GB2585858A

GB2585858A - Flood-proof door assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2585858A
Application number: GB1910241.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Parke Charles
Original assignee: Einstein IP Ltd
Current assignee: Einstein IP Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-17
Filing date: 2019-07-17
Publication date: 2021-01-27
Also published as: GB2585858A8; GB201910241D0

Abstract

A flood-proof door assembly 20 comprising a leaf 21, a sealing member 1 extending along part of the outer periphery of the leaf and mechanical drive means 10 operable to move the sealing member between a retracted and extended position. The sealing member may be on a carrying plate 2, 3 connected to a drive plate 4, and have a kinkable portion (1a, fig 3) that straightens when the drive means are operated. The drive means may push the a portion of the seal downwards and a portion of a seal to each side of the leaf. The drive means may comprise a rotatable handle 10a and cam (9, fig 3) to actuate the sealing member.

Description

Flood-proof door assembly

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a flood-proof door assembly. In particular the present invention relates to a flood-proof door assembly having a door leaf for closing an aperture in a frame with a flood seal configurable to seal the leaf against a frame.

Background to the invention

Doors, and in particular flood doors come in a number of forms each with its own set of relative advantages and disadvantages. Traditional flush-edged doors have not offered efficient sealing especially with regard to liquids, and so modern doors tend to use rebated frames and edges or double rebated frames and edges along with the associated gaskets and compression devices such as multi-point locks to add compression.

In the case of outward-opening doors, the rebate(s) may also serve to prevent the door being pushed beyond the extent of the frame. In the case of inward-opening doors this function is served by the compression devices typically a multi-point lock. For the latter, any excessive load on the locks will create a sealing gap due to the orientation of the sealing.

Adding a rebated edge also has the effect of introducing a raised threshold. This may be a problem if there are requirements for equal access for disabled users, or a requirement for the use of wheeled vehicles, trolleys or buggies. It also means that any gasket can be easily displaced or damaged.

Changing the orientation of the sealing from operating with the swing of the door, to one where the edge of the door is effectively expanded into the frame, solves the issue without creating a raised threshold. This has been attempted in prior art flood barriers by the use of inflatable seals however these solutions are unreliable for flood protection as any damage to the seals will render the flood protection ineffective.

Therefore prior art flood doors and flood barriers have many disadvantages.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a flood-proof door assembly comprising a leaf for closing an aperture in a frame, the leaf being moveable relative to the frame between a closed position and an open position, the leaf having an outer periphery, the assembly further comprising a sealing member arranged to extend substantially along at least part of the outer periphery of the leaf and mechanical drive means operable to move the sealing member between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration relative to the leaf, the sealing member being in sealing engagement with the frame when the sealing member is in its extended configuration. When the sealing member is in its extended configuration in sealing engagement with the frame, the flood seal or "flood lock" can be referred to as having been activated / deployed. The mechanical drive means are preferably housed within the leaf. The flood-proof door assembly of the present invention is not a temporary barrier that is configured to be placed between a door and floodwaters, but instead is a door assembly with flood protection integrally built in to the door assembly. Therefore, no additional flood barrier is required to be located over the front of the leaf in the event of a flood as in prior art systems, separate flood barriers being be difficult to deploy and needing to be stored elsewhere when not in use. Instead the flood-proof door assembly of the present invention provides flood sealing means which is attached to the door leaf itself. In preferred embodiments the sealing member may be connected to part of the mechanical drive means, said part of the mechanical drive means being arranged relative to the leaf such that the sealing member extends along at least part of the outer periphery the leaf panel. References herein to the sealing member extending along the at least part of the outer periphery of the leaf refer to the arrangement of the assembly whether the sealing member is in its retracted or extended configuration.

The flood-proof door assembly provides an openable barrier in the external boundary of a building. In preferred embodiments the leaf is hinged relative to the frame to swing between its closed position and an open position.

Since the sealing is provided by a sealing member extendible and retractable relative to the leaf, the assembly can be employed in a doorway having a level threshold as no raised sill is required for the leaf to seal against. A level threshold is desirable for doors that require easy wheelchair access and to avoid tripping hazards of a non-level threshold. As used herein, reference herein to a "frame" for the leaf includes any suitable fixed structure which supports the leaf and into which the leaf can close. The frame need not be a separate structure that mounts within an aperture around the leaf; the frame may be integral with the boundary wall/floor that surrounds the aperture.

Preferably the sealing member comprises a continuous elongate sealing member. In other words the sealing member extends along at least part of the outer periphery of the leaf without breaks. Breaks in a sealing member would provide points at which flood water may enter the building. The sealing member is preferably a non-inflatable sealing member.

Preferably the leaf comprises a bottom edge, first and second side edges and a top edge, the sealing member extending along at least part of the bottom edge and at least part of at least one of the side edges.

Preferably the leaf comprises a bottom edge, first and second side edges and a top edge, the sealing member extending along at least part of the one of the side edges of the leaf, along the bottom edge and along at least part of the other of the side edges. The sealing member is preferably a single continuous sealing member, having a mid portion extending along the bottom edge of the leaf and side portions on either side of the mid portion that each extend along a side edge of the leaf, up to a predetermined height that has been selected for flood protection to be provided up to.

Preferably the sealing member includes a kinkable portion, the kinkable portion being kinked when the sealing member is in its retracted configuration, the mechanical drive means being configured to straighten the kinked portion as the sealing member is moved from its retracted to its extended configuration. When the sealing member is in its extended configuration the kinkable portion is substantially parallel with the portion of the leaf edge that the kinkable portion is adjacent to. The kinkable portion provides an excess of sealing member length extending along the outer periphery of the leaf when the sealing member is in its retracted configuration so that when the sealing member is converted to its extended configuration, the sealing member is not placed under undue tension, which could lead the seal to degrade quickly. References to the sealing member extending along the outer periphery of the leaf refer to the sealing member extending along the outer periphery of the leaf when the sealing member is in its extended configuration, or retracted configuration with a portion of the sealing member kinked.

