A foot operated door opening device

Abstract

 The invention relates to a foot operated door opening device and a cabinet including such a device. The device comprises a base unit mounted to the cabinet and pivotal coupled to a first and second element. The first element extends out from the cabinet door and is operated by the foot of a user. The second element is positioned between the front end and the door and pushes the door to an open position, when force is applied to the first element. The first and second elements are coupled together via safety mechanism which disengages the coupling. The second element is made of a material having a predetermined elasticity which allows it to apply a swiping movement on the door. This allows the door to be pushed further away from the front end and thereby providing easier access to the chamber. The safety mechanism protects the device in event of an overload by disengaging the coupling so that no force is transferred to the second element.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a door opening device for opening cabinet doors, such as doors of industrial freezer or cooler cabinets, where the device at least comprises:

• a base unit configured to be arranged relative to a front end of a cabinet having at least one hinged cabinet door;
• a first element coupled to the base unit, wherein the first element is configured to pivot around a pivot line located in the base unit and to be operated by a user's foot;
• a second element coupled to the first element for transferring force from the first element to the second element, wherein the second element comprises a contact surface for contacting a contact surface on the door facing the front end, wherein the second element is configured to move the door from a closed position to an open position, when the device is activated by the user.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a cabinet comprising at least one chamber configured to be closed off using one or more cabinet doors mounted to a front end of the cabinet via at least one set of hinges.

[0003] The present invention further relates to a method of operating a door opening device arranged relative to a cabinet having at least one cabinet door, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

• activating the device by applying force to a first element;
• transferring the force from the first element to a second element via at least one coupling, e.g. a pivotal coupling;
• moving the second element relative to a front end of the cabinet for opening the cabinet door and moving it to an open position.

Background of the Invention

[0004] In the food industry and bioscience industry today, industrial freezer cabinets and cooling cabinets are often used to freeze or cool various food articles during the preparation process or to store the prepared food articles thereafter. Hygiene is an important issue during the preparation process, as contamination of the food has to be avoided. Such cabinets are also used to store biological or medical materials or other items for research, testing or other purposes. Hand operated opening devices are often used to open these cabinets and are frequency operated by different users during a day which makes it an obvious place for indirect transfer of bacteria and other items. Furthermore, the user has to have a free hand to operate such opening devices. Various foot operated door opening device are described in the literature which allows the user to open the door without having a free hand and reduces the risk of contaminating food articles.

[0005] US 5622416 A discloses a dual opening device for a cabinet with two doors where the device comprises an L-shaped pedal coupled to one end of a rod which at the other end is shaped to form a lever. The lever is placed between the front end of the cabinet and the door and pivots when the pedal is operated, thereby pushing the door to an open position. The rod may be coupled to the pedal by means of cylindrical bearings placed on the rod or by means of a T-shaped flange bolted to the pedal. The device does not comprise means for protecting the coupling during an overload of the pedal, meaning that the coupling will break or crack in the event of an overload. Furthermore, this configuration cannot be used if the space around the cabinet is limited.

[0006] US 2006/0137247 A1 discloses a foot operated door opening device comprising an L-shaped lever coupled to a base unit. One arm is configured to act as a pedal while the other arm is configured to push the door to an open position. In this configuration, force applied to the pedal shaped arm is transferred directly to the other arm, as they form part of the same lever element. This means that the lever arm will break off, if the pedal is overloaded. Only a limited amount force or torque can be transferred to the door, since the arms only have a length of five centimetres or less. This means that doors, such as freezer or cooler doors, will only be opened partially meaning that the user has to use his foot or hand to further open the door.

[0007] US 772060 A discloses a door opening device having a floor mounted base unit with pivotal L-shaped lever which is connected to a user operated wire at one end. A spring element connects the base unit to a lower frame mounted unit having another pivotal lever which has a contact surface for contacting the door. Once the wire is pulled, the first lever pivots around the pivot point of the base unit causing the spring element to pivot the second lever around its pivot point. The applied force is continuously transferred from one lever to another lever due to the spring element. Any excess force is absorbed into the spring element causing it to deform in the longitudinal direction. Thus, there is room for improvement of such systems as described above and there is a call for development of a new and improved device which is simple, effective and easy to install and to operate.

Object of the Invention

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a door opening device capable of increasing the opening of the door when the pedal is operated.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a door operating device with a safety mechanism that protects the device if the pedal is overloaded.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a door operating device that can be adapted to fit a left-hinged door or a right-hinged door.

Description of the Invention

[0011] As mentioned above, the invention relates to a door opening device characterised in that the device further comprises a safety mechanism arranged between the first and second element for disengaging the force transferring coupling between the two elements, the safety mechanism comprises a first coupling element located on the first element and a second coupling element located on the second element, wherein the two coupling elements are configured to remain in engagement until the force exceeds a predetermined threshold, and wherein the safety mechanism is configured to be activated, when the force applied to the first element exceeds the predetermined threshold.

[0012] This provides a door opening device with an integrated safety mechanism that protects the device in the event of an overload. The safety mechanism is configured to disengage the mechanical coupling between the two moving elements. This prevents the engaging parts of the coupling from braking when excessive force is applied to the pedal, i.e. the first element. This allows the first element to move relative to the lever, i.e. the second element, and also the base unit so that no force is transferred between the two elements. The safety mechanism may advantageously be configured so that the coupling may be engaged afterwards in a quick and simple manner. The safety mechanism may define the coupling between the first and second element or be arranged at a radial distance from the first coupling and define a second coupling which allows the second element to follow the pivotal movement of the first element.

[0013] The base unit may comprise a mounting surface configured to be mounted to the front end of a cabinet using fastening means, such as screws, bolts, or an adhesive or adhesive layer. The cabinet may be any type of an upright cabinet, including freezer or cooler cabinets, with at least one chamber configured to be closed off via one or more front end doors. The base unit may comprise two end flanges where the first and second elements are arranged between these end flanges. The first and second elements may be coupled to the end flanges at two respective pivot points defining a pivot line which the two elements may pivot around. The pivot line may be defined by a mounting element, such as a rod or bolt, configured to extend through the first and second elements and the end flanges. The mounting element may be secured relative to the base unit using fastening means, such as bolts, nuts, locking pins or the like. The base unit may have a length of 10-20 cm or 14-16 cm. The base unit may be made of plastic, such as polyester, metal, such as iron, steel or copper, or another suitable material.

[0014] A spring system, such as a torsion spring or leaf spring, may be arranged relative to the second element for automatically pivoting the second element back to its initial position, when the force on the first element is removed. The spring system may be coupled to both the first and second elements and/or may partly extend into a recess in one or both elements. This allows the gap between the first and second elements to be reduced so that the device forms a compact configuration.

[0015] The safety mechanism may be defined by the first and second coupling elements where coupling elements may form part of the first and second elements or be mounted to these using fastening means, such as bolts or screw, or adhered or welded together. The first coupling element may comprise at least a first contact surface for contacting at least a second contact surface of the second coupling element. The contact surfaces may be arranged in the same plane as the pivotal movement of the second element and/or in a plane defined by the pivot line or first element. This allows the coupling elements to act as a safety clutch or safety coupling limiting the maximum amount of force or torque capable of being transferred to the second element. When the force applied to the first element is below the threshold value, the coupling elements are engaged and the second element substantially follows the movement of the first element. When the applied force exceeds the threshold, the coupling elements are disengaged and the second element moves relative to the first element.

[0016] The first coupling element may be shaped as a projection and the second coupling element may be shaped as a recess, or vice versa. The first coupling element may have at least one planar and/or curved contact surface where the contact surface of the second coupling element is configured to follow the contours of the first coupling element. In a special embodiment, the contact surface of the first coupling element may be formed by two interconnected planar surfaces or by a concave surface. This allows the coupling elements to be forced/pushed out of engagement in the same plane as the pivotal movement of the second element and/or by offsetting the second element relative to the first element in a direction parallel to the pivot line.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, one of the coupling elements is configured as a moveable element coupled to a spring system which in turn is coupled the first or second element, wherein the spring system is configured to apply a spring force to the moveable element for engaging the two coupling elements.

