EP0178362A1 - Remotely controlled device for locking and unlocking, particularly for an anti-panic bar - Google Patents

Abstract

Remote locking and unlocking device, in particular for a panic bar whose movement triggers the unlocking of a door or other exit closure, of the type comprising a bolt capable of oscillating in rotation in a housing. A lever arm 10 comprises additional locking means 25, 26, able to cooperate with the cam profile 12 of the bolt 2 to immobilize the bolt in rotation relative to the lever arm 10 when the latter is returned to the locking position. by the core 15 of the electromagnet 7. Application to the safety interlock of the panic bars.

Description

The present invention applies to a remote locking and unlocking device in particular for panic bar, the movement of which triggers the unlocking of a door or other exit closure, of the type comprising on the one hand a locking means mounted on a fixed part and capable of taking a blocking position where it opposes the movement of the panic bar and an erasing position where it authorizes this movement and, on the other hand, an electrical actuation means such as an electromagnet, the core of which is connected to the blocking means so that its electrical supply controls the movement of the blocking means between its blocking and erasing positions. To this end, the device consists of a bolt capable of oscillating in rotation in a housing and having on the one hand a hollow external profile in which is likely to come to engage at least part of the profile of the section of the panic bar and which is able to "mesh" with it to hinder its movement and on the other hand, a cam profile capable of cooperating with one end of a lever arm articulated on an axis pivotally secured to the housing and of which another part is connected to the core of the electromagnet so that the supply of electric current to this electromagnet pivots and / or maintains the lever arm in a position where its end cooperates with the cam profile to prevent any oscillation with the bolt and immobilize said bar in the closed position of the door and that the interruption of the electrical supply of the electromagnet releases the bolt which then no longer hinders movement from the bar anti-panic to open the door.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a known remote locking and unlocking device for the panic bars using a locking electromagnet held continuously energized in the locked position and where it suffices to cut the power supply to release the panic bar. Such a device must operate safely and reliably by resisting attempts to force the security doors and by releasing the panic bars after hours of keeping power on by a command which it is always possible to address even in l total absence of energy and which lends itself well to the simultaneous remote control and from several control points.

However, a difficulty arose when an inanimate person was pressing on the panic bar and exerting a constant thrust on it when the electromagnet was cut off. Certain electromechanical equipment for remote unlocking of the panic bars was stuck by this constant thrust without the lever arm return spring being able to unlock the bolt of the locking device. A simple solution to this problem consists in providing on the bolt of the locking device a cam profile which tends to push the lever arm back into the unlocking position when an opening force is exerted on the panic bar, but this This solution leads either to facilitate the violation of the panic bars by malicious people, or to considerably reinforce the blocking force of the electromagnet in order to safely avoid this violation.

Another object of the present invention is precisely to overcome these two types of drawback by proposing a very secure locking system for a panic bar using a low power electromagnet and therefore of low consumption. electric while guaranteeing the unlocking of the panic bar for a weak force exerted on it as soon as the excitation current of the electromagnet is cut.

To this end, the lever arm comprises additional locking means able to cooperate with the cam profile of the bolt to immobilize the bolt in rotation relative to the lever arm when the latter is returned to the locking position by the core of the electromagnet excited by an electric current.

