GB2406874A - Locking element for pet door - Google Patents

Locking element for pet door Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2406874A
GB2406874A GB0320881A GB0320881A GB2406874A GB 2406874 A GB2406874 A GB 2406874A GB 0320881 A GB0320881 A GB 0320881A GB 0320881 A GB0320881 A GB 0320881A GB 2406874 A GB2406874 A GB 2406874A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
locking element
door
rotatable locking
flange
pet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0320881A
Other versions
GB2406874B (en
GB0320881D0 (en
Inventor
Stephen Henry Burridge
Stuart John Crozier
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BURRWILL MOULDS
Original Assignee
BURRWILL MOULDS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by BURRWILL MOULDS filed Critical BURRWILL MOULDS
Priority to GB0320881A priority Critical patent/GB2406874B/en
Publication of GB0320881D0 publication Critical patent/GB0320881D0/en
Publication of GB2406874A publication Critical patent/GB2406874A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2406874B publication Critical patent/GB2406874B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B7/00—Special arrangements or measures in connection with doors or windows
    • E06B7/28—Other arrangements on doors or windows, e.g. door-plates, windows adapted to carry plants, hooks for window cleaners
    • E06B7/32—Serving doors; Passing-through doors ; Pet-doors
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B63/00—Locks or fastenings with special structural characteristics
    • E05B63/0052—Locks mounted on the "frame" cooperating with means on the "wing"
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B63/00—Locks or fastenings with special structural characteristics
    • E05B63/0065—Operating modes; Transformable to different operating modes
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B65/00—Locks or fastenings for special use
    • E05B65/06—Locks or fastenings for special use for swing doors or windows, i.e. opening inwards and outwards
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05C—BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS
    • E05C3/00—Fastening devices with bolts moving pivotally or rotatively
    • E05C3/02—Fastening devices with bolts moving pivotally or rotatively without latching action
    • E05C3/04—Fastening devices with bolts moving pivotally or rotatively without latching action with operating handle or equivalent member rigid with the bolt
    • E05C3/041—Fastening devices with bolts moving pivotally or rotatively without latching action with operating handle or equivalent member rigid with the bolt rotating about an axis perpendicular to the surface on which the fastener is mounted

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Housing For Livestock And Birds (AREA)

Abstract

A rotatable locking element 1 for a pet door, which when rotated through substantially 180 degrees can allow the door to be pushed open in both directions, in one direction only, in the other direction only, or not at all. The locking element may form a disc-shaped item comprising spaced apart flanges 17, 18, 19 and 20 and a trough 14. The locking element may be resiliently biased into its rotational positions. A key may be provided to enable rotation of the locking element. The key may be cross-shaped to engage with a cross-shaped central bore 31 in the locking element. The locking element may be applied to a four-way locking pet door. It may be restricted to rotate in one direction. The locking element may be also adapted for two-way cat flaps.

