Panic handle

Abstract

A panic handle (1) comprising: at least one actuation assembly (2) configured to be installed on an element (A) of type selected from a door and a door leaf. Such assembly (2) is provided with a device (3) which is functionally connected to at least one bolt (4) for its movement; at least one actuation element, functionally associated with the device (3), a pressure applied to the element causing the activation of the assembly (2) for the retraction of the bolt (4); the actuation element is a rotary actuator (5) comprising a tilting bar, which is integral with an arm (7) coupled to a cylindrical actuation element (8), or a sliding actuator (6) provided with a pusher (10); the device (3) comprises a contoured cam (11) provided with a first profiled edge (12), facing and proximate to the cylindrical actuation element (8) when the rotary actuator (5) is functionally associated with the actuation assembly (2), and with a second profiled edge (13), facing and proximate to the pusher (10) when the sliding actuator (6) is functionally associated with the actuation assembly (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a panic handle.

[0002] On specific doors and door leaves for entering / exiting predefined buildings, current regulations require panic exit devices to be installed.

[0003] Panic exit devices make it possible to open the lock of the door (or door leaf) on which they are installed when a pressure is applied in the direction for exiting the building: therefore in the event of a dangerous situation, when it can happen that many people run for the exits, people simply applying pressure on a handle, a bar, or a panel causes the retraction of the latches (generally spring and sliding latches) and allows the door leaf to be freely opened, allowing people to exit.

[0004] Panic handles can have an actuation bar (designed to translate parallel to itself inside a shell fixed on the door, or door leaf, of installation in the direction toward / away from the surface of the door or door leaf) or, more commonly, a bar articulated to at least one actuation assembly coupled to the door or door leaf, or a panel functionally associated with an actuation assembly.

[0005] From an implementation and logistical point of view, the existence of different types of panic handles requires every maker to have a catalog of models for each type, with corresponding burdens in terms of design, production, warehousing and transport.

[0006] This management is even more complex when it is considered that the market penetration of one or another type is different at international level, and therefore it is difficult to plan what stocks to keep in storage in order to ensure a rapid response to the needs of the market.

[0007] The principal aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a panic handle of the modular type which makes it possible to reduce logistical problems.

[0008] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a panic handle of modular type, which enables makers to reduce the burdens of design and engineering caused by the diversification of the various envisaged types.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a panic handle of modular type that is particularly versatile.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a panic handle of modular type that requires only simple operations for mounting.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a panic handle that is low cost, relatively easily and practically implemented, and safe in use.

[0012] This aim and these and other objects that will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a panic handle, which comprises: at least one actuation assembly, configured to be installed on an element of type selected from a door and a door leaf, said assembly being provided with a device which is functionally connected to at least one bolt for its movement, at least one actuation element, functionally associated with said device of said at least one actuation assembly, a pressure applied to said actuation element causing the activation of said actuation assembly for the retraction of said at least one bolt, characterized in that said actuation element is of a type selected from a rotary actuator comprising a tilting bar, which is integral with an arm coupled to a cylindrical actuation element which can rotate with respect to said actuation assembly at a portion thereof that is substantially opposite the one associated with said bar, and a sliding actuator provided with a translating body in abutment against a lever for activating a pusher which is functionally associated with said actuation assembly, and in that said device of said at least one actuation assembly comprises a contoured cam provided with at least two profiled edges, a first profiled edge facing and being proximate to said cylindrical actuation element when said rotary actuator is functionally associated with said actuation assembly, a second profiled edge facing and being proximate to said pusher, when said sliding actuator is functionally associated with said actuation assembly.

[0013] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the panic handle according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a possible embodiment of an actuation assembly of a panic handle according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a handle according to the invention, which comprises a sliding actuator; Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a sliding actuator for a handle according to the invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view from above, taken along a plane perpendicular to the installation surface, of the panic handle of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a handle according to the invention, which comprises a rotary actuator; Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a rotary actuator for a handle according to the invention; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional schematic view from above, taken along a plane perpendicular to the installation surface, of the panic handle of Figure 5; Figure 8 is a schematic view from above of the cam of an actuation assembly of a panic handle according to the invention.

[0014] With particular reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a panic handle according to the invention.

[0015] The panic handle 1 comprises at least one actuation assembly 2 configured to be installed on an element A of type selected from a door and a door leaf. The assembly 2 will be provided with a device 3, which is connected functionally to at least one bolt 4 for its movement.

[0016] The handle 1 further comprises at least one actuation element, functionally associated with the device 3 of the at least one actuation assembly 2: when a pressure is applied on the actuation element, the actuation assembly 2 is activated, with the consequent retraction of the at least one bolt 4 (which, by disengaging from a fixed selvage, allows the subsequent opening of the element, such as a door and / or a door leaf, on which the handle 1 is installed).

[0017] According to the invention, the actuation element can advantageously be of a type selected from a rotary actuator 5 and a sliding actuator 6.

[0018] The rotary actuator 5 comprises a tilting bar (not shown in the accompanying figures), which is integral with an arm 7 coupled to a cylindrical actuation element 8 which can rotate with respect to the actuation assembly 2: the cylindrical actuation element 8 is coupled to the arm 7 at a portion thereof that is substantially opposite the one associated with the bar.

