Bi-Door Loading and Internal Door Release System

The introduction of 2004 Disability Act has meant that all public spaces must provide a comparable experience for all users. These patents resulted from a user-centred research project focusing on how to improve access to disabled toilets, particularly in hospital situations. Through observational and ethnographic research the study identified a series of issues relating to the loading of bi-folding door systems.

My expertise in developing patentable user-centred design solutions resulted in the development of a new and unique retractable pivot and loading block system. These innovations were identified through observational research and user testing. The loading block’s uniqueness is in its ability to enable the user to guide the retractable pivot into location. The retractable pivot eliminates the need to lift the door by allowing the user to slide the door into position, then to engage the pivot.

The inventiveness of these features has been rigorously scrutinised via a thirteen-month patent assessment procedure leading to successful granting of a UK patent (UK Patent GB 2391257A).

During the observational research and user testing process a second significant limitation of existing designs was identified. The investigation established that if a person were to fall onto the floor behind the door they could not call for help or release the door. Consequently an entirely new door release mechanism system was developed to enable the user to release the bi-fold doors from floor level. Again, the inventiveness here was rigorously scrutinised via the patent assessment procedure that led to a second successful UK patent (UK Patent GB 2391248A).