The present invention relates to an emergency opening cubicle and in particular, although not exclusively, to a cubicle having a doorframe rebate that may be removed from the doorframe in the event of an emergency to gain access to the cubicle interior.

Changing or washroom cubicles are generally categorised as either 'fully framed panel' cubicles or 'unframed panel' cubicles. Fully framed cubicles are typically required for extensive use in wet areas and provide a more robust construction for low maintenance and frequent wet cleaning. Unframed cubicles are typically constructed from specific panel media that exhibits high strength to enable the panels to be self supporting.

National building regulations stipulate certain standards for cubicles including in particular minimum openings and a requirement for an external emergency release mechanism on inward opening doors so as to gain access to the cubicle interior when the door has been locked from the inside. In the UK, these requirements are detailed in the building regulations BS 8300 Part M.

By way of example, JP 2004-346565 discloses a pivotally mounted doorstop positioned at the interior side of the cubicle to prevent inward opening of the door whilst the cubicle is in use. An emergency release extends through the doorframe and is accessed externally of the cubicle to actuate and release the doorstop allowing the door to pivot inwardly to provide access in the event of an emergency where an occupant is unconscious or unable to unlock the door from the inside. Similarly GB 244503 discloses a detachable rebate mounted at the doorframe that forms an integral part of the doorframe structure.

However, emergency access mechanisms of the type described above typically require a key to avoid unauthorised entry into the cubicle from the outside. In the case of an emergency, it may be difficult to obtain the key quickly. Moreover, keys are commonly misplaced rendering the emergency door release system completely ineffective. Also, and . in some instances it may be required to force the door to open outwardly, against the hinge mechanism where, for example, an individual has collapsed inside the cubical against the door. This is awkward with conventional cubicle door arrangements as it can be difficult to obtain the required degree of purchase to force the door to pivot and open against the internal locking mechanism and possibly the hinges.

What is required is a door closure arrangement that provides for secure locking of the door during normal use whilst providing emergency access from the exterior side of the cubicle and that addresses the above problems.

Accordingly, the inventors provide a cubicle with a doorframe component having a doorstop function whilst being conveniently removable from an external side of the cubicle to gain emergency access and override any internal locking mechanism. In particular, the doorframe comprises a clipped rebate section that may be undipped from the doorframe via a crow-bar or pivoting action whilst being configured to withstand an inward opening door closing against the rebate without it dislodging. Accordingly, the present emergency access mechanism may be readily released and the need for specific 'unlocking' master keys or complex removable procedures is avoided.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cubicle assembly comprising: a doorframe having a section configured to interface with a non-hinged closing edge of the door, the doorframe having perimeter walls that extend longitudinally to define the doorframe; a rebate releasably connected to the section of the doorframe, the rebate having a doorstop portion to arrest pivoting movement of the door at the closed position and prevent the door pivoting outwardly relatively to an internal side of the cubicle; characterised by: a first elongate groove extending longitudinally along the doorframe; a second elongate groove extending longitudinally along the doorframe, the second groove being spatially separated from the first groove; a first hooked portion extending longitudinally along the rebate; a second hooked portion extending

longitudinally along the rebate, the second hooked portion spatially separated from the first hooked portion; wherein the first hooked portion is configured to hook into the first groove and the second hooked portion is configured to hook into the second groove so as to releasably lock the rebate in position over a region of the perimeter walls of the doorframe; wherein the rebate may be released from the doorframe by applying a torque to at least one region of the rebate relative to the doorframe. Preferably, the first and second elongate groove comprises a respective shoulder extending longitudinally at the entrance to each groove. Preferably, the first hooked portion and the second hooked portion are configured to respectively abut against the shoulder of the first and second grooves such that end regions of the hooked portions overlap the respective shoulders of the respective grooves to releasably lock the rebate in position at the section of the doorframe. Effectively, the first and second hooked end portions of the rebate that anchor into the retaining grooves may be considered to comprise elongate tongues having elongate shoulders that fit into the respective grooves abut behind the respective shoulders of the respective grooves. Preferably, the dimensions and shape profile of the hooked end portions that engage into the respective grooves, are substantially identical. Preferably, the orientation of the hooked end portions relative to one another are not aligned wherein the second hooked end portion is aligned so as to be a 90° clockwise rotation of the first hooked end portion. That is, the hooked end portions are aligned so as to be substantially at right angles to one another and are spatially separated by a distance approximately equal to a length of a spine section of the rebate.