[0018] This allows the safety mechanism to be configured as a spring loaded bolt arranged inside a cavity of the first element where another spring system presses the bolt towards a recess located in the second element. The bolt may be shaped to form a spherical, cylindrical, triangular or square element. The recess may be shaped to follow the contour of the free end of the bolt. At least one planar contact surface may be arranged inside the recess for contacting at least one mating planar contact surface arranged at the free end of the bolt. This prevents the bolt from rotating inside the recess during engagement so that the second element follows the pivotal movement of the first element. The contact surfaces may be placed in an angled position, e.g. in an acute angle, relative to the longitudinal direction of the recess and bolt. This allows at least one of the contact surfaces to slide relative to the other contact surface, as the force applied to the first element exceeds the friction between the two surfaces, thereby sliding the two elements out of engagement. The bolt and cavity may be arranged in, e.g. integrated to, a side surface of the first element so that they extend perpendicularly to the pivot line. The bolt may be made of metal, such as copper, iron or steel, or a plastic material, such as thermoplastic.

[0019] The threshold value may be defined by the force of the spring system, such as the tension, compression or twisting force. A single spring may be located at the bottom of the cavity or along an inner surface of the cavity for pushing the bolt out of the cavity and towards the recess. One or two springs may be coupled to the bolt and the first element for pulling the bolt out of the cavity and towards the recess. During disengagement, the bolt may be pushed partly or completely out of the recess so that the bolt may rotate inside the recess or be moved away from the recess. This allows the threshold value, i.e. the activation of the safety mechanism, to be adjusted by simply adjusting the force of the spring system.

[0020] The first element may be made from a single element or comprise a first housing element and a second housing element. The two housing elements define the top and bottom surface of the first element and may be coupled together using a click system, female and male coupling elements or fastening means, such as bolts, screws or the like. The housing elements may instead be adhered or welded together. The top and/or bottom surface may comprise friction enhancing means, such as tracks, projections, a layer of rubber, or the like. The first element may be made of plastic, such as polyester, metal, such as iron, steel or copper, or another suitable material.

[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one stopping element may be arranged relative to the cavity and may extend at least partly into the cavity for defining a stop position of the moveable element. The stopping element may be a tap or another moveable element, e.g. a spring loaded bolt, arranged inside the cavity. A removable element, e.g. a pin or a treated bolt/screw capable of being activated by a tool, may be inserted or screwed into a cavity, e.g. a treated cavity, of the moveable element. The stopping element may alternatively be shaped to act as a spring, e.g. a leaf spring or a cantilever spring with a contact surface for contacting the moveable element. The spring is deformed, e.g. by applying an external pressure, when the moveable element is inserted into and removed from the cavity. This prevents the bolt from accidently being pushed or pulled out of the cavity and potentially hitting the user, when the device is assembled or disassembled.

[0022] In an embodiment of the invention, the free end of the second element is configured to bend in an opposite direction relative to its pivotal movement, when force is applied to the first element, wherein the free end returns to its initial state, when the force is removed.

[0023] The second element may be made of at least a material having a predetermined rigid-ness or elasticity and/or have a configuration that allows the free end to bend or flex relative to its unloaded state defined by the longitudinal direction of the second element. The second element may be formed as an elongated lever or arm configured to be placed between the front end of the cabinet and the cabinet door. The second element may have a first contact surface for at least partly contacting a contact surface on the front end. A second contact surface located at opposite side of the second element may at least partly contact a contact surface on the cabinet door. The cross-sectional profile of the second element may be tapered off towards the free end.

[0024] The elasticity may be defined based on the elastic moduli, such as Youngs modulus, of the material allowing the free end to be moved, i.e. bend, in an angular direction to a maximum allowable position. The maximum angular movement may be 1-10 degrees or 4-6 degrees. The second element may be made of polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyethylene, or another suitable material. This allows the free end to bend backwards, as the second element pushes the door from its closed position towards an open position. The free end then returns to its initial position, when the force on the first element is removed. This allows the second element to apply a swiping motion on the door, causing it to open more.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second element has a length of at least 10 cm.

[0026] The second element may have a length that is considerable longer than the length of any conventional levers. The length of the second element may be greater than the length of the first element. The first element may have a length of 5-20 cm or 10-15 cm. The second element may have a length of 10-30 cm or 15-25 cm. This allows the second element to push the door to an open position located further away from its closed position than the conventional door opening devices, and thereby providing easier access to the chamber.

[0027] In an embodiment of the invention, the first and second elements are placed in a first configuration relative to the base unit for a right-hinged door and in a second configuration for a left-hinged door.

