Abstract:
A portable access prevention device for use in preventing entry to rooms with inwardly swinging doors. The device leverages the force used to open a door back against the door. The stronger the force applied against the device, the greater the device increases its resistance. The device does not require complicated electronics or mechanical assemblies, nor does it need tools for installation. The device is lightweight and can be positioned in seconds.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a device that prevents the opening of inwardly swinging doors so that intruders cannot access a room. More specifically, the invention relates to a portable device which has the capability of leveraging the forces applied against it to increase its resistance and prevent a breach. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In an emergency, there is little time, if any, to ascertain the nature of a threat. For example, when hostile parties forcefully attempt to gain entry to a room, protecting those at risk becomes a top priority. As a security measure, those at risk should shut doors to prevent potential threats from entry. However, due to ensuing panic, unfamiliarity of surroundings, or because those stranded in rooms seek cover, the opportunity to properly seal an entrance may not exist. Even correctly shut doors may not have locking mechanisms to remain closed. Further, intruders can access a locked door with keys or by forced entry. Violent open-and-close movements, repeated ramming forces, and swift, powerful strikes are all ways threatening parties can gain access to a room with an inwardly swinging door regardless of its locking mechanisms. 
         [0003]    The stronger the force used to breach a room, the likelier a typical anti-breach tool will fail. Most tools known in the art become less effective as the force applied against them increases. Conventional ways of preventing a door from inwardly opening involve cumbersome tools and devices that often snap, break, slip, and/or slide when a sufficient force is applied against them. Usually anchored underneath a doorknob, these tools extend to the ground at some point in front of the door. Constant back-and-forth jerking motions can easily jostle them loose. Without proper anchoring into the door the tool has a greater chance to freely slide away and fall off the door. 
         [0004]    Fixing the tool to the door by welding or with hardware may circumvent these problems. However, these tools are impractical for a number of reasons, as they: are not transportable; are not cost effective; permanently leave holes and other structural flaws in doors; and if they have not yet been installed at the time of an emergency, they cannot be easily or quickly attached. 
         [0005]    Other anti-breach devices known in the art contain complex mechanical assemblies involving gears and/or chains. If one part in the assembly fails then the entire device becomes useless. A threatening party who violently and repeatedly pushes against a door can easily loosen a chain or dislodge a gear. Additional devices in the art utilize sophisticated electronic components. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that electronic anti-breach devices will have the necessary electricity to operate in an emergency. Threatening parties can easily cut power sources to rooms, and, for various reasons, emergency responders may need to cut power, thus inadvertently enabling breach conditions. 
         [0006]    If those at risk need to evacuate, permanently fixed tools must stay behind, leaving subsequently encountered doors unprotected. Effective anti-breach tools must travel with those at risk to guard against the possibility of unlocked doors. Prohibitively heavy or cumbersome tools cannot travel with those at risk even if they do not require permanent anchoring. Many of the known tools in the art having numerous parts may weigh too much to easily be carried from room to room in an emergency. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there is a need in the art for a portable access prevention device that does not snap, break, slip, and/or slide when a force is applied against it, becomes more resistant to an opposing force as that opposing force increases, is easily transportable, is cost effective, and does not require electricity or intricate mechanical assemblies. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In order to solve the need in the art for a portable access prevention device that does not snap, break, slip, and/or slide when a force is applied against it, becomes more resistant to an opposing force as that opposing force increases, is easily transportable, is cost effective, and does not require electricity or intricate mechanical assemblies, the present invention has been devised. 
         [0009]    The present invention is a portable access prevention device for use in preventing the opening of inwardly swinging doors. The present device functions by leveraging the force used to open a door back against the door. The device does not require electronics or complicated mechanical assemblies to operate. Whereas many devices known in the art fail when faced with a powerful enough force, the present device&#39;s effectiveness (i.e. resistance) increases as the force against the door becomes stronger. This serves as an object of the invention: the present invention leverages the force used to open the door as the means of preventing entry. Since the device leverages opening force, the greater the force applied against the door to open the door, the more resistant the device becomes. 
