Door Barrier Device

A door barrier device is provided. The device is comprised of comprised of at least one guide rail that can be attached to a door and a floor plate that can be attached to a floor surface below the guide rail. A plate (preferably made from steel) can then be inserted through the guide rail and into the floor plate (and/or through the floor plate and into the floor surface in one embodiment) to prevent the door from being pushed/kicked open by reinforcing the door. In one embodiment, the plate may also be made from a bulletproof material to further protect a user behind the door.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of door barriers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a door barrier device that is comprised of a guide rail that can be attached to a door and a floor plate that can be attached to a floor surface below the guide rail. A plate can then be inserted through the guide rail and into the floor plate (and/or through the floor plate and into the floor surface) to prevent the door from being pushed/kicked open. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Home break-ins and acts of vandalism are not only distressing but can also pose significant threats to the safety and well-being of residents. In many instances, individuals find themselves with minimal time to react when faced with an unexpected intruder, leaving them vulnerable and in potential danger. While one might hope that law enforcement would be on the scene immediately, the reality is that there can be delays in their response. This lag in time can lead to devastating consequences, including severe injuries to the occupants and substantial property damage or loss.

One of the primary concerns is the structural integrity of standard doors found in most homes. These doors, often designed more for aesthetics than security, are typically ill-equipped to withstand forceful entry attempts. Constructed predominantly from wood, both the door and its frame have inherent limitations. Wood, being an organic material, has a threshold to the amount of pressure it can endure before it gives way or fractures. This makes it relatively easy for determined intruders to breach such barriers in a short span of time. Moreover, most conventional doors offer little protection against firearm penetration. Bullets can easily penetrate these doors, further compromising the safety of those inside.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that increases the strength of a door. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a door barrier device. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a door barrier device that strengthens a door and prevents it from being easily kicked in. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a door barrier device that prevents a bullet from penetrating a door. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a door barrier device that strengthens a door and prevents the door from being easily kicked in and prevents a bullet from penetrating a door, wherein the device can be applied to any door.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a door barrier device. The device is comprised of comprised of at least one guide rail that can be attached to a door and a floor plate that can be attached to a floor surface below the guide rail. A plate (preferably made from steel) can then be inserted through the guide rail and into the floor plate (and/or through the floor plate and into the floor surface in one embodiment) to prevent the door from being pushed/kicked open by reinforcing the door. In one embodiment, the plate may also be made from a bulletproof material to further protect a user behind the door.

In this manner, the door barrier device of the present invention accomplishes all the forgoing objectives and provides a device that increases the strength of a door. More specifically, the device prevents a door from being easily kicked in. In addition, the device also prevents a bullet from penetrating a door. Further, the device can be universally installed on any door via the guide rails.

SUMMARY

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a door barrier device. The device is comprised of at least one plate that attaches to a door via at least one guide rail, wherein the bottom edge of the plate is also received by at least one floor plate mounted within the floor surface near the door. The plate further falls into an opening of the plate and into the floor surface such that a portion of the plate is secured in the surface. As a result, the door is reinforced and cannot be easily opened with the plate in place.

The plate is preferably made from a metal material such as but not limited to 14 gauge steel. In one embodiment, the plate may be made from a bulletproof material. The plate is received by at least one guide rail that attaches to a front or rear surface of a door. The rail is comprised of at least one plate opening that preferably runs the duration of the rail and begins on the top wall of the rail. As a result, the side edges of the plate can be placed through the opening from above to allow the plate to slide into the rail. To prevent the plate from sliding completely through the rail, the top edge of the plate is comprised of at least one 90-degree angle that forms a lip.

After the plate is positioned in the mounting opening of the guide rail, the bottom edge (and some portion of the side edges) may be received by at least one opening of at least one floor plate. The floor plate is preferably positioned below the opening of the rail. The plate is preferably installed in a recessed manner within the floor surface near the door. The area of the floor surface below the opening of the floor plate may be cut during use such that an opening that is formed in the floor surface that can receive the bottom edge (and some portion of the side edges) of the plate. This prevents the door from being easily kicked in, as the plate reinforces the door and the floor plate and guide rail prevents the plate (and door) from moving.

