Temporary portable abatement, remediation, demolition, and remodeling door

Abstract

A reusable and portable temporary door/frame assembly primarily used in abatement, remediation, demolition, and remodeling applications with a containment enclosure or barrier to allow quick and easy ingress/egress, or restrict movement, to/from a limited access area. The assembly comprises lightweight materials, such as but not limited to plastic or aluminum, and two non-spring-loaded telescopic poles that extend a top bar/piece upwardly for attachment to an overhead door frame, header, or ceiling. The top of the frame is also configured to accept two upwardly extendable spring-loaded/biased poles allowing a containment enclosure or barrier to be built to ceiling heights beyond the reach of the integral telescopic poles. Since the assembly is portable, it can be installed to open inwardly, outwardly, and is reversible, depending on convenience or need. The door is lockable. The door panel's frame includes a seal at the top/bottom to reduce air transmission to/from the limited access area.

Claims

1. A reusable, portable, and reversible temporary door and frame assembly blocking unauthorized access into construction areas and primarily used in abatement, remediation, demolition, and remodeling applications with an underneath supporting surface, an overhead surface, and a walkway opening leading to a construction area, said door and frame assembly comprising: an outer frame portion having a top end, opposing sides, and a bottom end; a door with an upper end and an opposed lower end, said door also having hinged connection to one of said opposing sides of said outer frame portion allowing movement of said door relative to said outer frame portion between a closed position against said outer frame portion and opened positions creating a temporary walkway access through and between said top end, said opposing sides, and said bottom end of said outer frame portion; a generally C-shaped top extension having two non-spring-loaded poles each with a top end and an opposed bottom end, said top extension also having a top bar connected across and between said top ends of said two poles, said bottom ends of said poles associated with said outer frame portion for repeat upward and downward elevation change of said top bar toward and away from said outer frame portion wherein differing portions of said poles remain hidden from view within said outer frame portion; and a door handle allowing on-demand movement of said door between said closed position against said outer frame portion and at least one of said opened positions, wherein when said temporary door and frame assembly is positioned in front of said walkway opening leading to said construction area, said bottom end of said outer frame portion is temporarily secured to a supporting surface in a manner eliminating air transmission around said bottom end, said top bar of said top extension is temporarily secured to an overhead surface in a manner eliminating air transmission around said top bar, and said opposing sides are temporarily secured to eliminate air transmission around them, said door and frame assembly can provide containment of potentially harmful substances within, and block unauthorized access to, the construction area, and after association with said walkway opening leading to said construction area, said assembly can be promptly and easily relocated for reuse.

2. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one top seal depending from said upper end of said door and at least one bottom seal depending from said lower end of said door, reducing air transmission around said door when said door is in said closed position.

3. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said door further comprises a door panel with a perimeter and a door frame depending outwardly from said perimeter.

4. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 3 wherein said door panel is opaque.

5. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 3 further comprising at least one top seal depending from said door frame and at least one bottom seal depending from said door frame, reducing air transmission around said portable door and frame assembly when said door is in said closed position.

6. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said door handle further comprises at least one lock.

7. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said door has a back surface facing said outer frame portion when said door is in said closed position against said outer frame portion and an opposed front surface remote from said outer frame portion when said door is in said closed position, and further wherein said door handle is a two-part handle connectable through said door for on-demand movement of said door from positioning adjacent to both said front and back surfaces of said door.

8. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said outer frame portion, said door, and said top extension are made from lightweight materials.

9. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said top end of said outer frame portion is configured to accept one or more upwardly extendable spring-loaded poles as a substitute for said top extension.

10. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said hinged connection of said door to one of said opposing sides of said outer frame portion is selected from a group consisting of hinged connections allowing said door to open inwardly, hinged connections allowing said door to open outwardly, hinged connections allowing right swing of said door, and hinged connections allowing left swing of said door.

11. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said top extension is separable from said outer frame portion.

12. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said top extension is lockable at selected elevations above said top end of said outer frame portion.

13. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 12 further comprising at least one locking pin, and wherein at least one of said non-spring-loaded poles of said top extension has a plurality of receiving holes for said at least one locking pin.

14. A reusable, portable, and reversible temporary door and frame assembly blocking unauthorized access into construction areas and primarily used in abatement, remediation, demolition, and remodeling applications with an underneath supporting surface, an overhead surface, and a walkway opening leading to a construction area, in permanent structures and temporary barriers, and said door and frame assembly comprising: an outer frame portion having a top end, opposing sides, and a bottom end; a door having a door panel with a perimeter and a door frame depending outwardly from said door panel, said door frame also having an upper end and an opposed lower end, said door further having hinged connection to one of said opposing sides of said outer frame portion allowing movement of said door relative to said outer frame portion between a closed position against said outer frame portion and opened positions creating a temporary walkway access through and between said top end, said opposing sides, and said bottom end of said outer frame portion; a generally U-shaped top extension having two non-spring-loaded poles each with a top end and an opposed bottom end, said top extension also having a top bar connected across and between said top ends of said two poles, said bottom ends of said poles associated with said outer frame portion for repeat upward and downward elevation change of said top bar toward and away from said outer frame portion wherein differing portions of said poles remain hidden from view within said outer frame portion; at least one top seal depending from said upper end of said door frame and at least one bottom seal depending from said lower end of said door frame, reducing air transmission through said temporary walkway access when said door panel and said door frame are in said closed position; and a door handle allowing on-demand movement of said door between a closed position within and against said outer frame portion and at least one of said opened positions creating said temporary walkway access through and between said top end, said opposing sides, and said bottom end of said outer frame portion, wherein when said bottom end of said outer frame portion has temporary airtight connection to said underneath supporting surface, said top bar of said top extension has temporary airtight connection to said overhead surface, and said opposing sides of said outer frame portion have temporary airtight connection in said walkway opening leading to said construction area, said outer frame portion, said door, and said top extension provide containment of potentially harmful substances within, and block unauthorized access to, the construction area, and after association with said walkway opening leading to said construction area, said assembly can be promptly and easily relocated for reuse.

15. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 14 wherein said door panel is opaque.

16. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 14 wherein said door handle is selected from a group consisting of lockable door handles and two-part handles connectable through said door.

17. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 14 wherein said outer frame portion, said door, and said top extension are made from lightweight materials.

18. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 14 wherein said top end of said outer frame portion is configured to accept one or more upwardly extendable spring-loaded poles as a substitute for said top extension.

19. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 14 wherein said hinged connection of said door to one of said opposing sides of said outer frame portion is selected from a group consisting of hinged connections allowing said door to open inwardly, hinged connections allowing said door to open outwardly, hinged connections allowing right swing of said door, and hinged connections allowing left swing of said door.

20. The portable door and frame assembly of claim 14 wherein said top extension is separable from said outer frame portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front view of a prior art zippered barrier installed across a doorway entrance to a containment area or other limited access area, with its generally upwardly opening zipper in an opened position.

(2) FIG. 1A is a front view of a prior art zippered barrier installed floor-to-ceiling and across the opposing walls of a room, creating a containment area on the remote side of the barrier.

(3) FIG. 2A is a front view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention temporary portable abatement, remediation, demolition, and remodeling door/frame assembly showing its door panel/frame hinged to, and closed against, a surrounding outer frame portion, with the door panel/frame also having a handle positioned centrally on its left side.

(4) FIG. 2B is a front view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention showing its door panel/frame hinged to, and closed against, a surrounding outer frame portion, with the door panel/frame also having a handle positioned centrally on its right side.

(5) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention with its door panel/frame partially opened and showing handles on both sides of the door.

