Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the prevention of injuries caused by drawers, doors, windows, gates any other moving parts as a result of movement or slamming. More particularly, the present invention relates to means for preventing injuries caused by accidental or uncontrolled closing or slamming of drawers, doors, windows, gates and any other type of container or hinged or rail openings or closing means.

Background

In today's household environment (external and internal) there are many functional items such as doors, drawers, windows, shades, gates and so on that might cause injury, or damages to human beings of any age, pets and life stock. Particular hazards are entailed with containers having hinged or spring-controlled covers, containers that are mounted on rails and any type of opening or aperture that is closed by a lid, cover, gate, door, window or shutter. Manual closing of such openings or apertures requires awareness to the position of the body part, mostly a hand, on the closing door. Especially, gentle body parts, particularly hand fingers, which are more likely to be injured upon closing, should be distanced from an opening or aperture upon closing. The main hazard, however, resides in the natural grip-and- push action of a cover or a closing container by hand. This hazard is amplified when such grip-and-push action is done carelessly, unintentionally or without supervision. In particular, the danger in the grip-and-push action is amplified when done by toddlers or elderly whose coordination is not best controlled or maintained.

Such injuries include, for example, pinched/broken fingers of young children caused by doors or drawers closing uncontrollably on them, unsupervised closing of gates on legs of animals in a pen, barn, stable or shed and unintentional or uncontrollable closing of doors on hands and arms of grown-up people as a result of a sudden draft.

Current solutions include means of locking these covers, doors and the like, which prevents young children from opening or moving them or using control means to slow down the action of closing. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide means for preventing uncontrollable, unintentional or unsupervised closing of different closing means.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide means for preventing the uncontrollable, unintentional or unsupervised closing of closing means that are particularly useful for preventing injuries to sensitive body parts that come into contact with the closing means.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide means for preventing the uncontrollable, unintentional or unsupervised closing of closing means that make such closing means safer for toddlers, the elderly, farm animals, pets and any other subject that might be susceptible to suffer from injuries caused by such closing.

This and other objects of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary

In one aspect, the present invention provides a slamming stopper that prevents uncontrollable, unintentional or unsupervised closing of different closing means.

In one embodiment, the slamming stopper comprises a top portion, a bottom portion and a connecting element between the top and bottom portions that connects them to each other.

In still another embodiment, the connecting element is configured to enable the top and bottom portions to bend outwardly and inwardly, away from and towards each other, respectively, around an axis of angular motion.

In still another embodiment, the connecting element is integral or not integral with said top portion and said bottom portion.

In still another embodiment, the dimensions of the connecting element are fixed. In particular, the length of the connecting element is pre-selected to enable the top and bottom portions to bend outwardly and inwardly, away from and towards each other, respectively, around an axis of angular motion. In still another embodiment, the dimensions of the connecting element are adjustable. In particular, the connecting element is configured to adjust its length to set any distance between the top and bottom portions. Accordingly, in one particular embodiment, the connecting element is may be any material, in the form of an accordion that may reversibly fold on itself maintaining a folded position.

In another particular embodiment, the connecting element is a wire engaged with through holes located at the lower end of the ; top portion and the higher end of the bottom portion. The length of the wire is reversibly adjusted to any desired distance between the top and bottom portions.

In still another embodiment, the connecting element is selected from hooks, screws, wires and nails.

In one embodiment the slamming stopper is made of a flexible material. In particular, such flexible material is a polymeric material. In still a particular embodiment, the polymeric material is natural or synthetic rubber.

In still another embodiment, the slamming stopper is made of a rigid material. In particular, such rigid material may be wood, metal, or plastic with a thickness high enough to resist to pressure applied on it.

In still another embodiment, the different parts of the slamming stopper may be made of any material. In particular, the top portion the bottom portion and the connecting element may be made of materials different from each other.

In still another embodiment, the top, bottom and connecting element of the slamming stopper are made from a single material.

In one embodiment, the slamming stopper is modular. Namely, the top and bottom portions may be independent parts connected to each other using a connecting element upon assembling the slamming stopper. This enables the slamming stopper to be configured according to different requirements set by the closing means onsite. In particular, the sizes of the top and bottom portions and the distance between them may be selected according to needs imposed by the closing means on which the slamming stopper is applied.

