GB2373540A

GB2373540A - Door locking plates

Info

Publication number: GB2373540A
Application number: GB0107376A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Richard Charles Osmond
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-23
Filing date: 2001-03-23
Publication date: 2002-09-25
Also published as: GB0107376D0

Abstract

A pair of door-locking plates 1,2 for locking a door closed into a rebated door frame in which there is a narrow air gap between the door edge and the door frame rebate, the plates having means for securing them, in use, respectively to the door edge and to the rebate of the door frame; the plates each having at each end an opening (7-10) for receiving a lock eg a padlock, those openings being in register when the door is closed in use, to enable a lock to be fitted to the plates at either side of the door to lock the plates together and thereby lock the door. The plates having at least two right angle bends, made in opposite directions so that one plate 2 may be fitted around one corner of the door and may project at right angles to the door front so as to present the lock-receiving opening accessibly away from the door front; and the other plate 1 may be fitted into the right angle rebate of the door frame so as closely to follow the line of the said one plate when the door is closed, for mating engagement.

Description

Door Locking Plates This invention relates to plates which may be fitted to a door and a door frame for locking the door. It also relates to a corresponding method of fitting such plates, and of locking the door.

In recent years there has been a vast increase in the number of people in shared accommodation. Whether they be students sharing a house with friends, or bed sitters in a house full of strangers, there is commonly a need for a locking system to be fitted to what was formerly a reception or bedroom door, to secure this door either from the inside or from the outside, selectively. The use of a key, which will not be unique, does not give sufficient security to the occupant of the room, either when he or she is inside, or when outside and wishing to secure belongings left inside. The locking system needs to be easy to install, inexpensive, and secure, and such as to keep the landlord content by causing minimal visible damage to the woodwork. Changing locks, or fitting existing supplementary bolts or latches, all involves significant irreversible damage to the woodwork.

Accordingly, the invention provides a pair of door-locking plates for locking a door closed into a rebated door frame in which there is a narrow air gap between the door edge and the door frame rebate, the plates having means for securing them, in use, respectively to the door edge and to the rebate of the door frame; the plates each having at each end an opening for receiving a lock, those openings being in register when the door is closed in use, to enable a lock to be fitted to the plates at either side of the door to lock the plates together and thereby lock the door; and the plates having at least two right angle bends, made in opposite directions, parallel to each other and parallel, in use, to the axis of the door edge, so that one plate may be fitted around one corner of the door, flush to the door edge and to an adjacent marginal portion of the door front and may project at right angles to the door front so

as to present the lock-receiving opening accessibly away from the door front ; and the other plate may be fitted into the right angle rebate of the door frame so as closely to follow the line of the said one plate when the door is closed, for mating engagement.

This simple mechanical arrangement allows the door to be padlocked, or otherwise secured, selectively either on the inside or the outside, by securing together the projecting ends of the plates. Most of the surface of each plate is covered and invisible when the door is shut, and the fixtures for the plates do not need to be on the outer door surface or door frame surface. The plates may be secured by any of a range of padlocks or other locking devices. In spite of this, the arrangement is strong and secure, because the fixtures are inaccessible in the closed position of the door.

Whilst the invention is particularly useful in internal doors of houses and apartments, it could of course be used in outbuildings, garages, sheds and even back gates.

In order that the invention may be better understood, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1a) is a perspective view of a pair of door locking plates embodying the invention, shown apart from each other; Figure 1b) shows the door locking plates of figure 1a) in mating engagement, as they would be positioned between a door and a door frame when the door is closed ; Figure 2 is horizontal cross-section through a typical door and door frame with the door in its closed position;

Figure 3 is a view corresponding to figure 2, but with the pair of door locking plates of figures 1a) and 1b) fitted respectively to the door and door frame, with the door partly open; and Figure 4 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view corresponding to the left hand portion of figure 3, showing in greater detail the use of the door locking plates to lock the door, with the door in its closed position.

A pair of door locking plates, shown in figures 1a) and 1b), comprises a frame plate 1 and a door plate 2, which in this example are pierced and formed steel plates of approximately 1.5mm thickness, but which could of course have any appropriate construction and material. The contour of the plates is such that they fit into the narrow gap between a closed door and its frame, and a typical arrangement for the door and frame is shown in figures 2-4. The frame 33 has a right angled rebate for receiving the edge of the door 36 and allowing the door to open only one way. This narrow gap x of figure 2 is typically about 2mm, but is not critical provided it is greater than the thickness of each of the plates.

The door plate 2 is an elongate strip, with apertures 9,10 at its opposite ends for receiving a padlock or other locking device (not shown). In this example, apertures, 9 and 10, are used, but other lock-receiving openings could be substituted. The end 19 is intended to project on the inside of the door 36, sufficient to allow a padlock to be fitted without interfering with the door. This end 19 is contiguous with a major portion 20 of the plate, which has two screw-receiving apertures 5,6 for fitting the plate to the edge of the door. The plate is bent through a right angle at 21 and the adjacent portion 22 is intended to be fitted flush to a marginal portion of the door, on the outside of the door, as shown in figures 3 and 4.

The plate is bent, in the opposition direction, through a right angle at 23, so that an adjacent portion 24 projects outwardly from the door. A further bend through

a right angle at 25 brings the opposite end portion 26 to an inclination at right angles with the first end portion 19. Portion 24 serves to distance the end portion 26 from the door, to present the lock-receiving opening 10 accessibly away from the door front.

As shown in figure 1b) the door frame plate 1 closely follows the contour of the door plate 2, so that together they present a flush planar surface to the door edge and to the door frame rebate. In this way, only one thickness of plate needs to be accommodated in the gap x of figure 2.

The frame plate 1 has a substantially broader width, and central opening for receiving most of the major portion 20 of the door plate 2 and portion 22 of that plate 2. Adjacent to one end 11 of the frame plate 1, a transverse web portion 110 is recessed into a channel shape, so as to accommodate the thickness of the end portion 19 of the door plate 2. Lock-receiving apertures 7,8 are formed at the opposite ends 11,18 of the frame plate 1. Screw-receiving apertures 3,4 are formed in a major portion 12 of the frame plate 1, to enable it to be attached to the door frame facing the door edge. The plate is then bent through a right angle at 13, and an adjacent surface 14 is intended to be fitted flush to the frame rebate, as shown in figures 3 and 4. A bend at 15, in the opposite direction, through a right angle makes the next adjacent portion 16 parallel with the major portion 12. A further bend at 17 through a right angle makes the outer portion 18 inclined at right angles to the major portion 12.

The bends are all parallel, in use, to the vertical axis of the door. However, the plates could instead be fitted to a horizontal edge instead.

The particular structure in which one plate is accommodated within another plate is particularly rugged and compact, but of course other arrangements would be feasible. For example, the two plates may be arranged for mounting side by side,

i. e. above and below each other on the door and frame, not necessarily entwined. Further, although the end portions or lugs 18 and 26 are angled by means of a third bend in the plates, this is not necessary, and they may be at right angles to the position shown. Further, the end portions 11 and 19 at the opposite end may be inclined at a different angle. The arrangement has to allow for the plates to be locked together by some means, such as a padlock, selectively on the inside and the outside of the door.

In the practical arrangements shown in figures 2-4, internal partition walls 30 and 34 are fitted with a door frame 33 on which is secured architraving 31 on the outside and 32 on the inside. The door is hinged at 35 to one side of the frame, and both sides of the frame are rebated with a right angle rebate, for a close fit.

A pair of woodscrews 37 secure the door plate 2 through apertures 5, 6 and another pair of woodscrews 37 secure the frame plate 1 through apertures 3, 4. The apertures 3,4, 5, 6 are all countersunk so that the screw heads are flush.

The plates are fitted by presenting one plate in the required position, marking the underlying wood through the screw-receiving apertures, drilling the holes as marked and then fitting the screws; presenting the other plate such that the plates correctly mate when the door is closed, and repeating the process for that plate.

The plates may be sold with a set of appropriate screws and/or a padlock and keys, or other securing means.

The door is locked by closing it and fitting a padlock (or other securing means) through the openings 8,10 or 7,9 on the selected side of the door.

Claims

Claims : 1. A pair of door-locking plates for locking a door closed into a rebated door frame in which there is a narrow air gap between the door edge and the door frame rebate, the plates having means for securing them, in use, respectively to the door edge and to the rebate of the door frame; the plates each having at each end an opening for receiving a lock, those openings being in register when the door is closed in use, to enable a lock to be fitted to the plates at either side of the door to lock the plates together and thereby lock the door; and the plates having at least two right angle bends, made in opposite directions, parallel to each other and parallel, in use, to the axis of the door edge, so that one plate may be fitted around one corner of the door, flush to the door edge and to an adjacent marginal portion of the door front and may project at right angles to the door front so as to present the lock receiving opening accessibly away from the door front; and the other plate may be fitted into the right angle rebate of the door frame so as closely to follow the line of the said one plate when the door is closed, for mating engagement.
2. A pair of door locking plates according to claim 1, in which the plates have a third parallel bend so that the ends of each plate are mutually inclined at a right angle.
3. A pair of door locking plates according to claim 1 or 2, in which one of the plates is an elongate strip, and the other plate is substantially broader and is formed centrally to accommodate the said one plate.
4. A pair of door locking plates according to claim 3, in which the other, broader plate has a central opening for receiving the said one plate such that major portions of the plates are coplanar,
5. A pair of door locking plates according to claim 4, in which a transverse web of the broader plate is recessed so that end portions of both plates may overlie each other, when the door is closed, with adjacent major portions of the plates being flush with the door edge.
6. A pair of door locking plates according to any preceding claim, in which the securing means comprise apertures for accepting screws or other fittings.
7. Apparatus for locking a door, comprising a pair of door locking plates according to Claim 6, and a set of screws suitable for securing the plates, through their respective apertures, to a door and a door frame.
8. Apparatus for locking a door, comprising a pair of door locking plates according to any of claims 1 to 6, and a lock suitable for locking the plates together through the openings of the plates at either end of the plates.
9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, in which the lock is a padlock.
10. A method of fitting a pair of door locking plates according to any of Claims 1 to 6, comprising fitting one of the plates around one corner of the door, flush to the door edge and to an adjacent marginal portion of the door front, and fitting the other plate into the right angled rebate of the door frame so as closely to follow the line of the said one plate when the door is closed ; such that the respective openings of the plates, at each end, are in register when the door is shut into the door frame.
11. Door locking apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. A method of locking a door, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. A method of fitting door locking apparatus, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.