WO2006076818A1

WO2006076818A1 - Prop device

Info

Publication number: WO2006076818A1
Application number: PCT/CH2005/000034
Authority: WO
Inventors: Armin Furrer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-21
Filing date: 2005-01-21
Publication date: 2006-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2007-07-21

Abstract

The prop device (1a, ..., 1j), which is used in particular for holding doors and windows in an open position, comprises a wedge-shaped device body (10) that can be inserted between a stationary element (4; 52); such as a door frame, a window frame or the floor; and a movable element (5) such as a door or a window that is connected by means of a hinge (51) to the stationary element (52). According to the present invention the wedge-shaped part (12) of the device body (10) comprises or is coupled to at least one elastic element (20; 21; 210) that is designed to engage with the stationary element (52) and/or the movable element (5) when the prop device (1a, ..., 1j) has been inserted between the stationary element (4; 52) and the movable element (5).

Description

Prop device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices for propping-open movable elements, in particular doors or windows , and, more particularly, to a device which is releasably engageable for maintaining the movable elements in a propped- open position .

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

As described in [ 1] , US Pat . 5 O27 M71 , there are a number of situations which require that a hinged door be maintained, at least temporarily, in a propped-open position . These situations may include, inter alia, child safety and/or observation, room ventilation, room cleaning in hotels , motels and hospitals , emergency actions and furniture moving .

Two different types of door prop devices (also called door stop devices ) are often used for the purpose of propping-open hinged doors that would otherwise close due to spring tension, wind, gravity, or other causes .

On the one hand, floor-supported wedge type devices are used . However, in places , where the floor surface is slippery or the floor to door bottom height is irregular, a wedge type door stop may have to be repeatedly readj usted or may even be impossible to use . Furthermore, as described in [ 1 ] , such devices commonly cause damage to the bottoms of laminated doors as well as scuffing and/or scratching of floor surfaces . Still further installed floor-supported wedge type devices may easily be removed by playing children .

On the other hand, hinge type devices are used, comprising means , which are engageable with a door hinge for retaining the door prop device in an obstructing position, thus retaining the door, which is pivotally attached to a frame by said hinge, in an open position . Door prop devices of this kind are however often voluminous and inconvenient to use , if the door hinges are not suitably positioned .

Still further, when these door prop types , wedge type devices and hinge type devices , are not used, then space is required to store these devices . Since no dedicated place is normally available, these devices are placed on the floor, where they create obstacles and soon get lost .

Attention is further drawn to the fact that known door prop devices are relatively expensive to manufacture and assemble . For example , the door prop device disclosed in [ 1] comprises a retainer member that must be fixed by means of a nut or that is embedded in a prop member during moulding procedures .

Still further the door prop device disclosed in [ 1 ] holds the door at a predefined opening angle that can not be altered by the user .

Further, the known prop devices are inconvenient to mount , since the user must bend down to the floor or stretch up to a door hinge .

It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved door prop device .

It would be desirable in particular to provide a door prop device that is easy and convenient to handle and that can be manufactured at reduced cost . Further, it would be desirable to provide a door prop device that allows reliably retaining an opened door at a selectable opening angle . Still further, it would be desirable to provide a door prop device that can be stored in convenient place when not in use without getting lost or disturbing its users . Further it would be desirable to provide a door prop device that can be applied in different suitable ways .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above and other obj ects of the present invention are achieved with a door prop device as defined in claim 1.

The prop device that is used in particular for doors and windows comprises a wedge-shaped device body that can be inserted between a stationary element such as a door frame , window frame or the floor and a movable element such as a door or a window that is connected by means of a hinge to the stationary element .

According to the present invention the wedge-shaped part of the device body comprises or is coupled to at least one elastic element that is designed to engage with the stationary element and/or the movable element when the prop device has been inserted between the stationary element and a movable element .

The device body is designed to hold the movable element, at least in one of the possible applications , at a selected opening angle relatively to the stationary element, thus preventing the movable element from rotating towards the stationary element . When inserting the prop device the at least one elastic element will be bent or compressed and consequently partly penetrate into spaces provided between the adj acent edges on the movable element and/or the stationary element or behind the movable element .

