Closure fasteners – Cross bars – Vehicle door latches
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-14
2001-10-30
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3626)
Closure fasteners
Cross bars
Vehicle door latches
C016S082000, C070S014000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308996
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to door security barricades. More particularly, this invention relates to a recreational vehicle(RV) entry door barricade that mounts on the steps leading to the entry door of a recreational vehicle and prevents the opening of the entry door.
Recreational vehicles(RVs), storage trailers, travel trailers, campers and the like typically have steps leading to the entry door of said vehicles. Furthermore, recreational vehicles are typically constructed, in large part, of lightweight materials such as lightweight alloys, composites and plastics in order to improve gas mileage and/or ease of towing. Due to the choice of materials for construction, the entry doors of RVs pose an inviting and not-too-formidable obstacle to burglars and vandals. The entry doors of RVs also pose a natural point of entry since the windows of RVs are typically too small to accommodate burglars and vandals seeking to gain uninvited entry into a RV.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,474181 granted to Davis there is disclosed a door retainer that is attached to the steps of an RV or the like for preventing the door from opening. The device disclosed therein accommodates steps and a door-to-step configuration of a particular size—the device is not adjustable. The disclosed device also merely attaches to the steps of the RV. Therefore, the security benefits of the device may be circumvented by merely removing the steps from the RV, leaving the burglar or vandal unimpeded access to an otherwise intact RV and door. The Davis device is also inconvenient to store and transport when the device is not in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a door barricade that is quickly and easily installed on the steps leading to the door of a recreational vehicle for preventing the opening of the door beyond a predetermined point.
It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a door barricade that is selectively locked such that the door to a RV is securely prevented from opening.
It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a door barricade that is adjustable and can accommodate RVs having a variety of step-to-door relationships, thus the present invention may be used on existing and future RVs produced by a variety of RV manufacturers.
It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a door barricade that is compactly and easily stored when not installed in its functional configuration.
It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a door barricade that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install.
It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a door barricade that does not require tools to assemble or disassemble.
This invention results from the realization that a highly adaptable, secure yet simple and easily stored door barricade is effectuated by making the door barricade of a step engaging member that securely attaches to the top step of an RV and a door stop member that is attached to the step engaging member and upwardly extending from the step engaging member such that the door of a RV is prevented from opening when the door barricade of the present invention is installed on the step of a RV. The door barricade of the present invention is installed without the use of tools and is selectively and securely lacked to the RV.
This invention features a door barricade comprising a top step portion that is positioned atop a RV top step; a rear step portion that is attached to the top step portion and extends downward from the top step portion and is positioned at and engages the rear edge of the RV top step; a bottom step portion that is attached to the rear step portion and positioned to engage the bottom of the top step; and a front step portion that is attached to the top step portion and extends downward from the top step portion and is positioned to engage the front edge of the RV top step such that these combined components are configured to grip the top step of RV steps leading to the entry door of a RV. This invention further includes a door stop member that is attached to the step engaging member components that is attached to the step engaging member in adjustable relationship and extends upward from the step engaging member. The upwardly extending door stop member thereby blocks and otherwise prevents the door of the RV from opening when the door barricade of the present invention is installed on the top step of a RV steps leading to the entry door of a RV.
The door stop member and the door engaging members of the present invention are typically adjustable in relation to one another whereby the present invention may be installed successfully and properly functioning on RVs having a variety of top step-to-entry door spaced relationships without compromising the security benefits of the present invention. Additionally, the door stop member and the step engaging member of the present invention can typically be adjusted and locked at predetermined locations by locking means of the device user's preference, thereby ensuring that the door barricade cannot unintentionally become disengaged from the top step of the RV to which it is installed.
The door stop member of the present invention is typically further pivotally attached to the top step portion of the step engaging member. Pivotal attachment of the door stop member to the step engaging member enables the door barricade of the present invention to be easily stored and transported when not in use. This feature is greatly appreciated by those skilled in the art and familiar with the limited storage space common in RVs.
The door stop member also typically has cross bar members that add strength and rigidity, and thus added security benefits, to the door stop member. The door stop member may also have eye slots to receive the eyelets of eyebolts attached to the RV. The eyelet of an eye bolt attached to the RV is inserted through the eye disposed on the door stop cross bar and selectively locked by locking means of the device user's preference. The eye slot for receiving an eyelet of an eyebolt may alternatively be a disposed on a portion of the door stop member that extends upwardly from said step engaging member.
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Knight Anthony
Lambert Gary E.
Lambert & Associates PLLC
Rodgers Matthew E.
Timmer Edward
LandOfFree
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