[0019] The sliding actuator 6 comprises a translating body (not shown in the accompanying figures) in abutment against a lever 9 for activating a pusher 10 which is functionally associated with the actuation assembly 2.

[0020] The device 3 of the actuation assembly 2, functionally connected to the at least one bolt 4 for its movement, comprises a contoured cam 11 which is provided with at least two profiled edges, 12 and 13.

[0021] A first profiled edge 12 faces and is proximate to the cylindrical actuation element 8 when the rotary actuator 5 is functionally associated with the actuation assembly 2.

[0022] A second profiled edge 13 faces and is proximate to the pusher 10, when the sliding actuator 6 is functionally associated with the actuation assembly 2.

[0023] The actuation assembly 2 comprises at least one side wall 2a which is provided with coupling means for anchoring at least one component selected from the rotary actuator 5 and the sliding actuator 6.

[0024] Such coupling means comprise housing receptacles configured for the engagement of elements such as protrusions, screws, rivets, claws, and the like which are associated with at least one component chosen from the rotary actuator 5 and the sliding actuator 6 for their removable coupling.

[0025] Basically, it will be possible to couple the actuation assembly 2 to one of the actuators 5 or 6 (in so doing also obtaining a functional association of the respective components), so providing a different type of panic handle 1 depending on the actuator 5, 6 that is installed.

[0026] In this manner, by drawing on the individual modules represented by the actuation assembly 2, the rotary actuator 5 and the sliding actuator 6 (and optionally coupling means for coupling them together), an operator will be able to provide any type of panic handle 1.

[0027] This will bring advantages in terms of logistics, as it will no longer be necessary to keep a plurality of finished products in stock for each type of panic handle, but only the modules described above and any further accessories that are necessary for the completion and aesthetic finish of any type of panic handle 1. At the transport stage, it will still be possible to keep the modules separate, and couple them together only at the moment of their use.

[0028] It should be noted that the contoured cam 11 is conveniently pivoted to the actuation assembly 2 along an axis B parallel to the wall 2a of that assembly 2 and is configured for the removable coupling of at least one component selected from the rotary actuator 5 and the sliding actuator 6.

[0029] This axis B is also parallel to the surface for fixing the handle 1 on the element A, of type selected from a door and a door leaf.

[0030] The cam 11 comprises a third profiled edge 14 which abuts against a portion of the bolt 4: a rotation of the cam 11 with respect to the respective axis B produces a displacement of the bolt 4 between a protruding configuration for engagement in a respective fixed selvage (not shown in the accompanying figures), in which the element A selected from a door and a door leaf is locked (arrangement in which the element A is closed), and a retracted configuration for disengagement from the fixed selvage, in which the element A can be freely opened (because the bolt 3 is disengaged from the selvage, and is thus uncoupled from the fixed structure to which that selvage is attached).

[0031] With particular reference to an embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, the cylindrical actuation element 8 of the rotary actuator 5 is substantially shaped like a cylindrical cam provided with a frame of predefined shape and dimensions. The shape and dimensions of this frame are configured to abut against the first profiled edge 12 of the cam 11.

[0032] In this manner, a rotation of the cylindrical actuation element 8 constituted by a cylindrical cam, imposed by a rotation of the arm 7 following a pressure applied to the respective bar, causes a rotation of the contoured cam 11 with corresponding movement of the bolt 3.

[0033] In the assembled configuration, the cam 11 is elastically forced into the configuration in which the bolt 4 is protruding, engaged in the respective fixed selvage: this condition arises when the bar is at a predefined distance from the surface of the element A and is not substantially subjected to external forces. But the cam 11 is rotated to the configuration in which the bolt 4 is retracted and disengaged from the fixed selvage, when the bar is subjected to a mechanical stress that places it facing and proximate to the surface of the element A, which results in a rotation of the arm 7, which pulls the cylindrical actuation element 8 until the frame abuts against the first profiled edge 12 of the cam 11, with consequent rotation of the cam 11 and retraction of the bolt 4.

[0034] With particular reference to an additional embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, the sliding actuator 6 comprises a plate 15 for fixing to the surface of the element A to which the lever 9 is articulated, which is provided with a first end 16 which is kept elastically protruding with respect to the surface of the element A and a second end 17 which is engaged in a slider 18 which is integral with the pusher 10, which in turn comprises an end face configured for abutment against the second profiled edge 13 of the cam 11.

[0035] The first end 16 of the lever faces and is proximate to a unit selected from an activation panel and a sliding activation bar, on which a user can apply a pressure to force it toward the surface of the element A (so making the lever 9 rotate, which makes the pusher 10 advance toward the second profiled edge 12 pulling the cam 11 in rotation and, with it, the bolt 4 for its retraction).

[0036] It should be noted that the bolt 4 can be a rotating latch pivoted on the actuation assembly 2 at an axis C which is parallel to the axis B of rotation of the cam 11.

