GB2532716A

GB2532716A - Door blocking arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2532716A
Application number: GB1419971.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thurlow Barry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-11-10
Filing date: 2014-11-10
Publication date: 2016-06-01
Also published as: GB201419971D0

Abstract

A blocking arrangement 10 to limit the extent of opening of a door (19, Figure 8). The blocking arrangement comprises a blocking member 11 that may comprise at least one leg 21 arranged removably to engage in an opening 28 formed in the floor 16 adjacent the door. Optionally this may also comprise a handle 21 to aid the removal of the blocking member from the floor, this may optionally be removably connected to said blocking member. The blocking member may optionally be substantially rigid. The blocking member may optionally comprise at least one of two abutting surfaces to selectively abut said door; a surface parallel to the door when said door is closed 25 and a surface 26 on the opposing side of the blocking member which is inclined with regards to the surface of the door when said door is closed.

Description

DOOR BLOCKING ARRANGEMENT

This invention relates to a security device for a door and more particularly to a blocking arrangement to limit the extent of opening of a door.

It can be desirable, particularly for vulnerable persons such as the elderly or infirm, to have auxiliary security devices fitted to one or more doors to protect against unauthorised entry into the home. It can also be beneficial to limit the extent of opening of a door in such a manner so as to allow sufficient opening for visual identification of visitors but to prevent unauthorised entry of those visitors into the building or room -i.e. only partial opening of the door.

Existing security devices to limit the extent of opening of a door generally comprise a chain mechanism having one end mounted to a wall, adjacent the opening side of the door, and the other end configured releasably to engage a fixing on the door. There is usually a little slack in the chain, when engaged, so as to allow the door to be opened to a limited extent. A drawback of such devices is that they are usually accessible from the outside and so can be destroyed using appropriate tools, for example, by using a bolt cutter to cut the chain. Thus, unauthorised forceful entry into the building or room can still be achieved by determined criminals. Furthermore, with these known devices, the permitted degree of opening of the door is generally fixed and in most cases does not provide a gap large enough to enable items, such as small packages through. Thus, it would be highly advantageous if the extent of permitted opening of the door could be varied depending on the requirements of the user.

Generally, in the case of unauthorised entry into a home, people are most vulnerable at night when they are sleeping and thus unaware of any activity occurring at the door. Door locking mechanisms to provide additional security at night usually comprise door bolts which serve purely to keep the door completely closed.

It would be beneficial if a door security device existed which is capable of performing more than one security function, i.e. selectively being capable of permitting partial opening of the door and total restriction of the opening of the door. Such a door security device is described in the Applicant's earlier UK Patent Publication No. 2512582; this device is capable of permitting both partial opening of the door and total restriction of the opening of the door. The device is designed to be mounted on a structure adjacent and perpendicular to the hinged side of a door, such as a wall. The device requires the presence of an adjacent perpendicular structure in order to operate. Doors are not always located adjacent a perpendicularly positioned wall and so it would be highly beneficial if the presence of a wall or other vertical structure were not required in order to limit the extent of opening of a door.

It is a principle aim of the present invention to provide a door security device which addresses some or all of the above problems associated with 20 known door security devices.

According to this invention, there is provided a blocking arrangement to limit the extent of opening of a door, the blocking arrangement comprising a blocking member arranged removably to engage in an opening formed in the -3 -floor adjacent the door, so that the blocking member restricts opening movement of the door.

The term "door as used herein should be taken to mean any barrier which serves to restrict access to a particular area and includes gates and other 5 types of moveable panel. The blocking arrangement is not restricted to use on external doors and may be used on any door including internal doors.

The engagement of the blocking member in the floor is advantageous as the arrangement is not dependant on the layout of the room and does not require the presence of a wall in a particular location in order to function; the only requirement is the presence of a floor. The blocking member is thus extremely versatile and is suitable for use on most, if not all, doors.

To facilitate engagement, the blocking member may comprise at least one leg arranged to extend into the opening. The leg is preferably configured to engage in the opening formed in the floor and may be an integral part of the blocking member or may be releasably connected or permanently fixed thereto. In a preferred arrangement, the blocking member includes two legs, each leg being configured to engage in a corresponding opening formed in the floor.

