Patent Abstract:
A door securing device that can be secured and removed from a door easily and quickly and can be collapsed into a small unit for transport if desired. The door securing device comprises a base member, a brace member, and a projecting lip coupled to the door by way of an elastic member coupled to a door handle. The base member includes a projecting lip for engagement with the bottom of the door. A door handle hook being pivotally coupled to a telescoping shaft containing the elastic member therein, the hook being coupled to the door handle and the telescoping shaft extended under elastic bias such that the lip is positioned against the bottom of the door. The elastic bias securely holds the lip against the bottom of the door, and thus the door securing device to the door. The hook and shaft are pivotally coupled such that the shaft is positioned substantially parallel with the door. The door securing device remains on the door when in the locked or unlocked position. The brace member is pivotally mounted to the base member and is positional from an up position to allow free movement of the door and a down position to restrict movement of the door. In the down position, the brace member contacts the floor with a resilient foot that provides a gripping action to the brace member to prevent sliding on the floor. When the brace member is engaged with the floor, an opening force on the door will cause the brace member to pivot about the base member causing a force acting on the brace member about the foot which grips the floor and applies a force to the base member to cause forceful upward pressure on the bottom of the door. This upward pressure causes the door to be jammed against the door hinges and/or the doorframe preventing the opening of the door.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to portable door securing devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to door securing devices of the bracing type to secure a swinging door to prevent unauthorized opening of the door when the door securing device is in an operative position.  
         BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    Security against break-ins has always been a major concern. For the traveler, the security of the hotel room door is of the utmost importance. For an apartment resident, there is commonly only the main exterior door and the resident might be unsure of the effectiveness of the door lockset and the deadbolt if there is one. The resident of a house has a similar problem with security but with far more doors to worry about. A significant portion of the strength of the deadbolt is determined by the structural integrity of the doorframe at the specific location of the deadbolt or latch. The doorframe may not sustain the impact of this concentrated force by the deadbolt being pushed through the doorframe.  
           [0003]    Many prior art devices have been proposed to solve the problem of door security. Various wedge-type devices have been proposed that are jammed between the bottom of the door and the floor; easily dislodged by an outsider simply by shoving a magazine under the door dislodging the wedge.  
           [0004]    Various bar-type devices that slip under the door knob and incline away from the door to the floor, a modern version of a “chair back” propped up against the door, have been proposed, but they are big, bulky, not easily storable when not in use, and rely on the strength of the door knob and the friction at the floor contacting point to resist the tend to get placed off to the side when not in use making it harder to locate and inconvenient when it is needed.  
           [0005]    There is a need for an easy to use, portable, door securing device that is easy to install and remove from the door without marring the door in normal use, convenient to use, needs no storage as can remain on the door at all times, and yet extremely effective at preventing forceful entry.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0006]    A door securing device that can be secured and removed from a door easily and quickly and can be collapsed into a small unit for transport if desired. The door securing device can be used with a home or a hotel room door or any other inwardly swinging door. The door securing device comprises a telescoping shaft having on one end a door handle hook and on the other end a base member with a brace member. The base member includes a projecting lip for engagement with the bottom of the door. The door handle hook is coupled to the door handle and the telescoping shaft is extended under spring bias such that the lip can be positioned against the bottom of the door. The spring bias securely holds the door securing device to the door. The hook and shaft are pivotally coupled such that the shaft is positioned substantially parallel with the door. The brace member is pivotally mounted to the base member and can be positioned in an up position to allow free movement of the door or in a down position in contact with the floor to restrict movement of the door. The brace member contacts the floor with a resilient foot that provides a gripping surface to the brace member to prevent sliding on the floor.  
           [0007]    When the brace member is engaged with the floor, an opening force on the door will cause a pivotal force acting on the brace member about the foot which grips the floor and applies an oppositely applied force to the base member to cause forceful upward pressure on the bottom of the door by the lip. This upward pressure assures secure engagement of the lip and the bottom of the door and thus the base member to the door. Additionally, with sufficient opening force, this upward pressure causes the door to be jammed against the door hinges and/or doorframe providing, along with the bracing support of the brace member, structural support that resists further opening of the door.  
