Hinge Gap Exclusion Member for Door Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door safety devices fail to effectively prevent finger entrapment and crushing injuries in hinge gaps due to limitations in safety, durability, ease of installation, and compatibility with various door opening angles, particularly restricting access for disabled individuals and being prone to damage.
Innovation Solution
A safety device featuring an elongate exclusion member with two biasing means, comprising resilient materials and extendible sheet material, that blocks the hinge gap when the door is open and ejects from it as it closes, ensuring finger protection and accommodating various door opening angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flexible materials are used for door guards, then the guard can accommodate varying door opening angles, but the guard provides limited safety benefits as it is easy to push into the gap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a rigid backing plate with a flexible concertina material layer to create a composite guard structure. The rigid plate provides structural strength and prevents the guard from being pushed into the gap, while the flexible concertina material maintains adaptability to varying door opening angles and provides cushioning.
2Reliability
If rigid materials are used for door guards, then the guard provides safer protection initially, but the guard is prone to fatigue and damage through impact
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure combines rigid and flexible materials, where the rigid backing plate provides initial safety protection and the flexible concertina material absorbs impact energy, reducing fatigue and damage to the overall guard structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible concertina material layer acts as a cushioning element that absorbs impact energy before it reaches the rigid backing plate, preventing damage through impact and extending the service life of the guard.
3Reliability
If rigid guards are used, then safety protection is improved, but the guard can invert during closing and provide little or no protection
Solution Approach 1:
The combination of rigid plate and flexible concertina material creates a structurally stable composite guard that resists inversion during door closing. The flexible material's elastic properties help maintain the guard's structural integrity and prevent bending or folding into the gap.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively prevents finger entrapment and crushing injuries by adapting to different door opening angles and ensuring reliable ejection of fingers from the hinge gap, while being durable and easy to install, thus enhancing safety and accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
Each biasing means comprises a resilient means and at least one roll of sheet material which is extendible against the action of the resilient means
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a safety device suitable for use with hinged doors or windows, and to door or window systems incorporating such a safety device. The invention also relates to methods of installing such a device. The device comprises an elongate exclusion member that is adapted to fit within the hinge gap in an open door and acts to prevent or significantly reduce the risk of injury to a subject through entrapment of fingers of other appendages in the hinge gap present in many door and window systems. The device of the present invention is particularly suitable for retrofitting to existing door and window systems.