EP1588004B1

EP1588004B1 - Door and an assembly provided with a door

Info

Publication number: EP1588004B1
Application number: EP04700800A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mark Mathijssen; Jan Van De Ven
Original assignee: Mhb Bv
Current assignee: Mhb Bv
Priority date: 2003-01-08
Filing date: 2004-01-08
Publication date: 2007-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 2024-01-08
Also published as: DE602004005309T2; DE602004005309D1; WO2004063503A1; NL1023282C1; EP1588004A1

Description

The invention relates to a door provided with at least one latch, this latch being provided with means for automatically moving the latch from a door-releasing position to a door-locking position under the influence of fire, for instance when an ambient temperature reaches a particular threshold value, the door being provided with unlocking means for unlocking the door.
Such a door is known from, for instance, European patent application EP 0 156 044. This known door comprises a fire door, provided with a latch which is retained by a fusible material in a door-releasing position. With the latch in this position, the door is released by the latch for normal use. When the fusible material is melted under the influence of, for instance, a relatively high temperature of a fire, the latch is automatically moved back by a spring to the locking position, for interlocking the door to a door post.
With the known door, the latch is coupled to the unlocking means for unlocking the door after the automatic door locking has come into action. An advantage of such a door is that it can be fixed automatically during a fire to prevent the fire from spreading rapidly and to prevent persons from entering the space closed off by the door when the fire prevails therein. In addition, such a door can still be easily unlocked so that persons present in a space closed off by that door can still escape from that space to save themselves.
A drawback of the known door is that the position of the unlocking means is not well defined during normal use of the door, which can lead to a user of the door becoming confused. For instance, it will not be clear to him whether he should use the unlocking means for opening and closing the door. Furthermore, a user can bring the unlocking means into a position such that these means counteract or block an automatic movement of the latch, as a result of which the desired action of the latch is undone. Further, the unlocking means have no useful function when the latch is still retained in the releasing position by the fusible material.
From document DE-A-30 06 173 a safety mechanism for a double panel swing door is known, in which in normal use, one panel is kept in locked position and the unlocking means cannot be operated. In the case of an emergency, the unlocking means are released, allowing the one panel to be unlocked.
The invention contemplates solving the problems mentioned of the door described in the opening paragraph. In particular, the invention contemplates a relatively reliable door which can safely be operated in case of fire, while misunderstanding as to use and function of the unlocking means can be prevented.
To this end, the door according to the invention is characterized in that, in use, under the influence of fire detecting means, the unlocking means are brought from a passive condition, in which condition the door cannot be unlocked via the unlocking means, to an active, operating condition allowing unlocking of the door.
In this manner, a lockable door is provided which is safe in use while misunderstandings relative to the operation and function of the unlocking means can be well prevented. During normal use of the door, the unlocking means are in the passive condition mentioned. As a result, during normal use, the unlocking means experience no or hardly any wear. The door can then be used as, for instance, a normal door, a walk-through door, a door that can be opened via an electronic lock or the like. In the passive condition, the unlocking means can for instance be unmovable, be located behind a screen and/or be substantially inaccessible, unreachable and/or invisible from a surroundings. In this passive condition, the door cannot be unlocked via the unlocking means. A further advantage is that in the passive condition, the unlocking means can be well usable as a door pusher, door handle, door knob or the like for opening and closing the door. To this end, the unlocking means can comprise, for instance, a push- and/or pull rod, a door knob or the like.
During a fire, the door is automatically locked by this latch, so that the door, as a fire door, can form a good fire retardant. This automatic locking can for instance also take place under the influence of the above-mentioned fire detecting means. During the movement of the latch, the unlocking means are preferably entirely or partly in the passive condition. As a result, the door can be automatically fixed in case of fire.
