Portable Patents (Class 292/288)
  • Patent number: 5509701
    Abstract: A door bracing apparatus including a crossbar, a striker member threadedly connected to the crossbar inwardly of a first end of the crossbar, and a stabilizer member threadedly connected to the crossbar inwardly of a second end of the crossbar. The striker member extends outwardly generally transverse to the crossbar so as to fit against a surface of a frame of the door. The stabilizer member extends outwardly generally transverse to the crossbar and in parallel corresponding relationship to the striker member. The stabilizer member serves to fit against an opposite surface of the frame of the door. The striker member includes a first plate having a front flat surface thereon, a second plate connected to the first plate and extending toward the crossbar, and a threaded member connected to the second plate and to the crossbar. The stabilizer member includes an L-shaped member, a support surface and a threaded shank affixed to the L-shaped member and threadedly received by the crossbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventor: Michael Reinhard
  • Patent number: 5503212
    Abstract: A solar shield device includes a cylinder secured to a housing. A sheet material is wound on a reef of the housing and unwound for covering the vehicle. Two bars are slidably engaged in the housing and include a number of holes for engaging with fastening member which may secure the bars together. Two hooks are secured to the bars and oppositely extended outward of the housing. The bars may move toward or away from each other for adjusting relative position between the hooks such that the hooks may hook to the trunk of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventor: Zen C. Lin
  • Patent number: 5501493
    Abstract: A security device for securing first and second adjacent doors having first and second door knobs, respectively, is disclosed. Each door knob has a neck portion and a head portion. The security device comprises: (a) a rigid plate disposed substantially between two parallel planes; (b) first and second openings spaced apart from one another in a bottom wall of the plate; (c) first and second holes in first and second side walls of the plate, the holes extending through the plate into the openings; (d) first and second locking pins slidably disposed within the first and second holes; and (e) first and second springs attached to the pins which bias the pins to the locking position. The springs can retract into enlarged portions of the holes when the locking pins are in their unlocked positions. The first and second locking pins extend below the respective neck portions of the door knobs when the locking pins are in their locking positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Robert H. Arthur
  • Patent number: 5501494
    Abstract: A portable door lock includes an interior member and an exterior member which are connected to each other by a cord. The interior member is slidable along the cord and the cord is provided with a stopping member which is engageable by the interior member to prevent movement of the interior member along the cord away from the exterior member. In a first embodiment, the interior and exterior members are spheres and the stopping member is a knot and a washer. The interior sphere is substantially hollow and has a through bore with a key hole for engaging the washer. The cord is provided with a loop adjacent the exterior sphere for hanging the exterior sphere on an exterior door knob. In a second embodiment, the exterior member is a truncated hollow sphere which is dimensioned to fit over an exterior door knob. The strength of the lock is dependent on the materials chosen, but should be sufficient to be impenetrable by children, but easy for an adult to break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas Willetts
  • Patent number: 5496081
    Abstract: A door security device includes an elongate support bar, attachment mechanism mounted to the support bar, opposing blocking members attached to opposing ends of the support bar, and an actuation mechanism. In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism includes a pair of generally J-shaped hooks which engage a portion of a door. The blocking members include a surface thereon which rests flush against the door frame. The actuation mechanism includes a handle assembly which is pivotally connected to the hooks. The handle assembly includes a camming surface thereon which contacts the support bar. The security device is actuated by positioning the hooks about the door and positioning the blocking members flush against the door frame. The handle is then pivoted, causing the camming surface to pivot about the support bar and pull the hooks away from the door and towards the support bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Richard J. Bagan, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Rice
  • Patent number: 5480200