Description

Pet Door This invention relates to a novel locking system for use
particularly, but not exclusively, with a cat flap.
Cat flaps comprise a frame which defines an aperture, which is generally mounted in the door of a building. A door, or flap, is attached in a hinged arrangement to the top of the frame, so it can swing both outwards and inwards.
It is common to provide a locking element for such flaps, which often comprise a rotatable wheel which can protrude into the swinging path of the door in a variety of ways.
The wheels can be four-way locking wheels which allow the door to be pushed open from both sides, from one side only, from the other side only, or not at all.
However, conventional four-way locking wheels need to be rotated through a full 360 degrees to realise the four settings.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a four-way locking wheel which can realise the four settings in only 180 degrees of rotation.
The components of cat flaps can be constructed from plastics materials which are injection moulded. This process can become over complicated and time consuming is side action is required. It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide a four-way locking wheel which can realise the four settings in only 180 degrees of rotation, which can also be injection moulded without side action.
Therefore according to the present invention a pet door comprises a frame defining an aperture, a door rotatably attached to the frame such that it can be pushed open from both sides of the frame, and a rotatable locking element adapted to engage a free end of the door in use, in which within substantially 180 degrees of rotation, the rotating element can allow the door to be pushed open in both directions, in one direction only, in the other direction only, or not at all.
The rotatable locking element can be a disc-shaped item, portions of the peripheral edge of which can protrude into the path of the door, to hinder its movement.
Preferably the locking element comprises a rim which can be provided with a trough extending around more than 180 degrees of the rim, and which is defined by parallel first and second flange planes in which a number of spaced apart flanges are disposed. The trough can be at least as deep as the height of the peripheral edge of the locking element which protrudes into the path of the door. The trough may also be at least as wide as the door, such that when the door is in the shut position, a flange in the first flange plane is disposed on one side of the door, and a flange in the second flange plane is disposed on the opposite side of the door.
The flanges can be so arranged that when the locking element is positioned in one of the four locking positions, flanges in both, one or other or neither of the flange planes protrude into the path of the door.
In order to readily manufacture the above described locking element, injection moulding can be used. However, if side action is required during the moulding process, the process can become over complicated and time consuming. In order to provide a locking element which can be injection moulded without side action, no flange in the first flange plane is disposed opposite a flange in the second plane.
In a preferred construction when the locking element is positioned at a first rotational position, flanges in both flange planes can extend into the path of the door, when the locking element is rotated substantially 60 degrees to a second rotational position, a flange in the first flange plane can extend into the path of the door, when the locking element is rotated a further 60 degrees to a third rotational position, no flanges can extend into the path of the door, and when the locking element is rotated a further 60 degrees to a fourth rotational position, a flange from the second flange plane can extend into the path of the door.
Preferably, when the locking element is at the first position the door cannot open, in the second position the door can open inwards only, in the third position the door can open both ways, and in the fourth position the door can open outwards only.
Therefore, the first flange plane is adjacent an exterior facing surface of the locking element, and the second flange plane is adjacent an interior facing surface of the locking element.
In a preferred construction comprises two frame members attached together, and which define a locking element chamber extending along the edge of the frame adjacent the free end of the door. The two frame members can also define the aperture through which the locking element protrudes to contact the door in use.
A mounting boss can be provided on the exterior facing surface of the locking element, which is adapted to be mounted onto a ring provided on the interior surface of the locking element chamber.
The interior facing surface of the locking element can be provided with an annular trough comprising a base, an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall can be provided with four substantially flat surfaces, adapted to co-operate with a resilient tab which extends from the frame into the locking element chamber. The flat surfaces can be arranged to be substantially parallel to the resilient tab when the locking element is disposed in the four locking element positions. Therefore, a system is provided to resiliently bias the locking element into its four rotational positions.
The locking element can be provided with a central bore, which is preferably cross-shaped along at least a potion of its length. A key can be provided, which has an elongate cross-shaped body portion adapted to co-operate with the central bore.
An aperture can be provided in the interior face of the frame, to allow the key to be inserted into the locking element chamber, and into the locking element, so as to rotate it on the ring. Preferably the key is readily removable.
The invention can be performed in various ways, but one embodiment will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a section of a pet door according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the locking element used in the pet door shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a rear view of the locking element used in the pet door shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of the locking element used in the pet door shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional front view of the locking element used in the pet door shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional rear view of the locking element used in the pet door shown in Figure 1; and, Figures 7a to 7d are front views of the locking element used in the pet door show in Figure 1, disposed at four different rotational positions.
