WO2004011750A1

WO2004011750A1 - Window frame assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2004011750A1
Application number: PCT/IT2003/000469
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ugo Avvanzini
Original assignee: Erreti S.R.L.
Priority date: 2002-07-31
Filing date: 2003-07-29
Publication date: 2004-02-05
Also published as: EP1532337B1; DE60310572D1; AU2003253282A1; ITRA20020013A1; EP1532337A1; ATE348934T1

Abstract

Window frame assembly (1) for fixtures (2) which can be opened in leaf fashion and tilting fashion and having a fixed frame (3) and a moveable leaf (4) which can be pivoted about at least two axes separate from each other and each having a corresponding maximum angle of rotation of given amplitude; the said assembly (1) comprising a locking and ventilation device (70) provided with a first locking member (71, 72) which can be mounted in a given manner on the frame (4) so that it can be activated so as to produce and stably maintain an aperture (76) having an amplitude less than the smaller of the maximum angles of rotation in co-operation with a locating member (72) (71) fixed with respect to the said frame (3), and so as to immobilize the frame (4) with respect to the frame (3), defining a ventilation position where the frame (4) is adjacent to the frame (3).

Description

Window frame assembly Description Technical field

The present invention relates to a window frame assembly for fixtures provided with a fixed frame and a movable frame hinged together, which has been designed to meet the requir-ement of maintaining air communication between an internal environment and an external environment with the movable frame arranged in a position adjacent to the fixed frame. The position is stable also in the event of external transverse forces, so as to prevent accidents and ensure passive protection for the internal environment.

The present invention can be employed in a particularly effective manner if the window frame assembly according to the invention is installed on fixtures which can be opened in both leaf and tilting fashion, but may be used equally effectively on more common fixtures which can be opened exclusively either in leaf fashion or in tilting fashion.

Obviously, it is assumed that the meaning of "leaf" and "tilting" is understood, said terms in the jargon of the manufacturers and fitters referring, respectively, to opening of the leaf/movable frame about a vertical axis and opening of the leaf/movable frame about a horizontal axis. The window frame assemblies for fixtures which can be opened in both leaf and tilting fashion allow the type of opening of said leaf to be chosen in each case. Background art

As is known, fixtures comprise a fixed frame, or surrounding border, which is rigidly mounted on a wall, and a leaf which can be engaged in a fluid-tight manner with the fixed frame. Normally the leaf is provided with a frame rotatable about at least one axis of rotation and usually closed by a sheet of transparent material made of glass or other similar material. It is likewise known that the window frame assemblies for fixtures intended for both leaf and tilting opening have support and hinging members able to connect the movable frame to the fixed frame so that the former is freely rotatable about a vertical axis or so as to keep the movable frame in the respective leaf-type open position at angles of given maximum amplitude and perpendicular to each other. The support and hinging members are of two types and are arranged on at least two pairs of adjacent sides of the two frames, and are associated with a mechanism provided with levers which is arranged along the two upper sides. The two types of support and hinging members may be alternately selected by means of a switching device which allows the manner of opening the movable frame to be selected. In particular, the switching device comprises an operating member and mechanical transmission system which is arranged between the operating member and the support and hinging members. The operating member is usually a rotating handle which is normally mounted on the movable frame on the opposite side to the hinging side for performing opening in leaf fashion. It is important to mention the presence, between the support and hinging members, of a retractable push-bar or bolt which, by- rotating the handle through a first given angle, can be actuated between an extracted position, where the bolt engages, by means of a respective end portion, with a seat in the fixed frame, and a neutral position, where the bolt is not used and remains concealed within the movable frame. Starting from a closed position where the movable frame is rigidly engaged with the fixed frame, rotation of the handle through a first angle does not operate the bolt, with the lever mechanism functioning in the manner of a vertical hinge, and it is possible to open the movable frame in a conventional manner about a substantially- vertical axis, and therefore in leaf fashion. Continuing to rotate the handle through a second given angle moves the bolt into the seat and the movable frame is supported at the bottom. At the same time the lever mechanism is activated so as to allow rotation of the movable frame in tilting fashion. Therefore, the handle is able to perform switching between leaf-type and tilting-type opening of the movable frame.

It must be noted that the window frame assemblies described above do not allow the movable frame to be fixed at a given angle different from the maximum opening angle for the opening mode preselected with the handle and leave the movable frame free to rotate as far as this maximum angle. In some cases, the lever mechanism described above has been modified so as to allow fixing of the movable frame in a condition where it is tilted at an angle which is a given fraction of the angle of maximum opening. This may be achieved by means of a kind of ratchet gear mechanism which is associated with the support lever of the movable frame and which can be deselected by initiating a closing movement of the said movable frame, followed by a successive opening movement through a new angle which could be also be greater than the first angle. It should be pointed out that this movement may also be induced by any external force, independently of operation of the handle. In fact, by simply pushing or pulling the movable frame from any one of the sides of the fixture, it is possible to modify the angle of opening of the movable frame.

