WO2003080973A1

WO2003080973A1 - A door retaining device

Info

Publication number: WO2003080973A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/001300
Authority: WO
Inventors: Allen Victor Harris
Original assignee: Allen Victor Harris
Priority date: 2002-03-20
Filing date: 2003-03-20
Publication date: 2003-10-02
Also published as: GB2386639A; GB0206524D0; AU2003214441A1

Abstract

A device arranged to retain a door or the like in a partially open state, comprising first engagement means (30) for attachment to a door surround and a separate arm member (40) for attachment to a door, the arm member comprising second engagement means engageable with the first engagement means in use, to thereby retain the door in a partially open state.

Description

A DOOR RETAINING DEVICE

This invention relates to a device for temporarily retaining a door or the like in a partially open state.

It is often desired to retain a door or the like in a partially open state. The term "to retain" is to be interpreted herein as meaning "to secure", or "to hold", and is intended to refer to the act of securing the door such that it is reliably held in the desired position for as long as required. The term "to retain" should not be interpreted as "to secure" as in the sense of a security device such as a door chain or lock.

The term "partially open" used herein is to be interpreted as meaning ajar or slightly open, and is not intended to include the condition of being wide open. By referring to a door "or the like", it is to be understood that the invention described herein is also applicable to other hinged closures in surfaces, such as windows or hatches. However, the invention will be introduced and described in the context of doors. It is particularly envisaged that the invention will be used in conjunction with internal doors, although this need not be the case as it is also applicable to inter alia external doors and windows.

A user may wish to secure a door in a partially open state for a variety of reasons. If the door has a self-closure (e.g. spring-based) mechanism, then the user may wish to prevent this mechanism from causing the door to swing shut. Alternatively, if the door has no such self-closure mechanism, it may still be desired to maintain the door in a partially open state, rather than to let it swing freely and possibly shut. Such an arrangement may be required if the user is expecting visitors and wishes to keep the door ajar so that the visitors can enter, or if ventilation is required in the room.

A particular motivation for the present invention is the desire to keep a door open to enable a baby in the room to be heard by its parents in another room, whilst preventing the door from opening wide enough such that a pet such as a cat could enter and possibly smother the baby, if the baby happened to be asleep in its cot at the time.

Many devices exist which are intended to enable doors to be kept open. A common one is a door wedge, variants of which are disclosed in US 1,676,294 and US 1,999,111, although these are prone to slip or be knocked out of place. US 5,711 ,560 introduces spikes on the underside of the wedge so as to grip carpet, but this is liable to damage the carpet and is not suited to hard floors which the spikes cannot penetrate.

As an alternative to a simple wedge shape, US 1,851,101 and US 1 ,879,664 teach devices adapted to elastically expand once placed underneath a door, thereby exerting some gripping force between the door and the floor. However, as with conventional wedges, the gripping effect of these devices is not certain, as the door is still be able to be moved if pushed or forced in some way, or if the floor is so smooth that the device cannot effect sufficient grip. US 1 ,120,692 also discloses a device intended to be placed under a door and to grip the floor, thereby impeding movement of the door.

Instead of acting underneath the door, US 1 ,787,147 teaches an anchoring arm which descends from the side of the door, near the base, and is intended to impinge on the floor to hold the door ajar. However, as with the devices mentioned above, this is prone to slippage on smooth floors.

The above devices all rely on friction between the device and the floor to hold the door open, and in many circumstances this principle is not ideal since it may cause wear to the floor, is unsuitable for smooth floors, and slippage of the door remains possible. To address these shortcomings, mechanical arms which secure the door to the surrounding wall have been proposed. By way of example, US 3,863,967 teaches a device which acts between the top of the door and the door frame above the door. Being high up, above the door, this device is inaccessible for many users.

Other arm-like devices act to secure the door in a fully open state. Examples are given in US 1,736,602 and US 6,016,588. However, as described above, it may often be desired to hold the door only slightly open, and these devices are unsuitable for this purpose.

