Panic handle

Abstract

A panic handle (1), comprising: - at least one actuation assembly (2) which can be installed on a door or a door leaf, functionally connected to at least one component selected from a bolt (3) and a lock and provided with an articulated arm (4); - at least one actuation member coupled to the arm (4) so that a pressure applied on such member toward the surface of the door or door leaf causes the retraction of the at least one bolt (3) and / or the movement of the lock; the actuation assembly (2) comprises: - a cylindrical cam (5) functionally associated with the respective arm (4) and configured for the movement of the bolt (3); - a guide plate (6) provided with at least one seat (7) for the rotatable accommodation of the cam (5) and with at least one pair of symmetrically-arranged slots (8); - a pin (9) which can slide in contrast with respective elastic means (10) within a hole (11) in the cam (5). A portion (9a) of the pin (9) protrudes from the hole (11), passing through one of the slots (8), and is accommodated within an eyelet (12) in the arm (4).

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 bolts (generally spring bolts, locking mechanisms and sliding bolts), or the movement of movable elements of a lock, and allows the door leaf to be freely opened, allowing people to exit.

[0004] Each panic handle is generally indicated for a specific type of door (or door leaf): in particular the handle must always be installed on a door (or door leaf) that is opened by pushing, but the direction of opening can be clockwise or anticlockwise and therefore there needs to be two distinct kinds of corresponding handles.

[0005] This factor leads to problems of a logistical nature (the need to keep two variants in stock means it is more complex to manage the handles and their specific components; furthermore, orders and shipments will be for orders that can include a variable number of handles of one or the other kind, and therefore are more complex to manage).

[0006] To overcome this problem, the use is known of universal handles that can be installed on any type of door (or door leaf). Basically, by means of a specific mechanism it is possible to invert the position of the bar coupled to the articulated arms that extend from the assemblies that will be fixed on the door (or door leaf), so adapting the panic handle to the door (or door leaf) on which it is to be installed.

[0007] In conventional universal panic handles, however, generally the conversion mechanism is inconvenient to access from outside and therefore technicians often find themselves in a difficult position if they need to intervene, using specific tools, on the panic handle for its conversion.

[0008] Furthermore, the mechanism adopted in some conventional universal handles is interposed between a pair of components that can actually be quite delicate, and therefore the conversion operation requires great attention and care on the part of the technician in order not to cause damage.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a panic handle that can be mounted indifferently on doors (or door leafs) that are opened by pushing clockwise or on doors (or door leafs) that are opened by pushing anticlockwise.

[0010] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a panic handle that is reversible by means of a simple mechanism.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a panic handle that is reversible by means of a mechanism that is easily activated from outside by a technician.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a panic handle that is reversible by means of a mechanism that is robust, resistant to wear, and not prone to malfunctions.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a panic handle that is reversible by means of a mechanism that operates on a plurality of components.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a panic handle that is ergonomic both during use and also during operations to change its operating direction.

[0015] 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.

[0016] This aim and these and other objects that will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a panic handle, of the type comprising: at least one actuation assembly configured to be installed on an element of a type selected from a door and a door leaf, functionally connected to at least one component selected from a bolt and a lock of said element and provided with an articulated arm, at least one actuation member coupled to said arm of said at least one actuation assembly, a pressure applied to said actuation member toward the surface of said element causing the rotation of said arm and the activation of said actuation assembly for the retraction of said at least one component selected from a bolt and a lock, characterized in that said actuation assembly comprises: a cylindrical cam functionally associated with the respective arm and configured for the movement of said at least one component selected from a bolt and a lock, a guide plate provided with at least one seat for the rotatable accommodation of said cam and with at least one pair of symmetrically-arranged slots, a pin which can slide in contrast with respective elastic means within a hole in said cylindrical cam, a portion of said pin protruding from said hole, passing through one of said slots of said plate and being accommodated within an eyelet in said arm.

