GB2442529A

GB2442529A - Door cover

Info

Publication number: GB2442529A
Application number: GB0619554A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Scott
Original assignee: SURFACE REPAIR SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: SURFACE REPAIR SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 2006-10-04
Filing date: 2006-10-04
Publication date: 2008-04-09
Also published as: GB0619554D0

Abstract

A protection arrangement for a closure such as a door, the arrangement comprising a panel 11 12, to hang adjacent to one side of the door, preferably two panels on either side of the door, the panel providing percussive resistance and having a hanger 14 extending about an edge of the door in use to secure the pane to the door. The hanger may extend over the top edge of the door in use 14 or around the edges 15. The panel may be manufactured from a polycarbonate material or be double skinned or shatter proof or have a witness surface to show impacts. The hanger may be manufactured from elastic to bias the panel 11 to the door in use. An aperture 3 may be provided to allow a retainer bolt to be fed through the letter box or access 2 to other features such as the handle or lock. There may be cushioning between the panel and the door to avoid rub damage. A kick board may be provided.

Description

I

A Closure Protection Arranqement The present invention relates to closure protection arrangements and more particularly to closure protection arrangements utilised with regard to doors on newly built or refurbished houses at the later stages of construction.

It will be appreciated that modern construction methods aUow building of houses and other structures such as flats initially in the form of a shell within which plumbing and other installations are then installed. In order to protect those installations doors are provided to the structure such that during periods when the site is unmanned the structures can be securely locked. It will also be understood that early installation of doors and other closures may simply be a matter of convenience.

Doors are normally formed from a metal, plastic or wood and therefore can be damaged by percussive impacts with toolboxes and materials being manhandled into a building or simply by kicking the door open rather than using the handle. In such circumstances the door as installed is damaged and so may require replacement or repair in order to meet the expectations of the purchaser of the property.

Previously it has been known to provide material or plastic sheet coverings which are simply stuck to the door using sticky tape in order to attempt to protect the door. It will be understood that with relatively thin sheet material protection s limited particularly with regard to pointed impacts with tool boxes and materials In the above circumstances, as indicated, replacement of a door may be required resulting in significant costs both in terms of the replacement door itself as well as labour with regard to removal of the old door and installation of the replacement door. Alternatively, the doors can be repaired but again there is a significant cost involved in such repair and there is still the possibility of rejection by the purchaser of the property.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention there is provided a closure protection arrangement for such closures as doors, the arrangement comprising a panel to hang adjacent to one side of a closure in use, the panel providing percussive resistance and presented by a hanger extending about an edge of a closure in use to embrace the door.

Typically, the hanger comprises a strap.

Generally, the arrangement has respective panels to extend on each side of a closure.

Typically, the hanger extends over a top edge of a closure in use.

Typically, the hanger extending over the top edge of a closure in use has a fixed length when installed. Typically, the hanger extending over a top edge of a closure in use may be adjustable in terms of length upon association of the panel with a closure. Possibly, such adjustment is by virtue of a buckle.

Possibly, the hanger extends around a side edge of a closure in use Possibly, the hanger extending around a side of a closure in use is elastic to bias the panel towards the closure in use. Possibly, a hanger extending around a side edge of a closure in use is adjustable in length.

Possibly, the panel is shaped to accommodate closure furniture such as a handle, knocker and/or letterbox. Possibly, the panel has preformed sections removable to accommodate for closure furniture.

Typically, the panel is formed from a polycarbonate material. Possibly, the panel is double skinned.

Generally, the panel has an aperture for alignment with a closure aperture in use to allow a retainer bolt to be located there through. Generally, the closure aperture is a letterbox.

Typically, the arrangement has cushioning between the panel and the closure in use to avoid rub damage. Possibly, the cushioning is associated with the panel.

Possibly, the panel is shaped to provide variable percussive resistance in different areas. Possibly, variable percussive resistance is provided by variable thicknesses in the panel. Possibly, variable percussive resistance is provided by attaching a kick board to the panel.

Possibly, the panel has a witness surface to show impacts.

Possibly, the hanger allows a closure in use to enter its aperture with the panel and the hanger still attached.