(6) FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the bottom of the top portion of the door/frame assembly in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention and showing a top extension having two non-biased side members and a top bar that can be raised upwardly away from the top surface of the assembly's outer frame portion for additional support of the present invention from a header, ceiling, or other overhead surface/location, with double-headed arrows showing the direction of raising and lowering for the top bar.

(7) FIG. 5 is a front view of the top portion of the door/frame assembly in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a top extension having two non-biased side members and a top bar connected to and between the top ends of the side member, with the extension raised higher above the top of the assembly's outer frame portion than is shown in FIG. 4.

(8) FIG. 6 is a front view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention door/frame assembly having its door panel/frame partially open and its top bar raised to near full extension.

(9) FIG. 7 is a front view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention door/frame assembly surrounded by a temporary flexible sheet barrier, double face tape securing the sides of the present invention's outer frame portion to the barrier, and its top bar raised and secured to a ceiling behind the barrier with locking pins, fasteners, tape, and/or other means.

(10) FIG. 8 is a front view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention door/frame assembly surrounded by a temporary flexible sheet barrier, double face tape securing the sides of the present invention's outer frame portion to the barrier, and its top extension replaced by spring-loaded/biased telescoping poles that are shown secured against a portion of the ceiling behind the barrier without any fasteners.

COMPONENT LIST

(11) 1Temporary Opening 2Permanent Door Frame or Interior Perimeter Surface of Walkway Opening 3Temporary Barrier or Flexible Sheet Barrier 4Zipper Closure in Temporary Barrier 3 5Temporary Portable Abatement, Remediation, Demolition, and Remodeling Door/Frame Assembly 6Outer Frame Portion of Door/Frame Assembly 5 7Door Frame Part hinged to the Outer Frame Portion 6 of Door/Frame Assembly 5 7A Front surface of Door Frame Part 7 7BBack surface of Door Frame Part 7 8Central Panel secured to Door Frame Part 7 [the Door portion of Door/Frame Assembly 5 comprises Central Panel 8 and Door Frame Part 7] 9Exterior Door Knob or Handle with key 10Hinge 11Interior Door Knob or Handle with lockable mechanism 12Non-biased Top Extension of Door/Frame Assembly 5 13Top Bar of Top Extension 12 14Vertical Side Members of Top Extension 12 15Seals used on the top and bottom ends of the Door Frame Part 7 of Door/Frame Assembly 5 16Lock Pin used with Holes 19 to secure the Top Extension 12 in opened and closed positions 17Prior art spring-loaded/biased Telescoping Poles optionally replacing Top Extension 12, which can include barrier securing top pads or barrier securing elongated top foam rails 18Double Face Tape used to secure a flexible Temporary Barrier 3 to the Outer Frame Portion 6 of Door/Frame Assembly 5 19Holes in Vertical Side Members 14 receiving a Lock Pin 16, or the location of a ratcheting mechanism

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(12) The present invention is a reusable and portable temporary door and frame assembly 5 primarily used in abatement, remediation, demolition, and remodeling applications (such as for dust containment and the elimination of mold, asbestos, or lead, but not limited thereto), which is used with a wall of a temporary containment enclosure or barrier (see the number 3 in FIGS. 1, 1A, 7, and 8, or other) to allow quick and easy ingress and egress, without bending, stretching, ducking, or a tripping hazard, to/from limited access areas where containment therein of construction debris, drywall dust, mold, asbestos, or other potentially dangerous or hazardous materials is desired. The present invention assembly 5 comprises lightweight materials, such as but not limited to plastic or aluminum, and integral to its outer frame portion 6 are two non-spring-loaded telescopic poles (side members 14) that extend a top bar/piece 13 upwardly and away from the assembly's outer frame 6 for attachment to n overhead portion of a permanent door frame, header, or ceiling (such as but not limited to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A). The lateral portions of the top surface of the present invention outer frame portion 6 is also configured to accept one or more upwardly extendable Zipwall poles (or other spring-loaded/biased product), allowing a temporary containment enclosure or barrier 3 to be built to ceiling heights beyond the approximate eleven foot reach of the present invention's integral non-biased telescopic poles (the side members 14 of non-spring-loaded top extension 12). In addition, since the present invention assembly 5 is portable, it can be installed to open inwardly, or outwardly, for left or right hand swing, depending on convenience or need. A door lock is an option, as a part of interior door knob or handle 11, exterior door knob or handle 9, and/or deadbolt lock, or otherwise (not shown). Also, the top and bottom portions of the present invention frame 7 around door panel 8 each have a seal 15 to reduce air transmission to/from the associated limited access area (such as but not limited to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A). FIGS. 1 and 1A show an installed prior art temporary zippered barrier 3, while FIGS. 2A-8 show various views of the present invention temporary portable abatement/remediation/demolition/remodeling door/frame assembly 5.

