Diagonally translating door

Abstract

A door and door jamb arrangement, for securing the opening of a secure space. The door and door jamb arrangement include a safe container, a safe room or a lockable container. The door jamb arrangement further including a door and the opening. The door is adapted to be hingedly attached to a door jamb with a hinge arrangement. The door has a hinged edge or end, and non-hinged edges or ends including a top, bottom and a remote edge. The opening has a planar space defined by the door jamb and is adapted to be closed by the door in a closed position. A hinge axis of the hinge arrangement is adapted, near or adjacent the closed position, to move laterally relative to one or both of the door or the door jamb. The hinge axis of the hinge arrangement is adapted, near or adjacent the closed position, to move at least a door portion of two adjacent edges of the door relative to corresponding and adjacent jamb portions of an edge of the door jamb between overlapping and non-overlapping positions. The door is adapted to move vertically relative to the door jamb.

Claims

1. A door and door jamb arrangement, for securing the opening of a secure space, including a safe container, a safe room or a lockable container, the door jamb arrangement including: a door adapted to be hingedly attached to a door jamb with a hinge arrangement, the door having a hinged edge or end, and non-hinged edges or ends including a top, bottom and remote edge; and an opening having a planar space defined by the door jamb and adapted to be closed by the door in a closed position, wherein: (a) the hinge arrangement including a hinge having a hinge axis, wherein the hinge arrangement is adapted, near or adjacent the closed position: (i) to move the hinge axis laterally relative to one or both of the following: the door; and the door jamb; and (ii) to move at least a door portion of two adjacent edges of the door relative to corresponding and adjacent jamb portions of an edge of the door jamb between overlapping and non-overlapping positions; and (b) the door includes a locking mechanism which is adapted to move the door vertically relative to the door jamb.

2. The door and door jamb arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door includes a lever which spans between the locking mechanism and the hinge arrangement.

3. The door and door jamb arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lever is adapted to lift the door relative to the hinge arrangement and the door jamb as the locking mechanism is actuated.

4. The door and door jamb arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lever includes a pivot connection with the door.

5. The door and door jamb arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lever includes a spring attached between the different components of the lever or between the lever and the door, the spring adapted to assist in lifting the door relative to the hinge arrangement and the door jamb.

6. The door and door jamb arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door further includes a guard located at a base of the door, the guard adapted to maintain a vertical position as the door moves relative to the hinge arrangement and the door jamb.

7. The door and door jamb arrangement as claimed claim 6, wherein the guard is attached to the hinge arrangement.

8. The door and door jamb arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door includes a guard support which is adapted to engage with a door support upon movement of the door relative to the hinge arrangement and the door jamb.

9. The door and door jamb arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge arrangement is a multi-axis hinge including a first hinge having a first hinge axis, and a second hinge having a second hinge axis, wherein the hinge arrangement is adapted, when the door is near or adjacent the closed position, to move the second hinge axis laterally relative to the first hinge axis.

10. The door and door jamb arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first hinge is affixed to the door jamb and the second hinge is affixed to the door.

11. The door and door jamb arrangement of claim 10, wherein the locking arrangement is adapted to move the door and the second hinge axis laterally relative to the door jamb and the first axis simultaneously when the door moves vertically relative to the door jamb.

12. A door and door jamb arrangement, for securing the opening of a secure space, the door and door jamb arrangement including: a door jamb; a door adapted to be hingedly attached to the door jamb with a hinge arrangement, the door having a hinged edge or end, and non-hinged edges or ends including a top, a bottom and a remote edge; and an opening having a planar space defined by the door jamb and adapted to be closed by the door in a closed position, wherein: the hinge arrangement comprises (a) a first hinge affixed to the door jamb and having a first hinge axis, and (b) a second hinge affixed to the door and having a second hinge axis; and wherein the hinge arrangement is adapted, when the door is near or adjacent the closed position: (i) to move the door and the second hinge axis laterally relative to the door jamb; (ii) to move at least a door portion of two adjacent edges of the door relative to corresponding and adjacent jamb portions of an edge of the door jamb between overlapping and non-overlapping positions; and wherein the door and door arrangement further comprises a locking mechanism which is adapted to move the door vertically relative to the door jamb.

