The current invention involves a door according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a door assembly comprising a door and at least one interchangeable grip according to the preamble of claim 13. The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of this type of door or door assembly.

State of the Art of Technology

This type of door is known from EP 1,696,090. A door with in integrated grip is known from EP 1,696,090, which includes a door panel that forms a front section and a back section of the door, with a grip integrated into the door panel.

The door as known from EP 1,696,090 has the disadvantage that through the integration of the grip into the door, the assembly is more complex and requires customization. In particular it is important that the grip, formed by a profile with graduated parts fit well on the divided front and/or back section.

From JP-A-2004076507 a door with an integrated grip is known, which comprises a door panel forming a front surface and a back surface of the door, and a grip integrated into the door panel. The grip extends from the front surface up to the back surface and is shaped to enable users to open/close the door. The grip is integrated into an opening in the door panel.

The door known from JP-A-2004076507 has the disadvantage that there is a risk of tearing of the material of the door panel, especially at the corners of the opening surrounding the grip, as a result of one or more of the following causes: different thermal expansion coefficients of the door panel material and the grip material, expansion of the door panel material by humidity, strong forces exerted on the grip, or other.

Objective of the invention

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a door with an integrated grip that allows for a more flexible assembly. It is an aim of the present invention to provide a door with an integrated grip that allows for a more flexible assembly. It is an aim of the present invention to provide a door with an integrated grip with an aesthetic and practical finish, without visible profiles.

Description of the invention

The aim is achieved according to the invention with the door showing the technical features of claim 1.

The integration of the grip in the door panel means in effect that no single part of the grip protrudes from the front and back sections of the door. This has a number of advantages over the usual, protruding grips and door latches. For example, for a revolving door in a comer of a room, the grip does not hit the wall of the corner when the door rotates open, so that damage is prevented and the door can be opened a full 90°. For a sliding door, the grip does not result in a hindrance that occurs because the door can be slid fully behind a door panel or a wall. The integrated grip also has the advantage that it can be prevented that users hurt themselves on the grip or damage their clothing and that the grip does not form a hindrance for carts, hospital beds and the like. In summary, a protruding grip is often hit by passing objects or people, which can lead to the grip detaching from the door panel and requiring much maintenance.

The grip is preferably formed by a grip assembly comprising in effect two straight, oblong profiles, a middle wall panel that extends between the profiles and end pieces, wherein the peripheral edges of the first profile, the second profile and the middle wall panel are fixed together by the end pieces.

These profiles that extend from the opposite sides of a grip opening in a front panel and/or back panel of the door, wherein each profile extends from the front panel to the back panel. In other words, these profiles are located in the door panel, between the front and back panels, but above and below or left and right of the door grip opening. In this way, in the front view, it is only the middle wall panel is visible extending between the profiles and not the profiles themselves.

In one embodiment, the grip opening in the front and/or back panel is machined after forming a door panel with integrated grip. In this way, the assembly is simplified and it is possible to create more varied embodiments with the same parts.

The straightness of the assembly has the advantage that the contact surface with the door panel has no corners or curves, which could be a higher risk for cracking. This thus further limits the risk of cracking or damage to the door panel. The grip can also be formed with a curved or bent profile.

The grip assembly extending from one side of the door to the other, or from the top to the bottom, has the advantage that there is a section available for users to grip at any height/width of the door, in the event of a vertical installation, tall people as well as children have an available section of grip at their own height.

In an advantageous embodiment, the middle wall panel is made of a translucent or transparent material. In this embodiment, the functionality of the grip is extended and a light permeable or see-through element, the middle wall panel, is integrated into the grip. In another embodiment, the middle wall panel divides the grip assembly in to separate grip segments that extend on opposite sides of the middle wall panel.

In an advantageous embodiment, the longitudinal directions of the grip opening and the first or second profile run parallel to each other, in other words, the grip opening extends in the same direction as the grip assembly, and/or the horizontal directions of the grip opening and the first or second profile run parallel to each other, in other words, the first and second profile are located perpendicular to the front or back panel in which the grip is located.

To ensure a good grip for users, the grip preferably has an opening in the front or back respectively that widens from the front section or back section, toward the middle of the door panel.

The door can be a sliding door or a revolving door. In the latter case, the door has a hinge on the one side, and on the other has a releasable positioning element that keeps the door closed until force is exerted to open the door. By using the releasable positioning element, the necessity of a protruding grip can be avoided. The positioning element may be, for example, a magnetic strip, a roller system or a frame strip according to EP-B-645517.

It is furthermore the objective of the invention to create a door with an integrated fixation element for at least one interchangeable grip as an alternative to the state of the art. The objective is achieved according to the invention with the door that displays the technical features of claim 13.

The door assembly of this second aspect of the invention includes a door and at least one interchangeable grip. The door consists of a door panel that forms a front and back surface of the door. A fixation element is integrated into the door panel and extends out from the front surface to the back surface. The fixation element is for the releasable fixation of at least one interchangeable grip.

The fixation element is preferably formed by a fixation element assembly comprising in effect two straight, long profiles, a middle wall panel that extends between the profiles and end pieces, wherein the end edges of the first profile, the second profile and the middle wall panel are attached to each other using end pieces.

These profiles that extend from the opposite sides of a grip opening in a front panel and/or back panel of the door, wherein each profile extends from the front panel to the back panel. In other words, these profiles are located in the door panel, between the front and back panels, but above and below or left and right of the door grip opening. In one embodiment, the grip opening in the front and/or back panel is machined after forming a door panel with integrated grip. In this way, in the front view, it is only the middle wall panel is visible extending between the profiles and not the profiles themselves.

The fixation element extends further over a complete dimension of the front surface and the back surface, such as over the entire width or entire height or angled. Due to the fact that the fixation element extends over a complete dimension of the front surface, the fixation element offers the same advantages as the grip in the first aspect of the invention, except for those associated with a non-protruding grip or latch. Here the advantage is the exchangeability of grips and their positioning wherever the user wants on the fixation profile.

In an advantageous embodiment, the middle wall panel is made of a translucent or transparent material. In this embodiment, the functionality of the grip is extended and a light permeable or see-through element, the middle wall panel, is integrated into the grip. In another embodiment, the middle wall panel divides the grip assembly in to separate grip segments that extend on opposite sides of the middle wall panel.

In an advantageous embodiment, the longitudinal directions of the grip opening and the first or second profile run parallel to each other, in other words, the grip opening extends in the same direction as the grip assembly, and/or the horizontal directions of the grip opening and the first or second profile run parallel to each other , in other words, the first and second profile are located perpendicular to the front or back panel in which the grip is located. In an advantageous embodiment, the fixation element itself is constructed as a grip, so that the user has the choice between a door with just the fixation element as a grip or a door with an additional (protruding) grip, placed on a desired position on the fixation element.

To ensure a good grip for users, the fixation element preferably has an opening in the front or back respectively that is wider than the front section or back section, toward the middle of the door panel. This can be achieved using vertical ribs on the front surface and back surface or in any other way the professional deems suitable.

To secure the interchangeable grips to the fixation element, complimentary fixation equipment is provided, which are preferably formed by a pair of grooves on opposite sides of the grip and engaging members that slot into the grooves and which are mounted in a sliding manner in a groove in the fixation element. The engaging members are provided with fixation fittings, such as a fixation screw, to secure the parts to the fixation element as soon as they are in their gripping position. Securing the grip on the fixation element can also be done in another way that the professional deems suitable. Optionally, various other fixation equipment can be provided on the fixation element, so that various interchangeable grips can be installed at the same time.

The door can be a sliding door or a revolving door. In the latter case, the door has a hinge on the one side, and on the other has a releasable positioning element that keeps the door closed until force is exerted to open the door. By using the releasable positioning element, the necessity of a protruding grip can be avoided. The positioning element may be, for example, a magnetic strip, a roller system or a frame strip according to EP-B-645517.

The invention is most advantageous when used in the area of room doors and interior doors or, more in general, effectively beam- shaped doors that create a divider between two rooms. The invention can also be used in other areas, such as doors of wardrobes and other cupboards, exterior doors or any other doors. Summary description of the figures

The invention will be described in detail below using the embodiment example shown in the drawing.

