Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Composite prefabricated panel including adjunctive means – Sandwich or hollow with sheet-like facing members
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-24
2001-06-05
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Composite prefabricated panel including adjunctive means
Sandwich or hollow with sheet-like facing members
C052S212000, C052S794100, C049S489100, C049S504000, C049S070000, C312S138100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06240703
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to enclosures and, more particularly, to insulated closure structures for walk-in enclosures such as refrigerators and freezers.
2. Description of Related Art
Walk-in freezer or refrigerator units are large, enclosed spaces used for the storage of perishable items. In many situations, pallet jacks or other means of transporting pallets of stored goods are used to put in or remove the goods from the freezer or refrigerator units. In these situations, it is necessary to have a threshold flush with the inner and outer floors. The standard doors built into the freezer or refrigerator units are too small to allow easy maneuvering of the pallet jacks, with the result that the doors and frames are easily damaged and often require replacement. Typical replacement closures known in the art are units that are affixed externally to the outer wall. These units protrude into the workspace, are weak in respect to thermal barrier properties, and are easily damaged.
The replacement enclosures must perform the same functions as the original closures. They must maintain the temperature differential between the inside of the freezer or refrigerator unit and the outside. The closure should not allow moisture condensation to form on the exterior. The threshold of the closure must remain free of ice to prevent hazardous footing conditions. The replacement closure must be sufficiently insulated and sealed at all points to prevent thermal leakage into the walls or around the door.
In use currently known closure structures are frequently damaged by impact from pallet jacks when operated carelessly inside the enclosure. As enclosure doors are typically made of a pair of spaced-apart, fairly thin metal sheets having a foamlike insulating material disposed between the sheets, an object such as a lifting device hitting the door can cause serious damage and require expensive repairs or complete replacement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a replacement closure that has means for being protected from impact damage.
It is an additional object to provide such a closure that includes means for opening the closure door.
It is a further object to provide such a closure wherein an impact upon the protection means causes the door to open.
It is another object to provide such a closure that has a pair of doors.
It is yet an additional object to provide such a closure wherein an impact upon the protection means causes both of the doors to open.
It is yet a further object to provide such a closure having opening means operable upon one of the doors.
It is yet another object to provide a method for providing means for exiting an insulated space.
An additional object is to provide a method for protecting an insulated closure against impact damage.
A further object is to provide a method for making a closure for an insulated space.
These objects and others are attained by the present invention, an enclosure door for an insulated space that comprises an insulated door member that is hingedly mountable to a door frame of an insulated enclosure. Release means are attached to the door frame for opening the door member. Further, protective means are affixed in covering relation to at least a portion of an inner face of the door member and are operable to open the door member upon experiencing an impact thereupon.
In a particular embodiment, the protective means are affixed to each of a pair of facing door members, each operable to open both door members upon experiencing an impact thereupon.
The features that characterize the invention, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description used in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. It is to be expressly understood that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. These and other objects attained, and advantages offered, by the present invention will become more fully apparent as the description that now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.
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Allen Dyer Doppelt Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
CNB Enterprises, Inc.
Friedman Carl D.
Horton Yvonne M.
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