EP0231849A2

EP0231849A2 - Security devices and mounting assembly

Info

Publication number: EP0231849A2
Application number: EP19870101045
Authority: EP
Inventors: Clive Frederick Catton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Catton Clive Frederick
Priority date: 1986-01-31
Filing date: 1987-01-26
Publication date: 1987-08-12
Also published as: EP0231849B1; GB8602417D0; GB2186019A; ATE70108T1; EP0231849A3; DE3774890D1; GB2186019B

Abstract

A security device (100) comprises means (110) for mounting the device on or adjacent to an object to be secured, and an at least semi-rigid elongate element (118) connected at one end to the mounting means (110) for movement about an axis transverse to at least a substantial portion (118a) of its length, the other end (119) of the elongate element (118) being releasably engageable with further mounting means (160) which may be mounted adjacent to or on said object.

A further security device comprises a flexible elongate element (218) substantially permanently connected at its opposite ends to respective mounting means (310,410).

Each such device may utilise a mounting assembly of a form comprising a member (12) with external gripping formations, and a retaining element (20) on the elongate element, which elongate element passes generally through the mounting member (12), so that on outward urging of the elongate element (18), the retaining element tends to expand the mounting member by a wedging action.

Description

This invention relates to security devices intended primarily, but not exclusively for use in buildings for securing doors against unauthorised opening, and to a mounting assembly suitable for such devices.
Conventionally such security devices have comprised metal chains, mounted at one end on a door jamb and having at their other end a portion slidably engagable in a slotted member mounted on the door. Such chains often comprise links which are unduly easy to cut with suitable tools, are often clumsy to engage with the slotted member, and tend to mark paintwork when hanging freely.
Other conventional security devices have comprised flexible elongate elements mounted at one end to a door jamb and of sufficient length to permit their other end to be releasably mounted on the door frame at the hinge side of the door, so as to span the entire width of the door. Such elements can be unduly cumbersome and can be unsightly when not in use. Also, their releasable end is far from the door jamb, causing delay between identifying a caller and opening the door.
Various forms of mounting assembly have been proposed for such devices, generally by adapting existing general purpose mounting means.
It is an object of the invention to provide new and improved security devices and mountings therefor.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a security device comprising means for mounting the device on or adjacent to an object to be secured, and an at least semi-rigid elongate element connected at one end to the mounting means for movement about an axis transverse to at least a substantial portion of its length, the other end of the elongate element being releasably engagable with further mounting means which may be mounted adjacent to or on said object.
Thus, where the first mounting means (for mounting the device) is mounted adjacent to a door, for example on a door jamb, the further mounting means may be mounted on the door such that when said other end is so engaged, the elongate element spans a gap between the door jamb and the door, the elongate element being movable about said axis between its engaged position and a released freely-hanging position.
Preferably, the elongate element is inclined at an acute angle to said axis, the elongate element preferably being resilient.
In this manner, sustained engagement of the elongate element with the further mounting means may be assisted, for example by resilience of the elongate element, and the elongate element, when hanging freely, may avoid touching and marking any surface in which the first mounting means is mounted.
Preferably, the elongate element is of a length such that in use it may simply span a gap between a door jamb and a location for the further mounting means on a portion of the door which, when the door is closed, lies adjacent to the door jamb.
Preferably, said axis is defined by cooperation between a part of the mounting means and a portion of the elongate element formed transversely to the majority of the elongate element.
Preferably, said transverse portion is formed at its inner end with retaining means operative to prevent escape of the elongate element from the mounting means.
Preferably, the elongate element comprises a multi-strand high tensile strength cable, e.g. of steel. Such a cable which is usually continuous may be generally stronger than a conventional door chain having interlinked links of comparable thickness.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a security device comprising a flexible elongate element substantially permanently connected at its opposite ends to respective mounting means.
Preferably, the elongate element is of a length such that in use it may simply span a hinge gap between a door and on adjacent door frame.
Preferably, each end of the elongate element is provided with retaining means which, by engagement thereof with respective parts of the mounting means, prevent escape of the elongate element from the mounting means.
The elongate element may comprise a multi-strand high tensile strength cable e.g. of steel.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a mounting assembly comprising a mounting member having external gripping formations, a retaining element, and an elongate element extending from the retaining element and which passes generally through the mounting member, the construction and arrangement being such that on outward urging of the elongate element, the retaining element engages the mounting member with a wedging action, so as to tend to cause the mounting member to expand.
In this manner, if the mounting member is inserted into a bore so that the gripping formations grip the surface of the bore, outward pulling of said elongate element causes the gripping formations to be urged into tighter contact with the bore.
The mounting member may be in the form of an externally threaded tubular member (e.g. a bolt which has been drilled-out axially), the external threads of the member affording said gripping formations.
Preferably, the tubular member comprises slotted formations, to facilitate radial expansion of an inner end portion of the tubular member due to said wedging action of the retaining element.
Advantageously, said slotted formations, for example in conjunction with the external thread, may enable the tubular member to be self-tapping.
Preferably, one or more of the mounting means of the security devices in accordance with the first or second aspects of the invention comprise a mounting assembly in accordance with the third aspect of the invention.
Thus, for example, the "elongate element" of such a mounting assembly may be a portion of the "elongate element" of either of said security devices, the remainder of such a security device's elongate element, or part of a further mounting means as appropriate, constituting an article to be mounted.
A mounting assembly embodying the invention, and two security devices embodying the invention, will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE I is a partly cross-sectional side view of a mounting assembly in accordance with the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a first door security device in accordance with the invention; and
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a second security device in accordance with the invention.

