GB2453380A

GB2453380A - Door assembly with finger guard

Info

Publication number: GB2453380A
Application number: GB0719548A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Klippel
Original assignee: Leaderflush and Shapland Ltd
Current assignee: Leaderflush and Shapland Ltd
Priority date: 2007-10-05
Filing date: 2007-10-05
Publication date: 2009-04-08
Also published as: GB0719548D0

Abstract

A door assembly 10 comprising an elongate post member 12 with a first profiled portion 14 extending along its length, and a door member 16 which is pivotably mountable. In use the door member 16 is pivotable, relative to the post member 12, between open and closed positions and the door member 16 includes first and second faces 28, 30 having a first side 32 extending therebetween. The first side 32 includes a shaped portion 34 which extends along the length thereof. The door member 16 also includes at least one trim member 36 that is fixedly secured to a said face 28, 30. The shaped portion 34 and the or each trim member 36 combine to define a second profiled portion 38, the first and second profiled portions 14, 38 cooperating with one another during pivotal movement of the door member 16 to inhibit ingress of an object, for example a finger, between the post member 12 and the door member 16. An intumescent strip may be placed in the channel shaped first profile member.

Description

A DOOR ASSEMBLY AND A DOOR MEMBER

This invention relates to a door assembly and a door member.

A conventional door assembly typically includes a door member which is pivotably connected to a door post via a plurality of hinges, so as to allow pivotal movement of the door member relative to the door post between open and closed positions.

During movement of the door member from a closed position to an open position a gap is formed between the door member and the door post. This gap is able to receive an object, such as a human finger. As a result there is a risk of the object becoming trapped in the gap as the gap is closed during movement of the door member from the open position to the closed position. In the case of an finger or other body part, trapping of an object is extremely painful, and can necessitate subsequent amputation.

It is desirable, therefore, to prevent the trapping of an object during opening and closing of a door member.

One type of, so-called, "finger guard" includes a flexible member which is extended between the door member and the door post.

Such an arrangement creates a barrier which helps to prevent access to the gap which forms between the door member and the door post during opening of the door member.

However, fmger guards of this type can be visually unattractive, and continue to allow access to the gap via each end of the flexible member.

Another type of door assembly includes a door post and a door member to which respective mutually co-operable formations are secured. The mutually co-operable formations abut one another during movement of door member to avoid the

I

creation of a gap between the door member and the door post. As no gap is formed between the door member and the door post it is not possible for an object to become trapped therebetween.

However, one drawback with the aforementioned arrangement is the need for an extensively modified door member and door post in order to accommodate the mutually co-operable formations. The need for a customised door member and door post adds to the overall cost of the door assembly, and complicates the installation process required to install the door assembly in a given aperture.

Moreover, the modified door member, in particular, has a weakened structure which adversely affects the fire protection provided by the door assembly.

Therefore, there is a need for a door assembly and a door member which eliminates the risk of an object becoming trapped between a door member and a door post, while obviating the aforementioned drawbacks.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a door assembly, for insertion in an aperture, comprising: an elongate post member defining a first profiled portion extending along the length thereof; and a door member pivotably mountable such that, in use, the door member is pivotable, relative to the post member, between open and closed positions, the door member including first and second faces having a first side extending therebetween, the first side including a shaped portion extending along the length thereof, and at least one trim member fixedly secured to a said face, the shaped portion and the or each trim member combining to define a second profiled portion, the first and second profiled portions cooperating with one another during pivotal movement of the door member to inhibit ingress of an object between the post member and the door member.

The inclusion of a first side of the door member having a shaped portion allows for the maintenance of an essentially uniform thickness across the entire width of the door member, thereby preserving the structural integrity of the door member and the fire protection afforded by the door assembly, while providing the desired resistance to trapping of an object, such as a human finger.

In addition, an existing door member can be readily modified to include a first side having a shaped portion and at least one trim member, thereby allowing for the use of essentially conventional door members. Such features help to reduce the cost of the door assembly, as well as allowing for the ready modification of an existing door installation.

Furthermore, the inclusion of one or more trim members provides an additional, sacrificial fire barrier which helps to improve the fire protection afforded by the door assembly.

Optionally the door member is pivotably mountable to the post member. Such an arrangement allows an operative to install the door assembly quickly.

Preferably the door member is pivotable relative to the post member about a pivotal axis spaced from the post member. Spacing the pivotal axis from the post member further helps to prevent the creation of a gap between the door member and the post member during opening of the door member.

In a preferred arrangement of the invention the pivotal axis is equally spaced from each of the first and second faces of the door member. Such an arrangement simplifies installation of the door assembly, and provides the option of having the door member open equally in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions relative to the post member.

The or each trim member and the corresponding face of the door member may include mutually engagable formations. The inclusion of mutually engagable formations helps to ensure correct alignment of the or each trim member and the corresponding face.

Preferably the door assembly includes a single, integrally formed post member defining the first profiled portion. Such a post member is readily manufacturable and installable.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the door assembly has a post member including first and second post elements fixedly secured to one another, the second post member defining the first profiled portion. Such an arrangement facilitates retrofitting of the door assembly where, for example, the first post element is defined by an existing door post installed in an aperture.