Therefore, both in the case of opening of the leaf type and in the case of opening of the tilting type, the movable frame will be positioned at angles different from those determined upon opening, as a result of external forces such as, for example, air currents or a pushing action applied, deliberately or unintentionally, from the inside or outside.

The consequences of an unwanted rotational movement may also be serious, in the case where the movable frame is pushed towards a position where it becomes an obstacle for a distracted user. Frequently it happens that the movable frame, which was originally moved away from the fixed frame in order to ventilate a closed room, starts to rotate freely and strikes an unsuspecting person or rotates to the point where the opening closed by the fixture may be passed through. In this latter case, the movable frame does not constitute a deterrent for an ill-intentioned person attempting to break into the premises or for a young child attempting to escape outside without being seen. The same also holds true for a household pet and in any case the consequences of a someone breaking in or of a child or animal escaping outside are negative to the say the least. This means that even a banal operation such as that of ventilating a room may - at least theoretically - involve a hidden danger.

It is known that it has occurred to some, in order to avoid the situations described above resulting from unintentional rotation of the movable frame, to adopt an accessory mechanism comprising a catch for each movable frame and a pin for each catch. The catch is normally formed by a bar which has at least one through-hole which is able to receive a pin mounted on the bottom edge of the fixed frame. The movable frame is then fixed rigidly at a given angle of opening determined by means of the bar, but the use of this accessory, besides the additional costs, also results in the need to provide fixing holes on the two frames, with the risk of damaging the fixture and therefore adversely affecting its aesthetic appearance, also because of the often unwanted presence of the bar and the pin. Alternatively, it is required to monitor constantly the movable frame once the fixture has been opening.

In respect of that described above it can be easily understood that the use of these window frame assemblies may be unsatisfactory for the client who, encountering the functional problems described above, has to ask the fitter to supply and mount the abovementioned accessory and therefore carry out additional installation work. Disclosure of the invention The object of the present invention is that of providing a window frame assembly for fixtures able to be opened in leaf and tilting fashion, which is devoid of the drawbacks described above. With this window frame assembly, it must be possible to: rotate the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame through an angle of opening of given amplitude, sufficient to ensure a situation where there is air communication between inside and outside, rigidly associate the movable frame with the fixed frame in this angled position and maintain this angled position even in the presence of external forces which tend to modify the amplitude thereof .

A further object of the present invention is that of allowing a variation in the said angle of opening of the movable frame only following a deliberate operation involving switching-over of the said window frame assembly.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a window frame assembly for fixtures which does not require the provision of additional holes on the front parts of the fixed frame and the movable frame, which is easy to fit and which has a low cost.

Therefore, object of the present invention is to provide a window frame assembly which allows the fixture to which it is fitted to keep the respective leaf in a given open condition, with the said leaf kept open with an aperture of given amplitude with respect to the respective fixed frame, in order to allow ventilation of the premises in safe conditions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a kit which can be installed on a window frame assembly for fixtures, such that it is possible to rotate the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame through an opening angle of given amplitude sufficient to ensure air communication between an internal environment and external environment, rigidly associate the movable frame with the fixed frame in this angled position and keep it in this angled position even in the presence of external forces which tend to modify its amplitude.

According to the present invention a window frame assembly is provided, the characteristic features thereof being defined at least in Claim 1 which follows. Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show some non-limiting examples of embodiment thereof and in which: - Figure 1 is an exploded schematic perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a window frame assembly according to the present invention fitted to a fixture which can be opened in leaf and tilting fashion;

- Figure 2 shows a plan view, on a larger scale, with parts sectioned and parts removed for the sake of clarity, of Figure 1, in which the window frame assembly is shown in a given operating condition;

- Figure 3 is a plan view, on a larger scale, of a portion taken from Figure 2 ; - Figure 4, similar to Figure 2, is an exploded schematic perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of Figure 1, with one of the components extracted, rotated through 90° and enlarged, and with parts removed for the sake of clarity; - Figure 5 is a plan view, on a larger scale, with parts sectioned and parts removed for the sake of clarity, of Figure 4 ; and

- Figure 6 is a plan view, on a larger scale, of a portion taken from Figure 5. Detailed description of the preferred embodiment (s)

The window frame assembly according to the present invention may be designed specifically for fixtures which can be opened in one opening mode or more than one opening mode. For the sake of convenience of the description it has been decided to start the description with reference to a window frame assembly suitable for allowing opening of a fixture both in leaf and tilting fashion and to end the description illustrating the modifications which may be introduced in the case where the window frame assembly must be suitable for only one of the two opening modes. Explicit reference to a window formed by assembling extruded parts which are normally made of metal or the like has been made for the sake of convenience and may not nor must not be interpreted as an intention to limit the general nature of the description which follows. In Figure 1, 1 denotes in its entirety a window frame assembly for fixtures 2, usually windows or French windows, which can be opened in leaf and tilting fashion.

Still with reference to Figure 1, the window 2 comprises a fixed frame 3 and a movable frame, or leaf 4, which is rotatable with respect to the fixed frame 3 about at least one pivoting axis. The assembly 1 comprises support members able to connect the leaf 4 to the fixed frame 3 so as to support it in a rotatable manner about a vertical axis and a horizontal axis (not shown for the sake of simplicity of illustration) and, for the sake of clarity, arranged conventionally in a vertical or in a horizontal position with reference to Figure 1. In particular, these support members comprise a pair of hinges 10, i.e. an upper hinge 10a and a lower hinge 10b, and a push-bar 11 mounted on the vertical sides 12 and 13 in Figure 1. The sides 12 and 13 delimit externally the leaf 4 on opposite sides to each other and are separated by a pair of outer sides 16 and 15 of the said leaf 4, which are respectively upper and lower. On the side where the push- bar 11 is situated, the assembly has an operating handle 14 which is mounted on the side 12. The handle 14 is able to select a given opening mode of the leaf 4 from among those provided. The assembly 1 comprises, moreover, a hinged device 17 which is able to allow the inclination of the leaf 4 with respect to the said fixed frame 3. This device 17. is mounted on the leaf 4 along a respective upper side 16 and all of its characteristics are known, since it is normally used, for example, in the window frame assemblies called KAI which are manufactured by the Applicants. Therefore, it has been shown schematically in Figure 1 in the form of a parallelepiped shaped block and a detailed description thereof has been omitted in view of the fact that the description of this device would not be of any assistance in understanding the present invention.

The push-bar 11 is mounted on the side 12 in a manner axially slidable away from and towards a position where it engages with a seat 18 formed in a bottom side 19 (see Figure 1) of the fixed frame 3, which is opposite to the top side 16 of the leaf 4. The hinge 10a is mounted on the fixed frame 3 on the side 13 next to the corresponding top corner 20 of the leaf 4 and has an arm 21 which is joined prismatically to the leaf 4 in the end position by means of the device 17. The remaining hinge 10b connects the frame 3 and the leaf 4 by means of a spherical joint and is mounted on the fixed frame 3 on the side 13 next to the bottom corner of the leaf 4 and therefore underneath the hinge 10a.

The assembly 1 moreover comprises a first elongated body or dog 25 which is joined to the side 12 prismatically in a manner known and not shown so as to be freely slidable axially on the leaf 4. The dog 25 is joined to a tenon 27 of the said handle 14, which, as is known, is connected to the grip of the handle 14 by means of a sprocket wheel/rack pair (known and not shown) arranged in between and is movable with pauses in two opposite directions along the side 12 obviously as a result of the action of the said handle 14. The dog 25 is delimited axially by respective top and bottom free ends which are able to engage the dog 25 with an upper transmission arm 35 and a bottom transmission arm 36, respectively. In particular, the upper arm 35 is able to actuate the control device 17, switching it over, so as to differentiate between leaf-type opening or tilting-type opening of the said leaf 4, while the bottom arm 36 is able to cause the movement of the push-bar 11 away from and towards the respective position engaged with the seat 18.

With reference to Figure 1, moreover, the upper arm 35 comprises a second, elongated, toothed body 40 which is joined prismatically to the side 12 above the handle 14, in a known manner not shown, so as to be freely slidable axially. In particular, the body 40 has a plurality of front projections 41 arranged at intervals and is joined to the dog 25 by means of a connecting bar 43 arranged in between and has, at the top, a transverse hole for joining to an angular transmission member 42, which will be described more fully below. In this way, the angular transmission member 42, the body 40, the bar 43 and the dog 25 are connected in series with each other so as to transmit the movement of the tenon 27 of the handle 14 to the hinged device 17 and therefore select the type of opening of the leaf 4.

