DEVICE FOR UNLOCKING A LOCKING ELEMENT

Abstract: Device for unlocking a bolt, in which this bolt is provided with a sliding bar or sliding pin (1), one end of which in the locked position has been introduced into a recess (2), and in which this device is provided with a holding magent (3) by means of which an armature (4) may be held in a rest position, and which armature is connected to a striking element (5) that co-operates with a projection (6) mounted onto or connected to the sliding bar or sliding pin, and in which the striking element in the rest position is spaced from the projection, such, that when the excitation of the magnet ceases to exist, the striking element is moved by weight (7) or spring force with a blow against the projection (6), thereby knocking the sliding bar or sliding pin (1) out of the co-operating recess.

Description: The present invention relates to a device for unlocking a locking means, more in particular of a door, whereby the locking means is provided with a sliding bar or sliding pin, of which one end in the locked position has been introduced into a recess, more in particular arranged in a door frame or door sill. Such a device is known from US-A-3660940. In this known device, the free side of the door supports a laterally displaceable edge element which mates with either an adjacent door or a door frame when the door is in its closed position. The door may further have a bolt at the top of the door and a latch at the bottom of the door to lock the door to the door frame, and an operating handle is mechanically connected to the edge element to disengage it from its mating part and may simultaneously disengage the top bolt and bottom latch whereby the door can be opened. With this door the unlocking of the door takes place manually by pressing an actuating handle. With such an unlocking device it often happens that the end of the sliding bar or sliding pin becomes fixed or jammed in the locked position in the recess, more in particular the door frame or door sill, which may be caused by the unlocking device not being operated for a long period of time together with the formation of rust or dust in the recess. This has the drawback, that the locking means may not be unlocked or only with much difficulty, which can lead to a dangerous situation, for instance in case of a panic situation, in which the locking means has to be unlocked quickly. With the known unlocking device it is further considered a drawback, that in a panic situation the crowd will try to open the locking means while at the same time pushing against it, thus causing the sliding bar or sliding pin to become jammed in the recess. FR-A-2294302 discloses a door which is provided with conventional means for locking the door. When a sufficiently large number of people has entered the building, this conventional means for locking the door is unlocked by the personnel, but the door is then held in a locked position by means of a holding magnet provided at the door frame, which holds a bar mounted at the edge of the door. When the excitation of the magnet ceases to exist, the bar may hinge around a hinge point away from the magnet, whereby the door may be pushed open. It is an object of the invention to obviate the drawbacks of the known devices. The unlocking device according to the invention thereto is characterized, in that this device is provided with a holding magnet by means of which an armature is held in a rest position, and which armature is connected to a striking element that co-operates with a projection mounted onto or connected to the sliding bar or sliding pin, and whereby the striking element in the rest position is spaced from the projection, such, that when the excitation of the magnet ceases to exist, the striking element is moved under weight and or spring force with a blow against the projection, thereby knocking the sliding bar or sliding pin out of its co-operating recess. In this way a force is used for unlocking the locking means, which is sufficient to move a sliding bar or sliding pin from out of the recess, more in particular out of the door frame or door sill, wherein it has become fixed or jammed as a result of the formation of dust or rust together with non-use of the unlocking device during a long period of time, without it being necessary to use man power or much energy to achieve this unlocking. Because the operation of the unlocking device for a locking means according to the invention requires little effort for loosening the sliding bar or sliding pin out of the recess, the invention provides a greater safety for the public, that in a panic situation will have to be able to open quickly the locking means through which it wants to move. According to a further feature of the device according to the invention it is characterized in that the armature and the striking element are mounted onto a hinged lever, whereby this hinged lever supports the armature on the one end and the striking element on the other end. Further the unlocking device according to the invention is characterized in that a weight and/or a spring is mounted underneath the armature. The invention will be illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawing of an example of an embodiment of the invention. As is shown schematically in the drawing, the end of the sliding bar or sliding pin 1 finds itself in the locked position of the locking means within the recess 2. The unlocking device is provided with a holding magnet 3. During the excitation of this holding magnet the armature 4 and the weight 7 are held up. When the excitation of the holding magnet 3 ceases to exist, the striking element 5 is moved under weight by way of the hinging movement around the hinge point 9 of the lever 8 with a blow against the projection 6, thereby knocking the sliding bar or sliding pin out of the co-operating recess.

Claims: Device for unlocking a locking means, more in particular of a door, in which this locking means is provided with a sliding bar or sliding pin (1), one end of which in the locked position has been introduced into a recess (2), more in particular in a door frame or sill, characterized in that this device is provided with a holding magnet (3) by means of which an armature (4) is held in a rest position, and which armature (4) is connected to a striking element (5) that co-operates with a projection (6) mounted onto or connected to the sliding bar or sliding pin (1), and in which the striking element (5) in the rest position is spaced from the projection (6), such, that when the excitation of the magnet (3) ceases to exist, the striking element (5) is moved by weight and/or spring force with a blow against the projection (6), thereby knocking the sliding bar or sliding pin (1) out of the co-operating recess (2). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the armature (4) and the striking element (5) are mounted onto a hinged lever (8). Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the hinged lever (8) supports the armature (4) on the one end and the striking element (5) on the other end. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a weight (7) and/or a spring is mounted underneath the armature.

Inventors: HUBER, ERIK JAN, HUBER, JACOB ROBERT ALFRED
Applicants: HUBER, ERIK JAN, HUBER, JACOB ROBERT ALFRED
Application year: 1990
Main classification: E05B47
IPC codes: E05B15, E05B47