Blocking device for latch mechanism

• US 4,869,086 A
• Filed: 02/04/1988
• Issued: 09/26/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert M. Richards
• Original Assignee: Robert M. Richards
• Inventors: Richards, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wolfe, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US07/152,231
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 70/416, 70/207, 70/209, 70/210, 292/336.3, 292/347, 292/DIG. 2
• US Class Current: 70/416
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 13/002 locking the handle E05B13/10, E05B47/0657 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/577 Locked stationary
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7915 Tampering prevention or attack defeating

Abstract

A repositionable latch blocking apparatus for use with a latchable mechanism, the latchable mechanism having an operating device to operate the latchable mechanism between locked and unlocked positions, the latch blocking apparatus including a unitary configuration having at least a first surface, the unitary configuration having a fastening device disposed thereupon adjacent the operating device in use, to fasten the latch blocking apparatus proximate the operating device of the latchable mechanism, so as to position the at least first surface to block the operation of the operating device and thereby prevent the operation of the latchable mechanism between locked and unlocked positions, whereby when the latch blocking apparatus is repositioned, so as to position the at least first surface remote the operating device said repositioning allows operation of the latching mechanism.

Claims

1. A repositionable latch blocking means for use with latchable means, the latchable means having operating means to operate the latchable means between locked and unlocked positions, the latch blocking means comprising a unitary configuration having at least a first surface, the unitary configuration having fastening means disposed thereupon adjacent the operating means in use, to fasten the latch blocking means proximate the operating means of the latchable means, so as to position the at least first surface to block the operation of the operating means and thereby prevent the operation of the latchable means between locked and unlocked positions, whereby when the latch blocking means is repositioned, so as to position the at least first surface remote the operating means said repositioning allows the operation of the latchable means, wherein the fastening means further comprises interlocking material portions such as "Velcro".

2. The latch blocking means of claim 1 comprising a substantially planar element having an opening extending therethrough compatible with the operating means of the latching means.

3. The latch blocking means of claim 1 or 2, wherein the latch blocking means has first fastening means mounted thereupon for engagement with compatible second fastening means adjacent the operating means of the latching means.

4. The latch blocking means of claim 1 or 2 wherein the latching means comprises a lock for a door.

5. The latch blocking means of claim 3 wherein the latching means comprises a lock for a door.

6. The latch blocking means of claim 1 comprising at least a first and second planar element hingeably connected together remote the operating means in use, the first element being fastened proximate the operating means of the latching means but not engageable with the operating means, the at least a second element having the at least a first surface of the latch blocking means and being pivotable from a position remote the operating means to a position proximate the operating means, the at least first and second elements having fastening means disposed proximate their adjacent surfaces, adjacent when the at least a second element is pivoted to a position proximate the operating means, thereby engaging the at least a first surface and the operating means until such time as the at least a second element is pivoted away from the operating means.

7. The latch blocking means of claim 6 wherein the latching means comprises a lock for a door.

8. The latch blocking means of claim 1 comprising a substantially frustum shaped element, the at least a first surface being of compatible shape to engage the operating means of the latching means and thereby block the operation of the operating means until the latch blocking element is repositioned remote the operating means, the latch blocking means having first fastening means disposed about some of the surface area of the frustum shaped element, the first fastening means for engagement with second fastening means disposed proximate the operating means to maintain the blocking element in position whereby the at least a first surface of the blocking element blocks the operation of the operating means of the latching means until such time as at least a first surface of the blocking element are repositioned remote the operating means.

9. The latch blocking means of claim 8 wherein the substantially frustum shaped element has an opening disposed in the surface of the end of the element having the smaller diameter.

10. The latch blocking means of claim 9 wherein the at least a first surface of the blocking element and the opening disposed in the surface of the end of the element having the smaller diameter blocks the operation of the operating means of the latching means until such time as the at least a first surface of the blocking element and the opening are repositioned remote the operating means.

11. The latch blocking means of claim 8 wherein the latching means comprises a door knob having a centrally disposed rotatable operating means for locking and unlocking a door.

12. The latch blocking means of claim 9 or 10, wherein the latching means comprises a door knob having a centrally disposed rotatable operating means for locking and unlocking a door.

13. The latch blocking means of claim 1 comprising a substantially convex disc shaped element, the at least a first surface being of compatible shape to engage the operating means of the latching means and thereby block the operation of the operating means until the latch blocking element is repositioned remote the operating means, the latch blocking means having first fastening means disposed about some of the surface area of the convex disc shaped element, the first fastening means for engagement with second fastening means disposed proximate the operating means to maintain the blocking element in position whereby the at least a first surface of the blocking element blocks the operation of the operating means of the latching means until such time as the at least a first surface of the blocking element are repositioned remote the operating means.

14. The latch blocking means of claim 13 wherein the substantially convex disc shaped element has an opening disposed in the surface of the end of the element having the convex shape.

15. The latch blocking means of claim 14 wherein the at least a first surface of the blocking element and the opening disposed in the surface of the end of the element having the smaller diameter blocks the operation of the operating means of the latching means until such time as the at least a first surface of the blocking element and the opening are repositioned remote the operating means.

16. The latch blocking means of claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the latching means comprises a door knob having a centrally disposed rotatable operating means for locking and unlocking a door.