Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a door design in accordance with the claims. Background of the Invention Over time, a large number of door designs have been realized which have been developed for a variety of applications. For example, a number of different designs of doors for boats, ships, vessels, watercraft and the like have been developed. Although several different types of door designs for boats have been developed over the years, there are still a number of problems with existing door designs. One problem with existing door designs is particularly evident in relatively smaller boat designs. The problem lies in the difficulty of adjusting the door's form and function in relation to the desired design of the boat. The boat's size may entail that there is not enough space to use known door designs.

A door in a boat's superstructure, for example, usually does not follow the shape of the superstructure, but differs from it, meaning that it usually becomes less aesthetically pleasing. A door's door leaf is usually of a straight design, which means that it is does not conform to the design of the superstructure if the superstructure has a form other than straight, such as a curved or angled shape. A straight door usually requires that the door folds into the superstructure, in order for it to achieve a vertical position. This, in turn, in smaller boats causes the doorway to be relatively small, which may cause inconvenience when people pass through. Alternatively, the door leaf may be angled relative to the vertical direction which may allow for a larger door but which means that the door becomes harder to operate.

Another problem with doors is the difficulty of obtaining a proper door seal, especially in boat applications and the like. The problem with doors on boats is that boats are usually in motion at the same time they normally are exposed to wind and water. Sealing is especially problematic if the door faces the boat's direction of travel which makes it susceptible to wind.

In view of the above problems, there is a need for an improved door design which is intended to be used for example to close openings in boats or other vessels with angled or curved superstructures. Prior Art

A number of designs have previously been developed to make it possible to close and open an opening in a boat whose shape is largely adapted to the surrounding superstructure around the opening such as a door opening. One example of these is described in US5195445 which is a variant of a Venetian shutter design. The Venetian shutter design allows the door to be opened and closed while still adhering to the boats form. The arrangement, however, differs greatly from the design in accordance with the present patent application.

Even FR2963923 discloses a variant of a device for openings in vessels which may be sealed. The device allows the opening to be opened and closed while still adhering to the shape of the boat at the opening. The device, however, differs significantly from the design in accordance with the present patent application. For example, it consists of a Venetian shutter design, which only in a limited way allows it to be exposed to wind and the like.

CN202807043U discloses a variant of a door arrangement for a boat, ship or the like. The door consists of two parts but these are not pivotally connected to each other for example by hinges or the like. The door arrangement allows for the shape of the door to follow the shape around the door opening. The arrangement, however, differs greatly from the design in accordance with the present patent application. For example, it may not be used in relatively smaller boat applications.

Folding doors are already known from other applications. For example US4448232 describes a folding door for a doorway of a building such as garages and the like. The arrangement however, differs to a significant extent from the design in accordance with the present patent application. The arrangement is for example not suitable for use in boat applications and the like.

Purpose of the Invention The main purpose of the present invention is to create an improved door design which solves or reduces one or more of the above mentioned problems. This purpose is solved by a device in accordance with claims. Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be described in greater detail below in the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings that in an exemplifying purpose show the current preferred embodiments of the invention. Fig. 1 A and IB show schematically a first embodiment of the door design in a closed position.

Fig. 2A and 2B show the door design in a partially open position.

Fig. 3A and 3B show the door in an open position.

Fig. 4A and 4B show the door design from the inside. Fig. 5 shows a stop (stopper, stopping device) that is shown in a cross-sectional view as seen from the side.

Fig. 6 shows a conceivable application for the present door design. Detailed Description of the Invention

With reference to the figures, a door design 1 in accordance with the present invention will be described in more detail.

In the exemplifying embodiment, the door design is preferably intended to be connected (attached) at a door opening (doorway) 2 of a boat 3, or any other vessel traveling on water. Although the door design 1 is intended for use in boat applications and the like (as described in more detail in this patent application), the door design may be used in other applications where it solves one or more corresponding technical problems. Said door opening 2 may also mean an opening other than a door opening, which means that the door design may be comprised of a design for other types of openings. It is thus possible that in alternative embodiments, the present invention (the door design) may be used and defined as a window design, a hatch design or the like. The door design 1 includes at least one door leaf 4 which has an inside 5 and an outside 6. The door design 1 further includes at least one first short side 7 and an opposite short side 8. The door design further includes a first long side 9 and at least one opposite second long side 10. The door design's 1 door leaf 4 is connected via at least one hinge arrangement 11 or the like to a surrounding structure 12, or the like at a doorway 2. The surrounding structure 12 may be comprised of material in the walls or the like at an opening such as a doorway. The surrounding structure may surround all or part of the door opening. The surrounding structure 12 may also be comprised of a door frame or similar structure.

The door design 1 is comprised of at least one first part 13 and at least one second part 14 which are pivotally connected to each other. The first part and the second part are preferably able to rotate (pivot) around at least one common axis of rotation 15. In alternative embodiments, the door design may be comprised of three or more parts which are pivotally connected with each other. The number of parts that the door leaf consists of is not limiting for the inventive scope of the present door design.

In the exemplifying embodiment, the door design 1 is intended to be connected to the surrounding structure around the door opening 2 which includes a first section 16 and at least one second section 17 which are angled relative one another. The angle between the first section and the second section may vary between different applications. In alternative embodiments, it is conceivable that the surrounding structure of the doorway (door frame) include several more parts than the first section 16 and second section 17. Thus, the number of subsections of the door opening may be three or more.