Preferably the leaf comprises a bottom edge, first and second side edges and a top edge, the sealing member having a bottom portion that extends along at least part of the bottom edge of the leaf and a first side portion that extends along at least part of a first side edge of the leaf, the mechanical drive means being configured to push the bottom portion of the sealing member downwards, away from the leaf and to push the first side portion sideways, away from the leaf.

Preferably the leaf comprises a bottom edge, first and second side edges and a top edge, the sealing member having a bottom portion that extends along the bottom edge of the leaf, a first side portion that extends along at least part of the first side edge of the leaf, and a second side portion that extends along at least part of the second side edge of the leaf, the mechanical drive means being configured to push the bottom portion of the sealing member downwards, away from the leaf and to push each of the first and second side portions sideways, away from the first and second side edges of the leaf respectively.

The first and second side portions of the sealing member are pushed in opposite directions from one another, away from the leaf, as the mechanical drive means moves the sealing member to the extended configuration. When the sealing member is in its extended configuration, each of its portions sealingly engages a corresponding adjacent part of the frame in sealing engagement. The bottom portion of the sealing member may also be referred to as a mid-portion, as it is located between the first and second side portions.

The assembly preferably further comprises control means for activating and deactivating the flood seal, mechanical drive means being configured such that a single activation movement of the control means can convert the sealing member to its extended configuration by simultaneously moving the bottom portion of the sealing means downwards and the first and second side portions of the sealing member sideways, away from the first and second side edges of the leaf respectively. Furthermore, a single deactivation movement of the control means can convert the sealing member to its retracted configuration by simultaneously moving the bottom portion of the sealing means upwards and the first and second side portions of the sealing member inwards towards the first and second side edges of the leaf respectively. The control means may be a handle assembly.

Preferably the mechanical drive means further comprises a first carrying plate, at least part of the sealing member being connected to the first carrying plate, the drive means being operable to move said carrying plate relative to the leaf in order to move the sealing member between its retracted and its extended configurations.

Preferably the mechanical drive means further comprises a drive plate, the drive plate being moveable to urge said at least one carrying plate to move in order to move the sealing member between its retracted and its extended configurations.

Preferably the mechanical drive means further comprises a second carrying plate, at least part of the sealing member being connected to the second carrying plate, the drive means being operable to move said second carrying plate relative to the leaf in order to move the sealing member between its retracted and its extended configurations, the first and second carrying plates being arranged either side of the drive plate. The carrying plates are suitably for carrying the sealing member so that it can move between its retracted and extended configurations. The sealing member, connected to the first and second carrying plates, is preferably arranged to extend substantially parallel with at least part of the outer periphery of the leaf. The sealing member is preferably arranged to extend substantially along at least part of one or more outer edge of the or each carrying plate, the outer edges being arranged adjacent corresponding outer edges of the leaf. In preferred embodiments the sealing member is connected to extend along a bottom edge of the first carrying plate and a side edge which are arranged adjacent the bottom edge and first side edge of the leaf respectively and similarly the sealing member is connected to extend along a bottom edge of the second carrying plate and a side outer edge which are arranged adjacent the bottom edge and first side edge of the leaf respectively.

Preferably the assembly further comprises at least one guide slot and corresponding guide member for receipt within the guide slot, one of the guide slot and guide member being located on said carrying plate, or one of the carrying plates. As the drive means operates to move the sealing member between its retracted and its extended configurations, the engagement of the guide member in the guide slot guides movement of the carrying plate.

The at least one guide slot has an inclination which will ensure the sealing member moves into sealing engagement with the frame as the sealing member is moved from its retracted configuration to its extended configuration. The assembly preferably comprises a plurality of guide slot and guide member pairs. The first and second carrying plates preferably each include at least one guide slot, the corresponding guide member for each guide slot being located on the door leaf.

Preferably the or each guide slot is inclined downwardly from the horizontal and away from the drive plate.

Preferably the assembly further comprises a handle assembly comprising at least one handle grip which operates the mechanical drive means, said handle grip being moveable between a rest position and a deployed position, movement of said handle grip from its rest position to its deployed position causing the sealing member to move from its retracted configuration to its extended configuration and vice versa.

Preferably the handle grip is rotatable about a handle axis, the mechanical drive means including reciprocating drive means for converting rotary motion of the handle grip to reciprocating motion of the drive plate. The reciprocating drive means may be a cam, crank means or eccentric gearing assembly or any other suitable means. By means of the reciprocating drive means, rotation of the handle grip from its rest position to its deployed position causes the drive plate to move downwards and rotation of the handle grip from its deployed position to its rest position causes the drive plate to move upwards.

In preferred embodiments the handle grip is rotatable about a handle axis, the handle assembly further comprises a cam projecting radially from the handle axis. The cam is preferably rotatably coupled to spindle means of the handle assembly, which in turn is rotatably coupled to the handle grip, so that the cam rotates as the handle grip, and therefore as the spindle means rotates. The cam suitably comprises a member having a cam projection extending from the perimeter of the cam, the cam projection forming a sector having greater radius than the remainder of the cam, the cam projection having an arced cam surface extending between a first cam edge and a second cam edge. The cam suitably has a rest position and a deployed position that corresponds to the rest and deployed positions of the handle grip.

Preferably the handle grip is rotatable about a handle axis, the handle assembly further comprising a collar or cam projecting radially from the handle axis, the assembly being configured such that rotation of the handle grip from its rest position to its deployed position rotates the collar / cam, rotation of the collar / cam causing the drive plate to move downwards. A linkage arm may be pivotally connected to said collar / cam, the linkage arm also being pivotally connected to the drive plate, the linkage arm being configured to convert rotary motion of the collar or cam to linear motion of the drive plate. The linkage arm is suitably configured to push the drive plate downwards as the handle rotates from its rest position to its deployed position and to pull the drive plate upwards as the handle rotates from its deployed position to its rest position. Movement of the drive plate downwards urges the or each carrying plate to move the sealing member into its extended configuration and movement of the drive plate upwards pulls the or each carrying plate to move the sealing member into its retracted configuration.

