Technical Field

This invention relates to a door locking device. The device is intended to provide security for internal doors which have no existing locking mechanism or additional security for doors with an existing locking mechanism.

Background of the Invention

Currently, students and others in shared accommodation often find that there are no locks on their room doors or they may be concerned about who has access to the keys or codes for the existing locking mechanism. This leaves them open to the risk of snooping and theft of belongings when the room is left unattended.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is a locking device for attachment to a door comprising: a bracket defining a u-shaped channel configured to be slid onto the edge of a door; and a locking element; wherein: the bracket and locking element are inter-engageable so as to permit the bracket to releasably engage the locking element on either side of the u-shaped channel; the locking element comprises a protruding member configured so that, in use, the protruding member obstructs opening of the door; and the bracket and the locking element are configured to permit the locking element to be secured to the bracket on either side of the u-shaped channel.

Preferably, the bracket may comprise a slot on each side of the u-shaped channel and the locking element comprises a tab configured to be inserted in one of the slots of the bracket. Preferably, the slots may be formed in flanges extending outwardly from the channel. Preferably, the flanges may extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the base of the channel. Additionally or alternatively, the protruding member may be configured to engage the door stop and/or the door frame to obstruct opening of the door. Preferably, the protruding member may comprise an L- shaped member. It will be appreciated that the protruding member can comprise any shape suitable for engaging the door stop and/or door frame, for example, S-shaped, C-shaped, etc.

Preferably, the L-shaped member may comprise a first portion extending substantially perpendicular to the door and a second portion extending substantially parallel to the door to engage the door stop. Additionally or alternatively, the locking element may comprise a panel that extends along the surface of the door in use on the outside of the U-shaped channel of the bracket. Additionally or alternatively, the bracket may be formed of a single piece of material. Additionally or alternatively, the bracket is formed of a single sheet of material. Additionally or alternatively, the bracket may be formed of metal. Preferably, the locking element may be formed of a single piece of material. Preferably, the locking element may be formed of a single sheet of material.

Preferably, the bracket and the locking element may have respective holes that are aligned in use to permit the locking element to be secured to the bracket. Preferably, the holes may be formed in respective flanges extending from the bracket and the locking element respectively. Preferably, the flanges may extend in a direction parallel to the base of the channel. Additionally or alternatively, the locking device may comprise a lock having a bar configured to pass through the respective holes in the locking element and the bracket. Preferably, the bracket may comprise a stop at one end of the channel. Preferably, the stop comprises a flange. Preferably, the flange may extend from the base of the channel. Preferably, the U-shaped channel may comprise a base and side walls and a gap is formed in the side walls adjacent the stop to accommodate the door stop. Additionally or alternatively, the interengagement of the bracket and the locking member is at substantially the end of the channel distal from the stop.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the locking device may comprise a locking mechanism which is integral to the locking element for securing the locking element to the bracket.

It will be appreciated that the protruding member may additionally or alternatively engage the door frame.

Generally, the invention provides a locking device comprising a bracket that defines a U-shaped channel shaped for application to the corner of a door and a locking element configured to be releasably engaged to the bracket and to obstruct opening of the door in use.

Thus, the locking device may be attached to a door to prevent the door being opened by any person other than the user of the device. This device is designed to be fitted to internal doors to provide a deterrent against opportunistic attack. Further, the device is portable so it can be carried by hand and fitted and removed quickly without damage to the door or door frame.

In one example implementation, as a person leaves a room, they simply place the bracket of the device onto an edge of the door, for example via the bottom corner and, after shutting the door, insert a tab on the end of the locking element into a slot in the bracket, close the locking element against the door stop and secure the locking element to the bracket with a conventional padlock through aligned holes in flanges on the bracket and locking element respectively.

By configuring the bracket and the locking element such that the locking element is permitted to releasably engage either side of the u-shaped channel, the locking device may be used with both left-hand opening and right-hand opening doors. Supposing for example that the device is configured for a particular door and frame arrangement, it will be suitable regardless of whether the door is hinged on the right or the left.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the bracket of an example of a locking device as described above.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the locking element for use with the bracket of figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the locking element engaged with the bracket to form the exemplary locking device.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the bracket of figure 1 placed under a door in operation.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of the locking device comprising the bracket of figure 1 and the locking element of figure 2 in operation.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the locking device of figure 5.

