Patent Abstract:
A device for protecting a door includes a body extending over at least a portion of the door and two inserts, extending from opposing edges of the body between the door and the door frame. A rod attached to the two inserts and extending therebetween contacts a surface of the door and secures the device thereto.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present field relates generally to a display device for mounting on doors, and more specifically to a secure display device suitable for mounting on an existing door, providing protection to the door and against tampering with the device. 
     2. Background 
     Businesses are susceptible to various forms of vandalism, particularly those businesses located where people are likely to be found after business hours. Vandalism may take the form of physical destruction of property, such as signs or displays affixed to the exterior of the business&#39; door. In other instances, particularly with respect to businesses located near bar and restaurants, the vandalism may take the form of public urination at or near the door to the business. This is a particular problem for businesses having doors set away from the sidewalk or otherwise offering some protection against observation. Inebriated patrons of a bar may, for example, use the relative seclusion of the doorway as a safe place for urination. Not only does this cause a problem for the exterior of the business, but with many businesses the urine is able to penetrate the area between the door and the doorjamb to the interior of the business. 
     SUMMARY 
     Provided is a secure door display suitable for mounting on a standard metal or wooden door, the door display having a shield to discourage public urination in the vicinity of the door and to protect the door and business from the same. 
     The door display holder and protector is preferably made from lightweight material and adapted for easy installation on an existing door. The device can be used on any external door of a commercial business, and is designed for easy cleaning when necessary. The device protects metal doors against corrosion caused by urination at or near the door, as well as from the elements. 
     The present device also provides a secure display holder suitable for displays of various sizes. The device is made secure by an interior fastening mechanism not accessible from the exterior of the door. The secure nature of the device makes tampering with or removing the device from the door difficult, providing advantages over traditional signage or other notices affixed to the exterior of a door. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a door having one embodiment of a door protector device affixed thereto. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the door and device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a door having one alternative embodiment of a door protector device affixed thereto. 
         FIG. 4  is a front and side perspective view of the door and device of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the door protector device of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-section view of the door protector device of  FIGS. 3 through 5  showing a channel formed by the device and having a sign held therein. 
         FIG. 6  is a close view of a rod and nut attachment embodiment suitable for use with various embodiments of the present device. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of one alternative embodiment of a door protector device. 
         FIG. 8  is a rear view of the door protector device of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of an embodiment of the present device wherein the display holder is positioned on a door and held in place via a nut and screw with a spacer and insert. 
         FIG. 9A  is a close view of a screw, nut, and insert combination of the embodiment of the present device shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 9B  is a close top view of an embodiment of the present device shown in  FIG. 9  with the screw, nut, and insert combination displaced toward the interior of the door. 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of an embodiment of the present device shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present secure display holder and protector (referred to hereinafter as the “device” or the “door protector,” for example) is suitable for use with a variety of doors, including metal doors, glass doors, metal screen doors, and wooden doors. The device may, in fact, be used with any suitable door. The device is preferably constructed of a light-weight material such as aluminum or a strong, hard synthetic polymer. Any suitable materials may, however, be used for the present device and any of its component parts. 
     One embodiment of the device is constructed of a thin, flat portion of metal that covers the lower part of the outside of a door, from the door knob and deadbolt area to the bottom of the door, and from one side of the door to the other. The lower portion of the device is preferably curved outward, away from the door, to form a ramp-like structure that prevents fluids from seeping under the door and also tends to repel urine, for example, back toward a person urinating near the door, thereby discouraging urination at or near the door. 
     The protector may be secured to the door using four inserts that go between the door and the door frame. The inserts are preferably formed integrally with the door protector and extend therefrom, though the inserts may also be mechanically fastened to the door protector or, in the case of a metal door protector, welded thereto. The end of the inserts that extend into the interior of the business include openings defined therein suitable for receiving a long screw or rod having a threaded portion at at least one end thereof. The door protector may also be held in place by a screw extending through the opening in the insert, the screw securing an L-shaped spacer to the insert, the L-shaped spacer contacting the back of the door securely. 
     In some embodiments of the device, the inserts may wrap around the door rather than only extending from the front of the door past the rear thereof. Such inserts may be held in place with one or more small screws and a nut. 