13. The door and door jamb arrangement of claim 12, wherein the locking arrangement is adapted to move the door and the second hinge axis laterally relative to the door jamb and the first axis simultaneously when the door moves vertically relative to the door jamb.

14. The door and door jamb arrangement as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a lever mechanism which spans between the locking mechanism and the hinge arrangement.

15. The door and door jamb arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lever mechanism is adapted to lift the door relative to the hinge arrangement and the door jamb as the locking mechanism is actuated.

16. The door and door jamb arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lever mechanism includes a pivot connection with the door.

17. The door and door jamb arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lever mechanism includes a spring attached between different components of the lever or between the lever and the door, the spring adapted to assist in lifting the door relative to the hinge arrangement and the door jamb.

18. The door and door jamb arrangement as claimed in claim 12, wherein the door further includes a guard located at a base of the door, the guard adapted to maintain a vertical position as the door moves relative to the hinge arrangement and the door jamb.

19. The door and door jamb arrangement as claimed in claim 18, wherein the guard is attached to the hinge arrangement.

20. The door and door jamb arrangement as claimed in claim 12, wherein the door includes a guard support which is adapted to engage with a jamb guard upon movement of the door relative to the hinge arrangement and the door jamb.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:

(2) FIG. 1a is a front perspective view of the door and doorjamb arrangement with a door in a closed position according to a first embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIGS. 1b and 1c are perspective views of the lower portion of the door and jamb shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the door and doorjamb arrangement with the door in an open position;

(5) FIG. 3 is an internal perspective view of the door and doorjamb arrangement with the door in the closed position;

(6) FIG. 4 is an internal perspective view of the door and doorjamb arrangement with the door in the open position;

(7) FIG. 5 is a close up view of an upper end of the door;

(8) FIG. 6 is a close up view of an upper portion of a hinge of the door and door jamb arrangement;

(9) FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the door;

(10) FIG. 8 is an internal perspective view of the door and doorjamb arrangement showing a guard;

(11) FIG. 9 is an internal perspective view of the door and doorjamb arrangement showing the door in a raised position relative to a hinge and the door in the open position;

(12) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lower portion of the door and hinge assembly in the open position;

(13) FIGS. 11-13 are perspective views of a lower portion of the door and hinge assembly in the closed position; and

(14) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a lower portion of the door and hinge assembly in the open position.

REFERENCE KEY

(15) TABLE-US-00001 Reference Nos. Description No. Door and door jamb arrangement, hinge arrangement 1 Secure space 2 Safe container, safe room or a lockable container 3 Opening 4 Planar space 4a First translational direction 5 Second translational direction 6 Door jamb 10 Inner side of the door jamb 12 Door 20 Hinged edge or end (of the door) 21a Non-hinged edges or ends (of the door) 21b, c, d Top edge (of the door) 21b Remote edge (of the door) 21c Bottom edge (of the door) 21d Door portion .sup.21ai Two adjacent edges 21bi, ci Exterior of the door 22 Hinge arrangement, multi-axis hinge 30 Hinge axis, first hinge axis 32a First hinge 32 Adjacent jamb portions 31a Vertical rod 36 Upper radially extending arm (of the vertical rod) 37a Lower radially extending arm (of the vertical rod) 37b Second hinge axis 34a Second hinge 34 Support pivot connection 35 Hinge cover 36 Weld spots indicating fixed components 37 Lever mechanism 40 Lever 42 First end of the lever .sup.42ai Intermediate location on the lever 42aii Second end of the lever 42aiii Pivot connections (of the lever) 42b First component (of the lever) .sup.42ci Second component (of the lever) 42cii Third component (of the lever) 42ciii Locking mechanism 50 Rotating component 52 Handle 54 Lateral component 60 Central radially extending arm 62 First arm (of the lateral component) 64 Second arm (of the lateral component) 66 Pivot connections (of the lateral arm) 68 Door guard 70 Rear side of the guard 70a Upper support beam 71 Fasteners attaching upper support beam to translating bar 71a members Jamb guard 72 Door guard hook 74 Translating bar members 75 Door guard plate 76 Door guard support 77 Two hooks 80a, b Two holes (of the door) 81a, b Two holes (of the door) 81a, b Two hooks 80a, b

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(16) Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings using the above reference key. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. In describing the various embodiments of the invention, like features will be referred to using like references, with references for features of each embodiment generally preceded by 1, 2, 3, or followed by a Roman numeric sequence, such as i, ii, iii, etc. or an alphabetical sequence such as a, b, c, relative to the corresponding feature of the first embodiment. For example, a feature 10 of the first embodiment may represented as 110, 210, 310, (or n10), or 10a, 10b, 10c. (or 10x) or 10i, 10ii, 10iii, (or 10r) etc. in second, third and fourth embodiments, respectively.

