Slide opening door assembly

Abstract

A pocket slide opening door assembly including a door leaf having a top edge, a door frame assembly, and a sliding assembly for slideable translation of the door leaf in relation to the door frame assembly between a closed position and an open position, wherein the assembly is provided in a plurality of parts for assembly in situ, including in a first part the door leaf, in a second part the door frame assembly with bay or pocket configured to receive the door leaf, or in second and third parts the door frame assembly and separate bay or pocket configured to receive the door leaf, and wherein the door assembly is disposed and configured in manner which prevents ligature about the door leaf top edge and in manner which prevents access to the sliding assembly for tamper purpose or for ligature purpose.

Claims

1. An anti-ligature pocket slide opening door assembly for use in a building which houses an individual at a risk of intentional self-harming, comprising: a door frame assembly which comprises a headpiece, two sidepieces, and a pocket; a door leaf which comprises a top edge, a closing side edge, a pocket side edge and a bottom edge; and a sliding assembly for slideable translation of the door leaf in relation to the door frame assembly between a closed position and an open position, wherein the door frame assembly provides, with the door leaf in the closed position: an overhead overlap (0) with the door leaf at the top edge provided by at least one overhead overlap element to the door frame assembly, provided separate from the headpiece for securing by an anti-tamper and anti-ligature fixings, wherein the overhead overlap is characterised by an overhead overlap height o.h being a height of the door leaf overlapped by the at least one overhead overlap element; a closing side overlap (Oc) with the door leaf at the closing side edge; and a pocket side overlap (Op) with the door leaf at the pocket side edge, wherein Op is in a range from 1.2 cm to 5 cm; wherein the sliding assembly is an electromagnetic drive sliding assembly having components disposed in relation to the electromagnetic drive sliding assembly, and configured to decelerate the door leaf approaching the closed position or the open position or to absorb impact of the door leaf on the door frame assembly, at a moment of reaching the closed position or the open position; and wherein: the door leaf is oversized, and the door frame assembly including the pocket is correspondingly oversized, and the oversized door leaf has a height D.h. in a range from 220 cm up to 300 cm, the overhead overlap element is oversized, and the oversized overhead overlap element has an oversized overhead overlap height o.h in a range from 5 cm to 40 cm, and the sliding assembly is disposed within the headpiece of the oversized door frame assembly at a top portion of, or overhead, the oversized overhead overlap element, which prevents access to the sliding assembly for a ligature purpose, with the oversized door leaf in the closed position; and wherein: the oversized door frame assembly, with the oversized door leaf in the open position or in a partially open position, provides an oversized overhead overlap void which has an overlap void height ov.h in a range from 7 cm to 54 cm being a sum of o.h and a vertical separation between the top edge of the oversized door leaf and the sliding assembly, which prevents access to the sliding assembly for a ligature purpose, with the oversized door leaf in the open position or in the partially open position.

2. The anti ligature pocket slide opening door assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sliding assembly comprises: one or more elongate track elements mountable to the door frame assembly, and one or more sliding elements couplingly engageable with the door leaf for a sliding engagement of the door frame assembly and the door leaf, wherein the one or more elongate track elements are disposed in a continuous or intermittent fashion along the headpiece of the door frame assembly and electromagnetic components are disposed along the length of the one or more elongate track elements; wherein a portion of the sliding assembly is configured for mounting in the pocket and is a removable sliding assembly track element comprising a mating component at a pocket end thereof for mounting to a corresponding mating component provided internally within the pocket by at least one of a push fit mechanism, a sliding fit mechanism and a drop fit mechanism and a combination thereof.

3. The anti ligature pocket slide opening door assembly according to claim 1, comprising a bottom piece of the door frame assembly disposed across the door frame assembly and slideably engageable with a door leaf lower edge, wherein the bottom piece of the door frame assembly comprises one or more elongate track elements of a bottom sliding assembly, and the lower edge of the door leaf provides one or more sliding elements for a sliding engagement of the door frame assembly and the door leaf, and wherein the one or more sliding elements comprise one or more-static sliding or rolling surfaces, wherein the bottom piece is provided integral with the door frame assembly, and wherein the door assembly is provided in two components, being the door leaf and the door frame assembly, including the pocket to receive the door leaf, wherein the at least one overhead overlap element is provided as an additional assembly components, and wherein the door frame assembly is packaged for a delivery rotated onto a side of the door frame assembly with the pocket or the sidepiece uppermost; wherein the bottom piece, provided integral with the door frame assembly, is connected in an anti-ligature and anti-tamper manner at the sidepieces, and provides support to the sidepieces distal from the headpiece, against a misalignment, with the door frame assembly rotated onto a side with the pocket or the sidepiece uppermost, and against a loading to the headpiece in a direction in which it is not intended to be load bearing in use.

4. The anti ligature pocket slide opening door assembly according to claim 1, comprising one or more seals between the door leaf and the door frame assembly selected from: an elongate seal mounted to one of a door leaf pocket side edge and a pocket sidepiece to the door frame assembly and extending outwardly to contact the other of the pocket sidepiece to the door frame assembly and the door leaf pocket side edge, and which is a one part seal, or is a two part seal configured to engage with a corresponding seal mounted on the other of the pocket sidepiece and the pocket side edge; a wiper seal mounted on either of the door leaf and the door frame assembly and comprising an angled deformable blade configured and disposed to loosely contact the other of the door leaf and the door frame assembly at an edge or a face thereof; and a wiper seal provided at the bottom edge of the door leaf to loosely contact a bottom piece to the door frame assembly; wherein the one or more seals is angled outwardly towards a closing sidepiece of the door frame assembly or towards the closing side edge.

5. The anti ligature pocket slide opening door assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pocket comprises a pocket framework and a lining facing and sealing the pocket framework wherein the lining is selected from a polymer, a metal, an antibacterial polymer, an antibacterial metal, an antibacterial coated polymer, an antibacterial coated metal or a combination thereof and wherein the lining is removable, to be withdrawn for cleaning purpose and reinserted or the lining comprises smooth walls which facilitate effective cleaning in situ, from outside the pocket.

6. The anti ligature pocket slide opening door assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one overhead overlap element comprises a recessed attachment fixings for securing to the headpiece or the sidepieces or to the headpiece and to the sidepieces, the fixings having a recessed fixing access, wherein a guide hole is provided in a lower face of the overhead overlap element, extending upwardly into the overhead overlap element, for a purpose of extending a key upwardly within the guide hole and of engaging the recessed attachment fixings.

7. The anti ligature pocket slide opening door assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door leaf bottom edge comprises a sliding element for seating in a corresponding slidingly engageable bottom piece to the door frame assembly, and wherein the door leaf comprises a key operated bolt recessed within the door leaf wherein the bolt is advanceable by a key operation to extend vertically out of the door leaf from the door leaf bottom edge and align with an aperture in a track of the slidingly engageable bottom piece adapted to receive the bolt in an advanced position and lock the door leaf in the open position, and to retract back into a recessed position wherein an access aperture extends within the door leaf from a side edge or a face of the door leaf for access via a key having a shank of a suitable length.

8. The anti ligature pocket slide opening door assembly according to claim 1, which lacks ligature points, wherein the pocket is dimensioned to entirely receive the door leaf, such that the door leaf is flush with the pocket or is recessed within the pocket, wherein the door leaf lacks a door handle.

9. The anti ligature pocket slide opening door assembly according to claim 3, wherein the oversized pocket comprises a horizontal steel framework bracing to a vertical steel framework wherein the horizontal steel framework bracing is oversized and is disposed in a height of the oversized pocket and at an overhead and a base of the oversized pocket whereby the oversized pocket is rendered resilient to flex and deformation during a delivery of the oversized door frame assembly rotated onto a side of the oversized door frame assembly with the oversized pocket or sidepiece uppermost.