WO 9,747,842 teaches an arm-like device which is fixed to the door, with one end of the device being arranged to locate in the surrounding door frame and thereby prop the door ajar. However, this device is potentially awkward to use, since, if the door is to be fully closed, the user must urge the device away from the door frame so that it does not locate in the door frame and prop the door open. Furthermore, as the device is screwed to the door, it remains permanently in place even when it is not required, and potentially presents an obstruction to those who use the door.

It is a general object of the present invention to overcome or at least mitigate at least some of the problems and deficiencies associated with the prior art identified above. According to the invention there is provided a device arranged to retain a door or the like in a partially open state, comprising first engagement means for attachment to a door surround and a separate arm member for attachment to a door, the arm member comprising second engagement means engageable with the first engagement means in use, to thereby retain the door in a partially open state. This device has the advantage of reliably retaining the door in the desired partially open state, and may be positioned on the vertical edge of a door, thereby being readily accessible for use. The nature of the engagement is such that the first and second engagement means cannot be inadvertently disengaged, and accordingly provides clear benefits over door wedges and the like which can slip or be knocked out of place.

Preferably the first and second engagement means respectively comprise a protrusion, and a recess or hole configured to engage with the said protrusion, or vice-versa. These engagement means are cheap and easy to incorporate in the device, and are mechanically reliable.

Preferably the device further comprises a clip connectable to the arm member in use, the clip being shaped and configured to pass around the edge of the door and thereby attach the arm member to the door. This clip provides the advantage that the arm member is detachable from the door, so that it may be removed entirely when not required. A further consequential advantage is that there is no need to attach the arm member to the door with any mechanical fasteners such as screws, and so, on removal of the arm member from the door, there are no residual areas of damage to the door such as screw holes. Preferably the clip is further shaped and configured such that, in use, the door can be shut with the clip remaining in place.

Preferably the device further comprises a rotatable portion attached to the end of the arm member proximal to the door in use, the rotatable portion being operational to enable the arm member to be rotated from a first position in which it extends substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door, to a second position in which it extends substantially parallel to the plane of the door. This provides the advantage that, when in the second position (for when the securing function of the device is not required), the arm member does not protrude substantially from the plane of the door and hence does not present an obstruction or hazard to passers-by. When the device is then required to retain the door in a partially open state, the arm member may simply be rotated into the first position, upon which it is immediately ready for use.

Preferably the rotatable portion comprises a collar assembly mounted around an inner shaft, the collar assembly being attached to the door in use, and the inner shaft being attached to the arm member.

Preferably the collar assembly is attached to the clip in use, the clip attaching the collar to the door.

Preferably the clip and collar assembly further comprise a detent to secure them together.

The detent ensures that the clip and collar assembly do not become accidentally separated in use, although it will be appreciated that the detent may be made such that it can be overcome by a user applying an appropriate urging force to separate them intentionally. Alternatively the detent may be such that, once the clip and the collar assembly have been joined, they are subsequently inseparable.

Preferably the rotatable portion further comprises detents positioned to locate the arm member in the said first or second positions, the detents being able to be overcome by a user when rotating the arm member from the first position to the second position. These detents advantageously provide well-defined positions into which the arm member can be located in use and, importantly, the detent in the first position ensures that the arm member is held perpendicular to the plane of the door and cannot inadvertently rotate (e.g. under its self-weight).

Preferably the arm member is shaped and configured such that, in use, with the arm member extending perpendicularly from the door, when the door is swung from a wide open position towards the desired partially open position, the second engagement means engages with the first engagement means attached to the door surround. This provides a very straightforward way for engagement to occur, as it occurs essentially automatically as the door swings towards the desired partially open position.

Preferably the device further comprises a protruding stop on the surface of the arm member, the protruding stop being positioned adjacent the second engagement means such that, in use, as the door swings into the desired partially open position and the first and second engagement means engage, the first engagement means abuts the protruding stop. The protruding stop advantageously prevents the first and second engagement means from inadvertently passing each other, thereby ensuring reliable engagement. The protruding stop also helps to maintain the engagement of the first and second engagement means by impeding subsequent inadvertent movement of the arm member.

Preferably the second engagement means is located part way along the arm member.

Preferably the region of the arm member distal from the door in use is curved, the sense of the curvature being away from the first engagement means.

Preferably the arm member is shaped and configured such that, in use, when the door is swung from a wide open position towards the desired partially open position, the region of the arm member distal from the door makes sliding contact with the first engagement means, and then, as the door is further swung in the same direction, the second engagement means engages with the first engagement means. This sliding contact advantageously helps guide the second engagement means towards the first engagement means.

Preferably the first engagement means comprises a protrusion and the second engagement means comprises a recess or hole configured to engage with the said protrusion.

Preferably, in use, the arm member is arranged to resiliently flex as the protrusion of the first engagement means makes sliding contact with the region of the arm member distal from the door, and then to return to a substantially unflexed state when the first and second engagement means engage. This elastic effect gives rise to a positive engagement action, the resilience of the arm member causing the second engagement means to spring into the first engagement means as engagement occurs. Preferably the protrusion of the first engagement means is ramped such that, in use, when the door is swung from a wide open position towards the desired partially open position, the region of the arm member distal from the door makes sliding contact up the ramp of the protrusion until the first engagement means abuts the protruding stop on the surface of the arm member, at which point the protrusion engages in the second engagement means. The ramping of the said protrusion facilitates the gradual flexing of the arm member and the ultimate engagement of the device.

Particularly preferably the region of the arm member distal from the door in use is adapted to be able to be urged away from the first engagement means by a user, to disengage the first and second engagement means. This advantageously makes further use of the ability of the arm member to resiliently flex, as the user simply has to urge the end of the arm member (e.g. by pushing or pulling) to cause the device to disengage. It will be appreciated that the point on the arm member adapted to be urged in this manner could in principle be anywhere along its length, but by using the end distal from the door for this purpose provides better leverage and a more comfortable disengagement action.

The preferable feature of the curvature of the region of the arm member distal from the door, as mentioned above, contributes several advantageous features of relevance. Firstly, by being curved, it helps guide the engagement means gradually together and facilitates the sliding of the arm member up the ramped protrusion of the first engagement means. Secondly, the curvature causes the arm member to flex gradually prior to the engagement means engaging. This gradual flexing is important to prevent sudden flexural stresses from being introduced. Thirdly, the curved region provides a convenient feature on the arm member for the user to urge when disengaging the device.

Preferably the first engagement means includes a striker plate.

Preferably the arm member is made of a plastics material. This has the advantages of being lightweight and easy to fabricate, and enables the product to have appropriate flexural and resilient properties.

Particularly preferably the arm member is made of polypropylene. This may advantageously contain an ultra-violet inhibitor to prevent discolouration, crazing or embrittlement of the article with time.

Preferably the clip is made of metal, particularly preferably mild spring steel. Desirably, this is nickel plated to give an attractive appearance and enhanced resistance to scratching, abrasion and corrosion.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates the device in its deployed configuration, as in use;

Figure 2 illustrates the device of Figure 1 from a different perspective;

Figure 3 illustrates a striker plate for attachment to a door surround or the like, providing first engagement means;

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a series of views of the arm member of the device; Figure 6 illustrates a series of views of the collar assembly part of the device; Figure 7 illustrates the clip which forms part of the device;

Figure 8 illustrates the device in its stored configuration, as when not required for use; and Figure 9 illustrates, in plan view, the device in use in conjunction with a door and a door surround.

Figures 1 and 2 show the door retaining device 10 as in use, although a door and door surround are not shown. The device 10 is employed in two separate parts, the striker plate 30 and the other conjoined components 40, 60, 70, which will be described in detail below.

With reference to Figure 3, in use the striker plate 30 is attached to the door surround. Countersunk screw holes 32, 34 are provided to enable the striker plate to be securely attached to the door surround, although it will be appreciated that alternative means of fixing are possible, such as by adhesive. Mounted on the striker plate 30 is the first engagement means, which in this embodiment comprises a ramped protrusion 36 raised proud of the plane of the striker plate. The trailing edge 38 of the protrusion 36 is angled at an acute angle from the plane of the striker plate. In this preferred embodiment this angle is 80°. The protrusion 36 is tapered in shape. The leading edge 39 of the striker plate is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate. This perpendicularity is relevant with respect to the engagement of the device, as will become apparent below.

Figure 4 and 5 illustrate the arm member 40 which, in use, retains the door in its partially open state. Incorporated in the arm member 40 is an aperture 52 shaped and configured to engage with the protrusion 36 on the striker plate. The edge 54 of the aperture 52 is angled so as to correspond with the angle of the trailing edge 38 of the striker plate protrusion 36. It will be appreciated that, instead of an aperture or hole, an appropriately-shaped recess is a viable alternative. Furthermore, it will also be appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment, the aperture could be incorporated in the striker plate and the protrusion in the arm member. Other forms of engagement means are also possible, such as magnetic plates.

In the presently-preferred embodiment, at one end of the arm member 40 is a cylindrical shaft 44, and this is shaped and configured to locate within the collar assembly 60 shown in Figure 6, which is described below. The arm member 40 also comprises a protruding stop 42 which, in this embodiment, is a raised region moulded in the plane of the arm member 40. The protruding stop 42 is located adjacent the aperture 52, at the edge of the aperture 52 that is nearest the cylindrical shaft 44. The purpose of this protruding stop will also be discussed below.

As shown in Figure 6, the collar assembly 60 comprises a collar 61 which, during assembly of the device, is located around the cylindrical shaft 44. To ensure that the collar assembly 60 does not inadvertently become detached from the cylindrical shaft 44, the cylindrical shaft 44 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposing detents 47. There is a corresponding annular detent 63 on the inner surface of the collar 61 in which the pair of detents 47 locate.

The collar assembly 60 also includes a flat region 62a and a lip 62b which define a groove 65 arranged to receive part of the clip 70. A detent 64 is also included to secure the clip 70 once inserted. Figures 1 and 2 show the clip 70 attached to the collar assembly 60, and the collar assembly 60 attached to the arm member 40 in use. Importantly, the collar assembly 60 also comprises four detents, 66, 67, 68 and 69. These are positioned around the inside of the collar 61, and are separated by 90° from one another. Two corresponding detents 46 are provided in diametrically opposing positions on the cylindrical shaft 44. In use, the arm member 40 can be rotated about the collar assembly 60, but the detents 66, 67, 68 and 69 serve to restrain the arm member in these orthogonal positions as selected by the user. These detents enable the arm member to be deployed such that it extends substantially perpendicularly from the plane of the door in use (as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 9) or (as shown in Figure 8) parallel to the plane of the door such that the arm member 40 does not protrude substantially from the plane of the door. These positions will be discussed in greater detail below.

Figure 7 shows in detail the configuration and geometry of the clip 70. At one end of the clip is provided a tab 72 for engagement in the slot 65 of the collar assembly. An aperture 74 is provided in the tab 72, this aperture being positioned to engage with the detent 64 on the collar assembly. This ensures that, in use, the clip and collar assembly do not become inadvertently detached. After the tab 72, the clip is bent through a kink 75. This kink is shaped such that the next section 76 of the clip is substantially level with the base of region 62b of the collar assembly 60 when the clip 70 and the collar assembly 60 are conjoined. This is important so that the clip region 76 and the base 62b of the collar assembly can both lie substantially flat against the plane of the door in use. Part 78 of the clip is designed to pass around the edge of the door. The length of part 78 (i.e. the distance between parts 76 and 73) may be varied to suit the thickness of the door to which the clip is to be attached. Finally, the clip comprises a curved region 79 to aid the introduction of the clip onto the edge of the door, and also to facilitate its removal from the door if required. The clip 70 is shaped and configured so that the door may be closed with the clip remaining in place. This occurs by virtue of the thinness of the metal use to fabricate the clip, and also the length of the clip region 76 which is selected to distance the collar assembly 60 and arm member 40 sufficiently from the edge of the door such that it does not interfere with or impinge upon the door frame.

To summarise the way in which the components are assembled, tab 72 of the clip is inserted into the groove 65 of the collar assembly such that the detent 64 engages in the aperture 74. Cylindrical shaft 44 is engaged in the collar 61 such that the detents 47 couple with the corresponding annular detent 63 within the collar 61.

As shown in Figure 9, in use the striker plate 30 is attached to the door surround 100, and the clip 70 is clipped around the door 90 in a position level with the striker plate. A particular advantage of this invention is that the device may be mounted on the vertical edge of the door (thereby facilitating reach by the user) and may be located in any convenient position - e.g. above head height, or lower down to facilitate operation by people in wheelchairs, for example.

To perform the function of retaining the door in a partially open state, the arm member 40 is rotated (if necessary) by virtue of the rotatable shaft 44 within the collar assembly 60, such that the arm member 40 extends substantially perpendicularly from the plane of the door 90. That is to say, the arm member extends in the direction of the striker plate 30. The arm member is held in this position by virtue of the detents 66 and 67. To cause the arm member 40 to engage with the striker plate 30, the door is swung from a wide open position towards the desired partially open position. As this happens, the end 48 of the arm member passes over the striker plate 30, such that sliding contact is made between the arm member and the ramped protrusion 36 (Figure 3). Whilst this occurs, the arm member elastically flexes in the direction indicated by the arrow and the letter F in Figure 9. As the door continues to move in this direction, the edge 56 of the protruding stop 42 (Figure 4) abuts the perpendicular leading edge 39 of the striker plate 30 and, at this point, the protrusion 36 on the striker plate 30 locates in the aperture 52 in the arm member. Engagement is aided by the resilient nature of the arm member, with the arm member springing back into its former unflexed condition as the aperture 52 reaches the protrusion 36. The combination of the angular edge 38 of the protrusion 36 locating around the complementary edge 54 of the aperture 52, and the edge 56 of the protruding stop 42 abutting the leading edge 39 of the striker plate 30, results in the engagement of the device in a positive and reliable manner, preventing the door from swinging in either direction. Reliable engagement is further aided by the resilient nature of the arm member 40, with it springing back into its unflexed condition as engagement occurs.

The door retaining device reliably maintains the door in a partially open state, and is not prone to slippage or inadvertent release. To disengage the device, a user is simply required to urge the end 48 of the arm member 40 in the direction indicated by the arrow and the letter F in Figure 9. In doing so the arm member resiliently flexes, and the aperture 52 is separated from the protrusion 36. The door is then free to swing as desired by the user.

The end of the arm member distal from the collar assembly 60 is curved, as shown in Figure 4. This curvature 53 is out of the plane of the arm member 40, and helps to guide the engagement means gradually together during the engagement process. The curvature 53 also causes the arm member to flex gradually during this process. This curved region also provides a convenient feature on the arm member for the user to urge when disengaging the device.

When the device is not required for maintaining the door in a partially open state, as shown in Figure 8 the arm member 40 can be rotated through 90° by virtue of the rotatable collar assembly 60 such that the arm member 40 no longer extends perpendicularly from the plane of the door, but instead runs parallel to the plane of the door (i.e. vertically upwards or downwards assuming the device is mounted on the vertical edge of the door). The arm member 40 is held in these positions by virtue of the detents 68 and 69. Figure 8 shows the striker plate 30 in the position in which it lies relative to the arm member 40, were the door to be closed with the arm member 40 in this so-called stored position.

The striker plate 30, arm member 40, and collar assembly 60 are preferably made of polypropylene containing an ultra-violet inhibiter to prevent discolouration, crazing or embrittlement of the article with time, due to the effects of ultra-violet radiation. These components may each be fabricated by injection moulding. The arm member 40 (including the protruding stop 42 and the cylindrical shaft 44) may conveniently be fabricated in one piece. The striker plate 30 with its protrusion 36 may also be formed in one piece, as may the collar assembly 60.

