REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 63/222,865, entitled DOOR SECURING APPARATUS, filed July 16, 2021, and hereby incorporates this provisional patent application by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the technology relate, in general, to systems, apparatuses and methods for securing a hinged door in a closed position.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Often persons in a room desire to prevent unwanted or unauthorized entry into the room. Traditional door locks can be insecure and easily defeated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an example system and apparatus for securing a door.

[0005] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a door secured by a system and apparatus for securing a door.

[0006] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a system and apparatus for securing a door. [0007] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example system and apparatus for securing a door. [0008] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of Section 5-5 in FIG. 2.

[0009] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an example system and apparatus for securing a door. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Certain embodiments are hereinafter described in detail in connection with the views and examples of FIGS. 1-6.

[0011] Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, and use of the apparatuses, systems, methods, and processes disclosed herein. One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that systems and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting embodiments. The features illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting embodiment may be combined with the features of other nonlimiting embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] Reference throughout the specification to "various embodiments," "some embodiments," "one embodiment," "some example embodiments," "one example embodiment," or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with any embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in various embodiments," "in some embodiments," "in one embodiment," "some example embodiments," "one example embodiment, or "in an embodiment" in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0013] The examples discussed herein are examples only and are provided to assist in the explanation of the apparatuses, devices, systems and methods described herein. None of the features or components shown in the drawings or discussed below should be taken as mandatory for any specific implementation of any of these the apparatuses, devices, systems or methods unless specifically designated as mandatory. For ease of reading and clarity, certain components, modules, or methods may be described solely in connection with a specific figure. Any failure to specifically describe a combination or sub-combination of components should not be understood as an indication that any combination or sub-combination is not possible. Also, for any methods described, regardless of whether the method is described in conjunction with a flow diagram, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified or required by context, any explicit or implicit ordering of steps performed in the execution of a method does not imply that those steps must be performed in the order presented but instead may be performed in a different order or in parallel.

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown an example embodiment of a door securing apparatus 100 of the present disclosure. The door securing apparatus 100 is shown in an exploded view in FIG. 1. The door securing apparatus 100 is shown in a representative method of mounting in FIG. 2. The door securing apparatus 100 is shown in FIG. 3 in a mounted, in-use, configuration.

[0015] The door securing apparatus 100 has a mounting member 102 that can be affixed to a stationary surface, such as a wall, or a door frame 12, as depicted in FIG. 2. The mounting member 102 can be affixed to the stationary surface suitably in proximity to a door 10 to be secured by the method and system as described herein. The mounting member 102 has at least one mounting extension 120 that can extend generally perpendicularly to the wall or door frame, and which defines at least one through-opening, such as a first pivot-axis through-hole 110, two of which are shown in the example embodiment of FIG. 1, being in alignment with a pivot axis 124. The mounting member 102 can be affixed to the wall or door frame 12 by a wall fastener 114, which can be a screw, nail, clamp, adhesive, bolt, and the like. In an embodiment, the wall fastener 114 can be a screw, and a plurality of screws can be used to affix the mounting member 102 to a wall or door frame 12.

[0016] The door securing apparatus 100 has a pivoting arm extension 104 that can be affixed at a proximal portion 104A to the mounting member 102. In the example embodiment, the pivoting arm extension 104 has two generally linearly extending connection arms 122, each having at the proximal portion 104A a second pivot-axis opening 112. As can be understood from the description herein, the pivoting arm extension 104 can be positioned relative to the mounting member 102 such that the second pivot-axis opening 112 of each of the connection arms 122 can be in alignment with the pivot axis 124. When aligned, a pivot-securing member 108 can fix the first pivot-axis through-hole(s) 110 and the second pivot-axis through-hole(s) 112 in alignment with the pivot axis 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot- securing member 108 can be a rod or pin suitably sized and shaped to be inserted into and through the first pivot-axis through- hole(s) 110 and the second pivot-axis through-hole(s) 112. When the pivot-securing member 108 is in operable position, as shown in FIG. 3, the pivoting arm extension 104 is secured to the mounting member 102 in a moveable relationship, being pivotal about the pivot axis 124. In an embodiment, the pivot-securing member 108 can have a graspable removal member 108A, such as a finger ring, as shown.

[0017] A door-contacting member 106 can adjustably secured to the pivoting arm extension 104 near a distal portion 104B. In the illustrated embodiment, the door-contacting member 106 is a threaded member that is threaded into a mating threaded opening 116 at the distal portion 104B of the pivoting arm extension 104. A threaded door-contacting member 106 can have a knob 118 at a first end, the knob 118 being suitably sized and shaped for hand-turning the door-contacting member to thread it in to or out of the mating threaded opening 116. A relatively soft tip 128 can be disposed on a second end of the door-contacting member 106 to minimize marring the finish of the door 10 during use. The door-contacting member 106 can have a sufficient length such that the relatively soft tip 128 can be suitably pressed on to the surface of the door 10 during use of the door securing apparatus 100.

