AU759436B2 - Swing door assembly - Google Patents

Description

SWING DOOR ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a swing door assembly.

This invention relates particularly to a pet swing door assembly. The invention also extends to a door for providing people access to a dwelling including said pet swing door assembly.

It relates particularly but not exclusively to a pet swing door mounted in a security screen door, eg having an insect screen and a security grill and it will be therefore convenient to hereinafter describe it with reference to this example application. It is to be clearly understood however that the invention is capable of broader application. For example it may be fitted to a stationary wall in a house, as distinct from an access door.

Pet swing doors which permit pets to enter and exit a house are known.

Typically they comprise a flap received within a complementary perimeter frame which is suspended from a hinge extending along a top edge of the perimeter frame. Typically the flap is biased to a closed vertically extending position by gravity and can be pushed upwardly to open the opening, eg by a pet wishing to pass through the opening. This way the swing door permits pets to enter and exit a house without calling on a human being to open and close a human access door. They therefore have considerable utility both for the owners of pets and for the pets themselves.

One shortcoming or difficulty associated with existing doors is that they are difficult to install and are not designed for easy user friendly installation on typical doors one finds in a house, eg security doors. For example, existing pet swing doors are not suitable for use with typical security grill doors. The reality is, it is difficult to fit the pet swing doors to the screen door in a manner which 2 retains a neat aesthetic appearance which does not compromise security and which is functional. Often the pet swing doors when fitted project forwardly outwardly proud of the door. This is unsightly and also precludes the use of the pet swing doors on sliding doors.

It would therefore be advantageous if a pet swing door assembly could be devised which could be fitted to existing security grill doors quickly and efficiently.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a swing door assembly for mounting in an opening cut in a security screen door, including: a perimeter frame defining an opening for a closure member, the frame including a pair of frame portions releasably attached to each other each of which defines a major surface of the frame and also a perimeter flange, wherein the flanges of the two frame portions are spaced apart from each other to define a recess extending substantially fully around the perimeter of the frame within which edges of the security screen door defining said opening are received whereby to mount the frame to the door; an elongate resilient and flexible bead that is received within the recess of the perimeter frame and defines a channel along the length thereof within which said edges of the security screen door are received with the bead sandwiched between the frame portions and the edges of the door; a complementary closure member received within said opening movable between open and closed positions, having means for pivotally mounting said 25 closure member to said frame.

Advantageously the bead is a flexible and resilient rubber channel.

In one particularly preferred form said mounting means comprises a pair of 30 projections extending laterally outwardly of opposite sides of the closure member and complementary openings defined within the perimeter frame within which said projections are pivotally received.

99 The swing door assembly may also include a further channel extending circumferentially around the opening defined on and facing outwardly away from a major face of said perimeter frame, said further channel being for receiving, eg flexible insect barrier mesh from a surrounding security screen door, to which the swing door assembly is mounted.

Typically the assembly also includes attachment means for anchoring the mesh, eg the peripheral edge of the mesh, in said further channel comprising a flexible strip, eg of rubber, which is pushed into said further channel to sandwich said mesh in said channel.

Typically the closure has a handle formation on a major surface thereof.

Preferably the frame portions have complementary locating formations thereon for aligning the frame portions, with each other when in face to face abutment so as to facilitate the attachment of the two frame portions to each other.

Typically each of the frame portions has a plurality of openings and/or passages formed therein, and fastening elements passing through said passages and/or openings for releasably attaching the frame portions to each other.

Advantageously the assembly includes a latch for latching the closure in a downwardly extending or closed position. The latch may comprise magnets in each of the closure and perimeter frame for releasably latching the closure in the closed position yet still permitting it to be pushed open by an animal.

The closure and each of the perimeter frame portions may be integrally moulded of plastics material.

In a preferred form the closure is substantially rectangular with two round corners and a perimeter rib for strengthening the closure.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a door, including: a door frame defining a door opening; a door body pivotally mounted to the door frame and being moveable between open and closed positions; a swing door assembly as described above with reference to the first *e aspect of the invention located in a complementary opening in the door body and mounted thereto to permit the passage of pets through the opening in the swing door assembly without opening and closing said door for human passage.

The. swing door assembly may include any one or more of the optional features described above with reference to the first aspect of the invention.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the door is a security door having a :'"'security screen and also an insect mesh.

Thus the pet swing door assembly may in turn be mounted to a people access door, eg a security screen door, eg in a bottom corner of the door.

A pet swing door assembly in accordance with the invention may manifest itself in a variety of forms. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe in detail two preferred embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The purpose of this specific description is to instruct persons having an interest in the subject matter of the invention how to carry the invention into practical effect. It is to be clearly understood however that the specific nature of this description does not supersede the generality of the preceding broad description. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a rear view of a swing door assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a front view of the swing door assembly of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional view through front and rear frame portions of the perimeter frame of the assembly of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing engagement of the inner and outer frame portions along one edge; FIG. 5 is a front view of the closure member of the assembly of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a sectional view through an edge portion of the closure member of FIG. FIG. 7 is an exploded three dimensional view of a swing door assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; *-FIG. 8 is a front view of a typical security door to which the swing door assembly of FIG. 1 and FIG. 7 can be fitted; and •V FIG. 9 is a front view of the swing door assembly of FIG. 1 fitted to the door of FIG. 8.

