Abstract:
A concealed security bar comprising a concealing and deploying means for the security bar for a sliding patio door comprises a security bar, a lifting mechanism, and a releasing means. The security bar sits along a ground surface between a wall portion and a sliding door in order to prevent opening of the door. The lifting mechanism comprises a mechanism which pivots the bar into an upright position along the wall surface in order to allow the door to function as normal. The releasing means is located along the wall surface at a height easily accessible by a user. Upon depressing the releasing means, the lifting mechanism is activated in order to lift the bar without need for reaching down to the ground to grab the bar.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Feb. 11, 2010, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to door security mechanisms, and in particular, to a manually actuated security bar for a sliding door. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Sliding glass doors have achieved a prominence in modern architecture, combining the functionality and convenience of an entryway with the beauty and light transmitting qualities of a window. One (1) of the most popular usages of such sliding doors is as a means of accessing patios, decks, and similar structures. In general, these doors fit a double-wide opening and open or close by riding upon a sliding track frame. 
     While these doors are desirable for their aesthetic beauty and their convenient functionality, they do suffer from a drawback in that they are susceptible as a point of entry for burglars and thieves. The latches commonly used to lock sliding glass doors are easily manipulated with the use of a pry bar by forcing it between the jamb and the door and prying it open. Many owners place a stick in the lower track to eliminate the possibility of the door sliding open. However, such sticks are often unsightly. Furthermore, the use of such objects requires the user to bend over in order to position and retrieve the object during use. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide sliding door security devices. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,135,376, issued in the name of Evans et al., describes a patio door security bar which is selectively lockable from within the interior of a housing to prevent lateral motioning of a patio door. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,912, issued in the name of Smith, Jr., describes a foldable security bar adaptable for permanent installation on sliding doors and windows with a movable latch for selectively unlocking the device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,202, issued in the name of Dockery, describes a sliding door operator and lock including a gear-toothed rack and a motor driven gear for secure and selectable automatic electric operation of the device. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices are difficult or time consuming to manipulate. Also, many such devices cause damage upon installation. Furthermore, many such devices are unsightly while in use, or even at all times. Accordingly, there exists a need for a security bar for sliding doors without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a security device for sliding doors which is quickly adjustable between locked and unlocked configurations in a concealed, aesthetic manner. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to selectively secure a sliding door in a closed position or disengage the door to allow opening. The apparatus comprises a channel, a releasing bar, and a securing bar. 
     Another object of the present invention is to enable a user to selectively manually secure or disengage the apparatus from the door. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to position the channel vertically within a vertical track of the sliding door in a concealed manner utilizing an interference fitting. The channel can be further secured utilizing a plurality of mechanical fasteners. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to operate the apparatus without need for significant manual dexterity, bending over, or complexity. The vertical channel receives the releasing bar. The releasing bar is slidably movable within the channel and is constrained by an upper panel aperture and a retaining bracket. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to prevent opening of the sliding door in a concealed manner when the securing bar is positioned horizontally along a ground surface between the channel and the door. The securing bar is further pivotally attached to a lower portion of the channel by a pair of securing bar brackets. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to quickly raise the securing bar to a disengaged vertical position by pressing downward on a top end of the releasing bar. As the releasing bar is depressed, it motions a securing bar spring within the channel. The securing bar spring is further attached to the securing bar at a proximal position such that the securing bar is pivoted upwardly into the channel as a result of the motion. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to automatically return the releasing bar to an initial position after depressing. This is accomplished by a slot within the channel which limits the lateral and vertical movement of the releasing bar and a releasing bar spring which returns the releasing bar to its initial resting state after use. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to automatically retain the securing bar within the channel. The retaining bracket comprises a magnetic material which releasably secures the securing bar in a disengaged position until the user returns the securing bar to a downward position to secure the door. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of obtaining an instance of the apparatus of a desired size and shape for a particular sliding door, installing the channel within a vertical track of the sliding door in a concealed manner, selectively pivoting the securing bar downward along a horizontal ground surface in a concealed manner to prevent sliding opening of the door, depressing the top end of the releasing bar in order to pivot the securing bar upward, automatically retaining the securing bar in the upward disengaged position with the magnetic retaining bracket, pulling outward to release the securing bar from the retaining bracket and motioning the securing bar back downward to re-secure the door, and uninstalling the apparatus as desired. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a concealed security bar for a sliding door  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the concealed security bar for a sliding door  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the concealed security bar for a sliding door  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up view of the concealed security bar for a sliding door  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5   a  is an opposing side perspective view of the concealed security bar for a sliding door  10  depicting an unsecure state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5   b  is another opposing side perspective view of the concealed security bar for a sliding door  10  depicting a secure state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a cradle  50 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  concealed security bar for a sliding door 
               15  sliding door 
               16  horizontal track 
               17  vertical track 
               20  channel 
               21  retaining bracket 
               22   a  retaining platform 
               22   b  first platform aperture 
               22   c  second platform aperture 
               23  securing bar bracket 
               24  pivot point 
               25  slot 
               26  side panel 
               27  rear panel 
               28  upper panel 
               29  upper panel aperture 
               30  releasing bar 
               31  releasing bar spring 
               32  releasing bar fastener 
               33  slot fastener 
               40  securing bar 
               41  securing bar spring 
               42  securing bar spring fastener 
               43  magnet 
               50  cradle 
               51  attachment means 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 6 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a concealed security bar for a sliding door (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means to secure and unsecure a sliding door  15  in a closed or open position, respectively. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a channel  20 , a releasing bar  30 , a securing bar  40 , and a cradle  50 . The apparatus  10  is positioned between a horizontal track  16  and a vertical track  17  of the sliding door  15  and enables a user to manually activate said apparatus  10  in a secure state, thereby prohibiting said sliding door  15  from opening or manually deactivate said apparatus  10  in an unsecure state, thereby enabling said sliding door  15  to open. The apparatus  10  is preferably utilized on sliding doors  15  measuring approximately five (5) to six (6) feet in height, yet other sizes may be incorporated without limiting the scope of said apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a side perspective view of the apparatus  10 ,  FIG. 3 , a side view of the apparatus  10 , and  FIG. 4 , a close-up view of the concealed security bar for a sliding door  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a vertical channel  20  which is orientated in an upright manner and positioned into the vertical track  16  of the sliding door  15  via interference fitting means. The channel  20  is also preferably fastened via an appropriate amount of mechanical fasteners which are placed into the vertical track  16 , thereby securing a rear panel  27  of said channel  20  to said vertical track  16 . The channel  20  comprises a pair of side panels  26 , a rear panel  27 , and an upper panel  28 . The channel  20  measures approximately thirty-five (35) inches in height, one-and-a-half (1½) inches in width, and one (1) inch in length. The channel  20  is fabricated from heavy-duty durable materials such as, but not limited to: metal, plastic, or the like. 
     The channel  20  also comprises a retaining bracket  21 , a retaining platform  22   a , and a slot  25  which retains, secures, and guides a releasing bar  30 , respectively. The releasing bar  30  is comprised of a rod measuring approximately five-eighths (%) of an inch in diameter and thirty-six (36) inches in length. The releasing bar  30  is fabricated from heavy-duty durable materials such as, but not limited to: wood, plastic, or the like. The releasing bar  30  is slidably inserted through an upper panel aperture  29  which also guides and secures said releasing bar  30  when in use. The upper panel aperture  29  is centrally positioned on the upper panel  28  and comprises a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the releasing bar  30 . The retaining bracket  21  is positioned on an upper front portion of the channel  20  and is preferably integrally molded into the side panels  26 . The retaining bracket  21  is comprised of a material which comprises magnetic properties which enables a magnet  43  located on a securing bar  40  to engage and secure to said retaining bracket  21  (see herein below). The retaining bracket  21  secures the releasing bar  30  within the channel  20  and provides a mating means to the securing bar  40 . The retaining platform  22   a  also provides an additional means to secure the releasing bar  30  via a first platform aperture  22   b  and provides a securing means to a releasing bar spring  31  via a second platform aperture  22   c  (see  FIG. 4 ). The retaining platform  22   a  is positioned horizontally within the channel  20  and is integrally molded to each side panel  26  and rear panel  27 . The first platform aperture  22   b  is centrally positioned on the retaining platform  22   a  and enables the releasing bar  30  to be slidably inserted within which provides additional guiding and securing means to said releasing bar  30 . The second platform aperture  22   c  is located parallel to the first platform aperture  22   b  and