[0037] Advantageously the present invention solves the above mentioned problems, by providing a panic handle 1 of modular type that makes it possible to reduce logistical problems: in fact the handle 1 can be provided by adopting a rotary actuator 5 or a sliding actuator 6, and therefore will be contoured according to any of the possible implementations envisaged for panic handles.

[0038] Conveniently, the panic handle 1 according to the invention, being of modular type, enables makers to reduce the burdens of design and engineering caused by the diversification of the various envisaged types.

[0039] Profitably the panic handle 1 according to the invention, being of modular type, is particularly versatile.

[0040] Positively the panic handle 1 according to the invention, being of modular type, requires only simple operations for mounting.

[0041] Validly the panic handle 1 according to the invention, being of modular type, is easily and practically implemented and is low cost: such characteristics make the panic handle 1 according to the invention an innovation that is safe in use.

[0042] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0043] In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

[0044] In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0045] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102024000025797 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0046] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A panic handle, comprising: - at least one actuation assembly (2), configured to be installed on an element (A) of type selected from a door and a door leaf, said assembly (2) being provided with a device (3) which is functionally connected to at least one bolt (4) for its movement, - at least one actuation element, functionally associated with said device of said at least one actuation assembly (2), a pressure applied to said actuation element causing the activation of said actuation assembly (2) for the retraction of said at least one bolt (4), characterized in that said actuation element is of a type selected from a rotary actuator (5) comprising a tilting bar, which is integral with an arm (7) coupled to a cylindrical actuation element (8) which can rotate with respect to said actuation assembly (2) at a portion thereof that is substantially opposite the one associated with said bar, and a sliding actuator (6) provided with a translating body in abutment against a lever (9) for activating a pusher (10) which is functionally associated with said actuation assembly (2), and in that said device (3) of said at least one actuation assembly (2) comprises a contoured cam (11) provided with at least two profiled edges (12, 13), a first profiled edge (12) facing and being proximate to said cylindrical actuation element (8) when said rotary actuator (5) is functionally associated with said actuation assembly (2), a second profiled edge (13) facing and being proximate to said pusher (10), when said sliding actuator (6) is functionally associated with said actuation assembly (2).

2. The panic handle according to claim 1, characterized in that said actuation assembly (2) comprises at least one side wall (2a) which is provided with coupling means for anchoring at least one component selected from said rotary actuator (5) and said sliding actuator (6).

3. The panic handle according to claim 2, characterized in that said coupling means comprise housing receptacles configured for the engagement of elements such as protrusions, screws, rivets, claws, and the like which are associated with at least one component chosen from said rotary actuator (5) and said sliding actuator (6) for their removable coupling.

4. The panic handle according to claim 1, characterized in that said contoured cam (11) is pivoted to said actuation assembly (2) along an axis (B) which is parallel to a wall (2a) of said assembly (2) which is configured for the removable coupling of at least one component chosen from said rotary actuator (5) and said sliding actuator (6), said axis (B) also being parallel to the surface for fixing said handle (1) on said element (A) of a type selected from a door and a door leaf.

5. The panic handle according to claim 1, characterized in that said contoured cam (11) comprises a third profiled edge (14) which abuts against a portion of said bolt (4), a rotation of said contoured cam (11) with respect to the respective axis (B) producing a displacement of said bolt (4) between a protruding configuration for engagement in a respective fixed selvage and for the locking of the element (A) selected from a door and a door leaf, and a retracted configuration for disengagement from said fixed selvage and for the free opening of said element.

6. The panic handle according to claim 1, characterized in that said cylindrical actuation element (8) of said rotary actuator (5) is substantially shaped like a cylindrical cam provided with a frame, having a predefined shape and dimensions, which is configured to abut against a first profiled edge (12) of said cam (11), a rotation of said cylindrical element (8) imposed by a rotation of said arm (7) consequent to a pressure applied to said bar causing a rotation of said contoured cam (11) with corresponding movement of said bolt (3).

7. The panic handle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said contoured cam (11) is elastically forced into the configuration in which said bolt (4) protrudes in engagement in a respective fixed selvage, which corresponds to the arrangement of said bar at a predefined distance from the surface of said element (A) in the absence of external forces on said bar, said cam (11) being rotated into the configuration in which said bolt (4) is retracted and disengaged from said fixed selvage when said bar is subjected to a mechanical stress owing to its arrangement facing and proximate to the surface of said element (A).

8. The panic handle according to claim 1, characterized in that said sliding actuator (6) comprises a plate (15) for fixing to a surface of said element (A) to which said lever (9) is articulated, which is provided with a first end (16) which is kept elastically protruding with respect to said surface of said element (A) and a second end (17) which is engaged in a slider (18) which is integral with said pusher (10), in turn comprising an end face configured for abutment against said second profiled edge (13) of said cam (11).

9. The panic handle according to claim 8, characterized in that said first end (16) of said lever (9) faces and is proximate to a unit selected from an activation panel and a sliding activation bar.

10. The panic handle according to claim 4, characterized in that said bolt (4) is a rotating latch pivoted on said actuation assembly (2) at an axis (C) which is parallel to the axis (B) of rotation of said cam (11).

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