Method of preventing persons from forgetting a door key and being locked out of a room

• US 6,694,787 B1
• Filed: 11/20/2002
• Issued: 02/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kent L. Brown
• Original Assignee: Kent L. Brown
• Inventors: Brown, Kent L.
• Primary Examiner(s): BARRETT, SUZANNE LALE DINO
• Application Number:
  US10/300,143
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 704/29, 704/30, 704/56.R, 292/DIG.17, 24/36, 206/37.1, 206/38.1, 211/87.01, 211/119.004, 224/572, 116/8-10, 116/167, 116/172
• US Class Current: 70/456.00R
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/005 Preventing accidental lock-out, e.g. by obstruction in the striker securing the bolt in the retracted position E05B63/18; stops and buffers preventing the slamming of wings E05F5/02
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/00 Keys; Accessories therefor key modifications or attachments preventing removal from the lock E05B11/005; key rings A44B15/00; key cases A45C11/32; key holders A47G29/10; making keys, see the relevant places, e.g. B21D53/42; milling grooves in keys B23C3/35
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7989 Key securers, fasteners or retainers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8676 Key holders

Abstract

A method of reminding a person from locking themselves out of a room or dwelling comprises the steps of hanging a key on a door frame adjacent a door opening having a door hingedly mounted thereon, in such a position that when the door is swung open with respect to the door frame, the door will engage the key and dislodge the key from its means of support to cause it to fall to a floor surface adjacent the door opening. These steps alert the person of the presence of the key so as to remind the person to pick up and retain the key before allowing the door to close, thus preventing the person from being locked out of entry to the room without the key if the door automatically locks upon closing.

Claims

1. In combination,

a wall with a door opening,

a door frame in the opening,

a door hingedly mounted on the door frame on a vertical edge therefrom to pivot about a vertical axis between closed and open positions with respect to the door frame,

a key support member mounted on the door frame adjacent an outer vertical edge of the door so that a key on the support member will be engaged by the outer vertical edge of the door and removed from the support member when the door is moved to an open position.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein a tapered lever is secured to the outer vertical edge of the door to engage the ring of a ring-mounted key on the support member when the door is opened.

3. A device used to remind a person not to lock themselves out of a dwelling comprising:

a door frame;

a door hingedly connected to the door frame;

a retaining bracket adapted to retain a key ring securedly connected to the door frame so that the door engages the key ring when moved from a closed position to an open position to therby remove the key ring from the retaining bracket.

4. The device of claim 3 further comprising a lever securably connected to the door and adjacent to the retaining bracket so that when the door is moved to the open position the lever is disposed through the key ring.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the lever is tapered at a downward angle so as to facilitate the key ring in sliding off of the lever.

6. A method of reminding a person to remember their keys when leaving a dwelling, the method steps comprising:

attaching a retaining bracket adapted to retain a key ring to a door frame;

placing a key ring on the retaining bracket by disposing the retaining bracket through the center of the key ring; and

opening a door so that the door engages the key ring causing the key ring to fall to the floor.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

securing a lever to the door adjacent having a downwardly tapered edge adjacent to the retaining bracket;

disposing the lever through the key ring by opening the door;

sliding the key ring down the tapered edge and off of the lever.