US3754783A - Locking device for a sliding door - Google Patents

Abstract

A sliding door panel is supported by a base track member for sliding movement between open and closed positions adjacent a set of opposing vertical jamb members. An elongated locking bar includes two bar sections connected by a hinge, and one of the bar sections is pivotally connected by another hinge to one of the jamb members to provide for movement of the bar sections between a collapsed position adjacent the one jamb member and a generally aligned over-center position extending between the jamb member and the door panel in its closed position. The latter hinge is attached to the one jamb member by a strip of double faced pressure sensitive adhesive material which is protected by a sheet of strippable paper until the locking bar is ready to install. The hinges are constructed of either metal or of a plastics material which form integral hinges and are also attached to the bar sections by strips of pressure sensitive adhesive material.

Description

' United States Patent 1 [111 3,754,783 Childers v Aug. 28, 1973 LOCKING DEVICE FOR A SLIDING DOOR [76} inventor: John L. Childers, 191 Blackstone v ABSTRACT Cememne Ohm 45459 A sliding door panel is supported by a base track mem- [22] Filed: Jan. 20, 1972 her for sliding movement between open and closed positions adjacent a set of opposing vertical jamb mem- [211 App! 2l948l bers. An elongated locking bar includes two bar sec tions connected by a hinge, and one of the bar sections [52] U.S. Cl 292/263, 49/449 is pivotally connected by another hinge to one of the 5 1 Int. Cl. E05c 17/32 jamb members to provide for movement of the bar sec- [58] Field of Search 49/449; 292/262, tions between a collapsed position adjacent the one 292/263; l6/DIG. 13, 128, 135; 24/ 1 l jamb member and a generally aligned over-center position extending between the jamb member and the door [56] References Cited panel in its closed position. The latter hinge is attached UNITE STATES PATENTS to the one jamb member by a strip of double faced 2,791,456 5/1957 Roehl 292/263 pressure sensitive. adhesive material which is 3,499,675 3/1970 lsenberg 49/449 by a sheet of strlppable paper until the locking bar IS 3,554592 M970 Katz 49/449 ready to install. The hinges are constructed of either 3,5 2,973 2 1971 160/231 A metal or of a plastics material which form integral 3,612,458 10/1971 Mwanyoha 248/205 A hinges and are also attached to the bar sections by strips of pressure sensitive adhesive material.

Primary Examinerl(enneth Downey Attorney-William R. Jacox et a1. 2 Claims 8 Drawing Figures LOCKING DEVICE FOR A SLIDING DOOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In a sliding door assembly, a rectangular frame is formed by a base track member and a header member rigidly connected by a pair of opposing jamb members. The frame supports a stationary glass door panel and another glass door panel which slides on the base track member between the opposing jamb members. Many different types of locking systems or mechanisms have been either used or proposed for use between the frame of the sliding door panel and one of the jamb members,

but most of these locking mechanisms can be broken simply by using a pry bar adjacent the locking mechanism between the jamb member and the frame of the movable door panel.

To prevent the sliding door panel from being forced open, additional locking devices have been used on a sliding door assembly. For example, clamping devices have been employed for securing to either the header member or the base track member adjacent the frame of the sliding door panel in its closed'position. The sliding door panel has also been secured in its closed position by an elongated bar or stick which is positioned within the space between the frame of the sliding door panel and the opposing jamb member. When it is desired to open the sliding doorpanel, the stick is removed from the sliding door assembly and placed in a nearby storage area. However, the stick is frequently misplaced or gets carried away and is then not readily available for use when it is desired to lock the sliding door again.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an improved locking devicefor a sliding door assembly and which is adapted to be quickly and conveniently attached to the door assembly and to provide a positive auxiliary-lock for the sliding door panel in its closed position. The locking device is simple and convenientto use and is positively retained in both a locked position and a released position. The locking device of the invention is also neat in appearance and does not interrupt the view through the'stationary glass door panel when the locking device'is in either of its locked or released positions;

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an elongated bar is formed in two sections which 1 are pivotally connected by ahingeand strips of double faced pressure sensitive adhesive tape. One of thebar sections is slightly shorter than the other bar section and has an end portion which is adapted to be pivotally connected to one of the jamb members by a hinge and additional strips of double faced pressure sensitive adhesive tape. The'bar sections are movable between. a generally parallel collapsed position adjacent the one jamb member and a generally aligned position extending adjacent the base track member between the one jamb member and the frame of the sliding door panel in its closed position. In their extended locked position the bar sections pivot through an over-center condition to assure positive locking of the bar sections. In their collapsed position, the end of the longer bar section rests on the base track member and assures that both of the bar sections are retained adjacent the one jamb member. In another embodiment, the hinges which connect the bar sections to each other and to the jamb member are formed of a thermoplastics material and have integral hinge webs.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a sliding door assembly incorporating a locking device constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a slightly larger fragmentary view of the sliding door assembly showing the locking device in its locked position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to FIG. 2 and showing the locking device of the invention in its collapsed position;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 and illustrating the locking device being moved from its collapsed position to its locked position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the hinge connection between the bar sections of the locking device;

