GB2552254A

GB2552254A - Hold-open device

Info

Publication number: GB2552254A
Application number: GB1709157.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jagar Tomislav; Hucker Matthias
Original assignee: Geze GmbH
Current assignee: Geze GmbH
Priority date: 2016-06-16
Filing date: 2017-06-08
Publication date: 2018-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2037-06-08
Also published as: GB2552254B; DE102016210776A1; GB201709157D0

Abstract

A portable hold-open device for holding fire protection barriers open, e.g. fire doors, comprises a hold-open mechanism 14, a self-contained power supply 12, a fire detector 18 and a triggering device 16. The device is not fixed to the leaf of the door, and the hold-open mechanism can be clamped to the floor or between the floor and the door and can be released from it in case of fire. The hold-open mechanism can either be a spring 32 biased element 34, at least partially made from rubber, which presses against the floor or a flap 14 comprising two arms which are forced apart via the introduction of a medium into a closed volume 46 from an additional volume 50 in the housing. The fire detector may be a smoke or heat detector, may detect the sounding of a fire alarm or may be a wireless receiver receiving a signal from a fire alarm, mounted to the top of the door (Fig 4).

Description

Abstract Title: A portable hold-open device for a door with a fire detector

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Fig. 3

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HOLD-OPEN DEVICE

The invention relates to a hold-open device for holding open fire barriers such as especially fire doors, smoke protection doors and/or the like, with a power supply, a hold-open mechanism, a releasing mechanism and a fire detector.

A hold-open device is an apparatus for holding open fire barriers such as especially fire doors, smoke protection doors and/or the like. It ensures that fire protection barriers and smoke protection barriers are held open, but will close securely in the case of a fire or the formation of smoke.

In addition, fire protection doors are known which, after opening, close automatically with the aid of temporarily stored mechanical or potential energy. Usually, when the door is opened, a spring unit is cocked, which releases again when the door closes.

In addition, hold-open devices are known which keep a fire protection door open continuously against a spring force. In the case of fire, the hold-open device releases, after which the door closes by spring force. In this case, up to now the hold-open device has comprised components mounted in fixed positions above, on or alongside the door, such as a power supply, hold-open mechanism, triggering mechanism and fire detector.

According to the prior art known up to now, therefore, the fire protection door either has no hold-open device and therefore can never remain open, or the hold-open device is mounted permanently on the door and thus also remains permanently connected to the fire protection door if this is to open only occasionally. However, this is not only associated with relatively high costs. A hold-open device that remains permanently connected to the door is generally also aesthetically objectionable. In addition, the power supply for such a hold-open device is relatively expensive in view of the required laying of cables or power lines.

The invention is based on the task of specifying a hold-open device of the initially mentioned type with which the above-mentioned problems are eliminated. In this case the hold-open device should be suitable for versatile use and optionally also suitable for retrofitting without problems at minimal cost and while maintaining reliable operation.

The task is accomplished according to the invention with the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the hold-open device according to the invention arise from the subclaims, the present description and the drawing.

The hold-open device according to the invention for holding open fire barriers, such as especially fire protection doors, smoke protection doors and/or the like comprises a hold-open mechanism, a self-contained power supply, a fire detector and a triggering mechanism. The hold-open device in this case is executed as a portable hold-open device, not permanently connected to the leaf of the door, with a hold-open mechanism that can be clamped onto the floor and can be released from it in case of fire, also containing the self-contained power supply.

Because of this design, the hold-open device can be used in versatile ways at minimal cost and maintaining reliable operation, and also can be retrofitted without problems if desired. The portable hold-open device need no longer be permanently mounted on the door in question and thus any changes, such as the drilling of holes, in the fire and/or smoke protection door can be dispensed with. It can be assigned to the door as needed and can also be removed from it at any time, so that even the external appearance of the door is not impaired unnecessarily. In addition, given the self-contained power supply, it is also no longer necessary to lay additional cables or power lines, further reducing the costs for implementing the hold-open device. In this connection, for example, the self-contained power supply may comprise at least one storage battery, rechargeable battery pack or the like. Simple and reliable retrofitting is possible.

According to a preferred practical embodiment of the hold-open device according to the invention, the hold-open mechanism that can be clamped removably between the leaf of the door and the floor comprises an angle element with a bracket arm that can be slid between the open door leaf and the door, to the other bracket arm of which a hold-open element, made at least partially of rubber, that can be pressed against the floor by a spring unit to fasten the door leaf is assigned.