Upon detection of fire, under the influence of the fire detecting means, the unlocking means are automatically brought in the active, operational condition. As a result, the door can be unlocked by means of the unlocking means, for instance by persons seeking refuge.
The invention further provides an assembly characterized by the features of claim 25.
This assembly can be sold as, for instance, an assembly kit. In addition, for instance the unlocking means and/or fire detecting means can be sold separately for converting a door provided with at least one latch into a door according to the present invention.
Further elaborations of the invention are described in the subclaims. Presently, the invention will be elucidated with reference to two exemplary embodiments and the drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein the handle 2 is in a passive condition;
Fig. 2 shows a similar view to Fig. 1, while the door latch is moved to the locking position and the handle is in an active, operating condition;
Fig. 3 shows a similar view to Fig. 2, while the unlocking handle has been pulled in a direction away from the door;
Fig. 4 shows a similar view to Fig. 2, while the unlocking handle has been pushed to a direction towards the door; and
Fig. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The exemplary embodiment comprises a door 3 disposed along a door post 11, which is provided in an upper part with a latch 1. In Fig. 1, the latch is in a releasing position, the latch 1 being substantially in the door 3 so that the door 3 can move along the post 11 for the purpose of a normal use of the door 3. The latch 1 is coupled to the door 3 by means of a latch connection 6, automatically disconnectable under the influence of fire. In the exemplary embodiment, this disconnectable latch connection comprises a material 6 which at least melts at a particular threshold value of an ambient temperature. The latch 1 is further provided with spring means 8 for bringing the latch 1 to a locking position, extending partly outside the door 1, represented in Fig. 2, at least after disconnection of the locking connection 6. In the locking position mentioned, the door 3 is locked to the post by the latch 1, at least with the door in closed position represented in Fig. 2. As shown in Figs. 1- 4, the part of the latch 1 projecting outside the door 3 in the locking position is provided with a bevelled edge, so that the door 3 can be bent with the latch 1 along the post 11 when the door 3 is brought from an opened position (not shown) to the closed position. In that case, the latch 1 can lock the door 3 to the post 11.
One side of the door 3 is provided with an unlocking handle 2, which is located at a distance from the latch 1. Preferably, the unlocking handle 2 is at an average users' height, for instance on or near half the height of the door, depending on the dimensions of the door. By the one end, the unlocking handle 2 is pivotally coupled about a horizontal pivot 12. The other end of the handle 2 extends in a slidable manner in a somewhat flexible support profile 14 fitted on the door 3. Furthermore, this other end of the handle 2 is provided with a coupling arm 13 extending into the door 3.
Under the influence of fire detecting means, the handle 2 can be brought from a passive condition represented in Fig. 1 to an active, operating condition represented in Figs. 2 - 4. The handle can be manually operated for unlocking the door only in the active, operating condition, and not in the passive condition. In the first exemplary embodiment, the fire detecting means comprise the latch 1, automatically movable by fire.
In Fig. 1, the handle coupling arm 13 has been secured to a cross beam 19 provided in the door 3 so that the handle 2 cannot be operated for moving the latch 1 to the releasing position. For the purpose of securing, the door 3 is provided with a movable securing pin 7 extending through aligned first passageways 15, 17, respectively, of the coupling arm 13 and the cross beam 19. Via a securing pin cord 23, the securing pin is connected to a lower end of the latch 1. The coupling arm 13 and the cross beam 19 are further provided with a pair of aligned passageways 16, 18, respectively. A movable plug 21 extends partly in the second passageway or plug bush 16 of the coupling arm. A part of the plug 21 located outside the second passageway 16, remote from the cross beam 19, comprises a widened head, while a part of the plug passageway 16 proximal to the cross beam 19 is of reduced design. Consequently, the plug 21 is prevented from reaching the opposite passageway 17 of the cross beam 19 from the plug passageway 16.. With a plug cord 22, extending through the second passageways 16, 18 of the coupling arm and cross beam, the plug 21 is also connected to the latch 1.
In Fig. 1, the handle 2 is in the passive condition, with the handle immovably coupled to the door 3. As a result, it is immediately clear to a user that he cannot use the handle 2 for operating the door locking. However, the handle 2 in this position can very well be used for opening and closing the door, in particular in that the connection between the handle 2 and the door is relatively strong and free of clearance.
