Patent Publication Number: US-6703102-B1

Title: Door jamb protection device

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to door jamb protection devices. Additionally, the present invention relates to self-coiling mats that can be applied to protect elongated objects during moving activities. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When construction workers pass through doorways, the workers often carry equipment and materials which may scratch, chip, crack, or otherwise damage portions of the door jamb. The same problem can occur when movers are moving a person&#39;s belongings either into or out of an office or a residence. In this respect, it would be desirable if a device were provided that protected portions of a door jamb from damaging contact when the articles are moved through a doorway. 
     When an article passes through a doorway and bumps into a portion of the door jamb, the article itself may also become damaged in some way. In this respect, it would be desirable if a device were provided that protects articles that pass through a doorway from being damaged by contact with a door jamb. 
     Throughout the years, a number of innovations have been developed relating to protectors for portions of a door jamb. More specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,320 discloses a door frame guard that has a relatively stiff outer shell and a relatively soft inner lining. The relatively soft inner lining may well protect a door jamb from damage from articles moved through a doorway. However, the relatively stiff outer shell may damage articles that pass through the doorway and contact the door frame guard. In this respect, it would be desirable if a door jamb protector device were provided that has a relatively soft outer surface. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,130 discloses a door frame shield that includes four interfitting, relatively adjustable, stiff component parts. For purposes of simplicity of manufacture and use, it would be desirable if a door jamb protector device were provided which does not include a plurality of relatively adjustable, interfitting component parts. 
     In addition, the following U.S. patents may be of interest for their disclosure of protectors that protect the edges of movable planar sheet articles such as doors: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,443,508, 4,555,870, 5,351,733, and U.S. Pat. Des. No. 289,890. 
     Still other features would be desirable in a door jamb protector device. For example, door jambs are not all the same thickness. In this respect, it would be desirable if a door jamb protector device were provided that is flexible and can be easily bent to be adapted to door jambs having different thicknesses. Furthermore, for purposes of simplicity and economy, it would be desirable if a door jamb protector were provided which is a single structural unit. 
     Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates it to be well known to use door jamb protectors, the prior art described above does not teach or suggest a door jamb protector apparatus which has the following combination of desirable features: (1) protects portions of a door jamb from being damaged by contact by articles when the articles are moved through a doorway; (2) protects articles that pass through a doorway from being damaged by contact with a door jamb; (3) has a relatively soft outer surface; (4) does not include a plurality of relatively adjustable, intermitting component parts; (5) can be easily flexed to be adapted to door jambs having different thicknesses; and (6) is composed of a single structural unit. 
     Unfortunately, many movers are unwilling to utilize protective devices for door jambs. The main reason for this reluctance is the complicated nature in which such door jamb protection devices are configured. Since time is of the essence in moving activities, movers often lack the patience or available time in which to fixedly secure protective devices around door jambs. As such, it is important to make the protective device as simple to install as humanly possible. Additionally, and furthermore, any door jamb protection devices are curved in cross-section will be difficult to transport. Since cargo space is often limited in moving vehicles, movers will lack the space necessary to store a large number of such curved cross-section devices. As such, a need has developed for a door jamb protective device which can be stacked flat within the interior of the moving vehicle. Additionally, the door jamb protection devices should be able to be stacked so that they can be transported from the moving vehicle to the interior of the dwelling or office environment. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a door jamb protective device which effectively prevents damage to the door jamb during moving activities. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a door jamb protective device which is easy to install and easy to remove. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a door jamb protective device that can be stacked in a flat orientation following use. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a door jamb protective device which can be transported in multiple numbers in a convenient arrangement. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a door jamb protective device which is easy to manufacture and relatively inexpensive. 
     These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a door jamb protection device comprising a section of foam material having a generally rectangular configuration and a plurality of self-coiling spring strips embedded in the section of foam material. The plurality of self-coiling spring strips extend transverse to the longitudinal axis of the section of foam material. The plurality of self-coiling spring strips are in parallel relationship to each other. Each of the spring strips have a concave side and a convex side. Each of the spring strips has a property in which the spring strip holds a straightened shape when straightened and self-rolls in a predetermined direction. 
     Each of the spring strips has an identical configuration. The spring strips have ends that are in generally linear alignment with each other along the length of the section of foam material. The concave side of each of the spring strips faces a similar direction. The section of foam material is a foam rubber material. 
     When applied to the door jamb, each of the plurality of spring strips self-rolls to encircle at least a portion of the height dimension of the door jamb. Ideally, and preferably, the section of foam material will have a length extending for approximately an entire height dimension of the door jamb. 
     The present invention is also a method of preventing damage to a door jamb including the steps of: (1) forming a self-coiling mat by embedding a plurality of self-coiling spring strips within a section of foam material; (2) placing the self-coiling mat in proximity to the door jamb such that the convex side of the spring strips faces the door jamb; and (3) bending the self-coiling mat in a predetermined direction toward the door jamb until the self-coiling mat encircles at least a portion of the door jamb. 
