US3872623A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Entrance door construction for handball and racquetball courts
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-03-25
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1994-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A special entrance door for playing courts such as handball and racquetball courts has an easy to operate, positive latch arrangement which does not interfere with play, and incorporates a compartment which both conceals the court side doorknob and provides storage space for personal items and playing gear. Access to the compartment is provided by a small door which, when closed, is flush with the inside surface of the entrance door. A simple pull is mounted in the compartment door and is normally retracted flush with its outside (court side) surface. Therefore, the ball may be played off the door structure with the usual action due to the absence of interfering projections, and personal items are likewise concealed to preclude interference with play.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Charles A Spaulding
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:15
CPC Classifications
E; E06; E06B; E06B7/00; E06B7/28; E06B7/34; A; A63; A63C; A63C19/00; A63C19/06; A63C19/08; A63C2019/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
An entrance structure for a playing court comprising: an entrance door adapted to be received within an opening in a wall of said court; means for mounting said door in said opening for movement between open and closed dispositions, said door being provided with a storage compartment therein, and having an inside surface facing the court when the door is closed; a closure member on the inside of said door normally closing said compartment and movable to an open position permitting free access to said compartment, said member having an outside surface flush with said inside surface of the door when the member is in its normal position closing said compartment, whereby to preclude interference with the action of a ball played off the door; and a latch mechanism in said door having manually operable actuating means in said compartment accessible from the court side of the door when said member is moved to its open position, whereby the door may be opened and closed and yet the actuating means is not exposed from the court side.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
An entrance structure for a playing court comprising: an entrance door adapted to be received within an opening in a wall of said court; means for mounting said door in said opening for movement between open and closed dispositions, said door being provided with a storage compartment therein, and having an inside surface facing the court when the door is closed; a closure member on the inside of said door normally closing said compartment and movable to an open position permitting free access to said compartment, said member having an outside surface flush with said inside surface of the door when the member is in its normal position closing said compartment, whereby to preclude interference with the action of a ball played off the door; and a latch mechanism in said door having manually operable actuating means in said compartment accessible from the court side of the door when said member is moved to its open position, whereby the door may be opened and closed and yet the actuating means is not exposed from the court side.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein is provided an extendible and retractable pull on said closure member to assist in moving the same between its open and closed positions, said pull being normally retracted flush with said outside surface of the member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein hinge means is provided mounting said closure member for swinging movement between said open and closed positions thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said latch mechanism has a shiftable bolt, and said actuating means is operable to throw the bolt and is adapted to be grasped from the court side of the door when said compartment is open.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein light passages are provided in said door and said closure member, in alignment when said member is in its closed position, to permit a person on the outside of the door to see through to the court side thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein said member is provided with a window having a transparent element flush with said outside surface of the member and presenting said light passage therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
192 words
In combination with a wall of a playing court having an entrance opening therein: an entrance door; means mounting said door in said opening for movement between open and closed dispositions, said door being provided with a storage compartment therein, and having an inside surface flush with the court side of said wall when the door is closed; a closure member on the inside of said door normally closing said compartment and movable to an open position permitting free access to said compartment, said member having an outside surface flush with said inside surface of the door when the member is in its normal position closing said compartment, whereby to preclude interference with the action of a ball played off the door; and a latch mechanism in said door having a shiftable bolt for securing the door to said wall when the door is closed, and having manually operable actuating means in said compartment accessible from the court side of the door when said member is moved to its open position, whereby the door may be opened, closed and secured and yet the actuating means is not exposed from the court side.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
192 words
In combination with a wall of a playing court having an entrance opening therein: an entrance door; means mounting said door in said opening for movement between open and closed dispositions, said door being provided with a storage compartment therein, and having an inside surface flush with the court side of said wall when the door is closed; a closure member on the inside of said door normally closing said compartment and movable to an open position permitting free access to said compartment, said member having an outside surface flush with said inside surface of the door when the member is in its normal position closing said compartment, whereby to preclude interference with the action of a ball played off the door; and a latch mechanism in said door having a shiftable bolt for securing the door to said wall when the door is closed, and having manually operable actuating means in said compartment accessible from the court side of the door when said member is moved to its open position, whereby the door may be opened, closed and secured and yet the actuating means is not exposed from the court side.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination as claimed in claim 7, wherein is provided an extendible and retractable pull on said closure member to assist in moving the same between its open and closed positions, said pull being normally retracted flush with said outside surface of the member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination as claimed in claim 8, wherein hinge means is provided mounting said closure member for swinging movement between said open and closed positions thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination as claimed in claim 7, wherein said actuating means includes a knob for throwing said bolt and adapted to be grasped from the court side of the door when said compartment is open.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |