GB2512594A

GB2512594A - Portable door lock

Info

Publication number: GB2512594A
Application number: GB1305910.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernard Wilkinson
Original assignee: LOCK AND GO SECURITY Ltd
Current assignee: LOCK AND GO SECURITY Ltd
Priority date: 2013-04-02
Filing date: 2013-04-02
Publication date: 2014-10-08
Also published as: GB201305910D0

Abstract

A portable door lock, comprising: a housing 112 having a first contact surface contacting a surface of a door 138, and a lower contact surface contacting a floor; a securing arm 114 retractably extending from the housing between unlocked and locked configurations, a wedge portion 116 extending beneath the securing arm and having a lower contact surface contacting the floor, wherein, in the locked configuration, a portion of the securing arm is retracted into the housing such that the first contact surface and the securing arm contact respective first and second sides of a door, and the lower contact surface of the housing and the wedge portion contact a floor. The arm may be spring steel and may be locked in place via a plurality of notches engaging with a locking pin. The portable lock is used when the occupier desires extra security over the standard door lock, e.g. in a hotel.

Description

Portable Door Lock

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable door lock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the world-wide increase in burglary and theft, particularly where security is in the hands of a third party, for example, in a hotel, it is evident that the security of personal possessions is becoming essential whether on holiday or as a business traveller. Also, there is sometimes a need for a person in authority requiring security of a door, for example Police/Fire, or anyone requiring the ability to temporarily personally secure a room which may or may not have an existing lock.

There are portable locks on the market which attempt to address these problems.

Examples include Sureguard's DGOO1 and the LifeLock (RTM) Many of these known locks have elongate plates that attach to the door frame, often around the locking plate in the door frame, and are provided with some form of stopper that abuts the side of the door that needs to be locked.

However, a problem with these types of portable locks is that they rely on the strength of the door frame for security. If the door frame is compromised, the locks will not work.

Furthermore, such known locks only allow the occupant to lock the door from the inside, thereby locking themselves in. This lock is thus not suitable if, for example, the occupant of the room wants to leave the room in a secure condition whilst vacating the room (for example when staying in a hotel). Other known locks, on the other hand, can be locked and unlocked from either inside or outside the room (depending on which side of the door the lock is placed), but not both sides of the room once the door is locked with the portable lock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We have therefore appreciated the need for an improved portable door lock.

The present invention therefore provides a portable door lock, comprising: a housing having a first contact surface for contacting a surface of a door to be locked, and a lower contact surface for contacting a floor surface; a securing arm extending from the housing, the securing arm being retractably extendable from the housing between unlocked and locked configurations, and the securing arm comprising a wedge portion extending beneath the securing arm at a distal end of the securing arm, the wedge portion having a lower contact surface for contacting a floor surface, wherein, in use in the locked configuration, a portion of the securing arm is retracted into the housing such that the first contact surface of the housing and the securing arm contact respective first and second sides of a door to be locked, and the lower contact surface of the housing and the lower contact surface of the wedge portion contact a floor.

The portable lock according to the present invention therefore provides a lock that uses the floor as a robust contact surface, instead of the door frame, which may be compromised. In the locked configuration the wedge portion is drawn towards, and engages with, the door to be locked. As such, if the door's conventional lock is compromised, the portable lock will continue to hold since the wedge will provide a frictional engagement with the floor, which prevents the door from opening.

Additionally, since contact surfaces engage with either side of the door to be locked, the door cannot be rocked to loosen its grip on the door and floor. In fact, attempted movement of the door will tend to increase the portable lock's grip (by virtue of the pressure on the wedge portion), rather than loosen it's grip.

In preferred embodiments of the portable door lock, the securing arm is shaped to provide a downward force onto the wedge portion. As such, the downward force onto the wedge portion causes the wedge portion to engage the floor in frictional engagement before any pressure is applied to the wedge by the door to be locked. As such, this prevents the wedge portion being moveable out of engagement with the floor. Preferably, the securing arm comprises spring steel.

In some embodiments, the wedge portion is separable from the securing arm.

Advantageously, this enables the portable lock to be disengaged from the door from the locked side (i.e. by separating the wedge from the securing arm so that pressure is removed from the door) when in the locked configuration.

