EP0233094A1 - Quick-release fastener provided with a panic bar - Google Patents

Abstract

The device also includes a housing (2) capable of being mounted against the leaf of a door and moveable locking strut (8) fitted with a press button (12) for controlling its movement. The press button is moved by a pressure on the bearing plate (3) exerted by a user to open the door. The bearing plate (3) is connected to the housing (2) and the push button (12) by means of two deformable four-bar linkage assemblies (19, 20) in such a way that the plate (3) is moved in a direction approximately perpendicular to that of the sliding of the strut (8), causing the deformation of the said four-bar linkages (19, 20) and the accompanying displacement of the push button (12) and the strut (8). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to rapid door opening mechanisms which in particular close the emergency exits of premises intended to contain people in groups, such as meeting rooms, shows, shops and other places where crowds are gathered more or less important and for which, in the event of fire or more generally for any other emergency cause, it is necessary to cause the immediate opening of these doors, in order to give free passage to people who have to get out quickly the room.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a rapid door opening device, of a type comprising a housing capable of being mounted against a door leaf, a locking rod movable relative to the housing in a first direction then parallel to the leaf and provided with a pushbutton for controlling its movement, an anti-panic support plate then placed approximately parallel to the leaf and movable relative to the housing in a second direction then approximately perpendicular to the leaf, and two connecting assemblies between the plate d support and the pusher, each of said assemblies comprising two rigid arms hinged together and, respectively, on the housing and the support plate, around axes mutually parallel and perpendicular to said first and second directions, so that a thrust applied to the support plate towards the housing causes a displacement of the support plate according to said second say ction and displacement of the locking rod in said first direction, relative to the housing, in a direction of release of the door leaf.

A device of this type is described in FR-A-2 379 678; in this known device, each connection assembly between the support plate and the pusher is limited to the two aforementioned rigid arms, of which the one which is articulated on the support plate is moreover articulated on the pusher and mounted to slide relative to to the housing in the common direction of movement of the pusher and the locking rod; thus, a thrust applied to the support plate towards the housing to cause a joint movement of the pusher and the locking rod in the direction of release of the door must for this purpose not only cause the arms to pivot about the axes d 'articulation, but also a sliding of one of the arms relative to the housing, in particularly unfavorable conditions of force transmission; these particularly unfavorable conditions result from significant friction which, on the one hand, can lead to rapid wear of the device and, on the other hand, oppose resistance to the release of the door which must be overcome by the thrust applied to the support plate when you want to open the door, so that this thrust must be significant.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and, to this end, the present invention provides a rapid door opening device of the type indicated in the preamble, characterized in that each of said assemblies constitutes a deformable quadrilateral comprising:
a first of said arms, bent, articulated around a first axis relative to the housing and having two ends, the first of which is functionally linked to the pusher,
the second of said arms, articulated on the one hand on the second end of the first arm and on the other hand on the support plate, respectively around the second and third axes parallel to the first axis,
a rigid connecting bar between the second arm and the housing, said bar being articulated on the one hand with respect to the housing and on the other hand on the second arm, respectively around the fourth and fifth axes parallel to the first, second and third axes.

Such a structure of the connection assemblies between the support plate and the pusher leads to a rigorous guiding of the support plate relative to the housing, and does not imply at the level of these assemblies, when a thrust is applied to the support plate to cause the release of the door, that relative rotational movements around the hinge axes, in conditions of transmission of forces much more favorable than in the case of the device described by the aforementioned document; it follows that a lesser push is enough to cause the release of the door, and that the device according to the invention is subject to less rapid wear than the device described in the aforementioned document.

It will be noted that, by an appropriate choice of the relative positioning of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth axes and of the shapes and dimensions of the arms as well as the bar, one can choose the path of the panic support plate relative to the housing, and for example provide that this path is strictly straight and perpendicular to the door leaf and the direction of movement of the control rod.

However, this does not result in any complexity in the construction of the device, since it can in particular be provided for the pusher to be integral with the rod, possibly by means of mutual play in their then common direction of movement, and that the first end of the first arm has an elongated groove in which is mounted a rod secured to the pusher; such an assembly certainly implies a relative sliding of this rod and of the first end of the first arm, but this sliding takes place under conditions of transmission of forces much more favorable, and over a much shorter stroke, than the sliding involved by the movements of the panic support plate in the case of the device described in the above-mentioned document.

Although the deformable quadrilateral connection assemblies in themselves provide effective guiding of the support plate relative to the housing, it may additionally be provided that the support plate has a flange capable of sliding along a span of the housing when the support plate moves relative to the housing.

Different means can be provided to ensure an elastic return of the support plate and the locking rod to a locking position of the door leaf.