S. In FIGS. 1 to 3 reference numeral 1 refers generally to a swing door assembly in accordance with the invention.

The assembly 1 comprises broadly a perimeter frame 2 defining a door opening, the frame 2 having a pair of outwardly facing peripheral flanges 4 and around the periphery thereof defining a recess therebetween, and a complementary closure 7 mounted to the frame and received within the opening. The closure 7 is pivotal between a downwardly extending closed position in which it closes off the opening and an upwardly pivoted open position which permits the passage of a pet therethrough.

Turning now specifically to the frame, the frame 2 has a flattened rectangular configuration having two major surfaces 8 and 9. Structurally the frame comprises inner and outer frame portions 11 and 12 each of which forms a major surface of the frame. The frame portions 11, 12 are releasably attached together, eg by self tapping screws 13. Each of the screws 13 passes through an opening in the inner frame portion 11 and into a screw block formed integrally with the outer frame portion 12. The screws fasten and anchor in the screw block.

In the FIG. 1 embodiment there are six said screws 13. However it will be readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art that there could be a lesser number of screws, eg four screws.

An outwardly facing retaining groove 15 is defined in the major surface of the inner frame portion 11. The groove 15 is formed by an inwardly directed channel member 16 recessed below the rest of the frame portion 11 which forms a complementary protrusion 17 projecting outwardly away from the other major face of the portion 11. The channel member 16 extends fully around the closure opening 18. When frame portions 11 and 12 are fixed together the protrusion 17 abuts and bears against the inner face of the outer frame portion 12. Thus in addition to facilitating the structural feature of the groove 15, the channel member 16 and corresponding protrusion 17 on the inner face of the portion 11 also perform a structural and locating function. The channel member 16 locates within a well defined by a perimeter ridge 20 formed on the inner face of the outer frame portion 12.

Each of the frame portions 11 and 12 is provided with inwardly directed web portions respectively 24 and 25 which overlap each other at 26 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

In addition the web portions 24 and 25 have semicircular cutouts 28 defined therein adjacent the upper ends thereof which clamp together to form the complementary openings within which spigot-like projections on the closure are received as described below.

The spaced peripheral flanges 4 and 5 extending around the perimeter of the frame are designed to receive the edges of a security screen or grill forming part of a security screen door within which the swing door assembly is mounted.

Typically the security screen or grill is formed from expanded metal, eg a lattice like structure which has an overall thickness of about 7 mm.

The closure member 3 has a central web portion 32 which is stiffened by a collar 33 which extends around the periphery of the web portion. The closure 7 is mounted to the frame 2 by means of a pair of laterally outwardly projecting spigot formations 9 and 10 received within complementary apertures defined in So:" the frame 2 formed by the cut-out 28. The lower portion of the closure 7 and the mating portion of the webs 24 and 25 are provided with pockets respectively S34 and 35 for receiving the complementary magnetic members of a magnetic S"latch which hold the closure member in its downwardly extending closed position when it is not being subjected to an external dominating force. The closure member 3 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

In use, the swing door assembly 1 can be readily fitted to a security screen door of the type formed of expanded metal screen received within a perimeter frame 8 having an inwardly facing channel. This fitting of a door assembly to a security screen door will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. The door comprises an expanded metal screen 41 received within an inwardly facing channel of a perimeter frame 42. A mesh forming an insect barrier 43 is mounted over the screen 41.

Firstly the swing door assembly 1 is placed against the lower right hand corner of the security screen door 40. Thereafter the expanded metal screen 41 and mesh 43 of the security door 40 can be marked with a cutting line. The expanded metal screen 41 is then cut along this line to provide an aperture therein of the appropriate size, eg of the dimensions shown in FIG. 8.

The swing door assembly 1 with closure 3 mounted thereto is then fitted by inserting the channel member 16 on member 11 through the formed aperture in the expanded security screen. The frame portion 12 is arranged in front of the screen 41 and the frame portion 11 is positioned on the other or rear side of the screen 41. The frame portions 11 and 12 are then placed in face to face contact with each other such that the protrusion 17 on the frame portion 11 is received within the recess bounded by the rib 20 of the other portion 12. In that position the screw blocks and screw openings of the complementary frame portions 11 and 12 align so that the parts may be fastened together with fastening elements, eg self tapping screws. Fastening of the two portions 11 and 12 together acts to retainingly mount the closure 3 to the frame 2 and the frame 2 to the surrounding door.

S.o The door frame 42 is sandwiched between the flanges 4 and 5 along two sides, o and the cut edges of the expanded metal screen 41 are sandwiched between the flanges 4 and 5 along the other two sides thereof. The spacing of the peripheral flanges 4, 5 extending around the frame 2 is determined by the depth of the channel member 16. Optionally the spacing may be sized so as to provide a clamping effect between the peripheral flanges and the faces of the 9 most commonly utilised expanded screen material which is typically 7 mm wide and/or the door frame 42.

