Abstract:
The invention relates to pocket door hardware. Devices are disclosed that include a plate configured to fit over a surface pull of a pocket door, and members protruding from the plate away from the broad plane of the door.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/024,177, filed Sep. 11, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Some sliding doors are designed, when closed, to recess completely into a frame that is installed within a wall between two opposing wall surfaces. Such doors are commonly referred to as “pocket” doors. Pocket doors provide the functionality of a hinge-mounted door with the additional advantage of space-savings. They have become increasingly popular, for example in small homes and in offices where square-footage is expensive. 
         [0003]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a pocket door  5  is shown with an example of prior art hardware  20  that allows the user to manipulate the door, e.g. open, close, lock and unlock. Pocket doors  5  feature two broad surfaces  10  and an end surface  12 . When the pocket door is in the open position, it is typically fully recessed in a frame contained in a wall (not shown). Pocket door hardware  20  can have a recessed area  30 . The recessed area  30  allows easier manipulation of the door  5 , e.g. as when opening or closing the door. Some versions of the hardware  20  feature a locking mechanism  35 . Mounting screws  40  secure the door hardware  20  to the door  5 . 
         [0004]    Doors with this type of hardware may in some cases be difficult to open from a fully closed, recessed position, particularly if the user&#39;s hands are full or the user has difficulty grasping objects. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Generally, the present disclosure relates to pocket door pull devices and methods of using such devices. These devices allow adaptation of existing pocket door hardware to provide exposed gripping surfaces to assist a user with opening the door when the pocket door is in a closed position and closing it when in an open position. In preferred implementations the devices can be installed using basic tools (e.g., a screwdriver) without the need for significant (or in most cases, any) modification of the door or existing hardware. 
         [0006]    In one aspect, the invention features a device comprising a plate configured to fit over a surface pull of a pocket door, and members protruding from the plate away from the broad plane of the door. 
         [0007]    Some implementations can include one or more of the following features. 
         [0008]    The device may have an opening, which in some cases is dimensioned to allow access to an underlying recessed area. Furthermore, the opening may be dimensioned to allow use of a locking mechanism. 
         [0009]    In some cases, the members may be generally perpendicular to the plate, and thus to the broad surface of the door when the device is in use. The members preferably have sufficient surface area to allow a user to apply a force to open or close the door. In some implementations, the members protrude from the surface of the door at least 0.2 inch (5 mm). The members may be positioned on opposite edges of the plate. The members may be configured such that, when the device is in use, at least one of the members extends generally parallel to the long axis of the door. 
         [0010]    The plate may in some cases include mounting holes which are configured so that, when the plate is positioned over the surface pull, the mounting holes align with corresponding mounting holes of the surface pull. In some cases, the mounting holes may be elongated. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, the invention features a device comprising pocket door hardware having a body, and a pair of members protruding from the body, such that when the pocket door hardware is mounted on a door the members extend away from a broad surface of the door. 
         [0012]    Implementations of this aspect of the invention may in some cases include any one or more of the features discussed above. 
         [0013]    The invention also features a method of opening a pocket door by applying a force to a member extending away from the broad plane of the door, wherein the member protrudes from a plate that is attached to the pocket door over a surface pull. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of prior art pocket door hardware. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a pocket door pull device according to one embodiment of the invention installed on a door, over the hardware shown in  FIG. 1  (which is shown in phantom lines in  FIG. 2 ). 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the device. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a front planar view of the device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is an end view of the device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The present disclosure relates generally to door pull devices for pocket doors that are configured to allow a user to more easily open the door from a closed position or close the door when it is in a open position. The devices prevent the door from closing fully, while also providing an exposed gripping surface, or handle, that the user can easily grasp. Preferred devices can be used with existing door hardware without modification or carpentry of the door or existing door hardware. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a pocket door pull device  22  is shown installed over the existing door hardware shown in  FIG. 1 , utilizing the existing mounting holes  40 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the device  22  features a body  42  and two members  45 A/ 45 B extending outwardly on opposing sides of the body  42 . In use, the member  45 A, which is spaced from the edge of the door engages the door frame and prevents the door from being completely recessed in the wall. The member  45 B, the edge of which is preferably substantially aligned with the edge of the door, provides an exposed gripping surface or handle that can be grasped by the user to open the door. Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the members  45 A/ 45 B are substantially perpendicular to the body  42  of the device to provide a good angle of contact with the user&#39;s fingers. In the embodiment shown, the members extend the full length of the device. Referring to  FIG. 3 , edges  46  of members  45 A/ 45 B are radiused to prevent unwanted snagging or damage. 