In embodiments with the separable wedge portion, the securing arm comprises securing means to prevent separation of the wedge portion from the securing arm when the portable door lock is in use in the locked configuration. Such securing means prevent tampering of the portable lock be ensuring that the wedge cannot be, for example, kicked away from underneath the wedge portion.

In some embodiments with the securing means, the securing means comprises a plurality of holes shaped and configured to co-operate with correspondingly shaped protrusions protruding from a sloped surface of the wedge portion. Alternatively, the securing means comprises a plurality of protrusions protruding from beneath the securing arm, the protrusions being shaped and configured to co-operate with correspondingly shaped holes in a sloped surface of the wedge portion.

In further embodiments the securing arm extends beyond an end of the wedge portion to create a lip portion beyond the wedge portion. This provides a means by which the user may lift the wedge from the floor to enable disengagement of the portable lock from the inside of the door being locked.

In an alternative embodiment of the lock, wherein the securing means may comprise a slot along a portion of the securing arm, the portion of the securing arm being along a portion of the securing arm in contact with the wedge portion, and the slot being configured to receive a securing pin. Such an arrangement advantageously prevents the separation of the securing arm from the wedge portion for example from a sideways force, but allows the wedge to travel along a portion of the length of the securing arm such it need to be adjusted in position.

In the alternative embodiment, the wedge portion may comprise a recess that is configured to receive a securing pin. Preferably, when in use, the securing pin passes through the slot and is received in the recess in a frictional or threaded engagement.

In an alternative embodiment, the securing means may comprise a channel in an upper surface of the wedge portion, the channel being shaped to slideably receive the securing arm therein. Furthermore, the wedge portion in this embodiment may comprise a securing cap along a portion of the upper surface of the wedge portion, the securing cap being arranged above a portion of the channel to permit the securing arm to pass thereunder.

In embodiments, the portable lock further comprises a retracting mechanism for retracting the securing arm into the housing.

In embodiments having the retracting mechanism, the retracting mechanism comprises a bar extending from a proximal end of the securing arm, the bar comprising engaging portions for engaging with a driver, the retracting mechanism retracting the securing arm into the housing when the engaging portions are driven by the driver engaged with the engaging portions. Preferably, the engaging portions comprise a screw thread, and the driver comprises a bolt.

In embodiments having the retracting mechanism, the retracting mechanism is lockable to prevent further retraction and/or extension of the securing arm.

In some embodiments, the retracting mechanism comprises a bar extending from the proximal end of the securing arm, wherein the bar comprises a plurality of notched portions engageable with a correspondingly shaped locking pin to lock the retracting mechanism to prevent further retraction and/or extension of the securing arm.

Preferably, the locking pin is coupled to a lock barrel for locking with a key. Preferably, the housing comprises a moveable cover to cover the lock barrel.

In an alternative embodiment of the housing, the housing is slideably arranged along a portion of the securing arm, the securing arm entering the housing on the first contact face and exiting the housing through a face opposing the first contact face. As such, the securing arm passes through the housing. Such an arrangement allows the housing to travel along a portion of the securing arm for adjustment relative to the wedge portion.

In this alternative embodiment, the housing may comprise a housing locking mechanism for locking the relative positions of the housing and securing arm when in a locked configuration. Preferably, the housing locking mechanism may comprise a pin for frictionally engaging with the securing arm to prevent relative movement between the housing and securing arm when in the locked configuration.

Preferably, the pin is engageable with a correspondingly shaped recess in the securing arm.

In such an embodiment, the securing arm may comprise a plurality of recesses along a portion of its length for receiving the pin at different positions along the length of the securing arm. Such an arrangement allows the housing to be locked at one of a number of positions along the length of the securing arm, which therefore provides different positions at which the housing can be set relative to the wedge portion (i.e. different distances between the housing and the wedge portion).

In some embodiments, the wedge portion may comprise a wedge driver for controllably driving the wedge portion towards the housing. Such an arrangement provides an adjustment mechanism to adjust the relative position between the wedge portion and the housing for locking the portable door lock.

In such an embodiment, the wedge driver may comprise a screw engageable with the securing arm for applying a driving force towards the housing when the wedge driver is operated in a first direction. Preferably, the screw and securing arm are in a threaded engagement.

