WO2014057269A1

WO2014057269A1 - Swinging door frame comprising a collapsible door jamb acting as a stop

Info

Publication number: WO2014057269A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/052634
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kevin Gorman
Original assignee: Britplas Commercial Windows Limited
Priority date: 2012-10-09
Filing date: 2013-10-09
Publication date: 2014-04-17
Also published as: GB201507929D0; GB201218110D0; GB2521796A

Abstract

A door frame in which a door panel may be pivotally mounted. The frame has a jamb member which is mounted to the frame for movement between at least a closed position in which it acts as a stop and can prevent a door panel pivotally mounted in the frame from opening in both directions and an open position in which such a door panel can open in both directions. The jamb member is mounted to the frame by way of a face member which is pivotally connected to the frame and arranged so that, when the jamb member is in the closed position, the face member extends at least partially along an architrave surface of the frame.

Description

SWINGING DOOR FRAME COMPRISIG A COLLAPSIBLE DOOR JAMB ACTING AS A STOP

The present invention relates to a door frame in which a door panel may be pivotally mounted.

Institutions such as psychiatric hospitals and high security prisons generally comprise a plurality of rooms within which a patient or prisoner may be contained. Each such room is accessed via a lockable door. If the lockable doors open outwards, as is currently the most common arrangement, a patient or prisoner may be able to force the door open into a staff member once it is unlocked. If the door Is unlocked, a patient may hide behind the door and jump on a member of staff as they pass by. Alternatively, by waiting until a member of staff Is passing the door and opening it quickly as they pass, the door can be used as a weapon. One solution to this problem is to provide a recess in the corridor within which the door is disposed so that the door does not open out into the main corridor. However, this can significantly reduce the available usable space in the Institution.

Another solution is to arrange the lockable doors to open inwards. However, with an Inwardly opening door, a patient may be able to prevent the door from opening by barricading the door with a heavy object or leaning against the door either intentionally or otherwise. For example, a patient may have fallen against the door following an act of self-harm and be unable and/or unwiiDng to move. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a mechanism for opening the door outwards in the event that a patient or prisoner prevents the door from opening Inwards such as a collapsible door jamb.

It is an object of embodiments of the present Invention to provide an alternative arrangement for a door frame.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided: a door frame In which a door panel may be pivotally mounted, the frame comprising a jamb member which is mounted to the frame for movement between at least a closed position in which K acts as a stop and can prevent a door panel pivotally mounted in the frame from opening in both directions and an open position in which such a door panel can open in both directions, wherein the jamb member is mounted to the frame by way of a face member which Is pivotally connected to the frame and arranged so that, when the jamb member is In the closed position, the face member extends at least partially along an architrave surface of the frame.

The jamb member and the face member form a collapsible door jamb. The door may be a room door, such as a bedroom or a cell, and may comprise an inner surface facing into said room and an outer surface facing out of said room. The door may form a point of entry to the room of a person who may attempt to self-harm themselves. For example, the room may be disposed in an institution such as a psychiatric hospital or a high security prison. The door frame may further comprise a releasable locking means which is operable to hold the jamb member in the closed position.

If a patient will not allow the door to be opened Inwards, a member of staff can release the locking means. As will be described In further detail below, this allows the door to be opened outwards. The jamb member may be substantially perpendicular to the face member. Therefore the collapsible door jamb may be generally L shaped.

When In the closed position, the jamb member may be disposed adjacent to a side casing of the doorframe and the collapsible door jamb extends round the corner formed between the side casing and the architrave surface of the door frame. This is in contrast to known collapsible door jambs wherein no face member is provided and the pivot point Is generally disposed at the corner formed between the side casing and the architrave surface of the door frame. There are a number of advantages to the arrangement according to the present invention.

With the arrangement provided by the present invention, when the door panel is under pressure, because the face member extends at least partially along an architrave surface of the frame, the force exerted on the jamb section by the door panel acts at the finite distance from the pivot point Therefore, when the locking means fs released, this pressure will provide a torque which will tend to drive the collapsible door jamb into the open position relatively easily. This is In contrast to known collapsible door jambs wherein the force exerted by the door panel acts through, or very close to, the pivot point. Therefore, once one has released the locking mechanism, one must manually rotate the jamb member away from the side casing. When the door Is under pressure, this may require considerable strength and furthermore, while a member of staff does this there is a significant risk that they will trap their fingers in the process.

