AU2246500A - Improved security device - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT e r Applicant(s): ANTHONY WISE Invention Title: IMPROVED SECURITY DEVICE r r The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: SECURITY DEVICE TECHNICAL FnELD This invention relates to improvements in and associated with security devices, Specifically the present invention may be used to impede access to a road or driveway.

Backu~ound Art When an occupant leaVes his or her home they run the risk of a thief breaking into the property and removing their possessions. To combat this problem numerous and varied security devices have been developed, which either prevent an intruder from gaining access to a property or alert the relevant authorities that a burglary is taking place.

It has also been found that most thieves are opportunists, and will steal from the property which is the least secure and easiest to gain entry to.

V Well organised thieves have been known to use large vehicles such as trucks or vans to remove stolen goods from a property. In these cases, the thief firstly ensures that they can gain access to a building on a property, and then drives their vehicle onto the property, allowing it to be loaded up with stolen goods easily and quickly. The location of a vehicle close to a building being burgled also ensures that the thief does not have to walk out in to plain view with armiloads full of stolen goods.

If some form of barrier is placed in a road or driveway leading to a property, this can prevent a thief from driving a vehicle close to the building to be robbed. Such barriers create a deterrent to thieves, who would preferably steal from a property which is easier to remove the stolen goods fror-

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One type of security barrier developed for this application is disclosed in New Zealand Patent No. 230292.

This patent specification describes a collapsible barrier which may be remotely activated and erected. The barrier is described as being set into the roadway, with the barrier arm being exposed to the elements and internal workings of the device being enclosed underneath a lockable plate.

However, the applicants believe there are a number of problems associated with the operation of the device described in NZ 230292.

These types of barrier ruin the ascetics of a well planned and laid out driveway or 10 garden area. Even when the barrier is collapsed, a large block of metal with associated tubing is sited on a driveway or roadway. These devices appear unnatural and artificial, and can detract from natural beauty of a property frontage.

The applicants believe that these devices are also susceptible to damage and degradation by the elements or a determined thief. The barrier sections of these devices are exposed to the open air even when collapsed. This allows a thief to attack the barriers or for dirt and moisture to seep into the device over time.

A security device which could block a drive or roadway and which blended into *the surrounding environment when unused would be a great advantage over the prior art. A security device which blocked a roadway and which could not easily be tampered with, or damaged by exposure to the elements would also be of advantage over the prior art.

It would be advantageous if at least preferred embodiments of the present invention addressed the foregoing problems or at least provided the public with a useful choice.

r t Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description, which is given by way of example only.

Disclosure of Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a security device which includes a housing, at least one cover, and at least one barrier, wherein the barrier is adapted for use in two configurations, being an in use configuration and a storage configuration, 10 the security device characterised in that the cover or covers used are adapted to cover the barrier when the barrier is in a storage configuration.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a security device substantially as described above, wherein the cover or covers are also adapted to cover or close the housing when the barrier is in an in use 15 configuration.

According to further aspect of the present invention there is provided a security device substantially as described above which includes a retainer adapted to retain the barrier in either a storage or in use configuration by the retainer securing the cover with respect to the housing.

According to further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a security device substantially as described above, the method characterised by the steps of 1. I S S placing the barrier in an in use configuration when the security device is to be used, and engaging a retainer to retain the barrier in the in use configuration, and disengaging the retainer when the security device is not to be used, and placing the barrier in a storage configuration, and closing the housing and covering the barrier with a cover.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a security device substantially as described above, characterised by the steps of: 1. placing a barrier in an in use configuration when the security device is to be used, and 2. closing the housing using a cover, and 3. activating the retainer to retain the barrier in the in use configuration, and 4. deactivating the retainer when the security device is not to be used, and 5. placing the barrier in a storage configuration, and 6. covering the barrier with a cover.

As discussed above, a security device configured in accordance with the present invention may be specifically adapted to block the passage of a vehicle through a driveway or road. Blocking the passage of such a vehicle provides a strong deterrent to thieves wishing to transport stolen goods from a property using a vehicle.

