BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to security devices for doors having handles, including single and double doors.

2. Description of Related Art Commercial, residential and other buildings are frequently equipped with doorways designed for dual adjacent doors which swing from hinges on opposite sides of the doorway.

The dual doors typically have door handles or knobs which are adjacent near the inside edges of the dual doors. Dual doors are sometimes also referred to as"double doors."Dual doors may be used in the interior of a building as well in its exterior. Exterior dual doors improve accessibility to the building and enhance the outward aesthetic appearance of the building.

Interior dual doors are often used for larger passageways in non-residential buildings, and often are used to control access to or through interior spaces. Despite the benefit of convenience, dual doors present higher security risks than single doors.

Each of the doors in a dual door system are hinged to a respective peripheral door jamb along the outer edge of each door. Each door closes such that the respective inner edges of the doors meet at a their juncture in the middle of the doorway. Because dual doors rarely have a middle jamb member, the inner edges of the two doors must secure to each other.

Some type of lock typically holds the two doors together, both to keep the doors from gliding open accidentally and to provide some measure of security. The typical lock is integrated with the doors, wherein a bolt retractably extends from one door into a lock plate on the other door. The bolt has a beveled side to allow it to be forced inward when the door is closed.

Because of the beveled surface and the relatively short length of the bolt, dual doors are easily forced open. Sometimes a second retractable bolt, known as a deadbolt, is also installed between the dual doors for added security. However, even when a deadbolt is installed, the doors can be forced open by applying enough pressure from the outside.

In a dual door system, each door typically has two handles-one on each side of the door-for a total of four handles. Most doors swing in one direction only, and building codes require that exterior doors swing out. In most residential applications, the basic door lock comprises rounded door knobs on the interior side of the doors, and either door knobs or pull handles on the outside. In commercial applications, the doors'interior side typically have exit bars and the exterior side have pull handles.

A variety of devices exist for enhancing the security of dual doors. Typically, such devices are fairly expensive to manufacture, require a number of parts and have strict tolerance requirements. Furthermore, locking devices are often subject to mechanical breakdown and frequently must be bolted into place on or near the doors.

To address this problem, secondary security devices have been developed which are designed to be mounted onto the adjacent interior door knobs. These devices are generally inadequate for push bars and pull handles. Furthennore, many of these devices require substantial strength or dexterity to operate. In an emergency situation, it may be necessary to exit through dual doors quickly. The requirement for strength or dexterity may be life- threatening for many people, including children and senior citizens-the people that most need added security.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a security device for dual doors which is: inexpensive to manufacture; can be secured to a wide variety of dual doors in an effective manner; is easy to install and remove; does not need to be bolted into place; is lightweight and easy to store; and is portable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The previously described problems are solved in a security apparatus for door handles comprising two members, a first member to engage a first door handle and a second member to engage a second door handle. The members each include a leg which respectively slide together to provide strength and thus resistance against the door opening. The members may be connected using any of a number of attachment mechanisms, include a J-pin attached to one of the members, which permit the security apparatus to be used with a range of double door configurations. The attachment mechanism is engaged in no more than one motion to firmly hold the two members together. The attachment mechanism permits the two members to be detached by hand in a single movement. The engagement portions include semicircular surfaces for engaging door knobs and door handles. The attachment mechanism is attached to one of the two members so that it cannot be separated from the members and get lost. The attachment mechanism is easily removed to permit the members to be separated and the security apparatus easily removed in an emergency.

Still further objects and advantages attaching to the device and to its use and operation will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following particular description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further objects of this invention, together with additional features contributing thereto and advantages accruing therefrom, will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention which is shown in the accompanying drawings with like reference numerals indicating corresponding parts throughout and which is to be read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a planar side view of a security apparatus for door handles in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an elevated cutaway top view of a double door having installed thereon a security apparatus for door handles in accordance with the invention.

Figure 3 is a side view of a double door having installed thereon a security apparatus for door handles in accordance with the invention.

Figure 4 is a planar side view of another security apparatus for door handles in accordance with the invention.

Figure 5 is a planar side view of another security apparatus for door handles in accordance with the invention.

These and additional embodiments of the invention may now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein an illustrated embodiment is described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and methods of the present invention.

Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown a planar side view of a security apparatus 100 in accordance with the invention. Hidden lines are dotted. The security apparatus 100 comprises a first member 110, a second member 120 and an attachment mechanism 130. In the preferred embodiment, the first member 110 is a U-shaped hollow tube, the second member 120 is a U-shaped rod, and the attachment mechanism 130 comprises a J-shaped pin 133, holes 132a, 132b, 134 in second member 120 and holes 131a, 131b in first member 110.

