Devices suitable for electrically opening a door or a window which pivots in a frame

Abstract

 Devices (4) suitable for electrically opening a door (13) or a window, for example, which pivots in a frame (1). The device (4) comprises a longitudinally adjustable element (15), which is to be pivotally connected to the frame (1) with one end (16) and which is to be pivotally connected to the door (13) or the window with the other end (18). The longitudinally adjustable element (15) comprises a rod (41) which can be telescoped out of a housing by means of an electric motor (42). The longitudinally adjustable element (15) can also be manually adjusted for length against spring force.
The device may comprise an elongated section (17) present between parallel posts (2) of the frame (1), to which section (17) one end (16) of an electrically operated moving mechanism (15) is attached, whilst the other end (18) of said mechanism (15) is attached to the door (13) or the window. The section (17) is provided, at least at one end, with a clamping mechanism (19) comprising four hemispherical elements (26,29,31,32), which are arranged in opposite pairs, with the convex sides being turned towards each other, whereby movement of the elements of a first pair towards each other will cause the elements of the second pair to move away from each other.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device which is suitable for electrically opening a door or a window, for example, which pivots in a frame, which device is provided with an electrically operated moving mechanism, which comprises a longitudinally adjustable element, which is to be pivotally connected to the frame with one end and which is to be pivotally connected to the door or the window with the other end, whereby the longitudinally adjustable element comprises a rod which can be telescoped out of a housing by means of an electric motor.

[0002] In a similar device known from European patent application EP-A1-0 632 181, the door or the window can be opened by driving the electric motor.

[0003] There appears to be an increasing need to use electrically opened and/or closed doors in privately owned houses for elderly or handicapped people. One drawback of the known device is the fact that it is not possible to open or close the door or window manually, which is undesirable for reasons of security. After all, there is a danger that in the event of a power failure the door will be locked and cannot be opened any more.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a device wherein the door or the window can be opened manually as well as electrically.

[0005] This object is accomplished with the device according to the invention in that the longitudinally adjustable element can also be manually adjusted for length against spring force.

[0006] In this way it will be possible at all times to extend the longitudinally adjustable element against spring force, so that the door can be opened.

[0007] The invention also relates to a device which is suitable for electrically opening a door or a window which pivots in a frame, which device is provided with an elongated section present between parallel posts of the frame, to which section one end of an electrically operated moving mechanism is attached, whilst the other end of said mechanism is attached to the door or the window.

[0008] In a similar device known from US patent US-A-5,412,908 the elongated section is fixedly connected to a frame.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a device which can be mounted in an existing door or window frame in a simple manner.

[0010] This objective is accomplished with the device according to the invention in that said section is provided, at least at one end, with a clamping mechanism comprising four hemispherical elements, which are arranged in opposite pairs, with the convex sides being turned toward each other, whereby movement of the elements of the first pair towards each other will cause the elements of the second pair to move away from each other.

[0011] The elongated section is clamped in a frame which is present in a house, after which the end of the electrically operated moving mechanism remote from said section is attached to the door or the window. The section can be clamped in the frame of the door or the window in a relatively simple manner by means of the clamping mechanism. Thus an electrical door opener can be mounted on an existing door in a relatively simple manner.

[0012] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a frame fitted with a device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the frame shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention, which is mounted in a frame;

Figure 4 is a larger-scale view of the device according to the invention which is shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is another plan view of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 7 shows a clamping mechanism of the device shown in Figure 6;

Figures 8A - 8C show a position adjusting mechanism of the device shown in Figure 6, in various positions thereof;

Figures 9A - 9B are a side view and a front view respectively of a locking plate of the position adjusting mechanism shown in Figures 8A - 8C; and

Figures 10 - 12 show various mechanisms for moving the device shown in Figure 1.

[0013] Corresponding parts are numbered alike in the figures.

[0014] Figures 1 and 2 are a front view and a side view respectively of a frame 1 of a door or window. Frame 1 comprises two vertical posts 2, which extend parallel to each other, and a horizontal beam 3, which extends between said posts 2. A device 4 according to the invention, which will be explained in more detail with reference to Figures 4 - 12, is clamped between the vertically extending posts 2. Device 4 is connected to a power source via a cord 5 and a plug 6. Device 4 may be connected to a network, for example an electronic data or security network, via a cable 7. Device 4 furthermore comprises a housing 8, which houses the electronic components and the transformer which are required for driving device 4. A dual switch 10 is connected to the housing via a flat cable 9. Another dual switch 12, which is attached to the side of the vertical post 2 remote from switch 10, is connected to switch 10 via another flat cable 11.