1. t In a preferred embodiment the housing used may be any type of container or receptacle which mnay at least partially enclose components of the security device.

Preferably the housing may be adapted to at least partially enclose at least one barrier of the security device when a barrier is placed in a storage configuration.

In a further preferred embodiment the housing used may be cons ucted from a rectangular steel container with one face of the rectangle being open. Preferably the open face of the rectangular housing may be the top face or side of the housing when the security device is located within or on a road or driveway. This configuration of the invention allows all components of the security device to be :10 stored and retained within the housing as required. Forming the housing from steel also provides a sturdy and strong construction.

:Reference throughout the specification shall now be made to the housing used as being a substantially rectangular container constructed from steel and having an open top face. However, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many other types of housing may be constructed in accordance with the present invention and reference to the housing being formed from a rectangular steel container above should in no way be seen as limiting.

In a preferred embodiment one barrier only may be used in accordance with the .5 present invention. The use of one barrier still effectively blocks off access to a driveway or roadway, but reduces manufacturing costs and time frames for the security device. However, in alternative embodiments any number of barriers may be used when required with the present invention. For example, with wide driveways or roadways where it may be possible to drive around a single barrier onto a grassed area, multiple barriers may be used.

Reference throughout this specification shall now be made to the present invention incorporating one barrier only. As specified above, this should not be seen as limited.

In a preferred embodiment a barrier used in accordance with the present invention may be a rectangular shaped hollow metal post or pole. Preferably steel may be used to construct such a post. The rectangular shape of the post used allows it to be sited easily within the rectangular housing, and steel used in the construction of the post ensures that the barrier has a high impact resistance. The barriers high impact strength should deter thieves from trying to drive over or through the security device.

Iu a further preferred embodiment the post configured as a barrier may be :approximately 50-100 cm in length. These dimensions ensure that a vehicle cannot easily be driven over or through the barrier used.

Alternative embodiments may not employ a rectangular steel barrier substantially as described above. For example, in other embodiments lengths of solid steel e**tubing or alloys of other metals may be used as barriers in accordance with the present invention.

Reference throughout the specification shall now be made to the barrier to being a hollow steel post configured substantially as described above. However, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a barrier may be configured in any number of ways in accordance with the present invention and reference to the use of posts only throughout the specification should in no way be seen as limiting.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a security device substantially as described above wherein the barrier is placed in an in use configuration by pivoting the barrier into a substantially vertical orientation with respect to the housing.

In a preferred embodiment orientation of the barrier substantially vertically with respect to the housing may be defined as orientating the barrier at an angle of at least 450 with respect to the housing. It is envisaged that in most~ instances the barrier may be orientated at approximately 90' with respect to the housing.

However, in some embodiments where the driveway or roadway has a gradient barrier orientation angle may be varied accordingly as required.

In a preferred the barrier pole may be placed in an in use configuration by pivoting the pole from ant attachment with the housing through to a substantially *vertical orientation. A pivotal connection of the barrier to the housing allows the 9. two elements to be strongly connected together and also allows the configuration of the barrier to be easily changed as required.

Alternative embodiments to the present invention may not use a pivotable connection between the barrier and the housing to place the barrier in an in use ~.configuration.

For example, in alternative embodiments the barrier may be formed from a separate and detached pole that may then be connected or attached to the housing in a substantially vertical orientation.

Reference throughout the specification shall now be made to the barrier pole as being pivotably attached to the housing. However, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other faorms of connection or attachment between these two elements may be used in conjunction with the present invention and reference to the above only should in no way be seen as limiting.

11 1 According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a security device substantially as described above wherein the barrier is placed in a storage configuration by pivoting the barrier into a substantially horizontal orientation with respect to the housing so the barrier sits within a volume at least partially enclosed by the housing, A barrier is in a storage configuration when the barrier is orientated substantially horizontally with respect to the housing.

In a preferred embodiment orientation of the barrier substantially horizontally with respect to the housing may occur when the barrier sits inside a volume defined and partially enclosed by the housing- orientation of the barrier in this way allows the barrier to be easily stored within the housing when a -storage configuration.

As discussed above the barrier pole is preferably attached to the housing with use of a pivotable connection. In this preferred embodiment the barrier pole may be placed in a storage configuration by pivoting the pole so that it lies substantially within the housing and is orientated substantially horizontally with respect to the too housing- :In a preferred embodiment a cover used in accordance with the present invention may be any substantially flat element adapted to close off the open face of the housing. In a further preferred embodiment a section of metal plate configured to at least partially cover the open side or face of the housing may be adapted to form a cover in accordance With the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention incorporates one cover only. The use of a single cover reduces manufacturing times and costs frames for the present invention, yet still ensures that the housing may be closed off or the barrier may be covered as and when required.

In a preferred embodiment when the barrier is in a storage configuration the cover may cover the barrier, preventing water, dirt or other contamination's from entering the housing or contacting the barrier. When the security device's barrier is in. a storage configuration and the cover covers same, this also prevents thieves or vandals tampering with or damaging the internal workings of the device.

In a preferred embodiment the cover may also be adapted to close off the housing when the barier is placed in an in use configuration- Closing off the housing ensures that a thief cannot tamper with the inner workings of the security device when the barrier is blocking a driveway or roadway and again ensures that water, dirt, dust or other contaminants cannot find their way into their housing and damage their security devices' components.

In a preferred embodiment the cover may be connected to the housing by at le ast one hinge, allowing the cover to be pivoted away from the housing to expose the barrier pole within the housing.

In a further preferred embodiment the connecting hinge or hinges between the cover and the housing may be located along one of the long sides of the housing, ensuring that when the cover pivots away from the housing it only pivots up to a height equal to the width of the cover.

In a preferred embodiment the barrier pole may also include one or more engagement flanges. These flanges may be adapted to secure or hold the cover down onto the housing when the barrier pole is retained in its in use configuration.

Such a flange may be positioned on a section of the barrier pole which when in an in use configuration will sit just above the level of the cover when it closes the housing. Any unauthorised attempt to pry or lift open the cover will farce thecover into such a- flange and thereby hinder its movement.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention includes a retainer. A retainer may be adapted to retain the barrier pole in its in use con figuration by securing the cover with respect to the housing. In a further preferred embodiment the retainer used may be an existing type of locking device which prevents unauthorised persons such as thieves or vandals from moving the barrier from its substantially vertical orientation.

For example, in one embodiment a retainer may be configured as a locking system I. :10 which bolts or connects together the housing and cover when the retainer is engaged. When the retainer is disengaged it may allow the cover to be removed with respect to the housing. Those skilled in the art should also appreciate that a retainer may be implemented to either secure the barrier pole to the housing or to the cover or alternatively secure the cover to the housing depending on the particular design and configuration of the security device in each embodiment.

In a preferred embodiment the retainer used may be a standard locking mechanism which may be engaged or disengaged using a key. Such locking mechanisms may drive a bolt or shaft through the banrier pole to hold it in place, or may hold the "..:cover down onto the housing, closing off same. However, alternative embodiments may not employ a locking mechanism substantially as described above. For example in other alternative embodiments electrical or magnetic retaining systems may be employed which may be remotely activated or deactivated could be used.

Reference through this specification shall now be made to the retainer as being a key activated locking mechanism, However, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other forms of retainer may be used in conjunction with the

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present invention and reference to the above only throughout the specification should in no way be seen as limiting.

In a preferred embodiment the security device may also include one or more additional support element. Such support elements may be attached to the housing to support one or more sides of the barrier pole, and to support the barrier pole if a force is applied in a particular direction to the pole. For example, in one embodiment a support may be configured as a block positioned on one end of the housing to prevent the pole from being tipped or pushed towards that end of the housing when the pole is in its in use configuration.

