Abstract:
A method for creating a customized apparatus for holding a door closed comprises comparing a physical door hydraulic piston to two or more diagrammatic configurations to determine which of two or more computer aided design templates to use in fabrication. A straight arm of the physical door hydraulic piston is measured to produce a measurement M 1 . A user measures from the outside edge of the straight arm to an outside edge of an angled arm of the hydraulic piston to produce a measurement M 2 . A user measures a width of a pivot point of the hydraulic piston to produce a measurement M 3 . A user measures the collective height of the straight arm and the angled arm to produce a measurement M 4 . A user selects one of the templates from the two or more templates based on the comparing step. A CAD operator enters measurements M 1 , M 2 , M 3  and M 4  into the selected template to produce fabrication specifications. Based on the fabrication specifications, a customized apparatus is fabricated for holding a door closed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation-in-part of currently pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/244,091, entitled “DOOR COLLAR LOCK”, filed Apr. 3, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part of abandoned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/099,912, entitled “DOOR COLLAR LOCK”, filed Dec. 7, 2013. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a door collar lock. More specifically, the invention relates to a system and method for securing a door in a closed position using a door collar locking device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The use of door closing mechanisms having a rod and associated piston operating within a cylinder is well known. For instance, in residential applications, it is well known to connect such a mechanism between the door and its frame to act as a shock absorber or dampener against the action of a closing force such as a spring or a partial vacuum within the cylinder. 
     It has been known to provide different types of stops in conjunction with such closing mechanisms, which allow the door to be closed only partially, thereby temporarily maintaining the door in the desired position against the closing force. One of the more common types of prior art devices consists of a stop washer mounted on the piston rod. The washer is wedged between the rod and the cylinder to prevent the rod from being drawn in to the cylinder. 
     While different ways of temporarily keeping a door having a pneumatic piston and rod mechanism open have been contemplated and made available, few systems have focused on keeping a door with a pneumatic piston and rod closed for emergency purposes. 
     Recent tragic events such as those at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, Columbine High School, and other locations, have prompted discussions on ways to improve security in schools and in other venues. In some instances, due to fire code regulations, and the like, the use of door locks may be disallowed. Still, even door locks may be vulnerable to forced entry because typical door locks are easily kicked-in or pushed open by blunt and sudden force. 
     Therefore, there is still a need for a system and method that overcomes the shortcomings of the above-mentioned prior art. The system and method described herein provides such a system and method by preventing opening of a door with a pneumatic piston and rod mechanism. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a preferred embodiment, an apparatus for holding a door closed, comprising: a top panel; a left wall; a right wall; a flap attached to the left wall opposite the top panel and folded under the apparatus; a flap attached to the right wall opposite the top panel and folded under the apparatus; a front end; a back end; and an opening at the front end that has a larger cross section than a cross section of the back end thereby providing for a tapered shape of the apparatus overall, such that the apparatus is configured to fit over two hinged arms of a door closing system, preventing the arms from articulating open to prevent the door from opening. 
     According to another preferred embodiment, a door collar lock, comprising: a top panel; a left wall; a right wall; a front end; a back end; a flap attached to the left wall opposite the top panel and folded under the apparatus; a flap attached to the right wall opposite the top panel and folded under the apparatus; and an opening at the front end that has a larger cross section than a cross section of the back end thereby providing for a tapered shape of the door collar lock overall, such that the door collar lock is configured to fit over two hinged arms of a door closing system, preventing the arms from articulating open to prevent the door from opening. 
     According to another preferred embodiment, a method for creating a customized apparatus for holding a door closed, comprising comparing a physical door hydraulic piston to two or more diagrammatic configurations to determine which of two or more computer aided design templates to use in fabrication; measuring a straight arm of the physical door hydraulic piston to produce a measurement M 1 ; measuring from the outside edge of the straight arm to an outside edge of an angled arm of the hydraulic piston to produce a measurement M 2 ; measuring a width of a pivot point of the hydraulic piston to produce a measurement M 3 ; measuring the collective height of the straight arm and the angled arm to produce a measurement M 4 ; selecting one of the templates from the two or more templates based on the comparing step; entering measurements M 1 , M 2 , M 3  and M 4  into the selected template to produce fabrication specifications; based on the fabrication specifications, fabricating a customized apparatus for holding a door closed, comprising: top panel; a left wall; a right wall; a flap attached to the left wall opposite the top panel and folded under the apparatus; a flap attached to the right wall opposite the top panel and folded under the apparatus; a front end; a back end; and an opening at the front end that has a larger cross section than a cross section of the back end thereby providing for a tapered shape of the apparatus overall, such that the apparatus is configured to fit over two hinged arms of a door closing system, preventing the arms from articulating open to prevent the door from opening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a right front perspective view of a door collar lock according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a left perspective view of a door with the door collar lock according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom right perspective view of a door with the door collar lock according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a door collar lock according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a door collar lock according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a door collar lock according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a door collar lock according to other alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a door collar lock according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom, front perspective view of a door collar lock according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom left perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 12 ; and 
         FIG. 14  is a left perspective view of a door having a door collar lock according to the embodiment of  FIGS. 12 and 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a full-front elevational view of typical door with a door collar lock according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a flow diagram that illustrates steps performed in a process to make a customized door collar lock according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram illustrating two possible left mount hydraulic configurations. 
