Patent Publication Number: US-8534721-B1

Title: Closure restraint system

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to security of an enclosed space. Access to said enclosed space is provided by some type of closure, typically a door, gate or access panel. 
     Security is a broad term that generally means denying access into the interior of enclosed space or vice versa denying access to the exterior of the enclosed space. For interior access denial, one might deny access to a residence, apartment, business office or hotel room. Conversely, one might deny access to the exterior of an enclosed space when containing livestock in a corral, pen or other similar caged enclosure. For simplicity of further discussion, the focus will be relative to securing the interior of an enclosure under the auspice that the same discussion and principles apply equally to denying access to the exterior of enclosure. 
     Other inventions have endeavored to address the need for securing an enclosure. Yet, there remain disadvantages to these devices that are overcome by the present invention. Devices such as safety chains and swinging latches that allow access into the enclosed space allow said devices to be defeated by bolt cutters, hack saws or similar tools or devices to gain entry. Any device that allows access to itself may inherently be defeated. The present invention, while allowing the closure to be slightly ajar, does not allow access to the interior of the enclosed space, hence not allowing compromising access to the device to allow its operation to be defeated. 
     In addition, many of the other readily available devices or inventions have multiple individual components that are required to be mounted on both the closure and on the framework adjacent to the closure. In some of these multi-component cases, such as with sliding bolts with their adjacent receivers, safety chain devices or swinging latches, a function critical component is the alignment between these separately mounted components. The present invention is mounted as and operates as a single unit ensuring consistent operation without the potential for misalignment problems between functional components. 
     Further, the present invention&#39;s operation as a single unit makes it easy to install, easy and efficient to operate and furthermore has low manufacturing cost. This single unit design provides a low-profile operation and aesthetically pleasing design for any interior décor. 
     The present invention provides the about described needs and functions as well as others that become apparent to one skilled in the art based on the present invention&#39;s following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the closure restraint system in the locked position when the closure is closed. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the closure restraint system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the closure restraint system of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a partial plan view of the closure restraint system of  FIGS. 1-3  illustrating the relationship of the closed closure and closure jamb to the restraint system in the closed position. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial plan view of the closure restraint system of  FIGS. 1-4  illustrating the relationship of the closed closure and closure jamb to the restraint system in an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the closure restraint system of  FIGS. 1-5  illustrating the relationship of the ajar closure and closure jamb to the restraint system in the locked position. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the closure restraint system of  FIGS. 1-6  illustrating in an embodiment of this invention showing apertures for a mounting method. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 10 
                 first support plate 10 
               