           [0008]    The foot of the brace member is adapted to be used on any type of floor including a smooth floor and carpeting. The door securing device, in one embodiment, comprises an indicator light which provides a highly visible indication as to the engagement or disengagement of the door securing device. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a door securing device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the door securing device in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a telescoping shaft in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4A is a back perspective view of the base member in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4B is an exploded view of the base member in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is an assembled cross-sectional view of the foot member in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 2;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6A is a side view of the head member of the embodiment of FIG. 2;  
         [0016]    FIGS.  6 B- 6 H are views of various door knob styles in accordance with the method of using the door securing device in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7A is a side view of the door securing device engaged with the door and floor surface in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7B is a side view of the door securing device under a door-opening force in accordance with the embodiment of the invention of FIG. 1;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a door securing device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is a back perspective view of a base member in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 8;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is a front view of a door securing device in accordance with another embodiment the invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 is a side view of a door securing device in accordance with another embodiment the invention;  
         [0023]    FIGS.  12 A- 12 C are perspective, top and side views, respectively, of a door securing device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIGS. 13A and 13B are section views of an alternate form of the telescoping shaft; and  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 14 is a view of yet a further embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a door securing device  2  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The door securing device  2  is portable and easily attaches to a swing-out door by coupling with a door handle and a bottom edge of the door under spring tension when engaged with the door. When set in a securing position, the door securing device  2  prevents the door from being opened or swinging inwardly by bearing against the floor and the bottom of the door when under load. When disengaged, the door securing device  2  may remain attached to the door and does not impede door operation. Alternatively, the door securing device  2  is easily removed from the door when desired and retracts to a compact length.  
         [0028]    The door securing device  2  comprises a head member  10 , a telescoping shaft  20 , a base member  60  and a brace member  80 . The head member  10  has a generally C-shaped hook  12  adapted to accommodate a stem of a door handle therein. The head member  10  further comprises a shaft coupling member  14  details of which will be discussed below. The head member  10  further comprises a loop  16  that facilitates storing the door securing device  2  by hanging on a post or hook when not in use.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the door securing device  2  in accordance with the embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 1. The telescoping shaft  20  comprises an upper tube member  21 , a center tube member  25  and a lower tube member  30 . The upper tube member  21 , center tube member  25  and lower tube member  30  are adapted to nest into each other; the center tube member  25  having an internal diameter sized to receive the upper tube member  21 , and the lower tube member having an internal diameter sized to receive the center tube member  25 . The telescoping shaft  20  is adapted to retract in length to substantially the length of the lower tube member  30  or expand in length to substantially the length of the sum of the lengths of the upper tube member  21 , center tube member  25  and lower tube member  30 .  
         [0030]    The upper tube member  21  comprises an upper tube first end  22  and an upper tube second end  23 . Proximal the upper tube second end  23  is an upper tube flange  24 . The center tube member  25  comprises a center tube first end  26  and a center tube second end  28 . Proximal the center tube second end  28  is a center tube flange  29 . And the lower tube member  30  comprises a lower tube first end  31  and a lower tube second end  33 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the telescoping shaft  20  in accordance with the embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 1. The telescoping shaft  20  is assembled using an upper retaining collar  36  and a lower retaining collar  40 . The lower retaining collar  40  is a tubular member having a lower tube receiving end  41  with an inner diameter adapted to receive the lower tube first end  31 . The lower retaining collar  40  comprises a lower collar flange  42  having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the center tube member  25  but smaller than the center tube flange  29 . The lower tube receiving end  41  of the lower retaining collar  40  is adapted to receive and couple with the lower tube first end  31 . During assembly, the center tube second end  28  is slidably received into the lower tube first end  31 . The lower retaining collar  40  is received, lower tube receiving end  41  first, over the center tube first end  26  and advanced toward the lower tube first end  31  and coupled thereto. The center tube member  25  can slide within the lower tube member  30  but is prevented from disassembly by the cooperation between the center tube flange  29  and the lower collar flange  42 .  
         [0032]    In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower tube first end  31  comprises external threads  32  and the lower tube receiving end  41  comprises internal threads  39  adapted to accept the external threads  32 , as shown in FIG. 3. The lower tube receiving end  41  is threadably coupled to the lower tube first end  31 .  
         [0033]    In similar fashion, the upper tube member  21  is coupled to the center tube member  25  using the upper retaining collar  36 . The upper retaining collar  36  is a tubular member having a center tube receiving end  37  with an inner diameter adapted to receive the center tube first end  26 . The upper retaining collar  36  comprises an upper collar flange  38  having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the upper tube member  21  but smaller than the upper tube flange  24 . The center tube receiving end  37  of the upper retaining collar  36  is adapted to be received by and couple with the center tube first end  26 . The upper tube second end  23  is slidably received into the center tube first end  26 . The upper retaining collar  36  is received, center tube receiving end  37  first, over the upper tube first end  22  and advanced toward and coupled to the center tube first end  26 . The upper tube member  21  can slide within the center tube member  25  but is prevented from disassembly by the cooperation between the upper tube flange  24  and the upper collar flange  38 . The center tube first end  26  comprises external threads  27  and the center tube receiving end  37  comprises internal threads  139  adapted to accept the external threads  27 . The center tube receiving end  37  is threadably coupled to the center tube first end  26 .  
         [0034]    The scope of the present invention is not limited to threaded engagement of the upper and lower retaining collars  36 , 40  to the center and lower tube members  25 , 30 , respectively. In other embodiments, not shown, rather than with threads, the upper and lower collars  36 , 40  are coupled to the center and lower tube members  25 , 30 , respectively, with adhesive, by welding, snug friction fit, or other means suitable for the particular purpose.  
         [0035]    Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the telescoping shaft  20  further comprises an upper tube cap  44  and a lower tube cap  50 . The upper tube cap  44  comprises an upper tube receiving end  46  and a stop flange  47  proximal to the upper tube receiving end  46 . The upper tube receiving end  46  is adapted to be inserted into the upper tube first end  22  with a snug slip-fit and in abutment with the stop flange  47 . Projecting from the upper tube receiving end  46  is an upper elastic member coupling  48 , which will be described below. The upper tube cap  44  further comprises a head coupling member  49  adapted to couple with the shaft coupling member  14  of the head member  10 .  
         [0036]    The lower tube cap  50  comprises a lower tube receiving end  52  and a stop flange  53  proximal to the lower tube receiving end  52 . The lower tube receiving end  52  is adapted to be inserted into the lower tube second end  33  with a snug slip-fit and in abutment with the stop flange  53 . Projecting from the lower tube receiving end  52  is a lower elastic member coupling  51 , which will be described below. The lower tube cap  50  further comprises a base coupler end  54 .  
         [0037]    The scope of the present invention is not limited to a snug slip-fit engagement of the upper tube receiving end  46  and the upper tube first end  22 , and the lower tube receiving end  52  and the lower tube second end  33 , respectively. In other embodiments, not shown, rather than snug slip-fit engagement, the engagement can be made with threads, adhesive, by welding, and other means suitable for the particular purpose.  
         [0038]    The telescoping shaft  20  further comprises an elastic member  55 . The elastic member  55  is adapted to instill spring-bias to the telescoping shaft  20  to exert a contractile force as the upper tube member  21 , center tube member  25  and lower tube member  30  are in an extended configuration. The elastic member  55  has a first end  56  and a second end  57 . The first end  56  is adapted to couple with the upper elastic member coupling  48  and the second end is adapted to couple with the lower elastic member coupling  51 . The length of the elastic member  55  is adapted to instill relatively little or no spring bias when the telescoping shaft  20  is in the collapsed state, but exerts a return force when in an extended state. A relatively little spring bias in the elastic member  55  when the telescoping shaft  20  is in the collapsed state will ensure that the door securing device  2  remains in a compact state when carried and stored.  
         [0039]    In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the elastic member  55  is elastic tubing. The upper elastic member coupling  48  is adapted to snugly insert into the first end  56  of the elastic member  55  and resist pull-off. To augment pull-off resistance, the upper elastic member coupling  48  further comprises backward-facing barbs  148  adapted for easy insertion into the first end  56  but significant resistance to pull-off. In similar fashion, the lower elastic member coupling  51  having backward-facing barbs  151  is adapted to couple with the second end  57  of the elastic member  55 . The tubing clamps  58  are optionally used to augment the pull-off resistance by exerting onto the first and second ends  56 , 57  a circumferential clamping force against the upper and lower elastic member couplings  48 , 51 , respectively. The scope of the present invention is not limited to an elastic member  55  comprising elastic tubing. In other embodiments, not shown, the elastic member  55  is a spring, elastic band, or other elastic component suitable for the particular purpose.  
