A double door device

Abstract

A double door device comprises: a door frame; a passive door leaf; an active door leaf; and a latching system to latch the passive door leaf relative to the door frame. The latching system comprises a lower latch and an upper latch. Each latch comprises: a receptacle in the door frame; and a slidable latch that, in its extended position, extends partially into a corresponding receptacle. The upper latch comprises a first magnetic element (46) attached to the door frame and a second magnetic element (32) attached to the latch (28), wherein the magnetic elements attracting each other for sliding the latch. The latching system comprises a joint manual actuation mechanism for: sliding the ground latch from its retracted position to its extended position and vice versa; and sliding the latch from its extended position to its retracted position. The magnetic elements in the upper latch ensure an automatic latching of the passive door.

Description

[0001] A double door device

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a double door device.

[0004] Prior art

[0005] A known double door device comprises: a door frame comprising a first door jamb, a second door jamb, a lintel and a sill; a passive door leaf hingedly attached to the first door jamb and rotatable between an open position and a closed position; an active door leaf hingedly attached to the second door jamb and rotatable between an open position and a closed position; and a latching system for latching the passive door leaf relative to the door frame in its closed position, which latching system comprises a lower latch and an upper latch. The lower latch is provided with: a receptacle in the sill; and a ground latch that is slidably attached to the passive door leaf between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein, in the closed position of the passive door leaf, the ground latch in its extended position protrudes at least partially into said receptacle in the sill for latching the passive door leaf relative to the door frame. The upper latch is provided with: a receptacle in the lintel; and a latch that is slidably attached to the passive door leaf between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein, in the closed position of the passive door leaf, the latch in its extended position protrudes at least partially into said receptacle in the lintel for latching the passive door leaf relative to the door frame.

[0006] In the known double door device, each receptacle is formed by a cavity in the respective sill. The passive door leaf is provided at its upper side and bottom site with a manually slidable lever that is accessible, for example, via the end side of the door leaf, in case the active door leaf is not in its closed position.

[0007] Such latching is used in various types of double doors. An example are classic solid wooden door leaves wherein the necessary space for placing the upper / lower latch is milled out at the upper side and lower side of the door leaf. Another example is the application in doors with a free choice of infills, wherein each door leaf comprises a metal frame containing the desired door infill, e.g. glass panels. The upper / lower latches are then placed in the hollow metal frame. The dimension, in particular the height, of the double door device is also different in different applications. This may involve classic doors with a typical height of approximately 200 cm, 210 cm or 220 cm. However, doors that extend between the floor and ceiling and thus have a specific height that is often between 240 cm and 300 cm, such as 260 cm or 280 cm, are also commonly found.

[0008] There are several problems with the known latching system in a double door device. For example, the actuation member of the upper latch is not easily accessible, especially on door leaves that extend up to the ceiling, wherein the use of a ladder may be necessary.

[0009] Furthermore, the positioning of the passive door leaf relative to the door frame is also not easy. For there is no abutment or stop provided for the passive door leaf when closing it. The passive door leaf can therefore rotate past the receptacles in the sills. An abutment or stop is often not desirable as it may hinder passage when the passive door leaf is open.

[0010] It also happens that the receptacles and latches are not perfectly aligned on each other. In other words, after sliding one of the latches in the corresponding receptacle, it turns out that the other latch is not (completely) aligned with its receptacle. This is a problem in particular with door leaves with a metal frame. Sliding the latch in the non-aligned receptacle will lead to a bending of the metal frame, which bending results in additional tension on the door infill. Such tension can damage the door infill, especially if it concerns a glass infill.

[0011] US 2015 / 0330126 A1 discloses a double door device according to the preamble of claim 1 wherein, in the closed position of the passive door leaf, both latches are magnetically attracted to their extended position. An actuation mechanism in the form of adjacently placed rotating levers is provided to retract both latches.

