GB2238069A

GB2238069A - Draught excluders

Info

Publication number: GB2238069A
Application number: GB8922816A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henry James Paget
Original assignee: RAVENCREST Ltd
Current assignee: RAVENCREST Ltd
Priority date: 1989-10-10
Filing date: 1989-10-10
Publication date: 1991-05-22
Also published as: GB8922816D0

Abstract

A draught excluder for a door is provided comprising an elongate first member adapted for use to prevent a draft from passing under a door 20, a second member (7), and connection means (10) connecting the first and second members, the arrangement being such that in use the draught excluder is fitted to the door with the first and second members disposed to either side of the door with the connection means extending under the door so as to retain the draught excluder to the door during opening and closing movements of the door. The second members (7) may be wheels connected by single lengths of elastic material to the first member. The first member is a tube covered with a foam backed cloth. <IMAGE>

Description

DRAUGHT EXCLUDERS This invention relates to draught excluders for doors, and to doors fitted with them.

There have been many proposals for draught excluders for doors, perhaps the most well-known types being that akin to a stuffed "snake" or "sausage" which is manually placed against the foot of a door after the door has closed, and the type which is screwed to one side of the foot of the door and has a curtain of bristles or flexible sheet material in contact with the floor. The first type has the drawback that it requires manual effort to put it into its operative position. The second type can be difficult to fit to a door.

According to a first aspect of the invention a draught excluder for a door comprises an elongated first member adapted in use to prevent a draught from passing under a door, a second member, and connection means connecting the first and second members, the arrangement being such that in use the draught excluder is fitted to a door with the first and second members disposed to either side of the door with the connection means extending under the door so as to retain the draught excluder to the door during opening and closing movements of the door.

The draught excluder thus moves with the door and does not require tools to fit.

Preferably the draught excluder is releasably fitted to the door. Since nails or screws are not used the door is not marked by fitting the draught excluder, and removal of the draught excluder does not leave unsightly screw holes or other marks on the door.

The connection means is preferably resilient, and the arrangement is such that the resilience of the connection means biases the two members towards each other, and hence in use towards the door, so as to hold the first and second members against the door.

The connection means may comprise a length of elastic material and may be connected to at least one of the members at a position which in use is disposed above the height of the bottom of the door.

Preferably the first member has a padded or resilient outer surface, at least in the regions which in use abut the door and/or the floor.

The second member may comprise a wheel, and there may be more than one second member.

According to a second aspect the invention comprises a door fitted with a draught excluder in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 shows schematically a draught excluder in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 shows a detail of Figure 1; and Figure 3 and 4 show schematic side views of the draught excluder in use and at rest respectively.

The draught excluder shown in the drawings comprises an elongated first member 1 to which two wheels 2, comprising second members, are secured by respective connection means 3.

The first member comprises a cardboard tube 4 having a foam padded cloth 5 wrapped around it. The padded cloth 5 is held in place by bungs 6 (only one of which is shown) inserted into the ends of the tube 4. Other fixing means, such as glue, can be used if desired.

Each wheel 2 is similar, and has an outer circumferential cylindrical surface 7 and an inner central through-bore 8 defined by an inner cylindrical surface 9.

Each connection means 3 comprises a single length of elastic material 10 which is wrapped around the tube 4 under the cloth 5 and is in contact with the tube for substantially 360 . A slit 11 is provided in the cloth 5 at a region adjacent the wheel 2, and the elastic 10 extends out through the slit 11. Two lengths 12 and 13 of elastic leave the slit 11 and extend towards the wheel 2 (see figure 2). The lengths 12 and 13 pass to respective axially spaced sides of the wheel 2 and enter the central bore 8. The two lengths 12 and 13 are joined in the bore 8 by a knot, schematically illustrated at 14.

A knot may be provided in the elastic adjacent slit 11 to ensure that the elastic is in contact with the tube 4 in the region of the slit, or a staple could be used to the same effect. Alternatively the stiffness of the cloth 5 and the narrowness of the slit 11 alone could achieve this result.

To affix the draught excluder to the door the user pulls the wheels away from the member 1 and slides the lengths 12 and 13 under the foot of the door until the draught excluder is in the correct position. When the wheels are released the elastic 10 pulls the wheels 2 and member 1 towards each other and hence against the door, retaining the draught excluder to the door. Because the points of attachment of the lengths 12 and 13 to the wheels 2 and member 1 are above the underside of the door the upwardly directed angle of the lengths 12 and 13 as they extend from the bottom corners of the door to the wheel and member 1 assist in urging the wheels 2 and member 1 slightly downwards. This improves the draught-stopping effect of the member 1.

An alternative way of affixing the draught excluder to the door is to provide the wheels 2 to the user separate from the member 1. The elastic 10 is provided already secured to the member I with the lengths 12 and 13 hanging free. The user passes the lengths 12 and 13 under the foot of the door, through the central bore 8 and joins them by tying knot 14.

It is preferred to place the padded member 1 against the side of the door which is adjacent to a carpeted floor surface. If the floor surfaces to either side of the door are both carpeted it may be desirable to have the member 1 to the side of the door such that the door is urged towards the member 1 when it is closed. The member 1 could of course be on the other side of the door.

Claims

1. A draught excluder for a door comprising an elongate first member adapted in use to prevent a draught from passing under a door, a second member, and connection means connecting the first and second members, the arrangement being such that in use the draught excluder is fitted to a door with the first and second members disposed to either side of the door with the connection means extending under the door so as to retain the draught excluder to the door during opening and closing movements of the door.

2. A draught excluder according to claims 1 which is adapted to be releasably fitted to a door.

3. A draught excluder according to claim 1, or claim 2, in which the connection means is resilient, and the arrangement is such that the resilience of the connection means biases the two members towards each other, and hence in use towards the door, so as to hold the first and second members against the door.

4. A draught excluder according to any preceding claim in which the connection means is flexible.

5. A draught excluder according to claim 4 in which the connection means is connected to the members at connection positions at least one of which is in use disposed above the height of the bottom of the door.

6. A draught excluder according to any preceding claim in which the connection means is made of elastic material.

7. A draught excluder according to any preceding claim in which the first member is of generally cylindrical shape.

8. A draught excluder according to any preceding claim in which the first member has a resilient or padded outer surface, at least in the regions which in use abut the door and/or the floor.

9. A draught excluder according to any preceding claim in which the second member comprises a wheel.

10. A draught excluder according to any preceding claim which has more than one second member connected by respective connection means to a single first member.

11. A draught excluder substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A door fitted with a draught excluder in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 11.