WO2006137622A1

WO2006137622A1 - Automatic close system which shuts down several fire doors simultaneously

Info

Publication number: WO2006137622A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/003445
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chul Hee Lee
Original assignee: Chul Hee Lee
Priority date: 2005-06-24
Filing date: 2005-10-14
Publication date: 2006-12-28
Also published as: KR100759712B1; KR20060135471A

Abstract

The present invention provides a simultaneous closing system for fire doors. The system includes a plurality of individual fire door hook units provided on respective fire doors, a plurality of individual wall-embedded locking units embedded in walls to correspond to the individual fire door hook units, a simultaneous release unit, a drive means, and an automatic closing device. The simultaneous release unit is supported by upper and lower portions of the building and rectilinearly moved within a predetermined vertical range, thus simultaneously releasing the individual fire door hook units from the individual wall-embedded locking units. The drive means functions to drive the simultaneous release unit. The automatic closing device is provided on each of the fire doors, and includes an actuating unit having an actuating shaft, a rack, a pinion, and a pair of support walls.

Description

[DESCRIPTION]

[invention Title]

AUTOMATIC CLOSE SYSTEM WHICH SHUTS DOWN SEVERAL FIRE DOORS SIMULTANEOUSLY

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates generally to a simultaneous closing system for fire doors, which is capable of closing several fire doors simultaneously. More particularly, the present invention relates to a simultaneous closing system for fire doors, which is capable of simultaneously closing several fire doors installed in a building, through a simple construction, without the necessity of providing wiring to each story or providing an individually operated door release.

[Background Art]

Generally, a fire door is installed to prevent the spread of flames or smoke when a fire occurs in a building. The fire door is open during normal times, but is closed in response to an emergency signal when a fire breaks out.

Typically, in the case of a multi-storied building, fire doors are installed in respective stories. In order to close the ^"fire doors, wiring or independently operated door releases must be mounted in respective stories. [Disclosure] [Technical Problem]

A method of closing a fire door of each story when a fire occurs requires a complex construction, and incurs a high manufacturing cost. When it is required to close fires doors of all stories at once owing to a power failure, a large-capacity charging battery is required. However, the present invention enables all fire doors to be closed simultaneously using a small-capacity charging battery. Further, the prior art requires wiring for each story, and in addition, an independently operated door release must be mounted to each fire door, thus involving great expense.

However, the present invention fulfills a fire door closing function using minimal wiring, thus remarkably reducing costs .

The present invention is particularly advantageous in the event of a power failure. That is, according to this invention, all fire doors may be opened by simply pulling a simultaneous release unit with a person's hand. Thus, the present invention is more advantageous than the prior art in the event of a power failure .

The conventional fire door closing system is problematic in that it has complex wiring and motors are mounted on respective stories, so that power consumption is high. As such, when a large-capacity battery is used, components collaterally required for the fire door closing system are expensive .

However, the present invention has been proposed so as to solve the above problems . The present invention can close all fire doors using a small-capacity battery. That is, the present invention allows all fire doors installed at respective stories to be closed simultaneously using one motor. Further, the present invention is manufactured to have a very simple construction, thus reducing manufacturing costs .

[Technical Solution]

In order to accomplish the object, the present invention provides a simultaneous closing system for simultaneously closing fire doors of a building having a plurality of stories, including a plurality of individual fire door hook units provided on respective fire doors; a plurality of individual wall-embedded locking units embedded in walls to correspond to the individual fire door hook units; a simultaneous release unit supported by upper and lower portions of the building, and rectilinearly moved within a predetermined vertical range, thus simultaneously releasing the individual fire door hook units from the individual wall-embedded locking units; and a drive means to drive the simultaneous release unit. Further, the present invention provides a simultaneous closing system for simultaneously closing fire doors of a building having a plurality of stories, including a plurality of individual fire door hook units provided on respective fire doors; a plurality of individual wall- embedded locking units embedded in walls to correspond to the individual fire door hook units; a simultaneous release unit supported by upper and lower portions of the building, and rectilinearly moved within a predetermined vertical range, thus simultaneously releasing the individual fire door hook units from the individual wall-embedded locking units; a drive means to drive the simultaneous release unit; and an automatic closing device provided on each of the fire doors and including an actuating unit, the actuating unit including an actuating shaft, a rack slidably mounted on an outer circumference of the actuating shaft, a pinion operated in conjunction with the rack, and a pair of support walls .