When the latch 1 detects a fire, the material of the latch connection 6 melts, so that the latch 1 is moved by the spring means 8 to the locking position represented in Fig. 2 for locking the door 3. During the locking movement of the latch 1, the securing pin 7 is pulled from the coupling arm 13 of the unlocking handle 2 via the securing pin cord 23. The unlocking handle is thus brought in the active, operating condition, while the handle 2 is no longer secured to the door 3. Moreover, by the movement of the latch 1, via the plug cord 22, the plug 21 is pulled in the respective plug bush 16 of the coupling arm 13. As a result, via the cord 22, the latch is coupled to the unlocking handle 2. Thereupon, the latch 1 can simply be unlocked by a user by operating the unlocking handle 2, which is represented in Figs. 3 and 4.
In Fig. 3, the unlocking handle 2 is pivoted about the pivot 12 of the door 3 such that via the plug cord 22, the handle 1 has been pulled back to the releasing position. In Fig. 4, the unlocking handle has been pivoted towards the door 3, also such that the handle 1 is back in the releasing position. Thus, the door 3 can easily be unlocked, for instance in case of panic, by pushing against or pulling the handle 2 in order that the door 3 can then be opened, for instance for escaping from a space threatened by a fire. In the first exemplary embodiment, the unlocking mechanism 2, 21, 22 can only be operated after the latch 1 has carried out a locking movement, which renders the automatic locking of the door safe and reliable.
Fig. 5 schematically shows a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein a fire detector 101 is arranged at a distance from the door 3. The fire detector 101 can comprise, for instance, a smoke detector, temperature sensor or the like. Preferably, the fire detector 101 is arranged for detecting a fire at or near an upper side of a space, so that fire can be detected relatively rapidly. The second exemplary embodiment further differs from the first exemplary embodiment in that the door latch 1 is secured to the door in the door-releasing position by means of a latch securing pin 105 instead of by a fusible material. This latch securing pin 105 can be moved from the latch 1 by an actuator 103. Via a connection 102, the fire detector 101 is coupled to this actuator 103 for driving that actuator 104.
In the second exemplary embodiment, the movable handle-securing pin 7 is provided with an actuator 106 for pulling this pin from the passageway 15 of the handle coupling arm 13. Via connections 102, 105, the latter actuator 106 has also been coupled to the fire detector 101 for the purpose of operating it.
During normal use of the second exemplary embodiment, the securing pins 104, 106 are in the positions represented in Fig. 5. Here, the latch 1 is kept in the releasing position by the respective pin 104, while the handle 2 is fixed in a passive condition by the securing pin 106. When the fire detector 101 of the second exemplary embodiment detects fire, the fire detector 101 has the actuators 103, 106 pull the respective securing pins 104, 7 from the latch 1 and coupling arm 13, respectively, at least through control via the connections 102, 105 mentioned. As a result, the latch 1 is released, so that the latch 1 is automatically moved by the spring 8 to the locking position. Moreover, in this manner, the handle 2 is brought in the active, operating condition for allowing the door to be unlocked.
In the exemplary embodiments described, the unlocking handle 1 is located on an accessible position outside the door 3. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, in the passive condition, the unlocking means are substantially inaccessible from a surroundings of the door 3, while in the active, operating condition, the unlocking means are accessible from a surroundings 3. What can thus be achieved in a simple manner is that the unlocking means can only be operated when these means have been brought into the active, operating condition. In the passive condition, these unlocking means can for instance be screened off from the surroundings by a screen for rendering the unlocking means inaccessible, while, under the influence of the fire detecting means, the screen can be made undone for rendering the unlocking means accessible. Such a screen can for instance comprise a movable cap, displaceable grid or the like.
In addition, it is advantageous when, in the passive condition, the unlocking means, are at least partially, preferably substantially entirely recessed in the door. As a result, the unlocking means are inaccessible in a simple manner and/or unreachable in that passive condition. The unlocking means are then for instance at least partially movable out of the door under the influence of the fire detecting means, in order that the unlocking means can be operated after detection of fire. Further, in the passive condition, the unlocking means can for instance be located entirely in the door 3 and/or be partly withdrawn from view, so that it is clearly visible that the door cannot be unlocked with these means.
