CN218324374U - Closure member assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to a closure member subassembly, it is installed in the closure member opening, the closure member subassembly includes frame and closure member, the closure member with the frame pin joint for in first direction of rotation around the hinge side of closure member rotates the removal in order to open the closure member, the closure member also can be around the hinge side of closure member moves, is used for making the closure member with the second direction of rotation opposite to first direction of rotation is in the removal of rotation in order to close the closure member, the closure member subassembly still include with the first safety device that the closure member is operably connected works as the closure member receives the edge when the force of second direction of rotation, first safety device in predetermineeing the point with operably connected to the second safety device of frame engages.

Description

Closure member assembly

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 63/227,817, filed on 30/7/2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a door assembly having a swinging door and including a safety device to prevent the application of force in the direction of rotation of the door when the door is closed. Aspects of the present invention relate to a single door that may be mounted to a door frame to swing inward or outward, and a two-door combination that may be commonly mounted to and within a single door frame of a building, each door having a handle assembly configured to couple to each other.

Background

The door may be conventionally mounted at the doorway of a building, one example of which is a conventional outer door that may be combined with a conventional secondary door such as a wind-resistant door, a screen door or a security door. Further, more recently, two door assemblies (e.g., an outer door and a storm door) have been commonly installed on and within a single door frame of a commercial or residential building. Some such commonly mounted doors include handle assemblies configured to be coupled together, for example, magnetically coupled together by an attractive magnetic field established by magnets carried by each handle assembly, such that the field coupling handle assemblies operate together as a single handle assembly for two doors.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

Whether conventionally mounted as a single swing-in or swing-out direction-of-rotation door, or as one of a pair of commonly mounted doors, the security of preventing the door from opening in a direction of rotational closure by applying a closing force when the door is closed can be a problem. The safety device is intended to increase the strength and safety of a closing door in a rotational direction opposite to the rotational direction of opening. In particular, for an inner swing door, the structural features of the present invention are designed to withstand an outward force in the outward swing direction of the door to prevent the inner swing door from being severely damaged or failing by the application of a force in the outward swing rotational direction. Such a swinging-out force may be applied as a pushing force from the inside of the swinging-in door or as a pulling force from the outside of the door. A swing-in door refers to a door that opens about a set of hinges mounted to an inner frame portion of a door frame to allow the door or pair of doors to swing toward the interior of any building. As such, these security devices may allow the swing-out door to have a greater ability to withstand inward forces when the door is closed.

The present invention may include one or more of the features recited in the following technical disclosure, and/or one or more of the following features and combinations thereof.

A closure assembly mounted within a closure opening, said closure assembly comprising a frame and a closure pivotally connected to said frame for pivotal movement about a hinge side of said closure in a first rotational direction to open said closure, said closure also being movable about a hinge side of said closure for pivotal movement of said closure in a second rotational direction opposite said first rotational direction to close said closure, said closure assembly further comprising a first safety device operably connected to said closure, said first safety device engaging a second safety device operably connected to said frame at a predetermined point when said closure is subjected to a force in said second rotational direction.

Preferably, the closure assembly further comprises a structural rail member to limit rotational movement of the closure in the second rotational direction and to define a closed position of the closure, wherein the first safety means of the closure engages with the second safety means when the closure is subjected to a force in the second rotational direction from the closed position of the closure.

Preferably, the closure comprises a latch assembly on a latch side of the closure opposite the hinge side of the closure, the latch assembly comprising a bolt retractable and extendable from the latch side of the closure, the first safety means comprising an indentation disposed along the bolt for engagement with the second safety means when the closure is moved in the second rotational direction from the closed position of the closure.

Preferably, the closure comprises a latch assembly on a latch side of the closure opposite a hinge side of the closure, the latch assembly comprising a bolt retractable and extendable from the latch side of the closure, the first security means comprising a protrusion disposed along the bolt for engaging the second security means when the closure is moved in the second rotational direction from the closed position of the closure.

Preferably, the second security device comprises a tab operatively connected to the frame.

Preferably, the tab is arranged to extend within an opening of an impact plate mounted to the frame.

Preferably, the tab comprises an extension of a separately provided structural rail member secured to the frame.

Preferably, the tab comprises a tab element mounted to the frame as a separate component.

Preferably, the first safety means comprises one of an elongate protrusion or a recess extending along at least a surface portion of the closure member, and the second safety means comprises one of a recess or an elongate protrusion operatively connected to the frame for engagement with the first safety means when the closure member is moved in the second rotational direction from the closed position of the closure member.

Preferably, the second safety device is provided as part of the structural rail member, which may be integral with a part of the frame or a separate component operatively connected to the frame.

Preferably, the first safety device is provided as part of a component being one of a surface fixed to the closure member, a part formed as a surface of the closure member, a latching side fixed to the closure member and a part formed as a latching side of the closure member.

Preferably, the first safety means is provided along an outer surface of the closure member, which is a swing-in door.

Preferably, the first safety means is provided along an inner surface of the closure member, which is a swing-out door.

Drawings

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings. Where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of two commonly mounted doors, each including a handle assembly connected or coupled to each other, the handle assemblies being shown separated from each other from a perspective view of the exterior side of one of the doors.

FIG. 1B is another perspective view of the co-mounted door of FIG. 1A, shown from the perspective of the outside of the other door, with the handle assemblies separated from each other.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1B showing the two handle assemblies coupled to one another and showing the latch tongue of each door simultaneously retracted in response to rotational actuation of either of the outer door handles so that the two doors can be opened or closed together.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 showing the two handle assemblies coupled to one another and showing the handle assemblies separated by actuation of one of the door handles.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3A, showing the handle assemblies separated from one another as a result of actuation of the door handle shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the magnet assembly of the two handle assemblies shown in FIGS. 1A-3B, from a perspective similar to FIG. 1A, and showing one component of the retention assembly mounted over the lock receiving recess of one of the magnet assemblies.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4A, but with the magnet assembly panel removed to show the magnet assembly with one component of the retaining assembly installed over the lock receiving recess.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the magnet assembly of the two handle assemblies shown in FIGS. 1A-3B, from a perspective similar to FIG. 1B, and showing another component of the retention assembly mounted over the locking projection of the other magnet assembly.

Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the holder assembly partially shown in fig. 4A to 4C, illustrating that after the respective door handle assemblies are field-coupled to each other as shown in fig. 2, the locking protrusion of the magnet assembly on the left side of fig. 4C is inserted into the lock receiving recess of the magnet assembly on the right side of fig. 4A and 4B, thereby causing the two components to be engaged and fixed with each other.

Fig. 5B is another perspective view of the retention assembly of fig. 5A, showing the two legs of one of the components biased toward each other to maintain engagement of the component with the other component of the retention assembly.

Fig. 5C is yet another perspective view of the retention assembly of fig. 5A and 5B, showing the two components disengaged by relative rotation therebetween.

Fig. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a security device of the present invention, including interaction between a latch strike or bolt and a door frame through a strike plate, which interaction enhances the integrity of the door when subjected to outwardly directed forces.

Fig. 6B is a partial enlarged portion of the view of fig. 6A showing the latch bolt with a notch disposed opposite the tab of the strike plate.