(17) A door and doorjamb arrangement 1 for securing the opening to a secure space 4 is shown. The door and doorjamb arrangement 1 includes a safe container, a safe room or a lockable container 3. The doorjamb arrangement 1 further includes a door 20 and an opening 4a to a secure space 4. The door 20 is adapted to be hingedly attached to a doorjamb 10 with a hinge arrangement 30. The door 20 has a hinged edge or end 21a, and non-hinged edges or ends 21b, c, d including a top 21b, bottom 21d and remote 21c edge. The opening 4a to the secure space 4 is a planar opening 4a defined by the doorjamb 10 and is adapted to be closed by the door 20 in a closed position. A hinge axis 32a of the hinge arrangement 30 is adapted, near or adjacent the closed position, to move laterally relative to one or both of the door 20 and the doorjamb 10. The hinge axis 32a of the hinge arrangement 30 is adapted, near or adjacent the closed position, to move at least a door portion 21ai of two adjacent edges of the door 21bi, ci relative to corresponding and adjacent jamb portions 31a of an edge of the doorjamb 10 between overlapping and non-overlapping positions. The door 20 is adapted to move vertically relative to the doorjamb 10.

(18) The doorjamb 10 is fixed to a first hinge axis 32a of a first hinge 32 of the hinge arrangement 30 and the door 20 is fixed to a second hinge axis 34a of a second hinge 34 of the hinge arrangement 30. The first 32 and second 34 hinges form a multi-axis hinge 30. The first hinge 32 includes a first hinge axis 32a which is parallel to and offset from a second hinge axis 34a. The multi-axis hinge 30 enables the first hinge axis 32a to move laterally (in a direction which is perpendicular to the first axis) relative to the door 20. The multi-axis hinge 30 also enables the second hinge axis 34a to move laterally (in a direction which is perpendicular to the second axis) relative to the doorjamb 10. Therefore, the hinge arrangement 30 is adapted such that the door 20 may translate as well as rotate relative to the doorjamb 10.

(19) The door 20 includes door translating means. The door translating means includes the hinge arrangement 30. The door translating means also includes a lever mechanism 40. The lever mechanism 40 is adapted to vertically move the door 20 relative to the second hinge 34. The lever mechanism 40 includes a lever 42. The lever 42 is attached to a locking mechanism 50 at a first end of the lever 42aiii and to a vertical rod 36 of the second hinge at a second end of the lever 42ai. The lever 42 is also attached to the door 20 at an intermediate location on the lever 42aii, between the first 42ai and second 42aiii ends. The attachments to the lever 42 are pivot connections 42b.

(20) The lever 42 is made of multiple components attached end on end. The components (first 42ci, second 42cii and third 42ciii components) of the lever 42 are attached together with pivot connections 42b.

(21) The first component 42ciii is attached to a rotating component 52 of the locking mechanism 50. The rotating component 52 is adapted to be actuated in the action of locking or unlocking the door 20 to the doorjamb 10. More specifically, the rotating component 52 is adapted to be actuated by a handle 54 of the locking mechanism 50. The handle 54 is located on an exterior of the door 22. The door and doorjamb arrangement 1 is adapted such that rotating the handle 54 in a first rotational direction both actuates locking bolts of the locking mechanism 50 to lock the door 20 to the doorjamb 10 and pushes the first component of the lever 42ciii upwards in a first translational direction 5. Pushing the first component 42ciii in the first translational direction 5 results in the lever 42 pivoting about its connection with the door 20. As the second component 42cii rotates, the third component 42ci is pulled downwards in a second translational direction 6, which is opposite the first translational direction 5. Pulling the third component 42ci in the second translational direction 6, moves the door 20 upwards, in the first translational direction 5 relative to the second hinge 34 and to the doorjamb 10. Therefore, the door and doorjamb arrangement 1 are adapted such that the lever 42 effects vertical translational movement of the door 20 relative to the doorjamb 10. Moreover, the locking mechanism 50 is adapted to actuate the lever 42 in the same movement or series of movements which locks and unlocks the door 20 from the doorjamb 10.

