GB2505720A

GB2505720A - Hinge guard

Info

Publication number: GB2505720A
Application number: GB1216187.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Phrixos Prodromou
Original assignee: FINGER CLEAR Ltd
Current assignee: FINGER CLEAR Ltd
Priority date: 2012-09-11
Filing date: 2012-09-11
Publication date: 2014-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2032-09-11
Also published as: GB201216187D0; GB2505720B

Abstract

A hinge guard comprising an elongate body divided by hinge lines to form a plurality of panels: a first outer panel; a second outer panel and a plurality of further panels between the first and second panel; at least four of the further panels between the first and second panels which fold to form a hollow polygonal structure when the door is closed. At least two of said further panels located adjacent to the second outer part expansion panels are hinged to concertina against each other. The two further panels provide an expansion part such that during opening of narrow doorways they remain substantially abutted together but for larger doorways they hinge apart to allow the protective cover device to open further. Also claimed is a hinge guard for the closed side of the hinge comprising five folded panels. Both guards may be secured to the door using a T shaped clip which engages with a C shaped bracket 77 mounted to the frame.

Description

Protective cover device for coverin2 the ante formed between the ede of a hin2ed door and a door frame This invention relates to a protective cover device for covering the angle formed between the edge of a hinged frame and a door frame. The purpose of the device is to form a barrier which prevents access to the angle by fingers so as to avoid pinching or similar injury.

A further aim is to provide such a device which prevents access and avoid injuly at all time whilst blending in with the visual aspect of the door and frame in an inconspicuous but attractive manner. A device of this type is known from GB-A-2 321 078. Figures ito 4 show this cover device.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the prior art cover device is formed by an elongate strip iS 1 which is suitably formed as a substantially flat extrusion of polypropylene or PVC or other plastics material. The strip has parallel sides and is divided by parallel hinge lines 2 to 6 into a plurality of elongate panels 7 to 12. A first outer panel 7 is adapted to be fixed to the face of the door D adjacent the door edge E and a second outer panel 8 is adapted to be fixed to the door frame F adjacent to that part of the door frame which faces the door edge E when the door is fully closed.

Third, fourth, fifth and sixth panels 9-12 are formed between the outer panels. The fourth panel 10 is formed of a first panel portion lOl and a second panel portion 102 separated by a hinge fine 103 which is stiffer than the other hinge fines as discussed below.

The third and sixth panels 9 and 12 are formed with areas of reduced thickness 91, 121 which provide for increased flexibility of these panels relative to the fairly stiff panels 7, 8 and II. The first panel portion 101 of panel 10 is also provided with an area of reduced thickness which makes it more flexible than the relatively stiff second panel portion 102. The second outer panel 8 is formed with an elongate groove 81 which enables it to flex to adapt to a non-planar configuration. This may be necessary where that part of the door frame to which it attaches is not flat.

I

The outer panels are provided on their undersides with a double sided adhesive tape or other adhesive means for attaching the device to a door and door frame.

The fitting and operation of the cover device described below with particular reference to Figures 2 to 3. The first outer panel 7 is fixed to the face of a door D adjacent to its edge E whilst the second outer panel 8 is fixed to door frame F adjacent that part of the door frame which faces the door edge E when the door is closed.

When the door is fully open as shown in Figure 2, the cover device forms a convex cover over the angle between the door and the frame. In this condition the cover bends substantially only about hinges 3, 5 and 6 and forms a fairly stiff substantially triangular hollow barrier preventing access to the angle between the door D and the frame F. Tn the hail open door position of Figure 3, the cover device forms a generally polygonal hollow shape with bending about hinges 2. 3. 4. 5 and 6. Again, the cover device forms a relatively stiff barrier preventing access to the angle between the door D and the frame F. In the fully closed position of the door shown in Figure 4, the cover device folds to form a hollow polygonal structure. In the embodiment shown, this structure is substantially rectangular and thus blends in well with the door and door frame. Tn moving from the position shown in Figure 5 to that of Figure 6, there is a possibility of fingers being inserted in the angle between the first pand 7 and the third panel 9 and/or the angle between the second panel 8 and the sixth panel 12. For this reason, the third and sixth panels are made relatively flexible and will bend under a low pressure which would not be painful to any trapped fingers. Further flexing is also available by virtue of the flexibility of panel portion 101 and the hinge 103, but since the hinge 103 is slightly stiffer than the other hinges, this does not occur in normal circumstances and the third panel 10 remains planar.

