Utility tool and method of opening a door

Disclosed is a tool for opening an inward-swinging door system having a door, a door latch, a door jamb, and a door stop. The tool includes a substantially rigid lock opening element having a proximal portion and a curved distal portion proportioned to fit between the door and the door jamb and between the latch and the door stop. The curved distal portion is configured to be used as a fulcrum to leverage the lock opening element against the door stop thereby causing actuation of the door latch.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hand held tool for use by firefighters and similar personnel, particularly to open locked doors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a firefighter is called to the scene of a fire alarm or other job-related call, it is advantageous for him to carry on his person the proper tools to respond to a wide range of problems. Emergency situations generally require the use of specialized tools which can cause damage to structures. In non-emergency situations, a tool is needed which can quickly open common doors without permanent damage to the structure. A fire alarm requires the firefighter to search all rooms in the building for signs of fire, trapped individuals, as well as searching for activated smoke/heat detectors or activated fire alarm pull stations. Other disciplines which require a tool that can open doors quickly and without damage are emergency medical services and police. Police activities can also require a relatively silent method of entry into a structure.

One way for firemen to obtain access is by way of a set of keys stored in a small locked box (so-called “Knox box”) on the outside of the building. However, this box typically contains only a single set of keys and may or may not reflect the most recent door locks within the building. A single set of keys limits the speed with which locked rooms may be searched. In place of keys, a firefighter often uses a tool such as a “shove knife” to open the locked door. These tools are limited in the types of doors they can open and often require acute dexterity to operate the tool.

In addition, firefighters have need for other tools, such as Allen wrenches, openers for oxygen bottles, and the like. Since firefighters and other services require the use of heavy equipment, it would be convenient to have a single, small, compact, multi-purpose tool, which could be used to more easily open locked doors and perform the other functions often required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment includes a tool for opening an inward-swinging door system. The term “inward-swinging door” as used herein refers to a door mounted in a doorway that opens towards an operator wishing to pass through the doorway. The door system can include a door, a door latch mechanism, a door jamb with striker plate and keeper, or other associated surface designed to engage the latch, and a door stop. A door stop, also sometimes referred to as a “slamming stile”, can include a strip or projecting surface against which the door closes and is either attached to the door jamb or part of another surface. An example includes a double door (e.g., a “French” door) across an opening where one door forms part of the frame for the second door or there is a fixed center post between the doors. Where the term “door jamb” is used it is understood that a variety of surfaces and door frames perform a similar function and is not meant to limit the scope to one particular style of door or door construction. The tool comprises a substantially rigid latch displacement portion having a proximal element composed of a concave segmented curve and a distal convex arc element dimensioned and configured to fit between the door and the door jamb. The distal convex arc element is configured to be used as a fulcrum to leverage the latch displacement portion thereby causing displacement of the door latch.

In another embodiment, a tool for opening inward-swinging doors is disclosed. The door system can have a latch and a jamb, the jamb having a door stop and a face and the latch having a curved face on the side facing the door stop. The tool comprises a substantially rigid distal hook-shaped latch displacement portion sized to fit between the door and the face of the door jamb and in between the latch and the door stop. The first curve of the proximal segmented concave curve element can have a shape substantially complementary to and substantially conforming to the curved face of the latch, a blunt tip attached to the end of the hook-shaped portion, and a beveled head. In this embodiment, the hook-shaped latch displacement portion is configured to displace the latch mechanism of the door by leveraging the distal convex arc element of the tool against the door stop as a fulcrum.