[Advantageous Effects]

The present invention is constructed and operated as described above, thus simultaneously closing fire doors installed at respective stories using one motor, and has a simple construction, thus reducing manufacturing costs.

Further, it can be confirmed at a central station by sensors whether the fire doors are closed or not, so that marketability is enhanced. [Description of Drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic closing device for fire doors, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the construction of the automatic closing device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exemplified view of the present invention comprising one fire door;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the entire construction of a simultaneous closing system for fire doors, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the connection mechanism of a fire door of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6 to 10 are views sequentially illustrating the operation of FIG. 4; FIGS. 11 to 14 are views illustrating an individual fire door hook unit and an individual wall-embedded locking unit which is embedded in a wall to correspond to the individual fire door hook unit, according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 15 to 19 are views illustrating an individual fire door hook unit and an individual wall-embedded locking unit which is embedded in a wall to correspond to the individual fire door hook unit, according to a further embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 20 and 21 are an explanatory diagram and a perspective view of a sequential closing unit, respectively, according to the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a view showing the construction of a recess- type closing unit;

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating a limit switch; and FIGS. 24 to 27 are views illustrating a rotary-type closing unit.

[Mode for Invention]

The present invention relates to a simultaneous closing system for simultaneously closing fire doors of a building having a plurality of stories . The above-mentioned objects are accomplished by the present invention.

According to this invention, the simultaneous closing system includes a simultaneous closing system for simultaneously closing fire doors of a building having a plurality of stories, including a plurality of individual fire door hook units provided on respective fire doors; a plurality of individual wall-embedded locking units embedded in walls to correspond to the individual fire door hook units; a simultaneous release unit supported by upper and lower portions of the building, and rectilinearly moved within a predetermined vertical range, thus simultaneously releasing the individual fire door hook units from the individual wall-embedded locking units; and a drive means to drive the simultaneous release unit.

FIG. 3 is an exemplified view of the present invention comprising one fire door. A knob is provided on the fire door, and the individual fire door hook unit is provided around the knob. As shown in the drawing, it is preferable that the individual fire door hook unit be integrally provided around or on the knob.

Further, the individual wall-embedded locking unit is embedded in a wall corresponding to a position where the fire door contacts when it is rotated at 180 degrees to be opened. In this case, part of the locking unit is exposed to the outside of the wall surface.

Generally, a door closure unit 89, functioning to close a fire door using hydraulic pressure, is provided on an upper portion of the fire door.

Herein, the term "individual" used in the individual wall-embedded locking unit or the individual fire door hook unit means that the components must be individually mounted on all fire doors. The term "individual" is intended to be distinguished from a simultaneous release unit comprising one rope . According to the present invention, an automatic closing device may be provided on an upper portion of each fire door. In the present invention, the automatic closing device is operated in conjunction with the door closure unit, and is provided on the upper portion of each fire door. That is, the automatic closing device is connected to the door closure unit to automatically close a door using hydraulic pressure or the like. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic closing device of this invention includes an actuating unit having an actuating shaft, a rack slidably mounted on the outer circumference of the actuating shaft, a pinion operated in conjunction with the rack, and a pair of support walls .

The actuating unit includes a box-shaped main body; a pair of support walls each having a shaft hole, and installed in the main body in such a way as to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; an actuating shaft inserted into the shaft hole of each of the support walls, and moving in a horizontal direction; a rack mounted on an outer surface of the actuating shaft and sliding along the actuating shaft within a predetermined distance; and a pinion engaging with the rack and rotated by movement of the rack.