         [0010]    The device includes a series of interrelated structural elements, all composed of durable materials adapted to resist strong mechanical stresses, strains, and forces. These elements are substantially hollow to reduce the overall weight of the device without compromising strength. The base of the device is a wedge element having a tapered toe at its front and a heel at its back. A sloped top starts at the top of the wedge and terminates at the toe. This shape helps drive the wedge element under the door when the device is in use. Each time an intruder attempts to force the door open the device leverages that force to drive the wedge further under the door. Therefore, the wedge provides resistance by jamming the bottom of the door into the sloped surface more and more as the intruder&#39;s force increases. If the wedge can travel no further under the door, the device rocks backwardly with the motion of the force, and anchoring elements located under the wedge dig into the ground. 
         [0011]    Another object of the invention is to provide fast and easy installation. When users involved in an emergency need to quickly seal entrances, the present invention simply needs to be placed against the door, have the toe of the base wedge element inserted under the door, and have its contact means rotated into place against the door. In some embodiments, users can kick the kickplate located on top of the wedge to facilitate installation. The device requires no hardware or tools for installation. The user need not worry about charging batteries or finding a power source to engage the device. The contact means may include the faceplate and support brace configuration shown in  FIG. 20 , or the elementary leverage arm configuration shown in  FIG. 21 . 
         [0012]    Yet another object of the invention is its capability for easy transport and storage. The device takes up little space, especially when not in use, as the contact means folds when disengaged from the door. The device fits in small crawl spaces, underneath furniture, and in closets. Users can pick up the device whenever they need it and easily transport it from storage to the door. If users exit a room and need to take the device with them, they simply disengage the contact means, pull the toe out from under the door, and carry it with them. Since the device does not require permanent anchoring, and the generally hollow structural components are not prohibitively heavy, the present invention is easily portable. Further, when facing a crisis, users can easily grasp the device, place it in front of the door, and engage it without having to drag an unwieldy tool across the room. 
         [0013]    The following description best describes the present invention&#39;s functionality: a user inside a room places the device on the ground and facing an inwardly swinging door. In this context, “facing” the door means having the tapered toe of the wedge element pointed toward the door. Also, in this context and throughout all embodiments of the invention, “ground” refers to exterior and interior surfaces, including floors, as well as any surface below the path of an inwardly swinging door. Preferably, the user inserts the wedge element toe first into the gap between the underside of the door and ground as far as possible. However, the device may still function if the toe is substantially close to the bottom of the door and not yet underneath it, provided the base of the door catches the sloped surface of the wedge element. 
         [0014]    The user then swings the contact means about its pivotal attachment with the leverage shaft such that the contact means abuts the door. Once the contact means abuts the door, the device is engaged and ready to prohibit entry. The contact means may either be the free end of the leverage arm or a faceplate permanently fixed to the leverage arm. The faceplate has a surface area of greater dimension than the cross-sectional shape of the free end of the leverage arm. In the preferred embodiment, the faceplate is convex and covered in rubber treads to increase frictional contact. A similar material that increases friction covers the sloped top surface of the wedge element. 
         [0015]    When an intruder attempts to open the door to gain entry, the applied force used to open the door exerts against the device. The force transfers to the contact means and leverage arm, thus pushing them in the direction of the force. The top end of the leverage shaft, coupled to the contact means by pivotal attachment, also travels in the direction of the force. The bottom end of the leverage shaft, in rigid connection with the wedge element, thrusts forwardly towards the door and downwardly into the ground. 
         [0016]    As the leverage shaft moves forwardly, it drives the wedge element further under the door. As the force applied against the door increases, the base of the door advances further up the sloped top surface of the wedge element. When the door can travel no further up the wedge element, applied forces may urge the device to rock backwardly. The rounded, angled, or curved heel of the wedge element is adapted to rock backwardly forcing the sloped surface near the toe end up against the door, thus preventing the device from slipping or sliding out from the door. 
         [0017]    Anchoring cleats on the underside of the heel of the wedge element provide added stability by digging in to the ground. Some embodiments include grasping teeth longitudinally disposed along the bottom and protruding from the bottom right and left edges of the of the wedge element to further increase the resistance. As the force against the door increases, so does the resistance offered by the device. Furthermore, since the leverage shaft thrusts the wedge element downwardly, the resistance provided by the anchoring cleats, grasping teeth, and other protrusions extending from the bottom and heel of the wedge element increases with stronger force applied against the device from a would-be intruder. 