FIG. 6C is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 6B, with the latch tongue notch moved into a position at least partially engaging the tab of the strike plate.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a door showing a latch assembly on one side of the door.

Fig. 7B is an enlarged partial view of the view of fig. 7A showing the latch bolt with a notch.

Fig. 8A is a perspective view of a commonly mounted door that is open when coupled together from the hinge assembly side of the commonly mounted door.

Fig. 8B is a partial enlarged portion of the view of fig. 8A showing two strike plates, the strike plates for the outer door having a tab as part of the safety device of the present invention.

Fig. 9A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a security apparatus of the present invention, including interaction between a latch bolt or bolt and a door frame through a structural rail member, which interaction enhances the integrity of the door when subjected to outwardly directed forces.

Fig. 9B is an enlarged partial view of the view of fig. 9A showing the latch bolt with a notch disposed opposite a tab of the structural rail member.

Fig. 9C is an enlarged view similar to fig. 9B, with the latch tongue notch moved into a position at least partially engaging the tab of the structural rail member.

Fig. 10A is a perspective view of a commonly mounted door that is open when the two doors are coupled together from the hinge assembly side of the commonly mounted door.

Fig. 10B is a partial enlarged portion of the view of fig. 10A showing the structural rail member mounted to the door frame with a tab as part of the safety device of the present invention.

Fig. 11A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a security device of the present invention, including interaction between a latch bolt or bolt and a door frame through a separately disposed tab element, which interaction enhances the integrity of the door when subjected to outwardly directed forces.

Fig. 11B is an enlarged partial view of the view of fig. 11A showing the latch bolt with a notch disposed opposite the tab.

FIG. 11C is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 11B, with the latch tongue notch moved to a position at least partially engaging the tab.

Fig. 12A is a perspective view of a commonly mounted door that is open when the two doors are coupled together from the hinge assembly side of the commonly mounted door.

Fig. 12B is a partial enlarged portion of the view of fig. 12A showing a tab element mounted to the door frame as part of the security device of the present invention.

Figure 13A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the safety device of the present invention including the interaction between the door portion and the doorframe via the structural rail member which enhances the integrity of the door when subjected to an outwardly directed force.

Fig. 13B is a partial enlarged portion of the view of fig. 13A, showing the door having a rib extending at least partially along a surface of the door facing the channel of the structural rail member.

Fig. 13C is an enlarged view similar to fig. 13B with the rib moved into a position at least partially engaging a portion of the channel.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a door showing a latch assembly on one side of the door.

Fig. 14B is an enlarged partial view of the view of fig. 14A showing the latch bolt without the notch.

Fig. 15A is a perspective view of a commonly mounted door that is open when the two doors are coupled together from the hinge assembly side of the commonly mounted door.

Fig. 15B is an enlarged partial view of the view of fig. 15A showing a channel for receiving a rib on the door as part of the security device of the present invention.

Fig. 16A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a security device of the present invention, including interaction between a member connected to a door portion and a door frame through a structural rail member, which interaction enhances the integrity of the door when subjected to an outwardly directed force.

Fig. 16B is an enlarged partial view of the view of fig. 16A showing the plate with ribs connected to the door, thereby providing ribs extending at least partially along the door facing the channel of the structural rail member.

Fig. 16C is an enlarged view similar to fig. 16B, with the rib moved into a position at least partially engaging a portion of the channel.

FIG. 17A is a perspective view of a door showing a latch assembly on one side of the door.

Figure 17B is a partial enlarged portion of the view of figure 17A showing the door mounted plate providing a rib as part of the safety device of the present invention.

Figure 18A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the safety device of the present invention including the interaction between the door portion and the doorframe via the structural rail member which enhances the integrity of the door when subjected to an outwardly directed force.

Fig. 18B is a partial enlarged portion of the view of fig. 18A, showing a groove or channel disposed on a surface of the door and extending at least partially along the door facing the extended portion of the structural rail member.

FIG. 18C is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 18B, with the groove moved into a position at least partially engaging a portion of the extension portion of the structural rail member.

Fig. 19A is a perspective view of a door showing a latch assembly on one side of the door.

Fig. 19B is an enlarged partial view of the view of fig. 19A showing a groove extending at least partially along the surface of the door as part of the security device of the present invention.

Figure 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the safety device of the present invention including the interaction between the door portion and the doorframe through the structural rail member which enhances the integrity of the door when subjected to outwardly directed forces.

Detailed Description

While the concepts of the present invention are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concepts to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the invention and the appended claims.

References in the specification to "one embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases may or may not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Furthermore, it is contemplated that any single feature, structure, or characteristic disclosed herein may be combined with any one or more other disclosed features, structures, or characteristics, whether or not explicitly described, and thus no limitation as to the type and/or number of such combinations should be inferred.

The present invention relates to various embodiments of a security device for an interior swinging door, which may be a single interior swinging door or one of a pair of commonly installed doors. As mentioned above, a rotatable "swing-in door" refers to a door that opens about a set of hinges mounted to an inner frame portion of a doorframe. As used herein, the term "co-mounted" means that two conventional doors are mounted to a door frame or door jamb of a residential, commercial, or other building along respective common side hinges such that each door opens and closes oppositely along a common side coupled to the door frame hinges. As used herein, the term "connected" means that the opposing portions of the door handle assembly mounted to each of the commonly mounted doors (i.e., the facing door handle assembly portions) are connected or coupled to each other and are held together by any affinity, structural interaction, or attractive forces of the material that are sufficient to hold the door handle assembly and the commonly mounted doors together when subjected to a separation force below a desired threshold level for selective user door separation. As used herein, the term "field coupling" refers to opposing portions of a door handle assembly mounted to each commonly mounted door (i.e., facing door handle assembly portions) being coupled to one another and held together by an attractive field, such as a magnetic field established between magnets carried by each handle assembly portion or between at least one magnet carried by one handle assembly portion and at least one magnetically attractive structure (e.g., a metal composite comprising one or more ferromagnetic materials) carried by another handle assembly portion. As used herein, the term "field-coupleable" means that opposing portions of the door handle assembly mounted to each commonly-mounted door are configured to be field-coupled to each other. As used herein, the term "hold" or phrase "securing field-coupled handle assemblies together" and similar terms and phrases refer to the interference coupling of the door handle assemblies to one another that is mechanically generated by the hold assembly such that the force required to apply a force to one or both door handle assemblies and/or to the one or both doors themselves when so mechanically coupled together in order to separate the door handle assemblies (and thus the doors) from one another is greater than the separation force required to separate the door handle assemblies from one another when only connected or field-coupled to one another.

Referring now to fig. 1A-3B, there is shown a portion of a commonly mounted door apparatus 10 as an example of a swinging-in door assembly, comprising two conventional doors 12, 14 hingedly mounted to a door frame (not shown). In this regard, U.S. patent No. 10,808,438, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses a hinge assembly that allows a commonly mounted door to swing together or apart in an inward rotational direction. Specifically, the first inward door may first swing inward and then the second door, or both doors may swing inward together. Fig. 8A shows the commonly mounted swing-in doors rotated together about the hinge inward to the open position of the doors. The hinge assembly provides such rotational movement. The mechanism for selectively connecting or disconnecting the door is discussed below.