To ensure authorised access through the doorway is unobstructed, it is important that the blocking member is removable from the opening. The, or each, leg may simply extend from the blocking member and into the corresponding opening without any additional securing mechanism. Additional securing mechanisms may be provided in order to provide a more secure connection of the blocking member with the floor. Without an additional securing mechanism, the blocking member may be removed from the openings with relative ease, when not required, or if rapid access out of the room is necessary, for example, in an emergency; this can be achieved simply by lifting the blocking member in a vertical direction until the, or each (where there is more than one) leg is no longer in the opening(s). When inserted in the opening(s) the leg(s) will serve to retain the blocking member in position against the relative force applied by the door.

One, two or a plurality of openings may be formed in the floor depending on the number of legs of the blocking member and the number of possible locations required by the user. Openings may be formed at a range of locations spaced at different distances from a closed door to allow the extent of opening of the door to be varied depending on the particular openings selected. One or more opening may be formed in the floor immediately adjacent the door to keep the door completely closed, when required. Where the blocking member comprises two legs, at least one pair of corresponding openings must be formed in the floor to allow both legs to be inserted therein. The blocking arrangement may also include a template indicating a particular arrangement for the size, orientation and positioning of the openings in the floor to assist with the formation of those openings when the blocking member is being installed.

The blocking arrangement may further comprise a handle configured to effect lifting of the blocking member into and out of the floor. The handle may be fixed to or integral with the blocking member. Preferably though, the handle is removably connected to the blocking member. In this way, the handle can be stored away when not required.

In a particularly preferred arrangement the handle is rigid and elongate and is configured, at one end, threadingly to engage in an opening provided in the blocking member. This enhances the ability to connect the handle to the blocking member and also to disconnect the handle from the blocking member.

The user of the blocking arrangement may have reduced mobility and so it is preferable that the handle be sufficiently long to enable connection, disconnection and transport of the blocking member without the user having to bend over.

The blocking arrangement may further comprise connection means to 10 enable the handle to be hung on a wall when not in use. Such connection means may comprise a hook or a strap having releasable fasteners such as corresponding hook and loop members to enable easy access to the handle.

It is preferred that the blocking member is substantially rigid so that, when engaged to a floor adjacent a door, the blocking member serves as an obstruction between that door and the room. Similarly, the blocking member may be formed from a suitable strong material to ensure a strong connection of the blocking arrangement to a floor.

To ensure a strong connection and to minimise damage to the door caused by the blocking arrangement, it is preferred that the blocking member has a face arranged to abut a door, when that door is opened to the permitted distance. The face is preferably planar and the, or each, opening in the floor may be formed at the most appropriate distance relative to the door so that, when the blocking member is engaged therein, opening of the door is permitted only to a limited extent.

Preferably the arrangement of the openings in the floor and/or the location of the (or each) leg is such that the planar abutting face of the blocking member lies substantially parallel to the plane of the door at the time of impact.

The abutting face may be inclined relative to the door when the door is in a closed position and when the blocking member is engaged in the floor. In this way, the door will be permitted to open until it reaches the abutting face.

In an alternative arrangement, the abutting face may be in parallel alignment with the door when the door is in a closed position and the blocking member is engaged in the floor. In this arrangement, the abutting face may not squarely abut the door when the door is permitted to open. This arrangement could be used to obstruct the door completely if the blocking member is located immediately adjacent a closed door.

For versatility the blocking member may include two abutting faces, arranged on opposed sides of the blocking member, each face being configured selectively to abut a door. In this way, the selected abutting face may be orientated towards the door by simply rotating the blocking member; where the blocking member has two legs this may be achieved by rotating so that the openings into which the legs are inserted are swapped.

Each abutting face may be inclined relative to the door when the door is in a closed position. The degree of inclination on each abutting face may differ to allow for varying permitted angles of an open door. Additionally or alternatively the abutting faces may be inclined in different directions to enable the blocking member to be used interchangeably on both left-handed and right-handed doors simply by rotating the blocking member.

The legs may extend from the blocking member equidistant from the, or each (where two or more are provided) abutting faces. Alternatively, the position of the legs on the blocking member and/or the location of openings in the floor relative to the abutting face(s) may be chosen in order to provide a range of possible inclinations of abutting face.

In a preferred arrangement the blocking member is suitable for limiting the extent of opening of a door and also for obstructing opening of the door completely. To facilitate this, when in use, with the door in a closed position, one abutting face may be inclined relative to the door and the other abutting face may be in parallel alignment with the door. As discussed above, alternatively, the abutting faces may both be parallel or inclined and the openings in the floor formed at a position which allows the door to open to the required extent.

The blocking arrangement of this invention may be used to limit the extent of opening of a right handed or left handed door and does not require the presence of a wall or structure perpendicular to the door. It may be used not only to allow partial opening of the door but also to block opening of the door altogether.

By way of example only, embodiments of blocking arrangement of this invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of the blocking arrangement according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the blocking arrangement of Figure 1 about to be engaged in the floor; Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the blocking arrangement engaged in the floor; Figure 4 is a top view of the blocking arrangement of Figure 1 without the handle; Figure 5 is a top view of a door and openings formed in the floor adjacent the door configured to receive the blocking arrangement; Figure 6 is a top view of the blocking arrangement of the present invention in use and arranged to permit limited opening of a door; Figure 7 is a top view of the blocking arrangement of the present invention in use and arranged to obstruct any opening of the door; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the blocking arrangement of the present invention in use and showing the handle attached to the wall.

Referring to all of the Figures, there is shown a blocking arrangement 10 which comprises a substantially rigid blocking member 11, configured to engage in pairs of openings 12, 13, 14, 15 formed in the floor 16, and a handle 18. The blocking member 11 serves two functions; a preventative function to obstruct opening of a door 19 when it is in a completely closed position and a limiting function to limit the extent of opening of the door 19.

The blocking member 11 comprises a generally rectangular cuboid block 20 formed from steel, having two metal legs 21 extending therefrom. The block 20 has an upper face 22, a lower face 23, two opposed end faces 24 and two abutting faces 25, 26. The blocking arrangement 10 illustrated in the Figures has two opposed abutting faces 25, 26 and this allows either to be used to abut a door 19 depending on the orientation of the blocking member 11 so that the blocking arrangement 10 can operate selectively in either a preventative or limiting manner. A range of alternative abutting arrangements are also possible as discussed in the above description. Additionally, while the shape of the blocking member is illustrated as rectangular, other shapes such as oblong or even cylindrical are also possible.

The opposed end faces 24 are substantially parallel to each other. One abutting face 25 extends between the end faces 24 generally perpendicularly thereto; this abutting face 25 is arranged in use to be parallel to a closed door 19 and thus is a preventative abutting face 25. The other abutting face 26 is a limiting abutting face 26 and extends between the end faces 24 at an inclined angle relative to the preventative abutting face 25 and thus at an angle relative to a closed door 19.

The legs 21 of the blocking member 11 are generally cylindrical and extend from the lower face 23 of the block 20; these are configured to engage in a pair of openings 12, 13, 14, 15 formed in the floor 16 adjacent the door 19 to be blocked. The blocking arrangement 10 also includes brass tubular sheaths 28 which are configured for insertion into the openings 12, 13, 14, 15 to assist with engagement of the legs 21 in the floor 16.

The blocking arrangement 10 requires an initial installation which comprises forming at least one pair of openings 12, 13, 14, 15 in the floor 16 for the legs 21 to engage. Pairs of openings 12, 13, 14, 15 are formed in the floor 16 at appropriate locations corresponding to the size and required position of the legs 21 of the blocking member 11. The blocking arrangement 10 can be provided with a template (not shown) indicating a particular arrangement for the size, orientation and positioning of the openings 12, 13, 14, 15 to assist with the formation of those openings when the product is being installed. A number of pairs of openings 12, 13, 14, 15 may be formed in the floor 16 so that the extent of opening of the door 19 can be varied. For example, as shown in Figures 5 to 7 there are three pairs of openings 13, 14, 15 which allow the blocking member 11 to be installed at a range of distances from the door 19, thus enabling the extent of permitted opening of the door 19 to be varied. Additionally, a pair of openings 12 is provided immediately adjacent the door 19 which allow the blocking member 11 to be installed against a closed door 19 in order to restrict opening of the door 19 completely.