In still another embodiment, the top and bottom portions and the connecting element form a single integral unit. For example, they may be cast from a single mold. This, however, does not limit them from been made of material different from each other as the casting of the slamming stopper enables the formation of its parts from different materials and fusing them to each other.

In one embodiment, the different portions of the slamming stopper are made of different sizes, the size of each portion being independent of the size of the other portions.

In still another embodiment, the slamming stopper comprises a top portion, a bottom portion and a connecting element that is a connecting strip between the top and bottom portions that connects them to each other. The connecting strip is of a thickness that is small enough and has a width that is sufficiently large to enable the top and bottom portions to bend outwardly and inwardly, away from and towards each other, respectively, around an axis of angular motion.

In still another embodiment, the length of the top portion is smaller than the length of the bottom portion of the slamming stopper.

In still another embodiment, the top and bottom portions are solid. Namely, the top and bottom portions contain the full bulk of the material from which they are made.

In another embodiment, the top and bottom portions are hollow, comprising only solid edges with a pre-selected thickness and a bottom surface.

In still another embodiment, the top portion is hollow and the bottom portion is solid.

In still another embodiment, the top and bottom portions and the connecting strip are carved from a single bulk of material using a single mold, thereby ensuring a continuous connection between them. In one embodiment, the top portion of the slamming stopper is detachably or not detachably attached to a neighboring surface in close proximity to a closing means, where the attachment means is disposed on the edges or the entire back surface of the top portion that interfaces the neighboring surface.

In still another embodiment, the attachments means are selected from glue, sticky surface, double sided tapes, nails, screws, vacuum attachment means and Velcro where the second patch o the Velcro is attached to the neighboring surface.

In still another embodiment, the proximity of the top portion to the closing means is sufficient to dispose the bottom portion of the slamming stopper between the closing means and the opening or space that is enclosed by the closing means. In its free position, the bottom surface dangles from the connecting strip on its axis of angular motion. When the closing means is in closed position, the bottom portion of the slamming stopper is compressed into the opening or the enclosed space and prevents complete shut of the closing means.

In still another embodiment, the slamming stopper further comprises a locking means for detachably locking the slamming stopper to a mating means disposed on the closing means. Such locking means ensures stronger but reversible engagement of the slamming stopper to the closing means thereby ensuring safer closing state of the closing means.

In one embodiment, the locking means comprises a horizontal flat base surface positioned between two vertical surfaces flat at their inner and outer sides and of height equal to each other. The height of the two vertical surfaces is also equal to the thickness of the bottom portion of the slamming stopper. Each of the vertical surfaces comprises a cut cone component at its open end and outer side. The cut cone component is thicker than the thickness of the vertical surface, where its thickness is sufficient to be disposed on the edge and above the edge of the bottom stopper. The locking means is of semi-flexibility that enables it to lock to the bottom portion of the slamming stopper. When locked, each of the cut cones at the top of the vertical surfaces is pressed against the top surface of the bottom portion of the slamming stopper and forms a firm grip. To release the grip of the locking means, the bottom portion is pressed symmetrically on its sides at its lower end and the bottom portion is then pulled away. In one embodiment, the locking means is Velcro, where the closing means comprises on its surface a patch mating with said Velcro.

In still another embodiment, the locking means is a snapping means.

In still another embodiment, the locking means is a magnet, where the magnet engages with a second magnet attached to the surface of said closing means.

In still another embodiment, the second magnet is embedded inside the closing means, and the slamming stopper is placed in a position such that the magnet on the bottom portion is in a position parallel to the location of the second magnet.

In still another embodiment, the locking means is a vacuum attachment means.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides protection from slamming, closing or full attachment of moving items such as doors, drawers, windows etc., injuring or causing damage to other items (other drawers, their housing, frames etc.) or to human or other life stock body parts.

In still another embodiment, the slamming stopper acts as a stopping means between two items - such as a drawer and its frame, door and its frame etc. - thus protecting from injuries and damages. This protection is achieved, because opened drawers can not be closed unless folding or moving away the slamming stopper of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figs. 1A and IB illustrate a front and back views, respectively, of a slamming stopper according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figs. 2A and 2B demonstrate a slamming stopper as illustrated in Figs. 1A and IB mounted on and above a sliding drawer in relaxed and compressed positions, respectively.