[0017] 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, 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 a part of a panic handle according to the invention, without some protective and covering components, in a first operating configuration; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of an enlargement of a detail of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a part of the handle of Figure 1, without some protective and covering components, in a second operating configuration; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken along a plane perpendicular to the installation surface of the handle and to the direction of extension of the actuation member thereof, of the handle of Figure 1 in a first operating configuration; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken along a plane perpendicular to the installation surface of the handle and to the direction of extension of the actuation member thereof, of the handle of Figure 1 in a second operating configuration; Figure 6 is a schematic front elevation view of a plate of the handle of Figure 1.

[0018] With particular reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a panic handle according to the invention.

[0019] The panic handle 1 according to the invention comprises at least one actuation assembly 2 which is configured to be installed on an element of a type selected from a door and a door leaf.

[0020] The assembly 2 is functionally connected to at least one bolt 3, or to at least one lock, which is adapted to temporarily close the element (for example a spring latch directly articulated to the assembly 2, as shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying figures). The actuation assembly 2 is further provided with an articulated arm 4.

[0021] The handle 1 is provided with at least one actuation member (such as a bar, a rod, a panel and the like) coupled to the arm 4 of the at least one actuation assembly 2.

[0022] When a user applies a pressure on this actuation member, pushing it toward the surface of the element (such as a door or a door leaf), this causes the rotation of the arm 4 and the activation of the actuation assembly 2 for the retraction of the at least one bolt 3 and / or the movement of a movable element of the lock.

[0023] According to the invention, the actuation assembly 2 can advantageously comprise a cylindrical cam 5 functionally associated with the respective arm 4 and configured for the movement of the bolt 3: in particular, a rotation of the cylindrical cam 5 (owing to a rotation of the arm 4 imposed by a push applied on the actuation member) entails a corresponding movement of the bolt 3 (or of the movable element of the lock), because the latter, possibly with the interposition of further components adapted for mechanical transmission, abuts against the contoured surface of the cylindrical cam 5, so being subjected to displacements as a consequence of its particular contour.

[0024] The handle 2 according to the invention comprises a guide plate 6 provided with at least one seat 7 for the rotatable accommodation of the cam 5 and with at least one pair of symmetrically-arranged slots 8.

[0025] Profitably the handle 1 according to the invention comprises a pin 9 which can slide in contrast with respective elastic means 10 within a hole 11 in the cylindrical cam 5.

[0026] A portion 9a of the pin 9 protrudes from the hole 11 and passes through one of the slots 8 in the plate 6 and is accommodated within an eyelet 12 in the arm 4.

[0027] The pin 9, in the resting configuration (i.e. with no external stress being applied on it), rigidly couples the arm 4, the cam 5 and the plate 6 together.

[0028] If an axial force is applied on the pin 9 so that it translates, entering the hole 11 (compressing the elastic means 10), the uncoupling will take place of the arm 4 and of the plate 6: however, the arm 4 and the cam 5 are still mutually integral, therefore a rotation of the arm 4 entails a corresponding rotation of the cam 5 (and, with it, of the pin 9 inside the hole 11). The pin 9 will automatically return to protrude partially from the hole 11 (making the respective portion 9a protrude), when the rotation of the arm 4 and of the cam 5 bring the pin to align with the second slot 8 in the plate 6, so defining a second, stable operating configuration of the handle 1.

[0029] With particular reference to an embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, the hole 11 in the cam 5 can conveniently comprise a segment that has a larger diameter in order to accommodate at least one axially-acting spring (which constitutes the elastic means 10) configured to be arranged so as to face and be proximate to the lateral surface of at least one part of the pin 9 accommodated in the hole.

[0030] It should be noted that, in such case, the pin 9 will profitably comprise, upstream of the part of the pin 9 that is normally accommodated in the hole 11, an annular shoulder frame 9b, which protrudes radially from the respective lateral surface: this frame 9b is configured to abut against an end of the axially-acting spring (which is thus held in the segment of the hole 11 that has a larger diameter).

[0031] It should further be noted that the eyelet 12 in the arm 4 is arranged proximate to the pivoting axis X of said arm 4.

