Door collar lock

An apparatus holds a door closed comprising: a top panel, a left wall and a right wall. A flap is attached to the left wall opposite the top panel and folded under the apparatus. A flap is attached to the right wall opposite the top panel and folded under the apparatus. The apparatus contains 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.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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 toFIG. 1, a right front perspective view of a door collar lock10is shown according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the door collar lock10may comprise a front end8, a back end9, a left wall4(having an inner wall2), and a right wall3(having an inner wall1). The front end8may comprise an opening5, which may have a planar area that may be smaller than the cross section of the front end9, providing for a tapered shape of the door collar lock10overall.

The relative triangular shapes of a top panel6of the door collar lock10, and a bottom panel7illustrate the tapering from back to front of the door collar lock10, as also illustrated in the partial view of the inner wall11of the bottom panel7.

With reference toFIG. 2, a top elevational view of the door collar lock10ofFIG. 1is shown. The tapered shape of the door collar lock10is illustrated inFIG. 2, more specifically as illustrated by the shape of the top panel6.

With reference toFIG. 3, a left perspective view of a door30with a pneumatic or spring actuated arm and rod configuration is shown, with the door collar lock10installed to prevent the door30from opening according to the embodiment ofFIG. 1. The rod or elbow22aand22bmay consist of two articulating elongated members22aand22bover which the door collar10may be fitted by insertion over the elongated members22aand22b. Normally, the two elongated members22aand22bare free to articulate as allowed or caused by the pneumatic, hydraulic, or spring piston20. While the piston20may bias the elongated members22aand22bto push the door30into the closed position with respect to the door frame32, 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 lock10over the arms22aand22b.

With reference toFIG. 4, a bottom right perspective view of the door collar lock10installed to prevent the rods22aand22bfrom scissoring outwardly to a more oblique angle α so as to prevent opening of the door30is shown. The rods22aand22bare shown in phantom for the portion covered by the door collar lock10, and the hinge26between the rods22aand22bis further illustrated in phantom. The door collar lock10functions to keep the rods22aand22bat a relatively more acute angle β rather than when the door30is in the open position with respect to the frame32. In one embodiment, the angle β comprises an angle by which the door30is substantially in a closed position with respect to the door frame32, 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 inFIG. 4, the elongated design of the sides3and4of the door collar lock10functions to provide a distributed pressure along some or most of the length of the rods22aand22bwhen there is attempt to force the door30open. Having this elongated length and pressure along the rods22aand22b, as opposed to just one small portion of the rods22aand22b, makes for a more rigid stoppage of the door30from opening. The larger area of distribution of the pressure along the sides3and4, and the planar surface areas of the top (6inFIGS. 1 and 2) and bottom7of the door collar lock10further provides more rigidity.

Put another way, the left wall3and the wall4are configured at an angle with respect to each other so as to contact a relative substantial part of side surface areas of the arms22aand22bfor increased distribution of force placed by the arms on the apparatus10as opening force is placed on the door30. In this respect, the top6and bottom7comprise solid substantially triangular plates so as to further distribute the force placed on the apparatus10by the arms22aand22bas opening force is placed on the door30.

FIGS. 5-9illustrate various embodiments that provide for various storage solutions for the door collar lock10. Storage at or in the general area of the door collar lock10may prevent, for example, a teacher in a classroom, or manager in an office, from having to search for the door collar lock10in an extreme panic during an emergency. For example, with specific reference toFIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of the door collar lock10includes wheels50on small carriages configured to roll along a mount on the door frame32, on the side of one of the rods22aand22b, or on one of the rods22aitself. The door collar lock10can then be stored to the side of the rods22aand22bwhen not in use, but then rolled into position when the door30is closed, over both of the rods22aand22b, during an emergency when in use, as shown in position inFIG. 5.

With reference toFIG. 6, yet another alternative embodiment of the door collar lock10is shown with one or more magnets60attached to the top6as a mounting mechanism. In this embodiment, the door collar lock10may be magnetically attached to a steal structure, such as the door30or door frame32when not in use, but remain easily accessible during an emergency.

With reference toFIG. 7, yet another alternative embodiment of the door collar lock10is shown with one or more wall mounting holes70located in the top6as a mounting mechanism. As with the magnets60inFIG. 6, the wall mounting holes70allow the door collar lock10to be position mounted in proximity to the door30by means of one or more nails or mounting brackets in the door30or wall near the door.

With reference toFIG. 8, yet another alternative embodiment of the door collar lock10is shown with a mounting hook64located in the top6as a mounting mechanism. The wall-mounting hook64allows the door collar lock10to be position mounted in proximity to the door30by means of a nail or mounting bracket in the door30or wall near the door.

With reference toFIG. 9, yet another alternative embodiment of the door collar lock10is shown with a knob66to allow for more clearance for the hinge26within the device10when mounted on the elbows or arms22aand22b.

With reference toFIG. 10, yet another alternative embodiment of the door collar lock10is shown with a bevel70that may allow the device10to be more easily tightened around smaller sized arms22aand22b.

With reference toFIG. 11, yet another alternative embodiment of the door collar lock10is shown with an extension or insert16having a ridge configured to slide into the opening5of the device10to extend the length of the device10for adjustment for shorter or longer arms22aand22b. After the extension16is inserted into the opening5, the arms22aand22bare fit through the extension's opening15.

With reference toFIG. 12, a bottom, front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the door collar lock10is shown. The embodiment ofFIG. 12may comprise an embodiment that eliminates any need for welding of the door collar lock10. Instead of a having a solid bottom panel7as in the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-11, the embodiment ofFIG. 12has a portion of the bottom panel cut out, with instead, two flaps50that extend from the sides3and4of the lock10, bent into the bottom of the lock10.

With reference toFIG. 13, a bottom left perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 12is shown. The top9of the door collar lock10may comprise an end cap52that is extended from the bottom panel7, and which may not be directly connected to the sides3and4of the lock10for ease of manufacturing, which may result in slits60down the sides of the end cap54between the sides3and4and the end cap54. Optionally, the end cap54may be attached, welded, or glued to the sides3and4after shaping of the lock10during manufacturing.

The embodiment ofFIGS. 12 and 13may allow the door collar lock10to 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 lock10. There may be, for example, one brake for the end cap54, and another brake for each side3and4, and another two breaks to fold the flaps52that 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 lock10to remain substantially permanent during use to hold when the lock10is put under duress.

With reference toFIG. 14, a left perspective view of a door with a pneumatic or spring actuated arm and rod configuration, with the embodiment ofFIGS. 12 and 13installed to prevent the door from opening is shown. As shown inFIG. 14, even in the absence of a solid bottom7as with the embodiment ofFIG. 3, the flaps52still provide enough force over the arms22aand22bto prevent a person from pushing the door open when the embodiment ofFIG. 14is installed over the arms22aand22b, functioning in the same way as the embodiment ofFIG. 3.