GB2194275A - Door assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

A security metal door and frame assembly 1 is fixed over an existing opening, by a fixing bracket assembly 20 comprising members 21, 22 for engaging channel portions 16 of the frame, and mounted on ends of rods 23, 24 to which retaining beam 26 extending across the face of the opening is secured. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in door assemblies This invention relates to door assemblies, especially but not exclusively to doors for use in securing unoccupied premises.

When a building is left unoccupied for long periods it is often necessary to provide additional security for the buildings to prevent unauthorised entry by persons who may steal fittings or vandalise the building. This additional security may be provided by securing metal screens over the door and window openings of the lower floors of the building.

As well as preventing unauthorised entry the screens must also be openable to permit, for example, workmen to enter the building when desired and the screens are, therefore, provided with a lockable door opening. However, as the door opening may have to withstand attacks from potential thieves or vandals, the lock and the hinges of the door must be heavily built and this adds considerably to the cost of the screens.

The fixing of such security door systems into existing openings requires to be done by unskilled operators and the security doors must be capable of easy removal.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fixing bracket assembly suitable for such security door systems.

According to the present invention there is provided a fixing bracket assembly, for use in securing a frame over an existing opening, comprising a member for engaging portions of a frame to be secured over one face of an opening, the member being mounted on an end portion of an elongate member, an opposite end portion of the elongate member being secured to a retaining member for extending across an opposite face of the opening, the engaging member being rotatable between an assembly position and a position where the member engages portions of the frame.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a door assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a fragmented perspective view of a door retaining fitting of the assembly of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a fragmented perspective view of a hinge of the assembly of Fig. 1; Figure 4 is a sectional end view on line A-A of Fig. 1; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of a fixing bracket assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, a door assembly, shown generally at 1, comprises a metal door 2 pivotably mounted within a metal frame 3.

The frame 3 is fixed over the existing door opening of a premises (not shown) and is formed of sheets 16 having edges 17 bent to form rectangular pillars 18.

The door 2 is formed of a rectangular panel 4 strengthened by two spaced horizontal cross members 5 and 6. Bars 7 are fixed to end portions of the cross members 5 and 6 and extend beyond the vertical edge 8 of the door 2. The end portions of the bars 7 are provided with openings for receiving cylindrical hinge pins 9 on an adjacent edge portion 10 of the frame 3.

When the door 2 is in the closed position plates 11 fixed to the edge portion 10 of the frame 3 engage the lower portion of the outer face of each of the bars 7 to prevent movement of the bars 7, and thus opening of the door 2.

The opposing edge portion 12 of the frame 3 is provided with brackets 13 which each receive an end portion of members 14 which are fixed to opposite end portions of the cross members 5 and 6, the members 14 extending beyond the edge 15 of the door 2.

With the door 2 in the normal closed position the brackets 13 engage the lower portion of the outer face of the members 14 to prevent opening of the door 2.

Inter-engaging lock means 19 are provided on the adjacent edge portions 12 and 15 of the frame 3 and the door 2 to prevent vertical movement of the door 2 in the frame 3.

When the lock means are released the door 2 may be moved vertically upwards in the frame 3 such that the bars 7 clear the plates 11 and the members 14 clear the brackets 13 allowing the door to be swung open, the door 2 being supported by the hinge pins 9 and the upper faces of the plates 11.

When a person is attempting to force an entry through the door 2 force will be applied to push the door inwardly thus the plates 11 and the brackets 13 are heavily built to withstand such attacks. As it is unlikely to occur to the person to attempt to force the door 2 upwards, and even if they did so it would be difficult to apply such a force, the lock means do not have to be heavily built and may be of a simple design.

To secure the frame 3 in place over a door opening a fixing bracket assembly, shown generally at 20 in Fig. 5 of the drawings, may be used.

The assembly 20 comprises two rectangular plates 21 and 22 each mounted on the end of elongate rods 23 and 24, the opposite ends of the rods 23 and 24 being received by openings 25 in an elongate beam 26.

The end portion of each of the rods 23 and 24 is screw-threaded to receive securing nuts (not shown).

The beam 26 is located, for example, across the upper portion of the rear face of a door opening in which the frame 3 is to be secured, inner faces 27 of the ends 29 of the beam 26 abutting a rear face of a wall which surrounds the door opening.

The plates 21 and 23 are initially rotated so that the longer edges 28 are horizontal. In this orientation the plates 21 and 22 may be positioned adjacent the sheet 16 which forms the upper portion of the frame 3. The plates 21 and 22 are then rotated such that the shorter edges 30 pass into gaps 31 between the rear face of the pillars 18 and the sheet 16. If the retaining nuts on the rods 23 and 24 are then tightened against the beam 26 the frame 3 is held securely against the outer wall around the door opening.

A number of assemblies 20 may be used to provide additional security and the assemblies may also be used, for example, to secure screens over window openings.

Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (7)

1. A fixing bracket assembly, for use in securing a frame over an existing opening, comprising a member for engaging portions of a frame to be secured over one face of an opening, the member being mounted on an end portion of an elongate member, an opposite end portion of the elongate member being secured to a retaining member for extending across an opposite face of the opening, the engaging member being rotatable between an assembly position and a position where the member engages portions of the frame.

2. A fixing bracket assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the frame is of C-shaped channel section.

3. A fixing bracket assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the C-shaped channel section is provided with in-turned extremities.

4. A fixing bracket assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the engaging member is in the form of a plate having a threaded aperture.

5. A fixing bracket assembly as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the elongate member is a screwed rod.

6. A fixing bracket assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the retaining member is a channel section.

7. A fixing bracket assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.