Figure 1 shows a simplified presentation of a detail of a door according to an embodiment of the current invention in perspective;

Figure 2 shows an open view of the detail of the door shown in figure 1;

Figures 3A and 3B show a simplified presentation of a detail of a grip of the door shown in figure 1 in perspective and as a cross section;

Figures 4A and 4B show a simplified presentation of an end piece of the grip shown in figures 2 and 3A in perspective and as a cross section;

Figure 5 shows a simplified presentation of a detail of a door according to a second embodiment of the current invention in perspective;

Figure 6 shows an open view of the detail of the door shown in figure 5;

Figure 7 shows a simplified presentation of a door according to multiple embodiments of the current invention in a front view;

Figure 8 shows a simplified presentation of a door according to multiple embodiments of the current invention in a back view;

Figure 9 shows a simplified presentation of a door according to multiple embodiments of the current invention in a front and back view;

Figure 10 shows a simplified presentation of a detail of an assembly according to a embodiment of the current invention in perspective;

Figure 11 shows an open view of the detail of the assembly shown in figure 1 ; Figures 12A and 12B show a simplified presentation of a detail of a fixation element with interchangeable grips of the assembly shown in figure 10 in perspective and as a cross section;

Figures 13A, 13B and 13C show a simplified presentation of the gripping part of the assembly shown in figures 11, 12A and 12B in perspective, in a top view and as a cross section;

Figures 14A and 14B show a simplified presentation of an interchangeable grip according to a first embodiment of the current invention in perspective and top view; Figures 15A and 15B show a simplified presentation of an interchangeable grip according to a second embodiment of the current invention in perspective and top view; and

Figure 16A, 16B and 16C show a front view and simplified presentation of a detail of an assembly according to multiple embodiments of the current invention.

Detailed description of the figures

The current invention will be described below using the specific embodiments and with reference to certain drawings, but the invention is not limited to these and is only defined by the claims. The drawings shown here are only schematic representations and not limiting.

In addition, terms such as “first”, “second”, “third” and the like in the descriptions and in the claims are used to differentiate between comparable elements are not necessarily to indicate a sequential or chronological order. The terms in question are interchangeable in the suitable circumstances, and the embodiments of the invention may work in other sequences than those described or illustrated here. In addition, terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “above”, “under” and the like in the description and in the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to indicate relative positions. The terms use are interchangeable in the suitable circumstances, and the embodiments of the invention may work in other orientations than those described or illustrated here.

The term “encompassing” and derived terms as used in the claims must not be interpreted as limited to the tools that are then reported; the term does not exclude other elements or steps. The term must be interpreted as a specification of the reported features, whole numbers, steps or components referred to without excluding the presence or addition of one or more additional features, whole numbers, steps or components or groups thereof. The range of an expression such as “an installation encompassing the means A and B is then not only limited to installations that solely encompass components A and B”. What is meant, on the contrary, is that regarding the current invention, the only relevant components are A and B.

It must be noted that the current invention is not limited to a door installation, but that other rotating installations, such as a window and a gate, can be designed in a comparable manner. It must also be noted that the self-closing pivot hinge of the door installation according to the current invention is also suitable for use in the other rotating constructions, be it sliding in a guide profile of the rotating construction, or attached in another way to the rotating construction.

Figure 1 shows a part of a door 10 according to a first embodiment of the current invention. The door 10 encompasses a door panel 20 with an integrated grip, meaning essentially non-protruding with regard to the front side 30 and the back side 40 of the door panel 20. The integrated grip is formed by a grip assembly 100 that essentially extends over the full width of the door panel 1020. The door panel 20 is formed by a front panel and back panel 50, 60 with a grip opening in the front and/or back panel 70, 80. All of these panels 50, 60 are assembled with the grip 100 in between with a frame of door profiles 90 around a hollow, beam- shaped door panel 20 to form an integrated grip 100. In this way, the door panel 20 can be easily constructed from a small number of components.

The panels 50, 60 can be made of wood, glass, metal, plastic or any other material used by professionals. The panels 50, 60 are preferably made of high pressure laminate (HPL), compact laminate (CPL), aluminum composite, glass, plexiglass, ceramic or any other material used by professionals as the edge finish for the grip opening 70, 80.

The grip 100 and the frame 90 are preferably made of metal or plastic, but any other material used by professionals can also be used. Possibly, the empty space in the door panel 20 between the front and back panels can be filled with any filling material, such as an insulation material in the event that good thermal or acoustic insulation is desired, or a fire-retardant material in fire doors or any other material used by professionals. The fixation of the parts to be installed may be achieved using adhesive or bonding material, or using fixation materials (not shown) or in any other way known to the professional.

