Patent Application
20110192201
The present invention relates to an operating device for a lock and, more particularly, to an operating device for a panic exit door lock that can be operated from an outer side of a door.
Locks for panic exit doors are widely utilized in panic exits and passageways in apartments, buildings, etc. To allow easy opening of the panic exit door in the case of emergency such as fire, an operating device with a larger operating surface is mounted to a side of the door for easily and rapidly unlocking the lock. Various operating devices have been developed according to differing user needs.
Operating device 152 includes a mounting plate 154 fixed to outer side 138 of door 136. A handle 156 is fixed to an outer face of mounting plate 154. A frame 158 is mounted to an inner face of mounting plate 154 and received in receiving space 142.
Frame 158 includes two sidewalls 160 between which a lever 162 is pivotably mounted. Specifically, lever 162 includes a first end 164 outside of door 136, a second end 166 extending out of receiving space 142 and abutting slide 148, and an intermediate section 168 intermediate first and second ends 164 and 166 and pivotably mounted between sidewalls 160 of frame 158. A spacing D1 between a pivot axis of lever 162 to the force applying point at first end 164 of lever 162 is generally smaller than a spacing D2 between the pivot axis of lever 162 to the contact point between slide 148 and second end 166 of lever 162, such that a smaller displacement of lever 162 causes a longer displacement of slide 148 for unlocking purposes. However, a user has to apply large force to move slide 148, which is not labor-saving while operating lever 162. On the other hand, spacing D1 can be made larger than spacing D2 to obtain force-saving effect. However, reduction of spacing D2 is difficult, because spacing D2 must be large enough so that second end 166 of lever 162 can abut slide 148. Namely, lever 162 must protrude out of door 136 to a large extent for obtaining the force-saving effect without reducing spacing D2, leading to inconvenient operation of lever 162. Furthermore, lever 162 may be inadvertently impinged.
Thus, a need exists for an operating device for a lock that allows easy unlocking operation with less effort and without the risk of inadvertent operation.
The present invention solves this need and other problems in the field of operating devices of locks for panic exit doors by providing, in a preferred form, an operating device for a lock including a mounting plate having inner and outer faces spaced along a first axis. A window extends from the inner face through the outer face of the mounting plate. The mounting plate is adapted to be mounted to an outer side of a door. A receiving space extends from an inner side of the door through the outer side of the door and has an outer end covered by the mounting plate. The window is in an extent of and in communication with the receiving space. A frame is adapted to be received in the receiving space of the door. The frame includes two first sidewalls spaced along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The frame further includes a second sidewall interconnecting the two first sidewalls. The second sidewall of the frame is fixed to the inner face of the mounting plate. The two first sidewalls include two aligned first holes and two aligned second holes each spaced from one of the two aligned first holes along a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axes. A push member includes a push section and a pivotal section spaced from the push section along the first axis. The pivotal section includes a pivot hole aligned with the two first holes. The pivotal section further includes a sliding groove aligned with the two second holes. The sliding groove includes first and second ends spaced along the first axis. An actuating pin is mounted to the pivotal section and spaced from the sliding groove along the third axis. The actuating pin is intermediate the two first sidewalls of the frame. A first pivot extends through the two first holes and the pivot hole. A second pivot extends through the two second holes and the sliding groove and movable between the first and second ends of the sliding groove. The push section extends out of the receiving space and is adapted to be operably connected to a latch movable between an extended, locking position not allowing opening of the door and a retracted, unlocking position allowing opening of the door. The push member is pivotable between first and second positions about a first pivot axis defined by the first pivot. The second pivot is in the first end of the sliding groove when the pushing member is in the first position. The second pivot is in the second end of the sliding groove when the push member is in the second position. A lever includes first and second ends. A lug is formed on the second end of the lever and extends through the window into the receiving space of the door. The lug includes a first pin hole. The second pivot extends through the first pin hole, allowing pivotal movement of the lever between an upper position and a lower position about a second axis defined by the second pivot. The lever is operably connected to the actuating pin, such that pivotal movement of the lever causes movement of the push member.
When the lever moves from the upper position to the lower position, the actuating pin drives the push member to pivot from the first position to the second position when the lever is pivoted from the upper position to the lower position, and the push section operates to move the latch from the extended, locking position to the retracted, unlocking position.
In the most preferred form shown, the push member includes first and second lateral walls spaced along the second axis. Each of the first and second lateral walls includes first and second ends spaced along the first axis. The push member further includes an interconnecting wall between the first ends of the first and second lateral walls, defining a space between the interconnecting wall and the first ends of the first and second lateral walls. The first ends of the first and second lateral walls form the pivotal section, and the second ends of the first and second lateral walls form the push section. The first end of each of the first and second lateral walls includes the pivot hole and the sliding groove. The first ends of the first and second lateral walls include two aligned actuating pin holes. The sliding groove of the first end of each of the first and second lateral walls is intermediate the pivot hole and the actuating pin hole of the first end of one of the first and second lateral walls along the third axis. The actuating pin has two ends received in the two actuating pin holes. The lug of the lever includes a second pin hole through which the actuating pin extends. The second sidewall of the frame includes an opening aligned with the window. The lug of the lever extends through the opening into the space of the push member. The second pivot axis defined by the second pivot has a first spacing to the first end of the lever. The second pivot axis has a second spacing to a center of the second pin hole. The first pivot axis defined by the first pivot has a third spacing to the center of the second pin hole. The first pivot axis has a fourth spacing to the push section. The second spacing is smaller than the third spacing, which is smaller than the first spacing, which, in turn, is smaller than the fourth spacing.
The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings.
The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:
All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.
Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “end”, “portion”, “section”, “lateral”, “vertical”, “spacing”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.
An operating device according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is shown in the drawings and generally designated 12. Operating device 12 is generally utilized with a lock mounted to a panic exit door 20. According to the preferred form shown, door 20 includes inner and outer sides 24 and 22 spaced along a first axis X. Door 20 further includes four positioning holes 26, a receiving space 28, and a fixing hole 30, all of which extending from inner side 24 through outer side 22.
According to the preferred form shown, the lock includes a lining device 10 mounted to inner side 24 of door 20 and includes a base 32 having two slots 34. Two guiding mechanisms 36 are provided on base 32 and each include a pair of tracks 38 between which a slide 40 is slideably mounted. Lock further includes a linking rod 44 and two links 46. Linking rod 44 is slideable relative to base 32 along a second axis Y perpendicular to first axis X. Each link 46 is pivotably connected between linking rod 40 and one of slides 40, such that movement of link 46 along second axis Y causes movement of slides 40 along a third axis Z perpendicular to first and second axes X and Y. Third axis Z extends in a vertical direction in the most preferred form shown. Lock further includes a latch 42 pivotably mounted to linking rod 44 and base 32, such that movement of linking rod 44 along second axis Y causes movement of linking rod 44 between an extended, locking position and a retracted, unlocking position. Lock further includes top and bottom latch devices 16 each having a body 176, a latch 178 pivotably connected to body 176, a follower 182 slideably mounted in body 176 along third axis Z, and a linking member 180 having a first end coupled to follower 182 and a second end coupled to latch 178. Follower 182 of each of top and bottom latch devices 16 is coupled to a screw rod 184 that can be moved to move latch 178 between an extended, locking position and a retracted, unlocking position. An end of a connecting rod 174 is fixed to a connecting member 170 fixed by screws 172 to one of slides 40. The other end of connecting rod 174 is coupled to one of screw rods 184. Thus, movement of linking rod 44 along second axis Y causes movement of each latch 178 between an extended, locking position and a retracted, unlocking position. A cover 48 is provided to shield the lock and includes notches 49 and 50 allowing passage of latches 42 and 178. An example of the lock including latches 178, slides 40, and linking rod 44 is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/211,879 filed Sep. 17, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Furthermore, top and bottom latch devices 16 can be of concealed type, an example of which is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/211,871 filed Sep. 17, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
According to the preferred form shown, operating device 12 according to the preferred teachings of the present invention includes a mounting plate 51 having inner and outer faces 53 and 52 spaced along first axis X. A window 54 is formed in an intermediate portion of mounting plat 51 and extends from inner face 53 through outer face 52 of mounting plate 51. Window 54 is non-circular in cross section and is rectangular in cross section in the most preferred form shown. Mounting plate 51 further includes a through-hole 56 extending from inner face 53 through outer face 52 and spaced from and below window 54 along third axis Z. A fixing hole 60 is formed in a lower end of mounting plate 51. Two engaging slots 58 are located on opposite sides of each of through-hole 56 and fixing hole 60 and spaced along second axis Y. Furthermore, engaging slots 58 on opposite sides of through-hole 56 are spaced from engaging slots 58 on opposite sides of through-hole 56 along third axis Z. Each engaging slot 58 is non-circular in cross section and is rectangular in cross section in the most preferred form shown. Four posts 62 are provided on inner face 53 of mounting plate 51. Mounting plate 51 is mounted to outer side 22 of door 20 with posts 62 received in positioning holes 26 of door 20, with an outer end of receiving space 28 of door 20 covered by mounting plate 51, and with window 54 in an extent of and in communication with receiving space 28. Screws 41 are extended through base 32 into posts 62. Thus, mounting plate 51 and base 32 are respectively fixed to outer and inner sides 22 and 24 of door 20.
According to the preferred form shown, operating device 12 further includes a frame 78 received in receiving space 28 of door 20. Frame 78 includes two first sidewalls 80 spaced along second axis Y and a second sidewall 82 interconnecting first sidewalls 80. Second sidewall 82 of frame 78 is fixed to inner face 53 of mounting plate 50. First sidewalls 80 include two aligned first holes 84 and two aligned second holes 86 each spaced from one of first holes 84 along third axis Z. In the most preferred form shown, second sidewall 82 of frame 78 includes an opening 83 in an upper end thereof and two recesses 88 in a lower end thereof. Furthermore, a hole 90 is formed between recesses 88.
According to the preferred form shown, operating device 12 further includes a handle 66 mounted to outer face 52 of mounting plate 51. Specifically, handle 66 includes a main section 70 and first and second ends 68 on opposite sides of main section 70 and spaced along third axis Z. Each of first and second ends 68 of handle 66 includes a screw hole 74, 76. Each of first and second ends 68 of handle 66 further includes two protrusions 72 on opposite sides of each screw hole 74, 76. A screw 122 is extended through hole 90 of second sidewall 82 of frame 78 and through-hole 56 of mounting plate 51 into screw hole 74 of first end 68 of handle 66. Furthermore, a fastener 64 is extended through fixing hole 60 of mounting plate 51 into screw hole 76 of second end 68 of handle 66, fixing handle 66 to outer face 52 of mounting plate 51 and fixing frame 78 to inner face 53 of mounting plate 51. It can be appreciated that protrusions 72 on first end 68 of handle 66 are securely engaged in engaging slots 58 on opposite sides of hole 56 of mounting plate 51 and recesses 88 of frame 78 and that protrusions 72 on second end 68 of handle 66 are securely engaged in engaging slots 58 on opposite sides of fixing hole 60, preventing frame 78 from pivoting about an axis defined by screw 122. Opening 83 of frame 78 is aligned with window 54 of mounting plate 51 after mounting frame 78 to mounting plate 51.
According to the preferred form shown, operating device 12 further includes a push member 92 having a push section 94 and a pivotal section 96 spaced from push section 94 along first axis X. In the most preferred form shown, push member 92 includes first and second lateral walls 98 spaced along second axis Y. Each of first and second lateral walls 98 includes first and second ends 103 and 105 spaced along first axis X. Push member 92 further includes an interconnecting wall 100 between first ends 103 of first and second lateral walls 98, defining a space 102 between interconnecting wall 100 and first ends 103 of first and second lateral walls 98. First ends 103 of first and second lateral walls 98 include aligned pivot holes 106 and aligned sliding grooves 110 spaced from pivot holes 106 along third axis Z. First ends 103 of first and second lateral walls 98 further includes aligned actuating pin holes 108. Each sliding groove 110 is intermediate one of pivot holes 106 and one of actuating pin holes 108 along third axis Z. First ends 103 of first and second lateral walls 98 form pivotal section 96, and second ends 105 of first and second lateral walls 98 form push section 94. Each sliding groove 110 includes first and second ends 112 and 114 spaced along first axis X. An actuating pin 120 is mounted between first ends 103 of first and second lateral walls 98 and includes two ends respectively received in pivot holes 106. A first pivot 116 is extended through first holes 84 of frame 78 and pivot holes 106 of push section 96 of push member 92. A second pivot 118 is extended through second holes 86 of frame 78 and sliding grooves 110 of push section 96 of push member 92 and movable between first and second ends 112 and 114 of sliding grooves 110. Thus, push member 92 is pivotably received in frame 78 with actuating pin 120 intermediate and spaced from the first sidewalls 80 of frame 78. Push section 94 extends out of receiving space 28 of door 20 and through one of slots 34 to a position abutting one of slides 40. By such an arrangement, push member 92 is pivotable between first and second positions about a first pivot axis defined by first pivot 116, wherein second pivot 118 is in first ends 112 of sliding grooves 110 when pushing member 92 is in the first position, and wherein second pivot 118 is in second ends 114 of sliding grooves 110 when push member 92 is in the second position.