[0018] The range of pivoting motion of the pivoting arm extension 104 can be limited in a first pivoting direction by a first portion of the mounting member 102, and in a second pivoting direction by a pivot-stop member 126, which can be second portion of the mounting member 102, such as a suitable surface in spaced relationship from the wall or door frame. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot-stop member 126 is a T-shaped extension of the mounting extension 120. Further, the interior spacing between the two connection arms 122 can be sufficient to clear the broad face of at least one of the T-shaped extensions of pivot-stop member 126, as shown in 1. Once cleared, the two connection arms 122 can be translated in a direction parallel to the pivot axis 124 such that they reside interiorly of the T-shaped extension, as shown in FIG. 3. In this manner the pivoting arm extension can be lifted and rotated clear of the door to permit the door to open when desired, without removing the pivot-securing member 108.

[0019] Continuing to refer to FIG. 3 there is illustrated a method of use of the system and apparatus of the door securing apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 3, pivoting arm extensions 104 can each be disposed in the mounting member 102 such that pivoting movement is constrained in one direction by the first portion of the mounting member 102, and the second portion of the mounting member 102, the second portion being the pivot-stop member 126. In an embodiment, the first portion of the mounting member 102 can be the portion in direct mounted contact with the wall or door frame 12. The connection arms 122 can reside, therefore, between two generally parallel surfaces that are substantially immoveable relative to one other. In operation, the door 10 to be secured can be closed sufficiently for the pivoting arm extension 104 to be secured by the pivot-securing member 108 with the distal edge of the door being between the arm extensions and the edge of the door frame 12.When the door securing apparatus 100 is suitably mounted on a wall or door frame 12, a door 10 can be secured in a closed relationship. As the door-contacting member 106 is rotated by turning the knob 118, it advances in a direction toward the door (as indicated by the arrow Alin the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5) and contacts the door 10. Once the door-contacting member 106 contacts the door 10, further advancement of the door-contacting member 106 tends to provide a force on the door suitable for causing the door 10 to move into contact with a portion of the door frame 12, for example at a compressive interface 130 (as depicted in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5). Further advancement of the door-contacting member 106 tends to force the pivoting arm extension 104 in the direction away from the door (e.g., in the direction of arrow A2 as depicted in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5) as it pivots about the pivot axis 124. Pivoting (e.g., in the direction of arrow A2 as depicted in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5) is limited by the pivot-stop member 126. When the pivoting arm extension 104 contacts the pivot-stop member 126, (such as at the contact portion 132 as depicted in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5), further rotation about pivot axis 124 is prevented. As can be understood, further advancement of door-contacting member 106 causes more pressure at compressive interface 130 (as depicted in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5).

[0020] The force of the door-contacting member 106 applied to the door 10 prevents the door from opening. To open the door 10, the door securing apparatus 100 can be disabled by removing the pivot-securing member 108 and subsequently removing the pivoting arm extension 104.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, there is shown an example embodiment of a door securing apparatus 200 of the present disclosure. The door securing apparatus 200 is shown in FIG. 4 in a mounted configuration. The door securing apparatus 200 is shown in cross-section in a representative method of use in FIG. 5. The door securing apparatus 200 is shown in an exploded view in FIG. 6.

[0022] The door securing apparatus 200 incorporates and can include all the features of the door securing apparatus 100, as discussed above. However, rather than the mounting member 102 being affixed to a stationary surface, such as a wall, or a door frame 12, as depicted in FIG. 2, the mounting member 102 can be mounted to a mounting plate 210, and the mounting plate 210 can be affixed to a door frame 12 of a door 10. The mounting plate 210 can be a generally L-shaped plate having a first leg 210A and a second leg 210B. In use, as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first leg 210A can be mounted to an inside surface of a door jamb casing 12A, such that door jamb mounting members 220, such as screws, nails, bolts, and the like, can be affixed to a portion of the doorway that are not visible, and do not mar the appearance of the door frame.

[0023] The mounting member 102 can be affixed to the mounting plate 210 by, for example, one or more mounting plate fastening members 230, which can be screws, bolts, nuts, and the like. The entire assembly can then be affixed suitably in proximity to a door 10 to be secured by the method and system as described herein.

[0024] The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed, and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best illustrate principles of various embodiments as are suited to particular uses contemplated. The scope is, of course, not limited to the examples set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather it is hereby intended the scope of the invention to be defined by the claims appended hereto.