Delayed Emergency Release Unit

Abstract

The manual release mechanism described herein enables a passenger to attempt to manually open the transit door, but delays opening until the vehicle is no longer moving. A motion transfer device (14) moves to an unlocking position of the door lock (10) only when the manual release mechanism is activated to store energy in a mechanical energy storage device (40), and an electromechanical device (26) is de-energized to release the motion transfer device (14).

Claims

1. An emergency manual door lock release mechanism for releasing a door lock on a transit vehicle door comprising: motion transfer means, an electromechanical device for fixing the position of the transfer means when energized and releasing the motion transfer means when de-energized, a mechanical energy storage means, a manual release means for energizing the mechanical energy storage means to bias the motion transfer means to move to a unlocking position, such that the door lock will only be manually released when the manual release means is activated to store energy storage in the mechanical energy storage means and the electromechanical device is de-energized to release the motion transfer means.

2. An emergency manual door lock release mechanism for releasing a door lock on a transit vehicle door comprising: a base plate for being secured to the transit vehicle, a sliding plate abutting and slidable relative to the base plate, said sliding plate having at least one elongate slot, at least one pin fixed to the base plate extending into the at least one elongate slot constraining the relative movement between the base plate and sliding plate in a lateral direction, an electromagnet support bracket for being secured to the transit vehicle, an electromagnet supported by the electromagnet support bracket, a manual release cable, a first end bracket fixed at or near one lateral end of the base plate having an aperture therein for receiving the manual release cable, a magnetizable steel plate, a second end bracket fixed at or near the opposite lateral end of the sliding plate from the first end bracket and supporting the magnetizable steel plate to be captured by the electromagnet, a coil spring that stores energy when stretched and which is anchored directly or indirectly at one end to the second end bracket and connected at the other end directly or indirectly to the manual release cable, the motion transfer means connected to the second end bracket such that when the sliding plate moves away from the electromagnet the door lock will be manually released only when the manual release cable is pulled to store energy in the coil spring and the electromagnet is de-energized to release the magnetizable steel plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Further features and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the drawings.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic and prospective view of an emergency manual door lock release mechanism for releasing a door lock on a transit vehicle according to this invention when energy is not stored in the spring and release is not actuated.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic and prospective view of an emergency manual door lock release mechanism for releasing a door lock on a transit vehicle according to this invention with energy stored in the spring but the door lock is not released.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic and prospective view of an emergency manual door lock release mechanism for releasing a door lock on a transit vehicle according to this invention when manual release has been attempted and the door lock has been released.

[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a transit vehicle with one of the many types of transit vehicle doors to which this invention has application.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Referring now to the drawings, an emergency manual door lock release mechanism for releasing a door lock 10 on a transit vehicle door comprises a base plate 12 for being secured to a transit vehicle wall or frame. A sliding plate 14 abuts and is movable relative to the base plate 12. The sliding plate has at least one elongate slot 16, 18. At least one pin 20, 22 is fixed to the base plate 12 extending into the at least one elongate slot constraining the relative movement between the base plate and sliding plate in a lateral direction indicated by the double head arrow.

[0020] An electromagnet support bracket 24 is secured to the transit vehicle adjacent the base plate 12 near one lateral end. An electromagnet 26 is supported by the electromagnet support bracket 24.

[0021] A first end bracket 30 is fixed at or near one lateral end of the base plate 12 and has an aperture 32 therein for receiving the sleeve of a manual release Bowden cable 34. A second end bracket 38 is fixed at or near the opposite lateral end of the sliding plate 14 from the first bracket. The second end bracket positions a magnetizable steel plate 36 to be captured by the electromagnet 26.

[0022] A coil spring 40, which extends in the lateral direction, stores energy when stretched. The coil spring 40 is anchored directly or indirectly at one end to the second end bracket 38 and is connected at the other end directly or indirectly to the manual release cable 34. A motion transfer cable, lever or bar 42 is connected to the second end bracket 38, such that when the sliding plate 14 moves away from the electromagnet 26, the door lock 10 will be released only when the manual release cable 34 is pulled to store energy in the coil spring 40, and the electromagnet 26 is de-energized to release the magnetic plate 36.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the coil spring 40 is relaxed and the electromagnet 26 is energized and the door is locked. This is the normal position when the transit vehicle is moving between stations.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the coil spring 40 is energized as a passenger, for example, has pulled the manual release cable 34, but the transit vehicle doors are not unlocked as the electromagnet is still energized. The manual release cable may be maintained pulled by a latch associated with the cable and first end plate.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the electromagnet 26 is de-energized and the sliding plate 14, under the bias of the coil spring 40, has moved the sliding plate 14 away from the electromagnet 26 pulling the motion transfer cable 42 to unlock the door lock 10. Unlocking is delayed until the electromagnet 26 is de-energized when the transit vehicle comes to a stop.

[0026] Having thus defined our invention with the detail and particularity required by the Patent Laws, what is desired protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the following claims.