     The front portion of the door protector preferably includes a frame holder with three sides that are channeled, such as in a C or U shape, and that includes a brace along the rear of the door. The channel formed by the three sides of the frame holder is configured to hold signage, any be made of a variety of suitable materials, including plexiglass or other synthetic polymers, wood, chipboard, metals, and the like. In one embodiment of the device, the channels are approximately ½ inch in width and ½ inch in depth. 
     Some embodiments of the present device may include the frame holder as well as the curved door protector at the lower portion thereof, and some embodiments may include only the door protector or only the secure frame holder. In each embodiments, the various ways in which the device may be secured to the door are the same. Each of the various embodiments has the advantage of fitting tight against the door, covering a large area of the door and providing protection thereto, providing a professional appearance whether used with or without signage or other displays, and can be modified to fit the dimensions of any given door. 
     Turning to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like parts,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional door  10  with one embodiment of a door protector  12  associated therewith. As shown in the figure, door protector  12  includes a curved or ramp bottom portion  14  designed to repel water, urine, or other fluids. First insert  16  and second insert  18  are visible, extending from the door protector along the edge of the door and projecting beyond the rear thereof. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the rear of door  10  in  FIG. 1 , with door protector  12  attached thereto. As can be seen in the figure, third insert  20  and fourth insert  22  also extend from door protector  12  beyond the rear of the door. The various door protectors includes openings in the ends thereof that extend beyond the rear of the door. In the embodiment of the door protector shown in  FIG. 2 , a first rod  24  extends between first insert  16  and third insert  20 , and a second rod  26  extends between second insert  18  and fourth insert  22 . The thin rods may include a flattened portion at one end, to prevent the end of the rod passing through the opening in the respective insert, and may include a threaded portion at the other end such that the rod can be secured in place with a butterfly nut or other fastener made up to the threads of the rod and secured firmly against the respective insert. 
       FIG. 3  provides front view of a conventional door  100  having a door protector  112  affixed thereto, the door protector  112  formed as a frame holder for displaying signage or other materials. The embodiment of door protector  112  shown in  FIG. 3  does not include a curved or ramped portion to repel fluid, though it is contemplated that such a curved or ramped portion may be provided. As shown in  FIG. 4 , door protector  112  affixes to door  100  in the same manner as door protector  12 , above, with first and second inserts  116  and  118  shown. Dashed lines in  FIG. 3  indicate the position of first rod  124  and second rod  126 , which extend behind door  100 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts door protector  112  detached from a door, rendering the various inserts, as well as the nature of the frame, more visible.  FIG. 5A  is a cross-section view of a sign  128  positioned within a C channel created by door protector  112 . 
       FIG. 6  is a closer rear view of door protector  112  attached to a door  100 . The view shows more clearly inserts  116 ,  118 ,  120 , and  122 . First rod  124  extends from first insert  116  to third insert  120 , and second rod  126  extends from second insert  118  to fourth insert  122 . Both rods include a threaded portion  132  to which butterfly nut  130  is made up, securing the respective rod in place. The end of the rod not having the threaded portion is preferably flattened or otherwise sized or shaped so as to be incapable of passing through the opening in the insert. 
       FIG. 7  depicts an alternative arrangement of the present device wherein the door protector includes a frame holder for holding signage, for example, and is secured to a door using a screw/spacer/nut combination rather than the mechanisms described above. 
       FIG. 8  is a rear view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , and provides a detailed view of the screw/spacer/nut arrangement, as well as the relation of the insert to the door. 
       FIG. 9  depicts an embodiment of the present device wherein the display holder is positioned on an interior surface of the door. A nut and screw with a space and insert hold the device firm against the door.  FIG. 9A  shows a close view of nut  344 , screw  340 , insert  316 , and spacer  346 , altogether an assembly  348 .  FIG. 9B  shows an embodiment of the present device utilizing assembly  348 , with insert  316  elongated to move assembly  348  toward the interior of door  300 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 through 9B , portions of the device extend between the door and jamb to secure the device to a conventional or existing door. These portions are minimal and do not allow for tampering with the device or any display contained therein. 
       FIG. 10  is a top view of a door having the embodiment of the present device of  FIG. 9  installed thereon. The mechanism by which the device is secured to the door is shown, as is the display holder portion for inserting a sign or other display or indicia therein. 
     It is contemplated that while the various embodiments shown and described herein depicts a device that extends from the door knob to the lower portion of the door, any desired portion of the door may be covered, including the portion extending from the door know to the upper portion of the door.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4