AU2013224643B2 - A Pet Door Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A pet door assembly for mounting in a structural panel includes a closure assembly having a frame assembly that defines a passageway suitable for passage of an animal. The frame assembly is configured to be partially received in an opening in the structural panel and includes an abutment member capable of being brought into abutment with a surface of the structural panel peripheral to the opening. A closure member is mounted in the frame assembly to be displaceable by an animal between open and closed positions to open and close the opening, respectively, to accommodate the passage of the animal through the opening. A retainer is configured also to be partially received in the opening in the structural panel, and includes an abutment member capable of being brought into abutment with an opposite surface of the structural panel. The frame assembly and the retainer include an interlocking arrangement that is configured so that the frame assembly and the retainer can be urged into locking engagement with each other to sandwich the surfaces of the structural panel, peripheral to the opening, between the abutment members. 0 & $4. I .\ \~ :7 1 ~ v~ ,1) I,~ / _ XL ~\~N \ -V -~ ~ -~ -~* 7 -Q -:~)-czr, ~ -( ~ -~ ~ -~

Description

A PET DOOR ASSEMBLY

FIELD

[0001 ] Various exemplary embodiments of a pet door assembly are described in this specification.

SUMMARY

[0002] Various exemplary embodiments of a pet door assembly for mounting in a structural panel, comprise a closure assembly having a frame assembly that defines a passageway suitable for passage of an animal, the frame assembly being configured to be partially received in an opening in the structural panel and including an abutment member capable of being brought into abutment with a surface of the structural panel peripheral to the opening; a closure member mounted in the frame assembly to be displaceable by an animal between open and closed positions to open and close the opening, respectively, to accommodate the passage of the animal through the opening; and a retainer that is configured also to be partially received in the opening in the structural panel, and including an abutment member capable of being brought into abutment with an opposite surface of the structural panel; wherein the frame assembly and the retainer include an interlocking arrangement that is configured so that the frame assembly and the retainer can be urged into locking engagement with each other to sandwich the surfaces of the structural panel, peripheral to the opening, between the abutment members.

[0003] The frame assembly may include a body that is received in the opening. The abutment member of the frame assembly may be a peripheral flange that extends from the body, and the retainer may include an insert that is received in the opening. The abutment member of the retainer may be a flange that extends from the insert. The interlocking arrangement may be defined by complementary interlocking formations defined by the body and the insert respectively.

[0004] The interlocking formations may be in the form of complementary clipping formations that allow the closure assembly and the retainer to be clipped together.

[0005] The clipping formations may be in the form of complementary series of ridges arranged on the insert and the body respectively, the insert defining an aperture that corresponds with a periphery of the body so that the body can be press-fitted into the aperture such that the ridges engage each other to secure the body in the aperture.

[0006] The body may be cylindrical and the aperture may be circular. The ridges on the body and the insert may be arranged in complementary, circumferentially spaced sets of ridges about the body and the insert, such that the sets of ridges can engage each other when aligned and can disengage each other when the body and insert are rotated to move the sets of ridges out of alignment with respect to each other.

[0007] The frame assembly may include a frame member. The body may be fastened to the frame member and the frame member may define the peripheral flange. Thus, the body and the frame member may define the passageway when fastened together.

[0008] The closure member may be a closure flap that is pivotally mounted between the frame member and the body to be pivotal between the open and closed conditions to accommodate passage of the animal through the passageway.

[0009] The pet door assembly may include a security closure that is operatively arranged on the closure assembly and is operable to inhibit access to the passageway.

[0010] The security closure may be a closure panel. The closure panel and the closure assembly may be configured so that the closure panel can be engaged with the closure assembly to inhibit access to the passageway or disengaged from the closure assembly to allow access to the passageway.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011 ] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a pet door assembly.

[0012] Figure 2 shows a detail view of part of a body of a frame assembly of the pet door assembly.

[0013] Figure 3 shows a detail view of another part of the body including an interior catch mechanism.

[0014] Figure 4 shows a frame member of the pet door assembly of figure 1.

[0015] Figure 5 shows the manner in which the pet door assembly of figure 1 is mounted.

[0016] Figure 6 shows a closure member of the pet door assembly of figure 1.

[0017] Figure 7 shows an exploded view of another exemplary embodiment of a pet door assembly.

[0018] Figure 8 shows a frame member of a frame assembly of the pet door assembly of figure 7.

[0019] Figure 9 shows a detailed view of a latch mechanism for the pet door assembly of figure 7.

[0020] Figure 10 shows another frame member of the frame assembly of the pet door assembly of figure 7.