Furthermore, with the presort invention, the collapsible door jamb only needs to rotate through an angle of around 90 degrees in order for the jamb member to reach a position wherein it does not significantly restrict movement of the door panel. However, with prior art arrangements rotation through around 180 degrees is required before the reaching such a position. Once the collapsible door jamb according to the present Invention has reached a position wherein it does not significantly restrict movement of the door panel, it is operable to rotate further thus allowing the collapsible door jamb to swing fully away from the door panel.

Preferably, when the jamb member is in the closed position, the face member extends along the entire architrave surface of the frame. With such an arrangement, the face member forms part of the architrave of the doorframe. Advantageously, this may conceal the fact that the door comprises a collapsible door jamb.

The relea sable locking means may comprise one or more electromagnetic locks. Each electromagnetic lock may comprise an electromagnet disposed on the side casing of the door frame and an armature plate disposed on the jamb member, or vice versa.

The releasable locking means may comprise one or more fastening members. Said one or more fastening members may be operable to move between a first position and a second position. Each fastening member may be provided with a drive means operable to drive it between the first and second positions. The drive means may comprise any suitable source of force including sources of electromagnetic, mechanical, hydraulic or any other type of force as desired or required. In one preferred embodiment, the drive means for each fastening member comprises one or more solenoids. When in the first position, the fastening means may be disposed in the jamb section and/or the side casing of the door frame. When in the second position, the fastening means may extend from the jamb section into the side casing of the door frame or vice versa.

The fastening members may be provided with a user controllable actuation means. The actuation means is preferably electrical rather than manual. That is, a user can release the locking mechanism by inputting an electrical signal rather than providing a mechanical force necessary to release the lock. The force necessary to move the fastening members may be generated by an appropriate drive means. Advantageously, this may allow for a person to release the locking mechanism regardless of their strength, even when the door Is under significant pressure from within.

Preferably, the actuation means does not require a tool. This is In contrast to known arrangements which often require a key and is particularly advantageous since it eliminates the need for a staff member to retrieve such a key from, for example, a nurse's station. This reduces the response time In an emergency situation and does not carry the risk that a key may be misplaced or not easily found in an emergency. The actuation means may comprise a swipe card, key fob, key pad or any other mechanism for a user to input an actuation signal as is desired or required. A key pad does not require a tool to be operated and members of staff in psychiatric hospitals and high security prisons are generally required to carry a swipe card, key fob or similar which can be used to control the fastening means in addition to its primary purpose. According to a second aspect of the present invention there Is provided a door assembly comprising a door frame according to the first aspect of the present invention and a door panel photally mounted therein.

The door panel may comprise a window. Said window may be provided with a means for at least partially obscuring the window. This may allow for routine inspection, for example by a nurse, inside a bedroom served by the door whilst also allowing the window to be at least partially obscured for the majority of the time to provide privacy. This may comprise a standard striped glass pane as Is known in the art and which can be altered between an obscured state and a partially transparent striped state by inserting and turning a key.