Optionally the door assembly has a post member including a first post element and two second post elements fixedly secured to the first post element, the first and second post elements combining to define the first profiled portion. Such an arrangement is also readily retrofittable, and allows for customisation of the pair of second post elements which may, for example, have a different appearance depending on the corresponding decor on a given side of the installed door assembly.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first profiled portion has a channel-shaped cross-sectional profile, and the door member includes two trim members, each trim member being fixedly secured to a respective first or second face of the door member. This arrangement facilitates the inclusion of a double-opening door member, i.e. a door member which is able to open in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions relative to the post member, while providing the desired resistance to trapping of body parts.

Preferably the channel-shaped cross-sectional profile is symmetrical about a plane extending through the centre thereof. The inclusion of a symmetrical channel-shaped cross-sectional profile simplifies manufacture of the door assembly, and allows the door member to open by an equal amount in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions.

Alternatively the channel-shaped cross-sectional profile is asymmetrical about a plane extending through the centre thereof. Such an arrangement allows the door member to open further in a given direction so as to permit, for example, even greater access from a given side of the door assembly.

In a still further preferred embodiment of the invention, the post member includes at least one intumescent strip. The inclusion of at least one intumescent strip improves further the fire protection afforded by the door assembly.

Optionally the post member includes two intumescent strips, each strip lying on a given side of the channel-shaped first profiled portion. Such an arrangement further enhances the fire protection afforded by the door assembly.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a door member pivotably mountable such that, in use, the door member is pivotable, relative to a post member, between open and closed positions, the door member including first and second faces having a first side extending therebetween, the first side including a shaped portion extending along the length thereof, and at least one trim member fixedly secured to a said face, the shaped portion and the or each trim member combining to define a profiled portion, the profiled portion cooperating with the post member during pivotal movement of the door member relative to the post member to inhibit ingress of an object between the post member and the door member.

There now follows a brief description of preferred embodiments of the invention, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a door assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2(a) shows a plan view from above of the door assembly shown in Figure!;

I

Figure 2(b) shows a plan view from above of part of the door assembly shown in Figure 2(a) with a door member in a closed position; Figure 2(c) shows a plan view from above of part of the door assembly shown in Figure 2(a) with a door member in an open position, Figure 3 shows a plan view from above of a door assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows an exploded, isometric view of a door assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows a plan view from above of a door assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 shows a partial, isometric view of the door assembly shown in Figure 5; and Figure 7 shows a plan view from above of a door assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

A door assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10.

The door assembly 10 includes an elongate post member 12 which defines a first profiled portion 14 extending along the length of the post member 12.

The post member 12 shown in the first embodiment is integrally formed from a single component.

The first profiled portion 14 has a channel-shaped cross-sectional profile which is symmetrical about a plane PL extending through the centre of the cross-sectional profile, as shown in Figure 2(b).

The door assembly 10 also includes a door member 16 which is pivotable relative to the post member 12 between open and closed positions.

The door member 16 is pivotally coupled with the post member 12 via a bracket assembly 18 located at either end of the post member 12. Each bracket assembly

I

18 includes a bracket 20 which is fixedly secured to one end of the post member 12 and a pivot pin 22 which is received in the door member 16. The door member 16 may include a corresponding housing member 24, located in a respective end 26 of the door member, to receive the pivot pin 22.

The pair of brackets 20 and corresponding pivot pins 22 define a pivotal axis PA which is spaced from the post member 12. Each pivot pin 22 is received in the door member 16 such that pivotal axis PA is also equally spaced from respective first and second faces 28, 30 of the door member 16.

The door member 16 includes a first side 32 which extends between the first and second faces 28, 30.

The first side 32 includes a shaped portion 34 which extends along the]ength of the first side 32. The shaped portion 34 defines an arc centred on the pivotal axis PA, as shown most clearly in Figures 2(b) and 2(c). In other embodiments of the invention the shaped portion 34 may have a different profile.

The door member 16 further includes two trim members 36, each of which is fixedly secured to a given face 28, 30 of the door member 16. Other embodiments of the invention may include a door member 16 having only one trim member fixedly secured to a face thereof.

In the embodiment shown each trim member 36 has a segment-shaped cross-sectional shape, although other cross-sectional shapes are also possible.

The shaped portion 34 of the first side 32 and the two trim members 36 combine to defme a second profiled portion 38, as shown in Figures 2(b) and 2(c).

The post member 12 includes two intumescent strips 40, each strip lying on a given side of the channel-shaped first profiled portion 14.

I

In use the door member 16 is able to pivot relative to the post member 12 about the pivotal axis PA in order to move between a closed position, as shown in Figure 2(b) and an open position, as shown in Figure 2(c).

The door member 16 is also able to pivot relative to the post member 12 in an opposite, anti-clockwise direction to that shown in Figure 2(c).

