GB2452950A

GB2452950A - Safety device having pivoting member preventing doors from slamming

Info

Publication number: GB2452950A
Application number: GB0718354A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Assi Magoz; Ziv Magoz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-09-20
Filing date: 2007-09-20
Publication date: 2009-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2027-09-20
Also published as: GB2452950B; GB0718354D0; UA100705C2

Abstract

The mechanism includes a board 20, an arm rotatably attached at a first end 26 to board 20 by pivot 28. A door arresting wedge 25 attached perpendicularly to the other end of the arm 26 away from pivot 28. At least one magnet 49 disposed on the board 20 for attracting arm 26. At least one magnet 30 disposed on an edge of the arm, and at least one stopper means to limit the rotation of the arm 37, 46, 48. When a door is shut is excessive force the centrifugal force causes arm 26 to swing outward and extend beyond the periphery of the door edge and engages the door frame preventing the door from fully closing; thus avoiding injuries from trapped hands or fingers. Stopper 37 may be adjustable to alter the centrifugal force required to overcome the grip of the stopper. A flexible buffer (72, fig.3C, 3D) may be provided which automatically urges the door arresting projection 25 back to its initial retracted starting position. A second door arrestor may be provided retained in initial retracted position by engagement with the first door arrestor and urged into an extended position by a spring (figure 4A, 4B). The anti-slamming device may be mounted on the surface of a door or within the door, particularly within a vehicle door.

Description

DOOR SAFETY MECHANISIM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to door safety mechanisms. More specifically, the present invention relates to safety aspects of door closing in s buildings and vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Injuries may occur when hands or fingers are caught in a closing door.

Such closing doors can cause relatively minor pain and bruises, but may also inflict a greater damage especially when greater force is involved. Typically children and teenagers may be involved in more serious injuries. Schoolchildren playing at recesses between classes are accident prone.

US patent application US2002/157319, the contents of which are incorporated herewith by reference, discloses a gravity actuated door safety Is device, which prevents injury to flagers and pet's talls. a swincjng door safety devce indudng a pair of spaced parallel bars connected to one another at one end by a crossbar. At the opposite end of each bar, a counterweht is provided.

Each bar has a ring attached at a point between the first and second ends. With the rings mounted to oppositely facing door knobs such that the crossbar spans the leading edge of the door, gravity acting or the counterw&cjht biases the device to rotate such that the bars extend outward from the leadng edge and prevent closure of the door by contacting the door jamb.

US patent application US20021157319, the contents of which are incorporated herewith by reference, discloses a mechanism for preventing injury to a person's hand when a fast-closing door slams a door frame or jamb. The mechanism includes a casing which is positioned within a hollowed out portion of the door. The casing is constructed with an opening disposed along the edge of the door panel. A metallic penduluni is housed and suspended within the casing such that the action of centrifugal fOrce imparted by a fastclosing door will cause the pendulum to swing outwardly through the opening. A raised metal body is attached to the side molding of the door jamb and functions to engage the outwardly swung pendulum to prevent the door from completely closing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. IA is an isometric view of a door safety mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. lB is an isometric view of a door safety mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein an arm is prevented from rotation by a stopper means of the present invention; Fig. 2A is an isometric section view of a door structure associated with a door safety mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the arm is released from the stopper means of the present invention; Fig. 2B is an isometric section view of a door structure associated with a door safety mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the arm is prevented from being rotated by the stopper means of the present invention; Fig. 3A is a cross sectional view of a door structure Fig. 3B is a cross sectional view of a door structure associated with a door arresting wedge (AW); Fig. 3C is a cross sectional view of a door structure associated with an AW and a buffer; Fig. 3D is a cross sectional view of a door structure associated with the buffer which is used for preventing the protrusion of the AW and pushing it to a retracted position.

Fig. 4A is an isometric view of a door safety mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, associated with two stoppers in standby position; is Fig. 4B is an isometric view of a door safety mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention associated with two stoppers in blocking position; 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An isometric view of a door safety mechanism (DSM) in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in Figs IA -I B s to which reference is now made. Door safety mechanism (DSM) 20 includes base board 22 which is made of a rigid material such as wood, metal, plastic or any combination thereof. Board 22 is slanted sideways as can be seen by the triangular shape of the section of wall 24 so that door arresting wedge 25 (AW) is disposed at an angle in respect to the door. The top end of arm 26 is pivotally io attached to board 22 by pivot 28 such that the arm is freely rotatable. The pivot may be perpendicular or slanted with respect to the surface of the board. The arm further includes one or more magnet elements 30 disposed on the edge of arm 26. The arm is typically made of an elastic material such as rubber, plastic or any combination thereof. In one aspect of the present invention pivot 28 can is be detached temporarily such as by unscrewing, for positioning arm 26 in the opposite direction. Door arresting wedge (AW) 25 is attached substantially perpendicularly to the bottom end of arm 26. Pin 36 is attached on bottom side of AW 25. The AW is typically made of plastic, wood, rubber or any combination thereof. The DSM further includes stopper means 37 which is used to prevent the arm from rotating. In this case, stopper means 37 is characterized by having a surface level which is changeable by rotation of element 38. Recess 39 is disposed on surface 40. Protruding element 42 is a static element extending from the upper surface of the board and is disposed above stopper 38.

S

Protruding element (PE) 42 has a structured surface and is used to guide pin 36 along the edge of the FE while the door is closed. Forward limiter 46 (FL) limits arm 26 in its forward movement when the door, not shown, is urged sufficiently to cause arm 26 to reach to FL 46. Hooked projection 47 on FE 42 limits the s retraction of the arm beyond a certain angle, on its way away from the frame of the door. In another embodiment of the invention static protrusion member 48 is used to prevent the arm from rotating beyond a certain degree while the arm rotates towards the stopper.

