ARRANGEMENT FOR ACCESS MEMBER, ACCESS MEMBER SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

An arrangement for closing an access member rotatable relative to a frame about a hinge axis, the arrangement comprising a primary element for fixation to either the frame or the access member; a secondary element for fixation to the other of the frame and the access member; a connection device arranged between the primary element and the secondary element and engaging the secondary element; and a force device comprising a drive element rotatable about a pivot axis and engaging the connection device, the force device being arranged to force rotation of the connection device relative to the primary element about the pivot axis, wherein a position of the force device relative to the primary element is adjustable after fixation of the primary element and the secondary element to adjust a distance between the pivot axis and the hinge axis. An access member system and a method are also provided.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. An arrangement for closing an access member rotatable relative to a frame about a hinge axis, the arrangement comprising: a primary element for fixation to either the frame or the access member; a secondary element for fixation to the other of the frame and the access member; a connection device arranged between the primary element and the secondary element and engaging the secondary element; and a force device comprising a drive element rotatable about a pivot axis and engaging the connection device, the force device being arranged to force rotation of the connection device relative to the primary element about the pivot axis, wherein a position of the force device relative to the primary element is adjustable after fixation of the primary element and the secondary element to adjust a distance between the pivot axis and the hinge axis.

17. The arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the force device is arranged inside the primary element.

18. The arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the primary element is tubular.

19. The arrangement according to claim 16, wherein a length of the primary element is adjustable such that the primary element can span an entire inner width of the frame.

20. The arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the force device comprises a closing spring arranged to force rotation of the connection device relative to the primary element about the pivot axis.

21. The arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the force device is arranged to be locked in each of a plurality of positions, one at a time.

22. The arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the primary element comprises an engageable structure having a plurality of engageable features, each defining a unique position for the force device.

23. The arrangement according to claim 19, wherein the primary element comprises an engageable structure having a plurality of engageable features, each defining a unique position for the force device.

24. The arrangement according to claim 23, wherein the primary element comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the engageable structure is fixed with respect to the first end, and wherein the second end is movable relative to the first end and to the engageable structure to adjust the length of the primary element.

25. The arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the connection device is detachably connected to the drive element.

26. The arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the force device can selectively engage each of the engageable features, one at a time.

27. The arrangement according to claim 16, further comprising a damping material between the force device and the primary element.

28. The arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the connection device comprises a rigid arm.

29. The arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the secondary element comprises a rail, and wherein the connection device comprises a slider slidable along the rail.

30. An access member system comprising the frame, the access member rotatable relative to the frame about the hinge axis, and the arrangement according to claim 16.

31. The access member system according to claim 30, wherein the primary element is fixed to the frame.

32. A method of installing the arrangement according to claim 16 for closing an access member rotatable relative to a frame about a hinge axis, the method comprising: fixing the primary element to either the frame or the access member; fixing the secondary element to the other of the frame and the access member; and adjusting, after the fixing of the primary element and the secondary element, a position of the force device relative to the primary element to adjust a distance between the pivot axis and the hinge axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

[0043] FIG. 1: schematically represents a front view of an access member system comprising an arrangement;

[0044] FIG. 2: schematically represents a rear view of the access member system;

[0045] FIG. 3: schematically represents a partial perspective front view of the access member system;

[0046] FIG. 4: schematically represents a perspective front view of the arrangement;

[0047] FIG. 5: schematically represents a partial perspective front view of the arrangement;

[0048] FIG. 6: schematically represents a top view of a force device of the arrangement;

[0049] FIG. 7: schematically represents a perspective top view of a secondary element of the arrangement; and

[0050] FIG. 8: schematically represents a perspective front view of a further example of an arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] In the following, an arrangement for closing an access member rotatable relative to a frame, an access member system comprising such arrangement, and a method of installing such arrangement, will be described. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

[0052] FIG. 1 schematically represents a front view of an access member system 10, and FIG. 2 schematically represents a rear view of the access member system 10. With collective reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the access member system 10 comprises a door 12. The door 12 comprises a door leaf 14 and a frame 16.

[0053] The door leaf 14 is one example of an access member according to the present disclosure. The door leaf 14 is rotatable relative to the frame 16 about a vertical hinge axis 18. In this example, the door 12 comprises three hinges 20 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0054] The access member system 10 further comprises a door closer 22a. The door closer 22a is one example of an arrangement according to the present disclosure. The door closer 22a is configured to close the door leaf 14 from an open position to the illustrated closed position.