Thus by cocking the spring unit, the door leaf is firmly clamped in its current position over the hold-open element and the angle bracket and thus secured.

Preferably the self-contained power supply, the triggering device and the fire detector are disposed on the arm of the angle element provided with the hold-open element.

It is especially advantageous in this connection if a sled-like housing, in particular, is fastened to the arm of the angle element provided with the hold-open element and the self-contained power supply, the triggering element and the fire detector are supported in and/or on the housing.

Advantageously the spring unit assigned to the hold-open element is kept cocked by the triggering device for fastening the door leaf, while upon respective triggering of the triggering device it is relaxed to release the door leaf.

Thus the portable hold-open device can be slid under the open door leaf with a bracket arm of the angle element. By subsequently cocking the spring unit, the housing with the angle bracket clamps the door leaf in its current position. The spring unit can be cocked, for example, manually or with the foot. Upon triggering of the triggering device, the spring unit can relax again, releasing the door leaf. If the door is then closed by a door closer or the like, the closing door leaf slides the entire portable hold-open mechanism along with itself. Since the housing fastened to one of the two arms of the angle bracket is made in the manner of a sled, it is guaranteed that the portable hold-open device will not get stuck on ridges in the floor.

According to an alternative, preferred practical embodiment of the hold-open device according to the invention, the releasable hold-open mechanism that can be clamped between the leaf of the door and the floor comprises a flap with two flap side pieces connected with one another via a hinge, between which a closed volume is disposed, which can be expanded via a valve with an additional closed volume and to catch the door leaf, by compression of the additional volume and the resulting overflow of a medium.

Here it is especially advantageous if an especially once again sled-like housing is fastened to one of the two arms of the flap, especially to the arm of the flap positioned against the floor, and the self-contained power supply, the triggering device and the fire detector are fastened in and/or on the housing.

Preferably with triggering of the triggering device, the valve can be directed into its open state to allow return flow of medium from the volume disposed between the arms of the flap into the additional volume to release the door leaf.

The medium in question can be, for example, pressed with the foot from the additional volume into the volume disposed between the two door leaves. In this process the volume disposed between the two arms of the flap expands, clamping the door leaf in its current position via the flap. If the valve disposed between the two volumes is switched into its opened state with the triggering of the triggering device, the medium can flow back into the additional volume. The hold-open device is thus freed, so that the door leaf can be closed by a drive, for example a door closer. In this process the closing door leaf slides the entire portable hold-open device with it. In particular, the sled-like shape of the housing also makes it possible to ensure that the hold-open device carried along by the door leaf does not get stuck on the floor.

It is additionally advantageous if, to support the back flow of medium from the volume arranged between the arms of the flap into the additional volume, the two arms of the flap are acted upon by a spring unit in the closing direction.

The medium in question, for example, may be a fluid, and especially a gas such as air.

The respective triggering device is preferably designed as an electromagnetic, electrohydraulic or piezoelectric device.

It is also especially advantageous if the triggering device operates according to the open circuit principle to release the door leaf by exposing the triggering device to electric power and to catch it by interrupting the power supply. In the clamped state, therefore, the hold-open device according to the invention requires very little electrical power.

The fire detector of the portable hold-open device can comprise, for example, a conventional smoke alarm or the like. Since a smoke alarm assigned to the clampable, releasable hold-open mechanism only responds when the smoke approaches the floor, according to a preferred practical embodiment the fire detectors assigned to the clampable, releasable hold-open mechanism comprise a wireless interface to a portable fire alarm and a fire detecting unit. In this case, for example, the portable fire alarm can comprise a fire alarm that can be suspended at the top of the door leaf.

Alternatively or additionally, the fire detector assigned to the clampable, releasable holdopen mechanism or the portable fire alarm can also comprise a combustion gas sensor and/or an acoustical sensor. Unlike smoke, combustion gases disperse not only by convection, but also by diffusion. Advantageously the acoustic sensor responds to the alarm signal tone of a fire alarm unit or a permanently installed fire alarm or the like.

It is also advantageous if the portable hold-open device for triggering the triggering device comprises a manual and/or foot-operated fitting, especially a switch or the like. The triggering device can thus easily be actuated manually or with the foot.