The second member 120 preferably slides into and out of the hollow in the first member 110 along the direction 150, and the attachment mechanism 130 is used to hold the first member 110 and the second member 120 together. The members 110,120 are preferably cross- sectionally round for ease of manufacturing and low cost, though other cross-sectional shapes such as square and triangula are also within the scope of the invention.

In order to withstand attack, the first member 110, the second member 120 and the pin 133 are comprised of a strong, rigid material, such as forged aluminum, stainless steel, brass, Teflon, fiberglass or ABS. Other materials are within the scope of the invention, and may be selected if providing sufficient strength while taking into consideration their weight, cost, longevity and ease of manufacture. The first member 110, the second member 120 and the pin 133 may be made of different materials, and each may themselves have components of different materials.

The first member 110 and the second member 120 are quite similar and may be considered analogs. The first member 110 may be considered to have three functional sections--a handle engagement portion 110a, a top leg 110b and a bottom leg 110c.

Similarly, the second member 120 may be considered to have three functional sections--a handle engagement portion 120a, a top leg 120b and a bottom leg 120c. In an alternative embodiment, the bottom legs 110c, 120c may be omitted if the top legs 1 lOb, 120b and the attachment mechanism 130 provide sufficient strength that the bottom legs 1 lOc, 120c are not needed.

The handle engagement portion 1 lOa of the first member 110 joins the top leg 1 lOb and the bottom leg 1 l Oc at the base of the U. The handle engagement portion 1 1 Oa is used to engage a door handle in a manner described further below. The handle engagement portion 1 1 Oa preferably defines a semicircular surface 111.

The handle engagement portion 120a of the second member 120 joins the top leg 120b and the bottom leg 120c at the base of the U. The handle engagement portion 120a is used to engage a door handle in a manner described further below. The handle engagement portion 120a preferably defines a semicircular surface 121. The top leg 120b has an end having an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the top leg 1 lOa, to permit the top leg 120b to slide within the top leg 1 lOb. Likewise, the end of the bottom leg 120c has an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the bottom leg 11Oc. The legs 1lOb, 11Oc, 120b, 120c preferably are in the same plane to permit there engagement in the manner just described.

Referring now to Figure 2 there is shown an elevated cutaway top view of a double door 200 having installed thereon the security apparatus 100. The double door 200 is of the type described above, such as one might find in a residential structure as the main entrance into the structure. The double door 200 includes door panels 210,220. Each door panel 210, 220 has installed therein respective exterior door knobs 230,240 and interior door knobs 250, 260. The door knobs 250,260 include respective heads 250h, 260h and shafts 250s, 260s.

One of the benefits of the security apparatus 100 is that it is compatible with door knobs, as shown in Figure 2. and door handles 350,360, as shown in Figure 3. The door knobs on double doors are typically about four to ten inches apart and are typically about five and one- half inches apart. The surfaces 111,121 may be coated with a soft, smooth material such as plastic or rubber to prevent scratching of the door knobs 250,260 or handles 350,360 during installation, use and removal of the members 110,120.

Referring again to Figure 1, the attachment mechanism 130 preferably accommodate these variations in door knobs and handles. The top leg 110b defines the holes 131b having a diameter less than the outer diameter of the top leg 11 Ob to maintain the structural integrity of the log leg 1 1 Ob. The holes 131 a, 131b extend through at least the top of the top leg 11 Ob, near the end of the top leg 11 Ob. The top leg 11 Ob defines the holes 131 a, 131b having a diameter less than the outer diameter of the top leg 110b to maintain the structural integrity of the log leg 1 lOb. The holes 132a, 132b extend through at least the top of the top leg 120b, near the end of the top leg 120b.

The pin 133 comprises legs 133a, 133b and 133c. By sliding the first member 110 over and along the second member 120, the holes 13 la, 132a will align. By sliding the first member 110 further along the second member, the holes 131b, 132b will align. The leg 133c can be variously inserted into holes 131a, 131b to provide a close fit of the 110a, 120 against the knobs 250,260 or handles 350,360. The hole 134 is wide enough to allow the leg 133b to slide but not so large as to endanger the structural integrity of the top leg 120b. The leg 133a has a length which accommodates the spacing of the holes 131a, 132a, 131b, 132b.

The holes 131a, 132a, 131b, 132b need not extend completely through the respective legs 110b, 120b. The leg 133b is preferably long enough to permit the pin 133 to be raised relative to the top leg 120b so that the leg 133c can be removed from and reinserted into the holes 131a, 131b. If the leg 133c is made shorter, then the holes 131a, 132a, 131b, 132b need not be as deep. Through selection of the sizes and placements of the legs 133a, 133b, 133c and the holes 131a, 131b, 132a, 132b, 134, the pin 133 may be easily moved into or out of the holes 131a, 131b, 132a, 132b by hand in a single motion. To prevent the leg 133b from being removed from the leg 120b, the bottom of the leg 133b includes a flattened portion 134 which is wider than hole 134.

