GB2345725A

GB2345725A - Door operator

Info

Publication number: GB2345725A
Application number: GB0000764A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William David Steadman
Original assignee: Silver Crown Associates Ltd
Current assignee: Silver Crown Associates Ltd
Priority date: 1999-01-13
Filing date: 2000-01-13
Publication date: 2000-07-19
Also published as: WO2000042284A1; AU1993400A; GB0000764D0

Abstract

A door-mounted motor 12 rotates gear 14 to reciprocate rack 16, connected by link 20 to the door frame, to pivot the door open and closed. Pivot 18 may disconnect under sufficient force on link 20. The rack may actuate limit switches, and the gear may be driven via a clutch which releases under rack load to allow free rack movement( Figures 4 and 6, not shown). Motor-driven rack 44 actuates lock 54. A housing containing the motor, rack and gear may pivoted by a solenoid from the door, against spring bias, to better align the door (Figures 7 and 8, not shown).

Description

DOOR OPERATING APPARATUS This invention concerns improvements in or relating to door operating apparatus.

A number of arrangements have been devised for automatically opening and closing hinged doors. Difficulties have however been encountered with these. For instance, they have often mechanically been inefficient, and have often projected from the door or door frame to a significant degree.

According to the present invention there is provided door operating apparatus for a hinged door, the apparatus comprising a motor engagable with an elongate opening member such that operation of the motor in one direction causes linear movement of the elongate opening member in a first direction, and operation of the motor in an opposite direction causes movement of the elongate opening member in an opposite linear direction, the motor being mountable on a door and one end of the elongate opening member being pivotally connectable to a door frame or door surround, the apparatus being arranged such that operation of the motor in one direction causes pivotal closing of the door, and operation in an opposite direction causes pivotal opening, by virtue of the movement of the elongate opening member.

The assembly is preferably such that the elongate opening member is movable in a plane at least generally parallel to the door, and is desirably movable in a substantially horizontal direction. A link member may be provided which is connected at a first end to said one end of the elongate member, and is connectable at a second end to the door frame or door surround.

A mounting bracket is preferably provided which is mountable on a door frame or door surround and is pivotally connectable to the elongate opening member.

The connection between the mounting bracket and elongate opening member may be arranged such that if a force above a predetermined limit is applied thereto the connection will part, and the connection is desirably arranged such that the predetermined force limit can be varied. The connection may comprise a spring urged member on one part engagable against the other part to clamp same. The member may comprise a trapped ball, and a recess may be provided on the other part to partially receive the ball.

Alternatively, means may be provided to permit the elongate opening member to slip relative to the motor when a force above a predetermined limit is applied thereto. The slip permitting means may comprise a clutch arrangement, which may comprise respective profiled members engagable together and spring urged together but which can slip relative to each other against the spring urging when a force above a predetermined limit is applied thereto. The clutch arrangement may be mounted on a shaft extending from the motor, and may mount a gear engagable with the elongate opening member, which gear is preferably on an opposite side of the profiled members to the motor. The degree of spring urging may be adjustable.

The assembly may be arranged to automatically unlock the door upon the motor being actuated to open the door. An electric lock actuator may be operable upon actuation of the motor.

Alternatively, an elongate locking member may be provided which is engagable with the motor to move in a linear direction upon actuation of the motor in an opposite direction to the elongate opening member.

The elongate locking member is preferably arranged to lock the door as the assembly closes it, and to unlock it as the assembly starts to open it.

A further elongate member preferably connects with the elongate locking member, with the further elongate member engaging with the door lock. The further elongate member and elongate locking member are preferably connected such that slipping therebetween occurs when above a predetermined resistance to movement is encountered. The predetermined resistance to movement may be variable.

The ends of the further elongate member and elongate locking member may overlap and may be clamped together, perhaps between a pair of plates, so as to move with each other except when said predetermined resistance to movement is encountered.

The assembly may be operable by remote means and may be radio controlled, desirably with a handheld controller.

The elongate opening member and/or elongate locking member may be in the form of racks, engagable with a gear on the motor.

Means may be provided for automatically switching the motor off when a door is fully open or closed. The automatic switching means may comprise means for detecting a significant electric current change in the motor.

Alternatively, one or more stop members may be provided on the elongate opening member, and engagable with a detector which may comprise a microswitch, when the door is fully open or closed. The position of the or each stop member may be adjustable.

