Abstract:
The present invention relates to a door safety device for use in conjunction with a door that is pivotably mounted to a wall. The safety device comprises a base member that mounts to either the door or the wall, and an engaging member that movably mounts to the engaging member for movement between operative and inoperative positions. In the operative position, the engaging member prevents the door from being moved into the closed position thereof. In the inoperative position, the engaging member is positioned such that the door can be moved to the closed position thereof.

Description:
The present invention claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application of Rashid et al., Ser. No. 60/083,821, filed May 1, 1998, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated into the present application by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a door safety device. In particular, the present invention relates to a door safety device that can be installed on either the door or the wall out of reach of children and that can be easily moved between its operative and inoperative positions without removal from the door. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When small children are present in a household it is frequently desirable to prevent them from fully closing doors in order to keep them from accidentally locking themselves within a room or to keep them from injuring their fingers or hands as the door closes. Devices known heretofore that are capable of preventing the door from closing are either mounted over the top of the door or attached to the doorknob. The devices that mount over the top of the door are inconvenient because they must be removed whenever it is desired to fully close the door. Mounting and removing this type of device can be difficult for shorter persons because they may be unable to reach the top of the door. The devices that mount to the doorknob are unsuitable because doorknobs can be reached by young children and thus can be removed by them, thereby defeating the purpose of using the device in the first place. 
     Thus, there exists a need for a door safety device that can be easily installed at a desired height anywhere along the door or wall and that can be moved between operative and inoperative positions without removal from the door. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To meet the above-described need, the present invention provides a door safety device for use in conjunction with a door that is movably mounted to a wall. The door safety device comprises a base member that mounts at a desired height on either the door or the wall, and an engaging member movably mounted to the base member for movement between an operative position and an inoperative position. The engaging member is constructed and arranged such that, when the engaging member is moved to the operative position thereof, moving the door toward the closed position thereof causes the engaging member to engage the door or the wall (whichever one it is not mounted to) so as to prevent the door from moving into the closed position thereof. The engaging member is also constructed and arranged such that, when the engaging member is moved to the inoperative position thereof, the door can be moved into the closed position thereof without interference from the engaging member. 
     The desired height at which the base member is mounted may be any height chosen by the user. For example, in homes with small children it may desirable to install the device within easy reach of adults so that the engaging member can be moved between the operative and inoperative positions when necessary, yet out of reach of small children so that they cannot move the engaging member to the inoperative position and then fully close the door. Alternatively, in homes where there are no children present, it may be desirable to mount the device down towards the lower corner of the door or door jamb so that it does not draw attention to itself. Thus, the desired height may be anywhere along the door or wall and is not to be limited to any particular height. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a door safety device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view of the door safety device taken through the line  2 — 2  in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the door safety device installed on a conventional interior door; 
     FIG.  4 : is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the door safety device installed on a door and showing the device in a non-operative position; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the device of FIG. 4 showing the device in a first operative position; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the device of FIG. 4 in a second operative position; 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of an alternative arrangement for mounting the device of the present invention to the door; and 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of another alternative arrangement for mounting the device of the present invention to the door. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1-6 show a door safety device, generally designated  10 , for preventing a door from closing. As shown in FIG. 1, the device  10  includes a base member  12  having a post member  14  mounted thereto, and an engaging member  16  shown in exploded view. The base member  12  is an essentially rectangular planar structure and includes a plurality of apertures  18  that receive conventional threaded fasteners for securing the base member  12  to a conventional interior door in a house. It is to be understood that base member  12  may also be secured to the door by means of an adhesive webbing (not shown) formed on the back surface thereof. 
     The post member  14  is a cylindrical, tubular structure that includes a central bore  20 . A plurality of identical circumferentially spaced tab members  22  are formed at the end of the post member  14  distal the base member  12  and a plurality of identical circumferentially spaced notches  24  extend axially between the tab members  22 . The engaging member  16  includes a cylindrical body portion  26  and upper and lower stopping members  28  and  30  respectively. The upper and lower stopping members  28 ,  30  extend generally radially outwardly from the central axis of the cylindrical body portion  26  in directions that are approximately one hundred and eighty (180) degrees apart. Preferably, the lower stopping member  30  is spaced axially from the lower edge of the cylindrical body portion  26 , but it is also contemplated that it may extend continuous with the lower edge. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the cylindrical body portion  26  of the engaging member  16  is tubular and includes a cylindrical bore  32  sized to rotatably receive the post member  14 . The bore  32  has an interior wall, generally designated  34 , and includes a first cylindrical section  36 , a second cylindrical section  38 , a third cylindrical section  40 , and a conical section  42  disposed between the second and third cylindrical sections  38 ,  40 . An annular planar wall portion  44  extends generally radially between the first and second cylindrical sections  36  and  38 , respectively. Four radially inwardly extending wedge-shaped structures  39  integrally formed with the engaging member  16  are circumferentially spaced around the first cylindrical section  36  of the engaging member. These wedge-shaped structures  39  are spaced about ninety (90) degrees apart and are sized to be received within the notches  24  in the post member  14  when the engaging member  16  is rotatably mounted on the post member  14 . 