In some embodiments, the lower contact surface of the wedge portion comprises rubber. This provides a surface having increased frictional engagement with the floor to resist movement by an intruder.

In some embodiments, the housing lower contact surface comprises a wedge portion.

Preferably, the housing lower contact surface wedge portion comprises steel.

In further embodiments, the housing is angled upwards away from a floor surface. This provides a housing that is angled towards the user to enable easier set up and dismantling of the device.

In embodiments, the housing contact surface is configured to provide a frictional engagement with a door when in use in the locked position.

LIST OF FIGURES

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompany drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a portable door lock according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a close up of the housing of the portable door lock of figure 1; Figure 3 shows a cut-through view of the housing of figure 2; Figure 4 shows the portable door lock of figure 1 in position prior to locking a door; Figure 5 shows the portable door lock of figure 1 in the locked position locking a door; Figure 6 shows an alternative portable door lock in position prior to locking a door; Figure 7 shows the portable door lock of figure 6 in the locked position locking a door; Figure 8 shows the wedge portion end of the alternative portable door lock of figures 6 and 7; Figure 9 shows the housing end of the alternative portable door lock of figures 6, 7 and 8; and Figure 10 shows an alternative wedge portion to that of figure 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of the portable door lock according to the present invention will now be described with reference to figures 1 to 3.

The portable door lock 10 comprises a housing 12 and a securing arm 14 extending from the housing 12. The securing arm 14 is extendable from the housing 12 and retractable (at least partly) into the housing 12. The portable door lock also comprises a wedge portion 16, which has a lower contact surface that is suitable for contacting a floor surface. The housing 12 is preferably made of steel or other suitably strong materials that would be at least partially resistant to attack.

The housing 12 further comprises a wedge portion 18, which is suitable for contacting a floor surface, and a front contact surface, which is suitable for contacting the surface of a door to be locked. The wedge portion 18 may comprise steel. The wedge portion 18 angles the housing upwards away from a floor surface to enable the user to more easily operation the retracting mechanism (discussed later) and lock.

The securing arm 14, which extends from the housing 12, comprises spring steel, and is shaped to contact a sloped surface of the wedge portion 16 when in use in a locked configuration. The securing arm 14 also comprises securing means 24 to prevent separation of the securing arm 14 and wedge 16 when engaged, and in the locked configuration (which will be discussed in more detail later). In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the securing means 24 comprises a plurality of holes, into which correspondingly shaped protrusions 22 on the sloped surface of the wedge portion 16 fit. A plurality of holes can be provided in rows to enable the wedge portion 16 to be secured to the securing arm 14 in a variety of positions relative to the housing 12.

In alternative embodiments, the protrusions 22 may be on the lower surface of the securing arm 14 and the holes 24 located on the sloped surface of the wedge portion 16.

The wedge portion 16 comprises a lower contact surface, which is suitable for contacting a floor surface. The lower contact surface may comprise rubber, which provides increased friction between the wedge and the floor to reduce the chance of the wedge slipping.

The portable door lock also comprises a retracting mechanism, which is used to retract the securing arm 14 into the housing 12, thus shortening the securing arm 14. The retracting mechanism comprises a mount 36 coupled to the proximal end of the securing arm 14 (i.e. at the housing end). From the mount 36 extends a first bar 26, which may be used to drive the retracting mechanism, and a second bar 30, which may be used to lock the retracting mechanism, thus locking the retracting mechanism (and therefore the securing arm 12) in place to prevent further extension or retraction.

The first bar 26 is shown with a screw thread and having a nut 28 (for example a Hank Bush) attached thereto. By operating the nut 28 in a clockwise direction (i.e. with a typical screw thread), the nut 28 pushes against the housing 12 and drives the mount 36 closer to the nut 28, which retracts the securing arm 14 into the housing 12.

The second bar 30 is shown with notched portions 32 which may be used with a locking pin (for example in conjunction with a key and barrel 34). The notched portions, when engaged with a locking pin (not shown) prevent the mount 36 from moving in either direction (i.e. extending or retracting the securing arm 14). In some embodiments, the notched portions 32 may be ramped such that the securing arm 14 may still be retracted further when the locking pin is in position, but may not be extended.

