EP4560095A1

EP4560095A1 - An exit device for a door and the like

Info

Publication number: EP4560095A1
Application number: EP23211504.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Magnus KRONESKOG
Original assignee: Assa Abloy Opening Solutions Sweden AB
Current assignee: Assa Abloy Opening Solutions Sweden AB
Priority date: 2023-11-22
Filing date: 2023-11-22
Publication date: 2025-05-28

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an exit device for a door (1) or the like, which device comprises an elongate push bar (300) which is arranged to perform an actuation motion relative to the door upon actuation by applying an actuation force to the push bar (300), a first push bar connector (100) comprising a first transmission device (120) arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar (300) into an unlocking operation of a first lock mechanism (2) in the door; and a second push bar connector (200), and a movable connection member (400), wherein the second push bar connector (200) comprises a second transmission device (220) connected to the connection member (400) and arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar (300) into a supporting motion of the connection member (400), and wherein the connection member (400) is connected to the first transmission device (120) for transforming said supporting motion of the connection member (400) into the unlocking operation of the first lock mechanism (2).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of exit devices for doors, gates, portals, windows, hatches, and similar wings for closing a passage through a wall. More specifically the invention relates to an exit device provided with a push bar for actuating an unlocking operation of a lock mechanism.

BACKGROUND

An exit device for facilitated opening of a door and similar closable wings usually comprises a push bar disposed on the inside the door such that the door is easily unlocked and opened by an actuation force applied to the push bar, whereby an unlocking operation of a lock mechanism of the door is achieved. Exit devices are especially advantageous in buildings where there is a need of facilitating the opening of doors and passage through corresponding doorways. Such situations may include retirement homes, day-care facilities, or accessible buildings, where the door may need to be opened by an elderly person, a small child, or a person in a wheelchair. Naturally, these situations would require the push bar to be responsive to a weak force applied from a low hight.
Especially, exit devices may further be fitted on doors to allow for a quick and easy escape during emergencies, such as fires. During an emergency situation, turmoil may arise at the door. This may for example be crowding, or if the door is unintentional blocked by objects such as furniture or shopping carts. In these situations, an individual may not access the push bar properly. Furthermore, if an individual is injured and tries to reach the push bar from the floor or has restricted mobility, the actuation force applied to the push bar may be weak.
In order to prevent the need for excessively large forces to operate push bar, there is a variety of safety regulations which specify how large a maximum actuation force on the push bar may be to open the door. In one exemplary Swedish safety regulation, the necessary actuation force applied to the push bar to actuate the lock, under certain specified conditions, must not exceed 150 N if the force is applied perpendicular to the door. The safety regulations may however vary depending on, for example, application and region.

