Abstract

A portable privacy lock is disclosed for use in securing a door that swings on hinges from an open position to a closed position in which the edge of the door opposite its hinged side is adjacent to a closure surface with a clearance gap therebetween. The lock includes a flexible webbing which has a first end and a second end, and which is provided with a plurality of holes between said first and second ends. The lock also includes a first securing plate that is attached to the first end of the webbing and a second securing plate that is attached to the webbing at an intermediate position between the first and second ends thereof. The second plate is also provided with a hole that is aligned with one of the holes in the webbing. The lock also includes a latch that is adapted to receive a drawstring and to releasably engage it from motion with respect thereto, and a drawstring, one end of which is attached to the first plate or to the first end of the webbing. The drawstring is threaded through the holes in the webbing and the second plate to engagement with the latch. The lock is utilized by inserting the first plate through the clearance gap between the door and its adjacent closure surface. The latch is disengaged from the drawstring so that the drawstring may be pulled to fold the webbing to move the second plate into position across the clearance gap and on the opposite side thereof from the first plate, so as to secure the door from motion with respect to the adjacent closure surface. The latch may then be engaged to hold the drawstring so as to maintain the plates in position with respect to each other.