GB2299361A

GB2299361A - Temporary closure assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2299361A
Application number: GB9506727A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert William Longman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-03-31
Filing date: 1995-03-31
Publication date: 1996-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2015-03-31
Also published as: GB2299361B; GB9506727D0

Abstract

A temporary closure assembly 10 comprises a framework 14 removably mountable across an opening such as a doorway, with a closure member 16 mounted thereto so as to be movable between positions closing and permitting access through the opening. Brackets 20 may be provided adjacent each corner of the framework 14 which mount sprung fingers 24 engageable in a rebate (32, Fig 3) of the opening and interconnected in pairs by wires 30 to permit ready retraction thereof.

Description

TEMPORARY CLOSURE ASSEMBLY This invention concerns a temporary closure assembly, and particularly but not exclusively an assembly for temporarily closing a doorway.

During the construction of buildings it is conventional to not fit doors until a relatively late stage in order to avoid damage occuring to the doors.

However, it is often required to secure a building to prevent tresspass, theft and/or vandalism. Temporary closures are often provided by cutting a piece of wood to the required size and attaching it to the door frame, perhaps by nailing. This arrangement is generally not wholly satisfactory as the doorway cannot readily be used, the frame may be damaged, and the piece of wood may not be re-usable.

Temporary closures may also be required when a door has been broken, particularly to render a building secure following perhaps a burglary where a door has been damaged. No satisfactory arrangement has been provided to date for temporarily closing a doorway whilst permitting continued use.

According to the present invention there is provided a temporary closure assembly, the assembly comprising a framework removably mountable across an opening; and a closure member; the closure member being mounted on the framework so as to be movable between a first position closing the opening and a second position permitting access through the opening.

The closure member is preferably pivotally mounted on the framework, desirably by one or more hinges.

Means are preferably provided on the framework for retaining same across an opening. Said retaining means preferably comprises a sprung member. Desirably the member is outwardly sprung. One or more pairs of oppositely sprung members are preferably provided, with each member of a pair engagable against a respective oposite side of the opening. The or each pair of members may be connected respectively by line means, such that when the line means is pulled the members are disengaged from the sides of the opening.

The apparatus is preferably constructed such that the framework is larger than the opening, whilst the closure member is smaller thereto. Means may be provided to permit locking of the closure member in the first position.

The invention also provides a temporary closure assembly for a doorway comprising an assembly according to any of the preceding four paragraphs.

The invention still further provides a method of temporarily selectively closing an opening, the method comprising locating an assembly according to any of the preceding five paragraphs across the opening.

The assembly is preferably located such that the framework overlaps an external side of the opening.

Where a frame is provided around the opening, the or each retaining member preferably engages in a rebate of the frame.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be desribed by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a temporary closure assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a rear view of the assembly of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a diagramatic view from above of the assembly of Fig. 1 in use.

The drawings show a temporary closure assembly 10 for use in closing a doorframe 12 (Fig. 3). The assembly comprises a rectangular framework 14 of sheet material.

The framework 14 is larger than the opening defined by the frame 12. A rectangular closure member 16 is provided across a similar shaped opening in the framework 14. The member 16 is mounted on the framework 14 by two conventional hinges 18 so as to provide an openable door smaller than the opening defined by the frame 12.

Four brackets 20 are provided on the inner side in use of the framework 14. Each bracket 20 is provided adjacent a respective inner corner of the framework 14 adjacent the closure member 16. The brackets 20 comprise a pair of vertically aligned spaced plates 22 extending outwardly from the plane of the framework 14. A sprung finger 24 is provided on each of the brackets 20 extending through aligned holes in the plates 22. A helical spring 26 is provided around each finger 24 engaging between an outer face of the innermost of the plates 22 and a projection 28 on the finger 24, so as to urge the fingers 24 outwardly. Two lengths of wire 30 extend, one each respectively, between the upper two fingers 24 and the lower two fingers 24. The wires 30 are of a length to provent the inner end of the fingers 24 passing outwardly through the innermost plate 22.

In use, the assembly 10 is located across the door way defined by the frame 12 on the exterior thereof, with the plates 22 pointing inwardly. The wires 30 are pulled, thereby sliding the fingers 24 inwardly to permit the fingers 24 and hence plates 22 to extend into the doorway. The wires 30 are then released allowing the fingers 24 to move outwardly under the urging of the springs 26 so as to engage in the rebate 32 of the frame 12.

There is thus described a temporary closure assembly with a number of advantageous features. The sprung fingers 24 enable the assembly 10 to be readily positioned across a doorway and subsequently securely retained thereacross. The wires 30 linking the fingers 24 enable the assembly 10 to be readily installed and removed when required. As the wires 30 are only accessable from within a building following installation, this provides for a secure arrangement. It is to be realised that any appropriate handle and/or locking arrangement (not shown) can be provided on the assembly 10. When in position, the assembly 10 incorporating in the enclosure member 16 operates as a conventional door.

The assembly 10 is readily suited for use on a building site prior to fitting of doors. The engagement of the fingers 24 in the rebate 32 prevents damage to the frame 12. Furthermore, the assembly 10 protects the doorframe during construction. The assembly 10 can readily be removed and re-used at other locations. The assembly 10 is also very suitable for use as an emergency closure for a building, for example following damage to a door perhaps in a burglary. The assembly 10 can be fitted to a doorframe even with the existing door in position, with substantially free access being permitted to the frame rebate when the existing door is open. The assembly 10 can be fitted by anybody and does not require the assistance of a carpenter or any other skilled workman. The assembly 10 can be made of metal, wood or any other suitable material.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, different means may be used to retain the assembly 10 across a frame. Instead of sprung bolts, sliding bolts or other means could be used. It is to be realised that the invention is also usable as a temporary closure for other openings such as for example windows. If required the closure member could be removable from the framework rather than pivotal thereto.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

claims

1. A temporary closure assembly, the assembly comprising a framework removably mountable across an opening; and a closure member; the closure member being mounted on the framework so as to be movable between a first position closing the opening and a second position permitting access through the opening.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, in which the closure member is pivotally mounted.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, in which the closure member is pivotally mounted on the framework by one or more hinges.

4. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which means are provided on the framework for retaining same across an opening.

5. An assembly according to claim 4, in which the retaining means comprises a sprung member.

6. An assembly according to claim 5, in which the sprung member is outwardly sprung.

7. An assembly according to claims 5 or 6, in which one or more pairs of oppositely sprung members are provided, with each member of a pair engageable against a respective opposite side of the opening.

8. An assembly according to claim 7, in which the or each pair of members is connected respectively by line means, such that when the line means is pulled the members are disengaged from the side of the opening.

9. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus is constructed such that the framework is larger than the opening, whilst the closure member is smaller thereto.

10. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which means are provided to permit locking of the closure member in the first position.

11. A temporary closure assembly for a doorway comprising an assembly according to any of claims 1 to 10.

12. A method of temporarily selectively closing an opening, the method comprising locating an assembly according to any of claims 1 to 11 across the opening.

13. A method according to claim 12, in which the assembly is located such that the framework overlaps an external side of the opening.

14. A method according to claim 13 when dependent on at least claim 4, in which where a frame is provided around the opening, the or each retaining member engages in a rebate of the frame.

15. A temporary closure assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A method of temporarily selectively closing an opening, the method being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.