US3458228A - Auxiliary door lock - Google Patents

Description

July 29, 1969 R. A. WHITE 3,458,228

AUXILIARY DOOR LOCK Filed Dec. 8, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR RQBERT A. WHITE ATTO RNEY July 29, 1969 R. A. WHITE 3,458,228

AUXILIARY DOOR LOCK 7 Filed Dec. 8, 1967 S Sheets-Sheet z INVENTOR ROBERT A.WHITE BY (W ATTORNEY y 1969 R. A. WHITE 3,458,228

AUXILIARY DOOR LOCK Filed Dec. 8, 1967 3 Sheets-$heet 5 INVENTOR ROBERT A. WHITE ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,458,228 AUXILIARY DOOR LOCK Robert A. White, 8836 Graceland Ave., Overland, Mo. 63114 Filed Dec. 8, 1967, Ser. No. 689,083 Int. Cl. Eb 13/00; E05c 19/18 U.S. Cl. 292-359 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An auxiliary door lock adapted for disposition upon existing doors for maintaining the customary bevel latch in locked condition comprising a body having adjustable jaw members for gripping the stem of a doorknob and a friction member for engaging a portion of the door proximate the doorknob so as to inhibit unauthorized movement of said lock and thereby maintain said stem against rotation.

Background of the invention This invention relates in general to doors and, more particularly, to an auxiliary locking device therefor. Heretofore, numerous efforts have been made to develop door locks which are designed to be used in conjunction with the locking mechanism incorporated in the door itself; such devices being also referred to as door securers. Devices of this character are intended to provide increased safety for the occupant since the same cannot be indirectly operated from the exterior of the door and, thus, are proof against tampering as may be the case with key locks. Such prior art devices have been of two basic types, one wherein the mechanism incorporates elements which are afiixed to the door and with cooperating elements mounted upon the adjacent portion of the door frame. Structures of this type are exemplified by Beseler Patent No. 765,658; Macbeth Patent No. 1,239,820; and OBrien Patent No. 2,288,022. The other class of auxiliary lock structures have proved to be of more permanent character, being designed for incorporation within the door itself as opposed to the more desirable portable accessory look. This second type is exemplified by the structures shown in the Ahrend Patent No. 137,400 and the Northrup Patent No. 929,474. Thus, to the present time, there has not been presented an auxiliary door lock which is portable and mountable upon only the door so that no contact of any character need be made with the door frame.

Summary of the invention It is an object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary door lock which is a self-contained unit, being readily installed in, and removed from, operative position without the use of tools.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary door lock of the character stated which is comprised of a simplicity of parts and which may be readily manipulated by any unskilled individual.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary door lock which incorporates means for positively engaging portions of the door and doorknob and maintaining the customary bevel latch in reliably locked condition, without marring or damaging the door.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary door lock which may be most economically manufactured; which is completely reliable in usage, serving to enhance the safety of the occupant against any unwanted intrusion; and which, by reason of its simple construction, is resistant to damage and, hence, capable of longevity of usage.

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an auxiliary door lock constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention, illustrating same in operative position mounted upon a door.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the auxiliary door lock in unmounted condition.

FIGURE 3 is a front view.

FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view.

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of the side of the auxiliary door lock presented toward the door when in operative position; said view being rotated through an angle of from that shown in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of the side presented toward a door of another form of auxiliary door lock constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 7 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6.

Description of the preferred embodiments Referring now -by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, A generally designates an auxiliary door lock for use with a conventional door 1, having a doorknob 2 provided at the end of a stem or shank 3 which is engageable in the customary manner with a bevel latch 4 presented for projection laterally of a plate 5 mounted on the adjacent side face of door 1 for reception within a keeper or socket (not shown) provided on the adjacent door jamb (not shown), said door is provided also with the customary key lock latch 6; there being a plate 7 afiixed to the face of said door adjacent the latch-bearing edge thereof.

Auxiliary door lock A comprises a body 8, preferably integrally cast from rigid material, such as, a suitable metal or alloy thereof, and adapted for disposition within a plane substantially parallel to the plane of door 1. Lock A is provided at one end with a boss 9 having an internally threaded bore 10, which is axially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said body 8. Threadedly engaged within said bore 10 is an externally threaded shank 11 of a screw 12 which, outwardly of, or beyond, boss 9, mounts a cap 13 which is transversely bored, axially normal to shank 11, for slideably receiving a lever or control arm 14 having the customary knobs 15, 15' at each of its ends to prevent inadvertent disengagement from cap 13. At its opposite end, inwardly of boss 9, screw 12 is engaged to a jaw member 16 by means of a stud 17 received within a countersunk opening 18 in jaw 16, by which connection jaw 16 be caused to move linearly toward and away from boss 9 responsive to the corresponding threaded movement of screw 12 within bore 10. law 16, on its under surface, is provided with a groove 19 opening away from said jaw and being laterally bounded by flanges 20, 20' within which groove 19 is received a rail-forming edge 21 extending lengthwise of said body 8 along an axis parallel to that of boss 9 but off-set therefrom; one end of said railforming edge being terminated by an arm 22 which is continuous at its rail-remote end with boss 9. The other end of said rail 21 is terminated by a relatively transversely thickened section, as at 23, which may provide a stop surface 24 for the proximate end faces of flanges 20, 20; said thickened portion 23 being continuous with a fixed jaw 25 and thereby assuring that the same will have like transverse extent, as jaw 16, for appropriate cooperation therewith. It will thus be seen that jaws 16 and 25 are provided with cooperating, confronting, concave surfaces 16', 25', respectively, which are formed upon a radius for accommodating doorknob stem 3 when lock A is in operative position. Jaw surfaces 16, 25' may be each provided with a series of serrations or ridges, as at a, for enhancing the gripping of stem 3 but which are so designed as to prevent marring or deformation of stem 3. At its other end, or that remote from the end containing boss 9, lock body 8 is integrally provided with a boss 26 which is substantially co-planar with boss 9 but being provided with an internally threaded bore 27 which is axially normal to bore 10. Engaged within bore 27 is the threaded shank 28 of a screw 29 which is of such length so as to extend at its ends beyond the proximate faces of body 8. At one of its ends screw 29 mounts a cap 30 which is provided with a transverse bore (not shown), the axis of which is normal to that of screw 29 and which is adapted for slideably receiving therein a lever or handle 31 'which is enlarged at its ends, as at 32, 32, so as to prevent accidental displacement from said cap 30.

Mounted on the opposite end of screw 29 is an annular plate 33 with the connection between same and screw 29 being effected by a turn down diametrally reduced end portion received within a countersink, which reduced end is peened over, as at 34, within said countersink (FIG- URE 4). Said screw 29 projects through a boss 35 formed on the screw-adjacent face of said plate 33. Coveringly disposed across the screw-remote face of plate 33 is a friction-producing surface member 36, the exposed face of which is roughened, or provided with a raised pattern, as at 37, for purposes presently appearing; said member 36 being integral with a skirt 38 for disposition about the side edge of plate 33 and having a short flange 39 at its opposite side for assurance of snug maintenance upon plate 33. Thus, member 36, together with its skirt 38 and flange 39, constitutes a unitary jacket which may be formed of any suitable flexible material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, so as to allow for ease of disposition of the same upon, and removal from, the said plate 33.

In usage of the present invention, it is desirable that the same be mounted upon the related door with the latter in open condition and with bevel latch 4 in extended position (as shown in FIGURE 1) in which state key lock latch 6 will, understandably, be unlocked. Lever 14 is suitably swung so as to space movable jaw 16 from jaw 25 to allow disposition of the same about doorknob stem 3. After such disposition, lever 14 is then manipulated so as to cause jaws 16 and 25 to be drawn relatively together, thereby effecting a clamping therebetween of the said stem 3. As pointed out above, serrations a will not effect any damage of the finish of stem 3 by such clamping action. Thereupon the user will then suitably manipulate lever 31 to cause plate 33 to be moved so as to bring member 36 into snug surface abutment with the adjacent portion of door 1. By such surface-producing abutment with door 1, member 36 will thereby prevent any unauthorized rotation of body 8 of lock A about stem 3. With lock A thus positioned, upon door 1, the user will then close the door with bevel latch being thereby received within its socket.

Anyone attempting to turn the doorknob from the opposite or outer side will be unable to effect a rotation of same by reason of the engagement of member 36 so that no removal of bevel latch from received condition may be effected. Accordingly, it will thus be seen that auxiliary door lock A may be easily installed upon a door and when installed provides a positive, reliable means for preventing unauthorized opening of the door regardless of whether the particular key lock has been used. No tools are required since mere rotative movement of levers 14 and 31 are the only efforts required for placing lock A in operative condition or for demounting same.

Referring now to FIGURES 6 and 7, B indicates an auxiliary door lock which in all respects is structurally identical with door lock A above described except that the plate 33 thereof, together with the friction producing member 36 mounted thereon, is replaced by a disc 40 engaged upon screw 29 in like manner as plate 33 of lock A. Said disc 40 on its door-confronting face is integrally provided with a plurality of spaced apart projections 41 which are of slightly pointed or spike-like character. Said projections serve to effect a reliable holding contact with the door when lock B is in operative position so as to prevent any unauthorized rotation of the doorknob stem 3.

It will, of course, be understood that the mounting of jaw 16 on stud 17 and of plate 33 of screw 29 are such as to permit of linear movement thereof responsive to the rotational movement of screw 12 and screw 29, respectively, during threading and unthreading within bosses 9 and 26, respectively.

