EP3765691B1

EP3765691B1 - Cubicle comprising a door locking device providing emergency access

Info

Publication number: EP3765691B1
Application number: EP19717346.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Brian Watson; Anthony Wills; Philip Hall
Original assignee: Rsbp Ltd
Current assignee: Rsbp Ltd
Priority date: 2018-03-13
Filing date: 2019-03-05
Publication date: 2023-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-05
Also published as: EP3765691A1; WO2019175541A1; GB2573613B; GB201902960D0; GB2573613A

Description

The present invention relates to cubicles with locking devices for the doors which have means to allow unlocking and opening of the door in an emergency. In particular, the present invention relates to cubicles with locking devices for the doors which allow unlocking and outward opening of the door in an emergency.
In public and commercial buildings, toilets cubicles are typically provided with inwardly opening doors (the door pivots into the cubicle space). Typically, a row of toilet bowls is provided in a public toilet with a solid wall to their rear. The toilets are sectioned off from one another by the provision of side walls and a door. The side walls are provided with one vertical end abutting the solid wall and with short boards known as a "pilaster" arranged perpendicularly at their other vertical end. The door of the cubicle is attached onto the pilaster of one side wall by hinges and, when the door is closed, abuts the pilaster of the other side wall. There is slight overlapping of the door and pilasters such that there is no sight line from the exterior into the interior of the cubicle.
The door in this arrangement can only open inwardly into the cubicle, since the pilaster abutting the door prevents the door from opening outwardly. However, in a medical emergency, a cubicle occupant may collapse, become immobile and/or lose consciousness. A person responding to the emergency may find, even if they are able on unlock the door from the outside, that the occupant is an obstacle to the door opening inwards. It may even be necessary to break through or remove the door from its hinges. This can significantly increase the time that elapses before the responder can commence treatment.
Many countries have building regulations or guidelines which stipulate that the cubicle door must be designed to mitigate this. In the UK, document M, volume II of the Building Regulations 2010, 'Access to and use of buildings' states that "doors to cubicles should be capable of being opened if a person has collapsed against them while inside the cubicle" (55.3). It is also stated that "WC compartment doors, and doors to wheelchair-accessible unisex toilets, changing rooms or shower rooms have an emergency release mechanism so that they are capable of being opened outwards, in case of emergency" (S5.4e).
The documents GB 2 423 115 A , GB 2 445 031 A and US 2 889 571 A disclose cubicles comprising locking devices for the doors, which allow unlocking and outward opening of the door in an emergency.
It is desirable to provide a cubicle which provides easy access in the event of an emergency. It is desirable to provide a cubicle door which is tamper-proof but which requires fewer or no tools to effect access in the event of an emergency.
Unfortunately, many public toilet cubicles are vandalised. One example of this is an occupant forcibly impacting (such as kicking) the door from the interior. A sufficient impact can cause bending of the door (about a vertical axis) which reduces its effective width. With existing arrangements, a consequence of the slight overlapping of the door and pilasters is that this bending due to impact may allow the door to pass beyond the pilaster and swing outwards. Repair is then necessary to restore the cubical to its original state.
It is desirable to provide a cubicle which inhibits the door from swinging outwards when forcibly impacted from the interior.
According to the present invention there is provided a cubicle comprising: a side wall; a pivotably mounted door having a lock for maintaining the door at a closed position; a locking device for the door, the locking device comprising:

a fixed base section provided at the side wall; and
a retractable section which laterally extends from the base section to a normal use position in which the door is prevented from pivoting outwards from a closed position,
wherein the retractable section is movable to an emergency use position in which the door is free to pivot outwards from the closed position,
characterized in that, the locking device and the door include inhibiting means adapted to inhibit lateral movement of the door relative to the locking device when the door is in a closed position.