Fig. 3 illustrate the back side of the slamming stopper with attachment means. Figs. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D illustrate different aspects of a slamming stopper according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1A illustrates one aspect of the invention, which is a slamming stopper (1) that comprises at least one of the following parts: a top portion (2), a bottom portion (3) and a connecting strip (4) between the top (2) and bottom (3) portions that connects them to each other. As can be seen from the gap between the top (2) and bottom (3) portions, the connecting strip (4) has a substantially smaller thickness than the thickness of the two portions (2, 3) that cuts their continuous thickness. The connecting strip (4) is of a thickness that is small enough and has a width that is sufficiently large to enable the top (2) and bottom (3) portions to bend outwardly and inwardly, away from and towards each other, respectively, around an axis of angular motion. This angular motion is proportional to the width and flexibility of the connecting strip (4), and increases as the width of the connecting strip (4) increases. As can also be seen from the front view, the top and bottom portions (2, 3) and the connecting strip (4) form a continuous layer, which is a result of carving the slamming stopper (1) from a single bulk of material using a single mold.

Fig. IB shows a front view of the slamming stopper (1) at rest. This view illustrates a top portion (2) that is mostly hollow except for the edges (5) surrounding the hollow space (6) and a ilat solid bottom (7). The bottom portion (3) is, in this particular illustration, solid, which imparts it a resistance against a closing means that contacts it even at high velocity such as in unintentional, uncontrollable or unsupervised shut.

Figs. 2A and 2B demonstrate application of the slamming stopper (1) to prevent full closing of a closing means. Here, the top portion (2) of the slamming stopper (1) is firmly attached to a surface (8) neighboring the closing means (9). In this particular demonstration the neighboring surface (8) is a closet door above a drawer (9). The positioning of the slamming stopper (1) in this demonstration attaches the top portion (2) to the closet door (8) at a distance from the bottom drawer (9) high enough to place the connecting strip (4) and part of the bottom portion (3) in parallel position to the closet door (8) and above the drawer (9). Actually, the back surface of the part of the bottom portion (3) that is parallel to the closet door (8) contacts the surface of the closet door (8), either completely or just at its edges, depending on whether the bottom portion (3) is solid or hollow. This positioning secures the gentle connecting strip (4) from being damaged upon movement of the bottom portion (3), when closing and opening the drawer (9). It also provides further resistance to complete closing of the drawer (9) as the part of the bottom portion (3) that is parallel to the upper closet door (8) is pressed against the closet door (8).

As the drawer (9) is moved outwardly on its rails, the pressure on the bottom portion (3) exerted by the drawer (9) is released and the bottom portion (3) is lifted outwardly as well making an angular motion around the axis provided by the connecting strip (4). At a certain distance of the drawer (9) on the rail, the bottom portion is released completely in the air, and falls back to its vertical relaxed position.

Fig. 2B demonstrates the application of the slamming stopper (1) that prevents the drawer (9) from full closing. When pushed inwardly on its rails, the free part of the bottom portion (3) that is not in contact with the upper closet door (8) is pressed against the drawer (9). The slamming stopper (1) then leaves a gap (10) between the drawer (9) and the closet door (8) that is sufficient to prevent potentially hazardous pressure on gentle body parts, such as fingers, especially of toddlers and the elderly.

