GB2460687A

GB2460687A - Door closing apparatus having touchless means urging door into closed position which is damped by the escaping air

Info

Publication number: GB2460687A
Application number: GB0810303A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephanie Dedes; Stephen Roulstone; Mark Denman
Original assignee: CHARLES YORKE Ltd
Current assignee: CHARLES YORKE Ltd
Priority date: 2008-06-05
Filing date: 2008-06-05
Publication date: 2009-12-09
Also published as: GB0810303D0

Abstract

A door closing apparatus wherein a first touchless closing means, e.g. a magnet, 50 is mounted to a door supporting member 1, e.g. door frame or cabinet, and a second touchless closing means, which may be a further magnet, 51 is mounted to a door 4 are arranged to urge the door into a closed position. Closing of the door is damped by the air escaping between cooperating damper portions of the door and supporting member and prevents the door from slamming. The non contact closing means 50, 51 which preferably are magnets may be mounted on or concealed within the door and supporting frame. The cooperating damper portions of the door and surrounding frame preferably comprise a labyrinth or extended air flow passage by means of a pelmet 34 at the top of the door frame or beading surrounding the periphery of the door opening. Such passages restrict the flow of air and slow the closing of the door. A kit of parts may be provided for application to a variety of doors particularly kitchen furniture units.

Description

COVER PANEL CLOSING APPARATUS

This invention relates generally to cover panel closing apparatus and more specifically to closing apparatus for cover panels such as doors, flaps or gates which include a damping means for preventing slamming of the door. The invention is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with domestic furniture, especially kitchen units.

Closing apparatus for doors having a damper are known, but they often require several components and so it would be advantageous to simplify the assembly.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a door closing apparatus comprising a substantially airtight cabinet with an opening, a door hinged to the cabinet and movable between a closed position in which it closes the opening and an open position, a first touchless closing means secured to or within the cabinet and a second touchless closing means secured to or within the door, wherein the first and second touchiess closing means are arranged to urge, in use, the door toward the closed position, the rate of closure being reduced by air escaping between cooperating damper portions of the cabinet and door to prevent the door from slamming. I... * **

:..2o As used herein, the terms cabinet and door refer to an enclosure and its cover panel or closure. These terms encompass other similar arrangements and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. ** * * * * * **

:: The escaping air preferably provides a predetermined resistive force, for example which increases as the door approaches the closed position.

As the door approaches the closed position, the damper portions of the cabinet and door preferably cooperate to provide a relatively narrow gap allowing the air to escape at a limited rate, which slows the closure of the door. The time taken for the door to close is preferably increased, in use, by at least 0.5 seconds, more preferably at least 1 second, e.g. at least 2 seconds, as compared with a cabinet and door assembly which does not include the apparatus.

Whilst not wishing to be bound by any theory, it is believed that air is displaced by the door and compressed within the cabinet as the panel closes, thus creating an increased pressure within the cabinet. This pressure differential is believed to cause airflow through the gap.

For the avoidance of doubt, the term "substantially airtight" used herein refers to the s cabinet being sufficiently sealed for the invention to function correctly. For example, the cabinet may include one or more ventilation holes, apertures or openings which permit some air to escape but the rate at which such air escapes is sufficiently low so that the damping of the door is not prevented.

Preferably, the damper portions of the cabinet and door are arranged to provide a labyrinth, for example a stepped labyrinth, through which the air is forced to pass as the panel closes. The labyrinth may comprise a channel which forces air within the cabinet to exit through a tortuous path. The damper portion of one of the door or cabinet may be provided by a pelmet, for example extending across at least part of the top of the opening, and/or an upstand, for example extending across at least part of the bottom of the opening, and/or a bead or protrusion thereon, for example a continuous bead or protrusion. The bead or protrusion preferably extends about the periphery of the door and/or cabinet, for example to provide an air lock.

:,.120 It is believed that the degree of resistive force is dependent upon the relationship between the overlapping area of the damper portions and the volume of the cabinet and more specifically the overlapping area of damper portions which are remote from a hinged edge of the door. It also is believed that the degree of resistive force is dependent upon the : relationship between the area of the door and the volume of the cabinet.

In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of the volume of the cabinet to an area of overlap between the damper portions is preferably between 2m3 and 20m3 per m2, for example between 7m3 and 14m3 per m2. Additionally or alternatively, the ratio of the volume of the cabinet to the area of the door, i.e. the area of the major surface of the door that faces the cabinet, is between O.1m3 and 1m3 per m2, for example between O.3m3 and O.5m3 per m2.

