GB2527908A

GB2527908A - Closure means and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2527908A
Application number: GB1507553.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Robert Elderton
Original assignee: ACCESS BUILDING PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: ACCESS BUILDING PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2014-05-02
Filing date: 2015-05-01
Publication date: 2016-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2035-05-01
Also published as: GB201507553D0; GB2527908B; GB201407745D0

Abstract

A closure panel, e.g. a loft hatch door, movable between an open and closed position. A locking mechanism having a compression mechanism to hold the panel in the closed position under compression or increase the compressive force between the panel and the frame. Preferably the hatch door is pivotally mounted to the frame and the hinge may be located on the inner side of the closure arranged to be airtight. The frame may have vertical side walls 8 with lower flanges 10 and upper inclined lips 11 with a seal thereon abutting the hatch door. The locking mechanism may comprise of a pivotal shaft with tool engaging head on one end for rotating a protruding latch tongue 50 on the opposite end; the latch tongue may be curved, chamfered, angled to increase the locking force as it is rotated. A lock housing 56 preferably has two cutout recessed portions 69, 70 separate by protrusion 72 which retain protrusion 49 and the latch tongue 50 in the unlocked and locked position; the lock is preferably spring biased allowing axial displacement.

Description

Closure Means and Method of Use Thereof This invention relates to closure means and to a method of use thereof.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to closure means in the form of a loft hatch door, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the aft that the closure means of the present invention could be any form of door or window closure for any suitable application.

It is a Building Regulation requirement for the purposes of energy conservation that all loft hatch doors in new buildings pass a required air tightness test, which is a measure of air leakage through the door. Loft hatch doors are typically doors provided over a loft hatch or opening in a building that can be moved between an open position, wherein access to the loft of the building can be gained, and a closed position, wherein access to the loft of the building is substantially prevented.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide closure means that reduces or substantially prcvcnts air leakage thercthrough when in a closed position.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using closure means to reduce or substantially prevent air leakage therethrough when in a closed position.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a loft hatch door that reduces or substantially prevents air leakage therethrough when in a closed position.

It is a Farther aim of the present invention to provide a method of using a loft hatch door that reduces or substantially prevents air leakage therethrough when in a closed position.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided closure means for use in selectively closing an opening in a surface or wall, said means including a closure member movable between a first closed position, wherein access through the opening is prevented or substantially prevented, and a second open position, wherein access through the opening can be gained, and a locking mechanism for locking or retaining said closure member in said first closed position in use, and wherein said locking mechanism includes compression locking means for at least partly moving and/or retaining the closure member under compression or increasing the compressive force on or relative to a frame and/or the surface or wall in which the closure means is fitted to in use when in a locked position.

Thus, by providing a compression locking mechanism, this applies a greater compressive closure or locking force to the closure member when in a locked position compared to other conventional locking mechanisms and/or when the compression locking mechanism is in a closed but unlocked position, thereby reducing air leakage past the closure member when in the closed and locked position. The air leakage that is reduced, prevented or substantially prevented can be positive and/or negative air flow/pressure.

Preferably the compression locking means is movable between the locked position, wherein the closure member is retainable in a closed position, and an unlocked position, wherein the closure member can be moved between the closed position and the open position.

The compressive force that is applied to the closure member relative to the frame and/or surface or wall in which the closure means is fitted is preferably significantly greater when the closure member is closed in the locked position compared to when the closure member is closed in the unlocked position.

Preferably the compression locking means can be slidably, rotatably and/or pivotably movable between the locked and unlocked positions.

Preferably at least part of the compression locking means is slidably, rotatably and/or pivotably mounted to the closure member, to a frame provided with or associated with the closure member and/or to a wall or surface surrounding the closure member, opening and/or frame.

Preferably the at least part of the compression locking means is mounted at or adjacent an edge of the closure member, frame provided with or associated with the closure member and/or to a wall or surface adjacent the opening.

In a preferred embodiment the at least part of the compression locking means is mounted to the closure member and preferably is rotatably mounted to the closure member.

Preferably the compression locking mechanism includes resilient biasing means in or associated therewith to increase the compressive force that can be applied by the compression locking mechanism to the closure member.

Preferably the resilient biasing means is in the form of one or more springs, spmng material and/or the like.

Preferably the resilient biasing means is provided on or associated with a pivot pin about which at least part of the compression locking mechanism is rotatably mounted in use.