Figure 7 shows a plan view of an alternative arrangement of the bracket of figure 1 and the locking element of figure 6.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

In the embodiment according to Figures 1 to 7, the locking device comprises a bracket 1 and a locking element 2 which are configured to interengage to form the locking device.

Structure

The bracket 1 of the locking device is shown in detail in Figure 1. The bracket 1 is formed of a single piece of material, such as a formed piece of sheet metal. The bracket 1 is shaped to have a planar base 11, typically rectangular in shape. The longer edges of the rectangular base 11 of the bracket 1 are formed adjacent to a first side panel 14 and a second side panel 15. The side panels 14, 15 are substantially parallel with respect to each other and are formed perpendicular to the plane defined by the base of the bracket 1. The side panels 14 and 15 extend along the long sides of the planar base 11 to form a U-shaped channel that is pushed onto the edge of a door 4 in use. However, the side panels 14 and 15 do not extend along the entire length of the base 1. As shown in Figure 1, the length of the planar base panel 11 is longer than the length of the side panels 14, 15 so as to provide a first gap 6 and a second gap 7 (shown in Figure 5) between one end of the planar base 11 of the bracket 1 and the side panels 14, 15.

It is not necessary for the bracket 1 to be formed of a single piece of material. In other embodiments, the bracket 1 may also comprise a plurality of sections, so that the various sections interconnect to form the bracket 1. Furthermore, it is not necessary that the bracket 1 is formed of metal, or indeed sheet metal. In other embodiments, the bracket 1 may be formed of plastic or other durable material that can be formed into the shape of the bracket 1.

As discussed, the base panel 11 of the bracket 1 is substantially rectangular in length, meaning that the short sides of the base panel 11 are substantially the same length as each other. The length of the short sides of the base panel 11 of the bracket 1 is selected so as to match the depth of the door 4. The side panels 14 and 15 and the base panel 11 of the bracket 1 together form a U-shaped channel which is configured to releasably engage the door, i.e. to slide onto and slide off the door.

In other embodiments, the U-shaped channel is defined by other arrangements of sheets or panels. Generally, the U-shaped channel is arranged to receive the edge of a door and may be defined by many different arrangements of panels, meshes or intervening gaps.

The length of the short sides of the base panel 11 of the bracket 1 which define the width of the U- shaped channel may be selected to be a standard door depth of 35mm, 40mm or 44mm. Alternatively, in other embodiments the length of the short sides of the base panel 11 of the bracket 1 may be any other length. In other embodiments the bracket 1 may be configured so that the length of the short sides of the base panel, i.e. the depth of the channel is adjustable to accommodate various sizes of door. In other embodiments the base panel 11 of the bracket 1 may be a shape other than rectangular, provided that a significantly U-shaped channel is defined to accommodate the thickness of the door. Each of the long sides of the side panels 14 and 15 that are distal from the base panel 11 of the bracket 1 are connected to respective top flanges 17. Each top flange 17 is formed substantially perpendicular to the plane of the side panels 14 and 15 and is substantially parallel with the base panel 11 of the bracket 1. Each top flange 17 is generally rectangular and may extend along the entire length of the respective adjacent side panel 14, 15. The top flanges 17 are configured such that, when the bracket 1 is releasably engaged with the door 4, each top flange is adjacent a different side of the door 4.

In other embodiments, the top flange 17 does not have to extend along the entire length of the respective adjacent side panel 14, 15. Generally, the top flange 17 is sufficiently long to comprise a hole 9 of sufficient dimension to receive a locking mechanism to be described below.

Each top flange 17 comprises a hole 9 that is positioned at a central point along the length of the long side of the top flange 17 and also at the central point along the length of the short side of the top flange 17. In other embodiments, each hole 9 may be positioned at any other position on the respective flange 17.