enables a distal end of the releasing bar spring  31  to be suspended in a hooking-type fashion. A proximal end of the releasing bar spring  31  is connected to a releasing bar fastener  32  which is located on an outer surface of a lower portion of the releasing bar  30 . The releasing bar fastener  32  is preferably a mechanical fastener such as a screw which is fastened into a front lower surface of the releasing bar  30 . The releasing bar spring  31  enables the releasing bar  30  to comprise an elastic feature which enables said releasing bar  30  to maintain a force between the retaining platform  22   a  and the releasing bar fastener  32  and further enable the releasing bar  30  to come back to a resting state after being depressed. The releasing bar spring  31  is preferably a compression coiled spring measuring approximately three (3) inches in length and one-quarter (¼) of an inch in diameter, yet other mechanical springs comprising differing dimensions may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     The channel  20  also comprises a slot  25  which provides a means to limit the lateral and vertical movement of the releasing bar  30  as it is being depressed to retract the securing bar  40 . The slot  25  is located on a side panel  26  between the retaining platform  22   a  and the releasing bar fastener  32  and measures approximately one-eighth (%) of an inch in width by two-and-a-quarter (2¼) inches in length. The releasing bar  30  is connected to the slot  25  via a slot fastener  33  inserted into said slot  25  from an outer surface of the respective side panel  26  to engage said releasing bar  30 . As the releasing bar  30  is depressed the downward movement is limited as the slot fastener  33  engages a proximal portion of the slot  25 ; similarly, the upward movement is limited as the slot fastener  33  engages a distal portion of said slot  25 , and the axial movement of said releasing bar  30  is limited via the width of said slot  25 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5   a , an opposing side perspective view of the apparatus  10  and  FIG. 5   b , another opposing side perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a securing bar  40  which provides a means to prohibit or allow the sliding door  15  to close or open, respectively. The securing bar  40  is pivotally attached to a lower portion of the channel  20  via a pair of securing bar brackets  23  and a pivot point  24 . The securing bar brackets  23  are orientated in a parallel manner and extend perpendicularly from the side panels  26 . Each securing bar bracket  23  comprises a pivot point  24  which further comprises an axle pin and washers to enable the securing bar  40  to pivot about said pivot point  24  from a vertical to a horizontal position. The channel  20  extends approximately two (2) inches beyond the securing bar brackets  23  which enables the securing bar  40  to rotate appropriately within said channel  20  from the vertical to the horizontal position. The securing bar  40  is also attached to the releasing bar  30  via a securing bar spring  41  which enables said securing bar  40  to be in mechanical communication with said releasing bar  30 . The securing bar spring  41  is attached to a proximal portion of the securing bar  40  and a proximal portion of the releasing bar  30  via a securing bar spring fastener  42  which is preferably an integrally molded “U”-shaped hook which accepts the end portions of the securing bar spring  41 . The securing bar spring  41  is comprised of a one-and-a-quarter (1¼) inch diameter compression coil spring which assists the securing bar  40  to be activated and deactivated. A proximal portion of the securing bar  40 , when in the activated state, is positioned below the releasing bar  30  in a perpendicular manner. As the releasing bar  30  is depressed, the securing bar spring  41  pulls the securing bar  40  upwardly into an upright position. 
     The securing bar  40  also comprises a magnet  43  which engages the retaining bracket  21  as abovementioned. The magnet  43  is located on an outer inwardly positioned distal surface of the securing bar  40  such that it aligns with the retaining bracket  21  when oriented in an upright position. The magnet  43  provides a means to secure the securing bar  40  when in the deactivated position when enables the sliding door  15  to be opened. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of a cradle  50 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  also comprises a cradle  50  which provides a level resting position for the securing bar  40  when in an activated horizontal position. The cradle  50  comprises a “U”-shape which enables the securing bar  40  to rest within. The cradle  50  is comprised of materials such as, but not limited to: plastic, foam rubber, or the like. The cradle  50  is attached to a lower lateral surface of the sliding door  15  via an attachment means  51  such as, but not limited to: adhesive, hook-and-loop fastener, or the like. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the apparatus  10 ; positioning the channel  20  in an upright manner within a vertical track  17  of the sliding door  15  and fastening as desired; attaching the cradle  50  to a lower portion of the sliding door  15  via the attachment means  51  which enables the securing bar  40  to lay in a level horizontal orientation; activating the securing bar  40  via pushing said securing bar  40  to disengage the magnet  43  from the retaining bracket  21  to a downward horizontal position; enabling the securing bar  40  to lay within the cradle  50  and prohibit the sliding door  15  from opening; deactivating the securing bar  40  via depressing the releasing bar  30  which pulls the securing bar  40  upwardly to an upright position via the securing bar spring  41 , thereby enabling the magnet  43  to engage the retaining bracket  21  and the releasing bar spring  31  to position the releasing bar  30  in an original position; and, utilizing of the apparatus  10  to secure and unsecure sliding doors  15  in a safe and functional manner. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.