Abstract: An adjustable safety block assembly is disclosed which can be used to traverse an opening for a sliding door in order to block it. The assembly consists of inner and outer tubular members which can be telescoped together. One of the tubular members has a series of axially extending rows of holes spaced at even intervals, and staggered around the radius of the two. The other tubular member has groups of evenly axially spaced circumferentially distributed holes radially arranged. The tubular members may be telescoped until the desired length is achieved, and then holes of the inner and outer tubular members aligned so that locking means can be inserted through the aligned holes to fix the tubular members in relative position, to form a rigid bar. Thus, the safety block is easily adjustable to accommodate any patio door widths, and may be disassembled for storage and travel.

Abstract: A door guard for wedging an entry door into a closed position thereby preventing unauthorized, forced opening of the entry door. The door guard includes a base plate which rests on the floor area behind an entry door. A lower brace member is pivotally attached at one end to the base plate. An upper brace member is pivotally attached to the lower brace member with the upper brace member including a plastic coated yoke member which is placed under and partially around the doorknob of an entry door. A spring is positioned to coact between the upper and lower brace members to bias the brace members into an aligned relationship. The overall length of the door guard can be adjusted by connecting the upper brace member to the lower brace member at different openings along the lower brace member. After the upper and lower brace members are brought into an aligned relationship, a rectangular buckle lock is positioned to lock the members together.

Abstract: A non-key operated lock for the door of an occupied room comprising a vertically elongated prop member pivotally mounted to a guide member at its upper end for oscillation about a horizontal axis for movement between a first inoperative downwardly and outwardly inclined position with the lower end of the prop member spaced above the lower marginal edge of the door and a second operative position with the lower end of the prop member swung toward the door and projecting at least slightly below the door lower marginal edge for engagement with a horizontal surface, such as a floor, over which the lower marginal edge moves when the door is moved toward the open position thereof.

Abstract: It consists of a cylindrical tube carrying a spring inside with a hook on one end to engage the fixed trunk hasp and a ring or closed loop on the other end to be lockably engaged by the trunk latching mechanism usually carried on the trunk lid. Once the hook is engaged with the fixed ring of the trunk, the lower end of the tube is manipulated so that a pair of opposed slots in the lower end of the wall of the tube engage upon the ring or hasp of the trunk so that the spring is under relatively heavy tension and thus acts as a substantially rigid link when the trunk lid is closed and locked upon the other end of the spring.

Abstract: A device for fastening the trunk lid or tailgate of an automobile, for example when carrying an oversize load, which prevents the trunk lid or tailgate from being shut properly, comprises a strap adjustable for length and having at one end an openable clasp, similar to those used on dog leads, to engage a striker of the trunk lid or tailgate lock and at the other end a triangular keeper element with cylindrical portions of different diameters.The triangular keeper can be rotated within a loop of the strap to bring any one of the cylindrical portions into line with the strap. The selected cylindrical portion being that appropriate to be received in and retained by the latching member of the lock.Instead of the openable clasp illustrated, that end of the strap may be fitted with a plate having a keyhole slot to engage a cantilever striker of the kind with an enlarged head at its free end.

Abstract: A door jammer device for preventing opening from the outside of a inward-opening door is disclosed, comprising a substantially U-shaped member having a shorter arm, a longer arm, and a base. Screw means are installed though a threaded hole through the longer arm towards the shorter arm, for attaching the member to the door by clamping the door between the screw means and the shorter arm. A jamming member is pivotally attached to the longer arm and angles downwardly away from the U-shaped member to engage the floor. Thus, a door may be locked by tightening the screw means to clamp the device to the outside edge of the door near the floor, such that the jamming member engages the floor. The jamming member has downwardly protruding teeth at its floor-engaging end, and angles downwardly at an angle of approximately 15 to 20 degrees from the horizontal.

Abstract: The clamp/door stop device comprises an elongate frame including an elongate base with first and second feet each mounted at one end of the base. The feet rest on a planar supporting surface such as a floor. The platform on the base has a planar rest, and a frame portion extends upwardly from the platform and has a planar surface generally perpendicular to the plane of the planar rest. A clamping mechanism for clamping a portion of a door or like object against the planar surface with the object abutting the planar rest are provided. A rod is mounted on the base for sliding movement relative to and transversely of the base in a direction generally parallel to the planar surface and generally 90.degree. to an elongate axis of the elongate frame. A third foot is provided at one end of the rod and is movable with the rod between an extended position and a retracted position. A biasing spring is mounted on the rod at one end of the rod.

Abstract: An improved door brace. The brace includes an elongate canted arm having an upper end which interlocks with a door and a lower end contacting the floor at a point spaced away from the door. The upper end of the canted brace arm is shaped and dimensioned such that when forced entry is attempted the door is compressed into interlocking engagement with the upper end of the arm. The interlocking engagement of the upper end and the door enables the brace to more effectively resist shear forces which tend to separate the upper end of the brace arm from the door during an attempted forced entry.

Abstract: A combination door lock and alarm consists of an adjustable shaft, two pads which are able to pivot, and an automatic alarm. The pads are provided with non-skid surfaces which ensure the stability of the device. The pivot feature of the pads allows quick set-up of the device without the need of extensive adjustment. A novel alarm actuating means is also disclosed, which consists of a spring clip in contact with a toggle switch. The use of the toggle switch allows for a continuous alarm signal, even after pressure is removed from the device. The alarm actuating means is activated by a spring loaded shaft, which will be pushed into the main shaft of the device as pressure is applied to the door. The spring clip is mounted on the outside of the spring loaded shaft and the movement of this shaft is what forces the clip to trip the toggle switch. The unit is designed to fit conveniently into a suitcase for travel and can be suspended from a door knob when not in use.

Abstract: A rigid elongate bracket is provided which has at one end a disc-shaped lug generally corresponding to the lug on the door frame which is designed to interact with the door latch on the door of a vehicle, and has at the other end a hook-shaped member adapted to grasp the lug on the door frame, whereby the bracket can be fitted to hold the door in a partially open position while bodywork is being performed on the vehicle. The bracket preferably has a telescoping feature whereby the door edge can be anchored at different distances from the door frame.

Abstract: There is provided herein a portable door locking device for securing a door which consists of a base member having an abutment member adapted to abut one side of the door and supporting proximate thereto a tab arranged to engage the vertical door edge to prevent lateral movement of the device. The base member is arranged to extend beyond the door and door frame when the door is in a closed position and supports on its extremity a locking crossbar arranged to engage the door frame. For a second mode of operation, there is provided a floor engaging device having a screw clamp arranged to secure the device to the door and to lower a serrated foot member to engage the floor.

Abstract: A longitudinally adjustable and lockable brace bar carries a pivoted foot piece at its lower end having a friction facing to prevent slippage while in contact with the floor. At its other end, the brace bar carries a pivoted yoke on a pivot axis which is parallel to the foot piece pivot axis. The bifurcated yoke engages beneath a door knob shank solidly with the yoke lying in a plane perpendicular to the door knob shank and perpendicular to the plane occupied by the foot piece while the brace bar is at an angle to the door enabling the device to resist entry through the door in an efficient and positive manner.

Abstract: A door securer includes a generally U-shaped member that is adapted to be mounted on the side of a door that opens, as opposed to the side that is hinged. The inside leg of the U-shaped member is pivotably connected to a leg member that has a foot member pivotably mounted thereon remote from the universal joint. In situ, the leg member extends downwardly from the U-shaped member at an acute angle to the door, and the foot member engages the floor behind the door.

Abstract: A container lid (12) is held open by a support plate (18) carrying a chamber (20) which expands at a predetermined point in a sterilizing cycle to react against the lid, moving the plate outwardly to permit the lid to drop onto the container base. A resilient gasket (16) prevents fluid flow into the container after the lid is fallen, but permits fluid flow outwardly past the gasket when interior pressure exceeds exterior pressure. When the container is to be opened, a relief valve (60) relieves the vacuum within the container and filters air entering the container at that time.

