GB2640458A - Door stay apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A door stay apparatus 28 comprising a stay 38 releasably engageable with a door-body portion 40 and a door-frame portion 14 to hold the door 12 in an open position. The door body and frame portions have a receivers/apertures 36 for the stay to hold the door in various open positions. The frame portion may include a storage channel to grip and store the stay when not being used. The stay may be a rod with opposing ends bent in opposite directions or a flat bar (fig.7), the flat bar may include a slot in the end to receive a hook having enlarged head on the mounting portion (fig.7).

Description

Door Stay Apparatus The present invention relates to a door stay apparatus capable of holding a door in a plurality of open conditions. The invention further relates to a method for keeping a door in an open condition.

Door stays are a way to keep a door in an open position. This is desirable for many reasons. A door may need to be kept open for ease of access to permit easy passage of people into an area. It can also be used to signify that an event or business is open for people to enter rather than requiring lots of signs. For home use, many users will wish to use doors on an outward facing wall of their homes and prevent them blowing shut in adverse weather or due to strong wind forces. For example, young children may otherwise need to be strictly supervised in an area separated from the home by an outside door such as patio or conservatory doors.

Current door stays in the art require difficult installation, and are prone to failure, increasing risk of injury, particularly to at-risk groups such as the elderly or young children.

Furthermore, current door stays in the art may require permanent affixation to a door through damaging means and may not be easily removable. For some door stays that use the ground as a support, they may cause damage to the flooring, particularly if the flooring is of a deformable or delicate material likely to scratch or wear over time. This is particularly relevant for carpets which readily non-reversibly deform after subjection to perpetual stress by heavy or protruding objects. For outdoor flooring such as wooden decking or patio slabs, perpetual wear can occur which can cause deformation of the wood or unsightly scratches and marks to both the wood and patio slabs.

Door stays that require difficult installation that are either affixed above a door, or are a single stay that protrudes off of the door onto a ground surface increases the risk of physical injury during the installation process or are not easily installable for those with mobility issues, increasing the cost of an otherwise simple solution. Furthermore, door stays that only abut a ground surface at a single point are often prone to failure, which can cause heavy doors to slam and cause injury, particularly if young children accidentally release the door stay.

Furthermore, some door stays in the art require either permanent attachment to an obvious portion of the door such as the front part or at the top of a door, which can be non-discrete and often, aesthetically unappealing.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a door stay apparatus comprising: a door-frame portion in-use attached to a door frame and a door-body portion in-use attached to a door; and a stay element having a rigid member, the stay element being releasably engageable with the door-body portion and the door-frame portion; the door-frame portion and the door-body portion being in-use connected by the stay element to hold the door in an open condition.

Such a door stay apparatus is advantageous as it allows the user to place a door in an open condition through the use of a removable stay element. The stay element being releasably engageable allows it to be stored away when not in use, and also permits the door to stay open reliably as said stay element has a rigid member.

Optionally, the stay element may comprise stay engagement elements at each opposing end thereof, for respective engagement with the door-body portion and the door-frame portion and said stay engagement elements may be aligned in opposite directions to one another.

This is beneficial as it allows the stay element to engage with a door and a door frame through specific parts that are designed for that one purpose. The fact that the stay engagement elements are aligned in opposite directions permits the stay element to be slotted in place in opposing directions which allows for a strong, stable connection against any opposing forces such as wind. Furthermore, this opens the possibility for the stay engagement elements being unidirectional in how they attach to the door-frame portion and door-body portion which can increase simplicity for the user as it is always clear which orientation the stay element has to be in in order to function correctly.

Preferably, the door-body portion may comprise a connector configured to engage with the stay element and a plurality of said connectors may be provided to selectably engage with the stay element, each of the plurality of connectors corresponding with a different open condition for the door.

This is advantageous as it permits the user a means to hold a door at a number of different conditions depending on what is desired. A user may only want the door kept open by a small amount to let a small amount of air in whilst in other scenarios, the user may want the door to be open as wide as the hinges allow. The connector, and more specifically, the plurality of connectors allows the user to envisage a number of possible door configurations.