[0015] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a frame 1 and a door 13 which is pivotally connected thereto, which door can be moved in the direction indicated by double arrow P by means of a device 4 according to the invention. The angle through which door 13 can be opened is smaller than 90°. For the sake of clarity a larger angle is shown in Figure 3, however.

[0016] The device 4 shown in Figure 3 comprises a receiver 14, by means of which a signal for opening or closing door 13, which is delivered by a remote control device, can be received. The device 4 shown in Figure 3 comprises a moving mechanism 15, which is pivotally connected with one end 16 to a section 17 which is clamped between vertical posts 2, and which is attached to door 13 with the other end 18.

[0017] Figure 4 is a larger-scale view of the device 4 shown in Figure 1. Device 4 comprises a section 17, which is clamped between the two vertical posts 2 of frame 1 by means of a clamping mechanism 19. Clamping mechanism 19, which will be explained in more detail with reference to Figures 5 - 7, can be adjusted by means of a tool 20. Device 4 furthermore comprises a position adjusting mechanism 21, which will be explained in more detail with reference to Figures 8A - 9B.

[0018] Figure 5 is a top view of the device 4 shown in Figure 4, which shows clamping mechanism 19 in moved-apart position. Clamping mechanism 19 comprises a baseplate 22, which can be fixed in vertical post 2 of frame 1 by means of security locks 23. Baseplate 22 is coupled to a U-shaped section 24, whose legs extend from a bridge portion 25 in the direction of section 17. Attached to bridge portion 25 is a hemispheri cal element 25, which is positioned between the legs of said U-shaped section 24. Section 17 is likewise provided with a U-shaped section 27, whose legs extend towards the legs of U-shaped section 24, round which they engage in the assembled condition. The bridge portion 28 of U-shaped section 27 present between the legs is provided with a hemispherical element 29, which is disposed mirror-symmetrically with respect to hemispherical element 26. A similar clamping mechanism 19 is provided on the right-hand side of device 4, seen in Figure 5.

[0019] Figure 7 is a larger-scale plan view of clamping mechanism 19. Besides the two hemispherical elements 26, 29, clamping mechanism 19 comprises two additional hemispherical elements 31, 32, which are directed towards each other and towards hemispherical elements 26, 29 with their convex sides. Hemispherical elements 31, 32 are connected by means of a bolt 33 and a nut 34, which is screwed on bolt 33. The longitudinal direction of bolt 33 extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of section 17. The hemispherical elements 31, 32 are moved together by tightening nut 34 by means of the tool 20 shown in Figure 2, whereby hemispherical element 31 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow P1, whilst hemispherical 32 is simultaneously moved in the direction indicated by arrow P2. Hemispherical elements 31, 32 are thereby placed in abutting relationship with hemispherical elements 26, 29, whereby further movement of hemispherical elements 31, 32 in the directions indicated by arrows P1 and P2 will force hemispherical elements 26, 29 apart, causing them to move in the directions indicated by arrows P3 and P4 respectively, causing device 4 to be clamped down between posts 2 of frame 1.

[0020] Figure 6 shows the plan view of the device of Figure 5, wherein clamping mechanism 19 has been left out near the right-hand side for reasons of clarity of the illustration. The pivoted end 16 of moving mechanism 15 is pivotally connected to a hook-shaped bracket 30. Hook-shaped bracket 30 is capable of movement in position adjusting mechanism 21. Position adjusting mechanism 21 comprises four slots 35, which are provided with flanges 36 extending transversely to the plane of the drawing (see Figure 4). On a rear side of slots 35 section 17 is provided with notches 37. In the device 4 shown in Figure 6 bracket 30, which is connected to end 16 of moving mechanism 15, is positioned between the notches 35 and the flanges 36 located furthest to the left. Bracket 30 is locked in position in slot 35 by means of a locking plate 38, which is attached to section 17 by means of a bolt 39.

