Bifold door assembly
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/SG2025/050222
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-01
Smart Images
Figure SG2025050222_01102026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] BIFOLD DOOR ASSEMBLY
[0002] Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to doors. More specifically, the present disclosure describes various embodiments of a bifold door assembly.
[0004] Background
[0005] Bifold doors are commonly used in households, particularly for small rooms such as bathrooms, because bifold doors typically require less swing space than single leaf doors. However, even though less swing space is used when the bifold door is opened, the bifold door still occupies the swing space in front of the doorway. This causes part of the open doorway to be blocked by the bifold door and narrows the useable width of the doorway for passing through, especially for large assistive devices such as wheelchairs and commodes.
[0006] Therefore, in order to address or alleviate at least one of the aforementioned problems and / or disadvantages, there is a need to provide an improved bifold door.
[0007] Summary
[0008] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is bifold door assembly comprising:
[0009] a door frame comprising a head jamb, a first side jamb, and a second side jamb opposite to the first side jamb, the head jamb and side jambs defining a doorway through the door frame;
[0010] a first door panel having a first side and an opposite second side, the first side of the first door panel pivotally mounted to the first side jamb;
[0011] a second door panel having a first side and an opposite second side, the first side of the second door panel pivotally mounted to the second side of the first door panel, the second side of the second door panel engageable with the second side jamb to close the doorway; andan extendable arm mechanism configured to guide movement of the second door panel relative to the head jamb, the extendable arm mechanism comprising a first arm member and a second arm member moveably coupled to the first arm member, the first arm member fixed to the second door panel, the second arm member extendable from the first arm member and moveably coupled to the head jamb,
[0012] wherein the door panels are moveable in cooperation with each other to thereby open and close the doorway, such that during opening of the doorway, the first door panel is pivotable about the first side jamb by an obtuse angle and the second door panel is pivotable about the first door panel to stack onto the first door panel.
[0013] The bifold door assembly according to the present disclosure advantageously allows the door panels to be opened to the obtuse angle to maximize the doorway space for accessibility through the open doorway.
[0014] A bifold door assembly according to the present disclosure is thus disclosed herein. Various features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, by way of nonlimiting examples only, along with the accompanying drawings.
[0015] Brief Description of the Drawings
[0016] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are illustrations of a bifold door assembly with a closed doorway.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the bifold door assembly with an open doorway.
[0018] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are illustrations of a connecting member of the bifold door assembly.
[0019] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are illustrations of an extendable arm mechanism of the bifold door assembly.
[0020] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5F are illustrations of operating the extendable arm mechanism.FIG. 6A to FIG. 6F are illustrations of operating the bifold door assembly to open the doorway.
[0021] Detailed Description
[0022] For purposes of brevity and clarity, descriptions of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a bifold door assembly in accordance with the drawings. While aspects of the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with the embodiments provided herein, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these embodiments. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents to the embodiments described herein, which are included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be recognized by an individual having ordinary skill in the art, i.e. a skilled person, that the present disclosure may be practiced without specific details, and / or with multiple details arising from combinations of aspects of particular embodiments. In a number of instances, well-known systems, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as to not unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0023] In embodiments of the present disclosure, depiction of a given element or consideration or use of a particular element number in a particular figure or a reference thereto in corresponding descriptive material can encompass the same, an equivalent, or an analogous element or element number identified in another figure or descriptive material associated therewith.
[0024] References to “an embodiment / example”, “another embodiment / example”, “some embodiments / examples”, “some other embodiments / examples”, and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) / example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment / example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element orlimitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment I example” or “in another embodiment / example” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment / example.
[0025] The terms “comprising”, “including”, “having”, and the like do not exclude the presence of other features / elements / steps than those listed in an embodiment. Recitation of certain features / elements / steps in mutually different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these features / elements / steps cannot be used in an embodiment.