    Abstract: A portable auxiliary locking device for use with a door hung in a door jamb having a latch hole for receiving a horizontally extendible latch bolt. The locking device includes a plate thin enough to fit in the gap between the door and the doorjamb and long enough to extend inside the door and the doorjamb when the door is closed. The plate has at least one vertical slot and a tongue extending transversely from one end of the plate dimensioned to fit within the latch hole. A cross plate slides into a slot in the plate until a notch on the bottom edge of the cross plate engages the plate and locks the position of the cross plate. The cross plate includes an off-centered threaded aperture to accept a bolt. The bolt is adapted to be threaded through the aperture until it makes firm contact with the door or doorjamb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Inventor: David Aintablian
  • Patent number: 5462321
    Abstract: Small portable mechanical units manually installable to provide an auxiliary lock for outward opening doors such as are normally used on motor homes etc are disclosed. Embodiments are included that are useable on doors with various types of latching mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Lloyd J. Osborn
  • Patent number: 5462323
    Abstract: The sliding windows in the back of the cab of a pick-up truck are vulnerable to break-ins because a thief can pry the panes apart using friction from the pressure of his hand on the panes. The normal clamp is by-passed during this type of break-in. An adjustable-length strut is formed with hook-shaped ends. The hook-ends engage around the outer edges of the sliding panes. A catch on the strut comprises a peg which is spring-loaded into engagement with a notch. When the driver presses the peg, he thereby disengages the catch on the strut, allowing the strut to be set to the length where the hook ends can be engaged to and disengaged from the edges of the panes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Keith G. Benninger
  • Patent number: 5462322
    Abstract: A portable door lock operable from the inside of a door for selectively clamping or unclamping the door latch. Such door lock comprises two halves pivoted together centrally and having confronting serrated semi-circular openings at one end and screw means for selectively pivoting said halves at the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Alex Berezansky
  • Patent number: 5452929
    Abstract: A security apparatus for restricting the opening of a door in a frame consisting of lag bolts screwed into the frame near opposite edges of the door and a nylon belt fastened to each lag bolt. An aperture is formed near each end of the belt and the lag bolts are extended through the apertures in order to fasten the belt to the bolts. The belt can be elongated slightly, and it is preferred that the distance between the apertures is slightly less than the distance between the bolts. Any elongation above a specified amount requires substantially higher force than that required to elongate the belt for putting it in its operable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Universal Development Enterprises
    Inventor: Ronald R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5431461
    Abstract: A bar (20, 120) includes a first end (22, 122), which is engageable with a window (12,112), and a second end (24, 124) which is engageable with a window guide (16) or another window (114), depending upon whether the bar is used with a single sliding window or two sliding windows. In one configuration (FIGS. 6-9), where both windows can slide, the second end (124) is engageable with a second of the windows. In another configuration (FIGS. 1-5), where only one window can slide, the second end (14) is engageable with a part of the vehicle, specifically, a window guide (16). It is also possible (FIG. 10) to use two bars (20) formed in the configuration where both windows can slide, by placing them respectively between the edges (112a, 114a) of windows (112, 114) and the window guides (116).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Inventors: Edward W. Andersen, III, Dikran Shirinian
  • Patent number: 5419165
    Abstract: An electrical panel locking apparatus includes first and second elongated angle iron bars having panel gripping hooks on one end of each elongated bar. One of the elongated bars has a flanged end portion with an angled slot therethrough for sliding the other elongated bar so that one telescopes inside the other and each angle iron elongated bar has a plurality of openings therein so that openings in one bar can be aligned with the openings in another bar for inserting the shackle of a padlock to lock the bars together. Thus, the hooks on each bar connect to either side of the front panel of an electric box and each has an off-set angle to allow the locking bars to fit over the panel door. The elongated bars can be telescoped to clip around the edges of any size panel and over the panel door and locked in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Inventor: Jon T. Perkins
  • Patent number: 5415444
    Abstract: A device or structure for temporarily securing a door, which the occupant of a room (such as a motel or hotel room) can affix to secure the door from being opened from the outside, while the occupant is in the room. The apparatus may be carried in a briefcase or suitcase, it requires no modifications of the door or door frame, it does not mar any surfaces, it may be installed or removed quickly by the occupant and is economical to build.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventors: Harold L. Hull, Jeff D. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5388876
