Subject of the Invention

The subject of the invention relates to a mechanism, which enables to mechanically and electronically open, close and lock a door of the type moving in the horizontal direction, i.e., moving by way of sliding, on at least one fixed surface, and which preferably provides feedback to the user about the closed, locked and unlocked states of the door.

State of the Art

Most of the doors of the toilet cabins available in the public spaces include a mechanical hinge wherein the doors are opened and closed upon a door handle being contacted and are locked by means of a mechanical lock. In order to prevent the diseases that are transmitted by contact and that profoundly affect the public health, it is necessary to frequently and effectively clean especially the frequently contacted parts of the cabins in the public spaces and the private spaces. However, as far as the cabins in the public spaces, the cleaning of which is the responsibility of the third parties, are concerned, the frequency and the efficiency of cleaning are not known by the users. The uncertainty about whether the ideal conditions of hygiene are provided troubles the users and some users, as a result of this unease, prefer opening, closing and locking the cabin doors by contacting the doors with a piece of toilet paper. In an effort to address the hygiene concerns by preventing the contact with the doors, the sensors and the electrical actuators are recently employed, which are triggered in a touchless manner to enable the doors to be opened and/or closed and/or locked and/or unlocked.

In the currently available electronic systems, the system is required to be electronically locked by a sensor switch after the door is automatically closed. Since the automatic doors are less frequently encountered in the toilet cabins, the users are not accustomed to the automated opening and closing action of such a door. If the user is using this system for the first time, he/she will not realize that such locking is necessary. Consequently, when the doors that are rendered automatic at a later time by fitting a sensor and an actuator on the same are used, the problems such as the door's being inadvertently left open, the door's opening inadvertently or the door's failing to open when it is needed to open are encountered. In such a case, when a user outside the cabin attempts to open the door while another user is already present inside the cabin, the door could automatically open. As a result, the development of a mechanism is needed, which will enable to automatically lock and secure a door after it is closed and/or will provide feedback to the user about a door's being and/or not being closed and/or open and/or locked and the like.

It is also very important that the door, in addition to readily and safely closing and locking, readily opens following the use of the cabin. In order to open the doors that are possible to control only by means of the electronic components, the users extend their hands to the sensor that enables the door to unlock and/or open. However, the sensor, which is an electronic component, fails to operate in any adverse situation such as power outage and malfunction. The users will then try to open the door by manually forcing the same, but it is rather difficult to manually open the automatic doors. The reason is that the mechanism is not designed to support the manual opening of the door. Further, since the attempt of a user, who gets into a panic in such case of failure, to manually open the door could make the system even more problematic, it will become impossible for the user to get out of the cabin. As a result, the mechanisms are needed, which will enable the door to be controlled also mechanically in cases where the mechanisms enabling to control the door in an electronic/touchless manner are not able to be used, i.e., which will enable the door to be controlled both electronically and mechanically.

In order to meet the mentioned needs, a mechanism, which enables a door to be mechanically and electronically locked, secured and unlocked and thus enables the same to be opened and closed electronically and mechanically, has been developed within the scope of the invention. Also, owing to the mechanism according to the invention, the user is provided with information about the state of the door and the lock, preferably via visual and/or audible means. In this way, the user makes sure that the door has been closed, has been locked and will not be opened by another user outside the cabin during the use. Owing to the mechanism according to the invention, the user is able to open the door manually when the door is not possible to control electronically in any case of failure or power outage.

Object of the Invention

An object of the invention is to develop a mechanism, which enables a door of the type moving by way of sliding on at least one fixed surface to be locked, secured and unlocked both electronically and mechanically.

Another object of the invention is to develop a mechanism, which enables a door of the type moving by way of sliding on at least one fixed surface to be opened and closed both electronically and mechanically.

Another object of the invention is to develop a mechanism, which enables the user to be informed about the state of the door, more particularly about the door's being electronically or mechanically closed, locked, unlocked, open and out of order.

