Patent Application
20180044970
The present application claims priority to GB Application No. 1613966.9, filed 15 Aug. 2016. The above-referenced application is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to door sets for use in healthcare applications. In particular, it relates to a door frame where an anti-barricade function is required, for example in a psychiatric ward.
To ensure the safety of both patients and staff in healthcare environments, for example psychiatric wards, doorways need to provide a number of different functions. For example, a door set, which is comprised of a door leaf and a frame, should be able to resist lateral loads from patients trying to force their way in or out of the door. The doors should also allow two-way opening in the instance that opening in one direction is prevented by a patient barricading themselves in. The doors should have a single leaf in order to provide as simple a structure as possible. The door should also have anti-ligature functionality to reduce, or prevent entirely, the possibility of a patient causing themselves harm by using part of the door set. Each of these criteria should be met whilst also providing a door set that is capable of installation in a number of differently configured door spaces.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure there is provided a door frame assembly, comprising a first frame member comprising a first door frame casing for one side of a doorway and jambs projecting therefrom, a second frame member comprising a second door frame casing for another side of the doorway and jambs projecting therefrom, wherein the two frame members are arranged to fit together in a plurality of overlapping positions to form the door frame assembly such that the jambs of the first frame member overlap the jambs of the second frame member by different respective amounts in each of the plurality of overlapping positions to allow the door frame assembly to be applied to walls of different thicknesses.
Optionally, the jambs projecting from the first door frame casing comprise a first jamb element, a second jamb element and a first head jamb element between the first jamb element and the second jamb element, the jambs projecting from the second door frame casing comprise one or more third jamb elements, one or more fourth jamb elements and one or more second head jamb elements between the one or more third jamb elements and the one or more fourth jamb elements, and in each of the plurality of overlapping positions, at least a portion of the first jamb element overlaps at least a portion of the one or more third jamb elements, at least a portion of the second jamb element overlaps at least a portion of the one or more fourth jamb elements and/or at least a portion of the first head jamb element overlaps at least a portion of the one or more second head jamb elements.
Optionally, the first jamb element is substantially parallel to the second jamb element, and the one or more third jamb elements are substantially parallel to the one or more fourth jamb elements. Optionally, the first head jamb element is substantially perpendicular to the first jamb element and the second jamb element, and the one or more second head jamb elements are substantially perpendicular to the at least one third jamb element and the at least one fourth jamb element.
Optionally, the first head jamb element connects the first jamb element and the second jamb element at respective first ends of the first jamb element and the second jamb element, and at least one of the one or more second head jamb elements connects at least one of the one or more third jamb elements and at least one of the one or more fourth jamb elements at respective first ends of the one third jamb element and the one fourth jamb element.
Optionally, the first door frame casing is substantially perpendicular to the first jamb element, the second jamb element and the first head jamb element, and the second door frame casing is substantially perpendicular to the one or more third jamb elements, the one or more fourth jamb elements and the one or more second head jamb elements.
Optionally, the one or more third jamb elements comprise a first inner jamb element and a first outer jamb element substantially parallel to the first inner jamb element, the one or more fourth jamb elements comprise a second inner jamb element and a second outer jamb element substantially parallel to the second inner jamb element, the one or more second head jamb elements comprise an inner head jamb element between the first inner jamb element and the second inner jamb element, and an outer head jamb element substantially parallel to the inner head jamb element and between the first outer jamb element and the second outer jamb element, and in each of the plurality of overlapping positions, the first jamb element fits between the first inner jamb element and the first outer jamb element, the second jamb element fits between the second inner jamb element and the second outer jamb element and/or the first head jamb element fits between the inner head jamb element and the outer head jamb element.
Optionally, the inner head jamb element connects the first inner jamb element to the second inner jamb element at corresponding first ends of the first inner jamb element and the second inner jamb element. Optionally, a first space is provided between a first end of the first outer jamb element and a corresponding first end of the outer head jamb element, and a second space is provided between a first end of the second outer jamb element and a corresponding second end of the outer head jamb element.
Optionally, at least one of the first inner jamb element, the second inner jamb element and the inner head jamb element comprises a plurality of through holes for the insertion of fastening means. Optionally, at least one of the first inner jamb element, the second inner jamb element and the inner head jamb element is substantially planar and comprises a channel in which the through holes are formed. Optionally, when the first inner jamb element comprises a channel, the channel is configured to receive a locating ridge of a hinge, the locating ridge configured to resist lateral loading applied to the hinge when installed in the channel. Optionally, the through holes are formed substantially in a line parallel to an edge of the first inner jamb element, the second inner jamb element and/or the inner head jamb element opposite the second door frame casing. Optionally, the line is closer to the edge than to the second door frame casing. Optionally, the first outer jamb element, the second outer jamb element and/or the outer head jamb element each comprise a plurality of through slots configured to correspond to the plurality of through holes. Optionally, the first jamb element, the second jamb element and/or the first head jamb element each comprise a plurality of through slots configured to correspond to the plurality of through holes when the first frame member is assembled with the second frame member to form the door frame.