Accordingly, the rebate is held at the doorframe exclusively by the frictional contact between the tongues, grooves and overlapping shoulders. Alternatively or in addition, the rebate may be held at the door frame by additional mechanical anchorage elements such as screws, bolts, plugs, pins or rivets and the like.

Preferably, the rebate is positioned over the frame to conceal or cover the first elongate groove and wherein the rebate comprises at least one slot to allow access to the at least one groove when the rebate is locked in position at the doorframe. Optionally, the assembly comprises three or four elongate grooves extending through the respective portions of the rebate so as to provide access to the anchorage channels using a suitable elongate tool such as a rod, bar or screwdriver. Optionally, the elongate slots may be concealed by a deformable material such as a rubber or silicone based compound. Preferably, the rebate extends longitudinally over substantially the entire length of the section of the doorframe. More preferably, the rebate terminates at the upper and lower ends just short of the length of the door frame to which it is mounted. Preferably, the doorframe has a section to mount a hinge side of the door and a head section positioned above the door when the cubicle is orientated and installed in use. Preferably, the assembly further comprising at least one foot connected to the doorframe via a frame link member, the foot configured to support the doorframe and to be mounted on the ground. Preferably, the assembly further comprises front panels aligned with the plane of the door in the closed position and side panels aligned substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door in the closed position. Preferably, the front panels are supported by the doorframe and the head section and the side panels are supported by the at least one foot and frame link member. Preferably, the assembly further comprises at least one anchorage tile or floor section having a blind hole or cavity recessed into a surface of the tile or floor section; and the at least one foot comprises an engaging end to seat within the blind hole or cavity to secure the at least one foot in position and prevent lateral movement of the at least one foot. Accordingly, each foot may be bonded to a respective tile or floor and once secured is prevented from being moved laterally due to side impact forces. Preferably, the assembly further comprises an adhesive to secure the engaging end of the foot within the blind hole or cavity. Alternatively or in addition screws, bolts, plugs and the like may be used to secure the assembly. Preferably, the assembly further comprises a door hingeably mounted at a section of the doorframe.

Preferably, the doorframe and rebates comprise extruded aluminium. Alternative material include rigid plastics and corrosion resistant metals including in particular, steel having a corrosion resistant coating. Preferably, the perimeter walls of the doorframe extend continuously at the doorframe perimeter so as to define an internal hollow cavity positioned within the doorframe. More preferably, the perimeter walls are devoid of spatial gaps extending longitudinally along the doorframe.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an emergency release doorstop apparatus comprising: a doorframe and a rebate as described herein.

Importantly, the doorframe comprises a continuous perimeter wall with the rebate removably attached to a region of this perimeter wall so as to extend over a region of the perimeter wall. Preferably, the rebate extends over substantially the entire length of the doorframe over and about the region of the perimeter wall. By forming the perimeter wall as a continuous, uninterrupted structure (when viewed in plan) and by releasably attaching the rebate to the perimeter wall, when the rebate is removed from the doorframe, the doorframe does not lose structural integrity. That is, according to the specific

implementation of the present invention, the rebate does not form part of the perimeter wall that defines the hollow doorframe and is instead releasably attached externally over a region of the perimeter wall. A specific implementation of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

figure 1 is a front elevation view of an array of emergency opening changing cubicles according to a specific implementation of the present invention;

figure 2 is a plan view of the changing cubicles of figure 1 ;

figure 3 is a side elevation view of the changing cubicles of figure 2;

figure 4 is a perspective view of a section of a doorframe and doorstop of the changing cubicles of figure 3;

figure 5 is a further perspective view of the doorframe of figure 4;

figure 6 is a plan view of the doorframe and doorstop rebate illustrated in figure 4; figure 7 is a perspective view of the doorstop rebate and door of figures l and 4; figure 8 is a cross sectional side elevation view of a support foot of the changing cubicles of figure 3; and figure 9A is an exploded cross sectional plan view of a further embodiment of the doorframe and removable doorstop rebate of figure 4; and

figure 9B is a cross sectional plan view of the assembled door frame and rebate of figure 9A.

