EP3610111A1

EP3610111A1 - A device for holding a door in an open position

Info

Publication number: EP3610111A1
Application number: EP18715074.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Richard Aston
Original assignee: Bard 1 Ltd
Current assignee: Bard 1 Ltd
Priority date: 2017-04-12
Filing date: 2018-03-21
Publication date: 2020-02-19
Also published as: GB2605555A9; GB2605555B; WO2018189506A1; GB202210792D0; GB2605555A; GB201705922D0; GB2561380A; GB2561380B

Abstract

A device for holding a door in an open position and for controlling movement of the door to a closed position, the device having a first operative condition which corresponds to a door open position and a second operative condition which corresponds to a door closed position, the device including: a holding mechanism for holding the device in its first operative condition; and a sensor for sensing whether an external alarm is activated, wherein the sensor is powered by a power source, wherein, when the device is in its second operative condition, the sensor either does not sense for an external alarm or the device does not to act on such an alarm if one is sensed by the sensor, and wherein, when the device is in its first operative condition, if the sensor senses an external alarm the holding mechanism releases or permits the device to adopt its second condition or moves the door to its closed position.

Description

Title: A device for holding a door in an open position Description of Invention

The invention relates to a device for holding a door in an open position and for controlling movement of the door to a closed position. Devices which can hold doors open are known. Typically such devices are referred to as door closers. They are used, for example, in hotel corridors where fire doors may be held open during the day for guests, but may be released automatically if smoke is detected or a fire alarm activated. An example of such a door closer can be seen in GB2323125.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a device for holding a door in an open position and for controlling movement of the door to a closed position, the device having a first operative condition which corresponds to a door open position and a second operative condition which corresponds to a closed positioned, the device including:

a holding mechanism for holding the device in its first operative condition, and

a sensor for sensing whether an external alarm is activated, wherein the sensor is powered by a power source;

wherein, when the device is in its second operative condition, the sensor either does not sense for an external alarm or the device does not act on such an alarm if one is sensed by the sensor, and

wherein, when the device is in its first operative condition, if the sensor senses an external alarm the holding mechanism releases or permits the device to adopt its second condition or moves the door to its closed position. According to a second aspect of the invention, we provide a device for holding a door in an open position and for controlling movement of the door to a closed position, the device having a first operative condition which corresponds to a door open position and a second operative condition which corresponds to a door closed positon, the device including:

a holding mechanism for holding the device in its first operative condition; and

wherein, when the device is in its second operative condition, either the power supply to the sensor is reduced or suspended, the power drawn by the sensor from the power source is reduced or the sensor draws no power from the power source, and

wherein, when the device is in its first operative condition if the sensor senses an external alarm the holding mechanism releases or permits the device to adopt its second condition or moves the door to its closed condition.

Further features of the first and second aspects of the invention are set out in the claims appended hereto.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIGURES 1 a and 1 b are perspective views of a first embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention connected to a door which is in a door open position;

FIGURES 2a and 2b are perspective views of the device of figure 1 a with the door in a door closed position; FIGURES 3a and 3b are are perspective views of a second embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention connected to a door which is in a door open position; FIGURES 4a and 4b are perspective views of the device of figure 3a with the door in a door closed position;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention connected to a door which is in a door open position; and

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the device of figure 5 with the door in a door closed position. Figures 1 to 6 show three different embodiments of a device 5, 5', 5" for holding a door 6 (supported by a door frame 7) in an open position and for controlling movement of the door 6 to a closed position, in accordance with the present invention. Each embodiment has advantageously been designed to reduce the power consumed by the device, as will become apparent herein after. The embodiments described below are merely examples of how this may be achieved in accordance with the inventive concept disclosed herein.

In each of the embodiments shown the device 5, 5', 5" includes with a housing 10 which is connected to an upper part of the door 6 and which supports various component parts permitting the device to function as a door closer. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the housing 10 could be connected to a door frame 7 rather than the door 6, as is well known in the art.

By door closer, we mean that the device 5, 5', 5" capable of holding the door 6 in an open position and capable, when required, of controlling movement of the door 6 to a closed position. For ease of reference hereinafter, the device 5, 5', 5" has two distinct operative conditions, the first operative condition corresponding to the door 6 being held in an open position and the second operative condition corresponding to the door 6 being in its door closed position. In order to facilitate this functionality, the device 5, 5', 5" includes a holding mechanism 1 1 for holding the device in its first operative condition and for controlling movement of the door 6 towards its closed position.

In this example, the holding 1 1 mechanism includes a linkage mechanism connecting the housing 10 to the frame 7, as is well known in the art. The linkage mechanism includes first 16 and second 18 elongate linkage members which are pivotally moveable relative to each other. A first end 16b of the member 16 is connected to the door frame 7 by an appropriate pivotal connection. A first end 18a of the member 18 is pivotally connected to the housing 10 by virtue of a fixed connected to one end of an axle 26 (discussed later) which is free to rotate in the housing 10 about a generally vertical axis A (an axis which is parallel to the axis of pivoting of the door 6). An opposite, second, end 18b of the member 18 is pivotally connected to a second end 16b of the first member 16. The linkage mechanism thus provides a foldable arm, as is well known in the art, for holding the door 6 in its open condition. Pivotal movement of the members 16, 18 relative to each other is only permitted if rotation of the axle 26 is permitted.

The device 5, 5', 5" show a rack and pinion type door closer, the operation of which is well known in the art. It should be appreciated, however, that the inventive features described in each of the embodiments could be utilised various forms of door closer, for examples, cam action door closers, wall and floor concealed door closers, magnetically or electromagnetically operated door closers. In more detail, the device 5, 5', 5" includes a pinion gear 24 which is connected to the axle 26 and thus rotates therewith. The device includes a piston 30 which is slidably moveable in a chamber 32 in the housing 10. The piston 30 is biased to one end of the housing 10 by a spring 28. The piston includes a recess in which is provided a rack gear (not shown) which engages with the pinion 24. The rack gear 22 and pinion 24 are configured such that movement of the piston 30 (by the spring 28) causes the pinion 24 and thus the axle 24 to rotate. Such functionality is well known in the art and thus will not be discussed in much further detail. The device 5, 5', 5" also includes a mechanism or device for holding the piston 30 to one end of the housing 10 (a position which corresponds to a compressed condition of the spring 28). In this example, that device is an electrically operated device 40 which is capable of holding the piston 30 in that position under a magnetic field (e.g. an electromagnet or the combination of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet). In other types of door closer, other component parts of the device may provide for the door 6 to be held in its open position, e.g. against the compression of a spring.

The device 40 is powered by a power supply (not shown), which in this example is a battery supported on or by the housing 10. However, in envisaged embodiments the power supply may be a battery supported elsewhere (e.g. not directly on the device by with wires connecting the supply to the device). In envisaged embodiments the power supply may be a mains power supply.

The device 5, 5', 5" includes a sensor 50 for sensing whether an external alarm has been activated. The sensor could, for examples, be provided on an external surface of the housing 10, in an interior space of the housing or indeed remote from the housing 10 itself. The sensor 50 is supplied with power from the same power source which powers the device 40. The purpose of the sensor 50 is to sense when an external alarm is sounding, and, if so, cause the holding mechanism 1 1 to release the door 6, thus permitting the door to close (in this example under the force of the spring 28). The sensor 50 is configured to listen or sense for an external alarm, e.g. a fire, smoke or other emergency alarm. In the present embodiments the sensor 50 is an acoustic sensor which listens for fire alarms in buildings where the device 5, 5', 5" is installed. The sensor 50 may alternatively, however, be able to detect fire, smoke or another emergency situation itself. Alternatively still, the sensor may be connected wirelessly or by a wired connection to an alarm system in the building, and thus may be configured to receive a signal from the system that a fire, smoke or other emergency situation is occurring.

In some envisaged embodiments, when each device 5, 5', 5" is in its second operative condition (door open), the sensor 40 either does not sense for an external alarm or the device 5, 5', 5" does not act on such an alarm if one is sensed by the sensor 40. In some envisaged embodiments, the power supply to the sensor 40 may be reduced or suspended (e.g. cut off completely) when the device 5, 5', 5" is in its second operative condition. This causes the power drawn by the sensor 40 to be reduced or it may cause the sensor 40 to draw no power from the power source at all. Advantageously, in all of the envisaged embodiments the power consumption of the device as a whole is reduced when the device is in the second, door closed, condition. This means that where the power source is a battery, the battery life is improved significantly. Even where the power source is a mains power supply, this results in reduced power consumption. This is because when the door is closed (which can be for a considerable proportion of time, e.g. in a hotel or the like) the door closer uses little or no power. Power is only consumed (or consumed to any significant degree) when the door is open, which means that the device 5, 5', 5" can listen for alarms and close the door in response thereto. This is advantageous because the sensor 40 does not need to sense whether an audible alarm has been activated if the door 6 is already in a closed position.