SUMMARY

It is hence an object of the present invention to provide an improved exit device.
It is another object of the invention to provide such an exit device which is responsive to a weak actuation force being used to actuate the exit device.
Yet another aspect of the invention to provide such an exit device which is responsive to an actuation force applied anywhere on the push bar of the exit device.
Another aspect of the invention to provide such an exit device wherein the push bar is easy to reach.
Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc." are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.
According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an exit device for a door or a similar closable wing, which device comprises an elongate push bar which is arranged to perform an actuation motion relative to the door upon actuation by applying an actuation force to the push bar, a first push bar connector which is fixable to a door and fixed to a first portion of the push bar, which first push bar connector comprises a first transmission device arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar into an unlocking operation of a first lock mechanism in the door, and a second push bar connector which is fixable to the door and fixed to a second portion of the push bar, which second portion is arranged at a distance from said first portion, wherein the exit device further comprises movable connection member, wherein the second push bar connector comprises a second transmission device connected to the connection member and arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar into a supporting motion of the connection member, and wherein the connection member is connected to the first transmission device for transforming said supporting motion of the connection member into the unlocking operation of the first lock mechanism.
Traditional exit devices tend to be more effective when an actuation force is applied to the first portion of the push bar at the vicinity of the first transmission device actuating the unlocking operation. Upon applying an actuation force further away from said first portion, a rotational torque will be exerted on the push bar. For a traditional exit device, the rotational torque will not contribute to the unlocking operation but instead cause the push bar to pivot with said first portion as a pivot point. Typically, the risk of such pivotal motion of the push bar without causing the unlocking operation arises due to bending of the push bar itself as well as the inherent play between and twisting or bending of the constituent components of the first transmission device. As a consequence, an actuation force applied to the push bar at a distance from said first portion will risk not to be sufficient to unlock the first lock mechanism in the door.
Two main events will occur upon applying an actuation force to the push bar of an exit device according to the first aspect. Firstly, the first transmission device will transform the actuation motion of the push bar into an unlocking operation of a first lock mechanism. Secondly, the actuation motion of the push bar will be transformed into a supporting motion of the connection member by the second transmission device. The supporting motion will in turn be transformed into an unlocking operation of the first lock mechanism. By this feature, the unlocking operation may be actuated by the second transmission device in case of malfunction or glitch of the first transmission device. Furthermore, since the first transmission is located at the first portion of the push bar and the second transmission is located at the second portion of the push bar, the actuation force may be applied anywhere on the push bar without impeding the unlocking of the lock mechanism due to an instability of the push bar. Furthermore, the locking mechanism is actuated regardless of any undesired pivoting bending or other movements of the push bar.
In one example, the first transmission device is arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar into an unlocking operation of the first lock mechanism by transforming the actuation motion of the push bar into a rotational motion of a first maneuvering shaft arranged to be received by the first maneuvering follower of a first lock mechanism in the door.
In one example, the connection member comprises a rod, a wire or a chain extending between the first and second transmission devices.
In one example, the supporting motion of the connection member is a rectilinear displacement. By this means only longitudinal forces are applied to the connection member, whereby deformation by bending or shearing of the connection member is avoided.
In one example, the connection member is elongate and arranged in parallel with the push bar.
In one example, the push bar and the connection member are vertically arranged on the door.
By having the push bar and the connection member vertically arranged on the door the push bar may be easily accessible from the floor, such as by foot, by a wheelchair, or by a person crawling/laying on the ground. Furthermore, the push bar may be easily accessible from a position higher up from the floor, such as by a standing individual.
In one example, each of the first and the second push bar connectors comprises a respective pivotal arm, exhibiting a first end portion fixed to the push bar and a second end portion connected to the first and the second transmission device respectively.
In one example, the second transmission device is arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar into an unlocking operation of a second lock mechanism in the door.
By this feature, the exit device may be used for a door having a pair of locks. This may be especially advantageous in high level security implementations, such as power plants.
In one example, the second transmission device is arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar into an unlocking operation of the second lock mechanism by transforming the actuation motion of the push bar into a rotational motion of a second manoeuvring shaft arranged to be received by a second manoeuvring follower of the second lock mechanism in the door.