         FIG. 18  is a top elevational view of the hydraulic arm configuration shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is another top elevational view of the hydraulic mount configuration in  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 20  is another top elevational view of the hydraulic mount configuration in  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of the mount configuration of  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
     Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a door collar lock that can be easily installed over the rods of a pneumatic door mechanism to prevent entry. With reference to  FIG. 1 , a right front perspective view of a door collar lock  10  is shown according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the door collar lock  10  may comprise a front end  8 , a back end  9 , a left wall  4  (having an inner wall  2 ), and a right wall  3  (having an inner wall  1 ). The front end  8  may comprise an opening  5 , which may have a planar area that may be smaller than the cross section of the front end  9 , providing for a tapered shape of the door collar lock  10  overall. 
     The relative triangular shapes of a top panel  6  of the door collar lock  10 , and a bottom panel  7  illustrate the tapering from back to front of the door collar lock  10 , as also illustrated in the partial view of the inner wall  11  of the bottom panel  7 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , a top elevational view of the door collar lock  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown. The tapered shape of the door collar lock  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , more specifically as illustrated by the shape of the top panel  6 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , a left perspective view of a door  30  with a pneumatic or spring actuated arm and rod configuration is shown, with the door collar lock  10  installed to prevent the door  30  from opening according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . The rod or elbow  22   a  and  22   b  may consist of two articulating elongated members  22   a  and  22   b  over which the door collar  10  may be fitted by insertion over the elongated members  22   a  and  22   b . Normally, the two elongated members  22   a  and  22   b  are free to articulate as allowed or caused by the pneumatic, hydraulic, or spring piston  20 . While the piston  20  may bias the elongated members  22   a  and  22   b  to push the door  30  into the closed position with respect to the door frame  32 , such a bias toward closing does not function as a lock. A person of average or low strength may still push the door open with little or no effort, as designed. However, in an emergency situation, it may be desirable to push the door collar lock  10  over the arms  22   a  and  22   b.    
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , a bottom right perspective view of the door collar lock  10  installed to prevent the rods  22   a  and  22   b  from scissoring outwardly to a more oblique angle α so as to prevent opening of the door  30  is shown. The rods  22   a  and  22   b  are shown in phantom for the portion covered by the door collar lock  10 , and the hinge  26  between the rods  22   a  and  22   b  is further illustrated in phantom. The door collar lock  10  functions to keep the rods  22   a  and  22   b  at a relatively more acute angle β rather than when the door  30  is in the open position with respect to the frame  32 . In one embodiment, the angle β comprises an angle by which the door  30  is substantially in a closed position with respect to the door frame  32 , so as to prevent entry by a potential wrong doer in an emergency. In one embodiment, the angle α comprises a wider angle than angle β, so as to prevent or deter a wrong doer from entry in an emergency. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the elongated design of the sides  3  and  4  of the door collar lock  10  functions to provide a distributed pressure along some or most of the length of the rods  22   a  and  22   b  when there is attempt to force the door  30  open. Having this elongated length and pressure along the rods  22   a  and  22   b , as opposed to just one small portion of the rods  22   a  and  22   b , makes for a more rigid stoppage of the door  30  from opening. The larger area of distribution of the pressure along the sides  3  and  4 , and the planar surface areas of the top ( 6  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and bottom  7  of the door collar lock  10  further provides more rigidity. 
     Put another way, the left wall  3  and the wall  4  are configured at an angle with respect to each other so as to contact a relative substantial part of side surface areas of the arms  22   a  and  22   b  for increased distribution of force placed by the arms on the apparatus  10  as opening force is placed on the door  30 . In this respect, the top  6  and bottom  7  comprise solid substantially triangular plates so as to further distribute the force placed on the apparatus  10  by the arms  22   a  and  22   b  as opening force is placed on the door  30 . 