         [0018]    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. These and other constructions will become obvious to those skilled in the art from the following drawings and detailed description of the preferred embodiment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a front left isometric drawing of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a left side elevation drawing of a wedge element of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a right side elevation drawing of a wedge element of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a rear side elevation drawing of a wedge element of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a top plan drawing of a wedge element of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a left side elevation drawing of a wedge element of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a rear side elevation drawing of a wedge element of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a rear side elevation drawing of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a rear side elevation drawing of a wedge element and kick plate of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a wedge element and kick plate of the present invention taken along line  10 - 10  as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a bottom plan drawing of a wedge element of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of a leverage shaft taken along line  12 - 12  as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a front left isometric drawing of a contact means of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a front left isometric drawing of an alternate embodiment of the contact means, showing the leverage arm only, of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a left elevation drawing of an alternate embodiment of the contact means, showing the leverage arm only, of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is a rear left isometric drawing of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  is a rear left isometric drawing of an alternate embodiment of the contact means of the present invention engaging a door. 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  is a left elevation drawing of a preferred embodiment of the present invention demonstrating the positions of the contact means. 
           [0037]      FIG. 19  is a left elevation drawing of a preferred embodiment of the present invention positioned too close to a door and demonstrating the positions of the contact means. 
           [0038]      FIG. 20  is a rear left isometric drawing of a preferred embodiment of the present invention engaging a door. 
           [0039]      FIG. 21  is a rear left isometric drawing of an alternate embodiment of the present invention engaging a door. 
           [0040]      FIG. 22  is a left elevation drawing of a preferred embodiment of the present invention while in use. 
           [0041]      FIGS. 23-24  are partial front left isometric views of the wedge element of the present invention including a guide means. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0042]    The following detailed description and corresponding drawings are of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. 
         [0043]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a portable access prevention device  10 . The device  10  includes a plurality of durable structural components, including the leverage shaft  40 , leverage arm  50  and support brace  60 . Preferably, these components are made of 0.75 inch square steel tubing.  FIG. 1  also shows wedge element  1 , the base of device  10 , kick plate  90 , and faceplate  70 . Preferably, wedge element  1 , kick plate  90  and faceplate  70  are made of 0.25 inch steel plating. Conceivably, the structural components of the device  10 , including the wedge element  1 , leverage shaft  40 , leverage arm  50 , support brace  60 , and faceplate  70  may be made of any material that can withstand mechanical stresses, strains, and strong forces, including, but not limited to: polymer, polypropylene fiber mix, fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum, wood, or combinations thereof. 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  illustrates a left elevation view of wedge element  1  in detail. Wedge element  1  has a toe  2 , heel  4 , right side  5  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), a left side  6 , a bottom  12  and a top  20 . Top  20  has two surfaces; a horizontal surface  22  and a sloped surface  24 . Bottom  12 , the surface that abuts the ground, is substantially flat, although some embodiments employ anchoring means protruding from bottom  12  as shown in  FIG. 11 . Horizontal surface  22  is substantially parallel bottom  12 , whereas sloped surface  24  slopes downwardly, ultimately terminating at bottom  12  to form toe  2 . Toe  2  is bounded on either side by right toe point  7  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) and left toe point  8 . Heel  4  is preferably rounded, but may also be angled, arcuate, curved, or shaped such that it rocks backwardly when a force exerts against the device  10 . On the left side  6 , heel  4  meets at bottom  12  at left bottom point  28 . The segment extending between left toe point  8  and left bottom point  28 , i.e. the segment formed where bottom  12  meets left side  6 , is left edge  32 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 3  illustrates the right elevation view of wedge element  1  in detail. Substantially planar surfaces bound wedge element  1  at its right and left sides. Neither right side  5  nor left side  6  extends past the other surfaces of the wedge element. Therefore, wedge element  1  has well-defined edges at horizontal surface  22 , a sloped surface  24  and bottom  12 . 