[0028] The door opening device may be prepared to fit both a right-hinged door and a left-hinged door. Two second coupling elements may be arranged on opposite side surface of the second element allowing it to be placed on either side of the first element during assembly/mounting. The top and bottom surfaces of the first element may have the same configuration allowing it to be turned over, i.e. rotated 180 degrees around its longitudinal direction, during assembly/mounting. The first coupling element or spring loaded bolt may then be arranged at a side surface of the first element. The opposite side may be prepared so that the spring loaded bolt may be installed on that side, or another first coupling element or spring loaded bolt may be arranged on that side. This allows the configuration of the device to be altered by simply changing the position and/or orientation of the two elements relative to the base unit.

[0029] In an embodiment of the invention, at least a part of the first element is shaped as a pedal.

[0030] The first element may be configured as an elongated pedal where the free end is configured to be operated by a foot or as planar element where a part of the element is configured to be operated by a foot. The planar element may comprise a cut-out located in the middle so it forms an O-shaped element. The pedal may be positioned so that it extends outwards from the bottom of the door. This allows the device to be mounted at or near the bottom of the cabinet so that only the part forming the pedal extends outwards from the front of the cabinet. This is desired if multiple cabinets are stacked side-by-side or the space around the cabinet is limited. The pedal may be configured to extend outwards from a side surface of the door. This is desired if the space below the cabinet or door is limited.

[0031] The first element may have a width that at least corresponds to the width of an averaged sided foot of a human, e.g. 10-20 cm or 10-15 cm. This provides a suitable surface area for the user to safely operate device with his foot. The second element may have a width of 1-3 cm or 2 cm. This allows it to be arranged relative to the peripheral edge of the cabinet so that it does not extend beyond the thickness of the cabinet walls. The housing of the first element may have a height of 0.5-3 cm or 1-2 cm allowing it to have a structural strength that prevents it from bending when force is applied.

[0032] As mentioned earlier, the invention also relates to a cabinet characterised in that at least one door opening device, as defined above, is mounted to the cabinet at an opposite side of the hinges, wherein the device at least comprises a first element configured to be operated by a user's foot, which first element is coupled to a second element positioned between the front end of the cabinet and the cabinet door, and wherein a safety mechanism is arranged between the first and second elements for disengaging the force transferring coupling, when the force applied to the first element exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0033] The door opening device is well-suited to be used to open any type of an upright cabinet having a single-hinged or double-hinged door. If the door is a double-hinged door, the two door opening devices may be mounted to the cabinet, one at each side. The cabinet may a domestic or industrial cabinet for storing food, vine, cigars, clothing, articles for serving food, blood, biologic samples or materials, etc. The door opening device may be mounted to the cabinet at the manufacturing site or at the installation site. Industrial cabinets are defined as any type of professional cabinets for professional use or self-service use. Domestic cabinets are defined as any type of commercial cabinets for domestic/household use. The front end of the cabinet may be prepared so that the base unit of the device can be positioned and mounted at or near a lower left or right corner. The base unit may be configured so it can be mounted to the bottom of the cabinet instead.

[0034] The device may be assembled by first mounting the base unit to the cabinet. The moveable element and the spring system of the safety mechanism may then be placed in the desired cavity and/or the first element may be positioned so that the top or bottom surface faces the door. The second element may then be positioned relative to the desired side surface of the first element and/or be turned over so that the free end extends along the contact surface of the door. The first and second element may then be coupled to the base unit, e.g. via the mounting rod.

[0035] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cabinet is an industrial freezer or cooler cabinet.

[0036] The invention is particularly suited for opening industrial cabinets, such as industrial freezers, refrigerators or other cooling cabinets. The increased opening of the cabinet door due to the swiping effect and length of the second element allows for an easier access to the freezing or cooling chamber. The foot operated device allows the user to open the cabinet even if he has no free hands thus, quicker access to the cabinet. This may reduce the total time for which the door is open, which is an issue for professional cabinets since the stored items typically has to be kept at optimal conditions constantly.

[0037] As mentioned earlier, the invention further relates to a method of operating a door opening device characterised in that the method further comprises at least one of the following steps:

• disengaging the coupling elements between the first and second element so not force is transferred to the second element when the applied force exceeds a predetermined threshold;
• resetting the device by moving, e.g. pivoting, one of the elements relative to the other element in an opposite direction until the coupling elements are brought into engagement again.

