Description

Technical field

The invention relates to the field of door stop devices, more specifically the present invention provides a door lock and release system combining innovative technological and mechanical aspects.

Prior art

Door stops are devices which allow to keep a door open depending on the situation. It is more practical to keep the door of a passage open through which many people pass so as to avoid frequently opening and closing the door each time a person passes through it. By keeping such a door open, the door can be protected from damage to the hinges given that no repeated load is applied thereon. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent noise from opening/closing the door if the door is in a place where people frequently pass and to keep the environment quiet.

An example is the subject of the patent application CA2799761C by R. SCHACHTER, C.H. PHAM, K. SCHATZ, N. LEE. The invention relates to a sliding door stop system.

The invention relates to an assembly for a slidable door for use with a bath tub or shower cubicle, said assembly comprising: a rod, at least a door, at least a roller fixed to said door in a predetermined position and slidably engaging said rod, a stopper fixed to said rod, in a predetermined position, a striker fixed to said door, in a predetermined position, said striker further comprising at least an abutment member, said stopper further comprising at least a striking receiving member, wherein when said door is in a first position, said abutment member and said receiver member are not engaged and when said door is in a second position, said abutment member and said receiver member are engaged, preventing said door from moving substantially horizontally and vertically along said rod.

Another example is the subject of patent application US5010622A by T. MORITA. The invention relates to a door stopper.

The invention relates to improvements in door stoppers to keep the doors open. More particularly, the invention offers door stoppers which facilitate the opening/closing of the door through the attraction of a permanent magnet, they prevent damage to the attraction element allowing the attraction element and the attracted element comprising such door stopper to gradually attract one another with a buffer action and they make the attraction element or the attracted element oscillating so as to allow a safe and stable attraction.

Another example is the subject of patent application US6588811B1 by E.B FERGUSON. The invention relates to a door stopper/reversible coupling magnet.

The invention relates to a door stopper/magnetic coupling which contains a first magnet mounted on or inside a door and a second magnet mounted on or inside a structure opposite the door, such as a wall, a doorjamb, a door frame or a base. When the door moves toward the opposite structure, the magnetic door stopper may be used to prevent the door from striking against the opposite structure by virtue of the repulsive forces of the magnets. The magnetic coupling can be switched from a repulsive configuration to an attraction configuration which keeps the door in place.

The inventions described so far provide door stop devices in various shapes.

The object of the present invention is to provide a door stop system which can be provided with the magnets, can be actuated mechanically, or even hydraulically and can be installed on the floor with external devices or can be integrated in the door.

Even more advantageously, the system includes motion sensors adapted to allow the automatic release of the locking device when the overall dimensions of the door are cleared.

Description of the invention

According to the present invention, herein provided is a door stop system with sensors which allows to keep a door in the opening position and to release it also remotely by connecting to a home automation network.

The invention is provided in various embodiments all having a door stop apparatus that keeps it open and comprises a door stop piston, a locking mechanism through which the piston engages the door leaf and an activation mechanism aimed at activating the locking.

The door stop system described is suitable for housing an electric circuit in various embodiments thereof. This allows easy installation of sensors and the addition of a specific connection for home automation.

In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises a magnet mounted on or even inside the door leaf and engages the mechanical, electromechanical and/or electromagnetic door stop piston. The activation mechanism comprises a pair of magnetic sensors one on the door leaf, one on the floor or wall or in any case on a fixed support, which communicate with each other to send an activation signal to the door stop piston which magnetizes or is pushed out to attract the magnet.

In another preferred embodiment, the activation mechanism comprises a system of levers and gears such as to transmit the movement of the door, by connecting to the hinges between the door leaf and the frame, to the piston, which after a suitably calibrated number of turns, is activated. This embodiment is suitable for a mechanical, hydraulic and/or compressed air operation, replacing its components but leaving their basic operation unchanged.

Another embodiment comprises a recessed floor hole. In this case, the piston, mounted on and/or inside the door leaf, remains raised thanks to a spring-pin mechanism. The activation mechanism in this case comprises a magnet mounted on the door leaf and a magnet mounted on the floor and/or in any case on a fixed support, when the magnets are close enough to attract each other, the spring-pin mechanism is triggered by causing the piston to lower into the recessed hole on the floor.