[0021 ] Figure 11 shows an exemplary embodiment of a security closure of the pet door assembly of figure 7 being operatively positioned.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0022] In figures 1 and 5, reference numeral 10 generally indicates an exemplary embodiment of a pet door assembly.

[0023] The pet door assembly 10 includes a closure assembly 11. The closure assembly 11 includes a frame assembly 12 that defines a passageway 14 suitable for passage of an animal. The frame assembly 12 is configured to be partially received in an opening 16 in a structural panel 18 (figure 5). In this case, the structural panel 18 is a pane of glass or a glass panel, of the type which might be found in a sliding door or window of a dwelling. The opening 16 is circular.

[0024] The frame assembly 12 includes a body 20. The body 20 is generally cylindrical. The body 20 defines an axially extending peripheral lip 22. The lip 22 carries clipping formations in the form of circumferentially spaced sets of serrations or ridges 24. A central web 26 defines an aperture 28.

[0025] The frame assembly 12 also includes a frame member 30. The frame member 30 is generally circular and defines an abutment member in the form of a peripheral flange 32.

[0026] A central web 34 defines an aperture 36. The web 26 of the body 20 is fastened to the web 34 with fasteners 38 received through complementary openings 40 in the webs 26, 34. A locating formation 42 demarcates the web 34 and the flange 32. The body 20 is received partially in the formation 42.

[0027] The apertures 28, 36 define the passageway 14. The closure assembly 11 includes a closure member in the form of a closure flap 44. The closure flap 44 is mounted between the webs 26, 34 to be pivotal to accommodate passage of an animal through the passageway 14. The passageway 14 defines a horizontal upper side 46, a pair of opposed vertical sides 48 and a curved or arcuate lower side 50. The closure flap 44 has a corresponding shape as can be seen in figure 6.

[0028] Pivot bars or lugs 52 extend from respective sides 48 at or near the upper side 46. Both webs 26, 34 have complementary retaining formations 54 to retain the lugs 52 so that the flap 44 can pivot about the formations 54.

[0029] An interior catch mechanism 56 is mounted on the web 26 at the lower side 50. The interior catch mechanism 56 includes a catch member 58, shown in a disassembled condition in figure 1 and in detail in figure 3. The catch member 58 is mounted on the web 26 to be displaceable upwardly into a position in which it obstructs movement of the closure flap 44 in an entry direction and downwardly into a position in which the closure flap 44 is free to pivot.

[0030] An exterior catch mechanism 60 is mounted on the web 34, at the lower side 50. The exterior catch mechanism 60 includes a catch member 62, shown in a disassembled condition in figure 1. The catch member 62 is mounted on the web 34 to be displaceable upwardly into a position in which it obstructs movement of the closure flap 44 in an exit direction and downwardly into a position in which the closure flap 44 is free to pivot.

[0031 ] Thus, the catch mechanisms 56, 60 can be used either to prevent ingress of the animal or to prevent egress, or both.

[0032] A magnet 86 is mounted in a lower side 50 of the closure flap 44. A corresponding magnet 88 is mounted in the web 34 of the frame member 30. The magnets 86, 88 are mounted in a position in which they are aligned when the closure flap 44 is in a vertical, closed position. Furthermore, the magnets 86, 88 are oriented to be attracted to each other in that position. Thus, the closure 44 is biased into the closed position by the magnets 86, 88. The magnet 88 could also be mounted in the body 20.

[0033] The pet door assembly 10 includes a retainer 64 that engages the closure assembly 11. The retainer 64 includes an insert 66 and an abutment member in the form of a peripheral flange 68 extending radially from the insert 66.

[0034] The insert 66 is generally cylindrical and dimensioned to fit within the opening 16. The insert 66 defines an aperture 67 that corresponds with the aperture 36 further to define the passageway 14.

[0035] An internal surface 70 of the insert 66 defines sets of ridges 72 that correspond with the sets 24 on the body 20. The body 20 is dimensioned to fit within the insert 66. In particular, the body 20 can fit within the insert 66 so that the sets of ridges 24, 72 can engage each other allowing the closure assembly 11 to be clipped to the retainer 64 with the pane 18 sandwiched or clamped between the flanges 32, 68.

[0036] In use, the closure assembly 11 is positioned with the body 20 in the opening 16 and the peripheral flange 32 abutting an external surface of the pane 18. The insert 66 of the retainer 64 is then pressed into the opening 16 from an opposite side of the pane 18. As a result, the sets of ridges 24 clip into engagement with the sets of ridges 72. The retainer 64 and the closure assembly 11 are urged together until the pane 18 is sandwiched between the flanges 32, 68.