[0038] The door opening device may be operated in the same manner as a conventional door opening device, when the force applied is below the predetermined threshold. The integrated safe mechanism disengages the coupling elements thus, moving the moveable element out of the recess, when the applied force exceeds the threshold. This stops the transfer of forces between the first and second elements and allows the first element to move relative to the second element, or vice versa. The device may be reset by simply moving or pivoting the first element back towards the second element thus, placing the moveable element in the recess again. This protects the device in the event of an overload and prevents the coupling from breaking.

Description of the Drawing

[0039] An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1

shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the door opening device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

shows the door opening device shown in fig. 1 in an assembled configuration;

Fig. 3

shows a cross section of the safety mechanism in an engaged state;

Fig. 4

shows a cross section of the safety mechanism in a disengaged state;

Fig. 5

shows an exemplary embodiment of a cabinet with the door opening device activated; and

Fig. 6

shows the cabinet of fig. 5 with the door opening device in in a disengaged state.

[0040] In the following text, the figures will be described one by one, and the different parts and positions seen in the figures will be numbered with the same numbers in the different figures. Not all parts and positions indicated in a specific figure will necessarily be discussed together with that figure.

Position number list

[0041] 

1

Door opening device

2

Base unit

3

Mounting surface

4

Front end

5

Cabinet

6

End flanges

7

First element

8

Second element

9

First housing element

10

Second housing element

11

Mounting element

12

Nut

13

Through hole

14

Top surface

15

Bottom surface

16

Spring system

17

Tap

18

Spacer element

19

Recess

20

Pivotal movement

21

Cut-out

22

Tracks

23

First contact surface

24

Second contact surface

25

First coupling element

25a

Recess

26

Second coupling element

27

Bending movement

28

Contact surfaces

29

Contact surfaces

30

Cavity

31

Moveable element

32

Spring system

33

Bottom surface

34

Screw

35

Hole

36

Cabinet door

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0042] Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a door opening device 1 according to the invention. The door opening device 1 comprises a base unit 2 having a mounting surface 3 configured to be mounted to a front end 4 of a cabinet 5. The base unit 2 may comprise two end flanges 6a, 6b extending outwards from the base unit 2 in between which a first element 7 and a second element 8 may be arranged. The base unit 2 may be made of metal, such as steel.

[0043] The first element 7 may comprise a first housing element 9 configured to be coupled to a second housing element 10. The first housing elements 9, 10 may comprise one or more female and male coupling elements (not shown) for coupling the two elements 9, 10 together. The first element 7 may be made of a plastic material, such as polyester or another thermoplastic. A mounting element 11 in the form of a bolt may be used to couple the first and second elements 9, 10 to the end flanges 6 of the base unit 2. The mounting element 11 may have a treated end for mounting a mating treated nut 12 to the end. The housing elements 9, 10 may form a through hole 13 extending parallel to the base unit 2 for receiving the mounting element 11. The first housing element 9 may define a top surface 14 and the second housing element 10 may define a bottom surface 15. The base unit 2 may have a length of 10-20 cm extending radially outwards from a pivot line defined by the mounting element 11.

[0044] A spring system 16 in the form of a torsion spring may be arranged on one side of the first element 7, as shown in fig. 1, for pivoting the first element 7 back to its initial position when the pressure on the first element 7 is removed. The spring system 16 may be arranged on the mounting element 11 and coupled to a tap 17 on the first element 7 and/or to a spacer element 18 mounted to or a tap located on the base unit 2. The tap 17 is configured to rotate the free end of the spring system 16, i.e. one of the legs, relative to the mounting element 11 or spacer element 18 when pressure is applied to the first element 7 so that a spring force is generated in the spring system 16. The spring force is then used to return the first element 7 to its initial position when the pressure is removed.

[0045] Fig. 2 shows a top view of the door opening device 1 in an assembled configuration. The first and second elements 7, 8 are placed in a first configuration for a right-hinged door. In this configuration, the first element 8 may be positioned in a recess 19 formed in a side surface of the first element 7.