Referring to figures 1 to 3, a changing cubicle is formed as part of an array of cubicles 100, each cubicle having a door 101 mounted within a doorframe 106, 110, 104. The frame 106, 110, 104 is configured to mount screening panels 103 , 200. The doorframe comprises an elongate section 110 positioned at a closing, non-hinged edge of the door being the lock or latch side. An alternate corresponding doorframe section 106 provides a mount for door hinges 108 where both sections 106, 110 extend the full length of door 101. A head frame section 104 extends over the upper edge of the door 101 so as to complete the doorframe assembly.

The doorframe section 110 at the non-hinged side is configured to releasably mount a doorstop rebate 105 that is also elongate and extends substantially the full length (or just short) of doorframe 110. Each doorframe section 106, 110 provides a mount for respective partitioning panels 200 that extend perpendicular to the plane of door 101 and partition each changing cubicle 201 within the cubicle assembly 100. The cubicle frame also comprises elongate sections 202 mounted at wall 203 to support each partitioning panel 200 at its edge furthest from door 101. A handle 107 is provided on the external and internal facing surfaces of door 101 to enable a user to open and close door 101 via inward pivoting motion (or according to further embodiments, an outward pivotirig motion) of door 101 via hinges 108.

The cubicle assembly 100 is supported and secured in position via a plurality of feet 109 that are mounted at doorframe 106, 110 via a frame link member 300 secured to a lower region of each doorframe 106, 1 10 and an upper region of foot 109. The link member 300 is aligned substantially perpendicular to a vertically extending support column 303 mounted at doorframe 106, 110. Via frame link member 300 and connecting screws, pins or bolts 301, 302, foot 109 is integrated and forms a unified part of the cubicle frame assembly 100 to provide secure ground mounting.

Figures 4 to 7 illustrate in more detail the doorframe section 110 at the non-hinged and free pivoting end of door 101. The doorframe 1 10 is formed as a substantially hollow elongate body defined by body walls 405, 406, 407 and 408.

Wall 405, that is aligned towards hinges 108, comprises a recessed channel 504 defined by adjacent walls 502, 503 that are positioned into the internal cavity 409 of doorframe section 110 and extend from and at the junction of walls 405 and 408. Doorframe 110 also comprises a second recessed portion 416 to mount uppermost components of the cubicle assembly such as frame portion 104. Connections 413 are also provided at doorframe 110 to mount frame 110 to the vertical support columns 303. The walls 405, 406, 407, 408 that define the doorframe 110 and internal cavity 409 are 'continuous' walls without any spatial gaps, openings or entry regions into the internal cavity 409 along the length of the doorframe 110. That is, walls 405, 406, 407, 408 define a closed internal cavity 409 when viewed in plan. This is to be contrasted with a structure in which the rebate forms a section of the perimeter wall of the doorframe such that when the rebate is removed, a gap is created at the region formally occupied by the rebate allowing access into the internal cavity 409. By forming doorframe 1 10 by walls 405, 406, 407 ,408 that are permanently connected to one another so as to define a closed internal cavity 409 along the length of the doorframes, structural integrity is maintained once rebate 105 is undipped from its mountings at doorframe 110.

