Abstract:
An apparatus for preventing a door from closing, thereby avoiding injuries, such as pinching of fingers or other body parts, that occur on both the handle and hinge side of the door. The apparatus is a wedge-shaped device that comprises a wedge-portion and an attached handle. The handle is placed over a door hinge to secure the device in place, and the wedge-portion is shaped to fit between the edge of the door and the door frame, thereby preventing the door from closing beyond a predetermined angle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for preventing a door from closing. The apparatus is an effective device designed to avoid injuries that could result from fingers or other body parts being pinched by a door when it closes. 
       INTRODUCTION 
       [0002]    There are several types of safety devices, such as door guards, that are utilized to prevent the accidental pinching of fingers or other body parts when a door is closed. Door guards, in particular, prevent injuries that occur on both the handle and hinge side of the door. Some devices serve as a shield and block the cavity that forms between the edge of the door and the door frame, but they often involve rigorous installation procedures that require screws to secure the device to the door and door frame. There exists a need for a device that will prevent injuries on both the handle and hinge side of the door, and that is also easy to both install and remove. 
         [0003]    The present invention is a door hinge guard that utilizes a wedge-shaped device which is easily installed over a hinge and can likewise be easily removed. The invention further prevents injuries that could occur on both the handle and hinge side of the door. The invention comprises a wedge-portion and a handle that extends from the wedge-portion. The handle is slipped over a door hinge to secure the device in place and the wedge-portion is shaped in such a way to fit between the door frame and the edge of the door, thereby preventing the door from closing. Consequently, the wedge-portion can be designed to keep the door open at some predetermined minimum angle. For example, if the door is desired to be kept open at an angle of at least 90 degrees, the size of the wedge-portion will be larger than if the door is desired to be kept open at an angle of at least 30 degrees. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    The invention is better understood by reading the following detailed descriptions with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary depiction of the invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2   a  is a front view diagram of the invention with exemplary dimensions. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2   b  is a side view diagram of the invention with exemplary dimensions. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2   c  is a top view diagram of the invention with exemplary dimensions, and does not depict the attached handle. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2   d  is a top view diagram of the invention with exemplary dimensions, with a depiction of the attached handle. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 3-9  are perspective design drawings depicting the ornamental features of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the invention is a wedge-shaped device  100  comprised of a wedge-portion  110  and an attached handle  120 . The handle  120  extends outward from the wedge-portion  110  such that the handle  120  can be placed over a hinge attached to a door. The handle  120  is preferably placed over the top hinge so that a child or animal is less able to accidentally remove the device  100 . One advantage of the invention is that the user can easily install the device simply by placing it over a hinge, and it can likewise be easily removed. 
         [0012]    The preferred embodiment depicts the handle  120  extending from the top of the wedge-portion  110 . This placement of the handle  120  allows it to be slipped over the top of the hinge to secure it in place. In alternate embodiments, however, it is envisioned that for added security the handle  120  could extend from the bottom of the wedge-portion  110 , such that the handle  120  could first wrap around the bottom of the hinge and then over the top of the hinge. 
         [0013]    The wedge-portion  110  is shaped in such a way that when fitted between the door frame and edge of the door, the door will be unable to close beyond a certain predetermined angle. In the preferred embodiment the wedge-portion  110  is shaped such that the door cannot be closed past approximately 90 degrees. In alternate embodiments the wedge-portion  110  can be shaped such that the door cannot close past any predefined angle, so long as the door remains open and the cavity between the edge of the door and door frame has sufficient clearance so that injuries (such as fingers or animal tails being pinched) are avoided. 
         [0014]    The wedge-portion  110  and handle  120  are preferably composed of a silicone material. The material is durable, light-weight, and robust enough to withstand pressure that may be exerted on the door, such as by a child who attempts to close the door. In alternate embodiments it is envisioned that the wedge-shaped device  100  could be composed of other types of materials, such as different types of plastics, wood, rubber, metal materials, etc. 
         [0015]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the wedge-portion  110  has a concave-like inner area  130 ; however the inner area  130  of the wedge-portion  110  could alternatively be solid, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0016]    The preferred embodiment is so dimensioned as to satisfy standard doors and door frames, and hinges; however one skilled in the art could easily vary the size of the invention to fit other doors and door frames, and hinges. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment,  FIG. 2   a  depicts a front view  200  of the wedge-portion  110  with exemplary dimensions of 50 millimeters for the width  210  and height  220 .  FIG. 2   b  is a side view  300  of the invention that depicts the side of the wedge-portion  110  with a depth  310  of approximately 25 millimeters and an approximate height  220  of 50 millimeters. The top of the handle  120  extends outward from the top of the wedge-portion  110 , for a total depth of 50 millimeters. The top portion of the handle  120  is approximately 10 millimeters thick. The downward portion of the handle  140  extends approximately 50 millimeters from top to bottom and is 8 millimeters wide. However, other handle lengths are possible and generally the downward portion of the handle  140  is of sufficient length and/or weight to counterbalance the weight of the wedge portion  110  when the handle  140  and the wedge portion  110  are hanging on opposite sides of the hinge. Alternatively, the handle  140  may further be constructed to include a locking member (not shown) at the bottom of the downward portion of the handle  140  (i.e., on the end nearest the floor) such that the locking member grabs onto the bottom of the hinge to further aid in preventing the wedge-shaped device  100  from falling off of the hinge. In addition, although the handle  120  is illustrated as fixedly attached to the wedge portion  110 , the handle  120  may instead be removably connected to the wedge portion  110  or the handle  120  may be slidably connected to the wedge portion  110  such that the downward portion of the handle  140  may be moved closer to or farther away from the wedge portion  110  in order to accommodate different door and/or hinge configurations. By sliding the wedge portion  110  toward the downward portion of the handle  140 , the device  100  may stored more compactly. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2   c  depicts the top view  400  of the wedge-portion  110  without the handle  120 . As illustrated, the angled sides  410  of the wedge-portion  110  extend backward approximately 25 millimeters. A semicircular portion  150  at the rear end of the wedge-portion  110  is cut out approximately 24 millimeters from the front of the wedge-portion  110 , so that the wedge-portion  110  will fit comfortably against the cylindrical portion of the hinge (not shown). Finally,  FIG. 2   d  depicts a top view  500  of the attached handle  120 , with a total depth of approximately 50 millimeters from the front of the wedge-portion  110  to the rear of the handle  120 . The above-mentioned dimensions are exemplary in nature for the preferred embodiment and are not meant to limit the invention in any way. 
         [0019]    In an alternate embodiment, the device has an adjustable wedge-portion (not shown) that can have multiple settings. A pin, an adjustable pin, a spring, or a similar device can be positioned horizontally between the two angled sides  410  so that the adjustable wedge-portion can be collapsed or set at different degree settings (e.g., 45 or 90 degrees). The adjustable wedge-portion adjusts about a hinge that is incorporated into the wedge-portion (e.g., near the handle  120 ). This feature would provide flexibility in setting the door to a desired angle, without having to change out devices. Alternatively, the single handle  120  may be disconnected from a wedge of one width and connected to a wedge of another width. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 3-9  are perspective design drawings depicting the ornamental features of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the downward portion of the handle is illustrated with phantom lines. 
         [0021]    While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.