however, the pinion  16  and the pinion  17  may be held by a common holding member. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the cam member  41  and the cam member  42  are formed separately; however, the cam member  41  and the cam member  42  may be formed integrally. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the holding member  18  and the holding member  19  are rotatably supported by the common fixed shaft  21 ; however, a shaft to rotatably support the holding member  18  and a shaft to rotatably support the holding member  19  may individually be provided. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the two pinions  16  and  17  turn with the power force of the single motor  32 ; however, a motor which turns the pinion  16  and a motor which turns the pinion  17  may separately be provided. 
     In the above-described embodiment, the automatic open-close device  1  is mounted on the slider window  2  in which the exterior window  3  and the interior window  4  both can open and close. Beside this, the automatic open-close device  1  may be mounted on a slider window in which only the interior window  4  can open and close. In this case, the rack  10 , the pinion  16 , the holding member  18 , the cam member  41  and the lever member  57  are not necessary. Also, in this case, the rack  50  is secured to the cam member  42 . Also, the automatic open-close device  1  may be mounted on a slider window in which only the exterior window  3  can open and close. In this case, the rack  11 , the pinion  17 , the holding member  19  and the cam member  42  are not necessary. 
     In the above-described embodiment, the automatic open-close device  1  is mounted on the slider window  2  which opens and closes in the horizontal direction; however, an automatic open-close device  1  may be mounted on a double-hung window which opens and closes in the vertical direction. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the embodiment of the automatic open-close device for fittings of at least an embodiment of the present invention is described in the example of the automatic open-close device  1  which automatically opens and closes windows; however, the automatic open-close device for fittings of at least an embodiment of the present invention may be the one for automatically opening and closing fittings such as doors, screens, or storm doors, other than windows. For example, the automatic open-close device for fittings to which at least an embodiment of the present invention is applied may automatically open and close the fittings other than windows such as doors, screens or storm doors which are arranged to be double sliding. 
     In the above-described embodiment, one automatic open-close device  1  is mounted on the double slider window  2  which has two panels of fittings; however, two of the automatic open-close device  1  may be mounted on the slider windows which have three panels of fittings. In this case, the two automatic open-close devices  1  are attached such that the fitting arranged on the right and the fitting arranged in the middle in the closed state can be opened and closed by one of the two automatic open-close devices  1  and that the fitting arranged on the left and the fitting arranged in the middle in the closed state can be opened and closed by the other one of the two automatic open-close devices  1 . Also, two automatic open-close devices  1  may be mounted on a slider window having four panels of fittings. In this case, the two automatic open-close devices  1  may be mounted such that the two panels arranged on the right in the closed state can be opened and closed by one of the two automatic open-close devices  1  and that other two panels arranged on the left in the closed state can be opened and closed by the other one of the two automatic open-close devices  1 . Further, three automatic open-close devices  1  may be mounted on a slider window having four panels of fittings. In this case, three automatic open-close devices  1  are attached so that a panel arranged on the right and a panel arranged on the second from the right in the closed state can be opened and closed by the first automatic open-close device  1  out of the three automatic open-close devices land that two panels of fittings arranged in the center in the closed state can be opened and closed by the second automatic open-close device  1  of the three automatic open-close devices  1 , and that a fitting arranged on the left and a fitting arranged on the second from the left in the closed state can be opened and closed by the remaining one of the three automatic open-close devices  1 . Also, multiple automatic open-close devices  1  may be mounted on the fitting having five or more window panels. 
     While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.