Door stop

Abstract

A door check attachable to a door frame F having a body portion 2 and a support portion 3, the body portion 2 including a first resilient portion 4 and a second resilient portion 5 separated by a resilient flexural hinge 10 which allows the first and second resilient portions 4, 5 to be resiliently pivoted apart such that, when the support portion 3 is attached to a door frame F, the second resilient portion 5 is attached to the support portion 3 and the first resilient portion 4 is movable against the resilience of the flexural hinge 10 between a first position in which the door is prevented from closing by the first resilient portion and a second position in which the first resilient portion is out of the path of the door D and the door D can be closed.

Description

[0001] The invention relates generally to a door check device and, more particularly, to a door check having a movable member such that the door check can be used in one mode to prevent a door from closing and the door check can be configured by a user in a second mode to allow the door to be closed completely and unhindered. State of the art

[0002] The use of door checks in both homes and businesses to prevent damage to doors and adjacent walls caused by collisions between these structures is well known. Typically, a door check is mounted on a wall adjacent to a door and is optimally positioned against the wall so that if the door is opened too wide, a doorknob or the door itself collides with the door check and not the wall. The door check, often constructed of a soft material such as rubber or plastic, ideally cushions the impact between the door and the wall, preventing damage to both structures.

[0003] Door stops can also be mounted on doors and function similarly to the wall-mounted door stops described above. Constructed at least partially of a soft material, a door-mounted door stop is mounted on a surface of a door facing the wall or frame, so that if the door is opened too wide, the door stop cushions the impact between the door and the wall or frame.

[0004] Door stops not only prevent damage to doors, walls, and other inanimate objects, but can also serve to prevent or reduce personal injuries resulting from the movement of a door. For example, it is well known that young children enjoy opening and closing doors, often without regard for their own well-being, the well-being of other people or pets, or the home furnishings. Children can slam a door with such force that their fingers (or those of others) become trapped between the door and the doorframe, resulting in injury. Given this potential harm, a door stop that can prevent a door from closing is a critical need for parents and caregivers.

[0005] It is known to use elongated door stays designed to be hung lengthwise over the top of a door, so that the strength of the door stay resting on the top of the door acts as an obstruction preventing the door from closing. While such door stays prevent the door to which they are mounted from closing, they have the disadvantage that they cannot be easily removed or repositioned to allow the door to close. In particular, the shape of such a structure, with a strong body section resting on the top of the door, requires that the entire door stay be removed to close the door.

[0006] Other prior art door checks have the same or similar disadvantages. This means that the entire door check or a portion of the door check must be removed to close the door to which it was mounted. For example, some embodiments of such prior art door checks utilize a wedge. Such wedges can easily slip and be lost or even forgotten.

[0007] There are many disadvantages and other problems associated with door check structures known in the art. The present invention, in various embodiments, aims to solve these and other problems of the prior art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] An embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a first part of the door check invention; Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of a second part of the door check invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an opposite side of the first part of Fig. 1 shows; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an opposite side of the second part of Fig. 2 shows; Fig. 5 a perspective view of the Fig. 4 shows the embodiment of the second part of the door check invention mounted on a door frame surface; Fig. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a first part of the first embodiment of the door check invention in a position ready to be attached to the second part; Fig. 7 a perspective view of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the door check invention mounted on a door frame surface, with the first part in a first mode; Fig. 8 a perspective view of the Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the door check invention mounted on a door frame surface, with the first part in a second mode; Fig. 9 a perspective view of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the door check invention mounted on a door frame surface, with the first part in a third mode; Fig. 10 a perspective view of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the door check invention mounted on a door frame surface, with the first part in a fourth mode; Fig. 11 a perspective view of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the door check invention mounted on a door frame surface, with the first part in a fifth mode; and Fig. 12 a perspective view of the Fig. 11 shows the embodiment of the door stop invention with the door closed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, a perspective view of a first embodiment of the door check invention, comprising a body part 2 and a support part 3.

[0010] The body part 2 is therefore preferably dimensioned and shaped to optimally cushion the impact of the door on a frame and thereby prevent the door or any other projection on the door (such as a doorknob) from striking the frame and causing undesirable damage or injury to persons nearby. Fig. 1 has a generally rounded rectangular shape, it is contemplated that alternative embodiments of the door check invention may have other various geometric shapes, both regular and irregular, as may be imagined by those skilled in the art.

[0011] The body part 2 includes a first resilient section 4 and a second resilient section 5 separated by a resilient flexure hinge 10 which allows the first and second resilient sections 4, 5 to be resiliently pivoted apart, as shown in Fig. 9. The first resilient region 4 comprises an outer wall 11 enclosing a hollow region 6. Accordingly, the second resilient portion 5 comprises an outer wall 12 surrounding a hollow region 7.

[0012] The body portion 2 is preferably made of an elastomeric material that is resilient and deformable, and elastically returns to its original shape. The flexure hinge 10 is shaped and dimensioned accordingly to allow the first and second resilient portions 4, 5 to pivot apart and return to their original position when released.

[0013] The outer wall 12 of the second resilient portion 5 includes a planar region 14 containing a hole 8 extending through the thickness of the planar region 14 and dimensioned to receive a corresponding post 13 on the support member 3. The hole 8 includes four radially extending grooves 9 corresponding to four radially extending tabs 17 on the support member 3.

[0014] Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 show the support part 3, which has a flat surface 15 for connection to the surface of a door frame by means of screws and slots 18 or by means of an adhesive applied to the flat surface 15. The support part 3 has an opposite side 16 which meets the flat area 14 and includes an upright post 13 with four radial springs 17. In addition, the post 13 includes a flange 19 arranged on the post 13 at a distance along the post 13 corresponding to the thickness of the wall of the flat area 14.

[0015] While the embodiment shown herein comprises two main body and support parts 2, 3, it is contemplated that other alternative embodiments of the door check invention may comprise more body parts.

[0016] In the embodiment shown, as can be seen from Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the body part 2 can be attached to the support part 3 by aligning the hole 8 with the post 13 and pressing the body part 2 towards the support part 3 until the flange 19 protrudes beyond the wall of the flat area 14 and serves to hold the flat area 14 of the body part 2 to the support part 3.

[0017] With reference now to Fig. 7 it can be seen that the door stop 1, which is adapted to a frame F as shown, serves to prevent the door from closing and thus to prevent the door from slamming and the fingers of small children from becoming trapped between the door and the frame.

[0018] In Fig. 8 shows that in this second mode, the first flexible section 4 is hinged to the second flexible section 7, which remains attached to the door frame, so that the door can be closed. The second support 3 is positioned high enough on the door frame to be accessible to an adult and not to children, so that the flexural hinge 10 acts to bend the first flexible section 4 into the Fig. 7 so that the door stop is again active and prevents the door from slamming shut until the first flexible section 4 is moved again, and this only by an adult.

[0019] Now Fig. 9, in which it can be seen that the door could be closed after retraction of the first yielding section 4. This first yielding section 4 is then brought into an intermediate position by the adult user in a third mode, in which the yielding action of the flexural hinge 10 serves to return the first yielding section 4 to its original position. The first yielding section 4 includes an extending lip portion 20 which acts against the door and forces it into the closed position, as in the fourth position in Fig. 10. The door stop 1 thus also functions as a door closer. In this position, the door D can be opened, with the opening being subject to the elasticity of the flexible hinge 10, which prevents the door D from swinging open too quickly and dampens the opening of the door so that a child playing next to the door is not injured.

[0020] With reference now to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 it can be seen that the body part 2 can be rotated relative to the support part 3 so that the entire body part 2 is in a fifth mode in which it in no way hinders the opening or closing of the door D. This is achieved by pulling the body part 2 slightly away from the support part 3 to release the springs 17 from the grooves 9 and then rotating the body part 2 through 90° so that the springs 17 engage the grooves 9, the body part 2 being in its new position at 90° to the first position.

[0021] It will be appreciated that other variations of this general principle are possible, with the angle of rotation being different from 90° depending on the shape of the first resilient portion 4. Likewise, it would not be necessary to have complete tongues 17 and corresponding grooves 9; in an alternative embodiment, two grooves and corresponding tongues could serve the same purpose.