(13) FIGS. 1 and 1A respectively are front views of a prior art temporary zippered barrier 3 installed across a door frame 2 and installed floor-to-ceiling and across the opposing walls (not separately numbered) of a room, creating a containment area on the remote side of the temporary barrier 3. Although not limited thereto, it is contemplated in many applications for temporary barrier 3 to be a flexible sheet that is discarded at the end of abatement or remediation activity (with or without a preliminary decontamination step, according to need). The means of sealing the edges of the temporary zippered barrier 3 in place (with double-sided tape or other means) is not in revealed in FIGS. 1 and 1A. In addition, FIGS. 1 and 1A show the zippered closure 4 of barrier 3 in an open configuration, creating a doorway entrance 1 for ingress and egress to/from a limited access containment area. Frequent entry and exit through a doorway entrance 1 created by a zippered closure 4 is inconvenient, involves bending and stretching, is time consuming and slows progress into and from a containment area, and can provide tripping and other hazard for those carrying loads into and from a containment area, and those otherwise encumbered or restricted in mobility.

(14) FIGS. 2A-8 show various views of the present invention temporary portable abatement/remediation/demolition/remodeling door/frame assembly 5, with FIGS. 7 and 8 showing door/frame assembly 5 during use. FIG. 2A is a front view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention temporary portable abatement/remediation door/frame assembly 5 showing its door (panel 8 and frame 7) hinged to, and closed against, a surrounding outer frame portion 6, with the door (7/8) also having an exterior door handle 9 positioned centrally on its left side, within easy reach of a person attempting to open door (7/8) when unlocked and pass through outer frame portion 6 to enter or exit a limited access area. A top extension 12, having a top bar 13 and opposed, laterally positioned, and non-spring-loaded vertical side members 14, is shown in FIGS. 4-8 extending upwardly from the top end of outer frame portion 6. FIG. 2B is a front view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention showing its door (7/8) hinged to, and closed against, the opposing side of outer frame portion 6 so that its door (7/8) swings open in the opposed direction from the door (7/8) shown in the first preferred embodiment of door/frame assembly 5 shown in FIG. 2A. The door (7/8) in FIG. 2B also has its exterior door handle 9 positioned centrally on its right side, instead of the left side shown in FIG. 2A. Doors (7/8) in both embodiments of the present invention can be installed to open both inwardly and outwardly, depending on convenience or need. In addition, although not shown, door closure means can also be employed as a part of the present invention door/frame assembly 5 to minimize delay for technician ingress/egress. Although the proportional dimensions of panel 8 to door frame 7 are shown to be the same in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the dimensions shown are not critical to the present invention. Also, the proportional dimensions of door (7/8) to outer frame 6 are shown to be the same in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and the dimensions shown are merely provided as an example and are not critical to the present invention as long as it remains lightweight, easily carried by one person, and able to fulfill its intended function. Furthermore, the size, configuration, and placement of the handle 9 in present invention door/frame assembly 5 is not limited to that shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In addition, the number, size, placement, spaced-apart distance, type, and configuration of the hinges 10 used in the present invention door/frame assembly 5 is also provided only as an example and is not considered as critical or limited to the representation shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