The zone of door 1 contacted by friction member 36 or disc 40 is not critical since the same may be located within an arc of 360 about stem 3, depending upon the users preference. It is not necessary that lock A be removed from doorknob stem 3 during periods of disuse as the same may stay in a mounted condition thereon and with plate 33 being removed from contact with the confronting door surface. Accordingly, when it is desired to operate lock A, the user need merely thread screw 29 through boss 26 so as to place plate 33 in friction-producing relationship with the door.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the formation, construction, and arrangement and combination of the several parts of the auxiliary door lock may be made and substituted for these herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having described by invention, what I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is:

1. For use with a closure for a wall opening, said closure having a locking member for reception within a socket to'the confronting portion of the wall, means for controlling said lock comprising a stem adapted for rotative movement, the improvement comprising an auxiliary lock having a body, first and second jaw-forming elements provided on said body for engaging said stem, said first jaw being integrally formed with said body, said body having an internally threaded boss, the axis of said boss being parallel to the longitudinal axis of said body, a threaded member engaged in said boss, said second jaw being engaged to said threaded member, means for moving said jaw elements relatively toward and away from each other for accommodating the interposed stem, means provided on said body for friction-producing engagement with said closure, guide means for said second jaw member for directing same toward and away from said first jaw upon corresponding movement of said threaded element.

2. For use with a closure for a wall opening, said closure having a locking member for reception within a socket in the confronting portion of the wall, means for controlling said lock comprising a stem adapted for rotative movement, the improvement comprising an auxiliary lock having a body, means provided on said body for engaging said stem, said body having an internally threaded boss, a threaded element engaged within said boss, an annular plate mounted upon one end of said threaded element, and means provided on said plate for friction-producing engagement with the confronting portion of said closure.

3. For use with a closure for a wall opening, said closure having a locking member for reception within a socket in the confronting portion of the wall, means for controlling said lock comprising a stem adapted for rotative movement, the improvement as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by the improvement comprising means for engaging said stem comprising first and second jaw forming elements, and means for moving said elements relatively toward and away from each other for accommodating the interposed stem.

4. For use with a closure for a wall opening, said closure having a locking member for reception within a socket in the confronting portion of the wall, means for controlling said lock comprising a stem adapted for rotative movement, the improvement as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by said body having a second internally threaded boss, a second threaded element engaged within said second internally threaded boss, and said second jaw being engaged to said second threaded member.

5. For use with a closure for a wall opening, said closure having a locking member for reception within a socket in the confronting portion of the wall, means for controlling said lock comprising a stem adapted for rotative movement, the improvement as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by guide means for said second jaw member for directing same toward and away from said first jaw upon corresponding movement of said second threaded element.

6. For use with a closure for a wall opening, said closure having a locking member for reception within a socket in the confronting portion of the wall, means for controlling said lock comprising a stem adapted for rotative movement, the improvement as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said first and second jaws having confronting concave surfaces.

7. For use with a closure for a wall opening, said closure having a locking member for reception within a socket in the confronting portion of the Wall, means for controlling said lock comprising a stem adapted for rotative movement, the improvement as defined in claim 6 and further characterized bysaid jaw surfaces each having a series of transversely extending corrugations.

8. For use with a closure for a Wall opening, said closure having a locking member for reception within a socket in the confronting portion of the wall, means for controlling said lock comprising a stem adapted for rotative further characterized by the means for friction-producing engagement with said closure comprising a plurality of spike-like members.

9. For use with a closure for a wall opening, said closure having a locking member for reception within a socket in the confronting portion of the wall, means for controlling said lock comprising a stem adapted for rotative movement, the improvement as defined in claim 2 and further characterized 'by said means for providing friction producing engagement with said closure comprising a resilient surface-forming element having a raised pattern.

10. For use with a closure for a Wall opening, said closure having a locking member for reception within a socket to the confronting portion of the wall, means for controlling said lock comprising a stem adapted for rotative movement, the improvement comprising an auxiliary lock having a body, first and second jaw-forming elements provided on said body for engaging said stem, said first jaw being integrally formed with said body, said body having an internally threaded boss, the axis of said boss being parallel to the longitudinal axis of said body, a threaded member engaged in said boss, said second jaw being engaged to said threaded member, means for moving said jaw elements relatively toward and away from each other for accommodating the interposed stem, and means provided on said body for friction-producing engagement with said closure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 192,443 6/1877 Moyo 292--359 826,294 7/ 1906 Waldschmidt 248-310 1,397,074 11/1921 Brainard 292359 1,43 6,201 11/1922 Sanness 292359 2,288,022 6/1942 OBrien 292-291 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner movement, the improvement as defined in claim 2 and EDWARD J. MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 292--288

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