The operation of the portable lock 10 will now be described with reference to figures 4 and 5.

Figure 4 shows the portable lock ready in position prior to locking. Prior to installation with a door to be locked, the retracting mechanism lock is undone and the securing arm 14 is extended as far as is needed to enable the portable door lock to be slipped underneath a door 38. This is the unlocked configuration.

With the door partially opened, the housing 12 is placed one side of the door 38, the wedge portion 16 and corresponding part of the securing arm 14 are placed the opposite side of the door 38, with the remainder of the securing arm 14 underneath the door 38. The housing 12 is located on the exterior surface of the door (i.e. outside of the room to be locked). The wedge portion 16 is placed underneath the securing arm 14 at the distal end and the securing means 22, 24 are engaged with one another to prevent the wedge portion 16 being separated from the securing arm 14. The securing means are arranged such that, when engaged, a lip portion 36 is provided for the securing arm 14 i.e. a portion of the securing arm 14 overhangs the end of the wedge portion. Furthermore, the securing arm 14 is designed and configured to provide a downward force onto the wedge portion 16 when engaged with the wedge portion irrespective whether or not the portable lock is in the unlocked or locked configuration.

As such, the wedge portion 16 is in effect primed' to engage with the floor surface in a frictional engagement to prevent movement of the wedge at least in a direction away from the door (i.e. inwardly of the door).

The door to be locked 38 is then moved to the closed position, dragging the portable door lock 10 into position with it. With the retracting mechanism lock still unlocked, the user then operates the retracting mechanism to retract the securing arm 14 to drag the wedge portion 16 into contact with the other side of the door 38. The user continues to operate the retracting mechanism until the wedge portion 16 and associated distal portion of the securing arm 14 are in contact with the door, and also the contact surface 20 of the housing 12 is in contact with the opposite side of the door to the wedge portion 16. This configuration is the locked configuration.

Figure 5 shows the portable door lock 10 in its locked configuration. In this configuration, the wedge portion 16 acts to prevent the door being opened, since an opening movement of the door 38 would push onto the wedge portion 16 (via the securing arm 14), which would create frictional forces with the floor to prevent opening of the door.

In order to retain the relative positions of the housing 12 and wedge portion 16, the retracting mechanism may be locked in position. Once in the correct position, the key and barrel 34 are rotated to activate a locking pin to engage with the notches 32 in the second bar 30. The key can then be removed and the door considered secure.

It is noted that, when the in locked configuration, the portable door lock offers features that provide tamper resistance. Firstly, the securing means between the wedge portion 16 and the securing arm 14, in conjunction with the frictional forces on the wedge when in position underneath the door 38 edge, prevent the wedge being separated easily (for example by kicking from the side). Secondly, the housing 12 comprises materials of sufficient strength to resist some attacks. Thirdly, the wedge portion 18 on the housing 12 is designed to protect against an intruder trying to cut the securing arm 14. Even if the securing arm 14 were cut to separate the housing from the securing arm 14, the pressure of the door on the wedge portion 16 should retain the wedge portion 16 in place.

Furthermore, the exposed end of the key barrel 24 may be covered by a moveable cover plate, which is rotated in and out of position using either the key, or a specially machined tool.

In some embodiments, the lock can be installed from inside the room to be locked. In order to achieve this, the wedge portion 16 and securing arm 14 are placed on the inside of the door as above. The securing arm 14 is retracted with the door open, the retracing lock operated and the door is closed. The door is therefore locked; there is no need to fasten the lock on the outside as it is self locking in this configuration.

Since the lock relies on a floor surface for locking, and not the door frame (which can be compromised), this portable door lock is more secure than known device.

There are two main methods to unlock the portable door lock. The chosen method is dependent on which side of the door you are on.

An advantage of the present invention is that the door may be locked and unlocked from either side of the lock, which means that a user may lock themselves in to a room, lock themselves out of a room, or another person can be secured in the room using the portable door lock without the risk of being trapped whilst the other person goes out.

For example, when a couple stay in a hotel room, one person may leave the room secured whilst the second person remains in the room, knowing that the door can only be opened by their partner and knowing that they may exit the room in an emergency.

In order to open the portable door lock from the inside, the user lifts the securing arm 14 from the wedge portion 16 using the lip portion 36 that overhangs the end of the wedge portion 16. Since the securing arm 14 comprises spring steel, there is sufficient flex to enable the securing arm 14 to be lifted away. Once lifted, the wedge portion 16 is kicked away from underneath the securing arm 14, which loosens the portable door lock. The door 38 may now be opened, and the portable door lock removed.

For removal from the exterior side of the door, the user unlocks the retraction mechanism lock by inserting the key and turning the barrel 34 to release the locking pin, and then operates the retraction mechanism is reverse (for example by screwing the nut 28 in the opposite direction to loosen the nut 28 in the case where the retraction mechanism comprises a screw thread on the first bar 26) to extend the securing arm 14 from the housing 12. This movement releases pressure from the wedge portion 16 from underneath the opposite side of the door 38 and enables the door to be pushed open and the portable door lock to be removed from underneath the door.

In the above mentioned embodiments, the wedge portion 16 and securing arm 14 are separable. However, an alternative embodiment it is also envisaged whereby the wedge portion 16 extends from the underneath surface of the securing arm 14.

A second embodiment of the portable door lock according to the present invention will now be described with reference to figures 6 to 10.

The second embodiment of the portable door lock comprises a housing 112 and a securing arm 114 extending from the housing 112. The securing arm 114 is extendable from the housing 112 and retractable (at least partly) into the housing 112. The portable door lock also comprises a wedge portion 116, which has a lower contact surface that is suitable for contacting a floor surface. The housing 112 is preferably made of steel or other suitably strong materials that would be at least partially resistant to attack.

The lower surface of the housing 112 contacts a floor surface, and a front contact surface 120, which is suitable for contacting the surface of a door to be locked.

The securing arm 114, which extends from the housing 112, comprises spring steel, and is shaped to contact a sloped surface of the wedge portion 116 when in use in a locked configuration. The securing arm 114 is designed and configured to provide a downward force onto the wedge portion 116 when engaged with the wedge portion irrespective whether or not the portable lock is in the unlocked or locked configuration.

The securing arm 114 also comprises securing means 124, 146 to prevent separation of the securing arm 114 and wedge 116 when engaged, and in the locked configuration (which will be discussed in more detail later). In the embodiment shown in figure 6 to 9, the securing means 124, 146 comprises a slot 124 in the securing arm 114 through which a securing pin 146 is placed to fit into a suitably shaped recess 122 in the wedge portion 116. The securing pin 146 and the shaped recess 122 in the wedge portion 116 may be threaded to allow the securing pin to be securely screwed into the wedge portion 116. Alternatively, the securing pin may just rest in the recess in a frictional engagement.

The slot 124 configuration ensure that the wedge cannot be moved side-ways should attempts be made to force the lock sideways in any attempt to reduce the full-pressure between the floor and the door when in the locked position.

Figure 10 shows a wedge portion 216 having an alternative securing means 250, which comprises a recessed channel 250 in the upper surface of the wedge portion 216. The channel 250 is dimensioned to receive the securing arm 114, which is slideably received in the channel to permit relative movement between the wedge portion 216 and the securing arm 114. The channel may be a constant depth along its length of the wedge portion, or the channel may vary in depth along its length, for example it may be sloped at a different angle to the wedge portion.

The wedge portion may also comprise a securing cap 252, which may be secured to the wedge portion 216 (or may form part of the wedge portion 216) to prevent the securing arm (when in place) from being separated from the wedge portion easily. This may prevent tampering from an intruder. In embodiments having the securing cap 252, the securing arm slides in the channel 250 under the securing cap 252.

The wedge portion 116 comprises a lower contact surface, which is suitable for contacting a floor surface. The lower contact surface may comprise rubber, which provides increased friction between the wedge and the floor to reduce the chance of the wedge slipping.

The portable door lock also comprises a retracting mechanism, which is used to shorten the effective length of the securing arm 114 so that the housing 112 and wedge portion 116 can be brought closer together when in the locked configuration.

In the second embodiment, the housing 112 and wedge portion 116 have their own retracting mechanisms.

The housing 112 receives the securing arm 114 in the contact face 120. The securing arm 114 extends through the housing 112 and exits a face of the housing 112 opposing the contact face 120. The housing 112 is slideably arranged along a portion of the securing arm 114. A handle 144 is provided at the distal end of the securing arm 114 in order to provide a gripping surface of the securing arm 114 for a user.

The housing 112 also comprises a housing locking mechanism 140, which is arranged such that the housing 112 may be locked in position at a desired position along the securing arm 114, thus preventing any further movement of the housing 112 relative to the securing arm 114 (and thus a relative distance between the housing and the wedge portion). The housing locking mechanism 140 engages with correspondingly shaped features 142 on the securing arm 114. In the embodiments shown in the figures, the housing locking mechanism 140 comprises a pin (not shown) that engages with one of a plurality of holes 142 along a portion of the securing arm 140. Preferably, the housing locking mechanism 140 is lockable once in the desired position to prevent potential intruders releasing the housing from a locked position along the securing arm 114.

The wedge portion 116 also comprises a retracting mechanism i.e. a mechanism that enables the housing and wedge portion to be brought closer together into a locked configuration. (For the sake of clarity, the wedge portion retracting mechanism is not shown in figures 8 and 10, although this feature is present in embodiments comprising the retracting mechanism).

The wedge portion 116 comprises a wedge driver 148, which is configured to controllably drive the wedge closer to the housing (and thus a door when in position for locking). In the embodiment shown in the figures, the wedge driver 148 comprises a thumb screw that engages with a screw thread in a folded over portion of the securing arm 116. Turning the thumb screw in one direction urges the wedge 116 towards the housing 112. Turning the thumb screw in the opposite direction allows the wedge 116 to be moved away from the housing 112.

The operation of the portable lock according to the second embodiment will now be described with reference to figures 6 and 7.

Figure 6 shows the portable lock in a position prior to locking. Prior to installation under a door to be locked, the housing locking mechanism 140 is released to enable the housing 112 to travel along the securing arm 114. This is the unlocked configuration.

The housing 112 is then moved forward of the handle (towards the wedge portion 116) and locked in place using the housing locking mechanism 140, which engages with the holes 142 in the securing arm 114 (as described above) to prevent further relative movement between the housing 112 and the securing arm 114.

The wedge drive 148 is rotated to allow the wedge portion to move away from the housing 112 sufficiently for the portable lock to be slipped underneath the door to be locked. The securing pin 146 is then engaged with the recess 122 through the slot 124 to secure the securing arm 114 to the wedge portion 116. The engagement between the securing arm and wedge portion needs to be sufficiently secure to prevent separation between securing arm and the wedge, but not so tight that it prevents the wedge sliding along a portion of the securing arm when the wedge driver 148 is used later in the procedure.

With the door partially opened, the housing 112 is placed one side of the door 138, the wedge portion 116 and corresponding part of the securing arm 114 are placed the opposite side of the door 138, with the remainder of the securing arm 114 underneath the door 138. The housing 112 is located on the exterior surface of the door (i.e. outside of the room to be locked). The wedge portion 116 is underneath the securing arm 114. The securing arm 114 is designed and configured to provide a downward force onto the wedge portion 116 when engaged with the wedge portion irrespective whether or not the portable lock is in the unlocked or locked configuration. As such, the wedge portion 116 is in effect primed' to engage with the floor surface in a frictional engagement to prevent movement of the wedge at least in a direction away from the door (i.e. inwardly of the door).

The user then operates the wedge driver 148 to force the wedge towards the door 138 (and thus closer to the housing 112). The wedge driver 148 is used until the wedge portion 116 engages with the underside of the door 138 to ensure the housing 112 and wedge portion 116 are fully engaged with the lower edge of the door. In such a position, no further inward movement of the door 138 (i.e. opening of the door) is possible due to the wedge portion 116 engaging with the floor in a frictional engagement. However, movement outwardly (i.e. to close the door) is still possible, as no wedge in present in the outward path of the door 138.

The door to be locked 138 is then moved to the closed position, dragging the portable door lock into position with it. This configuration is the locked configuration.