As seen in figures 2, 3A and 3B, the grip 100 is formed by an assembly of straight, longitudinal profiles 110, 120, a middle panel 130 and an end piece 160, wherein the assembly has openings front and back 104, 105 that are located front and back at the same height, meaning not above each other. They extend out from the front/back side to the middle panel 130 of the assembly. Both the opening 150 in the front and that in the back 160 is narrow on the surface and extends to the middle of the grip 130. In the case that good thermal or acoustic insulation is desired, the middle panel 130 can be made of insulation material.

Figures 4A and 4B show the end piece 140 of the grip assembly 100. The end piece 140 is formed by a substantially flat, rectangular panel with four cylindrical protrusions 143-146 at the corners, two elevated zones 141, 142 with a central groove between them and two screw holes 147, 148 on the opposite sides of the central groove. The end piece 160 and the profiles 110, 120 have complimentary fixation materials, formed by a pair of cylindrical passages 111, 112, 121, 122 on opposite sides of each profile 110, 120 and the cylindrical protrusions 143-146. In addition, the two elevated zones 141, 142 are formed complimentary with the front opening 150 and the back opening 160 respectively. The end piece 160 and the middle panel 130 are formed to be complimentary as the middle panel is provided in the central groove of the end piece.

To connect the end piece 140 to the rest of the grip assembly 100, the cylindrical protrusions 143-146 and the elevated zones 141, 142 in the cylindrical passages 111, 112, 121, 122 of the first and second profiles and the grip openings 150, 160 of the grip assembly are inserted flush in the panel against the end of the profiles, and optionally the middle panel. The middle panel 160 is provided in between the two profiles, preferably in one of the grooves formed in the profile and between the two elevated zones 141, 142 of the end piece.

To connect the grip assembly 100 with the door profile 90, two screws are inserted through the door profile 90, through the two screw holes 147, 148 of the end piece 140 up to a screw hole provided in each profile.

Figures 5 and 6 show a part of the door 10 according to a second embodiment of the current invention, wherein the opening in the front panel 71 and the opening in the front panel 81 only partially overlap with the grip assembly 100, meaning that the opening does not extend over the entire width of the door panel 60. The grip assembly is the same as described above regarding figures 1 and 4 and will therefore not be repeated.

To illustrate the flexibility of the embodiment of the door panel 22-29 of the invention, figures 7, 8 and 9 show the use of various grip openings 72-75, 82-85 in the front and/or back panel 52-55, 62-65. Figure 7 shows door panels 100 with one or more vertical extending grip openings and figure 8 shows door panels 100 with one or more horizontal extending grip openings. The grip openings can extend in effect over the full dimension of the door panel or over only a part of it. The door panel can also have multiple grip openings that overlap with the same grip assembly, as shown in figure 7, or multiple grip and/or viewing openings 82-85, 87 that overlap with various grip assemblies as shown in figure 8. Figure 9 shows the use of grip openings 76, 86 in the front and back panel 56, 66 with various shapes/lengths on opposite sides of the grip assembly.

Figure 10 shows a part of a door 1000 according to an embodiment of the current invention. The door assembly encompasses a door panel 1020 with an integrated fixation element 1100, meaning essentially non-protruding with regard to the front side 1030 and the back side 1040 of the door panel 1020. The integrated fixation element 1100 extends out over the full width of the door panel 1020. The door panel 1020 is formed by a front panel and back panel 1050, 1060 with a grip opening in the front and/or back panel 1070, 1080. All of these panels 1050, 1060 are assembled with the grip 1100 in between with a frame of door profiles 1090 around a hollow, beam-shaped door panel 1020 to form an integrated fixation element 1100. In this way, the door panel 1020 can be easily constructed from a small number of components.

The panels 1050, 1060 can be made of wood, glass, metal, plastic or any other material used by professionals. The panels 1050, 1060 are preferably made of high pressure laminate (HPL), compact laminate (CPL), aluminum composite, glass, plexiglass, ceramic or any other material used by professionals as the edge finish for the grip opening 1070, 1080.

The fixation element 1100 and the frame 1090 are preferably made of metal or plastic, but any other material used by professionals can also be used. Possibly, the empty space in the door panel 1020 between the front and back panels can be filled with any filling material, such as an insulation material in the event that good thermal or acoustic insulation is desired, or a fire-retardant material in fire doors or any other material used by professionals. The fixation of the parts to be installed may be achieved using adhesive or bonding material, or using fixation materials (not shown) or in any other way known to the professional.