(22) The lateral movement of the door 20 relative to the doorjamb 10 which is affected by the multi-axis hinge 30 is also actuated by the locking mechanism 50. Furthermore, the lateral movement of the door 20 relative to the doorjamb 10 is also actuated in the same movement of the locking mechanism 50 which both locks or unlocks the door 20 and effects vertical translation of the door 20 relative to the doorjamb 10. Therefore, as the door 20 is locked or unlocked, the door 20 translates in a direction or path which includes both vertical and horizontal vectors (parallel and perpendicular to the first 32a and second 34a hinge axes).

(23) The lateral movement of the door 20 relative to the doorjamb 10 is also actuated by the locking mechanism 50 through a lateral component 60. The lateral component 60 extends and spans between the rotating component 52 and a central radially extending arm 62 of the vertical rod 36. The central radially extending arm 62 is an arm which extends radially from and is welded to the vertical rod 36. The lateral component 60 is fixed to the vertical rod 36 and extends outwards perpendicular to the rod. The lateral component 60 includes a first arm 64 which is attached to the rotating component 52 and a second arm 66 with pivot connections 68. The second arm 66 is also attached to the central radially extending arm 62 with a pivot connection 68. The door and doorjamb arrangement 1 is adapted such that actuation of the locking mechanism 50 to lock or unlock the door 20 to the doorjamb 10 also pushes or pulls the lateral component 60 and therefore the central radially extending arm 62. Since the central radially extending arm 62 is fixed to the vertical rod 36, movement of the central radially extending arm 62 rotates the vertical rod 36. The vertical rod 36 includes weld spots indicating fixed components 37 and upper and lower radially extending arms 37a. 37b at upper and lower ends or the vertical rod 36 respectively. The upper and lower radially extending arms 37a, 37b are fixed to the vertical rod 36 at first ends and attached to the first hinge 32 at second ends of the upper and lower radially extending arms 37a, 37b. Therefore, the locking mechanism 50 is adapted to rotate the second hinge 34 and therefore the door 20 about the first hinge axis 32a as the locking mechanism 50 is actuated to lock and unlock the door 20 to the doorjamb 10.

(24) The door 20 is adapted to overlap the doorjamb 10 on an inner side of the doorjamb 12. The inner side of the doorjamb 12 being in the opening 4a of the secure space 4. The door 20 and hinge arrangement 30 are positioned relative to the doorjamb 10 such that the hinged edge of the door 21a overlaps a hinged edge of the doorjamb 10 without any translation of the door 20 relative to the door jamb 10. With the door 20 in the closed position, the door 20 is located further into the opening 4a of the secure space 4 than the doorjamb 10. In this position, the door 20 is then adapted to translate toward a remote edge of the doorjamb 10 such that the remote edge of the door 20 overlaps the remote edge of the doorjamb 10. As the door 20 translates toward the remote edge of the doorjamb 10, the door 20 also translates toward a top edge of the doorjamb 10, also overlapping the top edge of the doorjamb 10. In this position, the hinged edge of the doorjamb 10 is also still overlapping the hinged edge of the door 21a. However, in this position the bottom edge of the door 20 is located above and not overlapping the bottom edge of the doorjamb 10.

(25) The door 20 further includes a door guard 70. The door guard 70 includes integrally formed components, including a door guard hook 74, a plate 76, translating bar members 75 and an upper beam 71, that act as a unitary piece to remain axially stationary relative to the second hinge 34. The upper support beam 71 includes fasteners 71a that attach the upper support beam 71 to the translating bar members 75. Effectively, the door guard hook 74 comprises engaging folded hook portion extending from, and unitarily formed with, the plate 76. The door guard hook 74 is adapted to retractably extend from the bottom edge of the door 20. The door guard 70 is attached to the vertical rod 36 of the second hinge 34 with a pivot connection 35 of the door guard 70. The pivot connection 35 permits rotation of the door guard 70 around the vertical rod 36 but does not permit vertical movement of the door guard 70 relative to the vertical rod 36. Therefore, the door guard 70 remains at the same elevation relative to the vertical rod 36 when the container is an upright unit and the door 20 remains in a substantially vertical plane. The door guard 70 extends substantially or completely along an entire length of the bottom edge of the door 21d. The door guard 70 may be adapted to hook into a jamb guard 72. The jamb guard 72 may also be adapted to be fixed to the door jamb 10. The jamb guard 72 may be adapted to interlock with the door guard 70 as a result of the motion of the door in a first translational direction 5, which is parallel to the first hinge axis 32a.

