GB2555780A

GB2555780A - Two way door arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2555780A
Application number: GB1618506.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hall Benjamin
Original assignee: Kingsway Enterprises UK Ltd
Current assignee: Kingsway Enterprises UK Ltd
Priority date: 2016-11-02
Filing date: 2016-11-02
Publication date: 2018-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2036-11-02
Also published as: GB2555780B; GB201618506D0

Abstract

A door mounting system, comprising a hinge assembly comprising a first hinge member 2 and a second hinge member 4 rotatably coupled to each other around a hinge axis. The first hinge member may rotate relative to the second hinge member in either direction around the hinge axis from a first position. A hinge receiving part 15 is coupled to the second hinge member and is arranged to accommodate lateral movement of the second hinge member. A locking element 21 can be selectively actuated to inhibit lateral movement of the second hinge member relative to the hinge receiving part.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Two way door arrangement Abstract Title: Two Way Door Arrangement (57) A door mounting system, comprising a hinge assembly comprising a first hinge member 2 and a second hinge member 4 rotatably coupled to each other around a hinge axis. The first hinge member may rotate relative to the second hinge member in either direction around the hinge axis from a first position. A hinge receiving part 15 is coupled to the second hinge member and is arranged to accommodate lateral movement of the second hinge member. A locking element 21 can be selectively actuated to inhibit lateral movement of the second hinge member relative to the hinge receiving part.

Fig. 3

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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Fig. 1

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Fig. 2b

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TWO WAY DOOR ARRANGEMENT

Field

The present disclosure relates to the provision of hinge systems and door assemblies comprising hinge systems. In particular, it relates to a hinge system which enables selective two way operation of a door around the hinge.

Background

Conventional door deigns facilitate opening either inwardly or outwardly, depending on practical convenience. For example, it may be considered undesirable for a door from a private area to open outwardly into a public area (such as a corridor) due to the risk that movement of passers-by in the public area may be impeded by a door opened within it.

However, in some circumstances there is a need for doors which can in exceptional circumstances open in an unorthodox direction. For example, in mental health institutions, patients who are vulnerable will often be provided with their own individual rooms off a corridor. In normal use, these doors will open inwardly into the patients’ rooms. On occasion, there may be a need for health professionals to access the room when this mode of operation has been inhibited; for example, a patient may barricade themselves into the room but require immediate attention. In these cases, there is a need to overcome the fact that the door will not open in its usual direction. Similar situations may arise, for example, in case of fire or in store rooms where a large item may accidently fall against a door.

To resolve this issue, hinge assemblies which enable opening both inwardly and outwardly may be provided. To avoid opening in an undesired direction in normal use, a door jamb may be provided to inhibit rotation beyond a closed position in general operation. Mechanisms have been proposed to remove the door jamb in case of emergency, thus allowing the door to open in a direction opposite to its usual mode of operation. However, in some circumstances this solution has been considered unsatisfactory. For example, the doorjamb is located distal to the hinge and thus at the point of greatest travel of the door during opening. Removal of the doorjamb may leave operators feeling vulnerable to sudden opening of the door and potential physical injury.

One proposed solution to this issue has been described in United Kingdom patent application GB 2509326. According to this approach, an additional hinge axis is provided allowing multiple sections of the door to rotate relative to one another, effectively foreshortening the door so that it can pass beyond the door jamb. A locking mechanism may be provided to prevent such foreshortening in normal use. However, the provision of an additional hinge creates an additional failure point for the door and may potentially present a risk of injury should an operator’s digits become trapped. Moreover, the relative rotation of different door elements can in some circumstances be deliberately inhibited. As a result, the intended operation of the arrangement may be thwarted.

There remains a need for an arrangement to facilitate selective opening of a door against its usual direction of operation in particular circumstances.