In more detail, looking at the first and second embodiments, they each include a switch 12, 12' which sits in circuit between the power source, e.g. the battery, and the sensor 40. The switch 12, 12' is electrically connected to those components by wires (not shown) which attach at switch contacts 12a. The switch 12, 12' enables power to be supplied to the sensor 40 when the device 5 is in its first operative condition and disables, or prevents power supply to the sensor 40 when the device 5, 5' is in its second operative condition (door closed). In other words, the switch 12, 12' acts to interrupt the electrical connection between the power source and the sensor 40.

In the first and second embodiments, the device 5, 5' includes a switch actuation member 14, 14' for causing the switch 12, 12' to adopt an enabled or disabled state (e.g. power on or power off, respectively). In these embodiments the switch actuation member 14, 14' physically engages with the switch 12, 12' and moves the switch 12, 12' between its enabled and disabled states. Embodiments are envisaged where physical contact between the switch and the switch actuation member is not necessary - one example of which is shown in the third embodiment (described later). For example, a reed switch and magnet could be used as the switch and switch actuation member, respectively. In the first and second embodiments, the switch actuation member 14, 14' takes a similar form and shape, that being a part which physically interacts with the switch 12, 12'. In the first and second embodiments the switch actuation member 14, 14' is or includes a rotatable cam. In the first embodiment the switch 12 is mounted on an upper surface of the end 16b of the linkage member 16. The switch actuation member 14 is a continuation of (or connected to) a part which pivotally connects the end 16b to the end 18b. The cam portion of the switch actuation member 14 faces the switch 12 and is rotationally fast with the end 18b. This means that when the linkage members 16, 18 pivot relative to each other, the switch actuation member 14 and its cam portion rotate relative to the switch 12 causing the switch to either be enabled or disabled. In the present examples, the cam portion is generally circular in plan view, albeit with a portion cut-away (i.e. having a smaller radius than the remainder of the portion) to create a periphery which changes in radius dependent on the rotational position between the switch 12, 12' and the cam portion. Figure 1 b shows the members 16, 18 in the door open position and it can be seen that the switch portion 12b of the switch is not engaged by the cam portion. This means that power can be supplied by the power source to the sensor 40. In the door closed condition, however, as shown in figures 2a and 2b, the cam portion engages the switch portion 12b, thus disabling the switch 12 and preventing power from being drawn by the sensor 40.

In the second embodiment, the operation is similar. Instead, here the switch actuation member 14' is connected to a lower end of the axle 26 projecting from the housing 10 and is held rotationally fast therewith. The switch 12' is connected to a downwardly facing surface of the housing, adjacent the switch actuation member 14'. This means that when the axle 26 rotates relative to the housing 10, the switch actuation member 14' and its cam portion rotates relative to the switch 12' causing the switch to either be enabled or disabled. Figure 1 b shows the device 15' in the door open position and it can be seen that the switch portion 12b' of the switch is not engaged by the cam portion. This means that power can be supplied by the power source to the sensor 40. In the door closed condition, however, as shown in figures 4a and 4b, the cam portion engages the switch portion 12b', thus disabling the switch 12' and preventing power from being drawn by the sensor 40.

Whilst in the first and second embodiment the switch actuation member and switch are rotationally moveable relative to each other that not need be the case. For example, they could be linearly moveable towards and away from each other as a result of movement of the door.

Figures 5 and 6 show a third device 5" in accordance with the invention. Features in common with the previous embodiments have given the same reference numeral. The device 5" includes a reed switch 1 12 which is positioned in the housing 10 above the piston 30 and which sits in circuit between the power source, e.g. the battery, and the sensor 40. The piston 30 is provided with a magnetic member, e.g. a disc, 1 14 at its end closest to the spring 28. The reed switch 1 12 and magnet 1 14 are positioned such that when the door moves to its closed position, the piston 30 and thus the magnet 1 14 slide past the reed 1 12 causing it to disconnect power to the sensor 40. In this particular embodiment the magnet is a permanent magnet and is substantially planar and disc shaped. It is to be appreciated that the reed switch and permanent magnet could be positioned in alternative locations within the housing and on the piston without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It should be appreciated that a cam and switch in accordance with the first embodiment could be provided on or in the piston 30 of a rack and pinion mechanism as described with respect to the second embodiment. In each of the embodiments, the switch is biased towards its enabled state. This is advantageous, as it means that if the switch actuation member fails, then the sensor is always listening for an alarm such that the door can always be closed in an emergency. This improves the safety of the device.