(26) The door guard 70 is adapted to maintain its elevation relative to the doorjamb 10. Therefore, as the door 20 moves vertically, the door guard 70 remains adjacent to and within 5 mm of the bottom edge of the doorjamb 10. The doorjamb 10 includes a jamb guard 72. The jamb guard 72 is adapted to interlock with a guard support 77 of the door 20 as a result of the motion of the door 20 in the first translational direction 5. The door guard support 77 extends adjacent and substantially along the entire length of a rear side of the door guard 70. The rear side of the door guard 70 faces the opening 4a of the secure space 4 when the door 20 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 1a.

(27) The door 20 further includes a second guard support and door member on a top end of the door 21b. The second guard support includes two hooks 80a, b which are adapted to hook into two holes in the doorjamb 81a, b respectively upon lateral translation of the door 20 relative to the doorjamb 10.

(28) Throughout the specification and claims the word comprise and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word comprise and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

(29) In the present specification, terms such as apparatus, means, device and member may refer to singular or plural items and are terms intended to refer to a set of properties, functions or characteristics performed by one or more items or components having one or more parts. It is envisaged that where an apparatus. means. device or member or similar term is described as being a unitary object, then a functionally equivalent object having multiple components is considered to fall within the scope of the term, and similarly, where an apparatus, assembly, means, device or member is described as having multiple components, a functionally equivalent but unitary object is also considered to fall within the scope of the term, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. In the present specification, the phrase and/or refers to severally or any combination of the features. For example, the phrase feature 1, feature 2 and/or feature 3 includes within its scope any one of the following combinations: Feature 1 or feature 2 or feature 3; feature 1 and feature 2 or feature 3; feature 1 or feature 2 and feature 3; feature 1 and feature 3 or feature 2; feature 1 and feature 2 and feature 3.

(30) The meaning of descriptive, precise or absolute terms such as flexed, normal. parallel. horizontal. vertical or fully includes the preceding qualifier substantially or almost, unless the context or contrary is expressly indicated.

(31) Qualifying relative terms, such as relatively, sufficiently, near, almost or substantially, may be taken to indicate a variation in an absolute value of between 0) and 10 or between 0% and 10%, relative to the absolute value. For example, near horizontal may be taken to mean any orientation between 0) and 10 relative to the horizontal.

(32) Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, which will usually be apparent from the context.

(33) In the present specification, the term integral means formed of one body in a single process. In particular, the term integrally formed means formed of the one body without post-forming attachment of separately formed component parts. That is, integrally formed and the similar term unitarily formed mean formed in a single forming process and do not include post-forming attachment of component parts by means of fastener or other component fixing substances or methods.

(34) The articles a and an are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, an element means one element or more than one element.

(35) It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The features and components of each of the embodiments of the invention described in the detailed description and/or depicted in the accompanying drawings may be interchangeable as required, with regard to functional equivalency and compatibility. A feature or component described with reference to one but not all embodiments, if functionally and dimensionally compatible as an addition with another embodiment herein described, or substitutable with a corresponding feature or component of that other embodiment in relation to which it has not been expressly described, should be read as a potential addition or substitution to that other embodiment and as being within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, in considering a feature or component that is described in relation a particular embodiment but may be omitted from the embodiment without losing the functionality characterising the invention and without departing from the scope of the invention, unless the context and expressions used in describing the embodiment imputes that the feature or component is essential to the invention as broadly described, the omittable feature or component may be read as not being included in the embodiment.

(36) The invention maybe described in terms of provisional claims that may assist the skilled reader in understanding the various aspects and preferments of the invention. However, these provisional claims are not to be construed as defining statements of the invention. It will be appreciated that other forms, aspects and preferred features of the invention and its embodiments described herein may ultimately be included in the claims defining the invention in the specifications of complete, international or national applications (or their subsequent corresponding patent grants) that may claim priority from the provisional application accompanying this specification. In this context, the following non-limiting claims assist to better describe the invention: