Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Closure checks
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-30
2001-07-03
Mah, Chuck Y. (Department: 3626)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Closure checks
C016S065000, C016S071000, C016S085000, C292S251500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253417
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to door holders and stops having retaining mechanisms for holding doors shut while in a closed position. More specifically, the invention concerns a door holder and stop, with an arm and a track, that uses magnetic force to hold a door shut while in the closed position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Presently, door holders and stops are known for keeping doors held open at a predetermined angle. The known door holders and stops include an arm, one end of which is pivotally attached to a slide. The other side is attached to a door frame. A channel located in a track, which is attached to a door, provides a guideway for the slide. Normally, on one end of the track, there is a thumb wheel positioned to rotate to engage or disengage a pawl against a hook, which is on the slide. The pawl and the hook provide a locking mechanism for locking the slide against further movement on the track. In this manner, the door is held in an open position. Although this is helpful in some instances, there is no mechanism on the door stop for keeping the door shut in a closed position.
Also previously known are many types of door latch mechanisms. The most well known door latch mechanisms include the traditional reciprocating latch bolt type, where a door knob is rotated to unlatch a latch bolt, or a push down type where handle is pushed down to unlatch the latch bolt. Installation of a standard door latch can include drilling a first hole through the thickness of the door for the door knob and drilling a second hole perpendicular to the first hole for the latch mechanism. Also, part of the door frame may need to be mortised and chiseled away to properly position a receiving plate for the latch. Once the drilling is finished, installation of the actual latch can begin and involves fastening various portions of the door latch in place, and making exact measurements as to where the door latch will be. This is an exacting process that can be difficult to master and is time consuming. Therefore, there is a need for a door retaining mechanism that is easy to install and use.
A first object of the present invention to provide an improved door holder and stop which can hold doors shut while in a closed position.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved retaining mechanism for a door which replaces a conventional reciprocating latch.
Finally, it is another object of this invention to provide an improved retaining mechanism for a door which is easy to operate and install.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other needs are met or exceeded by the present door holder and stop that uses a retaining mechanism to hold a door shut while in a closed position. One end of an arm is slidably and pivotally attached to a track. Another end of the arm is attached, via an attachment plate, to one of a door and a door frame. The track is mounted onto the other of the door and door frame. During operation of the door, the arm slides along the length of the track. On one end of the track, a retaining mechanism is located which acts to hold the door shut when it is in a closed position.
More specifically, a door holder and stop are provided, including an elongated arm having a first end and a second end, and a first attachment mechanism for pivotally attaching the first end of the arm to one of a door and a door frame. An elongated track, pivotally and slidably attached to the arm, has a return end and a closure end, and is attached to the other of the door and the door frame. One of the return end and the closure end have a retaining mechanism for retaining the door in a closed position when the door is shut.
In the preferred embodiment, the track includes a channel which runs longitudinally through the track from the return end to the closure end. Within the channel is a slide, with a first end and a second end, and which is slidable along the channel and pivotally attached to the arm. Fixably attached in the channel at one end is a magnet, preferably at the closure end. One of the first end and the second end of the slide is attached to a magnet surface, such that the magnet will attract the surface when the door is in the closed position. Preferably, the magnet surface includes a magnet plate and a fastener countersunk into the plate and is located at the second end of the slide. The fastener acts as an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a relative distance between the plate and the second end of the slide. Also included is a spring to bias the magnet surface against the second side of the slide.
Also included in the preferred embodiment is a door holder and stop which includes the retaining mechanism at the closure end of the track and a mechanism for holding a door open at a predetermined angle located at the return end. The opening mechanism uses a standard pawl and hook device to lock the door in an open position. Preferably, the pawl is located on the return end of the track and is engageable with the hook, which is located on the first end of the slide. Once the hook and pawl are engaged, the door is then held in an open position. A spring is located within the slide at the first end and acts to bias the hook in a downward position. However, a user may unlock the hook and pawl by jiggling the door, which works against the spring and lifts the hook off of the pawl.
The pawl mechanism may also be rotated by use of a thumb wheel so that it does not engage the hook. This advantage allows the user to open the door fully without the door locking open at a predetermined angle. Since the pawl is held in the channel by a fastener, the user may completely remove the pawl. Removal of the pawl may be accomplished after the track has been installed, thereby allowing the user to easily add and remove the pawl without the trouble of having to reattach the whole door holder and stop.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2277316 (1942-03-01), Garrison
patent: 2744779 (1956-05-01), Ellis
patent: 3144267 (1964-08-01), Schmid
patent: 3630560 (1971-12-01), Atkins
patent: 4506407 (1985-03-01), Downey
patent: 4751766 (1988-06-01), Fahs et al.
patent: 4858272 (1989-08-01), Ogawa et al.
patent: 5010622 (1991-04-01), Morita
patent: 5381628 (1995-01-01), D'Hooge
patent: 5906026 (1999-05-01), Junttila
Architectural Builders Hardware Mfg. Inc.
Greer, Burns & Crain. Ltd.
Mah Chuck Y.
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