[0012] US 2012 / 0074714 A1 discloses a double door device wherein, in the closed position of the passive door leaf, both latches are magnetically attracted to their extended position. A centrally located double actuation member allows each latch to be retracted separately.

[0013] Description of the invention

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a double door device wherein the latching at least partially solves the problems indicated above.

[0015] This objective is achieved by the fact that the latching system is further provided with a joint manual actuation mechanism arranged for: sliding the ground latch from its retracted position to its extended position and vice versa; and sliding the latch from its extended position to its retracted position, and that the joint manual actuation mechanism is provided with a frame and an actuation member slidably mounted on the frame, which actuation member is manually movable between a rest position, a first actuated position and a second actuated position, wherein: sliding the actuation member in a first direction according to a first sense from its rest position to its first actuated position results in sliding the ground latch from its retracted position to its extended position; sliding the actuation member from its first actuated position to its rest position results in sliding the ground latch from its extended position to its retracted position; and sliding the actuation member in the first direction according to a second sense opposite to the first sense from its rest position to its second actuated position results in sliding the latch from its extended position to its retracted position.

[0016] As used herein, the term “magnetic element” is intended to refer both to a magnet (e.g. a permanent magnet or an electromagnet) as well as to an element that is attracted to a magnet (e.g. a ferromagnet or ferrimagnet).

[0017] The use of magnetic elements in the upper latch ensures automatic latching of the passive door without user intervention. More specifically, during the closing of the passive door leaf (i.e. when rotating the passive door leaf from its open position to its closed position) the latch will, at a certain point, be aligned with the receptacle in the lintel. The magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements then automatically ensures that the latch is extended and engages in the receptacle. In this way, the passive door leaf is automatically latched relative to the lintel without manual action. In addition, the passive door leaf is also correctly positioned in the closed position and the passive door leaf is prevented from rotating too far and thus overshooting the closed position.

[0018] The joint manual actuation mechanism further increases the user- friendliness of the latching. The user can perform all necessary actions to latch and unlatch the passive door leaf via a single joint actuation member. More specifically, if the passive door leaf has just been closed and the latch is therefore in the receptacle in the upper sill, the user can also latch the ground latch by extending it to the receptacle in the sill. In this way, the passive door leaf is latched in the door frame both at the top and at the bottom.

[0019] Conversely, the actuation mechanism also allows the user to retract the ground latch. In this way, the lower latch can be unlatched again. The actuation mechanism also allows the latch at the top of the door leaf to be retracted against the magnetic attraction in order to unlatch the upper latch again.

[0020] According to the present invention, the actuation member uses three different positions, namely a rest position and two actuated positions. The actuation member therefore allows the ground latch to be operated independently of the upper latch.

[0021] According to the present invention, the actuation member is slidably mounted on the frame, wherein the movement of the actuation member from its rest position to its first actuated position is a sliding in a first direction according to a first sense and wherein the movement of the actuation member from its rest position to its second actuated position is a sliding in the first direction according to a second sense that is opposite to the first sense.

[0022] A slidable actuation member is the simplest way to also obtain a sliding of the latches. No conversion of movement is required, for example from a rotating movement to a sliding movement. Sliding the actuation member in an opposite direction is also an intuitive way for a user to operate the latches independently of each other. In particular, there is a downward sliding of the actuation member from the rest position to latch the ground latch and an upward sliding of the actuation member from the rest position to unlatch the latch.

[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the joint manual actuation mechanism is further provided with a flexible connecting means suitable for transmitting a pulling force, in particular a chain or a cable and preferably a rope, which extends between a first end connected to the actuation member and a second end connected to the latch.

[0024] A flexible connection means, suitable for transmitting a pulling force, is a useful way to bridge the distance between the actuation member and the latch at the top of the passive door. A chain or cable, and preferably a rope, is also advantageous because it can be cut or trimmed exactly to size during installation of the latch. Therefore, there is no need to provide a multitude of standard sizes for the flexible connecting material. A rope is most preferred, given the limited space required to work it into the door leaf, as well as its high degree of flexibility in contrast to a cable or chain, which are more rigid.

