WO2008100135A1

WO2008100135A1 - Restrictor

Info

Publication number: WO2008100135A1
Application number: PCT/NL2008/000040
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacob Hendrik Martin Berends
Original assignee: Jacob Hendrik Martin Berends
Priority date: 2007-02-13
Filing date: 2008-02-13
Publication date: 2008-08-21
Also published as: NL1033385C2

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly, comprising a plate-like element and a frame in which the plate-like element is hingedly suspended so that the plate-like element can be opened and closed, and a restrictor. The invention is distinguished in that the restrictor comprises a second coupling which is in series with the first coupling and with which the plate-like element and the frame can be uncoupled, the second coupling can be locked by means of a lock, and the length of the slot is such that when the plate-like element is opened the lock of the second coupling can be operated from the outside of the door. The invention also relates to a restrictor for the purpose of forming the assembly according to the invention.

Description

RESTRICTOR

The invention relates to an assembly, comprising a plate-like element such as a door, and a frame in which the plate-like element is hingedly suspended so that the plate-like element can be opened and closed, and a restrictor comprising a first coupling, which comprises a first coupling part connected to one of the plate-like element and the frame and a second coupling part connected to the other of the plate-like element and the frame, wherein the first coupling part comprises a rod- like element with a thickened portion on a free end thereof and the second coupling part comprises a slot having on an end thereof a widened portion through which the thickened portion can be inserted in order to place the first coupling part into engagement with the slot, so that the first coupling part is displaceable non- releasably along the slot, wherein the first coupling part and the second coupling part are arranged relative to each other such that when the plate-like element is closed the first coupling part can be placed into engagement with the slot of the second coupling part, after which the second coupling part can be displaced along the slot when the plate-like element is opened, and the length of the slot defines the extent to which the plate-like element can then be opened. Such restrictors are known in diverse embodiments which are embodied with chains and/or brackets with a hook. The present brackets, and also the embodiments with chains, can only be used if there is at least one person present in the house who can uncouple the restrictor. This is a drawback for instance when this one person is asleep.

The invention has for its object to obviate or at least alleviate this problem. The invention is distinguished for this purpose in that the restrictor comprises a second coupling which is in series with the first coupling and with which the plate-like element and the frame can be uncoupled, the second coupling can be locked by means of a lock, and the length of the slot is such that when the plate-like element is opened the lock of the second coupling can be operated from the outside of the plate-like element. These measures enable uncoupling of the restrictor from outside if no-one is available to uncouple the restrictor from inside.

In addition, these measures have the advantage that a lock does not have to be placed through the plate-like element or the frame. This is because operation of the lock is possible when the plate-like element is ajar.

In a favourable embodiment of the assembly according to the invention the first coupling part is a hook part comprising a rear plate, and a rod which is arranged on the rear plate of this hook part and has a ball on the free end thereof, the second coupling part is a bracket part comprising a rear plate and a bracket connected pivotally to the rear plate of this bracket part, which bracket comprises the slot and, on the end thereof at the rear plate of this bracket part, the widened portion, the hook part can be placed into engagement with the bracket by pivoting the bracket so that the ball is inserted through the widened portion, and one of the rear plate of the hook part and the rear plate of the bracket part is connected by means of the second coupling to one of the plate-like element and the frame. These measures enable a simple and reliable design.

In a further embodiment of the assembly according to the invention with bracket part and hook part, the bracket part comprises guide means which define the path of movement of the bracket during pivoting thereof, wherein the guide means define at least an open position and a closed position of the bracket, wherein in the open position the bracket is out of reach of the hook part when the plate-like element is closed, and in the closed position the bracket is within reach of the hook part when the plate-like element is closed. The measures make it possible to avoid the bracket unintentionally moving from the open position to the closed position, or vice versa. In a further embodiment of the assembly according to the invention with guide means, the guide means comprise a guide track along which the bracket is moved during pivoting thereof, wherein the guide track comprises a first flat track defining the open position, comprises a second flat track defining a closed position and comprises a sloping track connecting the first flat track to the second flat track. These measures enable an effective separation between the open position and the closed position. In a further embodiment hereof the bracket part comprises a closing mechanism comprising a ratchet connected rotatably to the rear plate, a pushing element which is connected fixedly to the ratchet and which in the open position of the bracket can be laid against the bracket, a pulling element which is fixedly connected to the ratchet and which in the open position of the bracket comes into contact with the hook part when the plate-like element is closed, so that the ratchet is rotated and the bracket is pushed with the pushing element in the direction of the sloping track. These measures make it possible for the bracket to be brought into automatic engagement with the hook part when the plate-like element is closed.