[0026] As used herein, the terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more than one. The use of “ / ” in a figure or associated text is understood to mean “and / or” unless otherwise indicated. The term “set” is defined as a non-empty finite organisation of elements that mathematically exhibits a cardinality of at least one (e.g. a set as defined herein can correspond to a unit, singlet, or single-element set, or a multiple-element set), in accordance with known mathematical definitions. The terms “first”, “second”, etc. are used merely as labels or identifiers and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their associated terms.
[0027] Representative or exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure describe a bifold door assembly 100 as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. The bifold door assembly 100 includes a door frame 200 having a head jamb 210, a first side jamb 220, and a second side jamb 230 opposite to the first side jamb 220. The head jamb 210, the first side jamb 220, and the second side jamb 230 define a doorway 240 through the door frame 200. The bifold door assembly 100 further includes a first door panel 110 and a second door panel 120 for opening and closing the doorway 240.
[0028] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B shows a closed doorway 240 and FIG. 2 shows an open doorway 240. Each of the first door panel 110 and second door panel 120 may include a set of panel sections 130. The panel sections 130 may be of the same or different sizes. For example, each panel section 130 may be made of plastics (e.g., acrylic, phenolic, PVC), metals (e.g., aluminium), glass, woods (e.g., plywood), or the like.The first door panel 110 includes a first side 112 and an opposite second side 114. The first side 112 of the first door panel 110 is pivotally mounted to the first side jamb 220. For example, the first side 112 of the first door panel 110 is pivotally mounted to the first side jamb 220 using a set of hinges 222. For example, each hinge 222 is a butt hinge or projection hinge that allows for a pivoting angle of up to 180°. The hinges 222 may be made of a metallic material (e g., aluminium, brass, stainless steel), a plastic material (e.g., nylon), or the like.
[0029] The second door panel 120 includes a first side 122 and an opposite second side 124. The first side 122 of the second door panel 120 is pivotally mounted to the second side 114 of the first door panel 110. For example, the first side 112 of the first door panel 110 is pivotally mounted to the second side 114 of the first door panel 110 using a connecting member 140. For example, referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the connecting member 140 comprises a first groove opening 142a for coupling the first door panel 110 and a second groove opening 142b for coupling the second door panel 120. The first groove opening 142a is configured to engage with a vertical edge 144a of vertical column 146a of the first door panel 110 and the second groove opening 142b is configured to engage with a vertical edge 144b of a vertical column 146b of the second door panel 120. The vertical columns 146a, 146b may be integrally formed with or removably coupled to the respective door panels 110,120. The first and second door panels 110,120 are coupled to the first and second groove openings 142a, b such that each door panel 110,120 is pivotable about the connecting member 140. Further, the connecting member 140 may have a curved profile 148 that enables the door panels 110,120 to pivot up to 180° relative to each other. Alternatively or additionally, the connecting member 140 may include a butt hinge or projection hinge that allows for a pivoting angle of up to 180°. The connecting member 140 or parts thereof may be made of a metallic material (e g., aluminium, brass, stainless steel), a plastic material (e.g., nylon), or the like.
[0030] Further, the second side 124 of the second door panel 120 is engageable with the second side jamb 230 to close the doorway 240. Particularly, the doorway 240 is closed by the first door panel 110 and the second door panel 120 when the second door panel 120 is engaged with the second side jamb 230.The bifold door assembly 100 may include a locking mechanism to secure the door panels 110,120 to the door frame 200. In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 1A, the locking mechanism includes a locking latch 150 configured to actuate a shoot bolt 152 into the head jamb 210, thereby securing the door panels 110,120 to the head jamb 210.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4A, the bifold door assembly 100 further includes an extendable arm mechanism 300 configured to guide movement of the second door panel 120 relative to the head jamb 210. The extendable arm mechanism 300 includes a first arm member 310 and a second arm member 320. The first arm member 310 is fixed to the second door panel 120. For example, the first arm member 310 is fixed to the top rail of the second door panel 120. The second arm member 320 is moveably coupled to and extendable from the first arm member 310. For example, the second arm member 320 is in sliding engagement with the first arm member 310 to enable extension and retraction of the second arm member 320 relative to the first arm member 310. Further, the second arm member 320 is moveably coupled to the head jamb 210. For example, a distal end 322 of the second arm member 320 is moveably coupled to the head jamb 210 to enable sliding movement of the second arm member 320 along the head jamb 210. For example, the head jamb 210 includes a track for sliding movement of the distal end 322 of the second arm member 320.