Preferably the at least part of the compression locking means is mounted centrally or substantially centrally between two opposing sides of the closure member, the frame and/or the wall or surface defining the opening to provide or ensure an even or substantially even compression force is applied between the two opposing sides.

In one embodiment two or more compression locking means are provided and each is mounted at equal or substantially equal spaced distances apart between opposing sides of the closure member, frame and/or wall or surface to provide an even or substantially even compressive force is applied between the two opposing sides.

In one embodiment the compression locking means includes a first engagement member in the form of at least one cam member, cam means or cam surface. Alternatively, or in addition, the first member could include an angled surface or means, tapered surface or means, convexed surface or means, a bump, ramp, protrusion and/or the like.

Preferably the compression locking means includes any means that allows an increasing or greater compression force to be applied between two or more surfaces being locked or held together as the locking means moves from the unlocked position to the locked position in use.

Preferably thc compression locking means includes an arm portion.

Preferably a first end or part of the arm portion is movably mounted to one of the closure member, frame and/or wall/surface defining the opening, and a second part, opposite end or free end of the aim portion is movable between locked and unlocked positions with respect to an other of the closure member, frame or wall/surface defming the opening.

In a preferred embodiment the first end or part of the arm portion is movably mounted to the closure member and the second end or part of the arm portion is movable between an engaged position with respect to the frame and/or wall/surface to form the locked position, and a disengaged position with respect to the frame and/or wall/surface to form the unlocked position.

Preferably a shoulder portion is provided on the arm portion such that the first and second ends of the arm portion are at different heights with respect to the frame, closure member and/or wall/surface.

Preferably the first engagement member is provided at, adjacent to or associated with the second end of said arm portion. As the first engagement member moves into engagement with the frame and/or wall/surface, this increases the compressive force applied of the closure member relative to the frame and/or wall/surface, thereby pulling the closure member into closer engagement with the frame and/or wall/surface.

Preferably the first end or part of the attn portion is pivotably or rotatably mounted on the pivot means or pivot pin. The pivot means or pivot pin is located in a housing of the compression locking mechanism and the arm portion is movable relative to the housing.

Preferably the first end or part of the arm portion engages against and moves relative to a lower or base surface of the housing. The lower or base surface of the housing has first and second recess portions with a protrusion portion located between the first and second recess portions.

Preferably a second engagement member in the form of a cam, cam means, cam surface, angled surface or means, tapered surface or means, convexed surface or means, a bump, ramp, protrusion and/or the like is located at the first end or part of the arm portion. The second member preferably engages against and moves relative to die lower or base surface of the housing.

With the compression locking mechanism in the unlocked position, the second member of the arm portion is typically located in the first recess portion of the lower or base surface of the housing. With the compression locking mechanism in the locked position, the second member of the arm portion is moved into the second recess portion of the lower or base surface of the housing. During movement of the compression locking mechanism between the unlocked and locked positions, the second member of the arm portion moves against the protrusion portion of the lower or base of the housing, thereby extending the height or increasing the distance of the arm portion from a front surface of the housing, frame and/or closure member.

This allows clearance of the arm portion with respect to the frame and/or wall/surface with which the arm portion is to engage with in the locked position.

Preferably the resilient biasing means provided on or associated with the compression locking mechanism biases the arm portion outwardly of the locking mechanism housing during rotation or pivotal movement of the locking mechanism in use, and preferably as the second member of the arm portion moves over the protrusion portion on the lower or base surface of the housing, thereby allowing the arm portion to be moved to a required height with respect to the frame and/or wall or surface on which the second part or end of the arm portion is to engage with in use.

In one example, the height or distance of the arm portion relative to the frame and/or wall or surface on which the second part or end of the arm portion engages with in use changes as it moves, for example by rotation, between the locked to the unlocked positions.

Preferably the resilient biasing means is moved from a first relatively compressed position when the compression locking mechanism is in an unlocked position and tile second member of the arm portion is engaged in the first rcccss portion on thc housing, to a rclativcly uncomprcsscd position when the compression locking mechanism is between the locked and unlocked positions and the second member of the arm portion is engaged against the protrusion portion on the housing. The resilient biasing means is then moved to a second relatively compression position when the compression locking mechanism is in the locked position and the second member of the arm portion is engaged in the second recess portion on the housing, The first relatively compressed position of the resilient biasing means can provide the same level of compressive force to the arm portion as the second relatively compressed position. Alternatively, the second relatively compressed position of the resilient biasing means can provide a greater level of compressive force to the arm portion compared to the first relatively compressed position. Thus, in the latter embodiment, both the first and second engagement members of the arm portion increase the compressive force being applied by the arm portion to the frame and/or wall/surface when in the locked position.