[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the joint manual actuation mechanism is further provided with a pulley along which the flexible connecting means runs, wherein the first end and the second end of the flexible connecting means are located on the same side of the pulley.

[0026] This allows a reversal of movement direction between the movement of the actuation member and the movement of the latch at the top of the door leaf. In other words, the desired downward sliding of the latch (to retract it) can be achieved by an upward sliding of the actuation member.

[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuation member acts directly on the ground latch. Therefore, there is no need for additional moving elements and / or transmissions. This simplifies the design and reduces the risk of defects.

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the passive door leaf has a hinge side that is hingedly connected to the first door jamb and has an end side that is opposite the hinge side, wherein the actuation member is accessible on the end side of the passive door leaf.

[0029] This allows the actuation members to be hidden from view when both door leaves are closed. In addition, the end side of the passive door leaf is often only visible to a limited extent, even when the active door leaf is open. In other words, the actuation members are usually not visible to a user and therefore do not disrupt the desired appearance of the double door.

[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the joint manual actuation mechanism is provided with a cover plate in which a recess is provided for access to the actuation members, wherein the cover plate is preferably substantially flush with the end side of the passive door leaf.

[0031] The cover plate provides a convenient way to integrate all internal components of the latch into the door leaf. For example, in a classic solid door leaf, the entire end side can be provided with a recess into which all components of the latch fit and which can then be closed with the cover plate. A similar application is also possible with a door leaf fitted with a metal door frame.

[0032] The joint actuation mechanism is also advantageous here, as there only needs to be a single opening in the cover plate for access to the actuation member. The fact that only one opening is required in the cover plate allows this cover plate with opening to be produced in advance to a standard size, e.g. 3 m, wherein the cover plate can then be cut to size during installation by cutting away material on one side. This is in contrast to the known latches wherein there are two separate actuation members and therefore two openings must be provided in the cover plate. Such a cover plate must either be made to exact size or the second opening must be milled during installation, which is time-consuming and can lead to damage to the paint.

[0033] The cover plate is preferably flush with the end side of the door. This ensures a smooth end side of the door leaf. Any stop, applied to the end side of the door, should not be seen as part of the end side. In an embodiment of the present invention, the lower latch is provided with a frame on which the ground latch is slidably attached and the upper latch is provided with a frame on which the latch is slidably attached.

[0034] Such frames allow the latching system to be mounted step by step on the door leaf.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the lower latch frame and the upper latch frame are both built into the passive door leaf.

[0036] This hides these frames and the latching system constructed on them from view. In addition, this allows the door leaf itself to serve as protection for the latch as it is incorporated into the door leaf.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the passive door leaf has a front face that has a normal direction, wherein: the ground latch is adjustably attached to the frame of the lower latch for controlling a position of the ground latch relative to the front face of the passive door leaf, door leaf in the normal direction; and / or the latch is adjustably attached to the frame of the upper latch for controlling a position of the latch relative to the front face of the passive door leaf in the normal direction.

[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the passive door leaf has a hinge side that is hingedly connected to the first door jamb and has an end side that is opposite the hinge side, wherein a shortest distance between the hinge side and the end side determines a second direction and wherein : the ground latch is adjustably attached to the frame of the lower latch for controlling a position of the ground latch relative to the end side of the passive door leaf in the second direction; and / or the latch is adjustably attached to the frame of the upper latch for controlling a position of the latch relative to the end side of the passive door leaf in the second direction.

[0039] This allows the position of the latches to be adjusted relative to the front face of the door leaf in two different directions that are mutually perpendicular. This is advantageous for aligning the latches with respect to receptacles already installed. On the other hand, it is also possible to form one or both receptacles as an elongated opening, such that the corresponding latch does not have to be adjustable in that direction. In an embodiment of the present invention, the passive door leaf is provided with a rectangular frame in which the latching system is incorporated and a door infill, such as glass.