Further, each of the fire doors includes a pair of door panels, that is, a first door panel and a second door panel, and a first automatic closing device and a second automatic closing device are mounted to the first door panel and the second door panel, respectively, in such a way as to be opposite each other, and a sequential closing unit is provided at a position between the first automatic closing device and the second automatic closing device and is operated in conjunction with the door closing devices. Such a construction enables door panels to be closed in a predetermined order.

When the drive means is driven in response to an emergency signal, such as smoke or heat, the simultaneous release unit moves by a predetermined length. At this time, the individual fire door hook unit provided on each fire door is unlocked from the individual wall-embedded locking unit embedded in the wall by a release means of the simultaneous release unit, so that all of the opened fire doors are closed simultaneously. The present invention is capable of simultaneously closing fire doors installed on respective stories using one motor, and has a simple construction, thus reducing manufacturing costs. Further, it is possible to confirm whether each fire door is closed using the sensor at a central station, thus marketability is enhanced.

According to the present invention, the simultaneous release unit comprises a rope which is supported by the upper and lower portions of a building. The release means of the individual wall-embedded locking unit is provided on the rope. The rope is moved by a rotary member provided on each of the upper and lower portions of the building. The rotary member is rotated at a predetermined angle by the drive means .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the individual fire door hook units includes a hook body, which is mounted to pass through each of the fire doors, an end of the hook body having the shape of a bent hook; and each of the individual wall-embedded locking units includes a rope supported by the upper and lower portions of the building. According to another embodiment of this invention, each of the individual fire door hook units includes a latch provided on a fire door; and each of the individual wall- embedded locking units includes a locking hook having a seating groove in which the latch is seated and rotating at a predetermined angle about a hinge, a spring to elastically bias the locking hook, and an actuating part to control rotation of the locking hook.

According to a further embodiment of this invention, each of the individual fire door hook units is manufactured using a plate having a predetermined thickness, and fastening grooves are formed on both sides of the plate. The individual fire door hook unit includes a rotating hook to rotate the fire door hook unit when the rope of the simultaneous release unit is moved. Each of the individual wall-embedded locking units includes a pair of bent parts which are rotated about corresponding hinges and are bent at one end thereof, the other end of each of the bent parts being elastically supported by a spring.

The drive means includes a lower rotary member mounted to a lower story of the building and moving the simultaneous release unit; a motor to rotate the lower rotary member at a predetermined angle; and reduction gears to reduce the rotating speed of the motor. Further, the drive means includes a lower rotary means driven by a motor, a stop step mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the lower rotary means, a stopper mounted to a position where the drive roller is rotated at a predetermined angle and contacting the stop step, and a sensor mounted to a portion around the stopper and detecting whether the stop step contacts the stopper or not. Each of the fire doors includes, a pair of door panels, that is, a first door panel and a second door panel, and a first automatic closing device and a second automatic closing device are mounted to the first door panel and the second door panel, respectively, in such a way as to be opposite each other, and a sequential closing unit is provided at a position between the first automatic closing device and the second automatic closing device and is operated in conjunction with the door closing devices.

The sequential closing unit includes a casing; a seat provided in the casing and elastically supported by a spring; a protrusion integrated with the seat, and protruding out of the casing; and an insertion hole formed in the casing. The sequential closing unit may include a box-shaped casing; a rotary part seated in the casing in such a way as to rotate about a hinge; a coil spring to elastically bias the rotary part in a predetermined direction; and a stop step to limit rotation of the rotary part. The sequential closing unit may further include a sensor to detect movement of the second actuating shaft.

According to the present invention, the fire door provided on each story may be constructed to be closed by the door closure unit .

The simultaneous closing system for fire doors according to this invention is mounted to a building having several stories, thus simultaneously and automatically closing the fire doors installed on respective stories, in response to an external input signal, such as a fire.

A general building is built such that persons move to a desired story using elevators and stairs. A door is installed on the landing of each stairwell to provide a means of access to a desired story. Further, the respective stories have a very similar construction, and fire doors are installed at similar positions on respective stories. That is, the fire doors are usually installed at the same position on the respective stories . The present invention sufficiently uses such a construction, and affords convenience .

Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same components. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic closing device for fire doors, according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the construction of the automatic closing device shown in FIG. 1. As shown in the drawings, the fire door closing device denoted by reference numeral 1000 is operated in conjunction with a door closure unit, which automatically closes a fire door using hydraulic pressure or the like. The fire door closing device is provided on an upper portion of the fire door, like the door closure unit.

According to this invention, the automatic closing device includes an actuating unit, which has a main body, support walls, an actuating shaft, a rack, and a pinion. The main body has a box shape, with a space defined within the main body to accommodate several components . An end of the actuating shaft 130 and an actuating bar 1160 operated in conjunction with the pinion 1150 protrude outwards from the main body.

Further, the pair of support walls 1120 each having a shaft hole is installed in the main body. The support walls 1120 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The actuating shaft 130 is slidably inserted into the support walls 1120. The rack 1140 is slidably mounted to the outer circumferential surface of the actuating shaft 130. The rack 1140 has the shape of a hexahedron, with a gear being formed on a surface of the hexahedron to serve as a rack, and a through hole being formed through the central portion of the hexahedron such that the actuating shaft 130 passes through the hexahedron. Thus, the rack 1140 supported between the support walls 1120 may slide up to a predetermined distance. In order to control the sliding distance of the rack 1140, a thread 1170 is provided on the outer surface of the actuating shaft 130, and a nut 1180 is fastened to the thread 1170. Thus, a user can adjust the sliding length of the rack 1140 by rotating the nut 1180. The pinion 1150 is mounted adjacent to the rack 1140, so that the pinion 1150 may be rotated by the movement of the rack 1140. Further, the pinion 1150 is coupled to the actuating bar 1160, and the actuating bar 1160 passes through the main body to be connected to a door closure unit . FIGS. 4 to 10 are views illustrating a simultaneous closing system for fire doors, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the entire construction of the simultaneous closing system for fire doors, and FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the connection mechanism of a fire door of FIG. 4

As shown in the drawings, the simultaneous closing system, denoted by reference numeral 10, includes an individual fire door hook unit 60 provided on each of the fire doors. An individual wall-embedded locking unit is embedded in a wall to correspond to the individual fire door hook unit. A simultaneous release unit is supported by upper and lower portions of a building, and is rectilinearly moved within a predetermined vertical range, thus simultaneously releasing a plurality of individual fire door hook units from a plurality of individual wall-embedded locking units . The simultaneous closing system also includes a drive means, which drives the simultaneous release unit.

According to this embodiment, the individual wall- embedded locking unit, which is embedded in the wall, comprises a rope 310. The simultaneous release unit includes a protrusion, which is a release means of the individual wall-embedded locking unit mounted to the rope supported by the upper and lower portions of the building. The rope is moved by an upper rotary member 210 and a lower rotary member 510 of the building. The lower rotary member is rotated at a predetermined angle by the drive means . The drive means includes a motor which is mounted to a lower story of the building and drives the lower rotary member 510 at a predetermined angle, and reduction gears which reduce the rotating speed of the motor. Further, a stop step 515 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the lower rotary member 510. A stopper 550 is provided at a position where the lower rotary member is rotated at a predetermined angle, and limits the movement of the lower rotary member in cooperation with the stop step 515. Further, a sensor 570 is additionally mounted on the stopper to detect the contact of the stopper with the stop step, and detects the movement of the components.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the connection mechanism of the fire door of FIG. 4.

In this embodiment, the individual fire door hook unit 60 includes a hook body 610 which is mounted to pass through the fire door 83, with an end of the hook body having the shape of a bent hook 613. The individual wall-embedded locking unit corresponds to the rope 310 which is supported by the upper and lower portions of the building. According to this embodiment, a box-shaped case 93 is mounted to a wall 85 contacting the fire door 83, thus defining a hollow cavity. The simultaneous release unit uses the rope 310. The rope 310, connected to the upper rotary member 210 mounted to the uppermost story of the building and the lower rotary member 510 mounted to the lowermost story of the building, is embedded in the wall 85. Preferably, the rope 310 passes through a pipe 91 which is embedded in the wall 85.