The blocking arrangement 10 includes an elongate handle 18 to enable the blocking member 11 to be lifted into the floor 19 and moved or removed, when required, without the user having to bend down. The handle 18 has an enlarged head 29 configured to be grasped by the hand of a user and a securing end 30 which is configured to connect in an opening 31 formed in the upper face 22 of the blocking member 11. The securing end 30 is screw threaded 32 and a corresponding thread 33 is provided in the blocking member opening 31 to allow the handle 18 threadingly to engage and disengage the blocking member 11 by simple rotation of the handle 18 in the opening 31 and relative to the blocking member 11. Known alternative mechanisms for connecting the handle to the blocking member can be used. The blocking arrangement 10 also includes a hook 36 which can be mounted to a wall 37 to -11 -allow the handle 18 to be connected out of the way when it is not being used. The hook 36 may include hook and loop fasteners (not visible) to enable easy access to the handle 18 when required.

Operation of the blocking arrangement 10 shall now be described.

Initially installation of the assembly requires openings 12, 13, 14, 15 to be formed in the floor 16 adjacent the door 19; to do this the user applies the template to the floor 16 and aligns it in the correct location relative to the door 19. When applied, the template will indicate the locations for the openings and the required size of the openings which can then be formed by drilling, or other appropriate means. The depth of each opening 12, 13, 14, 15 should be the same or greater than the length of the legs 21 so that the lower face 23 of the block 20 touches and rests on the floor surface 16. The tubular sheaths 28 are then inserted into the openings 12, 13, 14, 15. As an alternative a preformed unit with the required number of holes maybe attached on to or into the floor.

When the arrangement 10 is to be used to permit a small opening of the door 19 as shown in Figures 6 and 8, the openings 13, 14, 15 corresponding to the required opening of the door 19 are selected and the legs 21 of the blocking member 10 are inserted into those openings 13 so that the limiting abutting face 26 is closest to the door surface 19. The door 19 may be opened until it reaches the limiting abutting face 26. In this arrangement the planar face of the limiting abutting face 26 abuts the planar face of the door 19 and the blocking arrangement 10 serves as an obstruction preventing further opening of the door 19.

The permitted opening of the door 19 can be adjusted by varying the location of the blocking member 11 on the floor 16. The further away the blocking member 11 is engaged in openings 12, 13, 14, 15 in the floor 16, relative to the door 19, the greater the permitted opening of the door 19.

Conversely, the smaller the opening required, the closer the blocking member 11 should be moved towards the door 19.

When the arrangement 10 is to be used completely to block opening of the door 19 as shown in Figure 7, the pair of openings 12 closest to the door 19 are selected and the legs 21 of the blocking member 11 are inserted into those openings 12 so that the preventing abutting face 25 touches the door surface 19. In this orientation the blocking arrangement 10 serves completely to obstruct the door 19 so that the door 19 is not permitted to open.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A blocking arrangement to limit the extent of opening of a door, the blocking arrangement comprising a blocking member arranged removably to engage in an opening formed in the floor adjacent the door, so that the blocking member restricts opening movement of the door.
2. A blocking arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blocking member has at least one leg configured to engage in the opening formed in the floor.
3. A blocking arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the blocking member includes two legs, each leg being configured to engage in a corresponding opening formed in the floor.
4. A blocking arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 further comprising a handle configured to effect engagement and removal of the blocking member in the floor.
5. A blocking arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the handle is removably connected to the blocking member.
6. A blocking arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the blocking member is substantially rigid.
7. A blocking arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the blocking member includes an abutting face arranged to abut a door.
8. A blocking arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the abutting face is inclined relative to the door when the door is in a closed position and the blocking member is engaged in the floor.
9. A blocking arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the abutting face is in parallel alignment with the door when the door is in a closed position and the blocking member is engaged in the floor.
10. A blocking member as claimed in claim 7, wherein the blocking member includes two abutting faces, arranged on opposed sides of the blocking member, each face being configured selectively to abut a door.
11. A blocking member as claimed in claim 10, wherein, in use with the door in a closed position, one abutting face is inclined relative to the door and the other abutting face is in parallel alignment with the door.
12. A blocking arrangement as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.