During such movement, sections of the first and second profiled portions 14, 38 remain adjacent to one another, thereby avoiding the creation of a gap between the post member 12 and the door member 16. The absence of a gap ensures that an object, such as a human finger, cannot become trapped between the post member 12 and the door member 16. In this manner the first and second profiled portions 14, 38 cooperate with one another to inhibit ingress of an object between the post member 12 and the door member 16.

A further advantage of the foregoing arrangement is that cooperation of the first and second profiled portions with one another also inhibits access to the bracket assemblies 1 8, thereby rendering the door assembly tamper and vandal resistant.

In the event of a fire, each intumescent strip expands to fill any space between the first profiled portion 14 and the door member 16 in order to inhibit the transmission of heat and smoke through the door assembly.

Each of the trim members 36 burns in preference to the underlying face 28, 30 of the door member 16, and so helps to further improve the fire protection afforded by the door assembly 10.

A door assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 50. The second door assembly 50 shares common features with the first door assembly 10, and these are designated using the same reference numerals.

In the second door assembly 50 each trim member 36 and the corresponding face 28, 30 of the door member 16 includes a mutually engagable formation 52, as shown in Figure 3. Such formations 52 help to assist an operative in assembling the second door assembly 50.

Another door assembly, according to a third embodiment of the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 60: Features of the third door assembly 60 which are common to the first and second door assemblies 10; 50 share the same reference numerals. I0

The third door assembly 60 has a post member 12 which includes first and second post elements 62, 64 that are fixedly secured to one another.

The second post element 64 defines the first profiled portion 14.

A further door assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is designated by the reference numeral 70, and features common to the aforementioned embodiments share the same reference numerals.

The fourth door assembly 70 has a post member 12 which includes a first post element 72 and two second post elements 74. Each of the two second post elements is fixedly secured to the first post element 72, and the two second post elements 74 are mirror images of one another.

The first post element 72 and the two second post elements 74 combine to define the first profiled portion 14.

A fifth door assembly according to a still further embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 80. The features of the fifth door assembly 80 that are common to each of the foregoing door assemblies 10; 50; 60; are designated using the same reference numerals.

I

The fifth door assembly 80 has a post member 12 which includes a first post element 82 and two second post elements 84. The cross- sectional shape of the two second post elements 84 differs from one another, with one second post element 84 having a shallower profile to that of the other second post element 84.

As a result the first profiled portion 14 of the post member 12 has a channel-shaped cross-sectional profile which is asymmetrical about a plane PL extending through the centre of the cross-sectional profile, as shown in Figure 7.

This arrangement permits the door member 16 to open through a greater angle relative to the post member 12 in a direction towards the shallower second post element 86 than in the direction towards the other second post element 88.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A door assembly, for insertion in an aperture, comprising: an elongate post member defining a first profiled portion extending along the length thereof, and a door member pivotably mountable such that, in use, the door member is pivotable, relative to the post member, between open and closed positions, the door member including first and second faces having a first side extending therebetween, the first side including a shaped portion extending along the length io thereof, and at least one trim member fixedly secured to a said face, the shaped portion and the or each trim member combining to define a second profiled portion, the first arid second profiled portions cooperating with one another during pivotal movement of the door member to inhibit ingress of an object between the post member and the door member.
2. A door assembly according to Claim I wherein the door member is pivotably mountable to the post member.
3. A door assembly according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the door member is pivotable relative to the post member about a pivotal axis spaced from the post member.
4. A door assembly according to Claim 3 wherein the pivotal axis is equally spaced from each of the first and second faces of the door member.
5. A door assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the or each trim member -and the corresponding face of the door member include mutually engagable formations.
6. A door assembly according to any preceding claim including a single, integrally formed post member defining the first profiled portion.
7. A door assembly according to any of Claims I to 5 having a post member including first and second post elements fixedly secured to one another, the second post member defining the first profiled portion.
8. A door assembly according to any of Claims 1 to 5 having a post member including a first post element and two second post elements fixedly secured to the first post element, the first and second post elements combining to define the first profiled portion.
9. A door assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the first profiled portion has a channel-shaped cross-sectional profile, and the door member includes two trim members, each trim member being fixedly secured to a respective first or second face of the door member.
10. A door assembly according to Claim 9 wherein the channel-shaped cross-sectional profile is symmetrical about a plane extending through the centre thereof.
11. A door assembly according to Claim 9 wherein the channel-shaped cross-sectional profile is asymmetrical about a plane extending through the centre thereof.
12. A door assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the post member includes at least one intumescent strip.
13. A door assembly according to Claim 12 when dependent on any of Claims 9 to 11 wherein the post member includes two intumescent strips, each strip lying on a given side of the channel-shaped first profiled portion.
14. A door member pivotably mountable such that, in use, the door member is pivotable, relative to a post member, between open and closed positions, the door member including first and second faces having a first side extending therebetween, the first side including a shaped portion extending along the length thereof, and at least one trim member fixedly secured to a said face, the shaped portion and the or each trim member combining to define a profiled portion, the profiled portion cooperating with the post member during pivotal movement of the door member relative to the post member to inhibit ingress of an object between the post member and the door member.
15. A door assembly generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
16. A door member generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.