Hence, the at least one elastic element is preferably a hook- element, that is suitable to engage with the movable element or the edges provided on the movable element and/or the stationary element . However the elastic element may also consist of a block of compressible material that , after the prop device has been mounted, partly penetrates into spaces provided between the adj acent edges on the movable element and/or the stationary element .

Hence the mounted prop device holds , by means of the device body, the movable element in the open position, while the elastic element holds the mounted prop device in position .

The device body and the elastic element can be made of one piece . Alternatively the device body and the elastic element can be separate elements that are connected to one another, preferably with the device body comprising an opening that is designed to receive the elastic element or with the elastic element comprising an opening that is designed to receive the device body . The wedge-shaped part of the device body may comprise a slot that is designed to receive the elastic element, which is preferably formed as a leaf or a feather with elastic elements extending from said leaf or a feather .

In further preferred embodiments the elastic element, that is preferably supported by an elastic ring, is pivotally connected to the narrow front section of the wedge-shaped part of the device body, so that it can elastically be rotated and aligned along the axis of said wedge-shaped part .

In another preferred embodiment a plurality of elastic elements may be provided on one or both wedge-sides of the device body, preferably aligned in a row and preferably in the form of extending elements with a cross section corresponding to a triangle in order to exhibit the function of barbed hooks .

In order to establish a reliable connection between the device body and the elastic element, locking elements may be provided that engage with one another in order to establish a firm or releasable connection between the device body and the elastic element . Hence , the prop device comprising separate elements can easily be assembled . D

In order to reliably engage with the movable element and the stationary element the elastic element preferably consists of elastic material , such as cellular rubber, soft rubber, elastomers and natural rubber, with a hardness of preferably less than 50 Shore_A and/or comprises at least one flexible element with a hardness of preferably higher than 40 Shore_A. The body, however, is preferably made of a hard elastic material or metal .

Measurement of the Shore_A hardness is performed by penetrating a test specimen with another defined test specimen under defined stress according to DIN 53 505 characterizing their viscoelastic properties .

In a further preferred embodiment the device body is wedge- shaped on both sides allowing realising multiple functions of the prop device . The device body with a front side wedge-shaped part and a rear side wedge-shaped part may be used to achieve different ranges of the selectable opening angles of the door . Further, the front side wedge-shaped part or the rear side wedge-shaped part , may be connected to a hook element, designed for being engaged with a door hinge, in such a way that the adj acent front side or rear side wedge-shaped part is held between the stationary element and the movable element .

Alternatively the device body may, opposite to the front side wedge-shaped part, be connected to two preferably elastic clamp elements that interact with one another in order to be engageable with a door knob, a door panel , a key or a hollow cylindrical element that may hold a rope or chain with keys . Hence, when not in use the prop device can be attached to the door or a key set , thus avoiding of getting lost or being left as an obstacle near the door .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Some of the obj ects and advantages of the present invention have been stated, others will appear when the following description is considered together with the accompanying drawings , in which :

Figures Ia, Ib show a top orthographic and an isometric illustration of an inventive prop device Ia;

Figures 2a, 2b show a top orthographic and an isometric illustration of an inventive prop device Ib;

Figures 3a, 3b show a top orthographic and an isometric illustration of an inventive prop device Ic;

Figures 4a, 4b show the prop device Ic of figures 3a, 3b in different operating conditions with an elastic element 210 that is pivotally connected to the wedge-shaped device body 10 ;

Figures 5a, 5b show a top orthographic and an isometric illustration of an inventive prop device Id, that, compared to the prop device Ic of figures 3a, 3b, additionally comprises a supporting ring element 23 ;

Figures 6a, ..., βd show the prop device Id of figures 5a, 5b in different operating conditions , before and after the supporting ring element 23 has been mounted;

Figures 7a, 7b show a top orthographic and an isometric illustration of an inventive prop device Ie;

Figure 8a shows the device body 10 of the prop device Ie of figures 7a, 7b; Figure 8b shows the elastic element 20 of the prop device Ie of figures 7a, 7b;

Figure 9a shows the device body 10 of figure 8a;

Figure 9b shows a sectional view of the elastic element 20 of figure 8b;

Figure 9c shows the sectional view of the elastic element 20 of figure 9b equipped with the device body 10 of figure 9a;

Figure 9d shows the prop device Ie of figure 7a;

Figure 10a shows the prop device Ib of figure 2a;