According to an additional advantageous embodiment, the triggering device of the portable hold-open device can also be triggered in a time-controlled manner using a timer or the like.

As was already mentioned, the released door leaf can be closable by a drive, especially a door closer or the like.

The hold-open device according to the invention is suitable for various uses, in that it can be assigned to a respective door as needed and can also be removed from the door at any time. For example, it can be used on hotel room doors that are only supposed to be open temporarily during room cleaning, or when movers are delivering furniture into a room and thus must pass through fire protection doors.

In the following, the invention will be explained in greater detail based on exemplified embodiments, referring to the drawings; these show:

Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a door leaf provided with a drive, which is clamped in its current position with a portable hold-open device according to the invention,

Fig. 2 a schematic representation of an exemplified embodiment of the portable hold-open device according to the invention with a clampable, releasable hold-open mechanism, comprising an angle element that can be clamped between the door leaf and the floor,

Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an exemplified embodiment of the portable hold-open device according to the invention with a releasable hold-open mechanism having a flap that can be clamped between the door leaf and the floor and released, and

Fig. 4 a schematic representation of an exemplified embodiment of the portable hold-open device according to the invention, the fire detection means of which comprises a wireless interface with a fire alarm that can be suspended at the top of the door leaf and with a fire alarm system.

Figs. 1 to 4 show, in schematic representation, examples of different embodiments of a hold-open device 10 for hold open fire barriers, especially, for example, fire protection doors, smoke protection doors and/or the like. Each ofthe hold-open devices 10 shown here has a power supply 12, a hold-open mechanism 14, a triggering device 16 and a fire detector 18, 54.

According to the invention a particular hold-open device is implemented as a portable hold-open device 10 with a hold-open mechanism 14 that can be clamped between the door leaf 20 and the floor 22 and released, which has a self-contained power supply 12 and fire detection means 18, so that along with the releasable hold-open mechanism 14, the self-contained power supply 12 and the fire detection means 18 can also be attached removably to the door leaf 20.

Fig. 1 shows, in a schematic representation, a door leaf 20 provided with a drive 24, the door leaf being clamped in the current position by a portable hold-open device 10 according to the invention. The drive 24 may comprise, for example, a door closer or the like.

Fig. 2 shows, in a schematic representation, a first exemplified embodiment of the portable hold-open device 10 according to the invention.

Here the releasable hold-open mechanism 15 clampable between the door leaf 20 and the floor 22 comprises an angle element 26 with one arm 28 that can be slid between the open door leaf 20 and the floor 22, the other arm of which 30 has assigned to it a hold-open element 34 made at least partially of rubber, that can be pressed against the floor 22 by a spring unit 32 to catch the door leaf 20.

The self-contained power supply 12, the triggering device 16 and the fire detection means 18 are disposed on the arm 30 of the angle element 26 provided with the holdopen element 34. Here an especially sled-like housing 36 can be fastened to the arm 30 of the angle element 26 provided with the hold-open element 34, in and/or on which arm the self-contained power supply 12, the triggering device 16 and the fire detector 18 are supported.

The spring unit 32 assigned to the hold-open element 34 can be kept under tension by the triggering device 16 for holding the door leaf 20 and releasing upon specific triggering of the triggering mechanism 16 to release the door 20.

Thus the releasable hold-open mechanism 14 that can be clamped between the door leaf 20 and the floor 22 can be slid with the arm 28 of the angle element 26 beneath the open door leaf 20. The housing 36 provided with the hold-open element 34 that can be acted upon by the spring unit 32 is fastened to the other arm 30. For example, the spring unit 32 can be cocked with the foot, so that the housing 36 with the angle element 26 clamps the door leaf 20 in the current position. The spring unit 32 is kept under tension by the triggering device to lock the door leaf 20. When the triggering device 16 is set off, the spring unit 32 can again relax, releasing the hold-open mechanism 14, so that the door leaf 20 can be closed by the drive 24 or the door closer. Then the door leaf

20, moves the entire portable hold-open mechanism 14 including the self-contained power supply 12, the triggering device 16 and the fire detector 18 along with itself in the direction of the arrow 56. The sled-like form of the housing 36 ensures that the portable hold-open device 14 will not get stuck on ridges in the floor 22.