         [0040]    The upper tube member  21 , center tube member  25  and lower tube member  30  comprise a material to that can withstand repeated telescoping motion and handling. A suitable material such as aluminum is both durable and can be made aesthetically pleasing to the consumer. Anodized aluminum is particularly durable and aesthetically pleasing. A sufficiently durable plastic or steel material, among others, could also be used, as well as other materials suited for the particular purpose. The upper and lower retaining collars  36 , 40  comprise a similar material as the upper, center, and lower members  21 , 25 , 30 .  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the base member  60  and brace member  80  in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1. The base member  60  comprises a top  61 , a bottom  62 , a front  63  and a back  64 . The top  61  is adapted to couple with the base coupler end  54  of the telescoping shaft  20 . In the embodiment shown, the top  61  comprises an internally threaded bore  76  adapted to accept the base coupler end  54  comprising threads  154 . The scope of the present invention is not limited to a threaded bore  76  and base coupler end  54  comprising threads  154 . In other embodiments in accordance with the present invention, not shown, the telescoping shaft  20  and the base member  60  are coupled using adhesives, welding and other fastening means suitable for the intended purpose.  
         [0042]    The base member  60  further comprises a lip  74  coupled to the bottom  62 . The lip  74 , as coupled to the base member  60 , projects beyond the back  64  a designated distance, as shown clearly in FIGS. 1 and 7A. The lip  74  is adapted to contact a bottom surface of a door as the back  64  is placed in contact with an interior surface of the door, as will be discussed below. Additionally, and optionally, the back  64  comprises one or more resilient pads or buttons  206 , that prevents the back  64  from marring the door and to provide additional frictional grip between the back  64  and the door interior surface. Additionally, and optionally, the lip  74  also has one or more resilient pads, not shown, to provide additional frictional grip with the bottom surface of the door. Additionally, and optionally, the lip  74  comprises a serrated surface  77  or other like roughness in the forms including, but not limited to, ridges, teeth, or bumps, to enable the lip  74  to effectively grip the bottom surface of the door.  
         [0043]    It is anticipated that some doors have weather-stripping along the bottom of the door. Such weather-stripping is commonly attached in a few locations by fasteners leaving areas between fasteners into which a thin blade may pass between the weather-stripping and the door bottom. In one embodiment in accordance with the invention, the lip  74  is adapted to have a thickness and projection distance to pass between a portion of the weather-stripping and the bottom of the door.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 4A is a rear view of the base member  60  of the embodiment of FIG. 2. The bottom  62  comprises a slot  75  into which the lip  74  is partially received. The lip  74  is secured to the bottom  62  with a suitable fastener, such as a set screw  73 . FIG. 4B is an exploded view of another embodiment of the base member  60  which is split into a left side  60   a  and a right side  60   b  each comprising a slot  75   a  and  75   b , respectively, into which the lip  74  is retained when assembled. The lip  74  is coupled in the slots  75   a , 75   b  by the interaction between a mating surface  78  and the slots  75   a , 75   b . In other embodiments, not shown, the lip  74  is integral with the bottom  62  of the base member  60  and formed as a unitary structure with the base member  60 .  
         [0045]    Referring again to FIG. 2, the back  64  is shown with an optional cavity  200  to conserve material and make the base member  60  lighter in weight.  
         [0046]    The brace member  80  comprises an elongated leg  81  and a foot member  85 . The leg  81  has a bent, dog-legged or arc shape, the significance of which will be discussed below. The leg  81  comprises a pivot end  82  and a foot end  83 . The pivot end  82  is adapted to pivotally couple with the base member  60 . The front  63  comprises two parallel base flanges  66  defining a base channel  67 . A channel insert  68  comprising two parallel channel flanges  69  is inserted into the base channel  67  and coupled thereto. The two channel flanges  69  comprise coaxial flange apertures  71  adapted to accept a pivot pin  84 . The pivot end  82  of the leg  81  comprises a leg aperture  182  adapted to accept the pivot pin  84 . The pivot end  82  is coupled to the channel insert  68  by positioning the leg aperture  182  between and in coaxial alignment with the flange apertures  71  and inserting the pivot pin  84  there through. The leg  81  therefore, is able to pivot in an arc indicated by arrow  99  from a first position to a second position, as shown in FIG. 7A.  
