GB2562030A

GB2562030A - Retaining device for an open door

Info

Publication number: GB2562030A
Application number: GB1704201.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Kilbane Jonathon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-03-16
Filing date: 2017-03-16
Publication date: 2018-11-07
Also published as: GB201704201D0

Abstract

A retaining device 1 for holding a door 2 in an open position comprises two telescopic tube members (4 8 Fig 2), a compression spring (13) which urges the inner tube 4 into an extended position. The inner tube is held in the retracted position by an activation lever (10) which rotates from a storage position (11). Two arms (15 16) may also extend from the end of the inner tube when deployed. In use the device is worn on the arm of a police officer or member of the army or security forces. A hook and loop fastener system with adhesive backing is released when removed from the arm and is stuck to the top corner of a closed door and activated. The inner tube is biased against the upper door frame until the door is opened. The inner tube extends upwards and prevents the door from then closing. If the door opens more than 90° the arms are deployed and contact with the door frame at a distance.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Jonathon Michael Kilbane

Harborough Road, Rushden, NN10 0LW, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Jonathon Michael Kilbane

1704201.1 ₍₅₁) |_NTCL:

E05C 17/54 (2006.01)

16.03.2017 (56) Documents Cited:

CN 202012258 U US 6481052 A JPS565755

DE 202012001965 U US 4756052 A (58) Field of Search:

INT CL E05C Other: EPODOC, WPI (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Patent Protect

The Glass House, 3D Newthorpe Common, Newthorpe, NOTTINGHAM, NG16 2BX, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Retaining device for an open door Abstract Title: Device for retaining door in an open position (57) A retaining device 1 for holding a door 2 in an open position comprises two telescopic tube members (4 8 Fig 2), a compression spring (13) which urges the inner tube 4 into an extended position. The inner tube is held in the retracted position by an activation lever (10) which rotates from a storage position (11). Two arms (15 16) may also extend from the end of the inner tube when deployed. In use the device is worn on the arm of a police officer or member of the army or security forces. A hook and loop fastener system with adhesive backing is released when removed from the arm and is stuck to the top corner of a closed door and activated. The inner tube is biased against the upper door frame until the door is opened. The inner tube extends upwards and prevents the door from then closing. If the door opens more than 90° the arms are deployed and contact with the door frame at a distance.

FIGURE 1

2

1/7

FIGURE 2

2/7

FIGURE 3

3/7

FIGURE 4

4/7

FIGURE 5

5/7

FIGURE 6

6/7

FIGURE 7

3F

7/7

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

JONATHON MICHAEL KILBANE

FOR

RETAINING DEVICE FOR AN OPEN DOOR

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the holding of doors in an open position, at differing gradients using a device, for use but not exclusively when police or other authorities wish to strategically and safely access to a building or room and the door or doors must remain open throughout the procedure.

Background

Door retainers or stoppers are known and commonly are installed into various locations around a door.

A floor fitting is often inserted into the area behind the door in its open state to prevent the door from contacting and damaging the wall area behind it.

These come in a variation of types including a rubber or variant barrel type body with a centre hole which allows for a fitting such as a threaded screw to be inserted through it into the floor when fitting.

Other fittings that relate moreover to the prevention of door closure are also known.

A common way to prevent a door from closure is a door wedge. This is a rubber or plastic triangular device which is slid into the space or gap presented at the bottom, between the door and the floor area.

Some other examples attach to the skirting board behind the door as a metal fitting. This often extends a hooking or attachment piece which engages with a corresponding member located on the door at the same height.

When the door is opened, the pieces attached to the door and skirting board engage and thus the door remains open, until both pieces are separated by the user.

These devices provide a method to protect areas around the door on opening or to keep a door in an open position for continued passage through, for a period of time.

These are usable under normal circumstances when the control of a door is required and possible The devices or items can be inserted, attached and engaged manually and freely when in use and removed or applied as and when needed with little restriction.

The use of these door retainers is suitable for daily domestic or commercial use where there are little usage restrictions for the door or the events relating to the use or opening of the door are safe.