[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the active door leaf has a hinge side that is hingedly connected to the second door jamb and has an end side that is opposite the hinge side and the passive door leaf has a hinge side that is hingedly connected to the first door jamb and an end side that is opposite the hinge side, wherein the passive door leaf is provided at its end side with a stop for the active door leaf.

[0041] The passive door leaf, therefore, in its closed position, forms a stop for the active door leaf. The passive door leaf therefore takes over the role of a conventional door frame in a single leaf door.

[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the active door leaf has a hinge side that is hingedly connected to the second door jamb and has an end side that is opposite the hinge side and the passive door leaf has a hinge side that is hingedly connected to the first door jamb and an end side that is opposite the hinge side, wherein the active door leaf comprises a third magnetic element on its end side, and that the passive door leaf comprises a fourth magnetic element on its end side, wherein the third magnetic element and the fourth magnetic element attract each other to hold the active door leaf in its passive position.

[0043] These magnetic elements take over the role of a conventional striker and latch bolt and serve to keep the active door leaf in the closed position. There is therefore no need for a mechanical coupling, such that fewer moving parts are required. Also, less space is required for installing such magnetic elements compared to the usual striker and latch bolt.

[0044] Brief description of the drawings

[0045] The invention will hereinafter be explained in further detail on the basis of the following description and the accompanying drawings.

[0046] Figure 1 A shows an exploded view of an upper latch for use in a double door device. Figure 1 B shows a perspective view of an upper latch for use in a double door device.

[0047] Figure 1 C shows a section through part of an upper latch for use in a double door device.

[0048] Figure 2A shows an exploded view of a portion of a lower latch for use in a double door device.

[0049] Figure 2B shows a perspective view of a portion of a lower latch for use in a double door device.

[0050] Figure 2C shows a section through part of a lower latch for use in a double door device.

[0051] Figure 3A shows a perspective view of a double door device in the closed position.

[0052] Figure 3B shows a perspective view of a double door device with the active door leaf in its open position and the passive door leaf in its closed position.

[0053] Figure 3C shows a perspective view of a double door device in the open position.

[0054] Figure 4 shows a detail of the actuation member of the latching system used in a double door device.

[0055] Figure 5A shows a side view of an upper latch in the passive door leaf in the retracted position.

[0056] Figure 5B shows the same view as Figure 5A with the latch in its extended position.

[0057] Figure 6A shows a side view of a lower latch in the passive door leaf in the retracted position.

[0058] Figure 6B shows the same view as Figure 6A with the ground latch in its extended position.

[0059] Figure 6C shows the same view as Figure 6A with the actuation member in a position to release the upper latch.

[0060] Figure 7 shows a top view of a part of a double door device in the closed position. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a partially disassembled upper latch in the passive door leaf.

[0061] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a partially disassembled lower latch in the passive door leaf.

[0062] Embodiments of the invention

[0063] The present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to specific embodiments and with reference to certain drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto and is only defined by the claims. The drawings shown here are only schematic representations and are not restrictive. In the drawings, the dimensions of certain parts may be shown enlarged, which means that the parts in question are not shown to scale and this is for illustrative purposes only. The dimensions and relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to actual practical embodiments of the invention.

[0064] In addition, terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, and the like are used in the description and in the claims to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily to indicate a sequential or chronological order. The terms herein are interchangeable in appropriate circumstances, and embodiments of the invention may operate in different sequences than those described or illustrated herein.

[0065] In addition, terms such as “left,” “right,” “front,” “rear,” and the like are used in the description and in the claims for descriptive purposes. The terms so used are interchangeable in appropriate circumstances, and the embodiments of the invention may operate in other orientations than those described or illustrated herein.

[0066] The terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like are used in the description and in the claims for descriptive purposes with reference to the usual orientation of the sliding door device wherein the supporting profile is located above the door leaf.