Excess insect screen mesh is then cut away from the opening 18 and the free edges are located in the recess 15 and locked therein using an appropriate rubber retaining strip or bead. Ideally the strip is that removed from the cutaway portion of the mesh.

While in this embodiment there is no intervening material or recess sandwiched between the flanges of the frame and the insect screen, this is an option which is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 illustrates a swing door assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. As this embodiment is structurally and functionally very similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1 the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components unless otherwise illustrated.

One of the major differences between the FIG. 7 and the FIG. 1 embodiment lies in the provision of a flexible longitudinal beading or rubber channel 50 which is received within the recess defined between the flanges 4 and 5. The edge of the grill or security screen 41 is then received within the recess or channel ".0 within the beading. Thus the beading holds the grill snugly and tightly within the frame recess. This rubber channel tightens up the receipt of the edges of the expanded metal screen 41 which is naturally thinner than the frame 42 received between the flanges along the other two sides. The rubber channel is not placed within the sides of the recess which receives the frame 42.

*.o Another difference is that each of the components is integrally moulded of plastic. This provides a neat aesthetic and convenient product which can easily be mass produced and which is attractive to purchasers. The other differences illustrated in the drawings are more of a design nature.

An advantage of the swing door assembly described with reference to the drawings is that it may be readily secured to a screen security door in a simple and efficient manner. The magnets supported in the pockets 34 and 35 ensure that the flap or cover is maintained in a closed position when not forced open to permit the passage of a pet therethrough. The maintenance of a central position of the closure 7 also ensures that it will be maintained within the boundaries of the perimeter frame so as not to interfere with adjacent sliding members such as windows or doors across which the screen itself may slide.

In this respect it should be noted that the swing door assembly protrudes beyond the thickness of the frame 42 of the door only by the thickness of the flanges on each of the frame portions. It should also be noted that the continuity of the insect screening mesh is retained.

It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as is herein set forth.

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Claims (16)

1. A swing door assembly for mounting in an opening cut in a security screen door, including: a perimeter frame defining an opening for a closure member, the frame including a pair of frame portions releasably attached to each other each of which defines a major surface of the frame and also a perimeter flange, wherein the flanges of the two frame portions are spaced apart from each other to define a recess extending substantially fully around the perimeter of the frame within which edges of the security screen door defining said opening are received whereby to mount the frame to the door; an elongate resilient and flexible bead that is received within the recess of the perimeter frame and defines a channel along the length thereof within which said edges of the security screen door are received with the bead sandwiched between the frame portions and the edges of the door; a complementary closure member received within said opening movable between open and closed positions, having means for pivotally mounting said closure member to said frame.

2. A swing door assembly according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises a pair of projections extending laterally outwardly of opposite sides of the closure member and complementary openings defined within the perimeter frame within which said projections are pivotally received. :25

3. A swing door assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, including a further channel extending circumferentially around the opening defined on and facing outwardly away from a major face of said perimeter frame, said further channel being for receiving flexible insect barrier mesh from a surrounding support to which the swing door assembly is mounted.

4. A swing door assembly according to claim 3, further including attachment eans for anchoring the mesh in the groove comprising a flexible resilient strip A *4o 12 which is pushed into said further channel to sandwich said mesh in said channel.

A swing door assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the closure has a handle formation on a major surface thereof.

6. A swing door assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the frame portions have complementary locating formations thereon for aligning the frame portions with each other when in face to face abutment so as to facilitate the attachment of the two frame portions to each other.

7. A swing door assembly according to claim 6, wherein each of the frame portions has a plurality of openings and/or passages formed therein, and fastening elements passing through said passages and/or openings for releasably attaching the frame portions to each other.

8. A swing door assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, including a latch for latching the closure in a downwardly extending or closed position.

9. A swing door assembly according to claim 8, wherein the latch comprises magnets in each of the closure and perimeter frame for releasably latching the oo closure in the closed position yet still permitting it to be pushed open by an animal. 25

10. A swing door assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein 0 0* the closure and each of the perimeter frame portions is integrally moulded of plastics material.

11. A swing door assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein 30 the closure is substantially rectangular with two round corners and a perimeter rib for strengthening the closure. S. -2 13

12. A door for permitting the passage of persons therethrough, including: a door frame defining a door opening; a door body pivotally mounted to the door frame and being moveable between open and closed positions; a swing door assembly as defined in claim 1, located in a complementary opening in the door body and mounted thereto to permit the passage of pets through the opening in the swing door assembly without opening and closing said door for human passage.

13. A door according to claim 12, wherein the swing door assembly is in accordance with any one of claims 2 to 11.

14. A door according to claim 13, wherein the door is a security door having a security screen and also an insect mesh.

A swing door assembly substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

16. A door substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS SIXTH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2003 25 MALCOLM ROBERT CHRISTIE AND VICKI IRENE CHRISTIE .9 BY PIZZEYS PATENT AND TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS o 9 9