     The post member  14  has a cylindrical exterior surface  45 . Each tab member  22  formed on the post member  14  includes a groove structure, generally designated  43 , which comprises a first surface section  46  extending generally axially with respect to the post member  14  and a second surface section  48  extending between the exterior surface  45  and the first surface section  46 . The free end of each tab member  22  has an outwardly extending lip structure  50  which includes a first surface segment  52  and a second surface segment  54 . 
     Preferably, the base member  12 , the post member  14 , and the engaging member  16  are made of a resilient molded plastic material so that the door safety device  10  is of two-piece construction. The base member  12  and the post member  14  are preferably one integral injection-molded piece and the engaging member  14  constitutes the second piece. Because of this resilient plastic construction, the engaging member  16  can be easily mounted on the post member  14 . More specifically, it can be appreciated from FIG. 2 that the bore  32  is sized to allow the engaging member  16  to snap-fit on the post member  14  to allow the bi-directional rotation thereof with respect to the post member  14 . When the engaging member  16  is snapped onto the post member  14 , the lip structures  50  are rotatably received within the first cylindrical section  36  of the engaging member  16  such that the cylindrical first surface segment  52  and the portion of the wall  34  in the first cylindrical section  36  are disposed in close relation to one another. Therefore, it can be appreciated that the lip structures  50  cooperate with the annular, planar wall portion  44  to hold the engaging member  16  rotatably on the post member  14  and prevent the axial displacement of the engaging member  16  away from the base member  12 . 
     The second surface segment  54  of each of the lip structures  50  is angled inwardly such that the tab members  22  are urged inwardly as the engaging member  16  is mounted on the post member  14 . The tab members  22  resiliently bias back to their original position when the lip structures  50  reach the first cylindrical section  36 , thereby facilitating the easy snap-fitting of the engaging member  16  on the post member  14 . 
     It can be appreciated that when the engaging member  16  is snap-fit on the post member  14 , the wedge-shaped structures  39  cooperate with the tab members  22  and the notches  24  to releasably hold the engaging member  16  in four indexed rotational positions. The side surfaces  58  of the wedge-shaped structures  39  are angled to allow the lip structures  50  to slide there across to the next incremental position as the engaging member  16  is manually rotated. This sliding action will be described in more detail hereinbelow with respect to the operation of the door safety device  10 . It can be appreciated from FIG. 2 that because the post member  14  is positioned adjacent an edge of the base member  12 , the cover member  16  can be rotated so that the upper and lower stopping members  28 ,  30  extend beyond the edge of the base member  12 . 
     FIG. 3 shows the door safety device  10  secured to an interior door  60  in a house. The door  60  is shown mounted to a door frame  62  in a conventional manner for pivotal movement between open and closed positions. The device  10  is mounted proximate a vertical edge of the door  60 , preferably above the doorknob  64  so that the door safety device  10  is placed out of reach of children but can easily be reached by an adult. Although the device  10  is shown mounted to the door  60  proximate the vertical edge  66  thereof which is opposite the hinges (not shown), the device  10  could alternatively be mounted proximate the top edge  68  of the door  60 . 
     FIG. 4 shows the door safety device  10  secured to the door  60  with a plurality of conventional threaded fasteners  70 , although a layer of adhesive could be used in place of the fasteners  70 . The device  10  in FIG. 4 is in the non-operative position in which it does not interfere with the normal opening and closing of the door  60 . The non-operative position is realized when the engaging member  16  is in a rotational position such that neither the upper nor the lower stopping members  28 ,  30  extend beyond the adjacent edge of the base member  12 . Therefore, neither stopping member  28 ,  30  comes in contact with the door frame  62  as the door is opened or closed. It is to be understood that there may be only one non-operative position rather than the two disclosed. 
     The engaging member  16  can be rotated to one of two operative positions in which one of the stopping members  28 ,  30  is positioned to prevent the complete closure of the door  60 . The first operative position is shown in FIG.  5 . In this position, the upper stopping member  28  extends outwardly towards the adjacent edge  66  of the door  60  and holds the door in a partially closed position a predetermined distance from the door frame  62 . The upper stopping member  28  assures that there is always a gap  74  between the door  60  and the door frame  62 . The door can be opened freely, but cannot be closed beyond the position shown in FIG. 5 unless the engaging member  16  is first rotated to the non-operative position shown in FIG.  4 . When the engaging member  16  is in this first operative position, a child&#39;s fingers cannot be accidentally pinched between the door  60  and the door frame  62  of a closing door. 
     The second operative position is shown in FIG.  6 . The engaging member  16  is in a rotational position in which the lower stopping member  30  extends outwardly beyond the adjacent edge of the base member  12  beyond the proximate vertical edge  66  of the door  60 . When the engaging member  16  is in this second operative position, the door  60  can be pivoted into the door frame  62  to another partially closed position, but is precluded from latching because the lower stopping member  30  extends between the door  60  and the door frame  62 . This second operative position of the door safety device  10  is useful in many situations. It is advantageous, for example, when an adult desires to close the door to keep heat in a room or light out of a room and yet prevent the door  60  from latching so that the child does not accidentally lock the door. In addition, in either operative position, the door safety device of the present invention may be used when a person is carrying cumbersome loads and desires to keep certain doors easily operable without having to free their hands to operate the door knob. 
     As mentioned before, it is preferable, although not necessary, to axially space the lower stopping member  30  from the lower edge of the cylindrical body member  26 . By spacing the lower stopping member  30  from the lower edge, a wider gap is provided between the door  60  and the door frame  62 . This wider gap prevents the situation where the lower stopping member  30  of the door safety device  10  engages the door frame  62 , but bending of the door  60  itself allows the door to latch. It is, however, contemplated that the lower stopping member  30  may be formed continuous with the lower edge of the cylindrical body member  26 . 
     It can be appreciated that the engaging member  16  can easily be manually rotated with respect to the post member  14  to reconfigure the device  10  to effect the non-operative or first or second operative positions according to user preference. It will be recalled that the engaging member  16  is releasably held in a rotational position by the wedge-shaped structures  39  which are sized to be received within the notches  24  in the post member  14 . When the engaging member  16  is in a given rotational position, each of the wedge-shaped structures  39  is within one of the notches  24 . A manual rotational force exerted on the engaging member  16  about the axis of rotation causes the lip structures  50  to slide across the side surfaces  58  of the wedge-shaped structures  39 , thereby causing the tab members  22  to move resiliently, radially inward. This inward movement of the tab members  22  allows the wedge-shaped structures  39  to slide across the tab members  22  so that the engaging member  16  can be rotated. The next rotational position is realized when each wedge-shaped structure  39  reaches a corresponding notch  24  in the post member  14  and the tab members  22  resiliently return to their original position. It can be appreciated that the engaging member  16  can be rotated in either rotational direction until the desired configuration is realized. 
     As mentioned above, the door safety device  10  can alternatively be mounted proximate the top edge  68  of the door  60 . When so mounted, the rotation of the engaging member  16  would position the upper and lower stopping members  28 ,  30  between the top edge  68  of the door  60  and the door frame  62 . It can be appreciated that the device  10  would operate the same way that it does when mounted proximate a vertical edge of the door  60 . It is also to be understood that the door safety device  10  may be mounted to the surface of the door frame rather than the surface of the door. Such a mounting may be desirable to prevent the device  10  from striking a wall or other such objects as the door swings between its opened and closed positions. 
     The surfaces on the upper and lower stopping members  28 ,  30  which come in contact with the door frame  62  can optionally be provided with pad members (not shown) to prevent damage to the door frame  62  when a stopping member  28 ,  30  comes in contact therewith as the door  60  closes. The pad members can be made from any of a plurality of materials including rubber, resilient plastic, leather or any other appropriate material known to one skilled in the art. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative method of mounting the door safety device of the present invention. The door safety device  10 , according to this alternate method, has an adjustable mounting assembly, generally indicated at  80 , adapted to mount the device to doors of various thicknesses. The adjustable mounting assembly  80  includes a mounting plate  82  extending generally parallel with respect to the base member  12  and connected therewith by a transversely extending member  84 . The mounting plate  82  has a set of openings configured to threadingly receive a set of adjustable door engaging elements  86 . Each of the door engaging elements  86  is threaded and includes engaging feet  88 . These engaging feet  88  are mounted to the ends of the door engaging elements  86 , preferably in a pivoted manner like that of a conventional C-clamp to allow for firm engagement with uneven surfaces, and adapted to engage the surface of the door  60 . 
     To mount the door safety device  10  according to this alternate method, the device is placed on the door  60  at a desired location with the base member  12  and the mounting plate  82  facing opposing surfaces of the door  60 . The base plate  12  is held in tight engagement with the surface of the door which it faces and the door engaging elements  86  are turned in a tightening manner such that the door engaging feet  88  tightly engage the door  60  to thereby mount the device  10 . It is to be understood that the surfaces of the engaging feet  88  and the base member  12  may be coated or padded to prevent damage to the surface of the door  60 . 
     Further, it is also contemplated that the door engaging elements  86  not be used and that the material of the mounting plate  82  and the transversely extending member  84  be resilient enough to allow the door safety device to be simply clipped on to doors of varying sizes with the base member  12  and the mounting plate  82  in tight engagement with opposing sides of the door. An example of such a construction is illustrated in FIG.  8 . 
     It will be realized that the foregoing preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described in detail for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, the present invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.