Further locking means can be associated with the compression locking mechanism, such as for example, a key lock, combination lock and/or the like if required. Thus, in one example, rotation of a key moves the compression locking mechanism between the locked and unlocked positions in use.

Preferably the compression locking mechanism is located on one side of the closure means and/or closure member, such as for example on an interior side of the closure means or closure member, or a side facing inwardly of the loft or attic space in which the closure member is associated with in use.

Preferably the compression locking mechanism is accessible or operable from a further or oppbsite side of the closure means and/or closure member and further preferably from the exterior side of the closure means and/or closure member, or a side facing away from a loft or attic space in which the closure member is associated therewith in use.

In one embodiment the closure member is movably mounted to frame means and said closure member is movable between the open and closed positions with respect to the frame means.

Preferably the frame means is attached to the wall or surface defining the opening in use.

Tn one embodiment the closure member and a frame means to which the closure member is movably mounted are each provided with a flange or lip portion.

Preferably the compression locking means moves the flange or lip portions of the closure member and frame means together under compression when in the locked position.

Preferably the flange or lip portions are arranged to protrude inwardly of part of the frame means and closure member.

In one embodiment the compression locking means is arranged such that it needs to he moved between 0-90 degrees in moving the same between the locked and unlocked positions.

In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a frame means to which the closure member is movable relative to in use. The frame means is typically mountable to a wall or surface defining the opening in use.

Thus, in one embodiment, the closure member is movable between the closed and open positions with respect to the frame means.

Preferably the closure member is movably mounted to the frame means and further preferably the closure member is hingedly connected to the frame means via hinge means.

In an alternative embodiment the closure member is hingedly mounted to a wall or surface surrounding the opening via hinge means.

Preferably the hinge means are arranged so as to be air tight or substantially air tight (i.e. the hinge means prevents or substantially prevents air from passing through said hinge arrangement.) Preferably the hinge means are mounted substantially on an interior or inner side of the closure means or on a surface facing the attic or loft space to which the closure means are associated, and further preferably are mounted on an interior or inner side of the closure member.

Preferably the hinge means arc concealed or substantially concealed within the frame of the closure means. This increases the aesthetic appeal of the closure means to a user.

Preferably the hinge means are pre-fitted to the frame and closure member in order to increase the ease of installation of the product.

Thus, in one examplc, the compression locking mechanism is operable from an exterior surface of the closure means and/or closure member and the hinge means are mounted on an opposite side and typically an interior surface of the closure means and/or closure member.

In an embodiment where the closure means is in the form of a loft hatch door, the hinge means are provided on the side of the closure means and/or closure member facing inwardly towards the loft.

Preferably the hinge means are mounted in the interior of the closure means between the closure member and the frame means.

In one embodiment the hinge means includes a wholly or substantially wholly enclosed socket arrangement into which a hinge pin or hinge member is rotatably located in use. The socket arrangement typically has an aperture or opening at one end thereof into which the hinge pin or hinge member is rotatably located.

In one embodiment the hinge means is in the form of a RIVSERTTM hinge.

Preferably the hinge means includes two hinge arrangements, and preferably each hinge arrangement is provided at or adjacent opposite sides of the closure member, frame means and/or wall or surface defining the opening.

Preferably the hinge means are provided at or adjacent a teat edge of the closure member, closure means, frame means and/or wall or surface defining the opening.

Preferably the hinge means are provided at, towards, adjacent to or associated with an edge or side of the closure means, closure member, frame means and/or wall or surface defining the opening that is opposite to or substantially opposite to the edge or side of the closure means, closure member, frame means and/or wall or surface on which the compression locking means is provided.

Preferably the compression locking mechanism is provided at, towards or adjacent a front edge of the closure member, closure means, frame means and/or wall or surface defining the opening.

Preferably sealing means and/or washer means are provided on or associated with the hinge pin or hinge member to improve the air tightness of the hinge means.

Preferably sealing means are provided on or associated with the closure member, closure means and/or frame means to allow sealing between the same in use. The sealing means help to prevent or substantially reduce air leakage past said sealing means in use.