As shown, door handle assembly 15 is mounted on door 12, while another door handle assembly 21 is mounted on door 14. As will be described in detail below with respect to fig. 6A-20, at least one of the door handle assemblies 15, 21 illustratively includes certain safety features for one of the two doors 12, 14 to withstand a force applied to that door when locked to maintain the closed and locked door position.

The door handle assemblies 15, 21 may utilize linkage elements 44, 54 described in detail below, and the linkage elements 44, 54 may include permanent or electromagnets arranged to selectively attract or repel each other to connect or disconnect the doors 12, 14 via the door handle assemblies 15, 21. However, it is contemplated that linkage elements 44, 54 may include other elements besides magnets, which may at least be similarly adapted to be connected to one another. For example, certain materials that are known to have a certain level of affinity for each other and thus can adhere to each other under certain conditions can be used, so long as they release upon application of a desired threshold force. Structural interactions of the elements positioned together may be used, including for example hook and loop mechanical fasteners or other microreplicated structures.

It is also contemplated that in some embodiments, no linkage elements need be used other than the retaining assembly structures described herein. The purpose of the linkage element is to pivotally connect one handle set to another handle set so that they pivot together. As described below, each retention assembly and its retention feature are provided to maintain one handle set to another handle set as the doors move together. Although the linkage elements will compensate for the retaining assembly to prevent separation, they are not necessary for this purpose. Further, the linkage elements may be eliminated if rotational translation from one handle set to another is provided by a retaining structure or additional structure at the handle assembly interface. Such structural members may facilitate rotational coupling for translation in one or both rotational directions.

The door handle assembly 15 includes a conventional handle set 16 operatively mounted to an inner surface 12C of the door 12, a magnet assembly 18 operatively mounted to an outer surface 12A of the door 12, and a conventional latch assembly 20 operatively mounted to a side surface 12B of the door 12, the side surface 12B being defined between the inner and outer surfaces 12C, 12A thereof. The handle set 16 and magnet assembly 18 are operatively coupled to each other through a first aperture (not shown) defined by the exterior surface 12A, the interior surface 12C of the door, and the latch assembly 20 is operatively coupled to the handle set 16 and magnet assembly 18 through a second aperture (not shown) defined in the side surface 12B of the door 12 and intersecting the first aperture, all in a conventional manner.

The handle set 16 of the handle assembly 15 includes a conventional handle 16A coupled to a conventional chassis (not shown), the handle 16A extending into a first aperture defined by the outer surface 12A, the inner surface 12C of the door 12. The chassis is fixed in position relative to the door 12 and the handle 16A is rotatable relative to the chassis in a conventional manner. The latch assembly 20 includes a latch plate 28 mounted to the side surface 12B of the door 12, with a conventional latch tongue 30 extending through an opening in the latch plate 28. The handle 16A is operatively coupled to the latch assembly 20 by a shaft 48 (see, e.g., fig. 4A-4C), the shaft 48 extending through the chassis and the latch assembly 20 and engaging the magnet assembly 18, as will be described in greater detail below. Rotation of the handle 16A causes rotation of the shaft 48, which in turn causes retraction of the latch bolt 30 into the latch plate 28 and extension from the latch plate 28. When the handle 16A is rotated to retract the latch tongue 30 into the latch plate 28, the door 12 may be opened, as shown in the example in fig. 2, and when the handle 16A is rotated (or biased to rotate) to extend the latch tongue 30 from the latch plate 28, as shown in the example in fig. 1B, so that the latch tongue may be secured to a strike plate (not shown) mounted to a door frame in a conventional manner, the door 12 may be closed and secured in a closed position. The lock button 17 or protrusion is rotatably mounted to the handle 16A, as shown in the example of fig. 1B-3B, the lock button 17 is coupled to a locking spindle 49 (see, e.g., fig. 4A-4C), the locking spindle 49 extending through the chassis and latch assembly 20 and engaging a magnet assembly, as will be described in more detail below. The lock button 17 and the locking spindle 49 rotate together relative to the handle 16A and relative to the chassis to which the handle 16A and the lock button 17 are operatively mounted.

The magnet assembly 18 includes a chassis 41, visible from the rear as shown in fig. 4C, that is secured to the chassis of the handlebar set 16 through apertures defined by the outer surface 12A, the inner surface 12C of the door 12, such that neither the chassis 41 nor the chassis of the handlebar set 16 rotate or otherwise move with the handle 16A of the handlebar set 16 or components carried within the chassis 41. In this regard, the cylindrical magnet housing 42 is positioned within the cylindrical opening of the chassis 41, and the magnet housing 42 is rotatably coupled to the handle 16A of the handle set 16 by the shaft 48 such that the handle 16A, the shaft 48, and the magnet housing 42 all rotate together relative to the door 12 and relative to the components of the handle set 16 that are fixed to the door 12. The ring portion 40 may be integrally formed with the magnet housing 42 or formed as a separate component that is connected to the magnet housing 42. A plurality of magnets 44 are mounted in openings defined axially through the cylindrical magnet housing 42, with the axial faces of the magnets 44 each defining a north or south magnetic pole. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnet housing 42 is configured to hold four magnets 44, but in alternative embodiments, the magnet housing 42 may be configured to hold more or fewer magnets. In some alternative embodiments, magnet housing 42 may instead be configured to hold one or more magnetically attractive structures rather than magnets, in such embodiments, magnet assembly 24 of door handle assembly 21 will carry one or more magnets that cooperate with the one or more magnetically attractive structures to field couple together door handle assemblies 15, 21. In any case, any such magnet or magnets may be provided purely as one or more structural components and/or as one or more conventional electromagnets.

In any event, the cylindrical magnet housing 42 also defines a central opening axially therethrough that is sized to receive a generally cylindrical lock receiver 46 therein. The lock receiver 46 is coupled to the lock button 17 of the handle 16A of the grip set 16 by a spindle 49 such that the lock button 17, spindle 49 and lock receiver 46 are all rotatable together relative to the handle 16A and relative to the cylindrical magnet assembly 42. Rotation of the lock button 17 causes rotation of the spindle 49, which in turn causes the latch assembly 20 to lock such that the latch bolt 30 cannot be retracted into the latch plate 28. Recessed recess 46A of lock receiver 46 is configured to engage lock button 56 of door handle assembly 21 (see, e.g., fig. 4A-4C) when door handle assemblies 15, 21 are coupled together such that the locking operation of door handle assembly 15 just described is also performed in door handle assembly 21, and vice versa.