Abstract: A base is provided for stationary mounting from a door and includes an elongated upright guide for positioning against the surface of the door which faces in the direction in which the door is moved toward the open position and with the guide located adjacent the lower marginal edge portion of the door near the free swinging edge thereof. A vertically elongated prop member is pivotally mounted at its upper end from an upper portion of the guide for oscillation about a horizontal axis generally paralleling the door surface and for movement between a first inoperative downwardly and outwardly inclined position with the lower end of the prop member spaced above the lower marginal edge of the door and a second operative position with the lower end of the prop member swung toward the door and projecting at least slightly below the door lower marginal edge for engagement with a horizontal surface, such as a floor, over which the lower marginal edge moves when the door is moved toward the open position thereof.

Abstract: A locking device for locking an outboard stern drive mechanism against removal from the stern of a boat, the locking device including a U-shaped cover member adapted to cover the stern drive mechanism. Support brackets are secured outboard of the stern and flanking the stern drive mechanism. The U-shaped cover member is pivotally connected to the brackets so that the cover member can be moved between a raised position providing access to the stern drive mechanism and a lowered position for covering the stern drive mechanism to prevent theft thereof. A locking member securely locks the cover member in its lowered position. The locking member includes a locking bar having a finger for extending into an opening in the stern drive mechanism so as to prevent the steering of the boat and operation of the stern drive mechanism.

Abstract: In a structure for removably mounting a support rod for supporting an openable closure member such as engine hood of a motor vehicle, a retainer means formed of a plastic material is provided which is attached to at least one end of the support rod. When it is attempted to support the closure member at its open position by means of the support rod, the retainer means is fitted in a mounting aperture formed in the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A door security device for bracing a door against illegal entry, having an elongated rod member of telescoping rod sections, a reversible foot member pivotally connected to the lower end of the rod member, the upper end portion of the rod member comprising an abutment member for engaging the surface of the door beneath a doorknob, an annular head pivotally connected to the upper end of the rod member for engaging the shaft of the doorknob, and an inelastic linear member threaded transversely of the head and over the doorknob shaft in operative position for securing the head upon the doorknob.

Abstract: A portable door lock and combined smoke and intrusion alarm has an upper forked end engageable with the door handle, a shaft extending in an adjustable length tube and terminating in a non-skid rubber end adapted to engage the floor or carpet. The upper end of the shaft is further retained in its mounted position by a retaining ring or cord. It has its lower end lying in a plane substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the shaft. A dual function alarm device is slidably mounted on the shaft and includes an actuator for it with a switch contact normally abutting or close to abutment with the surface of the door at a point below the door handle. Responsive to inward movement and pressure on the door the alarm will be actuated. At the same time, the locking action of the shaft and the upper forked end will divert the opening inward forces into forces directed against the floor so that the door cannot be opened.

Abstract: A door brace is disclosed adapted to interengage a door and a floor beneath the door and prevent unauthorized entry through the door. The brace comprises sections interconnected substantially end-to-end and collapsible with respect to each other into a compact form. One end section of the prop member has means adapted to engage the door, while the other end section has pivotally mounted base means adapted to engage the floor. Optionally, the prop member has lock means adapted to extend from the prop member to an exterior side of the door where the lock means is operable for locking or unlocking. The prop member may also have pressure-sensitive means adapted to signal a warning upon pressure upon the prop member due to unauthorized attempt to open the door.

Abstract: A door guard which is readily engaged with a door, the door swinging about a vertical axis above a floor. The door guard is simply formed of three members, one member for engaging the door, one member for anchoring against the floor and an intermediate locking member, all of which are pivotally connected to one another and swingable to form a rigid triangle including the door and the floor with the locking member and the floor anchoring member forming a diagonal leg of that triangle to prevent the swinging of the door about its hinges.

Abstract: The door stop mechanism wedges beneath the door knob of a closed door and against the floor to prevent the door from being opened from the outside. An over-center effect of the mechanism assures a positive lock securing position and an angular slot arrangement provides a foldable rigid mechanism without the use of other pins or fixing devices.

Abstract: A combination door lock and alarm has an upper end clip engageable with the door handle, a shaft extending in an adjustable length tube and terminating in a non-skid rubber end adapted to engage the floor or carpet. The clip at the upper end of the shaft is angularly mounted and has its lower end lying in a plane substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the shaft. An alarm device is also mounted on the shaft and includes an actuator for it with a switch contact normally abutting or close to abutment with the surface of the door at a point below the door handle. Responsive to inward movement and pressure on the door the alarm will be actuated. At the same time, the locking action of the shaft and clip will divert the opening inward forces into forces directed against the floor so that the door cannot be opened.

