This invention relates generally to door stops, and in particular, to a door wedge that may be urged between the bottom portion 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.
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.
In accordance with the present invention, a door wedge is provided for maintaining a door at a user desired position. As is conventional, the door is pivotable over a supporting surface between an open position and a closed position. The door wedge includes a flexible bridge extending along a bridge axis and having an upper surface for engaging a bottom surface of the door and a lower surface. The bridge also includes first and second opposite ends. A first support is operatively connected to a first end of the bridge and has a passageway extending therethrough along a first support axis generally perpendicular to the bridge axis. A second support is operatively connected to the second end of the bridge and has a passageway extending therethrough along a second support axis generally perpendicular to the bridge axis.
The first support axis is generally parallel to the second support axis and the bridge is movable between a first flexed configuration wherein the bridge has a generally crescent shaped cross-section and a second non-flexed position wherein the bridge is generally flat. The first support has a first end integral with the first end of the bridge and a second free end. The second support has a first end integral with the second end of the bridge and a second free end. The second free end of the first support is positioned adjacent to the first end of the first support and the second free end of the second support is positioned adjacent to the first end of the second support. The first support includes an intermediate portion between the first and second ends thereof. Similarly, the second support includes an intermediate portion between the first and second ends thereof. The intermediate portion of the first support and the intermediate portion of the second support have a generally arcuate cross-sections. A first resilient pad may be affixed to the intermediate portion of the first support for engagement with the supporting surface and a second resilient pad may be affixed to the intermediate portion of the second support for engagement with the supporting surface.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a door wedge is provided for maintaining a door at a user desired position. As is conventional, the door is pivotable over a supporting surface between an open position and a closed position. The door wedge includes a flexible bridge extending along a bridge axis. The bridge has an upper surface for engaging a bottom surface of the door and a lower surface. The bridge also has first and second opposite ends and is movable between a first flexed configuration wherein the bridge has a generally crescent shaped cross-section and a second non-flexed position wherein the bridge is generally flat. A first support has a first end operatively connected to a first end of the bridge, a second free end disposed beneath the first end of the first support, and an intermediate portion therebetween. A second support has a first end operatively connected to the second end of the bridge, a second free end disposed beneath the first end of the second support and an intermediate portion therebetween.
The first support defines a passageway therethrough along a first support axis generally perpendicular to the bridge axis. The second support defines a passageway therethrough along a second support axis generally perpendicular to the bridge axis and generally parallel to first support axis. The first end of the first support is integral with the first end of the bridge and the first end of the second support is integral with the second end of the bridge. The intermediate portion of the first support and the intermediate portion of the second support have generally arcuate cross-sections. A first resilient pad may be affixed to the intermediate portion of the first support for engagement with the supporting surface and a second resilient pad may be affixed to the intermediate portion of the second support for engagement with the supporting surface.
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. As is conventional, the door is pivotable over a supporting surface between an open position and a closed position. The door wedge includes a flexible bridge extending along a bridge axis and having an upper surface for engaging a bottom surface of the door and a lower surface. The bridge also includes first and second opposite ends and is movable between a first flexed configuration wherein the bridge has a generally crescent shaped cross-section and a second non-flexed position wherein the bridge is generally flat. A first generally cylindrical support has a first end operatively connected to a first end of the bridge, a second free end disposed beneath the first end of the first support, an arcuate intermediate portion therebetween, an inner surface and outer surface. A first anti-skid structure extends along the outer surface of the intermediate portion of the first support. A second generally cylindrical support has a first end operatively connected to the second end of the bridge, a second free end disposed beneath the first end of the second support, an arcuate intermediate portion therebetween, an inner surface and an outer surface. A second anti-skid structure extends along the outer surface of the intermediate portion of the second support.
The inner surface of the first support defines a passageway therethrough along a first support axis generally perpendicular to the bridge axis. Similarly, the second support defines a passageway therethrough along a second support axis generally perpendicular to the bridge axis and generally parallel to first support axis. The first end of the first support is integral with the first end of the bridge and the first end of the second support is integral with the second end of the bridge. The first anti-skid structure includes a first resilient pad affixed to the intermediate portion of the first support for engagement with the supporting surface. The second anti-skid structure includes a second resilient pad affixed to the intermediate portion of the second support for engagement with the supporting surface.
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 having 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. A portion of lower surface 40 adjacent first end 30 of inclined plate 28 slidably engages upper surface 22 of base 12 adjacent first end 18 thereof, for reasons hereinafter described.
Door wedge 10 further includes a generally vertical wall 42 having a first upper end 44 integral with second end 32 of inclined plate 28 at intersection 45 and a second lower end 46 integral with 20 of base 12 at intersection 47. Intersection 45 of upper end 44 of vertical wall 22 and second end 32 of inclined plate 28 acts as a spring to bias upper plate 28 upwardly. Similarly, intersection 47 of the lower end 46 of vertical wall 42 and second end 20 of base 12 away from upper surface 22 of base 12, for reasons hereinafter described.
In operation, it is intended for door wedge 10 to be positioned between lower edge 48 of a conventional door 50 and a supporting surface such as floor 52 or the like. Door 50 is defined by faces 54 and 56 separated by an outer edge 58. Door wedge 10 is slid axially beneath door 50 such that upper surface 38 of inclined plate 28 engages lower edge 48 of door 50. In order to retain door 50 on door wedge 10, door 50 may be further pivoted onto upper surface 38 of inclined plate 28 towards vertical wall 42. Under the compressive force of lower edge 48 of door 50, inclined plate 28 is urged downwardly toward upper surface 22 of base 12. As described, lower surface 40 of inclined plate 28 slides along upper surface 22 adjacent end 18 of base 12. Intersections 45 and 47 as springs act to urge inclined plate 28 upwardly to snuggly retain door wedge 10 against lower edge 48 of door 50 thereby retaining door 50 at a user desired position.
Referring to
Referring to
Door wedge 62 further includes generally inclined plate 80 having first and second ends 82 and 84, respectively, and first and second sides 86 and 88, respectively. Inclined plate 80 defined by upper surface 90 and lower surface 92 and includes a plurality of sinusoidal shaped waves 94a-94d that define corresponding lands 96a-96c adjacent thereto. Door wedge 62 further includes a generally vertical wall 98 having a first upper end 100 integral with second end 84 of inclined plate 80 at intersection 102 and a second lower end 104 integral with second ends 72 of base 64 at intersection 106.
In operation, it is intended for door wedge 62 to be positioned between lower edge 48 of conventional door 50 and a supporting surface. Door wedge 62 is slid axially beneath door 50 such that one of lands 96a-96c engages lower edge 48 of door 50. By way of example, lower edge 48 of door 50 engages land 96c in upper surface 90 of inclined surface 80. Intersections 102 and 104 act as springs to urge inclined plate 80 upwardly to snuggly maintain land 96c of door wedge 62 against lower edge 48 of door 50. In addition, wave 94d overlaps the intersection of lower edge 48 and face 56 of door 50 and prevents further pivoting of door 50 from the user desired position.
Referring to
In operation, door 50 is pivoted to a user desired position. Thereafter, leg structures 126 and 128 are urged outwardly,
Referring to
Door wedge 140 further include door engaging plate 162 projecting from first end 148 of base 142. Door engaging plate 162 includes a generally flat portion 164 having a first end 166 integral with first end 148 of base 142 and a second opposite end 168. Flat portion 164 of door engaging plate 162 is generally parallel to and overlaps a portion of base 142 adjacent first end 148 thereof. Door engaging plate 162 further includes an inclined portion 170 having a first end 172 integral with second end 168 of flat portion 164 and a second opposite end 174. Inclined portion 170 of door engaging plate 162 further includes upper and lower surfaces 176 and 178, respectively, separated by first and second sides 180 and 182, respectively. Inclined portion 170 of door engaging plate 162 diverges from upper surface 152 of base 142 at a predetermined angle.
Door wedge 140 further includes grasping portion 184 extending from second end 174 of inclined portion 170. Grasping portion 184 include a first leg 186 extending from second end 174 of inclined portion 170 at an angle generally perpendicular thereto. Grasping portion 184 further includes grasping leg 188 extending from terminal end 186a of first leg 186 along a plane generally parallel to upper surface 170. As described, it is intended for a user to grasp grasping portions 184 and 156 in order to urge inclined portion 170 of door engaging plate 162 downwardly towards upper surface 152 of base 142, for reasons hereinafter described.
In operation, door 50 is opened to a user desired position and grasping portions 156 and 184 of door wedge 140 are compressed toward each other so as to urge inclined portion 170 of door engaging plate 162 towards upper surface 152 of base 142. Thereafter, door wedge 140 is slid under door edge 48 of door 50 until such point as face 56 of door 50 engages first leg 186 of grasping portion 184 of door engaging plate 162. Thereafter, grasping portions 156 and 184 of door wedge 140 are released such that inclined portion 170 of door engaging plate 162 returns towards its original configuration such that upper surface 174 of inclined portion 170 engages lower edge 48 of door 50 thereby retaining door wedge 140 in position.
Referring to
Referring to
First support structure 216 includes a first end 220 integrally formed with first end 208 of bridge 202 and a second free end 222. First support structure 216 also includes a generally arcuate intermediate portion 223 disposed between first and second ends 220 and 222, respectively, thereof. First support structure 216 is defined by first and second sides 224 and 226, respectively, as well as, by outer surface 228 and inner surface 230. It can be appreciated that first side 224 of first support structure 216 lies in a common plane with first side 204 of bridge 202. Similarly, second side 226 of first support structure 216 lies in a common plane with second side 206 of bridge 202. First support structure 216 has a generally tubular configuration such that inner surface 230 of first support structure 216 defines first passageway 232 that extends along an axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of bridge 202. As described, second end 222 of first support structure 216 is positioned adjacent first end 220 of first support structure 216. It is contemplated to provide skid resistant pad 234 on a portion of outer surface 228 of intermediate portion 223 of first support structure 216, for reasons hereinafter described.
Second support structure 218 includes a first end 236 integrally formed with second end 210 of bridge 202 and a second free end 238. Second support structure 218 also includes a generally arcuate intermediate portion 240 disposed between first and second ends 236 and 240, respectively, thereof. Second support structure 218 is defined by first and second sides 242 and 244, respectively, as well as, by outer surface 246 and inner surface 248. It can be appreciated that first side 242 of second support structure 218 lies in a common plane with first side 204 of bridge 202. Similarly, second side 244 of second support structure 218 lies in a common plane with second side 206 of bridge 202. First support structure 216 has a generally tubular configuration such that inner surface 248 of second support structure 218 defines second passageway 250 that extends along an axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of bridge 202. As described, second end 238 of second support structure 218 is positioned adjacent first end 236 of second support structure 218. It is contemplated to provide skid resistant pad 252 on a portion of outer surface 246 of intermediate portion 240 of second support structure 218, for reasons hereinafter described.
In operation, door 50 is pivotable to a user desired position over a supporting surface 52. Thereafter, bridge 202 is depressed from its generally flat configuration,
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. 60/564,038, filed Apr. 21, 2004.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60564038 | Apr 2004 | US |