Summary

According to a first aspect, there is provided a door mounting system, comprising a hinge assembly comprising a first hinge member and a second hinge member rotatably coupled to each other around a hinge axis, wherein the first hinge member may rotate relative to the second hinge member in either direction around the hinge axis from a first position;

a hinge receiving part coupled to the hinge assembly, the hinge receiving part being arranged to accommodate lateral movement of the hinge assembly; and a locking element which can be selectively actuated to prevent lateral movement of the hinge assembly relative to the hinge receiving part.

This aspect can provide a system which enables selective movement of a hinge assembly in a lateral direction. The locking means may hold the assembly at a given lateral position when engaged; in some examples this can prevent a door leaf coupled to the first hinge member passing beyond a doorjamb. When the locking member is disengaged it may be possible to move the hinge assembly and consequently any coupled door leaf laterally; this may allow the door leaf to clear the door jamb and consequently open in a direction not otherwise available. The first position may correspond to a position in which a door leaf coupled to the first hinge member is closed.

The functionality of the system may be provided reliably, securely and discreetly. In particular, there may be minimal scope for an individual on one side of the door to prevent the mechanism allowing the door to open in the opposite direction. Moreover, the system can be implemented compactly without significant aesthetic impact.

The hinge receiving part may comprise a pinion that is coupled to the second hinge member. The second hinge member may be provided with a rack engaged with the pinion. The hinge receiving part may also comprise a rack engaged with the pinion. The use of a rack-and-pinion coupling between hinge receiving part and the second hinge member can facilitate controlled lateral movement, providing, for example, minimal transverse movement between the second hinge member and the hinge receiving part.

In other embodiments, alternative couplings between the hinge assembly and the hinge receiving part may be provided. For example, a slide fitting which may or may not be mediated by bearings may be provided. In many embodiments, the hinge assembly is coupled to the hinge receiving part through the second hinge member, but the coupling may be implemented through other elements of the hinge assembly in some circumstances.

The hinge receiving part may comprise one or more physical barriers preventing lateral movement of the hinge assembly beyond a pre-set position. For example, a physical barrier may prevent complete separation of the hinge assembly from the hinge receiving part. As such, even when the locking element is not actuated, there may be provision to ensure that the hinge assembly and hinge receiving part do not become completely separated.

In some preferred embodiments, the locking element is pivotable around a pivot pin such that in a locking position it at least partially blocks lateral movement of the second hinge member relative to the hinge receiving part. The pivot pin may extend parallel to the direction of lateral movement and may form an axis of rotation around which the locking element is rotatable. This mechanism can provide simple but effective selective control of the range of lateral movement of the hinge assembly.

The first hinge member may comprise a first sleeve portion and the second hinge member may comprise a second sleeve portion, the first and second sleeve portions being interdigitating. The system may further comprise a hinge pin extending through the first and second hinge portions. In this way, rotation of the first and second hinge members can be effectively and reliably be provided. The first and second hinge members may be so profiled as to enable a part of one to be received in a recess in the other in some rotational positions.

In preferred embodiments, the system further comprises a door post, wherein the hinge receiving element is mounted within the door post. In this manner, the functionality of the system can be provided discreetly. In some embodiments, the door post comprises a through hole to enable actuation of the locking element. This may be the only external indication to identify the mechanism.

As mentioned above, the system of the first aspect may find utility as part of a door assembly, and according to a second aspect there is provided a door assembly comprising the system of the first aspect. In particular, there may be provided a door assembly comprising the door mounting system of the first aspect and a door leaf coupled to the first hinge member. Preferred and optional features of the first aspect may equally apply to the second aspect.

The door assembly of the second aspect comprises a door leaf that may be moved laterally when lateral movement of the hinge assembly is possible relative to the hinge receiving part. In this manner the door leaf may be moved beyond a restriction in movement caused by a doorjamb, for example.

Indeed, in some preferred embodiments, the door assembly further comprises a door frame having a door jamb, the door jamb being adjacent to an overhang of the door leaf when the first hinge member and the second hinge member are in the first position when the hinge assembly is in a first lateral position relative to the hinge receiving part, and wherein the lateral movement accommodated by the hinge receiving part exceeds the extent of the overhang. In this way, lateral movement can remove the overlap of the door jamb and the door leaf, enabling the door leaf to open in either direction.