[0055] The door closer 22a comprises a primary element 24, here exemplified as a elongated, telescopic and hollow metal tube having a square cross section. In this example, the primary element 24 is fixed to the frame 16 in a horizontal orientation, e.g. by one or more screws (not shown). The primary element 24 comprises a first end 26 and a second end 28. The primary element 24 has been telescopically extended to span an entire inner width 30 of the frame 16. The first end 26 contacts an inside of a door reveal of the frame 16 closest to the hinge axis 18 (the right side in FIG. 1) and the second end 28 contacts an inner side of the frame 16 furthest away from the hinge axis 18 (the left side in FIG. 1).

[0056] The door closer 22a further comprises a secondary element 32. The secondary element 32 of this example is elongated and is fixed to the door leaf 14 in a horizontal orientation, e.g. by one or more screws (not shown).

[0057] Also the secondary element 32 may be made of metal. A length of the secondary element 32 is approximately 70% of the extended length of the primary element 24 in this specific example.

[0058] The door closer 22a further comprises an arm 34. The arm 34 is one example of a connection device according to the present disclosure. The arm 34 of this example is straight and rigid. Moreover, the arm 34 is arranged between the primary element 24 and the secondary element 32. The arm 34 slidingly engages the secondary element 32. The arm 34 is rotatable relative to the primary element 24 about a vertical pivot axis 36. FIG. 1 shows a distance 38 between the hinge axis 18 and the pivot axis 36. The distance 38 is here a horizontal distance.

[0059] FIG. 3 schematically represents a partial perspective front view of the access member system 10, and FIG. 4 schematically represents a perspective front view of the door closer 22a. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the door closer 22a further comprises a force device 40, here schematically shown with dashed lines. The force device 40 is arranged to force rotation of the arm 34 relative to the primary element 24 about the pivot axis 36 to effect closing of the door leaf 14. The force device 40 is arranged inside the primary element 24. Due to the arrangement of the force device 40 inside of the primary element 24, the door closer 22a has a concealed design.

[0060] The force device 40 comprises a drive element 42. The drive element 42 is rotatable about the pivot axis 36. The drive element 42 is connected to the arm 34. In this example, the drive element 42 protrudes outside of the primary element 24.

[0061] The door closer 22a comprises an engageable structure 44a. The engageable structure 44a of this example comprises a plurality of engageable holes 46a in the primary element 24, here three engageable holes 46a. The engageable holes 46a are arranged along a horizontal line spanning across the frame 16. The engageable holes 46a are examples of engageable features according to the present disclosure.

[0062] In FIGS. 3 and 4, the drive element 42 passes through the middle engageable hole 46a. The force device 40 is thus positioned in a position 48 where the pivot axis 36 is concentric with this engageable hole 46a.

[0063] The force device 40 can slide between different positions 48 relative to the primary element 24 while the primary element 24 remains fixed to the frame 16. The door closer 22a thereby enables the position 48 of the force device 40 to be adjusted after mounting of the door closer 22a. In this example, the force device 40 can be moved linearly within the primary element 24 such that the pivot axis 36 becomes aligned with any of the engageable holes 46a of the engageable structure 44a to provide an optimal positioning of the pivot axis 36 relative to the hinge axis 18. In this way, the distance 38 can be adjusted and an optimal performance of the door closer 22a can easily be obtained, even if the primary element 24 should be inaccurately mounted to the frame 16.

[0064] FIG. 5 schematically represents a partial perspective front view of the door closer 22a. In FIG. 5, the primary element 24 is removed to show the force device 40. The drive element 42 of this example comprises a cam 50. The cam 50 is concentric with the pivot axis 36.

[0065] The force device 40 further comprises a shaft 52, here exemplified as a spline shaft. The shaft 52 of this specific example can be retracted out from the cam 50 together with the arm 34 to release the spline engagement. Also the shaft 52 is concentric with the pivot axis 36.

[0066] FIG. 6 schematically represents a top view of the force device 40. The force device 40 shown in FIG. 6 is one of many examples of force devices according to the present disclosure. As shown, the force device 40 of this specific example comprises a force device housing 54. The force device 40 further comprises a closing spring 56, here exemplified as a compression spring. The closing spring 56 here extends along a longitudinal axis of the primary element 24. The closing spring 56 is arranged to force rotation of the drive element 42, and of the arm 34 connected thereto, relative to the primary element 24 about the pivot axis 36.

