GB2306557A

GB2306557A - A device for preventing or minimising draughts through keyholes

Info

Publication number: GB2306557A
Application number: GB9614195A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Bingham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-10-28
Filing date: 1996-07-05
Publication date: 1997-05-07
Also published as: GB9522120D0; GB9614195D0

Abstract

The device comprises a rubber or soft plastics elongate plate 13 having a projection 14 integrally moulded on one face thereof for insertion into the circular part of a keyhole 12. The configuration and fit of the projection within the keyhole is such that the plate 13 is drawn closely against the surrounding surface.

Description

A DEVICE FOR PREVENTING DRAUGHTS THROUGH KEYHOLES THIS INVENTION concerns a device for preventing or minimising air flow through a keyhole.

A keyhole extending entirely through a door and often framed by an escutcheon mounted on each surface thereof, and particularly in the case of an exterior door, provides a passage for cold air, resulting in draughts and heat loss on the interior side of the door. In some cases an escutcheon is provided with a swing tab which overlies the keyhole, but this is not always the case.

The keyhole may be separate from any lock and have a separate escutcheon or alternatively may form part of the backing plate for a handle or of the lock housing. In any case, heat loss caused by draughts through the keyhole, even when it is occupied by a key, is a common problem overcome in some cases by applying a length of adhesive tape across the hole. However, this can be unsightly and prevent the use of a key when it is required to lock the door, perhaps from the inside.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for preventing or minimising air flow through a keyhole, comprising a plate with a projection thereon the configuration and/or dimensions of which are such that when the projection is introduced into a keyhole the plate entirely covers the opening thereof and the device is retained therein.

Preferably, the device is made from a resilient material such as rubber or soft plastics, and the projection is integrally formed with the plate.

Still further, the projection is preferably located towards one end of the plate and extends outwardly from only one face thereof to be located in and retained by the perimeter of the circular part of the keyhole, the configuration of the projection being such that the plate is drawn closely against the surrounding surface of the escutcheon or lock housing to form a close and draught-free contact therewith.

An embodiment of the invention will be now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a device made in accordance with the invention when applied to an escutcheon; and Fig. 2 is a side view thereof.

Referring now to the drawings there is shown a typical backing plate 10 for a door handle incorporating a key operated lock, and applied by screws to the face of a door 11 to overlie a keyhole 12 therein. A device made in accordance with the invention for preventing the flow of air through the keyhole 12 comprises an elongate plate 13 of a resilient material such as rubber having as a projection from one face thereof a member 14 integrally formed with the plate 13 and of a configuration such that it may be inserted as a push-fit within the circular upper part of the keyhole 12 to be retained against the internal peripheral edges thereof thus to hold the plate 13 in close contact with the surface of the plate 10.

Being of a resilient material the device may be readily inserted into and removed from the keyhole.

As can be seen from Fig. 2 the head of the projection 14 is of overall dimensions slightly greater than the circular part of the keyhole whilst a reduced neck 15 of the projection is of tapering form thus to hold the projection captive against the keyhole circular opening. This serves to draw the plate 13 firmly against the surface of the escutcheon 10. By appropriately selecting the dimensions of the head 14 only the corner regions thereof are of greater dimension than the effective diameter of the keyhole circular opening thus facilitating insertion and removal.

It is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only. In one further example, the projection 14 may be of keyhole shape and may be Isightly oversize thus to occupy the entire opening in the plate 10. In another futher example, the projection 14 may be somewhat elongate, approximating to the keyhgole shape, and be disposed at an acute angle to the longitudinal centre line of the plate 13, whereby the projection may be introduced into the keyhole and rotated to be held captive therein.

The plate 13 may be of ornamental shape and colour for aesthetic purposes. If required, projections may be provided on both faces of the plate 13, one for insertion into the keyhole and the other to serve as a grip to facilitate insertion and removal.

The device is simple and inexpensive in manufacture being, preferably, a moulded item and may be used on interior or exterior doors effectively to prevent the passage of draughts through keyholes whether in door handle/lock backing plates or open keyhole escutcheons.

Claims

1. A device for preventing or minimising air flow through a keyhole, comprising a plate with a projection thereon the configuration and/or dimensions of which are such that when the projection is introduced into a keyhole the plate entirely covers the opening thereof and the device is retained therein.

2. A device according to Claim I, made from a resilient material such as rubber or soft plastics, the projection being integrally formed with the plate.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the plate is elongate and the projection is located towards one end thereof and extends outwardly from only one face thereof to be located in and retained by the perimeter of the circular part of a keyhole.

4. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the configuration of the projection is such that the plate is drawn thereby to fit closely against the surrounding surface of an escutcheon or lock housing defining the keyhole, to form a close and draught free contact therewith.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the projection is of overall dimensions selected to be slightly greater than the circular part of a keyhole, a reduced neck portion of the projection being of tapering form thus to hold the projection captive against the keyhole circular opening.

6. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the projection is of keyhole shape and slightly oversize thus to occupy the entire keyhole opening.

7. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the projection is elongate and disposed to lie at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal centre line of the plate whereby the projection may be introduced into a keyhole and subsequently rotated to be held captive therein.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, including projections on opposed faces of the plate, one for insertion into the keyhole and the other to serve as a grip to facilitate insertion and removal.

9. A device for preventing or minimising air flow through a keyhole, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.