The motor is preferably provided in a housing, which housing may be pivotally mountable on a door to be movable between a first alignment substantially parallel to the door and a second alignment inclined away from the door about an axis towards an end of the housing away from the door hinge. The housing axis is preferably substantially vertical.

Means may be provided for moving the housing between the first and second alignments. The housing moving means may comprise a solenoid engagable against the door.

The apparatus may be arranged such that when the door is fully closed the housing will be in the first alignment, but when the apparatus is activated the housing is moved to the second alignment. The apparatus may also be arranged such that when the door is opened beyond a predetermined amount the housing returns to the first alignment, and when the door is moved back past the predetermined amount towards a closed position the housing returns to the second alignment.

The housing may be spring urged towards the first alignment.

Said one end of the elongate member may be connectable to a door frame or door surround by a mounting arrangement. The mounting arrangement may comprise a movable part connectable to the elongate member, which part is movable between first and second positions, with the second position being further from the door frame or door surround than the first.

The mounting arrangement may be configured such that the movable part is freely movable between the first and second positions.

The apparatus may be arranged such that movement of the housing from the first alignment to the second alignment substantially moves the movable part from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

Movement of the movable part between the first and second positions is preferably in a direction substantially perpendicular to the door when closed.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first door operating assembly according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic part cut away perspective view of part of the assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second door operating assembly according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a third door operating assembly with the cover removed; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the assembly of Fig. 3 in use with the cover fitted; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic side view of part of the apparatus of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of a fourth door operating assembly in a closed condition; and Fig. 8 is a similar view to Fig. 7 but in a partially open configuration.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a door operating assembly 10 for opening and closing a hinged door. The assembly 10 comprises a motor 12 mountable on a door.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 1 is for a door having its hinge to the left hand side. A gear 14 extends from the motor 12 and is engagable with a first toothed rack 16 located immediately below the gear 14. The rack 16 extends to the left of the motor 12 and is provided with a pivotal connection 18 to a relatively short link member 20. The other end of the link member 20 is pivotally mounted to a bracket 22 which can be mounted on a door frame or surround.

The pivotal connection 18 is shown in more detail in Fig. 2 and can be broken if a force above a predetermined level is applied thereto. The connection 18 comprises a bracket 24 upstanding from a strip 26 to define a relatively narrow gap 28 between the bracket 24 and strip 26. The bracket 24 comprises a body 30 above the gap 28 which contains a screw 32 engagable against a spring 34 which itself engages against a trapped ballbearing 36 which extends into the gap 28. One end of the link member 20 locates in the gap 28 and is held therein by the bearing 36 under the force of the spring 34. A recess (not shown) is provided on the member 20 to receive the ballbearing 36. A sufficient force on the member 20 will cause it to move beyond the bearing 36 and thus to disconnect. The amount of this force can be adjusted using the screw 32.

A stop member 38 is mounted on the rack 16 and engagable with a microswitch 40 mounted on a bracket 42 which mounts the motor 12 and gear 14, when the rack 16 reaches a particular position.

A second toothed rack 44 engages with the top side of the gear 14 such that it is movable during rotation of the gear 14 in an opposite direction to the first rack 16. The end of the second rack 44 locates in a connecting arrangement 46 to connect with the end of an elongate member 48. The arrangement 46 comprises a pair of plates 50 between which the end of the rack 44 and member 48 are clamped in a friction fit but which can slide if a sufficient resistive force is experienced thereby. The plates 50 are held together by six bolts 52 which can be adjusted to alter the clamping force between the plates 50. The other end of the elongate member 48 connects to a door lock 54 to unlock or lock the door. A handle 56 is provided on the lock 54 to permit manual locking and unlocking.

In use, the assembly 10 can be operated by a suitable switch or remote means such as an infra red or radio transmitter. Once a signal is received by the motor 12 to open the door, this will cause the gear 14 to rotate in an anticlockwise direction. This causes the second rack 44 to move to the left thereby unlocking the door. Once the door is fully unlocked and there is any further movement this can be taken up by the connecting arrangement 46. The first rack 16 will move to the right pulling the door open against the bracket 22. The link member 20 and pivotal mounting each end thereof compensates for the non-axial movement of the rack 16. The gear 14 will rotate until the stop member 38 contacts the microswitch thereby providing a signal that the door is fully opened. The door can be closed by the assembly 10 operating in an opposite manner.