[0046] The first and second elements 7, 8 may pivot around the mounting element 11 in a first direction (marked with arrow 20). The first and second elements 7, 8 may be placed in a second configuration for a left-hinged door (not shown) by turning the first element 7 over so that the bottom surface 15 becomes the top surface 14. The second element 8 may then be moved from the first end flange 6a to the second end flange 6b. The housing elements 9, 10 may be configured to form an O-shaped first element 7 with a cut-out 21 located in the middle, as shown in figs. 1-2. At least a part, e.g. the front end, of the first element 7 may be configured to function as a pedal, as shown in fig. 2, where at least one track 22 may be arranged on the top and/or bottom surface 14, 15 for increasing the friction of the pedal. The first element 7 may have a length of 5-20 cm.

[0047] Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the safety mechanism in an engaged state while fig. 4 shows the safety mechanism in a disengaged state where the first element 7 is disengaged from the second element 8.

[0048] The second element 7 may be configured as a lever having a first contact surface 23 located on a side surface of the second element 7 for at least partly contacting a contact surface on the front end 4 of the cabinet 5. A second contact surface 24 may be located on an opposite side surface for at least partly contacting a contact surface on the cabinet door.

[0049] The free end of the second element 8 may be configured to bend (marked with arrow 27) relative to the longitudinal direction of the second element 8, when force is applied to the first element 7. The second element 8 may be made of a thermoplastic material, such as polycarbonate. The free end may be configured to move or bend within a maximum allowable angle of ±10 degrees. The second element 8 may have a length of 10-30 cm. A tap may be arranged on the second element 8 for limiting the pivotal movement 20 of the second element 8, as shown in fig. 3.

[0050] A safety mechanism comprising a first and second coupling element 25, 26 may be arranged in the first element 7 and the second element 8 for protecting the device 1 in the event of an overload of the first element 7. The first coupling element 25 in the form of a projection may form part of the second element 8 and extend outwards from the side surface facing the first element 7. A recess 25a may be arranged in a side surface of the first coupling element 25 facing the first element 6. The recess 25a may comprise two planar contact surfaces 28a, 28b placed perpendicularly relative to each other for contacting two mating contact surfaces 29a, 29b on the second coupling element 26.

[0051] The second coupling element 26 may be arranged in a cavity 30 of the first element 7 near a side surface, as shown in fig. 1. The cavity 30 may extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first element 7 with the opening facing the second element 8. A moveable element 31 in the form of a latch bolt is arranged in the cavity 30 where a spring system 32 in the form of a compression spring is arranged at the bottom of the cavity for pushing the moveable element 31 out of the cavity 30. The moveable element 31 may comprise a bottom surface 33 facing the bottom of the cavity 30 for contacting the spring system 32. A tap arranged on the bottom surface 33 and/or bottom of the cavity 30 may be used to guide the spring system 32 during compression and decompression. The opposite end of the movable element 31 may be configured to follow the contour of the first coupling element 25 where the contact surfaces 29a, 29b face the recess 25a in the first coupling element 25.

[0052] The moveable element 31 may be configured to contact a stopping element for preventing the moveable element from unintentionally exiting the cavity 30. The stopping element may be defined by a through hole arranged in the side surface of the first element 7 facing the end flange 6a. A screw 34 may be positioned in the through hole and coupled to the moveable element 31, as shown in figs. 1 and 5. The moveable element 31 may comprise a cavity 35, e.g. a treated cavity, for receiving the screw 34. The screw head may contact the inner wall of the through hole which may define an innermost and/or outermost position of the movable element 31.

[0053] Fig. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of the cabinet 5 with the door opening device 1 activated. The door opening device 1 may be mounted to the front end 4 of the cabinet 5.

[0054] The threshold value for activating the safety mechanism 25, 26 may be determined by the compression force of the spring system 32. When the safety mechanism is not activated, the moveable element 31 remains in engagement with the recess 25a and force is transferred from the first element 7 to the second element 8 via the coupling elements 25, 26. This causes the second element to follow the pivotal movement 20 of the first element 7, as shown in fig. 5. The movement of the second element 8 causes the cabinet door 36 to move from a closed position, as shown in fig. 6, to an open position, as shown in fig. 5.

[0055] Fig. 6 shows the cabinet of fig. 5 with the door opening device in a disengaged state.