    Abstract: A safety latching device for refrigerators of the type having at least one vertically-hinged door extending the entire length of the refrigerator. The safety latching device includes an elongated support base having a latching bar rotatably attached thereto secured to the top of the refrigerator, and a coupling plate having a slot therein secured to the top of the refrigerator door in alignment with the latching bar. To prevent the refrigerator door from being opened by a young child, the latching bar is positioned in the coupling plate slot. To allow access to the refrigerator by an adult, the latching bar is rotatably moved from the slot. For refrigerators having more than one vertically-hinged door, the safety latching device utilizes a pair of latching bars with a pair of corresponding coupling plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Inventor: Mark Saincome
  • Patent number: 5386664
    Abstract: The window security system is provided for conventional horizontally sliding double slash doors and/or windows. The security system includes a removable and replaceable security member which is mountable upon a top portion of the inner sash to prevent the inner sash from being raised a sufficient distance within its channel to be removed from the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Anthony L. Lumenello
    Inventor: Peter Lumenello
  • Patent number: 5375712
    Abstract: A security container for storing various articles is formed with a groove along one edge of a cover which extends parallel with a similar groove formed on a base of the container, when the cover is in a closed position on the base. A generally U-shaped slide latch is slidably removably mounted in the spaced grooves for movement therealong between locked and unlocked positions. A plurality of projections on the slide latch engage flexible tabs on the base to secure the slide latch in locked position upon an open end of the slide latch reaching a stop formed on an end of the base. A manually operated key has tangs which are inserted through openings formed in the slide latch to disengage the flexible tabs from the projections, permitting the slide latch to be slidably removed from the container grooves enabling the cover to be opened from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Alpha Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: James T. Weisburn
  • Patent number: 5364140
    Abstract: A door security device includes an elongate support bar, attachment mechanism mounted to the support bar, opposing blocking members attached to opposing ends of the support bar, and an actuation mechanism. The attachment mechanism includes a pair of generally J-shaped hooks which engage a portion of a door. The blocking members include a surface thereon which rests flush against the door frame. The actuation mechanism includes a handle assembly which is pivotally connected to the hooks. The handle assembly includes a camming surface thereon which contacts the support bar. The security device is actuated by positioning the hooks about the door and positioning the blocking members flush against the door frame. The handle is then pivoted, causing the camming surface to pivot about the support bar and pull the hooks away from the door and towards the support bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Richard J. Bagan, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Rice
  • Patent number: 5361539
    Abstract: A demountable door securing device includes a door edge engaging plate with a right angled bend adapted to rest against one face of the door and an extended portion terminating in a hinge on the opposite side of the door. A rotating door engaging member including a planar portion and a right angled portion can be rotated to engage a face of the door. A security bar through apertured tabs in the extended portion prevents rotation of the planar portion. The right angled bend includes an extended bar portion parallel to the door face at the free end of which a hasp is pivotally mounted. The hasp rotates into engagement with the door frame and is held in place by a securing bar extending outward from the right angled bend. A tongue on the free end of the securing bar fits through an aperture in the hasp and holes in the tongue can receive a locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventor: Charles D. Widener
  • Patent number: 5358293
    Abstract: A restraint device for preventing access to a compartment having a door includes a plate. The plate includes first and second ends, the second end thereof including an aperture. Structure is provided for mounting the plate to the compartment. A closure device is provided, and is slidably disposed within the plate aperture for selectively blocking the opening of the compartment door. The closure device is disposed generally perpendicular to the plate and is adapted to be positioned adjacent to the compartment door and is operable between first and second positions. In the first position, the closure device rigidly engages the plate and is positioned adjacent to the compartment door to thereby prevent opening of the compartment door. In the second position, the closure device is disengaged from the plate and is slidable to a position to allow opening of the compartment door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: James B. Bradley, Jr.