Obviously the leaf 4 has, on the respective sides 12, 13 and 16, C-shaped longitudinal guides 44, one of which is visible in Figures 2 and 3 with reference to the side 12. The guide 44 of the side 12 is able to house the dog 25, the body 40, the bars 43 and the push-bar 11 and all the other connecting bars which are able to transfer the movement of the dog 25 to the mechanism 17. Still with reference to Figure 1, the assembly 1 comprises a false manoeuvre device 50, which is rigidly mounted on the side 12 underneath the angular transmission member 42 and is able to co-operate with seats 51 which are formed frontally in the body 40 between the projections 41 arranged linearly at intervals and which can be accessed transversely. Operation of the false manoeuvre device 50 is described in Italian patent No. 1266241 in the name of the Applicants and for this reason it is not considered necessary to provide further details, except to specify that the interval which separates the seats 51 corresponds to a rotation of the handle 14 through 90° and that a key 52 of the false manoeuvre device 50 is able to engage transversely in any one of the seats 51 and therefore, by locking the upper arm 35 and the bottom arm 36, prevent rotation of the handle 14. It must be noted that the number of seats 51 and the respective longitudinal position on the said body 40 is designed so as to allow actuation of the handle 14 only in the condition where the leaf 4 is open in leaf fashion and, consequently, prevent operation of the handle 14 in the condition where the leaf 4 is open in tilting fashion. For this reason, there are two seats 51 adjacent to each other so as to allow the free movement of the key 52 only when the leaf 4 is closed against the fixed frame 3 and in the condition where the leaf 4 is open in leaf mode. In both cases, the hinge 10a is able to constrain the leaf 4 so as to rotate about the vertical leaf-type opening axis, without ever creating conditions of vertical instability of the said leaf 4.

The angular transmission member 42 comprises a flexible bar 58 which engages in a freely sliding manner with a square bracket-piece and allows a translatory movement to be transmitted between the two concurrent sides 12 and 16 and therefore between the handle 14 and the device 17 so as to perform selectively actuation thereof. The fixed frame 3 has at least two closing recesses 61 in a position facing the side 12 of the leaf 4, which can be seen in Figure 1. In particular, Figure l shows a first closing recess 61 which is formed facing a locating element 62 of the push-bar 11 and a second recess 61 formed facing a locating element 62 of the flexible bar 58 of the angular transmission member 42.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the assembly 1 is provided, moreover, with a locking device 70 which allows the leaf 4 to be kept in a position adjacent to the fixed frame 3 in a stable manner and therefore rotated through an angle of given amplitude with respect to the latter so as to maintain a ventilation opening or aperture which allows the internal environment to be kept in constant air communication with the external environment. In this connection, the device 70 comprises at least one first locking member which can be instalXed in a rigid manner on the fixed frame 3 in a position substantially facing one of the two bars 43 and eccentric with respect to the centre line of the fixed frame 3, displaced towards the inner side of the leaf 4 and therefore towards the handle 14 of the said fixture 2. The device 70 comprises, moreover, for each locking member 71, a second locking member 72 which can be rigidly installed on the bar 43 by means of a respective base 73 so as to be movable along the said side 12, away from and towards an operative position engaged with the member 71. In this connection, the member 71 and the member 72 are formed in a mutually mating manner in such a way that they can be engaged and disengaged following a translatory movement of the member 72 along the respective side 12 and therefore following operation of the handle 14. In particular, the member 71 has a head 74 directed towards the side 12 substantially facing the bars 43 and the member 72 has a channelled portion or cavity 75 mating with the head 74 and formed in an eccentric position with respect to the base 73 so as to be displaced towards the outside of the leaf 4 by a given eccentric amount. Obviously, for understanding of the present invention, it is obvious to choose to associate the head 74 with the member 71 or with the member 72 and therefore, logically, associate the cavity 75 with the member 72 or 71, this without restricting the general nature of that described above .

It should be noted that the external profile of the leaf 4 (see Figure 2) covers the member 72 on the outside, preventing access to the member 72 and possible tampering therewith, and, as is obvious, prevents access to the handle 14.

As regards that illustrated above, it is clear that the operative engaged position may be assumed only when, during use, the two members 71 and 72 have been aligned vertically and, by means of rotation of the handle 14, a translatory movement has been imparted to the bars 43, thus producing covering of the head 74 by the cavity 75. As a result of the precision-fit of the head 74 inside the cavity 75, it is possible to determine a ventilating position of the leaf 4 adjacent to the fixed frame 3 and fix the leaf 4 with respect the said fixed frame 3, forming, at the same time, an opening 76 or aperture of set amplitude which is less than the smaller of the limit angles during opening in leaf or tilting fashion. Should one wish to increase the stability of fixing of the leaf 4 with respect to the fixed frame 3, it is possible to add, in the region of the second bar 43, a further pair of members 71 and 72. It should be noted that it is possible to add to the window frame assembly 1 a covering strip 77 which extends laterally towards the fixed frame 3 and allows modification of an external profile 78 of the side 12 of the leaf 4. This strip 77, which can be mounted by means of any type of permanent connection (therefore not described nor illustrated) has an extension sufficient to cover on the outside the ventilation and locking device 70 and not prevent opening of the leaf 4. Therefore, as can be clearly seen in Figure 2, switching-over of the device 70 cannot be performed from the outside, it not being possible to gain access directly from the outside either to the member 72 or to the handle 14, in order to perform operation thereof .