The top leg 11 Ob and bottom leg 110c preferably have hollow ends to pennit the respective top leg 120a and bottom leg 120c of the second member 120 to slide within the top leg 110b and the bottom leg 110c. Except for those portions of the legs 110b, 110c into which the legs 120a, 120c slide, the legs 1 lOb, 1 l Oc may be solid. The legs 120b, 120c may be solid or hollow. For the same reason, the handle engagement portions 110a, 120a also may be either solid or hollow. To accommodate the top leg 120b and the bottom leg 120c, the hollows in the top leg 11 Ob and the bottom leg 11 Oc have, respectively, inner dimensions which are smaller than the outer dimensions of the top leg 120b and the bottom leg 120c.

The differences between these dimensions are exaggerated in Figure 1 for clarity.

The first member 110 and second member 120 are preferably cylindrical and have circular cross sections. However, other cross-sectional shapes are within the scope of the invention. With respect to the legs 1 lOb, 120b, 1 lOc, 120c, their cross-sectional shapes are preferably complementary in those portions where they respectively engage and slide.

The attachment mechanism 130 functions to keep the first member 110 and second member 120 together. In early testing, the inventor found that the first member 110 and the second member 120 could be installed without an attachment mechanism and stay together.

However, if force were applied to the double doors upon which the security apparatus was installed, the static friction between the first member 110 and the second member 120 was insufficient to maintain their union. The attachment mechanism 130 is therefor provided to overcome this problem. It was found that, because the first member 110 and the second member 120 effectively redirect forces applied to double doors, the attachment mechanism 130 need not be as strong as the first member 110 or the second member 120.

In the security apparatus 100, the various components preferably have the following dimensions: distance between central axis of holes 131b and 131a 3/4" length of legs 1 20b, 1 20c 43/4 outer diameter of legs 11 Ob, 100c ½" length of wall of legs 1 lOb, 1 lOc. 045" distance of hole 131 a from extreme end of leg 11 ou5/8" radius of bend in engagement portion 11 Oa from effective cente 1 3/64" to middle of engagement portion length of legs 1 l Ob, I 1 Oc 1 13/l 6" length of leg 133c 7/8" length of leg 133a 1 1/8" length of leg 133b 1 3/4" width of flat portion 133d 3/16" radius of bends from leg 133b to leg 133a, and from leg 133a to 1/8" leg 133c These dimensions are appropriate where the entire security apparatus is constructed of stainless steel. Due to the tolerance of other materials, the dimensions may vary.

Referring now to Figure 4 there is shown a planar side view of another security apparatus 400 for door handles in accordance with the invention. The security apparatus 400 essentially comprises the security apparatus 100 of Figure 1 doubled-over, with two first members 110, two attachment mechanisms 130, and a central portion 450. The descriptions of Figure 1 are equivalent to like representations in Figure 4.

Another alternative embodiments of the security apparatus is shown in Figure 5. The security apparatus of Figure 5 is similar to that of Figure 4. In the security apparatus 400 of Figure 4, the central member 450 is rod-like, and members 110 slide onto the central member 450. In the security apparatus 500 of Figure 5, the central member 550 is tube-like, and members 120 slide into the central member 550.

Although the members 110,120 have been described as formed of tubes and rods, respectively, they may alternatively be formed if other shapes. The important features are: (1) the engagement portions include semicircular surfaces for engaging door knobs and door handles; (2) each member includes a leg which respectively slide together to provide strength and thus resistance against the door opening; (3) the attachment mechanism is attached to one of the two members so that it cannot be separated from the members and get lost; (3) the attachment mechanism is easily removed to permit the members to be separated and the security apparatus easily removed in an emergency. The engagement portions may be fonned of a plate defining a semicircular region. The attachment mechanism may be improved through the inclusion of a spring around the leg 133b, disposed between the flattened end 133d and the leg 120b. The spring provides supplementary forces to keep the pin in the holes 131a, 132a, 131b, 132b, and this may be particularly useful if the security apparatus is installed where the pin 133 might otherwise slip out of the holes 131a, 132a, 131b, 132b.

Instead of the J-shaped pin 133 of the figures, the leg 120b may be provided with a spring loaded pin or ball in the position of the hole 132a which can engage and hold the leg 1 lOb at the position of the holes 131a, 131b until pressed aside by a human hand.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of f changes, modifications, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit of the present invention. All such changes, modifications and alterations should therefore be seen as within the scope of the present invention.