GB2357114A

GB2357114A - Sliding door guard

Info

Publication number: GB2357114A
Application number: GB9924236A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Craig John Mckinnon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-10-14
Filing date: 1999-10-14
Publication date: 2001-06-13
Also published as: GB9924236D0

Abstract

An automatic pinch guard has a plunger 3 which is forced forward into a sliding door, or window, frame track by a compression spring 2 such that, as the door is slid open the plunger moves forward in body 1, to a position controlled by knob 5. The whole assembly is secured to an the outer door frame using screws 6 through holes in body 1. Once the plunger 3 is in its forward position the sliding door cannot be completely closed unless knob 5 is pulled back thereby withdrawing plunger 3. As more than one operation is required to do this simultaneously, both hands of the operator have to be co-ordinated and conscious thought is required. This significantly reduces the chance of trapping either the operator, or anyone else, in the door shut. It is possible that the plunger can be locked into either the deployed or withdrawn positions by filling a lock barrel to body 1.

Description

2357114 -1 Pinch Guard.

This invention relates to a sliding door, or window, pinch guard.

Sliding doors are extremely common in modem dwellings, the most popular use being access to and from the rear garden, and they are often referred to as 'patio doors'. There are many construction materials used in the manufacture of these doors for example, fabricated aluminium, UPVC, hardwood and so on, but they all open and close in an identical manner by sliding back and forth in the horizontal plane. Due to the nature of this action there is a severe danger of fmgers - or small hands - being trapped, especially as the door closes. Aluminium fimmed doors tend to have both the sliding door frame and the outer frame constructed from a U section channel (diagrammatically depicted in figure 2) which, in fact, presents two guillotine edges to the user - one on the inner face and the other on the outer. This can be especially dangerous for young children who tend to follow older ones, and parents, around putting their hands into the door shuts totally unaware of the danger. This danger is provided by the weight of the sliding door (usually double glazed 3mm glass of around 2 square metres area) and the ease with which they can be slid along their runners. Should a sliding door be pulled sharply shut behind as one is exiting through and, un-noticed, a child has followed and leans on the side frame with its fingers in the door shu an aluminium or UPVC fl-amed door would, most probably, remove its fingers whilst a hardwood door would severely crush them. Even for an adult, the injury would be most painful and could well result in permanent damage to a hand. Therefore it is necessary to provide some kind of simple doorstop, that operates automatically and reliably, without compromising the doors functionality.

According to the present invention there is provided a Pinch Guard mechanism that is automatically activated once the door is opened and will prevent the door returning to its totally closed position, providing a safety 'gap' and preventing injury. This mechanism comprises a body which is fixed to the outer door fi-ame, a plunger which slides in and out of the body, a spring which forces the plunger out of the body to the front (sliding door side) and a knob which acts as a stop to position the plunger in the door track and also allows it to be manually withdrawn for the door to be fully closed and, finally, a buffer on the other end of the plunger to prevent damage to the sliding door itself A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1. Shows a diagrammatic view of the pinch guard assembly firstly (position A) with the plunger extended which would be its activated position to stop the door closing. Secondly (position B) in its withdrawn position which would allow the door to close and thirdly (top right) an isometric view.

Figure 2. Illustrates how the pinch guard would be fitted to a frame and how it operates.

Figure 3. Shows an elevation of a door, which has the pinch guard fitted, and illustrates the safety 'gap' it provides.

Referring to Figure 1. The pinch guard comprises a body 1 and a plunger 3, the latter being acted upon by a spring 2 and being retained in the body by a knob 5 at one end.

The other end of the plunger has a buffer 4 fitted and the whole assembly is fixed to a door fl-ame by screws 6.

The pinch guard would be fitted to the outer door fl-ame approximately in the position as shown in Figure 3. When the door is closed, the pinch guard buffer 4 rests on the moving door firame and the spring 2 is compressed. When the door is opened sufficiently the plunger 3 is forced forward by the spring 2 until knob 5 contacts the rear face of body 1.

The pinch guard is now in its deployed position as shown in Figure 1 position B. Should the sliding frame now be pulled closed it contacts the buffer 4 and is prevented from fully closing, thus providing a safety 'gap' between door and frame. In order to fully close the door, knob 5 is pulled outward which withdraws plunger 3 and the pinch guard assumes the position shown in Figure 2.2, allowing the door to be closed- The pinch guard will, by its design, automatically deploy each time the door is opened.

Although a residential application is illustrated here, for the sake of example, it is obvious that this invention can be applied to any kind of sliding door or window.

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KEY Figure 1 1. Body 2. Spring 3. Plunger 4. Buffer 5. Knob 6. Screw Figure 2 A. Door Frame 13. Pinch Guard Mechanism C. Sliding Door D. Door Movement (Closing) E. Major Finger Trap Ilazard. Eliminated.

Figure 3 A. Door Frame B. Pinch Guard Mechanism C. Sliding Door handle D. Door Movement 4-

Claims

1. An automatically operating sliding door pinch guard comprising a body, a plunger that slides forward out of the body, when released, by being acted upon by a spring, but has means of being retained in the body by a knob fixed to it at one end and protects the sliding door frame from damage by means of a buffer fixed to the other end.

2. A pinch guard as claimed in claim 1 wherein automatic deployment is provided by a compression spring acting between the body and plunger.

3. A pinch guard asclaimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fitment of this device to any type of sliding door or window will provide a safety gap and prevent injury.

4. A pinch guard as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the safety gap between the fixed and sliding door frames is created by a plunger automatically operating in the door track when the door is opened.

5. A pinch guard as claimed in any preceding claim, fitment of which to a sliding door or window means that final closing of the sliding fi-ame has to be carried out in a controlled and conscious way.

6. A pinch guard as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plunger can be locked in the deployed or inoperative position by means of a barrel lock inserted in the body.

7. A pinch guard substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawing.