AU649916B2

AU649916B2 - Security screen for buses

Info

Publication number: AU649916B2
Application number: AU33998/93A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Guld
Original assignee: METROPOLITAN PERTH PASSENGER T
Current assignee: Minister For Transport
Priority date: 1992-03-05
Filing date: 1993-03-04
Publication date: 1994-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2013-03-04
Also published as: AU3399893A

Description

649916

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION For a Standard Patent

ORIGINAL

TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT a Name of Applicant: METROPOLITAN (PERTH) PASSENGER TRANSPORT TRUST Actual Inventor(s): JOHN GULD Address for Service: WRAY ASSOCIATES, Primary Industry House, 239 Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia, 6000.

Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "SECURITY SCREEN FOR BUSES" Details of Associated Provisional Application: No: PL1206 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- 1 2 THIS INVENTION relates to a security door panel for coaches, buses or like passenger vehicles.

It is generally the situation in buses coaches and the like passenger vehicle that the drivers compartment is open on at least the side which faces the aisle of the vehicle.

While this arrangement facilitates easy access by the driver into and out of the drivers compartment it does place the driver in an exposed position in the event of passenger choosing to assault or likewise threaten the driver.

It is an object of this invention to provide a means of rendering the drivers compartment more secure.

In one form the invention resides in a drivers compartment security screen for a coach, bus or like passenger vehicle where the drivers compartment is defined by the front wall and a side wall of the vehicle, an aisle opposite the side wall and a rear wall located behind the drivers seat and extending substantially between the floor and roof of the bus and from the side wall of the bus to the aisle, said compartment being substantially open at the side adjacent the aisle, said security screen comprising a first panel pivotally supported adjacent or from the rear wall adjacent the aisle to be movable between a closed position extending forwardly from the rear wall and an open position extending transversely across the aisle, latching means to retain the first panel in the closed position, said first panel when in the closed position partially closing the space between the rear wall and the front wall a second panel tlidably supported from the first panel to be substantially parallel thereto and to be slidable between a first position lying substantially within the confines of the first panel and a second position extending substantially laterally from the first panel towards the front wall, support means provided 3 at the front wall to receive and support the second panel when in its second position, wherein said first and second panel are formed to not significantly restrict vision of the driver through the panel.

According to a preferred feature a drive means is provided between the first panel and the second panel for causing the relative slidable movement of the second panel and is adapted to cause such relative movement between the first and second position only when the first panel is in the closed position. The drive means may comprise a fluid operated cylinder according to a preferred form the fluid operated cylinder is operated pneumatically.

According to a further preferred feature of the invention a switch is associated with the latching means to cause be C.

deactivation of the drive means when the first panel is not in the closed position.

According to a further preferred feature of the invention •the first and/or second panel are formed from a transparent sheet material such as polycarbonate, perspex, glass or a like transparent material.

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The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description of one specific embodiment. The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which; Figure 1 is a side elevation of the drivers compartment from the exterior of the drivers compartment with the security screen in position; Figures 2a and 2b are a side elevation of the internal face of the security panel in the closed position with the second panel retracted respectively; Figure 3 is a plan view of the drivers compartment 4 with the security screen in the closed position; and Figure 4 is a plan view of the drivers compartment with the security screen in the open position.

The embodiment is directed to a security screen which is intended to protect the driver of a coach or bus from passengers who may wish to assault, threaten or throw items at the driver.

In most buses the drivers compartment is defined between the front 11.. and side wall 12 of the vehicle and a rear wall 13 which is provided immediately behind the drivers seat 14 in front of the first row of seats at the drivers "ii" side of the vehicle. The rear wall 13 extends from the *0*9 side wall 12 to the aisle 15. The drivers compartment is further provided with a bench 16 which is provided opposite the entry of the bus and which supports the cash tray and/ or ticketing machines which are conventionally provided with most commuter vehicles.

'"*The security screen according to the embodiment comprises a first panel 17 which is pivotally supported from the edge of the rear wall 13 adjacent the aisle 15 by a pair of V hinges 18. The first panel extends substantially between the floor and roof of the vehicle and has a width corresponding substantially to the space between the rear wall 13 and the rear most edge of the bench 16. A latch 19 is provided on the outer edge of the security panel for engagement with the rear edge of the bench 16. The first panel 17 is moveable between a closed position as shown at figures 1, 2a, 2b and 3 at which it extends between the rear wall 13 and the bench 16 and is latched therewith and an open position as shown at figure 4 where the first panel extends across the aisle 15 of the vehicle and provides access for the driver between the drivers seat and the aisle 15 and entry of the vehicle.

5 The security screen is further provided with a second panel which is slidably supported from the first panel 17 by a pair of parallel tracks 21 in order that it lies substantially parallel with the first panel 17 against the face which is most adjacent the driver. The second panel is movable between a first position as shown at figure 4 at which is lies substantially within the confines of the fist panel 17 and a second position at which it ex'ends laterally from the first panel 17. The height of the second panel 20 corresponds substantially to the space between a position spaced above the upper edge of the bench 16 and the roof of the bus while the width of the second panel corresponds at least to the space between the free vertical edge of the first panel 17 and the front wall 11.

The front wall is provided with a pair of spaced channel elements 22. One is supported from the upper portion of the front wall of the bus while the other is supported from a bracket 24 which engages the second panel towards its lower edge. The channel elements 22 receive the outer edge of the second panel 20 when in its second position when the first panel 17 is in the closed position.

