FR3106356A1 - Device to help open a door - Google Patents

Abstract

Device to help open a door. Device (1) for assisting the opening of a door in a wall by a user, said device (1) comprising a bar (2) issuing from the door and actuating by pivoting a system for closing the door relative to on the wall, said bar (2) being continued by a crutch (3) or a cylindrical shape, characterized in that the device (1) also comprises complementary pivoting means (4) of the bar (2) in the form an arm (4) integrally connected in a reversible manner to at least one of the bar (2), the crutch (3) or the cylindrical shape, and by the fact that said arm (4) comprises corrugations (41) and bearing surfaces (42) configured to cooperate with at least a portion of the upper limb of a user, from the edge of the hand to the top of the elbow of said limb of the user. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 11

Description

Door opening aid

The technical field concerns that of door handles or door over-handles intended to facilitate the opening of a door. The technical field concerns more particularly that of doors comprising two main faces and side edges, pivoting about a vertical axis, and comprising, on a side face distal to the axis of closure, a system for closing a door in a wall or a frame of the bolt or finger type coming from the door and cooperating with a strike plate or a reservation of the wall or the frame in which the door is included.

A door handle is known that comes to equip one or each of the main faces of a door. The handle on a main face of the door is then in the form of a rod continuing at one end a bar sometimes called a square coming from the door and perpendicular to it, the rod being substantially horizontal and parallel to the door. This rod has another free end. A user can come and exert a pressing force on the handle to make the handle pivot around a virtual axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the bar and disengage the bolt from the striker. The stem of this type of handle is commonly referred to as a crutch.

A door handle can also be formed of a cylindrical shape pursuing a bar issuing from the door and perpendicular thereto, said cylindrical shape being of revolution around a virtual axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the bar. A user can come and exert a gripping and pivoting action on the handle to pivot the handle around a virtual axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the bar and disengage the bolt from the striker. This type of handle is commonly called a round handle.

Once the bolt is released, the door can swing and open.

Such types of handles have been around for years and satisfy general purpose. However, there are cases where these handles cause problems.

This is particularly the case in places receiving sick, fragile or immunocompromised people. Indeed, a multitude of people can use the same handle in a reduced time in a health establishment. Handling a door handle with your hand can lead to depositing or picking up germs, chemicals, spores or any other living or inert product on the handle. This poses a hygiene and contamination risk. This makes it necessary to wash your hands after opening the door.

To solve this problem, the American document US2238513 teaches to extend the free end of the crutch by a curved part pointing downwards and moving away from the door to form a hook allowing the crutch to be pressed with the hand, but also to hook the hook with the wrist, the elbow or the forearm to operate the handle. It is thus possible to use a different part of the body than the hand, and thus limit the quantity of contaminants affixed to the handle as well as the risks of contamination.

However, this solution has a number of drawbacks. First of all, this door handle is cumbersome, and the movement to be made with the elbow or the forearm is not easy. In addition, the operation is not intuitive, and a user will naturally tend to open the door by normally operating the handle. Finally, the shape of this handle is particularly protruding, a person passing near the door can cling to the handle and injure themselves.

The objective of the invention is to propose an alternative solution to the existing one, and responding to the drawbacks mentioned above.

The objective of the invention is to propose a device for assisting in the opening of a door, making it possible to limit the risks of contamination of the handle by chemical or infectious agents, simple to produce, intuitive to use , compact, non-protruding and not very constraining. This device is particularly suitable for use in healthcare establishments, and allows opening like a normal handle, or opening without using the hand.

To this end, the invention relates to a device for assisting the opening of a door in a wall by a user, said device comprising a bar issuing from the door and actuating by pivoting a system for closing the door with respect to the wall, said bar being continued by a crutch or a cylindrical shape, characterized in that the device also comprises means for pivoting complementary to the bar in the form of an arm integrally attached in a reversible manner to at least one of the bar , the crutch or the cylindrical shape, and in that said arm comprises undulations and bearing surfaces configured to cooperate with at least a portion of an upper limb of a user, from the edge of the hand up to at the top of the elbow of the user's limb.

