Abstract:
A door reinforcing device includes a pair of first and second spaced-apart plates. A locking device has a center lock, a main lock rod extending from the center lock and engaging the first plate and a retractable lock rod selectively extendable from the center lock and engaging the second plate.

Description:
FIELD 
   The present disclosure relates to security devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a door reinforcing device which fits on a door to reinforce the structural strength of the door. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Residential doors are commonly fitted with a door knob having a locking feature as well as a deadbolt lock. While these features provide a measure of security, they may be indefensible against an intruder ramming or kicking in a door in order to gain access to the interior of the residence. Therefore, a door reinforcing device is needed which is suitable for reinforcing a door of a residence, business or other structure to prevent the door from being kicked in by an intruder. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present disclosure is generally directed to a door reinforcing device. An illustrative embodiment of the door reinforcing device includes a pair of first and second spaced-apart plates. A locking device has a center lock, a main lock rod extending from the center lock and engaging the first plate and a retractable lock rod selectively extendable from the center lock and engaging the second plate. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The disclosure will now be made, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded front perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the door reinforcing device; 
       FIG. 2  is a rear view of an illustrative embodiment of the door reinforcing device, with an illustrative embodiment of the door reinforcing device locked in place on a door; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of an illustrative embodiment of the door reinforcing device, with an illustrative embodiment of the door reinforcing device locked in place on a door; 
       FIG. 4A  is a sectional view, taken along section lines  4 A- 4 A in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 4B  is a sectional view, taken along section lines  4 A- 4 A in  FIG. 3 , of an alternative illustrative embodiment of the door reinforcing device; 
       FIG. 4C  is a sectional view, taken along section lines  4 A- 4 A in  FIG. 3 , of another alternative illustrative embodiment of the door reinforcing device; and 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view, taken along section lines  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4C . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-4A  of the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the door reinforcing device is generally indicated by reference numeral  1 . As will be hereinafter described, the door reinforcing device  1  is suitable for reinforcing a door  39  ( FIG. 2 ) which is mounted in a doorframe  38  in a residence, business or other structure. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the door reinforcing device  1  includes a frame  2  having a pair of frame brackets  3 . Each frame bracket  3  includes a generally elongated main bracket segment  4 . An offset segment  6  extends from one end of the main bracket segment  4 . A frame flange  7  having a rod opening  8  extends from the offset segment  6  of each frame bracket  3 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4A , in assembly of the frame  2 , the overlapping main bracket segments  4  of the frame brackets  3  are attached to each other according to any suitable technique which is known to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, multiple fastener openings  5  extend through the main bracket segment  4  of each frame bracket  3  for purposes which will be hereinafter described. Frame fasteners  9  are extended through the registering fastener openings  5  in the respective main bracket segments  4  and secured using nuts (not numbered). The offset segments  6  and corresponding frame flanges  7  of the respective frame brackets  3  are located at opposite ends of the frame  2 . 
   A rod plate  15 , the purpose of which will be hereinafter described, is adapted for attachment to each side portion of the door frame  38 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a hinge plate  12  includes multiple fastener openings  13  which receive fasteners (not shown) that are threaded or extended into the door frame  38 . The rod plate  15 , having a rod opening  16 , is pivotally attached to the rod plate  15  via a hinge  14 . In some embodiments, a reinforcing plate  20  having a central rod opening  21  may be attached directly to the door frame  38  such as via fasteners (not shown) which are extended through respective fastener openings  22  and threaded or extended into the door frame  38 , for example. 
   A locking device  26  is adapted for extension through the rod opening  8  of each frame flange  7  and the registering rod opening  16  of each rod plate  15 . The locking device  26  includes a central lock  27 , which may be key-actuated. An elongated main lock rod  28  extends from a first end of the central lock  27 . An inside set screw sleeve  29  may be attached to the main lock rod  28  via set screws  30 . 
   A retractable lock rod  31  extends from a second end of the central lock  27  of the locking device  26 . The retractable lock rod  31  is extendable and retractable with respect to the central lock  27 , as indicated by the double-headed arrow in  FIG. 1 , according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. The retractable lock rod  31  can be selectively locked in the extended position with respect to the central lock  27  and unlocked typically by key actuation of the central lock  27 . An inside set screw sleeve  32  may be attached to the retractable lock rod  31  via set screws  33 . 