[0037] The sets of ridges 24, 72 are circumferentially spaced about the lip 22 and the internal surface 70, respectively. Thus, the retainer 64 can be rotated or twisted relative to the body 20 to disengage the sets of ridges 24, 72 from each other to disassemble the assembly 10, if required.

[0038] Internal surfaces of respective flanges 32, 68 are generally flat to sit flush against respective sides of the pane 18. Peripheral edges 78, 80 of the respective flanges 32, 68 are profiled so that external surfaces taper inwardly to the sides of the pane 18. As a result, a substantially water resistant fitting of the flanges 74, 76 to the pane 18 can be achieved without the need for sealants or seals. However, the inventor envisages that sealants or seals could be used to enhance the water resistance of the fitting.

[0039] The closure assembly 11 and the retainer 64 can be of a plastics material. For example, the closure assembly 11 and the retainer 64 can be of a polycarbonate. In particular, the closure assembly 11 and the retainer 64 can be of a clear polycarbonate to minimise visual impact when used with a pane of glass.

[0040] The pet door assembly 10 includes a security closure 90 that allows the passageway 14 to be closed such that operation of the closure flap 44 is inhibited. The security closure 90 is arranged on the closure assembly 11 in a detachable manner.

[0041 ] The security closure 90 includes a generally disc shaped panel 94. The disc shaped panel 94 is dimensioned to fit within the lip 22 on the body 20. The disc shaped panel 94 defines a series of twist lock formations 92 on a periphery of the panel 94. The lip 22 defines corresponding twist lock formations 96. Thus, when the panel 94 is received within the lip 22, it can be twisted to engage or disengage from the body 20 and thus the closure assembly 11. The security closure 90 can be engaged with the closure assembly 11 from an interior of a dwelling. As a result, access to the security closure 90 from an exterior of the dwelling is inhibited. This allows the pet door assembly 10 to be rendered inoperable when desired. For example, it may be necessary or desirable to close the pet door assembly in this manner when residents leave the dwelling for an extended period of time.

[0042] The twist lock formations 92 can include radially extending lugs 100 on a periphery of the panel 94. The twist lock formations 96 can include engagement formations 102 that define slots to accommodate the lugs 100. The lugs 100 are positioned in recesses 104 so that rotational movement of the panel 94 is limited to movement between a position in which the lugs 100 engage the formations 102 and a position in which the lugs 100 are disengaged from the formations 102.

[0043] The panel 94 defines a pair of recesses 98 to facilitate twisting of the panel 94.

[0044] In figure 4, reference numeral 110 generally indicates a further exemplary embodiment of a pet door assembly. With reference to figures 1 to 3, like reference numerals refer to like parts, unless otherwise specified. However, such use of common reference numerals is only for convenience and is not intended to indicate interdependency of the pet door assemblies 10,110.

[0045] The pet door assembly 110 is suited for mounting in a structural panel 112 in which a square or rectangular opening 114 can be provided. An example of such a panel 112 is a timber panel.

[0046] The pet door assembly 110 includes a closure assembly 116. The closure assembly 116 includes a frame assembly 118. The frame assembly 118 defines a passageway 120 suitable for passage of an animal. The frame assembly 118 is configured to be partially received in the opening 114.

[0047] The frame assembly 118 includes a body 122. The body 122 includes an external frame member 124 that defines a horizontal upper side 126, a pair of opposed vertical sides 128 and a generally arcuate lower side 130. Clipping formations in the form of sets of serrations or ridges 132 are arranged on the upper side 126 and the vertical sides 128.

[0048] The body 122 includes a web 134 that is positioned within the frame member 124 and defines an aperture 136. The web 134 includes a horizontal upper section 138, a pair of vertical sections 140 and an arcuate lower section 142.

[0049] The frame assembly 118 includes a frame member 144. The frame member 144 is generally rectangular and defines an abutment member in the form of a peripheral flange 146.

[0050] A web 148 defines an aperture 150. The web 134 of the body 122 is fastened to the web 148 with fasteners that engage complementary formations 152 arranged on the web 148. As can be seen in figure 5, the body 122 defines openings 154 that correspond with the formations 152 so that fasteners can be received through the openings 154 to engage the formations 152.

[0051] A ridge 156 projects from a periphery of the aperture 150 towards the body 122. Vertical sides of the ridge 156 define respective retaining formations 158 in which the pivot lugs or bars 52 can be received. The web 134 defines complementary retaining formations 159 in the vertical sections 140 at or near the upper section 138 so that the lugs 52 can be retained in a pivotal manner between the body 122 and the frame member 144.

