FR2951487A1 - Device for opening door in e.g. hospital by using foot of user, has actuation unit connected to handle of door by tie rod that is movable in translation in parallel manner with respect to plane of door and fixed to handle and/or lock - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an actuation unit connected to a handle (3) of a door (1) by a tie rod (5). The tie rod is movable in translation in a parallel manner with respect to a plane of the door. The tie rod is articulated on the actuation unit and fixed to the handle and/or a lock. The actuation unit has a plate (6) and a pedal (7) pressed by a foot of a user. The tie rod has a lower end fixed on the pedal, and an upper end fixed to the handle. The tie rod is fixed on the handle by a fixing unit such as clamp, pin or screw.

Description

Device for opening doors at the foot.

The present invention relates to a device for opening with the foot a door provided with a handle and / or a lock, without having to touch with the hands or arms the handle or lock.

The device according to the invention can be either attached to existing doors or integrated during manufacture or assembly or integration of the lock and / or the handle in a new door.

There are cases where it is not possible for the user to open a door with his hands, if only for example when he or she has his arms loaded or carries an object hogging his hands and / or both his arms.

To this end there are known systems of the type comprising a U-shaped bar, whose base of the U is parallel to the plane of the door and the two branches are connected to the door to the lock and / or handle system. The user pushes with his hips or elbows the horizontal bar that tilts the lock and / or the bolt of the lock, and continuing to push, the user opens the door and the user.

This system is generally used in public institutions such as hospitals because they allow doors to be opened by pressing on the bar by a rolling object, such as a stretcher or the like. Despite the interest of this known system, it has two disadvantages.

The first is that it requires a particular movement of the user of swaying, which forces him to turn slightly and therefore can unbalance or is not very easy.

The second is that these devices require a complete transformation of existing doors and furthermore are relatively complicated.

There are other situations where the user does not wish, for reasons of hygiene in particular, to touch with the hand a handle used by a large number of other people.

In addition, the known devices only realize the opening of the door, while there are cases where the user wishes to lock the door in the closed position, always without having to use hands or arms.

The present invention overcomes these drawbacks and proposes a device that allows the opening of a door without having to touch the handle with the hands or the arms (either because the user carries an object, or because or she does not wish to touch the handle with her hands), and without the user having to perform maneuvers or movements with her body. The device of the invention is further simple in structure and easy to install on existing doors, and may alternatively be mounted on a door during the manufacture of the latter. In addition, the device of the invention can block the door in the closed position, without touching the handle with the hands or arms.

To this end, according to the invention, the device for opening, without contact with the hands or arms of the user, a door provided with a handle and / or a lock, is characterized in that it comprises an actuating means on which the foot of the user is able to rest and which is connected to the handle of the door and / or the lock of the door so as to control the opening or closing the door.

Specifically, the actuating means is connected to the door handle by a tie movable in translation parallel to the plane of the door, and articulated on the actuating means on the one hand and fixed to the handle and / or the lock of the door. 'somewhere else.

Preferably, said tie is constituted by a "sheet metal profile". Advantageously, the actuating means is constituted by a plate, forming a pedal which is movable in vertical translation, arranged on the bottom of the door and the lower end of the tie rod is fixed on said pedal, while its upper end is fixed. to the handle, or on the axis of the handle in the lock, so as to allow the pivoting of the handle of the door to open it.

Advantageously, the tie is fixed on the handle by a fastening means (such as a collar, a pin, or a screw) itself articulated along a horizontal axis perpendicular to the plane of the door on said tie rod.

Particularly, recall means, for example a spring, are provided at the lower end of the tie rod to bias it upwards, that is to say towards a closed position of the handle. Specifically, the lower end of the tie rod is movable in a sleeve or sheath, in which is disposed said spring.

According to a first mode, the pedal is connected to the handle by a tie rod 30 making it possible to transform the translational movement of the pedal towards the bottom (with respect to the door) in a vertical downward movement of the tie rod.

According to a second mode, the actuating pedal is connected to the lower end of the tie rod by a sliding slide in vertical translation.

In addition, the device of the invention comprises means for locking the door in the closed position, blocking the pedal and therefore the handle. The locking means comprise a movable stop adapted to prevent the vertical translation of the pedal, therefore the tie rod, thus blocking the handle in the closed position of the door.

More particularly, said locking means consist of a horizontally sliding rod, one end of which cooperates with an abutment provided on the actuating pedal, said sliding rod being provided with a transverse projecting element on which is susceptible of take support of the foot. According to another embodiment of the locking means, they comprise a rod hinged to the door on the one hand and associated with a second pedal on the other hand. Thus, the support of the user's foot on the second pedal causes the rotation of the rod which causes the sliding of the rod, in order either to disengage or to block the stop of the actuating pedal.