[0067] The term “comprising” and derivative terms, as used in the claims, shall not be construed as being limited to the means set forth in each case thereafter; the term does not exclude other elements or steps. The term shall be interpreted as a specification of the stated properties, integers, steps, or components referred to, without excluding the presence or addition of one or more additional properties, integers, steps, or components, or groups thereof. The scope of an expression such as “a device comprising means A and B” is therefore not limited solely to devices that consist purely of components A and B. What is meant, on the other hand, is that, as far as the present invention is concerned, the only relevant components are A and B.

[0068] The present invention generally relates to a double door device 100 generally shown in Figures 3A through 3C. The double door device 100 generally comprises a door frame with a first door jamb 104, a second door jamb 102, a lintel 106 and a sill 108. In the embodiment shown, the sill 108 is formed by the floor of a room and the lintel 106 by a ceiling of a room, but this is not mandatory. The double door device 100 generally further comprises an active door leaf 1 10 and a passive door leaf 1 12. In the embodiment shown, each door leaf is provided with a frame 1 10a, 1 12a, typically a metal frame, and an infill 1 10b, 1 12b, e.g. a glass wall. Alternative door leaves, such as a solid leaf, are also possible.

[0069] The active door leaf 1 10 is hinged to the second door jamb 102 and is rotatable between an open position (shown in Figures 3B and 3C) and a closed position (shown in Figure 3A). The passive door leaf 1 12 is hinged to the first door jamb 104 and is rotatable between an open position (shown in Figure 3C) and a closed position (shown in Figures 3A and 3B).

[0070] As shown in Figure 3C, each sill 106, 108 is provided with a receptacle. In particular, there is an upper receptacle 12 in the upper sill 106 and a lower receptacle 52 in the sill 106. Each of the receptacles 12, 52 serves to receive and hold a latch to hold the passive door leaf 112 in its closed position.

[0071] The construction of the upper latch is described below with reference to Figures 1 A through 1 C.

[0072] The upper latch comprises a receptacle 12 that is inserted into the upper sill 106 and a latching portion 14 that is incorporated into the passive door leaf 1 12. The latching portion 14 comprises a frame 16 that is fixedly attached to the passive door leaf 1 12. In the embodiment shown, this is through-openings 18 in the frame through which fastening means 20 extend to attach the frame 16 to the passive door leaf 1 12. A latching portion 24 is attached to the frame 16. This is again done by means of fastening means 28 that extend through-openings 26 of the latching portion 24 into openings 22 on the frame 16. In the embodiment shown, the openings 26 are elongated such that the latching portion 24 can be shifted in its entirety transversely with respect to the frame 16.

[0073] The latching portion 14 further comprises a latch 28 that projects through a through-opening 30 of the latching portion 24. The top side 28a of the latch is provided with a cavity into which a magnetic element 32 extends. In the embodiment shown, this is a permanent magnet. A corresponding magnetic element 46 is present in the receptacle 12. In the embodiment shown, this is also a permanent magnet.

[0074] The latch 28 is provided with a collar 28b and the through-opening 30 of the latch portion 24 serves as a stop for the collar 28b (as shown in Figure 1 C) for determining a maximum retracted position of the latch 28. At the bottom of the latching portion 24, a latching plate 38 is provided which is attached to the latching portion 24 via fastening means 44 which protrude through-openings 42 and engage in openings provided for this purpose (not shown) in the latching portion 24. The closing plate 38 also has a central opening 40 which has a diameter which is larger than the latch 28, but smaller than the collar 28b and therefore serves as a stop (as shown in Figure 1 C) for determining a maximum retracted position of the latch 28.

[0075] The latch portion 14 further comprises a pin 36 that engages in an opening 34 in the latch. This pin 36 serves to connect a rope 90 (or any other flexible connecting means) to the latch 28. To this end, the rope 90 is slid into the latch 28 at the bottom and the pin 36 must be held in a clamping way inside the latch 28 for this purpose.