[0032] The hole 11 and the eyelet 12 have a longitudinal axis W which is parallel to the pivoting axis X of the arm 4: the translation, in contrast with the elastic means 10 and owing to the application of a stress from outside, of the pin 9 occurs along this longitudinal axis W of the hole 11 and of the eyelet 12.

[0033] It is convenient to note that the slots 8 in the plate 6 extend circularly, along an arc of circumference having a radius equal to the distance between the pivoting axis X of the arm 4 and the longitudinal axis W of the hole 11; this arc of circumference has its center arranged at the pivoting axis X (which also corresponds to the center of the seat 7).

[0034] Furthermore, the slots 8 in the plate 6 have a length that is not less than the maximum rotational travel of the cylindrical cam 5 between a resting configuration and a rotated configuration which causes the retraction of the bolt 3 and / or the movement of a movable element of the lock.

[0035] The panic handle 1 according to the invention can conveniently comprise a housing configured to at least partially cover the arm 4, which is configured to cover a portion of the arm 4 that comprises at least the eyelet 12 (so that when the handle 1 is installed it is not visible and accessible).

[0036] The present invention also extends its scope of protection to a method of reversing the operating direction of a handle 1 of the type described previously, which entails a sequence of operating steps.

[0037] In a first step i. it is necessary to apply pressure to the head of the pin 9, forcing the elastic means 10 (compressing the spring) and causing the pin 9 to enter the hole 11, making the corresponding portion 9a pass through the eyelet 12 in the arm 4 and the slot 8 in the plate 6.

[0038] In a subsequent step ii. it is necessary to rotate the arm 4, along a direction of rotation which is opposite with respect to the previously-permitted actuation direction of the handle 1, until an arrangement is reached which is opposite to and substantially symmetrical with the arrangement prior to rotation.

[0039] This rotation of the arm 4 must be continued until the pin 9 exits from the eyelet 12. Once this configuration is reached, the handle 1 is operational again and is ready to be installed in an element (door or door leaf) designed to be pushed open in the opposite direction with respect to the direction for which the handle 1 was configured before executing steps i. and ii. of the method according to the invention.

[0040] Furthermore, the method according to the invention can comprise a preliminary step of removing a housing that partially covers the arm 4 in order to access the head of the pin 9 accommodated within the eyelet 12 and a concluding step of fitting a housing that partially covers the arm in order to prevent access to the head of the pin 9 accommodated within the eyelet 12.

[0041] Advantageously, the present invention solves the above mentioned problems, by providing a panic handle 1 that can be mounted indifferently on doors (or door leafs) that are opened by pushing clockwise or on doors (or door leafs) that are opened by pushing anticlockwise. The reversal of the operating mode of the handle 1 according to the invention can be executed directly at the time of installation by any technician, by performing simple operations that do not require the use of special tools or utensils.

[0042] Conveniently the panic handle 1 according to the invention is reversible by means of a simple mechanism which therefore guards against risks of breakage or malfunction.

[0043] Advantageously the panic handle 1 according to the invention is reversible by means of a mechanism that can be easily activated from outside by a technician. In fact the technician, after having removed the housing that at least partially covers the arm 4, will have access to the head of the pin 9 on which he or she can apply a pressure (in order to push it into the hole 11, so compressing the elastic means 10) with any narrow utensil (for example a screwdriver, a rod, a pen and the like).

[0044] Profitably the panic handle 1 according to the invention is reversible by means of a mechanism that is robust, resistant to wear, and not prone to malfunctions: in fact the presence of the plate 6, interposed between the cam 5 and the arm 4, ensures the exceptional solidity of the mechanism. In addition, the slots 8 also make it possible to guide the pin 9 during the normal operation of the handle 1, so also ensuring operation that is more regular and free from malfunctions in phases of operation other than selecting the configuration of use before installation.

[0045] Positively the panic handle 1 according to the invention is reversible by means of a mechanism that operates on a plurality of components (as indicated previously, the arm 4, the cam 5 and the plate 6) and therefore ensures an optimal stability of the characteristics of the handle 1 even after a great many hours of service.