[0052] An interior catch mechanism 160 is mounted on the web 134 on the lower section 142. The interior catch mechanism 160 includes a catch member 162, shown in a disassembled condition in figure 6. The catch member 162 is mounted on the lower section 142 of the web 134 to be displaceable upwardly into a position in which it obstructs movement of the closure flap 44 in an entry direction and downwardly into a position in which the closure flap is free to permit. Displacement of the catch member 162 is illustrated by arrow 163 in figure 5.

[0053] An exterior catch mechanism 164 is mounted on the ridge 156 at a lower side. The exterior catch mechanism 164 includes a catch member 166, shown in a disassembled condition in figure 7. The catch member 166 is mounted on the ridge 156 to be displaceable upwardly into a position in which it obstructs movement of the closure flap 44 in an exit direction and downwardly into a position in which the closure flap 44 is free to pivot.

[0054] A magnet 168 is mounted in the body 122. The magnets 86, 168 are mounted in a position in which they are aligned when the closure flap 44 is in the vertical closed position. Furthermore, the magnets 86, 168 are oriented to be attracted to each other in that position. Thus, the closure 44 is biased into the closed position by the magnets 86, 168.

[0055] The pet door assembly 110 includes a retainer 170 that engages the closure assembly 116. The retainer 170 includes an insert 172 and an abutment member in the form of a peripheral flange 174 that extends outwardly from the insert 172. The insert 172 defines an aperture 173 that corresponds with the aperture 150 so that the apertures 173, 150 define the passageway 120.

[0056] The insert 172 is dimensioned to fit within the opening 114. An internal surface 176 of the insert 172 defines sets of ridges 178 that correspond with the sets 132 on the body 122. The body 122 is dimensioned to fit within the insert 172. In particular, the body 122 can fit within the insert 172 so that the sets of ridges 132, 178 can engage each other allowing the closure assembly 116 to be clipped to the retainer 170 with the panel 112 sandwiched or clamped between the flanges 146,174.

[0057] In use, the closure assembly 116 is positioned with the body 122 in the opening 114 with the flange 146 abutting an external surface of the panel 112. The insert 172 is then placed into the opening 114 from an opposite side of the panel 112. As a result, the sets of ridges 132 clip into engagement with the sets of ridges 178. The retainer 170 and the closure assembly 116 are urged together until the panel 112 is sandwiched between the flanges 146,174.

[0058] The closure assembly 116 and the retainer 170 can be of a plastics material. For example, the closure assembly 116 and the retainer 170 can be of PVC or a similar material.

[0059] The pet door assembly 110 includes a security closure 180 that allows the passageway 120 to be closed such that operation of the closure flap 44 is inhibited. The security closure 180 is arranged on the retainer 170 in a detachable manner.

[0060] The security closure 180 includes a rectangular panel 182. A locating ridge 184 extends from an external surface 186 of the flange 174, along vertical sides and a bottom side of the aperture 173. The locating ridge 184 corresponds generally with opposed vertical sides 187 and a bottom side 188 of the panel 182. Retention lugs 190 extend from vertical sections and a bottom section of the ridge 184. Thus, the panel 182 can be engaged with the retainer 170 by sliding the panel 182 from above between the vertical sections and towards the bottom section of the ridge 184 to be subsequently retained in that position by the lugs 190.

[0061] A pair of opposed catch mechanisms 192 are arranged on the flange 174. The catch mechanisms 192 are positioned so that catch members 194 of the mechanisms 192 can be displaced into an operative position in which the panel 182 is inhibited from being withdrawn from the retainer 170 and an inoperative position in which the panel 182 can be withdrawn. Figure 8 shows the panel 182 partially withdrawn and the catch mechanisms 192 in an inoperative condition.

[0062] Throughout the specification, including the claims, where the context permits, the term “comprising” and variants thereof such as “comprise” or “comprises” are to be interpreted as including the stated integer or integers without necessarily excluding any other integers.

[0063] It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

[0064] Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter, are described herein, textually and/or graphically, including the best mode, if any, known to the inventors for carrying out the claimed subject matter. Variations (e.g., modifications and/or enhancements) of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, as permitted by law, the claimed subject matter includes and covers all equivalents of the claimed subject matter and all improvements to the claimed subject matter. Moreover, every combination of the above described elements, activities, and all possible variations thereof are encompassed by the claimed subject matter unless otherwise clearly indicated herein, clearly and specifically disclaimed, or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0065] The use of words that indicate orientation or direction of travel is not to be considered limiting. Thus, words such as “front”, “back”, “rear”, “side”, “up”, down”, “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, “forwards”, “backwards”, “towards”, “distal”, “proximal”, “in”, “out” and synonyms, antonyms and derivatives thereof have been selected for convenience only, unless the context indicates otherwise. The inventor envisages that various exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter can be supplied in any particular orientation and the claimed subject matter is intended to include such orientations.