The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of at least one plate, at least one guide rail comprised of at least one plate opening, and a floor plate comprised of at least one opening. Then, the guide rail can be secured to a door via at least one fastener. Then, the floor plate can be secured via at least one fastener to the floor surface near the door. Then, the plate can be dropped into the opening of the guide rail from above the rail such that the plate falls into the rail and is captured by the opening of the floor plate. When a user desires to remove the plate, the plate can be pulled upwards from the opening via a top edge.

In a second method of using the device, a device is provided comprised of at least one plate, at least one guide rail comprised of at least one plate opening, and a floor plate comprised of at least one opening. Then, the guide rail can be secured to a door via at least one fastener. Then, the floor plate can be secured via at least one fastener to the floor surface near the door, wherein an area of the floor surface below the opening of the plate is further cut to receive the plate. Then, the plate can be dropped into the opening of the guide rail from above the rail such that the plate falls into the rail and is captured by the opening of the floor plate. When a user desires to remove the plate, the plate can be pulled upwards from the opening via a top edge.

Accordingly, the door barrier device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that increases the strength of a door. More specifically, the device prevents a door from being easily kicked in. In addition, the device also prevents a bullet from penetrating a door. Further, the device can be universally installed on any door via the guide rails. In this manner, the door barrier device overcomes the limitations of existing doors known in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that increases the strength of a door. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a door barrier device. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a door barrier device that strengthens a door and prevents it from being easily kicked in. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a door barrier device that prevents a bullet from penetrating a door. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a door barrier device that strengthens a door and prevents the door from being easily kicked in and prevents a bullet from penetrating a door, wherein the device can be applied to any door.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a door barrier device comprised of at least one plate that attaches to a door via at least one guide rail. The bottom edge of the plate is also received by at least one floor plate mounted within the floor surface near the door. The plate further falls into an opening of the plate and into the floor surface such that a portion of the plate is secured in the surface. As a result, the door is reinforced and cannot be easily opened with the plate in place.

The plate is preferably made from a metal material such as but not limited to 14 gauge steel and/or may be made from a bulletproof material. The plate is received by at least one guide rail that attaches to a front or rear surface of a door. The rail is comprised of at least one plate opening that preferably runs the duration of the rail and begins on the top wall of the rail. As a result, the side edges of the plate can be placed through the opening from above to allow the plate to slide into the rail. To prevent the plate from sliding completely through the rail, the top edge of the plate is comprised of at least one 90-degree angle that forms a lip.

After the plate is positioned in the mounting opening of the guide rail, the bottom edge (and some portion of the side edges) may be received by at least one opening of at least one floor plate. The floor plate is preferably positioned below the opening of the rail. The plate is preferably installed in a recessed manner within the floor surface near the door. The area of the floor surface below the opening of the floor plate may be cut during use such that an opening that is formed in the floor surface that can receive the bottom edge (and some portion of the side edges) of the plate. This prevents the door from being easily kicked in, as the plate reinforces the door and the floor plate and guide rail prevents the plate (and door) from moving.

The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of at least one plate, at least one guide rail comprised of at least one plate opening, and a floor plate comprised of at least one opening. Then, the guide rail can be secured to a door via at least one fastener. Then, the floor plate can be secured via at least one fastener to the floor surface near the door. Then, the plate can be dropped into the opening of the guide rail from above the rail such that the plate falls into the rail and is captured by the opening of the floor plate. When a user desires to remove the plate, the plate can be pulled upwards from the opening via a top edge.

In a second method of using the device, a device is provided comprised of at least one plate, at least one guide rail comprised of at least one plate opening, and a floor plate comprised of at least one opening. Then, the guide rail can be secured to a door via at least one fastener. Then, the floor plate can be secured via at least one fastener to the floor surface near the door, wherein an area of the floor surface below the opening of the plate is further cut to receive the plate. Then, the plate can be dropped into the opening of the guide rail from above the rail such that the plate falls into the rail and is captured by the opening of the floor plate. When a user desires to remove the plate, the plate can be pulled upwards from the opening via a top edge.

Accordingly, the door barrier device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that increases the strength of a door. More specifically, the device prevents a door from being easily kicked in. In addition, the device also prevents a bullet from penetrating a door. Further, the device can be universally installed on any door via the guide rails. In this manner, the door barrier device overcomes the limitations of existing doors known in the art.

