DUAL POSITION FOOT-OPERATED DOOR OPENER

The present invention discloses a foot operated door opener adapted to allow a user to open a door without requiring the use of a hand. The opener comprises a foot support member extending from the base member. The base member configured to be attachable to a bottom surface of a door comprises a plurality of fastener apertures through which screws or similar attachment means may be passed to secure door opener to a door. The foot support member comprises a first portion extending horizontally from the base member, a first arc portion extends outwardly and diverges upwards from the first portion and a second arc portion extends outwardly and diverges downwards from the first portion. The foot support member is configured to be engaged by the user's foot and allows application of force to open the door.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a foot operated door opener, and more particularly, to a foot operated door opener adapted to allow a user to open a door without requiring the use of a hand.

2. Description of the Related Art

Door openers, for example, various latches, handles, grips, knobs, locks, and hooks are known in the art. The vast majority of these devices require the user to grasp the device with one or both hands and manipulate the device to open the door. Yet, occasions can and do arise in which a door needs to be opened without the use of the hand. For example, bathroom door handles can be a hotbed for germs due to the poor hygiene practices of others. In an effort to avoid contact with the door handle, restroom patrons often use any of the following methods: utilize their feet to pry the door open; use a paper towel to shield their hands from the door handle; grasp the door in a location other than the handle, or even wait for another patron to enter, in an effort to avoid contact with the door altogether.

Another example where one may require using their legs to open a door is when the handicapped, elderly or those weakened with illnesses that prevent them from using their hands and arms for opening a door with conventional doorknobs. Another such example where one may require using their legs to open a door is when a person is using both of their hands for carrying different things. More such examples include when the hands or arms are injured or when the hands are dirty or soiled or when the door is damaged, and so on.

There is, therefore, felt a need of device for allowing a user to open a door without having to touch the door with their hands.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention discloses a foot operated door opener adapted to allow a user to open a door without requiring the use of a hand. The opener comprises a foot support member extending from a base member. The base member configured to be attachable to a bottom surface of a door comprises a plurality of fastener apertures through which screws or similar attachment means may be passed to secure door opener to the door. The foot support member comprises a first portion extending horizontally from the base member, a first arc portion extends outwardly and diverges upwards from the first portion and a second arc portion extends outwardly and diverges downwards from the first portion.

In an embodiment, the first portion of the foot support member extends horizontally from a top end of the base member. The first arc portion extends outwardly from a distal edge of the first portion and diverges upwards from the first portion. The second arc portion extends outwardly from the distal edge of the first portion and diverges downwards from the first portion. Together, the first portion, the first arc portion and the second arc portion form a horizontal Y-shaped structure. The base member and the foot support member are a single, integral body. The body is made from one of following materials including, but not limited to, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, plastic, composite, and carbon fiber.

In one or more embodiments, the door opener further comprises one or more double-sided adhesive strips. Each adhesive strip comprises a first side and a second side. The first side of the strip is being attached to a rear surface of the base member, and the second side of the strip comprises a removable backing strip. In one or more embodiments, the one or more double-sided adhesive strips allow the door opener to be held in place on a door surface. In one or more embodiments, the one or more double-sided adhesive strips allow the door opener to be positioned and held in place until additional anchors are installed to more securely hold the opener in place.

In one or more embodiments, the door opener further comprises a foot support member extending from a base member configured such that the when the door opener is installed on a door surface, the bottom edge of the base member is aligned with the bottom edge of the door thereby placing the foot support member at the correct vertical height from the door bottom edge and floor surface for proper foot operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to aspects of the present disclosure, a dimensional force sensing hitch ball senses forces applied by a trailer to a tow vehicle in all directions in respect to a hitch. These force measurements are processed and displayed it in a number of possible ways such as trend plots, current measurements, and maximum measurements since a previous reset.

Referring toFIG. 1, the present invention discloses a foot operated door opener100adapted to allow a user to open a door without requiring the use of a hand. The opener100comprises a foot support member104extending from a base member102. The foot support member104comprises a first portion106extending horizontally from the base member102. The foot support member104further includes a first arc portion108that extends outwardly and diverges upwards from the first portion106, and a second arc portion110that extends outwardly and diverges downwards from the first portion106. The first arc portion108and the second arc portion110together form a structure similar to an opened duck-beak, which provides adequate surface area for receiving a user's foot for allowing the user to push open the door. The base member102is configured to be attachable adjacent a bottom edge of a door. The base member102comprises a plurality of fastener apertures112through which screws or similar fasteners may be passed to secure door opener100to the door. The base member102may be enlarged to form a kick plate for the door that is integrated into the foot operated door opener100. Of course, the base member102can be configured in a wide variety of shapes to provide a desired coverage over the lower portion of the door.