       FIGS. 5-9  illustrate various embodiments that provide for various storage solutions for the door collar lock  10 . Storage at or in the general area of the door collar lock  10  may prevent, for example, a teacher in a classroom, or manager in an office, from having to search for the door collar lock  10  in an extreme panic during an emergency. For example, with specific reference to  FIG. 5 , an alternative embodiment of the door collar lock  10  includes wheels  50  on small carriages configured to roll along a mount on the door frame  32 , on the side of one of the rods  22   a  and  22   b , or on one of the rods  22   a  itself. The door collar lock  10  can then be stored to the side of the rods  22   a  and  22   b  when not in use, but then rolled into position when the door  30  is closed, over both of the rods  22   a  and  22   b , during an emergency when in use, as shown in position in  FIG. 5 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , yet another alternative embodiment of the door collar lock  10  is shown with one or more magnets  60  attached to the top  6  as a mounting mechanism. In this embodiment, the door collar lock  10  may be magnetically attached to a steal structure, such as the door  30  or door frame  32  when not in use, but remain easily accessible during an emergency. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , yet another alternative embodiment of the door collar lock  10  is shown with one or more wall mounting holes  70  located in the top  6  as a mounting mechanism. As with the magnets  60  in  FIG. 6 , the wall mounting holes  70  allow the door collar lock  10  to be position mounted in proximity to the door  30  by means of one or more nails or mounting brackets in the door  30  or wall near the door. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , yet another alternative embodiment of the door collar lock  10  is shown with a mounting hook  64  located in the top  6  as a mounting mechanism. The wall-mounting hook  64  allows the door collar lock  10  to be position mounted in proximity to the door  30  by means of a nail or mounting bracket in the door  30  or wall near the door. 
     With reference to  FIG. 9 , yet another alternative embodiment of the door collar lock  10  is shown with a knob  66  to allow for more clearance for the hinge  26  within the device  10  when mounted on the elbows or arms  22   a  and  22   b.    
     With reference to  FIG. 10 , yet another alternative embodiment of the door collar lock  10  is shown with a bevel  70  that may allow the device  10  to be more easily tightened around smaller sized arms  22   a  and  22   b.    
     With reference to  FIG. 11 , yet another alternative embodiment of the door collar lock  10  is shown with an extension or insert  16  having a ridge configured to slide into the opening  5  of the device  10  to extend the length of the device  10  for adjustment for shorter or longer arms  22   a  and  22   b . After the extension  16  is inserted into the opening  5 , the arms  22   a  and  22   b  are fit through the extension&#39;s opening  15 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 12 , a bottom, front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the door collar lock  10  is shown. The embodiment of  FIG. 12  may comprise an embodiment that eliminates any need for welding of the door collar lock  10 . Instead of a having a solid bottom panel  7  as in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-11 , the embodiment of  FIG. 12  has a portion of the bottom panel cut out, with instead, two flaps  50  that extend from the sides  3  and  4  of the lock  10 , bent into the bottom of the lock  10 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 13 , a bottom left perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 12  is shown. The top  9  of the door collar lock  10  may comprise an end cap  52  that is extended from the bottom panel  7 , and which may not be directly connected to the sides  3  and  4  of the lock  10  for ease of manufacturing, which may result in slits  60  down the sides of the end cap  54  between the sides  3  and  4  and the end cap  54 . Optionally, the end cap  54  may be attached, welded, or glued to the sides  3  and  4  after shaping of the lock  10  during manufacturing. 
     The embodiment of  FIGS. 12 and 13  may allow the door collar lock  10  to be made by brake-pressing it. The whole pattern can be laid flat (from one geometric shape) and cut by a laser. Next, a brake machine may make five brakes to fold the finished brake press lock  10 . There may be, for example, one brake for the end cap  54 , and another brake for each side  3  and  4 , and another two breaks to fold the flaps  52  that form the open channel on the bottom. This embodiment may cut down significantly on costs of manufacturing, without compromising strength. In this respect, in one embodiment, it may be advantageous to use a gauge of steel of sufficient thickness for the rigidity to cause toe creases or brakes in the lock  10  to remain substantially permanent during use to hold when the lock  10  is put under duress. 
     With reference to  FIG. 14 , a left perspective view of a door with a pneumatic or spring actuated arm and rod configuration, with the embodiment of  FIGS. 12 and 13  installed to prevent the door from opening is shown. As shown in  FIG. 14 , even in the absence of a solid bottom  7  as with the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the flaps  52  still provide enough force over the arms  22   a  and  22   b  to prevent a person from pushing the door open when the embodiment of  FIG. 14  is installed over the arms  22   a  and  22   b , functioning in the same way as the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . 