Possibly, the hanger is retained by a toggle engagement between the panel and the hanger.

Advantageously, the panel is shatter Droof Possibly, the panel extends over a lock aperture in a closure in use.

Also in accordance with aspects of the present invention there is provided a door arrangement comprising a door and a closure protection arrangement as described above.

Embodiments of aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which.

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a panel for utilisation in a closure arrangement in accordance with aspects of the present invention; and, Fig 2 provides a schematic side view of a closure arrangement in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

As indicated above, during construction and refurbishment of buildings surface damage can occur to front, rear and internal fitted doors This damage is as a result of impacts with items such as toolboxes, step ladders as well as building materials along with inadvertent kick opening of the doors.

Damage to these doors can be costly to repair and where repair is not possible may require replacement of the door. Unfortunately, previous approaches of providing a plastic sheet covering whether that be with the door as delivered or through sticking or otherwise securing a plastic sheet or fabric over the door has generally been ineffective in reducing the impact damage caused. Sheeting and fabric is generally too thin to provide protection and adhesives themselves might cause damage. Nevertheless, it is also understood that any protection arrangement must be easy to fit and lightweight while offering sufficient damage protection for the relatively harsh conditions possible in a main throughway to a building. It will also be understood that although doors are the most typical form of closure which can suffer damage, it is also possible that windows, wardrobe doors and cupboard doors may also require protection. Aspects of the present invention will be particularly described in relation to closures in the form of doors located with door frames but aspects of the present invention may be applied to a wider range of closures.

By aspects of the present invention at least one protective panel is provided on one side of a door but more usually two panels bi ddin rId of the door adjacent to the face and rear surfaces. A single panel would require a mounting plate or hook to secure or form a hanger in accordance with aspects of the present invention Two panels, with one on each side of the door, allows balance across the hanger to suspend the panels appropriately. The panels will generally hang through an appropriate hanger to remain associated with surfaces of the door requiring protection. The panels are formed from a suitable sheet plastics material which may be solid but more usually will be of a corrugated or cellular nature with a double skin. The panels should at least be sufficiently rigid to provide impact protection and normally will have an ability with respect to absorbing impacts. The preferred form of plastic sheet is polycarbonate cellular sheeting typically used with regard to providing roof panelling. The advantage of such panels is that they are lightweight whilst providing effective percussive protection. It will be appreciated that the front and rear surfaces of the door require protection whilst edge surfaces generally will not be subject to such severe percussive impacts and therefore liable to damage.

In terms of manufacture appropriate panels will be shaped and sized to suit the closure, that is to say door to which the panels are to be associated in use. It will be appreciated that the panels may be of a standard size in view of the relatively standard nature of doors in terms of height and width or alternatively panels may be provided in a pre-form with appropriate pre perforation or otherwise to allow sections to be removed as necessary to size the panel for an appropriate door installation In any event, it wi!! also be appreciated that the panel must be adapted for the particular door handle and other closurefdoor furniture such as a knocker or letterbox fixture and again the panel may be preformed or specifically shaped to accommodate for a particular door size and configuration. It will also be understood one of the panels, that is to say the panel to the exterior, may cover the lock aperture in order to provide protection from exterior access to the lock mechanism and therefore tampering.

As will be described later, a number of approaches can be taken with regard to assembly of the panels relative to a door in use A preferred approach is to provide apertures generally formed by drilling into the panels in the area of a letterbox or other aperture to enable a fixing or retention bolt to be secured through the panels and hence through the letterbox or other aperture to hold the panels in place at least temporarily. The retaining bolt again may be configured to provide some security feature with regard to removal of the panels and so may incorporate a padlock and hasp to prevent removal of the bolt by unauthonsed personnel. As indicated, positioning of the retention bolt may be utilised as a convenient means for holding the panels in place whilst the hangers are utilised to suspend the panels appropriately about the door Generally, the panels are held by straps which can extend over an upper edge of the door and/or about side edges of the door. It is a particular advantage with regard to the present invention that the straps have a thickness and material type to allow the door to close into its door frame. As will be described later, generally where straps are used as the 1 5 hangers over the top edge of a door these will be of a relatively rigid nature in terms of having a fixed length. However, this length may be adjustable through use of a buckle or other adjustable mechanism in order to appropriately present the panels in use. Side hangers, that is to say straps which extend around side edges will typically be formed from an elastomeric material such that the panels are compressed with a bias force created by the elasticity in the strap material into engagement with surfaces of the door.