(15) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention door/frame assembly 5 with its door (7/8) partially opened and showing handles (9 and 11) in opposed positions on the opposite sides of door (7/8). Handle 9 or 11 preferably contains a locking mechanism that may be selectively locked, or it can be configured to require keyed entry at all times, according to need in the current application. In addition, although not shown, at least one deadbolt or other lock may be connected between door (7/8) and outer frame 6 in addition to a locking mechanism in handles 9 and/or 11, or in place of a locking mechanism in handles 9 and/or 11. Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows seals 15 used on the top and bottom ends of door frame part 7 as a further precaution toward reducing the air transmission from one side of door/frame assembly 5 to the other. The number, size, placement, and configuration of seals 15 used as a part of present invention door/frame assembly 5 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3.

(16) FIGS. 4-6 show varying representations of upward separation of the top bar 13 of top extension 12 away from the top end of outer frame portion 6, with double-headed arrows in FIG. 4 showing the direction of top extension 12 movement. As can be easily observed, FIG. 4 has the least separation of top bar 13 and outer frame portion 6, wherein a large portion of each vertical side member 14 remains hidden within outer frame portion 6, FIG. 5 has a moderate amount of separation between top bar 13 and outer frame portion 6 and shows more of the vertical side members 14 in view, and FIG. 6 has the largest amount of separation between top bar 13 and outer frame portion 6 and even more of each vertical side member 14 in view when compared to FIG. 5. In addition, FIGS. 4-6 each identify the vertical side members 14, with FIGS. 4 and 5 showing spaced-apart holes (represented in FIG. 7 with the number 19) in vertical side members 14 that allow them to be locked at selected elevations with the locking pins 16 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The number, positioning and spaced apart distance of the holes 19 are not limited to the representations shown in FIGS. 5-7. FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the bottom of the top portion of the door/frame assembly 5 in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention and showing a top extension (13/14, also marked in FIGS. 5 and 6 by the number 12) having two non-spring-loaded/non-biased vertical side members 14 and a top bar 13 that can be raised upwardly and away from the top of the outer frame portion 6 for additional support of the present invention assembly 5 from a header, ceiling, or other overhead location (such as but not limited to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A). Although not shown, top bar 13 may have pre-drilled holes allowing secured fastened connection to a header, ceiling, or other overhead location. In addition or in the alternative, top bar 13 may be taped to a header, ceiling, or other overhead location. FIG. 5 is a front view of the top portion of the door/frame assembly 5 in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a top extension 12 having two non-spring-loaded/non-biased vertical side members 14 and a top bar 13 connected across and between the top ends of vertical side members 14, with the top extension 12 raised higher above the top of outer frame portion 6 than is shown in FIG. 4. The locking pin 16 shown in FIG. 5 is secured to a hidden hole 19 (see FIG. 7 for the designation/number 19) in the adjacent vertical side member 14. Furthermore, although FIGS. 5-7 only show holes 19 in one of the vertical side members 14, both may have holes 19, depending upon the application. FIG. 6 is a front view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention having its door partially open and its top bar 13 elevated to near full extension. FIG. 6 also shows the seals 15 that can be used with the top and bottom surfaces of door frame 7, hinges 10, door handle 9, the temporary opening 1 in outer frame portion 6 through which one can pass when door (7/8) is in an opened configuration, and one of the locking pins 16 that can be used with holes 19 (see the number 19 in FIG. 7) to lock side members 14 at a pre-selected elevation. Also, the configurations and proportional dimensions of top bar 13 and vertical side members 14 are merely shown as an example in FIGS. 4-7, the actual configurations and dimensions of them are not critical to the present invention and may differ from shown.

