Patent Publication Number: US-7896407-B2

Title: Auxiliary safety module for doors provided with anti-panic opening device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of European patent application number 06425585.4, filed Aug. 9, 2006, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates in general to doors provided with anti-panic opening devices. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A typical anti-panic opening device for doors comprises an actuating bar that commands the disengagement of a main spring latch. In addition to the main spring latch, doors provided with anti-panic opening devices can be provided with an auxiliary closing mechanism with upper and lower spring latch, connected to the actuation device by means of vertical rods. 
     Doors fitted with anti-panic opening devices generally have the drawback of providing little protection against burglary attempts. 
     There is considerable difficulty in enhancing the degree of security against burglary of doors fitted with anti-panic opening devices. Reference standards for anti-panic opening devices prescribe that the door must be opened with the application of a very small force on the actuating bar, even if a sizeable load stressing the spring latches is applied to the door. An additional security closing mechanism must not compromise the ability of the anti-panic device to open in the conditions prescribed by the standards and it must also re-establish the condition of security closure after each opening and closing of the door. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary security module for doors provided with an anti-panic opening device that enables to meet the aforesaid needs. 
     According to the present invention, said object is achieved by an auxiliary security module having the characteristics set out in claim  1 . 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention shall now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided purely by way of non limiting example, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a door provided with two auxiliary security modules according to a first embodiment of the present invention, 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the part indicated by the arrow II in  FIG. 1 , 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are perspective views of the part indicated by the arrow III in  FIG. 2  in two operative positions, 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the module shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a door provided with a second embodiment of an auxiliary security module according to the invention, 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the auxiliary security module indicated by the arrow VII in  FIG. 6 , 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are perspective views according to the arrow III in  FIG. 7  showing the security module in two positions, 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  are partial front views respectively according to the arrows X and XI of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of a door provided with a third embodiment of an auxiliary security module according to the invention, 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the part indicated by the arrow XIII in  FIG. 12 , 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  are perspective views according to the arrow XIV of  FIG. 13  in two positions, 
         FIGS. 16 and 17  are partial front views respectively according to the arrows XVI and XVII of  FIGS. 14 and 15 , 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an auxiliary security module according to the present invention, 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the security module of  FIG. 18  in a second position, 
         FIGS. 20 and 21  are front views showing the security module respectively in the positions of  FIG. 18  and of  FIG. 19 , and 
         FIGS. 22 and 23  are partially sectioned perspective views of the fourth embodiment of the module according to the invention in positions corresponding to the positions shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the number  10  designates a single-wing door, comprising a fixed frame  12  and an openable wing  14 . The wing  14  is provided with an anti-panic opening device  16  of a known type. The device  16  comprises an actuation assembly  18  actuated by a bar  20 . The actuation assembly  18  comprises a spring latch  22  that co-operates with an abutment  24  fastened to a vertical upright of the fixed frame  12 . The actuation assembly  18  further comprises two vertical rods  26 ,  28  which, as a result of the actuation of the bar  20 , move in the direction indicated by the arrows  30 . The structure and the operation of the anti-panic device  16  are not described in detail because they are outside the scope of the present invention. 
     The wing  14  is provided with two auxiliary security modules  32  according to the present invention fastened to the openable wing  14  at the upper edge and at the lower edge of the openable wing  14 . The security modules  32  are connected to the rods  26 ,  28  of the anti-panic opening device  16  and they are provided with respective arresting members  34 , each of which co-operates with an engagement seat  36  fastened to the fixed frame  12 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 through 4 , each auxiliary security module  32  comprises a support case  38  able to be fastened to the openable wing  14 , e.g. by means of screws  40 . The locking member  34  is articulated to the case  38  around a pivot pin  42  and it has an engagement end that is preferably shaped as a hook. The locking member  34  is movable between an extracted position shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and a recessed position shown in  FIG. 4 . A first elastic element  44  tends to maintain the locking member  34  in its extracted position. In the example shown in  FIGS. 2 through 5 , the first elastic element  44  is constituted by a pin spring positioned axially to the trunnion  42 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 through 5 , the auxiliary security module  32  comprises a cursor  46  movable in the case  38  between a first position shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  5  and a second position shown in  FIG. 4 . The cursor  46  has a base  48  provided with a hole through which an end of the rod  26  extends with play. On the end of the rod  26  projecting beyond the base  48  is fastened a widened head  50 . 
     The cursor  46  is connected to the locking member  34  by means of a transmission mechanism that establishes a univocal correlation between the positions of the cursor  46  and the positions of the locking member  34 . The transmission mechanism can be constituted by a rack and gearwheel mechanism  52  (only partially visible in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) comprising a toothed sector integral with the locking member  34  and meshing with a rack integral with the cursor  46 . When the cursor  46  is in its first position shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  5 , the locking member  34  is in its extracted position. When the cursor  46  is in its second position shown in  FIG. 4 , the locking member  34  is in its recessed position. The extracted and recessed positions of the locking member correspond respectively to the position of engagement and disengagement with the seat  36  provided on the fixed frame  12 . The same elastic element  44  that tends to thrust the locking member  34  towards its extracted position also tends to thrust the cursor  46  towards its first position. 