Door handle assembly 21 likewise includes a conventional handle 22 operatively mounted to outer surface 14C of door 14, a magnet assembly 24 operatively mounted to inner surface 14A of door 14, and a conventional latch assembly 26 operatively mounted to side surface 14B of door 14, side surface 14B being defined between inner surface 14A and outer surface 14C thereof. The handle set 22 and the magnet assembly 24 are operatively coupled to each other through a first aperture (not shown) defined by the inner surface 14A, the outer surface 14C of the door 14, and the latch assembly 26 is operatively coupled to the handle set 22 and the magnet assembly 24 through a second aperture (not shown) defined in the side surface 14B of the door 14 and intersecting the first aperture, all in a conventional manner. The handle set 22 also includes a conventional handle 22A coupled to a conventional chassis (not shown), the handle 22A extending into a first aperture defined through the inner and outer surfaces 14A, 14C of the door 14. The chassis is fixed in position relative to the door 14 and the handle 22A is rotatable relative to the chassis in a conventional manner. The latch assembly 26 includes a latch plate 32 mounted to the side surface 14B of the door 14, with a conventional latch tongue 34 extending through an opening in the latch plate 32. The handle 22A is operably coupled to the latch assembly 26 by a shaft (not shown) that extends through the chassis and latch assembly 26 and engages the magnet assembly 24 through an opening 57 in a rear portion 59 of the magnet assembly 24 (see, e.g., fig. 4A-4C). Rotation of the handle 22A causes rotation of the shaft, which in turn causes retraction of the latch bolt 34 into the latch plate 32 and extension from the latch plate 32. When the handle 22A is rotated to retract the latch tongue 34 into the latch plate 32, the door 14 may be opened, as shown in the example of fig. 2, and when the handle 22A is rotated (or biased to rotate) to extend the latch tongue 34 from the latch plate 32, as shown in the example of fig. 1A-1B, so that the latch tongue may be secured to a strike plate (not shown) mounted on a door frame in a conventional manner, the door 14 may be closed and secured in a closed position. A conventional key cylinder 23 is rotatably mounted to handle 22A, as shown in the example of fig. 1A, the key cylinder 23 is coupled to a locking spindle (not shown) that extends through chassis and latch assembly 26 and engages magnet assembly 24, as will be described in greater detail below. The keyway and locking spindle of lock cylinder 23 rotate together relative to handle 22A and relative to the chassis to which handle 22A and lock cylinder 23 are operatively mounted.

Magnet assembly 24 includes a chassis 51, which chassis 51 is secured to the chassis of handle set 22 through apertures defined by inner and outer surfaces 14A, 14C of door 14 such that neither chassis 51 nor the chassis of handle set 22 rotate or otherwise move with handle 22A of handle set 22 or components carried within chassis 51. A cylindrical magnet housing 52 is positioned within a cylindrical opening of the chassis 51, and the magnet housing 52 is rotatably coupled to the handle 22A of the handle set 22 by the cam shaft described above, such that the handle 22A, cam shaft, and magnet housing 52 all rotate together relative to the door 14 and relative to the components of the handle set 22 that are fixed to the door 14. A plurality of magnets 54 are mounted in openings defined axially through the cylindrical magnet housing 52, with the axial faces of the magnets 54 each defining a north or south magnetic pole. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnet housing 52 is configured to hold four magnets 54, but the magnet housing 52 may be configured to hold more or fewer magnets in alternative embodiments. In some alternative embodiments, magnet housing 52 may instead be configured to hold one or more magnetically attractive structures rather than magnets, in such embodiments, magnet assembly 18 of door handle assembly 15 will carry one or more magnets that cooperate with the one or more magnetically attractive structures to field couple together door handle assemblies 15, 21.

The cylindrical magnet housing 52 also defines a central opening axially therethrough that is sized to receive a generally cylindrical lock button or protrusion 56 therethrough. The lock button 56 is coupled to the keyway of the key cylinder 23 of the handle 22A of the handle set 22 by the spindle described above, such that the keyway of the key cylinder 23, the spindle, and the lock button 56 are all rotatable together relative to the handle 22A and relative to the cylindrical magnet assembly 52. The rotation of the spindle by the key of the keyway of the key cylinder 23 causes the spindle to rotate, which in turn causes the latch assembly 26 to lock so that the latch bolt 34 cannot be retracted into the latch plate 32. Lock button 56 is configured to engage with a recess 46A (see, e.g., fig. 4A-4C) of the interior of lock receiver 46 of door handle assembly 15 when door handle assemblies 15, 21 are field coupled together such that the locking operation of door handle assembly 21 just described is also performed in door handle assembly 15, and vice versa.

The ring portion 50 is also preferably provided, either integrally or as a separate component, for rotation with the magnet housing 52. The ring portion 50 is further preferably operatively connected to a handle 55. Although the ring portion 50 and the handle 55 are operatively connected to rotate together, the handle 55 may be used to rotate the magnet housing 52 and thus open the door 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, the door 12 is, for example, a so-called "main" door, which serves as the primary entry door to the building. Surface 12C is the "interior" surface of door 12 because it is the surface of door 12 that faces the interior of the building, while surface 12A is the "exterior" surface of door 12 because it is the surface of door 12 that faces the exterior of the building. Door 14 is, for example, a so-called weatherproof door mounted to a door frame outside door 12 such that door 14 is exposed to the outdoor environment and door 12 is positioned between door 14 and the interior of the building. Surface 14A is the "interior" surface of door 14 because it is the surface of door 14 that faces the exterior surface of door 12, while surface 14C is the "exterior" surface of door 14 because it is the surface of door 14 that faces the exterior of the building on which doors 12, 14 are mounted. It should be understood, however, that the door assembly 10 just described is provided by way of example only, and that in alternate embodiments, the door 14 may be a main door and the door 12 may be a weatherproof door. In other alternative embodiments, the "wind-resistant" door 14 (or 12) may alternatively be any other conventional door, examples of which include, but are not limited to, a security door, a screen door, a secondary main door, and the like. It will be further understood that although the figures depict one example mounting arrangement for the doors 12, 14 as viewed from the exterior in fig. 1A, 1B, i.e., mounting the door hinges to the door frame on the left hand side, and the door hardware on the right hand side, the concepts described herein apply directly to either the left hand or right hand side mounting of the doors 12, 14 and associated hardware.

The magnet assemblies 18, 24 of the door handle assemblies 15, 21 are mounted to the doors 12, 14 such that the magnets 44 carried by the magnet assembly 18 are aligned with corresponding ones of the magnets 54 carried by the magnet assembly 24 and have opposite polarities from one another. When the doors 12, 14 are joined together, as shown in the example of fig. 2, the magnets 44, 54 of opposite polarity are magnetically coupled to one another such that the magnet assemblies 18, 24, and thus the doors 12, 14, are field coupled to one another. If one of the handles 16A, 22A of the handle sets 16, 22 is rotated in a direction to open the doors 12, 14, such rotation is transmitted through the field coupling magnet assemblies 18, 24 to rotate the other of the handles 16A, 22A to retract the two latch bolts 30, 34 into their respective latch plates 28, 32, as shown by way of example in fig. 2. Therefore, if the handle 16A is rotated in a direction to open the door 12, such rotation is transmitted to the cylindrical magnet housing 42 through the shaft 48 to rotate it relative to the chassis 41. Because the magnets 44 carried by the magnet housing 42 are field coupled with the magnets 54 carried by the magnet housing 52, rotation of the magnet housing 42 causes the magnet housing 52 to rotate in the same direction. Rotation of the magnet housing 52 in turn causes the cam shaft coupled thereto to rotate in the door opening direction. This rotation of the cam shafts of the door handle assemblies 15, 21, in turn, causes the respective latch tongues 30, 34 to retract into their respective latch plates 28, 32. Rotation of the handle 22A in a direction to open the door 14 is also transmitted to the handle assembly 15 to similarly retract the respective latch tongues 30, 34 into their respective latch plates 28, 32, thereby enabling the doors 12, 14 to be opened and closed together while being coupled together in the field. Furthermore, although coupled together as shown in the example in fig. 2, the two door handle assemblies 15, 21 can be locked and unlocked together and simultaneously by actuation of the lock button 17 and/or by actuation of a suitable key from the keyway of the lock cylinder 23 as described above.