As seen in figures 11, 12A and 12B, the fixation element 1100 is formed by an assembly of straight, longitudinal profiles 1110, 1120, a middle panel 1130 and an end piece 1160, wherein the assembly has openings front and back 1140, 1150 that are located front and back at the same height, meaning not above each other. Both the opening in the front and that in the back is narrow on the surface and extends to the middle of the fixation element 1100. In the case that good thermal or acoustic insulation is desired, the middle panel 1130 can be made of insulation material. In the embodiments shown, the straight, longitudinal profiles 1110, 1120, the middle panel 1130 and the end pieces 1160 are identical to the straight, longitudinal profiles 110, 120, middle panel 130 and end piece 140 shown in figures 3A-B and 4A-B.

The fixation element 100 and the grips 1200 have complimentary fixation equipment, formed by a pair of notches 1210 on opposite sides of each grip 1200 and engaging members 1170 that slide in a groove in the fixation element 1100. To attach the grips 1200 to the fixation element 1100, the grip is inserted into the opening 1070, 1080 in the front/back. Then the engaging members 1170 are brought into position, meaning slid within the profile until they reach the desired position, in which they slide into the notches 1210 of the grip 1200. Finally, the grip is fixed by tightening the fixation screws (not shown), through which the position of the engaging members 1170 with regard to the fixation element 1100 in a manner that can be removed. In this assembled state, the grip 1200 is clamped securely into the profile 1100 which ensures a good fixation of the grip 1200.

Due to the fact that the engaging members 1170 slide into the notches, which are located on either side of the grip 1200, the grip 1200 can be positioned at any point in the longitudinal direction on the profile 1100. Even the distance between the two engaging members 1170 that secure one grip 1200 can be adjusted to the width of the grip 1200, which makes the assembly system suitable for a large number of interchangeable grips 1200.

Figures 13A, 13B and 13C show the engaging members 1170 in more detail and figures 14A-14B and 15A-15B show two variants of grips. To illustrate the flexibility of the embodiment of the door panel of the invention, figures 16A-16C show the use of the grip profile 1100 of figure 14A-B together with a door 1010 in-three variations of a door assembly 1000, 1001, 1002.

In an alternative embodiment of the door panel provided with an assembly that includes a first opening in the front, for inserting a removable, fixed, interchangeable grip 1200 according to the same principles as described above with regard to figures 10-16C. The assembly also has a second opening where the profile of the fixation element is formed as a grip according to the same principle as described above in figures 1-9. The openings are at the same height, separated by a vertical middle wall.

In another alternative embodiment, the door panel is provided with two grip openings in the front panel and an assembly that has a first opening in the front for a removable, interchangeable grip 1200 inserted into a first grip opening according to the same principles as described above in figures 10-16C and where the profile of the fixation element is formed as a grip according to the same principles as described above with regard to figures 1-9. In this embodiment, the user has the choice of using the interchangeable grip 1200 or to use the grip shaped opening via the second grip opening, which further adds to the flexibility of the embodiment of the invention.

In all of the doors shown and described in the figures above, any light sources (not shown) are integrated into the profiles as an orientation or navigation aid for users or as a calming light for children. The light sources could be LEDs or light emitting strips or any other light source known to the professional.

List of Reference Numbers

10. Door

20-29. Door panel 30. Front surface

40. Back surface

50-56. Front panel

60-66. Back panel

70-76. Grip opening in the front panel 80-86. Grip opening in the back panel 87. Viewing opening in the back panel

90. Door profile

100. Grip assembly

110. Top profile

111-112. Cylindrical passages

113. Groove

120. Bottom profile

121-122. Cylindrical passages

123. Groove

130. Middle panel

140. End piece

141-142. Elevated zone 143-146. Cylindrical protrusion

147-148 Screw hole

149. Central groove

150. Front opening

160. Back opening

170. Edge finish

1000. Door assembly

1010. Door

1020. Door panel 1030. Front surface

1040. Back surface

1050-1059. Front panel

1060-1069. Back panel

1070-1079. Opening in the front panel

1080-89. Opening in the back panel

1090.

1100. Fixation assembly 1110. Top profile

1120. Bottom profile 1130. Middle panel 1140. End piece 1150. Front opening 1160. Back opening

1170. Engaging members

1171. Screw hole

1200, 1201 Interchangeable grip 1210. Notch