Brief Description of the Figures

A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment;

Figure 2a is a plan view of the preferred embodiment in a closed position;

Figure 2b is a plan view of the preferred embodiment in an open position, in which a hinge assembly has been moved laterally with respect to a hinge receiving part; and Figure 3 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment.

Detailed Description

Referring to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of a door assembly 100 is shown. The door assembly 100 comprises a hinge assembly comprising a first hinge member 2 and a door leaf 1 joined to the first hinge member 2. The door leaf is coupled to an outer face 31 of the first hinge member 2, and this coupling may be secured by a locking ridge 30 of the first hinge member 2.

The hinge assembly further comprises a second hinge member 4. The first hinge member 2 and the second hinge member 4 are rotatably coupled to each other.

The rotatable coupling of first hinge member 2 and second hinge member 4 is facilitated by hinge pin sleeves 36 provided for each hinge member 2, 4. In particular, each hinge member 2 comprises one or more hinge pin sleeves 36 in axial alignment with each other such that a hinge pin (not shown) may pass through the hinge pin sleeves 36. Along the overall height of the door assembly 100, the hinge pin sleeves 26 may be interdigitating (i.e. alternate sleeves 36 from first hinge pin member 2 and second hinge pin member 4 may be provided).

In Figure 1, the first hinge member 2 and the second hinge member 4 are in a first position relative to one another. From this position, the hinge assembly allows rotation in both directions. However, in normal use, as shown in Figure 2a, the door leaf 1 in this position abuts a doorjamb 18 provided in door frame 17. This prevents rotation in a first direction from the first position, without inhibiting rotation in a second direction. The first position corresponds to a closed position of the door assembly. Labelled in Figure 2a, an overhang 19 of the door leaf 1 may be adjacent to the doorjamb 18 in this position.

The first hinge member 2 and the second hinge member 4 may rotate in either direction from the first position. The second hinge member 4 may be profiled to include a recess 39 to receive parts of the hinge member 2 and/or door leaf 1 during such rotation, so as to ensure a maximum range of movement.

The second hinge member 4 further comprises two recess arms 5. The door assembly further comprises a hinge receiving part 15 comprising an external profile and a central wall 7 defining two recesses 8. The hinge receiving part may further comprise pinions 6, one or which is disposed in each recess 8. The pinions 6 engage with a rack profile 20 (see Figure 3) provided on the recess arms 5 of the second hinge receiving member 4. They also engage with a rack profile provided on the external profile of the hinge receiving part 15.

This coupling of the second hinge member 4 to the hinge receiving part 15 via pinions 6 enables lateral movement of the second hinge member 4 (and thus entire hinge assembly, and consequently door leaf 1) relative to the hinge receiving member. The geometric relationship of the hinge receiving part 15 to the door frame 17 is, in contrast, fixed. As such, door leaf 1 may move laterally relative to doorframe 17.

The extent of lateral movement accommodated by the hinge receiving part 15 is limited by the available movement of the pinion 6 along the rack profiles. Distal to the second hinge receiving member, this limit is established by a back face of the external profile of the hinge receiving part 15. Proximal to the second hinge member 4, projecting portions of the profile of the hinge receiving part 15 prevent movement of the pinion 6 beyond the rack profile. Located within projecting portions are grooves 12.

As can be seen from Figure 3, a locking element 21 may be received in one or both of the grooves 12. The locking element 21 is pivotable around a pivot pin 11 held in the side wall of the relevant groove 12. In a locked position, an upper portion of the locking element 21 extends through an opening in the external profile of the hinge receiving part 12. This leaves this part of the locking element 21 in a position inhibiting movement of the second hinge member 4 laterally away from the first hinge member 2. The locking element 21 may be biased towards this position by a spring (not shown).