Optionally, the or each connector may be a hook.

This is beneficial as hooks are a sturdy male-type connector that can provide rigid connectivity whilst being relatively simple, quick and easy to disconnect from. This is also beneficial from an accessibility perspective as there are no difficult mechanisms to engage and/or disengage when using the door stay apparatus.

Preferably, the or each hook may have a head portion and a neck portion, the head portion having a larger dimension than the neck portion to prevent dislocation of the stay element when engaged therewith.

This is advantageous as it provides a means to slot the stay element on in a simple manner. The head portion prevents dislocation once the stay element is engaged, and the stay element engages with the neck portion. This means there is only one engagement surface rather than greater than one, which would complicate the engagement process.

Preferably, the connector comprises a receiver aperture configured to at least in part receive the stay element.

This is advantageous as it allows the stay element to be received by the connector, so the connector engaging with the stay element can be used to hold the door open. It also allows for different configurations of stay element as a receiver aperture permits the receiving of the stay element when the embodiment allows for such.

Optionally, the door-frame portion comprises a receiver dimensioned to receive the stay element and a plurality of said receivers may be provided, each of the plurality of receivers corresponding with a different open condition for the door.

This is advantageous as it permits the door stay element to be received specifically on a door frame, which is integral to keeping the door open. The plurality of receivers also allows the door to be openable at different open conditions. Having a receiver for each means there is no variability and the door can always be held open at a known, fixed angle.

Preferably, the door-frame portion may further comprise a seating element, wherein the seating element has an upper portion dimensioned to be receivable in an inner part of the door frame, and a lower portion dimensioned to be receivable with an outer part of the door frame.

Beneficially, the seating element has a specific shape to fulfil its purpose. The upper portion allows the door-frame portion to be seated within the inner part of the door frame which allows the door to close without interruption or without undue force. This upper portion also provides downward stability to allow the seating element to be at a continuous flat angle either relative to the inner part of the door frame or the outer part of the door frame. The lower portion provides side stability against the outer part of the door frame. Overall, the upper portion and lower portion provide a stable seating element to allow stable engagement with the stay element.

Optionally, the stay element may have first and second body portions which are at an angle relative to one another of between 0 and 180°.

This is advantageous as it permits greater flexibility to the user and allows them to keep the door held open at lots of different angles.

Preferably, the angle relative between the first and second body portions may be 90°.

This is beneficial as it permits the user to have the door open at a specific perpendicular angle relative to the door frame, which may be useful for the type of stay element employed or for a specific use that may be advantageous to the user, such as crowd control.

Optionally, the stay element has a linear central body portion.

This is advantageous, as it allows the stay element to be a permanent shape that is rigid and inflexible. This increases user simplicity but also allows for a more stable device.

Preferably, the door-frame portion and door-body portion the door-body portion and/or door-frame portion may be in-use attachable to the door and/or door frame when the door is in either a closed or open condition.

This is beneficial, as it allows parts of the apparatus to be used whilst the door is closed.

As such, the door-frame portion and the door-body portion do not need to be removed every single time the door has to be closed, and can remain permanently affixed, increasing user simplicity and rapidity of use. Furthermore, it also reduces the need for lots of modular parts for disassembly that may clutter the area around the door or other parts of the surrounding interior or exterior environment.

Optionally, the stay element may be coated at least in part in a high-visibility surface.

This is advantageous, as it allows for the stay element to be easily visible, even in low lighting or adverse weather conditions. This can prevent the stay element being a trip hazard, particularly with vulnerable groups. It may also be beneficial in signalling when a door is open or closed, as the stay element signifies that a door is in an open condition and if said stay element is easily visible, then it would naturally correlate with the door being open. There may also be aesthetic ramifications to the user that would permit them to use a coloured stay element, such as matching the other parts of the apparatus or the surrounding architecture.

Optionally, the stay element may be made of a metal or metal alloy.

