GB2592343A

GB2592343A - Security door for a cupboard

Info

Publication number: GB2592343A
Application number: GB1918346.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hawes Gary
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-12-12
Filing date: 2019-12-12
Publication date: 2021-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-12
Also published as: GB201918346D0; GB2592343B

Abstract

An inner security door 20 intended for use in a cupboard and may be retrofitted to enable child safety. The security door has a frame 21 and may have a rearwardly extending flange 24. Upper and lower axially aligned hinge pins 30 and 31 have respective outer ends adapted to rotatably engage the top and bottom of the cupboard, e.g. by means of piercing points. An advancing mechanism 32, which may be an externally screw threaded projection and an internally screw threaded socket, to axially move (extend, retract) the upper and lower hinge pins relative to each other to engage the top and bottom of the cupboard. The lower hinge may have a square collar (33, fig.5) rotatably fixed in a lower lug 26.

Description

SECURITY DOOR FOR A CUPBOARD

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a security door for a cupboard.

BACKGROUND

Over 500 children a week are admitted to A & E after getting hold of household chemicals or prescription medications. The problem is of particular concern with children in care, i.e. fostering and assisted living. Another area of concern is very young children and toddlers. Often, dangerous substances are kept in a kitchen cupboard which children are thought unable to access, but even if fitted with so-called child-proof catches, doors can be left slightly open. Also, children frequently surprise adults with their aptitude for problem solving. High level cupboards which are thought to be out of reach can also be opened by an inquisitive child who can find something to stand on.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION -2 -

The present idea is to easily retro fit any cupboard, above or below worktop height, to transform it into a safe storage unit, e.g. for medical or household chemical products.

When viewed from one aspect the present invention proposes a security door for a cupboard having a back, two sides, a top, a bottom and a door: - an inner security door with a frame; - upper and lower axially aligned hinge pins having respective outer ends; - the outer ends of the upper and lower hinge pins having respective ends adapted to rotatably engage the top and bottom of the cupboard; - an advancing mechanism to axially move the upper and lower hinge pins relative to each other to engage the top and bottom of the cupboard.

In a preferred embodiment the advancing mechanism includes a screw connection.

In a preferred embodiment the screw connection comprises an externally screw-threaded projection on one of the upper and lower hinge pins and an internally screw-threaded on the other hinge pin.

In a preferred embodiment the screw-threaded projection carries a locking nut. -3 -

In a preferred embodiment one of the upper and lower hinge pins is rotatable and axially slidable and the other hinge pin is fixed relative to the frame.

In a preferred embodiment the upper hinge pin is rotatable and axially slidable and the lower hinge pin is fixed relative to the frame.

In a preferred embodiment the upper and lower hinge pins are inserted through a rearwardly-extending flange forming part of the door frame.

In a preferred embodiment the upper and lower hinge pins are inserted through rearwardly-extending lugs.

In a preferred embodiment the outer ends of the upper and lower hinge pins have respective piercing ends adapted to pierce and rotatably engage the top and bottom of the cupboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a general external view of a common form of -4 -cupboard; Figure 2 is another general view of the cupboard with the door open to reveal an internal storage space; Figure 3 is a similar view of the same cupboard fitted with an internal security door; Figure 4 is another view of the cupboard with both doors open; Figure 5 is an exploded view of part of the hinge arrangement by which the internal security door is mounted; Figure 6 shows the hinge arrangement as assembled in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to Fig.s 1 and 2, a common form of cupboard found in kitchens and utility rooms has two sides 1 and 2, a top 3, a bottom 4 and a back 5. A door 6 with a handle 7 is secured to one of the sides by a pair of sprung surface-mount hinges 8 and 9 with an over-centre action, providing access to the internal space 10. Inside the cupboard one or more shelves 11 may be mounted on supports (not shown) which may be adjustable in height. The -5 -front edges of the shelves 11 are recessed behind the door 6 leaving a small gap, as shown.

Whilst such cupboards are extremely useful for storage of many household items they do not provide any security when it is desired to store potentially dangerous items such as household chemicals or prescription medications. Fig. 3 shows the same cupboard fitted with an internal security door 20 (part of the door 6 being omitted for illustration purposes). The security door 20 has a rigid rectangular metal frame 21 which surrounds a metal grille 22. The frame 21 is dimensioned to fit snugly inside the gap between the door 6 and shelves 11 with a small clearance between the frame and the top, bottom and sides of the cupboard. The side of the frame 21 adjacent to the surface mount hinges 8 and 9 is itself hinged to the cupboard, as described below, whilst the opposite edge of the frame is provided with a key-operated or combination type lock 23. The lock may engage a keeper (not shown) which is screwed or otherwise fixed internally to the side 2. The security door 20 can therefore be locked shut to prevent access to items stored inside the cupboard or, when unlocked by a suitable key, the door can be swung open as shown in Fig. 4.

