GB2594989A

GB2594989A - Apparatus and method for door hanging

Info

Publication number: GB2594989A
Application number: GB2007196.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pearson Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-05-15
Filing date: 2020-05-15
Publication date: 2021-11-17
Also published as: GB202007196D0

Abstract

The apparatus comprises an inflatable bag 102 and a door receiving guide 104 attached to the inflatable bag. The guide preferably comprises a base portion 107 intermediate first and second side portions 105 to secure the apparatus to a door 10 in the guide. A friction-reducing element 106 is preferably attached to the bag on an opposite side of the bag to the guide. An air pump 110 is preferably connected to the bag via an air tube 108. The guide preferably comprises a flexible material and has a U-shaped cross-section. The side portions of the guide may be angled towards one another. The base portion may comprise a protuberant middle section such that when a force is applied to the middle section the side portions are drawn together. Also claimed is a kit of parts and a method of manipulating a door for hanging on a hinge.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DOOR HANGING

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method to aid door hanging, and is concerned particularly, though not exclusively, with apparatus to enable the door to be safely lifted to the correct height and held at said height.

BACKGROUND

A door is hung on a door frame by raising the door off the ground to a desired height and attaching hinges to the door frame and door at said height. It can often be problematic for a person to hang a door safely without the aid of a second person since hanging the door requires holding the door at the desired height whilst simultaneously attaching the hinges to the door and door frame. As well as being unsafe, door hanging can be time and labour costly. It is an object of the invention to try and mitigate some of these issues with hanging a door.

Embodiments of the present invention aim to provide an apparatus that can be retained on a door to be hung which steadies the door vertically and horizontally, lifts the door to the desired height, and holds it at said height.

The present invention is defined in the attached independent Claims, to which reference should now be made. Further, preferred features may be found in the sub-Claims appended thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus to aid door hanging comprising: an inflatable bag; and a door receiving guide attached to the inflatable bag.

The apparatus may further comprise a friction-reducing element attached to the inflatable bag on an opposite side of the inflatable bag to the door receiving guide.

Preferably the apparatus comprises an air tube and air pump, the air tube fluidly connecting the air pump to the inflatable bag The door receiving guide may comprise a flexible material.

In a preferred arrangement, the door receiving guide comprises a base portion, a first side portion and a second side portion.

Preferably the door receiving guide has a substantially U-shaped cross-section.

The side portions of the door receiving guide may be angled towards each other.

The base portion preferably comprises a protuberant middle section such that when a force is applied to the middle sections the first side portion and the second side portion are drawn towards each other.

In a preferred arrangement, the base portion has a convex cross-section The door receiving guide preferably further comprises a rubber element At least one of the first side portion and the second side portion of the door receiving guide preferably further comprises at least one protruding notch The at least one protruding notch may comprise a notch extending along a first edge of one of the first side portion or the second side portion wherein the first edge is an opposite edge to the edge connecting the base portion.

The at least one protruding notch may comprise a notch extending along a first edge of the other of the first side portion or the second side portion wherein the first edge is an opposite edge to the edge connecting the base portion. The notch may comprise the rubber element.

Preferably the base portion of the door receiving guide further comprises a plurality of studs to prevent lateral movement of the door when it is in the guide.

In a preferred arrangement, a first surface of the base portion of the door receiving guide comprises a textured surface, the first surface being an opposite surface to the surface attached to the inflatable bag.

The apparatus may further comprise means for releasably attaching the air pump to the surface of a door to be hung.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising:

an inflatable bag:

a door receiving guide.

The kit may further comprise an air pump comprising an air tube.

The kit of parts may further comprise a gliding mat.

Preferably the kit of parts further comprises means for releasably attaching the air pump to the surface of a door to be hung.

The invention also includes a method of manipulating a door for hanging the door on a hinge, the method comprising supporting a lower edge of the door in a door receiving guide having attached beneath it an inflatable bag, and inflating the bag to raise the level of the door relative to a floor.

The method may comprise moving the door on the floor using a friction-reducing element attached to the inflatable bag on an opposite side of the inflatable bag to the door receiving guide.

The method may further comprise inflating the inflatable bag using an air tube and air pump, the air tube fluidly connecting the air pump to the inflatable bag.