The device thus designed may include a crutch handle or a round handle such as can be commonly found on the market, and include additional elements making it possible to be able to pivot the bar and therefore actuate the closing system by not using as the edge of the hand, the wrist, the forearm or the elbow. This allows the user not to contaminate the handle with his hand, or to not have his hand contaminated by the deposits of a person who has used the handle previously.

The support surfaces and undulations of the arm form positioning zones in particular of the edge of the hand, the wrist, the forearm or the elbow which allow satisfactory actuation of the device. This device has the advantage of leaving accessible a crutch or round handle that can be used normally. Thus, a user can open a door comprising such a device normally by using the handle, or by reducing the risks of contamination, in particular by using a part of the body less subject to the diffusion of contaminants.

This has the advantage of reducing manufacturing costs and mold investments for device fabrication.

Other aims and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which will follow, referring to the attached drawings illustrating exemplary embodiments and in which:

is a schematic front perspective view of a device according to one embodiment of the invention;

is a schematic rear view of the device of the ;

is an exploded view of the clamping means and the arm of the device of the .

is a schematic front perspective view of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

is an exploded schematic view seen from below of the clamping means and of the arm of the device of the .

is a schematic exploded front perspective view of the clamping means of the device of the around the bar of the same device.

is a schematic front perspective view during assembly of the clamping means of the device of the .

is a schematic front perspective view during assembly of clamping means of the device of the according to an alternative embodiment.

is a schematic front perspective view of a device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

is a schematic exploded front perspective view of part of the device of the .

is a schematic front perspective view of a device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

is a schematic exploded front perspective view of the device of the .

The invention relates to a device 1 for assisting the opening of a door (not shown here) in a wall (not shown here) by a user (not shown here). Throughout the description, the device 1 is considered in its position of use, mounted on a main surface of a door, in a so-called rest position corresponding to the absence of pressure or stress on the device 1, as illustrated in figures 1, 2, 4 and 9.

This device 1 comprises a bar 2 which comes from the door perpendicular to the door. Device 1 is connected to the door by bar 2.

This bar 2 is connected to a closing system leading to the edge of the door. When a user pivots the bar 2, its pivoting activates a bolt of a system for closing the door relative to the wall. The bolt re-enters the door and disengages from a strike plate in the wall. Pivoting is done around a virtual axis coinciding with the longitudinal guideline at bar 2. Once the bolt is disengaged, a user can open the door by pivoting it, either by pushing or pulling it.

The bar 2 is continued here by a crutch 3 of the device 1, but it could have been continued by a cylindrical shape of the device 1, not illustrated here.

The device 1 also comprises complementary pivoting means 4 of the bar 2 in the form of an arm 4 attached by one of its ends to at least one of the bar 2, of the stand 3 or of the cylindrical shape. This connection is here reversible. In FIGS. 1 to 10, arm 4 is attached by screws passing through orifices 40 of arm 4 and cooperating with threaded holes in attachment means 5 comprising here two semi-circular elements 5a, 5b cooperating with each other as screws. -to-vis to form a clamping ring around the bar 2. The attachment means 5 may comprise a lug 5c which is introduced into a housing of the arm 4, so as to help the positioning of the arm 4 with respect to the means attachment 5 prior to the insertion of screws in the holes 40 of the arm 4. This lug 5c is illustrated on part 5a of the .

The two semicircular elements 5a, 5b are assembled together here by screws passing through holes 50 of one element 5a and cooperating with threaded holes of the other semicircle 5b. Preferably but optionally, the screws are made of plastic material, but they can be made of stainless steel.

Of course, according to alternative embodiments, the attachment means 5 could include a clamping ring around the cylindrical shape, or even around the stand 3.

The arm 4 has undulations 41 and support surfaces 42. These support surfaces 42 can be vertical, horizontal or inclined when the device 1 is in the rest position. These undulations 41 and bearing surfaces 42 are configured to cooperate with at least a portion of the upper limb of a user, from the edge of the hand to the top of the elbow of the limb of a user.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated here in Figures 1 to 3, the arm 4 comprises a first vertical part 4a connected to the attachment means 5, continued by a second horizontal part 4b. Stand 3 is parallel to second horizontal part 4b when device 1 is in a rest position. The first vertical part 4a comprises a vertical support surface 42, and the second part 4b comprises a horizontal support surface 42. The first vertical part 4a of the arm 4 comprises a horizontal reservation in which the crutch 3 engages. The second horizontal part 4b of the arm 4 and the crutch 3 are thus carried longitudinally by straight lines parallel to each other, the crutch 3 being positioned under the second horizontal part 4b of the arm 4, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. Thus, intuitively, a user will press on the arm 4 rather than the handle 3 to open the door, which is more visible and more accessible.

Thus, a user can pivot the bar 2 by pressing on the arm 4 with, for example, the edge of his hand, his wrist, his forearm, or his elbow. In fact the user can come for example to place the palm of his hand or his wrist in a wave 41, or place his forearm against a support surface 42 horizontal or vertical. Also, the user can place his elbow against a horizontal or vertical support surface 42 to rotate the device 1 and open the door.

The shapes of the undulations 41 and of the support surfaces 42, and in general of the arm 4, also allow the user a relative grip of the device 1 allowing him to be able to pull the door once the closing system has been disengaged. The horizontal support surface 42 is in particular concave to form a cradle, as illustrated in the figures.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated here, the arm 4, and more particularly the second part 4b of this arm 4, comprises an added piece 6 comprising the undulations 41 and a bearing surface 42.

This insert 6 can be mounted tight on the arm 4, or glued, or screwed, or held on the arm 4 by any other suitable means, the assembly on the arm 4 can be reversible or not.

This insert 6 can be made of a thermosetting composite material comprising between 55 and 75% natural minerals, in particular in the form of aluminum hydroxide with the chemical formula Al(OH)3 and between 45 and 25% of a thermosetting resin, in particular acrylic. According to a particular embodiment, the thermosetting composite material used to produce the insert 6 comprises at least 66% of natural minerals in the form of Aluminum Hydroxide of chemical formula Al(OH)3 and at least 33% of a thermosetting resin, in particular acrylic.

This material may have, in the form of a sheet, a possible deformation when hot allowing it to be formed by thermoforming.

The insert 6 can be made simply by cutting and thermoforming, or machining a sheet of said material.

Advantageously, such a material has intrinsic antibacterial and/or antifungal and/or virucidal and/antiseptic characteristics. These characteristics can alternatively be obtained by adding additives to obtain these characteristics on the surface of the material or in the material.

Such a material can be particularly resistant to wear and mechanical stress. Thus, the material used to make the insert 6 of the arm 4 advantageously has a bending modulus measured according to the ISO178/ASTM D790 standard of between 9,300 and 12,000 Megapascals, limits of the interval included.

This material advantageously also has a voltage modulus measured according to the ISO527/ASTM D638 standard of between 9,500 and 11,500 Megapascals, limits of the interval included.

An example of such a material is for example a thermoplastic composite material sold under the trade name KRION®.

This material, normally used in furniture, has the advantageous characteristics mentioned above, making it a material particularly suitable for this use. It is transformed by heating and forming in a mold or on a counterpart.

In fact, according to an embodiment of the invention not illustrated here, arm 4 can also be made of the same material as insert 6, and can also be shaped by thermoforming, machining or any other process.

Having an arm 4 distinct from the crutch 3, from the cylindrical shape or from the bar 2 facilitates maintenance and manufacture. However, it is possible to make a device 1 according to the invention for which the arm 4 is integral with the stand 3, or the cylindrical shape, and/or the bar 2.

Advantageously, the device 1 can incorporate an already existing handle made of a fire-resistant material. Thus, in the event of a fire, the door can be opened even if the arm 4 becomes deformed or melts due to the heat.

According to a second embodiment of the invention illustrated here in Figures 4 and 5, the arm 4 comprises a first inclined part 4a, connected to the attachment means 5, continued by a second horizontal part 4b. The inclination of the first inclined part 4a makes an angle of about 45 degrees, to within 10 degrees, with the ground in the rest position. This inclination makes it easier to press on the device with the elbow or the palm of the hand. Stand 3 is always parallel to second horizontal part 4b when device 1 is in a rest position. The arm 4 has undulations 41 and bearing surfaces 42 which are then inclined or horizontal when the device 1 is in the rest position. In fact, the first inclined part 4a of the arm 4 comprises an inclined support surface 42, and the second part 4b comprises a horizontal support surface 42. The first inclined part 4a of the arm 4 comprises a horizontal reservation in which the crutch 3 engages. The second horizontal part 4b of the arm 4 and the crutch 3 are carried longitudinally by straight lines parallel to each other, the crutch 3 being positioned under the second horizontal part 4b of the arm 4, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Thus, intuitively, a user will press on the arm 4 rather than the handle 3 to open the door, which is more visible and more accessible.

According to a third embodiment of the invention illustrated here in Figures 9 and 10 the arm 4 comprises a first inclined part 4a, connected to the attachment means 5, continued by a second part 4b also inclined at the same angle of inclination than the first part 4a or at a different angle of inclination. The first inclined part 4a forms an angle of about 45 degrees, to within 10 degrees, with the ground in the rest position. The second inclined part 4b makes an angle of about 20 degrees, to within 10 degrees, with the ground in the rest position. This or these inclinations make it easier to press on the device with the elbow or the palm of the hand. The arm 4 comprises undulations 41 and support surfaces 42 which are then inclined when the device 1 is in the rest position as seen on the . The crutch 3 is positioned under the arm 4, as illustrated in the . Thus, intuitively, a user will press arm 4 rather than handle 3 to open the door, which is more visible and more accessible.

According to a fourth embodiment of the invention illustrated here in Figures 11 and 12 the crutch 3 continues to form the arm 4. The arm 4 can be fitted or screwed onto the crutch 3, or, as illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, come in one piece with the crutch 3. The crutch 3 is, as illustrated here in FIGS. 11 and 12, formed by a tubular element 30 fitted onto the bar 2 and by a rod 31 perpendicular to the tubular element 30. This rod 31 is screwed onto the tubular element 30, and is inclined so that this rod 31 has an angle of inclination of approximately 45 degrees with the ground, to within 10 degrees when the device is at rest.

It should be noted according to an alternative embodiment, the tubular element 30 can form a cylindrical shape of the device on which the arm 4 can be screwed or solidly fixed by any means.

The arm 4 of this fourth exemplary embodiment comprises a first part 4a inclined at the same angle as that of the stand 3, continued by a second part 4b which can be inclined at the same angle of inclination as the first part 4a or inclined according to a different angle. The second inclined part 4b makes an angle of approximately 20 degrees, to within 10 degrees, with the ground in the position at rest, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. These inclinations make it easier to press on the device with the elbow or the palm of the hand. The arm 4 has undulations 41 and bearing surfaces 42 which are then inclined when the device 1 is in the rest position. Thus, intuitively, a user will press on the arm 4 or the crutch 3. As illustrated in FIGS. and a bearing surface 42. This added piece 6 has on its underside a T-grooved groove in which the second part 4b of the arm 4 slides in translation, as illustrated in the , 10 or 12. The second part 4b of the arm can be continued at its end by a lug mounted on a leaf spring which cooperates with a slot cut into the underside of the insert 6, so that, when the insert is mounted on arm 4, the lug engages in the light to prevent removal of the insert from arm 4 except by dislodging the lug from the light. The lug and the light simply form means for holding the insert 6 on the second part 4b of the arm 4 which are reversible.

In addition to or replacing these holding means, a screw can pass through the second part 4b of the arm and enter the underside of the added part 6, as illustrated in the , there or the , to form alternative or complementary holding means.

