Keyless door knob security device with stabilizer arm

A new keyless door knob security device with stabilizer arm for preventing access to a keyhole of a door knob to prevent unauthorized access. The inventive device includes a central shaft that has first and second ends and a longitudinal axis extending between the ends. A claw ring has a plurality of claws extending outwardly from it and an aperture through it. The central shaft extends through the aperture of the claw ring. The claws are adapted for grasping the door knob. A cover is slidably positionable along the central shaft such that sliding the cover in a first direction presses the claws towards each other such that the claws grasp the door knob. Sliding the cover in a second direction permits the claws to move apart from each other. A locking mechanism permits selective locking of the cover in a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to door knob locking devices and more 
particularly pertains to a new keyless door knob security device with 
stabilizer arm for preventing access to a keyhole of a door knob to 
prevent unauthorized access. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The use of door knob locking devices is known in the prior art. More 
specifically, door knob locking devices heretofore devised and utilized 
are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious 
structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs 
encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the 
fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,202; U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,104; 
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 200,599; U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,938; U.S. Pat. No. 
3,206,955; PCT Patent No. WO 83/01641 (Inventor: Beards); and PCT Patent 
No. WO 80/00359 (Inventor: Eigemeier). 
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and 
requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new keyless 
door knob security device with stabilizer arm. The inventive device 
includes a central shaft that has first and second ends and a longitudinal 
axis extending between the ends. A claw ring has a plurality of claws 
extending outwardly from it and an aperture through it. The central shaft 
extends through the aperture of the claw ring. The claws are adapted for 
grasping the door knob. A cover is slidably positionable along the central 
shaft such that sliding the cover in a first direction presses the claws 
towards each other such that the claws grasp the door knob. Sliding the 
cover in a second direction permits the claws to move apart from each 
other. A locking mechanism permits selective locking of the cover in a 
locked orientation and an unlocked orientation. 
In these respects, the keyless door knob security device with stabilizer 
arm according to the present invention substantially departs from the 
conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing 
provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of preventing 
access to a keyhole of a door knob to prevent unauthorized access. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of door 
knob locking devices now present in the prior art, the present invention 
provides a new keyless door knob security device with stabilizer arm 
construction wherein the same can be utilized for preventing access to a 
keyhole of a door knob to prevent unauthorized access. 
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described 
subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new keyless door knob 
security device with stabilizer arm apparatus and method which has many of 
the advantages of the door knob locking devices mentioned heretofore and 
many novel features that result in a new keyless door knob security device 
with stabilizer arm which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, 
or even implied by any of the prior art door knob locking devices, either 
alone or in any combination thereof. 
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a central shaft 
that has first and second ends and a longitudinal axis extending between 
the ends. A claw ring has a plurality of claws extending outwardly from it 
and an aperture through it. The central shaft extends through the aperture 
of the claw ring. The claws are adapted for grasping the door knob. A 
cover is slidably positionable along the central shaft such that sliding 
the cover in a first direction presses the claws towards each other such 
that the claws grasp the door knob. Sliding the cover in a second 
direction permits the claws to move apart from each other. A locking 
mechanism permits selective locking of the cover in a locked orientation 
and an unlocked orientation. 
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features 
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that 
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present 
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional 
features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which 
will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention 
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its 
application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the 
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the 
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being 
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood 
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose 
of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon 
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the 
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, 
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of 
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention 
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to 
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new keyless 
door knob security device with stabilizer arm apparatus and method which 
has many of the advantages of the door knob locking devices mentioned 
heretofore and many novel features that result in a new keyless door knob 
security device with stabilizer arm which is not anticipated, rendered 
obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art door knob 
locking devices, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new keyless door 
knob security device with stabilizer arm which may be easily and 
efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new keyless 
door knob security device with stabilizer arm which is of a durable and 
reliable construction. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new keyless 
door knob security device with stabilizer arm which is susceptible of a 
low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which 
accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming 
public, thereby making such keyless door knob security device with 
stabilizer arm economically available to the buying public. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new 
keyless door knob security device with stabilizer arm which provides in 
the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages 
thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages 
normally associated therewith. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new keyless 
door knob security device with stabilizer arm for preventing access to a 
keyhole of a door knob to prevent unauthorized access. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new keyless 
door knob security device with stabilizer arm which includes a central 
shaft that has first and second ends and a longitudinal axis extending 
between the ends. A claw ring has a plurality of claws extending outwardly 
from it and an aperture through it. The central shaft extends through the 
aperture of the claw ring. The claws are adapted for grasping the door 
knob. A cover is slidably positionable along the central shaft such that 
sliding the cover in a first direction presses the claws towards each 
other such that the claws grasp the door knob. Sliding the cover in a 
second direction permits the claws to move apart from each other. A 
locking mechanism permits selective locking of the cover in a locked 
orientation and an unlocked orientation. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new 
keyless door knob security device with stabilizer arm that provides a 
temporary means of securing an entrance other than replacing a broken 
lock. 
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new 
keyless door knob security device with stabilizer arm that prevents 
landlords, ex-roommates, etc. from using their keys to enter a premises. 
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various 
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with 
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 
thereof, a new keyless door knob security device with stabilizer arm 
embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and 
generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. 
