Gravity-Biased Locking Swing Plate for In-Swing Door Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-swing doors are vulnerable to forced entry due to their design, which makes them susceptible to attacks, especially when occupants are alone and defenseless, as they can be easily forced open using brute force or leverage, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures.
Innovation Solution
A door locking device featuring a mounting plate secured to the door jamb with a hinge pin assembly and a locking swing plate that pivots between unlocked and locked positions, biased by gravity to secure the door in the closed position, providing additional mechanical security against forced entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a security rod is installed to prevent forced entry, then door security is improved, but the device becomes large and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The security device is divided into separate components: a mounting plate attached to the door frame, a hinge pin assembly with a locking swing plate, and a receiver assembly. This segmentation allows the locking function to be distributed across multiple smaller elements rather than requiring a single large bar or rod.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking swing plate is positioned within the door assembly and nests against the door interior surface when locked. The receiver assembly integrates with the mounting plate, creating a compact nested structure that provides security without protruding externally.
2Strength
If a dead bolt is used to secure the door, then locking strength is improved, but the door can still be forced open if the occupant unlocks it
Solution Approach 1:
The locking swing plate automatically engages with the receiver assembly to prevent door opening before an attacker can exploit any vulnerability. The gravity-biased mechanism ensures the door remains locked unless deliberately opened from the inside, preventing surprise forced entry attacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking swing plate acts as an intermediary between the door and the frame, providing a mechanical barrier that must be overcome for forced entry. This intermediate locking element adds a layer of protection that independent of the main dead bolt mechanism.
3Loss of energy
If the door is designed for in-swing operation to comply with building codes, then weatherization and heating/cooling efficiency are improved, but the door becomes vulnerable to forced entry attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The in-swing door design is maintained for the majority of the door structure to preserve weatherization and energy efficiency. The security enhancement is applied locally through the mounting plate, hinge pin assembly, and locking swing plate mechanism, which provide forced entry protection without altering the overall door swing operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively secures in-swing doors against forced entry by utilizing a gravity-biased locking mechanism that abuts the door interior surface, enhancing safety for vulnerable individuals by preventing unauthorized door opening.
Implementation Method 1
the locking swing plate is biased by force of gravity to a lowermost position and is located to abut the door interior surface and thus secure the door in the door closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A door security device for an in-swing door includes a mounting plate secured to the door jamb adjacent the door outside edge, a hinge pin assembly supported by the mounting plate proximate the door outside edge, a locking swing plate secured to the hinge pin assembly for pivotal movement between unlocked and locked angular positions in relation to the hinge pin vertical axis, the locking swing plate biased by force of gravity to a lowermost position, and the mounting plate having a first receiver wall defining the lowermost position of the locking swing plate in the locked position perpendicular to a first rear surface of the mounting plate and defining the uppermost position of the locking swing plate in the unlocked position away from the locked angular position.