It is self-evident that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described. Various modifications are possible within the framework of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
For instance, the door can comprise a sliding door, push door, revolving door, pivot door or the like.
Further, the unlocking means can be of different design and comprise, for instance, a pull and/or push rod, a door knob, a turning handle, a turning knob and or a different unlocking means. In the active, operating condition, such unlocking means can furthermore be pivotable, rotatable and/or translatable or different relative to the door 3.
The unlocking means can for instance be designed for moving each latch 1 from the locking position to the releasing position, at least when the unlocking means are brought in the active, operating condition. Each latch 1 can then, for instance, be coupled to the unlocking means. A coupling between the at least one latch 1 and the unlocking means 2 can be designed in various manners, for instance via one or more cords, rods, chains, a sprocket transmission or the like. Further, the at least one latch can for instance be integrally provided with such unlocking means, for instance as an unlocking bracket fixedly provided on the latch or the like.
In addition, each latch 1 can for instance be automatically blocked in the locking position by a blocking device, after the latch 1 has been brought to the locking position in case of fire. The unlocking means can then be designed for undoing the blocking action of the blocking device for the purpose of unlocking the door. In that case, the unlocking means are indirectly coupled or can be indirectly coupled to the latch 1, via the blocking device. After the blocking of this latch 1 has been undone, the latch 1 can for instance simply be brought to the releasing position under the influence of particular force, for instance a spring force, gravity or via a force applied via the door and/or the post to the latch or the like.
The fire detecting means can be designed in various manners and comprise, for instance, fusible material, bimetal, memory metal, a temperature sensor, smoke detecting means and/or other means.
Automatically moving the latch and/or bringing the unlocking means into the active condition can further be effected under the influence of electromagnetic means, an electromagnet, an actuator, spring means, gravity and a combination of these possibilities and/or other options.
For the purpose of the movement of the latch and/or use of electric means, for instance an electromagnet, an actuator, sensor or the like, the door can moreover be provided with a voltage source, for instance with one or more batteries and/or accumulators.
Further, the threshold value of the ambient temperature at which the fusible material 6 melts can be lower than approximately 100°C, so that the door 3 can automatically be locked in time. This threshold value can for instance lie in the range of approximately 40 - 100 °C, in particular in the range of approximately 50 - 70°C, so that the door is not automatically locked at, for instance, a normal ambient temperature, at room temperature, for instance.
Further, the spring means mentioned for bringing a latch to the locking position can be designed in different manners.
The door can further comprise one or more door locks and/or door operating means for the normal use of the door.
In addition, each latch can be designed in various forms and be made of various materials.
Further, the latch can be fitted, for instance, on the door or on the post for locking the door.
Further, the latch can, for instance, be movable to the locking position under the influence of fire or not under the influence of fire.
In addition, the fire detecting means can for instance be designed to form part of a central fire detecting system or the like.
Moreover, the fire detecting means and the unlocking means can be coupled to each other in various manners, for instance via an electric, electronic, wireless and/or optical connection 102, 105 and/or remote control.
The disconnectable connection mentioned of the unlocking means can for instance comprise an element which is or is not manually operable, for instance a securing pin or the like. The disconnectable connection can further comprise, for instance, a tear or break connection or the like.
The fire detecting means can for instance be arranged for detecting fire at or near an upper side of a space, at or near an upper side of the door and/or at a different location. The at least one latch 1 can for instance be designed for automatically moving to the locking position under the influence of fire. This latch 1 can be arranged at various positions, for instance near or at an upper side of the door 3.

