Abstract
A snap-on safety guard for door gaps preferably includes a jamb split tube and a cover plate. The jamb split tube includes a lengthwise gap. A curved jamb device is retained in a kerf slot of a kerf-style door frame. A molding lip extends inward from one end of the curved jamb device and a kerf lip extends inward from an opposing end thereof. A U-shaped clip is retained in a kerf slot of a kerf-style door frame. The U-shaped clip includes a kerf base, an inner kerf lip and an outer kerf lip. An L-shaped clip is retained in a kerf slot of a kerf-style door. The cover plate preferably includes a flat plate with at least one living hinge formed parallel with a length of the cover plate. An inner surface of the cover plate is attached to one of the jamb tubes.
Claims
1. A snap-on safety guard for covering door gaps between an edge of a kerf door and a kerf door frame when the kerf door is open, the kerf door frame includes a kerf slot, said snap-on safety guard, comprising: a L-shaped clip includes a kerf base and an inner kerf lip, wherein said inner kerf lip is retained in the kerf slot, said kerf base is in contact with an outside surface of said kerf door frame; and a cover plate includes a first lengthwise panel, a second lengthwise panel and a third lengthwise panel, said first and second lengthwise panels are joined to each other with a first living hinge, said first lengthwise panel extends from an outer surface of said kerf base, said second and third lengthwise panels are joined to each other with a second living hinge, wherein said third lengthwise panel contacts the kerf door.
2. The snap-on safety guard for covering door gaps of claim 1 wherein: said cover plate is secured to an outer surface of said outer kerf lip with at least one securement device.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a snap-on door guard installed on an outer edge of an outside door molding and an inner edge of the door jamb molding with a cover plate contacting a door in accordance with the present invention.
(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a jamb split tube having a substantial round cross section of a snap-on door guard in accordance with the present invention.
(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a jamb split tube having a substantial rectangular cross section of a snap-on door guard in accordance with the present invention.
(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cover plate of a snap-on door guard in accordance with the present invention.
(5) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a snap-on door guard installed on an outer edge of an outside door molding and an inner edge of the door jamb molding in accordance with the present invention.
(6) FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a snap-on door guard installed on an outer edge of an outside door molding and an inner edge of the door jamb molding with a wall that is thicker than that shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with the present invention.
(7) FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a snap-on door guard installed on an outer edge of an outside door molding that is longer than that shown in FIG. 6 and an inner edge of the door jamb molding in accordance with the present invention.
(8) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a snap-on door guard installed on an outer edge of an outside door molding and an inner edge of the door jamb molding with a cover plate contacting a door that is nearly closed in accordance with the present invention.
(9) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a snap-on door guard installed on an outer edge of an outside door molding and an inner edge of the door jamb molding with a cover plate contacting a door that is open in accordance with the present invention.
(10) FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a snap-on door guard with an adjustable split jamb tube installed on an outer edge of an outside door molding and an inner edge of the door jamb molding with a cover plate contacting a door that is open in accordance with the present invention.
(11) FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a snap-on door guard with a curved jamb device, the curved jamb device includes one end configured for retention in a kerf slot of a kerf-style door frame and an opposing end configured for retention on an outside door molding with a cover plate contacting a door that is open in accordance with the present invention.
(12) FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a snap-on door guard with a U-shaped clip, the U-shaped clip is configured for retention in a kerf slot of a kerf-style door frame and an opposing end is retained on an outside door molding with a cover plate contacting a door that is open in accordance with the present invention.
(13) FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a snap-on door guard with an L-shaped clip, the L-shaped clip is configured for retention in a kerf slot of a kerf-style door frame, an end of a cover plate is attached to a kerf base of the L-shaped clip, the cover plate contacts a door that is open in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(14) With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a snap-on door guard 1 is installed on an outer edge 104 of an outside door molding 102 and an inner edge 108 of the door jamb molding 106 of a door frame 100. With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the snap-on door guard 1 preferably includes a jamb split tube 10, 14 and a cover plate 12. The jamb split tube 10 includes a tubular cross section. The tubular cross section may have a substantially circular shape or a substantially rectangular shape. The cross-sectional shape of the jamb split tube 10, 14 depends upon the shape of the door frame. The jamb split tube 10 preferably includes opposing flat surfaces 16 on either side of a lengthwise gap 18. It is preferable that the jamb split tube 14 include chamfers 20 in all four corners. A lengthwise gap 22 is formed in one of the four sides of the jamb split tube 14. The jamb split tube 10, 14 must be fabricated from a resilient material having memory properties, such that when the jamb split tube 10, 14 is deformed, it returns to its original shape. The material must also have sufficient hoop strength for the jamb split tube 10, 14 to stay in place, once placed on molding, such that the jamb split tube 10, 14 must be spread, before securing on the molding. A length of the jamb split tube 10, 14 does not have to be equal to a height of a door. The length of the jamb split tube 10, 14 may be slightly longer than a height of the reach of a child. FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the jamb split tube 10 flexing for retention on different door frames 110, 112, 114 having different thicknesses and sized moldings.
(15) With reference to FIG. 10, an adjustable jamb split tube 24 includes a first jamb section 26 and a second jamb section 28. Adjacent ends of the first and second jamb sections are secured to each other, when installed on the door frame 125. Securement of the adjacent ends may be implemented with fasteners 30; hook and loop fasteners; snaps; double sided tape; or any other suitable securement device. The opposing ends (opposing edges) of the first and second jamb sections 26, 28 are deformed, such that one opposing edge of the second jamb section 28 is placed over on outer edge 118 of an outside door molding 116 and the other opposing edge of the first jamb section 28 is placed over an inner edge 122 of door jamb molding 120.
(16) With reference to FIG. 11, a curved jamb device 32 is configured for retention in a kerf slot 126 of a kerf-style door frame 124. The curved jamb device 32 includes a substantially curved cross section. A molding lip 34 extends inward from one end of the curved jamb device 32 and a kerf lip 36 extends inward from an opposing end of the curved jamb device 32. The molding lip 34 is retained on an edge of an inner molding 130 of a door frame 128. The kerf lip 36 is retained inside the kerf slot 126 of the kerf-style door frame 124. A thermal installation seal 132 is normally retained in the kerf slot 124. However, there is sufficient space to retain the kerf lip 36 of the curved jamb device 32 in the kerf slot 124.
(17) With reference to FIG. 12, a U-shaped clip 38 is configured for retention in the kerf slot 126 of a kerf-style door frame 124. The U-shaped clip 38 includes a kerf base 40, an inner kerf lip 42 and an outer kerf lip 44. The inner kerf lip 42 extends outward from one end and one side of the kerf base 40. The outer kerf lip 44 extends from an opposing end of the kerf base 40 and on the same side as the inner kerf lip 42. The inner kerf lip 42 is retained inside the kerf slot 126 of the kerf-style door frame 124. The outer kerf lip 44 makes contact with an outer surface of the kerf slot 126.
(18) With reference to FIG. 13, a L-shaped clip 60 is configured for retention in the kerf slot 126 of a kerf-style door frame 124. The L-shaped clip 60 includes a kerf base 62 and an inner kerf lip 64. The inner kerf lip 64 extends outward from one end and one side of the kerf base 62. The inner kerf lip 64 is retained inside the kerf slot 126 of the kerf-style door frame 124. An inner surface of the kerf base 62 makes contact with an outer surface of the kerf slot 126.
(19) With reference to FIG. 4, the cover plate 12 preferably includes a flat plate 46 with at least one living hinge 48 formed parallel with a length of the cover plate 12. A single living hinge 48 forms two parallel lengthwise panels 50. However, it may be advantageous to create three or more parallel lengthwise panels 50 in the cover plate 46 instead of two to decrease pressure on an outside of a door 134. The cover plate 12 must be fabricated from a resilient material having memory properties, such that when the cover plate 12 is deformed, it returns to its original shape. With reference to FIGS. 8-13, the cover plate 12 preferably has the same length as a height of the jamb split tube 10, 14, the adjustable jamb split tube 24, the semi-circular tube 32, the U-shaped clip 38 and the L-shaped clip 60. A pressure sensitive adhesive is preferably used to join an inside surface of a first lengthwise panel 50 to an outside surface of the jam split tube 10, 14, the adjustable jamb split tube 24, the curved jamb tube 32, the U-shaped clip 38 and the L-shaped clip 60. An edge of the second or last lengthwise panel 50 contacts an outer surface of a door 134. However, the jamb split tube 10, 14, the curved jamb tube 32, the U-shaped clip 38, the L-shaped clip 60 and the cover plate 12 may be fabricated from a single piece of material, which would eliminate the need for the pressure sensitive adhesive.
(20) A pressure sensitive adhesive is preferably used to join the inside surface of the first lengthwise panel 50 to an outside surface of the second jamb section 28. A pressure sensitive adhesive is preferably used to join the inside surface of a first lengthwise panel 50 to an outside surface of the semi-circular tube 32. A pressure sensitive adhesive is preferably used to join the inside surface of the first lengthwise panel 50 to an outside surface of the outer kerf lip 44. A pressure sensitive adhesive is preferably used to join the inside surface of the first lengthwise panel 50 to an outside surface of kerf base 62.
(21) While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