The sealing means can include any or any combination of one or more seals, sealing strips, rubber sealing strips, neoprene sealing strips, memory sealing means or strips, washers and/or the like. The memory sealing means allows the seal member to return or substantially return to its original shape and/or form once the compressive force applied to the same by the closure member when in the closed and/or locked position is removed.

Preferably the sealing means has as degree of resilience or flexibility to allow the same to be compressed on moving the closure member from the open position to the closed position. For example, the sealing means can include one or more elongate sealing strips.

In one embodiment sealing means are provided on or associated with the closure member and/or frame means such that a sealing means is provided between at least part of the closure member and/or frame means when they are in the closed position. Preferably the sealing means is provided on or associated with lip or flange of the closure member and/or frame means.

In one embodiment sealing means are provided on or associated with at least part of a wall element of the frame means that engages with a wall or surface defining the opening.

The frame means can be provided at or against one or more sides of the closure member and preferably the frame means surrounds the entire or substantially the entire closure member in use.

Preferably attachment means are provided on or associated with the frame means to allow the frame means to be attached to the wall or surface defining the opening in use. The attachment means can include any or any combination of welding, adhesive, one or more apertures, channels, recesses, screws, nuts and bolts, clips, nails, inter-engaging members and/or the like.

Tn one embodiment the frame means includes a first wall member or first set of wall members that surround or substantially surround the closure member and at least one second wall member or second set of wall members that provide or defme an outwardly or inwardly protruding flange or lip to said first wall member or first set of wall members.

Preferably the at least second wall member or second set of wall members are provided transverse to the first wall member or first set of wall members and preferably perpendicular or substantially perpendicular thereto.

In one embodiment a first flange or lip of the frame means protrudes outwardly from the first wall member or first set of wall members and is typically located in abutting relationship or adjacent with the wall or surface defining the opening in use. Preferably the flange or lip is provided on an external side of the surface or wall (i.e. the same side of the surface or wall from which the compression locking mechanism is operable). Tn one embodiment a second flange or lip of the frame means is provided that protrudes inwardly of the first wall member.

The second flange or lip is preferably engageable with a part, flange or lip of the closure member in use.

Preferably the second flange or lip protrudes from an opposite end of the first wall or first set of walls to the first flange or lip.

Tn one embodiment at least part of a rear wall of the frame means and/or closure member is provided with an angled wall portion and/or a chamfer thereon.

Preferably the angled wall portion or chamfer of the frame means and the closure member are substantially complementary in size, shape, design and/or dimensions.

Preferably the angled wall portion and/or chamfer is provided at approximately 45 degree angle with respect to a remaining wall portion and/or a horizontal or vertical axis. The angled or chamfered wall portion typically prevents sealing means associated with the frame means and/or closure member from being pushed away from the hinge means or pushed towards the rear wall on moving of the hinge means, frame means and/or closure means in use from the open position to the closed position.

In one embodiment the closure means is in the form of a loft hatch door and the closure member is the door member thereof. In this embodiment an exterior of the closure means is typically the side of the door facing away from the loft and the interior of the closure means is typically the side of the door facing inwardly of the loft, Insulation means can be provided on or associated with one or more sides of the closure member and/or closure means if required. For example, if the closure means is in the form of a loft hatch door, insulation means can be provided on or associated with the interior of the loft hatch door member facing inwardly of the loft in use.

The insulation means can be any means which reduces heat passage therethrough, such as for example, RockwoolTM insulation, mineral fibre insulation, foamed insulation, polystyrene insulation, Expanded polystyrene insulation (FFS) and/or the like.

The closure means, closure member, frame means can be made from any or any combination of material, such as wood, plastic, metal and/or the like. In a preferred embodiment the closure member and frame means is made from a metal material and preferably from a coated metal material.

According to independent aspects of the present invention there is provided closure means including hinge means; closure means including an angled or chamfered wall portion, loft hatch door means, According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using closure means for selectively closing an opening in a surface or wall, said closure means including a closure member, said method including the steps of: moving the closure member between a first closed position, wherein access through the opening is prevented or substantially prevented, and a second open position, wherein access through the opening can be gained, actuating a locking mechanism for locking or retaining said closure member in said first closed position, and wherein said locking mechanism includes compression locking means for at least partly moving and/or retaining the closure member under compression or increasing the compressive force on or relative to a frame and/of the surface or wall in which the closure means is fitted to in use when in a locked position.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: Figures la-id illustrate a front or external plan view of thc closure means when in a closed position, a perspective view from the rear, a side view, and a rear end view according to an embodiment of the present invention respectively; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a hinge arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a compression locking arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 4a-4d show a side view, a perspective view, an exploded view, and a partially exploded view of a compression lock according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the compression locking arrangement when in a locked position; Figure 6 is a perspective view from the interior or rear side of the closure means when in a partially open position; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the closure means from the rear showing the chamfered rear wall of the frame; Figure 8a is an enlarged cross sectional view of the hinge mechanism in figure 7;and Figure 8b is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the side of the closure means showing the location of sealing means between the frame and the door.