Channel 504 is shaped and dimensioned to accommodate a removable doorstop rebate 105 that extends the full length or just of short of the full length of frame 110. Rebate 105, when viewed in cross section, comprises a spine wall 402, from which extend two leg walls 403, 404 aligned perpendicular to spine wall 402. Each leg wall 403, 404 extends from opposite ends of spine 402 from the same side so as to be opposed to one another and separated by a distance approximately equal to the width of wall 502. An arm wall 400 extends from an opposite face of spine 402 and is aligned parallel with legs 403, 404. Arm wall 400 is effectively an extension of leg wall 403. A buffer channel 401 is recessed into an end portion of arm wall 400 that is aligned to be internal facing into cubicle interior 201. Leg wall 403 and 404 terminate at respective tongue portions 415, 414 that extend the full length of elongate rebate 105. Each tongue portion 414, 415 comprises a respective elongate shoulder 601 , 600 that also extends the length of rebate 105. Each tongue 414, 415 and shoulder 601, 600, when viewed in plan, form respective hooked ends of rebate 105.

Tongue 414 and shoulder 601 define a first hooked end portion and tongue 415 and shoulder 600 define a second hooked end portion. To ensure rebate 105 is securely attached to doorframe 1 10 to withstand loading forces imparted by the closed or closing of the cubicle door, whilst being releasable via an appropriate release action, the first hooked end 414, 601 is not aligned with the second hooked end 415, 600. In particular, second hooked end 415, 600 is orientated to be a 90° clockwise rotation of the first hooked end 414, 601. Additionally, elongate groove 41 1 is recessed into doorframe wall 405 so as to be aligned substantially perpendicular or at right angles to elongate groove 412 indented at wall 405 and spatially separated from groove 41 1 by a distance substantially equal to a length of spine 402.

Recessed channel 504 comprises two elongate anchorage grooves 411, 412 extending the full length of frame section 110. A first anchorage groove 412 is formed at the junction between adjacent channel walls 502, 503. A second anchorage groove 412 is formed at the junction between channel wall 502 and external facing wall 408 of frame 110. Each elongate anchorage groove 411, 412 comprises a respective shoulder 500, 501 that partially closes access to each respective groove 411, 412. In particular, the opening size into each anchorage groove 411, 412 is just slightly larger than shoulders 601, 600 of rebate 105, when viewed in plan. Additionally, the depth of each anchorage groove 41 1, 412 is approximately equal to the length of each tongue 414, 415, again when viewed in plan such that each respective tongue 414, 415 is capable of being accommodated at least partially within each respective anchorage groove 412, 411 as illustrated in figure 4. Rebate 105 is clipped and held in position securely at doorframe section 110 by respective shoulders 601, 500 and 600, 501 that overlap one another respectively. The locking action is provided as shoulders 501, 600 extend substantially perpendicular to shoulders 601, 500. That is, shoulders 501, 600 are aligned substantially parallel with wall 502 whilst shoulders 601 , 500 are aligned substantially parallel with wall 503 of doorframe section 1 10.

Walls 402, 403 form an integral part of wall 405 and extend continuously along the length of doorframe 110 to define a continuous perimeter wall for internal cavity 409. Spine wall 402, comprises at least one or a plurality of elongate slots 602 formed immediately adjacent to arm wall 400 and leg wall 403. According to the preferred embodiment, three elongate slots 602 are provided through spine wall 402 at equal separation distances along its length. A strip of cushioning doorstop material 701 is secured to rebate 105 at arm 400 via buffer channel 401. When viewed from arm wall edge 702, buffer material 701 extends from arm wall 400 by distance approximately equal to the distance by which elongate slot 602 extends along the width of spine wall 402

perpendicular to its main length. That is, buffer material 701 effectively conceals elongate slot 602 when this region of the doorframe is viewed from edge 702. Additionally, as door 101 is pivoted 700 to the closed position its pivoting movement is arrested by arm wall 400 that effectively acts as a doorstop. In the closed position door 101 sits against buffer material 701 (which conceals elongate slots 602) and provides cushioning for the stopping action of arm 400.