According to the preferred form shown, operating device 12 further includes a lever 124 having first and second ends 126 and 128. A lug 130 is formed on second end 128 of lever 124 and includes first and second pin holes 132 and 134 spaced along third axis Z. Lug 130 extends through window 54 of mounting plate 51 and opening 83 of frame 78 into space 102 of push member 92. Second pivot 118 extends through first pin hole 132 of lever 124, allowing pivotal movement of lever 124 between an upper position and a lower position about a second axis defined by second pivot 118. Actuating pin 120 extends through second pin hole 134 of lever 124. Thus, lever 124 is operably connected to actuating pin 120, such that pivotal movement of lever 124 causes movement of push member 92. Specifically, actuating pin 120 drives push member 92 to pivot when lever 124 pivots between the upper and lower positions, which will be described in detail hereinafter.
After assembly, second pivot axis defined by second pivot 118 has a first spacing h1 to first end 126 of lever 124, and second pivot axis has a second spacing h2 to a center of second pin hole 134. Furthermore, first pivot axis defined by first pivot 116 has a third spacing h3 to the center of second pin hole 134, and first pivot axis has a fourth spacing h4 to push section 94. Second spacing h2 is smaller than third spacing h3, which is smaller than first spacing h1, which, in turn, is smaller than the fourth spacing h4 (
Now that the basic construction of operating device 12 of the preferred teachings of the present invention has been explained, the operation and some of the advantages of operating device 12 can be set forth and appreciated. In particular, for the sake of explanation, it will be assumed that latches 42 and 178 are in their extended, locking positions (
It can be appreciated that lever 124 pivots about the second axis defined by second pivot 118 to provide a first, force-saving fulcrum effect, while pushing member 92 pivots about the first pivot axis defined by first pivot 116 to provide a second fulcrum effect by providing first, second, third, and forth spacings h1, h2, h3, and h4. Specifically, when a user applies an initial force F on first end 126 of lever 124, a force Fa is exerted on actuating pin 120. Fa is equal to (F×h1)/h2. If the angle difference (about 6)° between second and third spacings h2 and h3 is neglected, the final push force Fb at push section 94 of push member 92 can be obtained by the following equation.
Fb=(Fa×h3)/h4=(F×h1×h3)/(h2×h4)
According to the preferred form shown, h1 is about 49.2 mm, h2 is about 7.5 mm, h3 is about 16.7 mm, and h4 is about 67 mm. When a user applies an initial force F of approximately 3.6 kg, a final push force Fb of approximately 6 kg can be obtained to push slide 40. Thus, a force-saving effect is obtained without the need of excessive protrusion of lever 124 away from door 20.
Now that the basic teachings of the present invention have been explained, many extensions and variations will be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, operating device 12 according to the preferred teaching of the present invention can be utilized with only one or two of latches 42 and 178. As an example, latch 42 can be removed if desired. In another example, latches 178 and corresponding elements including connecting members 170, connecting rods 170, bodies 176, linking members 180, followers 182, and screw rods 184 can be removed when only latch 42 is required. In the case latches 178 are not utilized, second ends 105 of sidewalls 98 forming push section 94 do not have to be spaced from each other. Namely, second ends 105 of sidewalls 98 can be integrally formed as a single continuous piece. Further, sidewalls 98 of push member 92 do not have to include actuating pin hole 108, and lug 132 of lever 124 does not have to include second pin hole 134. Furthermore, actuating pin 120 can be replaced by a protrusion or the like formed on an inner face of one or both of lateral walls 98. The protrusion can be actuated by an outer face of lug 130 of lever 124 when lever 124 is moved from the upper position to the lower position, achieving the same unlocking operation.
Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