         [0047]    The foot member  85  is adapted to couple with the foot end  83  of the leg  81 . The foot member comprises a footpad  90 . The footpad  90  comprises a material having a low durometer to provide a good grip against a hard floor surface, which will be clearly understood with the description to follow. A material having a durometer value of between 40 and 70 Shore will provide acceptable gripping characteristics, but the values given are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The shape of the footpad  90  and any friction-enhancing features will also contribute to the grip-strength of the footpad  90 .  
         [0048]    [0048]FIGS. 2 and 5 show exploded and assembled cross-sectional views, respectively, of the foot member  85  in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 2. The foot member  85  further comprises an adjustable lock ring  86 , a foot cup  87 , a foot screw  88 , and a washer  89 . The footpad  90  is disk-shaped having a central footpad bore  190 , a washer recess  290  coaxial with the footpad bore  190 , and a bottom surface  390 . The lock ring  86  comprises a threaded lock ring bore  186 . The foot cup  87  has a cup end  287  adapted to accept a portion of the height of the footpad  90  therein while leaving a portion of the footpad  90  extending beyond the cup end  287 . The washer  89  comprises a washer aperture  189  in coaxial alignment with the footpad bore  190 . The foot end  83  of the leg  81 , shown in FIG. 4, further comprises a threaded bore  183  adapted to accept the foot screw  88 . The assembly of the foot member  85  comprises inserting the footpad  90  into the cup end  287  with the washer recess  290  facing away from the foot cup  87 , and inserting the washer  89  into the washer recess  290 . The cup end  287  provides support for the footpad  90 . The foot screw  88  is inserted through the washer aperture  189 , the footpad bore  190 , the foot cup bore  187  and the threaded lock ring bore  186  and threadably coupled to the threaded bore  183  of the foot end  83 . The washer  89  prevents damage to the footpad  90  from the foot screw  88  by distributing the fastening force of the foot screw  88  over a broad area of the footpad  90 . The foot screw  88  is counter-sunk into the washer recess  290  and does not protrude beyond the bottom surface  390  in order to protect a surface upon which the bottom surface  390  contacts.  
         [0049]    The distance between the footpad  90  and the foot end  83  is adjustable to account for various distances between the bottom of the door and the floor. The adjustment is provided by the adjustable lock ring  86 . The adjustable lock ring  86  is advanced along the foot screw  88  a desired distance such that upon assembly of the foot member  85 , the adjustable lock ring  86  abuts the foot end  83  such that the footpad  90  is at a desired distance from the foot end  83 . The desired distance is one in which the footpad  90  rests at an angle  136 , as shown in FIG. 7A, when in contact with the floor, as will be discussed below. Other desired distances resulting in the footpad  90  resting at larger or smaller angles  136  than shown, including flat to the floor, is also within the scope of the invention.  
         [0050]    The angle  136  of the footpad  90  to the floor and/or the shape of the leg  81  determine the degree of pivoting or rocking of the leg  81  with respect to the base  60 , and therefore the degree of lifting forces on the door, as will be discussed below.  
         [0051]    Other foot member configurations, not shown, are within the scope of the invention, some of which include: a rubber plug or cap that inserts into or over, respectively, the foot end  83  of the leg  81 ; and a foot end  83  having a cup shape to accept the footpad  90 , the footpad  90  being coupled to the leg  81  using adhesive, fasteners or other attachment means suitable for the intended purpose. The examples used here are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.  
         [0052]    Referring again to FIG. 2, the detail of the assembly of the head member  10  and the head coupling member  49  is shown. The shaft coupling member  14  is adapted to couple with the head coupling member  49  of the upper tube cap  44 . The shaft coupling member  14  and the head coupling member  49  each comprise apertures  15 , 16  which can be positioned coaxially and adapted to accept a fastener  17  there through. The embodiment of FIG. 2 shows the fastener  17  comprising a nut  217  and bolt  117 , but the scope of the invention is not limited to such. In other embodiments in accordance with the present invention, not shown, other fastening methods include welding, riveting, and other fastening means suitable for the intended purpose.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 6A is a side view of the head member  10  and the telescoping shaft  20  of the embodiment of FIG. 2. The head member  10  is allowed to frictionally pivot with respect to the telescoping shaft  20 , the significance of which will be discussed below.  