     The self-coiling mat is positioned such that the longitudinal axis of the mat is in parallel relationship to the door jamb. The self-coiling mat can be removed from the door jamb by straightening the plurality of self-coiling spring strips until the self-coiling mat has a generally planar configuration. This self-coiling mat can then be stacked in a flat configuration. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an illustration of the present invention as applied to a door jamb. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view showing the application of the self-coiling mat around the door jamb. 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the self-coiling mat in a planar configuration. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the self-coiling mat of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is an isolated perspective view of a single self-coiling spring strip in a straightened configuration. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the self-coiling spring strip rolling following bending. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the self-coiling mat  10  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention as applied to a door jam  12 . The self-coiling mat  10  is curved so as to generally encircle the door jamb  12 . The door jamb  12  is one side of the framework  13  into which the door  14  is hinged. 
     Conventionally, during moving activities, movers must move objects through the passageway  15  interior of the door frame  13 . During the moving activities, it is often quite likely that the object being moved will contact the surface of the door jamb  12 . By placing the self-coiling mat  10  around the door jamb  12 , damage to the door jamb  12  is effectively reduced and/or prevented. The self-coiling mat  10  is illustrated in FIG. 1 as extending generally for the entire height dimension of the door jamb  12 . However, within the concept of the present invention, the self-coiling mat  10  can extend for less than the entire height of the door jamb  12 . 
     Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen how the self-coiling mat  10  extends around the door jamb  12 . Door jamb  12  is illustrated as connected to a wall  16 . The self-coiling mat generally encircles the door jamb  12  and has outer edges  17  and  18  residing in proximity adjacent to opposite sides of the wall  16 . The self-coiling mat  10  is made of a foam material  20  which effectively cushions any blows which may occur between the object being moved and the exterior surfaces of the door jamb  12 . As will be described hereinafter, the mat can be easily removed from the door jamb  12  and placed in a planar configuration prior to and subsequent to use. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, the door jamb protection device  10  includes a section of foam material  20  having a length dimension and a width dimension. A plurality of self-coiling spring strips  22  are embedded within the section of foam material  20  so as to extend generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the section of foam material  20 . Each of the self-coiling spring strips  22  is placed in generally parallel relationship to each other. The ends  24  of the strips are generally in linear alignment with each other along the length dimension of the section of foam material  20 . Similarly, the ends  26  of each of the self-coiling spring strips  22  are in linear alignment with each other along the length dimension of the section of foam material  20 . As shown in FIG. 3, a total of eight self-coiling spring strips are embedded within the section of foam material. More or fewer of the strips  22  can be formed within the foam material  20  depending upon the length of the elongated object upon which the protective device  10  is applied. 
     The section of foam material  20  has a generally rectangular configuration. Specifically, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the foam material  20  is foam rubber. The self-coiling mat  10  should have a suitable length so as to extend for the height dimension of the door jamb and a suitable width so as to extend substantially around the door jamb. 
     Each of the self-coiling spring strips  22  operate so as to self-roll the section of foam material  20  around the exterior surface of the door jamb. Each of the self-coiling spring strips  22  has a concave side and a convex side. These spring strips  22  have a property that, when straightened, the spring strip holds a straightened shape and, when bent in a predetermined direction, the spring strip self-rolls so as to encircle the door jamb or other elongated object. The spring strips  22  extend transverse across the section of foam material  20 . Each of the spring strips  22  has a concave side facing the same direction. All of the spring strips  22  have a similar configuration. 
     FIG. 4 shows a side view of the section of foam material  20  of the self-coiling mat  10 . As can be seen, each of the self-coiling strips  22  has a concave side  28  and a convex side  30 . Each of the concave sides  28  faces the same direction. Similarly, each of the convex sides  30  faces the same direction. Each of the spring strips  22  is illustrated as embedded in generally a similar location through the thickness of the section of foam material  10 . In the illustration of the self-coiling mat shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the spring strips  22  maintain the mat  10  in a generally flat planar configuration. As a result, the mat can be placed in a flat stacked orientation during transportation and storage. The light weight of the foam material  20 , along with the spring strips  22 , allow any worker to easily move the self-coiling mat  10  to a desired location with minimal effort. The mat  10  can simply be placed into proximity with the door jamb  12 , bent, and self-roll around the door jamb  12 . Subsequent to use, the worker can simply pull the outer edges  17  and  18  away from the door jamb  12 , straighten the self-coiling spring strips  22  and place the planar self-coiling mat  10  upon a flat surface. 
     FIG. 5 shows an isolated view of the spring strip  22 . As can be seen, the spring strips  22  have a concave side  28  and a convex side  30 . When straightened, as shown in FIG. 5, the concave/convex surfaces tend to keep the strip  22  straight. However, once a bending of the strip is initiated, it self-rolls itself, as illustrated in FIG.  6 . The arrow in FIG. 6 illustrates the rolling direction of one end of the self-rolling spring strip  22  toward the other end. The roll-up power of the spring strip  22  will vary in accordance with the width of the strip and its thickness. It is therefore easy to provide the spring strip  22  with different roll-up forces with different requirements for use. During storage, the spring strip  22  should be in the position illustrated in FIG. 5 so that the section of foam material  20  remains flat. During actual use, the spring strips  22  should be slightly bent so as to cause the roll up, as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.