         [0023]    Ideally, a device  22  will be installed on each side of the door  5 , on surfaces  10 . This configuration allows the user to easily engage members  45 B from either side. The handles allow the user to more easily interact with the door in either the opening or closing directions. 
         [0024]    Referring again to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , two mounting holes  41  are positioned substantially near the middle of the device with respect to the long axis. Placement of the mounting holes  41  allows the user to utilize the mounting holes in the hardware  40 . Thus, it is not necessary for the user to drill additional holes when installing the device  22 , and the device can easily be mounted over the existing hardware, allowing continued use of the existing hardware. The mounting holes  41  are enlarged laterally to allow for accommodation of varying placement of hardware mounting holes ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0025]    In preferred embodiments the body  42  defines a central cut-out section  50  that approximately aligns with the central recessed portion  30  of the existing door hardware. The central cut-out  50  allows the user to access locking mechanisms  35  commonly found on pocket door hardware, e.g. as shown in  FIG. 1 . The inner edges  43  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) of the body defined by the cut-out  50  are radiused to allow for better alignment with the central recessed portion  30 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , in some implementations the device  5  is about 2 to 3 inches wide (W) and about 2 to 4 inches in length (HB). The members  45 A and  45 B protrude from the device  22  a distance sufficient to allow the member  45 A to act as a stop, and the member  45 B to be easily grasped, for example, at least 0.2 inches (5 mm), e.g., from about 0.2 to 1.0 inches (HM). For aesthetic reasons and ease of manufacturing and installation, the members are generally the same height. The device  22  is of a sufficient thickness to have a desired degree of stiffness. The wall thickness (T) of the device will depend on the physical characteristics of the material used, but is generally from about 0.01 to 0.10 inches. The cut-out  50  is dimensioned to expose the underlying latch mechanism, and may in some cases be about 1 to 1.5 inches wide (CW) and about 2 to 3 inches high (CH). The mounting holes  41  may in some cases be located at the mid point of the long axis of the device, i.e., midway between the top and bottom edges of the device (HH). The center of the mounting holes  41  can be, for example, from about 1.5 to 2 inches apart (HW). 
         [0027]    Preferably, the device is made from a metal or a metal alloy, e.g. brass or steel, and is sufficiently strong to resist deformation when under load as when a door is opened or closed. Other materials may be suitable as well, for example, thermoplastics, thermosets, wood or ceramics. In some cases, the material may be transparent or translucent, for example LEXAN® plastic or LUCITE® plastic. 
         [0028]    The device may be colored, or may be paintable so that the user can customize the appearance of the device. 
       Other Embodiments 
       [0029]    A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
         [0030]    For example, rather than extending from a body that is configured to be mounted over existing pocket door hardware, the members could be integral with the pocket door hardware having a latching mechanism (e.g., extend integrally from the side edges of hardware otherwise resembling that shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0031]    Another embodiment may feature the device installed in alternate locations on the door. For example, while it is generally preferred that the device be installed over the existing hardware, the device may be installed in a higher or lower location on the door, e.g., to facilitate use by users of different heights or a user in a wheelchair. 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 2 , the device is depicted as being installed on both sides of the door; however, the user could optionally install the device on only one side. 
         [0033]    While it is generally preferred that members  45 A and  45 B protrude the same distance from the body, they could have different heights if desired. For example, member  45 A could be shorter (only high enough to act as a stop). 
         [0034]    Either or both of the members could be disposed at an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the body. For example, member  45 A could be generally perpendicular to the body while member  45 B could be at an acute angle with respect to the body. 
         [0035]    Moreover, either of both of the members could be curved in cross-section, rather than extending straight out from the body. 
         [0036]    While preferred embodiments feature a central cut-out section, an alternate embodiment could be configured without a central cut-out section or with a cut-out that is offset from center. 
         [0037]    While the device  22  is preferably made of one continuous piece, an alternate embodiment could be constructed from multiple pieces. 
         [0038]    An alternate embodiment could feature members that do not extend the full length of the device. 
         [0039]    Another embodiment could feature members that are textured to enhance the user interface by increasing friction between the member and the user&#39;s finger. This could be accomplished by embossing, engraving, or other means. 
         [0040]    While the device as shown features solid members, an alternative embodiment could feature members that are skeletal with portions removed. 
         [0041]    The device can be provided in any desired style, e.g., including various ornamental features. As an example, the members could be scroll-shaped rather than simple vertical members, and/or the plate could have any desired shape. 
         [0042]    Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.