In Fig. 4 parts of the door 6 and security door 20 are both omitted for illustration purposes. It will be noted that the frame 21 of the security door 20 is of L-shaped cross section with a rearwardly-directed strengthening flange 24 surrounding the door. Part-way along the side of the frame which is adjacent to the surface mount hinges 8 and 9 the flange 21 is provided with a pair -6 -of parallel lugs 25 and 26 which extend towards the opposite edge of the door. These lugs receive a pair of axially-aligned hinge pins 30 and 31 which are connected by an advancing mechanism 32.

Referring to Fig. 5, the upper hinge pin 30 is rotatably and slidably inserted through the upper extent of the flange 21 and the upper lug 25 allowing axial and rotational movement. The lower hinge pin 31 is inserted through the lower extent of the flange 21 but is prevented from rotation by a non-circular (square) head 33 which is non-rotatably received in a corresponding hole 34 in the lower lug 26. The advancing mechanism 32 includes a screw-threaded projection 35 on the lower pin 31 which is axially directed towards the upper pin 30. The projection 35 is received in an internally screw-threaded socket 36 in the adjacent end of the upper pin 30. This upper pin is also provided with a hexagonal nut formation 37 by which the upper pin can be rotated e.g. by means of a spanner. The screw-threaded projection also carries a lock nut 38.

It can also be seen that the outermost ends of the upper and lower hinge pins 30 and 31 have end formations 40 and 41 which enable the hinge pins to rotatably engage the top 3 and bottom 4 of the cupboard in a manner which prevents lateral movement. In the present example these end formations comprise machined points which pierce the top and bottom of the cupboard. Alternative means of preventing lateral movement could be used, for example rotatable end caps with non-slip rubber facings, or spigots which are rotatably received in socket plates screwed to the top and -7 -bottom of the cupboard.

When the security door is installed in the cupboard the bottom hinge pin 31 is located clear of the outer door hinges 8 and 9. The upper hinge pin 30 is then rotated relative to the screw-threaded projection 35 causing the hinge pins to move axially in opposite directions until the top pin engages a corresponding position on the top 3. When the two hinge pins are firmly engaged with the top and bottom of the cupboard their axial position can be locked by tightening the lock nut 38 against the upper pin 30, as shown in Fig. 6.

The inner security door 20 can therefore be opened and closed without mutual interference with the outer door 6. The security door thus enables the entire contents of the cupboard to be secured with a minimum amount of modification.

Whilst the above description places emphasis on the areas which are believed to be new and addresses specific problems which have been identified, it is intended that the features disclosed herein may be used in any combination which is capable of providing a new and useful advance in the art. -8 -

Claims

CLAIMS1. A security door for a cupboard having a back, two sides, a top, a bottom and a door: - an inner security door with a frame; - upper and lower axially aligned hinge pins having respective outer ends; - the outer ends of the upper and lower hinge pins having respective ends adapted to rotatably engage the top and bottom of the cupboard; - an advancing mechanism to axially move the upper and lower hinge pins relative to each other to engage the top and bottom of the cupboard.
2. A security door according to claim 1 in which the advancing mechanism includes a screw connection.
3. A security door according to claim 2 in which the screw connection comprises an externally screw-threaded projection on one of the upper and lower hinge pins and an internally screw-threaded on the other hinge pin.
4. A security door according to claim 3 in which the screw-threaded projection carries a locking nut.
5. A security door according to any preceding claim in which one of the upper and lower hinge pins is rotatable and -9 -axially slidable and the other hinge pin is fixed relative to the frame.
6. A security door according to any preceding claim in which the upper hinge pin is rotatable and axially slidable and the lower hinge pin is fixed relative to the frame.
7. A security door according to any preceding claim in which the upper and lower hinge pins are inserted through a rearwardly-extending flange forming part of the door frame.
8. A security door according to any preceding claim the upper and lower hinge pins are inserted through rearwardly-extending lugs.
9. A security door according to any preceding claim in which the outer ends of the upper and lower hinge pins have respective piercing ends adapted to pierce and rotatably engage the top and bottom of the cupboard.