Fig. 3 shows the back view of a slamming stopper (1) that comprises attachment means (11) for attaching the top portion (2) to a surface neighboring a closing means. In this particular illustration the attachment means spreads on the entire surface of the top portion (2) except for its edges (5). The bottom portion (3) also comprises attachment means (12) at its lower end for detachable attachment of the bottom portion (3) to the surface of the closing means. The attachment means (12) provides a further safety against potential hazards and injuries by reversibly connecting the bottom portion (3) to the closing means, thus requiring application of additional force to open the closing means that is beyond the force a toddler or an elderly person can easily apply. The attachment means (12) may also be used for attaching the locking means (shown, for example, in Figs. 4A-4D) to the surface of the closing means, thus enabling reversible engagement of the locking means to the bottom portion (3) of the slamming stopper. For example, the attachment means (12) may be a double-sided tape, magnet or a Velcro with a patch adhered to the surface of the closing means on one side and to the locking means on the other side. Figs. 4A-4D illustrate different aspects of another example of attachment means (12) for attaching the bottom portion (3) to a surface of a closing means. Fig. 4A shows attachment means (12) embedded or housed at the lower end of the bottom portion (3) of the slamming stopper (1). The attachment means (12) in this case is a locking means (13 in Fig. 4B) for locking the slamming stopper (1) to the surface of the closing means. Fig. 4A only shows two cut cone components (14) parallel each other and protruding from the surface of the back side of the bottom portion (3). These components (14) are intended to engage with the top surface of the bottom portion (3), thus making it more difficult for applying unintentional, uncontrollable or unsupervised force on the closing means. This is particularly essential for preventing closing and opening the closing means by toddlers or the elderly, who are more likely to be injured in gentle body parts, especially hand fingers.

Fig. 4B shows the structure of the locking means (13) for locking the slamming stopper (1). The locking means (13) comprises a horizontal flat base surface (15) positioned between two vertical surfaces (16) flat at their inner and outer sides and of height equal to each other. The height of the two vertical surfaces (16) is also equal to the thickness of the bottom portion (3) of the slamming stopper (1). Each of the vertical surfaces (16) comprises a cut cone component (14) at its open end and outer side. The cut cone component (14) is thicker than the thickness of the vertical surface (16), where its thickness is sufficient to be disposed on the edge and above the edge of the bottom portion (3) of the slamming stopper (1) and be pressed against it.

Fig. 4C shows a perspective view of a longitudinal cross section of a slamming stopper (1) housing a locking means (13) in its bottom portion (3), along the longitudinal axis of the slamming stopper (3). The height of the locking means (13) is equal to the thickness of the bottom portion, its flat horizontal base surface (15) replacing part of the base of the bottom surface (3) and held firmly by the walls and the rest of the base of the bottom portion (3) that surround it. The cut cone (14) protrudes out of and interfaces the surface of the bottom portion (3) through a rectangular narrow window (17 in Fig. 4D), which leaves enough space for pressing the cut cone (16) inwardly.

Fig. 4D shows a perspective view of a transverse cross-section of the slamming stopper (1) along it transverse axis. The locking means (13) is accommodated inside the bottom portion (3) at its lower end. The flat surfaces of the cut cones (14) face each other and their curved surfaces are located away from each other residing on opposite edges of the bottom portion (3). The semi-flexibility of the cut cones (14) enables them to be pressed on the edges of the top surface of the bottom portion (3). When locked, the cut cones (14) at the top of the vertical surfaces (16) are pressed inwardly toward each other, which allows sliding them through the rectangular windows (17) and then released and pressed against the edges of the top surface of the bottom portion (3). When released the cut cones (14) return to their erect vertical position and are pressed against the top surface of the bottom portion (3), thus forming a firm grip. For the release; of the slamming stopper (1) from a closing means, a certain skill and coordination for handling the locking means (13) is required in order to release their grip on the to surface of the bottom portion (3). To release the grip of the locking means (13) the vertical surfaces (16) are pressed toward each other, and the bottom portion (3) is pulled away from the surface of the closing means. This makes the slamming stopper (1) even more safe-proof for unskilled subjects such as toddlers, pets, farm animals and for subjects with reduced capacity to apply force such as the elderly.

In one embodiment, the attachment means (12) mentioned above may be but are not limited to glue, sticky surface, double-sided tape, nail, screw or Velcro to either a fixed or moving closing means (e.g. drawer or drawer frame).

In still another embodiment, the bottom portion (3) is essentially the part in the slamming stopper (1) that is used for stopping, preventing or interfering with the action of the full closing, slamming or full attachment of the closing means (drawer and frame, door and frame, drawer and housing etc.).

In still another embodiment, the connecting strip (4) provides a flexible or foldable axis for angular motion, which is either integral or not with the top and bottom portions (2, 3), which connects these portions to each other.

In still another embodiment, the slamming stopper (1) may further comprise locking means (13), which allows attaching the bottom portion (3) to either a fixed or moving closing means, thus locking, preventing or limiting the movement of the closing means (drawers, doors etc.). Although selected embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Instead, it is to be appreciated that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.