    Inventors: James B. Bradley, Jr., Richard W. Beasley
  • Patent number: 5340173
    Abstract: A door security device comprising an elongated body member which has a head section at one end adapted for employment in proximity to a door, a reduced intermediate section, and a gripping section at the other end, adapted to engage the floor of the room into which the door opens. The gripping section is provided with a bottom facing having a downwardly depending stop adapted to engage the horizontal floor surface of the room in a gripping action and limit movement of the elongated body member upon the application of a horizontal force component through the head section. The head section comprises a generally vertical bumper face adapted to contact the door near the floor to provide a relatively shallow acute angle between the bumper face and the stop of the gripping section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Inventor: Stanley C. Bethel
  • Patent number: 5320398
    Abstract: A tie-down mechanism for securing a pivotally mounted automobile trunk lid 20 when objects 24 in the trunk are too large to allow the fully closing of the lid. The mechanism includes a reel 32 journalled for rotation on a reel housing 34 which is attached to the underside of the trunk lid. A flexible strap 41 wound on the reel spool is provided with a fastener 46 on its free end. A ratchet and pawl mechanism mounted on the reel housing includes a pawl 58 which is normally spring biased to lock the ratchet and reel against rotation in the unwinding direction. The reel is releasable by manual retraction of the pawl from engagement with the ratchet and the pawl held in the disengaged position by cooperation of a holding pin 70 on the pawl and a shoulder on the pawl carrier 56. With reel released, the strap can be withdrawn from the reel and its free end secured to an anchoring element 23 in the trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Inventors: Brian G Popp, Norbert B. Popp
  • Patent number: 5299437
    Abstract: A lock assembly is described for a door, the assembly including a gib having at least one flange. A locking unit has a first wall including an edge portion on the wall for sliding into the gib and for engaging the flange on the gib such that the locking unit is retained by the gib. A locking latch is movable between an unlocked position in the locking unit and a locked position such that the locking latch engages a wall in a frame when in the locked position. A second wall extends from the first wall of the locking unit in a direction substantially non-parallel to the first wall of the locking unit to keep the door closed when the locking latch is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Anthony's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Paugh
  • Patent number: 5297692
    Abstract: A barrel cover retainer in the form of a flexible band: end of the band is looped around one handle of the barrel; the band extends across the cover; and the opposite end of the band is looped around the other handle, folded back on itself, pulled taught, and held in place by hook and loop fastener means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Inventor: Leroy M. Kronmiller
  • Patent number: 5294160
    Abstract: A security device for securing first and second adjacent doors having first and second door knobs, respectively. Each door knob has a neck portion and a head portion. The security device comprises: (a) a rigid plate disposed substantially between two parallel planes; (b) first and second openings spaced apart from one another in a bottom wall of the plate; (c) first and second holes in first and second side walls of the plate, the holes extending through the plate into the openings; and (d) first and second locking pins slidably disposed within the first and second holes. The first and second locking pins extend below the respective neck portions of the door knobs when the locking pins are in their locking positions. The locking pins have protruding portions extending out of the side walls of the plate for gripping by a user of the security device. A ball can be provided near an inner end of each locking pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Inventor: Robert H. Arthur
  • Patent number: 5291760
    Abstract: A portable lock for doors, intended for use at hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions, whose rooms do not have a lock when they are occupied by patients or other occupants. The lock has a unitary plate upon which is mounted a clamping mechanism for attachment to the door and a locking mechanism. The lock can be manually attached and removed from the door without the use of tools and is independent of the doorknob or handle assembly and the associated keeper. In one embodiment, a key is used to unlock the door, and in another embodiment, a padlock or combination lock, and/or a tamper proof seal can be used to lock the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Inventor: Anthony Schrader
  • Patent number: 5280976
    Abstract: A security device for preventing the opening of a hinged door surrounded by a door frame and a door jamb. The security device includes a jamb mount attachable to the door jamb and having horizontal guide plates which extend outwardly from the door frame. The device also includes a locking mount which has horizontal guide plates for juxtaposed disposition with the jamb mount guide plates and which are provided with extending arm portions engageable with a side of the door upon attempted opening thereof. A vertical pin member of polygonal cross-section is engageable with corresponding polygonal holes in one or both of the jamb mount and locking mount guide plates locking the jamb mount and locking mount together to prevent opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Inventor: Solly Melyon
  • Patent number: 5265448
    Abstract: In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention, a door lock for a rear door of a van includes a T-shaped member having a leg that is received in the opening between the door hinges, and arms that extend outward from the leg over a portion of the door and the body, respectively. The leg is padlocked against removal from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventor: Albert M. Fontenot