The device of the invention is likely to be used and mounted on new doors, which also allows to hide the mechanism. Thus, in this configuration, the vertical tie is rotatably mounted at its upper end, on a rod whose other end is fixed to the axis of rotation of the bolt associated with the handle.

Preferably, the locking means of the door and the actuating means for opening, closing by actuation on the handle, are mounted at the bottom of the door on the same plate fixed to the door.

The invention will be well understood in light of the following description relating to illustrative and non-limiting examples, based on the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic front view of a door provided with the device of the invention; - Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the door of Figure 1. - Figure 3 shows a side view of the door of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows a detail view in front perspective of the pedal alone; - Figure 5 is a front perspective view of detail of the tie rod and its connection to the door handle; - Figure 6 shows a front view of a door provided with another variant of the device for locking the door in the closed position; FIGS. 7A and 7B each show respectively a perspective front and front view of the opening and blocking device of the variant of FIG. 6, in the respective unlocked and locked positions of the door; - Figure 8A is a detail view of a lock associated with the pulling integrated in a door. FIG. 8B is a front view of the device with the locking means integrated in the door, on the opposite side of the door relative to the device of FIGS. 7 and 7B; Fig. 9 shows a front perspective view of the pedal and locking means mounted on the plate prior to attachment to the door, and Figs. 10A and 10B are perspective views of two pedals and switching means. blocking (off-board and out-door), arranged respectively on each side of the same door.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show, respectively in front view, in perspective view, and in profile, a door 1 known per se (the hinges are not shown), and provided with opening means 2 having a handle 3.

The device of the invention comprises two functional elements: - an actuating means 4 situated at the base of the door, substantially perpendicular to the handle 3, - an elongate or pulling tie 5 connected to its lower end at the actuating means 4, and at its upper end to the handle 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, an actuating device for opening and closing the door 1 is disposed on each side of the latter. Are thus provided, preferably, two actuating means 4A and 4B, two tie rods 5A and 5B, each associated with a handle 3A and 3B respectively. The actuating means 4 (FIGS. 2 and 3) comprise a plate or plate 6 fixed to the door, of rectangular or square shape, and a pedal 7 on which the foot of a user can be supported (no represent). A mechanism, described later, connects the pedal 7 and the tie 5. Similarly, the connection between the tie rod 5 and the handle 3 is described later.

FIG. 4 shows in front perspective an embodiment of the actuating means 4, comprising the plate 6 and the pedal 7. The plate 6 is fixed on the bottom of the door by four bolts or screws, known in themselves, 8, 9, 10, 11 at the corners of the plate 6.

On the latter is fixed, by welding for example, a sheath 12, preferably square or rectangular section, elongate, and vertical axis. Inside the hollow sheath 12 is housed a slider, which is not visible in the figure, and capable of moving in translation. The slide is attached to the lower end of the tie rod 5, in a manner known per se by nut or bolt or weld. Inside the sheath 12 is placed a compression spring 13 whose lower end rests on the base of the sheath 12, that is to say located closest to the ground, while the upper end of the spring 13 against, or is fixed to, the slide itself attached to the end of the tie rod 25 movable in translation. Thus, at rest, the tie rod 5 is pushed upward into a so-called rest position, and is returned to the latter as soon as the pressure on the spring disappears.

The actuating means comprise a pedal 7 extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door and consisting of a sheet metal plate 7A, preferably substantially rectangular, for example of the order of 15 cm × 10 cm, forming a base of support for the user's foot. The plate 7A pedal is advantageously provided with 7C pins for better grip or adhesion of the user shoe, the pins being nine in number by way of example.

The pedal 7 has a return 7B orthogonal to the support plate 7A. The pedal thus seen in profile has a general shape of L.

The pedal 7 is connected to the slider (disposed inside the sheath 12) via known means, such as for example a bolt 14 passing through two oblong lateral slots of vertical axis, only one of which is shown 14A, and located on both sides on two opposite sides of the sheath 12, and more particularly on the sides of the latter perpendicular to the plane of the door.

The pedal 7 is fixed on a stirrup with two lateral branches 19A and 19B, each having a substantially L-shaped shape and being disposed on either side of the lateral sides of the sheath 12. Thus, the assembly of the stirrups 19A and 19B 19B moves along the sides of the sheath 12.

Thus, it is understood that the user, by pressing the substantially horizontal plate 7A of the pedal 7, drives downwards, against the spring 13, the slide inside the sheath 12. In this 25 movement , the pedal is thus guided by the bolt 14 along said lateral oblong slots 14A, downwards. In doing so, the slider drives down the vertically movable vertical tie in translation.

FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the connection between the handle and the tie rod 5. The connection according to this variant consists of an L-shaped lug 15 of which a branch 15A is attached to the end. 5A of the tie rod 5, and the other arm 15B has a distal end (remote from the door) curve whose concavity is turned towards the handle. A second tab 16 is provided with a shape complementary to the handle opposite the portion 15B of the first tab 15, so that the tabs 15 and 16 surround the handle approximately on their distal periphery 3. The first and second tabs 15 and 16 are fixed to each other by a bolt 17.

It is noted that the connection between the upper end 5A of the tie rod 5 and the first lug 15 L-shaped, allows a degree of freedom in rotation of the tab relative to the tie rod 5.

Thus, as expressed above with reference to FIG. 4, a pressure or pressing of the user's foot on the pedal 7 causes a downward vertical movement of the tie rod 5, which therefore exerts (FIG. 5) a vertical downward force on the handle 3, and thus causes the rotation thereof. The door is released for opening.

The degree of freedom between the end 5A of the tie rod 5 and the fixing lug 15 makes it possible to transform the downward vertical movement of the tie rod 5 into a rotational movement of the handle 3.

Referring to Figures 6, 7A and 7B, there is described below another embodiment of the invention for locking the door in the closed position, always with the foot of the user.

In Figure 6, there is shown a configuration in which there is provided, in addition to the foot control system of the opening of the door 2951487 io by the handle 3, 20 locking means of the door in the closed position.

These means 20 comprise a support member 21 protruding transversely to the door and fixed to the distal end of a sliding zipper 22 movable in horizontal translation. More particularly, the support 21 consists of a plate perpendicular to the plane of the door, and on which the foot of the user can bear substantially laterally. The pull tab 22 is held against the plate 6 by two end tabs 30 and 31, allowing horizontal sliding of the pull tab.

Furthermore, FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the tie rod 15 consisting of two parts 23 and 24, co-linear and telescopically mounted at their ends respectively, lower for the upper tie rod 23, and upper for the lower tie rod 24.

Furthermore, since the tie rod 5 is pressed against the door, the end of the upper tie rod 23 has an S-shaped extension 26 so that the end of said tie rod 23 can be rotatably attached to the handle 3, taking account of the offset of it from the plane of the door.

Figures 7A and 7B each show a detail view of the embodiment 25 of Figure 6, with respect to the control means for maintaining the closed position of the door. Figure 7A shows the device in the unlocking position, that is to say does not prevent the opening of the door, while Figure 7B shows the device in the locked position of the door. It is furthermore provided, on the sheath 12, at least one abutment 32 projecting in relation to the vertical plane of one of the side plates, 19A for example, (see also FIG. 4), integral with the pedal 7.

One of the sliding tabs (31 in this case) and the end 22A of the sliding zipper 22 are located near the stop 32.

In the unlocked position shown in Figure 7A, the pedal 7 is free to move downwardly to cause, through the pedal 7 and therefore the tie rod 5, the opening of the door, as previously described.

When the user wishes, the door being closed, block it in the closed position, it bears with its foot on the side of the projecting element 21, opposite the pedal, pushing said element 21 towards the 15 7. This causes the sliding slide 22 to move in translation towards the pedal 7. The movement is continued until the end 22A of the sliding zipper 22 abuts against the sheath 12, and mainly so that the proximal end 22A of the pull tab 22 bears against the stop 32. Thus, the pedal 7 can not move downward, despite any action of the user on it. The force applied by the user on the pedal 7 is transmitted, via the stop 32, to the end 22 A of the sliding zipper 22 which has only one degree of freedom in horizontal translation. The door is thus blocked since it is not possible to act on the handle 3. Conversely, to unlock the door, the user presses on the transverse support element 21 to move it away from the pedal 7, which moves the puller in the same direction, thus releasing my stop 32. It returns to the position shown in Figure 7A, where the stop 32 encounters no obstacle in its downward vertical movement, by action of the user's foot.

So far, the invention has been described in the context of a device attached to existing doors or already in place.

The invention is also likely to be integrated into a door during its manufacture.

Figure 8A shows a detail view of a lock 34, known in itself, and having two lock bolts 34A and 34B. The bolt 34A is associated with the handle (not shown) and is slidably controlled by a known mechanism (not shown) via a shaft 35.

According to the invention, a rod 36 is articulated at its first end to the shaft 35, and at its other end to the upper end 5A of the tie rod 5 via a rotational link 36A.

The assembly of the lock 34, the rod 36 and the tie rod 5 is disposed inside the door, either by making a groove therein, or in the median space separating the two constituent panels of the door. the door.

Furthermore, the device of the invention, besides the fact that it can be integrated partially in the door, can be mounted on each side of a door.

FIG. 8B shows a schematic view of the bottom of a door on which is mounted a device of the invention (including a plate 6A, the pedal 7 and its associated means, and the locking means 20), on the side of the opposite door to which is mounted the device shown in Figures 7A and 7B. Thus, on one side of the door, there is the device of Figures 7A and 7B, while opposite, on the other side of the same door, is the device of Figure 8A.

The functional block of the pedal 7 and its associated elements, corresponds to that described with reference to Figures 1 to 7, and is mounted on the plate 6A (similar to the plate 6 of the previous figures). On the plate 6A is provided a substantially square or rectangular hole covered with a flap 37 provided with a horizontal light 38 from which the end 39A of a bolt (transverse to the plate) on which is fixed a plate 40 fit to slide in the plane of the door. Part of the plate 40 is visible through a second vertical light 41 provided on the flap 37.

Figure 9 shows the device of Figure 8, exploded view before mounting the pedal 7 and the sheath 12 on the plate 6A (not shown) and before fixing it on the door (not shown). The plate shown in Figure 9 is the plate 6 of the device of the invention mounted on the opposite side of the door, in accordance with that shown in Figures 7A and 7B, which comprises a pedal and its associated means and the locking means of the door.

The sliding plate 40 is secured to the sliding zipper 22 (FIGS. 7A and 7B) by the transverse bolt 39, which passes through a horizontal oblong guide slot 42 provided in the plate 6. It will be understood that the translation actuation of the element support 21 (arranged on the other side of the door) causes translation of the pull tab 22 and thus of the bolt 39 and thus of the plate 40.

FIGS. 10A and 10B each show a device of the invention mounted respectively on each side of the same door, where the same elements or the like bear the same references as those of FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8B and 9.

The devices of the invention (FIGS. 8B, 9 and 10A and 10B) make it possible, on the one hand, to open the door, on each side of it (by the corresponding pedal), and on the other hand to block the door, by one of the sides of the door (the side where is mounted the device of Figures 7A and 7B) by acting on the support element 21.

Means are provided to display the locked or unlocked state of the door. The sliding plate 40 is partially visible through the horizontal light 38 provided on the flap 37 (Figure 8B). In the locked state of the door, the plate 40 shows through the light 38 a portion of its surface which is not the same as that for the unlocked state of the door. These two surfaces of the plate 40 are in this case of different colors, to thus indicate to the user, at a glance, the blocked or unlocked state of the door.

The variants shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 are advantageous from an aesthetic point of view, since the tie rod 5 and its connection with the pedal 7 and the lock 34 are arranged on the one hand. inside the door.

In general, the invention makes it possible to open and / or block the door without any particular movement of the body (swaying or otherwise), leaving the user's hands and arms free, while allowing, always with the foot , to lock the door in the closed position. The blocking is only temporary and the device can be at any time placed in unlocked position or opening the door.

Claims (10)

Revendications1. Device for opening, without contact with the hands or arms of the user, a door (1) provided with a handle (3) and / or a lock, characterized in that comprises an actuating means (7) on which the foot of the user is able to rest, and which is connected at least to the door handle by a tie rod (5) movable in translation parallel to the plane of the door and articulated on the actuating means on the one hand and attached to the handle and / or the lock on the other hand. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating means consists of a plate, forming a pedal (7) movable in vertical translation, arranged on the bottom of the door, and in that the end bottom of the tie is fixed on said pedal, while its upper end is fixed to the handle, so as to allow the pivoting of the handle (3) of the door (1) to open it. 3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the tie rod is attached to the handle by a fastening means such as a collar (15), a pin or a screw, said means being itself articulated along a horizontal axis (18) perpendicular to the plane of the door (1) on said tie rod (5). 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that reminders means, for example a spring (13), are associated with the lower end of the tie rod (5) to remind it upwards , that is to say towards a closed position of the handle (3). 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the lower end of the tie is movably disposed in a sheath (12), in which are arranged the return means (13). 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises temporary locking means (22,32) of the door in the closed position, adapted to block the tie rod (5) or the pedal (7) in the closed position of the door (1). 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the movable blocking element consists of a sliding slider (22) horizontally, and one end (22A) cooperates with a stop (32A) provided on the pedal (7). ), said sliding zipper being provided with a transverse projecting element (21) on which the foot of the user can be supported, so as to cause the sliding of the pull-rod to pull, in order to disengage, to block, said stop. 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is capable of being mounted on new doors, at least partly inside the door, and in that the vertical tie is rotatably mounted at its upper end, on a rod (36) whose other end is fixed to the axis of rotation (35) of the bolt (34A) associated with the handle. 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is provided on each side of the same door. 10. Door provided with the device according to one of the preceding claims. 25