CA1323346C - Key hole illuminating device - Google Patents
Key hole illuminating deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1323346C CA1323346C CA 571322 CA571322A CA1323346C CA 1323346 C CA1323346 C CA 1323346C CA 571322 CA571322 CA 571322 CA 571322 A CA571322 A CA 571322A CA 1323346 C CA1323346 C CA 1323346C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- light
- door
- key hole
- illuminating device
- light directing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B17/00—Accessories in connection with locks
- E05B17/10—Illuminating devices on or for locks or keys; Transparent or translucent lock parts; Indicator lights
Landscapes
- Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention provides an extremely simple, yet effective, key hole illuminating device. The device includes a light directing member fixedly secured to the outside of the door for directing light at the key hole, a control for the light directing member secured to the interior surface of the door and a connecting member fitted from the control to the light directing member through the door.
The present invention provides an extremely simple, yet effective, key hole illuminating device. The device includes a light directing member fixedly secured to the outside of the door for directing light at the key hole, a control for the light directing member secured to the interior surface of the door and a connecting member fitted from the control to the light directing member through the door.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for illuminating the key hole on the exterior of a door surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As most people have probably experienced, it can often be difficult to fit a key in a door key hole at night, even though the door area itself may be well lit.
Typically, the lighting around the door is not properly directed to the key hole area so that the key hole itself is not properly visible.
The inability to quickly and easily find the key hole at night cannot only be frustrating but also dangerous when rapid entry is required.
There have been attempts in the past to provide devices for illuminating the door key hole. One such device is described in United States Patent 4,293,894, issued October 6, 1981 to Blank. This device is in the form of a single piece battery operated member secured to the outside of the door and focusing down on the key hole. Although the device is relatively simple to install and operate, it suffers from the drawback that all of the electrical elements in the device are located to the outside of the door and therefore exposed to the exterior elements particularly rain which would have an obvious adverse effect on the device. Furthermore, the entirety SJ-7461-88 - 2 - 02l6B/007lB
of the device is exposed to vandalism and theft.
United States Patent 2,136,677 issued November 15, 1938 describes a door lock safety device in the form of a lever which blocks the key hole and which must be raised to gain access to the key hole. The lever includes a light. However, this light is used to illuminate the name plate on the door beneath the key hole. The light is not used to illuminate the key hole which, as noted above, is denied access by the lever.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a simple, yet efficient key hole illuminating device which can be quickly and easily installed without requiring the services of a locksmith or the like. The key hole illuminating device of the present invention, unlike the prior art, is relatively hidden to both damage and vandalism.
More particularly, the key hole illuminating device of the present invention comprises light directing means, means for operating the light directiny means and connecting means between the light directing and the operating means. Only the light directing means is mounted to the outside of the door while the operating means is provided to the inside of the door with the connecting means providing a connection between the two directly through the door. Basically, the only job required to install the device is the drllling or boring of a hole through the door for fitting of the connecting means.
1 32334~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above as well as other advantages and ~eatures of the present invention will be described in greater detail according to the preferred embodiments of th present invention in which;
Figure 1 is a plan view from the outside of a door provided with a key hole illuminating device according to a preferrred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure la is a plan view from the inside of a door fitted with a key hole illuminating device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure lb is a plan view of the inside of a door fitted with a key hole illuminating device according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a sectional view through the door of Figure la.
Figure 3 is a sectional view through the door of Figure lb.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION ACCORDING TO THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION:
Figures 1, la and lb all show a relatively standard door design as indicated at 1. This door design includes the standard door knob 5 and as seen in Figure 1 a key hole 3 located above the door knob. Figure 1 also shows in accordance with the present invention a light directing member forming part of a key hole illuminating device according to different embodiments of the present invention. One of those embodiments is shown in Figure 2 of the drawings and comrpises an illuminating device generally indicated at 9. This illuminating device comprises a casing 11 mounted to the outside of the door and casing 33 mounted to the inside of the door. Casing 11 forms the light directing member to the outside of the door and includes an interior light bulb 17 having a lense-like lower end 19 which shines outwardly through a window 21 specifically positioned to direct a path of light down over key hole 3. Here it should be noted that there is no need to have the casing 11 at a particularly close positioning to the key hole which means that the illuminating device of the present invention is completely compatible with all types of different door designs and set ups including those with escutcheon plates covering the door immediately around the keyhole and otherwise interfering with the installation of the light directing member.
The mounting arrangement for casing 11 is simple yet effective. In particular, this mounting arrangement includes a base plate 15 which is screwed directly into the door as shown. This base plate includes forwardly directed flanges which interlock with the flanges as shown on casing 11. ~he flange to flange contact is designed with a water tight seal which, in combination with the use of the window beneath the light bulb provides a completely 1 32334~
enclosed area for the casing to prevent the entry of outside weather elements.
Prior to the mounting of plate 15, the door is actually drilled or bored to receive a connecting rod 23 which connects casing 11 and particularly mounting plate 15 to a further mounting plate 31 of casing 33.
Connecting rod 23 includes at its outer end a large collar 25 as an integral part of the rod. The rod is threaded at its inner end 27. With this particular set up, after the door has been drilled, the connecting rod is fitted through plate 15 into the door. The inner end of the rod then extends to the inside of the door while collar 25 rides up against plate 15. Mounting plate 31 of casing 33 is then fitted over the inner end of rod 23 and a nut 29 is threaded to the inner end of the connecting rod. Nut 29 helps to hold plate 31 in position which is further secured by mounting screws as shown in the drawings.
One of the keys to the arrangement described above is that the connecting rod, by being secured at its inner end, is very difficult to remove from the outside of the door and blocks access through the drilling or bore provided to receive the rod. One of the purposes of the rod in addition to connecting the inside and outside mounting plates is to provide a through passage for wiring from the electrical portable battery power source 35 in casing 33 to the lightbulb on the outside of the door.
1 3233~6 SJ-7461-88 - 6 - 0216~/0071 One particularly unique way of setting up the illuminating device of Figure 2 is to provide casing 11 with a touch activated feature. Power supply 35 includes a touch activator circuit 37 responsive to voltage drop in the circuit by touching casing area 13 for automatically turning on light bulb 17. The touch activator circuit in turn includes a timing circuit which will then turn the light bulb off after a period of time sufficient to allow proper access to key hole area 3.
The description above relates to the means for providing a source of light or operating means as comprising a circuit with a portable battery for operating a lightbulb. Figure 3 shows a different arrangement, which while still providing a source of light to the light directing member does not include anything in the way of an electrical circuit.
More particularly, Figure 3 shows a key hole illuminating device, generally indicated at 41. This illuminating device comprises a casing 43 located to the outside of the door, an interior light collecting member, generally indicated at 61 and a connecting rod 59 between the interior light collecting member and the exterior light directing member.
The light directing member itself comprises a window area 45 in casing 43. Provided above the windowed opening in the casing is an adjustably positioned mirror 49, the angle of which is controlled by set screw 51. The purpose of this mirror is to be described later in detail.
Light collector 61 is in the form of a wide angled lense. This lense operates by picking up light from a source interiorly of the house, i.e. an interior hall light or the like. The light, which is provided by this independent lighting source is then picked up by collector 61 and concentrated at the optically enhanced end region 63 of clear rod 65 mounted within the otherwise hollow connecting rod 59. From here the concentrated light travels through lense-like rod 65 which acts as a fibre optic cable to actually carry the beams from the collector to the light directing member. The light is then focused on mirror 49 and reflected downwardly to window area 45 which is preferably coated with an interior reflective lining such as a silver coating. This deflects the light downwardly through the window in casing 4~ to the key hole area.
In this particular arrangement, there is a unique method of mounting both the outside casing and the inside collector after drilling the door. Casing 43 includes its own threaded stem 57 while collector 61 includes its own threaded stem 67. Connecting member 59 forms a smaller diameter continuation of threaded stem 67. Optical rod 65 is seated within the connecting member.
Casing 43 and collector 61 are both secured into the door drilling. The threads on the respective stems bite directly into the door material. Connecting member 59 is further threaded at its outer end while stem 57 of casing 43 further includes an interior thread which engages with the threaded connecting member. Threading action between the connecting member and stem 57 not only tightens the fit of the entire illuminating device in the door but also provides a proper optical alignment of the transparent rod 65 within connecting member 59 with the mirror in casing 43.
The mounting arrangement as described immediately above is again effective for blocking access to the inside of the door in as much as removal of casing 43 from the outside of the door has no effect whatsoever on the interior collecting element and the connecting rod, both of which block access to the interior of the door.
One of the particularly intriguing features of illuminating device 41 is that it is not subject to battery failure because it uses an independent light source to provide the lighting.
Although various preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated that variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
The present invention relates to a device for illuminating the key hole on the exterior of a door surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As most people have probably experienced, it can often be difficult to fit a key in a door key hole at night, even though the door area itself may be well lit.
Typically, the lighting around the door is not properly directed to the key hole area so that the key hole itself is not properly visible.
The inability to quickly and easily find the key hole at night cannot only be frustrating but also dangerous when rapid entry is required.
There have been attempts in the past to provide devices for illuminating the door key hole. One such device is described in United States Patent 4,293,894, issued October 6, 1981 to Blank. This device is in the form of a single piece battery operated member secured to the outside of the door and focusing down on the key hole. Although the device is relatively simple to install and operate, it suffers from the drawback that all of the electrical elements in the device are located to the outside of the door and therefore exposed to the exterior elements particularly rain which would have an obvious adverse effect on the device. Furthermore, the entirety SJ-7461-88 - 2 - 02l6B/007lB
of the device is exposed to vandalism and theft.
United States Patent 2,136,677 issued November 15, 1938 describes a door lock safety device in the form of a lever which blocks the key hole and which must be raised to gain access to the key hole. The lever includes a light. However, this light is used to illuminate the name plate on the door beneath the key hole. The light is not used to illuminate the key hole which, as noted above, is denied access by the lever.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a simple, yet efficient key hole illuminating device which can be quickly and easily installed without requiring the services of a locksmith or the like. The key hole illuminating device of the present invention, unlike the prior art, is relatively hidden to both damage and vandalism.
More particularly, the key hole illuminating device of the present invention comprises light directing means, means for operating the light directiny means and connecting means between the light directing and the operating means. Only the light directing means is mounted to the outside of the door while the operating means is provided to the inside of the door with the connecting means providing a connection between the two directly through the door. Basically, the only job required to install the device is the drllling or boring of a hole through the door for fitting of the connecting means.
1 32334~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above as well as other advantages and ~eatures of the present invention will be described in greater detail according to the preferred embodiments of th present invention in which;
Figure 1 is a plan view from the outside of a door provided with a key hole illuminating device according to a preferrred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure la is a plan view from the inside of a door fitted with a key hole illuminating device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure lb is a plan view of the inside of a door fitted with a key hole illuminating device according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a sectional view through the door of Figure la.
Figure 3 is a sectional view through the door of Figure lb.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION ACCORDING TO THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION:
Figures 1, la and lb all show a relatively standard door design as indicated at 1. This door design includes the standard door knob 5 and as seen in Figure 1 a key hole 3 located above the door knob. Figure 1 also shows in accordance with the present invention a light directing member forming part of a key hole illuminating device according to different embodiments of the present invention. One of those embodiments is shown in Figure 2 of the drawings and comrpises an illuminating device generally indicated at 9. This illuminating device comprises a casing 11 mounted to the outside of the door and casing 33 mounted to the inside of the door. Casing 11 forms the light directing member to the outside of the door and includes an interior light bulb 17 having a lense-like lower end 19 which shines outwardly through a window 21 specifically positioned to direct a path of light down over key hole 3. Here it should be noted that there is no need to have the casing 11 at a particularly close positioning to the key hole which means that the illuminating device of the present invention is completely compatible with all types of different door designs and set ups including those with escutcheon plates covering the door immediately around the keyhole and otherwise interfering with the installation of the light directing member.
The mounting arrangement for casing 11 is simple yet effective. In particular, this mounting arrangement includes a base plate 15 which is screwed directly into the door as shown. This base plate includes forwardly directed flanges which interlock with the flanges as shown on casing 11. ~he flange to flange contact is designed with a water tight seal which, in combination with the use of the window beneath the light bulb provides a completely 1 32334~
enclosed area for the casing to prevent the entry of outside weather elements.
Prior to the mounting of plate 15, the door is actually drilled or bored to receive a connecting rod 23 which connects casing 11 and particularly mounting plate 15 to a further mounting plate 31 of casing 33.
Connecting rod 23 includes at its outer end a large collar 25 as an integral part of the rod. The rod is threaded at its inner end 27. With this particular set up, after the door has been drilled, the connecting rod is fitted through plate 15 into the door. The inner end of the rod then extends to the inside of the door while collar 25 rides up against plate 15. Mounting plate 31 of casing 33 is then fitted over the inner end of rod 23 and a nut 29 is threaded to the inner end of the connecting rod. Nut 29 helps to hold plate 31 in position which is further secured by mounting screws as shown in the drawings.
One of the keys to the arrangement described above is that the connecting rod, by being secured at its inner end, is very difficult to remove from the outside of the door and blocks access through the drilling or bore provided to receive the rod. One of the purposes of the rod in addition to connecting the inside and outside mounting plates is to provide a through passage for wiring from the electrical portable battery power source 35 in casing 33 to the lightbulb on the outside of the door.
1 3233~6 SJ-7461-88 - 6 - 0216~/0071 One particularly unique way of setting up the illuminating device of Figure 2 is to provide casing 11 with a touch activated feature. Power supply 35 includes a touch activator circuit 37 responsive to voltage drop in the circuit by touching casing area 13 for automatically turning on light bulb 17. The touch activator circuit in turn includes a timing circuit which will then turn the light bulb off after a period of time sufficient to allow proper access to key hole area 3.
The description above relates to the means for providing a source of light or operating means as comprising a circuit with a portable battery for operating a lightbulb. Figure 3 shows a different arrangement, which while still providing a source of light to the light directing member does not include anything in the way of an electrical circuit.
More particularly, Figure 3 shows a key hole illuminating device, generally indicated at 41. This illuminating device comprises a casing 43 located to the outside of the door, an interior light collecting member, generally indicated at 61 and a connecting rod 59 between the interior light collecting member and the exterior light directing member.
The light directing member itself comprises a window area 45 in casing 43. Provided above the windowed opening in the casing is an adjustably positioned mirror 49, the angle of which is controlled by set screw 51. The purpose of this mirror is to be described later in detail.
Light collector 61 is in the form of a wide angled lense. This lense operates by picking up light from a source interiorly of the house, i.e. an interior hall light or the like. The light, which is provided by this independent lighting source is then picked up by collector 61 and concentrated at the optically enhanced end region 63 of clear rod 65 mounted within the otherwise hollow connecting rod 59. From here the concentrated light travels through lense-like rod 65 which acts as a fibre optic cable to actually carry the beams from the collector to the light directing member. The light is then focused on mirror 49 and reflected downwardly to window area 45 which is preferably coated with an interior reflective lining such as a silver coating. This deflects the light downwardly through the window in casing 4~ to the key hole area.
In this particular arrangement, there is a unique method of mounting both the outside casing and the inside collector after drilling the door. Casing 43 includes its own threaded stem 57 while collector 61 includes its own threaded stem 67. Connecting member 59 forms a smaller diameter continuation of threaded stem 67. Optical rod 65 is seated within the connecting member.
Casing 43 and collector 61 are both secured into the door drilling. The threads on the respective stems bite directly into the door material. Connecting member 59 is further threaded at its outer end while stem 57 of casing 43 further includes an interior thread which engages with the threaded connecting member. Threading action between the connecting member and stem 57 not only tightens the fit of the entire illuminating device in the door but also provides a proper optical alignment of the transparent rod 65 within connecting member 59 with the mirror in casing 43.
The mounting arrangement as described immediately above is again effective for blocking access to the inside of the door in as much as removal of casing 43 from the outside of the door has no effect whatsoever on the interior collecting element and the connecting rod, both of which block access to the interior of the door.
One of the particularly intriguing features of illuminating device 41 is that it is not subject to battery failure because it uses an independent light source to provide the lighting.
Although various preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated that variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (7)
1. A key hole illuminating device for fitting to a door having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a door lock and a key hole on the exterior surface of the door, said device comprising light directing means for fixedly securing the exterior surface of the door to direct light at the key hole, operating means for operating said light directing means, said operating means being secured to the interior surface of the door and connecting means for fitting through the door from said operating means to said light directing means.
2. A key hole illuminating device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said operating means comprises a light collector for picking up light interiorly of the door and wherein said connecting means comprises a light transfering member for transfering light picked up from said light collector to said light directing means.
3. A key hole illuminating device as claimed in Claims 1 or 2 wherein said light directing means comprises a housing having a light opening for directing light at the key hole.
4. A key hole illuminating device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said operating means comprises a portable battery supply and wherein said light directing means comprises a housing fitted with a light bulb and said device includes wiring through said connecting means from said power supply to said light bulb.
5. A key hole illuminating device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises a connecting rod with a collar portion at one end for securing said light directing means to the exterior of the door and includes a threaded interior end for receiving a nut to secure said connecting member at the interior surface of the door.
6. A key hole illuminating device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each of said operating means and said light directing means threads into the door and wherein said connecting means provides a threaded connection between said operating means and said light directing means.
7. A key hole illuminating device as claimed in Claim 6, including a fibre optics member located within said connecting means and optically aligned with said light directing means.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 571322 CA1323346C (en) | 1988-07-06 | 1988-07-06 | Key hole illuminating device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 571322 CA1323346C (en) | 1988-07-06 | 1988-07-06 | Key hole illuminating device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1323346C true CA1323346C (en) | 1993-10-19 |
Family
ID=4138333
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 571322 Expired - Fee Related CA1323346C (en) | 1988-07-06 | 1988-07-06 | Key hole illuminating device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1323346C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITTV20100007A1 (en) * | 2010-02-01 | 2011-08-02 | Pierluigi Oliana | STRUCTURE OF PROTECTION DEVICE WITH DETECTION AND REPORTING OF BREATHING. |
-
1988
- 1988-07-06 CA CA 571322 patent/CA1323346C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITTV20100007A1 (en) * | 2010-02-01 | 2011-08-02 | Pierluigi Oliana | STRUCTURE OF PROTECTION DEVICE WITH DETECTION AND REPORTING OF BREATHING. |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |