A door closing mechanism for a two-panel door having a leading panel and a trailing panel being disposed adjacent to one another in a door frame having hinges for hingedly connecting the panels to the door frame, said door closing mechanism comprising:
- means for controlling the closing sequence of a leading panel and a trailing panel, such that a trailing panel is locked in an open position prior to the closing of a leading panel;
- said means for controlling the closing sequence of a leading panel and a trailing panel comprising:
- a guide rail;
- locking means for locking the position of a trailing panel until its corresponding leading panel is closed;
- said locking means being disposed at least in part in said guide rail;
- said locking means comprising a locking device;
- said locking device comprising pivoting means for pivotally locking and unlocking said locking device;
- said pivoting means comprising a pivoting lever;
- said locking means comprising means for pivoting said pivoting lever into a locking position for preventing the closure of a trailing panel in advance of a leading panel upon a leading panel moving from a closed position to an open position;
- said locking means comprising means for pivoting said pivoting lever into an unlocking position for permitting positioning of a trailing panel into a closed position upon a leading panel being in a closed position;
- said locking means comprising means for delaying locking of said locking means upon opening a leading panel from a closed position of a leading panel until a leading panel is in a partially open position;
- said guide rail defining a longitudinal direction for permitting movement therein longitudinally;
- at least a portion of said locking device comprising a first movable mechanism disposed in said guide rail so as to permit movement longitudinally of said first movable mechanism within said guide rail;
- at least a portion of said means for pivoting said pivoting lever into a locking position and at least a portion of said means for pivoting said pivoting lever into an unlocking position being attached to said first movable mechanism;
- said first movable mechanism comprising means for being connected to a leading panel;
- at least a portion of said locking device comprising a second movable mechanism disposed in said guide rail so as to permit movement longitudinally of said second movable mechanism within said guide rail;
- said second movable mechanism comprising means for being connected to a trailing panel;
- said means for pivoting said pivoting lever into a locking position and said means for pivoting said pivoting lever into an unlocking position comprising a release element disposed within said guide rail;
- said release element having a beveled edge disposed adjacent to said pivoting lever;
- said beveled edge being configured for engaging and disengaging with said pivoting lever;
- said release element being attached to said first movable mechanism;
- said beveled edge of said release element being disposed to be movable past a portion of said pivoting lever;
- said portion of said pivoting lever comprises at least in part a first beveled edge;
- said first beveled edge of said pivoting lever being disposed adjacent to said beveled edge of said release element to thereby fascilitate said engaging and disengaging of said release element and said pivoting lever;
- at least a portion of said locking device comprising an actuator bar disposed within said guide rail;
- said actuator bar having a first portion and a second portion;
- said first portion comprising an end part;
- said pivoting lever further comprises a second beveled edge;
- said end part of said first portion of said actuator bar being disposed adjacent and in contact with said second beveled edge of said pivoting lever;
- said locking means comprising means for locking a trailing panel in an open position;
- said second portion of said actuator bar being disposed adjacent said means for locking a trailing panel in an open position;
- and
- said second portion of said actuator bar being disposed to engage and to disengage with said means for locking a trailing panel in an open position.