In one example, the exit device further comprises a third transmission device and a movable second connection member connected to the first transmission device and the third transmission device, the first transmission device is arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar into an supporting motion of the second connection member, the third transmission device is arranged to transform said supporting motion of the second connection member into an unlocking operation of a third lock mechanism in the door.
By a second connection member, the exit device may be used to unlock a door having multiple locks without the need of the push bar extending between the multiple locks. The push bar may thus be arranged on the door such that it may be easily accessed, while an actuation motion of said push bar may be transformed into an unlocking operation of a lock located on an inaccessible place, such as at the top of the door.
In one example, the third transmission device is arranged to transform the supporting motion of the second connection member into an unlocking operation of a third lock mechanism in the door by transforming said supporting motion of the second connection member into a rotational motion of a third rotational shaft arranged to be received by a manoeuvring follower of the third lock mechanism in the door.
In one example, the length of the connection member is between between 0.3-3 m.
In one example, the exit device may be a panic exit device arranged to be used in an emergency situation.
By adapting the exit device in accordance with safety regulations, the exit device may be approved for use in an emergency situation and may thus be used as a panic exit device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects and embodiments are now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a door and exit device according to the first aspect;
Figure 2 shows a constructional detail of the exit device shown in fig. 1;
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view in enlarged scale of a first push bar connector according to the first aspect;
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view in enlarged scale of a second push bar connector according to the first aspect;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The aspects of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown.
These aspects may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of all aspects of invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.
Figure 1 shown an exit device for a door 1. The door comprises a first lock mechanism 2. The exit device comprises an elongate push bar 300, a first push bar connector 100 fixed to the door 1, a second push bar connector 200 fixed to the door 1, and a movable connection member 400. The length of the push bar 300 and connection member 400 may be between 0.3-3 m.
In one embodiment, the connection member 400 may be elongate and arranged in parallel with the push bar 300. In the example shown, the connection member 400 comprises an elongate rod. Alternatively, the connection member 400 may comprise a wire or a chain extending between the first 120 and second 220 transmission devices. Furthermore, the push bar 300 and the connection member 400 may be vertically arranged on the door 1. However, the push bar 300 and connection member 400 may be arranged in any suitable configuration. In one example, the push bar 300 and/or connection member may be arranged horizontally or obliquely on the door 1.
The push bar 300 is arranged to perform an actuation motion relative to the door upon actuation by applying an actuation force to the push bar 300. The actuation motion is transferred to a first transmission device 120 of the first push bar connector 100 and a second transmission device 220 of the second push bar connector 200. In one embodiment, actuation motion is transferred to a first 120 and second transmission device 220 by a first 110 and second 210 pivotal arm of a respective first 100 and second 200 push bar connector. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the actuation motion comprises pushing the push bar 300 towards the door, but the actuation motion may be of any suitable type such as pulling the push bar 300 from the door, moving the push bar 300 up or down relative the door, or moving the push bar 300 left or right relative to the door.
The first pivotal arm 110 has a first end portion 112 fixed to a first portion 310 of the push bar 300 and a second end portion 114 connected to the first transmission device 120, whereby the actuation motion of the push bar 300 is transferred to the first transmission device 120. The second pivotal arm 210 has a first end portion 212 fixed to a second portion 320 of the push bar 300 and a second end portion 214 connected to a second transmission device 220, whereby the actuation motion of the push bar 300 is transferred to the second transmission device 210. The second portion 320 may be arranged at a distance from the first portion 310. The distance may be greater than half of the length of the push bar 300.
In the embodiment of fig. 1, each second end portion 124, 214 may be arranged perpendicular to the push bar 300. Furthermore, each first end portion 112, 212 may be connected to the second end portion 114, 214 by a rotating coupling. Upon pushing the push bar 300 into the door, the rotating coupling may enable the push bar 300 to maintain parallel with the door and the second end portions 124, 214 maintain perpendicular to the push bar 300 as the first end portions 112, 212 pivots. Thus, the actuation motion of the push bar 300 will result in a pivoting motion of the first end portions 112, 212 of the pivotal arms 110, 210. The movement of the first end portions 112, 212 will cause the transmission devices 120, 220 to transform the actuation motion of the push bar 300 into an unlocking operation of a first lock mechanism 2 in the door, as will be explained below with reference to figs. 2-4. The pivotal arms 110, 210 may however have a variety of forms, and may be further adapted for the actuation motion of the push bar 300.
Fig. 2 shows a constructional detail of the exit device of fig. 1. As seen in fig. 2, the first 120 and second 220 transmission devices may comprise a first 120-2 and second 220-2 runner and a first 120-3 and second 220-3 fastening arrangement. The first 120 and second 220 transmission devices may be fixed to the door 1 by a respective fixation arrangement 130, 230. The first transmission device 120 is arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar 300 into an unlocking operation of the first lock mechanism 2 in the door. The unlocking operation may be achieved by transforming the actuation motion of the push bar 300 into a rotational motion of a first maneuvering shaft 140. The first maneuvering shaft 140 may be arranged to be received by a first maneuvering follower (not shown) of the first lock mechanism 2 in the door.