     The auxiliary security module  32  comprises a movable feeler  54  having a projecting portion  56  and a retaining portion  58 . The retaining portion  58  of the feeler  54  co-operates with an engagement seat  60  of the cursor  46 . The feeler  54  is movable between a disengaged position shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  5  and an engaged position shown in  FIG. 4 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 through 5 , the feeler  54  is constituted by a rocking lever articulated to the case  38  around the same pivot pin  42  whereon the locking member  34  is articulated. The projecting portion  56  and the engagement portion  58  extend from opposite parts relative to the trunnion  42 . The feeler  54  is associated to a second elastic element  62  which tends to thrust the feeler  54  towards its engagement position. 
     When the wing  14  is closed, the auxiliary security module  32  according to the present invention is in the configuration shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  5 . In this configuration, the locking member  34  is in its extracted position and engages the seat  36  fastened to the fixed frame  12 . The cursor  46  is in its first position, in which the engagement seat  60  is offset with respect to the engagement portion  58  of the feeler  54 . The projecting portion  56  of the feeler  54  bears against the seat  36  of the fixed frame  12 . The feeler  54  is maintained in its disengaged position against the action of the second elastic element  62 . The engagement portion  58  of the feeler  54  is disengaged from the seat  60  of the cursor  46 . In this configuration, the cursor  46  is free to slide relative to the case  38 . 
     Pressing the actuating lever  20  of the anti-panic device  16 , the rod  26  moves in rectilinear direction in the direction indicated by the arrow  30  in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 . This movement of the rod  30  commands the cursor  46  to move from the first towards the second position, which causes the locking member  34  to move from the extracted position towards the recessed position. In the second position, the seat  60  of the cursor  46  is aligned relative to the engagement portion  58  of the feeler  54 . When the cursor  46  is in the second position and the locking member  34  is in its recessed position, the wing  14  is unlocked and it can be opened. Opening the wing  14 , the feeler  54  is thrust by the second elastic element  62  in its engagement position, in which the engagement portion  58  is inserted into the seat  60  of the cursor  46  (configuration of  FIG. 4 ). In this configuration, the projecting portion  56  extends to a greater extent outside the case  38 . The cursor  46  is locked in the second position and, consequently, the locking member  34  is locked in the recessed position, which is a disengaged position relative to the seat  36 . 
     When the door is re-closed the projecting portion  56  of the feeler  54  bears against the fixed seat  36  and the feeler  54  returns to the disengaged position. At this point, the cursor  46  is free to move towards its first position. The first elastic element  44  thrusts the locking member  34  to the extracted position in which it engages the fixed seat  36 . Correspondingly, the cursor  46  moves to its first position. 
     The auxiliary security module  32  according to the present invention represents an additional component with respect to the anti-panic device  16 . Maintaining the operating principle unaltered, the module  32  can be specifically designed to operate with the different anti-panic devices available on the market and requires no change to the structure of the anti-panic device. 
     The safety module  32  constitutes an optional component that can be added to any anti-panic opening device to enhance security against burglary. The security module  32  does not change the operation of the anti-panic device in any way. The disengagement of the locking member  34  from the fixed seat occurs simultaneously with the opening of the spring latch  22  of the anti-panic device  16 . The security module  32  is automatically positioned in the locking position when the wing is closed, with no need for manual interventions to reset the device. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 through 5 , the feeler  54  and the locking member  34  are both rotatable around an orthogonal axis relative to the direction of motion of the cursor  46 . The feeler pin, however, can be positioned transversely to the cursor  46 , provided that it allows to detect the closed door position and to activate a locked condition of the cursor  46  in the open door condition. 
       FIGS. 6 through 11  show a second embodiment of the auxiliary security module according to the present invention. The details corresponding to the previously described ones are designated by the same numeric references. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , the wing  14  is provided with two auxiliary security modules. The differences with respect to the embodiment described above pertain to the upper auxiliary security module. Said module comprises an oscillating spring latch  64  that projects from an upper edge of the openable wing  14  and co-operates with a fixed abutment  66  fastened to an upper cross-member of the fixed frame  12 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 , the auxiliary security module  32  comprises a locking member  34  whose position is univocally correlated to the position of a cursor  46 , identically to the embodiment described above. The upper end of the rod  26  is fastened to the cursor  46  by means of a screw  68 . As in the version described previously, the locking member  34  is movable between an extracted position shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , which corresponds to a first position of the cursor  46  and a recessed position shown in  FIG. 8  which corresponds to a second position of the cursor  46 . 
     The upper end of the case  38  bears a pivot pin  70  that extends orthogonally relative to the pivot pin  42  around which the locking member  34  is articulated. The spring latch  64  is articulated to the case  38  around the pivot pin  70  and it is movable from the extracted position of  FIG. 9  to the recessed position of  FIG. 8 . The spring latch  64  is connected to the spring latch  64 , so that the spring latch  64  is in the recessed position shown in  FIG. 8  when the cursor  46  is in its second position and in the extracted position of  FIG. 9  when the cursor  46  is in its first position. 