         [0046]    Right side  5 , complete with right toe point  7  and right bottom point  27 , are shown. The segment extending between right toe point  7  and right bottom point  27 , i.e. the segment formed where bottom  12  meets right side  5 , is right edge  30 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  depicts heel  4  as it extends to the horizontal surface  22  of top  20  to form right back point  25  and left back point  26 . The heel  4  meets at bottom  12  on the right side  5  at right bottom point  27  and at the left side  6  at left bottom point  28 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  depicts a top view of wedge element  1 . The sloped surface  24  is substantially planar and bounded at its bottom edge by toe  2  and at its top by front edge  23 . Right toe point and left toe point  8  bound either side of toe  2 . Sloped surface  24  meets horizontal surface  22  to form front edge  23  which is also shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In exemplary embodiments, sloped surface  24  includes a panel of frictional material  11  that increases the coefficient of friction between it and other surfaces, such as rubber or silicone treads, or even sandpaper. Typically made of 0.25 inch steel plating, wedge element  1  can also be the same material as the other structural elements. Further, the entire wedge element  1  can be made of rubber, silicone, or similar material that increases friction between it and the base of the door. And, although a panel of frictional material  11  covers sloped surface  24 , having a rubber or silicone wedge element  1  will increase friction between it and the door. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate embodiments of wedge element  1  that include various anchoring elements used to enhance the device  10 &#39;s overall resistance. When the device  10  is in use, these anchoring elements dig in to the ground or respective surface, thus increasing resistance and stability. As the force against the device  10  increases, so do the anchoring elements&#39; ability to dig deeper into the ground. These anchoring elements include cleat or teeth-like protrusions which extend from the bottom  12 . The heel  4  may also have cleat or teeth-like protrusions that engage the ground when the device  10  rocks backwardly. 
         [0050]      FIG. 6  depicts a plurality of grasping teeth  33  protruding from the bottom  12 . Exemplary embodiments have at least one protrusion extending from the bottom right and left edges  5  and  6 . In many embodiments, the protrusions are longitudinally disposed along the bottom  12 . The sawtooth-shaped construction of the grasping teeth  33  is ideal for digging into the ground. Grasping teeth  33  may have other shapes adapted to better dig into the ground. In some embodiments, grasping teeth  33  are flush with right side  5  and left side  6 .  FIG. 6  further depicts the end of an anchoring cleat  35  protruding past the heel  4 . Anchoring cleats  35  are additional protrusions that extend from the back of heel  4 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 7  depicts a plurality of anchoring cleats  35  extending from anchoring plate  34 . Permanently bonded to heel  4  for increased stability, anchoring plate  34  is preferably made of 0.25 inch steel plating but may be made of other materials able to withstand mechanical stresses, strains, and forces, including, but not limited to: polymer, polypropylene fiber mix, fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum, wood, or a combination thereof. As shown in  FIG. 7 , anchoring cleats  35  typically have a wedge shape to better dig into the ground. 
         [0052]      FIG. 8  illustrates leverage shaft  40  extending through the horizontal surface  22  of wedge element  1 . A structural element having a slender, elongate body, preferably made of square 0.75 inch steel tubing, leverage shaft  40  has a bottom end  42  and a top end  44 . Both ends  42  and  44  couple to other components of device  10 .  FIG. 1  shows leverage shaft  40  having a substantially pillar-like shaft with a substantially square cross-sectional shape, but the invention can function with various other shapes, such as a substantially cylindrical shaft or a substantially triangular shaft. The longer the leverage shaft  40 , the greater the amount of leverage force it can apply to the other structural components of device  10 . Further, leverage shaft  40 , like the other structural elements of the device  10 , may be made of other materials able to withstand mechanical stresses, strains, and forces, including, but not limited to: polymer, polypropylene fiber mix, fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum, wood, or a combination thereof. 
         [0053]    Top attachment means  41  pivotally couples top end  44  to contact means  100 , and bottom attachment means  43  rigidly connects bottom end  42  to wedge element  1 . In the preferred embodiments, attachment means  41  utilizes a bolt  36  or other hardware capable of providing pivotal movement. In alternate embodiments, the attachment means  41  provides hinged attachment between top end  44  and the contact means  100 . 
