GB2452253A

GB2452253A - A door latch locking device

Info

Publication number: GB2452253A
Application number: GB0716437A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Joseph Ormerod
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-08-23
Filing date: 2007-08-23
Publication date: 2009-03-04
Also published as: GB0716437D0

Abstract

A secondary locking device which is fitted to the inside of a door adjacent to the latch 5 of the door, the device is moveable from a position where the device engages with a groove (4, fig 2) on the latch of the door thereby securing the latch 5 in a locked position, to a position where the device is disengaged with the latch 5 allowing the door to be opened. Preferably the device is attached to the inside surface of the door, and mounted to slide vertically with a large handle 2 to allow the device to be used by the persons with limited hand mobility. A section of the device is angled 3 to engage with a groove (4, fig 2) inserted in the top of the latch 5 of the door. Preferably the device has an emergency release mechanism to allow the device to be released from outside, consisting of a lifting pin 8 that rotates tangentially against the underside of the handle 2 of the device, the lifting pin 8 is accessed on the external side of the door via a covered access point (12, fig 2) and may be turned via a key 13 that is rotated through 60 degrees.

Description

DEVICE FOR SECURING INTERNAL DOORS FOR PEOPLE WITH

RESTRICr1VI HAND MOBILiTY

Field of the Invention

The inven*ion relates to a device, which when fitted to the inner side of an internal door can provide a simple means of secunng the door especially for a person with restricted mobility in their hands.

Background of the Invention

A problem that has been faced regularly by people, who suffer from restricted mobility for example arthritis, has been the need to provide a simple solution for locking an internal door, for instance an internal bathroom door There have been many iterations of solutions and many have been manufactured but still require the operator to twist a handle, a knob, a lever to secure the door. This action can cause an increase in pain on the joints due to the twisting motion applied on the wrist area, and in some instances the existing locks are required to rotate through 360 degrees which is not only difficult for a sufferer but also able bodied people.

There are over seven million arthritis sufferers in the United Kingdom alone and the greatest proportion is from the age of 45 onwards. Many of the larger lock manufacturers provide locks which are quite often beyond the financial means of the people who need it the most. This invention provides a simple solulion and reduces the stress and pain levels caused when using existing systems.

Saimm.y of Invention The device is produced from high quality stainless steel material and is press formed into its final shape. The metal body is produced in both left band and tight hand versions to enable doors that are hinged on alternative sides to be fitted also. The body is then fitted with a highly visible fluorescent plastic handle which is produced by injection moulding around the metal body thus ensuring the handle cannot detach while in use.

The complete device is then attached to the door in question with the formed edge aligned with the edge of the door. The device is then secured in place with two purpose made machine scws that allow the device to slide in a vertical and downward motion.

The lock which exists on the door requires a m]l modification to which a groove is inserted in the top of the latch. The groove which is approximately 2mm wide by 3mm deep provides the locking area for the new device when in its lowest slide position.

On the underside of the protruding highly visible handle, a 5mm hole is drilled through the door allowing the lifting pm to be inserted. This lifting pin rotates tangentially against the underside of the device and allows access from the external side. A fitment cap is placed in the exposed hole on the outside of the don; sealing it during use. The pin is fitted to allow access should the person using the room not be able to remove the device allowing help to athve. In this instance, the front cap is removed and replaced with a key that is rotated through 60 degrees, lifting the device free from the latch and allowing entry to the room.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A specific embodiment of the design will now be described by way of emnple with reference to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 -Shows the devicc in front (locked position) Figure 2 -Shows the device from the rear Figure 3-Shows the device from the side with the key to rotate the lift pin

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 shows a front view 0f the device fitted to a sample door with the main body (1) with the highly visible moulded handle (2) in place, showing the folded edge of the device (3) above the groove (4) in the latch of the lock (5). The main body (1) is fitted to the sample door by two machine SCXws (6) & (7) respectively. The lifting pin (8) is fitted in the drilled hole (9) and is placed tangentially to the underside of the highly visil)le moulded handle (2) at the end (10).

Figure 2 shows the device in isometric from the rear. The folded edge of the device (3) is shown located in the groove (4) in the latch of the lock (5). On the outer side of the sample door is the fitment cap (11) which locates in the key hole (12) Figure 3 shows the device with the fitment cap (11) removed and replaced by the key (13) which locates on the lifting pin (8) on the suthces of the square drive (14). The key is rotated through 60 degrees in a clockwise motion allowing the lifting pin (8) to drive the main body (1) and the highly visible moulded handle (2) upwards. This removes the folded edge of the device (3) from the groove (4) in the latch of the lock (5) thus allowing access to the room. *

Claims

1. A locking device, comprising; a lock adapted to be mounted on a door, wherein said lock is provided with a sliding mounted locking latch; a lock holder adapted to be mounted on a door, wherein said lock holder is provided with an arresting pin that is adapted to latch with said locking latch; a sliding securing lever for blocking pivoting movement of said locking latch; a spring for biasing said securing lever into a position in which said securing lever blocks said locking latch;

2. A locking device according to claim 1, wherein said securing lever, in its blocking position, is adapted to rest against a shoulder disposed on an outer surface of said locking latch.

A securing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said device is between substantially 0.5cm and 200cm in length.

*

3. A securing device as claimed in any one of the *1 preceding claims, wherein the securing device comprises a rod and a cap.

4. A securing device as claimed in any one of claims I to 3, wherein the securing device comprises a rod and a face.</p>

5. A securing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the face extends perpendicularly to the length of the slide plate

6. A securing device as claimed in claim 1-6, wherein the face comprises at least one opening which is preferably dimensioned to receive a fixing screw