When a door is being opened within a very strict time and safety restrictive operation, such as the Police entering a building or room, these known types of door retainer or stopper would not be suitable.

When a tactical door entry situation is required where self-closing doors are present, the users will wish to enter through the door with no time delay at all and all safety aspects and guidelines of entry being adhered to, thus the retainer must be able to be pre-installed onto the door prior to it being opened, in silence.

Thus the door can then be opened and the operatives can enter to room or building in normal formation.

The method currently employed to enter rooms where an armed threat is or may be present has been developed by UK Special Forces and has filtered down to Armed Forces and Police tactics. This method is based around the principal that the safest way to enter a room is to clear as much of that room from outside of it before entering.

In order to do this, operators must open the door to the room which they intend to clear. When the door opens the operators must not be visible to anyone that may be on the inside, so as to reduce the risk of being engaged with a firearm. Once the door is opened the operators can then conduct their room clearance drills in line with their training. This drill is conducted by teams of two or three, dependant on the tactic utilised.

Problem to be solved

The entry tactic itself is regarded as sound and as evolved as a result of operational experience, however no matter how proficient the operator, the tactic gets compromised which puts the safety of the operators conducting the tactic at risk.

The tactic gets compromised by the said door closers. Most commercial buildings have door closers fitted due to fire safety, and most modern domestic properties will have a number of door closers fitted for the same reason, especially with the increase of three storey town houses being built, which require fire doors and closers to be fitted by law.

When an operator pushes open an inward opening door, it is imperative that the door remains open to allow the operators to conduct their drills. If a door closes through either contacting and bouncing off a wall for example, or as a result of a closer, then the tactic is ruined as one of the operators will have to place part of their body, usually their foot, in the door way to prevent the door closing. Doing this is in complete contradiction to the reason the tactic is employed, being operator safety and casualty reduction. A foot in the door exposes the whole leg and groin area and a gunshot to this area can be fatal.

At the moment it is accepted that there is no other way around the issue of door closers, to the point that in Police training scenarios the doors closers are removed prior to training, so officers can practice the tactic in the desired way. Operators do not have that luxury on live jobs.

There appears to be nothing currently in prior art to counter this problem as all door stop designs are shown to be fitted once the door is opened, and involves crossing the threshold into the room first.

The preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed within this document presents a device which can be applied to a closed door in silence by instantly attaching itself and provides a means by which the door can be held open with no further interaction with the device once it is attached to the door. This device is also specifically designed to be used on all doors including self-closing doors such as fire types, aiding the safety and passage of users entering such as the Police armed units or similar.

Summary of the invention

The door retaining device comprises of two metal or similar composite tubes, one slightly narrower than the other having the ability to instantly present the smaller inner section via a sprung loaded and controlled mechanism. Due to the small size of the device a number can be carried on specific plates made of fabric. These fabric plates can be positioned/ fastened on the shooting arm or tactical vest/ webbing of the officer. This type of fabric is the standard type already used by Police and Military personal on their tactical kit.

The device is carried in the closed position, and when required the operator can use one hand to remove the device from their kit. It is already accepted practice that an operator may have to remove one hand from a weapon to open a door, whilst the other hand is in control of the weapon and a finger is on the trigger to cover the threat if the door were to open.

As the operator removes the device by simply pulling a retaining strap and taking the device off the plate, the backing for the adhesive side of the Velcro (TRADEMARK) strip is automatically removed as the ends of the backing paper are longer than the Velcro (TRADEMARK) strip and clamped to the plate. The clamps are attached to the plate by elasticated tabs which stretch as the device is pulled away from the plate. This stretching creates the angled pull on the backing paper, removing it and leaving the adhesive exposed.

The operator then presses the device comprising mainly of the two hollowed tube sections in the vertical position to the top corner of the hinged side of the inward opening door, as close to the top and side of the doorframe as possible, as shown in Figure 1. The operator then removes the activation lever by turning the lever away from the door frame 90 degrees and pulling away. The lever is large enough so as not to require a great deal of dexterity. The device is now fully prepped and requires no further thought.

This process takes maybe 5 to 10 seconds to complete which is more than an acceptable time, and will probably be completed before a number two person is in position to open the door at the handle side. A short delay is considered acceptable if it is for safety reasons, such as for prepping a stun grenade and letting other operators past the door.

When the door opens the top of the device clears the door frame and the compression spring pressure forces the inner tube up. The device is now an effective door stop and presses against the door frame or wall to prevent the door closing. The Velcro (TRADEMARK) has to be strong but this is available on the market.

If the door opens sufficiently past 90 degrees, or the device was not placed close enough to the corner of the frame, then the extenders will extend and lock out at 90 degrees (so long as the device is 5 cm away from the frame/ wall. This is in order to give as wide a view as possible into the room by keeping the door at least 90 degrees open.

The vast majority of doors do not open past 90 degrees or so anyway, as doors are generally placed near to corners to optimise space in rooms.

It is noted that as an alternative the extenders should be hinged in the middle with a torsion spring placed at the hinge. This will enable the extender to lock out at variable measurements to include 2.5cm and 5cm, however this may make the extender vulnerable to damage, and even without the extender the door should be held open enough to conduct the tactic as prescribed.

There are two extenders, one either side, one for either a left or right side hinged door.

Once the incident is finished, the device can be removed from the door by separating the two Velcro (TRADEMARK) strips. The side that is stuck to the door can then be replaced with another bespoke male/female Velcro strip which comes with the extended backing strip (reinforced to prevent tearing).

The above mentioned tactic is used in the UK and a similar principle is used by US Forces. It is highly likely, although not confirmed, that NATO affiliated countries will all use a similar system of clearing rooms.

Police forces work on threat and risk. Door closers which operate automatically have already been identified as a risk to officers conducting room drills, and as a result a practical means of removing this risk cannot be ignored by Police forces if presented.

This product improves a sound tactic and increases the safety of the Operators carrying it out. It is easy to carry and deploy, is reusable, and due to its simplicity is practical and will be an affordable piece of equipment.

The device has a hollowed tube member length of at least 150mm as a suggested length but this may vary. This hollowed member would preferably be of a squared elongation, with a single sealed end.

The profile may also tend toward a rectangular form and a variant of this but it is important that at least one complete face or side of the elongation is completely planar to contact with the door.

To the interior of the hollowed tube member is an identically shaped insertion member of some 145mm in length, as a suggested but variant measurement.

This section inserts into the exterior hollowed tube member in a close and accurate fitting.

This fitting nature is important as to enable the inner section to rise and lower within it. To the interior base of the exterior tube member is a compression spring, as shown in the figures. This spring is held and seated below the inner moving section member and is compressed to around 40mm when the inner moving section member is pushed to its full extent into the hollowed chamber of the outer member on setting the device.

The objective is for the inner member to be sprung released from the outer member on use, the compression spring enables this and is controlled via a removal and activation lever ensemble. This lever ensemble is primed by pulling it to the side in a downward motion, this motion being to the left or right depending on its location from the doorframe.

On its release the inner member section is ejected from the outer member and thus extends to its most possible extent from the opening of the hollowed outer member and thus increasing the length and working capacity of the device as a combination.

On installation the combined members are closed, as previously described and they are placed on a closed door surface, to the corner closest to the underside edge of the horizontal door frame area at the top of the door, to the hinged side.

The device has an adhesive rear side which locates and attaches to the doors planar surface, whilst both sections are closed and the device opening is seated to the underside edge of the door frame which remains visible when the door is closed.

The user primes the device by moving the priming and activation lever into position and activates by removing it, as shown and thus once the door is opened the internal moving member section rises instantly due to the expulsion effect of the now able compression spring.

As the internal moving member section extends fully past the height of the upper edge of the door, it remains in place. Should the door attempt to close at this point, the extended member section would contact with the door frame at various points, dependent upon how the initial positioning of the whole device was carried out.

As the extension contacts with the area of the frame, as an extended length, because it is also secured to the doors surface along with its counterpart outer member section, the door cannot close.

In addition; should the opening and extension requirements of the device and the door be more extensive, two arms may also be ejected from the hollowed housing interior of the combined device, as aforementioned.

These are controlled and presented by aid of a tension spring which is located and attached to both extension arms and also to its delivery point inside the device. These extending arms are able to present due to openings to either side of the extending member sections, as shown, into which they will also retract accordingly after use.

The two extender arms are provided to either side of the device to ensure that once in place at least one of the two arms is preventing further closure and improving the opening capacity of the door. This is shown in Figure 1.

As the arms extend toward the facing of the door frame they contact with it in advance of the position of the device itself aiding further opening of the door due to the added protrusions.

On completion of use, the adhesive section which is attached to a strip of Velcro (TRADEMARK) would moreover remain on the door and the whole of the device would be removed otherwise.

To reuse the device, all extended members would be re-inserted and the springs retained by the priming area being re-positioned.

The device would then have a new strip of Velcro (TRADEMARK) attached to it with an adhesive backing as previously and it would be located and attached via releasable straps to the chosen area of the users working attire.

Brief description of figures

Figures 1 show a dimensional view of the door retaining device attached to an open door and in extended mode.

Figures 2 show a sectional view and example of the device in its closed and primed status, as used on application to the door.

Figures 3 show a sectional view and example of the device extended as it would be when the door onto which it is located is opened.

Figures 4 show a dimensional example of the combined device fully extended.

Figures 5 show an example of the front elevation and side elevation of the device.

Figures 6 show an example of an extendable arm section.

Figures 7 show a view of the devise in position under the closed door frame as it would be when primed for use.

Detailed description of figures

A typical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 1 and comprise a door retainer device 1 which is located and fixed to a door 2, in the position or around the position shown, to contact with the door frame 3 when the door 2 is opened.

The device 1A has an outer body member 8 and an inner rising member section 4, as shown in Figure 2.

To raise the inner rising member section 4 there is a compression spring 13 which is affixed to the closed end section base 14 therein. Control of this sprung ensemble is governed by a return and activation lever 10 and control switch 12, which is primed when placing the device 1A in place on a door. The lever in an outward stance is shown as 10 and inside the device as 11. This lever 10 is removed from the device to activate it prior to the door being opened.

To this extends a tension spring guide 6 around which a tension spring 5 is over seated and held via the spring locator pin 7.

The tension spring 5 is affixed to the extender arms and upper area fittings by wire or pin fixtures 9.

As the door is opened, the retention of the door frame inner face and the ultimate surface of the device ceases and the rising section 4B is able to eject upward, as shown in Figure 3. This outward propulsion being forced by the release of the compression spring 13B.

If the positioning or amount of door opening and space created is sufficient the extender arms 15 and 16 will present from the rising section via side openings being supported by the tension spring 5B. The rising section 4B presents fully from the outer member length 8B. The locating hole for the lever 17 is shown in its separation as the rising section extends outward. These two extending arms 15 and 16 are now able to add additional opening to the door as they protrude to locate and touch the door frames planar exterior surface and add required door retention.

This action of full extension is shown in Figure 4, with the upper surface 18 being the area which initially contacts with the door frame underside edge on application with the door still closed. The extender arms 15C and 16C shown are presented via openings 19 and 20 from the rising member section body 4C extending from the outer member body 8C.

Figure 5 shows the frontal view of the device exterior A) with spring locator pin hole 7D.

A side view of this is shown in B) which indicates the passage of the pin hole 7D via way of broken lines and shows the two portions of Velcro 20, one of which is removable and remains on the door after use, as shown.

The extension arm 15 is shown as a single example of the two in Figure 6 E). This forms as the body upper plane which is an elongated hollow rectangle, having two exterior outer horizontal surfaces 23 and 24 forming its shape.

Holes for wire or other fitting attachments 22 are provided to one end of the arm which is nearest to the centre of the device when installed therein.

Section F) shows an end elevation of the arm 15 showing one side 24 and its hollowed interior 25.

Figure 7, shows how the device 1F would appear when primed for usage under the closed door and its frame 3F. This is prior to the door opening and the device is placed on the planar surface of the door vertical on the corner nearest the hinged side of the door.

Claims

Claims 1) A retaining device for an open door wherein, persons wanting to enter a room or building may wear the device on suitable areas of their attire such as on the forearm or belt area of combat or protective apparel and rapidly release the device to be placed and adhered to the upper left or right corner of a door, whichever is closest to the hinged side, vertical tube members provide a method of holding the door open, including doors which automatically close such as fire doors, due to the vertical tube members having the ability to extend above the door and then contact with the door frame at a distance, creating a method to hold the door away from the frame once the door is opened by the operative or user, the device may then be removed and re-used repeatedly. 2) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 wherein, police or other authorities may attach the door retaining device to their forearm, arm or other bodily area by means of quick release straps which pass over the retaining device and hold it in place, prior to application to the door via adhesive means. 3) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 2 wherein, adhesive means to attach the door retaining device onto the corner of the hinged side of the door is provided by a releasable strip of Velcro (TRADEMARK) or similar method, this has a peel away backing paper which is removed as the device is removed from the users person, due to the adhesive strip having an excess of paper to one end which is trapped beneath a holding strap and thus is pulled away on removal from the location on the users arm or other location, to then be applied to the closed door. 4) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 3 wherein, the retaining device for a door is placed to the vertical face of a door at the top corner which is closest to the hinged side of the frame, enabling suitable location to perform door holding once the door is opened, owing to the device extending above the door height. 5) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the device is attached to the corner of the closed door on the face of the door with the top of the vertically held device just below the under face edge of the door frames horizontal upper section, enabling it to allow the door to open and to extend its rising section from within, this is primed for action by the movement of a lever which retains and activates. 6) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 5 wherein, a rising section of a vertical hollow member is housed movably within an outer hollow member body and both form the main ensemble of the device, the inner rising section has a compression spring below it which drives it upward when the door is opened once it has been primed using the retention and activation lever. 7) A retaining device for an open door as claimed wherein, the rising section member ejects from the housing of the outer housing member and extends above the height of the door, as the door opens this extension is made possible, additional extension arms present themselves as the door opens to a wider degree or if positioning of the device dictates thus. 8) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 7 wherein, extending arms present themselves from side openings in the rising section member as the door opening area widens sufficiently or the positioning of the device dictates thus, enabling the arms located to the right and left of the device to further hold the door at a distance from the frame, in their fully horizontally presented position or a degree of this. Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: 1009 18 Claims

1) A retaining device for an open door which can be worn on the body during storage, having adhesive fixture to a door and rapid release with lever deployment means of door holding components, being a vertical tube and rising member, with sprung extending arms arranged in use to hold a door open at distance from a door frame, together defining a device.

2) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the device can be releasably worn on the body including; the forearm, arm area or other bodily locations.

3) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 wherein, adhesive means to attach the door retaining device is provided by means of adhesive backed hook and eye strips on the device.

4) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the device can be attached to the either of the upper corners of a closed door at frame height.

5) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a sprung loaded mechanism forces a rising tube member vertically.

6) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a sprung loaded mechanism forces extending arms outwardly from the rising tube member.

7) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 and claim 6 wherein, extending arms hold a door at distance from a door frame.

8) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a sprung rising tube member and extending arms are activated by means of a lever.

9) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a device can be placed on a closed door in sprung primed status, to activate when the door is opened.

10) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said device comprises a vertical rising tube member.

1009 18

11) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said device comprises sprung loaded deployment by a compression spring.

12) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said device comprises extending arms.

13) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said device comprises a rising tubed member which is housed movably within an outer member.

14) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said device comprises a lever.

15) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said device comprises a spring locator pin.

16) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said device comprises wire or pin fixtures attached to the tension spring.

17) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a tension spring is released to eject a vertical rising tube member and extending arms.

18) A retaining device for an open door as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a vertical rising tube member has upper side openings for extending arms to exit.

19) A retaining device for an open door according to any preceding claim including a device which has a hard material construction.

20) A retaining device for an open door according to any preceding claim including a device which has a sprung mechanism to deploy arms to hold open a door.

21) A retaining device for an open door as substantially herein described with reference to the figures.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB 1704201.1 Examiner: Mr Philip Lawrence