         [0054]    Top attachment means  41  utilizes holes drilled through the top end  44  and adapted to accept a bolt  36  or other hardware capable of providing pivotal movement. Similarly, bottom attachment means  43  utilizes holes drilled through the bottom end  42  and adapted to accept a pin  37 , or other hardware capable of providing rigid connection, such as a friction pin or cotter pin. The invention does not require that both attachment means  41  and  43  utilize the same size and dimension of hardware and holes. 
         [0055]      FIG. 9  highlights the components used in the rigid connection of bottom attachment means  43 . Leverage shaft  40  extends through horizontal surface  22  and rests on shelf  38 . Shelf  38 , extending from and welded to anchoring plate  34 , further includes pillar  39  (as best seen in  FIG. 10 ). Pillar  39  also includes holes adapted to accept pin  37 . Pin  37  inserts through the holes drilled into the bottom end  42  of leverage shaft  40  and pillar  39  so that leverage shaft  40  remains stationary when the device  10  is in use. By resting on shelf  38 , covering pillar  39 , and secured by pin  37 , leverage shaft  40  can downwardly and forwardly drive wedge element  1  further under the door and into the ground when a force applies against the device  10  without unwanted movement. 
         [0056]      FIG. 9  also provides a close-up view of kick plate  90 . Kick plate  90  extends from the leverage shaft  40  and is adapted to receive swift, powerful strikes, like a kick or punch, from the user. Kick plate  90  facilitates the positioning of the wedge element  1 , as a swift kick will drive toe  2  further underneath the door. Device  10  still functions in embodiments that do not include kick plate  90 , but its presence is preferred. Kick plate  90  includes a substantially planar element extending from the surface of the leverage shaft  40  facing opposite the door. Kick plate has a front surface  95  which faces the user. The kick plate  90  will best drive the toe  2  under the door when positioned as far down the leverage shaft  40  as possible. 
         [0057]    The kick plate  90  still performs its function when in communication with the heel  4 . For instance, alternate embodiments for the kick plate  90  to extend from shelf  38  or near the edge of bottom leverage shaft end  42 . 
         [0058]      FIGS. 10 and 11  provide views of the wedge element  1  and its connection to leverage shaft  40 . These views also show shelf  38  extending from anchoring plate  34 . Anchoring plate  34  extends from a point  31  underneath the wedge element  1  at a surface opposite the sloped surface  24 . Anchoring plate  34  has cleats  35  protrude past the outermost edge of heel  4 . As best seen in  FIGS. 10 and 12 , the outer cross-sectional dimensions of pillar  39  are substantially the same as the inner cross-sectional dimensions of leverage shaft  40 . When pillar  39  accepts leverage shaft  40 , its outer dimensions directly abut the inner surface of leverage shaft  40 . This configuration allows for greater stability and easier alignment of the holes that accept pin  37 . Further,  FIG. 10  depicts kick plate  90  having its top edge  92  closer to the leverage shaft  40  than its bottom edge  94 . This angled configuration facilitates contact by a user&#39;s foot or fist when striking kick plate  90 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 12  best illustrates how pillar  39  accepts leverage shaft  40 . As shown, the outer cross-sectional dimension of pillar  39  is substantially the same as the inner cross-sectional dimension of leverage shaft  40 . With no gaps between pillar  39  and leverage shaft  40 , the device  10  will not, rock, twist, vibrate, or create other unwanted movements when the device  10  is in use. Further, this direct abutment provides greater overall structural strength. 
         [0060]      FIG. 13  provides a view of contact means  100 , the element that abuts the door when the device  10  is engaged. Contact means  100  has various forms, and may be just the leverage arm  50  as shown in in  FIG. 14 , or the more complicated embodiment including support brace  60  and faceplate  70  seen here. In some embodiments, to ensure engagement with the door, the user can equip contact means  100  with a retractable spring means. Although this spring may restrict the overall movement of the contact means, particularly in a circular motion away from the door, it snaps the leverage arm  50  in place with the door for improved engagement. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 14 and 15  depict leverage arm  50  having first end  52  and second end  54 , wherein the second end  54  pivotally engages top end  44  of leverage shaft  40  at top attachment means  41 . Holes drilled through the leverage arm second end  54  and top end  44  of leverage shaft  40  are aligned and adapted to accept a bolt  36  or similar hardware capable of providing pivotal attachment. When contact means  100  uses a configuration of only the leverage arm  50 , first end  52  abuts the door.  FIG. 15  depicts second end  54  as a pair of flanges extending past the elongate body of leverage arm  50 . Top end  44  of leverage shaft  44  inserts into these flanges and accepts the bolt  36  to form top attachment means  41 . When not in use, the leverage arm  50  may swing freely in both directions about the pivot. 