Figure 10b shows the sectional view of the device body 10 of the prop device Ib of figure 10a equipped with the elastic element 20 ;

Figure 10c shows the sectional view of the device body 10 of figure 10b after removal of the elastic element 20 ;

Figure 1Od shows the elastic element 20 of figure 10b;

Figure 11a shows the prop device Ib of figure 2b;

Figure lib shows the device body 10 of the prop device Ib of figure 11a after removal of the elastic element 20 ;

Figure lie shows an isometric illustration of the elastic element 20 of figure 1Od;

Figure 12a shows a further isometric illustration of the prop device Ia of figure Ia with a hollow cylindrical element 62 holding a chain 61 and a key 6; Figure 12b shows the cylindrical element 62 attached to the prop device Ia of figure 12a;

Figures 13a, 13b show different applications of the prop device Ia of figure Ia suitable for holding a door in an open position;

Figure 14 shows the prop device Ia of figure Ia attached to the knob 53 of the door 5 ;

Figure 15a shows a ring element 181 that is designed for holding the key 6;

Figure 15b shows the prop device Ia of figure Ia with groove 18 designed to receive the ring element 181 ;

Figure 15c shows the prop device Ia of figure 15b with the ring element 181 inserted into the groove 18 ;

Figure 15d shows the prop device Ia of figure 15c with the ring element 181 holding the key 6 and being closed;

Figure lβa shows an isometric illustration of an inventive prop device If that comprises a double wedged device body 10 ;

Figure lβb shows an orthographic side view of the prop device Ie of figure l βa ;

Figure 17 shows an isometric illustration of a further inventive prop device Ig with a double wedged device body 10 ;

Figures 18a, ..., 18b show different applications of the prop devices If, Ig of figures 16 and 17 ; and Figure 19 shows in detail the application of the prop device Ig of figure 18b,

Figures 20a, 20b show a sectional view and an isometric illustration of an inventive prop device Ih;

Figures 21a, 21b show different applications of the prop device Ih of figure 20 suitable for holding a door in an open position;

Figures 21c shows the prop device Ih attached to a door knob 53

Figures 22a, ..., 22c show a prop device Ii formed as a shark; and

Figure 23 shows a prop device Ij formed as a mouse .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figures Ia and Ib show a top orthographic and an isometric illustration of an inventive prop device Ia in a first embodiment . Figure 13a and figure 13b show different applications of the first prop device Ia, which can be used in several ways for holding a door 5 in an open position . Figure

14 shows the first prop device Ia attached to the knob 53 of the door 5.

The first prop device Ia comprises a wedge-shaped device body

10 that can be inserted between a stationary element such as a door frame 52 ( see figure 13a) , window frame or the floor 4

( see figure 14 ) and a movable element such as a door 5 or a window that is connected by means of a hinge 51 to the stationary element 52. The wedge shape W with both wedge sides

WSl, WS2 of the concerned part 12 of the device body 10 is symbolically shown in figure Ia . The wedge-shaped part 12 of the device body 10 comprises on both sides WSl , WS2 a plurality of elastic elements 21 that are designed to engage with the stationary element 52 and the movable element 5 when the prop device Ia has been inserted between the stationary element 52 and the movable element 5. The wing-like or gill-like elastic elements 21 are aligned in a row in equal numbers on both sides WSl , WS2.

On its broader end 11 the device body 10 comprises two elastically held clamp elements 11a, lib that form a clamp, which can be attached to the door knob 53 as shown in figure 14. As shown in figure 12a and 12b into the cylindrical space 3 enclosed by the clamp elements 11a, lib also a tubular element 62 can be inserted, which may hold a chain or rope 61 and a key 6.

At the ends of the wedge sides WSl , WS2 , broader elastic elements 22 with reduced flexibility are provided . Here the required flexibility is provided by means of the elastically held clamp elements 11a, lib .

As can be seen from figures Ia and Ib the plurality 20 of elastic elements 21 and the device body are cost efficiently made, e . g . moulded, from a single piece of material such as the elastic element ( 20 ) consists of elastic material , such as cellular rubber, soft rubber, elastomers , duromers and natural rubber, with a hardness of preferably higher than 50 Shore_A .

Figures 2a and 2b as well as 11a, lib and 11 show a top orthographic and an isometric illustration of an inventive prop device Ib in a second embodiment . The second prop device Ib comprises a device body 10 and an elastic element 20 that are realisably connected to one another . The elastic element 20 is formed as a thin leaf or feather comprising on both wedge-sides WSl, WS2 a plurality of hook- or finger-like elastic elements 21 that form a comb, which can interact with the edges of the mobile element 5 and the stationary element 52 ; 4.

Figures 3a and 3b show a top orthographic and an isometric illustration of an inventive prop device Ic in a third embodiment with an elastic element 210 that is pivotally connected to the wedge-shaped device body 10. Figures 4a and 4b show the prop device Ic of figures 3a, 3b in different operating conditions . The elastic element 210 is formed as a lever that, through an elastic j oint 211 , is elastically connected to the device body 10. The prop device Ic is made from an elastic material , so that the required elasticity and the axis of the j oint 211 can be achieved by means of a recess 211 that is introduced into the material as a channel that is aligned in parallel to the axis of the j oint 211. The thickness of the remaining wall 2111 determines the momentum with which, the lever is forced into its initial position adj acent to one side WS2 of the wedge-shaped device body 10 ( see figure 3b) .

For mounting the third prop device Ic, the lever 210 is turned by approximately 180 ° into aligned with the axis x of the prop device Ic so that the lever 210 can be inserted and passed through between the stationary element 52 , e . g . the door frame, and the movable element 5 , so that the wedge-shaped device body 10 of the prop device Ic remains between the stationary element 52 and the movable element 5 and the lever 210 is rotated, behind the movable element 5 , back towards its initial position, thus clamping the prop device Ic to the movable element 5 and holding it in position .

Figures 5a and 5b show a top orthographic and an isometric illustration of an inventive prop device Id in a fourth embodiment . Compared to the prop device Ic of figures 3a and 3b, the fourth prop device Id additionally comprises a supporting ring element 23 that has been inserted adj acent to the elastic j oint 211 through slots 231 into holes 232 provided in the lever 210 and in the wedge-shaped part 12 of the device body 10.

Figure βa shows the fourth prop device Id without the ring element 23 with the lever 210 in its initial position . Figure 6b shows the fourth prop device Id with the lever 210 in the open position and the dismounted ring element 23 , which is preferably made from an elastic material . Figure 6c shows the fourth prop device Id with the lever 210 in the open position and the mounted ring element 23. Figure 6d shows the fourth prop device Id with the lever 210 in a typical position behind a movable element 5.

Figures 7a and 7b show a top orthographic and an isometric illustration of an inventive prop device Ie in a fifth embodiment . The fifth prop device Ie comprises a device body 10 contained like an anchor in an elastic element 20 that is formed like a cake pie .

Figure 8a shows the device body 10 and figure 8b shows the elastic element 20 of the fifth prop device Ie . The device body 10 comprises a wedge-shaped part 12 with an anchor element 155 on its narrow end and with clamp elements 11a, lib on its broad end . The elastic element 20 comprises a chamber 25 designed to receive the device body 10. On the broad end the chamber 25 comprises an aperture for inserting the device body 10. On the narrow end the chamber 25 comprises an opening through which the anchor element can pressed, thus firmly anchoring the device body 10 within the elastic element 20.

Figure 9a shows a top orthographic illustration of the device body 10 of figure 8a . Figure 9b shows a sectional view of the elastic element 20 of figure 8b . Figure 9c shows the sectional view of the elastic element 20 of figure 9b with the device body 10 inserted . Figure 9d shows the prop device Ie of figure 7a with a key 6 held by the clamp elements 11a, lib . Figure 15d shows the first prop device Ia equipped with a ring element 181 holding a key 6 and being turned into a closed position . Figure 15a shows the ring element 181. Figure 15b shows the prop device Ia of figure Ia with a groove 18 designed to receive the ring element 181. Figure 15c shows the prop device Ia of figure 15b with the ring element 181 inserted into the groove 18. The ring element 181 comprises a gap used for attaching keys 6. As shown in figures 15c and 15d, the ring element 181 can be rotated when the keys 6 are mounted in order to hide the gap of the ring element 15c within the prop device Ia .