The invention may include any combination of the features or limitations referred to herein, except such a combination of features as are mutually exclusive, or mutually inconsistent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Fig.1 shows a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of an apparatus to aid door hanging wherein the apparatus is in a first state; Fig.2 shows a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of the apparatus to aid door hanging of fig. 1 wherein the apparatus is in a second state; Fig.3 shows a schematic diagram of a front on view of an apparatus to aid door hanging according to a first example with an air pump arrangement according to a first example; Fig.4 shows a schematic diagram of a front on view of an apparatus to aid door hanging with an air pump arrangement according to a second example; Fig.5 shows a schematic diagram of a front on view of an apparatus to aid door hanging with an air pump arrangement according to a third example; Fig.6 shows a schematic diagram of a front on view of an apparatus to aid door hanging according to a further example; Fig.7 shows a schematic diagram of a front on view of an apparatus to aid door hanging according to a yet further example; Fig.8a shows a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a door receiving guide according to a first example; Fig.8b shows a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a door receiving guide according to a second example; Fig.8c shows a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a door receiving guide according to a third example; Fig.8d shows a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a door receiving guide according to a fourth example; Fig.9a shows a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a door receiving guide according to a fifth example with a rubber element according to a first example; Fig.9b shows a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of the door receiving guide according the fifth example with a rubber element according to a second example; Figure 10a shows schematically in cross-section a further example of door receiving guide; and Figure 10b shows schematically in cross-section a still further example of door-receiving guide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a cross-section of an apparatus 100. Apparatus 100 is to aid hanging a door 10 in a door frame (not shown). Apparatus 100 has an air bag 102, a door receiving guide 104, a friction reducing element 106 and an air pump arrangement including an air tube 108 and an air pump 110. The door receiving guide 104 is attached to one side of the air bag 102 and the friction reducing element 106 is attached to an opposite side such that, in use, the friction reducing element 106 can be in contact with the ground and a door 10 can be received into the door receiving guide 104 in an upright position. The friction reducing element 106 facilitates lateral movement of the door when engaged with the apparatus 100. The friction reducing element 106 can be made from Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The airbag 102 is connected to the air pump 110 by air tube 108. In Figure 1, the apparatus 100 is in a first, deflated state. The door receiving guide 104 has a base portion 107 and side portions 105 which create a substantially U-shaped cross-section. The dimensions of the door receiving guide 104 are such that most doors can be accommodated into the door receiving guide 104. In an example, the base portion 107 has a width of 50mm and the side portions have a height of 60mm.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the door hanging apparatus of Figure 1 when the apparatus is in a second inflated state. In use, when a user desires to hang a door, a user inserts the door to be hung into the door receiving guide 105 and place the apparatus with the attached door in the upright position with the door held vertically upright and the friction reducing element 106 contacting the ground. The door and attached apparatus 100 are positioned proximate to a door frame. The user then operates the air pump 110 to inflate the air bag 102. The expanding airbag 102 creates an upward force on door raising the door upwards. When the door is raised to the desired vertical position, the user stops inflating the air bag 102. The airbag stays inflated resulting in the door remaining at the desire height above the ground. The user may hang the door by connecting the door to the door frame using hinges (not shown). The user may also set aside the door and attached apparatus 100. Since the door is secured into the apparatus 100 by the door receiving guide 104, the user can return the door and attached apparatus 100 to the location where it is to be hung whilst retaining the desired height of the door off the ground by the level of inflation of the apparatus 100. When the door has been secured in place the apparatus 100 may be deflated and removed or slid laterally off the door edge.

Figure 3 shows a front on view of the door hanging apparatus 100 of Figure 1 according to a first example. In this example, a single door receiving guide 104 has a first end attached to a first air bag 102a and a second end attached to a second air bag 102b. The first air bag 102a and the second air bag 102b are then attached to a first friction reducing element 106a and a second friction reducing element 106b, respectively. Each air bag 102a, 102b has a separate air pump 110a, 1106 connected by an air tube 108a, 1086, respectively. The door receiving guide 104 extends at least half the length of a typical household door in order to support the door when the apparatus 100 is in use. Figure 3 further shows a gliding mat 112. The gliding mat 112 further reduces the friction between the surface of the friction reducing element 106a, 106b with the ground to facilitate lateral movement of the door. The gliding mat 112 may be made of nylon.

Figure 4 shows a front on view of the apparatus of Figure 3 with a different air pump arrangement. Air tubes 108a, 108b have a length to enable air pumps 110a, 110b to be positioned off the ground. Fixing elements 114a, 114b attach the air pumps 110a, 110b or the air tubes 108a, 108b to the surface of the door 10. Preferably the air pumps 110a, 110b are between about waist height and head height of a user operating the apparatus 100.This prevents the user having to bend down to reach the air pumps 110a, 110b to inflate the air bags 102a, 102b which may be awkward and dangerous. The air bags 102a, 102b can be inflated by the user when the user is stood upright against the door 10 when operating the apparatus 100. The fixing elements 114a, 114b may be a hook connected to a suction pad, adhesive strip or other suitable holding device that does not permanently damage the door 10.