Referring now to Fig. IB, in one aspect of the present invention at least part of the arm 26 is made of metal and magnet 49 is used for attracting arm 26.

An isometric section view of a door structure associated with the door safety mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in Fig. 2A to which reference is now made. Door structure includes door 62 and door frame 64. DSM 66 is attached to door 62 and is disposed in the region near door edge facing the door frame. Referring now to Fig. 2B when door 62 is slammed towards door frame 64, the slamming force overcomes the grip force of the stopper and the arm is released from the stopper and rotates towards magnet 50. The door movement direction is designated by arrow 68.

In one aspect of the present invention the degree of rotation of the arm away from the stopper means is controlled by selecting an angle for the DSM.

The angle is determined for example by rotating the board around a pivot.

A sectional view of a door structure without a DSM is described in Fig. 3A to which reference is now made. Door 69 is in closed position, when portion

C

of the door substantially presses against a portion of door frame 70. A similar view showing the effect of an AW on the door closure is shown in Fig. 3B to which reference is now made. In this case door 69 is urged towards door frame at a speed that would produce a slamming effect causing AW 71 to swing outwardly from the door, preventing the engagement of door 69 with door frame 70. In another situation, better explained by referring again to Fig. IA, the door is urged in a torque insufficient to cause arm 26 to attach to FL 46, arm 26 may in this case either return to its standby position, or be immobilized by AW 25 being caught between the door and the door frame. In another aspect of the invention, the AW and the associated arm are retracted from the door frame by the quenching effect of a buffer means, not shown, preventing the protrusion of the AW and pushing it to a retracted position. A sectional view of the door structure showing an AW and a buffer means is described in Fig. 3C. Buffer means 72, is typically a strap made of flexible material such as plastic or rubber. The buffer Is means is positioned such that when the door is closed the buffer engages the door frame before AW 71. Now referring to Fig. 3D when the door is urged in the direction as indicated by arrow 73 and buffer means 72 engages door frame 70, buffer means 72 begins to bend. Subsequently, AW 71 strikes the buffer means and by the quenching effect of the buffer the AW returns as indicated by arrow 74 towards the stopper means, not shown.

In another embodiment of the present invention the DSM is disposed within a hollowed out portion of a door panel rather than on the outer surface of the door. Typically such embodiment is suitable for vehicle doors.

An isometric view of a door safety mechanism in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention associated with two AW is described in Figs. 4A -4B to which reference is now made. In Fig. 4A door safety mechanism 80 includes two AWs referred to hereinafter as the double arresting wedge (DAW) embodiment. Mechanism 80 includes board 82 and two protruding elements 84 and 86. The elements are slanted as can be seen by the triangular shape of wall 88. The DAW further includes one or more magnets 90, 92 and 93. Arresting wedges 94 and 96 are attached substantially perpendicularly to the bottom end of arms 98 and 100 respectively. The DAW referred to as in standby-position when arms 98 and 100 are anchored in stoppers 106 and 108 respectively. Arm 98 is attracted to magnet 93 and a hooked extension at the top side of arm 98 parks on top of protruding element 107 extending from arm 100.

Reference is now made to Fig. 4B, when the door is slammed, the DAW changes from the standby to the blocking position. Arm 98 is rotatable around pivot 110 is shown released from stopper 106 and reaching towards magnet 92 along with the pivot. Spring 112 is mounted about pivot 114. Due to the release of hold by rotated arm 98 and urge of spring 112, arm 100 mounted on pivot 114 rotates towards magnet 90. When the door safety mechanism is in blocking position, arm 98 is attached to magnet 92, arm 100 is attached to magnet 90 and arresting wedges 94 and 96 block the closure of the door in two places.

Claims

1. A safety mechanism for the prevention of door slamming comprising.

* aboard; * a pivot extending from said board; * an arm rotatably attached at a first end to said pivot; * a door arresting wedge (AW) attached substantially perpendicularly to the second end of said arm; * at least one magnet disposed on said board for attracting said arm; * at least one magnet disposed on an edge of said arm, and * at least one stopper means to limit the rotation of said arm.

2. A safety mechanism for the prevention of door slamming as in claim 1, wherein said mechanism disposed on the outer surface of said door.

3. A safety mechanism for the prevention of door slamming as in claim 1, wherein said mechanism is disposed within a hollowed out portion of said door panel.

4. A safety mechanism for the prevention of door slamming as in claim 3, wherein said door is a door of a vehicle.

5. A safety mechanism for the prevention of door slamming as in claim 1, wherein a pin is attached to the bottom side of said AW.

6. A safety mechanism for the prevention of door slamming as in claim 5, further comprising a static element extending from the surface of said board above said stopper means, for guiding Jo said pin along the edge of said protruding element while said door is closed.

7. A safety mechanism for the prevention of door slamming as in claim 5, wherein the surface level of said stopper changeable.

8. A safety mechanism for the prevention of door slamming as in claim 1, wherein the degree of rotation of said arm away from said stopper means is controlled by determine an angle for said board by rotating said board around a pivot.

9. A safety mechanism for the prevention of door slamming as in claim 1, wherein said mechanism further comprises a buffer means for preventing the protrusion of said AW in case it has not attached to a forward limiter.

10. A safety mechanism for the prevention of door slamming as in claim 1, wherein said arm is detachable from said pivot for positioning said arm in an opposite direction.

11. A safety mechanism for the prevention of door slamming as in claim 1, wherein said board is slanted.

12. A safety mechanism for the prevention of door slamming as in claim 1, further comprising a second AW attached substantially perpendicularly to one end of a second arm whereas the opposite end of said second arm is pivotally attached to said board by a second pivot, and wherein a spring is mounted on said second pivot such that said second arm is rotatable due to the urge of said spring.