More preferably, some, most or all of the overlapping damper portions are remote from hinged edge.

For the avoidance of doubt, the term touchiess closing means used herein refers to any means which is capable of urging the door toward the closed position but which requires no physical connection between the door and the cabinet to function.

The touchless closing means may comprise a magnetic closing means, for example a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. The first and second touchiess closing means may each comprise a permanent magnet. The magnets are preferably arranged to prevent the door from bouncing or rebounding of the door away from the cabinet.

The strength of the magnets is preferably selected such that the interaction therebetween occurs at a predetermined separation distance. The predetermined separation distance is preferably determined based upon the characteristics of the cabinet and door, for example the volume of the cabinet and/or the surface area of a major surface of the door.

The magnets are preferably configured and/or sized and/or dimensioned and/or positioned such that the closing force exerted thereby is between 0.5 and 2 kilograms force, e.g. between 4.9 and 19.6 Newtons when the door is in the closed position. More preferably, the closing force is between I and 1.5 kilograms force, e.g. between 9.8 and 14.7 Newtons, for example 1.3 kilograms force, e.g. 12.7 Newtons when the door is in the closed position. More specifically, the location of the magnets is preferably such that *(. there is a 6mm spacing therebetween when the door is in the closed position. * *** * * ****

The magnetic closing means are preferably arranged such that the rate of closure of the ::.20 door is only reduced when the magnets interact, that is to say when the magnets are *. sufficiently close to one another for the relative magnetic fields to interact with one *:*. another to provide the closing force.

: The magnets are preferably located on or within the door and cabinet at a position remote from the hinged connection therebetween.

The first and second touchless closing means may each comprise two or more magnets.

The or each magnet secured to or within the door may be embedded therein and/or concealed. For example, the or each magnet may be located within a recess or rebate, e.g. in the edge or other part, of the door and/or may be covered by a cover member such as a plate or plug. Alternatively, the or each magnet secured to or within the door may be mounted thereon or therein.

The or each magnet secured to or within the cabinet may be concealed and/or embedded therein or located or embedded within a pelmet or upstand mounted to the cabinet. For example, the or each magnet secured to or within the cabinet may be located in a recess qr rebate in, e.g. the edge or other part thereof and may be covered by a cover member such as a plate or plug. Alternatively, the or each magnet secured to or within the cabinet may be mounted thereon or therein.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a conversion kit for converting a cabinet and door assembly into an apparatus as described above, the kit comprising a first touchless closing means securable to or within the door, a second touchiess closing means securable to or within the cabinet and a damper member mountable about the periphery of one of the door and cabinet which cooperates, in use, with a damper portion of the other of the door and cabinet to reduce the rate of closure of the door by air escaping between the damper member and the damper portion to prevent the door from slamming.

Preferably, the damper member includes a pelmet and/or an upstand and/or a bead member arranged to extend, in use, around the periphery of the opening.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by means of example but not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a section view of an upper portion of a cabinet according to a first embodiment of the invention; * . Figure 2 is a perspective view of an upper portion of the door of the cabinet of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section view of an upper portion of a cabinet according to a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 4 is a front view of an upper portion of the door of the cabinet of Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a cabinet 1 incorporating a closing apparatus 2 according to one embodiment of the invention. The cabinet 1 includes an enclosure 3, a cover panel or door 4 and a pair of permanent magnets 50, 51 which provide a touchiess closing means 5.

The enclosure 3 includes a pair of vertical walls 30 (only one of which is shown), an upper wall 32 and a lower wall (not shown) which together define a cavity 33. A cross member 4 is fixed to the forwardmost edge of the upper wall 32. The cross member 34 has a substantially rectangular cross section and includes an outer surface which faces away from the cavity 33, an inner surface which faces the cavity 33 and a lower surface. A lower portion of the outer surface is carved away to form an outwardly facing bead 34a which has a semi-circular cross section in this embodiment. A spacer member 35 is fixed to a lower portion of the inner surface of the cross member 34. The spacer member 35 has a substantially rectangular cross section and includes an outer surface which is secured to the inner surface of the cross member 34, an inner surface which faces the cavity, a lower surface which is aligned with the lower surface of the cross member 34 io and an upper surface which is flush with the upper wall 32.

A pelmet member 36 is secured to the inner surface of the spacer member 35 and extends downwardly therefrom across substantially the entire width of the door opening.