The details of the unlocking operation of the first lock mechanism 2 according to one exemplary embodiment will now be explained with reference to fig. 3. The first transmission device 120 of the first push bar connector 100 may comprise a rotatable hook 120-4 enclosing a rotatable nut 120-5. The nut 120-5 may receive the first maneuvering shaft 140. As described above with reference to fig. 1, the actuation motion of the push bar 300 may result in a pivoting motion of the first end portion 112 of the first push bar connector 100. Said pivoting motion may further cause a pivoting motion of a first lever 120-1 comprising a first protrusion 120-11 arranged to push the first runner 120-2. By pushing the first runner 120-2 the pivoting motion of the first end portion 112 will be transformed into a rectilinear displacement of the first runner 120-2. The rectilinear displacement of the first runner 120-2 may in turn push the hook 120-4, causing the hook 120-4 and nut 120-5 to rotate. The rotation of the nut 120-5 will cause a rotational motion of the first maneuvering shaft 140, which will be received by a first maneuvering follower of a first lock mechanism 2 in the door and thereby accomplish the unlocking operation of the first lock mechanism 2.
Again turning to fig. 2, the connection member 400 is connected to the first transmission device 120 of the first push bar connector 100 and the second transmission device 220 of the second push bar connector 200. The connection member 400 may be attached to the first 120 and second 220 transmission device by the first 120-3 and second 220-3 fastening arrangement. The first 120-3 and second 220-3 fastening arrangement may be of any suitable type, such as a pin or a screw. Each fastening arrangement 120-3, 220-3 may be fixed to the first 120-2 and second 220-2 runner of the respective transmission device 120, 220.
The second transmission device 220 is arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar 300 into a supporting motion of the connection member 400, as will be explained with reference to fig. 4. The actuation motion of the push bar 300 may result in a pivoting motion of the first end portion 212 of the second push bar connector 200. Said pivoting motion may further cause a pivoting motion of a second lever 220-1 comprising a second protrusion 220-11 arranged to push the second runner 220-2, resulting in a rectilinear displacement of the second runner 220-2. The rectilinear displacement of the second runner 220-2 may in turn push the connection member 400, resulting in a rectilinear displacement of the connection member 400. The rectilinear displacement of the connection member 400 corresponds to the supporting motion of the connection member 400.
Turning again to fig. 2, the supporting motion of the connection member 400 is transformed into the unlocking operation of the first lock mechanism 2 by the first transmission device 120. As the connection member 400 is rectilinearly displaced, the first runner 120-2 may be pushed along with the connection member 400. Pushing the first runner 120-2 causes a rectilinear displacement of the first runner 120-2 in addition to the rectilinear displacement of the first runner 120-2 caused by the first end portion 112 of the first push bar connector 100. It follows that the rectilinear displacement of the first runner 120-2 will actuate the unlocking operation of the first lock mechanism 2 as explained above with reference to fig. 3.
In one embodiment, the door 1 comprises a second lock mechanism (not shown), and the second transmission device 200 may be further arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar 300 into an unlocking operation of a second lock mechanism in the door 1. The second transmission device 220 may be arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar 300 into an unlocking operation of the second lock mechanism by transforming the actuation motion of the push bar 300 into a rotational motion of a second manoeuvring shaft (not shown) arranged to be received by a second manoeuvring follower of the second lock mechanism in the door 1. In this case, the arrangement of the second push bar connector 200 may be analogous to the first push bar connector 100.
In one embodiment, the exit device may comprise a third transmission device and a movable second connection member. The second connection member may be connected to the first transmission device 120 and the third transmission device. The first transmission device 120 may be arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar 300 into a supporting motion of the second connection member 400. The third transmission device may thereby be arranged to transform said supporting motion of the second connection member into an unlocking operation of a third lock mechanism in the door 1 by transforming said supporting motion of the second connection member into a rotational motion of a third rotational shaft arranged to be received by a manoeuvring follower of the third lock mechanism in the door. The embodiment is analogous as described above in relation to the first transmission device 120 and second transmission device 120. In one embodiment, the push bar extends only between the first 120 and second 220 transmission devices, while the second connection member extends between the first 120 and third transmission device. The second connection member may thus be arranged in any suitable configuration relative to the push bar 300, such as perpendicular with the push bar 300 or longitudinal with the push bar 300.
The aspects of the present disclosure have mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.
Thus, while various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. As an example, each transmission device, connection member, and push bar may be freely combined to achieve different arrangements of the exit device. Furthermore, the any number of transmission devices, connection members, and push bars may be used in arranging the exit device.
The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