Description of the Figures

Figure 1: A view of the mechanism according to the invention in a state mounted on a door

Figure 2: A sectional view of the mechanism according to the invention in a state mounted on a door

Figure 3: An exploded view of the mechanism according to the invention

Figure 4: A side sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the mechanism according to the invention in a state mounted on a door

Figure 5: A side sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the mechanism according to the invention in a state mounted on a door Figure 6: A perspective view of the safety key that enables the mechanism according to the invention to be controlled from the outside

Figure 7a: A perspective view of the bearing piece included in the mechanism according to the invention

Figure 7b: A perspective view of the bearing piece included in the mechanism according to the invention

Figure 8a: A view of the body included in the mechanism according to the invention showing the part of said body where the connecting piece is mounted

Figure 8b: A view of the body included in the mechanism according to the invention showing the part of said body where the bearing piece is mounted

Figure 9a: A perspective view of the connecting piece included in the mechanism according to the invention

Figure 9b: A perspective view of the connecting piece included in the mechanism according to the invention

Reference Numerals

1: Body

11: Control arm

12: Lock form

121: Horizontal portion

122: Vertical portion

13: Body connection form seat

14: Channel

2: Bearing piece

21: Connecting piece bearing form 211: Tab seat

22: Body bearing form

23: Fixing form

24: Pin

25: Surface abutment form

3: Connecting piece

31: Body connection form

32: Key seat

33: Bearing piece connection form

34: Tab

4: Movable piece

5: Microswitch

6: Indicator

7: Key

8: Spring

9: Movable piece cover

10: Movable piece bearing form

A: Structure

B: Fixed piece

K: Control member

Yl: Door

Y2: Fixed surface

Y3: Door positioning surface Description of the Invention

The subject of the invention relates to a mechanism, which enables to mechanically and electronically open, close and lock a door of the type moving in the horizontal direction, i.e., moving by way of sliding, on at least one fixed surface, and which preferably provides feedback to the user about the closed, locked and unlocked states of the door.

The mechanism according to the invention basically comprises a body (1), which has at least one lock form (12) and which performs rotational movement; at least one bearing piece (2), on which the body (1) is supportably disposed and which enables the mechanism to be fixed on the door (Yl); and a structure (A), which is positioned on a fixed surface (Y2) and which has at least one movable piece (4) moving in a direction of preventing and/or allowing the movement of the lock form (12) upon electronic triggering. The fixed surface (Y2) is the side beam of the door (Yl).

Said structure (A) comprises a fixed piece (B) into which the movable piece (4) is to be positioned. The movable piece (4) moves in a direction in which it will come out of or get into the fixed piece (B). The movable piece (4) is internally connected with the fixed piece (B) and it is never fully detached from said fixed piece (B).

The bearing piece (2) included in the mechanism according to the invention basically comprises at least one fixing form (23) which enables the bearing piece (2) to be fixed on the door (Yl), a body bearing form (22) on which the body (1) is positioned, a surface abutment form (25), and at least one pin (24) which limits the rotational movement of the body (1) on said form. The fixing form (23) is mounted inside a hole, which is formed on the surface of the door (Yl) and which has a form compatible with the fixing form (23). The outer surface of the fixing form (23), which is mounted to the door (Yl) via the inner surface of the door (Yl), has a form, preferably a threaded form, which is compatible with the inner surface of a cover to be fitted on the outer surface of the door (Yl). In this way, the bearing piece (2) is fixed to the door. The surface abutment form (25) is located between the fixing form (23) and the body bearing form (22) and contacts/abuts the inner surface of the door (Yl) when the fixing form (23) is passed through the hole on the door (Yl). The body (1) included in the mechanism according to the invention basically comprises at its center a cavity, through which the body bearing form (22) is passed until the surface of the body (1) contacts the surface abutment form (25) of the bearing piece (2) and which in this way enables the body (1) to be positioned/supportably disposed on the bearing piece (2), said cavity having a form compatible with the body bearing form (22). The body (1) comprises, on the surface thereof contacting the surface abutment form (25), at least one channel (14), into which at least one pin (24) fits and which is of a width compatible with the pin (24). The length of the channel (14) determines the movement angle of the body (1). Thus, the operating angle of the mechanism is limited. The pin (24), by being positioned into said channel (14), may limit the rotational movement of the body (1).

