Door component and door with laminated strengthening bars

Abstract

A door component, a door, and a method for manufacturing the same. The door may be an external domestic door. The door component includes a thermally insulating material sandwiched by a first layer and a second layer. The component has at least one strengthening bar sandwiched by the first and second layers. The first and second layers are cross-laminated plywood. The strengthening bar(s) are advantageously cross-laminated. Related doors and methods of manufacture are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a door core, the method comprising: sandwiching a plurality of strengthening bars between first and second layers; wherein the strengthening bars are formed of Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL); wherein the plurality of strengthening bars including a first strengthening bar and a second strengthening bar; wherein the first layer and the second layer comprise cross-laminated plywood; wherein the first and second strengthening bars are disposed adjacent to each other but spaced from each other so as to form an elongate cavity in combination with the first and second layers; wherein a laminate stacking direction of the first strengthening bar is perpendicular to a laminate stacking direction of the first and second layers; pushing a first elongate thermally insulating block into the elongate cavity so as to dispose the first block both between the first and second strengthening bars and between the first and second layers; wherein the pushing comprises pushing the first block in a direction perpendicular to both the laminate stacking direction of the first strengthening bar and the laminate stacking direction of the first and second layers.

2. A method of manufacturing a door, the method comprising: providing a door core, wherein the door core comprises: at least one thermally insulating block sandwiched by a first layer and a second layer; wherein the first layer and the second layer comprise cross-laminated plywood; a plurality of strengthening bars sandwiched by the first and second layers, including a first strengthening bar and a second strengthening bar; wherein the strengthening bars are formed of Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL); wherein the thermally insulating block is: bounded on a first side by the first strengthening bar; bounded on a second side, opposite the first side, by the second strengthening bar; bounded on a third side, disposed between the first and second sides, by the first layer; bounded on a fourth side, disposed between the first and second sides and opposite the third side, by the second layer; wherein a laminate stacking direction of the first strengthening bar is perpendicular to a laminate stacking direction of the first and second layers; thereafter, framing the door core by securing a frame to the edges of the door core; thereafter, machining at least one structure into a surface of the door core.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the machining comprises Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the door is an external domestic door.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the thermally insulating block is a foam material.

6. The method of claim 2: wherein the at least one thermally insulating block comprises a plurality of elongate blocks arranged substantially parallel to one another in spaced relation to each other; wherein adjacent blocks are separated from one another by at least one intervening strengthening bar.

7. The method of claim 6: wherein each of the plurality of elongate blocks extends continuously from a position adjacent a first edge of the door core to a position adjacent a second edge of the door core; wherein the first edge is opposite the second edge.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of elongate blocks has an interference fit with the first and second layers.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the frame comprises a top rail, a bottom rail, and a pair of stiles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a door component according to the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a cut-away front view of a door comprising the first embodiment with a Derby stiles and rails door design.

(4) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional (A-A) view of a rail (or a stile) of a door comprising the first embodiment.

(5) FIG. 4a is front view of a rail of a door comprising the first embodiment.

(6) FIG. 5 is a front view of a stile of a door comprising the first embodiment.

(7) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional (C-C) view of a panel of a door comprising the first embodiment.

(8) FIG. 7 is a partial cut-away front view of a panel of a door comprising the first embodiment.

(9) FIG. 8 is the cross-section A-A of a door shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3.

(10) FIG. 9 is the cross-section B-B of a door shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3.

(11) FIG. 10 is the cross-section C-C of a door shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3.

(12) FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing a method of manufacturing a joint-less door.

(13) FIG. 12 is a cut-away front view of a door core comprising the first embodiment;

(14) FIG. 13 is a cut-away front view of a door core comprising the first embodiment framed with a frame.

(15) FIG. 14 is a cut-away front view of a door comprising the first embodiment with a Hamburg joint-less door design.

(16) FIG. 14a is the cross-section 1 of a door shown in the embodiment of FIG. 14.

(17) FIG. 14b is the cross-section 2 of a door shown in the embodiment of FIG. 14.

(18) FIG. 14c is the cross-section 3 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 14.

(19) FIG. 14d is the cross-section 4 of a door shown in the embodiment of FIG. 14.

(20) FIG. 15 is a cut-away front view of a door comprising the first embodiment with a Derby joint-less door design.

(21) FIG. 15a is the cross-section A-A of a door shown in the embodiment of FIG. 15.

(22) FIG. 15b is the cross-section B-B of a door shown in the embodiment of FIG. 15.

(23) FIG. 15c is the cross-section C-C of a door shown in the embodiment of FIG. 15.

(24) FIG. 16 is a cut-away front view of a Colonial 6 panel joint-less door design.

(25) FIG. 17 is a front view of the door design of FIG. 16.

(26) FIG. 18 is the cross-section A-A of the door shown in FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(27) A schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 in the form of a Cross Laminated Ply-Foam (CLPF) core 10 (the CLPF core is a door component of the invention) wherein LVB (Laminated Veneer Board) Water and Boil Proof (WBP) hardwood ply boards (or outer boards/panels or layers) 100 are combined with thermal insulating substantially rigid foam sheets/blocks 125 and cross laminated strengthening bars 120. A cross-sectional view of the CLPF core is shown in FIG. 2. The outer boards 100 of the CLPF core 10 are laminates and comprised of five laminate sheets, but it will be appreciated that other numbers of laminate sheets could be used instead. In the illustrated embodiment, the laminate sheets are all WBP ply board, but in other embodiments (not shown), the laminate sheets can be made of other suitable materials such as Albezia timber LVB plywood.

(28) The laminate sheets of the outer boards 100 are compressed, glued, laminated together, and finally furnished with cross banded veneer applied horizontally for a high quality decorative finish. The five ply sheets are cross laminated with three wood laminate sheets with grain in a first direction separated with two laminate sheets with grain in a second direction, substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Here the three laminate sheets 201, 203, and 205 (marked in FIG. 2) have a grain in a first direction, while the remaining two laminate sheets 202 and 204 have a grain in a second direction, substantially perpendicular to the first direction. When arranged in a use position in a hung door, as shown in FIG. 3 the first direction may be substantially vertical. It will be understood that the strength and stability of the core construction are improved by such cross lamination of the outer plywood laminate sheets. Embodiments that have a LVB lamination benefit from having even greater strength, because the LVB lamination prevents relative movement between parts of the core construction. The LVB lamination may have a vertical grain direction. A variation of the inclination angle of the grain is also possible.

(29) In the illustrated embodiment, the center of the CLPF core 10 is filled with substantially rigid sheets/blocks 125 of insulating foam. The insulating foam material may be preferably substantially synthetic material for example polystyrene, more preferably solid extruded polystyrene, and most preferably STYROFOAM-GV-NC-X extruded polystyrene. The foam sheets 125 are arranged with a configuration so as to extend horizontally (when arranged in a use position in a hung door). The foam sheets/boards 125 are 140-145 mm tall, but alternative heights may be used and the sheets may also be arranged with a different configuration (e.g., at an inclination relative to horizontal). The length of the insulating foam sheets is such that the foam extends from adjacent a first edge of the outer boards 100 to adjacent a second edge of the outer boards 100. The second edge is opposite the first edge (e.g., see FIG. 3). It will be appreciated that other insulating materials can be used in place of or in addition to the rigid foam sheets.

(30) In the present embodiment, neighboring foam sheets 125 are separated from one another by strengthening bars 120, which are in this case cross laminated. The strengthening bars are 35 mm in height. Variations in this size are possible. The length of the strengthening bars 120 is such that the bars extends from adjacent a first edge of the outer boards 100 to adjacent a second edge of the outer boards 100. The second edge is opposite the first edge. In the illustrated embodiment, the strengthening bars 120 are equally spaced apart across the vertical length of the door (when arranged in a use position in a hung door). However, it will be appreciated that the strengthening bars can be unequally spaced along the length of the door 20. The number of strengthening bars 120 across the vertical height of the door (as described above) is preferably between six and fourteen, more preferably between eight and twelve, and most preferably eleven. Preferably, the strengthening bars are spaced apart by between about 100 mm to 200 mm, more preferably between about 130 mm to 160 mm. In an embodiment, the strengthening bars are substantially equally spaced apart by about 145 mm. It should be noted that a preferred range of 140-145 mm has been found to provide among the best U values (heat transfer coefficients) while still maintaining the structural strength and stability of a door.

(31) FIG. 3 is a cut-away front view of a door 20 comprising the first embodiment with a traditional Derby stiles and rails door design. FIGS. 4 and 6 respectively show a cross-sectional view of a rail 1 (or stile 2) and a panel 3 of the door as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4a and FIG. 5 show respectively a front view of a rail 1 and a stile 2 of the door 20 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show respectively the views of the cross-section A-A of a rail 1, the cross-section B-B of a stile 2 and the cross-section C-C a panel 3 of the door 20 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3.

(32) As shown in FIG. 4, the rail 1 (or stile 2) comprises insulating foam sheets/blocks 125 sandwiched between outer plywood boards 100. In the assembled door 20, the rail 1 or stile 2 is framed, in this case with solid wood 150 around the (typically, four) edges of the boards 100 (see FIG. 3). In an assembled door 20, a decorative veneer 130, for example a cross banded veneer, is optionally provided on to the outer plane surfaces of the door boards 100, and over the solid timber edges, and it may be installed with a vertical grain direction. The decorative veneer may be any suitable veneer, for example an oak veneer, but it will be appreciated that other materials can be used in place of the outer decorative oak veneer and could be a synthetic material, for example a glass reinforced plastic (GRP) material.