Referring first to Figure I of the drawings, a mounting assembly 10 comprises an externally threaded tubular mounting member 12, a nut 14 substantially immovably fixed to the outer end of the member 12, and a plurality of longitudinal slots 16 provided in the inner end of the tube 12.
The assembly 10 further comprises an elongate element 18 which passes generally axially completely through the tubular member 12, and is provided at its inner end with a retaining element 20 fixed thereto by a crimping operation. The elongate element 18 is in the form of a continuous multi-strand high tensile strength steel cable. A front edge 22 of the element 20 is chamfered, as is a rear edge 24 of the member 12 adjacent to the element 20.
The member 12 is produced by axially drilling out a portion of a threaded bolt.
In use, an article to be mounted using the assembly 10 would be connected to, or in some other manner associated with, an outer portion 26 of the elongate element 18.
In order to mount the assembly 10 in (for example) a wooden object such as a door or door surround member, a bore having a diameter fractionally less than the outer diameter of the member 12 is first drilled in the door, the bore having a depth sufficient to accommodate the retaining element 20 and the portion of the member 12 not covered by the nut 14, and the assembly 10 is then positioned so that the element 20 lies in the bore and the inner end of the tubular member 12 engages the front of the bore. By holding and turning the assembly 10 via the nut 14, the member 12 is then screwed into the bore, the threads on the member 12, assisted by the slots 16, biting into the bore in a self-tapping manner, until the majority of the member 12 has been received within the bore, and the nut 14 lies against the outer surface of the door. When so mounted, the threads formed on the member 12 grip the bore, but there may be free-play between the member 12 and the connected-together elements 18 and 20, depending upon the manner in which said article is connected or associated with the outer portion 26, and where there is such free play, it may be possible for the article to be rotated about an axis defined by cooperation between the elements 18 and 20 and the member 12 e.g. about the axis A. Should the article, and hence the element 18 be urged outwardly (i.e.to the right in Figure I), the edge 22 of the element 20 engages against the edge 24 of the member 12, and by a wedging action causes radial expansion of the inner end of the member 12, such ' expansion being facilitated by provision of the slots 16, so that the external threads of the member 12 at said inner end are forced into tighter contact with the inner surface of the bore. Thus, attempts to dismount the article by outward pulling thereof merely tighten the grip of the mounting assembly on the bore.
Two door security devices in which assemblies such as the assembly 10 are used are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.
In Figure 2 a door security device 100 comprises a semi-rigid elongate element 118, namely a continuous multi-strand high tensile strength steel cable (with a thin plastics sleeve or coating) comprising a main portion 118a and a shaft portion 118b, with a bend 126 therebetween such that the portion 118a forms an acute angle B with the portion 118b. Whilst the bend 126 illustrated is formed at a location spaced from the nut 114, it could if desired be formed adjacent to the nut 114. The portion 118b constitutes a part of a mounting assembly 110, of generally the same construction as the mounting assembly 10 of Figure 1, comprising a threaded tubular member 112, a nut 114 fixed thereon, and a retaining element 120 crimped on to the inner end of the portion 118b, such that (for example) with the assembly 110 mounted in a bore formed in a door jamb, the element 118 is movable about an axis defined by the portion 118b, between an inoperative freely-hanging position, away from the door jamb due to said inclination of portion 118a, and an operative position in which a reduced-diameter (or uncovered) portion 118c of the element 118 may be received by a slotted region 135 of a mounting block 130. In use the block 130 is substantially permanently mounted on part of the door adjacent to the door jamb, so that the element 118, when operatively engaged with the block 130, spans a gap between the door jamb and the door. An end element 119 crimped onto the "free" end of the element 118 is able to slide longitudinally in the region 135 on slight opening of the door, but an enlarged head 119a thereon prevents further such movement of the door by engaging the block 130. The tubular part of element 119 is too broad to permit the element 119 to be lifted vertically out of the region 135 with door partly open. The block 130 is mounted in a bore formed in the door by a mounting assembly 160 generally the same as the mounting assemblies 10 and 110, the block 130 being connected to a retaining element 180 by a multi-strand steel cable 190 which posses through a threaded tubular mounting member 185 having a nut 170 fixed to its outer end.
Any attempt to force the door open, which generally may result in outward urging of the element 118 and/or the block 130, results in radial expansion of the member 112 and/or the member 185, under action of the element 120 and/or the element 180 respectively, so that the grip of the security device 100 on the door and door jamb becomes tighter. The element 118 may be stronger than a metal chain of comparable thickness, its portion 118c is relatively easy to engage with the block 130, and the element 118, due to its inclination, does not hang against paintwork when not in use. If desired, a spring clip may be mounted on the jamb below the assembly 110, to hold the portion 118a when not is use.