Further, a protrusion 40 is secured to a portion of the rope 310, which is located in the case 93. The protrusion 40 may not pass through the pipe 91, and may move up and down by a predetermined distance in the case 93 by the rotation of the lower rotary member 510.

The individual fire door hook unit 60 is mounted to the fire door 83 of each story. Preferably, the individual fire door hook unit 60 is mounted to a portion adjacent to a knob 615 of the fire door 83. When the fire door 83 is completely opened, the hook 613 of the individual fire door hook unit 60 is hooked to the rope 310 which is embedded in the wall 85 but is partially exposed to the outside.

As shown in FIG. 5, the individual fire door hook unit 60 according to this embodiment includes the hook body 610 mounted to the fire door 83. An end of the hook body 610 is bent into a "L" shape. The hook 613 of the hook body 610 is coupled to the knob 615 which is grasped by a user and may be rotated at 90 degrees. Further, the hook body 610 is fastened to the fire door 83 via a fastening nut 650, and may be rotated at a predetermined angle . The operation of this embodiment will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

At normal times, the fire door 83 installed on each story is opened by a user. As shown in FIG. 6, the user rotates the hook body 610 so that the hook 613 is hooked to the rope 310 embedded in the wall 85, thus keeping the fire door 83 opened.

In such a state, when an emergency signal is sent, the motor is operated. While the rotating speed of the motor is reduced by the reduction gears, the lower rotary member 510 is rotated. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower rotary member 510 cannot be rotated beyond a predetermined angle, because of the stop step 515 and the stopper 550.

By the rotation of the lower rotary member 510, the rope 310 moves by a predetermined distance. As the rope 310 moves, the protrusion 40 provided on the rope is also moved. The moving protrusion 40 pushes the hook 613, so that the hook body 610 is rotated. By the rotating hook 613, the hook body 610 is released from the rope 310, so that the free movement of the hook body 610 is possible. In such a state, the fire door is closed by the door closure unit which is mounted on the fire door.

As such, when the hook body 610 installed on each story is ready to freely move, the fire doors 83 are simultaneously closed by the door closure units 89 mounted to the respective fire doors 83. Further, a signal, which informs that the fire doors are closed and is detected by the sensor 570, is transmitted to a central emergency system, so that a person can confirm that the fire doors are closed.

FIGS. 11 to 14 are views illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

The individual fire door hook unit includes a latch 1210 provided on a fire door. The individual wall-embedded locking unit includes a locking hook 1220, a spring 1230, and an actuating part 1240. The locking hook 1220 has a seating groove 1225 in which the latch is seated, and rotates about a hinge at a predetermined angle . The spring 1230 elastically biases the locking hook. The actuating part 1240 controls the rotation of the locking hook.

When the fire door is opened and is in close contact with the wall, the latch 1210 provided on the fire door is inserted into the seating groove of the individual wall- embedded locking unit, so that a locked state is maintained. The individual wall-embedded locking unit is embedded in the wall .

The rope 310 is connected to a surface of the actuating part 1240 of the individual wall-embedded locking unit, so that the rope 310 is operated in conjunction with the actuating part 1240.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the latch 1210 of the fire door is inserted into the individual wall-embedded locking unit, so the fire door is opened, the latch 1210 enters the seating groove 1225 and the locking hook is rotated by the elastic force of the spring 1230. Thereby, the locked state is maintained.