In the illustrated embodiment, the door handle assembly 21 illustratively includes a mechanical stop that prevents it from rotating in a direction opposite the opening direction just described, or at least prevents the handle assembly 21 from rotating in a direction opposite the opening direction beyond a selected angle of rotation of the handle assembly. As door handle assembly 15 is rotated in a direction opposite the opening direction (see, e.g., fig. 3A) and the mechanical stops of door handle assembly 21 engage, further rotation of door handle assembly 15 in the same direction causes the surfaces of field coupling magnets 44, 54 to move radially away from each other. At some point, by such rotation of the handle assembly 15 to the point where the magnets 44, 54 are no longer in field coupling with one another and the magnet assemblies 18, 24 are disengaged from one another, the magnetic field established between the magnets 44, 54 of opposite polarity is reduced so that the doors 12, 14 can be separated from one another, as shown in the example of fig. 3A and 3B.

More details regarding various embodiments of co-mounted door arrangements of the type shown in fig. 1A-3B and the description so far can be found in U.S. patent No. 10,808,438 issued 10/20/2020, owned by the applicant of the present patent application and disclosed as international patent application WO 2017/181072, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Further details regarding various embodiments of commonly mounted door devices of the type shown in fig. 1A-3B and the description thus far can be found in pending U.S. patent application 17/061,309, filed on 1/10/2020, which is owned by the applicant of the present patent application and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As briefly described above, door handle assemblies 15, 21 illustratively include a retaining assembly for further securing handle assemblies 15, 21 together when coupled together as just described. Referring now to fig. 4A-5C, one embodiment of such a retention assembly 58 is shown. Retaining assembly 58 illustratively includes two components, one component 60 mounted to magnet assembly 18 of door handle assembly 15 and another component 70 mounted to magnet assembly 24 of door handle assembly 21. As shown in fig. 4A and 4B (fig. 4A shows the magnet assembly 18 with the cover plate 47 mounted on the outwardly facing axial face of the cylindrical magnet housing 42, fig. 4B shows the magnet assembly 17 with the cover plate 47 removed), the component 60 of the retaining assembly is illustratively provided in the form of a retaining clip having: a closed end 64 secured to an axial face of the cylindrical magnet housing 42, upper and lower retaining legs 62A, 62B, respectively, extending laterally from the closed end 64 and over the recessed recess 46A of the lock receiver 46, and resilient legs 66A, 66B, respectively, extending laterally from a respective one of the retaining legs 62A, 62B. The retention clip 60 is illustratively a spring structure with the resilient legs 66A, 66B biased toward each other. Resilient leg positioning blocks 68 are attached to the front surface of the magnet housing 42 on opposite sides of the lock receiver 46 on which the closed ends 64 of the retaining clips 60 are secured. The block 68 defines a top surface 68A supporting the resilient leg 66A and a bottom surface 68B opposite the top surface 68A supporting the resilient leg 66B. The resilient legs 66A, 66B are biased against a top surface 68A and a bottom surface 68B of the locating block 68, the locating block 68 further operating to position the retaining legs 62A, 62B over the lock receiver recessed pocket 46A and relative to the lock receiver 46 recessed pocket 46A.

As further depicted in the example of fig. 4C, the component 70 of the retaining assembly is illustratively provided in the form of a frustoconical retaining ring having a smaller opening 72A sized to be received on the cylindrical shaft portion 56A of the lock button 56 and a larger opening 72B that abuts the magnet housing 52 around the lock button 56. The retaining member 70 preferably extends radially outward from the opening 72A to the opening 72B in the shape of a tapered portion. A slot 74A is formed in and along a top surface of the retaining ring 70, while another slot 74B is formed in and along a bottom surface of the retaining ring 70 opposite the slot 74A. Slots 74A, 74B are illustratively oriented to extend horizontally relative to the rest position of magnet assembly 24 (i.e., handle 22A of grip set 22 is not rotated in either direction), as are retaining legs 62A, 62B of retaining clip 60. The slots 74A, 74B are sized to axially receive a respective one of the retention legs 62A, 62B therein.

The retention legs 62A, 62B of the retention clip 60 are illustratively positioned relative to the lock receiver 46 such that when the handle assemblies 15, 21 are field coupled to one another as described above, the magnet assemblies 18, 24 contact one another, the retention leg 62A contacts the retention ring 70 below the slot 74A, and the retention leg 62B contacts the retention ring 70 above the slot 74B. As the lock button 56 is pushed into the recess 46A of the lock receiver 46, the retention legs 62A, 62B move upwardly along the outer frustoconical surface 75 of the retention ring 70 toward the respective slots 74A, 74B, forcing the resilient legs 66A, 66B apart from the top and bottom surfaces 68A, 68B of the locating block 68 as the outer surface of the retention ring 70 expands the distance between the retention legs 62A, 62B. As the retention legs 62A, 62B are pushed higher on the frustoconical outer surface of the retention ring 70, the retention legs 62A, 62B eventually reach the slots 74A, 74B and are received therein. As shown in the example of fig. 5A, the resilient legs 66A, 66B bias toward each other forcing the retention legs 62A, 62B into the slots 74A, 74B to secure the retention clip 60 to the retention ring 70, thereby securing the magnet assembly 18 to the magnet assembly 24. The interaction of the retention legs 62A, 62B within the slots 74A, 74B thus creates a physical interference that retains the magnet housing 42 to the magnet housing 52 in the axial direction of the shaft 48. In some embodiments, the leading edge or side 74A of the slot 74A, 74B ₁ 、 74B ₁ Formed at an acute angle with respect to the vertical direction. In such embodiments, the acute angle is illustratively selected to normally maintain the retention legs 62A, 62B within the slots 74A, 74B, but to allow the retention legs 62A, 62B to exit the slots 74A, 74B if a force greater than a threshold force acts on the handle assemblies 15, 21 in a direction that separates the handle assemblies 15, 21. Illustratively, in such embodiments, the threshold force is selected to be less than the possible damageA force that damages or destroys one or more components of door handle assembly 15, 21.