Fig. 3 shows a generally similar second door operating assembly 58 mounted on a door 60 with the bracket 22 mounted on a door frame 62. The assembly 58 is only provided with a single rack 64 engagable with a gear (not shown) connected to the motor 12. A separate electric lock (not shown) is provided for locking and unlocking the door at required instances.

Figs. 4-6 shows a third door operating assembly 70 which is shown in Fig.

6 mounted on a door 72 and door frame 74. The assembly 70 comprises a base bracket 76 which mounts a motor 78 with a gearbox 79 on a lower part thereof.

A shaft 80 extends upwardly from the gearbox 79 to an upper part of the bracket 76. A gear 82 is provided on the shaft 80. The gear 82 is engagable with a toothed rack 84 which is slidably mounted on the upper part of the bracket 76. A pair of microswitches (not shown) are provided mounted on Ushaped members 86 located one towards each end of the upper part of the bracket, and extending over the rack 84. A slot 88 is provided in the rack 84 in which two abutment members 90 are adjustably mounted, the abutment members 90 being engagable respectively with one of the microswitches.

The end of the rack 84 away from the gear 82 mounts one end of a tube 92. The other end of the tube 92 is pivotally mounted on a mounting bracket 94 mountable on a door frame 74 as shown in Fig. 6. The mounting bracket 94 comprises a base plate 96 engagable against the door with upper and lower mounting holes 98, and two spaced plates 100 extending from the plate 96 with a pin 102 extending between the spaced plates 100 which mounts the end of the tube 92.

The assembly 70 includes a clutch arrangement 104 to permit manual override thereof. The clutch arrangement 104 includes the feature that the gear 82 is slidably movable along the shaft 80, and a spring 106 engages between the gear 82 and a nut 108 located towards the top of the shaft. Movement of the nut 108 permits the amount of spring force acting on the gear 82 to be varied. A first contoured member 110 extends from beneath the gear 82 and contains two downwardly extending curved projections 112 around its circumference. The projections 112 are engagable in corresponding curved recesses 114 in a second contoured member 116 rigidly mounted on the shaft. In normal usage the projection 112 is engaged with the recesses 114 to cause mutual rotation.

In use the assembly 70 operates by providing a signal to the motor 78 to move in a required direction which causes movement of the rack 84, which will continue until a respective one of the abutment members 90 engages with a respective microswitch, at which time the door 72 will be fully open or closed. The position of the respective abutment members 90 can be longitudinally adjusted as is required for particular situations. The assembly 70 operates in either direction in a similar manner.

If it is required to override the assembly 70 for instance in the event of a power cut, failure etc., if a sufficient force is applied to the door 72 this causes a corresponding force on the rack 84 against the gear 82 which will cause the first contoured member 110 to ride up with the gear 82 relative to the second contoured member 116 against the force of the spring 106 to thereby permit free movement of the rack 84. The amount of force required to permit free movement of the rack 84 can be adjusted by moving the nut 108 on the shaft 80 to engage more or less against the spring 106. The assembly 70 is located in a profiled cover 118 from which the tube 92 extends. The cover 118 can readily be removed for maintenance etc.

Figs. 7 and 8 show a fourth door operating assembly 120 for opening a door 122 mounted in a frame 124. The assembly 120 is generally similar to the above described assemblies, and therefore only the differences will be described in detail. The assembly 120 again includes an elongate member 126 which extends between a housing 128 mounted on the door 122 and a mounting arrangement 130 on the door frame 124.

The housing 128 again comprises a gear engagable with a racked part of the elongate member 126, none of which are shown. A motor (also not shown) is provided to selectively turn the gear to cause the elongate member to move towards or away from the mounting arrangement 130. The housing 128 comprises a base plate 132 mounted on the door 122 which pivotally mounts by a hinge 134 at the end of the plate 132 furthest from the door hinge 136, a housing part 138 which locates the motor, gear and racked part of the elongate member 126. The housing part 138 also locates a solenoid 140 whose pin 142 is selectively engagable against the base plate 132 to pivot the housing part 138 away from the door 122. A spring 144 extends between the base plate 132 and housing part 138 to urge the part 138 against the plate 132. The assembly 120 is arranged to provide for automatic operation of the solenoid 140 when required, as outlined below. Appropriate means may be provided to detect the alignment of the door 122 relative to the frame 124.