In Figure 1, each of the holes 9 is at the same distance along the long side of the respective top flange 17. In other embodiments, the hole in the top flange 17 of the side panel 14 may differ in position with respect to the hole 9 in the top flange 17 of the side panel 15.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the bracket 1 further comprises two planar side flanges 12 which are substantially rectangular in shape are each attached to a short side of the side panels 14, 15, respectively. The side flanges 12 extend along the short side of the side panels 14, 15 distal to the gaps 6, 7 and are configured to extend substantially perpendicular to the planes formed by the side panels 14 and 15. The side flanges 12 extend away from the base panel 11 of the bracket 1 so that the long sides of the side flanges 12 are generally adjacent to the short sides of the side panels 14 and 15 and the short sides of the side flanges 12 are formed so that they are positioned adjacent to and in contact with the short sides of the flanges 17. However, in other embodiments each side flange 12 does not touch the respective adjacent top flange 17.

The side flanges 12 each comprise a slot 8 which is formed of a rectangular or other elongate opening in the side flange 12. The two slots 8 are formed centrally on the planar surface of the side flanges 12. In Figure 1, the slots 8 are aligned along the surface of the side flanges 12. However, in other embodiments, the slots 8 may each be positioned anywhere on the surface of the side flanges 12 so that a rectangular slot is formed.

As described above, each long side of the planar base panel 11 of the bracket 1 is configured with respect to a respective side panel 14, 15 so that a gap 6, 7 is formed at one end. Along the short side of the base panel adjacent the gap 6, 7 is an end flange 16 which is arranged to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the base panel 11 of the bracket 1. In the arrangement of Figure 1, the end flange 16 is shorter in length than the short sides of the side panels 14 and 15. However, in other embodiments, the end flange 16 can be the same or longer in length than the side panels 14, 15. Both the length of the end flange 16 and the short sides of the side panels 14 and 15 should be small enough to make the device easily portable by hand.

Figure 2 shows a locking element 2 of the locking device. The locking element 2 is formed of a single piece of material, such as a single piece of sheet metal. As described above in relation to the bracket 1, it is not necessary for the locking element 2 to be formed of sheet metal. In other embodiments, the locking element 2 may be formed of plastic or other durable material. In other embodiments, the locking element 2 may be formed in a plurality of different pieces which are formed or connected to create the locking element 2.

The locking element 2 comprises a panel 13 which is substantially rectangular in shape. The two long sides of the rectangular panel 13 of the locking element 2 are each attached to a locking flange 20. Each locking flange 20 extends along the length of the panel 13 of the locking element 2. In the arrangement of Figure 2, the long sides of the panel 13 of the locking element 2 are the same length as the long sides of the locking flanges 20. In other embodiments, the long sides of the locking flanges 20 may be shorter or do not extend along the entire length of the long sides of the base panel 13.

The substantially rectangular locking flanges 20 are formed along a long side of the panel 13 of the locking element 2 and extend substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the panel 13 of the locking element 2. The locking flanges 20 are substantially parallel with respect to each other. The locking flanges 20 each comprise a hole 10 which is formed centrally of the surface of the locking flange 20. The position of the holes 10 are selected so that when the locking element 2 and the bracket 1 are lockably engaged, the holes 9 of the bracket and the holes 10 of the locking element are aligned, as shown in Figure 3. This is discussed in more detail later. In other embodiments, the position of the holes 9 of the bracket 1 and the holes 10 of the locking element 2 are located elsewhere on the surface of the top flanges 17 and the locking flanges 20, respectively. However, the holes 9 of the bracket 1 and the holes 10 of the locking element 2 will be aligned when the bracket 1 and the locking element 2 are interengaged.

As shown in Figure 2, the locking element 2 comprises a protruding member or locking panel 18 which is connected along a short side of the panel 13 of the locking element 2 adjacent to, but not in contact with, the short sides of the locking flanges 20. The locking panel 18 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the panel 13 in the same direction from the panel 13 of the locking element 2 as the locking flanges 20.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, the locking panel 18 extends further from the panel 13 of the locking element 2 than the locking flanges 20. Further the locking panel 18 is not in contact with the two locking flanges 20. In other embodiments, the locking panel 18 may be in contact with the two locking flanges 20 and/or differ in length with respect to the locking flanges 20. The length of extension of the locking panel 18 from the panel 13 of the locking element 2 is determined by the dimensions of the door stop 5, as described later in respect of the operation of the locking device.

The locking panel 18 further comprises a lip 19 which is connected along the side opposite the side of the locking panel 18 adjacent to the panel 13 of the locking element 2. The lip 19 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extension of the locking panel 18. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the lip is substantially rectangular. However, in other embodiments the lip 19 may be other shapes. Further, in other embodiments the lip 19 may not be planar. As a result the dimensions of the locking panel 18 and the lip 19 are defined so as to engage with the surface of the door stop 5.

The locking element 2 comprises a tab 3 which is attached to or extends from to the short side of the panel 13 of the locking element 2 at the opposite end to the locking panel 18 and lip 19. The tab 3 may be formed separately to the panel 13 of the locking element 2 or alternatively may be integrally formed of the same sheet material as the panel 13 of the locking element 2.

The tab 3 is formed of a rectangular sheet that is formed in the same plane as the panel 13 of the locking element 2. The tab 3 is then curved with respect to the panel 13 of the locking element 2 so as to extend away from the locking element 2 in substantially the same direction as the locking flanges 20 and locking panel 18.

Figure 3 shows the bracket 1 and the locking element 2 interengaged so that holes 9 and 10 in respective flanges 20 and 17 are aligned, as would be arranged in use. To arrive at this arrangement, the tab 3 of the locking element 2 is inserted into a slot 8 of the bracket 1. The locking element 2 is then rotated about the tab 3/slot 8 with respect to the bracket so that panel 13 of the locking element 2 is adjacent to the side panel 14 of the bracket 1. In this position the panel 13 of the locking element 2 is substantially parallel with and adjacent to the side panel 14 of the bracket and the locking panel 18 extends from the locking element 2 adjacent to the top flanges 17 of the bracket 1.

In an alternative arrangement, the tab 3 of the locking element 2 may be engaged with the other slot 8. In this arrangement, the panel 13 of the locking element 2 is substantially parallel with and adjacent to side panel 15, instead of side panel 14.

It is not intended that the tab 3 take the weight of the locking element 2. When the two elements are interengaged, one locking flange 20 rests on the floor.

In other embodiments, the interengagement between the bracket 1 and the locking element 2 is not limited to a tab 3 and slot 8. Indeed, in other embodiments, a releasable hinge mechanism may be used in place of the tab 3 and the slot 8 in order to provide the releasable engagement.

Figure 3 shows that the lengths of the locking flanges 20 are the same length as the top flanges 17 of the bracket 1. This ensures locking panel 18 of the locking element 2 extends from the point at which the locking flanges 20 and the top flanges 17 end. It is also preferred for stability and strength of the assembled device. However, in other embodiments, the length of the locking flanges 20 of the locking element 2 and the length of the top flanges 17 of the bracket 1 may differ.

Figure 3 also shows that the holes 10 of the locking element 2 are aligned with the holes 9 of the bracket 1. Therefore, although the designer is free to select the position of the holes 9 and 10 on the respective surfaces, it is necessary that the holes 9, 10 are aligned when the two elements are interengaged, i.e. when the tab 3 is inserted into a slot 8 and the locking element 2 is rotated with respect to the bracket 1 about the tab 3 and slot 8. In other embodiments the tab 3 may be inserted into the other slot 8 which is shown as unused in Figure 3. This is shown in further detail in Figure 7.

Operation

In use, the bracket is slidably or otherwise placed around the bottom of a door 4. Figure 4 shows the bracket 1 attached to the bottom of a lock stile of the door 4. To releasably engage the bracket 1 with the door 4, the user opens the door 4 and slides the bracket 1 along the bottom of the door 4 until the inward facing surface of the end flange 16 of the bracket 1 is in contact with the door 4. Thus the flange 16 acts as a stop to ensure that the bracket engages the corner of the door. The bracket 1 is then releasably engaged with the door 4, and can simply be removed by sliding the bracket 1 in the opposite direction.

