AU2014100900A4 - Improvements in doors - Google Patents

Abstract

A security door (10) comprises a body portion (12) made from wood or a composite material a security mesh screen (16) located in a recess in the front or outside face of the door and a frameless glass panel (18) hingedly mounted in a recess on the rear or inside of the door covering the mesh. i-

Description

1 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 LANMERO PTY LTD COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Title: Improvements in doors The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- 2 Technical Field [0001] The invention relates to a door, particularly to a barrier door for a residence such as a house, unit, apartment, or the like. Background [0002] In warm climates such as Australia, it not uncommon for homeowners to leave their front or back doors open, to allow fresh air, cooling breezes etc., into their homes to cool the interior and prevent the interior becoming stuffy. However, leaving doors open presents a security risk, with the result that it is now quite common for residences to have an additional security door fitted in front of their main front and/or back doors. Typically the security door will be fitted with a security mesh, often stainless steel, sometimes an expanded mesh and in some cases a perforated sheet of steel or aluminium. The function of the security door is to allow light and air to pass through the screen but to act a personal safety barrier for the occupant and provide resistance to forced entry. [0003] Fitting a security door is not straightforward as the security door must typically be custom made to suit the door opening. Typically, a consultant will attend on the property, take any necessary measurements and discuss the options with the homeowner who will make a decision as to door style and degree of security required. The security door may have a number of latches/bolts along the side of the door which engage into the frame when the door is locked. [0004] Security doors are thus quite expensive and time consuming to manufacture and install. [0005] Gaining entry to a property having a security door can also be awkward as the enrty door will open inwards whereas thes security door will open outwards. Also it is necessary to open two locks, one on each door to gain entry. [0006] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles, or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

3 [0007] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or comprisingng, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Summary [0008] According to a first broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a barrier door comprising a body portion, typically made from wood or a composite material, a security mesh screen secured over an opening in the front or outside face of the door and a frameless glass panel hingedly mounted in the rear or inside of the door arranged to cover the opening when closed [0009] The invention also encompasses a side panel for a barrier door comprising a body portion, typically made from wood or a composite material, a security mesh screen secured over an opening in the front or outside face of the side panel and a frameless glass panel hingedly mounted in the rear or inside of the side panel arranged to cover the opening when closed [0010] The overall thickness of the door or panle may advantageously be the same as a standard door in contrast to existing security solutions which require a separate custom made and fitted security door and frame. The costs are further reduced since the door may fit in a standard door frame and does not require a separate custom designed and fitted frame as would be required for a separate security door. [0011] Advantageously, in use, a householder can open the glass panel to check who is at their door without opening the barrier door itself and permitting access to their building. [0012] Typically the area of the mesh compared to the total area of the door including the mesh is at least about 10 to 15%, preferably at least 15%. This ensures that when the glass door is opened sufficient area is provided for the passage of significant air flow and/or light. The greater the mesh area as a percentage of the area of the door as a whole, the greater the air flow so preferably the mesh are is at least 20%, more preferably about 30% and it may be up to 40% to 45% or more.

