PORTABLE BARRIER FOR A DOOR SILL

Abstract

A portable barrier for a door sill fills a gap between the flooring and the bottom of a respective door to restrict passage of water, air, and pests. The barrier detachably mounts into a door sill on an exterior side of the door. The barrier is height adjustable, so as to enable the dual function of inhibiting passage through the gap beneath the door, and enabling passage of a wheeled vehicle over the barrier. A restriction bar provides the barrier function. The restriction bar has a tapered edge to enable a wheel to roll over it. A mount bar is disposed parallel to the restriction bar for mounting to the flooring. A spring biases the restriction bar towards an extended position for expanding above the door sill. The spring compresses to enable the restriction bar to move towards the mount bar. A bolt passes through and aligns the components.

Claims

1. A portable barrier for filling a gap between a floor and a bottom of a door, the barrier comprises: a restriction bar, the restriction bar comprising at least one tapered edge and at least one aperture; a mount bar, the mount bar comprising at least one mount hole, the mount bar disposed in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship to the restriction bar; a connecting tube, the connecting tube configured to join the restriction bar with the mount bar, the connecting tube disposed in alignment with the at least one aperture and the at least one mount hole; a mounting tube, the mounting tube comprising a threaded inner surface, the mounting tube disposed in alignment with the connecting tube and the at least one mount hole, the mounting tube configured to extend from the mount bar; a bolt, the bolt comprising a head end and a mount end, the mount end having threads configured to rotatably engage the threaded inner surface of the mounting tube, the bolt configured to pass through the at least one aperture, the connecting tube, the at least one mount hole, and the mounting tube, the bolt configured to be displaced along the length of the connecting tube and the mounting tube, wherein rotation of the bolt in a first direction urges the restriction bar towards the mount bar, and wherein rotation of the bolt in a second direction urges the restriction bar away from the mount bar; and a spring, the spring disposed between the bolt and the mounting tube, the spring configured to position in a natural extended position, the spring further configured to be urged into a compressed position, wherein the extended position of the spring urges the restriction bar away from the mount bar, and wherein the compressed position of the spring enables the restriction bar to be displaced towards the mount bar.

2. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the restriction bar is elongated and has a generally cubicle cross section.

3. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one tapered edge of the restriction bar is configured to enable a wheel to cross the barrier.

4. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the mount bar is elongated and generally flat.

5. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the mount tube has a cavity.

6. The barrier of claim 5, wherein the spring is disposed along the length of the cavity.

7. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the connecting tube has a smaller diameter than the mounting tube.

8. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the spring is configured to wrap around the bolt.

9. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the first direction for urging the bolt is clockwise.

10. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the second direction for urging the bolt is counterclockwise.

11. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the spring is a coil spring.

12. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one aperture is two apertures.

13. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one mount hole is two mount holes.

14. The barrier of claim 1, further including a washer, the washer disposed between the head of the bolt and the at least one aperture of the restriction bar.

15. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the barrier is configured to enable detachable attachment with a door sill.

16. The barrier of claim 15, wherein the door sill has a top surface, a toe portion, a heel portion, and a space that forms between the toe portion and the heel portion.

17. The barrier of claim 16, wherein the barrier is disposed within the space of the door sill.

18. The barrier of claim 17, wherein the mount end of the bolt penetrates a floor for anchoring the barrier to the floor.

19. The barrier of claim 18, wherein the door sill is disposed on an external side of a door.

20. A portable barrier for filling a gap between a floor and a bottom of a door, the barrier comprises: a restriction bar, the restriction bar comprising at least one tapered edge and at least one aperture; a mount bar, the mount bar comprising at least one mount hole, the mount bar disposed in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship to the restriction bar; a connecting tube, the connecting tube configured to join the restriction bar with the mount bar, the connecting tube disposed in alignment with the at least one aperture and the at least one mount hole; a mounting tube, the mounting tube comprising a threaded inner surface, the mounting tube disposed in alignment with the connecting tube and the at least one mount hole, the mounting tube configured to extend from the mount bar; a bolt, the bolt comprising a head end and a mount end, the mount end having threads configured to rotatably engage the threaded inner surface of the mounting tube, the bolt configured to pass through the at least one aperture, the connecting tube, the at least one mount hole, and the mounting tube, the bolt configured to be displaced along the length of the connecting tube and the mounting tube, wherein rotation of the bolt in a first direction urges the restriction bar towards the mount bar, and wherein rotation of the bolt in a second direction urges the restriction bar away from the mount bar; a spring, the spring disposed between the bolt and the mounting tube, the spring configured to position in a natural extended position, the spring further configured to be urged into a compressed position, wherein the extended position of the spring urges the restriction bar away from the mount bar, and wherein the compressed position of the spring enables the restriction bar to be displaced towards the mount bar; and a door sill, the door sill having a top surface, a toe portion, a heel portion, and a space that forms between the toe portion and the heel portion, wherein the mount bar positions in the space of the door sill.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0027] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and drawings where:

[0028] FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are perspective views of an exemplary portable barrier moving from an extended position to a compressed position relative to an exemplary door sill;

[0029] FIGS. 2A and 2B are sectioned side views of the portable barrier extended and compressed into door sill;

[0030] FIGS. 3A and 3B are close up sectioned views of the portable barrier extended and compressed into door sill;

[0031] FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the portable barrier extended from the door sill in front of an open threshold of a door; and

[0032] FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the portable barrier compressed into the door sill in front of a closed threshold of a door.

DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present invention is directed to a portable barrier 100 for a door sill 200 that fills a gap between the flooring and the bottom of a respective door 210 to inhibit passage of water, air, and pests through the gap and onto the flooring inside the respective building. The portable barrier 100, hereafter, barrier 100, is portable to be operational with variously sized and dimensioned door sills 200. The barrier 100 may be used with different styles and sizes of doors 210 to restrict passage through the gap that forms beneath the door 210 at the threshold.

[0034] The barrier 100 detachably attaches to a door sill 200 that rests on an exterior side of the door 210. The door sill 200 may include a horizontal piece of wood, stone or metal at the threshold of a doorway or doorstep. In one embodiment, the door sill 200 comprises an elongated triangular structure having a top surface 202, a heel portion 206, and a toe portion 202; wherein the top surface 202 is angled and declines in height to form a slope. A space 208 forms between the heel portion 206 and the toe portion 202 of the door sill 200. In one embodiment, the barrier 100 detachably positions inside the space 208, extending along the length of the door sill 200.

[0035] The barrier 100 is height adjustable relative to the top surface 202 of the door sill 200. In this manner, the barrier 100 provides the dual function of inhibiting passage through the gap beneath the door 210, and enabling passage of a wheeled vehicle over the barrier 100 and through the threshold of the door 210. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the barrier 100 utilizes a spring 116 that biases towards an extended position for expanding the barrier above the top surface 202 of the door sill 200, and thereby inhibiting passage of water, air, and pests through the threshold of the door 210. In this manner, the barrier 100 extends the height capacity of the door sill 200 by filling the gap beneath the floor and the door 210. The fixed height of the barrier 100, relative to the door sill 200 is adjustable with a bolt 118.

[0036] Looking now at FIGS. 1B and 1C, in addition to the extended position 124, the spring 116 is configured to compress, so that the barrier 100 remains flush with the top surface 202 of the door sill 200 when a pressure is applied thereon, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The pressure that is exerted on the barrier 100 may include a wheel from a vehicle that presses down on the barrier 100 as it passes through the threshold of the door 210. Though, any mobile object may easily pass over the barrier 100. The barrier 100 is tapered at the top surface 202, so as to help the wheel smoothly pass over the barrier 100.

[0037] Turning now to FIG. 3A, the barrier 100 may include a restriction bar 102. The restriction bar 102 is configured to provide the chief blockage against water, air, and pests between the door 210 and the door sill 200. The restriction bar 102 is elongated and has a generally cubicle cross section, so as to fit into the space of the door sill 200. The restriction bar 102 may include at least one aperture 104. In one embodiment, two apertures that are sized and dimensioned to receive a threaded member form on the restriction bar 102.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3B, the restriction bar 102 may include at least one tapered edge 106. The tapered edge 106 is configured to enable a wheel to cross the barrier 100. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a tapered edge 106 forms a fulcrum that provides leverage for a wheel to more easily roll over the restriction bar 102. Suitable materials for the restriction bar 102 may include, without limitation, metal, wood, and a rigid polymer.

[0039] The barrier 100 may further include a mount bar 108. The mount bar 108 is rests in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship to the restriction bar 102. The mount bar 108 is elongated and is generally flat. The mount bar 108 enables the barrier 100 to be anchored to the floor. The restriction bar 102 moves in relation to the anchored mount bar 108. The mount bar 108 comprises at least one mount hole 110. In one embodiment, two mount holes 110 that are sized and dimensioned to receive a threaded member pass through the mount bar 108. Suitable materials for the mount bar 108 may include, without limitation, metal, wood, and a rigid polymer.