This is beneficial as metal and metal alloys are rigid, hardwearing and may even be rust-resistant, amongst other features. Metal allows for a strong, stable connection to hold the door open and prevents accidental warping or bending such as during high winds.

Optionally, the stay element is resiliently flexible.

This is beneficial as it allows the stay element, whilst engaged with the receiver aperture and the receiver to be manipulated thereon or therein. This resilience means that there is a degree of tolerance granted to the stay element, which permits the user to push down or move the stay element in-use rather than remove it from the connector. This increases versatility and overall simplicity for the user.

Preferably, the door-body portion and/or the door-frame portion may have a stay-element storage portion.

This is advantageous, as it reduces the overall device footprint, which means space is saved which may be popular for those inhabiting smaller dwellings. This reduces the need to find additional storage and also reduces the likelihood that the stay element will become lost if it is stored with the door itself upon or with the other constituent parts of the apparatus.

Optionally, the door stay apparatus may further comprise at least one screw-threaded fastener for attaching the door-body portion and/or door-frame portion respectively to the door and/or door frame.

This is beneficial, as screw-threaded fasteners provide a strong and rigid affixation method which are unlikely to wear or come loose over time. Screws also mean that doors that are particularly heavy such as those providing an entranceway to negative-pressure rooms and ultra-low-temperature rooms will be supported by the strength provided by the screws.

Optionally, the door stay apparatus may further comprise at least one fastener cover engageable with the door-body portion and/or door-frame portion to cover the at least one screw-threaded fastener.

This is advantageous as while it also provides a way to maintain a pleasing aesthetic appearance, it provides a means to prevent excessive water from contacting the screws which would otherwise cause excessive oxidation and eventual decay. Furthermore, covering the screws reduces the chances of accidental loosening over time as there is no open space for the screws to unscrew into. Covers also prevent other foreign objects, dirt, gravel and stones that may eventually clog the top screw hole or the threads which may cause gradual diminishment to integrity of the screws over time.

Preferably, the door-body portion and/or the door-frame portion include an adhesive portion for attaching to the door and/or door frame.

This is advantageous, as adhesive is a strong affixing agent, but does not require permanent modification to the door. This allows for easy, damage-free removal which may be preferable for those renting or for those who do not have permission to modify the property.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for keeping a door in an open condition, the method comprising the steps of: a. attaching a door-body portion of a door stay apparatus to a door; b. attaching a door-frame portion of the door stay apparatus to a door frame; and c. using a stay element having a rigid member, releasably connecting the door-frame portion and the door-body portion to hold the door in an open condition.

This is beneficial as it provides a way to simply and quickly keep a door in a strong, stable open condition at any one of a plurality of user-defined angles.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective representation of a first embodiment of the door stay apparatus, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, with a door held open at a first open condition; Figure 2 shows a perspective representation of the door stay apparatus of Figure 1, with the door open at a different open condition; Figure 3 shows a perspective representation of the door stay apparatus of Figure 1, with the stay element stored and the door closed; Figure 4 shows an enlarged perspective representation of the door-frame portion of the door stay apparatus of Figure 1, showing the screw-threaded fasteners prior to installation; Figure 5 shows a perspective representation of the door stay apparatus of Figure 1 during an installation; Figure 6 shows a perspective representation of the door stay apparatus of Figure 5 following installation; Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of a door stay apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, with a door held in a first open condition; Figure 8 shows the door stay apparatus of Figure 7 with an alternative stay element being used to hold the door in a different open condition; Figure 9 shows a perspective representation of the door-frame portion of the door stay apparatus of Figure 7; and Figure 10 shows a perspective representation of the door-body portion of the door stay apparatus of Figure 7, during installation.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3, there is a door stay apparatus, referenced globally at for holding a door 12 in an open condition. The door stay apparatus 10 in this particular embodiment comprises a door-frame portion 14 which is attachable to a door frame 16, which further comprises a seating element 18 which has an upper portion 20 and a lower portion 22. The upper portion 20 rests atop an inner part 24 of the door frame 16, which is a receiving channel for the door 12.