In use, when door 101 is locked from the inside via internal lock 111, access to the cubicle interior, in the event of an emergency, such as an occupant being incapacitated or unable to unlock and open door 101, may be gained by removing rebate 105 from doorframe section 110. In particular, rebate 105 is capable of being forcibly disconnected from doorframe 110, importantly via the external side of cubicle assembly 100. To disconnect rebate 105 from doorframe 110, rescue personnel insert an elongate tool (not shown) such as screwdriver or specifically designed elongate rod or bar like device, through each elongate slot 602 by forcing the tool between the external facing side of door 101 and the buffer material 701. The tool (not shown) is then pushed further into rebate 105 such that an end of the tool (not shown) engages into anchorage groove 411 behind tongue 415 and shoulder 600. With the tool (not shown) inserted in position, a pivoting or torque (crow-bar type) force is applied to rebate 105 in the direction 417. This imparts a release force to the connections 414, 412, 415, 411 to unclip the rebate. In particular, when the pivoting force is applied in direction 417, tongue and groove 415, 41 1 act as a fulcrum to force the disengagement of overlapping shoulders 500, 601 at the opposed anchorage groove 412 and leg wall 404. In particular, the shoulders 601, 500 are forced past one another to release the hooked end 414, 601 of rebate 105 from the anchorage groove 412.

Subsequently, and to complete the disconnection of rebate 105 from frame 110, tongue 415 is then urged out of groove 41 1. The entire detachment process is achieved simply by forcing rebate 105 to pivot about tongue 415 and groove 41 1. Accordingly, shoulders 601, 500 are specifically sized and dimensioned to retain rebate 105 in position at frame 1 10 in normal use and to withstand 'normal' loading forces applied by door 101 when it is closed against doorstop 400. In particular, the size and dimensions of those components that anchor rebate 105 to frame 110, at the region of each tongue 414, 415 and groove 414, 412 are sufficient to withstand forces of the order one tonne applied by door 101 to the rebate 105 (via arm 400) without the rebate 105 becoming detached. For example, it would be unwanted for the rebate to disconnect if an occupant were to lean against door 101 from within cubicle 201.

The dual connection of rebate 105 to doorframe 1 10 and the degree of overlap of shoulders 500, 501 with respective shoulders 601, 600, provides the required connection strength between rebate 105 and doorframe 110 so as to disconnect only when the appropriate torque force is applied using the elongate tool (not shown) as described above.

Referring to figure 8, cubicle assembly 100 is mounted on floor 102 via feet 109. Each foot 109 comprises a peg 801 extending from its underside and orientated towards floor 102. Mounting of the assembly 100 is achieved via mounting tile 803 that comprises a cavity or blind hole 802 extending a distance into the body of tile 803 from uppermost surface 806. Cavity 802 is sized and dimensioned to accommodate peg 801 that may be secured in position within cavity 802 using an adhesive. Alternatively, peg 801 and cavity 802 may comprise cooperative screw threads. An annular collar 800 is positioned about the elongate foot 109 to provide a seal around the upper region of cavity 802 at upper surface 806 of tile 803. As cavity 802 does not extend the full thickness of tile 803, a water impermeable membrane 804 extending under tile 803 is not damaged and in particular punctured during cavity formation or anchorage of peg 801 in position. Water therefore resting on upper surface 806 is not able to penetrate to an underlying concrete layer 805.

Figures 9A and 9B illustrate a further specific embodiment of the doorframe 110 and detachable rebate 105 illustrated in figures 4 to 7. According to the primary embodiment, doorframe 110 comprises a polygonal or cuboidal type cross sectional profile when viewed on plan. According to the further embodiment, when viewed in plan a cross section profile of frame 110 and rebate 105 may be annular or circular. That is, the walls 900 that define doorframe 1 10, define, in part, the circumference of a circle. Similarly, walls 901 of rebate 105 are shaped so as to form an extension of the curved frame walls 900. The connection of the rebate 105 to doorframe 1 10 is achieved using the corresponding anchorage grooves 411, 412, locking tongues 414, 415 and shoulders 600,601 and 501, 500 described with reference to figures 4 to 7.