  • Patent number: 5265922
    Abstract: A detachable door lock having a door contact member which is secured to a door frame contact member. A spacer is provided between the door contact member and the door frame contact member so as to position the two members in contact with the door and the door frame, respectively. The door contact member and the door frame contact member, as well as the spacer, are releasably secured to the door hinge to maintain the door contact member in contact with the door and the door frame contact member in contact with the door frame. The door lock limits the amount of rotation of the door about the hinge and thus prevents entry through the doorway when the door is closed and the lock is attached to the hinge. The door lock may be adjusted so as to conform to various door and door frame configurations as well as to permit limited opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventor: Gregory Falcone
  • Patent number: 5232116
    Abstract: A can clip comprises a generally C-shape spring metal clip body having a central bight portion and upper and lower arms extending from said central bight portion and defining between outer ends thereof an opening for passage therebetween of the peripheral edge portion of a lid and annular bead of a container. The central bight portion has a J-shape formed by an upright stem and a rounded base forming the lower end of the clip body. The lower arm slopes upwardly and outwardly and away from the rounded base and has an outer end portion intended to engage the underside of the container bead adjacent the side wall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Tom Thumb Clip Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Carlton W. Baxter
  • Patent number: 5230541
    Abstract: A fastener for cabinets is provided, which can be easily adjusted to securely fasten together the paired handles of a cabinet, regardless of their spacing. The cabinet fastener includes a housing having, on one side, a latch opening of predetermined width, a finger opening disposed adjacent the latch opening and a stop disposed between the latch opening and the finger opening. One end of a flexible, elongated band having two ends passes through an opening in the housing on the side opposite the side having the latch opening, and is adjustably retained in said housing. A resilient primary latch is disposed at the opposite end of the band, which has a normal width greater than the width of the latch opening and is adapted to resiliently deflect to a smaller width to fit through the latch opening and spring back so that a portion of the primary latch protrudes into the finger opening and engages the stop, preventing the primary latch from being pulled from the latch opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Kiddie Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph M. Nowak
  • Patent number: 5209533
    Abstract: A door guard for preventing a child from opening a refrigerator door while not reducing adult access to the refrigerator comprising an elongated rigid bar having flanges at each end, the bar being sized in length to fit between the back wall of the refrigerator and the front wall of the door of the refrigerator in the locked position. The bar is mounted on top of the refrigerator and prevents access from a small child while still allowing an adult to quickly raise the bar in order to open the refrigerator door. The device prevents a child from inadvertently leaving the refrigerator door open for long, unattended periods which could cause damage to the refrigerator compressor motor while also preventing a child from having access to the interior of the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventor: Louise G. Menard
  • Patent number: 5203597
    Abstract: The invention is to a safety device which can be fitted onto existing doors to prevent the inadvertent usage or opening of various household devices. These can be for example, refrigerators, microwave ovens, VCRs, etc. The device typically prevents small children from opening the door and/or using these devices without supervision. The device comprises a set of telescopically engaging members which are held tightly together over the handle of the door by a thumbscrew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Inventor: Karl E. Wheelock
  • Patent number: 5199759
    Abstract: A floor-mounted door lock which includes in a first preferred embodiment, a floor anchor mounted to the floor near a door threshold in the path of swing of a door and having an upward-standing anchor flange. An anchor wedge is fitted with a bottom slot for removably receiving the anchor flange and obstructing the opening swing of the door. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the floor anchor is provided with a flange opening and the anchor wedge has a downwardly-extending wedge flange for registration with the flange opening and mounting the anchor wedge in position to block opening of the door. In a third preferred embodiment for application to raised thresholds, a flat threshold plate is fitted with an engaging flange on one end for engaging the threshold outside of the door and an upward-standing anchor flange or slot located at the opposite end for interlocking with an anchor wedge to locate the anchor wedge in a position to block the opening swing of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventor: Ronald D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5193867
    Abstract: A portable security device for preventing normal opening of a door includes a hard steel strap having a hooked end for engaging a doorjamb and an extension that includes a plurality of aligned rectangular apertures. A U-shaped clip is slidable along the strap extension and has a tang formed in one leg for engagement with any of the apertures. A spring-loaded plunger is captivated between the legs of the U-shaped clip with the plunger extending beyond the clip to engage a door and force the tang into one of the apertures during installation. A bow in the leg in which the tang is formed permits a small lock to preclude movement of the tang out of the aperture and makes the device useful for securing a drawer in a mating frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventor: Royce H. Husted