Referring to the figures, there is ifiustrated an embodiment of the closure means according to the present invention in the form of loft hatch door apparatus 2 for location in a ceiling of a building to allow selective access to the lofi space of the building in use. In accordance with different aspects of the present invention, thc loft hatch door apparatus 2 has been designed so as to reduce or substantially prevent air leakage through the door apparatus in use whcn in a closed position. This is important from an energy conservation aspect.

The loft hatch door 2 includes a frame 4 for location in a loft hatch opening defined in the ceiling in use and a closure or door member 6 which is movable relative to the frame 4 between a closed position, wherein access through the loft hatch opening in use is substantially prevented, and an open position, wherein access through the loft hatch opening in use is possible.

I1he frame 4 comprises a first wall member 8, which in this example is square in cross section, and which wholly surrounds the door member 6 when the door member is in a closed position, and a flange 10 which protrudes outwardly from a top of the first wall member 8. More particularly, the flange 10 is provided perpendicular to a top edge 9 of first wall member 8. A lip 11 is provided adjacent a base of the frame which protrudes inwardly from a base of the first wall member 8 of the frame along three sides thereof More particularly, the lip 11 is provided along a front edge 13 and two opposing side edges 15, 17 of a base edge of the first wall member 8. The lip 11 is not provided along a rear edge 19 of the frame.

The frame 4 typically has an interior side 12 that faces towards the loft or ceiling when fitted in use, and an exterior side 14 that faces away from the loft or ceiling when fitted in use.

An interior side 12 of the flange 10 typically abuts against an outer ceiling wall surface defining the loft hatch opening in use. The outer surface of the first wall members 8 typically abut with the side walls of the ceiling wall surfacc defining the loft hatch opening in use, Attachment means in the form of a plurality of apertures 7 are defined in the wall 8 to allow the frame to be attached via screws or nuts and bolts to the side walls of the ceiling hatch opening in use.

The door member 6 is also square in cross section in this example and is of slightly smaller dimensions than frame 4 so as to fit snugly therein when in a closed position.

The door member 6 has a top surface 14 that faces the exterior or away from the loft (and is what is seen by a user when looking up at the ccibn and a base surface 16 that faces the interior or inwardly of the loft when fitted in use. The door member also has a front wall 18, a rear wall 20, and two opposing side walls 22, 24 that protnide outwardly from the base surface 16. A lip 26 is provided on the free edges of the walls 18-24 and protrudes inwardly of the door member. The lip 26 is typically substantially parallel to, adjacent to and abutting with the lip 11 of the frame 4 when in the closed position. The lips 26 and 11 are typically moved apart from each other on moving the door member from a closed position to an open position in use.

The door member 6 is hingedly mounted to frame 4 via side walls 22, 24 adjacent the rear wall 20 thereof using a hinge 28 provided on each side wall 22, 24. More particularly, the hinge 28 comprises an enclosed socket 30 provided on each interior surface of side walls 22, 24 which protrudes inwardly of door member 6. The socket 30 has an opening defmed in the exterior surface of side walls 22, 24 through which a hinge pin passes. In the illustrated example, the hinge pin is in the form of a screw 32 having a head portion 34 protruding from the external surface of frame 4 adjacent the top edge 9 thereof, and a body portion 36 which passes through an aperture defined in frame 4, through the opening of the socket 30 and into the socket 30. Sealing means in the form of a washer 38 is provided between the head portion 34 of screw 32 and the external surface of frame 4. A rivnut 40 is provided on body portion 36 of screw 32 to retain the screw 32 in the socket and allow rotation of screw 32 therein.

the combination of the enclosed socket 30, the rivnut and the washer of the hinge creates a substantially airtight hinge arrangement with very little or no air leakage therethrough. The hinge arrangement is considered to be located on an interior side of the door 6.