         [0062]    Like other structural components of the device  10 , leverage arm  50  is preferably made of 0.75 inch steel tubing, but may be made of other materials able to withstand mechanical stresses, strains, and forces, including, but not limited to: polymer, polypropylene fiber mix, fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum, wood, or a combination thereof. Further, in the preferred embodiment, leverage arm  50  has a substantially rectangular shape, but alternate embodiments utilize the various shapes, including a substantially cylindrical beam, a substantially square beam, or substantially triangular beam. Usually, the leverage arm  50  has a slender, elongate body, similar to the leverage shaft  40 , albeit not as long. The leverage arm  50  typically has a cross-sectional area of generally small dimensions relative to the size of the door. As the cross-sectional area of the first end  52  increases, so does the overall stability, resistance, and effectiveness of the device  10 , as greater area is capable of distributing a stronger force. 
         [0063]    When the device  10  is in use, first end  52  abuts the door. In this position, the device is said to “engage” the door. To engage the door, a user swings the leverage arm  50  about the pivotal attachment means  41  until first end  52  abuts the door (as shown in  FIG. 21 ). In this configuration, the inwardly swinging door remains in place by the engaged leverage arm when an intruder attempts entry. Flipping the leverage arm  50  in the opposite direction effectively disengages the device  10 . 
         [0064]    Referring now to  FIG. 16 , first end  52  of leverage arm  50  fastens to the back surface  72  of faceplate  70 , usually by strong bonds such as welding or hardware. This connection is typically made at a lower connection point  71  located substantially near the bottom edge  75  of back surface  72 . Faceplate  70  also has a front surface  74  that abuts the door when the device is in use. Faceplate  70  is preferably made of  0 . 25  steel plating but may be made of the other materials able to withstand mechanical stresses, strains, and forces, including, but not limited to: polymer, polypropylene fiber mix, fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum, wood, or a combination thereof. 
         [0065]    Referring again to  FIG. 13 , the preferred embodiment of a convex faceplate  70  is shown, although some embodiments employ a substantially planar faceplate. This convex shape facilitates the backward movement of the device  10  force is applied against it. The convex shape ensures that a section of surface area on faceplate front surface  74  will always contact the door when the device  10  is engaged. In  FIG. 13 , the faceplate  70  has substantially the same lateral dimension as the cross-sectional shape of leverage arm  50 . However, faceplate  70  has a greater longitudinal dimension than that of the leverage arm to create a greater cross-sectional area. Faceplate  70  has substantially straight top and bottom edges  76  and  75 , respectively, connected by convex right and left edges  77  and  78 , respectively. The convex front faceplate surface  74  may be covered with a material  79  that increases the friction between the front faceplate surface  74  and door, such as rubber or silicone treads, and even sandpaper. 
         [0066]      FIG. 17  depicts an alternate embodiment of a faceplate  80  having a substantially greater longitudinal and lateral dimensions compared to that of leverage arm  50 . This embodiment enhances the chance for contact between the door and faceplate  80  as the faceplate  80 &#39;s surface area has increased. 
         [0067]    As seen in  FIGS. 13 and 16 , support brace  60  provides added structural stability and support for faceplates  70  and  80  (as shown in  FIG. 17 ). Support brace  60 , like the other structural elements of device  10 , is preferably made of 0.75 inch steel tubing, but may be made of the other materials able to withstand mechanical stresses, strains, and forces, including, but not limited to: polymer, polypropylene fiber mix, fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum, wood, or a combination thereof. Further, the drawings depict the support brace  60  as a substantially elongate rectangular beam but alternate embodiments utilize the various shapes including, but not limited to, a substantially cylindrical beam, a substantially square beam, or a substantially triangular beam. 
