GB2034381A

GB2034381A - Draught excluder

Info

Publication number: GB2034381A
Application number: GB7918050A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-04-06
Filing date: 1979-05-23
Publication date: 1980-06-04

Abstract

A draught excluder for doors comprises a channel section member 11 into which the base of the door 12 fits and which is prevented from lengthwise movement relative to the door while being permitted limited upward and downward movement as by being held to the door by a vertical slot 14 engaging the shank of a screw 13 not screwed all the way in to the door conceals the base of the door, which need not therefore be cut exactly or finished off neatly, when accommodation is being made e.g. for thicker carpets. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Draught excluder This invention relates to fraught excluders for doors.

Conventionally, doors are fitted, without draught excluders, into the space initially provided. That is to say, they reach down to the floor. Then, depending on what floor covering is later put down, the door must be taken off, and material removed as by sawing or planing from the lower edge thereof, so that the door can still be opened. Unless the floor covering goes right up to the sill of the door, the increased space due to the removal of material will permit draughts.

It is conventional, in these circumstances, to fit a draught excluder, which is usually some kind of leaf spring mounted unit that drops down when the door is closed, but rides easily over the carpet when the door is opened.

Conventional draught excluders, though effective, require to be fitted with care; and the door must be sawn or planed off by the right amount and neatly, to give a good finish.

The present invention provides a new form of draught excluder that enables a door rapidly, and without removal from its hinges, and without the need for accurate sawing or planing or finishing off, to be adapted to ride over new floor coverings. The new draught excluder, moreover, is very much less abrasive of carpets than draught excluders available hitherto.

The invention comprises a draught excluder for doors, comprising a member adapted to fit on the base of the door and to seal off any gap between the door base and the floor, but at the same time to accommodate any changes in floor level, such as by carpets or rugs, characterised in that the said member comprises a channel section member with means for preventing or limiting movement of the member along the door, but permitting relative movement vertically.

The channel section member is preferably an extrusion, which may be made out of lightweight plastics material. The plastics material may be translucent, whereby to take on the colour of the door.

The means for preventing or limiting movement may comprise a vertical slot in one face of the channel section member adapted to receive the shank of a screw threaded in to the door.

One embodiment of a draught excluder according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a draught excluder in position on a door, and Figure 2 is an end view in the direction of arrow 2 on Fig. 1.

The draught excluder comprises a channel section member adapted to fit on the base of the door 12, by the lower rim of the door 12 lying in the channel, and to seal off any gap between the door and the floor.

The member 11 is a loose fit on the door 12, and it is retained only against lengthwise movement, when positioned, but not against vertical movement. This is very simply done by driving a screw 13 into the door 12 through an elongated aperture 14 in the member 11. The screw 13 is not tightened up, so that the member 11 is free to slide up and down as it encounters carpet or other floor covering as the door is being opened or closed.

Of course, this does not mean that the lower face of the channel section member 11 is necessarily in contact with or in close proximity to the door sill at all points along its length, and the seal may be less than perfect.

This, however, is seen more as a matter for attention to be given to the door sill, rather than to elaborate the member 11 by introducing some flexible arrangement to mate with the sill contours.

The flat lower face of the member 11 has the advantage that it rides easily over carpets or rugs without abrading them. Care should of course be taken to keep the edges of the member 11 as smooth and rounded as possible. This is particularly easy if the member 11 is formed as a plastics material extrusion.

The plastics material may be coloured white, or may be produced in a range of colours, or may be translucent, to take up the colour of the underlying surface of the door.

The member 11 is particularly easy to fit.

With the door opened, it is simply pushed on from the edge of the door, and secured be the screw 13.

Since the member 11 now covers up the bottom of the door, there is no need for this to be accurately or even neatly planed or sawn to any particular height. This latter is a particularly irksome and time-consuming task to be done during the fitting of carpets, involving taking down the door from its hinges, and careful removal of just enough from the base. Now, however, the door can be left in a position, a substantial piece removed from the bottom by a circular power saw, and the remaining gap filled in by fitting the member 11.

If the edges of the member 11 interfere with the proper closing of the door, they can be cut away to accommodate the door jambs.

Paper or plastic foil markers can be stuck on to the member 11 at its edges to guide accurate cutting.

For external doors, the member 11 can be made of more durable material such as stainless steel. Drain holes can be provided below to dispose of any rain water that might enter.

Claims

1. A draught excluder for doors comprising a member adapted to fit on the base of the door and to seal of any gap between the door base and the floor, but at the same time to accommodate any changes in floor level, such as by carpets or rugs, characterised in that the said member comprises a channel section member with means for preventing or limiting movement of the member along the door, but permitting relative movement vertically.

2. A draught excluder according to claim 1, characterised in that the channel section member is an extrusion.

3. A draught excluder according to claim 1, characterised in that the channel section member is made out of lightweight plastics material.

4. A draught excluder according to claim 3, characterised in that the said plastics material is translucent.

5. A draught excluder according to claim 1, characterised in that the said means for preventing or limiting movement comprise a vertical slot in one face of the channel section member adapted to receive the shank of a screw threaded in to the door.