The lower portion 22 is dimensioned to fit on an outer part 26 of the door frame 16. The lower portion 22 has an upstanding part 28 that rests against an outward face 30 of the outer part 26 of the door frame 16 and a base part 32 that rests parallel to a bottom door sill 34 of the outer part 26 of the door frame 16. In this embodiment, the base part 32 has two receivers 36 which are raised parts with apertures dimensioned to receive a stay element 38. The receivers 36 are set at either end of the base part 32 of the lower portion 22 and comprise a body with a circular aperture thereby creating a void space to receive part of the stay element 38.

There is also the door-body portion 40 which is shown attached to a bottom section of the door 12. The door-body portion 40 has a connector 42 that is configured to engage with the stay element 38. In this embodiment, the connector 42 has a plurality of receiver apertures 44 which can engage with the stay element 38. These receiver apertures 44 are located on the underside of the door 12 when the door-frame portion is in-use attached. The positions of each of the plurality of receiver apertures 44 is indicated by a guidance plate 46, which is a flat panel that is affixed to the inside-facing surface 48 of the door 12. The guidance plate contains engagement receiver markers 50 that guide the user towards the correct receiver apertures 44 required for their intended use.

The stay element 38 in this particular embodiment has a linear body 52, with two ends which each comprise a stay engagement element 54 that engages with any of the plurality of receiver apertures 44 of the connector 42 of the door-body portion 40 or one of the receivers 36 of the door-frame portion 14. The stay engagement elements 54 are protruding L-shaped parts that face outwardly relative to the linear body 52. Each stay engagement element 54 is oppositely perpendicular the linear body 52. In this particular embodiment, one stay engagement element 54 is longer to prevent accidental displacement when inserted into a receiver aperture 44.

The stay element 38, shown in particular detail in Figure 3, is engaged with a receiver aperture 44 of the connector 42 located on the door-body portion 40 and one of the receivers 36 located on the door-frame portion so as to hold the door 12 open at an angle greater than 90°, relative to the door frame 16. The stay element 38 has a visibility cover 56 that allows it to be seen more easily. The visibility cover 56 covers most of the linear body 52.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown the stay element 38 being engaged with a receiver aperture 44 of the connector 42 that is aligned with an engagement receiver marker 50 located at the distalmost point of the guidance plate 46 relative to an inner edge 58 of the door 12. This allows the door 12 to be held open at a 90° angle, relative to the door frame 16.

Referring to Figure 3, the door 12 is in a closed condition and the stay element 38 is stored using a stay-element storage portion 60 on the base part 32 of the lower portion 22. The stay element 38 is specifically dimensioned to slot into the stay-element storage portion 60 so that it remains below the bottom edge 62 of the door 12. Specifically, the stay-element storage portion has two gripping walls 64 that provide a channel 66 therebetween, said channel 66 being dimensioned to receive the linear body 52 of the stay element 38. The base of the channel 66 is curved to accommodate the circumferential shape of said linear body 52.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of how the door-body portion 40 and door-frame portion 14 are attached to the door 12 and door frame 16 respectively. There are screw-threaded-fastener apertures 68 in the upper portion 20 of the door-frame portion 14 which provide a space for the screw-threaded fasteners 70 to enter and thereby to affix the door-frame portion to the inner part 24 of the door frame 16. The door-body portion comprises a connector 42, which is formed as a discrete L-shaped component that slots into the inner door channel 72 of the door 12 and has two affixing apertures 74 to allow a space for screw-threaded fasteners 76 to be inserted.

The connector 42 has an affixing part 78 and a connection part 80. The connection part 80 comprises a plurality of receiver apertures 44 that are configured to engage with the stay element 38. There is also the guidance plate 46 which is affixed to the inside-facing surface 48 of the door 12 and aligns exactly with the positions of the plurality of receiver apertures 44 when the connector 42 is in-use affixed. This allows a user to direct where the stay element 38 enters to dictate the angle at which the door is open.

Specifically, a stay engagement element 54 of the stay element 38 is received by a receiver aperture 44 on the connector 42.