Optionally, the first inner jamb element, the second inner jamb element and the inner head jamb element each comprise a lip portion along an edge opposite the second door frame casing to form an architrave. Optionally, the first inner jamb element, the second inner jamb element and the inner head jamb element each comprise a first stepped portion at an edge proximal the second door frame casing. Optionally, the first outer jamb element, the second outer jamb element and the outer head jamb element each comprise a second stepped portion at an edge proximal the second door frame casing.
A dimension of each of the plurality of through slots parallel to an edge of the first inner jamb element, the second inner jamb element or the inner header element opposite the second door frame casing may be larger than the diameter of the through holes.
A dimension of each of the plurality of through slots perpendicular to an edge of the first inner jamb element, the second inner jamb element or the inner header element opposite the second door frame casing may be larger than the diameter of the through holes.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure there is provided a door set comprising a door leaf, a hinge member and the door frame assembly.
Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure shall now be described with reference to the drawings in which:
Throughout the description and the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts.
The present disclosure relates to a door frame assembly assembled from two members, each of which provides one side of the assembled door frame. The two members are inserted into an opening in a wall from opposite sides of the wall. The two members slot together and are fastened to each other to hold them in place. The assembled door frame allows the installation of a two-way swing hinge that holds a door leaf that can open both ways with respect to the door opening.
The second frame member 302 also comprises a second hinge jamb element 310, a second lock jamb element 312 and a second header element 314. The second hinge jamb element 310 and the second lock jamb element 312 are attached to the first hinge jamb element 304 and first lock jamb element 306 respectively. The second hinge jamb element 310 and the second lock jamb element 312 each have a principal plane and an offset section for connection to the first hinge jamb element 304 and first lock jamb element 306. The principal planes of the second hinge jamb element 310 and the second lock jamb element 312 are arranged parallel to and outside the first hinge jamb element 304 and first lock jamb element 306 respectively with respect to the door opening. The second header element 314 is attached to the first header element 308. The second header element 314 also has a principal plane and an offset section for connection to the first header element 308. The principal plane of the second header element is arranged parallel to and above the first header element 308 with respect to the door opening.
The spacing between the principal planes of the second hinge jamb element 310 and the second lock jamb element 312 of the second frame member 302 is slightly larger than the corresponding spacing on the first frame member 202. Similarly, the height of the principal plane of the second header element 314 of the second frame member 302 from the ground is slightly larger than the height of the header element 208 of the first frame member 202. In this way, gaps are provided between the jamb elements and header elements of the second frame member 302 into which the jamb elements and header element of the first frame member 202 fit when the first frame member 202 and the second frame member 302 are assembled together. The fit is a clearance fit such that a space is provided between corresponding elements of the first frame member 202 and the second frame member 302 as the first frame member 202 and the second frame member 302 are placed together. Alternatively, the fit may be a sliding fit, such that there is contact between corresponding elements of the first frame member 202 and the second frame member 302 as the first frame member 202 and the second frame member 302 are placed together. The correspondence between the jamb elements and header element of the first frame member 202 and the gaps provided by the second frame member 302 help to locate the two frame members together and maintain them in relative position. The second hinge jamb element 310, the second lock jamb element 312 and the second header 314 of the second frame element 302 are not directly connected to each other.
The composite parts of the first frame member 202 (the jamb elements 204, 206, header element 208 and casing 210) are formed separately and welded together. Similarly, the composite parts of the second frame member 302 (the jamb elements 304, 306, 310, 312, header elements 308, 314 and casing 316) are formed separately and welded together. Alternatively, the parts may be joined by adhesive or any suitable attachment means. Alternatively, the first frame member 202 and the second frame member 302 may each be integrally formed. In this embodiment, the first frame member 202 and the second frame member 302 are made of steel. Other materials which can be formed into the desired shapes which are also strong and rigid are also envisaged.
