Abstract:
Door closure protective apparatus for hinged doors including a door frame, a door having hinge means for attachment to said door frame for pivotal movement to swing between a closed and open position wherein such movement leaves an open space between mating faces of said door frame and said door when said door is an said open position, the apparatus including a frame mounting member, a spring attachment member mounted to said frame mounting member, a longitudinally extending spring having one end attached to the spring attachment member and the other end attached to an obstruction member such as a ball, the combination configured and arranged such that the obstruction member overlays said door when said door is in the closed position and enters the open space to restrict closing of the door when the door is opened.

Description:
CLAIM FOR BENEFIT OF EARLIER FILING DATE  
       [0001]     The present utility application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/646,581 filed on 25 Jan. 2005 and entitled “PROTECTIVE APPARATUS FOR HINGED DOORS”. The present utility application has the same inventor, subject matter and title as the aforesaid Provisional Application. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts.  
         [0003]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     This invention relates to door safety features and more particularly to a safety device for preventing insertion of a persons fingers, or other foreign objects, into the opening between a door and the door frame during close of hinged swinging doors hung in a doorframe.  
         [0005]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0006]     Dangers presented to the fingers of users wherein they are inserted into the opening between a corner edge of the door and the door frame of hinged swinging doors, and then being caught during closure of the door are well known. Other foreign objects inadvertently caught during such door closure also are of concern. Consequently, various prior art safety devices or arrangements have been developed in an effort to provide simple safety features for hinged swinging doors.  
         [0007]     One such device is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,180 issued to Thill on 2 Mar. 1976 wherein there is disclosed an elaborate guard rail assembly for hinged sectional garage doors. The assembly includes a pocket built into an extension of one of the door panels for receiving a rigid arcuate member, built into the mating door panel, in the closed panel position that covers the gap between the panels in the open panel position.  
         [0008]     Another such protective assembly is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,233 issued to Hubbard on 13c Sep. 1981. The assembly discloses a protective device for swinging hinged doors that includes an elaborate pivotal hinge assembly, one element thereof attached to the door and another element thereof attached to the door frame. An arcuate member of one of the elements is enclosed within a pocket in the other element when the door is closed and bridges the gap when the door is opened.  
         [0009]     Another such device is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,319,697 issued to Krohn on 16 May 1967 wherein there is disclosed a finger guard assembly for overhead-roll-type garage doors. The assembly includes an arcuate plate on one panel having a coiled spring for urging the arcuate plate to maintain contact with the other panel to cover the open gap when the panels are angularly disposed relative to each other.  
         [0010]     Such devices are illustrative of the varied arrangements whereby attempts have been made to improve and simplify hinged swinging door closure configurations for providing increased operational safety and convenience in the close of the doors. However, what is needed is a improved door operation configuration for hinged swinging doors that is inexpensive to manufacture, simple to install, and provides necessary protection for fingers and other foreign objects from being caught upon closure of the door.  
         [0011]     It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved configuration for hinged swinging doors that prevents fingers or other foreign objects from being caught between the opening formed between the door frame and the edge of the door when the door is closed.  
         [0012]     It is another object of the invention is to provide new and improved protective apparatus for hinged doors that is easily mounted, detached and re-attached with only simple tools and without modification of the door.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0013]     The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention are accomplished by providing a new and improved door configuration that is inexpensive to manufacture, simple to install, and provides necessary protection for fingers and other foreign objects from being caught upon closure of a hinged swinging door. The configuration prevents insertion of fingers or other foreign objects into the opening formed between the door frame and the edge of the door when the door is closed.  
         [0014]     The safety apparatus consists in one embodiment of a generally soft and resilient member such as a ball that is spring mounted to the door frame such that when the door is closed the ball overlays the edge of the door but when the door is opened, by spring action the ball is positioned such that the door is prevented from closing. The ball may be easily pushed aside so that the door can be closed. The apparatus may be mounted at a height such that a child cannot reach the ball. Although a ball is shown in the drawings and described herein, it is to be understood that other configurations may be used and that such configurations may include features such as audible means activated upon contact and attractive decorations.  
         [0015]     Other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the specification, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements in the several views. 