The pelmet member 36 is substantially rectangular in shape and includes an outer surface secured to the inner surface of the spacer member 35, an inner surface which faces the cavity 33, a lower surface and an upper surface which is aligned with the upper surface of the spacer member 35 and is also flush with the upper wall 32. The inner surface of the pelmet member 36 includes a recess 36a in which a first of the magnets 50 and is covered by a first cover plate 52, which is wedged into the recess 36a and glued thereto. The base of the recess 36a is approximately 3mm in thickness, which corresponds to the distance between the first magnet 50 and the outer surface of the pelmet member 36. The first magnet 50 is a substantially rectangular and relatively thick S. S s * plate having a thickness of approximately 5mm and a height of approximately 20mm. A : lighting unit may be located behind the pelmetto illuminate the interior of the cavity.

A bead member 37 having flat cavity facing and outwardly facing surfaces and a rounded inner surface is secured to the lower surface of the pelmet and extends therealong and along the walls 30 about the periphery of the cavity 33. The depth of the bead member 37 is approximately 5mm.

The door 4 includes a panel 40 and a rigid border 41 made up of a pair of side members 42, 43, an upper member 44 and a lower member (not shown). Each of the border members 42, 43, 44 is about 25mm in thickness and includes a cavity facing surface, a inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface. A groove 45 extends along the inwardly facing surfaces and receives or retains the panel 40 therein. The outwardly facing surface of the upper member 44 includes a recess 44a in which the second magnet 51 is located and covered by a second cover plate 53, which is wedged into the recess 44d and glued thereto. The recess 44a, and hence the second magnet 51, is spaced from the cavity facing surface by approximately 3mm. As shown more clearly in Figure 2, the second magnet 51 is a substantially rectangular and relatively thick plate having a thickness of approximately 5mm and a height of approximately 20mm. The shape of the recess 44a in the door 4 substantially matches that of the second magnet 51 but with rounded edges for ease of manufacture.

The door 4 is hinged to the enclosure 3 by a hinge (not shown) and is free to pivot between an open position (not shown) and the closed position shown in Figure 1. The outer peripheral dimensions of the door 4 are smaller than the inner peripheral dimensions of the enclosure 3 to provide a gap 6 therebetween. In this embodiment, the gap is approximately 2mm.

In a closed position, the door 4 contacts the pelmet 36 across an overlapping portion of approximately 26mm which, together with the 5mm bead member 37, results in an overlapping portion of approximately 31mm, thus providing part of the damper portion of the enclosure 3. The door 4 also contacts the bead member 37 along the remaining three edges of the opening across an overlapping portion of approximately 3mm, thus providing the rest of the damper portion of the enclosure 3. *

* e.20 S...

The magnets are selected to be sufficiently strong to penetrate the 6mm of wood and a predetermined separation space when the door 4 is partially open (not shown) in order to

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provide a door closing force in use. In this embodiment, the closing force is :h154 approximately 1.3 kilograms force, i.e. 12.7 Newtons, when the door 4 is in the closed position.

The height, width and depth of the cavity 33 of the enclosure 3 in this embodiment are respectively 1430mm, 376mm and 280mm, which equates to a volume of approximately 0.151m3 (151 Litres). The height and width of the door opening in this embodiment are respectively 1411mm and 376mm. The height and width of the door 4 in this embodiment are respectively 1407mm and 372mm, which equates to an area of approximately 0.523m2 (5234cm2). Thus, the ratio of the volume of the enclosure 3 to the area of the door 4 is about 0.3m3 per m2, or more specifically 0.289m3 per m2.

The total area of overlap between the damper portions of the enclosure 3 and door 4 is approximately 0.02109m2 (210.9cm2). Thus, the ratio of the volume of the enclosure 3 to the area of overlap between the damper portions is about 7m3 per m2, or more specifically 7.16m3 per m2.

The enclosure 3 is sufficiently airtight for the air within the cavity 33 to be sufficiently compressed to limit the rate of closure by air escaping between cooperating damper portions of the enclosure 3 and door 4.

As the top of the door 4 approaches the pelmet in use, the magnets 50, 51 are attracted to one another, thus providing the touchless closing means which urges the door 4 toward a closed position. As the door 4 closes, the displaced air is forced into the cavity 33 and compressed therein as described above. The pressure differential created causes the compressed air within the cavity 33 to flow around the periphery of the door 4 and, as the door 4 approaches the closed position, the air is forced around the pelmet member 36 and the bead member 37 and through the gap 6 between the door 4 and the enclosure 3.