[0067] The force device 40 of this example further comprises a roller 58 and a roller support 60 rotatably supporting the roller 58. The roller 58 contacts the cam 50. The closing spring 56, the roller 58, the roller support 60 and the cam 50 are positioned inside the force device housing 54. One end of the closing spring 56 is connected to the force device housing 54 and an opposite end of the closing spring 56 is connected to the roller support 60. When the door leaf 14 is opened, the arm 34 rotates about the pivot axis 36. This causes rotation of the cam 50 and the roller 58 follows the cam 50 causing the closing spring 56 to be compressed.

[0068] The force device 40 of this example further comprises a damping material 62, here exemplified as a viscoelastic polymer. The damping material 62 is here arranged on the exterior of the force device housing 54. In this way, transmission of noise and vibrations from the force device 40 to the primary element 24 can be efficiently reduced.

[0069] The force device 40 of this example further comprises a magnet 64. In this example, also the magnet 64 is arranged inside the force device housing 54.

[0070] FIG. 7 schematically represents a perspective top view of the secondary element 32. As shown, the door closer 22a further comprises a slider 66 rotatably connected at an end of the arm 34. The slider 66 slidingly engages a rail 68 in the secondary element 32.

[0071] In the following, one specific example among several examples of installing the door closer 22a will be described. The installer may mount the primary element 24 such that the first end 26 of the primary element 24 is aligned with an inner side of the door reveal of the frame 16 closest to the hinge axis 18. One or several holes may be drilled in the frame 16, such as in a the vertical top portion thereof, and one or more screws may be inserted in the holes to mount the primary element 24. The installer may then extend the primary element 24 such that the second end 28 meets the opposite inner side of the frame 16 furthest away from the hinge axis 18. The second end 28 may optionally be fixed in this extended position, for example with a screw.

[0072] The installer may then fix the secondary element 32 to the door leaf 14, for example by drilling one or more holes in the door leaf 14 and inserting one or more screws therein.

[0073] The installer may then try opening the door leaf 14 and inspect the closing performance of the door closer 22a. If the installer is satisfied with the performance, nothing has to be done. However, in case the force device 40 comprises an electromagnetic generator arranged to electrically power an electric controller, the controller may be configured to calibrate torques and closing times of the door leaf 14 based on the position 48. The controller may inform the installer if concluding that the position 48 should be changed, for example via wireless communication with a mobile phone carried by the installer. In any case, should the performance be unsatisfactory, the installer may bend down the arm 34 slightly such that the shaft 52 is retracted from the cam 50. The installer may then use an external magnet (not shown) magnetically cooperating with the magnet 64 to move the force device 40 relative to the primary element 24 such that the force device 40 is moved to a different position 48 where the cam 50 is aligned with a different engageable hole 46a. The use of an external strong enough magnet reduces a risk for unauthorized tampering since it is unlikely that a vandal will carry such magnet. The compression of the closing spring 56 remains the same when the force device 40 is moved relative to the primary element 24.

[0074] The installer may then grab and move the arm 34 such that the arm 34 slides along the secondary element 32 and engage the shaft 52 with the cam 50 in the new position 48. In this way, the distance 38 can very easily be adjusted to provide an optimal performance of the door closer 22a for the specific type of door 12 after mounting of the primary element 24 and the secondary element 32, for example without needing to drill new holes. Thus, the door closer 22a is more forgiving to installers in terms of mounting accuracy.

[0075] FIG. 8 schematically represents a perspective front view of a further example of a door closer 22b. The door closer 22b is a further example of an arrangement according to the present disclosure. Mainly differences with respect to the door closer 22 will be described. The door closer 22b comprises an engageable structure 44b. The engageable structure 44b comprises a plurality of engageable holes 46b in the primary element 24, here ten engageable holes 46b. The engageable holes 46b are further examples of engageable features according to the present disclosure.

[0076] The engageable structure 44b of this example further comprises an elongated slot 70 in the primary element 24. As shown, the drive element 42 engages the slot 70. The force device 40 of this example comprises a lock pin 72. As shown in FIG. 8, the lock pin 72 is received in one of the engageable holes 46b. By pushing the lock pin 72 into the primary element 24, for example with a tool, the position 48 of the force device 40 can be adjusted. The arm 34 provides a natural gripping interface for the installer. Once the lock pin 72 has been pushed into the primary element 24, the installer can grab and move the arm 34 to move the force device 40 relative to the primary element 24 to a new position 48.

[0077] When the force device 40 is in a desired position 48, the installer can let the lock pin 72 snap back into one of the holes 46b to lock the force device 40 in place. The lock pin 72 may be biased by a spring (not shown).

[0078] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, the above two examples of adjusting the position 48 of the force device 40 relative to the primary element 24 are merely two of many examples. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention may be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.