Referring toFIG. 2, the first portion106of the foot support member104extends horizontally from a top end102A of the base member102. The first arc portion108extends outwardly from a distal edge106A of the first portion106and diverges upwards from the first portion106. The second arc portion110extends outwardly from the distal edge106A of the first portion106and diverges downwards from the first portion106. Together, the first portion106, the first arc portion108and the second arc portion110form a horizontal Y-shaped structure, as shown inFIG. 3.

In one embodiment, the foot support member104is configured to be engaged by a user's shoe at a top surface, a side surface, or a bottom surface of the support member104and allows application of force to open the door. In another embodiment, the first arc portion108is configured to be engaged by the user's shoe at a top surface, a side surface, or a bottom surface of the first arc portion108and allows application of force to open the door. In yet another embodiment, the second arc portion110is configured to be engaged by the user's shoe at a top surface, a side surface, or a bottom surface of the second arc portion110and allows application of force to open the door.

The base member102and the foot support member104are a single, integral structure that form a single integral body101. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the body101may be made from one of following materials including, but not limited to, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, plastic, composite material, carbon fiber or other sufficiently rigid material.

Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the opener100further comprises one or more double-sided adhesive strips114. Each adhesive strip114comprises a first side and a second side. The first side of the strip114is attached to a rear surface of the base member102, and the second side of the strip114includes a removable backing strip116. Another embodiment of the opener100is illustrated inFIG. 4, wherein the opener100is without adhesive strips114.

FIG. 5exemplarily illustrates a method500of installation of the foot operated door opener100, according to another embodiment of the present invention. At step A, a foot operated door retrieved from packaging before installation is shown. At step B, the backing strip116is removed from the one or more adhesive strips114attached to the rear surface of the base member102. At step C, the door opener100is centered below the pull bar on the door with the bottom edge of the opener100aligned with the bottom edge of the door. The opener100is pressed against the door so that the adhesive strip114for attachment of opener100to the door. This attachment facilitates a temporary adhesion of the opener100to the door to allow a user to drill fastener apertures112into the door required for fastening the opener100to the door. Thereafter, screws or any other fastening device are passed through the fastener apertures112to secure door opener100to the door, at step D.

In one or more embodiments, the base member102and the foot support member104of the door opener100are configured having vertical dimensions such that the when the door opener100is installed, the bottom edge of the base member102is aligned with the bottom edge of the door thereby placing the foot support member104at the correct vertical height from the door edge for proper foot operation usage.

Further, a wide variety of fastening devices and configurations can be implemented to secure the door opener100to the door, including but not limited to, bolts, latches, hooks, interlocking plates, adhesives, and clamps. Optionally, at step E, a self-adhesive decal118is adhered to the door above the door opener100, at the eye level. The self-adhesive decal118may include an indicia representing the presence of door opener100or usage procedure of the door opener100. As shown inFIG. 5, the door opener100is secured to the door near the base or bottom edge of the door. The user may use a foot to engage the foot support member104and apply force on the door opener100to selectively pull or push on the bracket to thereby pull or push the door into an open position without use of the user's hands.

An advantageous aspect of the door opener100, according to the embodiments described in the present disclosure, the door opener100enhances the sanitary nature of a standard foot-operated door opener100by enabling the user to use the bottom of the user's foot or shoe sole as the contact point with the door. Certain embodiments enable the user to use a top surface of the user's foot or foot covering as the contact point with the door. Another advantageous aspect of the door opener100, in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, is that the smooth design of the door opener100protects the user from injuries in cases where the user is wearing sandals or similar footwear wherein a portion of the foot is exposed to air.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the foot-operated door opener100allows the user to initiate the opening of the door by using either the top of his foot or shoe, or by using the bottom of his foot or shoe sole. This feature that allows the user to use either the top or bottom of the shoe or foot ensures compatibility and function with open or closed toe shoes and persons who may have physical limitations or injury to their feet or lower body.

The door opener100facilitates easy opening of the door for a person whose hands are occupied with the carrying of bundles or the like. An exemplary application of the door opener100is in homes occupied by the elderly or those illnesses that prevent them from using their hands or arms for opening a door latched with conventional doorknobs. The door opener100is so designed and constructed such that it can be used to open a door that swings out or swings in because of its unique construction.

In various embodiments, the door opener100may be employed as a hands-free opener where a user is prohibited from using the user's hands to engage a door handle. For example, in a restaurant setting, a server, with trays in the server's hands, may use embodiments to open doors without putting the trays down. In other embodiments, the door opener100dimensions may be adjusted for a chosen door. In other embodiments, the door opener100utilizes a durable and slightly flexible material to provide opposing tension to the user's shoe or foot, which naturally aids in keeping the door opener in contact with the user's foot during operation.