Preferably the clip 70 is made of mild spring steel, which is preferably nickel plated in order to give an attractive appearance and to enhance resistance to scratching, abrasion and corrosion. As shown in Figure 5, wording 58, 59 may be displayed on the plane of the arm member 40, to alert people to its use when in its deployed state (as in Figures 1 , 2 and 9) and to remind the user to fold it into its stored position (as in Figure 8) when not required.

The distance from the tab 72 of the clip 70 to the aperture 52 in the arm member 40 essentially determines the degree of openness of the door when it is retained using the device. Another important dimension is the length of the clip region 76, which must be selected such that the distal end 48 of the arm member 40 can approach the striker plate 30 without impinging on the door frame.

Claims

1. A device arranged to retain a door or the like in a partially open state, comprising first engagement means for attachment to a door surround and a separate arm member for attachment to a door, the arm member comprising second engagement means engageable with the first engagement means in use, to thereby retain the door in a partially open state.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first and second engagement means respectively comprise a protrusion, and a recess or hole configured to engage with the said protrusion, or vice-versa.

3. A device as claimed in either preceding Claim, further comprising a clip connectable to the arm member in use, the clip being shaped and configured to pass around the edge of the door and thereby attach the arm member to the door.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the clip is further shaped and configured such that, in use, the door can be shut with the clip remaining in place.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding Claim, further comprising a rotatable portion attached to the end of the arm member proximal to the door in use, the rotatable portion being operational to enable the arm member to be rotated from a first position in which it extends substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door, to a second position in which it extends substantially parallel to the plane of the door.

6. A device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the rotatable portion comprises a collar assembly mounted around an inner shaft, the collar assembly being attached to the door in use, and the inner shaft being attached to the arm member.

7. A device as claimed in Claim 6 when dependent on Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the collar assembly is attached to the clip in use, the clip attaching the collar to the door.

8. A device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the clip and collar assembly further comprise a detent to secure them together.

A device as claimed in any of Claims 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein the rotatable portion further comprises detents positioned to locate the arm member in the said first or second positions, the detents being able to be overcome by a user when rotating the arm member from the first position to the second position.

10. A device as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the arm member is shaped and configured such that, in use, with the arm member extending perpendicularly from the door, when the door is swung from a wide open position towards the desired partially open position, the second engagement means engages with the first engagement means attached to the door surround.

11. A device as claimed in Claim 10, further comprising a protruding stop on the surface of the arm member, the protruding stop being positioned adjacent the second engagement means such that, in use, as the door swings into the desired partially open position and the first and second engagement means engage, the first engagement means abuts the protruding stop.

12. A device as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the second engagement means is located part way along the arm member.

13. A device as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the region of the arm member distal from the door in use is curved, the sense of the curvature being away from the first engagement means.

14. A device as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein the arm member is shaped and configured such that, in use, when the door is swung from a wide open position towards the desired partially open position, the region of the arm member distal from the door makes sliding contact with the first engagement means, and then, as the door is further swung in the same direction, the second engagement means engages with the first engagement means.

15. A device as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 14, wherein the first engagement means comprises a protrusion and the second engagement means comprises a recess or hole configured to engage with the said protrusion.

16. A device as claimed in Claim 15 when dependent on Claim 14, wherein, in use, the arm member is arranged to resiliently flex as the protrusion of the first engagement means makes sliding contact with the region of the arm member distal from the door, and then to return to a substantially unflexed state when the first and second engagement means engage.

17. A device as claimed in Claim 16 when dependent on Claim 11 , wherein the protrusion of the first engagement means is ramped such that, in use, when the door is swung from a wide open position towards the desired partially open position, the region of the arm member distal from the door makes sliding contact up the ramp of the protrusion until the first engagement means abuts the protruding stop on the surface of the arm member, at which point the protrusion engages in the second engagement means.

18. A device as claimed in Claim 16 or Claim 17, wherein the region of the arm member distal from the door in use is adapted to be able to be urged away from the first engagement means by a user, to disengage the first and second engagement means.

19. A device as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the first engagement means includes a striker plate.

20. A device to temporarily retain a door or the like in a partially open state substantially as described herein with reference to any combination of the accompanying drawings.