The pelmet member 36, the bead member 37 and the size of the gap 6 are arranged to *:*::* cause a restriction which limits sufficiently the rate at which air is able to escape from the . enclosure 3 to cause a cushion of air to be created. This cushion results from the cooperation between the outer dimensions of the door 4 and the inner dimensions of the :.:,:*20 enclosure 3 and the labyrinth defined by the pelmet member 36, the bead member 37 and the door 4 which forces the air to take a tortuous path as the door 4 approaches the : closed position. The gap (not shown) between the cavity facing surfaces of the border 41 0 of the door 4 and the outwardly facing surface of the pelmet member 36 and of the bead * * member 37 decreases as the door 4 approaches the closed position. This arrangement limits the airflow such that the pressure within the cavity 33 remains sufficiently high to partially counteract the magnetic attraction force for a predetermined period to ensure slow and controlled closure of the door 4.

Thus, an effective damper is provided by configuring the size and dimensions of the door relative to the enclosure 3 such that the closing movement thereof causes a sufficient restriction for the displaced air. The bead member 37 provides a further restriction which further improves this damper effect. The magnets 50, 51 provide an effective closing means which slowly overcomes this damping effect, thus ensuring a smooth gradual closing motion which prevents slamming.

In a variation to the first embodiment of cabinet 1, the enclosure 3 includes an upstand (not shown) across the base of the cavity 33 of the enclosure 3 which is of similar shape

B

to the pelmet member 36 which houses a further magnet (not shown) that cooperates with a further magnet (not shown) of the door 4 and overlaps with the base thereof by approximately 20mm. The height, width and depth of the cavity 33 of the enclosure 3 are respectively 1775mm, 726mm and 500mm, which equates to a volume of approximately 0.644m3 (644 Litres). The height and width of the door opening in this embodiment are respectively 1794mm and 726mm. The height and width of the door 4 in this embodiment are respectively 1790mm and 722mm, which equates to an area of approximately 12924m2 (12924cm2). Thus, the ratio of the volume of the enclosure to the area of the door is about 0.5m3 per m2, or more specifically 0.498m3 per m2.

The total area of overlap between the damper portions of the enclosure 3 and door 4 is approximately 0.04756m2 (4756cm2). Thus, the ratio of the volume of the enclosure 3 to the area of overlap between the damper portions is about 14m3 per m2, or more specifically 13.54m3 per m2.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown a cabinet 100 according to a second embodiment of the invention which is similar to the first embodiment, wherein like ... references depict like features and therefore will not be described herein.

:.:::e20 As shown in Figure 3, the enclosure 103 of the apparatus 102 of the cabinet 100 in this embodiment does not include the first bead member 37 which was present in the first embodiment. The damping effect is provided solely by the restriction caused by the *. .: cooperation between the outer dimensions of the door 104 and the inner dimensions of :: the enclosure 3 as discussed above in relation to the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the gap 106 is reduced to 1mm in order to sufficiently restrict the airflow to achieve the above results. However, it wilt be appreciated that this arrangement may require an increase in tolerances which may not be feasible for some applications.

Nonetheless, the size of the gap 106 need only be sufficiently narrow to achieve the aforementioned damping effect.

As shown in Figure 4, the magnets 150, 151 in this embodiment are disc shaped with the same height and thickness as the magnets 50, 51 in the first embodiment and provide the touchless closing means 105. The recesses 136a, 144a in the pelmet member 136 and the door 104 have a semi-circular base which cooperates with a lower portion of the magnets 150, 151.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the invention is equally applicable to other arrangements comprising a door 4 that opens and closes or entrance for relatively small rooms which may be hinged or otherwise movable relative to the enclosure 3.

The dimensions of the enclosure 3 and/or of the door 4 may be varied. For example, it is believed that the ratio of the volume of the enclosure 3 to the area of the door 4 or door may be between 0.1m3 and 1m3 per m2 without compromising the functioning of the apparatus. Additionally or alternatively, the ratio of the volume of the enclosure 3 to an area of overlap between the damper portions may also be varied and it is believed that a ratio of between 2m3 and 20m3 per m2 would be effective. It is also believed that it may be advantageous to provide most or all of the overlapping damper portions remote from hinged edge, for example by providing a further member similar to the pelmet member 36 or upstand (not shown) along the edge of the enclosure 3 remote from the edge to which the door 4 is hinged. * .* * . . * **

The magnets 50, 51, 150, 151 may be electromagnets rather than permanent magnets.

The pelmet 36, 136 and/or the door 4, 104 may each include two or more magnets, for :.: : :*20 example to improve the strength or distribution of the magnetic force. One of the magnets 50, 51, 150, 151 may be replaced with a magnetically conductive material such as iron.