In the illustrated embodiment, the retention assembly 58 is configured to secure the field coupling magnet assemblies 18, 24 together as just described in their resting state (i.e., neither handle 16A, 22A rotates in either direction as shown in fig. 2-3B). When either magnet housing 42, 52 is rotated relative to the respective chassis 41, 51 in a direction that causes the latch bolt 30, 34 to retract into the respective latch plate 28, 32 (i.e., when the door 12, 14 is opened as shown in fig. 2), the magnet housings 18, 24 rotate together as described above, with the retention legs 62A, 62B remaining in the slots 74A, 74B as the retention clip 60 and the retention ring 70 also rotate relative to the respective chassis 41, 51, as shown in the example of fig. 5B. Conversely, when the magnet housing 42 is rotated in the opposite direction and the magnet housing 52 is prevented from rotating therewith by the mechanical stops of the door handle assembly 21, the retaining clip 60 rotates relative to the retaining ring 70, and radial movement of the retaining clip 60 relative to the retaining ring 70 causes the retaining legs 62A, 62B to move radially out of the slots 74A, 74B onto the outer surface 75 of the retaining ring 70, as shown in the example of FIG. 5C. This forces the resilient legs 66A, 66B further away from the top and bottom surfaces 68A, 68B of the locating block 68, as shown in the example of fig. 5C. When the inward bias of the release legs 66A, 66B forces the resilient legs 66A, 66B toward each other, the inward bias of the resilient legs 66A, 66B toward each other forces the retention legs 62A, 62B axially away from the slots 74A, 74B and toward the opening 72A along the outer surface 75 of the retention ring 70, thereby disengaging the retention legs 62A, 62B and thus the retention clip 60 from the retention ring 70. Finally, the resilient legs 66A, 66B contact the top surface 68A and bottom surface 68B of the locating block 68, and the locating block 68 repositions the retaining legs 62A, 62B to their pre-contact positions shown in fig. 4A and 4B.

The following description relates to a security device that may be incorporated into the above-described co-mounted door assembly or to any of the swinging-in doors. These security devices described below are intended to increase the strength and security of the closed inner swing door in the opposite direction of rotation to the inner swing rotation, i.e., the outer swing rotation. In particular, the structural features of the present invention are designed to withstand forces in the swing-out direction of the door to prevent the inner swing door from being severely damaged or failing by the application of forces in the swing-out direction of rotation. This outward force may be applied as a pushing force from the inside of the swing-in door or as a pulling force from the outside of the door. It is desirable that the present invention swing-in doors be able to withstand an outward force greater than one thousand five hundred pounds, and more preferably greater than two thousand pounds.

For example, for a single swing-in door, the pushing force may come from an accidental or accidental impact against the inside of the door, or from an intentional pushing of the locking door. When the door is locked, a pulling force can be applied from the outside, wherein the lock and the door need to remain locked and withstand the applied force. For a commonly mounted door assembly, such pushing force from the inside of the door may be selectively applied to either door, such as when both doors are closed, or when the inner door is open and the outer door (e.g., a windbreaker door) is closed and locked. Also, when the inner door is closed or opened, a pulling force may be applied to the outer door. It is also contemplated that when the two doors are closed from within the space between the two doors by any passage through either door or another portion of the door assembly, a pushing force may be applied from the space between the two doors to the outer door of the commonly mounted door assembly. It is an object of the present invention to improve the safety of a swinging inner door in any of the above or suggested arrangements to withstand forces in the swinging outer direction and to maintain the integrity and operability of the door structure when subjected to such forces. Another purpose when such a swing-in door is locked is to maintain the door in a locked state when subjected to such forces.

Fig. 6A-20 illustrate the incorporation of certain security devices into the above-described co-mounted door assembly. In particular, these security devices are illustrated and described as being provided with the outer swing-in door 14, which would be another example of some security devices provided with a single swing-in door if the inner swing-in door 12 were not provided. The safety device of the present invention increases the ability of the door to withstand forces that may be applied to close the door when in the closed position. For a swing-in door, the purpose is to withstand outward forces on the door when in the closed position. The following security device is described as being suitable for a swinging-in door, as this is the case for a commonly mounted door. It will be appreciated that each of the features discussed below may also be applied in the opposite direction of the features and components to increase the security of the swing door being subjected to an inward force when in the closed position.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the inner swing-in door 12 is shown positioned in a coupled position with the outer swing-in door 14. Fig. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view in a horizontal plane through the centers of the door handle assemblies 15, 21. Specifically, the magnet housing 42 of the door handle assembly 15 of door 12 is shown partially nested within the magnet housing 52 of the door handle assembly 21 of door 14. In this position, the magnets as described above may be aligned in an attractive manner such that the inner door 12 is magnetically coupled with the outer door 14.

Upon rotation of either handle set 16 or 22, the latch tongues 30, 34 of the inner and outer doors 12, 14, respectively, may be retracted, with the doors 12, 14 coupled while swinging inwardly. As shown, the latch tongue 30 in the rest position is positioned within a cavity 80 of a doorframe 81, the doorframe 81 preferably including a strike plate 83 (see also fig. 8B) to increase integrity. The stationary latch tongue 34 is similarly positioned within the cavity 82 of the doorframe 81. As shown, to increase the integrity of the cavity 82, an impingement plate 84 is preferably disposed about the cavity 82.

The structural rail member 86 is also shown secured against the frame 81 to be rigidly secured to the frame 81 and to provide a latch side stop surface 88, the purpose of which is to provide an outward limiting element to limit the extent of door closure. A flexible weather strip 90 preferably extends from the channel and latch side stop surfaces of the structural rail member 86 toward the outer door surface for engagement therewith in the closed outer door position. A second flexible weather strip 92 is also preferably attached to the door frame 81 so as to extend to contact the surface of the inner door in the closed position. As is well known, the weather strip itself is made of many different materials, is flexible, resilient, and forms a seal with the door surface. The resilient nature of the weather strips 90, 92 tends to move the portion of the outer door surface adjacent the latch side stop surface 88 slightly away from the latch side stop surface and position both latch tongues 30, 34 within the cavities 80, 82, respectively, as desired.

Fig. 6B shows the enlarged region of fig. 6A with the outer door 14 in the closed position, with the latch tongue 34 extending within a central portion of the cavity 82 and extending unobstructed through the opening of the strike plate 84. In this position, rotation of either handle set 16 or 22 can cause retraction of latch bolts 30, 34.

The latch tongue 34 is also shown having a notch 94, which notch 94 may preferably be disposed along the axial extent of a portion of the latch tongue 34 extending from a side edge of the door 14 with the latch assembly 26 in a rest or non-twisted position. Further, the notch 94 is preferably open toward an edge of the opening defined in the strike plate 84 in the direction in which the outer door 14 is closed. Fig. 8A and 8B show the positions of the chambers 80, 82 and the strike plates 83, 84 mounted to the door frame 81. Impact plate 83 includes an opening 95 and impact plate 84 includes an opening 96. The striking plate 83 is shown secured to the doorframe 81 so as to be rigid. As shown, an edge 97 of strike plate 84 defining opening 96 and facing notch 94 of latch bolt 34 preferably includes a tab 98 extending within opening 96 away from edge 97. The tab 98 is preferably sized and shaped to fit within the notch 94. As shown in fig. 7A and 7B, the notch 94 is preferably sized and shaped by a bottom surface 99 and a plurality of side portions that define the notch 94 within the volume of the latch tab 34.

The above-described structure including the notch 94 and the tab 98 may provide a security device in accordance with the present invention when an outward force is applied to the outer door 14, either directly or indirectly through the inner door 12. Fig. 6C illustrates the interaction between the notch 94 and the tab 98 when such outward force is applied. Although upon further closing movement of outer door 14, tab 98 is aligned to fit within notch 94, such further movement will relatively displace tab 98 from the non-blocking position (allowing latch bolt 34 to freely retract) to the blocking position at least partially within the depth of notch 94. Movement of latch bolt 34 with door 14 under an external force causes tab 98 to displace within notch 94. At least partially capturing the tab 98 within the notch 94 will not only prevent retraction of the latch bolt, but such engagement can also prevent further movement of the door 14 relative to the frame 81. A positive stop may also be formed by engaging edge 100 of tab 98 with the bottom of notch 99, although it is not necessary to engage edge 100 and tab 98 to prevent further movement 81 of door 14 relative to the frame. It is noted that limited movement of the door 14 in the closing direction may be facilitated at least in part by the folding of the weather strip 90. As also shown in fig. 6C, a portion of the door side surface may engage the latch side stop surface 88 at approximately the same point that the tab surface 100 engages the notch bottom 99, thereby providing the structure with greater ability to withstand outward forces.

A similar effect for preventing retraction of the latch bolt and limiting movement of the door 14 relative to the doorframe 81 may be provided by an outward protrusion located along a surface of the latch bolt 34, rather than the notch 94. The protrusions may be positioned in similar locations to the notches 94 shown, and may provide similar surfaces, such as provided by the most pointed inward surfaces of the notches 94. Such a protrusion will capture tab 98 upon any slight movement by the outward force of door 14, as shown in fig. 6C, except that tab 98 will be positioned between the protrusion and the side edge of door 14 to prevent retraction of latch bolt 34. The projection will extend sufficiently to engage the door 14 under such outward force, but will extend and retract undisturbed during normal extension and retraction of the latch tongue 34 under normal operating conditions.

Figures 9A-10B illustrate another embodiment of a security device provided to the outer door 14 to enhance the ability of the door 14 to withstand outward forces and prevent movement of the door 14 relative to the doorframe 81. Instead of the notch 94 engaging the tab 98 of the strike plate 84 as described above, the notch 94 of the latch tongue 34 will engage a tab 198 when moved in the door closing direction (e.g., by an applied outward force), the tab 198 may be formed as an extension of the structural rail member 186. Fig. 9C shows the notch 94 moved slightly in the direction of the arrow so that the tab 198 is located within the notch 94.

The tabs 198 may be formed as an integral part of the structural track member 186 that is secured to the door frame 81 to impart rigidity thereto. The structural rail member 186 may comprise an extrusion of metal (e.g., aluminum or steel) with the tabs 198 machined to extend from the edges of the extrusion. The tabs 198 may be made using other conventional metal fabrication techniques, including being integral with a metal extrusion, such as by welding. In any event, the tabs 198 extend above the side edge portions of the cavity 82 of the door frame 81 to function in a manner similar to the tabs 98 of the strike plate 84 described above.

Fig. 11A-12B illustrate another embodiment of a security device provided to the outer door 14 to enhance the ability of the door 14 to withstand outward forces and prevent movement of the door 14 relative to the doorframe 81. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of fig. 9A-10B described immediately above, except that the tab 298 is provided as a separate element with respect to the doorframe 81. The tabs 298 are provided to extend over side edge portions of the cavity 82 to function in a manner similar to the tabs 198 of the structural rail member 186 or the tabs 98 of the strike plate 84 described above.

As shown in fig. 11A, the structural rail member 286 may be similar to the structural rail member 86 of fig. 6A without the extension portion forming the tab 198 of fig. 9A. The tab 298 may be rigidly secured to the doorframe 81 in a variety of ways. For example, one end of tab 298 may be inserted into a recess of door frame 81 disposed within cavity 82. The tab 298 may have other structural portions that may be used to secure the tab 298 within the cavity 82, such as by screws or other fasteners. The tabs 298 may be glued in place. As shown in fig. 12B, the tab 298 may fit behind a portion of the structural rail member 286. In any event, tab 298 extends inwardly of the side edge portion of the cavity 82 of the door frame 81 to function in a manner similar to tab 98 of strike plate 84 described above and similar to tab 198 of structural rail member 186 described above.

It is contemplated that any manner may be used to create a tab that is operatively connected, directly or indirectly, to the door frame 81. Such a tab in the above-described embodiment should be positioned such that upon further movement of the closed door by a force in the closing direction, at least a portion of the tab engages at least a portion of the notch 94 to limit further movement of the door relative to the doorframe 81.

Fig. 13A-15B illustrate yet another embodiment of a security device provided to the outer door 14 to enhance the ability of the door 14 to withstand outward forces and prevent movement of the door 14 relative to the doorframe 81. In this embodiment, a latch bolt 334 without a notch may be used, as shown in fig. 14B, with a strike plate 384 that does not include a tab (e.g., tab 98), as shown in fig. 15B. Instead of the latch tongue notch and tab engagement as in the previous embodiment, the outward force may be borne by a safety device arranged to act between the outer surface of the door 14 and the structural rail member 386.

Specifically, the outer surface of door 14 may be provided with a rib 399 that extends at least partially along the side edge of door 14, but is spaced slightly inward from the side edge. The ribs 399 may be formed as an integral part of the door 14 or may be integral along the exterior surface of the door by other conventional techniques. Structural rail member 386 preferably includes a channel 387 that can be formed as an extrusion with the remainder of structural rail member 386 with a flange portion 398 extending at least partially along structural rail member 386. Channel 387 is preferably positioned to open toward the outer surface of door 14 and more specifically to receive rib 399. As shown in fig. 13B, the ribs 399 may extend partially within the channel 387 when the door 14 is closed and in a resting state. When an outward force is applied to door 14, rib 399 will move more within channel 387 and may also move slightly away from doorframe 81 as indicated by the arrow. This slight movement away from the doorframe 81 will occur as the door 14 actually moves rotationally about its hinge when such outward force is applied, which is exaggerated in FIG. 13C (the previous figures show arrows with only the vector component of the actual movement). As shown in fig. 13C, engagement of the ribs 399 and flange portion 398 along the sides may secure the door 14 to the doorframe 81 via the structural rail members 386 that are rigidly secured to the doorframe 81.

Fig. 16A-17B illustrate yet another embodiment of a security device provided to the outer door 14 to enhance the ability of the door 14 to withstand outward forces and prevent movement of the door 14 relative to the doorframe 81. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of fig. 13A-15B described immediately above, with a safety device arranged to act between the outer surface of the door 14 and the structural rail member 486.

Instead of forming a rib that extends at least partially along the exterior surface of door 14, plate 497 may be conventionally secured to a portion of the exterior surface of the door, for example, around handle set 22, as shown in fig. 17B. It is contemplated that a separately provided element such as plate 497 may extend only partially along a side edge of door 14, and that plate 497 may be rigidly secured to door 14 by a number of conventional techniques, including the use of mechanical fasteners, chemical bonding, welding, etc. As shown, the plate 497 may be provided with ribs 499 extending at least partially along the edges of the plate 497.

Plate 497 is spaced slightly from the side edge of door 14 so as to be at least partially received by channel 487, which may be formed with structural rail member 486 that is rigidly secured to door frame 81 as described above. The channel 487 may extend along the entire length of the structural rail member 486, for example if formed as an extrusion, but is not required. The plate 497 may be positioned anywhere along the door side edge as long as it is positioned such that the rib 399 can be received by the channel 487. It should also be noted that a plurality of such panels similarly positioned along the edge of the door may be used. In any event, the ribs 499 can engage the flange portion 498 with a force applied outward from the position shown in fig. 16B as indicated by the arrows in fig. 16C. As mentioned above, such movement may include slight movement of the door 14 away from the doorframe 81 as part of the rotational movement. Such action will prevent the door 14 from moving relative to the doorframe 81 to increase safety.

