Patent Application
20080036220
The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a door lock shield system 10 which can be easily placed on a door so it can be placed during initial installation or retrofit as needed. System 10 comprises a door jamb 12 which has a first surface 14 which is an outside surface with respect to a room R associated with the door jamb, a second surface 16 which is an inside surface with respect to the room associated with the door jamb and an edge 18 which connects first surface 14 to second surface 16.
A latch bolt accommodating recess 30 is defined in edge 18 of the doorjamb. A door 40 is movably mounted on a wall 42 associated with the door jamb. Molding 44 can be interposed between the door and the wall if suitable. Door 40 has a first surface 50 which is an outside surface with respect to room R associated with the door jamb, a second surface 52 which is an inside surface with respect to room R associated with the door jamb, and an edge 54 connecting first surface 50 of the door to second surface 52 of the door.
A latch bolt 60 is movably on edge 54 of the door. Latch bolt 60 has a first surface 62 which is an outside surface with respect to room R associated with the door, a second surface 64 which is an inside surface with respect to room R, and a notch 66 on inside surface 64 of the latch bolt. Latch bolt 60 is movably mounted on the door and is movable between an extended position shown in the figures and a retracted position. The extended position has the notch located outside the door and the retracted position has the notch located inside the door.
A handle 68 is located on the door and is connected to the latch bolt to move the latch bolt between the extended position and the retracted position. The connection between the handle and the latch bolt is well known to those skilled in the art. The details of the connection between the handle and the latch bolt are not important to this invention and thus will not be discussed or claimed.
The door is movable between a closed orientation shown in the figures in which the edge of the door is located adjacent to the edge of the door jamb and the latch bolt is received in the latch bolt accommodating recess defined in the edge of the door jamb when the latch bolt is in the extended position and an open orientation in which the edge of the door is spaced apart from the edge of the door jamb.
A one-piece U-shaped shield 80 is mounted on door jamb 12 adjacent to latch bolt accommodating recess 30 and includes a first leg 82 which is in abutting overlying contact with first surface 14 of door jamb 12, a second leg 84 which is in abutting overlying contact with second surface 16 of the door jamb, and a bight section 86 which connects first leg 82 of the shield to second leg 84 of the shield and which is in abutting overlying contact with edge 18 of door jamb 12. Bight section 86 of the shield extends over latch bolt accommodating recess 30 and includes a slot 88 defined therethrough. Slot 88 in the bight section of the shield is located adjacent to latch bolt accommodating recess 30. Slot 88 is located so latch bolt 60 extends through slot 88 when the latch bolt is in the extended position and when the door is in the closed orientation. Bight section 86 of the shield covers latch bolt accommodating recess 30 and, with the exception of the latch bolt extending through slot 88, prevents access to latch bolt accommodating recess 30 defined in the edge of the door jamb.
Once shield 80 is in place, a jimmying device, such as a credit card, or a special jimmying tool, cannot be inserted into recess 30 between the latch bolt and the door jamb. Thus, such jimmying device cannot be used to free the latch bolt from engagement with the door jamb, and the door can remain locked when it is closed. The latch bolt can only be freed from the door jamb and the door freed for opening by operating the door handle mechanism, which can be controlled by a key or other such device which is in the control of a person who is authorized to open the door. The one-piece nature of the shield makes it easy to manipulate for installation yet strong once it is installed.
While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.