All the embodiments shown can mount a motion sensor capable of distinguishing the presence or absence of people or animals in the overall dimensions of the door, so that when the locking mechanism is released remotely via said home automation network, a suitable warning indicating the position of occupation of the door is shown.

The electronic devices used in the activation and locking mechanisms can be directly connected to the available electrical network and/or can be provided with their own rechargeable battery and/or battery-powered, suitable to provide a supplementary energy source. All the electronic devices are also made of materials resistant to wear, impacts, and water to allow the washing of the floors and the door, avoiding to damage the mechanical and technological equipment. The home automation network refers to home technology networks as well as to technology networks of public facilities such as schools and/or hospitals that may use the same operation.

Description of the figures

The invention will be described hereinafter in at least a preferred embodiment by way of non- limiting example and with the aid of the attached figures, wherein:

- FIGURE 1 shows a general view of the door stop system with sensors 100;

- FIGURE 2 shows a view of some preferred embodiments of the door stop apparatus 200 of said door stop system with sensors 100. Detailed description of the invention

The present invention will now be illustrated purely by way of non-limiting or binding example, using the figures which illustrate some of the embodiments in relation to the present inventive concept.

With reference to FIG. 1 shown is a general view of said door stop system with sensors 100 according to the present invention. As in the following description, FIG 1 shows the embodiment of the present invention considered to be the best.

Said door stop system with sensors 100 comprises at least a door 101, at least a door leaf 102, at least a frame 103, at least a home automation network 104, at least an electric circuit 105, at least a sensor 106, at least a door stop apparatus 200. Said door stop system with sensors 100 is adapted to provide a technological and effective solution for locking a door in the opening position. Said door 101 comprising at least a door leaf 102 and at least a frame 103. Said door 101 adapted to be connected to said home automation network 104 through said electric circuit 105 which supplies power to said door stop apparatus 200. Said electric circuit 105 adapted to supply also to said sensor 106 adapted to determine the presence or absence of people and/or animals in the passage of said door 101 and to send appropriate warning when the command to close said door 101 is triggered by said home automation network 104.

With reference to FIG. 2 shown are some preferred embodiments for said door stop apparatus 200 of said door stop system with sensors 100. Said door stop apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Said door stop apparatus 200 comprising at least a door stop piston 201, at least a locking mechanism 202, at least an activation mechanism 203, at least a magnet 204, at least a pair of magnetic sensors 205, at least a lever system 206, at least a recessed floor hole 207, at least a spring-pin mechanism 208, at least a battery 209, at least a pair of gears 210.

Said door stop piston 201 suitable to be mounted on a fixed support such as a floor and/or a wall, or to be mounted on and/or in said door leaf 102. Said door stop piston 201 adapted for mechanical, electromagnetic and/or electromechanical operation.

In a preferred embodiment, said locking mechanism 202 comprises said magnet 204 mounted on or also inside said door leaf 102, and adapted to engage with said door stop piston 201. Said activation mechanism 203 comprises said pair of magnetic sensors 205 one on said door leaf 102 one on a fixed support, which communicate with each other to send an activation signal to said door stop piston 201.

In another preferred embodiment, said activation mechanism 203 comprises said lever system 206 and said pair of gears 210 adapted to transmit the movement of said door 101 to said door stop piston 201 in order to activate it.

Another embodiment comprises said recessed floor hole 207. Said door stop piston 201 mounted on and/or inside said door leaf 102 remains raised thanks to said spring-pin mechanism 208. Said activation mechanism 203 in this case comprises two units of said magnet 204 mounted one on said door leaf 102 and the other on a fixed support. When the two units of said magnet 204 are close enough to attract each other, said spring-pin mechanism 208 is triggered by lowering said door stop piston 201, which ends in said recessed floor hole 207. All the described technological devices adapted to be connected to the electrical network and/or to use said battery 209 for an additional power source.

Lastly, it is clear that modifications, additions or variations which are obvious to a person skilled in the art may be applied to the invention described heretofore without departing from the scope of protection provided by the attached claims.