FIG. 6 is a similar fragmentary section of the locking device and showing it being mounted on a jamb member of the sliding door assembly;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG. 5 and showing a modification of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG. 6 and showing a modification of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The sliding door assembly shown in FIG. 1 includes a rectangular frame 15 formed by a horizontal base track member 16 and a horizontal header member 18 which are rigidly connected by a pair of opposing vertical jamb members 19 and 20. A stationary door panel 22 includes a glass panel 23 enclosed within a rectangular frame 24 which is rigidly secured to the frame 15 by a series of screws (not shown). Another door panel 25 is slidably mounted on the base track member 16 by a set of rollers (not shown) which are mounted on a rectangular frame 26 surrounding a glass panel 28. In a conventional manner, the door panel 25 is movable between an open position adjacent the jamb member 20 and a closed position (FIG. 1) adjacent the joint member 19 where the frame 26 of the door panel 25 is adapted to be secured to the jamb member 19 by a suitable latch 30.

In accordance with the present invention, an additional locking device 35 is located adjacent the track member 16 between the jamb member 20 and the door panel 25, The locking device 35 includes an elongated bar formed by a bar section 36 and a slightly longer bar section 38, both of which are preferably formed from a solid aluminum extrusion having a rectangular cross-.

section with a width of approximately one inch and a thickness of approximately three-eighthsinch. The bar sections 36 and 38 are pivotally connected by a strap type metal hinge 42 having a pair of flat hinge elements 43 which are secured to the corresponding end portions of the bar members 36 and 38 by .strips 44 of double-faced pressure sensitive adhesive tape material such as the type number 4292 pressure sensitive tape manufactured by the 3M Company, St. Paul, Minne-. sota. This particular tape has a thickness of one thirtysecond inch and is effective to form a positive bond between the hinge elements 43 and the adjacent end portions of the bar sections 36 and 38 so that the need for screws and tap holes is eliminated.

Another metal hinge 46 (FIGS. 4 and 6) pivotally connects the opposite end portion of the bar section 36 to the inner surface of the jamb member and includes a pair of flat hinge elements 47 (FIG. 6), one of which is attached to the corresponding end portion of the bar section 36 by another strip 48 of double-faced pressure sensitive adhesive tape material. A second strip 48 of pressure sensitive adhesive tape is attached to the opposite hinge element 47 and is normally protected by a strippable paper sheet 51 until the locking device 35 is ready to be installed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6, when it is desired to install the locking device 35, the bar sections 36 and 38 are folded to a generally parallel collapsed position and are positioned adjacent the jamb member 20 with the lower end surface of the longer bar section 38 resting on the base track member 16 as shown in FIG. 3. The sheet 51 of protective paper is stripped from the strip 48 of pressure sensitive adhesive tape on the outer hinge element 47, and the folded bar sections 36 and 38 are pressed firmly against the jamb member 20 so that the outer hinge element 47 becomes positively attached to the jamb member 20 by the corresponding strip 48 of pressure sensitive adhesive. A folded cardboard pad 52 is temporarily positioned between the hinge elements 47 to hold the hinge elements substantially parallel when the bar sections 36 and 38 are pressed against the jamb member 20 so that the full area of the outer hinge element 47 becomes firmly bonded or attached to the inner face of the jamb member 20.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the bar sections 36 and 38 are pivotable between their released or collapsed position (FIG. 3) and a locked position (FIG. 2) where the bar sections 36 and 38 are generally aligned and extend between the jamb'member 20 and the frame 26 of the closed door panel 25. As shown in FIG. 2, when the locking member 35 is moved from its collapsed position to its lockedposition, the axis of the hinge 42 passes over-center or through a plane defined by the axis of the hinge 46 and a line of engagement between the forward end of the bar section 38 and the frame 26 of the door panel 25.

In the locked position, the bar section 38 rests upon the base track member 16, and the bar section 36 slopes slightly upwardly to form an acute angle with the base track member 16. This arrangement assures a positive locking condition of the bar sections 36 and 38 and assures that the bar sections 36 and 38 will not pivot upwardly when a substantial force or repetitive impacts are applied to the door panel in an attempt to force the door panel open. A knob member 55 is secured to the bar section 38 and provides for conveniently pivoting the bar sections 36 and 38 between their collapsed position (FIG. 3) and their extended locked position (FIG. 2).