[0032] In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 4B, the bifold door assembly 100 includes a roller device 330 for moveably coupling the second arm member 320 to the head jamb 210, the roller device 330 configured for rolling along the head jamb 210. For example, the roller device 330 includes a plurality of wheels 332 for sliding the second arm member 320 along the head jamb 210. Alternatively or additionally, the roller device 330 may be swivelably coupled to the second arm member 320. For example, the roller device 330 includes a swivelling element 334. In one embodiment, the roller device 330 includes the plurality of wheels 332 for sliding the second arm member 320 along the head jamb 210, and includes the swivelling element 334 coupled to the plurality of wheels 332 to facilitate the swivelling of the second arm member 320 relative to the head jamb 210. For example, the wheels 332 may be made of plastics (e g., nylon), metals (e.g., stainless steel), or the like.FIG. 5A to FIG. 5F show the operation of the extendable arm mechanism 300. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show the extendable arm mechanism 300 in the retracted state when the second arm member 320 is not extended and is fully retracted into the first arm member 310. This retracted state of the extendable arm mechanism 300 may happen when the doorway 240 is fully closed. FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D show the extendable arm mechanism 300 when the second arm member 320 is partially extended from the first arm member 310. This state of the extendable arm mechanism 300 may happen when the doorway 240 partially closed or partially opened. FIG.
[0033] 5E and FIG. 5F show the extendable arm mechanism 300 in the extended state when the second arm member 320 is fully extended from the first arm member 310. This extended state of the extendable arm mechanism 300 may happen when the doorway 240 is fully opened.
[0034] Accordingly, the first door panel 110 and the second door panel 120 are moveable in cooperation with each other to thereby open and close the doorway 240. In addition to guiding movement of the second door panel 120, the extendable arm mechanism 300 supports the weight of the second door panel 120 during movement thereof, thus facilitating smoother opening and closing of the doorway 240. The additional support by the extendable arm mechanism 300 also reduces the stresses on the various pivoting areas, particularly at the connecting member 140 and / or the hinge 222, thereby extending the useable life of the bifold door assembly 100.
[0035] Further, during opening of the doorway 240, such as shown in FIG. 2, the first door panel 110 is pivotable about the first side jamb 220 by an obtuse angle a and the second door panel 120 is pivotable about the first door panel 110 to stack onto the first door panel 110. For example, the butt hinges 222 that pivotally mount the first door panel 110 to the first side jamb 220 are configured to open the first door panel 110 to the obtuse angle a. During opening of the doorway 240, the second door panel 120 is stackable onto the first door panel 110 such that the stacked door panels 110,120 can form the obtuse angle a relative to the doorway 240. The obtuse angle a ranges from 90° to 180°. Preferably, the obtuse angle a is at least 120°. More preferably, the obtuse angle a is at least 150°.In some embodiments, the extendable arm mechanism 300 may include a third arm member movably coupled to the first arm member 310 and the second arm member 320, such that the arm mechanism 300 is extendable in a telescopic manner. It will be appreciated that the extendable arm mechanism 300 may include additional arm members of various lengths to configure the telescopic extendibility of the arm mechanism 300. The extendable arm mechanism 300 may be made of a metallic material such as aluminium or steel, or the like.