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the keyless door knob security 
device with stabilizer arm 10 comprises a central shaft 12 that has first 
and second ends 13,14 and a longitudinal axis extending between the ends. 
A claw ring 15 has a plurality of claws 16 extending outwardly from it and 
an aperture through it. The central shaft extends through the aperture of 
the claw ring. The claws are adapted for grasping a door knob 1. A cover 
17 is slidably positionable along the central shaft such that sliding the 
cover in a first direction presses the claws towards each other such that 
the claws grasp the door knob. Sliding the cover in a second direction 
permits the claws to move apart from each other. The cover should also 
cover the claws to prevent insertion of prying devices under the claws. A 
locking mechanism 18 permits selective locking of the cover in a locked 
orientation and an unlocked orientation. 
In more detail, it is seen that the first end of the central shaft 
preferably has an annular flange 19 outwardly extending therefrom 
generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the central shaft. 
Also preferably, the first end of the central shaft has a dummy key 20 
extending outwardly therefrom generally along the longitudinal axis of the 
central shaft. The dummy key is slidably insertable in a keyhole of a door 
knob. The dummy key helps prevent rotation of the door knob in conjunction 
with a stabilizer bar, as will be discussed more fully below. 
Preferably, the central shaft has a groove 21 extending therein from its 
second end towards its first end. Optionally, the second end of the 
central shaft is threaded. 
A claw ring has a plurality of claws extending outwardly from it and an 
aperture therethrough. The central shaft is slidably inserted in the 
aperture of the claw ring such that the claw ring is positioned adjacent 
the annular flange of the central shaft between the annular flange and the 
second end of the central shaft. The claws are adapted for grasping the 
door knob between the claws and the claw ring. 
Preferably, each of the claws has a first portion 22 that is pivotally 
coupled to the claw ring (such as by having a resiliently deformable 
portion 23), a second portion 24 angling inward of the first portion at an 
obtuse angle and toward the door knob, and a third portion 25 angling 
inward of the second portion at an obtuse angle and back toward the 
central shaft. 
The locking mechanism includes an elongate toothed rod 26 that is slidably 
inserted in the groove of the central shaft. The toothed rod has a 
plurality of teeth 27 extending from it away from the central shaft. 
Preferably, the toothed rod is coupled to an inner edge of a spring 
retaining ring 28. The central shaft slidably extends through the spring 
retaining ring. 
A spring 29 extends around the central shaft and is positioned between the 
spring retaining ring and the cover to bias the cover away from the claws, 
thereby biasing the first end of the central shaft away from the locking 
rings. 
A plurality of annular locking rings 30 are rotatably disposed around the 
central shaft and the toothed rod. Each of the locking rings has at least 
one notch 31 extending inwardly from a central aperture thereof. The 
notches are dimensioned to permit passage of the teeth of the toothed rod 
through them when the teeth and notches are aligned. The central shaft is 
slidably positionable along the locking rings when the notches of the 
locking rings are aligned with the teeth of the toothed rod. Preferably, 
each of the rings has number indicia positioned along its outer perimeter. 
Preferably, the locking rings are rotatably coupled together such as by a 
tongue and groove assembly (not shown). Ideally, the locking rings are 
also rotatably coupled to the cover so that the rings are pulled along 
with the cover when the cover is pushed towards the door knob. The cover 
can be pushed towards the door knob to permit locking of the locking 
rings. 
Alternative locking mechanisms include a keyed lock of a type known in the 
art (not shown). 
An end cap 32 is coupled to the second end of the central shaft. The end 
cap may be threadedly coupled to the central shaft, or may be fixedly 
coupled to it such that it cannot be removed. 
Preferably, the central shaft has a polygonal ring 33 extending around the 
base of the dummy key and positioned adjacent the annular flange of the 
central shaft. A stabilizer 34 limits rotation of the door knob and the 
lock adapter, especially when left unlocked. 
The stabilizer has a first ring 35 removably and nonrotatably engaging an 
outer edge of the polygonal ring of the central shaft. The stabilizer has 
an arm portion 36 that may or may not be angled, depending on the use, 
extending from the first ring. The stabilizer has a mounting portion 37 is 
mounted to a structure 2 such as a door or door frame, the arm portion is 
pivotably coupled to the mounting portion. 
The preferred length of the central shaft along its longitudinal axis is 
about 21/4 inches. The preferred dimensions of each of the claws is about 
2 inches long by about 1/2 inch wide. The preferred outer diameter of the 
locking rings and cover is about 11/2 inches. 
In use, the mounting portion of the stabilizer (if used) is coupled to a 
structure. The first ring of the stabilizer is placed over the polygonal 
ring of the central shaft. The dummy key is inserted in the lock hole of a 
door knob. The housing is pushed forward to clamp the claws down around 
the door knob. Holding the housing forward, the locking rings are rotated 
to jumble the combination. 
To remove the invention, the locking rings are rotated to a predetermined 
combination of the numbered indicia which corresponds to having the 
notches of the locking rings aligned with the teeth of the toothed rod. 
When the correct combination is set, the spring pushes the housing and 
locking rings back, permitting the claws to move apart and thereby 
permitting removal of the security device. 
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the 
present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. 
Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and 
operation will be provided. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to 
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and 
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired 
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and 
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.