This invention relates generally to door stops, and in particular, to a door wedge that may be positioned between the bottom edge of a conventional door and a supporting surface above which the door pivots in order to maintain the door at a user desired location.
As is known, various types of door props, door stops or door wedges have been developed to prevent a door from being opened or to maintain an open door at a user desired location. By way of example, Hoffman, U.S. Pat. No. 171,807 discloses a door-check for holding a door ajar. The door-check is formed from a rubber wedge having an upper, inclined surface. The inclined surface has a plurality of transverse ridges or waves formed therein. The base of the door-check is roughened or toothed. In operation, the lower surface of the door is pivoted over the inclined surface of the door-check and pressed over the crest or ridges of the waves in the inclined surface until such point as the bottom surface of the door engages a crest of sufficient height to arrest it. The roughened base of the door check prevents any tendency of the door-check to slip over a carpet.
While the door-check disclosed in the Hoffman '807 is functional for its intended purpose, the inclined surface of the door check disclosed therein has insufficient resiliency to catch and hold the door in the user desired location. Consequently, the door, intended to be held in the user desired position, may inadvertently become disengaged from the door-check, thereby freeing the door to once again pivot above the supporting surface.
Further, it has been found that these prior door stops and wedges have a tendency to become lost when being stored or transported. For example, cleaning crews utilize door wedges throughout a building during cleanup. Consequently, these door wedges must be transported by the cleaning crew to doors in different parts of the building or to different job sites during performance of their tasks. Inevitably, a number of the door wedges used by the cleaning crew can become misplaced. As a result, these door wedges must be replaced, thereby increasing the overall costs associated with cleaning the buildings.
In order to overcome the limitations disclosed in the Hoffman '807 patent, various means for anchoring a door in a set position have been considered. By way of example, Raber, U.S. Pat. No. 2,703,728 discloses a device expressly specifically for retaining a horizontal swingable door in a set position by anchoring the lower edge portion of a door to a conventional horizontal floor surface. The device includes a plate designed to underlie the lower surface of a conventional door. The plate includes shoulders that form blocks on opposite ends thereof and a leaf spring situated between the blocks. By exerting pressure on the leaf spring, the plate is urged into engagement with the bottom surface of the door so as to effectively fasten the device to the door and anchor the door to the supporting surface. Once again, while the Raber '728 patent is functional for its intended purpose, the device is somewhat complicated due to the numerous component parts. Further, due to the number of parts provided, the cost of the anchoring device disclosed in the Raber '728 patent is prohibitive.
Therefore, it is a primary object and feature of the present invention to provide a door wedge for retaining a door at a user desired selected location that is simple to utilize and inexpensive to manufacture.
It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a door wedge for retaining a door at a user selected location that may be utilized without damaging the door or the supporting surface above which the door pivots.
It is a still further object and feature of the present invention to provide a door wedge for retaining a door in a user selected position that accommodates variances in the spacing between the bottom of the door and the supporting surface above which the door pivots.
It is a still further object and feature of the present invention to provide a door wedge for retaining a door in a user selected position that incorporates a hook for supporting the door wedge during storage and transport.
It is a still further object and feature of the present invention to provide a door wedge for retaining a door in a user selected position that incorporates a stop limiting movement of the door onto the door wedge.
In accordance with the present invention, a door wedge is provided for maintaining a door at a user desired position. The door is pivotable over a supporting surface between an open position and a closed position. The door wedge includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis and having a resilient inclined surface for engaging a bottom surface of the door and a lower surface at an acute angle to the inclined surface. A hook projects from the body and a pad is affixed to the lower surface of the body for discouraging movement of the body over the supporting surface.
The hook extends from the inclined surface and the body is fabricated from a vinyl material. The body includes an inclined plate having a lower surface and an upper surface defining the inclined surface of the body. The body also includes a base having an upper surface and a lower surface defining the lower surface of the body. A plurality of generally arcuate ribs have upper ends in engagement with the lower surface of the inclined plate and lower ends in engagement with the upper surface of the base. The arcuate ribs are generally C-shaped.
The inclined plate has first and second ends, and the base has first and second ends. The first end of the base intersects the first end of the inclined plate. An end wall has a first end interconnected to the second end of inclined plate and a second end operatively connected to the upper surface of the base. The hook is positioned between the first and second ends of the inclined plate and includes a terminal end vertically spaced from the upper surface of the inclined plate. The lower surface of the body includes first and second spaces slots transverse to the longitudinal axis. The pad includes a first end received in the first slot in the lower surface of the body and a second end received in the second slot in the lower surface of the body.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a door wedge is provided for maintaining a door at a user desired position. The door is pivotable over a supporting surface between an open position and a closed position. The door wedge includes a base extending along a first axis and has upper and lower surfaces and first and second ends. An inclined plate extends along a second axis at a predetermined angle to the first axis and has upper and lower surfaces and first and second ends. The first end of the inclined plate intersects the first end of the base. A hook projects from the inclined plate. The hook has a terminal end vertically spaced from the upper surface of the inclined plate. A pad is affixed to the lower surface of the base.