In one embodiment, a method of opening an inward-swinging door system without causing structural damage thereto is also disclosed. The door system can include a door, a latch, a door jamb with striker plate and keeper, and a door stop. The method can include inserting a tool having a distal hook-shaped latch-displacement portion between the door and the door jamb, leveraging the tool against a door stop to cause movement of the end of the distal hook-shaped portion of the tool away from the door stop, thereby disengaging the latch with the distal hook-shaped latch displacement portion of the tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a tool which can be used to displace the latch on many inward swinging doors. The tool can comprise a substantially rigid piece of steel or similar material with a distal hook-shaped latch displacement portion at one end which is configured to allow the user, such as a firefighter, to displace the latch. As exemplified inFIG. 5, the hook-shaped distal portion is composed of a convex arc dimensioned and configured to act as a fulcrum for a latch displacement portion of the tool that is contiguous across a blunt tip and having an interior concave curvature said interior concave curvature segmented into at least two discrete curves, the first curve substantially conforming to the face of a door latch. It can be important that the tool be substantially rigid and not bend or deform in use. In use, a distal end can be inserted between a door and door jamb and operated in a lever action with the exterior arc of the distal hook-shaped portion engaging the door stop while acting as the fulcrum to so that the first segment of the proximal interior segmented concave curve can contact the latch and then push, lift, pull, axially move or otherwise disengage and displace the latch from an associated engagement surface permitting the door to open. For example, since the tool is rigid, the body of the distal hook-shaped portion can be held in place to keep a latch disengaged from a hole in a latch plate. In addition, the semi-rigid tool and blunt tip can be used to walk the latch back out of the latch plate by using a side to side motion if the angled portion of the latch is not accessible from the space between the door and door jamb.

A firefighter must prepare for multiple scenarios once called to the scene of an incident. Since the firefighter cannot know ahead of time the true nature of the emergency, he must carry on his person multiple tools. Allen wrenches, a lock pick, and either Philips or flathead screwdrivers can be used to reset activated pull stations and give access to locked rooms and manipulate common screws. When at the scene of an automobile fire or accident, a firefighter must first disable the automobile's battery in order to ensure that the airbag does not deploy and cause injury to the automobile's occupants or the firefighter. In order to disable the battery, an adjustable wrench is used to unscrew the threaded terminals of different types and sizes of batteries. A seatbelt cutter is often utilized to free trapped persons involved in an automobile accident. Often wood, metal, and other obstructions need to be sawed or otherwise cut and removed from the working space—a feat often achieved by carrying a serrated blade, or saw. Medical oxygen tanks commonly used by firefighters and emergency medical services require a particular sized wrench to turn on or off. In one embodiment of the invention, the tool contains other devices to perform the functions described above. Additionally, the tool can be configured with a hole, ring, or clip to affix the tool to a cord or lanyard, keys, or hung for storage or from a pack or article of clothing.

FIGS. 1-3show one embodiment of a tool designed to be carried by firefighters and other first responders. The tool100can be substantially rigid. The tool100can be formed from various substantially rigid, austenitic metals, such as iron, titanium, and various alloys such as stainless steel. The tool100can also be formed from substantially rigid plastics such as polyvinylchloride. The tool100is comprised of a distal hook-shaped latch displacement portion102, a tang104, and a handle106.

In this embodiment, the distal hook-shaped latch displacement portion102is configured to allow the insertion of the tool between a door and a door jamb. The distal hook-shaped latch displacement portion102should be of a thickness that allows the tool to be used for most doors. In some embodiments the distal hook-shaped latch displacement portion102is between about 0.025 inches and about 0.25 inches in width, but persons having ordinary skill in the art will understand that the width of the distal hook-shaped latch displacement portion102should be such as to allow for insertion between common doors and door frames. Commonly, this width is about 0.05 inches. The distal hook-shaped latch displacement portion102can be substantially rigid such that portion102does not bend when a displacing force is applied and does not bend or deform when the proximal interior segmented concave curve shaped element112contacts hard surfaces, such as metal door latch. The distal hook-shaped latch displacement portion102can include a distal convex arced element108and a proximal portion110. The distal convex arced element108and the segmented concave curve-shaped element112are the elements of the latch displacement portion102that contact a door frame or latch.

The distal hook-shaped latch displacement portion102can be inserted between a door and a jamb. The distal convex arc108is contiguous across a blunt tip with a segmented concave curve-shaped element112. The segmented concave curve-shaped element112can be configured to be substantially complementary to and substantially conform to the contour of a curved face of a latch (not shown). The segmented concave curve-shaped element112may be used to move a latch out of a latch plate if the beveled portion of the curved face of the latch is exposed. In an embodiment, the segmented concave curve-shaped element112includes a blunt tip at one end and is configured to displace a door latching mechanism if the beveled portion of the latch is not exposed, by utilizing a side to side or twisting motion to “walk” the latch out of the keeper until the bevel is exposed. The segmented concave curve-shaped element112can be formed on the distal hook-shaped latch displacement portion102with distal convex arc108, such that rotation of the tool100will cause the segmented concave curve-shaped element112to translate in the direction of the user.

