Portable Sliding Door Securement Device

Abstract

A portable door securement device is configured for a removable compressive engagement to a track member of a sliding door track. The securement device has a locked configuration wherein a compressive engagement to the track member, prevents sliding of a door positioned on the sliding door track. The device is removable or may be relocated upon the track member while in an unlocked configuration.

Claims

1. A portable door securement apparatus, comprising: a first body portion having a first side opposite a second side; a second body portion having a first side thereof opposite a second side thereof; a hinged engagement of said second body portion with said first body portion; a gap positioned between said first side of said first body portion and said first side of said second body portion, said gap configured for positioning upon a track member of a sliding door track; a lock member rotationally engaged to said second body portion; said lock member having a locked position adjacent a support surface for said sliding door track, wherein a side surface of said lock member imparts a biasing force against a second side of said second body portion; said biasing force generating a compressive contact of said first side of said first body portion and said first side of said second body portion to opposite sides of said track member; a contact surface of said first body configured to contact against a sliding door operatively positioned on said sliding door track and prevent movement thereof in a direction toward said contact surface; said lock member having an unlocked position wherein said side surface of said lock member is distanced from said second side of said second body portion; said lock member rotatable from said unlocked position to said locked position by pushing upon an upper area of said contact surface, in a direction toward said support surface; said lock member rotatable to said unlocked position by imparting a force to a lower area of said contact surface while said lock member is in said locked position, whereby a user of said door securement device can move said locking member between said locked position and said unlocked position using a foot of said user while standing.

2. The portable door securement apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: an opening formed between said contact area of said locking member and opposing sidewalls extending on opposite sides of said contact area; said opening configured for sliding of a foot of a user upon said support surface and into said opening with said locking member in said locked position, whereby a user can move said locking member to said unlocked position by raising a toe end of their foot above said support surface and maintaining a heel end of said foot in contact with said support surface.

3. The portable door securement apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising: a distance between said lower area of said contact surface and said support surface with said locking member in said locked position being between 1.5 and 4.5 inches.

4. The portable door securement apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: said hinged engagement of said second body portion with said first body portion being a hinge positioned upon a second end of a connection member; an adjuster rotationally engaged with said first body portion, said adjuster connected to a first end of said connection member; rotation of said adjuster in a first direction translating said hinge and said second body portion engaged thereto, in a direction away from said first body portion; and rotation of said adjuster in a second direction opposite said first direction translating said hinge and said second body portion engaged thereto, toward said first body portion, whereby a size of said gap is adjustable by rotation of said adjuster in either said first direction or said second direction.

5. The portable door securement apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising: said hinged engagement of said second body portion with said first body portion being a hinge positioned upon a second end of a connection member; an adjuster rotationally engaged with said first body portion, said adjuster connected to a first end of said connection member; rotation of said adjuster in a first direction translating said hinge and said second body portion engaged thereto, in a direction away from said first body portion; and rotation of said adjuster in a second direction opposite said first direction translating said hinge and said second body portion engaged thereto, toward said first body portion, whereby a size of said gap is adjustable by rotation of said adjuster in either said first direction or said second direction.

6. The portable door securement apparatus of claim 3, additionally comprising: said hinged engagement of said second body portion with said first body portion being a hinge positioned upon a second end of a connection member; an adjuster rotationally engaged with said first body portion, said adjuster connected to a first end of said connection member; rotation of said adjuster in a first direction translating said hinge and said second body portion engaged thereto, in a direction away from said first body portion; and rotation of said adjuster in a second direction opposite said first direction translating said hinge and said second body portion engaged thereto, toward said first body portion, whereby a size of said gap is adjustable by rotation of said adjuster in either said first direction or said second direction.

8. The portable door securement apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: said second body portion having a passage therethrough; a first locking projection extending from said locking member; a second locking projection extending from said first body portion; said first locking portion communicating through said passage to a contact against said second locking projection, with said locking member in said locked position; and said contact of said first locking portion against said second locking portion forming a locked engagement of said locking member when in said locked position.

9. The portable door securement apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising: said second body portion having a passage therethrough; a first locking projection extending from said locking member; a second locking projection extending from said first body portion; said first locking portion communicating through said passage to a contact against said second locking projection, with said locking member in said locked position; and said contact of said first locking portion against said second locking portion forming a locked engagement of said locking member when in said locked position.