The additional locking means preferably consist of at least one locking bar carried by the lever arm parallel to the latter and movable axially along this arm. lever so that one of its ends comes to engage in a cavity formed on the surface of the cam profile and of a shape corresponding to this end. The lever arm then preferably comprises two parallel blades which bear at one of their ends, via an axis connecting them, a roller cooperating with the cam profile of the bolt and which are integral with at least two connecting axes crossing each in an articulated manner a guide groove formed in the blocking bar which, on the opposite side of the bolt, has a closed groove inclined with respect to the axis of the core of the electromagnet and crossed by an integral locking axis of one of the ends of a pivoting motor lever whose central part is articulated to the core of the electromagnet and whose other end is articulated on the pivot axis (of the lever arm) secured to the housing , in such a way that the displacement of the core under the effect of the electric supply of the electromagnet causes the pivoting of the pivoting motor lever around the pivot axis of the lever arm and the driving in rotation of the blocking bars (rendering axially secured to the lever arm by the two connecting pins) by the locking pin which is supported on the sides of the closed and inclined groove and which abuts at the bottom of the inclined groove and thus pushes axially and parallel to the blades of the lever arms, the locking bars in their locking position where one of the ends of the locking bar engages in the cavity formed on the surface of the cam profile.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the connection between the central part of the pivoting motor lever and the core of the electromagnet is produced by an adjustable screwing system making it possible to adjust the position of the pivoting motor lever relative to the core of the electromagnet, especially at the extreme stop positions of the core.

The unlocking device according to the invention may include remote indicator means such as a control electrical contactor, capable of remotely indicating the exit of the bolt and / or of the lever arm out of the position locking the panic bar.

• - la figure 1 est une vue de côté boîtier ouvert d'un dispositif de verrouillage et déverrouillage selon l'invention pour barre anti-panique, télécommandé par électro-aimant et non muni d'un verrouillage supplémentaire;
• - la figure 2 est une vue en coupe transversale selon l'axe de l'électro-aimant d'un dispositif de verrouillage et déverrouillage pour barre anti-panique selon la présente invention, logé sensiblement dans le même boîtier que celui de la figure 1 et muni d'un verrouillage supplémentaire.

Other objects, advantages and characteristics will appear on reading the description of an embodiment of the invention, given without limitation and with reference to the appended drawing where:

• - Figure 1 is a side view of the open housing of a device locking and unlocking according to the invention for panic bar, remotely controlled by electromagnet and not provided with an additional locking;
• - Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along the axis of the electromagnet of a locking and unlocking device for panic bar according to the present invention, housed substantially in the same housing as that of Figure 1 and fitted with an additional lock.

Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the box which carries the locking and unlocking device to be fixed in front of a rotary panic bar 4, supports different axes of articulation and an electromagnet 7. Around d 'a relatively rigid axis 17 of the housing 1, is articulated a rotary bolt 2 around the axis 17 and which has a hollow external profile 3 in which is likely to come to engage by following the semi-cylindrical contour of the profile 3 , one half of the panic bar 4 which during its rotation to open a security door "meshes" like a gear on the outer profile 3 of the bolt.

The bolt 2 has a characteristic cam profile 12 in the form of a cell and which cooperates with a roller 11 rotatably mounted on an axis at the end of a lever arm 10 articulated on an axis 14 integral with the housing 1. The other end of the lever arm 10 is articulated by a movable axis 16 to the rod 18 of the movable core 15 of the electromagnet 7. When the winding of the electromagnet 7 is traversed by a direct electric current (the use of alternating current being possible with special compensation turns and admitting a significant reduction in the force of attraction), the core 15 is attracted towards the inside of the electromagnet to increase the magnetic flux and this attraction s 'performs against the return force exerted by a return spring 8 wound for example around the axis 14 and against the action of gravity on a counterweight 9 fixed on a lateral extension of the lever 10.

To explain the operation of the device in FIG. 1, the position occupied by the lever arm 10 and the bolt 2 is shown in dotted lines when the panic bar 4 is pushed into position. opening hours. In the normal operating position, the electromagnet 7 is kept energized, that is to say excited and the components of the device occupy the positions in solid lines represented in FIG. 1. It can be seen that if an unauthorized person exercises an opening thrust on the panic bar 4 in the direction of opening materialized by the arrow 5, the cam profile 12 of the bolt 2 exerts on the roller 11 a force which develops parallel to the midline of the arm of lever 10 and which is absorbed by the reaction of the axis 14 secured to the housing 1, practically without pulling the core 15 of the electromagnet towards the opening. The core 15 therefore remains bonded by the magnetic attraction exerted by the armature of the electromagnet as long as the electromagnet 7 is kept under tension and the panic bar thus remains firmly blocked.