Alternatively, In a preferred embodiment, the window comprises a switchable glass which can be switched between at least a first state wherein it is substantially transparent and a second state wherein It Is opaque. The switchable glass may be controlled by a processing means. Advantageously, such a mechanism Is silent and therefore patients are not forewarned of an inspection by the sound of switching the state of the window of their door or neighbouring doors as they would be with known striped glass pane. Furthermore, the glass may be made fully transparent as opposed to the striped effect which is achieved with the known striped glass pane. The window may be provided with an actuation means to switch between the first and second states. This may comprise a swipe card, key fob, key pad or any other mechanism for a user to input an actuation signal as is desired or required. The window may be generally disposed in the second state and may switch to the first state using the actuation means. The means for at least partially obscuring the window may comprise a timer. For example, once the actuation means has been used to transform the window into the first state, the window may remain in that state for a predetermined period of time, say 6 seconds, and then transform back into the second state. The timer may be programmable so as to allow a user to alter the predetermined period of time. The window may be of any size and/or shape as is desired or required. The door frame and/or the door panel mounted therein may comprise an anti-ligature alarm. The door frame and/or the door panel mounted therein may comprise a load cell which Is operable to monitor a load on the door and output a signal indicative thereof. At least part of the door panel may be supported by the load cell. The door frame and/or the door panel mounted therein may further comprise a processing means. The signal output by the load cell may be processed by the processing means and if one or more predefined criteria are met an alarm signal may be output by the processing means. Therefore, this arrangement may be used as an anti-ligature alarm. Advantageously, such an arrangement allows for a load on the door panel to be monitored by the load cell, whilst allowing the load cell to be disposed within the door panel or door frame. The load cell may be disposed within the door panel or door frame. This allows the load cell to be concealed and for access to the load cell to be limited. Advantageously, this prevents, or significantly Emits, the instances of false alarm signals being output since patients are unable to interfere with the load cell.

The door or door frame may be provided with a means for accessing the load cell for repair, replacement or maintenance. Preferably, said means for accessing the load cell does not allow access from an inside surface of the door. Preferably, said means for accessing the load cell requires a tool in order for access to be gained.

The load cell may comprise any type of transducer which Is operable to convert a force Into an electrical signal as Is desired or required The load cell may comprise any combination of: strain gauge load cells; hydraulic or hydrostatic load cells; piezoelectric load cells; vibrating wire load cells; and/or capacitive load cells. The load cell and/or the processing means may be calibrated so that the load that is monitored does not include the weight of the door panel. Preferably, the load cell and/or processing means allow for subsequent calibration. Advantageously, this allows the door panel or door frame to function in substantially the same fashion before and after the weight of the door panel is altered. The signal indicative of the load on the door panel that is output by the load cell may be sent to the processing means via a wireless or physical link as desired or required. For embodiments wherein the load cell is disposed within the body of the door panel and the processing means is disposed outside the body of the door, said signal may be sent via one or more physical paths which may pass though one or more hinges. The processing means may be disposed In the door panel. Alternatively, the processing means may be remote from the door panel. The processing means may be shared by two or more door frames according to the present invention. The one or more predefined criteria may be unique to each door frame. Therefore, for such embodiments, each door frame may be associated with a unique identification code and the signal output by the load cell for each such door or door frame may comprise said unique identification code. Alternatively, the processing means may be provided with some other means of identifying which door or door frame each signal belongs to so that is may apply the appropriate predefined criteria for that door.

The one or more predefined criteria may require that the load exceeds a predefined upper threshold level for a predefined time period. For example, the alarm signal may be output if the monitored load exceeds, say, 40 kilograms for a period of, say, 15 seconds. The predefined upper threshold level and predefined time period are preferably chosen so that the instances of false alarms occurring from external impacts to the door panel, such as K being slammed, are rare. The predefined upper threshold level may be set to a percentage of the weight of a patient contained within a bedroom accessed by the door. For example, the predeteflned upper threshold level may be set to, say, 60% of the weight of a patient.

The one or more predefined criteria may require that the load is below a predefined lower threshold level for a second predefined time period. For example, the alarm signal may be output if the monitored load is below, say, -5 kilograms for a period of, say, 15 seconds. This may allow for an alarm signal to be generated in the event that any of the weight of the door has been removed, for example, by forcing something under a lower edge of the door.

The processing means may be programmable. This may allow a user to alter the one or more predefined criteria as desired or required. Advantageously, this allows one to adjust the criteria to suit given circumstances. For example, the predefined upper threshold level may be altered to suit the weight of a person whose bedroom is accessed via the door. The processing means may comprise a memory. The one or more predefined criteria may be stored in said memory. The memory may comprise non-volatile memory. The alarm signal may be sent to one or more output devices. Said one or more output devices may be located remote from the door. For embodiments wherein the door Is located in an institution such as a psychiatric hospital or a high security prison, the one or more output devices may be located in a suitable control area such as a nurse station or similar. The alarm signal may be sent from the processing means to the one or more output devices via a wireless or physical link as desired or required.