10. The portable door securement apparatus of claim 3, additionally comprising: said second body portion having a passage therethrough; a first locking projection extending from said locking member; a second locking projection extending from said first body portion; said first locking portion communicating through said passage to a contact against said second locking projection, with said locking member in said locked position; and said contact of said first locking portion against said second locking portion forming a locked engagement of said locking member when in said locked position.

11. The portable door securement apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising: said second body portion having a passage therethrough; a first locking projection extending from said locking member; a second locking projection extending from said first body portion; said first locking portion communicating through said passage to a contact against said second locking projection, with said locking member in said locked position; and said contact of said first locking portion against said second locking portion forming a locked engagement of said locking member when in said locked position.

12. The portable door securement apparatus of claim 5, additionally comprising: said second body portion having a passage therethrough; a first locking projection extending from said locking member; a second locking projection extending from said first body portion; said first locking portion communicating through said passage to a contact against said second locking projection, with said locking member in said locked position; and said contact of said first locking portion against said second locking portion forming a locked engagement of said locking member when in said locked position.

13. The portable door securement apparatus of claim 6, additionally comprising: said second body portion having a passage therethrough; a first locking projection extending from said locking member; a second locking projection extending from said first body portion; said first locking portion communicating through said passage to a contact against said second locking projection, with said locking member in said locked position; and said contact of said first locking portion against said second locking portion forming a locked engagement of said locking member when in said locked position.

14. The portable door securement apparatus of claim 7, additionally comprising: said second body portion having a passage therethrough; a first locking projection extending from said locking member; a second locking projection extending from said first body portion; said first locking portion communicating through said passage to a contact against said second locking projection, with said locking member in said locked position; and said contact of said first locking portion against said second locking portion forming a locked engagement of said locking member when in said locked position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive examples of embodiments and/or features of the disclosed track engageable sliding door locking device. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative of the invention herein, rather than limiting in any fashion. In the drawings:

[0023] FIG. 1 depicts an overhead perspective view of the sliding door securement device, herein, having a gap operatively engaged to a track member of a sliding door track, in a locked configuration.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows the device of FIG. 1, in a perspective view, showing the locking member pivoted in its engagement to the second member of the body of the device, and thereby positioned in an unlocked position.

[0025] FIG. 3 displays the device from a side view showing the second member of the body portion in a transparent mode positioned across a gap from the first member of the body portion in an as-used position compressibly engaged to an upright track member on which a sliding door slides upon or adjacent thereto.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows the device, as in FIG. 3, in a line drawing mode wherein the second body portion is shown in solid form.

[0027] FIG. 5 depicts a top or overhead view of the device of FIGS. 1-4 showing the adjustable slot positioned between the first body portion and the body portion and showing the adjusters employable for adjusting the gap size.

[0028] FIG. 6 depicts the device in the unlocked configuration with the locking member pivoted to a raised position wherein it is configured or operation with the foot of a user, and showing the track member slidably positioned within the gap between the first body portion and second body portion.

[0029] FIG. 7 shows the device, as in FIG. 6, but with the foot actuated locking member pivoted to the lowered or locked position by pressure from the foot of the user upon the top surface of the contact area of the locking member and showing the track member compressibly engaged between the first body portion and second body portion by the force exerted from the locking member against the second body portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The device 10 and system herein disclosed and described in FIGS. 1-7 provide a solution to the shortcomings in prior art of securing sliding doors which are operatively positioned upon or in between projecting track members 12. Such sliding door tracks are well known and operate in a well known manner to provide a pathway for sliding doors and windows to open and close. With such sliding door tracks, the door is slidably positioned either in slots formed between track members 12 or atop a projecting track member 12 on which the sliding door 11 will slide between open and closed positions.

[0031] As can be seen in FIG. 1, showing the device 10 in an as used and locked position, the disclosed door securement device 10 herein, may be easily operatively engaged and disengaged, using no hands and just the foot of a user. In this locked position, with the track member 12 in a compressed engagement between the first body portion 14 and second body portion 16, the device 10 will prevent opening or movement of a track-positioned sliding door 11 (FIGS. 6-7) in a direction toward the device 10.

[0032] The device 10, as shown in FIG. 1, is portable and will operatively engage to any track member 12 of a conventional sliding door track 15 (FIG. 6). As noted, such tracks are well known and are employed widely in the U.S. and other countries to operatively locate a sliding door 11 to slide between an open and closed position, either atop the track member 12 on wheels or between the track member 12 and an adjacent track member 12.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the device 10 is shown positioned in a locked engagement to the track member 12 of the sliding door track. By track member 12 is meant, a vertical projection from such a conventional sliding door track 15 (FIGS. 6-7) on which a sliding door 11 will slide, either on wheels traveling on the track member 12 or in a slot formed adjacent the track member 12.

[0034] In this engaged or locked position, shown in FIGS. 1, 3-4 and 10, the track member 12 is located in a compressed, sandwiched engagement in between a first body portion 14 and a second body portion 16. In the locked position, a pivoting lock member 18 has an opening 20 positioned in between a contact surface 24 and sidewalls 22 extending from that contact surface 24 of the locking member 18. This opening is configured for sliding a foot of a user therein, under the contact surface 24 of the locking member 18. With the foot of a user so located, an upward lifting of that foot in a direction away from the support surface 25 such as a floor, to a contact with a lower surface 26 of the contact surface 24, will allow the user to pivot the locking member 18 to the raised position of FIG. 2. This pivoting to the raised position of the lock member 18 will remove the force communicated by the lock member 18 against the second body portion 16, wherein the compressed engagement of the track wall 12, between the first body portion 14 and second body portion 16, is released.

[0035] As also shown in FIG. 2, which depicts the device 10 in an unlocked configuration, the gap 28, located between the first body portion 14 and second body portion 16, is moved to a wider distance. With no compressive engagement, the device 10 will slide on or off of a track wall 12 or will slide along the track wall 12 as a sliding door 11, contacting the device 10, is moved. This allows the user to keep the device 10 engaged over a track wall 12 in an uncompressed positioning, so they may remove it or reposition it on the track wall 12 by using the door 11 to slide against it.

[0036] In this unlocked position of FIG. 2, once the device 10 is positioned with the track member 12 within the gap 28, between the first body portion 14 and second body portion 16, a depressing of the locking member 18 to pivot it to the lowered or locked position of FIGS. 1 and 3-4 will cause the first body portion 14 and second body portion 16 to compressibly engage with both side surfaces of the track member 12. This action locks the device 10 in position on the track member 12 and prevents any sliding door 11 from moving past a contact side 30 of the device 10.

[0037] The device 10 can, thus, be engaged to any locked and fixed position on a track member 12, such that the sliding door 11 can be opened slightly but prevented from opening to a point where entry by a human is possible. This can be easily done by releasing the lock member 18, such that the device 10 will slide upon the track member 12. The user can employ the door 11 to slide the device 10 to a desired position, leaving a small gap for air passage and the like. Thereafter, the user will re-lock the device 10 to the compressed engagement with the track member 12, using their foot, as noted below.

[0038] FIG. 3 is an end or side view of the device 10 showing it in the locked position of FIG. 1, wherein the track member 12 is located in the gap 28 and is positioned in a compressed engagement with and between both the first body portion 14 and second body portion 16. It is held in this compressed engagement by the force of the lock member 18 against the second body portion 16, which is in a hinged engagement 35 with the first body portion 14. This hinged engagement 35 is positioned at a second end of an adjustable connection member 32, which can be drawn toward or away from the first body portion 14 by an adjuster 33.

[0039] As shown, the adjuster 33 has a threaded cavity which is engaged with threads formed on the connection member 32 and, thus, will translate the second end of the connection member 32 and the hinged engagement 35, thereon, toward and away from the first body portion 14. This, in turn, will move the second body portion 16 toward or away from the first body portion 14 and will adjust the diameter or size of the gap 28 to a point where movement of the lock member 18 against the second body portion 16 will cause the compressed engagement upon the track member 12.

[0040] Thus, once the device 10 is positioned with the track member 12 within the gap 28, a rotation of the adjusters 33 will allow the user to move the first body portion 14 closer or further from the second body portion 16, as needed. Thereafter, rotation of the lock member 18 downward will impart a biasing force against and to the second body portion 16 toward the first body portion 14. The biasing force will significantly increase the grip of the device 10 upon the track member 12, such that the device 10 will not slide nor will the door 11 contacting against it.