[0036] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6F show the opening of the doorway 240. As shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the first door panel 110 is pivoting from the first side jamb 220 and forms an acute angle (less than 90°) with the doorway 240. Concurrently, the second door panel 120 is sliding along the head jamb 210 and pivoting with respect to the first door panel 110 due to operation of the extendable arm mechanism 300. As shown in FIG. 6C and FIG. 6D, the first door panel 110 continues pivoting from the first side jamb 220 and increases the angle formed with the doorway 240. Concurrently, the second door panel 120 continues sliding along the head jamb 210 and pivoting with respect to the first door panel 110. More particularly, the first door panel 110 forms a right angle with the doorway 240 and the second door panel 120 is stacked onto the first door panel 120. As shown in FIG. 6E and FIG. 6F, the first door panel 110 continues pivoting from the first side jamb 220 and increases the angle formed with the doorway 240. Concurrently, the second door panel 120, which is stacked onto the first door panel 110, continues pivoting together with the first door panel 110, such that the stacked door panels 110,120 form the obtuse angle a relative to the doorway 240.
[0037] Therefore, by maximizing the obtuse angle a between the stacked door panels 110,120 and the open doorway 240, there would be minimal or no blockage of the open doorway 240 by the door panels 110,120, and the full width of the open doorway 240 can be used for passing through. To illustrate this advantage, when the door panels 110,120 are at a right angle with the doorway 240 as shown in FIG. 6C and FIG. 6D, part of the doorway 240 is blocked by the door panels 110,120. In contrast, when the door panels 110,120 are at the obtuse angle a with the doorway 240 as shown in FIG. 6E and FIG. 6F, the part of the doorway 240 that was initially blocked is now open, thus maximizing the useable width of the open doorway 240 for passing through.The bifold door assembly 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure advantageously maximizes the doorway space for accessibility through the doorway 240, while requiring only half the swing radius of a standard single leaf door. This allows the open doorway 240 to accommodate large assistive devices such as wheelchairs and commodes, which will be increasingly common due to an ageing population. Further, the door panels 110,120 can be opened up to 180°, allowing the door panels 110,120 to be aligned to a wall section adjacent to the doorway 240. This advantageously creates an aesthetically pleasing appearance and minimizes obstruction of the space in front of the doorway 240 and the wall section, making the bifold door assembly 100 suitable for use in tight spaces such as narrow corridors.
[0038] In the foregoing detailed description, embodiments of the present disclosure in relation to a bifold door assembly is described with reference to the provided figures. The description of the various embodiments herein is not intended to call out or be limited only to specific or particular representations of the present disclosure, but merely to illustrate non-limiting examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure serves to address at least one of the mentioned problems and issues associated with the prior art. Although only some embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein, it will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure that a variety of changes and / or modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure as well as the scope of the following claims is not limited to embodiments described herein.
Claims
Claims1. A bifold door assembly comprising:a doorframe comprising a head jamb, a first side jamb, and a second side jamb opposite to the first side jamb, the head jamb and side jambs defining a doorway through the door frame;a first door panel having a first side and an opposite second side, the first side of the first door panel pivotally mounted to the first side jamb;a second door panel having a first side and an opposite second side, the first side of the second door panel pivotally mounted to the second side of the first door panel, the second side of the second door panel engageable with the second side jamb to close the doorway; andan extendable arm mechanism configured to guide movement of the second door panel relative to the head jamb, the extendable arm mechanism comprising a first arm member and a second arm member moveably coupled to the first arm member, the first arm member fixed to the second door panel, the second arm member extendable from the first arm member and moveably coupled to the head jamb, wherein the door panels are moveable in cooperation with each other to thereby open and close the doorway, such that during opening of the doorway, the first door panel is pivotable about the first side jamb by an obtuse angle and the second door panel is pivotable about the first door panel to stack onto the first door panel.
2. The bifold door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first door panel is pivotally mounted to the first side jamb using a set of butt hinges configured to open the first door panel to the obtuse angle.
3. The bifold door assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the obtuse angle is at least 120°.
4. The bifold door assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the obtuse angle is at least 150°.
5. The bifold door assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a roller device for moveably coupling the second arm member to the head jamb, the roller device configured for rolling along the head jamb.
6. The bifold door assembly according to claim 6, wherein the roller device is swivelably coupled to the second arm member.
7. The bifold door assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the roller device comprises:a plurality of wheels for moving the second arm member along the head jamb, anda swivelling element coupled to the plurality of wheels to facilitate the swivelling of the second arm member relative to the head jamb.