GUARD FOR A LATCH TO PREVENT OPENING

Abstract

A door latch locking guard 30 is provided for maintaining a door in a locked position. A door latch 10 has an existing stationary latch arm 12 and the door jam has an existing swinging arm 14 for engaging the latch arm 12 to lock the door. The present invention provides a protective locking guard 30 having a notch 38 formed therein for placing over the stationary latch arm 12, and the protective locking guard 30 also has a plate 32 for moving the existing swinging arm 14 over the plate 32. A locking clasp 40 is provided for inserting through an opening 36 in plate 32 in order to prevent the door latch 12 from being opened from the opposite side of the door.

Claims

1) A door latch locking guard 30 for maintaining a door in a locked position, the door having a door latch 10 having an existing stationary latch arm 12 and a door jamb having an existing swinging arm 14 for engaging the latch arm 12 to lock the door, while still allowing the latch arm 12 to travel along the swinging arm 14 for partial opening of the door while securing the door from being moved to a fully open position, comprising: a) a protective locking guard 30 having a notch 38 formed therein for placing over the stationary latch arm 12; b) said protective locking guard 30 having a plate 32 for moving said existing swinging arm 14 over said plate 32; and c) a locking clasp 40 for inserting through an opening 36 in plate 32 in order to prevent said door latch 12 from being opened from an opposite side of the door.

2) A door latch locking guard 30 for maintaining a door locked, having a door latch 10 having an existing stationary latch arm 12 and a door jam having an existing swinging arm 14 for engaging the latch arm 12 to lock the door, said swinging arm 14 having spaced apart horizontal arms for allowing partial opening of the door while securing the door from being moved to a fully open position, comprising: a) a protective locking guard 30, having a horizontal plate 32 and a vertical notch 38 for placing over and engaging the existing latch arm 12; b) said horizontal plate 32 having an opening 36, said horizontal plate for passing through said spaced apart horizontal arms of said swinging arm 14; and c) a locking clasp 40 for inserting through said opening 36 in said locking guard 30, in order to prevent said door latch from being opened from an opposite side of the door.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a typical door latch and swinging arm without the locking guard of the present invention installed on the door latch;

[0016] FIG. 2 shows the locking guard 30, including the plate 32 and notch 38;

[0017] FIG. 3 shows the locking guard 30 in a partially unlocked position;

[0018] FIG. 4 shows the locking guard 30 in a fully locked position; and

[0019] FIG. 5 shows the locking guard 30 in a fully locked position with the locking clasp 40 inserted through the plate 36.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT

[0020] FIGS. 1 to 5 show a typical door latch security device 10, which includes a fixed latch arm 12 on a door and a swinging arm 14 on the door jam.

[0021] The present invention provides a protective locking guard 30, which includes a flat horizontal plate 32 and also includes a notch 38 for placing over and engaging the latch arm 12. The horizontal plate 32 passes through the spaced apart horizontal bars of the swinging arm 14 to lock the latch in place. Flat plate 32 includes a hole 36 for receiving therethrough a locking clasp 40 to hold the locking guard 30 in place.

[0022] As a result, the locking guard 30 prevents the door latch 10 from being opened from the other side of the door, while still allowing the latch arm 12 to travel along the swinging arm 14 for partial opening of the door while securing it from opening.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] In operation, the door is latched with latch arm 12 and swinging arm 14. To install protective locking guard 30, the door is unlatched and the door is moved to the closed position. Then, the notch 38 is placed over the latch arm 12. Next, the horizontal plate 32 is moved between the horizontal bars of swinging arm 14 to lock the latch arm 12 in place. Next, the locking clasp 40 is inserted through hole 36 to hold the locking guard 30 in place.

[0024] To release the locking guard 30 of the present invention, the locking clasp 40 is removed from opening 36. Then the horizontal plate 32 is removed from between the horizontal bars of swinging arm 14. Then, notch 38 is removed from latch arm 12, and the door is unlocked and opens.

[0025] As a result, the locking guard 30 prevents the door latch from being opened from the other side of the door. However, when engaged, it still allows the latch arm 12 to travel along the swing arm 14 for partial opening of the door while securing it from opening.

Advantages of the Present Invention

[0026] It is an advantage of the present invention is to provide a locking guard having a notch which is placed over the door latch to make it secure, so that the door latch cannot be unlatched from outside the door.

[0027] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a locking guard having a plate for passing through the swinging arm, wherein the plate receives a locking clasp to prevent the door latch from being opened from the other side of the door.

[0028] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a locking guard which is inexpensive and easy to install, and easy to remove from the door latch.

[0029] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a locking guard that allows the existing door lock to open partially as designed to view outside the door and still be secure.

[0030] A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.