  • Patent number: 5174456
    Abstract: Methods and devices for locking the door or flap of a typical pick-up truck shell closed from the interior of the shell employ a substantially rigid member which is selectively secured to moving parts of the existing latch mechanism to prohibit such moving parts from moving and, to, thereby, selectively prohibit the latch mechanism from unlatching or unlocking the door or flap of the shell. In order to lock the shell door or flap, the substantially rigid member is abutted against and secured to moving parts of the latch mechanism from the interior of the shell. In this manner, a person inside of the shell and pick-up bed may secure the flap or door in a closed position and prohibit the flap or door from being opened by prohibiting movement of the moving parts of the latch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Inventor: Steven Grody
  • Patent number: 5165743
    Abstract: A device, system and method of tailgate locking in accordance with the invention includes a lock housing, a locking member and a bracket having a flange. The bracket is connected to the lock housing. The locking member is releasably connected to the lock housing and adapted to engage a truck canopy handle. The bracket is adapted to engage a truck tailgate handle. In accordance with the method of the invention a pick-up truck canopy handle is effectively locked to a truck tailgate handle using the locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Inventor: Ronald F. Zock
  • Patent number: 5154459
    Abstract: A camper shell locking device (10) for captively engaging the door (102) of a camper shell relative to a truck tailgate (100); wherein, the device (10) comprises a main bracket member (20) having a sleeve element (21) which fits over the tailgate (100), and a backing plate member (24) which contacts the back of the camper door (102); and a closure panel member (30) pivotally connected to the sleeve element (21) and dimensioned to be engaged in a locked fashion against the front of the caper door (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Inventor: Mark W. Cochran
  • Patent number: 5152564
    Abstract: A "U" shaped door lock is arranged to receive adjacent handles of a refrigerator door therebetween formed of typically "L" shaped configurations and adjacency relative to one another. The door lock apparatus includes spaced parallel legs of deflectable memory retentent material to effect spring back of the legs when directed together, with a modification of the invention to include a latch member mounted at a lower end of the legs requiring deflection of the legs permitting engagement of the latch relative to both legs to receive adjacent door handles of closed "C" shaped configurations. A further modification of the invention includes an audible alarm member mounted to one of the legs actuated upon attempted removal of the lock member relative to the refrigerator handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Inventor: Ronald W. Martineau
  • Patent number: 5150934
    Abstract: Methods and devices for locking the door or flap of a typical pick-up shell closed from the interior of the shell employ a substantially rigid member which is selectively secured to moving parts of the existing latch mechanism to prohibit such moving parts from moving and, to, thereby, selectively prohibit the latch mechanism from unlatching or unlocking the door or flap of the shell. In order to lock the shell door or flap, the substantially rigid member is abutted against and secured to moving parts of the latch mechanism from the interior of the shell. In this manner, a person inside of the shell and pick-up bed may secure the flap or door in a closed position and prohibit the flap or door from being opened by prohibiting movement of the moving parts of the latch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Inventor: Steven Grody
  • Patent number: 5125699
    Abstract: A generally Z-shaped window locking accessory which allows a window to be opened only a predetermined amount. The window locking accessory functions to secure one window against the other in a contained window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventor: Peggi K. Dinan
  • Patent number: 5118144
    Abstract: Latching members made of single strips of resilient material which can be removably attached to the rim of a conventional metal garbage can receptacle at spaced locations along the rim. The resilient strips are bent in a substantially U-shaped configuration to form clips having a substantially arcuate or cylindrical bight portion with an entranceway or mouth whose width is less than the diameter of the bight so that it can be snapped over the rim of a garbage can lid. One of the U-shaped resilient strips can pivot on the lid rim so that one leg can be positioned beneath the lip or upper beaded portion of the can to preclude removal of the lid from the can when used in combination with the other, resilient clips mounted on the lower beaded portion of the garbage can lid, with a leg beneath the can bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Inventor: Robert Garofalo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5114194
    Abstract: A safety closure device to prevent access by young children to appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers and ovens. The safety closure device comprises a mounting means to secure the device to the appliance without damaging said appliance, a blocking means that alternately allows and prevents the door of the appliance from opening, a retention means that holds said blocking means in place and a releasing means that allows the release of said retention means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Inventors: Pamela G. Toifl, Samuel D. Toifl