The hinge arrangement 1 1 in the exemplifying embodiment is connected to the lower part (second part) 14 and the second section 17 in the surrounding structure of the opening. The door design 1 in the exemplifying embodiment is connected to the surrounding structure 12 by a hinge arrangement 11 comprised of at least one first hinge 18 and at least one second hinge 19. In alternative embodiments, the number of hinges may be three or more. In alternative embodiments, the hinges may be comprised of another type of hinge joint or device that allows relative pivotal rotation.

The door leafs first part 13 in the exemplifying embodiment is connected to the door leafs second part 14 via at least one second hinge arrangement 20 which in the exemplifying embodiment includes at least one first hinge 21 and at least one second hinge 22. In alternative embodiments, the number of hinges may be more or fewer than two. In alternative embodiments, the hinge arrangement such as the shown hinges may consist of another type of hinge joint or device that allows for relative pivotal movement (rotation) of the first part relative to the second part. In the exemplifying embodiment, the first part 13 and second part 14 are pivotally arranged around an axis of rotation 23 in the door leafs cross- direction or essential cross-direction. However, it is conceivable that the door leafs first part 13 and the door leafs second part 14 are pivotally arranged in another for the purpose suitable direction.

The present door design 1 is further characterized in that only one part of the door parts 13 alternatively 14 are connected via hinges to only one of the surrounding structure sections 16 alternatively 17.

In the exemplifying embodiment, the hinges are positioned relatively closer to the outside 6 of the door leaf than the inside 5 of the door leafs parts 13 and 14. In the exemplifying embodiment, the hinges are located adjacent to the door leafs parts 13 and 14 at the junction between the outside and the edge of the first part and in the edge between the outside and the edge of the second part. The edges of the first part 13 and the second part 14, which via the hinges are connected to each other, are angled relative to the door leafs inside with the intention to enable a relative pivoting of the door leafs parts 13 and 14 around the axis of rotation. The angle of the said edges is dependent upon the angle between sections 16 and 17 in the surrounding structure of the door opening. In alternative embodiments, the door design 1 may include at least one gas spring 24 or similar damper, which facilitates the maneuvering of the door parts. One end 25 of the gas spring 24 is connected to the door leafs first part 13 and the other end 26 of the gas spring 24 is connected to the door leafs second part 14. The gas spring affects the door leafs parts relative each other so that these normally are positioned at 180 degrees from each other. Because the design includes at least one gas spring 24 with which its excess pressure strives to push the door towards an open position, the door is stabilized (held by the force of the gas spring in an open position).

Referring to Fig. 5, a stopping device (stopper) is shown which limits the relative movement (rotation angles) of the door leaf elements. In the exemplifying embodiment, the mutual angle between the door leafs first part and the door leafs second part such as at the open position (shown in Fig. 1C and 2C) is limited. The design in the exemplifying embodiment includes at least one profile 27 which extends over all or part of or parts of the first part's width at the transition between the first part 13 and the second part 14. The second part 13 also includes a second profile 28 or the like which, when the door elements are connected will extend from the second part's surface into an inner space 29 in the profile 27. The profile 27 is comprised of a first profile segment 30 that preferably extends a distance in the door leafs cross- direction (in the edge's direction or in another for purpose suitable direction) after which the profile 30 transitions into a spacer 31 which extends a stretch which in turn transitions into a stop 32. The spacer's length and the angles between the profile elements determines the angle for the maximum opening angle between the door lea s first part and the door leafs second part. Preferably, the door design includes at least one door lock 33 or other type of locking device with which the first part 13 and the structure may be temporarily locked (connected) to each other. In alternative embodiments, the locking device may be located at another for the purpose suitable location. It is further conceivable that the door design includes a plurality of locking devices. All or part of the first part and/or the second part may consist of a transparent material. The first part and/or the second part may include at least one window or the like.

During use of the door design 1 , it is attached to the surrounding structure at the door opening. The door may be maneuvered from a closed position to an open position and from an open position to a closed position. Opening of the door, from the closed position is achieved by the locking device for the second part being released so that the second part may be turned up to an upright position. In the preferred embodiment, where the door design includes at least one gas spring, the door leafs first part will be turned up into an upright position (as for example shown in Fig. IB and 2B). The first part will strive to rise to an upright position. The door may then be opened to a desired opening angle, as for example fully opened as shown in Fig. 1C and 2C.

In the detailed description of the present invention, design details may have been omitted which are apparent to persons skilled in the art of the field of the device. Such obvious design details are included to the extent necessary so that the proper and full performance of the present invention is achieved. Even if certain preferred embodiments have been described in detail, variations and modifications within the scope of the invention may become apparent for specialists in the field and all such are regarded as falling within the scope of the following claims.

Preferably, the design further includes, for example, the necessary handles, fittings and the like. The door design may also include at least one section which is transparent, translucent, or the like and even other design details that are obvious to a person skilled in the art.

Advantages of the Invention

The present door design achieves a number of advantages. The most important advantage is that at least one of the above mentioned disadvantages are eliminated or reduced.