[0046] Usefully the panic handle 1 according to the invention is ergonomic both during its use, and during the operations to change the operating direction, because during the latter the technician needs only to access the head of the pin 9 laterally with respect to the assembly 2, in the direction identified by the axis W.

[0047] Positively the panic handle 1 and the related method for its operational reversal are easily and practically implemented and are low cost: such characteristics make the panic handle 1 and the related method according to the invention innovations that are certain to be safe in use.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0051] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102024000025791 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0052] 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, of the type comprising: - at least one actuation assembly (2) configured to be installed on an element of a type selected from a door and a door leaf, functionally connected to at least one component selected from a bolt (3) and a lock of said element and provided with an articulated arm (4), - at least one actuation member coupled to said arm (4) of said at least one actuation assembly (2), a pressure applied to said actuation member toward the surface of said element causing the rotation of said arm (4) and the activation of said actuation assembly (2) for the retraction of said at least one component selected from a bolt (3) and a lock, characterized in that said actuation assembly (2) comprises: - a cylindrical cam (5) functionally associated with the respective arm (4) and configured for the movement of said at least one component selected from a bolt (3) and a lock, - a guide plate (6) provided with at least one seat (7) for the rotatable accommodation of said cam (5) and with at least one pair of symmetrically-arranged slots (8), - a pin (9) which can slide in contrast with respective elastic means (10) within a hole (11) in said cylindrical cam (5), a portion (9a) of said pin (9) protruding from said hole (11), passing through one of said slots (8) of said plate (6) and being accommodated within an eyelet (12) in said arm (4).

2. The panic handle according to claim 1, characterized in that said hole (11) of said cam (5) comprises a segment that has a larger diameter in order to accommodate at least one axially-acting spring configured to be arranged so as to face and be proximate to the lateral surface of at least one part of said pin (9).

3. The panic handle according to claim 2, characterized in that said pin (9) comprises, upstream of said segment, an annular shoulder frame (9b) projecting radially from the respective lateral surface which is configured to abut against an end of said at least one axially-acting spring.

4. The panic handle according to claim 1, characterized in that said eyelet (12) in said arm (4) is arranged proximate to a pivoting axis (X) of said arm (4).

5. The panic handle according to claim 4, characterized in that said hole (11) and said eyelet (12) have a longitudinal axis (W) which is parallel to the pivoting axis (X) of said arm (4), the translation, in contrast with said elastic means (10), of said pin (9) occurring along said longitudinal axis (W).

6. The panic handle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said slots (8) in said plate (6) extend circularly along an arc of circumference having a radius equal to the distance between the pivoting axis (X) of said arm (4) and the longitudinal axis (W) of said hole (11) and said eyelet (12) and having its center arranged at said axis (X).

7. The panic handle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said slots (8) in said plate (6) have a length that is not less than the maximum rotational travel of said cylindrical cam (5) between a resting configuration and a rotated configuration configured for the retraction of said at least one component selected from a bolt (3) and a lock.

8. The panic handle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a housing configured to at least partially cover said arm (4), so ensuring the covering of a portion of said arm (4) that comprises at least said eyelet (12).

9. A method of reversing the operating direction of a handle (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: i. applying pressure to the head of said pin (9), forcing said elastic means (10) and causing said pin (9) to enter said hole (11), passing through said eyelet (12) in said arm (4) and the slot (8) in said plate (6), ii. rotating said arm (4), along a direction of rotation which is opposite with respect to the previously-permitted actuation direction of the handle (1), until an arrangement is reached which is opposite to and substantially symmetrical with the arrangement prior to rotation, until the pin (9) exits from said eyelet (12).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a preliminary step of removing a housing that partially covers said arm (4) in order to access the head of said pin (9") accommodated within said eyelet (12) and a concluding step of fitting a housing that partially covers said arm (4) in order to prevent access to the head of said pin (9) accommodated within said eyelet (12).

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