[0021] Figures 8A-8C show in a number of steps the attachment of bracket 30 in position adjusting mechanism 21. The slot 35 in which bracket 30 must be attached is selected in dependence on the desired position of end 16 with respect to that post 2 of frame 1 which is located nearer. Then bracket 30 is moved into the slot 35 in question in the direction indicated by arrow P5, in the manner shown in Figure 8A, until one end of bracket 30 is positioned within notch 37. Then the end of bracket 30 facing away from notch 37 is pivoted in the direction indicated by arrow P6, until the end in question is positioned opposite flanges 36. Then the locking plate 38 shown in Figures 9A and 9B is moved into the slot 35 in question in the direction indicated by arrow P7, after which bolt 39 is screwed into section 17 (8C).

[0022] Figure 10 shows a moving mechanism 15 which is known per se, which comprises a cylinder 40 and a rod 41, which is capable of movement within cylinder 40. Cylinder 40 comprises a motor 42 and a transmission 43, which is coupled to the motor. Transmission 43 is mechanically coupled to an elongated screwed spindle 44, which is positioned within a recess (not shown) of rod 41. Present on screwed spindle 44 is a nut 45, which is coupled to the end of spindle 44 remote from end 18 of rod 41. Nut 45 is capable of sliding movement within cylinder 40 and is on either side provided with rubber rings 46 abutting against the wall of cylinder 40. When motor 42 is activated, screwed spindle 44 will be rotated via transmission 43, as a result of which nut 45, which is in engagement with the screwed spindle, will be translated in the direction indicated by arrow P8, together with the rod 41 that is connected to nut 45. As soon as the rubber ring 46 present on the left-hand side of nut 45 comes into contact with a wall 47 closing cylinder 40, the rotation of spindle 44 will be opposed, which results in a change in the power consumption of motor 42. This change in the power consumption will be detected by means of the electronic components present on a circuit board 48, which are coupled to motor 42, and be converted into a signal which will cause motor 42 to stop. When motor 42 is activated in the opposite direction of rotation, as a result of which nut 45 will be moved in a direction P9 opposed to the direction indicated by arrow PS, motor 42 will be stopped as soon as the rubber rings 46 present on the right-hand side of nut 45 are pressed against transmission 43.

[0023] When rod 41 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow P8, the door, which is connected to end 18 of rod 41, will be moved from a closed position to an open position. When rod 41 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow P9, the door will be moved from an open position to a closed position.

[0024] The moving mechanism 15 which is shown in Figure 10 has the drawback that it is not possible to open or close the door manually. This is undesirable for reasons of security. After all, there is a danger that in the event of a power failure the door will be locked and cannot be opened anymore.

[0025] For this reason it is preferred to use a moving mechanism as shown in Figure 11 or 12.

[0026] Figure 11 shows a moving mechanism 50, which, like moving mechanism 15, comprises a cylinder 40, electronic components present on a circuit board 48, a motor 42, a screwed spindle 44, which is partially positioned within rod 41, and a nut 45, which is in engagement with screwed spindle 44. At one end remote from end 18 nut 41 is provided with a ring 51, which is connected to nut 45 via a detachable coupling 52. A spring 53 surrounds rod 41 between ring 51 and the plate 47 that closes cylinder 40. Wall 54 is provided with air inlet/outlet openings 55 between ring 51 and plate 47. The operation of moving mechanism 50 is as follows. When motor 42 is driven, screwed spindle 44 will be rotated, as a result of which nut 45 will be moved in the direction indicated by arrow P8. Nut 45 will thereby press against coupling element 52 and against ring 51, as a result of which rod 41 will likewise be moved in the direction indicated by arrow P8 against the spring force of spring 53. Spring 53 will be compressed in the direction indicated by arrow P8 by the movement of ring 51. The air present in the space 56 which is bounded by wall 54, plate 47 and ring 51, will likewise be compressed and exit space 56 via air outlet openings 55. When motor 42 is driven in the opposite direction, nut 45 will be moved in the direction indicated by arrow P9 by means of spindle 44. Ring 51 and the rod 41 connected thereto will likewise be urged in the direction indicated by arrow P9 by spring 53. Space 56 will become larger thereby, as a result of which air will flow into space 56 via inlet openings 55. The size of the air inlet openings 55 determines whether the air can flow quickly or slowly into space 56. If the air flows into space 56 relatively slowly, the underpressure in space 56 will oppose the movement of rod 41 in the direction indicated by arrow P9, as a result of which door 13, which is connected to moving mechanism 50, will be closed relatively slowly. When the door is opened manually, rod 41 will be moved in the direction indicated by arrow P8, as a result of which the ring 51 coupled to rod 41 will likewise be moved in the direction indicated by arrow P8. Spring 53 will be compressed thereby. Furthermore the air which is present in space 56 will escape via openings 55. When the door is released, spring 53 will cause ring 51 and the rod 41 connected thereto to move in the direction indicated by arrow P9. The underpressure in space 56 ensures that this movement will take place gradually. The moving mechanism 50 shown in Figure 11 thus makes it possible to open and close a door both electrically and manually.