[0056] The safety mechanism is activated when the force applied to the top surface 14 exceeds the threshold value. The moveable element 31 is then pushed out of engagement with the recess 25a by at least sliding the contact surface 28a, 28b relative to the contact surface 29a, 29b of the recess. This disengages the coupling elements 25, 26 so no force is transferred to the second element 8 and the first element 7 continues to pivot relative to the second element 8. The safety mechanism may then be reset by manually pivoting the first element 7 back so that the moveable element 31 is brought into engagement with the recess 25a again.

Claims

1. A door opening device for opening cabinet doors, such as doors of industrial freezer or cooler cabinets, where the device at least comprises:

- a base unit (2) configured to be arranged relative to a front end (4) of a cabinet (5) having at least one hinged cabinet door (36);

- a first element (7) coupled to the base unit (2), wherein the first element (7) is configured to pivot (20) around a pivot line located in the base unit (2) and to be operated by a user's foot;

- a second element (8) coupled to the first element (7) for transferring force from the first element (7) to the second element (8), wherein the second element (8) comprises a contact surface (24) for contacting a contact surface on the cabinet door (36) facing the front end (4), wherein the second element (8) is configured to move the cabinet door (36) from a closed position to an open position, when the device (1) is activated by the user, characterised in that,

- the device (1) further comprises a safety mechanism arranged between the first and second element (7, 8) for disengaging the force transferring coupling between the two elements (7, 8), the safety mechanism comprises a first coupling element (26) located on the first element (7) and a second coupling element (25) located on the second element (8), wherein the two coupling elements (25, 26) are configured to remain in engagement until the force exceeds a predetermined threshold, and wherein the safety mechanism is configured to be activated, when the force applied to the first element (7) exceeds the predetermined threshold.

2. A door opening device according to claim 1, characterised in that one of the coupling elements (25, 26) is configured as a moveable element (31) coupled to a spring system (32) which in turn is coupled the first or second element (7, 8), wherein the spring system (32) is configured to apply a spring force to the moveable element (31) for engaging the two coupling elements (25, 26).

3. A door opening device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the free end of the second element (8) is configured to bend (27) in an opposite direction relative to its pivotal movement (20), when force is applied to the first element (7), wherein the free end returns to its initial state, when the force is removed.

4. A door opening device according to claim 3, characterised in that the second element (8) has a length of at least 10 cm.

5. A door opening device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the first and second elements (7, 8) are placed in a first configuration relative to the base unit (2) for a right-hinged door and in a second configuration for a left-hinged door.

6. A door opening device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that at least a part of the first element (7) is shaped as a pedal.

7. A cabinet (5) comprising at least one chamber configured to be closed off using one or more cabinet doors (36) mounted to a front end (4) of the cabinet (5) via at least one set of hinges, characterised in that, at least one door opening device (1) as defined any one of the preceding claims is mounted to the cabinet (5) at an opposite side of the hinges, wherein the device (1) at least comprises a first element (7) configured to be operated by a user's foot, which first element (7) is coupled to a second element (8) positioned between the front end (4) of the cabinet and the cabinet door (36), and wherein a safety mechanism is arranged between the first and second elements (7, 8) for disengaging the force transferring coupling, when the force applied to the first element (7) exceeds a predetermined threshold.

8. A cabinet according to claim 7, characterised in that the cabinet (5) is an industrial freezer or cooler cabinet.

9. A method of operating a door opening device (1) as defined in any one of claims 1-6 arranged relative to a cabinet (5) having at least one cabinet door (36), wherein the method comprises the steps of:

- activating the device (1) by applying force to a first element (7);

- transferring the force from the first element (7) to a second element (8) via at least one coupling (25, 26), e.g. a pivotal coupling;

- moving (20) the second element (8) relative to a front end (4) of the cabinet (5) for opening the cabinet door (36) and moving it to an open position,

characterised in that, the method further comprises at least one of the following steps:

- disengaging the coupling elements (25, 26) between the first and second element (7, 8) so no force is transferred to the second element (8), when the applied force exceeds a predetermined threshold;

- resetting the device (1) by moving, e.g. pivoting, one of the elements (7, 8) relative to the other element (7, 8) in an opposite direction (20) until the coupling elements (25, 26) are brought into engagement again.

Drawing