10 In a preferred embodiment the security device may include at least one aperture formed in a side of the housing, and at least one aperture formed in an end of the S. barrier, where the insertion of a pin or bolt into both the housing and the barrier

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apertures will lock the barrier at a particular angle with respect to the housing.

In one embodiment, one or more pins may be incorporated in to an aperture or 15 apertures formed in the lower section of the pole. A pin may preferably be biased to move out from the body of the pole and into a recess in the housing wall. The position of the recess in the housing will determine the angle at which the support pole is orientated with respect to the housing. The pin or pins can then act to support and retain the pole in a particular orientation or angle required.

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In a preferred embodiment the barrier pole may include a centrally locking pin.

Such a pin may be substantially T shaped, which allows the end of the pin at the free end of the barrier pole to be grasped by the user and user to pull the pole either up or down.

In a further preferred embodiment such a locking pin may be moveable within the body of the barrier pole, with one end of the pin being adapted to engage with additional elements of the housing to hold the barrier pole in a particular position or configuration.

In such an embodiment the end of the pin may be adapted to fit into a complementary shaped aperture in a fixing plate attached to the bottom of the housing. The orientation of this plate relative to the bottom of the housing will then determine at what angle or position the barrier pole is held or locked into place when the fixing pin is inserted into the plate. For example, in some embodiments the fixing plate may be positioned at an angle to the base of any housing, with this angle then becoming the angle at which the barrier pole makes 10 with the housing when held in place by the locking pin. The configuration and angle of such fixing plate may be set on installation of the security device to ensure that when erected, the barrier pole has the correct angle or configuration S. with respect to the surface in which the security device is installed.

The housing can also be supplied to the end user with a number of partially drilled holes in the housing. The end user can then select and drill out the hole or holes required to place the pole in the particular orientation they require.

0 According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing a security device substantially as described above, the method of installation characterised by the steps of: 1. creating a recess in a surface, and 2. placing the security device housing in said recess, and 3. securing the housing to the surface, wherein the housing is placed in the recess so that the top of the housing is level with or below the top of the surface.

In a preferred embodiment the surface discussed above may be a roadway or a driveway. Installing the present invention into either of these surfaces allows the security device to act as a deterrent to thieves wishing to enter a property with a vehicle. Reference throughout the specification will now be made to the surface as being a driveway. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other surfaces may also have security devices installed, and reference to the above only should not be seen as limiting.

In a preferred embodiment a recess is excavated from a driveway by having material removed from the driveway. Where the driveway is constructed from concrete, a hole may be cut into the concrete of the required size and dimensions.

.However in alternative embodiments a recess may not need to be excavated from ~the driveway. For example, in another embodiment a recess may be formed into a driveway when the driveway itself is being formed. In the case where the driveway is constructed from concrete the security device housing may be set into a recess formed in the concrete when wet.

In a preferred embodiment the housing is secured to the roadway by driving bolts or shafts through apertures in the bottom of the housing into the roadway, The bolts or shafts used may be threaded to securely retain the housing with respect to :the roadway. In further preferred embodiments the bolts or shafts used may be angled to protrude out from the side of dhe housing at a angle if required to give additional lateral strength to the connection of the roadway and the security device housing.

However, in an alternative embodiment where the present invention is installed into wet concrete, the security device may be secured to the roadway by its intimate contact with the concrete. However, it should also be appreciated in such an embodiment additional securing shafts or bolts may also be used to secure the security device to he newly formed driveway.

The present invention provides a number of advantages over existing prior art devices.

The security device discussed above is specially adapted to blend in with its surroundings when not in use. As the security device housing and top cover lie flush with the driveway when the device is not in use, there is no ugly collection of metal components spoiling the surroundings. The cover used in conjunction with the present invention also prevent contaminates such as dust, dirt or moisture 10 working their way into their security device housing, and also prevent vandals or thieves tampering with the inner workings of the device.