(33) As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a panel 3 comprises insulating foam 125 sandwiched between outer plywood boards 100. The panel 3 further comprises a wooden block 140 that abuts one end of a foam block 125. A frame 155 sandwiches a portion of the wooded block 140. The panel optionally comprises a decorative oak veneer 130 as mentioned forth above.

(34) The rail 1 (or stile 2) further comprises a structure 160 along one edge of the rail 1 (or stile 2) (see FIG. 4). The structure 160 includes a recess. A complementary protrusion is provided on the panel 3 shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the protrusion is provided by the wooden block 140 that is partially sandwiched between the outer plywood boards 100. One end of the wooden block 140 extends beyond the outer plywood boards 100 to provide the protrusion.

(35) A door 20 as shown in FIG. 3 is assembled by securing together a plurality of rails 1, stiles 2 and panels 3 that are manufactured separately. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a rail 1 and a stile 2 are secured in a friction fit, preferably but not exclusively with dowels. Equally, a stile 2 and a panel 3 may be secured by fitting together the recess 160 and the protrusion in a friction fit (see FIG. 10). A glass panel 30 can be fitted between the rail and panel in a friction fit as shown in FIG. 9. Preferably, an adhesive and, or a silicone may be used to supplement the friction fit.

(36) A method of manufacturing a door component, in particular, a joint-less door, is described below in FIG. 11 with reference to FIGS. 12 to 17.

(37) In a first step 810, a CLPF core 10 as shown in FIG. 12 is provided. The CLPF core 10 comprises the abovementioned insulating foam 125, strengthening bars 120 and outer plywood boards 100 (not shown for clarity). A decorative oak veneer 130, for example a cross banded veneer, is optionally provided on to the outer plane surfaces of the door boards 100, and over the solid timber edges, and it may be installed in a vertical grain direction. It will be appreciated that other materials can be used in place of the outer decorative oak veneer.

(38) In a second step 820, the CLPF core 10 is framed preferably with solid wood 150 around the (typically, four) edges of the boards 100. This is as shown for example in FIG. 13.

(39) In a third step 830, an aesthetic surface design 30 for the framed CLPF core construction, as described in step 820, is machined into the outer exposed plywood veneered face. This is ideally achieved with Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining. CNC machining can be applied to manufacture traditional and even complex door designs with high precision. For example, CNC machining may be used preferably to cut out panels with different surface designs 30 from the CLPF door core 10, to create additional panels 30 to be fitted in the CLPF door core 10, or to cut through the door core 10 so that to provide openings comprising glazing beads where glass panels 30 can be fitted therein. It will be understood that the joint-less door design allows an improvement to be made to the performance and endurance of a door by minimizing potential risks of joints opening and panels splitting.

(40) This is as shown in the Hamburg joint-less door in FIG. 14 where CNC machining may be used preferably to provide a central opening where a glass panel 30 is secured therein. This type of door may be designed for plank doors with a glass opening. FIG. 14a shows the cross-section 1 view of a bottom rail 1 of the door 20 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 14. FIG. 14b shows the cross-section 2 of a top rail 1 of the door 20 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 14. FIG. 14c shows the cross-section 3 of a stile 2 of the door 20 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 14. Finally, FIG. 14d shows the cross-section 4 of a stile 2 and a glass panel 30 of the door 20 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 14.

(41) Equally, a Derby joint-less door is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 15 where CNC machining may be used preferably to provide panels 3 and openings where glass panels 30 are secured therein. FIG. 15a shows the cross-section A-A of a bottom rail 1 and a stile 2 of the door 20 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 15. FIG. 15b shows the cross-section B-B of a stile 2 and a panel 3 of the door 20 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 15. Preferably, CNC machining can take out part of the outer boards 100 to allow a decorative surface 160. Finally, FIG. 15c shows the cross-section C-C of a stile 2 and a glass panel 30 of the door 20 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 15.

(42) FIGS. 16 to 18 show another embodiment of the present invention. Another joint-less door concept is manufactured following the method shown in FIG. 11 which has been applied to construct the doors described forth above. However, unlike e.g., FIG. 11, the inner door component 10 (shown in FIG. 16) is bounded by at least two skins 130 made of GRP (Glass-Reinforced Plastic) (shown in FIG. 18) that improve the strength and hence the security of the door 20. This type of door may be designed for maintenance free entrance doors.

(43) It will be appreciated that by varying the thickness of the insulating foam layer, a door can have different thickness which will be understood to improve thermal insulation while ensuring enhanced structural integrity and security.

(44) The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above and it will be understood that features disclosed as part of one embodiment can, if appropriate, be used in combination with other embodiments. Alternative arrangements and suitable materials will be apparent to a reader skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention may be carried out in other ways than those specifically set forth herein without departing from essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.