Referring initially to the drawings,FIG.1illustrates a front view of one potential embodiment of a door barrier device100of the present invention while the guide rail120is attached to a door100and the plate110is received by the guide rail120and floor plate130(in an embodiment wherein an opening14has been cut in a floor surface12below the opening132of the floor plate130) in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device100is comprised of at least one plate110that attaches to a door10via at least one guide rail120. The bottom edge112of the plate110is also received by at least one floor plate130mounted within the floor surface12near the door10. The plate110further falls into an opening132of the plate130and into the floor surface such that a portion of the plate110is secured in the surface12. As a result, the door10is reinforced and cannot be easily opened with the plate110in place.

The plate110is preferably rectangular or square in shape but may be any shape. The plate110is preferably made from a metal material such as but not limited to 14 gauge steel. In one embodiment, the plate110may be made from a bulletproof material.

The plate110is received by at least one guide rail120. The rail120attaches to a front or rear surface of a door10via at least one mounting bracket124. More specifically, the mounting bracket124has at least one opening126. At least one fastener128such as but not limited to a screw, a bolt, etc. can be placed through the opening126and into the door10.

The rail120is comprised of at least one plate opening122. The opening122preferably runs the duration of the rail120and begins on the top wall121of the rail120. However, the opening122may be positioned anywhere on the rail120in different embodiments. As a result, the side edges113of the plate110can be placed through the opening126from above to allow the plate110to slide into the rail120. To prevent the plate110from sliding completely through the rail120, the top edge111of the plate110is comprised of at least one 90-degree angle that forms a lip, as seen inFIG.2. In various embodiments, the angle and shape of the top edge111may vary in shape and degree, so long as the edge11is shaped such that the edge111prevents the plate110from falling completely through the opening122. In this manner, the top edge111catches on the guide rail120. The edge111also allows a user to easily grab the plate110and pull it upwards to remove it from the guide rail120.

After the plate110is positioned in the mounting opening122of the guide rail120, the bottom edge112(and some portion of the side edges113) may be received by at least one opening132of at least one floor plate130, as seen inFIG.3. The floor plate130is preferably rectangular and is positioned below the opening122of the rail120. The plate130is preferably installed in a recessed manner within the floor surface12near the door10. The plate130may be further secured into said floor surface12via at least one fastener128such as but not limited to a screw or a bolt, that can be placed through the opening134and into the floor surface12.

The area of the floor surface12below the opening132of the floor plate130may be cut during use such that an opening14that is formed in the floor surface12that can receive the bottom edge112(and some portion of the side edges113) of the plate110, as seen inFIG.1. This prevents the door10from being easily kicked in, as the plate110reinforces the door and the floor plate130and guide rail120prevents the plate110(and door10) from moving.

In one embodiment, the opening132of the plate130may not allow the plate110to completely pass through the floor plate130. Instead, the plate110will be captured within the floor plate130. This embodiment eliminates the need to cut the floor surface12.

The present invention is also comprised of a method of using200the device100, as seen inFIG.4. First, a device100is provided comprised of at least one plate110, at least one guide rail120comprised of at least one plate opening122, and a floor plate130comprised of at least one opening132[Step202]. Then, the guide rail120can be secured to a door10via at least one fastener128[Step204]. Then, the floor plate130can be secured via at least one fastener128to the floor surface12near the door10[Step206]. Then, the plate110can be dropped into the opening122of the guide rail120from above the rail120such that the plate110falls into the rail120and is captured by the opening132of the floor plate130[Step208]. When a user desires to remove the plate110, the plate110can be pulled upwards from the opening122via a top edge111[Step210].

The present invention is also comprised of a method of using300the device100, as seen inFIG.5. First, a device100is provided comprised of at least one plate110, at least one guide rail120comprised of at least one plate opening122, and a floor plate130comprised of at least one opening132[Step302]. Then, the guide rail120can be secured to a door10via at least one fastener128[Step304]. Then, the floor plate130can be secured via at least one fastener128to the floor surface12near the door10, wherein an area of the floor surface12below the opening132of the plate130is further cut to receive the plate [Step306]. Then, the plate110can be dropped into the opening122of the guide rail120from above the rail120such that the plate110falls into the rail120and is captured by the opening132of the floor plate130[Step308]. When a user desires to remove the plate110, the plate110can be pulled upwards from the opening122via a top edge111[Step310].

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the door barrier device100of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the door barrier device100as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the door barrier device100are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the door barrier device100are important design parameters for user convenience, the door barrier device100may be of any size, shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.