As shown in FIG. 14, when the rope 310 moves, the actuating part 1240, constructed to be operated in conjunction with the rope 310, is rotated. As the actuating part 1240 rotates, the locking hook 1220 is rotated by the spring 1230, so that the latch 1210 is released from the locked state. That is, the fire door is closed. FIGS. 15 to 19 are views illustrating a further embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a view showing the construction of this embodiment. The individual fire door hook unit 1310, attached to a fire door, is shaped so that fastening grooves 1311 are formed on both sides of a plate having a predetermined thickness. A rotating hook 1360 rotates the individual fire door hook unit when the rope of the simultaneous release unit is moved. The individual wall- embedded locking unit 1300 includes a pair of bent parts 1320 which are rotatable about associated hinges and are bent at one end thereof. The other end of each of the bent parts is elastically supported by a spring 1330.

FIG. 16 and 17 are views illustrating the operation when the fire door is opened.

When the individual fire door hook unit 1310 is pushed so as to open the fire door, the individual fire door locking unit is inserted into the individual wall-embedded locking unit embedded in the wall. At this time, a pair of bent parts 1320 engages with the fastening grooves 1311.

When the rope 310 is moved as shown in FIG. 18, the individual fire door hook unit is rotated at 90 degrees by the rotating hook 1360, which is operated in conjunction with the rope. That is, when one desires to close the fire door, the rope is moved. The moving rope rotates the individual fire door hook unit 1310 at 90 degrees, so that the locking of the individual fire door hook unit having the shape of a flat plate is smoothly released, and the fire door is closed (see, FIG. 19) .

FIGS. 20 to 27 are views illustrating a sequential closing unit, according to the present invention.

The drawings illustrate a sequential closing system for fire doors, according to the present invention, which sequentially closes a pair of door panels, in conjunction with the automatic closing device for fire doors . When the fire door having the pair of door panels is closed, the fire door must be sequentially closed so as to be sealed completely.

The automatic closing system of this invention, when applied to this case, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 20 to 27.

FIGS. 20 and 21 are views illustrating a first automatic closing device, a second automatic closing device, and the sequential closing system which is operated to sequentially close the fire door. As shown in the drawings, the fire door includes a pair of door panels, that is, a first door panel 1501 and a second door panel 1502. Door closure units are mounted to the first and second door panels 1501 and 1502, respectively. The first and second automatic closing devices are coupled to the door closure units in such a way as to be opposite each other.

One end of a first actuating shaft 131 of the first automatic closing device and one end of a second actuating shaft 132 of the second automatic closing device pass through main bodies of the corresponding closing devices. The first and second actuating shafts are connected to a sequential closing unit 1400 which is provided at a middle position between the first and second actuating shafts . According to the present invention, the sequential closing unit may comprise a recess-type closing unit or a rotary-type closing unit.

FIG. 22 is a view showing the construction of the recess-type closing unit, according to the present invention. The recess-type closing unit includes a casing, a seat, a protrusion, and an insertion hole. The seat is provided in the casing, and is elastically supported by a spring. The protrusion is integrated with the seat, and protrudes out of the casing. The insertion hole is formed in the casing.

Of course, a sensor which detects the movement of the second actuating shaft may be provided at a predetermined position on the sequential closing unit.

According to this embodiment, the sequential closing unit includes a casing 1400, a protrusion 1410 which protrudes out of the casing, a seat 1430 which is connected to the protrusion and supports the protrusion in the casing, a spring 1450 which elastically supports the seat, and an insertion hole. When the protrusion protruding out of the casing is retracted into the casing by a roller provided on an end of the first actuating shaft, empty space is formed in the casing. Due to this space, the insertion hole provided at a predetermined position in the casing is opened. The second actuating shaft is inserted into the insertion hole. Since the second actuating shaft is moved by the insertion hole, it is possible to close the second door panel .

That is, the automatic closing device is operated in response to an external signal, and the first and second actuating shafts 131 and 132 are operated in conjunction with each other by the sequential closing unit of this invention.

In a detailed description, unless the first actuating shaft retracts the protrusion of the sequential closing unit into the casing, the second actuating shaft 1420 cannot move because of the seat 1430 provided in the casing. However, when the first actuating shaft 130 moves a predetermined distance, the first door panel 1501 is closed. Simultaneously, the first actuating shaft 130 moves, so that the protrusion 1410 is retracted into the casing. Due to the space defined by the retraction of the protrusion, the insertion hole is opened. Thereby, the second actuating shaft 1420 may be inserted into the insertion hole, so that the second door panel 1502 is also closed.

That is, in response to an external signal, the first door panel 1501 is first closed. Next, the second door panel 1502 is closed. Further, a limit switch is attached to a side surface of the casing. Thus, when the second actuating shaft is inserted, the limit switch 1460 is operated, so that whether the second door panel is closed is determined. FIG. 23 is a view illustrating an embodiment of a limit switch.

FIG. 24 illustrates another embodiment of a sequential closing unit, that is, a rotary-type closing unit, according to this invention. The rotary-type closing unit includes a box-shaped casing, a rotary part which is rotatably seated in the casing by a hinge, a coil spring which biases the rotary part in a predetermined direction, and a stop step which limits the rotation of the rotary part.

Of course, a sensor which detects the movement of the second actuating shaft may be further provided on the rotary-type closing unit.

As shown in the drawings, the rotary-type closing unit includes a box-shaped casing having insertion holes at positions where one end of the first actuating shaft 131 and one end of the second actuating shaft 132 are inserted. An "L"-shaped rotary part 1010 supported by a hinge 1050 is installed in the casing. Further, a coil spring 1030 is secured to the hinge 1050 so as to bias the rotary part 1010 in a predetermined direction. The rotation of the rotary part 1010 is limited by a stop step 1020.

The operation of this invention constructed as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 27. When the first door panel is closed, the first actuating shaft 131 is moved. By the movement of the first actuating shaft 131, the rotary part 1010 is rotated. The second actuating shaft 132 moves into space which is created by the rotation of the rotary part 1010, so that the second door panel is closed. Further, the movement of the second actuating shaft is detected by a sensor 1040.

According to the present invention, when the first door panel is closed, the actuating bar, operated in conjunction with the door closure unit, is rotated. As the actuating bar rotates, the pinion also rotates. Thus, the rack engaging with the pinion is moved. As the rack moves, the sequential closing unit is operated by the first actuating shaft.

When the second actuating shaft mounted to the second door panel is moved by the operation of the sequential closing unit, the rack and the pinion, operated in conjunction with the door closure unit of the second door panel, are released. As the rack is released, the second door panel is also closed by the door closure unit.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims .

Claims

[CLAIMS]

[Claim l]

A simultaneous closing system for simultaneously closing fire doors of a building having a plurality of stories, comprising: a plurality of individual fire door hook units provided on respective fire doors; a plurality of individual wall-embedded locking units embedded in walls to correspond to the individual fire door hook units; a simultaneous release unit supported by upper and lower portions of the building, and rectilinearly moved within a predetermined vertical range, thus simultaneously releasing the individual fire door hook units from the individual wall-embedded locking units; and drive means to drive the simultaneous release unit.

[Claim 2]

The simultaneous closing system according to claim 1, wherein the simultaneous release unit comprises a rope supported by the upper and lower portions of the building, with release means of each of the individual wall-embedded locking units being provided on the rope, and the rope is moved by rotary members provided at the upper and lower portions of the building, the rotary members being rotated at a predetermined angle by the drive means.

[Claim 3]

The simultaneous closing system according to claim 2, wherein the release means of each of the individual wall- embedded locking units comprises a protrusion.

[Claim 4]

The simultaneous closing system according to claim 1, wherein each of the individual fire door hook units comprises a hook body, which is mounted to pass through each of the fire doors, an end of the hook body having the shape of a bent hook; and each of the individual wall-embedded locking units comprises a rope supported by the upper and lower portions of the building.

[Claim 5]

The simultaneous closing system according to claim 1, wherein each of the individual fire door hook units comprises a latch provided on a fire door; and each of the individual wall-embedded locking units comprises : a locking hook having a seating groove in which the latch is seated, and rotating at a predetermined angle about a hinge; a spring to elastically bias the locking hook; and an actuating part to control rotation of the locking hook.