The mechanism according to the invention comprises at least one spring (8), one end of which is fixed to the pin (24) and the other end of which is fixed to the body (1). Owing to the spring (8), the body (1) continuously rotates on the locking side when released while the door (Yl) is unlocked.

The movable piece (4) is positioned on a fixed surface (Y2) like the door beam in such a way that said movable piece (4) will be disposed side by side with the body (1) and thus the lock form (12) will be able to engage on said movable piece (4) when the door (Yl) closes. The lock form (12) on the body (1) has a horizontal portion (121), which extends from the body (1) to the movable piece (4) and which is to be contacted by the movable piece (4), and a vertical portion (122). Upon the user triggering a control member (K) to enable the door (Yl) to automatically close, the movable piece (4), preferably in a magnetic manner, comes out of its seat and moves in a direction of approaching the lock form (12). While the door (Yl) is closing, the lock form (12) engages on the moving piece (4) under the action of the closing force. As a result, the movable piece (4) contacts the horizontal portion of the lock form (12) and remains between the body (1) and the vertical portion (122). In case the door is attempted to be opened by sliding the same on the door positioning surface (Y3), the vertical portion (122) of the lock form (12) will abut the movable piece (4) and thus, the lock form (12) will not be able to be released from the movable piece (4). Upon the user triggering a control member (K) to enable the door (Yl) to automatically open, the movable piece (4), preferably in a magnetic manner, moves in a direction of moving away from the lock form (12) and gets into its seat. In this way, the obstacle between the body (1) and the lock form (12) is removed and the lock form (12) becomes released. As a result, it becomes possible for the door (Yl) to open by sliding on the door positioning surface (Y3).

In some preferred embodiments of the mechanism according to the invention, the tip of the vertical portion (122) of the lock form (12) is designed to have an inclined shape. By this means, the locking action is enabled to take place in a smooth manner. Further, the locking is enabled to be realized in a robust manner despite the presence of some measurement and mounting errors.

In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism according to the invention comprises at least one connecting piece (3), which is positioned on the body (1), is fixed to the body (1) and the bearing piece (2) to thereby enable the body (1) to remain stationary at the location where it is positioned and further serves as a cover. In this embodiment, the body comprises at least one body connection form seat (13), into which at least one body connection form (31) present in the connecting piece (3) is to fit. In this embodiment, the bearing piece (2) comprises a connecting piece bearing form (21), on which the connecting piece (3) is positioned and which has a diameter smaller than that of the body bearing form (22).

The connecting piece (3) further comprises at its center a bearing piece connection form (33), which is supported on the connecting piece bearing form (21) and is compatible with the connecting piece bearing form (21), for the purpose of preventing the movement of the body (1) in the horizontal direction and ensuring that the body (1) will not dislocate. This is preferably a finned form and a tab (34) fitting in the tab seat (211) is present on the end of each of the fins.

In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism according to the invention comprises at least one key (7), which enables the mechanism to be mechanically controlled also from the outside.

In a preferred embodiment of the mechanism according to the invention comprising the key (7) and the connecting piece (3), the connecting piece (3) comprises at its center a key seat (32). In this embodiment, the bearing piece (2) comprises at its center a cavity with a form compatible with the key (7). The key (7) is passed from the outer surface of the door (Yl) through the centers of the bearing piece (2) and the body (1), which are concentric, until the end of the key fits in the key seat (32) on the connecting piece (3). As the key (7) is turned by holding the same by the portion thereof that remains outside the door (Yl), the connecting piece (3) rotates and the body (1), to which the connecting piece (3) is fixed, rotates in the direction of locking the mechanism or in the direction of unlocking the mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism according to the invention comprises at least one control member (K), which enables the door (Yl) to be electronically controlled, opened and/or closed and/or locked from the inside and/or outside.

