GB2438625A

GB2438625A - Portable door lock

Info

Publication number: GB2438625A
Application number: GB0610615A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Craig John Hosford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-05-30
Filing date: 2006-05-30
Publication date: 2007-12-05
Also published as: GB0610615D0

Abstract

A portable door lock 2 comprises a bracket 4 configured to envelop an edge portion 40 of a door 42, the bracket comprising supports 14, 16 for locking devices 6 and associated tensioning devices 8. The locking devices may comprise a series of H-shaped plates 22a, 24a located on supports 14, 16. The tensioning devices may comprise elastic bands (30, Fig. 5) which bias the plates into a locked position in contact with the door frame (Fig. 2), and a ribbon 36 which counters the effect of the elastic bands to retain the plates in an unlocked position remote from the door frame (Fig. 1). The device may comprise a latch 10 which is operable to tighten the ribbon to retain the plates in their unlocked position, and to loosen the ribbon to allow the plates to move to their locked position. The bracket may be formed in an inverted U-shape.

Description

PORTABLE DOOR-LOCKING DEVICE

This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to a portable door-locking device and is especially concerned with such devices that prevent toddlers and small children opening doors to areas of danger or areas of a dwelling that they should not enter.

Once young children are able to walk they may be tall enough to reach and operate door handles and so enter rooms of a home that may present a danger to the children.

One method of securing a room is to use a key operated lock, but these can be expensive and difficult to fit to some doors. In addition, when away from home, on holiday or visiting family and/or friends, unless the hosts have provision for preventing access by toddlers and/or young children to unsafe areas, accidents could happen.

Portable locks that attach to door handles and prevent anyone readily gaining access to a room are commercially available; however, child-proof versions of such locks require a specific design of handle for semi/permanent attachment to a door or doorframe.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provided a portable door-locking device that overcomes or at least mitigates the drawbacks and disadvantages of the arrangements proposed hitherto.

Thus, the present invention conveniently provides a portable door-locking device comprising a bracket configured to envelop an edge portion of a door, the bracket comprising support for locking means and associated tensioning means whereby, when the door-locking device is not in use, the tensioning means retains the locking means in a inoperative condition remote from a frame surrounding a door so that the door may be opened and closed and, when the door-locking device is in use, the tensioning means retains the locking means in an operative condition in contact with a frame surrounding said door to prevent the door being opened Preferably, the support for the locking means is provided by at least one arm extending from the bracket, which bracket is n' shaped in cross section or substantially so.

In one convenient arrangement provided by the present invention the bracket comprises two support arms extending one each from depending legs of the n' shaped bracket, each support arm providing support for associated locking means.

Preferably, the locking means each comprises a series of plates located on their associated support arm and the series of plates of the locking means are each biased towards an operative condition, in contact with a frame surrounding a door as aforesaid, by first biasing means of the tensioning means, each series of plates being arranged to engage a door frame on opposite sides of a door one from the other.

In a further convenient arrangement provided by the present invention the series of plates of the locking means are each biased towards an inoperative condition, remote from a door frame as aforesaid, by second biasing means of the tensioning means.

Preferably, each plate of the series of plates is H' shaped, or substantially so, each plate being supported by the first biasing means associated therewith on its associated support arm, the plates of each series being located between a depending leg of the n' shaped bracket and a retaining leg of its associated support arm.

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Conveniently, the second biasing means comprises a ribbon extending between the retaining legs of each support arm, the ribbon passing over each series of plates of the locking means to engage latching means on each side of a door, the ribbon passing about the edge portion of the door, whereby, when a door is to be maintained in an unlocked condition using the portable door-locking device attached thereto, a latching means on one side of the door is moved to tighten the ribbon against the forces exerted by the first biasing means and to move the series of plates of the locking means into a position remote from an edge portion of the door and, when a door is to be locked, the latching means is moved to loosen the ribbon whereby the forces exerted by the first biasing means move the series of plates of the locking means into positions in contact with the door frame to prevent the door being opened.

In a preferred embodiment, provided by the present invention, the bracket thereof engages a top edge portion of a door.

Conveniently, the device may be operated from either side of a door to prevent the door being opened by a toddler or small child.

Preferably, the bracket is formed from sheet metal and the series of plates are each moulded from a plastic material.

There now follows by way of example of the invention a detailed description which is to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a diagrammatic section view of the invention in an inoperative condition; Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 but showing the invention in an operative condition; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of parts shown in Figures 1 and 5; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic part section view of Figure 1; and, Figure 8 is an upper left hand perspective view of a component shown in Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1, the present invention provides a portable door-locking device 2 generally comprising a metal bracket 4 providing support for locking means 6, tensioning means 8 and latching means 10 whereby, when the device 2 is in use to prevent access by toddlers and/or small children to an unsafe room of a dwelling, the latching means 10 is adjusted to enable the locking means 6 to be moved under the influence of the tensioning means into contact with a doorframe 12.

Specifically, the bracket 4 of the device 2 is n' shaped in cross section provided by depending legs 4a and 4b co-joined by a cross-piece 4c, see Figures 1, 2 and 8. The bracket 4 also comprises bifurcated support arms 14 and 16 extending at right angles, or substantially so, from the depending legs 4a and 4b respectively of the bracket 4, see Figure 8. Outer end portions 14a and 16a of the support arms 14 and 16 respectively are turned upwardly for a purpose to be described, see especially Figure 8.

The locking means 6 is comprised of two series 22 and 24 of plastic plates 22a and 24a respectively, see Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6, each of which plates is generally of H' shaped configuration, see especially Figures 3 to 6.

In use, the plates 22a are located overlying the support arm 14 between the leg 4a and the end portion 14a while the plates 24a are located overlying the support arm 16 between the leg 4b and the end portion I 6a. The series of 22 and 24 of plates 22a and 24a are retained in place by a casing 26, only one of which is shown in Figure 6.

The tensioning means 8 comprises first biasing means 28 provided by elastic bands 30 that are positioned one each about lower end portions 32 of each of the series of plates 22a and 24a, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. The bands 30, only those associated with the plates 24a being shown in said Figures 3, 4 and 5, also overlie the support arms 14 and 16. In use, the elastic bands 30 act against the support arms 14 and 16 to move the series of plates 22 and 24 towards a doorframe 12.

The tensioning means 8 also comprises a second biasing means 34 provided by a flexible ribbon element 36 that is attached between the retaining outer end portions I 4a and 1 6a respectively of the support arms 14 and 16. The ribbon element 36 passes from the end portion 1 4a of the support arm 14 over the series 22 of plates 22a and downwards, viewing Figures 1 and 2, to be threaded through a loop 38 mounted on a first latch 1 Oa of the latching means 10. The latch I Oa is adjustably mounted on the depending leg 4a of the bracket 4.

The ribbon element 36 then passes upwards, viewing Figures 1 and 2, to pass over the cross-piece 4c of the bracket 4 before passing down to be threaded through a loop 41 mounted on a second latch lOb of the latching means 10. The latch lOb is adjustably mounted on the depending leg 4b of the bracket 4. Then, the ribbon element 36 extends upwards to pass over the series 24 of plates 24a to be attached to the outer end portion 16a of the support arm 16, see Figures 1, 2, 5 and 7.

From Figures 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7, it will be apparent that the ribbon element 36 is received within the upper portion of the H' shaped plates 24a.

When the portable door-locking device 2 is to be used, in order to prevent toddlers andlor small children from gaining access to an unsafe room, the device 2 is simply passed over the top 40 of a door 42 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The latch I Ob is adjusted to slacken the ribbon element 36 thereby facilitating the upward movement of the plates 24a under the influence of their associated elastic bands 30 until upper portions of the plates 24a engage with an underside I 2a of the doorframe 12, see Figure 2.

When the device 2 of the present invention is used, as shown in Figure 2, the door 42 may be opened by those able to reach the latches 1 Oa and I Ob on either side of the door 42. Thus, it will be apparent that the device 2 is easy to use, serves a useful purpose and provides security for toddlers and small children.

Not only is the device 2 readily usable in the home, because it is portable and is not unduly bulky, it may be used anywhere when on holiday or visiting homes where no provision is made for the safety of toddlers and/or small children.

While the portable door-locking device 2 has been described herein as an attachment for the top of a door, it may also be used against a side edge of a door to engage, in use, a doorjamb post.

Other modifications are self evident within the scope of the present invention; for example, the bracket 4 may be made of plastic, the plates 22a and 24a may be made of metal or wood. In addition, the elastic bands 30 may be replaced by leaf springs acting between an underside of the H' shaped plates 22a and 24a and their respective support arms 14 and 16 and the ribbon element may be made from plastic, metal or any relatively in-extensible material.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A portable door-locking device comprising a bracket configured to envelop an edge portion of a door, the bracket comprising support for locking means and associated tensioning means whereby, when the door-locking device is not in use, the tensioning means retains the locking means in a inoperative condition remote from a frame surrounding a door so that the door may be opened and closed and, when the door-locking device is in use, the tensioning means retains the locking means in an operative condition in contact with a frame surrounding said door to prevent the door being opened
2. A portable door-locking device according to Claims 2, characterised in that the support for the locking means is provided by at least one arm extending from the bracket.

3. A portable door-locking device according to either one of Claims I and 2, characterised in that the bracket is n' shaped in cross section or substantially so.

4. A portable door-locking device as claimed in Claims 3, characterised in that the bracket comprises two support arms extending one each from depending legs of the n' shaped bracket, each support arm providing support for associated locking means.

5. A portable door-locking means according to Claim 4, characterised in that the locking means each comprises a series of plates located on their associated support arm.

6. A portable door-locking means according to Claim 5, characterised in that the series of plates of the locking means are each biased towards an operative condition, in contact with a frame surrounding a door as aforesaid, by first biasing means of the tensioning means, each series of plates being arranged to engage a door frame on opposite sides of a door one from the other.

7. A portable door-locking device according to Claim 5, characterised in that the series of plates of the locking means are each biased towards an inoperative condition, remote from a door frame as aforesaid, by second biasing means of the tensioning means.

8. A portable door-locking device according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, characterised in that each plate of the series of plates is H' shaped, or substantially so, each plate being supported by the first biasing means associated therewith on its associated support ann, the plates of each series being located between a depending leg of the n' shaped bracket and a retaining leg of its associated support arm.

9. A portable door-locking device according to Claim 8, characterised in that the second biasing means comprises a ribbon extending between the retaining legs of each support arm, the ribbon passing over each series of plates of the locking means to engage latching means on each side of a door, the ribbon passing about the edge portion of the door, whereby, when a door is to be maintained in an unlocked condition using the portable door-locking device attached thereto, a latching means on one side of the door is moved to tighten the ribbon against the forces exerted by the first biasing means and to move the series of plates of the locking means into a position remote from an edge portion of the door and, when a door is to be locked, the latching means is moved to loosen the ribbon whereby the forces exerted by the first biasing means move the series of plates of the locking means into positions in contact with the door frame to prevent the door being opened.

10. A portable door-locking device according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the bracket thereof engages a top edge portion of a door.

11. A portable door-locking device according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the device may be operated from either side of a door to prevent the door being opened by a toddler or small child.

12. A portable door-locking device according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the bracket is formed from sheet metal.

13. A portable door-locking device according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the series of plates are each moulded from a plastic material.

14. A portable door-locking device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.