Patent Application
20070126248
The present invention pertains to methods and devices for propping open a door.
People have tried a number of different approaches to propping open a door that is biased (by mechanical force, gravity or otherwise) toward the closed position. One of the most common is to block the door open using a heavy object. Another is to use a conventional wedge-shaped doorstop that is inserted between the lower edge of the door and the floor. Unfortunately, each such technique has its own drawbacks.
For example, one cannot ordinarily count on having a heavy object around, and even if such an object is nearby it often will be difficult for certain people (e.g., children or the disabled) to manipulate. In addition, conventional doorstops that fit underneath a door often are not very effective, and also are cumbersome to manipulate into the appropriate position.
The present invention addresses this problem by providing a technique in which a door is propped open by inserting a wedge into the space between the inner edge of the door and the door frame. Such a technique often can ensure that the door remains secured in the open position. Moreover, no bending or moving heavy objects generally is necessary with the present technique.
The wedge utilized preferably is substantially v-shaped, e.g., having a triangular or trapezoidal shape, and is small enough to be easily carried around. In the preferred embodiments, the wedge is made of a hard non-marking rubberlike material and has a handle for easy and safe manipulation. Optionally, a matching holder is provided for storing the wedge. Alternatively, or in addition, the handle may be configured to function as a hook for hanging the device.
The foregoing summary is intended merely to provide a brief description of the general nature of the invention. A more complete understanding of the invention can be obtained by referring to the claims and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures.
In the preferred embodiment, wedge 10 is made of a hard rubberlike material, such as thermoplastic rubber (TPR), or any other plastic or natural or synthetic rubber. In any event, the material preferably is hard but slightly compressible and substantially resilient. Basically, the material preferably is capable of absorbing the force that will be applied to it when in use between the inner edge of a door and the door frame (as described in more detail below), without damaging either, or itself becoming dented or otherwise deformed. For similar reasons, wedge 10 preferably is made of a non-marking (e.g., substantially scuff-proof) material.
As shown in
In the illustration of
The operation of wedge assembly 30 is fairly straightforward. One could: (i) grab wedge assembly 30 by handle 32; (ii) open door 50 (e.g., by pushing it open) wide enough to accommodate wedge assembly 30 (e.g., creating a gap 51 that is wider than wedge assembly 30); (iii) insert wedge assembly 30 into the resulting gap 51 from the side of the door 50 from which one would push the door 50 to open it, such that the angled sides 15 and 16 are adjacent door frame 54 and inner door edge 52, respectively, and so that the narrower end 13 is deepest into the gap 51; and then (iv) allow the door 50 to close upon wedge assembly 30.
In this manner, wedge assembly 30 is held in place by the closing force of exerted on the door, by some external mechanism (not shown), by gravity or by any other force that is biasing door 50 toward the closed position. At the same time, door 50 is held open by wedge assembly 30, resulting in an equilibrium condition without any permanent attachment of wedge assembly 30 either to the door 50 or to the door frame 54.
Subsequently, when it is desired to close door 50 the user simply: (i) grasps wedge assembly 30 by handle 32; (ii) opens door 50 further to release the pressure on wedge assembly 30; (iii) withdraws wedge assembly 30; and then (iv) allows door 50 to close. As discussed in more detail below, wedge assembly 30 may then be stored for subsequent use when it again becomes necessary or desirable to prop open another door.
On the bottom of holder 70 is a spring-biased clip 72, e.g., For attaching to a user's belt. In addition, clip 72 is provided with a hook or loop (e.g., Velcro) strip for attaching holder 70 to a matching strip of loops or hooks (e.g., Velcro), respectively, or to other fabric materials.
It should be understood that the holder 70 shown in
Initially,
The angle 105 between the two sides 15 and 16 of wedge assembly 100 is clearly illustrated in
As with the other embodiments, the wedge assembly 100 can be made very small, with its largest dimension being only a few inches long. In the preferred embodiment, the wedge assembly 100 is kept to such a small size, in order to make it more convenient to carry and use.
Finally, it is noted that the use of a loop-type handle 102 permits wedge assembly 100 to be hung from a hook, peg or the like. This may be in addition to or in place of using a holder such as holder 70.
In the present embodiment, the angle goes from being very small (almost parallel) at the narrower distal end 13 to very large at the wider proximal end 12. Similarly, the width of the wedge goes from being very small at the narrower distal end 13 to very large at the wider proximal end 12. Accordingly, wedge assembly 120 sometimes will be better able to accommodate different types of doors. In addition, it often will be possible to control how widely the door 50 is propped open by controlling how far wedge assembly 120 is inserted into gap 51 (e.g., the further it is inserted the wider the door will be propped open).
In addition, due to the provision of pivoting segment 163, handle 162 also can function as a hook, in the same manner as the handle 142 of wedge assembly 140. Moreover, latch 163 can be opened, hooked around a loop and then subsequently closed, thereby providing a more secure hooking arrangement. It is noted that surfaces 168 and 169 may be provided with a closing mechanism (e.g., a clip or a snap-fit arrangement) instead of or in addition to spring-biasing latching segment 163 toward the closed position.
It is noted that in each of the embodiments described above, the portion of the wedge assembly that is intended for inserting into gap 51 is approximately v-shaped. In addition, in each the sides are angled toward each other in the direction of intended insertion.
Additional Considerations.
Several different embodiments of the present invention are described above, with each such embodiment described as including certain features. However, it is intended that the features described in connection with the discussion of any single embodiment are not limited to that embodiment but may be included and/or arranged in various combinations in any of the other embodiments as well, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
Similarly, in the discussion above, functionality sometimes is ascribed to a particular module or component. However, functionality generally may be redistributed as desired among any different modules or components, in some cases completely obviating the need for a particular component or module and/or requiring the addition of new components or modules. The precise distribution of functionality preferably is made according to known engineering tradeoffs, with reference to the specific embodiment of the invention, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
Thus, although the present invention has been described in detail with regard to the exemplary embodiments thereof and accompanying drawings, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various adaptations and modifications of the present invention may be accomplished without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in the drawings and described above. Rather, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the claims appended hereto.