[0076] The placement of the upper latch in the passive door leaf 1 12 is shown in Figure 8. The latching portion 14 shown in Figure 8 is built into the door frame 1 12a and has a different design than shown in Figures 1 A through 1 C, but the same function. In Figure 8, the latching portion 14 is provided with an additional L-shaped frame element 46 with a first leg 46a and a second leg 46b. The first leg 46a thereof is attached to the frame 16. This leg 46a is provided with elongated openings 18' for receiving fastening means 20' for fastening the frame 16 to the door leaf 1 12. The L-shaped frame element 46 is therefore adjustable in the depth direction 132 of the door leaf 1 12. The elongated openings 18' therefore take over the role of the elongated openings 26 in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 A through 1 C. The second leg 46b is also provided with elongated openings 48 for receiving fastening means 28' for attaching the latching portion 24' to the L- shaped frame element 46. The latching portion 24' is thus adjustable in the width direction 134 of the door leaf 1 12. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the position of the latch 28 relative to the passive door leaf 1 12 is therefore adjustable in two perpendicular directions 132, 134 for alignment relative to the receptacle 12. These directions 132, 134 are both perpendicular to the vertical direction 130 along which the latch 28 can be slid.

[0077] The functioning of the upper latch is shown in Figures 5A and 5B. Figures 5A and 5B also illustrate the embodiment of the latching portion 14, shown in Figure 8. Figure 5B shows the latched position of the passive door leaf 1 12. Due to the magnetic attraction between magnetic elements 32, 46, the latch 28 is slid upwards against gravity and it engages in the receptacle 12. By exerting a pulling force on the rope 90, the latch 28 is retracted against the force of the magnetic attraction to the retracted position as shown in Figure 5A. If the lower latch (as described below) is unlatched, the passive door leaf 1 12 can be opened. In any position of the passive door leaf 112 (except its closed position) there is no magnetic attraction to the latch 28 such that it remains retracted due to gravity.

[0078] Figures 5A and 5B further show that the receptacle 12 is further provided with a covering 94 which is held therein by a fastening means 92 that engages in the magnetic element 46. This covering dampens the sound that may arise during the extension of the latch 28, for example by metal-to- metal contact.

[0079] The construction of the lower latch is described below with reference to Figures 2A through 2C and 9.

[0080] The lower latch comprises a receptacle 52 (shown in Figure 9) that is inserted into the sill 108 and a latch portion 54 that is incorporated into the passive door leaf 1 12. The latch portion 54 comprises a frame 56 that is fixedly attached to the passive door leaf 1 12. In the embodiment shown, this is through openings 58 in the frame through which fastening means 60 protrude to attach the frame 56 to the passive door leaf 1 12. In the embodiment shown, two magnetic elements 62 are further attached to the frame 56 by means of fastening means 64 that engage in openings 63. Furthermore, a pulley 72 is also attached, which is secured with fastener 70 which engages in opening 71. A shielding 68 is also provided and secured with the same fastener 70.

[0081] The latching portion 54 further comprises a latching part 74. This latching part 74 is slidable relative to the frame 56 and is therefore not directly connected thereto. However, a U-shaped cover plate (not shown) is provided, the free edges of which push on the free edges 75 of the latching portion 54. The U-shaped covering plate is also firmly attached to the passive door leaf 112. In this way, the latching part 74 can only be slid in the vertical direction 130 relative to the frame 56.

[0082] The latching part 74 comprises a through-opening 82. This is elongated such that the ground latch 80 is adjustable in the depth direction 132 relative to the door leaf 1 12. The ground latch 80 is fixed in the elongated through-opening 82 by means of washers 84 that are clamped between the head 80a of the ground latch 80 and a nut 86, attached to the other end 80b of the ground latch 80. In this way, the latch 80 is firmly connected to the latch portion 74.