[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the door check invention may comprise a single resilient portion or segment that can be removably mounted to a door via a suitable first support portion.

[0023] The body portion 2 described herein is generally constructed by molding from an elastomeric polymer or natural or synthetic rubber. The support portion 3 may be molded from a suitable, stiffer polymer, such as HDPE, ABS, polypropylene, polyamides, or other polymers. However, it is contemplated that other materials having generally elastic or rigid properties may be used to connect the body segments of alternative embodiments of the door check invention. Likewise, other types of resilient or rigid materials may be used to mount or secure alternative embodiments of the door check invention having a single body segment to a door frame.

[0024] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that in alternative embodiments of the door check, certain materials having adhesive-like properties may be used in conjunction with the support member to hold the door check attached to a door frame surface. For example, an adhesive or a material having at least one surface having adhesive-like properties (upon contact with the door surface) may be applied to the underside of the support member to hold the door check attached to a surface of a door frame. In another example, the support member could be constructed at least partially from a magnet such that when the door check is mounted to a metal door frame, the magnet helps secure the door check to the door frame while simultaneously allowing the door check to be easily removed by a user.In a further example of an alternative embodiment, a hook and loop fastener type strip may be attached to the underside of the support member and a corresponding hook and loop fastener strip may be attached to the surface of a door frame to enable removable attachment of the door stop to a door frame. Components 1 door stop 2 body part 3 support part 4 First yielding section 5 Second flexible section 6 Hollow area 7 Hollow area 8 holes 9 groove 10 bending hinge 11 Wall 12 Wall 13 Upright Post 14 Level area 15 Flat surface 16 Opposite surface 17 springs 18 slots 19 Flange 20 Lip section

Claims

[1] A door check attachable to a door frame F having a body portion 2 and a support portion 3, the body portion 2 including a first resilient portion 4 and a second resilient portion 5 separated by a resilient flexural hinge 10 which allows the first and second resilient portions 4, 5 to be resiliently pivoted apart such that when the support portion 3 is attached to a door frame F, the second resilient portion 5 is attached to the support portion 3 and the first resilient portion 4 is movable against the resilience of the flexural hinge 10 between a first position in which the door is prevented from closing by the first resilient portion and a second position in which the first resilient portion is out of the way of the door D and the door D can be closed. [2] Door stop according to claim 1, characterized bythat the first flexible region 4 has an outer wall 11 which encloses a hollow region 6. [3] Door stop according to claim 1, characterized by that the second flexible section 5 has an outer wall 12 surrounding a hollow area 7. [4] Door stop according to claim 1, characterized by that the body part 2 is made of an elastomer material which is flexible and deformable and elastically returns to its original shape. [5] Door stop according to claim 1, characterized by that the flexural hinge 10 is shaped and dimensioned to allow the first and second resilient sections 4, 5 to be pivoted apart and to return to their original position when released. [6] Door stop according to claim 1, characterized bythat the outer wall 12 of the second resilient portion 5 includes a planar region 14 which includes a hole 8 extending through the thickness of the planar region 14 and dimensioned to receive a corresponding post 13 on the support member 3. [7] Door stop according to claim 1, characterized by that the hole 8 includes at least two radially extending grooves 9 which correspond to at least two radially extending springs 17 on the support part 3. [8] Door stop according to claim 1, characterized by that the support part 3 includes a flat surface 15 for connection to the surface of a door frame F by means of screws and slots 18 or by means of adhesive. [9] Door stop according to claim 1, characterized by that the support part 3 has an opposite side 16 which meets the flat area 14 and includes an upright post 13 and at least two radial springs 17. [10] Door stop according to claim 9, characterized by that the post 13 comprises a flange 19 arranged on the post at a distance along the post corresponding to the thickness of the wall of the flat area 14. [11] Door stop according to claim 1, characterized by that the first resilient portion 4 has an extending lip portion 20 which acts against the door and forces it into the closed position. [12] Door stop according to claim 1, characterized by that the body part 2 can be rotated with respect to the support part 3 so that the body part 2 is in a position in which it does not hinder the opening or closing of the door D.

Images