Preferably the assembly further comprises a lock mechanism and a connecting linkage operatively coupled between the lock mechanism and the cam, the lock mechanism being convertible between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, the connecting linkage being configured to prevent the handle from rotating from its rest position to its deployed position if the lock mechanism is in its unlocked configuration. When the lock mechanism is in its unlocked configuration the connecting linkage blocks rotation of the cam in the direction of rotation of the handle moving from its rest to its deployed position.

This prevents an unauthorised person from deactivating the flood seal. Only a person that has means to unlock the lock mechanism (such as a person that has a key to operate the lock mechanism if the lock mechanism is key operated) can deactivate the flood seal. The lock mechanism suitably has a dead bolt which projects from the edge of the leaf when the lock mechanism is in its locked configuration, so that the dead bolt can engage in a lock keep in the frame, and which is retracted to a position wherein it is housed within the casing of the lock mechanism when the lock mechanism is in its unlocked configuration. The dead bolt can be used to lock the leaf relative to the frame in the normal way for a standard door assembly, whether or not the flood seal is deployed.

Preferably the first handle grip is configured to be mounted to a first side of the leaf and the assembly further comprises a second handle grip configured to be mounted to the opposite side of the leaf from the first handle grip, the assembly further comprising spindle means arranged to rotate when the first or second handle grips are rotated, the spindle means being oriented along the handle axis, the cam being mounted around, and carried by, the spindle so that the cam rotates as the spindle rotates. Either of the handle grips can be gripped by the user to operate the handle. By means of the operation of the cam by either the first or handle grip, the flood seal can be activated by the handle on either side of the leaf. One of the handle grips is suitably an outer handle grip for mounting on the outer side of the leaf and the other is an inner handle grip for mounting on the inner side of the leaf. This arrangement means that any user can easily deploy the flood seal from the outer side of the leaf by simply turning the outer handle grip. No separate equipment is needed to deploy the flood seal.

Preferably the assembly further comprises a latch and corresponding latch keep, the latch being carried by the leaf and the latch keep being located on the frame, the latch being moveable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the leaf, the handle grip being moveable to an open position, wherein movement of the handle grip between its rest position and open position drives the latch from its extended position to its retracted position. The latch holds the leaf closed when the latch is engaged in the latch keep. The same handle is used to drive the sealing member as is used to latch and unlatch the door.

Preferably the assembly further comprises a safety mechanism, the safety mechanism being configured to prevent the handle from rotating from its rest position to its deployed position unless the leaf is in its closed position. This prevents the flood seal from being deployed when the door is open, which could cause damage to the seals if someone were to activate the flood seal and drag it along the floor.

Preferably the safety mechanism comprises a catch moveable between an activated position and an unactivated position, the catch being caused to move from its unactivated position to its active position when the leaf is in its closed position, the catch being operatively connected to the handle assembly such that the or each handle grip is prevented from rotating from its rest position to its deployed position unless the catch is in its activated position.

Preferably the catch comprises said latch carried by the leaf, the unactivated position of the latch corresponding to a position in which the latch is in a retracted position relative to the leaf and the activated position corresponding to a position in which the latch is in an extended position relative to the leaf. In preferred embodiments, movement of the handle grip between from its rest position to an open position drives the latch from its extended position to its retracted position.

Preferably the assembly further comprises a latch keep for receiving the latch when the leaf is in its closed position, the latch keep being located on the frame, the latch and latch keep being adapted to cooperate with one another via magnetic attraction, such that the latch is urged into its activated position when the leaf is in its closed position. In preferred embodiments at least one of the latch and latch keep includes a magnetic element and the other includes a magnetic or ferro-magnetic element, so that the latch is magnetically attracted to the latch keep when the leaf is in its closed position. The latch suitably aligns with the latch keep when the leaf is in its closed position. The latch is caused to move into its extended position, via the magnetic attraction to the latch keep, when the leaf is in its closed position. By means of the latch being operatively connected to the handle assembly and configured to prevent the or each handle grip from rotating from its rest position to its deployed position unless the latch is in its extended position, the flood seal is prevented from being deployed unless the leaf is in its closed position.

Preferably the sealing member is a tadpole type sealing member having a bulbous portion and a tail portion, the tail portion being attached to part of the mechanical drive means, so that the sealing member may be moved by the mechanical drive means. A "tadpole" type seal derives its name from the fact that the seal generally resembles the shape of a tadpole when viewed in cross-section, having a bulbous portion and a tail portion. The tail portion is preferably retained by a retention plate integral with or attached to the or each carrying plate.

Preferably the leaf comprises a planar leaf panel having a leaf plane, said drive plate and/or the or each carrying plate being planar and being arranged coplanar with the leaf plane.

Preferably the leaf comprises front and rear fascias, at least part of the mechanical drive means being located between the front and rear fascias. The front fascia is suitably an outer fascia for facing outside of the building and the rear fascia is suitably an inner fascia for facing inside of the building that the leaf is installed in. The fascias may be made of timber or other suitable material. The leaf suitably comprises a single panel assembly for mounting in the external perimeter structure of a building. The leaf panel assembly preferably comprises front and rear fascias with a mechanical drive means located between, forming a single unitary panel which is hingedly moveable relative to the frame.

The terms "mounted", "attached", "connected to", "connected" are to be broadly understood and may relate to elements that may be directly connected or also connected indirectly by an intermediary element.