[0040] Looking back at FIG. 1A, the barrier 100 comprises a connecting tube 112 that joins the restriction bar 102 with the mount bar 108. The connecting tube 112 is disposed in alignment with the at least one aperture 104 and the at least one mount hole 110. The connecting tube 112 ensures that the restriction bar 102 and the mount bar 108 remain aligned.

[0041] The barrier 100 further includes a mounting tube 114. The mounting tube 114 includes a threaded inner surface and a cavity. The mounting tube 114 remains in alignment with the connecting tube 112 and the at least one mount hole 110. The mounting tube 114 extends from the mount bar 108, and towards the floor. The mounting tube 114 may penetrate the floor to enable the barrier to be anchored into the floor from the space 208 in the door sill 200. In one embodiment, multiple mounting tubes extend in a spaced-apart relationship across the mount bar 108.

[0042] In some embodiments, the barrier 100 may further include a bolt 118. The bolt serves to tie the components of the barrier 100 together. The bolt 118 also penetrates the floor for detachably anchoring the barrier 100 into the door sill 200. The bolt 118 has a head end 120 and a mount end 122. The head end 120 may include a slot for receiving a screwdriver. A washer (not shown) may be positioned between the head end 120 of the bolt 118 and the aperture 104 of the restriction bar 102. The mount end 122 of the bolt 118 may include threads that are configured to rotatably engage the threaded inner surface of the mounting tube 114. The bolt 118 may include, without limitation, a screw, a through bolt 118, and an anchor bolt 118.

[0043] The bolt 118 is configured to pass through the at least one aperture 104, the connecting tube 112, the at least one mount hole 110, and the mounting tube 114. In this manner, the bolt 118 may be displaced cross-length to the barrier 100, passing through the connecting tube 112 and the mounting tube 114. The threaded interaction between the threads of the bolt 118 and the threaded inner surface of the mounting tube 114 enables the bolt 118 to rotate in a first direction. This works to urge the restriction bar 102 towards the mount bar 108. The first direction may include a clockwise direction. Conversely, the bolt 118 can be rotated in a second direction to urge the restriction bar 102 away from the mount bar 108. The second direction may include a counterclockwise direction. In this manner, the natural height of the restriction bar 102 can be adjusted, depending on the door sill 200 and the door 210.

[0044] The barrier 100 further comprises a spring 116 that displaces the restriction bar 102 above the top surface 202 of the door sill 200 from a natural position. The spring 116 may also be forcibly compressed to enable the restriction bar 102 to move towards the mount bar 108. The spring 116 is disposed between the bolt 118 and the mounting tube 114. The spring 116 rests in the cavity that forms inside the mounting tube 114. Specifically, the spring 116 wraps around the bolt 118, abutting against the sidewalls of the cavity to compress and expand, depending on the forces applied thereon. In one embodiment, the spring 116 is a coil spring that naturally expands, yet is also adapted to be compressed, so as to store energy that can be used to push against the restriction bar 102.

[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the spring 116 is configured to position in a natural extended position 124 while wrapped around the bolt 118. The extended position 124 of the spring 116 urges the restriction bar 102 away from the mount bar 108, as the tension of the spring 116 presses against the restriction bar 102. FIG. 4B shows a close up view of the restriction bar 102 extended in front of an open threshold of a door 210.

[0046] Looking now at FIG. 5A, the spring 116 is further configured to be urged into a compressed position 126 by applying a downward force on the restriction bar 102. The force may include the weight of a wheeled vehicle. The compressed position 126 of the spring 116 enables the restriction bar 102 to be displaced towards the mount bar 108.

[0047] Because of the spring 116, the restriction bar 102 remains in a natural extended position 124 to block water, air, and pests; yet the spring 116 allows the weight of a wheeled vehicle to press the restriction bar 102 into the space 208 formed by the door sill 200 for passing over the barrier 100 and through the threshold of the door 210. FIG. 5B shows a close up view of the restriction bar 102 compressed into the space 208 of the door sill 200 in front of a closed threshold of a door 210.

[0048] While the inventor's above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of several preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the barrier may be used without a door sill, anchoring directly into the flooring. Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.