         [0068]    Support brace  60  has a first end  62  and a second end  64 . First support brace end  62  is fixed to back surface  72  in a similar fashion to the permanent bonding of first leverage arm end  52  to back faceplate surface  72 . However, first support brace end  62  meets back faceplate surface  72  at upper connection point  65  located at a higher longitudinal point than where the first leverage arm end  52  connects to back faceplate surface  72  at lower connection point  71 . Similarly, second support beam end  64  is permanently bonded to leverage arm  50 . 
         [0069]    With both support brace ends  62  and  64  permanently fixed to back faceplate surface  72  and leverage arm  50 , respectively, support brace  60  acts as a handle for the device. As shown in  FIG. 18 , the user flips the contact means  100  in place by rotating the leverage arm  50  about its pivotal attachment means  41  simply by handling the support brace  60 . The user can transport the device  10  by picking it up from the support brace  60 . The phantom lines depict a disengaged contact means  100 , i.e. the position of the contact means before it flips into place. Further, due to the permanent bonds, users can transport the device  10  by picking it up from support brace  60 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 19  depicts the device  10  just prior to engaging the door. Device  10  faces the door with toe  2  inserted in the gap between the door and ground. Ideally, the user will place the device as close to the door as possible. The contact means  100  moves about the pivot created by top attachment means  41  in the direction illustrated by the curved arrow M. Movement ceases when the front faceplate surface  74  abuts the door. 
         [0071]      FIG. 20  depicts an isometric view of device  10  after contact means  100  engages the door. The contact means  100  includes faceplate  70 , with front faceplate  74  (or, depending on the embodiment, frictional material  79 ) abutting the door. Wedge element  1  is placed on the ground G with toe  2  underneath the door as indicated by the phantom lines. The bottom of the door surface abuts sloped surface  24  of wedge element  1 . To better drive wedge element  1  under the door, the user may strike kick plate  90 . 
         [0072]    Similarly,  FIG. 21  also provides an isometric view of device  10  after contact means  100  engages the door. However,  FIG. 20  depicts the simpler contact means  100  having only the leverage arm  50 . First end  52  of leverage arm  50  does provide resistance against the door when forces are applied, but preferable embodiments of contact means  100  include the faceplates  70  and  80  having greater cross-sectional surface areas as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , respectively. 
         [0073]      FIG. 22  illustrates the device in use. An intruder applies a force against the door to attempt entry as indicated by arrow F. Contact means  100 , shown in an engaged position as faceplate  70  abuts the door, moves incrementally in the same direction as arrow F. Top end  44  of leverage shaft  40 , pivotally coupled to contact means  100  by top attachment means  41 , also travels in the direction of force F. Bottom end  42  of leverage shaft  40 , in rigid connection with the wedge element  1  at bottom attachment means  43  (not shown here, see  FIG. 9 ), thrusts forwardly and downwardly, thus driving wedge element  1  further under the door and anchoring elements deeper into the ground G. 
         [0074]    As the force F applied against the door increases, the base of the door incrementally advances further up sloped surface  24  of the wedge element  1 , therefore providing more resistance with every additional push. Sloped surfaces  24  covered in frictional materials  11 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 22 , provide even greater resistance against the door. When the door can travel no further up the wedge element  1 , device  10  may rock backwardly from the strong forces. Heel  4  of wedge element  1  is adapted to rock or tilt backwardly and thus prevent device  10  from slipping or sliding out from the door. 
         [0075]    When heel  4  rocks backwardly, the anchoring elements that protrude from heel  4  and bottom  12  such as anchoring cleats  35  and grasping teeth  33  dig into the ground for added resistance. The close-up bubble in  FIG. 22  illustrates the anchoring cleats  35  digging into the ground as heel  4  tilts backwardly. Anchoring cleats  35 , grasping teeth  33 , and other protrusions extending from heel  4  and bottom  12  dig in further as force F increases. 
         [0076]    As shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , some embodiments may include a guide means, such as a brightly colored sticker  120  or a line  110  drawn across the sloped surface to indicate to the user how far to insert wedge element  1  for optimal effectiveness. Typically, the guide means traverse the entire sloped surface  24  and are substantially parallel to toe  2 . Lines  110  may be drawn on or etched or carved through the frictional material  11 . Similarly, sticker  120  can adhere over the frictional material  11  for greater visibility. 
         [0077]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 
         [0078]    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.