10. The anti ligature pocket slide opening door assembly according to claim 1, wherein the height D.h of the door leaf is in a range from 230 cm to 290 cm and the overhead overlap height o.h is in the range selected from 5 cm to 40 cm and the oversized overhead overlap is disposed at an elevation above the floor of 222 cm to 285 cm, whereby the oversized overhead overlap is rendered inaccessible to a flexible or deformable ligature, or wherein the height D.h of the door leaf is in the range from 240 cm to 290 cm and the overhead overlap height o.h in the range selected from 5 cm to 40 cm and the oversized overhead overlap is disposed at an elevation above the floor in a range 232 cm to 285 cm, whereby the oversized overhead overlap is rendered inaccessible to a rigid or resiliently deformable ligature.

11. The anti-ligature pocket slide opening door assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one overhead overlap element and a face of the headpiece or the sidepieces of the door frame assembly against which the at least one overhead overlap element is to seat comprise one or more elongate grooves or elongate routered channels and one or more projecting flanges provided in a plane including the door leaf loaded in the door frame assembly, for a mutual seating and a fixing of the at least one overhead overlap element to the face of the door frame assembly, thereby providing a reinforcement in the plane, wherein the one or more projecting flanges comprise an elongate L-sections or T-sections or an elongate double inverted section thereof secured to one of the headpiece or the sidepieces of the door frame assembly and the overhead overlap element, to be received in the routered channels or the grooves in the other thereof.

12. The anti ligature pocket slide opening door assembly according to claim 1, wherein the height D.h of the door leaf is in a range selected from 224 cm to 258 cm and 230 cm to 290 cm; and the overhead overlap height o.h in a range from 8 cm to 40 cm, and the overhead overlap is configured to be disposed at an elevation above the floor of greater than or equal to 216 cm.

13. The anti-ligature pocket slide opening door assembly according to claim 1 each of the sidepieces comprise projecting elongate flanges and the at least one overhead overlap element comprises mating slots, the flanges and the slots mateable by a sliding insertion of the at least one overhead overlap element from a first direction, the at least one overhead overlap element and the headpiece or the sidepieces or the headpiece and the sidepieces, comprising recessed attachment fixings to prevent an unauthorized reverse detachment, wherein the flanges and the slots are provided on a face of the sidepieces adjoining a face of the at least one overhead overlap element, and the faces are vertically disposed in use, and sliding insertion is upwardly directed, from within a clear opening of the door frame assembly.

14. The anti ligature pocket slide opening door assembly according to claim 1, wherein D.h is in a range selected from 220 cm to 268 cm and 230 cm to 290 cm.

15. The anti ligature pocket slide opening door assembly according to claim 1, wherein o.h is in a range from 14 cm to 25 cm.

16. The anti ligature pocket slide opening door assembly according to claim 1, wherein ov.h is in a range from 13 cm to 54 cm.

17. The anti ligature pocket slide opening door assembly according to claim 1, wherein: the overhead overlap O.sup.O provides an overhead overlap tolerance o.t. in the range from 0.1 to 1.0 cm between a face of the overhead overlap element which is configured to be parallel opposed to a face of the door leaf overlapped thereby; and a ratio of o.h to o.t is in a range from 40 to 133.

18. The anti ligature pocket slide opening door assembly according to claim 1, wherein the overhead overlap O.sup.O provides: an overhead overlap tolerance o.t. in the range from 0.1 to 1.0 cm between a face of the overhead overlap element which is configured to be parallel opposed to a face of the door leaf overlapped thereby; and an overlap angle o.a in the range from 8 to 0.2, wherein o.a is an angle subtended by a maximum access line a.l., which is a shortest distance between the top edge of the door leaf and a lower edge of the overhead overlap element, wherein o.h, o.t. and a.l form a right angled triangle, whereby the overlap void prevents access to the sliding assembly for a ligature purpose.

19. The anti ligature pocket slide opening door assembly according to claim 2, wherein the corresponding mating component provided internally within the pocket is selected from: an L plate mounted on a pocket side wall or a pocket rear wall or a pocket side wall and a pocket rear wall, for supporting the mating component at a pocket end of the removable sliding assembly track element which comprises a projecting lip; and a plurality of mushroom heads, projecting upwardly from the removable sliding assembly track element and adapted to be received in a corresponding number of keyhole slots provided in the headpiece, wherein the mushroom heads are configured to be received in the keyholes and retained by advancing the track, and the mushroom heads, to seat in a narrowed portion of the slots.

