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| United States Patent
|
5,711,555 |
| Leedy |
January 27, 1998 |
Combination grab bar and door lock
Abstract
This invention provides a combination grab bar and door lock for
grab bar systems of the type wherein a grab bar is mounted outside a
recreational vehicle and adjacent an outward-opening door. It
provides a grab bar system wherein the grab bar means may be
optionally positioned adjacent to an outside portion of the door and
locked into such position, thereby barring the opening of the door.
| Inventors: |
Leedy; Melvin (Yuma, AZ)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
08/525,363 |
| Filed: |
September 7, 1995 |
| Current U.S.
Class: |
292/202 ;
292/205; 292/297 |
| Current
International Class: |
E05C
19/00 (20060101); E05C 19/18 (20060101); E05B
67/00 (20060101); E05B 67/38 (20060101); E05C 003/04 () |
| Field of
Search: |
292/202,278,304,205,210,259A,285,297,298,DIG.17,281
70/14,57,77,91,93,101,135,203,212 16/112,113,126,82 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent
Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lindsey; Rodney M.
Assistant Examiner: Estremsky; Gary
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Stoneman; Martin L.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a grab bar system of the type wherein a grab bar is mounted
outside a recreational vehicle and adjacent an outward-opening door,
the improvement comprising, in combination:
a. a grab bar, lying essentially in a vertical plane, for assisting
entry to said recreational vehicle when said grab bar is in a first
position in a plane essentially perpendicular to the plane of said
door when said door is in a closed position,
i. said grab bar having a longest horizontal dimension longer than
the distance from said door to the location where said grab bar is
mounted;
b. mounting means for mounting said grab bar on said recreational
vehicle in such manner as to permit pivoting of said grab bar about
a vertical axis next to said recreational vehicle; and
c. locking means structured and arranged for
i. locking said grab bar, for assisting entry to said recreational
vehicle, into said first position essentially perpendicular to said
plane of said door when said door is in a closed position, and
ii. locking said grab bar, for barring opening of said door, into a
second position adjacent to an outside portion of said door and
essentially parallel to said plane of said door when said door is in
a closed position;
d. wherein said grab bar comprises a handle portion having an upper
and a lower cylindrical end portion, each said cylindrical end
portion being vertical and pointed downward.
2. The grab bar system of claim 1 wherein said mounting means
comprises an upper substantially vertical hollow cylinder for
receiving said upper cylindrical end portion of said grab bar and a
lower substantially vertical hollow cylinder for receiving said
lower cylindrical end portion of said grab bar.
3. The grab bar system of claim 2 wherein said locking means
comprises:
a. at least one substantially horizontal first hole in at least one
of said vertical end portions of said grab bar;
b. at least one substantially horizontal second hole in at least one
of said hollow cylinders;
c. said first hole and said second hole being positioned
substantially in line; and
d. lockable bar means for passing through both said first hole and
said second hole.
4. The grab bar system of claim 3 wherein:
a. said first hole lies in said vertical plane of said grab bar;
b. said second hole in the at least one of said hollow cylinders is
essentially perpendicular to said plane of said door when said door
is in a closed position;
c. said at least one of said hollow cylinders includes a third hole
essentially parallel to said plane of said door when said door is in
a closed position;
d. said first hole, said second hole, and said third hole being
positioned in essentially the same horizontal plane;
e. said lockable bar means is structured and arranged for
i. passing through both said first hole and said second hole
essentially perpendicular to said plane of said door when said door
is in a closed position, to lock said grab bar in position for
assisting entry to said recreational vehicle, and
ii. passing through both said first hole and said third hole
essentially parallel to said plane of said door when said door is in
a closed position, to lock said grab bar in position for barring
opening of said door.
5. The grab bar system of claim 4 wherein:
a. said lockable bar means is structured and arranged for
i. passing through both said first hole and said third hole
essentially parallel to said plane of said door when said door is in
a closed position, to lock said grab bar in position for stowing
flat against said recreational vehicle for safe travel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to providing a combination grab bar and door
lock for grab bar systems of the type wherein a grab bar is mounted
outside a recreational vehicle and adjacent an outward-opening door.
More particularly, this invention concerns a grab bar system wherein
the grab bar means may be optionally positioned adjacent to an
outside portion of the door and locked into such position, thereby
barring the opening of the door.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art, it is not unusual for the builder or user of a
motor home or other recreational vehicle to provide a grab bar or
courtesy handle next to the door of such vehicle to assist the
occupants in entering. More often than not, even if one or several
stairsteps are provided, typically a banister are not provided; thus
such grab bars are common. It has even been provided in the prior
art, since grab bars typically extend out at least a few inches from
the recreational vehicle, that such grab bars may be folded against
the side of the recreational vehicle or otherwise moved out of the
way during travel of the vehicle.
Also, it is not unusual in such motor homes and the like for there
to be provided only a single door thereto, typically opening
outward. Thus, only one door must be locked to normally protect the
vehicle contents. However, in this day and age of increased burglary
and similar thefts and crimes, there exists a safety need not only
for securely locking such doors on such motor homes and the like,
but also a need to lock such doors so that they cannot be opened
outward from the inside. This is because thieves and the like
commonly gain access through a window or other opening; and then
such thieves may typically open the door from the inside so as to
provide a handy exit through which to remove even large items from
the vehicle, often without calling attention to the situation from
others nearby.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to fulfill the
above-mentioned safety need by the provision of a system for
securely locking such door of such vehicles from the outside so that
such door can not be opened from the inside. A further primary
object of the present invention is to provide such a system which is
efficient, inexpensive, and handy. In addition, it is a primary
object of this invention to provide such system in connection with
and making use of the grab bar means already desired for such
vehicles. Other objects of this invention will become apparent with
reference to the following invention descriptions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a highly-preferred embodiment of the present invention,
this invention provides, in a grab bar system of the type wherein a
grab bar is mounted outside a recreational vehicle and adjacent an
outward-opening door, the steps of: mounting such grab bar to such
recreational vehicle in a swivelable manner in such manner that such
grab bar may be optionally positioned for assisting entry to such
recreational vehicle or for barring opening of such door;
positioning such grab bar for barring opening of such door; and
locking such grab bar in position for barring opening of such door.
Furthermore, according to such preferred embodiment of this
invention, there is provided, in a grab bar system of the type
wherein a grab bar is mounted outside a recreational vehicle and
adjacent an outward-opening door, the improvement comprising, in
combination: grab bar means for assisting entry to such recreational
vehicle; positioning means for (1) positioning such grab bar means
into a first position for assisting entry to such recreational
vehicle and (2) positioning such grab bar means into a second
position for restricting any opening of such door. Further provided
by this invention, according to the preferred embodiment, are
locking means for locking such grab bar means in such second
position for restricting any opening of such door. Also provided are
locking means for locking such grab bar means in such first position
for assisting entry to such recreational vehicle.
Additionally, the present invention provides, according to the
preferred embodiment, such improvement wherein such positioning
means includes means for positioning such grab bar means into a
third position for stowing flat against such recreational vehicle
for safe travel. And this invention even further provides such
improvement further comprising locking means for locking such grab
bar means in such third position for stowing flat against such
recreational vehicle for safe travel. Further provided is such
improvement wherein such positioning means comprises mounting means
for mounting such grab bar means on such recreational vehicle in
such manner as to permit pivoting of such grab bar means about a
vertical axis next to such recreational vehicle; and wherein such
grab bar means comprises at least one vertical end having a
substantially circular cross section; and wherein such mounting
means comprises at least one substantially vertical hollow cylinder
for receiving such vertical end of such grab bar means.
Yet additionally, according to the preferred embodiment, the present
invention provides such improvement wherein such locking means for
locking such grab bar means in such second position for restricting
any opening of such door comprises at least one substantially
horizontal first hole in such vertical end of such grab bar means;
at least one substantially horizontal second hole in such hollow
cylinder, such first hole and such second hole being positioned
substantially in line; and lockable bar means for passing through
both such first hole and such second hole. Also so provided is such
improvement wherein such locking means for locking such grab bar
means in such first position for assisting entry to such
recreational vehicle comprises: at least one such substantially
horizontal first hole in such vertical end of such grab bar means;
at least one substantially horizontal third hole in such hollow
cylinder, such first hole and such third hole being positioned
substantially in line; and lockable bar means for passing through
both such first hole and such third hole.
Yet even further, this invention provides, in accordance with a
preferred embodiment, such improvement wherein such locking means
for locking such grab bar means in such third position for stowing
flat against such recreational vehicle for safe travel comprises: at
least one such substantially horizontal first hole in such vertical
end of such grab bar means; at least one such substantially
horizontal second hole in such hollow cylinder, such first hole and
such second hole being positioned substantially in line; and
lockable bar means for passing through both such first hole and such
second hole. Also so provided is such improvement wherein such grab
bar means comprises a bar lying essentially within a vertical plane
and pivotable around such vertical axis of such vertical hollow
cylinder. And this invention also so provides such improvement
wherein such grab bar means, such positioning means and such locking
means are structured and arranged for (1) locking such grab bar
means, for assisting entry to such recreational vehicle, into a such
first position essentially perpendicular to the plane of such door
when such door is in a closed position, and (2) locking such grab
bar means, for barring opening of such door, into a such second
position adjacent to an outside portion of such door and essentially
parallel to such plane of such door when such door is in a closed
position.
Even additionally provided by the present invention, in accordance
with a preferred embodiment, in a grab bar system of the type
wherein a grab bar is mounted outside a recreational vehicle and
adjacent an outward-opening door, is the improvement comprising, in
combination: a grab bar, lying essentially in a vertical plane, for
assisting entry to such recreational vehicle when such grab bar is
in a first position in a plane essentially perpendicular to the
plane of such door when such door is in a closed position, such grab
bar having a longest horizontal dimension longer than the distance
from such door to the location where such grab bar is mounted;
mounting means for mounting such grab bar on such recreational
vehicle in such manner as to permit pivoting of such grab bar means
about a vertical axis next to such recreational vehicle; and locking
means structured and arranged for (1) locking such grab bar, for
assisting entry to such recreational vehicle, into such first
position essentially perpendicular to such plane of such door when
such door is in a closed position, and (2) locking such grab bar,
for barring opening of such door, into a second position adjacent to
an outside portion of such door and essentially parallel to such
plane of such door when such door is in a closed position.
Yet further so provided is such improvement wherein such grab bar
comprises a handle portion having an upper and a lower cylindrical
end portion, each such cylindrical end portion being vertical and
pointed downward; also, wherein such mounting means comprises an
upper substantially vertical hollow cylinder for receiving such
upper cylindrical end portion of such grab bar and a lower
substantially vertical hollow cylinder for receiving such upper
cylindrical end portion of such grab bar; and, also, wherein such
locking means comprise: at least one substantially horizontal first
hole in at least one of such vertical end portions of such grab bar
means; at least one substantially horizontal second hole in at least
one of such hollow cylinders; such first hole and such second hole
being positioned substantially in line; and lockable bar means for
passing through both such first hole and such second hole.
The present invention additionally provides such improvement
wherein: such first hole lies in such vertical plane of such grab
bar; such at least one of such hollow cylinders includes a such
second hole essentially perpendicular to such plane of such door
when such door is in a closed position; such at least one of such
hollow cylinders includes another such second hole essentially
parallel to such plane of such door when such door is in a closed
position; such first hole, such second hole, and such other second
hole being positioned in essentially the same horizontal plane; such
lockable bar means is structured and arranged for (1) passing
through both such first hole and such second hole essentially
perpendicular to such plane of such door when such door is in a
closed position, to lock such grab bar in position for assisting
entry to such recreational vehicle, and (2) passing through both
such first hole and such other second hole essentially parallel to
such plane of such door when such door is in a closed position, to
lock such grab bar in position for barring opening of such door.
Such improvement is also provided by this invention wherein such
lockable bar means is structured and arranged for passing through
both such first hole and such other second hole essentially parallel
to such plane of such door when such door is in a closed position,
to lock such grab bar in position for stowing flat against such
recreational vehicle for safe travel.
Yet even further provided by the present invention, according to a
preferred embodiment, are, in a grab bar system of the type wherein
a grab bar is mounted outside a recreational vehicle and adjacent an
outward-opening door, the steps of: mounting such grab bar to such
recreational vehicle in a swivelable manner in such manner that such
grab bar may be optionally positioned for assisting entry to such
recreational vehicle or for barring opening of such door;
positioning such grab bar for barring opening of such door; and
locking such grab bar in position for barring opening of such door.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates pictorially, in perspective, the grab bar system
of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention in
position for use for assisting entry to a recreational vehicle.
FIG. 2 illustrates pictorially, in perspective, the grab bar system
of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 according to the present
invention in position for use for stowing flat against a
recreational vehicle for travel.
FIG. 3 illustrates pictorially, in perspective, the grab bar system
of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 according to the present
invention in position for use for barring opening of the door of a
recreational vehicle.
FIG. 4 is a partial expanded and exploded view, partially in
section, illustrating, in perspective, individual parts of the
preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 of grab bar system of the present
invention.
FIG. 5 is an expanded side view illustrating the grab bar system of
the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the present invention and showing the
grab bar in position for assisting entry to a recreational vehicle.
FIG. 6 is a top view, partially in section, through the section 6--6
of FIG. 5, showing details of the locking means of the preferred
embodiment of FIG. 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an exploded view, in perspective, illustrating another
preferred embodiment of the locking means of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the locking means of the
embodiment of FIG. 7 in locked position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND THE BEST MODE OF
PRACTICE
With reference to FIGS. 1-6, the grab bar system 12 of the
illustrated preferred embodiment of the present invention is
preferred for use wherein a grab bar means shaped something like the
illustrated grab bar 14, for grabbing, is mounted outside a
recreational vehicle 16 and adjacent an outward-opening door 18, in
a common position for assisting entry to the recreational vehicle
16, as shown in FIG. 1.
The illustrated preferred grab bar system 12, as shown in FIGS. 1-6,
includes grab bar means in the form of grab bar 14. Grab bar 14
includes an upper cylindrical end portion 20, which is vertical and
is pointed downward; and grab bar 14 includes a lower cylindrical
end portion 22, which is also vertical and pointed downward. Handle
portion 24 of grab bar 14 lies between the grab bar end portions 20
and 22. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, mounting means 26
includes, as part of upper mounting bracket 28, an upper
substantially vertical hollow cylinder 30 for receiving the upper
cylindrical end portion 20 of grab bar 14 in a sliding fit; and
mounting means 26 also includes, as part of lower mounting bracket
32, a lower substantially vertical hollow cylinder 34 for receiving
the lower cylindrical end portion 22 of grab bar 14 in a sliding
fit.
In the illustrated preferred embodiment, locking means 36 includes,
as shown best in FIGS. 4 and 6, two substantially horizontal holes
38 and 40 through lower end portion 22 of grab bar 14. First hole 38
in end portion 22 is in the plane of grab bar 14, which, in the
preferred embodiment, as shown, is substantially in a vertical
plane. Second hole 40 in end portion 22 is in the same horizontal
plane as first hole 38 but is perpendicular to first hole 38, that
is, perpendicular to the vertical plane of grab bar 14. In the
illustrated preferred embodiment, locking means 36 further includes
horizontal hole 42 through lower substantially vertical hollow
cylinder 34, which hole 42 lies parallel to the plane of closed door
18, as shown. (Optionally, a second horizontal hole 44 perpendicular
to closed door 18 may be provided for a locking means as shown in
the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8.) In the illustrated preferred
embodiment, locking means 36 also includes padlock 46, a bar portion
48 of which may pass through hole 42 and one of holes 38 or 40,
depending upon which position grab bar 14 is to be locked in.