In a further embodiment of the assembly according to the invention with guide means, the guide means comprise a flat track, along which the bracket is moved during pivoting thereof, wherein the flat track comprises a first recess defining the open position of the bracket, a second recess defining the closed position and a pin which can be placed selectively in one of the first recess and the second recess in order to place the bracket in one of the open position and the closed position. These measures enable an effective and also simple separation between the open position and the closed position.

In a further embodiment hereof the bracket part comprises spring means with which the pin is pushed against the flat track. This measure makes it possible that, when the bracket is moved from the open position to the closed position or vice versa, the bracket enters and remains with greater certainty in the desired position .

In a further embodiment hereof the pin comprises an operating element having a protrusion thereon which can be placed into one of the first recess and the second recess, wherein the operating element has on at least an end thereof a finish from the group spherical and chamfered. This measure enables simple operation of the pin and also avoids a burglar being able to influence the operation of the pin, for instance by placing a screw clamp thereon.

In a further embodiment of the assembly according to the invention, wherein the guide means comprise a flat track, the bracket part comprises spring means with which the bracket is pushed in the direction of the closed position thereof. These measures make it possible for the bracket to be moved easily from the opened position to the closed position. After the pin has been removed from the recess, the bracket is after all carried by the spring in the direction of the closed position.

The invention also relates to a restrictor for the purpose of forming an above described assembly, comprising a first coupling part and a second coupling part, wherein the first coupling part comprises a rod- like element with a thickened portion on a free end thereof, and the second coupling part comprises a slot having on an end thereof a widened portion through which the thickened portion can be inserted in order to place the first coupling part into engagement with the slot, so that the first coupling part is displaceable non- releasably along the slot, wherein the restrictor comprises a second coupling in series with the first coupling, and the second coupling can be locked by means of a lock.

In a further embodiment hereof the first coupling part is a hook part, comprising a rear plate and a rod which is arranged on the rear plate of this hook part and has a ball on the free end thereof, and the second coupling part is a bracket part comprising a rear plate and a bracket connected pivotally to the rear plate of this bracket part, which bracket comprises the slot and, on the end thereof located at the rear plate of this bracket part, the widened portion, the hook part can be placed into engagement with the bracket by pivoting the bracket so that the ball is inserted through the widened portion, and the second coupling is arranged on one of the rear plate of the hook part and the rear plate of the bracket part.

The present invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of an exemplary embodiment as shown in the accompanying figures. This is a non- limitative exemplary embodiment. - Figures IA-B show the bracket and the hook of the restrictor;

- Figure 2 shows the pivoting mechanism in detail;

- Figure 3 shows schematically the S-shaped track; - Figures 4A-B-C shows schematically the front and top views of the closing mechanism;

- Figure 5 shows a variant of the bracket;

- Figure 6 shows schematically a variant of the S-shaped track; - Figure 7 shows a variant of the hinge in side and front view;

- Figure 8 shows the assembly according to the invention with the bracket in the open position;

- Figure 9 shows the restrictor of the assembly of figure 8 with the bracket in the open position;

- Figure 10 shows the restrictor of figure 9 in the closed position;

- Figure 11 shows the assembly of figure 8 when the plate-like element in the form of a door is opened; - Figure 12 shows the restrictor of the assembly of figure 11 from the inner side of the plate-like element;

- Figure 13 shows the restrictor of the assembly of figure 11 from the inner side of the plate-like element;

- Figure 14 shows the assembly of figure 11 after the plate-like element has been uncoupled from the frame by means of the second coupling.

