FINGER PROTECTOR DEVICE

Abstract: The present invention provides finger protector device comprising first (12) second (14) and third (16) members, the second member being connected between the first and third members by flexible means (22, 24), the first member is arranged, in use, to be mounted to a first surface (30) and the third member is arranged, in use, to be mounted to a second surface (32), in which relative movement of the first and second surfaces is possible.

Description: FINGER PROTECTOR DEVICE Field of the Invention The invention relates to finger protector devices, especially (but not limited to) finger protector devices for door hinges . Background to the Invention Hinge mechanisms for doors and similar openings are generally arranged such that on opening the door a gap is formed between the internal face of the door and the adjacent door frame. On closing the door this gap is inevitably reduced until the door is closed. Therefore, during closing any objects protruding into the gap are squeezed or trapped. This is a frequent cause of accidents whereby fingers are trapped between the door and adjacent door frame. Such accidents can be painful and can result in serious injuries. These accidents can be especially commonplace and distressing for young children. Furthermore, the use of doors comprising automatic closing means, such as springs, can result in high closing forces. It is an aim of the present invention to overcome or obviate at least one problem associated with the prior art, whether referred to herein or otherwise. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a finger protector device comprising first, second and third members, the second member being connected between the first and third members by flexible means, the first member is arranged, in use, to be mounted to a first surface and the third member is arranged, in use, to be mounted to a second surface, in which relative movement of the first and second surfaces is possible. The flexible means may provide a pivotal connection. The relative movement of the first and second surfaces may create or close a gap between the surfaces . The first surface may be a door. Suitably the second surface is a door frame . The first, second and third members may be elongate members . The first member may have a mounting portion connected thereto and suitably connected by flexible means. The third member may have a mounting portion connected thereto and suitably connected by flexible means. The or each mounting portion or portions may be thicker than the first, second and third members. This assists in fixing the device to a door or frame. The or each mounting portion or portions may be attached to a member by a flexible plastics joint which is pre-biased at about 90° relative to the member to which it or they is or are attached. The first and second surfaces may have slots mounted thereto in order to engage the mounting portions of the first and third faces respectively. The door frame may be connected to a first mounting portion which is pivotally connected to the first member which is pivotally connected to the second member which is pivotally connected to a third member which is pivotally connected to a second mounting portion which is connected to a door, in which the first, second and third members and the first and second mounting portions are all elongate members, and in which the finger protector device has a substantially uniform cross-section along its length. Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the drawings that follow in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section of a safety device for a door. Figure 2 is a cross-section of a door in a closed position with a safety device attached. Figure 3 is a cross-section of a door in a partially open position with a safety device attached. Figure 4 is a cross-section of a door in an open position with a safety device attached. Description of the Preferred Embodiments As shown in Figure 1, the cross-section of the safety device 10 is approximately a right angled triangle. However, prior to formation the safety device 10 is substantially planar. The sides of the safety device 10 are formed from elongate strips of a suitable plastics material. Hinge sections 22, 24 connect the first side 16 to the second side 14 and the third side 12 to the second side 14 respectively. The hinge sections 22, 24 are formed from a flexible material. The use of flexible hinge sections reduce the opportunity of any pinching action which may result from mechanical hinge sections. Connecting portions 18, 20 are provided to mount the safety device 10 to a door 30 and adjacent frame 32 or wall. The connecting portions 18, 20 are connected to the first and third sides 16, 12 by flexible hinge sections 28, 26 respectively. Connecting portions 18, 20 may be made thicker than sides 12, 14, 16 to assist in mounting. To assist in mounting and in the motion of the device, the flexible joints joining connecting portions 18, 20 to sides 12, 16 respectively may be pre-biased to about 90°. In order to mount the safety device 10 to a door 30 and adjacent frame 32 slots (not shown) are initially affixed to the door 30 at an inner position and to an adjacent position on the frame 32, as shown in Figure 2. The safety device 10 can then be mounted by securing the connecting portions 18, 20 in the respective slots (not shown) . Alternatively, and as a preferred option with thicker connecting portions 18, 20 holes (not shown) may be provided in the connecting portions to allow for screw fixing. Once mounted the connecting portion 18 will move corresponding to the movement of the door 30 whilst the connecting portion 20 will remain affixed to the frame. The flexible hinge sections 22, 24, 26, 28 enable the safety device 10 to reconfigure according to the relative orientation of the door 30 and the frame 32. As shown in Figure 2, when the door 30 is in a closed position the safety device 10 adopts a right angle triangle cross- section. Approximations of the cross-sections of the safety device 10 with the door 30 in a partially open position and providing a 90° open position are shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 respectively. It can be seen that at all times during the opening of the door 30 the safety device 10 prevents access to the gap formed between the inner face of the door 30 and the adjacent door frame 32. Therefore, on the subsequent closing of the door 30 there is no opportunity for objects, especially fingers, to be trapped between the door 30 and the frame 32. The configuration of the safety device 10 also enables the safety device 10 to function during opening angles substantially greater than 90°. The configuration of the safety device 10 also enables the safety device 10 to be mounted on an adjacent frame which is not at a right angle to the door, for example a bevelled frame or a flat frame. The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A finger protector device comprising first, second and third members , the second member being connected between the first and third members by flexible means, the first member is arranged, in use, to be mounted to a first surface and the third member is arranged, in use, to be mounted to a second surface, in which relative movement of the first and second surfaces is possible. 2. A finger protector device according to Claim 1, in which the flexible means provides a pivotal connection. 3. A finger protector device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the relative movement of the first and second surfaces creates or close a gap between the surfaces . 4. A finger protector device according to any preceding claim, in which the first surface is a door. 5. A finger protector device according to any preceding claim, in which the second surface is a door frame. 6. A finger protector device according to any preceding claim, in which the first, second and third members are elongate members . 7. A finger protector device according to any preceding claim, in which the first member has a mounting portion connected thereto and is connected by flexible means . 8. A finger protector device according to any preceding claim in which the third member has a mounting portion connected thereto and is connected by flexible means. 9. A finger protector device according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, in which the or each mounting portion or portions is or are thicker than the first, second and third members . 10. A finger protector device according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, in which the or each mounting portion or portions is attached to a member by a flexible plastics joint which is pre-biased at about 90° relative to the member to which it or they is or are attached. 11. A finger protector device according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, in which the first and second surfaces may have slots mounted thereto in order to engage the mounting portions of the first and third faces respectively. 12. A finger protector device according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, in which the door frame is connected to a first mounting portion which is pivotally connected to the first member which is pivotally connected to the second member which is pivotally connected to a third member which is pivotally connected to a second mounting portion which is connected to a door, in which the first, second and third members and the first and second mounting portions are all elongate members, and in which the finger protector device has a substantially uniform cross-section along its length. 13. A finger protector device substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings that follow.

Inventors: GARVEY FRANK, GARVEY, FRANK
Applicants: FINGERSHIELD UK LTD, GARVEY FRANK, FINGERSHIELD (UK) LIMITED, GARVEY, FRANK
Application year: 1999
Main classification: E06B7
IPC codes: E06B7