In operation, according to the illustrated preferred embodiment,
grab bar 14 (as shown best in FIG. 4) is placed downwardly in to
mounting means 26 until a stable position is reached with upper end
portion 20 within upper cylinder 30 and lower end portion 22 within
lower cylinder 34. The positioning means of the present invention
according to the illustrated preferred embodiment, that is, that,
since both end portions 20 and 22 are cylindrical and fit slidingly
within, respectively, hollow cylinders 30 and 34, as shown, that
grab bar 14 may be easily rotated, i.e., pivoted or swiveled, into
any of the positions shown in the drawings (after which positioning
grab bar 14 may be locked). With reference to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6,
grab bar 14 may be locked into the position in which grab bar 14 may
assist the entry through door 18 into recreational vehicle 16 of
persons climbing stairs 50, very helpful since usually such stairs
do not include support-grabs like a banister. In this position for
assisting entry, a bar portion 48 of padlock 46 will be made to pass
through holes 42 and 40, which are constructed to be aligned when
grab bar 14 settles into a said stable position and is properly
rotated.
With reference to FIG. 2, grab bar 14 may be locked into the
position in which grab bar 14 is stowed flat against the
recreational vehicle 16 in position for safe travel. In this
position for safe travel, a bar portion 48 of padlock 46 will be
made to pass through holes 42 and 38, which are constructed to be
aligned when grab bar 14 settles into a said stable position and is
properly rotated.
With reference to FIG. 3, grab bar 14 may be locked into the
position in which grab bar 14 is restricting or barring opening of
door 18 of recreational vehicle 16, for security, as discussed
above. It is seen that the longest horizontal dimension of grab bar
14 must be appropriately longer (depending on strength of materials)
than the distance from door 18 to the location of cylinders 30 and
34 within which grab bar 14 is mounted or grab bar 14 will not
effectively bar door 18 when properly rotated into position. In this
position for barring opening of door 18, a bar portion 48 of padlock
46 will be made to pass through holes 42 and 38, which are
constructed to be aligned when grab bar 14 settles into a said
stable position and is properly rotated. This locking is similar to
that of FIG. 2, except that hole 38 has been rotated about 180
degrees between its positions of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Padlock 46, of
course is equipped with key 51 to lock the same.
FIG. 6 shows the details of the mounting of brackets 28 and 32 on
recreational vehicle 16. As shown, bolts 52 are placed through
bracket holes 52a and vehicle wall holes 52b from the exterior
surface 53 of the vehicle 16 to the interior surface 55 of vehicle
16, where matching nuts 54 are attached to secure bolts 52 for this
mounting in well-known ways.
With reference to the embodiment of the locking means of FIGS. 7 and
8, it is easily seen that a lock 56 may be inserted into hole 44 to
lock, in well-known ways, grab bar 14 into any of the three
positions desired without any modification of grab bar 14.
All elements of the grab bar system 12 may be made in well-known
ways from steel or other rigid materials with well-known properties
within well-known dimensions, depending in most cases on the
properties of the materials chosen. Obviously, the dimensions such
as the grab bar end thicknesses are limited by the locking-means
dimensions chosen.
Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a recreational
vehicle user is provided with an efficient way to provide a grab bar
which will also serve the important security purpose of barring
opening of the vehicle door, even from the inside.
Although applicant has described applicant's preferred embodiments
of this invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of
this invention includes such modifications as diverse shapes and
sizes and materials. Such scope is limited only by the below claims
as read in connection with the above specification.
Further, many other advantages of applicant's invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions and
the below claims.
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