For example, for this purpose, the pusher has a bearing surface for a spring, guided by a rod secured to the housing so that the movement of the pusher in a direction of release of the door is carried out against the reaction of this spring which is able to return the pusher to the initial position after releasing the thrust exerted on the support plate.

In an alternative embodiment, the device according to the invention may include means for temporarily immobilizing the locking rod in a leaf locking position, for example with manually or automatically remote unlocking in the event of fire or other accident, as is known per se in the case of rapid opening devices intended to equip doors which should be kept normally closed to protect a room in particular against fraud by entry or exit of persons by means other than normal access routes to this room, for example equipped with cash.

In a manner known per se, the means for immobilizing the locking rod can comprise an electromagnet, the tensioning of which causes the activation of a blocking member immobilizing the rod with respect to the housing.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the support plate is capable of coming to bear on at least one link constituting the blocking member, this link being situated in a mean plane perpendicular to the plate and being connected to a nucleus perpendicular to said mean plane and engaged axially ment in the coil of the electromagnet whose tensioning causes the attraction of the core and the bringing together of the rod and the body of the electromagnet so that this bringing brings the rod in front of a ball or a protruding blocking pin, engaging in a hollow housing provided in the link or vice versa, so that the rotation of this link about the axis of the core is prohibited by the cooperation of the ball and his accommodation.

Preferably, the housing receiving the ball or protruding pin has inclined edges to facilitate the engagement of this ball in the event of slight misalignment thereof with respect to the housing.

Advantageously, the link cooperates with a spiral return spring coaxially wound around its core. Preferably, the link has a free end provided with a roller provided facing the support plate, to come into contact with the plate pushed back towards the rod by a user.

• - les figures 1 et 2 sont des vues en coupe transversale d'une mode de réalisation de l'invention illus­trant un système antipanique manoeuvré par une plaque d'appui, muni de moyens d'immobilisation provisoire de la tringle de verrouillage dans une position de verrouillage du battant et représentent respectivement l'ensemble dans deux positions avec, dans un premier cas, la plaque d'appui en position relâchée (figure 1) et, dans le second cas, la plaque d'appui en position appuyée (figure 2) ;
• - les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues en coupe, respectivement longitudinale et transversale et à plus grande échelle,de l'électro-aimant et de la biellette for­mant organe de blocage, montés à l'intérieur du boîtier de la barre antipanique selon les figures 1 et 2.

Other characteristics and peculiarities of a device according to the invention will become more apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawing in which:

• - Figures 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views of an embodiment of the invention illustrating a panic system operated by a support plate, provided with means for temporarily immobilizing the locking rod in a position of leaf locking and respectively represent the assembly in two positions with, in a first case, the support plate in the released position (Figure 1) and, in the second case, the support plate in the supported position (Figure 2);
• - Figures 3 and 4 are sectional views, respectively longitudinal and transverse and on a larger scale, of the electromagnet and of the rod forming a locking member, mounted inside the panic bar housing according to the Figures 1 and 2.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the security device according to the invention for door locking, in particular using a support plate, mainly consists of a housing 1 formed by a body 2 on which is mounted a cover 3 forming a support plate, movable relative to the body 2 in order to control the opening of the door, this cover 3 having for this purpose a flange 4 adapted to slide along a span 5 suitably arranged by construction on the housing body 2. The body 2 of the housing 1 is secured by its bottom 6 to a security door leaf 7, schematically illustrated in the drawing, so that the support plate 3 is at least approximately parallel to the clapper 7.

Inside the housing body 2, is mounted a longitudinal rod 8 which is capable of sliding in its own longitudinal direction, at least approximately parallel to the leaf 7, and at least one end of which extends beyond the apparent outline of the housing body 2 and has at the end a bolt 9, penetrating inside a keeper 10 formed in the frame 11 of the door, in such a way that, in the position illustrated in FIG. 1 where the bolt engages inside of the strike, the leaf 7 is immobilized.

In the embodiment considered in Figures 1 to 4, the sliding rod 8 is associated with a pusher 12, made integral with the rod 8 by means of a connecting pin 13, crossing with a suitable clearance a passage 14 formed through the pusher. The pusher 12 here has two curved parallel, transverse parts, respectively 15 and 16, continued by two longitudinal extensions 17 and 18 at the end of which are articulated two sets with identical deformable quadrilateral, respectively 19 and 20. Each of these quadrilateral sets comprises in particular a first bent rigid arm 21, articulated around an axis 22 on a support 23 integral with the housing 2. At one of its ends, the bent arm 21 has an elongated groove 24 in which is mounted a rod 25 integral with the extension respective 17 or 18 of the rod 22. At its other end, the arm 21 has an articulation around an axis 26 for a second rigid arm 27, itself articulated around an axis 28 on the cover 3. The assembly 19 or 20 is completed by articulating around an axis 29, provided on the arm 27, a rigid complementary connecting bar 30 between this branch 27 and the support 23, the opposite end of the bar 30 both articulated around an axis 31 on the support 23.