The hook may hook round the air tube 108a, 108b.

Figure 5 shows a front on view of the apparatus of Figure 3 with a further different air pump arrangement. Air tubes 108a, 108b have a length to allow them to be fed around the back, over the top edge and down the front of the door 10. As in the air pump arrangement of Figure 4, the air pump arrangement ensures the air bags 102a, 102b can be inflated by the user when stood upright to avoid the user bending down whilst trying to hold the door upright. The air pump arrangement in Figure 5 also negates the need for fixing elements 114a, 114b since the air tubes 108a, 108b and door themselves provide the positioning of the air pumps 110a, 110b. This may be beneficial over using fixing elements 114a, 114b which may leave marks on the door 10 or may not suitably attached to all doors, for example, an unpolished door.

Figure 6 shows a front on view of a variation of an apparatus to aid door hanging. As opposed to a continuous door receiving guide 105 as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the apparatus 600 has two separated door receiving guides 105a, 105b, each door receiving guide 105a, 105b is attached to separate air bags 102a, 102b, respectively.

Figure 7 shows a front on view of another variation of the apparatus to aid door hanging The apparatus 700 has a continuous door receiving guide 105 attached to a single continuous air bag 102 which itself is attached to a single continuous friction reducing element 106. A single pump 110 is fluidly connected to the single air bag 102 by air tube 108.

The pump arrangements shown in combination with a particular example of door hanging apparatus 100, 600 and 700 is for illustrative purposes only and any of the door hanging apparatuses 100, 600 or 700 can use a pump arrangement of any of Figures 3,4 and 5.

Figures 8a to 8d show various examples of door receiving guides. Any of the door receiving guides 804a, 804b, 804c or 804d are interchangeable with the door receiving guide 105 in Figures Ito 7.

Figure 8a shows a cross-sectional view of a door receiving guide 804a according to a first example. In this example, the base portion 807a of the door receiving guide 804a is convex. The height of the convex base portion 807a may be between approximately 5mm to 15mm.

When a door is received into the door receiving guide 804a, the weight of the door causes a downward force on the convex base portion 807a causing the base portion 807a to flatten. This flattening of the convex base portion 807a draws the side portions 805a together producing a gripping force on the sides of the inserted door. The door receiving guide may have a width 820a of between approximately 40mm and 60mm and a height of between approximately 40mm and 60mm.

Figure 8b shows a cross-sectional view of a door receiving guide 804b according to a second example. In this example, the base portion 807b has a triangular cross section. The perpendicular height of the triangular base portion 807b may be between approximately 5mm to 15mm. When a door is received into the door receiving guide 804b, the weight of the door causes a downward force on the apex of the base portion 807b causing the base portion 807b to flatten and pulling the side portions 805b together to produce a clamping force on the sides of the inserted door. The door receiving guide 804b may have a width of between approximately 40mm and 60mm and a height of between approximately 40mm and 60mm.

Figure 8c shows a cross-sectional view of a door receiving guide 804c according to a third example. In this example, the base portion 807c has a greater base width 820c than a width 822c between a first edge of each of the side portions 805c. The first edge being the edge furthest from the base portion 807c. An interior angle 824c between the base portion 807c and the side portions 805c may be between approximately 70 degrees and 85 degrees. Side portions 805c may be resiliently deformable such that they flex outwards to accommodate the door. The deformation of the side portions 805c provides a pinching force on the door such that the apparatus is retained on the door upon moving and/or lifting the door.

Figure 8d shows a cross-sectional view of a door receiving guide 804d according to a fourth example. The door receiving guide 804d has a convex base portion 807d similar to door receiving guide 804a in combination with angled side portions 805d similar to door receiving guide 804c. The combination of the features of a convex base portion 807d and angled side portions 805d provides an improved grip on the door when engaged in the door receiving guide 804d Figure 9a and 9b show additional features to the door receiving guide 804d of Figure 8d. The door receiving guides 904a, 904b are interchangeable with the door receiving guide 105 in Figures Ito 7.

Figure 9a shows a further example of a cross-sectional view of a door receiving guide 904a.

This example door receiving guide 904a comprises a friction element 928a, suitably of rubber, according to a first example. Rubber element 928a is a strip that runs along an inside top edge of the first and second side portions 905a. This rubber element has higher frictional properties than the door receiving guide main structure, preferably made of plastic. Thus, the rubber element 928a further improves the grip of the apparatus on the door. The rubber element 928a may also serve to protect the door from scratches. Another feature of the door receiving guide 904a is a plurality of gripping members 926a in the form of studs on the base portion 907a. These studs 926a serve to prevent lateral movement of the door within the door receiving guide 904a An alternative to the studs 926a may be a textured surface to the base portion 907b.

