Systems and methods of providing foot operated latching
OwnerJanet McConnellinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
It would be beneficial to have a means for securing a door or portal, or for opening a door or portal such that it cannot be opened from the other side, in which the securing means could be operated without the use of the person's hands. Latching system 250 comprises latching device 255 and receiving device 265. Latching device 255 may be movably attached to door 220, preferably at the bottom of door 220 and latching device 255 is used to secure door 220 to door frame member 205. Latching system 250 is located substantially near the bottom of door 220 so that it may be operated by means of a person's foot. Receiving device 265 is affixed to door frame member 205. Receiving device 265 is configured to receive latching device 255 when latching device 255 is rotated towards receiving device 265.
Claims20
A combination of a device, a lavatory door, and a lavatory door frame member, the combination comprising:
- a latching device configured to be actuated by a foot of a user, the latching device affixed to one of a bottom portion of the lavatory door and a bottom portion of the lavatory door frame member, the latching device further configured to be actuated for rotational motion in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the door via the foot of the user;
- and a receiving device affixed to the other of the lavatory door and the lavatory door frame member, the receiving device configured to receive the latching device to secure the lavatory door in a closed position.
A method of providing a hands free method of securing a lavatory door, the method comprising:
- providing a latching device configured to be actuated by a foot of a user, the latching device affixed to one of a bottom portion of the lavatory door and a bottom portion of a lavatory door frame member, and the latching device actuated for rotational motion in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the door via the foot of the user;
- and
- providing a receiving device affixed to the other of the lavatory door and the lavatory door frame member, the receiving device configured to receive the latching device to secure the lavatory door in a closed position.
A lavatory door system, comprising:
- a door;
- a door frame member;
- a latching device configured to be actuated by a foot of a user, the latching device affixed to one of a bottom portion of the door and a bottom portion of the door frame member, the latching device further configured to be actuated for rotational motion in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the door via the foot of the user;
- and a receiving device affixed to the other of the door and the door frame member, the receiving device configured to receive the latching device to secure the door in a closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.