The axes 22, 26, 28, 29, 31 are mutually parallel, perpendicular to a longitudinal plane itself perpendicular to the support plate 3; their relative positioning, as well as the shapes and dimensions of the arms 21 and 27 as well as of the bar 30, are preferably chosen, in a manner known to a person skilled in the art, from such that the two assemblies 19 and 20 provide guidance of the support plate 3, with respect to a displacement relative to the housing 2, in a direction at least approximately perpendicular to the leaf 7, that is to say that is also to say in the longitudinal direction of movement of the rod 8, and that a thrust applied to the support plate 3 in the direction of a closer towards the bottom 6 of the housing 1 and the leaf 7 of the door results in a longitudinal translation of the pusher 12 and the rod 8 in a direction of exit of the bolt 9 out of the keeper 10, that is to say of release of the leaf 7 of the door, as shown Figure 2; this direction is oriented from right to left in Figures 1 and 2.

The device also comprises a longitudinal rod 32, integral with the housing body 2 and making it possible to ensure the sliding guide of the pusher 12 in its movement controlled by the deformation of the quadrilateral assemblies 19 and 20, this rod 32 being disposed in the axis of a helical spring 33 bearing, on the one hand, against a fixed surface 34 inside the housing 2 and, on the other hand, against one of the curved parts, in this case the part 15, of the pusher 12, so that, when the latter moves in FIGS. 1 and 2 from the right to the left, the spring 33 is compressed, and that the relaxation of the thrust force exerted on the cover 3 allows this spring to bring the rod 8 from left to right to its initial position for locking the door and also to return the support plate 3 to its initial position, that is to say to its position the further from the bottom 6 of the body 2 of the housing 1 and the leaf 7 of the door.

The device according to the invention, as just described, can be used as a simple device for rapid opening of a door.

However, in the specific embodiment illustrated, this device is further provided with means for temporarily immobilizing the sliding rod 8 in its position for locking the door, illustrated in FIG. 1, for example by temporarily immobilizing the plate. support 3 in its position illustrated in FIG. 1.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate in more detail the realization of means which ensure the immobilization of the pushing movement of the cover 3 forming a support plate, this movement can not resume, according to the invention, only after power cut in a supply circuit.

To this end, the device comprises an electromagnet 41 whose body 42 contains a coil 43, the latter having an axis parallel to the cover 3 and an axial bore 44 for the engagement therein of a core 45 made integral , outside the body 42, of a pivoting link 46, capable of pivoting relative to the body 42 of the electromagnet 41 around the axis of the coil 43. The core 45 passes through the link 46 and comprises a head 47 around which a spiral return spring 48 is wound, one end 49 (FIG. 4) of which abuts against a support pin 49a fixed relative to the housing and the other end 50 of which is suitably bent on the side of the link, so as to exert a force on the latter permanently tending to keep it perpendicular to the cover 3 and directed towards this cover 3, along a mean plane perpendicular thereto.

In its face directed towards the electromagnet 41, the connecting rod 46 also comprises a hollow housing 51 whose edges are inclined and which is suitable, if necessary, for cooperating with a ball or a support pin and blocking 52, immobilized on the body 42 but protruding from it opposite the housing 51.

Finally, at its end facing the cover 3, the link 46 includes a roller 53, making it possible to ensure contact with the cover 3 when the latter undergoes a thrust force towards the bottom 6 of the body 2 of the housing, allowing , under these conditions, to pivot the link 46 about its axis to bring it, for example, into the position schematically represented in phantom in FIG. 4.

The device is finally completed by means of an electrical circuit, comprising two connections 55 and 56 connecting the coil 43 of the electromagnet 41 to a central control and command circuit 57, of a type known in itself , suitable for permanently supplying the coil 43 and for interrupting this supply either on voluntary manual intervention, for example from a monitoring station or by a device called "punch", with safety glass placed near the door, either automatically controlled by fire detectors, for example.

The operation of the device described in the previous figures is therefore easily deduced. In the normal position or more exactly not in use, the various parts of the safety device are in the position illustrated in FIG. 1, the rod 8 protruding outside the housing 2, so that the bolt 9 provided at its end is engaged in the keeper 10, the leaf 7 being immobilized and locked.

The electrical circuit 55, 56, 57 is then closed, so that the coil 43 of the electromagnet 41 is supplied, causing the attraction inside the bore 44 of the core 45 secured to the link 46. The housing 51 of this connecting rod, in particular thanks to its inclined edges, then fits onto the projecting part of the locking ball 52.

Under these conditions, when a user inadvertently or unauthorizedly presses on the support plate formed by the cover 3, so as to attempt to open the door 7, the cover 3 is immobilized by the link 46 held in place. position practically perpendicular to this cover 3 and which thus blocks movement. The door 7 cannot therefore be opened despite the user's requests, the bolt 9 remaining engaged in its keeper 10.