Brief Description of Drawings Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description, which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Eiire illustrates a security device as configured in one embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of the security device configured in accordance with embodiment shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates a security device configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention and including a locking pin and fixing plate.

Best Modes for Carrying out the Invention Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the security device configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The security device 1 includes a barrier, shown in this embodiment in its in use configuration, and as a pole 2 which is connected into a housing 3. The pole 2 is connected into the housing 3 via a pivotable attachment 4 which allows the pole 2 to pivot with respect to the housing 3.

The security device 1 also includes a cover 5 which is adapted to close off the interior of the housing 3 when the pole 2 is in its in use or storage configurations.

10 The pole 2, shown in its in use configuration, is orientated substantially vertically with respect to the housing 3. This orientation of the pole 2 ensures that any vehicles (not shown) which are driven at the security device 1 will hit the barrier pole 2.

The security device 1 also includes a retainer lock (not shown). The retainer lock 15 ensures that a thief cannot pivot the barrier pole 2 downward towards the housing 3 without a key required to deactivate the retainer lock.

The security device 1 includes a support element 6. The support element 6 is positioned and configured to support the barrier pole 2 when the pole 2 is pushed or forced towards the end of the housing 3 which contains the support element 6.

The barrier pole 2 also includes a handling element 7, which allows the security device's operator to easily grip and lift the barrier pole 2 to pivot same as and when required, The security device I may be easily sited into a roadway or driveway surface (not shown) so that the cover 5 and the top of the housing 3 lie flush with the top of the roadway or driveway.

Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of the security device shown in Figure 1.

As can be seen from Figure 2 the barrier pole 2 also includes-a number of engaging flanges 8 that may engage with the free end of the cover 5. The end of the cover S may be placed under a locking flange 8 and the barrier pole 2 may be locked in place. This ensures that the cover 5 cannot be lifted upwards to open the housing 3 when the barrier pole 2 is retained and locked in its in use *.10 configuration.

As can also be seen from Figure 2 the pivotable connection 4 between the barrier :pole 2 and the housing 3 allows the barrier pole 2 to be pivoted through a range of orientations and angles with respect to the housing 3. When the barrier pole 2 is in its in use configuration it may be orientated substantially vertically wit respect 15 to the housing, while when th-e barrier pole 2 is in its storage conjuration it may be pivoted to lie substantially horizontally with respect to the housing 3.

aS.. The cover 5 may also be pivoted through a range of angles with respect to the :housing 3 allowing the barrier pole 2 to be dropped into its original configuration, then allowing the cover 5 to be placed on top of the housing, closing off same.

Figure 3 shows a security device configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The security device shown in this figure is substantially the same as that shown with respect to Figures I and 2 with the exception that the security device also includes a locking pin 11 and a fixing plate 12.

The pin 11 has a substantially T shaped end near the free end of the barrier pole which may be grasped by the user and used to push or pull the barrier pole either up or down. The opposite end of the pin 11 is adapted to fit within an aperture in the fixing plate 12. When this end of the pin 11 is fitted into the plate 12 the barrier pole is held up at a set angle to the housing. The barrier pole can then be placed in its storage configuration by the user lifting up the T shaped end of the pin, pulling the opposite end of the pin out of the fixing plates and then allowing the barrier pole to drop into the housing.

The orientation or angle of the fixing plate 12 can also be set when the security device is installed into a surface. In this embodiment a number of grooves or channels (not shown) may be formed into the sides or floor of the housing near the appropriate end of the barrier pole. Bolts or other similar guiding type members i may be inserted through or into these channels and also attached to or bolted to the fixing plate. The attached bolts can then be moved up and down in the 15 grooved channels to change the angle of orientation of the fixing plate with Srespect to the housing. Once the correct angle is achieved, the bolts may be locked in place with nuts, adhesives or any other similar type of locking or holding apparatus.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and 20 it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.