               
                 11 
                 mounting portion 11 of first support plate 
               
               
                 12 
                 mounting apertures 12 of first support plate 
               
               
                 13 
                 first flange portion 13 of first support plate 
               
               
                 14 
                 first swivel knuckle portion 14 of first support plate 
               
               
                 15 
                 second swivel knuckle portion 15 of first support plate 
               
               
                 16 
                 shoulder portion 16 of first support plate 
               
               
                 20 
                 second support plate 20 
               
               
                 21 
                 third swivel knuckle portion 21 of second support plate 
               
               
                 22 
                 fourth swivel knuckle portion 22 of second support plate 
               
               
                 23 
                 fifth swivel knuckle portion 23 of second support plate 
               
               
                 24 
                 second flange portion 24 of second support plate 
               
               
                 25 
                 third flange portion 25 of second support plate 
               
               
                 26 
                 locking face 26 of second flange portion 
               
               
                 30 
                 swivel shaft 30 
               
               
                 40 
                 closure jamb 40 
               
               
                 41 
                 interior edge of closure jamb 41 
               
               
                 42 
                 closure 42 
               
               
                 43 
                 closure edge 43 
               
               
                 44 
                 medial surface of closure jamb 44 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Now referring with particularity to the accompanying drawings, the reference numerals as stated above are consistent in indicating like parts throughout the views and referenced figures. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the closure restraint system, in the locked position, securely mounted mesially in relation to the closed closure  42  and closure jamb  40  on the medial surface  44  of closure jamb  40 . The locked position is shown with the second flange portion  24  of second support plate  20  positioned against first flange portion  13  of first support plate  10 . The first support plate  10 , second support plate  20  and swivel shaft  30 , as shown, are interconnected and operate as a single unit. There are no separate components that require mounting on closure  42 , on closure jamb  40  or on interior edge  41  of said closure jamb  40 . 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of the closure restraint system.  FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of first support plate  10  with its mounting portion  11  extending into shoulder portion  16 , which allows second flange portion  24  of second support plate  20  to fit in a low-profile fashion against first flange portion  13  of first support plate  10 . The locking face  26  of second flange portion  24  of second support plate  20  is not in the same plane as the surface of mounting portion  11  of first support plate  10 . The swivel shaft  30  is shown in its axial relationship to first support  10  and second support  20  plates. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the closure restraint system.  FIG. 3  illustrates first support plate  10  with its mounting portion  11  extending to first flange portion  13 . In one preferred embodiment, shoulder portion  16  is shown between mounting portion  11  and first flange portion  13 . Extending from first flange portion  13  are first swivel knuckle portion  14  and second swivel knuckle portion  15 . 
       FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  6 , &amp;  7  illustrate the relationship and interconnection between first support plate  10  and second support plate  20  by the swivel shaft  30  extending between the first swivel knuckle  14  and second swivel knuckle  15  portions as staggered in relation to third  21 , fourth  22 , and fifth  23  swivel knuckle portions of second support plate  20 . In preferred embodiments, either first support plate  10  or second support plate  20  has an odd number of swivel knuckle portions with a minimum of three said knuckle portions with the other support plate having an even number of swivel knuckle portions with a minimum of two said knuckle portions while maintaining a continuous and uniform staggered interconnection relationship between the swivel knuckles portions of both support plates. Such an arrangement provides added stability and reduces play between first  10  and second  20  support plates. 
     The swivel shaft  30  is semi-restrained by friction between itself and the swivel knuckle portions  14 ,  15 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23  of first  10  and second  20  support plates. In one embodiment, the frictional restraint is achieved between swivel knuckle portions  14 ,  15 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23  of first  10  and second  20  support plates by compressing the swivel knuckle portions  14 ,  15 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23  against each other axially along the length of the swivel shaft  30 . The frictional restraint of the swivel shaft  30  serves to keep the second support plate in position whether in the locked or any unlocked position. Hence, if in an unlocked position, the second support plate will not freely swivel of its own accord to a position that interferes with the operation of the closure. This functionality of the invention precludes the potential for locking oneself out of the enclosed space by operation of the invention. In the locked position, the frictional restraint serves to maintain the locked position. 
       FIG. 2  also illustrates the relationship between second flange portion  24  and third flange portion  25  being adjacent to each other at 80° to 100° apart but most preferably at a 90° relationship. 
       FIG. 4  is a partial plan view of the closure restraint system illustrating the relationship of the closed closure  42  and closure jamb  40  to the closure restraint system in the locked position. Mounting portion  11  of first support plate  10  is securely attached at the medial surface  44  of closure jamb  40 . In one embodiment, shoulder portion  16  is form-fitting to the interior edge of closure jamb  41  providing a low-profile fit to closure jamb  40  and providing a recessed area along first flange portion  13  that acts as a stop for second flange portion  24  of second support plate  20  defining the locked position. 
     In one embodiment (best depicted in  FIG. 4 ), mounting portion  11  of first support plate  10  is securely mounted to jamb  40  (using shims if necessary) to provide slight contact between closure edge  43  and locking face  26  of second flange portion  24  (in the locking position) as closure  42  opens and moves along locking face  26  of second flange portion  24 . This contact provides added force against closure  42  to further restrain it from opening in addition to the restrictive force provided by third flange portion  25 . In this embodiment, there is minimal clearance (but no contact) between closure edge  43  and the surface of mounting portion  11 . Thus, locking face  26  is somewhat offset from said surface of mounting portion  11 . 
     In one embodiment, incorporating shoulder portion  16  of first support plate  10 , where the material of first  10  and second  20  support plates is 3/32 of an inch thick, mounting portion  11  of first support plate  10  is securely mounted to provide 3/32 of an inch clearance between itself and the closure edge. This allows the preferred slight contact between closure edge  43  and locking face  26  of the second flange portion  24  as closure  42  opens and moves along locking face  26  of second flange portion  24  and subsequently against third flange portion  25  with the closure restraint system in the locked position. It is preferred that the closure edge be parallel with third flange portion  25  when abutting against it in the locked position with the door slightly-ajar and being restrained. 
       FIG. 5  is a partial plan view of the closure restraint system illustrating the relationship of the closed closure  42  and closure jamb  40  to the restraint system in an unlocked position. The second support plate  20  is swiveled around the axis defined by the swivel shaft  30  to an open position. An open position is any position of second support plate  20 , which provides clearance between second support plate  20  and closure  42  allowing closure  42  to operate unimpeded by the closure restraint system. The second support plate  20  can swivel from the locked position greater than 230° relative to first support plate  10 . In application, second support plate  20  will only be able to swivel to a maximum open position that is defined by its impedance with closure jamb  40  and more specifically with interior edge of the closure jamb  41 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the closure restraint system illustrating the relationship of the slightly-ajar closure  42  and closure jamb  40  to the restraint system in the locked position. As closure  40  is attempted to be opened, closure edge  43  contacts and slides along locking face  26  of second flange portion  24  subsequently contacting third flange portion  25 . Friction between swivel knuckle portions  14 ,  15 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23  and swivel shaft  30  prevent closure  42  from opening further. In addition, second flange portion  24  engages closure edge  43  as closure  42  slides along said locking face  26  of second flange portion  24  and as closure  42  engages third flange portion  25 . The force of closure  42  opening as against third flange portion  25  is translated into engagement of second flange portion  24  into closure edge  43  as second support plate  20  attempts to rotate relative to the axis defined by swivel shaft  30 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , as the closure  42  is slightly-ajar and held in the locked position, a line of sight or access cannot be obtained into or out of the enclosure. This limited motion of closure  40 , while the closure restraint system is in the locked position, does not allow access to the closure restraint system; therefore, it does not allow it to be defeated. Closure  42  can only be opened marginally allowing for communication to the other side without opening closure  42  completely or allowing a line of sight into or out of the enclosure. 
       FIG. 7  shows one embodiment of the enclosure restraint system with mounting apertures  12  along mounting portion  11  of first support plate  10 . Secure mounting of the closure restraint system to closure jamb  40  can be accomplished by welding or other materials joining process or method or additionally, by some form of mounting hardware such as screws or bolts. The material of the closure restraint system itself is anticipated to be some type of material such as brass, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, nickel-based alloy, titanium or even plastic or composite that suites the required structural purpose and integrity whether said material is reinforced or not reinforced. 
     With the above disclosure, other features, details and modifications of the closure restraint system will become apparent to one skilled in the art. These aforestated features, details and modifications are considered a part of this invention as stated within the following claims.