     Method and System for Customization 
     With reference to  FIG. 15 , a full-front elevational view of typical door with a hydraulic, or spring piston  20  to bias the elongated members (e.g.  22   b ). In a system and method for customization, a first step may be to locate the position of the hydraulic piston  20  where the door collar lock  10  may be installed, as indicated by the circle  95 . 
     In this regard, this first step may also be thought of as the first step to customizing a door collar lock  10 . With reference to  FIG. 16 , a flow diagram illustrates steps performed in a process to make a customized door collar  10  according to one embodiment. In step  402 , a potential user (customer) of the door collar  10  may determine location or position of the hydraulic piston  20  (as illustrated in  FIG. 15  by the circle  95 ). 
     In step  406 , the customer may compare their door and hydraulic piston configuration to a diagram of left and right pictorial configurations. With reference to  FIG. 17 , two possible left mount hydraulic configurations are shown. For example, there may be an A configuration  200  of the left mount hydraulic arm, and a B configuration  202 , by which the user can view his or her hydraulic arm  20  and selected from the A configuration  200  and B configuration  202 . 
     Referencing back to  FIG. 16 , in step  406 , the customer may then take a measurement of the straight arm  22   a  that is substantially parallel to the door  30  (when the door is in the closed position). With reference to  FIG. 18 , a top elevational view of the model A type hydraulic arm  20  is shown, with indications M 1  of where the customer should measure the straight arm  22   a  that is substantially parallel to the door  30 . In step  406 , the measurement M 1  is the length of the straight arm  22   a , starting at the outside edge of the pivot point or hinge  26  to a half inch to one inch before the first obstruction (bend or closer box). 
     In step  408 , the customer may perform an open sleeve measurement. With reference to  FIG. 19 , another top elevational view for the hydraulic arm of  FIG. 18  showing where the customer should measure a length of the open sleeve M 2 . The measurement M 2  is for the opening of the door collar  10 . The customer may measure from the outside edge of the straight arm  22   a  to the outside edge of the angled arm  22   b . In one embodiment, for the most accurate measurement, the customer may make the tape measure or ruler completely perpendicular to the door  30  to provide a snug fit for the door collar  10 . 
     With reference back to  FIG. 16 , in step  410 , the user may measure the width of the pivot point or hinge  26 . With reference to  FIG. 20 , another top elevational view for the hydraulic arm  20  of  FIG. 18  showing where the customer should measure a length of the pivot or hinge  26  is shown. The customer may measure the length as shown by M 3  of  FIG. 20 . 
     With reference back to  FIG. 16 , in step  412 , the user may take the measurement of the thickness or collective height of the two closer arms  22   a  and  22   b  at a thickest point (usually at the hinge). With reference to  FIG. 21 , front elevational view for the hydraulic arm  20  of  FIG. 18  showing where the customer should measure the two closer arms  22   a  and  22   b  is shown. This measurement M 4  may be from the highest and lowest points of the closer arms  22   a  and  22   b . If a nut or knob  180  adds thickness to the arms  22   a  and  22   b , then the measurement M 4  may include this thickness. 
     In step  414 , the customer may transmit the measurements to the manufacturer. Transmission may be through electronic means, or by filling out an HTML form on the internet. 
     In step  416 , the manufacturer may take the received measurements, M 1 , M 2 , M 3 , and M 4 , and plug them into a CAD template. CAD templates are widely available as known by those of skill in the art. They allow manufacturers to create a template of a device, and devise different sizes by defining measurements of certain parts of the template in the CAD system. The CAD system can then proportionally and automatically re-size the CAD object, and produce fabrication specifications for the fabrication machine or fabricator, which may using, by way of example, and not by way of limitation, lazar cutting of metal to produce the object. Such CAD systems that allow this type of templating are available from many sources, including PTC Creo by PTC, Inc. of Needham, Mass. 02494, USA. 
     With reference to  FIG. 20 , a CAD template  300  that may be used for customization of the door collar lock  20  is shown. A template table  350  may provide an entry interface for entering the received measurements M 1 , M 2 , M 3 , and M 4 . The template may then adjust the proportional sizes of the object in the template to produce a manufacturing fabrication file, for example, in the form of a drawing interchange format or drawing exchange format (DXF) that can be used by the fabrication machinery to produce the door collar lock  20 . 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.