GB2476257A

GB2476257A - A folding door assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2476257A
Application number: GB0921972A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Eccleshall
Original assignee: Komfort Workspace PLC
Current assignee: Komfort Workspace PLC
Priority date: 2009-12-16
Filing date: 2009-12-16
Publication date: 2011-06-22
Also published as: GB0921972D0

Abstract

A folding door comprising three or more adjoining leaves 1 2 3, including a first leaf 1 which is mounted on one of the door jambs 5 of a door frame, said first leaf 1 having a width which is smaller than the width of the adjacent leaf 2. Preferably the third leaf or furthest from the frame 3 has the greatest width such that when in a door open or concertinaed position it projects beyond the edge of the other leaves (see Fig 2). Preferably the hinges or pivots allow the door panels to pivot or rotate in either direction (see Fig 3a/b). When open it is preferable that the door panels are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the door opening. This type of door is useful in hospital wards etc. to allow people in wheelchairs to easily access the bathroom or toilet.

Description

A Folding Door and a Folding Door Assembly The invention relates to a folding door and a folding door assembly.

The folding door and folding door assembly of the present invention are primarily, although not exclusively, for use in hospitals where ease of access to and exit from a specific area can be of paramount importance.

Typically such a situation arises where a person is incapacitated to the degree that they need to use a hoist, wheelchair or other mechanical device, or be assisted by another person or persons, in order to move from one area to another, for example to move from a hospital ward to a shower room or bathroom.

There are a number of existing doors which may be used in these circumstances, but none of them are particularly satisfactory.

One option is to use single or bi-part sliding door(s). A problem with sliding doors is that they can only be used if the dividing wall is long enough for the door(s) to slide back a sufficient distance. Moreover, some * S sliding doors require a floor track, which can be an obstacle to the passage of wheelchairs. *

Another option is to use hinged double doors. A problem with hinged double doors is that they require additional effort to release and secure the leaves of the door. Moreover, a substantial floor area must be kept free in order to allow for the sweep of the leaves on opening the doors.

Furthermore, with double doors, the leaves must open towards the user either on entry or on exit, which makes their use particularly problematic for wheelchair users.

A further option is to use bi-folding doors. A problem with bi-folding doors is that they are unlikely to provide a sufficient opening width because of the sweep of the leaves. Moreover, as with double doors, it is necessary to keep a substantial floor area free for the sweep of the leaves, and the doors will open towards the user either on entry or exit.

A final option is to use a combination of a hinged door and a bi-folding door. This combination is now becoming the accepted method of ensuring that a wide enough opening can be obtained. However, there are a number of associated disadvantages. In particular, considerable extra time and effort has to be spent on unbolting the hinged door and securing it in an opened position, before then opening the bi-folding door.

Moreover, as with double doors, there is the problem that the doors open towards the user either on entry or exit.

It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages.

Accordingly to a first aspect, the invention provides a folding door comprising three or more adjoining leaves, including a first leaf which, in use, is mounted on one of the door jambs of a door frame, said first leaf having a width which is smaller than the width of the adjacent leaf. * *. * S *

* Having a folding door which comprises three or more leaves with the first leaf having a width which is smaller than the width of the adjacent leaf means that it is possible to provide a door which has an opening width **..

i:; which is sufficient for hospital requirements, but which does not require a large floor area to be kept free for the sweep of the leaves.

Said first leaf may have a width which is no more than half the width of the adjacent leaf.

When the door is in use and fully open, the free edge of the leaf which is furthest from said door jamb may project beyond the end of the other leaves. This projecting section provides a ready grip for a user to hold the door by when closing the door.

The leaf which, in use, is furthest from said door jamb may have a width which is greater than the width of all the other leaves.

Said first leaf may have a width which is less than half the width of the adjacent leaf.

When the door is in use and fully open, the axis about which the first leaf pivots on said door jamb may be substantially aligned with the centre of the leaf which, in use, is furthest from said door jamb.