20. A kit for an anti ligature pocket slide opening door assembly for use in a building which houses an individual at a risk of intentional self-harming, wherein the kit comprises: a door frame assembly which comprises a headpiece, a bottom piece and two sidepieces and a pocket, a door leaf which comprises a door leaf top edge, a closing side edge, a pocket side edge and a bottom edge, a sliding assembly for slideable translation of the door leaf in relation to the door frame assembly between a closed position and an open position, and at least one overhead overlap element securable by anti ligature fixings wherein the door frame assembly provides, with the door leaf in the closed position: an overhead overlap (O.sup.O) with the door leaf at the top edge overhead overlap element to the door frame assembly, provided separate from the headpiece for securing by an anti tamper and anti ligature fixings, wherein the overhead overlap is characterised by an overhead overlap height o.h being a height of the door leaf overlapped by the at least one overhead overlap element; a closing side overlap (O.sup.C) with the door leaf at the closing side edge; and a pocket side overlap (O.sup.P) with the door leaf at the pocket side edge, wherein O.sup.P is in a range from 1.2 cm to 5 cm; wherein the sliding assembly is an electromagnetic drive sliding assembly having components disposed in relation to the electromagnetic drive sliding assembly, and configured to decelerate the door leaf approaching the closed position or the open position or to absorb impact of the door leaf on the door frame assembly, at a moment of reaching the closed position or the open position; and wherein: the pocket and the door leaf are oversized, and the door frame assembly is correspondingly oversized, and the oversized door leaf has a height D.h. in a range from 220 cm up to 300 cm; the overhead overlap element is oversized, and has an oversized overhead overlap height o.h in a range from 5 cm to 40 cm; and the sliding assembly is disposed within the headpiece of the oversized door frame assembly at a top portion of, or overhead, the oversized overhead overlap element, which prevents access to the sliding assembly for a ligature purpose, with the oversized door leaf in the closed position; and the oversized door frame assembly, with the oversized door leaf in the open position or in a partially open position, provides an oversized overhead overlap void which has an overlap void height ov.h in a range from 7 cm to 54 cm being a sum of o.h and a vertical separation between the top edge of the oversized door leaf and the sliding assembly, whereby with the oversized door leaf in the open position or in the partially open position, the oversized overlap void prevents access to the sliding assembly for a ligature purpose.

Description

DRAWINGS

(1) The assembly is now illustrated in non-limiting manner with reference to the figures, all of which are cross-section views unless otherwise indicated, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates the door assembly comprising a door frame assembly and door leaf;

(3) FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate the door leaf overlap with oversized overhead overlap member in closed, partially open and open position;

(4) FIG. 2 illustrates the sliding assembly and relations of o.h., o.t. and o.a. in a door frame assembly;

(5) FIG. 3A illustrates the sliding assembly and overlap void;

(6) FIGS. 3B-3C illustrate the oversized overlap member or overhead panel comprising guide means for fixing or in an alternative embodiment comprising L-shaped flange and mating routered channel for mounting and securing suitably by recessed fixtures such as screws;

(7) FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the headpiece including shielding elements with the door leaf in open and closed position;

(8) FIG. 6 illustrates the headpiece including dynamic shutter means;

(9) FIG. 7 illustrates the door assembly including headpiece including dynamic shutter means of FIG. 6, with shutter means retracting into side piece;

(10) FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate the pocket door assembly provided in multiple parts;

(11) FIG. 9 illustrates the separate closing jamb for a pocket door assembly of FIG. 8;

(12) FIGS. 10A-10E illustrate the door assembly including bottom piece having rolling gear, static sliding element or wiper seal;

(13) FIGS. 11 and 11A illustrate the assembly as defined with reference to clear opening, preload opening and preload aperture, having foreshortened pocket depth, for delivery of door assembly rotated onto its side;

(14) FIG. 12 illustrates the door assembly having damper arrangements;

(15) FIGS. 13 to 20 illustrate the door assembly having variants of overhead sliding assembly providing overhead overlap element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) The door assembly of FIG. 1 comprises a slide-opening door assembly comprising a door frame assembly (1) having overlaps at headpiece (1a) and sidepiece and pocket opening (1b, 1c). The assembly is a single leaf assembly having headpiece (5) extending to one side of a side edge (1b or 1c). The door assembly also comprises door leaf (2) having a door leaf top edge (2a) and closing and pocket side edges (2b, 2c). Sliding assembly (3) is illustrated disposed along the headpiece (1a).