In Figure 1 a pet door, in the form of cat flap 1, comprises a frame 2 defining an aperture 3, a door 4 rotatably attached to the frame such that it can be pushed open from both sides of the frame 2, and a rotatable locking element 5 adapted to engage a free end 6 of the door 4 in use.
As shown in Figures 7a to 7d, within substantially 180 degrees of rotation, the rotating element 5 can allow the door 4 to be pushed open in both directions, in one direction only, in the other direction only, or not at all.
Referring to Figure 1, the frame 2 comprises two frame members 7 and 8 attached together, and which define a locking element chamber 9 extending along the edge 10 of the frame 2 adjacent the free end 6 of the door 4. The two frame members 7 and 8 also define an aperture 11 through which the locking element 5 protrudes to contact the door 4 in use. Insulation material 12 is mounted between the frame members 7 and 8, to insulate the cat flap 1 in use.
Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the locking element 5 is a generally discshaped item, with a rim 13 provided with a trough 14 extending around it. The trough 14 is defined by parallel first and second flange planes 15 and 16, as shown in Figure 3, in which a number of spaced apart flanges 17, 18, 19 and 20 are disposed.
The first flange plane 15 is adjacent the exterior facing surface 21 of the locking element 5, and the second flange plane 16 is adjacent the interior facing surface 22 of the locking element 5. Flanges 17 and 18 are disposed in the first flange plane 15, and flanges 19 and 20 are disposed in the second flange plane 16.
Therefore, when the door 4 is in a vertical position flanges 17 and 18 can prevent the door 4 opening outwards, and flanges 19 and 20 can prevent the door 4 opening inwards.
Figures 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of the locking element 5, showing the view taken from lines A - A and B - B in Figure 3 respectively. As is clear from these figures, no portion of flanges 17 and 18 is disposed opposite a portion of flanges 19 and 20. Therefore, locking element 5 can be injection moulded without any side action.
The locking element 5 is also provided with an annular mounting boss 23 on its exterior facing surface 21. The mounting boss 23 is adapted to cooperate with mounting ring 24 provided on frame member 7 inside the locking element chamber 9, as shown in Figure 1.
The interior facing surface 22 of the locking element 5 is also provided with an annular trough 25 comprising a base 26, an outer wall 27 and an inner wall 28.
The inner wall 28 is provided with four substantially flat surfaces 29, adapted to co- operate with a resilient tab 30 which extends from the frame member 8 into the locking element chamber 9. Trough 25 is further provided with stops 33 and 34 at either end.
The four flat surfaces 29 are parallel to line C - C as shown in Figures 7a to 7d when the locking element is disposed in the four rotational positions, as described below. Thus a system is provided to resiliently bias the locking element into its four rotational positions.
The locking element 1 is also provided with a cross-shaped central bore 31, which is adapted to co-operate with a key 32 comprising an elongate cross-shaped body. An aperture (not shown) is provided in frame member 8 to allow the key 32 to be inserted into the locking element chamber 9, and into the locking element 5.
Figures 7a to 7b show the operation of the locking element 5. Line C - C represents the bottom edge of the door 4.
In Figure 7a the locking element 5 is positioned in a first rotational position. In this position flange 19 extends into the path of the door 4 to prevent it opening inwards, and portions of flanges 17 and 18 extend into the path of the door 4 to prevent it opening outwards. The door 4 is therefore completely locked.
In Figure 7b the locking element 5 has been rotated 60 degrees in a clockwise direction, to a second rotational position. In this position only a portion of flange 18 extends into the path of the door 4 to prevent it opening outwards.
In Figure 7c the locking element 5 has been rotated a further 60 degrees in a clockwise direction, to a third rotational position. In this position no flanges extend into the path of the door 4, and the door 4 is therefore free to move inwards and outwards.
In Figure 7d the locking element 5 has been rotated a further 60 degrees in a clockwise direction, to a fourth rotational position. In this position flange 20 extends into the path of the door to prevent it opening inwards.
Therefore, the locking element 5 can provide four operational settings in substantially 180 degrees of rotation.
In use the key 32 is inserted into the locking element 5, and the locking element 5 can be rotated on the mounting ring 24. The locking element 1 cannot be rotated anti-clockwise from the first rotational position, or clockwise from the fourth rotational position due to stops 34 and 35, which contact the resilient tab 30. When the desired setting is reached, the key 33 can be removed from the cat flap 1.
The applicant's co-pending patent application entitled: PET DOOR LOCKING ELEMENT discloses a pet door locking element adapted to engage a free end of a pet door with which it is to be used, provided with at least five operational rotational positions, in which at a first rotational position the locking element can prevent the door being pushed open in both directions, and in which rotation of the locking element in a first direction from the first rotational position allows the door to be opened in one direction only, in both directions, and in the other direction only, and in which rotation of the locking element in a second direction from the first rotational position allows to the door to be opened in both directions.
It is one of the objects of that invention to provide a locking element design which can be used in both four-way and two-way locking cat flaps. The locking element disclosed in that invention is identical to the locking element 5 disclosed in this invention.
Therefore, rotating element 5 is also provided with a fifth rotational position, which is not utilised in cat flap 1. If the rotating element is rotated 60 degrees anti clockwise from the first rotational position, it reaches a fifth rotational position in which no flanges extend into the path of a door. When the locking element is to be used in a two-way locking cat flap the first and the fifth rotational positions are used only, to allow a door to move in and out, or not at all. In addition, secondary bore 35 is provided for when the locking element is to be used in a two-way locking cat flap.
Thus, a pet door is provided with a locking element which can provide four locking settings in 180 degrees of rotation. Further, a locking element of this type is provided which can be injection moulded without the need for side action.

