GB2491162A

GB2491162A - Access closure assembly suitable for access to a loft.

Info

Publication number: GB2491162A
Application number: GB201108799A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Cameron Challinor; Ben Joseph Hales
Original assignee: Manthorpe Building Products Ltd
Current assignee: Manthorpe Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 2011-05-25
Filing date: 2011-05-25
Publication date: 2012-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 2031-05-25
Also published as: GB2491162B; GB201108799D0

Abstract

The access closure assembly 10 comprises a frame 12 defining an opening 16 and a closure member in the form of a door 20 which comprises first and second parts the second of which is slidable relative to the other between locked and unlocked positions. The first part has a hinge 22 which attaches to the frame. When the closure member is in the closed position the second part can be moved to urge the closure member against the frame. The assembly preferably includes a catch arrangement, comprising first members on the closure member that engage with corresponding second members on the frame, to retain the closure member in the closed position. The catch members may be resiliently deformable to permit them to be mounted together and when they are engaged they urge the closure member against the frame.

Description

Access Closure Assembly The present invention relates to an access closure assembly, and particularly but not exclusively an access closure assembly for access to a loft or attic.

Conventionally, loft door access closure assemblies include a frame defining an opening and a door. Increasing regulatory requirements particularly in the field of energy efficiency have focused attention onto particular areas, such as insulation and draft exclusion. Loft door closure assemblies, in common with other openings in the structure of a building, are an area of particular concern in both of these respects. Firstly because the insulation barrier between the habited warm part of a building and the uninhabited cold part of a building must be broken, and secondly, because conventional assemblies are difficult to seal effectively. Conventional arrangements may also be relatively weak, which may lead to bowing in the middle of the door, and therefore gaps between the frame and the door.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an access closure assembly, the assembly including a frame defining an opening, and a closure member, wherein the closure member comprises first and second parts, with the second part slidably moveable relative to the first part between locked and unlocked positions, the first part including a hinge engageable with the frame, the assembly being configured such that with the second part in an unlocked position the hinge permits the closure member to pivot about a pivot axis between open and closed positions, the assembly also being configured such that when the closure member is in the closed position the second part can be moved to the locked position, which movement urges the closure member against the frame.

The opening may define a plane. A door seal may be provided around the opening.

The assembly may include a catch arrangement to retain the closure member in the closed position. The catch arrangement may comprise a first member on the closure member engageable with a corresponding second member on the frame.

The catch arrangement may include a plurality of first members and corresponding second members. The or each first member may be provided around the perimeter of the closure member.

The first and second members and may be configured so that when engaged they urge the closure member against the frame.

The catch arrangement may include at least one end first member, which located at an end part of the closure member opposite the hinge, and the catch arrangement may include a plurality and perhaps four end first members.

The catch arrangement may include at least one side first member located on a side part of the closure member, and may include at least one side first member on each side part of the closure member, and may include a plurality and perhaps three side first members on each side part of the closure member.

The or each first member may comprise a projection engageable with a respective second catch member which may be in the form of a cam arrangement. The or each second member cam arrangement may be arranged to urge the closure member against the frame when the first member projection engages therewith.

The or each second member of the catch arrangement may include one or more openings through which a respective first catch member may pass when the closure member is in the closed position and the second part of the closure member is in the unlocked position. Each cam arrangement may include a cam surface, which may engage with a corresponding surface of a respective first catch member when the second part is moved from the unlocked to the locked position.

The first catch members may be resiliently deformable to permit the first and second parts of the closure member to be mounted together.

The assembly may further include a detent arrangement to indicate to a user that the second part of the closure member is in one of the locked and unlocked positions.

The detent arrangement may comprise a projection in one of the first and second parts of the closure member, and at least two corresponding spaced recesses in the other of the first and second parts of the closure member. The projection may be provided in the first part, and the recesses may be provided in the second part.

The closure member may include a slide assembly to retain the first and second closure member parts in slideable engagement with each other.

The slide assembly may comprise retaining members located on opposite sides of a one of the first and second closure member parts, which retaining members are profiled to define a channel to slidingly receive a side edge of the other of the first and second closure member parts. The retaining members may have a substantially inward facing L shape profile. The retaining members may be provided on the second closure member part, and the side edges may be provided on the first closure member part.

A plurality of spaced retaining members may be provided on each side of the second closure member part, and three retaining members may be provided on each side of the second closure member part.

The closure member may include a stop arrangement to prevent the first closure member part from sliding beyond a predetermined point relative to the second closure member part. The stop arrangement may include a projection on the first closure member part, which projection may engage with a retaining member when the first closure member part is slid to the predetermined point relative to the second closure member part.

The frame may include side walls which define the opening, and may include one or more flange parts which extend laterally outwardly from the side walls away from the opening. The one or more of the flange parts may space the pivot axis from the opening. The pivot axis may be provided as one of the flange parts spaced from the opening.

The closure member may be removably engageable with the frame, and may be arranged to be engageable and disengageable at a predetermined orientation. Possibly, in the predetermined orientation, the closure member subtends an angle of approximately 900 to the plane of the frame.

The assembly may include a structure seal for sealing between the assembly and a building structure in which the assembly is to be installed.

The building structure may define an opening, and the structure may seal extend continuously around the structure opening, and may extend around and outside of the structure opening.

The access closure assembly may be in the form of a loft door assembly.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view from below of an access closure assembly in accordance with the invention in an open position; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view from below the assembly of fig 1 in a closed, unlocked position; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view from above of a frame of the assembly of fig 1; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of the frame of fig 3; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view from above of a door of the assembly of fig 1; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view from above of a first part of the door of fig 5; Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view from above of a second part of the door of fig 5; Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view from above of part of the door assembly of fig 1 in a closed, unlocked position; Fig. 9 is a similar view to fig 8 but in a closed, locked position; Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic side view of the assembly of fig I in a closed, locked position; Fig 11 is a similar view to fig 10 but in a closed unlocked position; Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic perspective view from below of part of the assembly of fig 1 in a fully open position; Fig 13 is a diagrammatic perspective view from above of part of the door of fig. 5; Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view through; the closed hinge assembly of fig.11 Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic sectional perspective view from above of a part of the closure assembly of fig. 8 showing the detent arrangement; Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view through part of the closure assembly of fig 2 with the second part in a closed, unlocked position; and Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic perspective view from above of a part of the closure assembly of fig. 5 showing a guide member.

The drawings show an access closure assembly 10 in the form of a loft door assembly. The assembly 10 includes a frame 12 defining an opening 16, and a closure member in the form of a door 20. The door 20 includes three hinges 22 for removeably mounting the door 20 to the frame 12, and for allowing the door to move about a pivot axis 48 between an open position (shown in Fig. 1) where the door 20 is inclined relative to the frame 12, leaving the opening 16 clear and a closed position (shown in Fig. 2) where the door 20 engages with the frame on all sides. Located between the frame 12 and the door 20 is a door seal 24 to provide an at least partially air tight seal between the frame 12 and the door 20. The pivot axis 48 is spaced laterally from the opening 16.

The frame 12 could be formed integrally of a plastics material, and could be formed by injection moulding, or by any other suitable process. The door 20 could similarly be formed of a plastics material, and could be formed by, for example injection moulding or any other suitable process.

The door 20 comprises first 26 and second 28 parts, shown in Figs. 6 and 7 respectively. The first part 26 includes the three hinges 22. When assembled and the door 20 is in the closed position, the second door part 28 can slide between an unlocked position, as shown in Figs. 8 and 10, and a locked position, as shown in Figs. 9 and 11. When in the locked position, the second door part 28 urges the door 20 against the frame 12 and the door 20.

When in the unlocked position, the first door part 26 can pivot relative to the frame 12 and move to the open position.