(17) Door leaf (L) is configured to be hung or mounted in the door frame assembly (1) in sliding engagement (engagement coupling not shown) with sliding assembly (3). The door leaf (L) is slideable between a closed position in which the door leaf (2) occupies the doorway clear opening C.O (variously shown as aperture A) defined between overhead overlap portion of headpiece and side piece and pocket opening (1a, 1b, 1c) and restricts entry and exit, and an open position in which the door leaf occupies a pocket (P) to one side of side piece and pocket opening (1b, 1c).

(18) The door frame assembly (1) is disposed and configured in manner to overlap the door leaf (L) at overhead overlap O.sup.O and at closing overlap O.sup.C and pocket overlap O.sup.P to both door side edges. Overlap secures the door assembly against ligature and against tampering by impact.

(19) FIG. 2 illustrates the sliding assembly (3) provided within headpiece (5) which is configured to be received within form work or stud work (28). Sliding assembly (3) comprises elongate profile member (20) adapted to receive overhead rolling mechanism (24). In the case of a powered sliding assembly, elongate profile member (20) also comprises drive means (22) such as electrical connections and solenoids disposed along its length. Rolling mechanism (24) includes wheels or rollers for sliding along elongate track portion (25) of elongate profile member (20), and optionally in the case of powered sliding assembly may incorporate electrical connections or magnets (21). An overhead overlap member (26) to either or both door leaf face (shown to both faces) is for example a top rail as known in the art. Coupling means (27) connects the rolling mechanism (24) and door leaf (L).

(20) Overhead overlap member (26) overlaps door leaf (L) such that a straight line (29) drawn from the door leaf top edge (2a) to the lower face of overlap member (26) fails to penetrate the sliding assembly, for example is obstructed by elongate track portion (25). Straight line (29) subtends an angle o.a. to the door leaf (L) defined as tan.sup.1 (o.t./o.h.) or tan.sup.1/(o.t./o.h.) where o.t. is the overlap tolerance between door leaf (L) and overlap member (26) and o.h. is the height of the door leaf (L) overlapped by the overlap member (26).

(21) Preferably in the first embodiment as hereinbefore defined the sliding assembly (3) is provided overhead of the position of the door leaf top edge and the height o.h. of the door leaf overlap, optionally in combination with the tolerance o.t. between door leaf (L) and overlap member (26) prevents access to the door leaf top edge (2a) and to the sliding assembly (3).

(22) FIG. 3A illustrates the arrangement of FIG. 2 with the door leaf (L) in open position and door leaf (L) position replaced by overhead overlap void V. Preferably in the first embodiment as hereinbefore defined the depth of the overlap member (26) prevents access without use of a suitable elongate rigid implement, to the door leaf top edge (2a) and to the sliding assembly (3).

(23) FIG. 3B illustrates a feature of the overhead overlap member (26) facilitating securing the overlap member (26) to headpiece (5). In particular a guide means (30) for a fixing element such as a screw is provided extending internally within the overhead overlap member from the top face towards (32) or to (34) the lower face thereof. The lower face of the overlap member (26) comprises presunk fixing hole (34) to receive a fixing element. The lower face of the headpiece (5) comprises a remote fixing element (36) such as an embedded or self tapping bolt which secures the end of a screw inserted upwardly from the lower face of the overlap element (26). A plurality of such guide means (30) are provided and a plurality of mating fixing apertures with remote fixing element (36).