[Claim 6]

The simultaneous closing system according to claim 1, wherein the individual fire door hook unit, attached to each of the fire doors, is shaped so that fastening grooves are formed on both sides of a plate having a predetermined thickness, and comprises a rotating hook to rotate the fire door hook unit when the rope of the simultaneous release unit is moved; and each of the individual wall-embedded locking units comprises a pair of bent parts which are rotated about corresponding hinges and are bent at one end thereof, the other end of each of the bent parts being elastically supported by a spring.

[Claim 7]

The simultaneous closing system according to claim 2, wherein the drive means comprises : a lower rotary member mounted to a lower story of the building and moving the simultaneous release unit; a motor to rotate the lower rotary member- at a predetermined angle; and reduction gears to reduce the rotating speed of the motor .

[Claim 8] The simultaneous closing system according to claim 2, wherein the drive means comprises: the lower rotary member driven by the motor; a stop step mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the lower rotary member; a stopper mounted to a position where the lower rotary member is rotated at a predetermined angle, and contacting the stop step; and a sensor mounted to a portion around the stopper and detecting whether the stop step contacts the stopper or not.

[Claim 9]

A simultaneous closing system for simultaneously closing fire doors of a building having a plurality of stories, comprising: a plurality of individual fire door hook units provided on respective fire doors; a plurality of individual wall-embedded locking units embedded in walls to correspond to the individual fire door hook units; a simultaneous release unit supported by upper and lower portions of the building, and rectilinearly moved within a predetermined vertical range, thus simultaneously releasing the individual fire door hook units from the individual wall-embedded locking units; drive means to drive the simultaneous release unit; and an automatic closing device provided on each of the fire doors, comprising an actuating unit, the actuating unit including: an actuating shaft; a rack slidably mounted on an outer circumference of the actuating shaft; a pinion operated in conjunction with the rack; and a pair of support walls.

[Claim 10] The simultaneous closing system according to claim 9, wherein the actuating unit comprises : a box-shaped main body; a pair of support walls each having a shaft hole, and installed in the main body in such a way as to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; an actuating shaft inserted into the shaft hole of each of the support walls, and moving in a horizontal direction; a rack mounted on an outer surface of the actuating shaft and sliding along the actuating shaft within a predetermined distance; and a pinion engaging with the rack and rotated by movement of the rack.

[Claim 11]

The simultaneous closing system according to claim 10, further comprising: slide control means provided at a predetermined position on the actuating shaft to control a sliding length of the rack.

[Claim 12]

The simultaneous closing system according to claim 11, wherein the slide control means comprises : a thread provided on the outer surface of the actuating shaft, and having a predetermined length; and a nut fastened to the thread, so that the sliding length of the rack is determined according to a position of the nut fastened to the thread.

[Claim 13] The simultaneous closing system according to claim 9, wherein each of the fire doors includes a first door panel and a second door panel, and a first automatic closing device and a second automatic closing device are mounted to the first door panel and the second door panel, respectively, in such a way as to be opposite each other, and a sequential closing unit is provided at a position between the first automatic closing device and the second automatic closing device and is operated in conjunction with the door closing devices .

[Claim 14]

The simultaneous closing system according to claim 13, wherein the sequential closing unit comprises: a casing; a seat provided in the casing and elastically supported by a spring; a protrusion integrated with the seat, and protruding out of the casing; and an insertion hole formed in the casing.

[Claim 15]

The simultaneous closing system according to claim 13, wherein the sequential closing unit further comprises a sensor to detect movement of a second actuating shaft.

[Claim 16]

The simultaneous closing system according to claim 13, wherein the sequential closing unit comprises : a box-shaped casing; a rotary part seated in the casing in such a way as to rotate about a hinge; a coil spring to elastically bias the rotary part in a predetermined direction; and a stop step to limit rotation of the rotary part.

[Claim 17]

The simultaneous closing system according to claim 13, wherein the sequential closing unit further comprises a sensor to detect movement of the second actuating shaft.