Patent ID: 6283189
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: E05F,E05Y

Abstract:
A swinging folding door with an emergency opening device comprising:a door frame;two first door panels;two second door panels;each of said two first door panels being disposed between said two second door panels;two first hinge structures being disposed to pivotably link each of said two first door panels to a corresponding one of said two second door panels;each of said two first door panels comprising a main closing edge, said main closing edges being disposed opposite a corresponding one of said two second door panels;two second hinge structures, each of said two second hinge structures being configured and disposed to guide a corresponding one of said two second door panels with respect to said door frame;each of said two second hinge structures comprising a drive shaft to open and close said door;an electric drive to open and close said door;an electromagnetic coupling being disposed to connect said electric drive to said drive shaft of each of said two second hinge structures upon power being supplied to said electromagnetic coupling to permit the opening and closing of said door by said drive;an emergency opening device to open said door upon a loss of power to said electromagnetic coupling;said emergency opening device comprising:two leg spring mechanisms being disposed and configured to store energy upon the closing of the door;each of said two leg spring mechanism being wound and disposed coaxially with and connected to the drive shaft of its corresponding second hinge structure; andsaid emergency opening device being configured and disposed to automatically open said door with the energy stored in said two leg spring mechanisms upon a loss of power to said electromagnetic coupling;each of said two second hinge structures having a pivot where said corresponding second door panel pivots with respect to said drive shaft, said pivot being disposed outside of said drive shaft;said door comprising a linkage to guide said main closing edge of each of said two first door panels with respect to said door frame to fold said door upon opening of said door; andsaid two second door panels being configured and disposed to pivot in opposite directions about their respective drive shafts.