Thus it can be seen, that at all times the cover device forms a barrier to the angle between the door and the frame. This barrier assumes various polygonal shapes according to the opening state of the door which blend in weB with the polygonal structures of the door and frame and are thus quite inconspicuous. Since the cover device extends substantially for the full height of the door it fomis a fairly stiff batTier, particularly in the region of the third and fourth panels 10 and 11 The length of the cover device also assists local flexing in the more flexible panels, if necessary. as described above.

This device works well. However, there is a limit on the size of door and door opening angle which it can be useable with.

In addition, it does not provide pinch protection if mounted on the opposite side of the door from that shown.

The present invention arose in an attempt to provide an improved protective cover device.

According to the present invention there is provided a cover device for covering the angle formed between the edge of a hinged door and the door frame comprising an elongate body having parallel sides and divided by hinge lines parallel to the sides into a plurality of elongate panels; wherein the panels comprising; a first outer panel; a second outer panel and a p'urality of further panels between the first and second pand; at least four of the further panels between the first and second panels being adapted to fold to form a hollow polygonal structure in the corner between the door and the door frame when the door is fully closed, and with the remainder of the cover device, presents a cover over the angle between the door and the frames when the door is open; wherein at least two of said further panels adjacent to the second outer part are expansion panels, which are hinged to concertina against each other to provide an expansion part such that during opening of some doorways these can remain substantially abutted together but for a larger doorway these can hinge apart from each other when the protective cover device needs to open further.

Preferably, at least three or four of the concertinaed panels are provided. The expansion panels may be connected by at least three hinges.

The hinges of the expansion panels may allow opening between 0 and 1800, or even more in various embodiments.

Preferably, apart from the expansion panels and outer panels, four or five additiona' panels are provided.

The outer panels may be arranged to be adhered or otherwise connected directly to, respectively, a door and a doorframe. Alternatively, one or both of the outer panels may terminate in a T-shaped part (T-piece) which may be affixed direct to a respective door or panel or may be affixed within a channel formed by a receiving rack affixed to a respective door and/or frame.

The invention further provides a protective cover device as described above, in combination with an elongate receiving rack mountable to a door and/or a frame and having a channel in which a T-shaped part of a cover device is received.

The rack may include a rear part and two ends parts which are folded towards each other from edges of the rear part to form a space between their ends and a gap to thereby form a channel for receiving a T-or L-shaped part of a panel. The rack is preferably of C-shaped cross-section. One or more of the end parts may be resiliently hingeaNe relative to the back part, either by a separate hinge or a living hinge and means may be provided for removably clipping the hingeable end in place relative to the rear part. after the cover device has been attached, to retain the cover device. This may comprise a lug or rib formed n one of the back part or front cover part and a cooperating recess or clip means for resiliently receiving the lug or rib.

Tn a further aspect. the invention further comprises a cover for covering the angle formed between the rear edge of hinged door and the door frame, comprising an elongate stnp having parallel sides and divided by hinge lines parallel to the sides into a plurality of elongate panels; wherein the panels comprise a first outer panel; a second outer panel; at least five further pands between the first and second panels which provide a protective structure over the angle between the door and the frame when the door is opened and closed.

The first and second outer panels may temñnate in T -shaped parts for connecting to a rack mounted on a door or frame.

The panels may be arranged such that when the door is closed they present a convex cover over the angle between the door and the frame.

The invention also provides protective apparatus comprising a front cover, a rear cover and one or more frames as herein described.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example on'y, with reference to the accompanying drawings. in which: Figures Ito 4 show a previously proposed protective cover device; Figure 5 shows a protective cover device; Figure 6 shows the cover device of Figure 5 in a configuration when mounted on a closed door; Figure 7 shows the device when mounted on an opened door; Figure 8 shows the device in combination with mounting racks and an opened door and frame; Figure 9 shows part of a mounting frame; Figure 10 shows a frame and protective cover mounted to a door; Figure 11 shows protective covers mounted to the front and rear parts of a door and frame; Figure 12 shows a protective cover for the rear part of door and frame with a door closed; and Figure 13 shows a protective cover for a rear part of the frame with a door opened at 1800.

As described, Figures i to 4 show a previously proposed protective cover device.

Figure 5 shows a protective cover device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, this comprises an elongate stiip having parallel sides and divided by hinge lines into a plurality of elongate panels. These are shown as panels 20,21,22,23, 24, 25 and 26 to 30. Panels 20 and 30 are the outermost panels. In some embodiments, these may be affixed direct to a door and a frame as with the previously proposed cover of Figures 1 to 4. However, preferably, these each terminate in a respective T-shaped portion 31, 32 with the bar of the T generally perpendicular to the plane of the panel 20, 30 at the point where it meets the bar. Since the protective cover is of an extruded plastics material these may be simply moulded as part of the elongate strip. However, they may be separate items which are affixed thereto, or the strip may be made of other materials. The T-shaped parts 31 and 32 are arranged to locate within appropriate slots within a frame as described below. Note that there may alternatively be L-shaped or T-shaped but having parts either side of a centreline which are of different lengths.

Panels 20 to 25 correspond generally to panels 7 to 12 of the previously proposed system and are interconnected by hinges 33. 34. 35. 36 and 37. Note in the prior art device of Figure 3, panel 10 is actually formed by two panel por ions, for example, thus leading to five panel portions between the outer panels in this. Some of the hinges may be stronger or

weaker than others, as described in the prior art.

The present design differs from the prior art in having the further panels 26 to 28 in this embodiment (although just two additional panels or more than three may be used).

Panel 26 is connected to panel 25 by a similar hinge 38 to the hinges 33 to 37. However, panels 26 to 29 are connected by special hinges 38, 39 and 40. Hinge 38 connects panels 26 and 27, hinge 39 connects panel 27 and 28 and hinge 40 connects panels 28 and 29.

These are arranged so that in a natural' position the panels 26 to 29 in effect lie in a zigzag and are concertinaed against each other so as to generally abut (ie lie flat against each other). The hinges allow for a degree of movement in any of the respective panels to hinge in a concertina-like panel away from each other. Angular movement up to 180°, or even more, may be allowed. These panels therefore act as an expansion means and allow the device to be used with larger door, larger door hinge size or doors of larger gaps than with previous designs. That is. they allow a single cover device to be used with a greater range of doors, door sizes and gap and hinge sizes and before without having to change the size of the cover. Figures 6 and 7 explain this.

The device of some embodiments therefore has ten flexible hinges, two T connectors and nine panels between the outermost hinges 33 and 42.

Figure 6 shows the protective cover (guard) when the guard is in a closed position on a door and frame. The cover essentially takes up a quadrilateral format similar to that shown in Figure 4. Faces 21, 22, 23, 24. and 25 flex inwards about the hinges 33, 34 and 36 so that when fingers are in direct contact with these faces, when the guard closes, the faces protect fingers from an injury when closing on the door and frame. In this position, it is seen that panels 26 to 29 lie flattened against one another. Thus, adjacent panels subtend at an angle of substantially 1800 to one other via the respective hinges 39, 40 and 41. The folded concertinaed panels lie out of the way within the generally quadrilateral shape formed by the other panels and the hinges ensure that fingers cannot get badly damaged.

Figure 7 shows a typical configuration when a door, to which the device is attached.

is open relative to a frame to which the other end of the device is attached. The door is opened by 9Q0 in this example. It is seen that the remaining panels accommodate the opening as in the prior art. Hinges 39, 40 and 41 only open to therefore allow for expansion if there is a need due to a larger gap X between the door and frame or when larger door hinges are used. Thus, if the distance between the connection points T pieces 31 and 32 increase because a door is opening to more than a certain amount X, then the hinges will start to open enabling this expansion.

Note that the device itself is made of extruded plastic, typically of PVC.

Figure 8 shows an isometric view showing the protective cover/guard when the door is opened through 900 and shows the various pands and hinges including pands 26 to 29 and hinges 39 to 41. If the door is small, or the gap G is relatively small (thus a small hinge is probably used) then the expansion panels will not come into play. The expansion panels will only in effect come into play if these elements are larger.

The precise dimensions are not crucial.

Figure 8 also shows how the T pieces 31 and 32 can fit within channels of respective mounting racks 50. 51 which are mounted on the frame and door. These racks may also be used with other types of protective cover.

Each rack is again an elongate extruded piece made of a plastics material such as PVC. An example is shown in Figure 9. Each rack is of a single piece of extruded plastics material. In cross-section, as shown more clearly in Figure 10, it is in a generally C-shape.

It preferably has a back part 54 and transverse retaining parts, one of which is preferably non-hinged 53, and the other of which 56, is hinged to the back part 54 of hinge 57. This will generally be a living hinge. Thus, this part can open about the hinge to admit a T-piece 32 within a channel 55 formed by the rack, and can they be closed to retain the cover.

Retaining part 56 also includes a resilient clip 58 formed of two arcuate parts 59, 60 which are arranged to clip this part to a rib 61 extending longitudinally inwards from base 54.

This rib has an enlarged. generally cylindrical, inward part 62 intended to resiliently engage with the clip 58 to hold cover part 56 in position relative to the base 57. When unclipped therefrom, the part 56 is arranged to resiliently deform outwards, by virtue of hinge 57.

A part 56a of cover 56 extends between the dip 58 and distal end 63. to form a further part of the recess 55. Thus, when the cover is clipped in place, a T-shaped recess is formed between parts 55, 56 and base 62. This receives a respective one of the T-shaped ends 31, 32 of the guard, as shown in Figure 10 most dearly.

In use, the cover part 56 is opened by unclipping it from rib 61, this enables aT-shaped part 31 of the cover to be inserted in the recess 55 and then the cover 56 is closed about hinge 57 and clipped to rib 60, thus securing the guard within the frame.

In modification, both retaining parts 53 and 56 may be hinged, or neither, in which case the cover will need to be inserted from the top, or may have resiliently compressible parts enabling it to be located within recess 55.

A similar rack is also provided on the other one of the door or the door frame for receiving the other end of the protective cover.

Each rack is secured to a door or frame by screws 65, for example. However, adhesive or other means may be used. The rack may be provided with one or more notches 66 in its back plane, which enable the rack to be mounted upon an uneven door or frame surface by being able to flex or adjust its position.

The cover and/or the frame and other parts may be coated with a biocidal material or may be formed of a material which is impregnated or formed with a biocide or which has natural anti-bacterial or other biocidal properties. These materials are known in the art.

Figure 11 shows a cover mounted to a door via two holding racks 70, 71. The door is shown in the closed position. The door opens by hinge 72. The figure also shows a further and slightly different design of cover provided to protect the other side of the door and frame, Ic the side where the hinge is mounted, as this is shown at 73. This is again of similar construction to the front cover and includes a plurality of panels separated by parallel hinge lines and with T connect 73, 74 at the end which fit into respective racks 75, 76. This cover 72 protects against finger entrapment or injury at the hinge positions.

Figures 12 and 13 show this rear guard in more detail. It comprises an elongate strip having respective adjacent end to end panels 80 to 86 connected via hinges 87 to 92.

Panels 80 and 86 each terminate in a respective T-pieces 93 and 94 which can fit into a rack as shown. This may alternatively be affixed direct to a door and/or may be omitted.