In some preferred embodiments, the mechanism according to the invention comprises at least one control member (K), which is positioned inside the cabin, for example on the cabin walls and/or on the beams of the door (Yl), and which enables the door (Yl) of the cabin to be controlled from the inside, and at least one other control member (K), which is positioned outside the cabin, for example on the door (Yl) and/or on the beams of the door (Yl) and/or on the surface coat, and which thus enables the door to be left closed in order to prevent the contamination after the use of the cabin, enables the door to be opened from the outside and enables the door to be locked from the outside, i.e., enables the door (Yl) to be controlled also from the outside.

In a preferred embodiment of the mechanism according to the invention, the control member/s (K) is/are sensor/s, preferably the sensor/s capable of measuring the distance/proximity.

In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism according to the invention is characterized by comprising at least one microswitch (5). When it is desired to control the mechanism mechanically, for example when it is desired to open the door (Yl), the bearing piece (2) contacts at least one microswitch (5) positioned on the bearing piece (2) or the body (1). In this way, it is notified to the circuit, which controls the opening of the door (Yl), that it is desired to open the door (Yl) manually. As a result, the actuator that enables the door (Yl) to move becomes released and the user is allowed to open the door (Yl) manually. When the door (Yl) is closed, the lock form (12) contacts at least one other microswitch (5) positioned on the fixed surface (Y2) where the movable piece (4) is disposed. Accordingly, that the door (Yl) has fully closed is checked electronically.

In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism according to the invention comprises at least one visual warning means. In this embodiment of the invention, the mechanism comprises at least one indicator (6), which is mounted preferably on the connecting piece (3) if said mechanism comprises a connecting piece (3) or preferably on the body (1) if said mechanism does not comprise a connecting piece (3). A light in a particular color and/or in the form of a particular text and/or in the form of a particular shape is reflected on this indicator (6) from the visual warning means positioned inside the mechanism, and in this way, the user is provided with information about whether the door (Yl) is closed, about whether the door (Yl) is locked, about a malfunction in the door (Yl) and/or about the need of the door (Yl) for repair and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism according to the invention comprises at least one audible warning means.

The mechanism according to the invention comprises at least one control arm (11) on the body (1), intended to facilitate the mechanical control on said mechanism. In the embodiment of the mechanism where the body (1) does not include a control arm, the users are able to mechanically control the mechanism by holding the body (1) and imparting a force on the body (1). In the embodiment of the mechanism where the body (1) includes a control arm (11), the users are able to mechanically control the mechanism by imparting a force on said control arm (11).

In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism according to the invention comprises at least one air seal, preferably at least one o-ring, which is to be positioned between the body (1) and the body bearing form (22).

In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism according to the invention comprises at least one movable piece bearing form (10), into which the movable piece (4) is to be positioned. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism according to the invention comprises at least one movable piece cover (9), which enables the movable piece (4) to be covered and prevents the movable piece (4) from being damaged.

As the components of the mechanism according to the invention, the fixing form (23), the body bearing form (22) and the connecting piece bearing form (21) present in the bearing piece (2), as well as the body (1), the cavity at the center of the body (1), the connecting piece (3), the bearing piece connection form (33) present in the connecting piece (3) and the indicator (6) preferably have a circular form.

The disclosed mechanism, which operates integrally with the triggering members and the actuator, enables the door to be electronically and mechanically controlled, opened, closed, locked and unlocked. With the mechanism according to the invention, the user is further enabled to be informed about the state of the door and the lock preferably with the help of visual and/or audible warning means. In this way, the user is able to make sure that the door has been closed, has been locked and will not be opened by another user outside the cabin during the use. Owing to the mechanism according to the invention, the user is able to open the door manually when the door is unable to be controlled electronically in any case of failure or power outage.