Figure 9b shows a yet further cross-sectional view of a door receiving guide 904b. The door receiving guide 904b differs from door receiving guide 904a in that it has a different rubber element 928b. As oppose to a strip on the inside top edge of the side portions 905a, the rubber element 928b is a strip with a substantially inverted U-shaped cross section, the U-shape to engage the first edge of the side portions 905b. In a similar manner to rubber element 928a, rubber element 928b improves the grip of the apparatus on the door and may protect the door from scratches.

Figure 10a shows an alternative embodiment of door receiving guide 1004a. As well as rubber elements 1028 this embodiment utilises a wedge W, suitably of rubber, to allow the guide 1004a to accommodate doors of different thicknesses, especially thinner doors.

Figure 10b shows a still further embodiment of guide 1004b which is wider at its base 1007b so that the section is broadly trapezoidal, in a similar mariner to the embodiment of Figure 8c. In this example spacer blocks S are used to ensure a close fit to the door 10. This is particularly suited to glass doors which may be heavier and more easily damaged than An alternative arrangement to the door receiving guide described in Figures 1 to 9 having a base portion and side portions is a door receiving guide having a V-shaped, or substantially V-shaped, cross-section. In this arrangement, an edge of the door being received would make a fold in the V, pushing a side of the V above the fold inwards, and pushing a side of the V below the fold upwards to a shape substantially contiguous with the surface of the door.

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 referred to herein, and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMSAn apparatus to aid door hanging, the apparatus comprising: an inflatable bag; and a door receiving guide attached to the inflatable bag.
2. The apparatus of Claim 1, further comprising a friction-reducing element attached to the inflatable bag on an opposite side of the inflatable bag to the door receiving guide.
3. The apparatus of Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising an air tube and air pump, the air tube fluidly connecting the air pump to the inflatable bag.
4. The apparatus of any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the door receiving guide comprises a flexible material
5. The apparatus of any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the door receiving guide comprises a base portion, a first side portion and a second side portion.
6. The apparatus of Claim 5, wherein the door receiving guide has a substantially Ii-shaped cross-section.
7. The apparatus of any of Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein the side portions of the door receiving guide are angled towards each other.
8. The apparatus of any of Claims 5 to 7, wherein base portion comprises a protuberant middle section such that when a force is applied to the middle sections the first side portion and the second side portion are drawn towards each other.
The apparatus of Claim 8, wherein base portion has a convex cross-section.
10. The apparatus of any preceding Claim, wherein the door receiving guide further comprises a rubber element.
11. The apparatus of any preceding Claim, wherein at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion of the door receiving guide further comprises at least one protruding notch.
12. The apparatus of Claim 11, wherein the at least one protruding notch comprises a notch extending along a first edge of one of the first side portion or the second side portion wherein the first edge is an opposite edge to the edge connecting the base portion.
13. The apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the at least one protruding notch comprises a notch extending along a first edge of the other of the first side portion or the second side portion wherein the first edge is an opposite edge to the edge connecting the base portion.
14. The apparatus of any of Claims 11 to 13 when dependent on Claim 9, wherein the notch is the rubber element.
15. The apparatus of any preceding Claim, wherein the base portion of the door receiving guide further comprises a plurality of studs to prevent lateral movement of the door when it is in the guide.
16. The apparatus of any preceding Claim, wherein a first surface of the base portion of the door receiving guide comprises a textured surface, the first surface being an opposite surface to the surface attached to the inflatable bag.
17. The apparatus of any preceding Claim, further comprising a means for releasably attaching the air pump to the surface of a door to be hung.
18. A kit of parts comprising: an inflatable bag: a door receiving guide.
19. The kit of parts of Claim 18, further comprising: an air pump comprising an air tube.
20. The kit of parts of Claim 18 or 19, further comprising: a gliding mat.
21. The kit of parts of any of Claims 18 to 20, further comprising a means for releasably attaching the air pump to the surface of a door to be hung.
22. A method of manipulating a door for hanging the door on a hinge, the method comprising supporting a lower edge of the door in a door receiving guide having attached beneath it an inflatable bag, and inflating the bag to raise the level of the door relative to a floor.
23 The method of Claim 22, comprising moving the door on the floor using a friction-reducing element attached to the inflatable bag on an opposite side of the inflatable bag to the door receiving guide
24. The method of Claim 22 or 23, further comprising inflating the inflatable bag using an air tube and air pump, the air tube fluidly connecting the air pump to the inflatable bag.