If the current is cut off in the coil circuit 43, from the central control station 57 or for any other emergency reason, in particular in the event of fire detection, breakage of a window safety or other, the thrust force applied or maintained on the cover 3 is able this time to rotate the link 46 around its core 45, since it is no longer immobilized by its blocking ball 52. It As a result, the movement of the cover 3 towards the leaf 7 can then take place in such a way that, by means of the articulated quadrilaterals 19 and 20, the pusher 12 moves and drives the rod 8 in a direction such that the outlet is made of bolt 9 out of its keeper 10, then allowing the door to open.

The device according to the invention therefore makes it possible in this case to ensure a safety check on the bar or the support plate 3, while preventing unauthorized action on this plate allowing the unauthorized opening of the door.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown and it is capable of numerous variants accessible to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. .

In particular, in the case where the device according to the invention is provided with means normally preventing the opening of the door, these means could be of a design different from that which has been described.

Claims (11)

1. Quick door opening device, comprising a housing (1) capable of being mounted against a door leaf (7), a locking rod (8) movable relative to the housing (1) in a first direction then parallel to the leaf (7) and provided with a pusher (12) for controlling its movement, an antipanic support plate (3) then placed approximately parallel to the leaf (7) and movable relative to the housing (1) according to a second direction then approximately perpendicular to the leaf (7), and two sets (19, 20) of connection between the support plate (3) and the pusher (12), each of said sets (19, 20) comprising two rigid arms ( 21, 27) articulated with each other and, respectively, on the housing (1) and the support plate (3), around axes (22, 28) mutually parallel and perpendicular to said first and second directions, so that '' a thrust applied to the support plate (3) towards the housing (1) causes a displacement of the support plate (3) in said second direction and a displacement of the locking rod (8) in said first direction, relative to the housing (1), in a direction of release of the leaf (7),
characterized in that each of said assemblies (19, 20) constitutes a deformable quadrilateral comprising:
- a first (21) of said arms, bent, articulated around a first axis (22) relative to the housing (2) and having two ends, a first of which is functionally linked (24, 25) to the pusher (12),
- the second (27) of said arms, articulated on the one hand (26) on the second end of the first arm (21) and on the other hand (28) on the support plate (3), respectively around the second and third axes (26, 28) parallel to the first axis (22),
- A rigid bar (30) connecting between the second arm (27) and the housing (2), said bar (30) being articulated on the one hand (31) relative to the housing (2) and on the other hand on the second arm (27), respectively around the fourth and fifth axes (31,29) parallel to the first, second and third axes (22, 26, 28). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pusher (12) is integral with the rod (8) and in that the first end of the first arm (21) has an elongated groove (24) in which is mounted a rod (25) integral with the pusher (12). 3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the support plate (3) has a flange (4) capable of sliding along a surface (5) of the housing (2) during said displacement of the support plate (3) relative to the housing (2). 4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises means (33) for elastic return of the support plate (3) and the locking rod (8) to a position leaf locking mechanism (7). 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the pusher (12) has a bearing surface (15) for a spring (33), guided by a rod (32) integral with the housing (2) so that movement of the pusher (12) in a direction of release of the leaf (7) is carried out against the reaction of this spring (33) which is able to return the pusher (12) to the initial position after releasing the thrust exerted on the support plate (3). 6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises means (41, 46, 57) for temporary immobilization of the locking rod (8) in a leaf locking position ( 7). 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the means (41, 46, 57) for temporary immobilization of the locking rod (8) comprise an electromagnet (41) whose energization causes the setting service of a blocking member (46) immobilizing the rod (8) with respect to the housing (1). 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the support plate (3) is capable of coming to bear on at least one link (46) constituting the locking member, this link being located in a perpendicular mean plane to the plate (3) and being connected to a core (45) perpendicular to said mean plane and engaged axially in the coil (43) of the electromagnet whose tensioning causes the attraction of the core (45) and the approximation of the link (46) and the body (42) of the electromagnet to bring the link (46) opposite a ball (52) or a projecting blocking pin, engaging in a recess (51) provided in the link (46) or vice versa, so that the rotation of the link (46) around the axis of the core (45) is prohibited by the cooperation of the ball (52) and its housing (51). 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the housing (51) receiving the ball (52) or the projecting pin has inclined edges to facilitate the engagement of the ball (52) or the pin in case of slight misalignment relative to its housing (51). 10. Device according to any one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the link (46) cooperates before a spiral return spring (48) wound coaxially with its core (45). 11. Device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the link (46) has a free end provided with a roller (53) placed opposite the support plate (3) to come in contact with this plate (3) pushed back towards the rod (8) by a user.

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