As shown in Figure 4, the bracket effectively straddles the door 4 so that the U-shaped channel defined by the side walls 14, 15 and the base panel 11 is engaged with the door 4. As a result, each side panel 14 and 15 is visible on a different side of the door 4 and the top flanges 17 extend perpendicular to the surface of the door 4. Therefore, one of the side walls 14 is adjacent to a first side of the door 4 whilst the other side wall 15 of the bracket 1 is adjacent to an opposite side of the door 4. Further, the holes 9 formed in the side walls 14 and 15 of the bracket 1 are located on opposite sides of the door 4.

Figure 5 shows the locking device in use when attached to a door 4. In operation, the bracket 1 is placed on the underside of the door 4, on the bottom corner of the lock stile as shown in Figure 4. The bracket 1 is placed under the door 4 such that the side walls 14 and 15 of the bracket 1 are adjacent to and extend parallel to the main faces of the door 4. Further, the bracket 1 is placed in position so that the end flange 16 is positioned adjacent to the edge of the door 4 as shown in Figure 4.

The bracket 1 is configured so that, when placed in position under the door 4, it is possible to entirely close the door 4 without the bracket impinging upon the action of the door 4. This is possible as the bracket 1 is configured with gaps 6 and 7 which are formed between the side walls 14 and 15 and the end flange 16 so that the side walls 14, 15 of the bracket 1 do not mechanically interact with either the door stop 5 or door frame whilst the door 4 is closed. After the bracket 1 is positioned under the door 4 and the door 4 is closed, the locking element 2 is placed in engagement with the bracket 1. The tab 3 of the locking element 2 is inserted into a slot 8 of the bracket 1. The locking element 2 is then rotated with respect to the slot 8 of the bracket 1 so that the locking panel 18 and the lip 19 of the locking element 2 are engaged with the door stop 5 shown in Figure 5. Additionally or alternatively, it will be appreciated that the locking panel 18 and the lip 19 of the locking element 2 can be arranged to engage the door frame. The flanges 20 of the locking element 2 are then located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the side panels 14, 15 of the bracket 1 so that the holes 9 of the bracket 1 and the holes 10 of the locking element 2 are aligned, as shown in Figure 5.

The door stop 5 is known to be a slat or beam, typically of wood or other material, built into the door frame in order to prevent the door 4 from swinging beyond the threshold of the door frame when the door is closed. Thus, the door stop 5 prevents potential damage to the hinges through over-rotation of the door 4 about the hinges of the door.

As described above, the bracket 1 is positioned such that one of the slots 8 is accessible from each side of the door 4. As a result, the tab 3 may be inserted in either slot 8 on the desired side of the door 4. The slot 8 is selected so that the locking panel 18 and lip 19 of the locking element 2 interacts with the door stop 5. This is particularly beneficial, as the user is not restricted to orienting the bracket 1 in a particular arrangement. Therefore, the device can be used for a left-hand or right- hand opening door.

Once the holes 9 and 10 are aligned, the locking element 2 can be secured with respect to the bracket 1 such that the locking element 2 is unable to move with respect to the bracket 1. In addition, the locking panel 18 and the lip 19 of the locking element 2 are engaged with the door stop 5 so that the door 4 is unable to open, as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the arrangement shown in Figure 5 wherein the locking device is placed for operation. As shown in Figure 6, the locking element 2 is engaged with the bracket 1 such that the locking panel 18 and lip 19 are engaged with the door stop 5. Not visible in Figure 6, which is shown in more detail in Figure 5, the end flange 16 is positioned between the door frame and the door 4. To lock the device, the user simply places a conventional padlock or other locking mechanism through the holes 9 and 10 in order to prevent the locking element 2 moving with respect to bracket 1.