(17) FIGS. 7 and 8 show the present invention door/frame assembly 5 during use while secured to a temporary sheet barrier 3. FIG. 7 is a front view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention surrounded by a flexible temporary sheet barrier 3, and with double face or Ezier tape 18 securing the sides of outer frame portion 6 to the temporary barrier 3. FIG. 7 also shows top bar 13 raised and secured to a ceiling behind temporary barrier 3, with a locking pin 16 fixing side members 14 at a pre-selected elevation. FIG. 7 also shows the seals 15 that can be used with the top and bottom surfaces of door frame portion 7, the hinges 10 movable between door frame portion 7 and outer frame portion 6, door handle 9, and the temporary opening 1 in outer frame portion 6 through which one can pass when door (7/8) is in an opened configuration. Although not shown in FIG. 7, the top bar 13 of top extension 12 can also help secure the top edge of temporary barrier 3 against a ceiling or other overhead surface. In contrast, FIG. 8 is a front view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention door/frame assembly 5 surrounded by a temporary sheet barrier 3 and double face tape or Ezier tape 18 securing the sides of the present invention's outer door frame 6 to the temporary barrier 3, however, its top extension 12 is replaced by prior art spring-loaded/biased telescoping poles 17 individually secured against a portion of the ceiling behind temporary barrier 3. Although not shown in FIG. 8, prior art spring-loaded/biased telescoping poles 17 can also secure the top edge of temporary barrier 3 against a ceiling or other overhead surface with a pad or an elongated foam rail. Typically, top extension 12 is removed from top holes (not shown) in outer frame portion 6 and prior art spring-loaded/biased telescoping poles 17 are substituted in place of the vertical side members 14 in top extension 12. Since the present invention door/frame assembly 5 is portable, during its installation door (7/8) can be oriented to have a left or right hand in-swing or a left or right hand out-swing, according to preference or need.

(18) The present invention door/frame assembly 5 does not require assembly by a user prior to installation, and is designed for repeat use. It is easier and faster to use than the commonly disposable prior art zippered door entrances, and is responsible for less environmental impact. It also reduces back injury and tripping risk for people entering into and exiting from a limited access area over zippered door entrance use. The bottom surface of outer frame portion 6 may be secured with double face tape or Ezier tape 18 to the floor or other surface supporting door/frame assembly 5, single face tape may be used to otherwise secure the lower portion of outer frame portion 6 to a floor or other supporting surface, or fasteners may be used to secure the lower portion of outer frame portion 6 into a sub-floor (not shown). As mentioned above, top bar 13 may be secured by fasteners, tape, or other means to an overhead surface, in addition to, or in place of using locking pin 16 and holes 19 for selection of an elevation for top bar 13. Periodically, the hinges 10 and door latches 9 and 11 of the present invention door/frame assembly 5 should be lubricated. Replaceable parts may include the seals 15 secured to the top and bottom surfaces of door frame 7. Also, door/frame assembly 5 should be cleaned and inspected prior to each use to make certain containment will be achieved. After each use, door/frame assembly 5 should be decontaminated for any dust, asbestos, lead, or mold present, as needed, with the cost thereof part of the building owner's expense for the abatement, remediation, demolition, and/or remodeling work. In addition, although the present invention door/frame assembly 5 is more expensive to manufacture and purchase than a plastic Zipwall doorway kit (or similar product), with repeat use the present invention door/frame assembly 5 could pay for itself after a few uses, for example by billing an insurance carrier or building owner the current purchase price of a plastic Zipwall doorway kit (or similar product) for each use. Manufacture of the present invention door/frame assembly 5 using screws, other fasteners, and/or welding produces a substantial and durable product, which may have a clear door panel 8, or not, depending upon the application.

(19) While the written description of the invention herein is intended to enable one of ordinary skill to make and use its best mode, it should also be appreciated that the invention disclosure only provides examples of specific embodiments and methods, and many variations, combinations, and equivalents also exist which are not specifically mentioned. The present invention should therefore not be considered as limited to the above-described embodiments, methods, and examples, but instead encompassing all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention, as defined in the accompanying claims.