The mounting arrangement 130 comprises a vertically aligned length of deep channel section 146. A bracket 148 slidably locates in the channel section 146 so as to be movable towards and away from the door frame 124. The bracket 148 has a widened U-shaped base 150 which prevents the bracket 148 becoming fully removed from the channel section 146. The end of the bracket 148 remote from the base 150 pivotally mounts the free end of the elongate member 126.

In use, with the door 122 fully closed the solenoid 140 will be relaxed with the housing part 138 resting against the base plate 13Z. When it is required to open the door 122, initially the solenoid 140 is activated to pivot the housing part 138 relative to the base plate 132. This causes the bracket 148 to move from a condition with the base 150 substantially against the frame 124 to a position where the base 150 engages against the opening of the channel section 146.

Once the solenoid pin 142 is fully extended the motor will then turn the gear to cause the elongate member 126 to move therealong towards the mounting arrangement 130. This causes the door 122 to open. The assembly 120 may be arranged such that when the door 122 reaches a predetermined open position, such as being open 45', the solenoid 140 is then deactivated to cause the mounting part 138 to pivot back against the base plate 132 by virtue of the force of the spring 144, and hence the bracket 148 to move back fully into the channel section 146. This provides a better alignment for the door when fully open. The door 122 is closed in a similar manner with the motor turning in an opposite direction, and with the solenoid 140 being activated when the door 122 moves towards a closed position beyond the predetermined point.

The automatic selective pivoting of the housing part is found to provide significantly advantageous forces acting between the mounting arrangement and the door, and particularly when initially moving a door from a close position.

There are thus described door operating assemblies which are compact and provide for mechanically efficient electrical opening of a door. Whilst the various components are shown in Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, in practice these could readily be cased in or otherwise concealed to be aesthetically acceptable.

