Abstract:
A door stop for releasable attachment to the edge of the door. The door stop prevents the door from being closed and hence prevents hands and fingers from being caught between the doorjamb and the door.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to door stops. More particularly, the present invention relates to a door stop that may be removably attached to a door for the prevention of catching fingers between the door and the door jamb.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Given the opportunity, children, curious by nature, will venture throughout a house and other structure. Most homes today have swinging doors, although some have sliding “pocket” doors. In either case, children are known to have doors closed while their hands and fingers are still holding on to a doorjamb.  
         [0003]     In order to keep a door open, door jambs are used today. To hold a door open, door stops known today comprise simple angular devices, typically made of a rubber or a plastic material. The door stops fit between the floor and the bottom of the door.  
         [0004]     The problem with relying on door stops to keep doors from closing and to thus avoid getting little fingers caught between the door and the door jamb is that it is not practical to keep all doors of a house open at all times.  
         [0005]     A satisfactory article for preventing little fingers from getting caught between a doorjamb and a door is wanting.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention provides a door stop that is releasably attachable to the edge of the door to prevent the door from being closed all of the way. According to the present invention, a door stop includes a transverse door slot that is formed either mid-way on the door stop or closer to one end or the other. The door stop is composed of a polymerized material that is elastic enough so that it may be releasably attached to the edge of the door. Once in place, the door cannot be closed, thus preventing children from having their fingers get caught between the door and the door jamb.  
         [0007]     Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiment illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a door stop according to the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the door stop of the present invention showing the cut-away portion that attaches to the edge of a door;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top plan view of the door stop of the present invention showing the cut-away section;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates the door stop of the present invention in place on the edge of a partially open door; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which the transverse door slot is positioned at a place other than that shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0014]     In the following figures, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for one constructed embodiment. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting.  
         [0015]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a door stop, generally illustrated as  10 , is shown in perspective view. The door stop  10  is preferably formed from a compressible material such as a foamed polymerized material such as a plastic or rubber. Alternative materials may be used, but it is desirable to compose the door stop  10  from a material that is at least slightly compressible so that it elastic enough to hold on to a door when in position thereupon.  
         [0016]     The door stop  10  includes a first end  12 , a second end  14 , and a transverse door slot  16 . The door stop  10  is illustrated as being cylindrical in configuration, but it must be understood that the shape of the door stop  10  may be altered to be square or elongated. The door stop  10  may be formed from an extruded material, cut to a desired length, and slotted as desired. Alternatively, the door stop  10  may be a molded article.  
         [0017]     The transverse door slot  16  is configured so that it is slightly narrower than the width of a door. According to this configuration the door stop  10  may readily be attached to the door without falling off. However, it should not be so tight as to impede attachment and removal from the door.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a door  18  in position with respect to a door jamb  20 . With the door stop  10  in place on the door  18 , the door  18  is held open to a certain width “W” with respect to the door jamb  20 . The door stop  10  is shown attached to an edge of the door  18 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  the transverse door slot  16  is formed generally mid-way between the first end  12  and the second end  14  of the door stop  10 . However, it may be that the transverse door slot  16  is formed closer to one end than the other so that the width “W” is made narrower or wider. This arrangement is illustrated in  FIG. 5  where a door stop  10 ′ has a first end  12 ′ and a second end  14 ′. A transverse door slot  16 ′ is formed in the door stop  10 ′ at a point closer to the first end  12 ′ than the second end  14 ′. This arrangement allows for the same door stop to be used to define different widths “W” between the door and the door jamb.  
         [0019]     The foregoing discussion discloses and describes an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.