Whilst in the present embodiment a rack and pinion mechanism has been described with respect to the invention, it is to be appreciated that other mechanisms could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, a cam style mechanism could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. All that is required is that there is a means for causing the device 5, 5', 5" to move from its first operative condition to its second operative conditions, thus closing the door 6 and that when the device 5, 5', 5" moves to (or is already at) its second operative condition the sensor 50 is caused to either not sense for an external alarm or the device 5, 5', 5" does not act on such an alarm if one is sensed by the sensor 50.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1 . A device for holding a door in an open position and for controlling movement of the door to a closed position, the device having a first operative condition which corresponds to a door open position and a second operative condition which corresponds to a door closed position, the device including: a holding mechanism for holding the device in its first operative condition; and

a sensor for sensing whether an external alarm is activated, wherein the sensor is powered by a power source,

wherein, when the device is in its second operative condition, the sensor either does not sense for an external alarm or the device does not to act on such an alarm if one is sensed by the sensor, and

wherein, when the device is in its first operative condition, if the sensor senses an external alarm the holding mechanism releases or permits the device to adopt its second condition or moves the door to its closed position.

2. A device for holding a door in an open position and for controlling movement of the door to a closed position, the device having a first operative condition which corresponds to a door open position and a second operative condition which corresponds to a door closed position, the device including: a holding mechanism for holding the device in its first operative condition; and

wherein, when the device is in its second operative condition, either the power supplied to the sensor is reduced or suspended, the power drawn by the sensor from the power source is reduced or the sensor draws no power from the power source, and wherein, when the device is in its first operative condition, if the sensor senses an external alarm the holding mechanism releases or permits the device to adopt its second condition or moves the door to its closed position.

3. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the device includes a switch for controlling the power supplied to the sensor.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the switch enables power to be supplied to the sensor when the device is in its first operative condition.

5. A device according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the switch disables power to the sensor when the device is in its second operative condition.

6. A device according to any of claims 3 to 5 wherein the switch acts to interrupt the electrical connection between the power source and the sensor.

7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the power source is a battery.

8. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the sensor senses whether an audible alarm is activated.

9. A device according to any preceding claim when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 3 wherein the device includes a switch actuation member for actuating the switch.

10. A device according to any of claims 1 to 8 when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 3 wherein the device includes a switch actuation member engageable with the switch for moving the switch between "enabled" and "disabled" states.

1 1 . A device according to any preceding claim when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 3 wherein the switch is supported on a part of the device which moves relative to another part of the device.

12. A device according to any preceding claim including a housing connectable to the door or a frame / wall supporting the door, the housing containing or supporting the sensor.

13. A device according to claim 12 wherein the housing contains or supports the power source for the sensor.

14. A device according to any preceding claim when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 12 wherein the device includes a linkage mechanism connecting the housing to the other of the door or a frame / wall supporting the door, wherein the switch and/or the switch actuation member are connected to the linkage.

15. A device according to claim 14, as dependent directly or indirectly on claims 3 and 9, wherein the linkage mechanism includes first and second linkage members which are moveable relative to each other and wherein the switch is connected to the first linkage member and the switch actuation member is connected to the second linkage member.

16. A device according to claim 15 wherein the first and second linkage members are rotatably connected to each other and wherein the switch actuation member includes a cam formation which engages with the switch to move the switch between its "enabled" and "disabled" states.

17. A device according to claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the linkage mechanism is rotatably connected at one end to the housing by a rotatable axle and wherein the switch moves between its "enabled" and "disabled" states in response to a rotation of the axle.

18. A device according to claim 17 wherein one of the switch and the switch actuation member is connected to or supported by the rotatable axle, and wherein the other or the switch and switch actuation member is connected to or supported by the linkage mechanism.

19. A device according to any preceding claim as dependent directly or indirectly on claim 3 wherein the holding mechanism for holding the device in its first operative condition includes a piston moveable in a chamber, and wherein the switch moves between its "enabled" and "disabled" states in response to movement of the piston.

20. A device according to claim 19 as dependent directly or indirectly on claim 9 wherein one of the switch and the switch actuation member is connected to or supported by the piston and the other of the switch and the switch actuation member is connected to or supported by the housing.

21 . A device according to any preceding claim as dependent directly or indirectly on claim 3 wherein the switch is magnetically susceptible, e.g. a reed switch, and the switch actuation member is a permanent magnet capable of causing the switch to adopt its enabled and disabled states.

22. A device according to any preceding claim as dependent directly or indirectly on claim 9 wherein the switch actuation member is a permanent magnet capable of causing the switch to adopt its "enabled" and "disabled" states.

23. A device as herein described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

24. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.