A plurality of generally arcuate ribs has upper ends in engagement with the lower surface of the inclined plate and lower ends in engagement with the upper surface of the base. The arcuate ribs are generally C-shaped. An end wall has a first end interconnected to the second end of inclined plate and a second end operatively connected to the upper surface of the base. The hook includes an central portion overlapping the upper surface of the inclined plate. The lower surface of the base includes first and second spaces slots transverse to the longitudinal axis. The pad includes a first end received in the first slot in the lower surface of the base and a second end received in the second slot in the lower surface of the base.
In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, a door wedge is provided for maintaining a door at a user desired position. The door is pivotable over a supporting surface between an open position and a closed position. The door wedge includes a base extending along a first axis and having first and second ends. An inclined plate extends along a second axis at a predetermined angle to the first axis and has first and second ends. The first end of the inclined plate intersects the first end of the base. A hook projects from the inclined plate. The hook has a terminal end vertically spaced from the inclined plate.
The inclined plate has a lower surface and an upper surface engageable with a bottom surface of the door. The base has an upper surface and a lower surface. A plurality of generally arcuate ribs have upper ends in engagement with the lower surface of the inclined plate and lower ends in engagement with the upper surface of the base. The arcuate ribs are generally C-shaped. An end wall has a first end interconnected to the second end of inclined plate and a second end operatively connected to the upper surface of the base. The lower surface of the base includes first and second spaces slots transverse to the longitudinal axis. The pad includes a first end received in the first slot in the lower surface of the base and a second end received in the second slot in the lower surface of the base.
The drawings furnished herewith illustrate a preferred construction of the present invention in which the above advantages and features are clearly disclosed as well as others which will be readily understood from the following description of the illustrated embodiment.
In the drawings:
Referring to
Door wedge 10 further includes generally inclined plate 28 extending along an axis at a predetermined acute angle to base 12. Inclined plate 28 includes first and second ends 30 and 32, respectively, and first and second sides 34 and 36, respectively. Inclined plate 28 is further defined by a generally flat upper surface 38 and a lower surface 40 directed towards upper surface 22 of base 12. First end 30 of inclined plate 28 is integral with and operatively connected to second end 20 of base 12. In addition, lower surface 40 of inclined plate 28 is operatively connected to upper surface 22 of base 12 by a plurality of longitudinally spaced C-shaped ribs 42a-42f. Rib 42a is spaced from first end 30 of inclined plate 28 and rib 42f is spaced from second end 32 of inclined plate 28. The upper ends of ribs 42a-42f are integral with and operatively connected to lower surface 40 of inclined plate 28. The lower ends of ribs 42a-42f are integral with and operatively connected to upper surface 22 of base 12. Ribs 42a-42f urge inclined plate 28 away from base 12 towards its inclined position,
Door wedge 10 further includes hook element 44 having a first lower end 46 integral with and operatively connected to base 12 at a location adjacent first end 18 thereof and a second hooked end 48. Second end 32 of inclined plate 28 intersects and is operatively connected to inner surface 50 of hook element 44 at location 52 between the lower end 46 and hooked end 48. Lower portion 54 of hook element 44 also urges inclined plate 28 away from base 12 towards its inclined position,
In operation, it is intended for door wedge 10 to be positioned between lower edge 58 of a conventional door 60 and a supporting surface such as floor 62 or the like. Door wedge 10 is slid axially beneath door 50 such that upper surface 38 of inclined plate 28 engages lower edge 58 of door 60. In order to retain door 60 on door wedge 10, door 60 may be further pivoted onto upper surface 38 of inclined plate 28 towards second end 32 thereof. Under the compressive force of lower edge 48 of door 60, inclined plate 28 is urged downwardly toward upper surface 22 of base 12. Ribs 42a-42f and lower portion 54 of hook element 44 act as springs act to urge inclined plate 28 upwardly to snuggly retain door wedge 10 against lower edge 58 of door 60 thereby retaining door 60 at a user desired position. Pad 26 prevents door wedge 10 for moving along supporting surface 62 as door 60 is positioned thereon. In addition, hooked end 48 of hook element 44 limits the position of door 60 on door wedge 10 by urging door 60 away from second end 32 of inclined plate 28.