     
    
     DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1A  is a plan view of the protective apparatus of the invention illustrating how the door stop overlays the door when the door is in the closed position;  
         [0017]      FIG. 1B  is a plan view illustrating how the door stop of  FIG. 1A  by spring action is moved into position after the door is opened to thus prevent the door from closing;  
         [0018]      FIG. 1C  is a plan view illustrating how the door stop of  FIG. 1A  can be moved aside to allow closing of the door;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2A  is a top view of the door stop of  FIG. 1  illustrating the position of the door stop when the door is in the closed position;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2B  is a top view of the door stop of  FIG. 1  illustrating how by spring action the door stop is moved aside when the door is opened;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2C  is a top view of the door stop of  FIG. 1  illustrating how after the door is opened the member swings back into position to prevent closure of the door;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2D  is a top view of the door stop of  FIG. 1  illustrating how the door stop is pushed aside to permit closure of the door;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2E  is a top view of the door stop of  FIG. 1  illustrating how the door stop overlays the door after it is closed;  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the door stop ball configuration illustrating attachment of the spring element of the invention to the ball;  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the protective apparatus of the invention indicating the angle α positioning range for both right hinged and left-hinged doors;  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  illustrates mounting of one half of a mating element for changing the positioning angle α range for both right hinged and left-hinged doors;  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  illustrates mounting of the other half of the mating element of  FIG. 6  for changing the angle α positioning range for both right hinged and left-hinged doors;  
         [0028]      FIG. 7A  is a cross sectional view taken along lines  7 A,  7 B of  FIG. 4  illustrating the configuration of the invention for manually changing the positioning angle α for both right hinged and left-hinged doors; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 7B  is a cross sectional view taken along lines  7 A,  7 B of  FIG. 4  illustrating how the configuration of  FIG. 7A  is manually manipulated to change the positioning angle α. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0030]     Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1A, 1B , and  1 C illustrate an embodiment of the protective apparatus according to the invention wherein the configuration prevents insertion of fingers or other foreign objects into the opening formed between the frame of a door and the edge of the door when the door is closed.  
         [0031]      FIG. 1A  illustrates the apparatus of the invention, generally designated by reference numeral  10 , mounted to a door frame  15  having a door  14  in the closed position. The apparatus of the invention includes door stop  11 , spring  12 , and a mounting member, generally designated  13  that includes base  13   a,  spring attachment  13   b,  and aperture  17  for mounting of base  13 A to door frame  15 . Base  13   a  may be mounted to door frame  15 , other than as indicated by aperture  17 , in any appropriate manner, such as with adhesive  18 . Spring attachment  13   b  is attached to base  13   a  at an angle from the vertical such that in the door closed position door stop  11  overlays door  14  as will be further discussed infra. Door stop  11  is generally of a soft resilient material and although shown with a ball configuration it may have any configuration appropriate with the operation of the invention as described. Door  14  is shown mounted for swinging movement by a common plurality of hinges (not shown), and in the figures is shown to open to the left (left-hinged). It is to be understood that the invention works equally as well for right-hinged doors.  
         [0032]      FIG. 1B  illustrates how, upon opening of the door  14  An opening, generally designated  16 , is exposed when the adjacent corner edges of the door  14  and door frame  15  are displaced relative to each other. This-opening  16  presents a clear opportunity for a person&#39;s finger(s), or other foreign objects, to be inadvertently inserted into the opening  16  and caught when the door  14  is closed. Also illustrated, by the arrow, is the manner in which door stop  11 , by action of spring  12 , is positioned in opening  16  between the edge of door  14  and door frame  15  after door  14  is opened, thus preventing the door  14  from closing.  
         [0033]      FIG. 1C  illustrates, by the arrow, how door stop  11  is moved out of opening  16  to permit closing of door  14 ; with door stop  11  urged by spring  12  to again overly the edge of closed door  14  as shown in  FIG. 1A .  
         [0034]      FIGS. 2A-2E  further illustrate the operation of the invention,  FIG. 2A  being a top view of the apparatus  10  of the invention and illustrating the position of door stop  11  when the door  14  is in the closed position. As seen, the angular orientation of spring attachment  13   b  from the vertical, in combination with the resultant urging of spring  12 , has urged door stop  11  to overlay a portion of door  14 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 2B  illustrates the manner in which door stop  11  is pushed aside when the door  14  is opened, door  14  applying force to door stop  11  which in turn moves against the tension of spring  12  to thus allow door  14  to close.  
         [0036]      FIG. 2C  illustrates how upon further opening of door  14  the tension of spring  12  forces door stop  11  into the vacated space, or opening  16 , between door  14  and door frame  15 , and thus upon the attempt to close door  14 , door stop  11  prevents such closing while at the same time cushioning the impact of door  14  against door stop  11 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 2D  illustrates door  14  being opened slightly and door stop  11  then moved out of the opening  16  between door  14  and door frame  15  so that as shown in  FIG. 2E  the door  14  can then be closed and under tension of spring  12  the door stop  11  again overlays the door  14  as shown in  FIG. 2E  (and also in  FIG. 2A ).  