Spatially relative terms such as "top", "bottom", "horizontal", "vertical", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and the like, are used for ease of description to explain the positioning of one element relative to another element. These terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the assembly in addition to different orientations from those depicted in the figures.

The term "open position" in relation to the leaf may refer to any position in which the leaf is not closed and an open position may encompass a range of continuous or discrete positions wherein the leaf is not closed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1A is a plan view of a flood door according to an embodiment of the invention, the fascia of the door having been removed; Figure 1B is a perspective view of the flood door of Figure 1A; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through plane A-A of the assembly of Figure 1A showing the sealing member in its retracted configuration; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through the assembly of Figure 1A showing the sealing member in its extended configuration; Figure 4 is a plan view of the door of Figure 1A showing the sealing member in its retracted configuration; Figure 5 is a plan view of the door of Figure 1A showing the sealing member in its extended configuration; Figures 6 to 15 show a series of close-up views of the part of the mechanical drive means in the vicinity of the handle assembly.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present embodiments represent currently the best ways known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice. But they are not the only ways in which this can be achieved. They are illustrated, and they will now be described, by way of example only.

Referring to Figure 1A, a flood-proof door assembly 20 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. The door assembly 20 has a sash or leaf 21 for closing an aperture in a frame 12. The leaf 21 is moveable between a closed position (as shown in Figure 1) wherein the leaf 21 is aligned with the frame 12 and an open position wherein the leaf 21 is angled relative to the frame 12. In this embodiment the leaf 21 is pivotably moveable between its closed and open positions by means of door hinges 11, however it will be understood the leaf may open/close via other means, such as sliding means if the leaf is a sliding leaf. A sealing member 1 extends substantially along at least part of the outer periphery of the leaf 21. The sealing member 1 is an elongate gasket or seal of some form and can be better seen in Figures 2 and 3. In this embodiment, the sealing member 1 extends along part of the first side edge of the leaf, along the bottom edge of the leaf and along part of the second side edge of the leaf. In preferred embodiments such as the embodiment of Figures 1A to 5, the sealing member 1 is a continuous elongate sealing member, however it will be understood that the sealing member may be comprised of two or more discrete parts arranged end to end around at least part of the periphery of the leaf edge. The sealing member 1 extends up both sides of the leaf 21 up to a predetermined height. For example, the sealing member 1 may extend from the floor up to a height of around 600 mm, or any height predetermined by the manufacturer / installer.

The door assembly includes mechanical drive means operable to move the sealing member 1 between a retracted configuration as shown in Figure 2 and an extended configuration as shown in Figure 3, wherein the sealing member 1 is extended relative to the leaf such that it protrudes from the edge of the leaf. When the sealing member 1 is in its extended configuration the sealing member 1 is forced into compression with the frame 12, therefore forming a seal between the leaf 21 and the frame 12 along the length of the sealing member. By means of the sealing member 1 extending along part of the first side edge of the leaf, along the bottom edge of the leaf and along part of the second side edge of the leaf, the sealing member pushes out into compression with the frame in three directions when the sealing member is in its extended configuration (downward and to the left and right sides). The extended configuration of the sealing member is therefore a sealing configuration. Referring to Figure 2, when the sealing member 1 is in its retracted configuration the outer edge of the sealing member 1 lies within the outer periphery of the leaf 21 (i.e. it does not project from the leaf edges). In the present embodiment the sealing member 1 is flush with the edge of the leaf when in its retracted configuration, but it may be further retracted into space within the leaf panel in other embodiments.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the present embodiment has rebates 14 in the frame 12 for receiving the sealing member when in its extended configuration. However, it will be understood the inner face of the frame need not be rebated or may only be partially rebated along part of its length adjacent part of the sealing member (although inclusion of rebates 14 improves the sealing). In the present embodiment, the frame 12 is formed of three frame edge members (a top frame edge member and two side frame edge members) and the floor forms the bottom of the frame. The assembly provides a level threshold as there is no upstand from the floor. A level threshold is desirable for doors that require easy wheelchair access and to avoid tripping hazards of a non-level threshold. It will be understood that the invention can be provided in an assembly that incorporates a non-level threshold, but since the present invention can be implemented with a level threshold, it usually will be.

The mechanical drive means comprises a series of connecting bars/plates which transfer force imparted via a door handle 10, outward to push the sealing member 1 outwards from the leaf, as will be further described. The mechanical drive means includes a drive plate 4 and first and second carrying plates 2, 3, the sealing member being attached to the first and second carrying plates 2,3, the first and second carrying plates being arranged on either side of the drive plate. The leaf has front and rear fascias 13. The mechanical drive means, including the drive plate and carrying plates, are mounted between the front and rear fascias. The first carrying plate 2 is a lock side carrying plate (i.e. on the side of the leaf near the door lock) and the second carrying plate 3 is a hinge side carrying plate (i.e. on the side of the leaf near the door hinge). The drive plate 4 is an elongate plate arranged substantially vertically. The door assembly 20 further comprises a handle assembly 10 having a first handle grip 10a which may be operated in order to drive the mechanical drive means. In this embodiment the handle assembly also has a second handle grip 10b located on the opposite side of the leaf from the first handle grip 10a, so that the flood seal may be activated and deactivated from either side of the leaf. As well as operating the flood seal, the handle assembly 10 also operates a latch 8 for, amongst other purposes, holding the leaf 21 closed by engaging in a latch keep in the frame 12. The door assembly also includes a lock mechanism 6 to provide, amongst other things, security and preferably also compression performance.

The handle assembly 10 has a handle axis, parallel with a spindle means 10c of the handle assembly, the spindle means 10c being caused to rotate when the first or second handle grip 10a, 10b is rotated. In this embodiment the handle grips 10a, 10b are lever type handle grips, but it will be understood that other handle grip types may be used, such as a round knob or a detachable crank arm, to impart rotational motion to the spindle means. A cam 9 is arranged to rotate as the first or second handle grip 10a, 10b is rotated.