[0041] The position of the hinge engagement 35 with the second body portion 16, is adjustable using the adjusters 33, which will also adjust the size of the gap 28. However, such adjustment can also be provided with other connectors, as would occur to those skilled in the art.

[0042] Also shown in FIG. 3, through a transparent sidewall of the second body member 16, is the locking mechanism which holds the first body portion 14 and second body portion 16 in the compressed engagement to the track member 12 while in this locked positioning. As shown, a first locking projection 34, extending from the lock member 18 and through a passage 19 in the second body portion 16, compressibly contacts against a second locking projection 38 extending from the first body portion 14 into the passage 19 in the second body portion 16. The compressive contact of the first locking projection 34 against an upper surface of the second locking projection 38 holds the locking member 18 in this lowered position. Concurrently, the locking member 18 contacts against a second side of the second body portion 16 and imparts a biasing force against the second body portion 16 to cause it to rotate toward the first body portion 14 and form a compressive engagement of the track member 12 within the gap 28, between a first side of the first body portion 14 and a first side of the second body portion 16.

[0043] Shown in FIGS. 4-5, the locking member 18 is in a pivoting connection 40 with the second body portion 16. As shown, a hinge projecting from the second body portion 16 engages an axle engaged to the locking member 18 but other means for a pivoting connection, which will allow for distance adjustment of the gap 28, may be employed.

[0044] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 3, the first locking projection 34 is formed as a cam which has a curved surface which slides upon a curved surface of the second locking projection 38 until a locking projection 37 extending from the curved surface of the first locking projection 34 is forced to an overhead position. This forms a locked connection of the first locking projection 34 with the second locking projection 38, which is only overcome by rotating the lock member 18 to the inclined or released position of FIG. 2, using the mechanical advantage of the lock member 18 and force of the foot or hand of the user.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows the device 10 operatively positioned in an unlocked configuration, with a track member 12 of a conventional sliding door track 15. As shown, the track member 12 is positioned in the gap 28 between the first body portion 14 and second body portion 16.

[0046] Stepping upon an upper side of the contact surface 24 of the locking member 18 will move it to the locked position shown in FIG. 7. As noted above, concurrently, the track member 12 is placed in a compressed contact with a first side of the first body portion 14 and a first side of the second body portion 16.

[0047] The device 10, in FIG. 7, is shown in this locked position. As shown, the locking member 18 has been pivoted to a lowered position wherein the contact surface 24 is preferably substantially parallel to the adjacent support surface 25 such as a floor. Such is accomplished, easily, by the foot of the user being placed on an upper side of the contact surface 24 when the lock member 18 is in the elevated position of FIG. 6.

[0048] With the device 10, in the locked position of FIG. 7, wherein the lock member 18 has been lowered by foot or other pressure, an opening 20 located between the support surface 25 and the contact surface 24 and the two sidewalls 22. This opening 20 is configured for the user to slide their foot into while sliding it against or on the support surface 25 during such sliding. This allows the user to lock and unlock the device 10 with only their foot and avoids the need to bend over or use their hands which for many users is either not possible or fraught with the potential of losing their balance.

[0049] Once the foot of the user is positioned underneath the contact surface 24, a lifting of their foot, so positioned, will rotate the lock member 18 to the elevated or unlocked position, wherein the device 10 is removable from or slidable on the track member 12. Thereafter, the door 11 may be slid to an open position. It is preferred that a gap between the support surface 25 and the lower edge or surface of the support surface 24 be between 1.5 to 4.5 inches, as experimentation has shown this allows a user with footwear on their foot to easily slide their foot into the opening 20 and lift the lock member 18 while maintaining their heel on the support surface 25 for both balance and leverage.

[0050] As noted, any of the different configurations and components can be employed with any other configuration or component shown and described as part of the device herein. Additionally, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof and steps in the method of production, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, it will be appreciated that in some instance some features, or configurations, or steps in formation of the invention could be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. All such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims.

[0051] Further, the purpose of any abstract of this specification is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Any such abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.