One or more output devices may be shared by two or more doors or door assemblies according to the present Invention. For such embodiments, each door or door assembly may be associated with a unique i dentin cation code and the alarm signal output by the processing means for each such door or door assembly may comprise said unique Identification code. Alternatively, the one or more output devices may be provided with some other means of Identifying which door or door assembly each alarm signal belongs to.

The output devices may be operable to output audio and/or visual signals in response to the alarm signals. The output devices may comprise any combination of. one or more alarm bells; one or more illumination means; and/or one or more control panels. Said control panels may be operable to output an signal indicative of a room that is accessed by the door. For example, the control panel may comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), each one corresponding to a different room, and the control panel may be operable to illuminate each LED when its door produces an alarm signal. Additionally or alternatively, the control panel may comprise a programmable display screen, such as a LCD or LED display screen, which is operable to display a visual indication of which room Is accessed by the door or door assembly that has triggered an alarm signal.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of door assembly according to the present Invention;

Fig. 2 is a section of the door assembly shown In Fig. 1 along A-A; Fig. 3 is a section of the door assembly shown in Fig. 1 along C-C;

Fig.4 is a section of the door assembly shown In Fig. 1 along B-B;

Figs. 5a & 5b are enlarged views of a portion of Fig. 2, showing the jamb member in the open (a) and closed (b) positions; Figs.6a-6d are various views of a door assembly according to the present invention;

and

Figs. 7-10 are enlarged views of a portions of the door assembly shown In Figs. 6a- 6d.

Referring to Figs. 1-4, a door assembly 100 according to the present invention is shown. The door assembly 100 comprises a door frame 200 and a door panel 300 pivotalry mounted therein via an anti-finger trap hinge 400.

The door assembly 100 may serve a room, such as a bedroom or a cell. The door 300 comprises an inner surface 310 facing into said room and an outer surface 320 facing out of said room. The door 300 may form a point of entry to the room of a person who may attempt to setf- harm themselves. For example, the room 300 may be disposed in an institution such as a psychiatric hospital or a high security prison.

Hinge 400 allows the door 300 to open Into or out of the room.

As can be seen in Figs. 3 & 4, the door 300 and frame 200 have complimentary latch members, 330 and 230 respectively, which are arranged for mutual engagement Referring to Figs. 2, 5a & 5b, the frame 200 comprises a jamb member 210 which is mounted to the frame 200 for movement between at least a closed position (see Fig. 5b) and an open position (see Figs. 2 & 5a). When the jamb member 210 Is disposed in the closed position, K acts as a stop and can prevent the door 300 from opening outwards. When the jamb member 210 is disposed in the open position the door panel 300 can open in both directions. The jamb member 210 fs mounted to the frame 200 by way of a face member 220 which fs pivotally connected to the frame 200 at pivot point 221. Face member 220 Is arranged so that when the Jamb member 210 is in the closed position, the face member 220 extends along an architrave surface 201 of the frame 200. The jamb member 210 and the face member 220 form a collapsible door Jamb. The jamb member 210 is substantially perpendicular to the face member 220 and therefore the collapsible door jamb is generally L shaped.

When the jamb member 210 is in the closed position, the face member 220 extends along the entire architrave surface 201 of the frame 200. With such an arrangement, the face member 220 forms part of the architrave of the door frame 200. Advantageously, this conceals the fact that the door 300 comprises a collapsible door jamb.

The door frame 200 further comprises a releasable locking means which is operable to hold the Jamb member 210 In the closed position. If a patient will not allow the door 300 to be opened Inwards, a member of staff can release the locking means. As will be now be described in further detail.

The releasable locking means comprises two electromagnetic locks. Each electromagnetic lock comprises a first magnetic lock portion 500a disposed on the side casing 202 of the door frame 200 and a second magnetic lock portion 500b on the surface disposed on a surface 21 1 of the jamb member 210. The releasable locking means further comprises one or more fastening members which are operable, when the lock Is engaged, to extend between the side casing 202 of the doorframe 200 and the surface 211 of the jamb member 210. Said fastening members are driven between engaged and disengaged positions by way of one or more solenoids.