(24) FIG. 3C shows an alternative embodiment comprising L-plate or section, or T-plate or section (33, dashes) secured to headpiece or sidepiece and seated in routered channel (31) in overhead overlap element (26) face adjoining the headpiece (5) or adjoining a sidepiece. Channels and L-plates may be positioned suitably in the thickness of the door leaf L. A further channel (35, dotted) internal to the overhead overlap element (26) accommodates locking bolt (38) which is activated by key (not shown) via aperture and optional faceplate (37) to advance the bolt (38) upwardly into a locking aperture (not shown) in the headpiece (5) or to advance the bolt (38) horizontally or upwardly inclined, into a locking aperture (not shown) in a side piece (not shown) to one side of the overhead overlap element (26).

(25) FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the assembly of FIGS. 3A and 2 wherein, where not indicated, parts have the identity indicated in FIGS. 3A and 2, and wherein elongate track (25) comprises one or more shielding elements (40). Shielding elements (40) serve to further obstruct access to sliding assembly (3) with door leaf (L) in open or closed position. Line (29) is obstructed for a broader range of ratios of o.h. to o.t. Shielding elements may be rigid or resiliently deformable flanges providing an aperture for passage of coupling means (27).

(26) FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a variation of shielding means comprising dynamic shutter means (60) optionally engaging with supports or flanges (62) optionally in sealing engagement. Shutter means (60) are engaged by coupling means (27) so as to be drawn along the overlap void V with the opening of the door leaf (L). Side edge (1b) receives the shutter means (60) with the closing of the door leaf (L). Biasing means (70) located within the side edge (1b) or the support structure for door assembly engages the shutter means (60) and retracts the shutter means (60) from overlap void V with the closing of the door leaf.

(27) FIG. 8A-C illustrates a pocket (80) door assembly (1, L) in multiple parts. The reinforced door assembly described herein may conveniently be provided non assembled. However there remains a need to provide in manner to be able to assemble in situ and yet achieve overlap tolerances as herein described. Illustrated in FIG. 8B, preferably, the at least one overhead overlap element (26) is provided separately to the headpiece (5) illustrated in FIG. 8A. Separately provided overhead overlap element (26) is conveniently secured to the headpiece (5) after installing the door leaf (2) in situ. Preferably overhead overlap element (26) is a hollow element constructed of steel as hereinbefore defined. Securing to the headpiece (5) requires locating a fixing means across the hollow steel element, in this case via a fixing aperture in a face of the overlap element defining the opening aperture, upwardly through an opposing face to seat into a face of the headpiece. Location is unguided and inaccurate. In a particular advantage the overlap element comprises a guide channel between opposing faces to receive a fixing means as previously described. Illustrated in FIG. 8B, preferably at least one closing jamb (84) is provided separately to the sidepiece (82) illustrated in FIG. 8A. By this means door leaf (L) can be located in position in the doorway C.O. aperture A parallel aligned to the face of the frame assembly, coupled to the sliding assembly (3) and overlap elements (26, 84) secured in place. By this means a pocket door assembly with overlap tolerances o.t as herein defined is provided. FIG. 8C illustrates mounting means for securing the track within the pocket by a push fit, sliding fit and/or drop fit mechanism. For example one or a plurality of mushroom heads projecting upwardly from the track are adapted to be received in a corresponding number of keyhole slots provided in the headpiece, in the door assembly (1) of FIG. 8A.

(28) FIG. 9 illustrates the side piece as herein defined. A side overlap is for example a pocket jamb or a closing side jamb (84) as known in the art. Closing side jamb (84) is received in preloading cavity lining element (90) which is received in form work or stud work (92). Preloading cavity lining element (90) provides preloading cavity lining width which is greater than closing side jamb width. Preloading cavity lining depth is greater than closing jamb depth. Coupling door leaf (L), and sliding into an open position, serves to vacate a preloading cavity defined by the preloading cavity lining element to receive closing jamb (84) which is located within the preloading cavity and secured in position. By this means a pocket door assembly with overlap tolerances o.t and side overlaps as hereinbefore defined is provided. Significantly this enables loading door leaf at side edge 1b in preloading cavity with door leaf out of alignment and swinging into alignment in manner to slide into pocket P, with subsequent adjustment of side overlap tolerances by means of closing jamb.