4 [0013] It is preferred that the security mesh screen comprises a stainless steel mesh held in a frame, typically made of aluminium, which is located in a rebated recess in the front of the door and is secured to the door with fasteners, such as screws and at least partly covered with a moulded frame, at least covering the fasteners. [0014] Typically the doors will be made and sold "oversize" for a typical door frame, and are trimmed to size on site prior to installation which can be done using a plane or the like. [0015] If additional latches and bolts are required to improve the degree of security of the door against a sustained assault, these can be fitted. [0016] It is preferred that the glass door is mounted in a recess in the rear or inside face of the door against a rubber seal and when closed is substantially flush with the surrounding face of the door. [0017] The door may have associated side panels which may be fixed or moveable. Brief Description of Drawings [0018] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a security door; Figure 2 is a rear view of the first embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of a security door; Figure 4 is a rear view of the second embodiment shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a front view of a third embodiment of a security door; Figure 6 is a rear view of the third embodiment shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of a security door having panels either side; 5 Figure 8 is a front view of the third embodiment, illustrating the attachment of the security grille to the door; Figure 9 is a rear view of the third embodiment showing the glass door in an open position; Figure 10 is a schematic (not to scale) cross sectional view illustrating the construction of the door shown in Figure 4; Figure 11 is a schematic view illustrating the door's components; Figure 12 is an enlarged view of part of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a front view illustrating a water deflection wedge of the door; Figure 14 is a side view illustrating the water deflection wedge; Figure 15 is a cross section illustrating the water deflection wedge; and Figures 16a and 16b illustrate an internal rubber seal. Description of Embodiments [0019] Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a front or "outside" view of a first embodiment of a barrier door 10 embodying the present invention. The barrier door comprises a body portion 12 which is typically manufactured from wood or from a composite material such as, but not limited to, MDF or from a combination of wood and composites. Where a composite material is used, the body of the door is typically shaped to show the recessed panels 14 which are a feature of traditional wooden doors.. [0020] As shown in the front view, Figure 1, the body portion defines one full length narrow panel 14, and to one side of that panel there is a stainless steel security mesh screen 16 (although other types of security mesh could be used, such as expanded mesh or perforated mesh). The screen covers a through opening/hole which extends through the door. The fitting of that screen is described in more detail below. The open area of the mesh panel is a little over 30% of the total area of the door.

