Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Closure checks
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-30
2001-12-11
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3626)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Closure checks
C016S08600R, C292S338000, C292S289000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327743
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a door safety device. In particular, the present invention relates to a door safety device that can be installed on either the door or the wall out of reach of children and that can be easily moved between its operative and inoperative positions without removal from the door.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When small children are present in a household it is frequently desirable to prevent them from fully closing doors in order to keep them from accidentally locking themselves within a room or to keep them from injuring their fingers or hands as the door closes. Devices known heretofore that are capable of preventing the door from closing are either mounted over the top of the door or attached to the doorknob. The devices that mount over the top of the door are inconvenient because they must be removed whenever it is desired to fully close the door. Mounting and removing this type of device can be difficult for shorter persons because they may be unable to reach the top of the door. The devices that mount to the doorknob are unsuitable because doorknobs can be reached by young children and thus can be removed by them, thereby defeating the purpose of using the device in the first place.
Thus, there exists a need for a door safety device that can be easily installed at a desired height anywhere along the door or wall and that can be moved between operative and inoperative positions without removal from the door.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To meet the above-described need, the present invention provides a door safety device for use in conjunction with a door that is movably mounted to a wall. The door safety device comprises a base member that mounts at a desired height on either the door or the wall, and an engaging member movably mounted to the base member for movement between an operative position and an inoperative position. The engaging member is constructed and arranged such that, when the engaging member is moved to the operative position thereof, moving the door toward the closed position thereof causes the engaging member to engage the door or the wall (whichever one it is not mounted to) so as to prevent the door from moving into the closed position thereof. The engaging member is also constructed and arranged such that, when the engaging member is moved to the inoperative position thereof, the door can be moved into the closed position thereof without interference from the engaging member.
The desired height at which the base member is mounted may be any height chosen by the user. For example, in homes with small children it may desirable to install the device within easy reach of adults so that the engaging member can be moved between the operative and inoperative positions when necessary, yet out of reach of small children so that they cannot move the engaging member to the inoperative position and then fully close the door. Alternatively, in homes where there are no children present, it may be desirable to mount the device down towards the lower corner of the door or door jamb so that it does not draw attention to itself. Thus, the desired height may be anywhere along the door or wall and is not to be limited to any particular height.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
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Marzullo Maria
Rashid Paul O.
Knight Anthony
Maras, Inc.
Peavey Enoch
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
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