As can be easily understood, the locking device 70 may be regarded as a ventilation device which performs an accessory function within the assembly 1. In particular the assembly 1 allows the ventilation of premises in totally safe conditions, without the risk of air currents or inwardly acting forces causing further opening of the leaf 4, converting the leaf 4 into an unexpected and undesirable obstacle 4 or converting the fixture 2 into an opening through which there is easy access.

In certain cases, it is possible to consider modifying the assembly 1 in order to improve the passive resistance of the fixture 2 to attempts to open the leaf 4 from outside when the leaf 4 is open - and thus improve the security of the window frame assembly 1 - by means of the addition of a further prismatic retaining pair. Normally this prismatic pair is mounted on the side of the fixture 2 opposite to that on which the handle 14 is mounted, and therefore on the side 13 of the leaf 4. This prismatic pair make take the form of a safety device 80 comprising a member 81 similar to the member 71 in terms of shape, but with larger dimensions, and a member 82 similar to the member 72 in terms of shape and having dimensions such as to allow prismatic engagement with a head 84 of the member 81. It should be noted that, in this case, the member 81 is installed on a bar 86 which is visible, in cross- section, only in Figure 2 and is rigidly connected to the handle 14 by means of a further angular transmission member 90 (visible in Figure 1 where it is shown by a dot-dash line) and to a transmission arm 91 similar to the upper transmission arm 35. Consequently the member 82 is installed on the fixed frame 3 below the member 81, with the respective cavity 85 arranged along the vertical of the head 84, so as to be able to seat it freely. It should be noted that the head 84 can be engaged with play inside the cavity 85, in order to allow the safety device 80 to provide effective protection both when the leaf 4 is closed and when the leaf 4 is open in the ventilation configura ion. Therefore, the head 84 is produced with dimensions which are slightly smaller than the dimensions of the respective cavity 85 which is able to seat it and allows small rotations of the leaf 4 from the closed position, following suitable rotation of the handle 14, so as to allow air communication between the inside and the outside.

It should be noted that the device 70 described above may be used effectively during leaf-type opening mode and therefore when the opening 76 is produced following rotation of the leaf 4 with respect to a substantially vertical axis arranged on the opposite side to the handle 14. In any case, the device 70 may be easily used in order to control the amplitude of the opening aperture of the leaf 4, by simply positioning at least one pair of members

71 and 72 on the opposite side to the hinging side during tilting-type opening, and thus provide an opening on the opposite side to the top side 16. In this case, the member

72 (shown in dot-dash lines in Figure 1) must be necessarily mounted on a sliding bar 79 which connects the bar 58 to the device 17, and the member 71 (shown in dot- dash lines in Figure 1) must be necessarily mounted on the side 16 longitudinally facing the respective member 72, in accordance with that already described with reference to the side 12.

The use of the assembly 1 may be easily understood from that described above and does not require further explanation.

In the case where the fixture 2 is of the type which can be opened solely in leaf fashion, the assembly 1 will be modified by eliminating the device 17 and replacing the hinges 10a and 10b with fixed vertical-axis hinges which, for the sake of simplicity, have been shown schematically in Figure 1 alongside the said hinges 10a and 10b. In this case it will be obvious that the window frame assembly l thus simplified allows only one mode of < opening the fixture 2, i.e. leaf-type mode, and that ventilation may be effectively achieved by fixing the said leaf 4 in a position adjacent to the fixed frame 3 by means of the pair of members 71 and 72, wherein arrangement and operation are substantially identical to the arrangement and operation described above with reference to the leaf 4 which can also be opened in tilting fashion.

As regards that described above, the window frame assembly 1 described allows an aperture of given amplitude to be maintained between the said fixed frame and movable frame in order to allow ventilation of the premises in safe conditions. In particular, the assembly 1 requires that variation in the angle of opening of the said movable frame must be preceded by a voluntary operation switching over the condition of the said window frame assembly. It therefore constitutes a valid means for preventing accidents, on the one hand, and on the other hand, is an effective deterrent against break-in attempts even when the leaf is open. This characteristic feature is more obvious if the assembly 1 is designed to be fitted to fixtures which can be opened in both leaf and tilting fashion.

Furthermore, the assembly 1 does not require the provision of additional holes on the front parts of the fixed frame 3 and leaf 4, is easy to install and therefore allows the costs of the product and installation to be kept low.