Fig. 18A to 19B show still another embodiment of the safety device provided to the outer door 14 to improve the ability of the door 14 to withstand an outward force and prevent the door 14 from moving relative to the doorframe 81. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of fig. 13A-15B described above and the embodiment of fig. 16A-17B described immediately above, with a safety device arranged to act between the outer surface of the door 14 and the structural track member 586.

In this embodiment, the structural rail member 586 may be rigidly secured to the doorframe 81 as described above, and may include a flange portion 598 that extends at least partially from the remainder of the structural rail member 586. The flange portion 598 may be similar to the flange portion 498 described above to form the channel 487, but preferably extends further in the inward direction of movement of the door 14. As shown in fig. 18B, the flange portion 598 is preferably aligned with a groove 599, the groove 599 being disposed to extend at least partially along, but slightly spaced from, a side edge of the door 14. In the rest position of fig. 18B, the flange portion may extend partially within the recess 599, but is not required. When the door 14 is pushed outward by an outward force as shown by the arrow, the flange portion 598 may move into the groove 599 and engage the surface portions defining the groove 599. As mentioned above, such movement may include slight movement of the door 14 away from the doorframe 81 as part of the rotational movement. Such action will prevent the door 14 from moving relative to the doorframe 81 to increase safety.

These three embodiments above are all examples of the use of a combination of ribs, flanges or extensions (typically elongate protrusions) and flanges, grooves or channels (typically elongate recesses) to form the interengaging security device of the invention. Such protrusions and recesses may be applied to any surface of the door, including inner and outer major surfaces and edge surfaces. In any case, at least one of the projection or recess is operatively connected to any surface of the door, and at least the other of the projection or recess is operatively connected to the door frame. They are preferably arranged to engage each other when the door in the closed state is subjected to a force in the closing direction.

In each of the embodiments described above, the structural rail member provides a latch-side stop surface and defines a closed position of the door. Such structural rail members may also be provided in the case of a swing-out door to define a closed position. The structural rail member may be a distinct component secured to the doorframe 81 as shown, or it may be a structural portion of the doorframe 81 as an integral component.

Figure 20 illustrates yet another embodiment of a security device provided to the outer door 14 to enhance the ability of the door 14 to withstand outward forces and prevent movement of the door 14 relative to the doorframe 81. In this case, the structural rail member 686 may be rigidly fixed to the door frame 81 as described above. In comparison to the illustrations of the previous embodiment, the structural rail member 686 of this embodiment is preferably enlarged in size and shape to form an increased surface area of the latch side stop surface 688 for engagement with an increased surface area portion of the outer surface of the door 14. Such engagement may be along the entire length of the structural rail member 686. In any event, an outward force applied to the door 14 may compress the weather strip 90 until a portion of the outer surface of the door engages the latch side stop surface 688. The greater the surface area to surface area contact, the greater the ability to withstand such outward forces. It is also contemplated that the structural rail member 686 can include other structural features designed to enhance its structural integrity when subjected to such outward forces. Internal ribs, alternative materials, additional or reinforced fasteners, etc. may be provided for this purpose.

It is also envisaged that another security device may be provided independently, together or in combination with any of the security devices described in the various embodiments above. For example, conventionally known door bolts may also be added to the door 14. If the door 14 is a secondary door and an outer door relative to the door 12, which is a primary door and an inner door, both the inner door 12 and the outer door 14 may include a keeper. An example of a keeper assembly that may operate with a pair of co-mounted doors is shown and described in U.S. patent application 17/061,169, filed on 1/10/2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

It is also contemplated that the latch of the keeper of one or both doors may include a security device by using such keeper assemblies alone or in combination with the security devices described above. For example, the latch may include a notch similar to notch 94 described above, which may engage a tab of the strike plate or a tab provided by a separate element or an extension as a structural component.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only exemplary embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure and descriptions are desired to be protected.

Claims (17)

1. A shutter assembly mounted within a shutter opening, said shutter assembly comprising a frame and a shutter pivotally connected to said frame for rotational movement about a hinge side of said shutter in a first rotational direction to open said shutter, said shutter also being movable about said hinge side of said shutter to rotationally move said shutter in a second rotational direction opposite to said first rotational direction to close said shutter, characterized in that said shutter assembly further comprises a first safety device operably connected to said shutter that engages at a predetermined point with a second safety device operably connected to said frame when said shutter is subjected to a force in said second rotational direction.

2. The closure assembly of claim 1 further comprising a structural rail member to limit rotational movement of the closure in the second rotational direction and to define a closed position of the closure, wherein the first safety feature of the closure engages the second safety feature when the closure is subjected to a force in the second rotational direction from the closed position of the closure.

3. Closure assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second safety means is provided as part of the structural rail member which may be integral with a part of the frame or a separate component operatively connected thereto.

4. The closure assembly of claim 3 wherein the first safety feature is provided as part of a component that is one of fixed to, formed as part of, a latch side of, and formed as part of a surface of the closure.

5. The closure assembly of claim 3 wherein said first safety feature is disposed along an outer surface of said closure, said closure being a swing-in door.

6. The closure assembly of claim 3 wherein said first safety feature is disposed along an inner surface of said closure, said closure being an out-swinging door.

7. A closure assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said closure includes a latch assembly on a latch side of said closure opposite said hinge side of said closure, said latch assembly including a latch bolt retractable and extendable from said latch side of said closure, said first safety means including an indentation disposed along said latch bolt for engagement with said second safety means when said closure is moved in said second rotational direction from said closed position of said closure.

8. Closure assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second safety means comprise a tab operatively connected to the frame.

9. The closure assembly of claim 8 wherein the tab is configured to extend within an opening of an impact plate mounted to the frame.

10. The closure assembly of claim 9 wherein said tab comprises a tab element mounted to said frame as a separate component.

11. The closure assembly of claim 8 wherein said tab comprises an extension of a separately provided structural rail member secured to said frame.

12. Closure assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first safety means comprises one of an elongated protrusion or a recess extending along at least a surface portion of the closure, and the second safety means comprises one of a recess or an elongated protrusion operatively connected with the frame for engaging with the first safety means when the closure is moved in the second rotational direction from the closed position of the closure.

13. A closure assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said closure includes a latch assembly on a latch side of said closure opposite said hinge side of said closure, said latch assembly including a latch bolt retractable and extendable from said latch side of said closure, said first safety means including a protrusion disposed along said latch bolt for engaging said second safety means when said closure is moved in said second rotational direction from said closed position of said closure.

14. The closure assembly of claim 13 wherein the second safety feature comprises a tab operably connected to the frame.

15. The closure assembly of claim 14 wherein the tab is configured to extend within an opening of an impact plate mounted to the frame.

16. The closure assembly of claim 15 wherein the tab comprises a tab element mounted to the frame as a separate component.

17. The closure assembly of claim 14 wherein said tab comprises an extension of a separately provided structural rail member secured to said frame.

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