If a danger or a need for opening is revealed in the enclosure closed by the security door controlled by the panic bar 4, the current of the electromagnet 7 is cut, generally from a station central security. The spring 8 and the counterweight 9 recall the lever arm 10 in the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1 by rotating it around the axis 14 in the direction of the arrows because the magnetic attraction of the armature the electromagnet on the core 15 stops or is limited to a very low residual force. If a person wishing to exit through the security door presses on the panic bar 4 in the direction of the arrow 5, it can be seen that the bolt 2 which is no longer stopped by the roller 11 turns around its axis 17 in the direction of the arrow 13 and comes into the dotted position with its hollow profile 3 passed in 3 '. The panic bar 4 moves freely according to the arrow 5 in 4 'and the security door can open. An external spring normally recalls the safety bar in the solid line position where it rotates the bolt 2 so that its profile 3 meshes again with that of the bar 4 and re-energizing the electromagnet 7 re-establishes the bar lock 4.

Considering Figure 1, we see that two incidents of different types are likely to occur. Firstly, when the holding current is cut in the electromagnet 7 while a strong pressure is already exerted on the panic bar 4, for example because there is an emergency waiting for the opening of the door or because a person has collapsed on the bar 4, the cam profile 12 risks jamming the roller 11 and consequently the core 15 in the electromagnet 7 without the spring 8 and the counterweight 9 being able to recall the lever arm 10 in the dotted position of Figure 1 and this as long as a pressure is maintained on the bar 4. If, to eliminate this risk, the cam profile 12 is given a shape which tends to drive out the roller 11 in 11 '(see Figure 1) when the bar 4 tends to rotate the bolt 2 in the direction 13, 11 becomes possible for a vigorous person to force the panic bar 4 against the retaining force of the electromagnet 7, except to give it a great power which results in higher establishment and especially operating costs (permanent electrical consumption).

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2 overcomes these drawbacks. Elements identical or similar to those in FIG. 1 keep the same reference numbers. The housing 1 always carries an electromagnet 7 fixed at the end and hinge pins 14 for a lever arm 10 and 17 for a bolt 2 for blocking the panic bar 4 capable of moving in 4 'according to the arrow 5.

The lever arm 10 consists of two parallel blades carrying at one of their ends, on the side of the bolt 2, the roller 11 rotatably mounted on an axis 19 which connects the two parallel blades. The blades of the lever arm 10 are each connected to a blocking bar 21 by connecting pins 20, 22 which pass through articulated longitudinal guide slots 23 and 24 formed in the blocking bar 21 which can thus move d 'A short stroke parallel to the blades of the lever arm 10 outside thereof while remaining practically integral with the lever arm 10. A guide slot 14a forming a closed groove like the slots 23 and 24 is also provided in the bar 21 around the axis of articulation 14 of the lever arm 10. The locking bars 21 carry at their end, on the side of the bolt 2, a locking pin 25 capable of coming to engage in a conjugate cavity 26 formed inside the bolt 2 on its cam profile 12.

The lever arm 10 which carries a counterweight 9 laterally consisting for example of a set of washers mounted on an axis 9a, is connected to the core 15 of the electromagnet 7 by a pivoting motor lever 27 articulated at its base on the pivot axis 14 of the lever arm 10 and at its central part via an axis 28 at a threaded rod 29 screwed into a thread for receiving the core 15, in an adjustable manner by means of a lock nut 30.