Hooked end 48 of hook element 44 of door wedge 10 allows door wedge 10 to be operatively connected to various items for storage and/or transport. By way of example, hooked end 48 of hook element 44 of door wedge 10 may be mounted on handle 64 of a conventional broom 66,
Referring to
Hooked element 90 includes base portion 92a, intermediate portion 92b and end portion 92c having corresponding outer surfaces 94a-94c, respectively. Hooked element 90 further includes inner surface 91 engageable with inner surface 98 of rear member 98. End portion 92c of hooked element 90 terminates at an enlarged head 100 that is receivable within recess 102 formed in first end 98a of inner surface 98 with door wedge 80 in its retracted position,
Referring to a
In operation, it is intended for door wedge 110 to be positioned between lower edge 58 of a conventional door 60 and supporting surface 62. Door wedge 110 is slid axially beneath door 60 such that inclined surface 122 of door wedge 110 engages lower edge 58 of door 60. In order to retain door 60 on door wedge 110, door 60 may be further pivoted onto inclined surface 122 such that the force of lower edge 48 of door 60 compresses inclined surface 122. Teeth 114 on bottom surface 112 prevent door wedge 110 for moving along supporting surface 62 as door 60 is positioned thereon.
Referring to
Door wedge 130 further includes hook element 148 having a first lower end 150 integral with and extending from second end 142 of inclined surface 138 and a second hooked end 152. Second hooked end 152 of hook element 148 is spaced from inclined surface 138 and includes an outer surface 154 directed towards first end 140 of inclined surface 138. It is noted that hook element 148 acts as a stop and a spring, as hereinafter described.
In operation, it is intended for door wedge 130 to be positioned between lower edge 58 of a conventional door 60 and supporting surface 62. Door wedge 130 is slid axially beneath door 60 such that inclined surface 138 engages lower edge 58 of door 60. In order to retain door 60 on door wedge 130, door 60 may be further pivoted onto inclined surface 138 towards second end 142 thereof such that the force of lower edge 48 of door 60 compresses inclined surface 138. Hook element 148 acts as a spring to limit the position of door 60 on door wedge 130 by urging door 60 away from second end 142 of inclined surface 138.
Referring to a
In operation, it is intended for door wedge 160 to be positioned between lower edge 58 of a conventional door 60 and supporting surface 62. Door wedge 160 is slid axially beneath door 60 such that inclined surface 168 of door wedge 160 engages lower edge 58 of door 60. In order to retain door 60 on door wedge 160, door 60 may be further pivoted onto inclined surface 168 such that the force of lower edge 48 of door 60 compresses inclined surface 168.
Referring to
Door wedge 200 further includes generally inclined plate 220 extending along an axis at a predetermined acute angle to base 202. Inclined plate 220 includes first and second ends 222 and 224, respectively, and first and second sides (not shown) and 226, respectively. Inclined plate 220 is further defined by a generally flat upper surface 228 and a generally flat lower surface 230 directed towards upper surface 210 of base 202. First end 222 of inclined plate 220 is integral with and operatively connected to first end 206 of base 202. In addition, the lower surface 230 of inclined plate 220 is operatively connected to upper surface 210 of base 202 by a plurality of longitudinally spaced C-shaped ribs 232a-232f. Rib 232a is spaced from first end 222 of inclined plate 220 and rib 232f is spaced from second end 224 of inclined plate 220. The upper ends of ribs 232a-232f are integral with and operatively connected to lower surface 230 of inclined plate 220. The lower ends of ribs 232a-232f are integral with and operatively connected to upper surface 210 of base 202. Ribs 232a-232f urge inclined plate 220 away from base 202 towards its inclined position,
It is contemplated to provide webs 240 between adjacent ribs 232a-232f. As best seen in
Hook element 252 of door wedge 200 has a first lower end 254 integral with and operatively connected to base 202 and at a location adjacent second end 208 thereof and a second hooked end 256. Second end 224 of inclined plate 220 intersects and is operatively connected to inner surface 258 of hook element 252 at a location between lower end 254 and hooked end 256 of hook element 252. Lower portion 250 of hook element 252 also urges inclined plate 220 away from base 202 towards its inclined position,
In operation, it is intended for door wedge 220 to be positioned between lower edge 58 of the connection of door 60 and a supporting surface such as floor 62 or the like. Door wedge 200 is slid axially beneath door 50 such that upper surface 228 of inclined plate 220 engages lower edge 58 of door 60. In order to retain door 60 on door wedge 200, door 60 may be further pivoted onto upper surface 228 of inclined plate 220 towards second end 224 thereof. Under the compressive force of lower edge 48 of door 60, inclined plate 220 is urged downwardly toward upper surface 210 of base 202. Ribs 232a-232f and lower portion 250 of hook element 252 act as springs to urge inclined plate 220 upwardly to snuggly retain door wedge 200 against lower edge 58 of door 60 thereby retaining door 60 at a user desired position. Pad 212 prevents door wedge 200 from moving along supporting surface 62 as door 60 is positioned thereon. In addition, hooked end 256 of hook element 252 limits the position of door 60 on door wedge 200 by urging door 260 away from second end 224 of inclined plate 220.
Hooked end 256 of hook element 252 of door wedge 200 allows door wedge 200 to be operatively connected to various items for storage and/or transport. By way of example, hooked end 256 of hook element 252 of door wedge 200 may be mounted on handle 64 of a conventional broom 66,
Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/847,709, filed Sep. 28, 2006.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60847709 | Sep 2006 | US |