The first header element 308 has a principal plane defined by a first web portion 504 and a second web portion 510. The first header element 308 also has a stepped portion 502 and channel 506, which extend from the principal plane of the first header element 308 away from the door opening. This is shown by the offset of the stepped portion 502 and the channel 506 from the first web portion 504 and the second web portion 510. The stepped portion 502 is formed at an edge of the first header element 308 that connects to the casing 316. This is to allow the fixing of an anti-barricade doorstop to the door frame assembly 200. The channel 506 is square or rectangular in cross-section. Other cross-sections which allow insertion of fastening elements without interference with the principal plane are also envisaged. The first header element 308 also has a lip portion 512 attached to the second web portion 510, which is discussed in more detail in relation to
The channel 506 has a plurality of through holes 508 formed in the channel face parallel to the principal plane of the first header element 308. The through holes allow the insertion of fastening means, for example, screws and/or bolts. These are used to fasten the first frame member 202 to the second frame member 302 when the frame assembly 200 is assembled.
The jamb elements 204, 206 and header element 208 of the first frame member 202 do not have any through holes, and fastening elements 904 penetrate the elements of the first frame member 202 during assembly. This provides flexibility to the thickness of the wall in which the frame is to be assembled, as there is no requirement for specific alignment of the through holes 508 and through slots 706 of the second frame member with any corresponding holes or slots in the first frame member 202.
The assembly can be seen in
As discussed above, the cross-sectional profile of the first hinge jamb element 304, first header element 308 and first lock jamb element 306 of the second frame member 302 allows a leaf 102 and hinge 906 to be attached to the frame assembly 200 without interference from the fastening elements used to hold the first frame member 202 and the second frame member 302 together. This profile also allows the insertion of a hinge 906 with a ridge element 902 that acts against lateral loading of the door set 900 when it is fully assembled. The ridge element 902 is received in the channel 506 of the first hinge jamb element 304. When a lateral load is applied to the door leaf 102, the ridge element 902 engages with the lateral surfaces of the channel 506 and acts against the lateral load. This helps to prevent a patient forcing their way through the door by removing the door leaf 102 from the frame assembly 200 by lateral force. The hinge 906 may be a hinge as described in UK Patent No. 2516093.
During assembly, the first frame member 202 is inserted into a door opening in a wall from one sides of the wall. The second frame member 302 is inserted into the door opening from the opposite side of the wall to the first frame member 202. The jamb elements 202 and 204 of the first frame member 202 slot into the gaps between the jamb elements 304, 306, 310 and 312 of the second frame member 302. The header element 208 of the first frame member 202 slots into the gap between the header elements 308 and 314 of the second frame member 302. This allows the two frame members 202 and 302 to be located together. The degree to which the elements of the first frame member 202 overlap those of the second frame member 302 when slot into the gaps in the second frame member 302 is adjustable based on the thickness of the wall. Once in position, fastening elements in the form of nuts and bolts 904 are inserted through the through holes 508 and through slots 706 of the second frame member 302 and through the jamb elements of the first frame member 202 to hold the two frame members together. The two-way swing hinge 906 that holds the door leaf 102 is installed on the assembled door frame assembly 200 to provide the completed door set 900. The two-way swing hinge 906 allows the door to open both ways with respect to the door opening.
In an alternative configuration, the first frame member 202 also may have through slots in its jamb elements 204 and 206 and its header element 208 which correspond to the through holes 508 and through slots 706 in the corresponding elements of the second frame member 302. In this way, when the first frame member 202 and second frame member 302 are assembled such that the jamb and header elements 204, 206 and 208 of the first frame member 202 slot into the gaps between the jamb elements 304, 306, 310 and 312 and the header elements 308 and 314 of the second frame member 302, as previously described, the through holes 508 and through slots 706 of the second frame member 302 are aligned with the through holes in the first frame member 202 such that the two frame members can be fastened together.
The door frame assembly 200 and door set 900 disclosed above provide a simple assembly for framing a door opening. The relative positioning of the jamb and header elements of the two frame members 202 and 302 helps to locate the two frame members 202 and 302 together and maintain them in relative position. The two frame members 202 and 302 can be slotted together at varying degrees of overlap in order to take account of the thickness of the wall in which the frame assembly 200 is being installed. The profile of the jamb elements means that the fastening elements can be inserted whilst leaving space for a hinge to be attached to the frame without interference from the fastening elements. This profile also allows the insertion of a hinge with a ridge element that acts against lateral loading of the door set 900 when it is fully assembled. This can prevent patients in a psychiatric ward in which the door set 900 is implemented from trying to force their way in or out of the doorway. Such a hinge may be a two-way swing hinge that holds a door leaf that can open both ways with respect to the door opening. Such a hinge can have a single leaf that opens both ways in order to provide as simple a structure as possible. The two-way opening action of the door also prevents by a patient barricading themselves on one side of the door. Such a hinge may also have anti-ligature functionality to reduce, or prevent entirely, the possibility of a patient causing themselves harm by using part of the door set 900.
Various modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1613966.9 | Aug 2016 | GB | national |