The door and the retractable section may overlap when the door is at the closed position. The inhibiting means may be adapted to inhibit lateral separation of the door and the retractable section.
The inhibiting means may comprise a first protrusion which extends from a surface of the retractable section towards the interior of the cubicle. The first protrusion may be located at the overlap of the door and retractable section.
The inhibiting means may comprise a second protrusion which extends from a surface of the door towards the exterior of the cubicle. The second protrusion may be located at the overlap of the door and retractable section. The second protrusion may comprise a lip provided at the free edge of the door.
The first and second protrusions may be located such that they laterally abut and such that the second protrusion interposes the first protrusion and proximal side wall of the cubicle, thereby inhibiting lateral separation of the door and retractable section.
In alterative embodiments, one of either the first or second protrusions may be substituted by a groove or recess into which the other of the first or second protrusions may enter when the door is at a closed position.
The retractable section may be pivotably connected to the base section.
The retractable section may be biased toward the first position by first biasing means. The first biasing means may comprise a spring. The spring may comprise a torsion spring provided at the pivot point of the retractable section and base section. Alternatively, the spring may comprise a compression spring provided between the retractable section and base section.
The locking device may include a retaining pin for releasably maintaining the retractable section at the normal use position. The locking device may include second biasing means for biasing the retaining pin towards an engaged position.
The locking device may include a guide member for guiding the travel of the retaining pin during pivoting of the retractable section relative to the base section.
The guide member may have a notched or stepped profile such that the retaining pin enters the notch when the retractable section is at the emergency use position, thus maintaining the retractable section at the emergency use position.
One or both of the base section and the retractable section may include a stop member adapted to prevent the retractable section pivoting beyond the normal use position.
The stop member may comprise a first hook provided at the base section and a co-operating second hook provided at the retractable section.
Optionally, the locking device is provided between two adjacent cubicles. Optionally, the fixed base section is provided at the shared side wall of the two cubicles.
Optionally, the locking device includes two retractable sections which laterally extend from the base section in opposing directions to a normal use position in which each door of the two cubicles is prevented from pivoting outwards from a closed position.
Optionally, each retractable section is movable to an emergency use position in which the door is free to pivot outwards from the closed position.
Optionally, a lateral gap is provided between the two retractable sections. Optionally, a stop member is provided within the gap to prevent rotation of each pilaster about its pivot point.
Optionally, the stop member abuts both of the retractable sections.
Optionally, the stop member is movable from the gap to allow each retractable section to pivot to an emergency use position in which the door is free to pivot outwards from the closed position.
Alternatively, the locking device may be provided at a single cubicle.
Optionally, the base section includes a fixed portion and a lateral gap is provided between the retractable section and the fixed portion. Optionally, the stop member is provided within the gap to prevent rotation of the pilaster about its pivot point.
Optionally, the stop member abuts the retractable section and the fixed portion.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only with reference to the following drawings in which: -

Fig. 1 is (a) a plan view and (b) a perspective view of a portion of a locking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is (a) a plan view and (b) a perspective view of the locking device of Figure 1 with a first retractable section at the emergency use position;
Fig. 3 is (a) a plan view and (b) a perspective view of the locking device of Figure 1 with a second retractable section at the emergency use position;
Fig. 4 is (a) a plan view and (b) a perspective view of the locking device of Figure 1 while the door is subject to a forcible impact;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of a portion of a locking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 6 is a plan view of the locking device of Figure 5 with a first retractable section at the emergency use position.

Figure 1 shows a locking device 10 for a door 100 of a cubicle 110. Indeed, a series of cubicles are provided in a conventional manner. Only a portion of two adjacent cubicles is shown. The two cubicles 110 share a common side wall 112 and each cubicle 110 has a door 100. The door 100 can pivot about a hinge 102.
The locking device 10 comprises a base section 20 which is fixed to the side wall 112. Two retractable sections or pilasters 30 are pivotably connected to the base section 20 via a lever arm 31 about a pivot point 32. Each pilaster 30 laterally extends from the base section to a normal use position. One pilaster 30 extends in one direction and is associated with one cubicle 110, the other pilaster 30 extends in the opposite direction and is associated with the adjacent cubicle 110.
When the pilaster 30 is at the normal use position, it overlaps and is external to the associated door 100. Therefore, the door 100 is prevented from pivoting outwards from a closed position by the pilaster 30. However, the pilaster 30 can be laterally moved to an emergency use position in which the door 100 is free to pivot outwards from the closed position. This is shown in Figure 2 for the left hand pilaster 30 in that drawing and in Figure 3 for the right hand pilaster 30.
Each pilaster 30 is biased toward the normal use position by first biasing means. This is in the form of a torsion spring 34 provided at the pivot point 32. The base section 20 includes a hook member 22 and the lever arm 31 has a corresponding hook member 36. When the pilaster 30 is at the normal use position, these two hook members engage and prevent the pilaster 30 from pivoting any further.
Each lever arm 31 has an aperture provided along one leg. When the pilaster 30 is at the normal use position, this aperture aligns with an aperture of the base section 20. A retaining pin 40 engages each aperture to prevent pivoting of the pilaster 30 and thus maintain the pilaster 30 at the normal use position. Second biasing means, such as gravity or a spring, biases the retaining pin towards the engaged position. However, the pin can be manually raised to allow pivoting of the pilaster 30.
As the pilaster 30 and lever arm 31 rotate, the released retaining pin 40 travel with them. The retaining pin 40 travels along a guide rail 42. The guide rail 42 has a notched or undulating profile and is formed from a resilient material. For the first part of travel during pivoting of the lever arm 31, the guide rail 42 is acted upon and bent (downwards in Figure 1) by the retaining pin 40. The retaining pin 40 enters a notch 44 when the pilaster 30 is at the emergency use position (when the door 100 can freely pivot outwards). This relieves the force in the guide rail 42 which can now straighten. The profile of the notch 44 is such that the returning force of the torsion spring 34 is not sufficient to overcome the lateral holding force of the retaining pin 40 in the notch 44. Thus the pilaster 30 is maintained at the emergency use position. However, to return the pilaster 30 to its original state, a user can exert a force on the pilaster 30, adding to the returning force of the torsion spring 34 to overcome the lateral holding force of the retaining pin 40 in the notch 44.
The locking device 10 also includes inhibiting means adapted to inhibit lateral movement of the door 100 relative to the locking device 10 when the door 100 is in a closed position. This could be due to a forcible impact to the door from inside the cubicle 110.
The inhibiting means comprises a first protrusion or bump 50 which extends from a surface of the pilaster 30 towards the interior of the cubicle 110. The bump 50 is located at the overlap of the door 100 and pilaster 30. The inhibiting means also comprises a second protrusion or lip 52 which extends from a surface of the door 100 towards the exterior of the cubicle. The second protrusion is also located at the overlap of the door 100 and pilaster 30, specifically at the edge of the door 100.
As shown in Figures 1 to 3, there is a small lateral gap between the bump 50 and the lip 52. However, Figure 4 shows the position of components at a moment during the impact. It should be just noticeable in Figure 4 that, at that moment, the L shaped lever arm 31 is being slightly bent outwards. Also, the door 100 may be slightly bent. Both of these phenomena result in a degree of lateral separation of the pilaster 30 and door 100. This brings the bump 50 and the lip 52 into lateral contact which inhibits any further separation of the door 100 and pilaster 30.
Figures 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the invention. Like features are provided with like reference numerals.
As before, two adjacent cubicles are shown, each cubicle having a door 100 which can pivot about a hinge 102. The locking device 10 comprises a base section 20 and two pilasters 30 which are pivotably connected to the base section 20.
As before, there is a lateral gap between the two pilasters 30. In this embodiment, a stop member 60 is provided within this gap and abutting both pilasters 30, as shown in Figure 5. The stop member 60 prevents rotation of each pilaster 30 about its pivot point 32. The stop member 60 is movable (and may be removable) from the gap. Once this has been done, each pilaster 30 can rotate about its pivot point 32. This is shown in Figure 6. Therefore, the pilasters 30 movable to an emergency use position in which the door is free to pivot outwards from the closed position.
In this embodiment, the pivot point 32 of each pilaster 30 has been relocated and the lever arm has been omitted. However, this feature is not essential to the concept of the stop member 60 preventing rotation of the pilasters 30.
This embodiment is suitable for two cubicles with a shared side wall. However, in an alternative embodiment, the locking device can be provided at a single cubicle, such as an "end of run" cubicle. In this embodiment, the base section 20 includes a fixed portion and a lateral gap is provided between the pilaster 30 and the fixed portion. The stop member 60 is provided within the gap abuts the pilaster 30 and the fixed portion to prevent rotation of the pilaster 30 about its pivot point.
The invention is not limited to the embodiment herein described but may be varied in both construction and detail whilst remaining within the scope of the claims.