         [0054]    FIGS.  7 A-B show a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in accordance with the method of using the present invention. In use, the door securing device  2  is attached to a swinging door  100  having a door interior surface  102  and a door bottom surface  104 . The door  100  further comprises a door handle  110  having a door handle stem  112 . The head member  10  is attached to the door handle  110  by inserting the door handle stem  112  into the hook  12 . The door securing device  2  is able to hang on the door handle stem  112 . The telescoping shaft  20  is extended such that the lip  74  of the base member  60  can be tucked under and engage the door bottom surface  104  as the back  64  of the base member  60  abuts the door interior surface  102  adjacent the door bottom surface  104 . The elastic member  55  asserts a return force indicated by arrow  130  on the lip  74  causing an urging engagement between the lip  74  and the door bottom surface  104 , and a return force indicated by arrow  131  on the head member  10  which securely couples the door securing device  2  to the door  100  by spring bias.  
         [0055]    Referring again to FIG. 6A the head member  10  is allowed to frictionally pivot with respect to the telescoping shaft  20  to ensure that the telescoping shaft  20  can be positioned in a substantially parallel relationship with the door  100  for various styles of door handles  110   a - f , such as those shown in FIGS.  6 B- 6 H, respectively. But for the frictional pivoting of the telescoping shaft  20  and the head member  10 , the engagement of the head member  10  with the door handles  110   a - f  will tend to align the telescoping shaft  20  at an angle away from the door  100  potentially causing the lip  74  to slip out from engagement with the door bottom surface  104 . A frictional pivoting engagement between the telescoping shaft  20  and the head member  10  is provided such that once the door securing device  2  is engaged with the door handle  110  and the door bottom surface  104 , the telescoping shaft  20  and the head member  10  are frictionally pivoted such that the telescoping shaft  20  is retained in substantially parallel relationship with the door  100 , and the back  64  of the base member  60  lies against the door interior surface  102  as shown  
         [0056]    The brace member  80  can be moved to an up position, indicated in broken line, wherein the foot member  85  does not engage a floor surface  122 . The brace member  80  can also be moved to a down position wherein the foot member  85  engages the floor surface  122 . If security is not needed, the brace member  80  is positioned in an upright orientation held by a yielding means. In this position, the door securing device  2  does not obstruct the operation of the door  100 . In an embodiment of the invention, the brace member  80  is retained in the upright position with frictional contact between the leg  81  and the channel flanges  69 . Other methods of retaining the brace member  80  in the upright position include, but are not limited to, the use of a magnetic clasp, and a spring-loaded ball and detent clasp.  
         [0057]    When the door  100  is to be secured, the brace member  80  is lowered such that the foot member  85 , and more specifically the footpad  90 , contacts the floor surface  122 . The angle  136 , as shown in FIG. 7A, in which the footpad  90  contacts the floor will be discussed below. The footpad  90  is a resilient material such as, but not limited to, rubber. The low durometer property of the footpad  90  is such as to create a friction/gripping engagement with the floor surface  122  preventing movement of the foot member  85  with respect to the floor surface  122 .  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 7B shows a side view of the base member  60 , the brace member  80 , and the door  100  as positioned while under an opening force indicated by arrow  133 . With the brace member  80  in the floor-engagement position, an opening force on the door  100  in the direction indicated by arrow  133  will cause the brace member  80  to pivot with respect to the base member  60  about pivot pin  84  and, with sufficient force  133 , a rocking motion about the foot member  85 , reducing the angle  136  between the footpad  90  and the floor surface  122 . The pivoting and/or rocking creates a downward force indicated by arrow  135  on the footpad  90 , and a corresponding upward force indicated by arrow  134  on the lip  74  against the door bottom surface  104 . The leg  81  having a bent, dog-leg or arc shape enhances the upward force  134  on the lip  74 . The leg  81  having a straight shape will also cause an upward force  134  on the lip  74  and is within the scope of the invention.  