Fig. 3 shows, in a schematic representation, an additional exemplified embodiment of the portable hold-open device 10 according to the invention. In the present case, the releasable hold-open device 14 that can be clamped between the leaf of the door 20 and the floor 22 comprises a flap 38 with two flap arms 42, 44, connected to one another over a hinge 40 between which a closed volume 46 is disposed, which can be expanded via a valve 48 with an additional closed volume 50 and to hold the door leaf 20 open, can be expanded by compression of the additional volume 50 and the resulting overflow of a medium.

Here, on one of the two flap arms 42, 44, in the present case on the flap arm 42 of the flap 38, adjacent to the floor 22, a housing 36, again especially sled-shaped, is fastened, in and/or on which the self-contained power supply 12, the triggering device 16 and the fire detection device 18 are supported.

The valve 48, disposed between the two volumes 46, 50, can be directed into its open state by a particular triggering of the triggering mechanism 16, to allow back-flow of medium from the volume 46, disposed between the flap arms 42, 44, into the additional volume 50, to release the door leaf 20.

To support the back flow of medium from the volume 46 arranged between the flap arms 42, 44, into the additional volume 50, the two flap arms 42, 44 can be acted upon by a spring unit 52 in the closing direction.

For example, the medium in question can be forced with a foot from the additional volume 50 into the volume 46 disposed between the two flap arms 42, 44 of the flap 38. As a result, the volume 46, disposed between the two flap arms 42, 44 expands, so that the door leaf 20 is clamped in its current position by the flap 38. If the valve 48 is directed into its open state upon triggering the triggering mechanism 16, the medium in question can flow back from the volume 46 disposed between the two flap arms 42, 44 into the additional volume 50, so that the hold-open mechanism 14 is released and the door leaf can be closed by the drive 24 or the door closer. When this occurs, the door leaf 20, closing in the direction of the arrow 56, again moves the overall portable holdopen mechanism 14, including the self-contained power supply 12, the triggering device 16 and the fire detection device 18. To prevent the latter from getting stuck on the floor 22, once again the housing 36 can be implemented in sled form.

The triggering mechanism 16 can in particular be implemented as an electromagnetic, electrohydraulic or piezoelectric device.

In addition, the triggering mechanism 16 can operate according to the open circuit principle to release the door leaf 20 by allowing electric current to act on the triggering mechanism 16 and interrupting the power supply. In the held-open state of the door leaf 20, the portable hold-open unit 10 thus needs very little electrical energy.

The fire detection means 18 attached to the clampable, releasable hold-open mechanism 14 disposed between the door leaf 20 and the floor 22 can be, for example, a conventional smoke detector. However, a smoke detector of this type assigned to the releasable hold-open mechanism 14 will only respond when the smoke reaches the floor

22. According to a preferred embodiment of the hold-open device 10, the fire detection means 18 assigned to the clampable, releasable hold-open device 14 therefore comprises a wireless interface to a portable fire alarm 54 and a fire alarm system, wherein the portable fire alarm 54, as shown in Fig. 4, can comprise a fire alarm 54 hung at the top of the door leaf 20.

Alternatively or in addition, the fire detection means assigned to the clampable, releasable hold-open mechanism 14 can also comprise a combustion gas sensor.

Unlike smoke, combustion gases disperse not only by convection, but also by diffusion.

Alternatively or in addition, the fire detection means assigned to the clampable, releasable hold-open mechanism 14 may also comprise an acoustic sensor. If an alarm sounds in the room or in the building, the releasable door-open device 14 responds to this acoustic alarm and releases the door leaf 20.

To trigger the triggering device 16, the portable hold-open device 10 can also comprise an appliance that can be actuated manually or with the foot, especially a switch or the like.

Furthermore the triggering device 16 of the portable hold-open device 10 can be triggered in a time-controlled manner by a timer or the like.

The released door leaf 20 can be moved by a drive 24, especially a door closer or the like (see Fig. 1).

The self-contained power supply 12 can in particular comprise at least one storage battery, rechargeable battery pack and/or the like.

The portable hold-open device 10 according to the invention is extremely versatile to use at minimal cost while maintaining reliable operation, and can also be retrofitted without problems if desired. It does not need to be constantly present on the door leaf 20 and may only be attached to it when it is to be held open. Thus the portable holdopen device 10 can be used, for example, in the case of hotel room doors, which are only supposed to be open temporarily when the room is being cleaned or when furniture movers are delivering furniture a building and must pass through fire protection doors.

