ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 14 -- United States Patent no. 12,680,337, issued on July 14.
"External doorknob locking shroud" was invented by Robert James Stutelberg (Hastings, Minn.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A locking doorknob shroud, configured to be placed over a doorknob, padlock, or similar closing mechanism. The shroud is equipped with two halves which interlock together and seal firmly with a latch. A keyhole, present at a junction of the two halves within the latch, is configured to accept a key, which when turns, unlocks the latch. Alternately, or in addition, a padlock may be used to further secure the latch. A spring assembly disposed in communication with at least one hinge enables ...