At its upper end according to FIG. 2, that is to say on the side opposite to the bolt 2, the pivoting lever 27 carries a locking pin 31 which moves in a closed groove 32 which is formed in the head 33 of the locking bar 21 is inclined relative to the perpendicular to the center line of the lever arm 10 and of the locking bars 21 passing through the center of the axes 20, 14, 22, 19 and which therefore forms with the longitudinal axis of the core 15 a small angle (20 to 30 ° for example) and variable depending on the position of the pivot lever 27. The winding 34 of the electromagnet connected by wires 35 to an electrical supply, is surrounded by a magnetic circuit which closes in the excitation position of the electromagnet by pressing the end face 36 of the core 15 on an abutment bearing abutment 37 surrounded by a return spring 38 which pushes the core 15 towards the outside and thus partially plays the role of the return spring 8 of FIG. 1. A contact an electric urn 39 fitted with a pusher 40 is connected by wires 41 to a central position for monitoring the position of the bolt 2.

The operation of the panic bar locking and unlocking device shown in FIG. 2 will now be explained. When the coil 34 of the electromagnet is traversed by a direct excitation current, the core 15 of the electromagnet is attracted by the bearing anvil 37 and the various parts of the device occupy the position shown in solid lines in Figure 2. The locking pin 31 of the pivot lever 27 abuts at the bottom of the groove 32 and rotates the locking bars 21 around the axis 14 by pushing them back through the walls of the groove inclined 32 downwards in the figure in the direction of the cam profile 12 to cause the lug 25 to penetrate into the cavity 26. It can be seen that in this position where the electromagnet is excited, a push on the panic bar 4 in the direction of the opening collides with the double locking of the roller 11 and of the lug 25 and that the panic bar 4 remains blocked even if the force of attraction of the anvil 37 on the core 25 is low.

When the excitation current is cut in the winding 34, the lever arm 10 is unlocked in two stages. The recoil of the core 15 to the right of the figure under the effect of the reaction of the spring 38 first of all rotates the pivoting motor lever 27 around the axis 14 by pushing back by the locking pin 31 moving in the groove 32, the locking bars 21 upwards, which makes the pins 25 escape from their housing 26. The locking pin 31 comes then in abutment at the bottom of the groove 32 and drives in rotation about the axis 14 the locking bars 21 which, in turn, drive the lever arm 10 and the roller 11 by the connecting axes 20, 22, towards the left of the figure. The bolt 2 can then rotate freely in rotation about its axis 17, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2, and release the panic bar 4. The pusher 40 is pushed back by a rim of the bolt and actuates the contactor 39 which indicates to the dashboard of the installation by the wires 41 that the panic bar 4 is placed in the open position.

If, when the electrical excitation of the electromagnet 7 is cut off, an opening force is exerted on the anti-panic bar 4 as explained above, the first unlocking time takes place normally because the torque exerted on the bolt 2 is largely absorbed by the roller 11 and transferred to the axis 14. As soon as the lug 25 has left the housing 26, the roller 11 "spurts" laterally under the effect of the forces exerted on it at an angle by the torque applied to the bolt 2 and the release of the panic bar takes place by rotation of the bolt 2. Thanks to the arrangements according to the invention allowing a double locking of the bolt 2, the action of a spring return 38 of small dimensions and counterweight 9 allows to unlock a large locking force.

The locking bars 21 are preferably trapped on their connecting axes 20, 22 by external circlips 42. The bolt 2 which must be very thick, is advantageously made like the counterweight 9, by stacking of cut sheets assembled together. ed by rivets forming tie rods. The cavities 26 can then be renovated in only part of these stacked sheets, which makes it possible to economically produce cavities of small width in a p = ne of large width. The position of the core 15 of the electromagnet relative to the axis 28 is advantageously adjusted after assembly of the device by rotating the core 15 by acting on a longitudinal groove of the latter accessible in position exited from the core, the threaded rod 29 being immobilized in rotation by 1 axis 28. After adjustment, the core 15 is locked on the rod 29 by the hanger-nut 30.