   In typical use, the door reinforcing device  1  is extended around the door  39  and attached to the door frame  38  to secure the door  39  against being rammed or kicked in during an intrusion. Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 4   a , the offset segments  6  of the respective frame brackets  3  of the frame  2  are placed against opposite edges of the door  39 . The main bracket segments  4  of the frame brackets  3  may be attached to each other using the frame fasteners  9 . The hinge plates  12  are attached to the respective side portions of the door frame  38 . 
   The main lock rod  28  of the locking device  26  is inserted through the rod opening  8  of the frame flange  7  and the registering rod opening  16  of the rod plate  15  which are at one end of the frame  2 . The retractable lock rod  31  of the locking device  26  is adapted for extension through the rod opening  8  of the frame flange  7  and the registering rod opening  16  of the rod plate  15  which are at the opposite end of the frame  2 . The retractable lock rod  31  is locked in the extended position with respect to the central lock  27  of the locking device  26 . Accordingly, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4A , the inside set screw sleeve  29  on the main lock rod  28  may engage the frame flange  7  at one end of the frame  2  whereas the inside set screw sleeve  32  on the retractable lock rod  31  may engage the frame flange  7  at the opposite end of the frame  2 . When the door reinforcing device  1  is locked in place on the door  39 , the frame  2  may be positioned on the inside and the locking device  26  may be positioned on the outside of the door  39 ; alternatively, the frame  2  may be positioned on the outside and the locking device  26  may be positioned on the inside of the door  39 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4A , a padlock  36  may be extended through registering padlock openings  10  ( FIG. 1 ) provided in the main bracket segments  4  of the respective frame brackets  3  and locked for added security. As shown in  FIG. 4A , a spacer bolt  42  may be extended through a pair of registering fastener openings  5  in the main bracket segments  4  of the respective frame brackets  3  and disposed in engagement with the door  39  to space the frame brackets  3  of the frame  2  from the door  39 . Accordingly, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the door reinforcing device  1  secures the door  39  to the doorframe  38  and imparts resistance of the door  39  to being rammed open or kicked in during an intrusion. The door reinforcing device  1  may be unsecured by unlocking the central lock  27  of the locking device  26 ; retracting the retractable lock rod  31  into the locking device  26  and from the corresponding rod plate  15  and frame flange  7 ; and removing the main lock rod  28  from the corresponding rod plate  15  and frame flange  7 . 
   Referring next to  FIG. 4B  of the drawings, in an alternative embodiment of the door reinforcing device  1   a , the frame  2  is omitted. The main lock rod  28  of the locking device  26  is inserted through the rod opening  8  of the frame flange  7  and the registering rod opening  16  of the rod plate  15  on one side of the door frame  38 . The retractable lock rod  31  is extended from the central lock  27  of the locking device  26  and inserted through the rod opening  8  of the frame flange  7  and the registering rod opening  16  of the rod plate  15  on the opposite side of the door frame  38 . An outside set screw sleeve  44 , secured by set screws  45 , may be provided on the main lock rod  28  and the retractable lock rod  31 , respectively, outside the corresponding rod plate  15 . 
   Referring next to  FIGS. 4C and 5  of the drawings, in another illustrative embodiment of the door reinforcing device  1   b , the hinge plate  12 ; hinge  14 ; and rod plate  15  are omitted from each side portion of the door frame  38 . Each reinforcing plate  20  is secured directly to the corresponding side portion of the door frame  38  such as by extending fasteners  23  through the fastener openings  22  ( FIG. 1 ) in each reinforcing plate  20  and threading or extending the fasteners  23  into the door frame  38 . The main lock rod  28  of the locking device  26  is extended through the rod opening  8  of the frame flange  7  and the registering rod opening  21  of the reinforcing plate  20  at one side portion of the door frame  38 , whereas the retractable lock rod  31  of the locking device  26  is extended through the rod opening  8  of the frame flange  7  and the registering rod opening  21  of the reinforcing plate  20  at the opposite side portion of the door frame  38 . 
   While the illustrative embodiments of the disclosure have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made to the embodiments and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.