A chamfer portion 40, 42 is provided on both the frame 4 and die door 6 on their rear walls 44, 20 respectively. The chamfer portion 40 of frame 4 is at a degree angle with respect to a horizontal or vertical axis (or flange 10) and extends from rear edge 19 thereof. The corresponding chamfer portion 42 provided on door 6 is also at a 45 degree angle with respect to the horizontal or vertical axis.

Sealing means in the form of elongate rubber seals 46 are provided on the lip 11 of the frame 4 facing towards the lip 26 of deor 6, such that sealing engagement is provided between the lip 11 and lip 26 when die door 6 is in a closed position in use. This substantially reduces or prevents air leakage from between the door and frame in use when in the closed position. Ihe chamfer portions 40, 42 of the frame 4 and door 6 respectively prevent the seal from being pushed away from the lips 11, 26 in use, thereby helping to retain the seals 46 in place and thus retain the air tightness in use.

Further scaling means in the form of an elongate rubber seal 46' is provided on an interior side 12 of flange 10 to form a substantially air tight seal with the ceiling surface in use.

A compression locking mechanism 48 is provided on the door 6 for retaining the door 6 in the closed position with respect to frame 4 in use.

The locking mechanism 48 includes an arm portion 50 that is rotatably mounted at a first end 52 to door 6 and which has a second free end 54. A first engagement member in the form of a cam surface or outwardly protruding bump 56 is provided on a frame facing surface of second end 54, A second engagement member in the form of an angled protrusion 49 is provided on a frame facing surface at first end 52. The arm portion 50 is typically stepped in form, such that the second free end 54 is further away from the door 6 and thus closer to frame 4 in use than first end 52. A shoulder portion 53 is typically defined between the first and second ends of arm portion 50 Lo creale die s Lep and is at an acute or perpendicular angle with respect to the first and/or second ends of atm portion 50.

The locking mechanism 48 is provided adjacent front edge 13 of frame 4 in use. A housing 56 is typically used to mount arm portion 50 to door 6.

Housing 56 has a head portion 58 which protrudes from a top/front surface 14 of door 6. The head portion 58 is typically of such size, shape and design to allow a user to easily grip and rotate the same in use. A body portion 51 extends outwardly from head portion 58 and has a screw thread 53 on an outer surface thereof to allow engagement of the housing with complementary screw thread means associated with an aperture provided in door 6 in use.

A pivot pin 55 is rotatably mounted in housing 56 and resilient biasing means in the form of spring 57 is associated with pivot pin 55. An image 60 can be provided at a first end 61 of the pivot pin to instruct a user on how they should rotate housing 56 in order to move the locking mechanism from a locked position to an unlocked position. The first end 61 of the pivot pin is located through an aperture ëfined in the head portion 58 of housing 56 and protruding outwardly thereof A second end 63 of the pivot pin is located through an aperture 65 defined in arm portion 50 at fnst end 52 thereof A suitable shaped bolt 59 is used to retain the arm portion, and the pivot pin with respect to housing 56. The bolt 59 is inserted in an aperture at an opposite end of housing 56 to head portion 58, A nut 67 is used to retain the housing 56 to the door 6 in use. Scaling means (not shownj in the form of one or mote washers can also be used to ensure connection of the locking mechanism to door 6 is substantially air tight. An aperture is defined in door 6 through which the housing 56 is located in use, The head portion 58 protrudes from a front face of the door 6 and the remainder of the housing 56 protrudes from a rear face of the door 6.

A lower surface 62 of the housing 56 is provided with a first recess portion 69, a second recess portion 70 with a protrusion portion 72 located beLween the first and second recess portions. With the compression locking mechanism assembled, the angled protrusion portion 49 of the arm portion engages with the lower surface 62 of housing 56 and is movable between the first recess portion 69, the protrusion portion 72 and the second recess portion 70 in use.

With the compression lock in the unlocked position, the angled protrusion portion 49 of the arm portion is located in the first recess portion 69 of the housing. The spring 57 is relatively compressed and the second end 54 of the aim portion is relatively close to the door 6 and frame 4. As a user rotates pivot pin 55 in housing 56 of the compression lock, this causes arm portion 50 to rotate from the unlocked position towards the locked position, thereby causing angled protrusion portion 49 of the arm portion to move out of first recess portion 69 and over protrusion portion 72.