An intruder is therefore unable to open the door. In the embodiment of Figure 6, the intruder would seek to move the door away from the door stop 5. The position of the locking panel 18 and the lip 19 in engagement with the door stop 5 prevents the intruder from opening the door. Furthermore, the intruder is unable to slide the lockable device along the width of the door 4, i.e. along the bottom rail of the door, in order to disengage the locking panel 18 and lip 19 from the door stop 5. The intruder cannot do this as the end flange 16 prevents any lateral movement along the bottom rail of the door 4.

Furthermore, as the locking element 2 is lockably engaged to the bracket 1 by the locking mechanism, such as by a conventional padlock, the intruder is unable to move the locking element 2 with respect to the bracket 1, and so is unable to disassemble the locking device.

Thus, the door can only be damaged forcibly for entry unless the user unlocks and removes the locking mechanism in order to allow disassembly of the locking device.

In the embodiment of the invention described above, the holes 9 and 10 are aligned such that a conventional padlock may be used to secure the locking element 2 with respect to the bracket 1. In other embodiments, different locking mechanisms may be used. The locking mechanism may be integral with the portable lock. In some embodiments, the lock may be a combinational lock. In other embodiments the locking mechanism may be formed by a keyed lock integral with the either the locking element 2 or the bracket 1.

In order to disassemble the locking device, the locking mechanism is removed from the locking element 2 and the bracket 1. The locking element 2 is then rotated with respect to the door 4 about the tab 3 and slot 8. By rotating the locking element 2, the tab 3 is removed from the slot 8 and the locking element 2 may be removed from the bracket 1.

Having removed the locking element 2 from the arrangement, the door 4 is free to open about its hinges. To remove the bracket 1, the door 4 is opened and the bracket 1 is simply slidably removed without any damage to the locking device, door stop 5, door 4 or the door frame. Figure 7 shows an alternative arrangement of the elements of the embodiment described. Figures 1 to 6 show the locking device arranged so that locking element 2 is engaged with the bracket 1 so that the locking element 2 is adjacent to the side panel 14. The locking element 2 and the bracket 1 are configured so that they may releasably engage on either side of the U-shaped channel.

The arrangement shown in Figure 7 is formed by inserting the tab 3 of the locking element 2 into the slot 8 that is adjacent side panel 15 rather than side panel 14. When the tab 3 is inserted into the slot 8 adjacent side panel 15, the locking element 2 may be rotated with respect to the bracket 1 so that the panel 13 of the locking element 2 is adjacent, and preferably in contact with, the side panel 15 of the bracket 1. By arranging the elements in this way, the locking element 2 is releasably engaged with the other side of the bracket than the arrangement of elements shown in Figures 1 to 6, and in particular Figure 5.

By releasably engaging the locking element 2 and the bracket 1 as shown in Figure 7, it is possible to releasably engage the locking device at the other end of a door frame. Indeed, as shown in Figure 7, the locking panel 18 and lip 19 is oriented in a different layout so as to engage with the door stop 5 at the other side of the door frame.

By providing the capability for the locking element 2 to releasably engage the bracket 1 on either side of the defined U-shaped channel, the formed locking device may attach to either bottom corner of lock stile of the door 4. On either side of the door, the locking panel 18 and the lip 19 are also able to engage the door stop 5 on either side of the door frame and/or the door frame itself, which means that it is possible for the locking device to be used with both left hand opening and right hand opening doors.

It should be noted that the device described above is useful in securing a door and yet requires no fixings such as screws, bolts or adhesive that might permanently damage the door.

The locking device described above is designed for use on the corner of a door at the bottom of the lock stile. The bottom of the door is preferred because there is generally more clearance here for a device to be slid along the edge of the door. The lock stile is preferred because it is here that there is most leverage to be resisted on opening the door. However the device may be modified to be operable in other positions on a door. For example, the device could be modified to be used at a top corner of a door or to be used at one of the corners of the door in line with the hinge. Furthermore the device could be modified to operate with doors having different configurations of door stop.

A number of embodiments have been described herein. However, it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments as defined in the claims appended hereto.