     The spring latch  64  has a slit  72  in which the feeler  54  is inserted. The feeler  54  co-operates with a second elastic element  62  constituted by a pin spring positioned coaxially to the pivot pin  70 . 
     The engagement portion  58  of the feeler  54  co-operates with an engagement surface  74  of the cursor  46 .  FIGS. 8 and 10  show the condition in which the engagement portion  58  of the feeler  54  is in the engaged configuration with the cursor  46  and  FIGS. 9 and 11  show a condition in which the cursor  46  is disengaged from the feeler  54 . 
       FIGS. 7 ,  9  and  11  show the configuration of the auxiliary security module  32  in the condition in which the wing  14  is closed. In this situation, the locking member  34  is in its extracted position and it engages the seat  36 . The cursor  46  is in its first position. The spring latch  64  is in the extracted position and it co-operates in arresting relation with the abutment  66 . The feeler  54  is held in disengaged position thanks to the portion  56  that co-operates with the abutment  66 . The cursor  46  is then free to move towards its second position under the command of the rod  26 . 
     In the open wing condition shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , the cursor  46  is in its second position, the locking member  34  is in its retracted position and the spring latch  64  is in the recessed position. The feeler  54  is thrust by the elastic element  60  to the engagement position and the engagement portion  58  of the feeler  54  is in arresting contact with the engagement surface  74  of the cursor  46 . The auxiliary security module  32  automatically returns to the configuration of  FIGS. 7 ,  9  and  11  when the wing closes, because the contact of the portion  56  of the feeler  54  with the upper abutment  66  brings the feeler  54  to the disengaged position. 
       FIGS. 12 through 17  show a third embodiment of the auxiliary security module according to the present invention. 
     With reference to  FIG. 12 , the upper auxiliary security module  32  comprises a locking assembly  76  and a feeler assembly  78 . The locking assembly  76  comprises a locking member  34  movable between an extracted position and retracted position and connected to a cursor  46  movable between a first position corresponding to the extracted position of the locking member  34  and a second position corresponding to the retracted position of the locking member  34 . The cursor  46  of the locking assembly  76  is fastened to the upper end of the rod  26 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 13 , the feeler  78  comprises a case  80  fastened to the wing  14 . The case  80  bears a pivot pin  70  around which are articulated an oscillating spring latch  64  and a feeler  54 . The arrangement of the oscillating spring latch  64  and of the feeler  54  is essentially identical to the description provided with reference to  FIGS. 7 through 11 . The feeler assembly  78  comprises a cursor  82  movable between a first and a second position. The cursor  82  of the feeler assembly  78  is fastened to the cursor  46  of the locking assembly  76  by means of a rod  84 . The cursors  46  and  82  are thus jointly movable between the first and the second position. The cursor  82  is associated to an elastic element  86  which tends to maintain the cursor  82  in the first position. The same elastic element  86  also tends to maintain the cursor  46  of the locking unit  76  in the first position and, consequently, it tends to maintain the locking member  34  in its extracted position. 
     The engagement portion  58  of the feeler  54  co-operates with an engagement surface  88  of the cursor  82 . In the open door configuration the feeler  54  is in an engaged position with the surface  88  whilst in the closed door position the feeler  54  is in a disengaged position with respect to the cursor  82 . The operation of this third embodiment is identical to the operation of the second embodiment.  FIGS. 13 ,  14  and  16  show the position of the components in the closed wing configuration.  FIGS. 15 ,  17  and  17  show the position of the components in the open wing configuration. 
       FIGS. 18 through 23  show a fourth embodiment of the auxiliary security module according to the present invention. In this case as well, the details corresponding to the previously described ones are designated by the same numeric references. 
     This fourth embodiment has in common with the previously described embodiments the fact that it comprises a locking member  34  movable between an extracted engagement position and a retracted disengagement position, whose position is univocally correlated to the position of a cursor  46  connected to a rod  26 . 
     In this case, a feeler element  54  is provided, having a projecting portion  56  and a retaining portion  58  co-operating with a retaining surface  74  of the cursor  46  ( FIGS. 22 and 23 ). 
     The difference with respect to the previous embodiment pertains to the feeler  54 . In this case, the feeler  54  is mounted rotatable relative to the case  38  around an axis that is parallel to the direction of motion of the cursor  46 . The projecting part  56  of the feeler  54  co-operates with the fixed seat  36  in which the locking member  34  engages. The projecting portion  56  and the retaining portion  58  project in radial direction relative to a central part that engages a trunnion (not shown in the figures). The feeler  54  is thrust towards its engagement position by an elastic element, not shown in the figures. 
       FIGS. 18 ,  20 ,  23  refer to the closed wing configuration. In this configuration, the locking member  34  engages the fixed seat  36 , the cursor  46  is in its first position and the feeler  54  is in its disengaged position with respect to the cursor  46 .  FIGS. 19 ,  21  and  22  refer to the open wing configuration. In this configuration, the locking member  34  is in the recessed position, the cursor  46  is in its second position and the feeler  54  is in the engaged position in which it retains the cursor  46  in its second position against the action exercised by the spring  44 . The operation of this fourth embodiment is identical to the operation of the embodiments described previously. 
     While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.