Figure lβa shows an isometric illustration of a sixth prop device If that comprises a double wedged device body 10, 10 ' with a front side wedge part 12 and a rear side wedge-shaped part 12 ' .

The front side wedge-shaped part 12 comprises two wedge-shaped clamp elements 121 , 122 that elastically interact with one another in order to be engageable with a door panel 55. The wedge-shaped clamp elements 121 , 122 comprise elastic elements 21 as described above, in order to hold the sixth prop device If between the stationary element 4 ; 52 ; such as a door frame , window frame or the floor; and a movable element 5. The elastic elements 21 that formed as barbed hooks 21 are designed to firmly hold the installed prop device If in position so that it can not be removed with little force, e . g . by playing children .

The rear side wedge-shaped part 12 ' comprises a hook element 11 , designed for being engaged with a door hinge 51 in order to hold the rear side wedge-shaped part 12 ' between the stationary element 52 and the movable element 5. In conj unction with the hook element 11 and for the connection with the door hinge 51 an elastic element 20 , 20' may not be provided . However in order to obtain an optimal versatility, the sixth prop device If is preferably equipped with an elastic element 20 , 20 ' on both wedge-shaped parts 12 , 12 ' . Further, providing an elastic element 20 , 20 ' on both wedge-shaped parts 12 , 12 ' does not significantly increase the production costs .

Figure lβb shows an orthographic side view of the prop device Ie of figure 16a with symbolically shown front side and rear side wedges Wl , W2.

Figure 17 shows an isometric illustration' of a further inventive prop device Ig with a double wedged device body 10. The elastic element 20 used for the clamp elements 121 , 122 on this prop device Ig corresponds to the compressible elastic element 20 of the prop device Ie shown in figure 7b .

Figures 18a , ..., 18b show additional applications of the prop device Ig of figure 17. Figure 19 shows in detail the application of the prop device Ig of figure 18b, where the prop device Ig is mounted on a door hinge 51.

Figure 18a shows that the prop devices If, Ig can be inserted between the door 5 and the floor 4. Figure 18b shows that the prop devices If, Ig can be mounted on a door hinge 51. Figures 18c and 18d show that the prop devices If, Ig can be attached to the door panel 55 by means of the clamp elements 121 , 122.

Figures 20a and 20b show a sectional view and an isometric illustration of an inventive prop device Ih in a seventh embodiment . The seventh prop device Ih comprises a conical device body 10 that is covered by an elastic element 20 , which consists of a plurality of elastic elements 21 circularly surrounding the device body 10. Further, the device body 10 comprises a conical chamber 100 that is axially aligned within the device body 10 and that allows compression of the hard elastic device body 10. As a result, stress is taken from the elastic elements 21 allowing them to optimally perform their functionalities . Figure 21a and 21c show different applications of the seventh prop device Ih for holding a door 5 in an open position . In figure 21a the prop device Ih has been inserted between the door 5 and the floor 4. In figure 21b the prop device Ih has been inserted between the door 5 and the door frame 52. Figure 21c shows the seventh prop device Ih attached to the knob 53 of the door 5. The end of the door knob 53 is inserted into the conical chamber 100.

While the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various figures , it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. Therefore , the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment , but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitation of the appended claims .

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that further structures and various materials and combinations of materials can be applied for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention .

Further, the prop devices Ia, ..., Ih described above can be formed in various ways , preferably as an animal .

Figures 22a, ..., 22c show a prop device Ii formed as a shark, that comprises elastic elements on its nose . The device body 10 comprises a chamber 101 that is formed as the mouth of the shark and that can be used, as seen in figure 22a, for the attachment to the door knob 53.

Figure 23 shows a prop device Ij formed as a mouse that can be attached to the door knob 53 by means of the mouse tail .

Claims

1. Prop device ( Ia, ..., Ij ) in particular for doors and windows comprising a wedge-shaped device body ( 10 ) that can be inserted between a stationary element ( 4 ; 52 ) ; such as a door frame , a window frame or the floor; and a movable element ( 5 ) such as a door or a window that is connected by means of a hinge ( 51 ) to the stationary element ( 52 ) , wherein the wedge-shaped part ( 12 ) of the device body ( 10 ) comprises or is coupled to at least one elastic element (20 ; 21 ; 210 ) that is designed to engage with the stationary element ( 52 ) and/or the movable element ( 5 ) when the prop device ( Ia, ..., Ij ) has been inserted between the stationary element ( 4 ; 52 ) and the movable element ( 5 ) .

2. Prop device ( Ia, ..., Ij ) according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one hook- , gill- or finger-like elastic element

( 20 ; 21 ; 210 ) is designed to engage with the movable element ( 5 ) or the edges (511 ; 522 ) provided on the movable element ( 5 ) and/or on the stationary element ( 4 ; 52 ) .

3. Prop device ( Ia, ..., Ij ) according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the device body ( 10 ) and the elastic element (20) made of one piece or wherein the device body ( 10 ) and the elastic element (20 ) are separate elements that are connected to one another, preferably with the device body ( 10 ) comprising an opening ( 15 ) that is designed to receive the elastic element ( 20 ) or with the elastic element ( 20 ) comprising an opening (25 ) that is designed to receive the device body ( 10 ) .

4. Prop device ( Ia, ..., Ij ) according to claim 3 , wherein the wedge-shaped part ( 12 ) of the device body ( 10 ) comprises , arranged in a plane parallel to the plane of the wedge (W) formed by said wedge-shaped part ( 12 ) , a slot ( 15 ) that is designed to receive the elastic element ( 20 ) , which is preferably formed as a leaf or a feather, or wherein the elastic element (20) comprises an opening (25 ) designed to receive at least said wedge-shaped part ( 12 ) and/or wherein the device body ( 10 ) comprises a groove ( 18 ) designed to receive a ring element ( 181 ) used for holding a key ( 6) .

5. Prop device ( Ia, ..., Ij ) according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the device body ( 10 ) and the elastic element (20 ) comprise locking elements ( 155 ; 151 , 152 , 251 , 251 ) that are engaged with one another in order to establish a firm or releasable connection between the device body ( 10 ) and the elastic element ( 20 ) .

6. Prop device (Ia, ..., Ij ) according to one of the claims 1 - 5 , wherein the elastic element ( 20 ) consists of elastic material , such as cellular rubber, soft rubber, elastomers , duromers and natural rubber, with a hardness of preferably less than 50 Shore_A and/or comprises at least one flexible element (21 , 210 ) with a hardness of preferably higher than 40 Shore_A.

7. Prop device ( Ia, ..., Ij ) according to one of the claims 1 - 6, wherein the elastic element (210 ) is , preferably supported by an elastic ring ( 23 ) , pivotally connected to the narrow front section of the wedge-shaped part ( 12 ) of the device body ( 10 ) , so that it can elastically be turned and aligned along the axis (x) of said wedge-shaped part ( 12 ) or wherein a plurality of elastic elements ( 210 ) are provided on one or both wedge-sides of the device body

( 10 ) , preferably aligned in a row .

8. Prop device ( Ia, ..., Ij ) according to one of the claims 1 - 7 , wherein the device body ( 10 ) is wedge-shaped on both sides comprising a front side wedge-shaped part ( 12 ) and a rear side wedge-shaped part ( 12 ' ) -

9. Prop device ( Ia, ..., Ij ) according to one of the claims 1 -

8 , wherein the front side wedge-shaped part ( 12 ) comprises two wedge-shaped clamp elements ( 121 , 122 ) that elastically interact with one another in order to be engageable with a door panel ( 55 ) and wherein the rear side wedge-shaped part ( 12' ) comprises a hook element ( 11) , designed for being engaged with a door hinge ( 51 ) in order to hold the rear side wedge-shaped part ( 12 ' ) between the stationary element ( 52 ) and the movable element ( 5 ) .

10. Prop device ( Ia, ..., Ij ) according to one of the claims 1 -

9, wherein the device body ( 10 ) is made of a hard elastic material or metal .

11. Prop device ( Ia, ..., Ij ) according to one of the claims 1 -

10 , wherein a conical device body ( 10 ) is provided .

12. Prop device ( Ia, ..., Ij ) according to one of the claims 1 -

11 , wherein the device body ( 10 ) comprises a chamber ( 100 , 101 ) , that can be compressed and/or that is designed to at least partially receive the door knob ( 53 ) .

13. Prop device ( Ia, ..., Ij ) according to one of the claims 1 - 12 formed as a known obj ect such as an animal .