(29) FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B, FIG. 10C and FIG. 10E illustrate the door assembly having bottom piece (100) disposable across the door frame assembly and slideably engageable with the door leaf lower edge (2d) by means of lower static sliding element (not shown) or rolling mechanism (102, 106) suitably received within aperture (104) of the door leaf lower edge (2d). The door assembly comprising bottom rolling mechanism (102, 106) of FIG. 10B, FIG. 10C, and FIG. 10E is particularly useful when providing in reinforced door assembly whereby the weight of the door leaf merits additional means for support with sliding coupling means, in particular in combination with an overhead static sliding assembly such as illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 19.

(30) FIG. 10D illustrates an arrangement with wiper seal (110) angled towards closing side edge. Wiper seal (110) is disposed at door leaf (L) bottom edge (2d) at closing side edge (2b) thereof to lightly contact bottom piece (100) and so as to push aside obstacles as the door leaf L advances. Should an obstacle remain in the path of the advancing door leaf L and impede wiper seal (110), pressure exerted on wiper seal (110) increases pressure of wiper seal (110) contact to bottom piece (100), thereby preventing entrainment of such obstacle. Static sliding or rolling mechanism (102, not shown), if present, is disposed rearwardly of wiper seal (110), having regard to the direction of closing of door leaf (L), as illustrated in FIG. 10E in the form of rolling mechanism (102), or alternatively in the form of static sliding element (not shown) such as a low friction surface of door leaf (L) bottom edge (2d) and/or low friction surface of bottom track recesses and/or flange.

(31) FIG. 11 illustrates the door assembly with foreshortened pocket depth, suitable for rotating onto a side edge for delivery, with overhead overlap element 26 and side jamb 84 as separate components. A.sup.Ph and A.sup.Pw denote the height and width of a preloading aperture, with overhead overlap element 26 and side jamb absent 84, into which door leaf L is loaded thereafter securing overhead overlap element 26 and side jamb 84 in place. l.h and l.w denote overall height and width of frame assembly.

(32) FIG. 12 illustrates damping means as described, including inertia reel closing damper 200, having tape 201 attached to the pocket side edge of door leaf L and providing damping distance Dd in excess of 15 cm or 20 cm. Door leaf closing side edge comprises resiliently deformable or compressible buffer 202. Inertia reel damper 201 ensures that an individual cannot be struck with force by the closing door leaf, whilst damper 202 ensures a soft impact at any body part or object struck by door leaf.

(33) FIGS. 13 to 20 illustrate overhead overlap element comprising integral overhead sliding assembly track releasably mounted to the frame assembly. Parts have the same meaning as in foregoing figures. In this case an overhead overlap element or either or both of two overhead overlap elements (26) include a low friction static sliding surface (300) disposed as a covering or as a part of sliding track (301) at the overhead overlap element (26). Door leaf top edge (2a) comprises in similar manner a low friction static sliding surface (300) disposed as a covering or as a part of sliding element (302) disposed at or forming the door leaf top edge (2a). An overlap may be provided to either or both faces, in any arrangement or combination of arrangements illustrated. Overhead overlap element comprising static sliding track (302) is releasably mounted to a clear opening face F.sup.CO, located opposite to a barricade risk face F.sup.CO. In FIGS. 18 and 20 overlap element (26) and headpiece (5) are illustrated having radiused face (311, 310) to facilitate door leaf (L) removal by tilt at bottom edge of door leaf (not shown). Releasable mounting means are illustrated at the clear opening face F.sup.CO comprising channel (35, dotted) internal to the overhead overlap element (26) for securing to clear opening face F.sup.CO, for accommodating locking bolt (38) which is activated by key (not shown) via aperture and optional faceplate (37) to advance the bolt (38) upwardly into a locking aperture (not shown) in the headpiece (5) or to advance the bolt (38) horizontally or upwardly inclined, into a locking aperture (not shown) in a side piece (not shown) to one side of the overhead overlap element (26). In FIG. 18 is illustrated both configurations of channel (35) and aperture and optional faceplate (38).

(34) Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

(35) Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

(36) All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

(37) Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

(38) The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.