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 which show a modification ofa locking device constructed in accordance with the invention, in place of the hinge 42, a hinge 62 is used for pivotally connecting the bar sections 36 and 38. The hinge 62 is formed from a strip of thermoplastics material such as polyethylene or polypropolene and has a width which is the same as that of the bar sections 36 and 38. The hinge 62 includes a pair of flat hinge elements 63 which are pivotally connected by a pair of thin web portions 64 lcated on opposite sides of a bead portion 66. The web portions 64 are formed by engaging the thermoplastic sheet with a pair of oppos ing heated blades, and provide for flexing or pivoting the bar sections 36 and 38 through an angle slightly greater than A hinge 68 (FIG. 8) is also formed from a strip of thermoplastics material in the same manner as the hinge 62 and has a width corresponding to the width of the bar sections 36 and 38. The hinge 68 includes a flat element or portion 69 which is attached to the underneath surface of the bar section 36 by a strip 71 of double-face pressure sensitive adhesive tape material in the same manner as the corresponding hinge element 47 (FIG. 6) is attached to the bar section 36 by the adhesive strip 48. The hinge 68 also includes a portion 72 which extends at right angles to the element 69 and is secured by an adhesive strip 73 to the end surface of the bar section 36.

A flat hinge element 74 is integrally connected to the hinge portion 72 by a thin web portion 76. The hinge element 74 is adapted to be attached to the jamb member 20 by adhesive strip 48 in the same manner as the corresponding hinge element 47 is attached to the jamb member 20 as mentioned above in connection with FIG. 6. When the bar sections 36 and 38 are pivoted from their collapsed position (FIG. 8) adjacent the jamb member 20 to their generally aligned extended position, the hinge 68 flexes at the web portion 76. While the hinges 62 and 68 are preferably fonned from an extruded sheet of thermoplastics material by shearing the sheet into strips and engaging the strips with heated blades to form the thin web sections 64 and 76, the hinges may also be formed by an injection molding operation.

From the drawing and the above description, it is apparent that a sliding door locking device constructed in accordance with the invention, provides several desirable features and advantages. For example, the locking device'35 may be conveniently and quickly attached to ajamb member of a-sliding door assembly and may also be quickly and conveniently moved between a positively locked position adjacent the base track member 16 and a positive retracted or collapsed position adjacent the jamb member 20. In both its locked position and its collapsed position, the locking device is compact so that it does not project beyond the frame 24 of the stationary door panel 22 and also provides a neat and attractive appearance. Furthermore, when the locking device is moved to itslocked position as shown in FIG. 2, the over-center movement of the hinge 42 assures that the locking device will remain in its locked position regardless of the extent and type of force applied to the door panel 25 in an attempt to'open the locked door panel. The attachment of the hinges 42 and 46 with the corresponding strips 44 and 48 of double-face pressure sensitive adhesive tape material also provides for quickly and economically attaching the hinges 42 and 46 to the bar sections 36 and 38 as well as to the door frame 20. The modified hinges 62 and 68 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 provide the additional advantages of inexpensive construction and a simplified assembly of the hinges to the bar sections 36 and 38 and the jamb member 20.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

The invention having been described, the following is claimed:

1. A locking device adapted for use within a sliding door assembly including a door panel supported for sliding movement on a horizontal base member extending between opposing vertical jamb members, said device comprising a first rigid bar section and a second rigid bar section, a first hinge member for pivotally connecting one end portion of the first rigid bar section to one of the jamb members at a position above the base member, a second hinge member pivotally connecting the opposite end portion of the first bar section to the adjacent end portion of the second bar section, the first and second hinge members cooperating to provide for movement of the bar sections between an extended locked position along the base member and a generally parallel collapsed condition adjacent the jamb member, the second hinge member providing for pivoting the first and second bar sections through an angle greater than degrees to a locked position to permit the second bar section to rest on the base mem bet with the first bar section sloping upwardly from the base member to the first hinge member which is attached to the jamb member, the first bar section sloping at a slight acute angle relative to the base member, the length of the first bar section being less than the length of the second bar section so that one end of the second bar section rests on the base member when the bar sections are in a generally parallel collapsed condition.

2. The locking device of claim 1 which includes a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive material having a surface secured to the first hinge member and a surface attached to the jamb member.

Claims (2)

1. A locking device adapted for use within a sliding door assembly including a door panel supported for sliding movement on a horizontal base member extending between opposing vertical jamb members, said device comprising a first rigid bar section and a second rigid bar section, a first hinge member for pivotally connecting one end portion of the first rigid bar section to one of the jamb members at a position above the base member, a second hinge member pivotally connecting the opposite end portion of the first bar section to the adjacent end portion of the second bar section, the first and second hinge members cooperating to provide for movement of the bar sections between an extended locked position along the base member and a generally parallel collapsed condition adjacent the jamb member, the second hinge member providing for pivoting the first and second bar sections through an anglE greater than 180 degrees to a locked position to permit the second bar section to rest on the base member with the first bar section sloping upwardly from the base member to the first hinge member which is attached to the jamb member, the first bar section sloping at a slight acute angle relative to the base member, the length of the first bar section being less than the length of the second bar section so that one end of the second bar section rests on the base member when the bar sections are in a generally parallel collapsed condition.

2. The locking device of claim 1 which includes a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive material having a surface secured to the first hinge member and a surface attached to the jamb member.

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