As shown in Figures IA-B, the restrictor according to the invention consists of a known bracket part 1 and a hook part 2, wherein bracket part 1 is mounted on the inner side of the doorframe 8 and hook part 2 is mounted at the same height on the inner side of door 4. Bracket part 1 is further constructed from a rear plate 7 and a lock 11, while hook part 2 consists of a rear plate 3, which is fixed to door 4, and a rod 5 and a ball 6. Bracket 10 is mounted with two hinges 9 for rotation on bracket part 1 so that rod 5 can be released from bracket 10. Because lock 11 is arranged on the inner side of the frame, it is only visible when door 4 has been set ajar. A thief or burglar can hereby not see that a second lock is also present.

Figure 2 shows schematically at detail of hinge 9. Bracket 10 rotates about a shaft 14 arranged inside a cylinder 15. An S-shaped track 16 of a very specific form is arranged in cylinder 15. When bracket 10 is rotated, it follows the path of S-shaped track 16.

A schematic representation of S-shaped track 16 is shown in more detail in Figure 3. The track consists of a horizontal part B with short extension D, and upward sloping part C and a short horizontal part A such that a difference in level is arranged in the track which the bracket describes from "open" to "closed". When bracket 10 lies at the high level A, this is the "open" position. Bracket 10 can be carried to the low level manually or by means of closing mechanism 13, this then being the "closed" position. The figure shows a cross- section of bracket 10, which is moving via the sloping track part C in S-shaped track 16 to the low level in track part B. Horizontal track part B corresponds to the angular rotation necessary to ensure that rod 5 of hook part 2 remains within the turning circle of bracket 10. The short extension D makes unauthorized pushing upward of bracket 10 more difficult.

The restrictor described here is intended for a right-hand hung door. The restrictor can also be used for a left-hand hung door by embodying the S-shaped track 16 in mirror image.

Closing mechanism 13 shown schematically in front view in Figure 4A consists of a rotatable ratchet 21 on which are mounted four plates, viz. two push plates 18, a pull plate 19 and a switch plate 20. The whole unit can be rotated manually so that closing mechanism 13 rotates such that the two push plates 18 move against bracket 10 at position or level A, or is "open".

Pull plate 19 is hereby positioned between the two hinges 9. Using closing mechanism 13 bracket 10 can be moved to "closed" position without anyone being in the house. It hereby serves as additional lock which is moreover not visible from outside.

Figure 4B shows a schematic top view of closing mechanism 13. Shown here is that push plate 18 lies at a fixed angle relative to pull plate 19. This angle changes as soon as rotatable ratchet 21 lies not against hinge 9 but on rear plate 7, this being shown in Figure 4C. In figures 4B and 4C bracket 10 is in the "open" position, or at level A. As soon as door 4 is closed, ball 6 presses just before closure on pull plate 19, so that this latter makes a movement in the same direction as the closing door 4. Because pull plate 19 lies at a fixed angle to push plates 18, these push plates move against bracket 10 in a manner such that they push the bracket from level A to the sloping track part C. Force of gravity and spring 17 then push bracket 10 to level B. Bracket 10 is now in "closed" position.

When the door is opened from outside, lock 11 must be unlocked from outside, whereby rear plate 7 is released from lock 11 and mechanism 13 is unlocked.

Figure 5 shows that bracket 10 is adapted to the variant of S-shaped track 16 with the movement shown in Figure 6. In contrast to known restrictors, in which the path of movement of the bracket is completely free, an obstacle J is here arranged in the path of movement in the form of two recesses H and I. As shown in Figure 6, pin F is in position H, which is the "open" position. By moving pin F upward and causing bracket 10 to rotate using a spring system 22 (not shown here) in the direction of the arrow, pin F moves via J to recess I. The whole unit is hereby situated in "closed" position. Owing to the spherical underside and the sloping finish of the top side of the hinge part of bracket part 1, unauthorized pushing-upward of pin F is more difficult. This is shown in Figure 7.