Finally it is clear that the window frame assembly for fixtures described and illustrated here may be subject to modifications and variations, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

From that described above with reference to the locking device 70, it should be noted that this device completes the window frame assembly 1 for fixtures and has been designed so that it may also be sold separately in the form of an add-on kit for a window frame assembly for fixtures, other than that described above, provided that, there is enough space between the leaf 4 and frame 3 for installation thereof. On the other hand, an approach of the add-on type, in addition to increasing the amount of work for the fitter, and therefore the amount of time required to complete the job, may result in redundant and complicated fittings which can therefore be improved from a cost point of view in terms of use of the metallic material fitted to the leaf 4 and frame 3. Moreover, the excessive number of locking members between leaf 4 and frame 3 could result involuntarily in situations of unsatisfactory operation owing the presence of hyperstatic conditions and therefore difficulties in performing closing/opening without forcing the window frame assembly 1. In this connection, the window frame assembly 1 has been modified and simplified by adopting a new locking device 170 - shown in Figures 4 to 6 - which supplements the dog 25 of the assembly 1 described above, unlike the associated device 70. It will be noted that, unless otherwise indicated, the numbering of the components of the locking device 170 differs from that of the components of the locking device 70, by the amount 100. This numbering system, based on the functional similarity with the device 70, simplifies the description of the device 170 since it is easy to establish the functional correspondence between equivalent and similarly numbered components, by subtracting the number 100. With particular reference to Figure 4, the device 170 comprises a dog 125 which has a hollow central portion 126 on the side where the leaf 4 is situated, and therefore on the inside, for receiving the tenon 27, as well as two end portions 128 which are substantially identical to each other and each of which has a respective transverse dimension which is greater than the transverse dimension of the central portion 126, for a reason which will be clarified more fully further below. As can be seen more clearly in Figure 6, the dog 125 has externally, on each portion 128, a pair of projections 175 which are able to define a seat 172 which is C-shaped so that it can be engaged vertically by a projection 171b of a locking member 171 which can be rigidly mounted on the fixed frame 3 by means of a respective base 173. In particular, the frame 3 and the leaf 4 can be freely engaged and disengaged following a translatory movement of the seat 172 along the respective side 12, the translation being caused by the operation of the handle 14. The two locking members 171 are installed on the frame 3 at a distance substantially identical to the distance between the seats 172 so that, when the dog 125 is in the rest position and the handle in the closed position, each locking member 171 is arranged above the respective seat 172. The dog 125 may optionally have internally a respective pair of pins 129 for engagement with the respective bars 43 positioned symmetrically with respect to the central portion 126 at a small distance and, in this case, the replacement of the dog 25 with the dog 125 is performed without any other modification. Alternatively, the dog 125 may have the respective pins 129 arranged at a greater distance, which is limited by the longitudinal extension of the said dog 125. In this case, each pin 129 will be positioned on the inside and opposite the respective seat 172 and the length of the bars 43 may be suitably reduced. It should be noted that, in Figure 6, the bar 43 engaged with the dog 125 is shown in faint broken lines. Obviously for the sake of understanding of present invention, it is obvious to choose to associate the seat 172/member 171 with the leaf 4 or the frame 3, and therefore, logically, associate the member 17l/seat 172 with the frame 3 or the leaf 4, without limiting the general nature of that described above. With particular reference to Figures 5 and 6, the dog 125 has a pair of symmetrical projections 145 which engage prismatically with the longitudinal guide 44 so as to ensure that the dog 125 is freely movable vertically, together with the respective bars 43. The particular form of the seat 172 and the locking member 171 facilitate location of the engaged operating position of leaf 4 and fixed frame 3.

Each portion 128 is shaped in a similar manner to a wing and formed symmetrically about a central horizontal axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the handle 14. Moreover, each wing 128 has internally, on the opposite side and on the same level as the respective seat 172, a projection 178 which is substantially laterally tangential to an outer edge 144 of the longitudinal guide 44 so as to increase the transverse rigidity of the dog 125 and therefore the respective capacity to withstand, during use, the transverse thrusts which tend to increase the amplitude of the angle of opening of the leaf 4 when the latter is arranged in the respective locked position. In this case also, the locking device 170 may be regarded as a ventilation device which allows ventilation of the premises in totally safe conditions, without the risk of air currents or inwardly acting forces causing further opening of the leaf 4 , converting the leaf 4 into an unexpected and undesirable obstacle 4 or converting the fixture 2 into an opening through which there is easy access.