Referring to Figures 7 to 10, there is shown a second embodiment of the door stay apparatus, referenced globally at 10'. With respect specifically to Figure 7, there is a door-body portion 40' and a door-frame portion 14' connected to a door 12' and a door frame 16', respectively. The door-frame portion 14' has a seating element 18' which has an upper portion 20' and a lower portion 22'.

As with the previous embodiment, the upper portion 20' is also dimensioned to fit into the inner part 24' of the door frame 16', which is a receiving channel for the door 12'. Conversely, the lower portion 22' only has an upstanding part 28' that rests against the outward face 30' of the outer part 26' of the door frame 16'. There is no base part 32' that sits on the bottom door sill 34' and the receiver 36' is formed as a single slot that protrudes from the upstanding part 28'.

On the front face of the upstanding part 28', there is a receiver body piece 82' spaced apart from the front face 84' of the upstanding part 28' which defines a cavity which forms the slot of the receiver 36'. This cavity permits a complementarily-shaped stay engagement element 54' to be received therein. There is also no stay-element storage portion 60' as there is no requirement to discretely store the stay element 38' in this particular embodiment.

The connector 42' on the door-body portion 40' in this embodiment is a hook, which is also shown engaged with one of the stay engagement elements 54' of the stay element 38'. The other stay engagement element 54' that is not engaged with the connector 42' is engaged with the receiver 36' on the door-frame portion 36'.

In specific detail, in this embodiment, the stay element 38' has a middle body 86', and two stay engagement elements 54' which are different. There is a stay engagement element 54' at one end that engages with the receiver 36' of the door-frame portion 14' and another stay engagement element 54' at the opposite end that engages with the connector 42' which in this case, is a hook. The stay engagement element 54' engaging with the receiver 36' of the door-frame portion 14' comprises a flat face which is dimensioned so as to be parallel with the upstanding part 28' of the door-frame portion 14'. This stay engagement element 54' has a width that is complementary to the receiver 36'.

The stay engagement element 54' at the opposite end of the stay element 38' has a body portion 88' with a central channel 90' for engaging with the connector 42'. Specifically, the central channel 90' is dimensioned to be receivable by a neck portion 92' of the connector 42'. This configuration allows the door to be held in an open condition at an angle greater than 90°, relative to the door frame 16'.

Figure 8 shows the same second embodiment of Figure 7 except that the stay element 38' is specifically dimensioned to hold the door 12' open at a 90° angle, relative to the door frame 16'. The stay element 38' in this alternative configuration has a middle body 86' that has a folded section 94' to keep the stay element 38' at a static angle. This folded section 94' is also present in the stay element 38; in Figure 7 but to a lesser extent.

Regarding Figure 9, there is shown the door-frame portion 14' of Figure 7 with raised screw covers 96' which are used to protect the screw-threaded fasteners 70' that affix the door-frame portion 14' from wear.

Referring to Figure 10, there is the second embodiment of the connector 42' shown in more detail. The connector 42' is located on the door body portion 40' attached to the inside-facing surface 48' of the door 12' at a position close to the inner edge 58' of the door 12' in this particular embodiment. The connector 42' has a main connector body 98' and two affixing apertures 74' for screw-threaded fasteners 70' to be inserted in order to affix the main connector body 98' to the door 12'. For engaging with the central channel 90' of one of the stay engagement elements 54' of the stay element 38', the connector 42' has the neck portion 92' and a head portion 100' to stop the stay element 38' from dislocating from the main connector body 98'. This is achieved by the head portion 100' having a wider perimeter than the neck portion 92'. The neck portion 92' is dimensioned to fit into the complementary-shaped central channel 90' on the body portion 88' of one of the stay engagement elements 54' when the stay element 38' is inserted downwardly. The head portion 100' prevents the stay element 38' from slipping off the main connector body 98'.

Whilst the present embodiments described use screws as the main method of affixation, this does not preclude the use of other affixing methods such as bolts, adhesives and hook-and-loop connections, amongst others.

