Patent Application
20210123265
This invention relates to a wall protector and more particularly relates to a combination wall protector and door catch.
Door handles are a convenient and useful structure for opening doors. Handles provide protruding structures that facilitate human interaction and provide securing features to lock or simply close the door. When the door is open, the door handle provides a location to grip and control the door. Handles are implemented on interior and exterior doors.
An apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a wall plate, a retaining strap, and a storage groove. The wall plate is attachable to a wall and includes a door facing surface. The door facing surface is configured to stop a door knob extending from a door. The retaining strap is coupled with the wall plate and forms a loop. The loop extends from the wall plate and engages the door knob. The storage groove is disposed between a perimeter of the wall plate and the wall. The storage groove is configured to receive the retaining strap.
A system is also described. The system includes an apparatus and a fastener. The apparatus is to mount to a wall to protect the wall from impact by a door knob. The apparatus includes a wall plate, a retaining strap, and a storage groove. The wall plate is attachable to a wall and includes a door facing surface. The door facing surface is configured to stop a door knob extending from a door. The retaining strap is coupled with the wall plate and forms a loop. The loop extends from the wall plate and engages the door knob. The storage groove is disposed between a perimeter of the wall plate and the wall. The storage groove is configured to receive the retaining strap. The fastener is to engage with the apparatus to secure the apparatus relative to the wall.
A method is also described. The method includes forming a wall plate having a generally planar geometry. The method also includes defining a storage groove along a perimeter of the wall plate opening radially outward relative to a center of the wall plate. The method also includes coupling a retaining strap to the wall plate to receive a door knob in an engaged position and to seat into the storage groove in a storage position.
In order that the advantages of the subject matter may be more readily understood, a more particular description of the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the subject matter and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the subject matter will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the drawings, in which:
The subject matter of the present application has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available fuel receivers. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present application has been developed to provide a fluid receiver that overcomes at least some shortcomings of the prior art.
Described herein are various embodiments of a wall protector and door catch. The majority of hinged doors have a door knob of some type or style. The door knob may be spherical, or formed with a handle. In either situation, the door knob protrudes from the planar surface of the door. For various reasons (e.g., wind, children, etc.), the door knob often impacts the wall when the door is opened and causes damage to the wall. If the reason is wind, the door may slam open and shut multiple times, causing further damage to the wall and a dangerous situation where fingers may be caught in the door jam. Beneficially, the system described herein provides a mechanism to both protect the wall and secure the door in an open position.
The door 112, in one embodiment, is hinged and configured to transition from a closed position to an open position. As used herein, the phrase “closed position” refers to a position where the door blocks an opening. The “open position,” on the other hand, refers to a position where the door does not impede passage through the opening. The embodiment of
Attached with the wall plate 102 is the retaining strap 104. The retaining strap 104, in one embodiment, is a loop of material that originates and terminates at the wall plate 102. The retaining strap 104 is configured with a length sufficient to extend around the base of a door knob 110 in an “engaged position” of the retaining strap 104. In this manner, the retaining strap 104 secures the door 112 and prevents the door from closing. The retaining strap 104 may be a continuous loop, as will be described below, or alternatively, a length of material having first and second ends attached with the wall plate 102. The retaining strap 104 may be formed of a resilient elastic material such as a shock or bungee. The retaining strap 104, in one embodiment, is formed of one or more elastic strands and covered in a woven sheath. In other embodiments, the retaining strap 104 may be non-elastic and formed of nylon webbing. In a non-elastic configuration, the retaining strap 104 is detachable at one end from the wall plate 102 so that the retaining strap 104 may be wrapped around the door knob and reattached to the wall plate 102. Other materials that are capable of securing the door knob are contemplated.
The wall plate 102 may be formed of a plastic material, examples of which include but are not limited to, ABS plastic. Other rigid polymers may also be utilized. The door facing surface 202 of the wall plate 102 may be curved, as depicted. Alternatively, the door facing surface 202 of the wall plate 102 may be formed with a profile selected to engage a predetermined door knob. In other words, the profile of the door facing surface 202 may have an indentation configured to engage the door knob.