Abstract: A positioning device for selectively maintaining a vehicle closure member in an opened position and a closed position and including four pivotally interconnected link members which work in pairs for locking the closure member in the opened and closed positions.

Abstract: First and second elongated large and small diameter tubular members rotatably and telescopically engaged with each other are provided. The first and second members include exposed remote ends with one of the remote ends including a terminal end structure adapted to frictionally engage a floor surface and the other remote end includes a terminal end adapted to engage the shank portion of the doorknob. The large diameter elongated member is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite parallel outwardly opening first slots formed therein and the small diameter elongated member is provided with longitudinally spaced pairs of corresponding second slots with which the first pair of slots are selectively registrable.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing the opening of a movable closure--such as a pivoted door--from either side thereof. First and second rods are pivotedly mounted together to be folded up for storage or transport, or to be disposed in end-to-end relationship when the apparatus is operative. A third rod slides with respect to the first and second rods and operatively engages the first and second rods to lock them together in end-to-end relationship. A fork for engaging the door knob is provided at one end of the rods, and an engaging member for securely engaging either a carpet or a smooth floor is provided at the other end of the rods. A chain having an enlarged loop at one end and an elongated pin at the other end cooperates with a tubular member formed on the rods to facilitate locking of a pivoted door from the jamb side thereof.

Abstract: A self-locking hinge for use as a pivotal connector between two pivoted members and adapted to lock the members in a fixed angular relation. The hinge comprises a pair of circular plates that are rigidly affixed to opposite faces of one member and rotatably connected to the other member. The circular plates are used to laterally support both of the members and to guide the other member as it is rotated from a folded position to a fully extended position. The hinge is locked in the fully extended position by means of a locking ring that is slidably engaged with the other member. When such other member is fully extended, the ring engages corresponding locking indentations at the periphery of the circular plates and thereby blocks the movement of the other member in one angular direction. The movement of the other member is blocked in the opposite angular direction due to the abutting of the hinge ends of the members.

Abstract: The door guard exerts pressure against a door knob and a closed door thereby preventing the door from being opened or the door knob from being rotated. Tremendous pressure can be exerted against a door by the door guard because its upper member and lower member may pivot about each other which permits the placing of the upper end of the top member on the door knob and the lower end of the bottom member on the floor at a point closer to the door than would be possible if the guard had just one member or did not have pivotable members.

Abstract: An automobile trunk lid holder comprising a rod with an engagement means at each end capable of gripping in opposing directions and an offset intermediate therebetween, wherein the offset means allows one of the engagement means to engage the trunk lid with a gripping action and further allows the other engagement means to engage the trunk lid frame with a gripping action in a direction generally opposite to that of the first engagement means.

Abstract: A security device adapted to be applied to retain in closed relation container doors for lading against access into the container. The security device has a shelf portion with an upright arm secured thereto and adapted to be disposed in the path of opening movement of one or both of the container doors to prevent opening movement of the doors sufficiently to gain access to the lading in the container. The arm may be a part of an upright angle bar which forms a support for one end portion of the shelf portion while the opposite end of the shelf portion is supported by a rear upright member. The shelf portion is preferably yieldable to accommodate containers supported in different positions with respect to the surface of the transport vehicle. The upright arm may have a laterally extending arm connected therewith whereby the security device will have a retaining device in the path of both doors. Provision is made for discouraging cutting of the upright arm so as to remove it from the path of the door.

Abstract: A bracing bar comprises a solid bar telescopically inserted in a tube and anchored by a lock screw to set the length of the bracing bar. One end of the bracing bar has a coil spring and a male locking member secured thereto which can be connected to a first half of a trunk lock and the other end has a female locking member which can be connected to a second half of a trunk lock.

Abstract: A device for bracing a door against being forced open from the outside is an extensible rod having a floor-gripping member on one end and a door handle-gripping pair of jaws on the opposite end. The pair of jaws are pivotally mounted and shaped so that opposing edges of the jaws are wedged into clamping engagement with the door handle with a force proportionate to the force being used to push the door against the brace.