The locking mechanism is provided with a user controllable actuation means 510 disposed on the wal adjacent to the door assembly 100. The actuation means 510 is electrical and is controlled using a swipe card. When In the closed position, the surface 211 of the jamb member 210 is disposed adjacent to a side casing 202 of the door frame 200 and the collapsible door jamb extends round the comer 203 formed between the side casing 202 and the architrave surface 201 of the door frame 200. This is in contrast to known collapsible door Jambs wherein no face member is provided and the pivot point is generally disposed at the comer 203. There are a number of advantages to me arrangement according to the present invention.

With the arrangement 100 provided by the present Invention, when the door panel 300 is under pressure, because the face member 220 extends along the architrave surface 201 of the frame 200, the force exerted on the jamb section 210 by the door panel 300 acts at the finite distance x from the pivot point 221. Therefore, when the locking means is released, this pressure will provide a torque which will tend to drive the collapsible door jamb Into the open position relatively easily.

Furthermore, with the present invention, as can be seen with reference to Figs. 5a & 5b, the collapsible door jamb only needs to rotate through an angle of around 90 degrees in order for the jamb member 210 to reach a position wherein it does not significantly restrict movement of the door panel 300.

The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A door frame In which a door panel may be pivotally mounted, the frame comprising a jamb member which is mounted to the frame for movement between at least a closed position in which it acts as a stop and can prevent a door panel pivotally mounted in the frame from opening in both directions and an open position in which such a door panel can open in both directions, wherein the jamb member Is mounted to the frame by way of a face member which is pivotal y connected to the frame and arranged so that, when the jamb member Is In the closed position, the face member extends at least partially along an architrave surface of the frame.

2. A door frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein the jamb member and the face member form a collapsible door jamb.

3. A door frame as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the jamb member is substantially perpendicular to the face member.

4. A door frame as claimed in any preceding claim wherein when in the closed position the jamb member is disposed adjacent to a side casing of the door frame.

5. A door frame as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the jamb member is in the closed position, the face member extends along the entire architrave surface of the frame.

6. A door frame as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a re leasable locking means which is operable to hold the jamb member in the closed position.

7. A door frame as claimed In claim 6 wherein the releasable locking means comprises one or more electromagnetic locks.

8. A door frame as claimed In claim 7 wherein each electromagnetic lock comprises an electromagnet disposed on a side casing of the door frame and an armature plate disposed on the jamb member, or vice versa.

9. A door frame as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the releasable locking means comprises one or more fastening members.

10. A door frame as claimed In claim 9 wherein said one or more fastening members are operable to move between: a first position wherein the fastening means is disposed In the jamb section and/or a side casing of the door frame; and a second position wherein the fastening means extends from the jamb section into the side casing of the door frame or vice versa.

11. A door frame as claimed In claim 9 or claim 10 wherein each fastening member is provided with a drive means operable to drive ft between the first and second positions. 2. A door frame as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein the drive means for each fastening member comprises one or more solenoids.

13. A door frame as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein the fastening members are provided with a user controllable actuation means.

14. A doorframe as claimed in claim 13 wherein the actuation means Is electrical.

15. A door frame as claimed in claim 13 or clalm14 wherein the actuation means does not require a tool.

16. A door frame as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the actuation means comprises a swipe card, key fob or key pad.

17. A door assembly comprising a doorframe as claimed in any preceding claim and a door panel pivotally mounted therein.

18. A door assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein the door comprises a window.

19. A door assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein the window is provided with a means for at least partially obscuring the window.

20. A door assembly as claimed In claim 19 wherein the window comprises a switchabie glass which can be switched between at least a first state wherein It is substantially transparent and a second state wherein rt is opaque.

21. A door assembly as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the means for at least partially obscuring the window comprises a timer.

22. A door assembly as claimed In any one of claims 17 to 21 further comprising an anti- ligature alarm system. A door assembly as claimed In claim 22 further comprising a ioad ceil which is operable to monitor a load on the door and output a signal Indicative thereof, wherein at least part of the door is supported by the load cell.

A door frame or door assembly substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.