Claims (12)

  1. Claims 1. A pet door comprising a frame defining an aperture, a door
    rotatably attached to the frame such that it can be pushed open from both sides of the frame, and a rotatable locking element adapted to engage a free end of the door in use, in which within substantially 180 degrees of rotation the rotatable locking element can allow the door to be pushed open in both directions, in one direction only, in the other direction only, or not at all.
  2. 2. A pet door as claimed in Claim 1 in which the rotatable locking element is a disc-shaped item, portions of the peripheral edge of which protrude into the path of the door, to hinder its movement.
  3. 3. A pet door as claimed in Claim 2 in which the rotatable locking element comprises a rim which is provided with a trough extending around more than 180 degrees of the rim, and which is defined by parallel first and second flange planes in which a number of spaced apart flanges are disposed, the flanges being so arranged that when the rotatable locking element is positioned to allow the door to be pushed open in both directions, in one direction only, in the other direction only, or not at all, flanges in both, one, the other or neither of the flange planes protrude into the path of the door.
  4. 4. A pet door as claimed in Claim 3 in which the trough is at least as deep as the height of the peripheral edge of the rotatable locking element which protrudes into the path of the door, and in which the trough is at least as wide as the door.
  5. 5. A pet door as claimed in Claim 4 in which no flange in the first flange plane is disposed opposite a flange in the second plane.
  6. 6. A pet door as claimed in Claim 5 in which when the rotatable locking element is positioned at a first rotational position, flanges in both flange planes extend into the path of the door, in which when the rotatable locking element is rotated substantially 60 degrees to a second rotational position a flange in the first flange plane extends into the path of the door, in which when the rotatable locking element is rotated a further 60 degrees to a third rotational position no flanges extend into the path of the door, and in which when the rotatable locking element is rotated a further 60 degrees to a fourth rotational position a flange in the second flange plane extends into the path of the door.
  7. 7. A pet door as claimed in Claim 6 in which when the rotatable locking element is at the first rotational position the door cannot open, in which when the rotatable locking element is in the second rotational position the door can open inwards only, in which when the rotatable locking element is in the third rotational position the door can open both ways, and in which when the rotatable locking element is in the fourth rotational position the door can open outwards only.
  8. 8. A pet door as claimed in Claim any of the preceding Claims in which the pet door comprises two frame members attached together, which frame members define a rotatable locking element chamber extending along the edge of the frame adjacent the free end of the door, and in which the two frame members define an aperture through which the rotatable locking element protrudes to contact the door in use.
  9. 9. A pet door as claimed in Claim 8 in which a mounting boss is provided on an exterior facing surface of the rotatable locking element, which mounting boss is adapted to be mounted onto a ring provided on an interior surface of the locking element chamber.
  10. 10. A pet door as claimed in Claim 9 in which an interior facing surface of the rotatable locking element is provided with an annular trough comprising a base, an outer wall and an inner wall, in which the inner wall is provided with four substantially flat surfaces adapted to cooperate with a resilient tab which extends from the frame into the rotatable locking element chamber, in which the flat surfaces are arranged to be substantially parallel to the resilient tab when the rotatable locking element is disposed in one of the four rotational positions, such that the rotatable locking element is resiliently biased into its for rotational positions in use.
  11. 1 1. A pet door as claimed in Claim 10 in which the rotatable locking element is provided with a central bore, which central bore is crossshaped along at least a potion of its length, in which a key is provided, which key has an elongate cross-shaped body portion adapted to co-operate with the central bore, in which an aperture is provided in the interior face of the frame, such that in use the key is inserted into the rotatable locking element chamber and into the rotatable locking element, so rotation of the key rotates the rotatable locking element.
  12. 12. A pet door substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
GB0320881A 2003-09-05 2003-09-05 Pet Door Expired - Fee Related GB2406874B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0320881A GB2406874B (en) 2003-09-05 2003-09-05 Pet Door

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0320881A GB2406874B (en) 2003-09-05 2003-09-05 Pet Door

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0320881D0 GB0320881D0 (en) 2003-10-08
GB2406874A true GB2406874A (en) 2005-04-13
GB2406874B GB2406874B (en) 2006-07-05

Family

ID=29226602

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0320881A Expired - Fee Related GB2406874B (en) 2003-09-05 2003-09-05 Pet Door

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2406874B (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2442473A (en) * 2006-10-05 2008-04-09 Robert Carson Lock for door access flap such as letterbox
US10619389B2 (en) 2016-12-20 2020-04-14 Radio Systems Corporation Pet door having insulating flap
US10750714B2 (en) 2017-08-18 2020-08-25 Radio Systems Corporation Electronic pet door
US10941611B2 (en) 2017-08-18 2021-03-09 Radio Systems Corporation Pet door

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2101182A (en) * 1981-02-27 1983-01-12 Barry Paul Cat doors
GB2142070A (en) * 1983-06-22 1985-01-09 Reilor Ltd Lockable pet door
GB2236135A (en) * 1989-09-22 1991-03-27 Pet Mate Ltd Cat doors

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2101182A (en) * 1981-02-27 1983-01-12 Barry Paul Cat doors
GB2142070A (en) * 1983-06-22 1985-01-09 Reilor Ltd Lockable pet door
GB2236135A (en) * 1989-09-22 1991-03-27 Pet Mate Ltd Cat doors

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2442473A (en) * 2006-10-05 2008-04-09 Robert Carson Lock for door access flap such as letterbox
US10619389B2 (en) 2016-12-20 2020-04-14 Radio Systems Corporation Pet door having insulating flap
US10750714B2 (en) 2017-08-18 2020-08-25 Radio Systems Corporation Electronic pet door
US10941611B2 (en) 2017-08-18 2021-03-09 Radio Systems Corporation Pet door

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2406874B (en) 2006-07-05
GB0320881D0 (en) 2003-10-08

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20110905