Whilst the present embodiments show affixation of parts, this does not preclude the scenario where the door-body portion and/or the door-frame portion are integrally formed within a door body and door frame, respectively.

Whilst the present embodiments disclose a door-body portion and a door-frame portion as each being attachable to a door and door frame, respectively, this does not preclude the potential embodiment wherein the door-body portion and/or door-frame portion are integrally-formed as part of the door body and door frame, respectively.

Whilst the present embodiments are exemplified using standard classical patio doors, the door stay apparatus is suitable for many other doors including those that serve specific purposes such as warehouse doors, fire doors and other doors of different sizes and arrangements.

The present invention discloses a door stay apparatus for maintaining a door in an open condition. The door stay apparatus has a door-frame portion, a door-body portion and a stay element. The stay element is configured to engage with both the door-frame portion and the door-body portion to permit the door to be held open in a number of user-defined open conditions.

The words 'comprises/comprising' and the words 'having/including' when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (23)

1. CLAIMS1. A door stay apparatus comprising: a door-frame portion in-use attached to a door frame and a door-body portion in-use attached to a door; and a stay element having a rigid member, the stay element being releasably engageable with the door-body portion and the door-frame portion; the door-frame portion and the door-body portion being in-use connected by the stay element to hold the door in an open condition.
2. 2. A door stay apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stay element comprises stay engagement elements at each opposing end thereof, for respective engagement with the door-body portion and the door-frame portion.
3. 3. A door stay apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stay engagement elements are aligned in opposite directions to one another.
4. 4. A door stay apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the door-body portion comprises a connector configured to engage with the stay element.
5. 5. A door stay apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein a plurality of said connectors is provided to selectably engage with the stay element, each of the plurality of connectors corresponding with a different open condition for the door.
6. 6. A door stay apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the or each connector is a hook.
7. 7. A door stay apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the or each hook has a head portion and a neck portion, the head portion having a larger dimension than the neck portion to prevent dislocation of the stay element when engaged therewith.
8. 8. A door stay apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the connector comprises a receiver aperture configured to at least in part receive the stay element.
9. 9. A door stay apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the door-frame portion comprises a receiver dimensioned to receive the stay element.
10. 10. A door stay apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein a plurality of said receivers is provided, each of the plurality of receivers corresponding with a different open condition for the door.
11. 11. A door stay apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the door-frame portion further comprises a seating element, wherein the seating element has an upper portion dimensioned to be receivable in an inner part of the door frame, and a lower portion dimensioned to be receivable with an outer part of the door frame.
12. 12. A door stay element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stay element has first and second body portions which are at an angle relative to one another of between 0 and 180°.
13. 13. A door stay element as claimed in claim 12, wherein the angle is 90°.
14. 14. A door stay apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the stay element has a linear central body portion.
15. 15. A door stay apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the door-body portion and/or door-frame portion are in-use attachable to the door and/or door frame when the door is in either a closed or open condition.
16. 16. A door stay apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stay element is coated at least in part in a high-visibility surface.
17. 17. A door stay apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stay element is made of a metal or metal alloy.
18. 18. A door stay apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stay element is resiliently flexible.
19. 19. A door stay apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the door-body portion and/or the door-frame portion has a stay-element storage portion.
20. 20. A door stay apparatus as claimed in any the preceding claims, further comprising at least one screw-threaded fastener for attaching the door-body portion and/or door-frame portion respectively to the door and/or door frame.
21. 21. A door stay apparatus as claimed in claim 20, further comprising at least one fastener cover engageable with the door-body portion and/or door-frame portion to cover the at least one screw-threaded fastener.
22. 22. A door stay apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the door-body portion and/or the door-frame portion include an adhesive portion for attaching to the door and/or door frame.
23. 23. A method for keeping a door in an open condition, the method comprising the steps of: a. attaching a door-body portion of a door stay apparatus to a door; b. attaching a door-frame portion of the door stay apparatus to a door frame; and c. using a stay element having a rigid member, releasably connecting the door-frame portion and the door-body portion to hold the door in an open condition.