Rotation of the tool100can be accomplished by inserting the tool100between the door and the frame (not shown) until the tool100contacts the door stop (not shown). Then, the curved surface of the distal convex arc108can be used as a fulcrum to rotate the tool100, such that the interface of the distal convex arc108and the door stop (not shown) functions as the pivot point. Furthermore, the first curve,115of the segmented curved shaped element112can allow the tool100to pivot about a door latch (not shown) during displacement.

The distal convex arc108can be further configured to include a beveled edge114. The beveled edge114can be configured to aid in the insertion of the tool into tight-fitting door and door frames.

The tang element104can be configured to provide support and rigidity to the latch displacement portion102, and can be substantially rigid, as explained above. Tang104has a distal portion116and a proximal portion118. The distal portion116of the tang104can be integrally formed with the proximal portion110of the hook-shaped latch displacement portion102or the tang104can be fastened to the proximal portion110of the hook-shaped latch displacement portion102by any suitable means such as welding. Tang104can have a width that is substantially similar to the proximal end of the hook-shaped latch displacement portion102, and can be configured to also be disposed between door and a door jamb during operation or the tang104can be configured to have a different thickness than the hook-shaped latch displacement element102. For instance, tang104can be thicker than the hook-shaped latch displacement portion102to provide extra rigidity to the tool100or alternatively be less thick to provide less rigidity to the tool100. The tang104can also have a non-uniform thickness.

Accessories can be formed on the tang104to provide extra function to the tool100. The accessories formed on the tang104generally can be cut-out from the tang104material. For instance, a serrated blade120can be formed integrally on the tang104, a bottle opener122can be formed to allow the easy opening of liquid containers, and an oxygen bottle valve wrench124can also be formed integrally in the tang. Furthermore, a seatbelt cutter can be included and comprise a small slit with a sharpened curved terminus and can be used to cut a seat belt or other restraining device in case of need (not shown). The serrated blade120can be used to quickly cut wood, metal, plastic, or any other obstruction commonly encountered by a user. The oxygen bottle valve wrench124comprises a hole sized to accept a common oxygen tank valve control. The bottle opener122comprises a cutout portion of the tool100that is configured in such a way that a bottle cap can be removed from a bottle.

The tang104is connected to a first end126of the handle106. The handle106can be configured to allow a displacing force to be applied to the tool100to leverage the tool against a door stop (not shown). The displacing force can be along a plane that will allow the distal convex arc element108to contact a door stop (not shown), thus causing the segmented concave curve-shaped element112to move along a path that causes the segmented concave curve-shaped element112to engage a door latch, thus causing the door latch to retract into the door.

The handle106can be formed of a substantially rigid material, as explained above, such as stainless steel or polyvinylchloride plastic. Furthermore, the handle106can be coated with a grip material, such as a rubber, to allow for easier usage. The tool100and handle106can be resistant to electrical current. In an embodiment, the handle106can be ergonomically shaped to allow easy gripping of the tool100, for instance by having a shape that substantially conforms to a user's hand shape. In an embodiment, the handle106can have a thickness that is greater than that of the tang104and hook-shaped latch displacement portion102. By having a handle106with greater thickness, extra rigidity and comfort can be supplied to the tool100. Alternatively, the handle106can be the same thickness, width, and length as the rest of the tool100.

In an embodiment, the handle106, tang104, and hook-shaped latch displacement portion102can be integrally formed from the same material and piece. In an embodiment where elements102,104, and106are integrally formed from the same piece, the elements106,104, and102are defined as being connected to one another. Alternatively, each element, the handle106, tang104, and hook-shaped latch displacement portion102can be removably attached, for instance by a fastener, as referenced by130A,130B. The tool100can be entirely foldable, with the handle106rotating along a plane relative to the tang104with the fastener130A functioning as the pivot. In another embodiment, the handle106and tang104are welded together or formed from a single piece resulting in a connection that is non-rotatable. In this embodiment, the fastener130A can still function as a fulcrum to fold accessories along a plane into the handle106.