References herein to rotation of the first handle grip 10a refer also to rotation of the second handle grip 10b, since either handle grip may be used to rotate the spindle means and therefore operate the flood seal. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, in the present embodiment the cam 9 is rigidly mounted to the spindle means 10c and has a cam projection 9a. In order to activate the flood seal the handle grip 10a is rotated 180° from its rest position as shown in Figure 4, away from the hinge side of the leaf towards the lock side of the leaf, to its deployed position as shown in Figure 5 (i.e. rotated clockwise for this particular door). By means of rotating the handle 10 in this way, the drive plate 4 is caused to move downwards. The drive plate 4 may be caused to move downwards by various means. In this embodiment there is a linkage arm 4a pivotally connected at one of its ends to the cam 9 and at its other end to the drive plate 4 such that as the handle is rotated towards the deployed position the cam 4a pushes the linkage arm 4a down, thereby pushing the drive plate 4 downwards. The linkage arm 4a is be eccentrically linked to the cam 9 (i.e. pivotally connected at a point spaced away from the handle axis so that the linkage arm 4a can be used to convert rotary motion of the cam to linear motion of the drive plate 4. It will be understood that in other embodiments the linkage arm 4a may be eccentrically linked to a collar rotatably coupled to the handle spindle means, if a cam is not employed.

Movement of the drive plate 4 downwards deploys the flood seal. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the drive plate 4 has a proximal end adjacent the handle assembly and a distal end (its bottom end). The distal end of the drive plate 4 engages engagement surfaces of the first and second carrying plates 2, 3 respectively, the engaging surfaces of the drive plate and the first and second carrying plates being shaped such that the carrying plates 2, 3 are jacked apart from one another and pushed downwards as the drive plate 4 is pushed downwards, away from the handle assembly. In the present embodiment the distal end of the drive plate 4 has sloped sides, forming a wedge type shape, the surfaces it engages with on the first and second carrying plates having correspondingly sloped sides, but sloping in the opposite direction. This arrangement allows the drive plate 4 to push the first and second carrying plates apart from one another and downwards as the drive plate 4 moves downwards. This in turn pushes the sealing member 1, which is attached to the first and second carrying plates 2,3, into engagement with the frame 12. The sealing member has a bottom portion that extends along the bottom edge of the leaf, a first side portion that extends along at least part of the first side edge of the leaf, and a second side portion that extends along at least part of the second side edge of the leaf, the mechanical drive means being configured to push the bottom portion of the sealing member down, and to push each of the first and second side portions sideways, away from the first and second side edges of the leaf respectively, to form the flood seal with the frame.

The door assembly further comprises guide slots 5, each guide slot being associated with a corresponding guide member 5a for receipt within a corresponding guide slot. In this embodiment each guide member is a pin. One of each guide slot and guide member pair is located on a carrying plate and the other is mounted to a part of the door assembly that is fixed relative to the carrying plates, such as a leaf fascia 13. In this embodiment the guide slots 5 are located in the carrying plates and there are a plurality of guide slots in each carrying plate. The guide slots 5 in the first carrying plate 2 are inclined downwardly and towards the lock side edge of the leaf. The guide slots 5 in the second carrying plate 3 are inclined downwardly and towards the hinge side edge of the leaf. As the carrying plates 2, 3 and being jacked apart and downwards by the drive plate 4, the pin / guide slot pairs guide the carrying plates 2, 3 to move apart from one another and downwards, ensuring a good seal between the sealing member 1 and the frame 12 along the full length of the sealing member.

The sealing member 1 includes a kinkable portion la which is kinked upwards in an open loop shape when the sealing member is in its retracted position, as shown in Figure 4. This kinkable portion is located between the first and second carrying plates 2, 3. As the drive plate 4 moves downwards in order to deploy the flood seal, the kinkable portion la is straightened by means of the distal end of the drive plate 4 pushing the kinkable portion la downwards. The distal end of the drive plate 4 is flattened, forming a truncated wedge shaped distal end. Referring to Figure 5, when the handle grip 10a has been moved to its deployed position, the flattened distal end of the drive plate 4 is substantially flush with the bottom edge of the first and second carrying plates 2, 3. By means of including the kinkable portion la in the sealing member, the sealing member 1 is not under tension when in its extended configuration in sealing engagement with the frame 12, which could cause damage to the sealing member. Instead, the kinkable portion la provides slack in the sealing member 1, which becomes straightened when the sealing member 1 is in its extended configuration relative to the leaf.

In order to deactivate the flood seal the handle grip 10a is rotated 180° from its deployed position as shown in Figure 5, towards from the hinge side of the leaf, to its rest position as shown in Figure 4. This rotates the cam 9 anticlockwise, and thereby pulls linkage arm 4a upwards, which in turn pulls the drive plate 4 upwards. The kinkable portion la of the sealing member returns to its kinked configuration as shown in Figure 4. The kinkable portion la may either be attached to the distal end of the drive plate 4, or the sealing member may simply return to the kinked configuration due to inherent resiliency or "memory" within the sealing member. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the door assembly includes link arms 7a, each pivotally coupled at one end to the drive plate 4 and at its other end to a corresponding one of the carrying plates 2, 3, so that as the drive plate 4 moves upwards, the carrying plates 2, 3 are pulled back to their rest positions as shown in Figure 4. This retracts the sealing member 1 towards the leaf and away from the frame 12, thus deactivating the flood seal.