In another embodiment, the wall plate 102 may be formed of multiple materials, each material having a different shock absorbing capability. For example, the wall plate 102 may be formed of a rigid base coupled with a resilient rubber material for absorbing the impact of the door knob.
The retaining strap 104, as described above, is coupled with the wall plate 102 and configured to extend from the wall plate 102 and engage the door knob. The retaining strap 104 may be stretchable around the door knob, or alternatively, detachable from the wall plate 102 so that the retaining strap 104 wraps around the door knob to secure the door to the wall plate 102.
As will be described in greater detail below, the retaining strap 104 may be stored by stretching the retaining strap 104 around the perimeter of the wall plate 102 such that the retaining strap 104 is embedded in a storage groove 204. The storage groove 204, in one embodiment, is a channel that is disposed between the outer surface (i.e., the door facing surface 202) and an inner surface 206 (i.e., the wall engaging surface). In another embodiment, the storage groove 204 is formed by a radial ridge around the perimeter of the wall plate 102 and the wall. The storage groove 204 is configured with a width 208 selected to receive the retaining strap 104. In other words, the width 208 of the storage gap is determined according to the size of the retaining strap 104. For example, if the retaining strap 104 is a tubular bungee cord having a ⅜″ diameter, the width 208 of the storage gap 204 is at least ⅜″. The storage groove 204 may extend around an entire perimeter of the wall plate 102 or along only a portion of the perimeter of the wall plate 102.
In one embodiment, the system 100 also includes a pull tab 210. The pull tab 210, in one example, is a flexible length of material coupled with the retaining strap 104 to allow a person to easily extract the retaining strap 104 from the wall plate 102 and stretch the retaining strap 104 around a door knob. In one embodiment, the pull tab 210 is formed of nylon webbing attached to the retaining strap 104. In another embodiment, the pull tab 210 is any protrusion from the retaining strap 104 that allows a person to extract the retaining strap 104 from the storage groove 204. For example, the pull tab 210 may be a knot tied in the retaining strap 104 to prevent the entire retaining strap 104 from embedding in the storage groove 204. Other examples include, but are not limited to wire, fabric, etc.
In certain embodiments, the wall plate 102 is formed of a paintable surface. For example, the wall plate 102 may be formed of a plastic material that is capable of being painted. In this manner, the wall plate 102 may be painted to match the wall. In other embodiments, the wall plate 102 may be configured to receive an image. Stated differently, the wall plate 102 is capable of either receiving or being printed with a picture. Examples of pictures include, sports team's logos, scenic views, animals, people, etc.
Cavities formed between the support ridges 302 and the perimeter 304 of the wall plate 102 allow for the coupling of the retaining strap 104, as shown. Channels formed in the support ridges 302 are sized to allow a friction fit of the retaining strap 104. In a further embodiment, the retaining strap 104 may be adhered or otherwise coupled to the wall plate 102. In the depicted embodiment, the retaining strap 104 is an endless loop that passes through channels in the support ridges 302 and the perimeter 304 of the wall plate 102. Alternatively, the retaining strap 104 may be of a finite length having first and second ends, each of which are coupled to the wall plate 102. As will be described in greater detail below with reference to
The wall plate 102 may be attachable to the wall via a fastener. In one embodiment, the fastener passes through the center 306 of the wall plate 102 and attaches to the wall. For example, the fastener may be a wood screw that couples to a stud in the wall. In an alternative embodiment, the fastener is an adhesive for securing the wall plate 102 to the wall. For instance, the adhesive may be a double-sided adhesive tape adhered to the support ridges 302 and the perimeter 304 such that when the wall plate 102 is positioned on the wall, and pressure is applied, the wall plate 102 adheres to the wall.
The retaining strap 104 is configured with a length selected to stretch or wrap around the perimeter of the wall plate. In other words, if the retaining strap is elastic, then the length of the retaining strap is sufficient enough to stretch around the wall plate. If the retaining strap is non-elastic, the length of the retaining strap 104 is sufficient to wrap around the perimeter of the wall plate.
In some embodiments, the fastener may correspond to a recessed portion at mounting location at the center 306 of the wall plate 102. While a single mounting location at the center 306 of the wall plate 102 is shown, other embodiments include a mounting location at a location away from the center 306 of the wall plate or may include more than one mounting location. In some embodiments, the mounting location is a through-hole and may include a recess in the door facing surface 202 to reduce impact on the screw by the door knob 110. In other embodiments, the mounting location may include a key slot, a hook, a magnet, or the like.
In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining strap 104 is seated into the storage groove 204 in a “storage position” of the retaining strap 104. Additionally, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the retaining strap 104 is secured relative to the wall plate 102 by passing the retaining strap 104 through a channel 502 of the wall plate 102. In some embodiments, the channel 502 is formed in the storage groove 204 and the retaining strap 104 is passed through the channel 502 and a knot or other geometry that is larger than the channel 502 is formed to maintain a portion of the retaining strap 104 within the wall plate 102.
In some embodiments, the retaining strap 104 may be knotted or otherwise joined or the retaining strap 104 may be a continuous loop. In some embodiments, the retaining strap 104 is detachable to open and close a loop of the retaining strap 104. In other embodiments, the retaining strap 104 is a continuous loop with no break or disconnect features.
At block 604, the method 600 includes defining a storage groove 104 along a perimeter of the wall plate 102 opening radially outward relative to a center 306 of the wall plate 102. In some embodiments, the storage groove 204 extends around an entire perimeter of the wall plate 102. In other embodiments, the storage groove 204 extends around a portion of the perimeter of the wall plate 102.
At block 606, the method 600 includes coupling a retaining strap 104 to the wall plate 102 to receive a door knob 110 in an engaged position and to seat into the storage groove 204 in a storage position. In some embodiments, the retaining strap 104 is detachable to receive the door knob 110. In other embodiments, the retaining strap 104 forms a complete loop.
At block 608, the method 600 includes positioning the wall plate 102 on a wall to receive the door knob 110. Positioning the wall plate 102 on the wall may include the use of fasteners, adhesives, bonding elements, and the like.
At block 610, the method 600 includes engaging the door knob 110 with the retaining strap 104. At block 612, the method 600 includes removing the retaining strap 104 from the door knob 110. In some embodiments, the retaining strap 104 is engaged and disengaged from the door knob 110 by looping the retaining strap 104 over the door knob 110. In other embodiments, the retaining strap 104 is engaged and disengaged from the door knob 110 by opening or uncoupling the retaining strap 104 and reconnecting or closing the retaining strap 104.
At block 614, the method 600 includes seating the retaining strap 104 in the storage groove 204 of the wall plate 102 in the storage position. In some embodiments, the storage groove 204 includes other structures or features. For example, the storage groove 204 may include a hook, ridge, clip, or the like to retain the retaining strap 104 in the storage groove 204.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the subject matter of the present disclosure should be or are in any single embodiment. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the subject matter of the present disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments. These features and advantages will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of the subject matter as set forth hereinafter.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
Additionally, instances in this specification where one element is “coupled” to another element can include direct and indirect coupling. Direct coupling can be defined as one element coupled to and in some contact with another element. Indirect coupling can be defined as coupling between two elements not in direct contact with each other, but having one or more additional elements between the coupled elements. Further, as used herein, securing one element to another element can include direct securing and indirect securing. Additionally, as used herein, “adjacent” does not necessarily denote contact. For example, one element can be adjacent another element without being in contact with that element.
Furthermore, the details, including the features, structures, or characteristics, of the subject matter described herein may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the subject matter may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosed subject matter.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