The handle106can also comprise at least one additional tool132,134,136. In some embodiments, the handle106includes at least one foldable tool132, such as an Allen wrench, a Phillips-head screwdriver, or a flat-head screwdriver. The at least one additional tool132can be foldable so as to have a storage position within the handle106, and a utilization position wherein the at least one tool132is rotated to a position accessible for use. Alternatively, the at least one additional tool134can be non-rotatable, as is shown by non-limiting example in this embodiment with the incorporation of the adjustable wrench134. The at least one additional tool132and134can be selectively foldable, meaning that none, some, or all of the additional tools can be rotatable with respect to the handle106. If rotatable, the additional tools132and134can be rotatably attached to the handle with a fulcrum connector130A,130B. This can be achieved using any known rotatable connection device, such as a screw, nut and bolt, rivet, or bearing.

By way of example,FIG. 4shows various additional tools, or accessories. Specifically, Allen wrenches410and screw drivers412,414can be folded into the handle406for storage and folded out for use. An adjustable wrench416can be disposed on the handle406and can be opened and closed to accommodate various sizes and types of bolts and nuts. The adjustable wrench416is adjusted by the wrench adjuster418, which can comprise a travelling spanner jaw that translates inside a keyway when the wrench adjuster418is actuated by a user.

The adjustable wrench416can include a glass-breaking point420. In some embodiments, the glass-breaking point420can be formed or disposed on the body of the wrench416as is shown inFIG. 4. Alternatively, in some embodiments the glass-breaking point420can be formed or disposed on the end of the travelling spanner jaw such that when the adjustable wrench416is in an open position the glass-breaking point420is disposed within the keyway and when the adjustable wrench416is in the closed position the glass-breaking point420is disposed outside of the keyway allowing for its utilization to break glass.

This embodiment may also include cut-out accessories, “tools”, such as an oxygen valve wrench422and a knife edge424. The embodiment can include a latch displacing portion402that is hook-shaped to facilitate the displacement of a door latch. The latch displacement portion402can include a blunt end426that has a depth sized to allow the latch displacement portion402to fit in between a door stop and a door latch. The depth of this blunt end426can be sized according to the standard gap between a door latch and a door stop.

FIGS. 5 and 6show a tool502in operation opening a door504. The tool502is used by inserting the hook-shaped latch displacement portion of the tool506between the door504and the face of a jamb (not shown). The segmented concave curve shaped element508can have a depth that permits it to fit between the curved face of the latch510and the door stop (not shown). After the hook-shaped latch displacement portion506is inserted, the segmented concave curved shaped element508can be positioned against the latch510. A displacing force can be applied to the tool502to leverage the distal convex arc element512against the door stop (not shown), thus using the interface of the distal convex arc element512and the door stop (not shown) as a fulcrum. As can be seen inFIG. 5, the segmented concave curve shaped element508of the tool502can be formed to substantially conform to the curved face of a latch510. This shape will allow the upward motion of the tool502in relation to the door504, as indicated by arrow514, to displace the latch510. When the tool502moves upward along arrow514, the latch510is pushed into the door504. The door is now free to be opened. The tool can be used either above the latch as shown or below the latch with the tool orientation opposite of that shown. In the latter instance, the tool502would be rotated downward to displace latch510.

The configuration of the tool with respect to the elements of a door frame, or jamb, and striker plate are shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. InFIG. 7, the positioning of the tool702is shown as inserted between a door frame704and a door (not shown), with the distal convex arc element706of the tool702resting against the door stop708. By placing the tool in this manner, the distal convex arc element706can be used as a fulcrum for the tool702against the door stop708. Segmented concave curve shaped element714can be sized to conveniently fit between the curved face of the latch (not shown) and the door stop708. By moving the handle710upward along the path outlined by arrow712, the segmented concave curve shaped element714is moved away from the door stop, displacing the latch (not shown). InFIG. 8, the segmented concave curve shaped element714is shown after having been rotated upward so as to cause the latch to displace from the opening in the striker plate716.

FIGS. 5-8demonstrate a method of opening a door without causing substantial structural damage to the frame or door. By inserting a tool502,702into the gap between the door504and the door jamb704, a segmented concave curve shaped element508,714can be inserted between the latch510and the door stop708as described above. The tool502,702can then be leveraged against the door stop to cause movement of the segmented concave curve shaped element508,714away from door stop708thereby displacing the latch510.