In order to enable later movement, the locking element 21 may be pivoted around pivot pin 11 to an unlocked position. This is facilitated by a quarter turn push lock 10, which on turning by 90 degrees is free to move forwards to push against a part of the locking element 21 located on the other side of the pivot pin 11 from the upper part which inhibit motion of the second hinge member 4.

As shown in Figure 1, hinge receiving part 15 is surrounded by a door post 9. The door post 9 may form part of the door frame 17. Architraves 13 are further provided on each outward face of the door post 9. The door post 9 may comprise a hole 44 in which the quarter turn push lock 10 is located, allowing access in order to actuate the locking element 21.

Operation of the door assembly 100 of the preferred embodiment can be understood with reference to Figures 2a and 2b. Figure 2a shows the door assembly 100 in a closed position during normal operation. Lateral movement of the hinge assembly is prevented by the locking element 21 inhibited movement of the second hinge member relative to the hinge receiving part 15. In this position, the doorjamb 18 interacts with overhang 19 of the door leaf 1 to prevent the door being opened in a given direction of rotation. However, the doorjamb does not prevent operation of the door in the opposite direction. The door thus operates as a one way door. For example, the door assembly may be provided for the doorway to a private room off a corridor in a mental institution in normal operation, the door opens inwardly into the private room but cannot open outwardly into the corridor.

There may be circumstances in which it is desirable to open the door outwardly into the corridor. For example, a patient may require treatment but have barricaded the door against inward opening. In these circumstances, an operator may use the quarter turn push lock to push a lower part of the locking member 21. This causes the upper part of the locking member 21 to move away from the path of the second hinge member 4. The second hinge member 4 may then move laterally into the recess 8 of the hinge receiving part 15. As it does so the pinion 8 rotate around the rack profiles of the hinge receiving part 15 and the second hinge member 4.

Lateral movement of the second hinge member 4 causes the hinge assembly as a whole, and consequently the door leaf 1 to move laterally. The resulting position is shown in Figure 2b. As can be seen, the relative movement of the door leaf 1 and the door frame 17 means that the door jamb 18 no longer inhibits outward opening of the door leaf 1. The door can now be opened outwardly to safely access the room behind.

Variations and modifications will be apparent to the skilled person. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known and which may be used instead of, or in addition to, features described herein. Features that are described in the context of separate examples may be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, features which are described in the context of a single example may be also provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Claims

1. A door mounting system, comprising a hinge assembly comprising a first hinge member and a second hinge member rotatably coupled to each other around a hinge axis, wherein the first hinge member may rotate relative to the second hinge member in either direction around the hinge axis from a first position;

a hinge receiving part coupled to the second hinge member, the hinge receiving part being arranged to accommodate lateral movement of the second hinge member;

a locking element which can be selectively actuated to inhibit lateral movement of the second hinge member relative to the hinge receiving part.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the hinge receiving part comprises a pinion that is coupled to the second hinge member.

3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the locking element is pivotable around a pivot pin such that in a locking position it at least partially blocks lateral movement of the second hinge member relative to the hinge receiving part.

4. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first hinge member comprises a first sleeve portion and the second hinge member comprises a second sleeve portion, wherein the system further comprises a hinge pin extending through the first and second hinge portions.

5. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a door post, wherein the hinge receiving element is mounted within the door post.

6. A system according to claim 6, wherein the door post comprises a through hole to enable actuation of the locking element.

7. A door assembly comprising the door mounting system of any one of the preceding claims.

8. A door assembly according to claim7, further comprising a door leaf coupled to the first hinge member.

9. A door assembly according to claim 8, further comprising a door frame having a door jamb, the door jamb being adjacent to an overhang of the door leaf when the first hinge member and the second hinge member are in the first position when the hinge assembly is in a first lateral position relative to the hinge receiving part, and wherein the

5 lateral movement accommodated by the hinge receiving part exceeds the extent of the overhang.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1618506.8 Examiner: Mr Haydn Gupwell