[0066] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate one or more embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any claimed subject matter unless otherwise stated. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter.

[0067] Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, such as via explicit definition, assertion, or argument, or clearly contradicted by context, with respect to any claim, whether of this application and/or any claim of any application claiming priority hereto, and whether originally presented or otherwise: a. there is no requirement for the inclusion of any particular described or illustrated characteristic, function, activity, or element, any particular sequence of activities, or any particular interrelationship of elements; b. no characteristic, function, activity, or element is “essential”; c. any elements can be integrated, segregated, and/or duplicated; d. any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any activity can be performed in multiple jurisdictions; and e. any activity or element can be specifically excluded, the sequence of activities can vary, and/or the interrelationship of elements can vary.

[0068] The use of the terms “a”, “an”, “said”, “the”, and/or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted.

[0069] Moreover, when any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value and each separate subrange defined by such separate values is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. For example, if a range of 1 to 10 is described, that range includes all values therebetween, such as for example, 1.1,2.5, 3.335, 5, 6.179, 8.9999, etc., and includes all subranges therebetween, such as for example, 1 to 3.65, 2.8 to 8.14,1.93 to 9, etc.

[0070] Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, other than the claims themselves, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and the scope of subject matter protected by any patent that issues based on this application is defined only by the claims of that patent.

Claims (9)

1. A pet door assembly for mounting in a structural panel, the pet door assembly comprising a closure assembly having a frame assembly that defines a passageway suitable for passage of an animal, the frame assembly being configured to be partially received in an opening in the structural panel and including an abutment member capable of being brought into abutment with a surface of the structural panel peripheral to the opening; a closure member mounted in the frame assembly to be displaceable by an animal between open and closed positions to open and close the opening, respectively, to accommodate the passage of the animal through the opening; and a retainer that is configured also to be partially received in the opening in the structural panel, and including an abutment member capable of being brought into abutment with an opposite surface of the structural panel; wherein the frame assembly and the retainer include a circumferentially arranged interlocking arrangement that is configured so that the frame assembly and the retainer can be urged into locking engagement with each other to sandwich the surfaces of the structural panel, peripheral to the opening, between the abutment members, the interlocking arrangement further configured so that the frame assembly and the retainer can disengage from each other when the frame assembly and the retainer are rotated relative to each other.

2. A pet door assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the frame assembly includes a body that is received in the opening, the abutment member of the frame assembly being a peripheral flange that extends from the body, and the retainer includes an insert that is received in the opening, the abutment member of the retainer being a flange that extends from the insert, the interlocking arrangement being defined by complementary interlocking formations defined by the body and the insert respectively.

3. A pet door assembly as claimed in claim 2, in which the interlocking formations are in the form of complementary clipping formations that allow the closure assembly and the retainer to be clipped together when the clipping formations are aligned and unclip by rotating the frame assembly and the retainer relative to each other to displace the clipping formations out of alignment.

4. A pet door assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which the clipping formations are in the form of complementary series of ridges arranged on the insert and the body respectively, the insert defining an aperture that corresponds with a periphery of the body so that the body can be press-fitted into the aperture such that the ridges engage each other to secure the body in the aperture.

5. A pet door assembly as claimed in claim 4, in which the body is cylindrical and the aperture is circular, the ridges on the body and the insert being arranged in complementary, circumferentially spaced sets of ridges about the body and the insert, such that the sets of ridges can engage each other when aligned and can disengage each other when the body and insert are rotated to move the sets of ridges out of alignment with respect to each other.

6. A pet door assembly as claimed in claim 2, in which the frame assembly includes a frame member, the body being fastened to the frame member and the frame member defining the peripheral flange, the body and the frame member defining the passageway when fastened together.

7. A pet door assembly as claimed in claim 6, in which the closure member is a closure flap that is pivotally mounted between the frame member and the body to be pivotal between the open and closed conditions to accommodate passage of the animal through the passageway.

8. A pet door assembly as claimed in claim 1, which includes a security closure that is operatively arranged on the closure assembly and is operable to inhibit access to the passageway.

9. A pet door assembly as claimed in claim 8, in which the security closure is a closure panel, the closure panel and the closure assembly being configured so that the closure panel can be engaged with the closure assembly to inhibit access to the passageway or disengaged from the closure assembly to allow access to the passageway.