In the specification, the relative positional terms up, down, above and below, inside and outside are used with reference to the orientation of the assembly 10 in use, as shown in Fig. 2, being used as a loft access assembly in a ceiling.

Referring to Fig. 3, the frame 12 is generally rectangular in plan view, and includes side waIls 14 which define the opening 16, and flange parts 18 which extend laterally outwardly from a lower part of the side walls 14 away from the opening 16. The side walls 14 extend continuously around the opening 16, and the flange parts 18 extend continuously around the side walls 14.

The frame 12 includes a plurality of side openings 30 located on the sides 29 of the frame 12. In this embodiment, three side openings are provided on each side 29 of the frame 12. Similar end openings 32 are provided on an end 31 of the frame 12 opposite the hinges 22. In this embodiment, four end openings 32 are provided at the end 31 of the frame 12.

One of the side openings 30 is shown in more detail in Fig. 4. Located within each opening is a cam member 34. The cam member 34 includes a

B

cam surface 36 on an upper face thereof. The cam surface 36 is angled upwardly from the end of the cam surface 36, and meets a flat portion, 38.

Each end opening 32 includes a projection in the form of finger 15, which projects outwardly from the end of the first part 26, and includes a flat upper surface 17.

The frame 12 further includes three hinge openings 56, in which the hinges 22 of the first door part 26 can locate when in the assembled condition.

The frame 12 also includes a structure seal 13 located on the flange parts 18, and which extends continuously around the side walls 14. When the frame 12 is installed in an opening in the ceiling, the structure seal 13 provides an at least partially air tight seal between the frame 12 and the opening in the ceiling. In this embodiment, both the door seal 24 and the structure seal 13 are formed of a resiliently deformable material such as rubber, a thermo plastic elastomer (WE), Polyurethane foam or EPDM.

Referring to Fig. 6, the first part 26 is generally rectangular in plan view and comprises side walls 34, defining a rectangular central section, flanges 36 extending outwardly from the side walls 34, and a generally planar central part 43. The first part 26 includes three profiled projections 38 at one end which form the hinges 22. The first part 26 could include insulation (not shown) which is located within the side walls 34. The side walls 34 serve to contain the insulation, reducing the risk of damage to the insulation during movement ofthedoor2O.

The first part 26 includes a plurality of detents in the form of outwardly protruding finger members 40. The finger members 40 protrude from side edges 41 of the first part 26. In this embodiment three spaced finger members 40 are provided on side 41. Each finger member 40 is resilient, and can be forced inwardly to be substantially flush with the edge of the respective side of the first part 26.

As shown in Fig. 7, the second part 28 further includes an end stop 35 in the form of an upwardly projecting member located at the end of the second part 28 opposite the hinges 22 when assembled.

Fig. 7 shows the second part 28 in a disassembled condition. The second part 28 is generally rectangular in plan view, and comprises a generally planar surround 37 defining a central aperture 39. The second part 28 includes three side catch members 44 on each side of the second part 28.

The second part 28 also includes four end catch members 46. The number of side catch members 44 and end catch members 46 corresponds to the number of side openings 30 and end openings 32 in the frame 12 as will be explained below. Therefore in this embodiment, three side catch members 44 are provided on each side, and four end catch members 46 are provided.

A side catch member 44 and an end catch member 46 are shown in more detail in Fig. 13. A side catch member 44 is shown is further detail in Fig. 15. Each side catch member 44 extends upwardly from an edge of the upper surface of the second part 28, and includes a side wall 58, an inwardly extending shelf 60 located at a top part of the side wall 58, and an end wall 62 located at an end of the catch member 44, the side wall 58, end wall 62 and shelf 60 together defining a recess 64.

An end catch member 46 is shown in more detail in Fig. 16. Each end catch member 46 includes a spaced pair of upwardly extending side walls 47, a rear wall 70 and a shelf 72 (not labelled)extending between the side walls 47. The shelf 72 is angled upwardly inwardly.

The second part 28 also includes four guide members 42, one of which is shown in further detail in fig. 17. Each guide member 42 extends upwardly from the upper surface of the second part 28, and is located inwardly from the catch members 44. Each guide member 42 has a generally inwardly facing L shaped profile, and defines a channel along which a side edge 41 of the first door part 26 can slide when the first 26 and second 28 parts are assembled.

Each guide member 42 includes a side wall 48, an inwardly extending shelf 51 located at a top part of the side wall 48, and a lip 53 projecting slightly inwardly from the side wall 48.

The door 20 further includes a detent arrangement to provide a positive indication to a user that the second part 28 is in either of the locked or unlocked positions. The detent arrangement comprises a projection 66 in the first door part 26 of the door 20, and a pair of corresponding spaced recesses 68, 70 in the second door part 28. The projection 66 and recesses 68, 70 are located such that the projection 66 locates in the recess 68 when the second part 28 is in the locked position, as shown in Fig. 14, and the projection 66 locates in the recess 70 when the second part 28 is in the open position.

In use, the first 26 and second 28 parts can be assembled to form the door 20, as shown in FigS 5. To assemble the first 26 and second 28 parts, the first part 26 is first located slightly above the second part 28, with each side edge 41 at a first end 29 of the first part 26 located adjacent the lip 53 of a first guide member 49.

The first part 26 is then slid in the direction x as shown in Fig. 5 until the end 29 of the first part 26 engages against the end stop 35 of the second part 28. As the first part 26 is slid onto the second part 28, the side walls 48 of the guide members 42 engage against the finger members 40, thereby forcing them inwards until they are flush with the respective side edge 41, and allowing the first part 26 to slide further in the direction x. Once the first part 26 is fully located on the second part 28, the finger members 40 prevent sliding movement of the first part 26 relative to the second part 28 in the direction y as shown in Fig. 5 beyond a predetermined point, by engagement with the lip 53 of a respective guide member 42.

When the door 12 is assembled, the first 26 and second 28 parts overlap slightly, with the flange 36 of the first part 26 engaging against the surround 37 of the second part 28 such that the first part 26 is supported by the second part 28. The central part 43 of the first part 26 located over the aperture 39 of the second part 28.

In use, the frame 12 is installed within an opening defined by a building structure (not shown). In an installed condition, the side walls 14 of the frame 12 extend upwardly into the opening, and the flange parts 18 of the frame 12 locate against the structure surrounding the opening, which could, for example be a ceiling. In the installed condition, the structure seal 13 is compressed against the structure to form a seal between the frame 12 and the structure.

Once the frame 12 is installed in the opening, and the door 20 is assembled, the door 20 can be installed in the frame 12 in the open position via the hinges 22 and hinge openings 56. To install the door 20 in the frame 12, the first part 26 is slid relative to the second part 28 in the direction y until the finger members 40 engage the guide members 42. The door 20 is lifted upwardly with the plane of the door at a predetermined orientation of approximately 90° relative to the plane of the frame 12, with the hinges 22 of the door 20 facing upwardly toward the hinge opening 56 of the frame 12. The door 20 is lifted upwardly such until the hinges 22 locate within the hinge openings 56. The door is then moved laterally in a direction toward the hinge end of the frame 12 by a distance of approximately 15mm. The door 20 is then lowered approximately 5mm such that the hinges 22 engage with respective hinge openings 56. The door 20 can also be removed from the frame 12 by reversal of the above procedure.

The door 20 can then be moved to the closed position by pivoting the door 20 relative to the frame 12 until the door 20 engages with the frame 12 on all sides, as shown for example in Figs. 2 and 10.

To move the door from the closed, unlocked position (as shown in Fig. 10) to the locked position (as shown in Fig. 11), the user then slides the second part 28 relative to the first part 26 in the direction x. In sliding the second part 28 relative to the first part 26 from the unlocked to the locked position, the second part 28 is urged upwardly toward the frame. As the surround 37 of the second part 28 engages against the flange 36 of the first part 26, the first part 26 is also forced upwardly. This movement urges the frame 12 and door 20 together with the door seal 24 located therebetween.