[0083] The latching part 74 is provided with an actuation member 88. In the embodiment shown, this is a protrusion that allows the latching part 74 to be manually shifted relative to the frame 56. The latching part 74 is provided with a magnetic element 66 at its rear side (i.e. the side facing the frame 56). The magnetic elements 62, 66 together ensure a bi-stable positioning of the latching part 74 relative to the frame 56.

[0084] The latching portion 54 further comprises a pin 78 that serves to connect the rope 90 to the latching part 74. More specifically, as shown in Figure 9, the rope 90 extends through the latching part 74 through a through- opening 79. The rope 90 then runs over the pulley 72 into a through-opening 77 on the other side of the latching part 74. The pin 78 serves to hold the rope 90 within through-opening 77 in a clamping way. In the embodiment shown, fastening means 76 are further provided to hold both halves of the latching part 74 together.

[0085] Figure 9 further shows that the receptacle 52 has an elongated opening 97. This extends in the width direction 134 and helps to align the ground latch 80 with respect to the receptacle 52.

[0086] The actuation member of the lower latch is shown in Figures 4 and 6A and 6B. The actuation member 88 (which is firmly connected to the ground latch 80) is manually slidable between a rest position (position 1 in Figure 4) shown in Figure 6A wherein the ground latch 80 is retracted, and an actuated position (position 2 in Figure 4) shown in Figure 6B, wherein the ground latch 80 is extended into the receptacle 52. The magnetic elements 62, 66 contribute to keeping the ground latch 80 in the retracted or extended position, respectively.

[0087] As shown in Figure 4, there is another position 3 for the actuation member 88. In this position, the actuation member 88 is slid upwards, as shown in Figure 6C. This causes a pulling force on the rope 90, which causes the latch 28 to be pulled out of the receptacle 12.

[0088] Figures 6A through 6C further show that the receptacle 52 is further provided with a cover plate 98 that is pushed upwards by means of a spring 96. As a result, the receptacle 52 (which is located in the floor) is still sealed in the open position of the passive door leaf 1 12 such that dirt cannot accumulate in the receptacle 52. Note that in the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the receptacle 52 is not sealed. Such a seal can be provided.

[0089] Figure 7 further shows the placement of the door leaves 1 10, 1 12 in their closed position. The active door leaf 1 10 is provided with handles 1 14 on both sides. The passive door leaf 1 12 is provided on its end side (i.e. the side facing the active door leaf 1 10) with a stop 1 18 with, in the embodiment shown, a plastic damper 1 16 thereon. Magnetic elements 120, 122 are arranged in each door leaf 110, 1 12 that attract each other to hold the active door leaf 1 10 in the closed position relative to the passive door leaf 1 12. Although certain aspects of the present invention have been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is apparent that these aspects may be implemented in other forms within the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A double door device (100) comprising: a door frame comprising a first door jamb (104), a second door jamb (102), a lintel (106) and a sill (108); a passive door leaf (1 12) hingedly attached to the first door jamb and rotatable between an open position and a closed position; an active door leaf (1 10) hingedly attached to the second door jamb and rotatable between an open position and a closed position; and a latching system to latch the passive door leaf relative to the door frame in its closed position, which latching system comprises a lower latch and an upper latch, which lower latch is provided with: a receptacle (52) in the sill; and a ground latch (80) that is slidably attached to the passive door leaf between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein, in the closed position of the passive door leaf, the ground latch in its extended position protrudes at least partially into said receptacle in the sill for latching the passive door leaf relative to the door frame; which upper latch is provided with: a receptacle (12) in the lintel; a latch (28) that is slidably attached to the passive door leaf between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein, in the closed position of the passive door leaf, the latch in its extended position protrudes at least partially into said receptacle in the lintel for latching the passive door leaf relative to the door frame; a first magnetic element (46) attached to the lintel; and a second magnetic element (32) attached to the latch, wherein the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element attract each other to slide the latch from its retracted position to its extended position,characterised in that the latching system is further provided with a joint manual actuation mechanism arranged for: sliding the ground latch from its retracted position to its extended position and vice versa; and sliding the latch from its extended position to its retracted position, and in that the joint manual actuation mechanism is provided with a frame (56) and an actuation member (88) slidably mounted on the frame, which actuation member is manually movable between a rest position (1 ), a first actuated position (2) and a second actuated position (3), wherein: sliding the actuation member in a first direction (130) according to a first sense from its rest position to its first actuated position results in sliding the ground latch from its retracted position to its extended position; sliding the actuation member from its first actuated position to its rest position results in sliding the ground latch from its extended position to its retracted position; and sliding the actuation member in the first direction according to a second sense opposite to the first sense from its rest position to its second actuated position results in sliding the latch from its extended position to its retracted position.