Claims (9)

1.- Remote locking and unlocking device, in particular for panic bar (4) whose movement triggers the unlocking of a door or other exit closure, of the type comprising on the one hand a locking means mounted on a fixed part capable of taking a blocking position where it opposes the movement of the panic bar (4) and an erasing position where it authorizes this movement and, on the other hand, an actuating means electric such as an electromagnet (7), the core (15) of which is connected to the blocking means so that its electrical supply controls the movement of the blocking means between its blocking and erasing positions, characterized in that '' It consists of a bolt (2) capable of oscillating in rotation in a housing (1) and having on the one hand a hollow external profile (3) in which is likely to come to engage at least a part of the profile of the section of the panic bar (4) and which is suitable for "s 'mesh' with it to hinder its movement and on the other hand, a cam profile (12) capable of cooperating with one end (11) of a lever arm (10) articulated on a pivot axis (14 ) integral with the housing (1) and of which another part (16) is connected by means (15) of the electromagnet (7) in such a way that the electric current alignment of this electromagnet (7) makes pivot and / or hold the lever arm (10) in a position where its end cooperates with the cam profile (12) to prevent any oscillation at the bolt (2) and immobilize said bar (4) in the closed position of the door and that the break in the electrical supply of the electromagnet (7) releases the bolt (2) which then no longer hinders the movement of the panic bar (4) to open the door. - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lever arm (10) is capable, under the effect of the electric current supply of the electromagnet (7), to pivot against d 'a return spring (8). 3 - Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lever Iras (10) is susceptible under the effect of the supply by: electric current of the electromagnet (7) to pivot against dt the effect of gravity on a counterweight or a counterweight (9). 4.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the part of the lever arm (10) cooperating with the cam profile (12) consists of a roller (11) rotatably mounted on an axis ( 19) at the end of the arm (10). 5.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lever arm (10) comprises additional locking means (25) capable of cooperating with the cam profile (12) of the bolt (2) to immobilize the bolt in rotation relative to the lever arm (10) when the latter is returned to the locking position by the core (15) of the electromagnet (7) excited by an electric current. 6.- Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the additional locking means are constituted by at least one locking bar (21) carried by the lever arm (10) parallel to it and axially movable along this lever arm so that one of its ends (25) comes to engage in a cavity (26) formed on the surface of the cam profile (12) and of shape corresponding to this end (25). 7.- Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the lever arm (10) comprises two parallel blades carrying at one of their ends, via an axis (19) connecting them, a roller (11) cooperating with the cam profile (12) of the bolt (2) and integral with at least two connecting pins (20, 22) each hingedly passing through a guide groove (23, 24) formed in the corresponding locking bar (21) which, on the opposite side of the bolt (2), has a closed groove (32) inclined relative to the axis of the core (15) of the electromagnet and crossed by a locking pin (31) integral with the 'one end of a pivoting motor lever (27) whose central part is articulated to the core (15) of the electromagnet and whose other end is articulated on the pivot axis (14) of the arm lever (10) integral with the boot (1), so that the displacement of the core (15) under the effect of the electrical supply of the electromagnet (7) causes the pivotem ent of the pivoting motor lever (27) around the pivot axis (14) of the lever arm (10) and the rotation drive of the locking bars (21) / made axially integral with the lever arm (10) by the two connecting pins (20, 22) / by the locking pin (31) which bears on the sides of the closed and inclined groove (32) and which abuts at the bottom of the inclined groove (32) and thus pushes axially and parallel to the blades of the lever arm (10) the blocking bar (s) (21) in its (their) locking position or one of the ends (25 ) locking bars (21) engages in the cavity (26) formed on the surface of the cam profile (12). 8.- Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the connection between the central part of the pivoting motor lever (27) and the core (15) of the electromagnet is produced by an adjustable screwing system (29, 30) for adjusting the position of the pivoting motor lever (27) relative to the core (15) of the electromagnet (7), especially in the extreme abutment position thereof. 9.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises remote indicator means such as an electrical indicator switch (39), capable of remotely indicating the exit of the bolt (2) and / or of the lever arm (10) out of the position locking the panic bar (4).

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