6 [0021] Figure 2 shows the rear or "inside" view of the door of Figure 1. Again the door shows the full length panel 14. Covering the mesh screen there is a glass door or panel 18 which locates in a recess 19 in the rear of the door and is attached to the frame via hinges 20. A latch 22 is provided to retain the door closed which latches into a recess in the door frame, not shown. The glass door is typically 10mm thick but could be other thicknesses (e.g. 8mm or 12mm). The glass door is made from smoked toughened glass to provide privacy but could also be a clear glass. It is to be noted that the glass door is frameless and the hinges 20 and latch 22 are mounted directly to the glass and not via a frame. This reduces the overall thickness of the glass door as well as improving the appearance of the door. When closed, the surface of the glass is flush with the rear surface of the door. [0022] Figure 3 and 4 show second embodiment of a door 10a which the mesh screen 16b is much larger and cover the area that would normally be occupied by a full panel of the door. The open area of the mesh covers a much greater area of the door, at a little over 40%. Figure 4 shows the rear view of the door 10a, illustrating the recessed glass panel door 18a, again mounted via hinges 20. It will be noted that as the glass door 18a is much larger it may impact adjacent walls surrounding the frame in which the door is mounted so may benefit from a latching or fixing means to temporarily prevent movement of the door when open to prevent any accidental impacts. [0023] Figures 5 and 6 show a further embodiment of a door 10b in which the body portion 12b defines a lower panel 30 and a half length side panel 32, and there is a recess in which a security mesh 16b is located adjacent the side panel. In this case the open area of the mesh screen is about 15% of the total area of the door 10b. While the size of the mesh panels and the arrangement of panels is a matter of design taste for the user of the door, the use of the lower panel 30 also allows for the installation of a pet flap, not shown, if required, which would not be possible if the mesh extended to the bottom of the door. [0024] Figure 6 shows a rear or "inside" view of the door 10b illustrating the recessed glass panel door 18b, again mounted via hinges 20. [0025] Figure 7 shows a further arrangement in which a main entry door 10d has side panels 40 located either side. The construction of the side panels is the same as the doors 10 having a wood or composite body, a security mesh screen located in a recess in the front of the door and a frameless hinged glass panel mounted in a recess on the rear or inside of the door covering the 7 mesh. The entry door 12d and side panels 40 are mounted in a door frame. Typically the side panels 40 will be mounted on hinges to allow them to be moved to allow the passage of objects larger than the front door 10d into the residence, such as large tables, sofas, or the like. However, the side panels may be fixed or openable. [0026] Further details of the construction of the door will now be described with reference to Figures 8 to 16b, in particular. Figure 8 shows the front of the door 10b shown in Figures 5 and 6, and in particular, shows the door prior to the installation of the security mesh screen 16b. In particular it shows a recessed perimeter channel 50 which houses the perimeter frame 52 of the mesh screen 16 to which the sheet of security mesh 16 is attached and extends around the through opening 48 in the door. The recessed channel 50 is sized and shaped so that the frame 52 is a close fit in the channel. The perimeter frame may be made of any suitable material such as aluminium or the like. At the top and bottom, the opening is chamfered at 54 in a manner described in more detail below, so that when the door is hung vertically, either way up, in use, water flows downwards and forwards out of the opening 48. [0027] To mount the security mesh screen 16b into the door it is inserted into the channel 50 and the frame 52 secured in place with screws 53 (refer to Figure 11). As shown in Figure 8, three screw holes 54 are spaced along the top and bottom of the frame and five down each vertical side however the number can be varied. The frame is fixed to the body of the door using stainless steel screws. The perimeter frame is covered with a moulded timber decorative covering frame 56 (refer to Figures 5 and 10a). This improves the appearance of the door as well as hiding the heads of the screws used to fit the frame 52 to the door. [0028] With reference to Figures 11 and 12, the frameless glass panel 18 is mounted in a recess 60 in the frame and rests against a rubber seal 64 mounted in an internal rebate 62 which extends around the perimeter of the recess (also shown in Figures 16a and 16b). The depth of the recess is slightly larger than the thickness of the glass (typically 10mm) to accommodate the rubber seal 64, so that when the glass door is closed it is substantially flush with the rear surface of the door as shown in Figures 11 and 12. The hinges 20 mount to holes formed in the glass panel as does the latch 22. [0029] With reference to Figures 13 to 15, at its top and bottom, the opening 48 is chamfered at 54 defining water deflection wedges, so that when the door is hung vertically, either way up, in 8 use, any water in the opening 48 flows downwards and forwards out of the opening 48 towards the front/outside face of the door. [0030] Typically the doors will be made and sold "oversize" for a typical door frame and are trimmed to size on site prior to installation. [0031] The overall thickness of the door 10 is advantageously the same as a standard door in contrast to security solutions which require a separate security door and frame. The costs are further reduced since the door may fit in a standard door frame and does not require a separate custom designed and fitted frame as would be required for a separate security door. [0032] If additional latches and bolts are required to improve the degree of security of the door against a sustained assault, these can be fitted. [0033] Clearly the doors described above may be used as either front or back doors for residences, although typically back doors are of simpler appearance than front doors. [0034] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (5)

1. A barrier door or side panel of a barrier door, comprising a body portion, a security mesh screen secured over an opening in the front or outside face of the door or panel and a frameless glass panel hingedly mounted in the rear or inside of the door or panel arranged to cover the opening when closed.

2. A barrier door or side panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the glass door is mounted in a recess in the rear or inside face of the door or panel against a seal and when closed is substantially flush with the surrounding face of the door or panel.

3. A barrier door or side panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the security mesh screen comprises a stainless steel mesh held in a frame, typically aluminium which is locates in a rebated recess in the front of the door or panel and is secured to the door or panel with fasteners, such as screws and at least partly covered with a moulded frame covering the fasteners.

4. A barrier door or side panel as claimed in any precdeding claim wherein the body portion of the door or side panel is made from wood or a composite material such as MDF or the like.

5. A barrier door or side panel as claimed in any precdeding claim, wherein the area of the mesh screen compared to the total area of the door including the mesh is at least about 10 to 15% of the total area of the door, preferably from 15% to 50%, more preferably from 20% to 40%.