Again, the side strap hangers may be adjustable in terms of length in order to create tension within the strap and therefore elastomeric bias.

As indicated, panels in accordance with aspects of the present invention are provided in order to act as protectors with regard to a door and therefore normally sharp edges with respect to the panel shaping processes will be removed. Furthermore, soft typically plastics material channelling may be secured about the edges of the panels to again ensure or reduce the possibility of damage induced by the panel upon the door. In order to reduce potential damage particularly with respect to wear abrasion with the panel sliding relative to the door surface, it will be understood that cushioning or slide pads will be provided. This cushioning may be achieved through self adhesive pads secured to the panels or insertion of a cushion material between the panel and the door. It will be appreciated that generally it is less favourable to apply self adhesive pads to the door itself as this will again potentially damage the door.

Fig. 1 provides a schematic front view of a panel in accordance with aspects of the present invention. As can be seen, the panel 1 is shaped to provide protection to a door. Thus, a cut out section 2 is provided to accommodate a door handle and fascia plate. It will be appreciated other door cut outs may also be provided for other door furniture such as knockers and letterbox plates. It will be understood that generally the cut out will be sized such that it will fit round the face plate and therefore manipulated to locate the insert 2 behind the door handle itself. The panel 1 also incorporates holes 3 to allow the panel 1 to be secured with a retaining bolt (not shown) extending through a letterbox in a door with a similar panel I located on the other side of the door. Such an arrangement will provide security as well as initial location of the panel 1 whilst hangers or suspenders (not shown) in accordance with aspects of the present invention are located through cut out apertures 4, 5. It will be appreciated that the apertures 4 are located adjacent to an upper end of the panel 1 and therefore provide apertures through which straps can be presented in order to suspend and hang the panel 1 over an upper edge of a door in use. The apertures 5 are adjacent to side edges of the panel 1 and therefore similarly will provide location positions for straps to act as hangers to present the panel in use about edge parts of a door.

As indicated previously, the panel will generally be formed from a plastics material such as a polycarbonate panel of a double skinned cellular structure to provide some absorption protection. However, it will also be appreciated that a solid thickness of plastic materials in the order of a few millimetres with sufficient rigidity may also be utilised to provide the panel in order to provide protection to an underlying door or closure in use.

The panel 1 as indicated has a number of features, that is to say cut out 2, holes 3 and apertures 4, 5 which can either be formed within the panel in a bespoke manner on site as required using an appropriate tool or alternatively the panel 1 may be sized and configured for a particular door type and therefore the appropriate panel selected as required. Alternatively, a universal panel may be provided which includes either simple markings or pre perforational weaknesses to allow different sized cut outs, holes and apertures to be used as required for a particular installation, As indicated above, typically edges of the panel 1 will be smoothed and may normally have a soft plastic channel edging applied to them to prevent any damage to the underlying door when suspended about that door.

Fig. 2 provides a schematic side illustration of a closure protection arrangement 10 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Thus, the arrangement 10 incorporates panels 11, 12 arranged to hang over a door 13 with straps 14, 15 extending between the panels 11, 12.

A strap 14 as illustrated, extends over a top edge 16 of the door 13 between apertures 17, 18 in the panels 11, 12. As will be described later, the strap 14 is secured through the apertures 18 with toggle mountings. A single strap 14 may be used but more normally two or more straps 14 will be provide spaced along the top edge.

The straps 15 extend around side edges of the door 13 and again are secured through apertures 19, 20, 21, 22 in the respective panels 11, 12 The straps 15 as illustrated are again secured through toggles on the other side of the apertures 19, 20, 21, 22. As indicated above generally the overhanging strap 14 will be relatively inextensible in order to appropriately present the panels 11 12 in use. It wUl be appreciated if the strap 14 were extensible then the strap 14 may extend and therefore the panels 11, 12 sag in use which may be inconvenient or unacceptable Nevertheless, the strap 14 may incorporate a buckle or other length adjusting mechanism for use on installation but subsequent to such adjustment the straps remain substantially of the same length as required for hanging over the top edge 16 of the door 13.

The straps 15, as indicated above, can be of an elastomeric nature.

This elastomeric nature will typically be achieved through the material from which the straps are made. Thus, on installation the straps will be held in tension against the elastomeric nature such that a compressive force in the direction of arrowheads A is created causing the panels 11, 12 to closely align themselves with surfaces of the door 13. In order to protect slide and rub damage caused by the panels 11, 12 contacting the surfaces of the door 13 normally cushioning pads 23 are provided such that the panels 11, 12 are slightly offset from the door 13. These pads 23 may be adhesive and secured to the panels 11, 12 as appropriate, It will also be understood by providing a slight offset between the panels 11, 12 and the door 13 a distortion gap is created with the panels 11, 12 such that upon a percussive impact the panels 11, 12 will deform into that gap absorbing energy and therefore potentially reducing any damage and bruising to the underlying door 13. The number of cushioning pads or patches 23 applied will depend upon requirements.

The panels 11, 12 are provided in order to provide protection to the door 13 during installation stages with respect to a building in which the door 13 is secured. Clearly, one side of the door, that is to say the exterior side will tend to be subject to more potential impact damage than other parts of the door. In such circumstances panels in accordance with aspects of the present invention may be arranged to have enhanced protection in certain areas This enhanced protection may be through appropriate changes in the material itself or thickness or, as illustrated in Fig. 2, securing an additional kickboard 24 (shown in broken line) appropriately. This kick board 24 may be adhered to the panel in an appropriate manner. It will be appreciated that relatively robust and strong adhesives can be used to secure the kickboard 24 as contact is with the panel 12 rather than the door itself and therefore adhesive induced damage to the door will not occur. It will also be appreciated that outer surfaces of the panels 12, 13 as well as the kick panel 24 may incorporate witness coatings such that percussive impacts will be highlighted.

Such witness surfaces may have particular advantages with regard to providing security where a witness surface will show attempts at forcing the door open.

Fig. 3 illustrates a toggle mounting utilised with regard to hangers in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The toggle mounting is of a standard type such that, as indicated above, a panel 31 incorporates an 1 5 aperture 32 through which a strap 33 extends with a toggle 34 on the other side of the aperture 32. Thus, the strap 33 is firmly anchored and retains the panel 31 in use. As can be sent the toggle 34 is retained through use of a bend in the strap 33 which extends around a lock member 35 preventing the strap coming through the toggle 34. It will be appreciated this toggle configuration is only one of many and it will also be understood that the hangers and in particular straps utilised in accordance with aspects of the present invention can take different forms.

The arrangement of the present invention provides particular advantage in that the panels provide protection to a door or other closure without becoming stuck or otherwise secured to that closure. In such circumstances potential damage with regard to use of adhesives such as those used in sticky tape are removed. However, it will also be understood that by hanging the panels appropriately over the door or other closure, a robust association is achieved. Ideally, this association is achieved through hangers which extend above an upper edge and/or around side edges of the door with the further retention provided by a retainer bolt 27 as depicted in Fig. 2 extending through an aperture such as a letterbox in the door to further retain the panels in association. This bolt 27 may also provide a security feature particularly if a padlock 28 is provided at one end of the bolt 27 preventing removal without the key.

By using straps it is possible to hang the front and rear face panels over the top edge of the door with the side straps and bolt 27 then applied later Alternatively, as indicated, the bolt 27 may be utilised for an initial presentation of the panels and then the hangers through straps located with the toggle mountings as described previously in order to suspend the panels appropriately.

A particular advantage in utilising straps is the ability to allow those straps to be sufficiently thin to allow the door 13 to open and close within its 1 5 door frame such that the door can the be utilised during construction stages as a security feature It will be understood if the door can be closed into its frame its lock can be operated.

As indicated, the panels in accordance with aspects of the present invention will generally be sized to cover most of the door surfaces in order to provide protection.