According to the second exemplary embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a counterweight 7, as visible in FIGS. 4 and 5. This counterweight 7 makes it possible to compensate for the weight of the arm 4 and of the insert 6 which, when the arm has a first inclined part 4b exerts a stress on the closure system receiving the device 1. This is particularly true for the elastic return elements that this closure system comprises, which are then stressed at all times, even when the device 1 is in rest position. Such a counterweight 7 then makes it possible to counterbalance the torque effect of the weight of the bar 4 and of the added piece 6. This counterweight 7 is pivotally mounted around a virtual axis parallel to that of the bar 2. This counterweight 7 is pivotally mounted on a lower part of the bar 4, so as not to interfere with the opening of the door. This counterweight 7 is formed by a flyweight attached by a rod to a shaft which engages in two bearings of the bar 4.

This counterweight 7 can also come to equip other embodiments of the invention, in particular the third or the fourth embodiment of the invention.

The device 1 may comprise elastic return elements complementary to the closure system, as illustrated in the , to help the arm return to its resting position.

In order to facilitate the assembly of the device 1, examples of attachment means 5 of the invention are illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7. These attachment means 5 comprise two semi-circular elements 5a, 5b cooperating with each other opposite opposite to form a clamping ring around the bar 2, these elements having shapes allowing head to tail interlocking of a semi-circular element in the other semi-circular element. This interlocking is particularly visible in Figures 6 and 7. Assembly prior to screwing the elements together is then facilitated, while rationalizing the manufacture of said semi-circular elements. The particular shape of the elements 5a and 5b allows satisfactory guidance during their assembly and allows the attachment means 5 to ensure that the arm is parallel to the plane of the door on which the device is mounted.

According to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in particular in Figures 4 to 7 and 9 and 10, the two semicircular elements 5a, 5b of the connecting means 5 are assembled together here by a screw passing through an orifice 50 of an element 5a and cooperating with a threaded hole of the other semi-circle 5b, and by a screw passing through an orifice 50 of an element 5b and cooperating with a threaded hole of the other semi-circle 5a.

Maintaining these attachment means 5 around the bar 2 can be done by tightening the screws 50, the ring thus formed by these attachment means can have a round central hole, but as illustrated in the , this central hole can be notched. This allows better support on the bar 2 in the case of a bar 2 of rectangular, square, polygonal, elliptical section, or any other non-circular section shape. It is the same for a crutch 3 or a cylindrical shape regardless of its rectangular, square, polygonal, elliptical shape, or any other shape of non-circular section. This notching allows a linear support which allows a very good quality tightening.

Of course, the attachment means 5, and in particular the central hole of the ring formed by the attachment means, can have any shape suitable for the bar 2, the stand 3 or the cylindrical shape.

The device 1 can comprise on a part of the arm 4, in particular the first part 4a of the arm 4, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 9 and 10, a cartridge which can receive pictograms or personalized text.

The arm 4, as illustrated in particular in Figures 4, 5 and 9 to 12, can be designed symmetrically, that is to say can be used to make a device 1 intended to be mounted on a door with opening at left or right. In the same way, the added part 6 can be designed symmetrical, that is to say that the second part 4b of the arm can be inserted into the added part 6 by one or the other of its ends, as illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 9 to 12. This makes it possible to rationalize the manufacture of such a device 1, and to reduce the corresponding investments required.

Claims (1)

Device (1) for assisting the opening of a door in a wall by a user, said device (1) comprising a bar (2) issuing from the door and actuating by pivoting a system for closing the door with respect to to the wall, said bar (2) being continued by a stand (3) or a cylindrical shape, characterized in that the device (1) also comprises complementary pivoting means (4) of the bar (2) in the form of an arm (4) integrally attached in a reversible manner to at least one of the bar (2), the crutch (3) or the cylindrical shape, and by the fact that said arm (4) comprises undulations (41) and bearing surfaces (42) configured to cooperate with at least a portion of the upper limb of a user, from the edge of the hand to the top of the elbow of said limb of the user.