  • Patent number: 5102173
    Abstract: A reenforcer (11) has a body (12) and an extension (13) which are disposed between and engage the sliding panel and the frame of typical sliding glass door or window assemblies to hinder movement of the sliding panel by an intruder. Improved adjustment and reenforcement characteristics are attained by coupling the base and extension by a reenforcement assembly (14), forming a plurality of holes (19), (24), (32) through the base, extension, and reenforcement assembly providing for selective alignment of said holes, and providing latch-borne knobs (28), (36) for selectively engaging the aligned holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Inventor: John R. Schallern
  • Patent number: 5098142
    Abstract: A door locking device for preventing an opening of a hinged door. The locking device of the present invention includes a door jamb restraint independent of the conventional striker plate and secured to a door facing surface of the door jamb. In one embodiment, a main plate is provided independent of the door handle for engagement with the door jamb restraint. The main plate includes a central plate portion in engagement with the door jamb restraint, a first wing fixed on one side of the central plate portion for engagement with the interior room wall, and a second wing portion fixed on the opposing side of the central plate portion for engagement with the door, thereby preventing rotation of the main plate with respect to the door jamb restraint and thus preventing opening of the door. The device of the present invention is relatively inexpensive and does not operate in conjunction with the door handle or a conventional door jamb striker plate for increased versatility and ease of installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Albert M. Fontenot
  • Patent number: 5096241
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for preventing latching of a door panel, or other closure device, the apparatus including a body member for blocking action of a latch mechanism and an adhering member for releasably attaching the body member to a part of the latch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Badger
  • Patent number: 5078295
    Abstract: An apparatus including a lid for securement to an underlying container, wherein the lid includes a plurality of pivotally mounted linkages to permit tensioning and untensioning from associated springs to permit ease of mounting and dismounting the lid apparatus relative to the associated container in a locking relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Inventor: Reginald H. Grant
  • Patent number: 5074604
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a latch retaining device to maintain the latch of a door in an inoperable position, which includes at least one body member adapted to engage and grip the door knob of the door so as to retain the door knob in its latch releasing rotated position indefinitely. The body member of the device may have first and second ends with the first end thereof adapted to frictionally engage the door adjacent the position of the door knob, whereby frictional engagement between the device and the door as well as the door knob enable the door knob to be maintained in a position to render the door latch inoperative. Alternatively, the body member may frictionally engage a door knob and exert an appropriate force thereon to maintain it in a latch releasing position. The at least one body member is secured in its frictionally engaging position by means of a cincturing strap associated with the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Albrecht, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Merendino, Fred I. Albrecht
  • Patent number: 5056836
    Abstract: A door security device which includes a pair of pivotably connected members with one of the members being provided with a plurality of angularly extending tapered prongs engagable with a carpet or other penetratable floor covering, and the other member including a surface which abuts the door to resist movement of the door. During transportation, the two pivotably connected members can be rotated towards each other and the tapered prongs covered to reduce the risk of injury to individuals handling the device, or damage to garments or other items which may be stored or transported with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventor: Lewis M. Wells
  • Patent number: 5044681
    Abstract: A door stop arrangement is directed between a door frame and a door for positioning upon a hinge to effect maintaining the door in an opened configuration. The door stop includes a "V" shaped body defined by a joinder line, with the "V" shaped body including an "L" shaped handle extending rearwardly of the body bisecting an acute included angle between the plates defining the body to permit positioning of the "L" shaped handle overlying the hinge when the plates are directed between the door and door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventor: Carey W. Neighbors
  • Patent number: 5027471
    Abstract: A door prop device for the purpose of maintaining a hinged door in a propped-open position against the forces of spring tension, wind, gravity, or other causes, which will effectively function without damaging either the door or any adjacent structure and which will function on doors which pivot on vertical axes, horizontal axes, or any pivot axes orientations between vertical and horizontal. The device comprises a block-shaped prop member and a retainer member attached to the prop member. The retainer member is adapted to be placed over and engage with a hinge pin of an opened door hinge whereby the prop member is caused to assume an obstructing position in the space between the separated plates of the opened hinge. When it is desired to close the door, the door prop device is simply removed from the hinge and the door may then be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Inventor: Larry Barnes