GB2490541A - Reinforced door with frame and panels - Google Patents

Abstract

A reinforced door comprising a framework 20 and a panel 10, wherein a reinforcement 50 is arranged to penetrate the framework 20 and protrude into the panel 10. The reinforcement 50 may be in the form of an elongate metallic member, such as a rod or bar. Multiple reinforcements may be used around the periphery of the door, and they may be formed as a single unit. A method of reinforcing a door is also disclosed comprising forming a channel through a frame, forming a channel at least partially through a panel, inserting a reinforcing member through the frame in the panel and securing the reinforcement to the frame. The fastening means may be a screw 52 or adhesive. The reinforcement is designed to prevent the panel being kicked in or removed following removal of the beading 30.

Description

Improvements in and relating to Household Security The present invention concerns improvements in security, particularly, but not limited to, household security for households which have at least one door, window or other aperture closed by a construction formed substantially from UPVC or other plastics material.

There is a growing trend for householders to specify and install sealed door units, formed from UPVC or other plastics materials. These offer certain advantages over traditional wooden doors. Typically, they are more thermally efficient and are often seen to offer an improvement in security over wooden doors. They are also typically easier to install, since they are supplied as one unit whereby the door is pre-hung on the frame.

In spite of the common perception that such doors offer an improvement in security, due to multi-point locking mechanisms, but there is a potential weakness in all such door systems.

Many doors of the UPVC type comprise a metal-reinforced UPVC sash or frame. The frame is shaped to resemble broadly a squared-off figure 8, with spaces in the frame for 2 panels -an upper and a lower one. Typically one of the panels -usually the upper one -is glazed to allow an occupant to see who is at the door. The lower panel is often in the form of an opaque panel, formed from UPVC material encasing a foam material. This opaque panel is held in place by an integrally formed ridge on one side, and a separately fitted bead on the opposed side.

Alternatively, a door can consist of a single panel, with a single outer frame having only a single central panel. In such a case, the door is not glazed at all.

If a would-be burglar or vandal kicks or otherwise strikes the panel with sufficient force, the panel may simply break or the separately applied beading, often fitted on the inside of the door, may pop out of position, allowing the panel to be removed and access to be gained to the property.

It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to provide a door, window or other access-control device which addresses problems in the prior art, whether mentioned herein or not.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a sectional view through a door sash according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 shows a view of a panel having several reinforcements.

Figure 1 shows a sectional view through a door 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The door is formed from 1 sash or frame 20, which is provided with a UPVC panel 10, described previously. The sash 20 is reinforced and strengthened by a tubular steel member 40. This member 40 is provided to increase the rigidity and strength of the door and is integrally formed with the UPVC outer structure. The steel member 40 is coupled to a 1 5 multipoint locking mechanism (not shown).

As can be seen in Figure 1, the panel 10 is arranged to abut an integrally formed ridge or bead 24, and to be retained in position by a further bead 30, which is installed at the time of door manufacture or fitting. The bead 30 is arranged to be snapped into position and to be difficult, but not impossible, to remove.

So far, the description of the door applies to prior art doors. Embodiments of the present invention differ in that they also comprise reinforcements as will be described hereafter.

The sash 20 comprises a recess 22, which in use, is positioned against the door frame when the door is closed. The lock mechanism would normally be positioned in the recess 22.

The reinforcement 50 takes the form of at least one elongate member, which is arranged to be positioned to penetrate the sash 20 and the panel 10 and to extend at least part of the way into the panel 10. The reinforcement 50 may be formed from steel, another metal or a synthetic material. To fit the reinforcement 50, a hole may be drilled in the sash 20, through the recess 22 and then into the panel 10. Once the hole is drilled, the reinforcement is introduced and then secured in position. To secure it, one or more screw holes 52 may be provided to fasten the reinforcement to the sash inside the recess 22. Alternatively, the reinforcement can be secured in place using an adhesive.

Depending on the size of the panel 10, several reinforcements 50 may be provided, as shown in Figure 2. This shows a partial view of a door 1, comprising a sash 20, having a panel 20. The panel is reinforced with several reinforcements 50, fitted to partially penetrate the panel 10 from opposing sides of the panel 10. Each of the reinforcements can e fitted as described previously.

Figure 2 shows the reinforcements penetrating the panel from each side at approximately identical vertical positions, but failing to meet in the middle. Alternatively, the reinforcements can be arranged in a staggered fashion, so that they each protrude further than half way into the panel.

Whatever pattern is chosen, the intention is to provide additional support of the panel 10, so that if an attempt is made to damage it to gain entry to the property, then the reinforcements will impede that attempt by resisting the removal of the panel.

The reinforcements can be fitted at the time of manufacture of the door, or they may be retro-fitted to an existing door, as needed.

The reinforcements may be provided as single bars, fitted individually as required.

Alternatively, several reinforcing bars may be combined into a single unit, whereby several bars protrude from a single attachment plate, arranged to sit in the recess 22 in use. In this way, standard parts may be provided for popular door and panel sizes.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS1. A reinforced door comprising a framework, said framework comprising a panel, wherein a reinforcement is arranged to penetrate the framework and protrude into the panel.
2. 2. The door as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reinforcement is an elongate metallic member.
3. 3. The door as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of reinforcements.
4. 4. The door as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of reinforcements are formed as a single unit.
5. 5. The door as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the reinforcement is fastened 1 5 into position using a screw.
6. 6. The door as claimed in any of claims 1-5, wherein the reinforcement is fastened into position using an adhesive.
7. 7. A method of reinforcing a panel provided in a door, comprising the steps of: forming a channel through a frame of the door; forming a channel at least partially through the panel; inserting a reinforcing member through the frame and into the panel; and securing the reinforcing member to the frame.
8. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the forming of the channels is performed by a drilling operation;
9. 9. The method of claims 7 or 8 wherein the step of securing comprises fastening a screw through an end plate attached to the reinforcing member and into the frame.
10. 10. The method of any of claims 7-9, wherein the forming of the channel through the frame is performed in a recess provided in the door frame.
11. 11. The method of any of claims 7-10 performed at the time of door manufacture.
12. 12. A door, substantially as herein described and having particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. 13. A method, substantially as herein described and having particular reference to the accompanying drawings.