The breakable pivotal connection or clutch arrangement permit the door to be opened manually in the event of a power failure or malfunction. A battery backup would though generally be provided for the motor.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, different connection arrangements may be provided. A different clutch arrangement could be used. Two or more such assemblies could be provided on a door. Other means could be used to stop the motor when the door is fully opened or closed. For example, this could be achieved by detecting a significant current change in the motor. Any of the above features can be provided in combination.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. A door operating apparatus for a hinged door, the apparatus comprising a motor engagable with an elongate opening member such that operation of the motor in one direction causes linear movement of the elongate opening member in a first direction, and operation of the motor in an opposite direction causes movement of the elongate opening member in an opposite linear direction, the motor being mountable on a door and one end of the elongate opening member being pivotally connectable to a door frame or door surround, the apparatus being arranged such that operation of the motor in one direction causes pivotal closing of the door, and operation in an opposite direction causes pivotal opening, by virtue of the movement of the elongate opening member.
2. A door operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elongate opening member is movable in a plane at least generally parallel to the door.
3. A door operating apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the elongate opening member is movable in a substantially horizontal direction.
4. A door operating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a link member is provided which is connected at a first end to said one end of the elongate member, and is connectable at a second end to the door frame or door surround.
5. A door operating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a mounting bracket is provided which is mountable on a door frame or door surround and is pivotally connectable to the elongate opening member.
6. A door operating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the connection between the mounting bracket and elongate opening member is arranged such that if a force above a predetermined limit is applied thereto the connection will part.
7. A door operating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the connection is arranged such that the predetermined force limit can be varied.
8. A door operating apparatus according to claims 6 or 7, wherein the connection comprises a spring urged member on one part engagable against the other part to clamp same.
9. A door operating apparatus according to claim 8 wherein, the member comprises a trapped ball.
10. A door operating apparatus according to claims 8 or 9, wherein a recess may be provided on the other part to partially receive the ball.
11. A door operating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided to permit the elongate opening member to slip relative to the motor when a force above a predetermined limit is applied thereto.
12. A door operating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the slip permitting means comprises a clutch arrangement.
13. A door operating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the clutch arrangement comprises respective profiled members engagable together and spring urged together but which can slip relative to each other against the spring urging when a force above a predetermined limit is applied thereto.
14. A door operating apparatus according to claims 12 or 13, wherein the clutch arrangement is mounted on a shaft extending from the motor.
15. A door operating apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the clutch arrangement mounts a gear engagable with the elongate opening member.
16. A door operating apparatus according to claim 15, when dependent on claims 13 or 14, wherein the gear is on an opposite side of the profiled members to the motor.
17. A door operating apparatus according to claim 13 or any of claims 14 to 16 when dependent on claim 13, wherein the degree of spring urging is adjustable.
18. A door operating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the door operating apparatus is arranged to automatically unlock the door upon the motor being actuated to open the door.
19. A door operating apparatus according to claim 18, wherein an electric lock actuator is operable upon actuation of the motor.
20. A door operating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, an elongate locking member is provided which is engagable with the motor to move in a linear direction upon actuation of the motor in an opposite direction to the elongate opening member.
21. A door operating apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the elongate locking member is arranged to lock the door as the door operating apparatus closes it, and to unlock it as the door operating apparatus starts to open it.
22. A door operating apparatus according to claim 20 or 21, wherein a further elongate member connects with the elongate locking member, with the further elongate member engaging with the door lock.
23. A door operating apparatus according to any of claim 22, wherein the further elongate member and elongate locking member are connected such that slipping therebetween occurs when above a predetermined resistance to movement is encountered.
24. A door operating apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the predetermined resistance to movement is variable.
25. A door operating apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the ends of the further elongate member and elongate locking member overlap.
26. A door operating apparatus according to any of claim 25, wherein the ends of the further elongate member and the elongate locking member are clamped together, so as to move with each other except when said predetermined resistance to movement is encountered.
27. A door operating apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the end of the further elongate member and the elongate locking member are clamped together between a pair of plates.
28. A door operating apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 30, wherein the elongate opening member and/or elongate locking member are in the form of racks, engagable with a gear on the motor.
29. A door operating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the door operating apparatus is operable by remote means.
30. A door operating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the door operating apparatus is radio controlled.
31. A door operating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the door operating apparatus is controlled with a handheld controller.
32. A door operating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided for automatically switching the motor off when a door is fully open or closed.
33. A door operating apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the automatic switching means comprises means for detecting a significant electric current change in the motor.
34. A door operating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more stop members are provided on the elongate opening member, and engagable with a detector.
35. A door operating apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the detector comprises a microswitch.
36. A door operating apparatus according to claim 34 or 35, wherein the position of the or each stop member is adjustable.
37. A door operating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the motor is provided in a housing.
38. A door operating apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the housing is pivotally mountable on a door to be movable between a first alignment substantially parallel to the door and a second alignment inclined away from the door about an axis towards an end of the housing away from the door hinge.
39. A door operating apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the housing axis is substantially vertical.
40. A door operating apparatus according to claims 38 or 39, wherein means are provided for moving the housing between the first and second alignments.
41. A door operating apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the housing moving means comprises a solenoid engagable against the door.
42. A door operating apparatus according to any of claims 38 to 41, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that when the door is fully closed the housing will be in the first alignment, but when the apparatus is activated the housing is moved to the second alignment.
43. A door operating apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that when the door is opened beyond a predetermined amount the housing returns to the first alignment, and when the door is moved back past the predetermined amount towards a closed position the housing returns to the second alignment.
44. A door operating apparatus according to any of claims 38 to 43, wherein the housing is spring urged towards the first alignment.
45. A door operating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said one end of the elongate member is connectable to a door frame or door surround by a mounting arrangement.
46. A door operating apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the mounting arrangement comprises a movable part connectable to the elongate member, which part is movable between first and second positions, with the second position being further from the door frame or door surround than the first.
47. A door operating apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the mounting arrangement is configured such that the movable part is freely movable between the first and second positions.
48. A door operating apparatus according to claim 47, when dependent on any of claims 38 to 44, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that movement of the housing from the first alignment to the second alignment substantially moves the movable part from the first position to the second position and vice versa.
49. A door operating apparatus according to any of claims 45 to 48, wherein movement of the movable part between the first and second positions is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the door when closed.
50. A door operating apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
51. A door operating apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.
52. A door operating apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.
53. A door operating apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
54. Any novel subject matter of combination including model subject matter disclosed whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.