Figs. 8 and 9 show a view from above of the door 20 when the assembly is respectively in the closed unlocked position, and the closed locked position.

As the door 20 is moved to the closed, unlocked position, each side catch member 44 locates within a respective side opening 30, as shown in Fig. 8, and each end catch member 46 locates within a respective end opening 32. As the second part 28 is slid relative to the first part 26 to move the assembly to the closed, locked position, the cam surface 36 of the frame 12 engages with the shelf 60 of the respective side catch member 44, and urges the sides of the second part 28 upwardly. The shelf 47 of each end catch member 46 also engages with the flat upper surface 17 of the finger member 15 in a respective end opening 32 as the first part 26 is slid from the unlocked to the locked position, and thereby also urges the end of the second part 28 upwardly.

The projection 66 also urges an end of the second part 28 downwardly as the door is moved out of the unlocked position as the projection 66 no longer engages within the recess 70. The end of the second part 28 then moves back upwardly once the second part 26 is moved to the locked position, and the projection 66 engages within the recess 68. This arrangement provides a user with a positive indication of whether the door 20 is located in either of the locked or unlocked positions.

There is thus provided a loft door access assembly in which the door is removably mounted to the frame, and is arranged so that the catch and seal arrangements permit a reduction in draughts, and a simplification of sealing arrangements. The cam arrangement in combination with the sliding motion of the second part of the door relative to the first part enables the first part and the frame to be urged together, thereby simplifying the sealing arrangement, and forming a more effective seal. The arrangement is also relatively strong, while being relatively light weight, and the distribution of the catches ensures, that sealing occurs right around the door, and for instance the door can not bow in the middle.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, the assembly could be formed of any suitable material or materials, by any suitable process, and could be of any suitable size and shape. It is to be realised that the invention is applicable to locations beyond a loft door, and the assembly could be utilised in any suitable location and could be used for any type of door or other closure assembly in which a good seal is required.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. An access closure assembly, the assembly including a frame defining an opening, and a closure member, wherein the closure member comprises first and second parts, with the second part slidably moveable relative to the first part between locked and unlocked positions, the first part including a hinge engageable with the frame, the assembly being configured such that with the second part in an unlocked position the hinge permits the closure member to pivot about a pivot axis between open and closed positions, the assembly also being configured such that when the closure member is in the closed position the second part can be moved to the locked position, which movement urges the closure member against the frame.
2. An access closure assembly according to claim 1, in which the opening defines a plane.
3. An access closure assembly according to claims 1 or 2, in which a door seal is provided around the opening.
4. An access closure assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the assembly includes a catch arrangement to retain the closure member in the closed position.
5. An access closure assembly according to claim 4, in which the catch arrangement comprises a first member on the closure member engageable with a corresponding second member on the frame.
6. An access closure assembly according to claim 5, in which the catch arrangement includes a plurality of first members and corresponding second members.
7. An access closure assembly according to claim 5 or 6, in which the or each first member is provided around the perimeter of the closure member.
8. An access closure assembly according to any of claims 5 to 7, in which the first and second members are configured so that when engaged they urge the closure member against the frame.
9. An access closure assembly according to any of claims 5 to 8, in which the catch arrangement includes at least one end first member, which is located at an end part of the closure member opposite the hinge.
10. An access closure assembly according to claim 9, in which the catch arrangement includes a plurality and perhaps four end first members.
11. An access closure assembly according to any of claims 5 to 10, in which the catch arrangement includes at least one side first member located on a side part of the closure member.
12. An access closure assembly according to claim 11, in which the catch arrangement includes at least one side first member on each side part of the closure member.
13. An access closure assembly according to claim 12, in which the catch arrangement includes a plurality and perhaps three side first members on each side part of the closure member.
14. An access closure assembly according to any of claims 5 to 13, in which the or each first member comprises a projection engageable with a respective second catch member.
15. An access closure assembly according to any of claims 5 to 14, in which the second catch member is in the form of a cam arrangement.