         [0059]    With sufficient force on the door  100  in the direction indicated by arrow  133 , the upward force  134  exerted by the lip  74  on the door bottom surface  104  will cause the door  100  to be lifted up. The original position of the door  100  is shown in dotted line. This upward lifting puts stress on the door hinges, which acts as additional support to resist door opening. If the opening force  134  is great enough, the door  100  will be lifted sufficient enough to contact the frame of the door  100 , providing substantial support to resist an opening force.  
         [0060]    The angle  136  of the bottom surface  390  of the footpad  90  to the floor surface  122  and the shape of the leg  81  determine the degree of pivoting of the leg  81  with respect to the base  60  and the degree of rocking of the foot member  85  with the floor surface  122 , and therefore the degree of lifting of the door  100 . One consideration in determining the desired angle  135  and the shape of the leg  81  is the construction of the door  100  and the door&#39;s  100  relationship to the hinges and doorframe. Under sufficient opening force  133 , the door securing device  100  lifts the door  100  until the door  100  abuts and is stopped by the door hinges and/or doorframe. A door  100  that can be lifted a greater distance until it abuts the hinges and/or door frame will require a greater angle  136  and/or a greater curvature in the leg  81  to raise the door  100  until it abuts the hinges and/or frame, as compared to a door  100  that abuts the hinges and/or door frame with little lifting of the door  100 .  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a door securing device  4  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The door securing device  4  is substantially the same as the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the addition of a visible means  121  to confirm that the door securing device  4  is set to provide secure engagement of the door.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of base member  60  in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 8. The base member  60  further comprises a cavity  200  with a cavity opening  202  on the back  64  of the base member  60 , a window  204 , and an electronics package  120 .  
         [0063]    The electronics package  120  comprises a switch  123 , a light emitting diode (LED)  124 , and a power source  126 , such as a battery. The electronics package  120  is adapted to be mounted within the cavity  200  of the base member  60  with the LED  124  placed adjacent the window  204 . The switch  123  is adapted such that when the brace member  80  is in the up position, the LED  124  is not illuminated, and when the brace member  80  is in the down position, the LED  124  is illuminated indicating that the door securing device  4  is set to provide protection. In another embodiment, not shown, electronics are used in similar fashion to engage/disengage alarms or other securing devices.  
         [0064]    The cavity cover  206  is adapted to cover and enclose the cavity  200 . The cavity cover  206  comprises a ridge  208  which substantially conforms to the shape of the cavity opening  202 . The cavity cover  206  is comprised of an elastomeric material that provides a snug press-fit around the cavity opening  202  as well as provides a friction-enhancing surface to the back  64  of the base member  60  while protecting the door surface from marring.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 10 is a front view of a door securing device  6  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The door securing device  6  comprises the head member  10 , an elastic member  155 , the base member  60  and the brace member  80 . The door securing device  6  is substantially the same as the embodiment of FIG. 1, but without the tubing and retention collars associated with the telescoping shaft  20 . The elastic member  155  is coupled to the head member  10  and the base member  60  using conventional methods. The door securing device  6  is used in substantially the same way as the embodiment of FIG. 1. In one embodiment of the invention, not shown, the head member  10  is replaced by a loop formed in the elastic member  155  adapted to be placed over the door handle  110 .  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a door securing device  8  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The door securing device  8  comprises the base member  60  and the brace member  80 . The door securing device  8  is adapted for a permanent installation on the door  100  using conventional fastening means, for example, but not limited to, screws  320 . The door securing device  8  affords the protection of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 10 but in a permanent installation. The head member  10  and telescoping shaft  20  and elastic member  155  are not needed in this embodiment to couple the base member  60  to the door  100 .  
         [0067]    FIGS.  12 A- 12 C are perspective, top and side views, respectively, of a door securing device  9  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The door securing device  9  is adapted to slide onto and be securely clamped to a bottom portion  101  of the door  100 . The door securing device  9  comprises the base member  60 , a brace member  80 , and a clamp  901 . The clamp  901  comprises a housing  902 , a pressure plate  904 , and a knob  906 . The knob  906  comprises a threaded shaft  907  threadably received in the housing  902 , the threaded shaft  907  being coupled to the pressure plate  904  contained within the housing  902 . The housing  902  is generally C-shaped and adapted to accept the bottom portion  101  of the door  100  therein with the pressure plate  904  adjacent the door interior surface  102 . The knob  906  is adapted to be turned to advance the pressure plate  904 , the pressure plate  904  engaging the door interior surface  102  to effect a clamping pressure coupling the door securing device  9  to the door  100 . The base member  60  is coupled to the housing  902  such that when the door securing device  9  is in clamping engagement with the door  100 , the lip  74  is held adjacent the door bottom  10  surface  104 . The door securing device  9  affords substantially the same securing protection of the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 10 and  11 , but in an alternative temporary installation. The head member  10 , telescoping shaft  20  and elastic member  155  are not needed in this embodiment to couple the base member  60  to the door  100 .  
         [0068]    [0068]FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate in cross section a further alternative to the telescoping shaft  20  of the securing device. As shown in FIG. 13A, compression-resisting springs  103 ,  105  urge the shaft  20  to its collapsed position and FIG. 13B illustrates the shaft  20  in the extended position, the springs  103 ,  105  being resistively compressed and providing added rigidity at the junctures of the tube members.  
         [0069]    Any of the embodiments of the door securing device presented above can be used as a doorstop to prop open a swing door. The door securing device would be placed on the outward-facing side of an open door, in similar fashion as discussed. The use of the door securing device in this configuration would be especially useful as a portable doorstop for delivery personnel, among other users. The extra bracing effectiveness of the door securing device while used as a doorstop is especially effective at holding very heavy doors, or doors having very strong self-closing mechanisms, in the open position. Additionally, the door securing device used as a doorstop will greatly resist being bumped or kicked off the door during ingress or egress.  
         [0070]    A yet further embodiment wherein the door securement device of this invention is set into the door, is illustrated in FIG. 14. As shown, a casing  510  is built into the door  512  but with the front of the casing being open to the inside surface of the door. A sliding cover  514  closes and opens the interior of the casing wherein a brace member  516  is pivotally mounted by pivot pin  518  to the side walls of the casing. An extension rod  520  is protruded from the brace member  516  and pivots down and up about pivot pin  518  as the brace member  516  is oppositely pivoted up and down.  
         [0071]    It will be appreciated that when brace member  516  is fully pivoted upwardly, it will become seated inside the casing  510  and the sliding cover  514  can be closed to hide the door securement device when not in use. The cover  514  provides the additional advantage that the brace member  516  can not be inadvertently pivoted to the locked position.  
         [0072]    As seen in FIG. 14, a lower rod  522  is connected by a swivel connection  524  to the brace extension  520 . The lower rod  522  is protruded through the top of the casing as shown and connected to an upper rod  526 . The connection between the lower and upper rod is indicated by reference  528  and allows limited movement as between the lower and upper rod, the purpose of which will be explained hereafter.  
         [0073]    Door handle  530  is used to open and close a traditional door lock  532 . The door lock  532  is modified to include a pivoting arm  534  which provides a connection at its distal end to the upper end of rod  526 . Thus it will be understood that the pivotal movement of the door handle  530  and door lock  532  also raises and lowers the upper rod  526 . The limited relative movement as between the upper and lower rods permits the normal pivoting of door handle  530  and thus opening and closing of the door.  
         [0074]    When the door securing device of the invention is to be activated, the cover  514  is opened and the brace member is pivoted downward to engage the floor. The lower rod is pivoted upward without interference as permitted by the limited relative movement of the connection  528  between the lower and upper rods  522 ,  526 . However, when the handle  530  is pivoted upward, and because the spacing between rods  522  and  526 , i.e., at connection  528  has been eliminated, the upper rod  526  pushes down on rod  522  to reverse pivot the brace member  516  and unlock the door securing device. A person having a key to the door lock  532  will thus be able to enter the premises.  
         [0075]    In its simplest form the securement device may consist of nothing more than the casing  510  fixedly installed in the door and the brace member  516  pivotally mounted to the casing. This is similar to the version of FIG. 11. The FIG. 14 version, however, lends itself to provision of the optional feature of door lock control as illustrated and described above.  
         [0076]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for purposes of description of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations designed to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention may be implemented in a very wide variety of embodiments. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly

Technology Classification (CPC): 4