List of symbols portable hold-open device power supply hold-open mechanism triggering mechanism fire detection means door leaf floor drive angle element arm arm spring unit hold-open element housing flap hinge flap arm flap arm volume valve additional volume spring unit portable fire alarm door opening direction

Claims

1. A hold-open device (10) for holding open fire barriers, such as especially fire protection doors, smoke protection doors and/or the like, with a hold-open mechanism (14), a self-contained power supply (12), a fire detector (18, 54) and a triggering device (16), wherein the hold-open device is implemented as a portable hold-open device (10), not fixed on the door leaf (20), with a hold-open mechanism (14) that can be clamped to the floor (22) and can be released from this in case of a fire, also containing the self-contained power supply (12).

2. The hold-open device according to claim 1, characterized in that the releasable hold-open mechanism (14) that can be clamped between the door leaf (20) and the floor (22) comprises an angle element (26) with an arm (28) that can be slid between the open door leaf (20) and the floor (22), the other arm (30) of which is attached to a hold-open mechanism (34), made at least partially of rubber, that can be pressed against the floor (22) by a spring unit (32) to hold the door leaf (20) open.

3. The hold-open device according to claim 2, characterized in that the self-contained power supply (12), the triggering device (16) and the fire detection means (18) are disposed on the arm (30) of the angular element (26) provided with the hold-open element (34).

4. The hold-open device according to claim 3, characterized in that on the arm (30) of the angular element (26) provided with the hold-open element (34) an especially sled-like housing (36) is fastened and the self-contained power supply (12), the triggering device (16) and the fire detection means (18) are supported in and/or on the housing (36).

5. The hold-open device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the spring unit (34) assigned to the hold-open element (32) is held under tension by the triggering device (16) for holding the door leaf (20) open, and upon triggering of the triggering device (16) it is relaxed to release the door leaf (20).

6. The hold-open device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hold-open device (14) that can be clamped removably between the door leaf (20) and the floor (22) comprises a flap (38) with two flap arms (42, 44) connected together over a hinge (40) between which a closed volume (46) is disposed, which is connected via a valve (48) with an additional closed volume (50) and to hold the door leaf (20) open, can be expanded by compression of the additional volume (50) and the resulting overflow of a medium.

7. The hold-open device according to claim 6, characterized in that at one of the two flap arms (42, 44), preferably at the flap arm (42) adjacent to the floor (22), an especially sled-like housing (36) is fastened to the flap (38) and a self-contained power supply (12), the triggering device (16) and the fire detection device (18) are supported in and/or on the housing (36).

8. The hold-open device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that upon triggering of the triggering device (16) the valve (48) can be directed into its opened state, in order to allow return flow of medium from the volume (46) disposed between the flap arms (42, 44) into the additional volume (50) to release the door leaf (20).

9. The hold-open device according to claim 8, characterized in that to support the return flow of medium from the volume (46) located between the flap arms (42, 44) into the additional volume (50), the two flap arms (42, 44) are acted upon in the closing direction by a spring unit (52).

10. The hold-open device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the triggering device (16) is designed as an electromagnetic, electrohydraulic or piezoelectric device.

11. The hold-open device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the triggering device (16) operates according to the open circuit principle, in order to release the door leaves (20) when the triggering device (16) is actuated with electric power and hold them open when the power supply is interrupted.

12. The hold-open device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fire detection agent (18) assigned to the clampable, releasable hold-open device (14) comprises a wireless interface to a portable fire alarm (54) and to a fire alarm system.

13. The hold-open device according to claim 12, characterized in that the portable fire alarm comprises a fire alarm (54) that can be hung at the top of the door leaf (20).

14. The hold-open device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fire detection agent or the portable fire alarm (18) assigned to the clampable, releasable hold-open device (14) has a combustion gas sensor and/or an acoustic sensor.

15. The hold-open device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the portable hold-open device (10) for triggering the triggering device (16) has a fitting that can be actuated manually and/or with the foot, especially a switch or the like.

16. The hold-open device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the triggering mechanism (16) of the portable hold-open device (10) can be triggered in a time-controlled manner by a timer or the like.

17. The hold-open device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the released door leaf (20) can be closed by a drive (24), especially a door closer or the like.

Intellectual

Property

Office

GB1709157.0

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