The restrictor is suitable for both left-hand and right-hand hung doors through rotation of bracket 10. A number of solutions are available for placing of the lock, such as for instance in the stop rabbet in or on the frame, so that it becomes accessible to the key needed to unlock the restrictor, or on the outer end of the hook or on the door. In all the stated situations the lock only becomes visible when the door is set ajar. It will likewise be apparent that the cylinder lock can be replaced by a combination lock or a lock which can be opened with a magnetic or electronic cart. A biometric lock with for instance a fingerprint reader can even be envisaged. It is also self-evident that the known rod 5 of hook part 2 has a square or oval section with flattened sides, so that when the lock is opened the bracket part 1 remains hanging in horizontal position on rod 5, and so does not hang loosely. Figure 8 shows an assembly 23 consisting of a plate- like element in the form of a door 4, a frame 8 in which the door 4 is hingedly suspended so that door 4 can be opened and closed, and a restrictor 24. Figure 8 shows the inner side of the door. Restrictor 24 is shown in detail in figure 9. Restrictor 24 consists of a first coupling, which consists of a first coupling part in the form of a hook part 2 connected to door 4, and a second coupling part in the form of a bracket part 1 connected to frame 8. Hook part 2 consists of a rod-like element in the form of a rod 5 having on a free end thereof a thickened portion in the form of a ball 6. Bracket part 1 consists of a bracket 10 which comprises a slot 25 having a widened portion 26 at an end thereof. Bracket 10 is shown in the open position. Shown is that when door 4 is closed bracket 10 is out of reach of hook part 2. In the shown open position a protrusion (not shown) of pin F is in engagement with the first recess H shown in figure 10. Pin F comprises an operating element 27 on which the protrusion is formed. Operating element 27 has on the upper end 28 thereof a spherical finish. The lower outer end 29 has a chamfered finish. Owing to this finish a burglar cannot gain a good hold on pin F, thus avoiding that the operation of the pin is influenced by the burglar. The protrusion of pin F is pushed by means of spring 30 into recess H.

By pushing the pin F in the direction of arrow L the protrusion of pin F is pushed out of the first recess H. Bracket 10 is then pushed by spring 22 in the direction of hook part 2 so that the bracket moves into the closed position shown in figure 10. In the shown closed position, bracket 10 is within reach of hook part 2. In the closed position of bracket 10 the protrusion (not shown) of pin F is in engagement with the second recess I shown in figure 9. Ball 6 is inserted through the widened portion 26.

By pressing in pin F during closing of door 4 from the open position of bracket 10 shown in figure 9 and doing so just before this door is closed, slot 25 of bracket 10 is pushed against ball 6 which cannot pass therethrough because the diameter of ball 6 is larger than the width of slot 25. As the door 4 closes further, ball 6 then slides along bracket 10 until ball 6 is pushed through the widened portion 26 when door 4 is closed. When door 4 is subsequently opened again, the situation is created as shown in figure 11. Door 4 can only be opened to a limited degree because, as shown in figure 12, bracket 10 does not allow hook part 2 to be moved further, and door 4 cannot therefore be opened further. The length of slot 25 determines the extent to which the door can be opened, and therefore how large the chink 30 can be. Because the diameter of ball 6 is larger than the width of slot 25, bracket 10 cannot be uncoupled from hook part 2 when the door is opened.

Figure 13 shows that the length of slot 25 is such that the chink 30 is so large that a key can be inserted from outside the door 4 into key opening 31, whereby lock 11 can be operated. A second coupling is locked by means of lock 11. The second coupling connects bracket part 1 to frame 8. By unlocking the lock 11 the bracket part 1 can be uncoupled from frame 8 and door 4 can be opened further as shown in figure 14. A part 32 of the second coupling here remains behind on the frame. A plate-like element in the form of a door is shown in figures 8-14. The plate-like element can also be formed for instance by a window.

In the figures the first coupling part of the restrictor is a hook part and the second coupling part is a bracket part. The first coupling part can for instance also be formed by a rod-like element having on one outer end thereof a thickened portion and on the other outer end thereof a chain with which the rod-like element is connected to the frame, and the second coupling part is a slot connected fixedly to the door.

Claims

1. Assembly, comprising

- a plate-like element such as a door (4) ; - a frame (8) in which the plate-like element is hingedly suspended so that the plate-like element can be opened and closed; and

- a restrictor, comprising

- a first coupling, comprising - a first coupling part (2) connected to one of the plate-like element and the frame;

- a second coupling part (1) connected to the other of the plate-like element and the frame, wherein - the first coupling part comprises a rod-like element (5) with a thickened portion (6) on a free end thereof; and

- the second coupling part comprises a slot having on an end thereof a widened portion through which the thickened portion can be inserted in order to place the first coupling part into engagement with the slot, so that the first coupling part is displaceable non- releasably along the slot; wherein

- the first coupling part and the second coupling part are arranged relative to each other such that when the plate-like element is closed the first coupling part can be placed into engagement with the slot of the second coupling part, after which the second coupling part can be displaced along the slot when the plate-like element is opened; and

- the length of the slot defines the extent to which the plate-like element can then be opened; characterized in that - the restrictor comprises a second coupling which is in series with the first coupling and with which the plate- like element and the frame can be uncoupled;

- the second coupling can be locked by means of a lock (11); and

- the length of the slot is such that when the plate- like element is opened the lock of the second coupling^' can be operated from the outside of the plate-like element .

2. Assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that

- the first coupling part is a hook part (2) comprising:

- a rear plate (3) ; and

- a rod (5) which is arranged on the rear plate of this hook part and has a ball (6) on the free end thereof;

- the second coupling part is a bracket part (1) , comprising:

- a rear plate (7) ; and - a bracket (10) connected pivotally to the rear plate of this bracket part, which bracket comprises the slot and, on the end thereof at the rear plate of this bracket part, the widened portion;

- the hook part can be placed into engagement with the bracket by pivoting the bracket so that the ball is inserted through the widened portion; and

- one of the rear plate of the hook part and the rear plate of the bracket part is connected by means of the second coupling to one of the plate-like element and the frame.

3. Assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that

- the bracket part comprises guide means which define the path of movement of the bracket during pivoting thereof, wherein the guide means define at least an open position and a closed position of the bracket, wherein

- in the open position the bracket is out of reach of the hook part when the plate-like element is closed; and

- in the closed position the bracket is within reach of the hook part when the plate-like element is closed.

4. Assembly as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the guide means comprise a guide track (16) along which the bracket is moved during pivoting thereof, wherein the guide track comprises:

- a first flat track (A) defining the open position;

- a second flat track (D) defining a closed position; and

5. Assembly as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the bracket part comprises a closing mechanism (13) , comprising

- a ratchet (21) connected rotatably to the rear plate;

- a pushing element (18) which is connected fixedly to the ratchet and which in the open position of the bracket can be laid against the bracket;

- a pulling element (19) which is fixedly connected to the ratchet and which in the open position of the bracket comes into contact with the hook part when the plate-like element is closed, so that the ratchet is rotated and the bracket is pushed with the pushing element in the direction of the sloping track.

6. Assembly as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the guide means comprise a flat track, along which the bracket is moved during pivoting thereof, wherein the flat track comprises:

- a first recess defining the open position of the bracket; and

- a second recess defining the closed position/ and

- a pin which can be placed selectively in one of the first recess and the second recess in order to place the bracket in one of the open position and the closed position.

7. Assembly as claimed in claim β, characterized in that the bracket part comprises spring means with which the pin (F) is pushed against the flat track.

8. Assembly as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the pin comprises an operating element having a protrusion thereon which can be placed into one of the first recess and the second recess, wherein the operating element has on at least an end thereof a finish from the group spherical and chamfered.

9. Assembly as claimed in any of the claims 6-8, characterized in that

- the bracket part comprises spring means with which the bracket is pushed in the direction of the closed position.

10. Restrictor for the purpose of forming the assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising - a first coupling part; and

- a second coupling part; wherein

- the first coupling part comprises a rod-like element with a thickened portion on a free end thereof; and - the second coupling part comprises a slot having on an end thereof a widened portion through which the thickened portion can be inserted in order to place the first coupling part into engagement with the slot, so that the first coupling part is displaceable non- releasably along the slot; wherein

- the restrictor comprises a second coupling in series with the first coupling; and - the second coupling can be locked by means of a lock

(H) •

11. Restrictor as claimed in claim 10, wherein

- the first coupling part is a hook part (2), comprising:

- a rear plate (3) ; and

- a rod (5) which is arranged on the rear plate of this hook part and has a ball (6) on the free end thereof; - the second coupling part is a bracket part, comprising:

- a rear plate (7) ; and

- a bracket (10) connected pivotally to the rear plate of this bracket part, which bracket comprises the slot and, on the end thereof located at the rear plate of this bracket part, the widened portion;

- the second coupling is arranged on one of the rear plate of the hook part and the rear plate of the bracket part.