With reference to Figures 4 and 6, the locking device 170 may be selectively provided with a positioning device 176 which is able to co-operate with one of the projections 175 which delimit the seat 172. In particular, the positioning device 176 comprises a thin plate 177 made of string steel and able to be connected to the locking member 171 by means of a connection of the releasable or permanent type without the choice of connection representing a limitation of the present invention. The plate 177 is delimited longitudinally by a pair of portions 179 which are substantially identical to each other and arranged on opposite sides of the projection 171b and each of which is shaped in the manner of an "M" . Each portion 179 has a concave central portion 179b which is able to seat, by means of a transverse access determined by tilting/rotation of the leaf 4, the innermost projection 175 facing the frame 3. During use, contact between the internal projection 175 and one of the portions 179 and subsequent engagement of the concave central portion 179b is able to indicate to a user that the dog 125 is arranged longitudinally in the respective correct preliminary position for obtaining effective engagement with the internal projection 175 of the dog 125. The proof that the dog 125 is correctly positioned is obtained by performing rotation of the leaf 4 in the opposite direction. In fact, the correct preliminary position of the dog 125 is indicated by the fact that the leaf 4 may be rotated backwards only by overcoming the resistance offered by the positioning device 176 and in particular by one of the portions 179 of the plate 177. It must be noted that, once established that the dog is in the correct position, rotation of the handle 14 may be performed only following release of the upper arm 35 and therefore also the bottom arm 36 of the transmission system, by means of manual operation of the false manoeuvre device 50. In some embodiments in which the false manoeuvre device could be positioned at a height which is difficult to access for various reasons, the handle 14 may be rotated freely following modification of the body 40 which could have only two of the three front projections 41 and in particular the central projections and one of the two upper and lower projections, depending on where the two members 171 have been positioned on the frame 3. For the sake of simplicity, the body 40 has been shown in Figure 1 only provided with the three front projections 41.

As regards that described above, the locking device 170 is able to provide an effective safeguard against break-in attempts by means of a very compact structure. This also allows limitation of the area of application of the device 170 which therefore becomes an irreplaceable part of the window frame assembly 1 and cannot be regarded as an add-on kit for a window frame assembly intended for fixtures which can be opened in leaf and tilting fashion.

Claims

1. Window frame assembly (1) for fixtures (2) having a fixed frame (3) and a movable leaf (4) which can be pivoted with respect to the said fixed frame (3) about at least one pivoting axis through a corresponding maximum angle of rotation of given amplitude; the said assembly being characterized in that it comprises a locking and ventilation device (70) provided with a first locking member (71) (72) which can be installed in a given manner on the said movable frame (4) so that it can be activated to produce and stably maintain, in co-operation with a locating member (72) (71) rigidly connected to the said fixed frame (3) , an aperture (76) having an amplitude less than the smaller of the said maximum angles of given amplitude, so as to immobilise the said movable frame (4) with respect to the said fixed frame (3) , defining a ventilation position where the movable frame (4) is adjacent to the fixed frame (3) .

2. Window frame assembly (1) for fixtures (2) which can be opened in leaf and tilting fashion, having a fixed frame (3) and a movable frame (4) which can be pivoted about at least two pivoting axes separate from each other, each having a corresponding maximum angle of rotation of given amplitude; the said assembly being characterized in that it comprises a locking and ventilation device (70) provided with a first locking member (71) (72) which can be mounted in a given manner on the said movable frame (4) so that it can be activated to produce and stably maintain, in co-operation with a locating- member (72) (71) rigidly connected to the said fixed frame (3) , an aperture (76) having an amplitude less than the smaller of the said maximum angles of given amplitude, so as to immobilise the said movable frame (4) with respect to the said fixed frame (3) , defining a ventilation position where the movable frame (4) is adjacent to the fixed frame (3) .

3. Assembly according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the said fixed locating member (72) comprises a second locking member (72) which can be mounted on the said fixed frame (3) .

4. Assembly according to Claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a handle (14) able to co-operate with the said first locking member (71) so as to produce actuation thereof with respect to the movable frame (4) away from and towards an operative position of the said first locking member (71) , in which the said first locking member (71) engages in a given manner with the said second locking member (72) on the said fixed frame (3) so as to produce and stably maintain the said adjacent ventilation position.

5. Assembly according to Claim 4, characterized in that the said first locking member (71) is able during use, together with the movable frame (4) arranged in the said adjacent ventilating position, engage with the said second locking member (72) prismatically along a given side (12) (13) (16) of the said movable frame (4) .

6. Assembly according to Claim 5, characterized in that the said first locking member (71) can be mounted on the said movable frame (4) along a first side (12) (16) of the movable frame (4) arranged on the opposite side to a first hinging side (13) (15) of the said movable frame (4) .

7. Assembly according to Claim 6, characterized in that the said first locking member (71) can be mounted on the said movable frame (4) on the side where the handle

(14) is situated.

8. Assembly according to Claim 5 or 7, characterized in that the said first locking member (71) and the said handle (14) can be mounted respectively on the sides adjacent to each other.

9. Assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 8, characterized in that it comprises hinge-type support means (10a, 17, 10b, 11) able to connect the said movable frame (4) to the said fixed frame (3) so as to allow opening of the said movable frame (4) in leaf fashion; and tilting- type opening means (10a, 17, 10b, 11) able to connect the said movable frame (4) to the said fixed frame (3) so as to allow opening of the said movable frame (4) in tilting fashion; the said hinge-type supporting means (10a, 17, 10b, 11) comprising a push-bar (11) which can be mounted in a freely sliding manner on a first vertical side (12) of the said movable frame (4) so as to engage with a seat (18) formed at the bottom in the fixed frame (3) ; the said first vertical side (12) supporting the said handle (14) in a position above the said push-bar (11) .

10. Assembly according to any one of Claims 3 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a contact strip (77) of given length so that it can be applied on the inside of an outer profile (78) of the said movable frame (4) so as to prevent direct access to the said handle (14) and subsequent operation.

11. Fixture able to allow fitting of a window frame assembly such as that described with reference to Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a movable frame

(4) which incorporates as one piece a contact strip (77) as described with reference to Claims 10 and 11.

12. Assembly according to any one of Claims 4-10, characterized in that it comprises a safety device (80) which can be installed on the opposite side to the said handle (14), between the said fixed frame (3) and movable frame (4) .

13. Ventilation kit for a window frame assembly for fixtures which can be opened in leaf fashion and tilting fashion and which have a first and a second frame (3) (4) which are freely rotatable with respect to each other about at least two axes separate from each other, each having a corresponding maximum angle of rotation of given amplitude with respect to the other; the said kit being characterized in that it comprises a locking and ventilation device (70) provided with a first locking member (71) (72) which can be mounted in a given manner on any one of the said first and second frames (3) (4) so that it can be activated to produce and stably maintain, in co-operation with a locating member (72) (71) which can be rigidly mounted on the remaining second or first frame (4) (3) , an aperture (76) having an amplitude less than the the smaller of the said maximum angles of given amplitude, so as to immobilise the said first and second frames (3) (4) with respect to each other in an adjacent ventilating position.

14. Window frame assembly (1) for fixtures (2) having a fixed frame (3) and a movable frame (4) which can be pivoted with respect to the said fixed frame (3) about at least one axis of rotation through a corresponding maximum angle of rotation of given amplitude; an upper transmission arm (35) and a bottom transmission arm (36), each comprising at least one actuating bar (43) movable with an alternating rectilinear movement on one given side (12) as a result of the thrust of actuating means (14) having a rectilinear movement; characterized in that it comprises a locking and ventilating device (17) provided with at least one block (171) which can be rigidly connected to the said fixed frame (3) in a position facing the said side (12) and at least one seat (172) which is formed so as to mate with a front projection (171b) of the said block (171) and which can be actuated along the said side (12) away from and towards a position of engagement with the said projection

(171b) so as to produce an aperture (176) having an amplitude less than each of the said maximum angles of given amplitude, so as to immobilise the said movable frame

(4) with respect to the said fixed frame (3) , defining a ventilation position where the movable frame (4) is adjacent to the fixed frame (4) ; the said actuating means comprising a dog (125) movable linearly with respect to the said side (12) and provided with at least one said seat

(172) .

15. Assembly according to Claim 14, characterized in that the said seat (172) is delimited by a pair of projections (175) , the said dog (125) having on the inside, on the opposite side to each said seat (172) , means (178) for increasing the transverse rigidity of the said dog (125) .

16. Assembly according to Claim 15, characterized in that the said means (178) for increasing the transverse rigidity comprise a projection (178) arranged on the same level as the corresponding said seat (172) so as to engage transversely with the said side (12) on the opposite side to the said seat (172) .

17. Assembly according to Claim 16, characterized in that the said dog (125) has a central portion joined prismatically to the said side (12) so as to be freely displaceable along the said side (12) ; the said dog (125) having, moreover, in the region of the respective said seats (172) and the corresponding projections (178) , a transverse extension greater than the said central portion so as to maximise the amplitude of the said aperture (176) .

18. Assembly according to any one of Claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the said locking device (170) comprises a positioning device (176) having a thin plate (177) delimited longitudinally by a pair of fastening portions (179) arranged on opposite sides of the projection

(171b) and each being able to co-operate with the seat (172) so as to receive an innermost projection (175) of the said two projections (175) which delimit the seat (172) facing the fixed frame (3) , following rotation of the movable frame (4) , and indicate to a user that the dog (125) is arranged longitudinally in the respective correct preliminary position for achieving effective engagement with the projection (171b) of the dog (125) .

19. Assembly according to Claim 18, characterized in that the said plate (177) is made of string steel and that each said portion (179) is shaped in the form of an " " having a concave central portion (179b) for receiving, during use, by means of a transverse access (175) , the innermost projection (175) facing the fixed frame (3) .