16. An access closure assembly according to claim 15, in which the or each second member cam arrangement is arranged to urge the closure member against the frame when the first member projection engages therewith.
17. An access closure assembly according to any of claims 15 or 16, in which each cam arrangement includes a cam surface,
18. An access closure assembly according to claim 17, in which the cam surface engages with a corresponding surface of a respective first catch member when the second part is moved from the unlocked to the locked position.
19. An access closure assembly according to any of claims 5 to 18, in which the or each second member of the catch arrangement includes one or more openings through which a respective first catch member may pass when the closure member is in the closed position and the second part of the closure member is in the unlocked position.
20. An access closure assembly according to any of claims 5 to 19, in which the first catch members are resiliently deformable to permit the first and second parts of the closure member to be mounted together.
21. An access closure assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the assembly further includes a detent arrangement to indicate to a user that the second part of the closure member is in one of the locked and unlocked positions.
22. An access closure assembly according to claim 21, in which the detent arrangement comprises a projection in one of the first and second parts of the closure member, and at least two corresponding spaced recesses in the other of the first and second parts of the closure member.
23. An access closure assembly according to claim 22, in which the projection is provided in the first part and the recesses are provided in the second part.
24. An access closure assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the closure member includes a slide assembly to retain the first and second closure member parts in slideable engagement with each other.
25. An access closure assembly according to claim 24, in which the slide assembly comprises retaining members located on opposite sides of a one of the first and second closure member parts.
26. An access closure assembly according to claim 25, in which the retaining members are profiled to define a channel to slidingly receive a side edge of the other of the first and second closure member parts.
27. An access closure assembly according to claim 26, in which the retaining members have a substantially inward facing L shape profile.
28. An access closure assembly according to any of claims 25 to 27, in which the retaining members are provided on the second closure member part.
29. An access closure assembly according to any of claims 25 to 28, in which the side edges are provided on the first closure member part.
30. An access closure assembly accorcflng to any of claims 25 to 29, in which a plurality of spaced retaining members are provided on each side of the second closure member part.
31. An access closure assembly according to claim 30, in which three retaining members are provided on each side of the second closure member part.
32. An access closure assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the closure member includes a stop arrangement to prevent the first closure member part from sliding beyond a predetermined point relative to the second closure member part.
33. An access closure assembly according to claim 32, in which the stop arrangement includes a protection on the first closure member part.
34. An access closure assembly according to claim 33, in which the projection engages with a retaining member when the first closure member part is slid to the predetermined point relative to the second closure member part.
35. An access closure assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the frame includes side walls which define the opening.
36. An access closure assembly according to claim 35, in which the frame includes one or more flange parts which extend laterally outwardly from the side walls away from the opening.
37. An access closure assembly according to claim 36, in which the one or more of the flange parts space the pivot axis from the opening.
38. An access closure assembly according to claim 37, in which the pivot axis is provided as one of the flange parts spaced from the opening.
39. An access closure assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the closure member is removably engageable with the frame.An access closure assembly according to claim 39, in which the closure member is arranged to be engageable and disengageable at a predetermined orientation.41. An access closure assembly according to claim 40, in which in the predetermined orientation, the closure member subtends an angle of approximately 900 to the plane of the frame.42. An access closure assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the assembly includes a structure seal for sealing between the assembly and a building structure in which the assembly is to be installed.43. An access closure assembly according to claim 42, in which the building structure defines an opening, 44. An access closure assembly according to claim 43, in which the structure seal extends continuously around the structure opening, 45. An access closure assembly according to claims 42 or 43, in which the structure seal extends around and outside of the structure opening.46. An access closure assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the access closure assembly is in the form of a loft door assembly.47. An access closure assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.48. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.