The straps in accordance with aspects of the present invention as indicated will be relatively thin and made from a material such that there will be no damage to the door caused by the compression of those straps in engagement with the door when closed within its door frame. Although the straps may fray they can be readily replaced in use. It will also be understood that parts of the straps may be smoothed to reduce the possibility of abrasion damage.

It will be appreciated that rather than using flexible straps in accordance with aspects of the present invention relatively rigid U shaped plastics material or metal brackets or similar may be utilised in order to hang or suspend the panels. However, utilisation of such brackets is not preferred in that damage may incur to the door and it will also be understood that the brackets will generally prevent the door from closing into its door frame in use.

As indicated, generally the panels will be formed from a plastics material such as a twin wall or skin cellular carbonate panel typically utilised with regard to roofing. Such materials have good impact absorption quality and are lightweight in use allowing appropriately thin straps to be utilised for hangers in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The straps themselves will possibly be formed from webbing material similar to that used with regard to motor vehicle seat belts.

As indicated above, generally cushion pads or patches will be provided to create an offset between the panel and the closure or door. Such offset will generally allow drainage of any water such as rainwater which enters the space between the panel and the door and which may itself cause damage.

Alternatively, a seal bead may be provided, which may also act to provide a cushioning effect, about the edge between the panel and the door to prevent water ingress or provision provided for drainage. It will also be understood the ability to provide elasticated side hangers or straps will allow the door to be pivoted about the upper edge temporarily to allow any build up of water to be removed.

It will be appreciated that the panels will generally be formed from a shatter proof material to allow continued use after a percussive impact.

Provision of shatter proof material will also provide a security feature.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1 A closure protection arrangement for such closures as doors,

the arrangement comprising a panel to hang adjacent to one side of a closure in use, the panel providing percussive resistance and presented by a hanger extending about an edge of a closure in use to embrace the door.

2 An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hanger comprises a strap.

3 An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the arrangement has respective panels to extend on each side of a closure.

4 An arrangement as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the hanger IS extends over a top edge of a closure in use.

:.. 5 An arrangement as claimed in claim 4 wherein the hanger extending over the top edge of a closure in use has a fixed length when installed. *.SS

, 20 6 An arrangement as claimed in claim 4 wherein the hanger extending * over a top edge of a closure in use has an adjuster to adjust the length of the hanger upon the association of the panel with a closure. S... * S S...

7 An arrangement as claimed in claim 6 where in the adjuster is a buckle.

8 An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the hanger extends around a side edge of a closure in use.

9 An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the hangar extending around a side of a closure in use is elastic to bias the panel towards the closure in use.

An arrangement as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein a hanger extending around a side edge of a closure in use has an adjuster to adjust the length.

11 An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the panel is shaped to accommodate closure furniture such as a handle, knocker and/or letterbox.

12 An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the panel has preformed sections removable to accommodate for closure furniture.

13 An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the panel is formed from a polycarbonate material 14 An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the panel is double skinned. S...

An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the panel S...

* has an aperture for alignment with a closure aperture in use to allow a retainer S.....

* 20 bolt to be located there through. S**** * .

. 16 An arrangement as claimed in claim 15 wherein the closure aperture is 5.55 a letter box 17 An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the arrangement has cushioning between the panel and the closure in use to avoid rub damage.

18 An arrangement as claimed in claim 17 wherein the cushioning is associated with the panel.

19 An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the panel is shaped to provide variable percussive resistance in different areas.

An arrangement as claimed in claim 19 wherein variable percussive resistance is provided by variable thicknesses in the panel.

21 An arrangement as claimed in claim 19 wherein variable percussive resistance is provided by attaching a kick board to the panel.

22 An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the panel has a witness surface to show impacts.

23 An arrangement as claimed in claim 15 and any claim dependent thereon wherein the hanger allows a closure in use to enter its aperture with the panel and the hanger still attached.

24 An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the hanger is retained by a toggle engagement between the panel and the hanger.

* 20 25 An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the panel is shatter proof. S. * S S...

26 An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the panel extends over a lock aperture in a closure in use.

27 A closure protection arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

28 A door arrangement comprising a door and a closure protection arrangement comprising a door and a closure protection arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim.

29 Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims. * . * *.* St.. * . -. S.. * S S...

**. Se. * 20

S S...'

S S .5. S * S...