Figure 7 shows the portable door lock in its locked configuration. In this configuration, the wedge portion 116 acts to prevent the door being opened, since an opening movement of the door 138 would push onto the wedge portion 116 (via the securing arm 114, which contacts the underside of the door), which would create frictional forces with the floor to prevent opening of the door.

It is noted that, when the in locked configuration, the portable door lock offers features that provide tamper resistance. Firstly, the securing means between the wedge portion 116 and the securing arm 114, in conjunction with the frictional forces on the wedge when in position underneath the door 138 edge, prevent the wedge being separated easily from the securing arm (for example by applying a sideways force to the wedge).

Secondly, the housing 112 comprises materials of sufficient strength to resist some attacks. Thirdly, the housing 112 is designed to protect against an intruder trying to cut the securing arm 114 since the securing arm 114 is received in the housing 112 itself.

Even if the securing arm 114 were cut to separate the housing from the securing arm 114, the pressure of the door on the wedge portion 116 should retain the wedge portion 116 in place.

In some embodiments, the lock can be installed from inside the room to be locked. In order to achieve this, the wedge portion 116 and securing arm 114 are placed on the inside of the door as above. The position of the housing 112 along the securing arm 114 is chosen and locked in place with the door open. Either the door is closed prior to the wedge driver 148 being operated as discussed above (this time from inside the room with the door closed), or the wedge driver 148 is used prior to closing the door (as described above with the door open). Once in position with the door shut, the door is now locked.

Since the lock relies on a floor surface for locking, and not the door frame (which can be compromised), this portable door lock is more secure than known devices.

There are two main methods to unlock the portable door lock. The chosen method depends on which side of the door the user is.

In order to open the portable door lock from the inside, the user may separate the securing pin 146 from the wedge portion recess 122 to enable separation of the securing arm 114 from the wedge portion 116 (for example by kicking the wedge away from the side, or lifting the securing arni 114 to release the downward pressure from the wedge portion 116). Alternatively, the user may operate the wedge driver 148 in the opposite (unlocked) direction to enable to the wedge to be moved away from the door.

Once the pressure from the wedge portion 116 has been released, the door may be opened and the portable door lock removed.

For removal from the exterior side of the door, the user unlocks the housing locking mechanism 140 to enable the housing 112 to be moved along a portion of the securing arm 114 away from the door 138. This movement releases pressure from the wedge portion 116 from underneath the opposite side of the door 138 and enables the door to be pushed open and for the portable door lock to be removed from underneath the door.

The two main embodiments described above are not mutually exclusive, that is various aspects of features of one embodiment may be used in conjunction with the other embodiment.

For example, the wedge portion, wedge driver mechanism and wedge securing means of the second embodiment may be used with the housing of the first embodiment. In such a combined embodiment, the housing and the wedge portion are moveable and adjustable in position relative to each other in increments, driven by their respective driving means (the thread and bolt for the housing, and the wedge driver for the wedge portion).

As another example, the securing means of the second embodiment may be used in place of the securing means of the first embodiment.

A further example could comprise the housing of the second embodiment with the wedge portion of the first embodiment.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove with reference to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments and modifications will be apparent to a skilled person in the art which lie within the scope of the present invention. Any of the embodiments described hereinabove can be used in any combination.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A portable door lock, comprising: a housing having a first contact surf ace for contacting a surface of a door to be locked, and a lower contact surface for contacting a floor surface; a securing arm extending from the housing, the securing arm being retractably extendable from the housing between unlocked and locked configurations, and the securing arm comprising a wedge portion extending beneath the securing arm at a distal end of the securing arm, the wedge portion having a lower contact surface for contacting a floor surface, wherein, in use in the locked configuration, a portion of the securing arm is retracted into the housing such that the first contact surface of the housing and the securing arm contact respective first and second sides of a door to be locked, and the lower contact surface of the housing and the lower contact surface of the wedge portion contact a floor.
2. A portable door lock according to claim 1, wherein the securing arm is shaped to provide a downward force onto the wedge portion.
3. A portable door lock according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the securing arm comprises spring steel.
4. A portable door lock according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the wedge portion is separable from the securing arm.
5. A portable door lock according to claim 4, wherein the securing arm comprises securing means to prevent separation of the wedge portion from the securing arm when the portable door lock is in use in the locked configuration.
6. A portable door lock according to claim 5, where in the securing means comprises a plurality of holes shaped and configured to co-operate with correspondingly shaped protrusions protruding from a sloped surface of the wedge portion.
7. A portable door lock according to claim 5, where in the securing means comprises a plurality of protrusions protruding from beneath the securing arm, the protrusions being shaped and configured to co-operate with correspondingly shaped holes in a sloped surface of the wedge portion.
8. A portable door lock according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing arm extends beyond an end of the wedge portion to create a lip portion beyond the wedge portion.
9. A portable door lock according to claim 5, wherein the securing means comprises a slot along a portion of the securing arm, the portion of the securing arm being along a portion of the securing arm in contact with the wedge portion, and the slot being configured to receive a securing pin.
10. A portable door lock according to claim 9, wherein the wedge portion comprises a recess that is configured to receive a securing pin.
11. A portable door lock according to claim 10, wherein, in use, the securing pin passes through the slot and is received in the recess in a frictional or threaded engagement.
12. A portable door lock according to claim 5, wherein the securing means comprises a channel in an upper surface of the wedge portion, the channel being shaped to slideably receive the securing arm therein.
13. A portable door lock according to claim 12, comprising a securing cap along a portion of the upper surface of the wedge portion, the securing cap being arranged above a portion of the channel to permit the securing arm to pass thereunder.
14. A portable door lock according to any preceding claim, further comprising a retracting mechanism for retracting the securing arm into the housing.
15. A portable door lock according to claim 14, wherein the retracting mechanism comprises a bar extending from a proximal end of the securing arm, the bar comprising engaging portions for engaging with a driver, the retracting mechanism retracting the securing arm into the housing when the engaging portions are driven by the driver engaged with the engaging portions.
16. A portable door lock according to claim 15, wherein the engaging portions comprise a screw thread, and the driver comprises a bolt.
17. A portable door lock according to claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the retracting mechanism is lockable to prevent further retraction and/or extension of the securing arm.
18. A portable door lock according to claim 17, wherein the retracting mechanism comprises a bar extending from the proximal end of the securing arm, wherein the bar comprises a plurality of notched portions engageable with a correspondingly shaped locking pin to lock the retracting mechanism to prevent further retraction and/or extension of the securing arm.
19. A portable door lock according to claim 18, wherein the locking pin is coupled to a lock barrel for locking with a key.
20. A portable door lock according to claim 19, wherein the housing comprises a moveable cover to cover the lock barrel.
21. A portable door lock according to claim 14, wherein the housing is slideably arranged along a portion of the securing arm, the securing arm entering the housing on the first contact face and exiting the housing through a face opposing the first contact face.
22. A portable door lock according to claim 21, wherein the housing comprises a housing locking mechanism for locking the relative positions of the housing and securing arm when in a locked configuration.
23. A portable door lock according to claim 22, wherein the housing locking mechanism comprises a pin for frictionally engaging with the securing arm to prevent relative movement between the housing and securing arm when in the locked configuration.
25. A portable door lock according to claim 23, wherein the pin is engageable with a correspondingly shaped recess in the securing arm.
25. A portable door lock according to claim 24, wherein the securing arm comprises a plurality of recesses along a portion of its length for receiving the pin at different positions along the length of the securing arm.
26. A portable door lock according to any preceding claim, wherein the wedge portion comprises a wedge driver for controllably driving the wedge portion towards the housing.
27. A portable door lock according to claim 26, wherein the wedge driver comprises a screw engageable with the securing arm for applying a driving force towards the housing when the wedge driver is operated in a first direction.
28. A portable door lock according to claim 27, wherein the screw and securing arm are in a threaded engagement.
29. A portable door lock according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower contact surface of the wedge portion comprises rubber.
30. A portable door lock according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing lower contact surface comprises a wedge portion.
31. A portable door lock according to claim 30, wherein the housing lower contact surface wedge portion comprises steel.
32. A portable door lock according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is angled upwards away from a floor surface.
33. A portable door lock according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing contact surface is configured to provide a frictional engagement with a door when in use in the locked position.
34. A portable door lock substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.