         [0038]      FIG. 3  is a simplified illustration in cross section of one embodiment of the door stop  11  wherein it is indicated to be generally ball shaped with one end of the spring  12  embedded in the door stop  11  with the other end attached to spring attachment  13   b  as variously indicated in the drawings. As mentioned previously, door stop  11  may have a ball configuration or any other suitable configuration, such as a teddy bear, and is generally of a soft resilient non-toxic material.  
         [0039]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which base  13   a  has spring attachment  13   b  pivotally mounted thereto to permit variation of the orientation of spring attachment  13   b  to base  13   a  through the positioning angle α. Since the angular orientation of spring attachment  13   b  in combination with the resultant urging of spring  12  dictates the position of door stop  11  within opening  16 , and the overlaying of the edge of door  14 , variation of the angular orientation may often be desirable for proper mounting of the apparatus  10  to the door frame  15 , or other surface as may be necessary.  
         [0040]      FIG. 5  illustrates, in front view of base  13   a,  one half of a mating element in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . As shown, base  13   a  includes integrally formed teethed element  20   a  that forms one half of the mating element. Although shown as teethed, element  20   a  could take any configuration in keeping with the invention. Also shown is circular aperture  21  that extends through base  13   a  as will be further described.  
         [0041]      FIG. 6  illustrates the other half of the mating element for varying the angle α. Shown is teethed element  20   b  formed integral with spring attachment  13   b  for co-acting engagement with element  20   a  whereby a selected angle α is fixedly maintained. Also shown is extension  13   c  of spring attachment  13   b  that is dimensioned for insertion through aperture  21  as will be further described.  
         [0042]      FIG. 7A  is a cross sectional view taken along lines  7 A, 7 B of  FIG. 4  that further illustrates the embodiment for varying the positioning angle α and shows teethed elements  20   a  and  20   b  initially engaged to define an angle α setting. Aperture  21  is configured for rotatably receiving circular extension  13   c  and is counter-bored from the rear of spring attachment  13   b  to provide enlarged aperture  21  a and reduced diameter flanged shoulder  21   b  at the entrance of aperture  21 . Extension  13   c  is inserted through aperture  20  past shoulder  21   b  and partially through counter-bored aperture  21   a,  extension  13   c  being foreshortened in length leaving an opened space before the entrance to counter-bore  21   a.  Circular retaining spring  23  is fitted over extension  13   c  to abut flanged shoulder  21   b  and then is retained under tension by retainer  24  which is attached to extension  13   c  by screw  25 .  
         [0043]     Retainer  24  is circular with a diameter slightly smaller than that of aperture  21   a  and in cross section is generally staple-shaped with a flat bottom. It is fastened to extension  13   c  with the flat bottom abutting spring  23 . With the retainer  24  securely attached to extension  13   c  with the flat bottom abutting retaining spring  23 , the open portion  24   a  of the retainer  24  extends to the opening of aperture  21   a  with the head  25   a  of the screw  25  within the open portion  24   a.    
         [0044]      FIG. 7B  is a cross sectional view taken along lines  7 A, 7 B of  FIG. 4  that illustrates changing of the position angle α. Teethed element  20   b  is disengaged from teethed element  20   a  as indicated by the horizontal arrow and in the process compresses retainer spring  23 . Spring attachment  13   b  is then rotated as indicated by the circular arrows and elements  20   a,    20   b  are reengaged at a different location to thus vary the angle α. This new position is then maintained by the expansion of retainer spring  23 .  
         [0045]     Thus, the apparatus of the invention operates to provide protection from possible injury when the door  14  is opened sufficiently for door stop  11  to enter the opening  16 . In some cases the door frame  15  will be inadequate for mounting of the apparatus of the invention, in which case the apparatus can be mounted in sufficient proximity to the door  14  and the angle α adjusted as necessary in keeping with the invention.  
         [0046]     There has thus been shown and described in a basic configuration protective apparatus preventing insertion of fingers or other foreign objects into the opening formed between the door frame and the edge of a door when the door is closed. Although the present invention has been described with reference to illustrated and described embodiments, other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that that would fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, door stop  11  may be of any suitable configuration and spring  12  may take another configuration and be mounted to door stop  11  and base  13  in other suitable fashions within the scope of the invention.