Figure 12 shows that with the door closed. ie in the position of Figure 11. the panels 81 to 85 form a generally convex cover which might cover a hinge, for example as shown in Figure 11. Panels 80 and 86 extend generally parallel to the faces of the frame and the T pieces 93 and 94 are affixed within rack 75 and 76. The hinges are such that if any fingers are inserted in any places the panels can move about the hinges and thus protect the finger from damage.

As a door is opened. the rear guard 72 moves to a position such as that shown in Figure 13 when a door is opened through 180°. Panels 81 and 82 lie generally coplanar. as do panels 84 and 85, and panels 83 lie generally perpendicular to these, forming a generally U-shape in cross-section with these panels. Panels 80 and 86 lie respectively generally parallel to panels 81 and 85.

Claims

Claims 1. A cover device for covering the angle formed between the edge of a hinged door and the door frame comprising an elongate body having parallel sides and divided by hinge lines parallel to the sides into a plurality of elongate panels; wherein the panels comprising; a first outer panel; a second outer panel and a plurality of further panels between the first and second panel; at least four of the further panels between the first and second panels being adapted to fold to form a hollow polygonal structure in the corner between the door and the door frame when the door is fully closed, and with the remainder of the cover device, presents a cover over the angle between the door and the frames when the door is open; wherein at least two of said further panels adjacent to the second outer part expansion panels, which are hinged to concertina against each other to provide an expansion are part such that during opening of some doorways these can remain substantially abutted together but for a larger doorway these can hinge apart from each other when the protective cover device needs to open further.
2. A cover device as claimed in Claim I, comprising at least three expansion panels.
3. A cover device as claimed in Claim i or Claim 2, wherein, apart from the expansion panels and outer panels, at least four additional panels are provided.
4. A proactive cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or both outer panels terminate in a T-piece or are connected to a T-piece.
5. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, in combination with one or more mounting racks, the or each mounting rack being elongate and substantially C-shaped in cross-section, for receiving a and retaining a T-piece within a channel and therefore retaining the cover relative to a door or other surface to which the rack is attached.
6. A rack for mounting a protective cover to a door and frame to protect against finger damage, comprising an elongate strip having a generally C-shaped cross-section forming aIchannel for receiving and retaining a T-piece of a protective cover, the rack being affixable to a door and/or frame or other surface.
7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein the rack has at least one retaining part which is hinged relative to a back part whereby the retaining part can open to receive a T-piece and close about the hinge to retain the T-piece.
8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, induding clip means for clipping the hinged retaining piece in position after a T-piece is inserted.
9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the retaining part has a part which extends beyond the clip, in a direction away from the hinge, thereby to form part of aT-shaped channel with a back portion and a further retaining portion of the rack.
10. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims S to 9, wherein the rack comprises a hinged retaining part and a back plane. the back plane including an inner rib which cooperates with clip parts of the hinged retaining part to retain the retaining part relative to the back plane when a T-piece is inserted.
II. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the rib has a generally cylindrical part.
12. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including a further protective cover device adapted to cover a rear part of a door and frame and comprising an elongate strip having parallel sides and divided by hinge lines parallel to the sides into a plurality of elongate panels; wherein the panels comprise a first outer panel; a second outer panel; at least five further panels between the first and second panels which provide a protective structure over the angle between the door and the frame when the door is opened and closed.
13. A cover for covenng the angle formed between the rear edge of a hinged door and a door comprising an elongate strip having parallel sides and divided by hinge lines parallel to the sides into a plurality of elongate panels; wherein the panels comprise a first outer panel; a second outer panel; at east five further panels between the first and second panels which provide a protective structure over the angle between the door and the frame when the door is opened and closed.
14. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein the first and second outer panels of the second device terminate in, or are connected to, T-pieces for connecting to a rack mounted on a door or frame.
15. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 14, wherein the panels of the rear cover are arranged such that when the door is closed they present a convex cover over the angle between the door and the frame.
1 6. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, any of the accompanying drawings.
17. A method of protecting a doorway to prevent injury to fingers. comprising affixing a device which is substantially as hereinbefore shown with reference to the drawings, across the gap between a door and a door frame.