2. The double door device according to claim 1 , characterised in that the joint manual actuation mechanism is further provided with a flexible connecting means (90) suitable for transmitting a pulling force, in particular a chain or a cable and preferably a rope, which extends between a first end connected to the actuation member and a second end connected to the latch.

3. The double door device according to claim 2, characterised in that the joint manual actuation mechanism is further provided with a pulley (72) along which runs the flexible connecting means, wherein the first end andthe second end of the flexible connecting means are on the same side of the pulley.

4. The double door device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the actuation member directly engages the ground latch.

5. The double door device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the passive door leaf has a hinge side that is hingedly connected to the first door jamb and has an end side that is opposite the hinge side, wherein the actuation member is accessible at the end side of the passive door leaf.

6. The double door device according to claim 5, characterised in that the joint manual actuation mechanism is provided with a cover plate in which a recess is provided for access to the actuation member, wherein the cover plate is preferably substantially flush with the end side of the passive door leaf.

7. The double door device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lower latch is provided with a frame (56) onto which the ground latch is slidably mounted and that the upper latch is provided with a frame (16) on which the latch is slidably mounted.

8. The double door device according to claim 7, characterised in that the frame of the lower latch and the frame of the upper latch are both built into the passive door leaf.

9. The double door device according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the passive door leaf has a front face that has a normal direction (132), wherein:the ground latch is adjustably attached to the frame of the lower latch for controlling a position of the ground latch relative to the front face of the passive door leaf in the normal direction; and / or the latch is adjustably attached to the frame of the upper latch for controlling a position of the latch relative to the front face of the passive door leaf in the normal direction.

10. The double door device according to any one of claims 7 through 9, characterised in that the passive door leaf has a hinge side that is hingedly connected to the first door jamb and has an end side that is opposite the hinge side, wherein a shortest distance between the hinge side and the end side determines a second direction (134) and wherein: the ground latch is adjustably attached to the frame of the lower latch for controlling a position of the ground latch relative to the end side of the passive door leaf in the second direction; and / or the latch is adjustably attached to the frame of the upper latch for controlling a position of the latch relative to the end side of the passive door leaf in the second direction.11 . The double door device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the passive door leaf is provided with a rectangular frame (1 12a) in which the latching system is incorporated and a door infill (1 12b), such as glass.

12. The double door device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the active door leaf has a hinge side that is hingedly connected to the second doorjamb and has an end side that is opposite the hinge side and that the passive door leaf has a hinge side that is hingedly connected to the first door jamb and has an end side that is opposite the hinge side, and that the passive door leaf is provided at its end side with a stop (1 18) for the active door leaf.

13. The double door device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the active door leaf has a hinge side that is hingedly connected to the second doorjamb and has an end side that is opposite the hinge side and that the passive door leaf has a hinge side that is hingedly connected to the first door jamb and has an end side that is opposite the hinge side, and that the active door leaf comprises a third magnetic element (120) on its end side and that the passive door leaf comprises a fourth magnetic ele- ment (122) on its end side, wherein the third magnetic element and the fourth magnetic element attract each other to hold the active door leaf in its passive position.

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