* Additionally or alternatively, the magnets 50, 51, 150, 151 may be complemented or a replaced by some other touchless closing means.

*.es.S * S Glue may be used to secure the door 52 within the recess 36a, 136a in the pelmet 36, 136 and/or the cover member 54 within the recess 44a, 144a in the door 4, 104. The or each magnet 50, 51, 150, 151 or conductive material or other touchiess means need not be located in a recess 44a, 144a, 36a, 136a in the door 4, 104 or enclosure 3, 103. For example, it may be associated or mounted thereto by some other means such as glue or fixed using fixing means.

It will be appreciated that the restriction by which a cushion of air is created need not be provided by the gap 6, 106 or the bead member 37. For example, any shape of exit channel which is convoluted or long and thin may be provided between the door 4, 104 and enclosure 3, 103 and/or any other restriction means.

Additionally or alternatively, a bead member (not shown) may be associated with the door 4, 104 instead of or in addition to the bead member 37 of the enclosure 3, wherein the bead member (not shown) of the door 4, 104 cooperates with the enclosure 3, 103 to provide the damping effect. Whilst the bead member 37 is substantially continuous in the first embodiment, it or a bead member of the door 4, 104 may only extend about a portion of its periphery.

It is further envisaged to provide a conversion kit for converting, for example, an existing door 4 and enclosure 3 assembly into an arrangement as described above. The kit may io include any number of the components discussed above. However, it is envisaged that the kit might advantageously include a first touchless closing means, for example a first magnet 50, 150, mountable on or in the door, a second touchless closing means, for example a second magnet 51, 151, mountable on or in the enclosure 3 and a bead member 37 mountable about at least a portion of the periphery of the door.

Moreover, the bead 34a is not limited to the design shown in the Figures. For example it may be square or chamfered or any other shape. Also, the bead member 37 may be any * * suitable shape and need not be semicircular. **** * S. * S S S... *S. 55. * *. * S.

S * I

Claims

CLAIMS1. A door closing apparatus comprising a substantially airtight cabinet with an opening, a door hinged to the cabinet and movable between a closed position in which it closes the opening and an open position, a first touchless closing means secured to or within the cabinet and a second touchless closing means secured to or within the door, wherein the first and second touchless closing means are arranged to urge, in use, the door toward the closed position, the rate of closure being reduced by air escaping between cooperating damper portions of the cabinet and door to prevent the door from slamming.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the escaping air provides a predetermined resistive force which increases as the door approaches the closed position in use.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the damper portions of the cabinet and door are arranged to provide a labyrinth through which the air is able to * S 50S5 : *.20
4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the damper portion of one of ***.the door or cabinet is provided by a pelmet extending across at least part of the top of the opening and/or an upstand across at least part of the bottom of the opening and/or a continuous bead or protrusion of the cabinet which extends about the periphery thereof to provide an air lock.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the touchless closing means comprises a magnetic closing means.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first and second touchless closing means each comprise a magnet.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the magnets are arranged such that the rate of closure of the door is only reduced when the magnets interact.
8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the magnets are located respectively on or within the door and on or within the cabinet at positions which are remote from the hinged connection therebetween.
9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a first magnet is located within a rebate of the door and is covered by a cover member and a second magnet is located in a rebate of a pelmet member secured to the cabinet and is covered by a cover member.
10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the damper portions overlap across a surface area.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the ratio of the volume of the cabinet to the area of overlap between the damper portions is between 2m3 and 20m3 per m2
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the ratio is between 7m3 and 14m3 per m2.
13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the ratio of the volume of the cabinet to the area of the door is between 0.1 m3 and I m3 per m2.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the ratio of the volume of the cabinet to the area of the door is between 0.3m3 and 0.5m3 per m2.
15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the time taken for the door to close is increased, in use, by at least 1 second as compared with a cabinet and door assembly which does not include the apparatus. * . * * S16. Apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.17. A conversion kit for converting a cabinet and door assembly into an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the kit comprising a first touchless closing means securable to or within the door, a second touchless closing means securable to or within the cabinet and a damper member mountable about the periphery of one of the door and cabinet which cooperates, in use, with a damper portion of the other of the door and cabinet to reduce the rate of closure of the door by air escaping between the damper member and the damper portion to prevent the door from slamming.18. Conversion kit according to claim 17, wherein the damper member includes a pelrnet and/or an upstand and/or a bead member.19. A cabinet or cupboard substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. * * * * * * ** ***. * S S... * *S * . S *.S * S. S * S* S *SS**.***S S