[0027] Figure 12 shows a moving mechanism 60, which comprises a moving mechanism 61, which corresponds with moving mechanism 15. Near its left-hand end said moving mechanism is provided with a cam 62. A spring 63 surrounds the wall of cylinder 40, which spring abuts against a flange 64 on cylinder 63 with a first end and which abuts against an annular edge 65 of a second cylinder 66 surrounding cylinder 40 with its other end. Cylinder 66 is provided at one end remote from annular edge 65 with the end 18 that is to be coupled to the door. Near end 18 cylinder 66 is internally provided with a coupling mechanism 67 for cam 62. In the position of moving mechanism 60 which is shown in Figure 12, cylinder 66 has been manually moved in the direction indicated by arrow P8 against the spring force exerted by spring 63. Air which is present in the space 69 bounded by cylinder wall 68, flange 64 and annular edge 65 escapes through opening 70. When the door is released, spring 63 will cause cylinder 66 to move in the direction indicated by arrow P9, whereby the underpressure in space 69 ensures that said movement will take place relatively slowly. When the door or the window is opened electrically, cam 62 will be moved into engagement with coupling mechanism 67, whereby the cam and the coupling mechanism, which are in engagement with each other, prevent rotation of rod 41 and will only make a translating movement.

[0028] Motor 42 can be driven in several ways. It is possible to activate receiver 14 by means of a remote control device, which receiver will subsequently activate motor 42 via electronic components present on circuit board 48 or in element 71 (see Figure 6). It is also possible to activate motor 42 by means of switches 10, 12. Furthermore it is possible to activate motor 42 from a central network, for example an electronic data or security network. The various ways of activating motor 42 may be used in combination with each other, but also separately.

Claims

1. A device suitable for electrically opening a door or a window, for example, which pivots in a frame, which device comprises a longitudinally adjustable element, which is to be pivotally connected to the frame with one end and which is to be pivotally connected to the door or the window with the other end, whereby the longitudinally adjustable element comprises a rod which can be telescoped out of a housing by means of an electric motor, characterized in that said longitudinally adjustable element can also be manually adjusted for length against spring force.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said longitudinally adjustable element comprises an elongated element, which can be moved against spring force both manually and by means of said rod.

3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that said elongated element can be moved against spring force in a direction away from said rod.

4. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said longitudinally adjustable element comprises an elongated element which is in line with the spindle, which element can be detachably coupled to the end of said spindle, and which can be moved against spring force by means of said spindle.

5. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said longitudinally adjustable element comprises a space of variable volume, which is provided with an air inlet/outlet opening.

6. A device suitable for electrically opening a door or a window which pivots in a frame, which device comprises an elongated section present between parallel posts of the frame, to which section one end of an electrically operated moving mechanism is attached, whilst the other end of said mechanism is attached to the door or the window, characterized in that said section is provided, at least at one end, with a clamping mechanism comprising four hemispherical elements, which are arranged in opposite pairs, with the convex sides being turned towards each other, whereby movement of the elements of a first pair towards each other will cause the elements of the second pair to move away from each other.

7. A device according to claim 6, characterized in that said section is provided near one end with a position adjusting mechanism, by means of which the position of the end of said moving mechanism can be adjusted relative to said section.

8. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that said position adjusting mechanism is provided with a number of slots, in which a bracket, which can be coupled to the end of said moving mechanism, can be fitted and be locked in position.

9. A device according to claim 8, characterized in that said bracket can be locked by means of a locking plate to be fitted into a slot.

Drawing