The lock mechanism 6 is configured so that it can be operated as a normal door lock, to prevent unauthorised opening of the leaf 21. In this embodiment, the lock mechanism is locked and unlocked using a key, but other lock types may be employed instead of key operated locks, such as electric locks. In preferred embodiments the lock mechanism 6 is a mortice lock. The lock mechanism 6 is convertible between a locked configuration in which a dead bolt extends so that it can engage in a keep in the frame and an unlocked configuration in which the dead bolt is retracted and housed within the lock mechanism casing (in this embodiment the lock is converted between these states using a key). A connecting linkage 7 is arranged between the lock mechanism 6 and the cam 9, the connecting linkage 7 being configured to prevent the handle grip from rotating from its deployed position to its rest position if the lock mechanism is in its locked configuration. Therefore, the flood seal cannot be deactivated unless the lock mechanism is unlocked. This prevents an unauthorised person from deactivating the flood seal. Part of the connecting linkage 7 rests on the back of the lock shoe bolt via a milled out hole in the back of the lock casing. When the lock mechanism is converted to its locked state, this drives the lock shoe bolt into the frame, allowing the connecting linkage 7 to pivot and position itself to catch the cam 9. This blocks the handle grip from rotating to its rest position. When the flood lock is in its activated state, then if the lock mechanism is converted to its unlocked state, the lock dead bolt moves back into its casement, forcing the connecting linkage 7 to move away from the cam 9, freeing the cam 9 to rotate and therefore freeing the handle grip to rotate.

The latch mechanism will now be further described. The latch 8 is operable by the handle assembly, the latch 8 holding the leaf 21 closed by engaging in a latch keep in the frame 12. The latch 8 is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the leaf. In the extended position the latch 8 can engage in the keep 8a in the frame in order to hold the leaf closed. Rotation of the handle grip 10a / 10b downwards when the handle grip is in its rest position and the latch is in its extended position retracts the latch 8 until the distal end of the latch 8 is at least flush with the edge of the leaf, so that the leaf can be opened. The latch 8 also functions as a safety mechanism to prevent the flood seal from being activated if the leaf is not closed (which could damage the sealing member if it was caused to drag along the ground). The latch 8 is adapted to cooperate with the latch keep 8a in the frame via magnetic attraction, such that the latch is urged into an extended position only when the leaf is in its closed position. At least one of the latch and latch keep includes a magnetic element and the other includes a magnetic or ferro-magnetic element, so that the latch is magnetically attracted to the latch keep when the leaf is in its closed position. A connecting linkage 7b operatively connects the latch 8 and the cam 9. When the leaf is not in the closed position the connecting linkage 7b blocks the cam 9 from rotating, therefore preventing the handle from being rotated from its rest position to its deployed position. When the leaf is in its closed position, the latch 8 moves to its extended position due to magnetic attraction with the latch keep, moving the connecting linkage 7b away from the cam, so that the connecting linkage 7b no longer blocks the cam 9 from rotating, freeing the handle to rotate. This allows the handle to be turned to deploy the flood seal.

Figures 6 to 14 show a series of close-up views of the part of the mechanical drive means in the vicinity of the handle assembly to further demonstrate how the flood seal is operated. Figure 6 shows the leaf in an open position. The handle grip 10a / 10b is in its rest position and the latch 8 is in its retracted position. The handle grip 10a / 10b cannot be rotated to its deployed position as rotation of the cam 9 in the direction towards its deployed position is blocked by the linkage 7b operatively connected between the latch 8 and the cam 9. The linkage 7b comprises an upper arm 7c and a lower arm 7d. The cam 9 has a cam projection 9a extending from the perimeter of the cam, the cam projection 9a forming a sector of greater radius than the remainder of the cam, the cam projection 9a having an arced cam surface 9b extending between a first cam edge 9c and a second cam edge 9d.

The distal end of the lower arm 7d blocks the cam projection 9a from rotating clockwise (as viewed in Figure 6) by abutting the first cam edge 9c. In order to deploy the flood seal, the leaf must be closed and Figure 7 shows the leaf now in its closed position. The latch 8 is now in its extended position, having been magnetically attracted to the keep (the keep is not shown in Figures 6 to 14). Movement of the latch 8 to the extended position draws the lower arm 7d away from the cam 9 and the cam 9 is no longer prevented from rotating clockwise. Next the user preferably converts the lock mechanism 6 to its locked configuration, as shown in Figure 8 (wherein the extended dead bolt 6a can be seen projecting from the leaf). Locking the lock mechanism moves the connecting linkage 7 arranged between the lock mechanism 6 and the cam 9 to move into a position which allows the cam 9 to be blocked from moving back to its rest position when the flood seal has been activated. In order to activate the flood seal, the user rotates the handle grip 10a / 10b towards its deployed position, as shown in Figure 9. The connecting linkage 7 arranged between the lock mechanism 6 and the cam 9 is spring activated to allow the cam projection 9a to slide past but then spring back to lock the cam 9 from turning to deactivate the flood seal once the flood seal has been fully deployed. As the cam 9 rotates, the linkage arm 4a which is pivotally connected to it urges the drive plate 4 downwards. Once the handle grip 10a / 10b is in its deployed position as shown in Figure 10, the drive plate 4 has been pushed downwards sufficiently to move the sealing member 1 into its extended configuration and therefore into sealing engagement with the frame. Since the lock mechanism 6 is in its locked configuration, the distal end of the connecting linkage 7 arranged between the lock mechanism 6 and the cam 9 is positioned to block the cam 9 from rotating in the direction of the rest position. The distal end of the connecting linkage 7 is suitably shaped to block the second edge 9d of the cam projection 9a. In order to deactivate the flood seal the user must unlock the lock mechanism 6. Figure 11 shows the lock mechanism 6 now in its unlocked configuration, the dead bolt now retracted relative to the lock mechanism 6. Conversion of the lock mechanism to its unlocked configuration causes the connecting linkage 7 to pivot away from the cam 9, so that the cam 9 is now free to be rotated back in the direction of the rest position. Figure 12 shows the handle grip 10a / 10b being rotated from the deployed position to the rest position, the cam projection 9a being able to move past the connecting linkage 7. Figure 13 shows the handle grip 10a / 10b back in its rest position. In order to open the leaf the latch 8 must be withdrawn from the keep and to do so the user depresses the handle grip 10a / 10b to rotate the cam 9 away from the latch 8. The spring loaded upper arm 7c of linkage 7b operatively connected between the latch 8 and the cam 9 has a hooked distal end which hooks over the second edge 9d of the cam projection 9a such that as the handle grip is rotated downwards from its rest position, the upper arm 7c is pulled away from the lock side of the leaf, causing the latch 8 to retract. Figure 14 shows the latch 8 having been retracted in this way by depression of the handle grip 10a / 10b. Once the latch 8 has been retracted, the leaf can be opened. A spring operatively connected to the upper arm 7c pulls the handle back to its rest position when force is removed from the handle. Figure 15 shows a slightly perspective view of the assembly in the configuration shown in Figure 7 so that some of the parts can be better seen.

An advantage of the present invention is that any user can activate the flood seal by turning the outer handle grip, but the flood seal cannot be deactivated by an unauthorised person, as the lock mechanism must be unlocked in order to deactivate the flood seal.

Referring to Figure 3, the sealing member 1 is a tadpole type sealing member having a bulbous portion lb and a tail portion lc in cross-section. Part of the sealing member is attached to the first carrying plate 2 by means of the tail portion lc of the sealing member being clamped to the carrying plate by a retention plate. Similarly, part of the sealing member is attached to the second carrying plate by means of the tail portion lc of the sealing member being clamped to the carrying plate by a retention plate. The sealing member 1 extends along the outer side edge and bottom edge of the first carrying plate 2.

The sealing member 2 further extends along the bottom edge and outer side edge of the second carrying plate 3. It will be understood that sealing members having other cross-sectional shapes may be employed.

The sealing member 1 may be made from a resilient material such as rubber (such as synthetic rubber, elastomers or other polymers). Foam materials may also be used as a sealing member.

The leaf fascias 13 may be made of any suitable material including timber, aluminium, and upvc, to match any aesthetic requirement.

In the described embodiment the handle grip 10a / 10b is rotated 180° to convert it between its rest and deployed positions (which correspond to the non-deployed and deployed states of the flood lock), but it will be understood that the assembly can be configured such that rotations through another angular value will operate the flood lock.

It will be understood that the invention can of course be implemented in a left or right handed door and references to left, right, clockwise, anticlockwise rotation etc. These spatially relative terms are used herein for ease of description and it will be understood the invention encompasses different orientations of the assembly in addition to different orientations from those depicted in the figures.

In summary, after closing the leaf, rotation of the handle grip 10a / 10b introduces a mechanical force into the door. A series of connecting bars/plates transfer the force to an outward force from an internal point in the leaf expressed via a gasket, pushing the gasket out into compression with the surrounding frame in three directions, downward and to both sides. A rebate 14 in the sides of surrounding frame designates the closed position for the door sash within the frame in preferred embodiments. A locking device 6 of suitable performance resists the appropriate design load whether that be from intrusion or floodwater.

The door lock 6 is designed so that it can be operated as a normal door and lock with an additional operation built into the handle mechanism where the handle rotates in the opposite direction to opening the door by 180° (but the assembly can be configured for the seal to be deployed when the handle reaches an alternative angular position, depending on compression and handle forces requirements). The latch 8 is operated by a magnet but could be operated by a spring operated or similar system. The dead bolt of the lock 6 is operated via a Standard Mortice lock to comply with security and insurance standards and additional lock pots can be added.

To operate the flood seal the handle grip 10a / 10b is rotated 180°, operating a cam 9. This can also be operated via a geared ratio to create the adequate compression. When the cam is operated it then moves the drive plate 4 vertically downwards. The vertical movement downwards then causes the carrying plates 2,3 to be pushed diagonally downwards into the corners of the frame, guided by the guide slots 5. The sealing member 1 is a continuous seal all around the door to the required flood height. When the mechanism is operated the gasket will push outwards out of the door sash panel and compress against the outer sealing rebate 14 positioned in the door frame 12 to create a seal.

The door has to be shut closed and the magnetic latch 8 located for the flood seal to be able to be operated. If the door has been locked via a key on the mortice lock 6 the flood seal can still be operated to its sealed position internally and externally at a later time. Once it has been operated the flood seal will then lock into place due to locking links 7 connected to the mortice lock. The mortice lock will need to be unlocked via a key to release the lock ensuring the flood gasket cannot be un-sealed accidently.

To "un-lock" the flood seal the handle grip 10a / 10b then needs to be rotated 180° in the opposite direction to locking of the flood seal, this then reverse the actions above pulling all both carrying plates 2,3 diagonally upwards and the drive plate 4 vertically upwards allowing the gasket to retract inwards into the sash/ slab. A kink forms in a kinkable portion la of the sealing member. This excess of the seal gasket is located between the two carrying plates 2, 3 loops internally inside the sash leaving the seal as one continuous gasket.

The design in not restricted to three sides and can be configured to accommodate a single threshold or all four edges to accommodate alternative flood heights.

Claims

Claims 1. A flood-proof door assembly comprising a leaf for closing an aperture in a frame, the leaf being moveable relative to the frame between a closed position and an open position, the leaf having an outer periphery, the assembly further comprising a sealing member arranged to extend substantially along at least part of the outer periphery of the leaf and mechanical drive means operable to move the sealing member between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration relative to the leaf, the sealing member being in sealing engagement with the frame when the sealing member is in its extended configuration.
2. A flood-proof door assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises a continuous elongate sealing member.
3. A flood-proof door assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the leaf comprises a bottom edge, first and second side edges and a top edge, the sealing member extending along at least part of the bottom edge and at least part of at least one of the side edges.
4. A flood-proof door assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the leaf comprises a bottom edge, first and second side edges and a top edge, the sealing member extending along at least part of the one of the side edges of the leaf, along the bottom edge and along at least part of the other of the side edges.
5. A flood-proof door assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member includes a kinkable portion, the kinkable portion being kinked when the sealing member is in its retracted configuration, the mechanical drive means being configured to straighten the kinked portion as the sealing member is moved from its retracted to its extended configuration.
6. A flood-proof door assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the leaf comprises a bottom edge, first and second side edges and a top edge, the sealing member having a bottom portion that extends along at least part of the bottom edge of the leaf and a first side portion that extends along at least part of a first side edge of the leaf, the mechanical drive means being configured to push the bottom portion of the sealing member downwards, away from the leaf and to push the first side portion sideways, away from the leaf.
7. A flood-proof door assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the leaf comprises a bottom edge, first and second side edges and a top edge, the sealing member having a bottom portion that extends along the bottom edge of the leaf, a first side portion that extends along at least part of the first side edge of the leaf, and a second side portion that extends along at least part of the second side edge of the leaf, the mechanical drive means being configured to push the bottom portion of the sealing member downwards, away from the leaf and to push each of the first and second side portions sideways, away from the first and second side edges of the leaf respectively.
8. A flood-proof door assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the mechanical drive means further comprises a first carrying plate, at least part of the sealing member being connected to the first carrying plate, the drive means being operable to move said carrying plate relative to the leaf in order to move the sealing member between its retracted and its extended configurations.
9. A flood-proof door assembly according to claim 8, wherein the mechanical drive means further comprises a drive plate, the drive plate being moveable to urge said at least one carrying plate to move in order to move the sealing member between its retracted and its extended configurations.
10. A flood-proof door assembly according to claim 9, wherein the mechanical drive means further comprises a second carrying plate, at least part of the sealing member being connected to the second carrying plate, the drive means being operable to move said second carrying plate relative to the leaf in order to move the sealing member between its retracted and its extended configurations, the first and second carrying plates being arranged either side of the drive plate.
11. A flood-proof door assembly according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the assembly further comprises at least one guide slot and corresponding guide member for receipt within the guide slot, one of the guide slot and guide member being located on said carrying plate, or one of the carrying plates.
12. A flood-proof door assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each guide slot is inclined downwardly from the horizontal and away from the drive plate.
13. A flood-proof door assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the assembly further comprises a handle assembly comprising at least one handle grip which operates the mechanical drive means, said handle grip being moveable between a rest position and a deployed position, movement of said handle grip from its rest position to its deployed position causing the sealing member to move from its retracted configuration to its extended configuration and vice versa.
14. A flood-proof door assembly according to claim 13, wherein the handle grip is rotatable about a handle axis, the mechanical drive means including reciprocating drive means for converting rotary motion of the handle grip to reciprocating motion of the drive plate.
15. A flood-proof door assembly according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the handle grip is rotatable about a handle axis, the handle assembly further comprising a cam projecting radially from the handle axis, the assembly being configured such that rotation of the handle grip from its rest position to its deployed position rotates the cam, rotation of the cam causing the drive plate to move downwards.
16. A flood-proof door assembly according to claim 15, wherein the assembly further comprises a lock mechanism and a connecting linkage operatively coupled between the lock mechanism and the cam, the lock mechanism being convertible between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, the connecting linkage being configured to prevent the handle from rotating from its rest position to its deployed position if the lock mechanism is in its unlocked configuration.
17. A flood-proof door assembly according to any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the first handle grip is configured to be mounted to a first side of the leaf and the assembly further comprises a second handle grip configured to be mounted to the opposite side of the leaf from the first handle grip, the assembly further comprising spindle means arranged to rotate when the first or second handle grips are rotated, the spindle means being oriented along the handle axis, the cam being mounted around, and carried by, the spindle so that the cam rotates as the spindle rotates.
18. A flood-proof door assembly according to any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the assembly further comprises a latch and corresponding latch keep, the latch being carried by the leaf and the latch keep being located on the frame, the latch being moveable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the leaf, the handle grip being moveable to an open position, wherein movement of the handle grip from its rest position to an open position drives the latch from its extended position to its retracted position.
19. A flood-proof door assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the assembly further comprises a safety mechanism, the safety mechanism being configured to prevent the handle from rotating from its rest position to its deployed position unless the leaf is in its closed position.
20. A flood-proof door assembly according to claim 19, wherein the safety mechanism comprises a catch moveable between an activated position and an unactivated position, the catch being caused to move from its unactivated position to its activated position when the leaf is in its closed position, the catch being operatively connected to the handle assembly such that the or each handle grip is prevented from rotating from its rest position to its deployed position unless the catch is in its activated position.
21. A flood-proof door assembly according to claim 20, wherein the catch comprises a latch carried by the leaf, the unactivated position of the latch corresponding to a position in which the latch is in a retracted position relative to the leaf and the activated position corresponding to a position in which the latch is in an extended position relative to the leaf.
22. A flood-proof door assembly according to claim 21, wherein the assembly further comprises a latch keep for receiving the latch when the leaf is in its closed position, the latch keep being located on the frame, the latch and latch keep being adapted to cooperate with one another via magnetic attraction, such that the latch is urged into its activated position when the leaf is in its closed position.
23. A flood-proof door assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing member is a tadpole type sealing member having a bulbous portion and a tail portion, the tail portion being attached to part of the mechanical drive means, so that the sealing member may be moved by the mechanical drive means.
24. A flood-proof door assembly according to any of claims 8 to 10 or any of the subsequent claims when dependent thereon, wherein the leaf comprises a planar leaf panel having a leaf plane, said drive plate and/or the or each carrying plate being planar and being arranged coplanar with the leaf plane.
25. A flood-proof door assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the leaf comprises front and rear fascias, at least part of the mechanical drive means being located between the front and rear fascias.