The hinges which are used to mount the door and to join together adjoining leaves may be pivotable in either direction. This means that the door can fold up in either direction, with the result that it can always be pushed away from the user regardless of the direction in which they are passing through the door.

The hinges may be pivotable by an angle of in the range 900 to 180°, preferably 135° to 180°, more preferably 160° to 180°, most preferably about 180°. S. ** * * . * I

The hinges may be such that, when the door is in use and fully open, all of the leaves are substantially perpendicular to the door opening.

I * I

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a folding door comprising two or more adjoining leaves, wherein the hinges which are used to mount the door and to join together the adjoining leaves are pivotable in either direction.

The folding door may comprise three or more adjoining leaves.

The other features of the door of this second aspect of the invention may be the same as in the first aspect of the invention.

The invention further provides a folding door assembly comprising a folding door according to the invention and a door frame including a door jamb.

The invention will now be illustrated by way of example with reference to the following drawings of which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a folding door according to the invention in its fully closed position; Figure 2 shows the folding door of Figure 1 in its fully open position; Figure 3a shows the folding door of Figure 1 being opened in a first direction; Figure 3b shows the folding door of Figure 1 being opened in a second direction; and * * * Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a folding door according to the * * S * invention in a semi-open position.

The folding door of Figures 1 to 3 comprises three adjoining rectangular leaves 1, 2, 3 and is mounted in a door frame 4 comprising two door jambs 5, 6.

The first leaf 1 is joined to one of the door jambs 5 along one of its vertical edges 7 by a hinge or hinges 8. The hinge(s) 8 allow the first leaf 1 to pivot about the door jamb 5 by an angle of about 1800 so that the first leaf 1 can open either towards or away from the user.

The other vertical edge 9 of the first leaf 1 is joined to one of the vertical edges 10 of the second leaf 2 by a bi-fold hinge or hinges 11. The other vertical edge 12 of the second leaf 2 is joined to one of the vertical edges 13 of the third leaf 3 by another bi-fold hinge or hinges 14. The bi-fold hinges 11, 14 allow either leaf to pivot about the other leaf by about 1800 so that the second 2 and third 3 leaves can open either towards or away from the user.

Any suitable conventional bi-fold hinges may be used, although the hinges used in the present embodiment are manufactured by Jebron Limited.

When the door is fully closed, all three leaves 1, 2, 3 are aligned with one another in a straight line which extends across the width of the opening between the two door jambs 5, 6 (see Figure 1).

When the door is fully open, all three leaves 1, 2, 3 are sandwiched together so that one surface 15 of the second leaf 2 is in contact with one of the surfaces 16 of the third leaf 3 and the other surface 17 of the second leaf 2 is in contact with one of the surfaces 18 of the first leaf 1 (see Figure 2). All three leaves 1, 2, 3 are perpendicular to the door opening, and the axis about which the first leaf 1 pivots on the door jamb is aligned with the centre of the third leaf 3. *. S. * . S * *

The first leaf 1 has a width "a" which is less than half the width "b" of the second leaf 2. The width "b" of the second leaf 2 is slightly less than the width "c" of the third leaf 3. As can be seen from Figure 2, this means S..... * $

that when the door is fully open the third leaf 3 projects beyond the ends of the first and second leaves 1, 2 by an amount "x". This projecting section of the third leaf 3 provides a ready grip for a user to hold the door by when closing the door.

The widths of the three leaves 1, 2, 3 have been selected to minimise the amount by which the door projects into the areas surrounding the door when the door is being opened or closed, whilst leaving a ready grip to enable the user to close the door.

The door is closed by grasping the projecting section of the third leaf 3 and pulling it towards the opposing door jamb 6 in a sweeping motion as illustrated by the arrows in Figure 3. The door then unfolds in a zig-zag configuration until it fully extends across the opening between the two door jambs 5, 6. The door is closed by reversing this procedure.

Figure 3 shows that the door can be folded or unfolded in both possible directions. This means that the door can always be pushed away from the user regardless of the direction in which they are passing through the door.

The above embodiment is described to illustrate the invention, and is not intended to be limiting. The skilled person will be readily able to devise alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

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