S•Movement of the second panel 20 relative to the first panel 17 is effected by means of a pneumatic cylinder 23 which is connected to the vehicles air supply whereby extension of the pneumatic cylinder 23 causes movement of the second panel (not shown) from its first position to its second position. Activation of the pneumatic cylinder 23 is operated through a switch adjacent the drivers seat 14 which can only be activated when the ignition switch of the bus has been activated. Furthermore the switch for activating the pneumatic cylinder is associated with a micro switch (not shown) which is provided in association with tIr latching mechanism 19 such that activation of the pneumatic cylinder 23 to cause its extension or retraction 6 can only be effected when the micro switch has been activated which is as a result of the first panel 17 being latched in its closed position. Therefore the second panel cannot be caused to move from the first position to the second position when the first panel 17 is in any position other than its closed position. In addition as a further safety measure the micro switch may be connected to the control system for the vehicle whereby the brakes cannot be activated unless the first panel 17 is closed. When associated with the braking system the brakes will be locked in the engaged condition until the first panel has been closed to prevent the vehicle from being moved with the first panel open.

IThe security screen of the embodiment provides a security screen which can substantially fully enclose the drivers compartment of the vehicle to prevent any access into the driving compartment by any unauthorised person. If desired when the first panel 17 is in its closed position the second panel can be located in its retracted first position Ct C* to allow for some access into the driving compartment over ease s. I the cash bench 16. However if the driver requires further security the second panel can be readily moved to its 0 second position to provide protection as the circumstances require. There is sufficient clearance between the lower edge of the second panel and the bench 16 to enable the e re drive to collect fares, tickets or the like when the second ease panel is in its second position.

The first panel 17 is formed from a frame 25 which extends around the perimeter of the panel and a transverse strut 26 which extends between the sides of the frame intermediate its length. The spaces enclosed by the frame and transverse strut are filled by sheets of polycarbonate, perspex, glass or a like transparent material. The second panel 20 is also fornmed of similar materials to the spaces 7 of the first panel. These materials would need to be appropriate for the anticipated forces which can be expected to be exerted on the panel during the normal operation of the bus and in the event that an unauthorised persons attempts to gain access to the driver or the drivers compartment. Furthermore if desired the spaces of the first and second panel can be formed of a mesh material which has sufficient strength to prevent access to the drivars compartment but which also does not significantly impede the vision of the driver through the panel.

The outer stile 25a of the frame 25 of the first panel 17 is located to be in visual alignment with the pillar 27, which is conventionally provided at the entry of the vehicle, when viewed from the drivers seat 14 to minimise the impairment of the drivers view of the entry to the vehicle.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention need not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiment described above. In particular the invention need not be limited to buses or coaches but can be applicable to trams, trains, O-bahn and similar passenger vehicles.

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Claims

1. A drivers compartment security screen for a coach, bus or like passenger vehicle where the drivers compartment is defined by the front wall and a side wall of the vehicle, an aisle opposite the side wall and a rear wall located behind the drivers seat and extending substantially between the floor and roof of the bus and from the side wall of the bus to the aisle, said compartment being substantially open at the side adjacent the aisle, said security screen czmrrising a first panel pivotally supported adjacent or from the rear wall adjacent the aisle to be movable between a closed position extending forwardly from the rear wall and an open position extending transversely across the aisle, latching means to retain the first panel in the S' closed position, said first panel when in the closed *position partially closing the space between the rear wall V, and the front wall a second panel slidably supported from the first panel to be substantially parallel thereto and to be slidable between a first position lying substantially within the confines of the first panel and a second position extending substantially laterally from the first panel towards the front wall, support means provided at the Sfront wall to receive and support the second panel when in 0.44 its second position, wherein said first and second panel are formed to not significantly restrict vision of the driver through the panel.

2. A security screen as claimed at claim 1 wherein a drive means is provided between the first pane± and the second panel for causing the relative slidable movement of the second panel.

3. A security screen as claimed at claim 2 wherein the drive means is adapted to cause such relative movement 9 between the first and second position only when the first panel is in the closed position.

4. A security screen as claimed at claim 2 or 3 wherein the drive means comprises a fluid operated cylinder.

A security screen as claimed at claim 4 wherein the fluid operated cylinder is operated pneumatically.

6. A security screen as claimed at claim 3 wherein a switch is associated with the latching means to cause deactivation of the drive means when the first panel is not in the closed position. oo

7. A security screen as claimed at claim 6 wherein the switch can also cause engagement of the vehicle brakes when the first panel is not in the cloned position.

8. A security screen as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and/or second panel are formed from a transparent sheet material such as polycarbonate, perspex, glass or a like transparent material. C

9. A security screen as claimed at any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the first or second panels are formed from mesh. o A security screen substantially as herein described. DATED this FOURTH day of MARCH 1993 METROPOLITAN (PERTH) PASSENGER TRANSPORT TRUST Applicant. Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia, Patent Attorneys for the Applicant. ABSTRACT A drivers compartment security screen for a coach, bus or like passenger vehicle where the drivers compartment is defined by the front wall and a side wall of the vehicle, an aisle opposite the side wall and a rear 7yall located behind the drivers seat and extending substantially between the floor and roof of the bus and from the side wall of the bus to the aisle, said compartment being substantially open at the side adjacent the aisle, said security screen comprising j first panel pivotally supported adjacent or from the rear wall adjacent the aisle to be movable between a closed position extending forwardly from the rear wall and an open position extending transversely across the aisle, latching means to retain the first panel in the closed position, said first panel when in the closed position partially closing the space between the rear wall and the front wall a second panel slidably supported from the first panel to be substantially parallel thereto and to be slidable between a first position lying substantially within the confines of the first panel and a second position extending substantially laterally from the first panel towards the front wall, support means provided at the front wall to receive and support the second panel when in its second position, wherein said first and second panel are formed to not significantly restrict vision of the driver through the panel. age* 0. 0 S gI@5 a' 05 0 0 0 *go*