1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a door and, in particular, to a bi-directionally swinging door in which at least one of the edges of the door seals positively into a doorjamb.
2. Description of the Related Art
Traditional doors operate by means of a doorknob with bolt. When the door is in the closed position, the bolt of the doorknob fits into a recess drilled into the doorjamb and secures the door from being opened. To open the door, the doorknob is turned which retracts the bolt away from the doorjamb and into the interior of the door. Once the bolt clears the doorjamb, the door is able to swung open. Typically, the door will be hung on single-direction hinges which limits the door's swinging movement to a single direction, either in or out of the doorway.
Current door designs may not be applicable for use by someone who is disabled or handicapped. For example, turning the doorknob may be difficult for a person who lacks dexterity or has limited motor function. Likewise, someone who is confined to a wheelchair, walks with the aide of crutches or a cane, or has arthritis may have difficulty operating a door with a rotatable or twistable doorknob.
An additional problem with the traditional single-directionally hinged door is that the door must be opened toward the door's operator half of the time, either when ingressing or egressing through the doorway. Consequently, half of the time, one has to step-out or get-out of the way of the opening door. While seemingly a simple task for one able, this is more challenging for someone confined to a wheelchair, or walks with the assistance of crutches or a cane.
Another disadvantage with current door designs is that the door is held shut merely by the doorknob's bolt. The traditional doorknob's bolt does not provide much security against forcible entry. A potential intruder may gain entry simply by cutting the bolt or breaking the doorjamb around the location where the bolt is inserted.