Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DEADBOLT LOCKING DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to deadbolt locking systems. More particularly,
the
present invention relates to a knob blocking device in order to prevent a
deadbolt
lock from being opened.
BACKGROUND
Doors can be secured and locked using many different types of door locks. The
deadbolt is one of the popular locking mechanisms and is well known in the
prior
art. A deadbolt is distinct from a spring bolt lock. One of the differences
between
the two mechanisms is that, in a deadbolt, the displacement of the bolt is
linked
to the rotation of the knob, and the lock can be open by displacing the bolt
with a
key. This makes the door lock more resistant to break in by using a thin
object to
slide between the door and its frame and displacing the bolt to open the lock.
Despite the added security, there are certain drawbacks associated with the
prior
art. For example, the current design can be lock picked by inserting a key
(bumping key) and hitting on the bumping key with a solid object, like a
hammer,
and then rotating the key to unlock the deadbolt.
Moreover, deadbolt locks can be opened by people having unauthorized copies
of the key. A person on the side of the deadbolt with the knob rotatable
between
locked and unlocked configurations does not have means to prevent a person
from using a key on the opposite side to unlock the deadbolt, unless some
additional locking device is available.
Consequently, there is a need for a device that addresses at least one of the
above-mentioned drawbacks.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide a solution to at least one
of the
above-mentioned prior art drawback.
In accordance with the present invention, one aspect of the above mentioned
object is achieved by a blocking device for locking a deadbolt or by a new
deadbolt design, such as the ones briefly described herein and such as the one
exemplified in the accompanying drawings.
According to the present invention, there is provided a blocking device for
locking
a knob of a deadbolt that is positionable between a locked position and an
unlocked position. The blocking device includes a knob restrictor shaped for
removable press-fitting engagement with a flange of the deadbolt and for
restricting movement of the knob between the locked and unlocked positions.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
deadbolt
comprising a housing structure, a knob positionable between a locked position
and unlocked position mounted about the housing structure and an aperture
positioned in the housing structure at a location under an area swept by the
displacement of the knob between the locked and unlocked positions.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
method
for installing the above-mentioned blocking device and/or deadbolt system.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
method
for operating the above-mentioned blocking device and/or deadbolt system.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit
for
assembling the above-mentioned blocking device and/or deadbolt system.
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According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also
provided a
method for assembling components of the above-mentioned kit.
The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more
apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of optional
embodiments thereof, given for the purpose of exemplification only, with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a knob restrictor according on an embodiment
of
the present invention.
Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the knob restrictor according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along cross-section lines A-A of the knob
restrictor shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the knob restrictor shown in Figure 2.
Figure 5 is an enlarged view of detail F shown in Figure 4.
Figure 6 is an enlarged view of detail G shown in Figure 2.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a deadbolt according to another embodiment
of
the present invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar
elements. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned
and/or dimensions shown in the figures or described in the present description
are optional embodiments only, given for exemplification purposes only.
In the context of the present invention, the expressions "deadbolt", "lock"
and
"locking device", and any other equivalent expression and/or compound words
thereof known in the art will be used interchangeably. Furthermore, the same
applies for any other mutually equivalent expressions, such as "knob blocking
device", "knob restrictor", "knob member" and "finger restrictor", for
example, as
also apparent to a person skilled in the art. Furthermore, and also in the
context
of the present description, the expressions "blocking element", "restrictor",
"pin"
and "rod" may also be used interchangeably, as well as "press-fitting" and
"firmly
fixable" when referring to "knob restrictor", or even "flexible", "elastic"
and
"ductile", when referring to "knob restrictor material". Furthermore, the
expressions "coefficient of friction", "friction", "rough surface" and other
equivalent
expressions may also be used interchangeably, as can be easily understood.
Moreover, although the optional embodiment of the present invention as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises components such as a knob
restrictor, a deadbolt, a groove, a pin, etc., and although the optional
embodiment
of knob blocking device and corresponding parts thereof consists of certain
geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of
these
components and geometries are essential to the invention and thus should not
be
taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken as to limit the
scope of the
present invention. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person
skilled in
the art, that other suitable components and cooperations thereinbetween, as
well
as other suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the knob blocking
device according to the present invention, as will be briefly explained herein
and
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as can be easily inferred herefrom, by a person skilled in the art, without
departing from the scope of the invention.
Broadly described, the knob blocking device according to the present
invention,
5 as exemplified in the accompanying drawings, is a knob blocking device
for
locking a deadbolt, typically by restricting the movement of the knob, the
knob
blocking device when installed, or activated, restricts the movement of the
knob
and therefore prevent a deadbolt lock from being opened.
Optionally and as better illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, the knob blocking
device of
the present invention according to an optional embodiment can be used with a
knob (22) of a deadbolt that is positionable between a locked position and an
unlocked position. The blocking device includes a knob restrictor (10) shaped
for
removable press-fitting engagement with a flange (24) of the deadbolt (20) and
for restricting movement of the knob (22) between the locked and unlocked
positions, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art when
referring to the accompanying drawings.
According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the knob
restrictor
(10) comprises a groove (12) shaped to surround the knob (22).
According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the knob
restrictor
(10) is made of a resilient flexible material firmly fixable on the flange
(24). The
flexible material of the knob restrictor (10) is selected such that a contact
surface
between the knob restrictor and the flange (24) of the deadbolt (20) has a
coefficient of friction sufficiently high to restrain movement of the knob
(22) upon
insertion of the knob restrictor (10) on the deadbolt knob.
According to second embodiment of the present invention, and as better
illustrated in Figure 7, the deadbolt (20) of the present invention comprises
a
housing structure (30), a knob (22) positionable between a locked position and
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unlocked position mounted about the housing structure (30) and an aperture
(28)
positioned in the housing structure (30) at a location under an area swept by
the
displacement of the knob (22) between the locked and unlocked positions.
According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the deadbolt
(20)
further comprises a blocking element (26) removably insertable in the aperture
(28) and shaped to block displacement of the knob (22) between the locked and
unlocked positions.
According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the blocking
element (26) is removably attachable to the housing structure (30).
Numerous other modifications could be made to the above-described knob
blocking device, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The
above-described embodiments are considered in all respect only as illustrative
and not restrictive, and the present application is intended to cover any
adaptations or variations thereof, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
Of
course, numerous other modifications could be made to the above-described
embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, as apparent to
a
person skilled in the art.