Claims

A cubicle (110) comprising:
a side wall (112);

a pivotably mounted door (100) having a lock for maintaining the door at a closed position;

a locking device (10) for the door (100), the locking device (10) comprising:
a fixed base section (20) provided at the side wall (112); and

a retractable section (30) which laterally extends from the base section (20) to a normal use position in which the door (100) is prevented from pivoting outwards from a closed position,

wherein the retractable section (30) is movable to an emergency use position in which the door (100) is free to pivot outwards from the closed position,

characterized in that,
the locking device (10) and the door (100) include inhibiting means adapted to inhibit lateral movement of the door (100) relative to the locking device (10) when the door (100) is in a closed position.
A cubicle (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door (100) and the retractable section (30) overlap when the door (100) is at the closed position and the inhibiting means is adapted to inhibit lateral separation of the door (100) and the retractable section (30).
A cubicle (110) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inhibiting means comprises a first protrusion (50) which extends from a surface of the retractable section (30) towards the interior of the cubicle (110).
A cubicle (110) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first protrusion (50) is located at the overlap of the door (100) and retractable section (30).
A cubicle (110) as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the inhibiting means comprises a second protrusion (52) which extends from a surface of the door (100) towards the exterior of the cubicle (110).
A cubicle (110) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second protrusion (52) is located at the overlap of the door (100) and retractable section (30).
A cubicle (110) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second protrusion may comprise a lip (52) provided at the free edge of the door (100).
A cubicle (110) as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the first and second protrusions are located such that they laterally abut and such that the second protrusion interposes the first protrusion and proximal side wall of the cubicle (110), thereby inhibiting lateral separation of the door (100) and retractable section (30).
A cubicle (110) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the retractable section (30) is pivotably connected to the base section (20).
A cubicle (110) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the retractable section (30) is biased toward the normal use position by first biasing means.
A cubicle (110) as claimed in claims 9 and 10, wherein the first biasing means comprises a torsion spring (34) provided at the pivot point of the retractable section (30) and base section (20).
A cubicle (110) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking device (10) includes a retaining pin (40) for releasably maintaining the retractable section (30) at the normal
use position.
A cubicle (110) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the locking device (10) includes second biasing means for biasing the retaining pin (40) towards an engaged position.
A cubicle (110) as claimed in claims 9 and 12 wherein the locking device (10) includes a guide member (42) for guiding the travel of the retaining pin (40) during pivoting of the retractable section (30) relative to the base section (20).
A cubicle (110) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the guide member (42) has a notched profile such that the retaining pin (40) enters a notch (44) when the retractable section (30) is at the emergency use position, thus maintaining the retractable section (30) at the emergency use position.