Exit device for a door (1) or a similar closable wing, which device comprises
- an elongate push bar (300) which is arranged to perform an actuation motion relative to the door upon actuation by applying an actuation force to the push bar (300),

- a first push bar connector (100) which is fixable to a door and fixed to a first portion of the push bar (310), which first push bar connector (100) comprises a first transmission device (120) arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar (300) into an unlocking operation of a first lock mechanism (2) in the door; and

- a second push bar connector (200) which is fixable to the door and fixed to a second portion of the push bar (320), which second portion (320) is arranged at a distance from said first portion (310);
wherein the exit device further comprises movable connection member (400), wherein the second push bar connector (200) comprises a second transmission device (220) connected to the connection member (400) and arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar (300) into a supporting motion of the connection member (400), and wherein the connection member (400) is connected to the first transmission device (120) for transforming said supporting motion of the connection member (400) into the unlocking operation of the first lock mechanism (2).
The exit device according to claim 1, wherein the first transmission device (120) is arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar (300) into an unlocking operation of the first lock mechanism (2) by transforming the actuation motion of the push bar (300) into a rotational motion of a first maneuvering shaft (140) arranged to be received by a first maneuvering follower of the first lock mechanism (2) in the door.
The exit device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection member (400) comprises a rod, a wire or a chain extending between the first (120) and second (220) transmission devices.
The exit device according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the supporting motion of the connection member (400) is a rectilinear displacement.
The exit device according to any of claim 1-4, wherein the connection member (400) is elongate and arranged in parallel with the push bar (300).
The exit device according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the push bar (300) and the connection member (400) are vertically arranged on the door (1).
The exit device according to any of claims 1-6, wherein each of the first (100) and the second (200) push bar connectors comprises a respective pivotal arm (110, 210), exhibiting a first end portion fixed to the push bar (300) and a second end portion connected to the first (120) and the second (220) transmission device respectively.
The exit device according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the second transmission device (220) is arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar (300) into an unlocking operation of a second lock mechanism in the door (1).
The exit device according to claim 8, wherein the second transmission device (220) is arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar (300) into an unlocking operation of the second lock mechanism by transforming the actuation motion of the push bar (300) into a rotational motion of a second manoeuvring shaft (230) arranged to be received by a second manoeuvring follower of the second lock mechanism in the door.
The exit device according to any of claims 8-9, further comprising a third transmission device and a movable second connection member connected to the first transmission device (120) and the third transmission device, the first transmission device (120) is arranged to transform the actuation motion of the push bar (300) into an supporting motion of the second connection member (400), the third transmission device is arranged to transform said supporting motion of the second connection member into an unlocking operation of a third lock mechanism in the door (1).
The exit device according to claim 10, wherein the third transmission device is arranged to transform the supporting motion of the second connection member into an unlocking operation of a third lock mechanism in the door (1) by transforming said supporting motion of the second connection member into a rotational motion of a third rotational shaft arranged to be received by a manoeuvring follower of the third lock mechanism in the door.
The exit device according to any of claims 1-11, wherein the length of the connection member (400) is between 0.3-3 m.
The exit device according to any of claims 1-12, wherein the exit device is a panic exit device arranged to be used in an emergency situation.