The spring 57 is moved to a relatively uncompressed state and the second end 54 of the arm portion is moved relatively further away from the door 6 and frame 4, thereby providing clearance of the second end 54 of the arm portion 50 with respect to the frame 4. Continued rotation of pivot pin 55 moves the compression lock to the locked position. This causes angled protrusion 49 of the arm portion 50 to be moved from the protrusion portion 72 into the second recess portion 70 of the housing 56. The spring 57 is moved back to a relatively compressed state, the second end 54 of the arm portion 50 is moved back towatds the door 6 and frame 4 and the bump 56 is moved into engagement with the frame 4. This moves the door 6 into closer engagement with frame 4, thereby increasing the compressive force applied by the door to the frame. This in turn increases the air tightness between the door and frame.

The locking mechanism 48, and thus the arm portion 50, is movable relative to frame 4 between the locked position, wherein opening of door 6 is substantially prevented, and the unlocked position, wherein opening of door 6 is possible. In the locked position, the second end of arm portion 50 is moved into engagement with lip 11 of frame 4, thereby moving or compressing together lip ii of frame 4 towards lip 26 of door 6. Provision of bump/cam 56 typically increases the compression force when in the locked position from initial engagement of the arm portion 50 with the lip 11 of frame 4 to complete engagement with arm portion 50 with lip 11 in the locked position. This reduces or substantially prevents air leakage between the frame and door when in the locked position. In one product example, the loft hatch is airtight at 5OPa of positive or negative air pressure The locking mechanism typically is rotatable through approximately 90 degrees in order to move the arm portion between the locked and unlocked positions.

Thus, it can be seen that any or any combination of the above features can improve the air tightness of a loft hatch door. lit will be appreciated that or any or any combination of the above features can be used in closure means of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. Closure means for use in selectively closing an opening in a surface or wall, said closure means including a closure member movable between a first closed position, wherein access through the opening is prevented or substantially prevented, and a second open position, wherein access through the opening can be gained, and a locking mechanism for locking or retaining said closure member in said first closed position in use, and wherein said locking mechanism includes compression locking means for at least partly moving and/or retaining the closure member under compression or increasing the compressive force on or relative to a frame and/of the surface or wall in which the closure means is fitted to in use when in a locked position.
2. Closure means according to claim 1 wherein the closure means is in the form of a loft hatch door and the closure member is the door member thereof.
3. Closure means according to claim 1 wherein the compression locking means is movable between the locked position, wherein the closure member is retained in the closed position, and an unlocked position, wherein the closure member is movable between the closed and open positions.
4. Closure means according to claim 3 wherein the compression locking means is slidably, rotatably and/or pivotably movable between the locked and unlocked positions.
5. Closure means according to claitn 1 wherein at leasL parL of the compression locking means is slidably, rotatably and/or pivotably mounted to the closure member, to a frame provided with or associated with the closure member and/or to a wall or surface surrounding the closure member, opening and/or frame.
6. Closure means according to ciaim 5 wherein said at least part of the compression locking means is mounted at or adjacent an edge of the closure member, frame and/or wall or surface.
7. Closure means according to claim 5 wherein said at least part of the compression locking means is mounted centrally or substantially centrally, or two or more compression locking means are provided and each compression locking means is mounted at equal or substantially equal spaced distances apart between opposing sides of the closure member, the frame and/or the wall or surface defining the opening to provide or ensure an even or substantially even compression force is applied between the two opposing sides.
8. Closure means according to claim 1 wherein the compression locking means includes a first engagement member including any or any combination of a cam, cam means, cam surface, angled surface, tapered surface, convexed surface, a bump, ramp, protrusion or any means that allows an increasing compression force to be applied between two or more surfaces being locked or held together as the locking means moves from the unlocked position to the locked position in use.
9. Closure means according to claim 1 wherein the compression locking means includes an arm portion, a first part or end of the arm portion movably mounted to one of the closure member, frame or wall/surface defining the opening, and a second part or opposite end of the arm portion is movable between locked and unlocked positions with respect to an other of the closure member, frame or wall/surface defining the opening.
10. Closure means according to claims 8 and 9 wherein the first engagement member that allows an increasing compression force to be applied between two or more surfaces is provided at, adjacent to or associated with the second end of the arm portion.
11. Closure means according to claim 1 wherein further locking means are associated with the locking mechanism.
12. Closure means according to claim 2 wherein the locking mechanism is accessible or operable from an exterior side of the closure means and/or closure member or a side facing away from a loft or attic space.
13. Closure means according to claim 1 wherein the closure member is movably mounted to frame means and said closure member is movable between the open and closed positions with respect to the frame means.
14. Closure means according to claim 13 wherein the closure member and frame means are each provided with a flange or lip portion and the compression locking means moves the flange or lip portion of the closure member and the frame means together under compression when in the locked position.
15. Closure means according to claim 1 wherein the compression locking means is arranged such that is need to be moved between 0-90 degrees in moving the same between the locked and unlocked positions.
16. Closure means according to claim 1 wherein the closure member is hingedly mounted to frame means or to the wall or surface defining the opening via hinge means.
17. Closure means according to claim 16 wherein the hinge means are arranged so as to be air tight or substantially air tight.
18. Closure means according to claim 17 wherein the hinge means are located on an interior or inner side of the closure means or on a surface facing an attic or loft space with which the closure means are associated in use.
19. Closure means according to claim 17 wherein the hinge means includes a wholly or substantially wholly enclosed socket arrangement into which a hinge pin or hinge membcr is rotatably located in use.
20. Closure means according to any preceding claim wherein sealing means or washer means are provided on or associated with the hinge pin, hinge member, closure means, closure member and/or frame means.
21. Closure means according to claim 14 wherein sealing means are provided on or associated with the lip or flange of the closure member and/or frame means.
22. Closure means according to claim 17 wherein the hinge means are provided at, towards, adjacent to or associated with an edge or side of the closure means, closure member, frame means and/or wall/surface defining the opening that is opposite or substantially opposite to the edge or side of the closure means closure member, frame means and/or wall/surface defining the opening on which the compression locking means is provided.
23, Closure means according to claim 13 wherein attachment means are provided on or associated with the frame means to allow the frame means to be attached to the wall or surface defining the opening in use.
24. Closure means according to claim 23 wherein the attachment means includes any or any combination of welding, adhesive, one or more apertures, channels, recesses, screws, nuts and bolts, clips, nails or inter-engaging members.
25. Closure means according to claim 13 wherein the frame means includes a first wall member or first set of wall members that surround or substantially surround the closure member, and at least a second wall member or second set of wall members that provide or define an outwardly or inwardly protruding flange or lip.
26. Closure means according to claim 25 wherein the at least second wall member or second set of wall members are provided transverse to, perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first wall member or first set of wall members.

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27. Closure means according to claim 13 wherein the frame means includes a first flange or lip protruding outwardly of a first wall mcmber or first set of wall members and is locatable in abutting relationship with or adjacent the wall or surface defining the opening in use, and a second flange or lip protruding inwardly of the first wall member or first set of wall members.
28. Closure means according to claim 27 wherein the first flange or lip protrudes from wan opposite end of the first wall member or first set of wall members to the second flange or lip.
29. Closure means according to claim 13 wherein at least part of a rear wall of the frame means and/or closure member is provided with an angled wall portion and/or chamfer relative to a remaining wall portion.
30. Closure means according to claim 29 wherein the angled wall portion and/or chamfer is provided at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the remaining wall portion and/or a horizontal or vertical axis.
31. Closure means according to claim 1 wherein insulation means are provided on or associated with one or more sides of the closure means and/or closure member.
32. Closure means according to claim 1 wherein the compression locking means includes resilient biasing means.
33. Closure means according to claim 9 wherein the first end or part of the arm portion engages with and is movable against a lower surface of a housing associated with the compression locking means, the lower surface of the housing having first and second recess portions with a protrusion portion located between the first and second recess portions.
34. Closure means according to claim 33 wherein a second engagement member provided at the first end or part of the arm portion is movablc in and relative to the first and second recess portions and the protrusion portion, thereby allowing a change in distance of the second end or part of the arm portion with respect to die closure member, frame and/or wall/surface as the arm portion moves between the locked and unlocked positions in use.
35. A method of using closure means for selectively closing an opening in a surface or wall, said closure means including a closure member, said method including the steps of: moving the closure member between a first closed position, wherein access through the opening is prevented or substantially prevented, and a second open position, wherein access through the opening can be gained, actuating a locking mechanism for locking or retaining said closure member in said first closed position, and wherein said locking mechanism includes compression locking means for at least partly moving and/or retaining the closure member under compression or increasing the compressive force on or relative to a frame and/of the surface or wall in which the closure means is fitted to in use when in a locked position.