Claims

A door, provided with at least one latch (1), wherein said latch (1) is provided with means (6, 8; 101, 103) for moving the latch (1) automatically from a door-releasing position to a door-locking position under the influence of fire, for instance when an ambient temperature reaches a particular threshold value, the door (3) being provided with unlocking means (2) for unlocking the door, characterized in that, in use, under the influence of fire detecting means (1; 101), the unlocking means (2) are brought from a passive condition, in which condition the door cannot be unlocked via the unlocking means, to an active, operating condition allowing unlocking of the door.
A door according to claim 1, wherein - in said passive condition - said unlocking means are coupled in a substantially unmovable manner to the door (3) by means of a disconnectable connection, said disconnectable connection (7) being disconnectable under the influence of said fire detecting means (1; 101) for bringing the unlocking means (2) to the active condition.
A door according to claim 1 or 2, wherein - in the active operating condition - said unlocking means (2) are movable for moving said latch (1) to the releasing position.
A door according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fire detecting means (101) are arranged at a distance from the door (3).
A door according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fire detecting means comprise said latch (1).
A door according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fire detecting means (1; 101) are arranged for detecting fire on or near an upper side of a space.
A door according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the passive condition, said unlocking means are substantially inaccessible from a surroundings of the door (3), while in the active operating condition, said unlocking means are accessible from a surroundings of the door (3).
A door according to claim 7, wherein, in said passive condition, said unlocking means are screened off from the surroundings by a screen for making the unlocking means inaccessible, while, under the influence of the fire detecting means (1; 101) said screen can be made undone for rendering the unlocking means accessible.
A door according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the passive condition, said unlocking means are at least partly recessed in said door (3).
A door according to claim 9, wherein the unlocking means are at least partly movable from the door under the influence of said fire detecting means.
A door according to at least claim 2, characterized in that the disconnectable connection (7) of the unlocking means (2) is disconnectable under the influence of an automatic movement of the at least one latch (1).
A door according to at least claim 2, characterized in that said disconnectable connection is provided with a securing element (7) which, under the influence of the fire detecting means (1; 101), is movable from an unlocking means-securing position to an unlocking means-releasing position.
A door according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said unlocking means (2) are located at a user's height, in particular at or near half the height of the door (3).
A door according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one latch (1) is coupled to the door by means of a latch connection (6) which is disconnectable under the influence of fire.
A door according to claim 14, characterized in that said disconnectable latch connection (6) is provided with a material which at least melts at a threshold value of an ambient temperature.
A door according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said unlocking means (2) comprise a pull and/or push rod.
A door according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the unlocking means (2) comprise a door knob and/or door handle.
A door according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fire detecting means (1; 101) comprise smoke detecting means.
A door according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fire detecting means (1; 101) are arranged for detecting an ambient temperature.
A door according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fire detecting means (1; 101) are arranged to form part of a central fire detecting system.
A door according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unlocking means, in the passive condition, can be used for opening and/or closing the door, while the unlocking means, in the passive condition, are coupled to the door preferably in an unmovable manner.
A door according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unlocking means are arranged for bringing each latch (1) from the locking position to the releasing position, when the unlocking means have been brought in the active, operating condition.
A door according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each latch (1) can be blocked in the locking position by a blocking device, while the unlocking means are arranged for undoing the blocking of the blocking device, when the unlocking means have been brought into the active, operating condition.
A door according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said unlocking means (2) can only be operated in said active, operating condition for unlocking the door (3).
An assembly, for manufacturing a door according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising:
- at least one door;

- at least one latch (1) for locking the door;

- means (6, 8; 101, 103) for moving the at least one latch (1) automatically from a releasing position to a locking position under the influence of fire;

- unlocking means (2) for unlocking the door;

- fire detecting means (1; 101);
wherein in use the unlocking means (2) are brought from a passive condition, in which condition the door cannot be unlocked via the unlocking means, to an active, operating condition allowing unlocking of the door, under the influence of the fire detecting means (1; 101).