In use, retention of the portion 118c by the block l30 is assisted by resilience of the element 118 resulting from its steel-cable construction.
The second security device comprises a flexible elongate element 218 comprising a multi-strand steel cable (with a plastics coating or sleeve on externally visible portion of the cable) having its opposite ends substantially permanently mounted in respective mounting assemblies 310 and 410 each substantially identical to the assemblies 10, 110 and 160 described above, opposite end portions of the element 218 being connected to respective retaining elements 320 and 420 and passing through expansible externally threaded tubular members 312 and 412 respectively, said tubular members having nuts 314 and 414 fixed at at their respective outer ends. In use, the assemblies 310 and 410 are respectively mounted in a door surround member (on the hinge side of a door) and in the door itself, such that the element 218 spans a hinge-gap between the door and the frame. In this manner, should a would-be intruder dislodge the door from its hinges, the element 218 will genenerally retain the door adjacent to the frame. Further inward forcing of the dislodged door will result in expansion of one or both of the members 312 and 412, which will tighten the grip of the assemblies 310 and 410 on the bores in which they are mounted.
It will be appreciated that the above security devices and/or mounting assemblies may incorporate various additional or alternative features, whilst remaining within the scope of the invention.
For example, referring for convenience to the parts of the mounting assembly 10 of Figure I, the chamfered edges 22 and 24 may be more extensive than those illustrated, at least in a longitudinal (axial) direction and preferably also in a radial direction, to assist seating of the edge 22 against the edge 24 and improve the aforementioned wedging action.
The nut 14 may be integrally formed with the threaded member 12. For example, the nut 14 and member 12 may be formed integrally by suitable machining of a rod (e.g. of a zinc alloy) having an initial uniform cross- section of hexagonal shape corresponding to the hexagonal shape required for the nut 14.
In order to facilitate mounting/tightening of the assembly on an object, a washer may be carried on the member 12, against the rear surface of the nut 14. Alternatively, a washer may be integrally formed with the nut 14 at the rear thereof.
The front (i.e. outer) edge of the axial drilling in the member 12 may be chamfered, so that the drilling becomes wider in the vicinity of the outer portion 26. In this manner wear on the elongate element in the vicinity of said front edge due to prolonged use may be reduced.
By way of further example, referring for convenience to the parts of the security device of Figure 2, said thin plastics sleeve or coating on the element 118 may alternatively also extend over the portion 118c, up to the element 119, and a further plastics sleeve (not shown), more rigid than said thin sleeve or coating and of lesser external diameter than the head I 19a, may wholly or partially cover the crimped portion of the element 119. The further plastics sleeve may taper at its end nearest to said thin sleeve or coating. In conjunction with this modified elongate element 118, a modified mounting assembly 160 would be used, having an enlarged block 130, with a larger region 135 to accommodate the width of the further plastics sleeve and a larger entry slot wide enough to accommodate the full width of the now sleeved or coated portion 118c, but narrower than the further plastics sleeve.
Although the block 130 of the assembly 160 described above is retained on the member 185 by the elongate element 190 and the element 180, the head 130 and the member 185 could alternatively be integrally formed in one piece, in which case the member 185 could be solid. Although the member 185 would not then utilise a radial expansion feature, in use with the assembly 160 mounted on a door in order to receive an elongate element mounted on an adjacent jamb, this may still give satisfactory results, since if an attempt is made to force open the door, the assembly 160 is subjected primarily to a transverse force in contrast to the generally axial force experienced by the assembly mounted on the door jamb. Said radial expansion feature is highly advantageous for the assembly mounted on the door jamb.
The head 119a may be provided with a protrusion on the opposite side thereof to the element 118, to faciltate grapsing thereof, e.g. comprising an axially outwardly protruding shank portion of lesser diameter than the head 119a and having an enlarged outer end portion, which protrusion may be integrally formed with the head 119a/element 119.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A security device (100) comprising means (I 10) for mounting the device on or adjacent to an object to be secured, and an at least semi-rigid elongate element (118) connected at one end to the mounting means (110) for movement about an axis transverse to at least a substantial portion (118a) of its length, the other end (119) of the elongate element (118) being releasably engagable with further mounting means (160) which may be mounted adjacent to or on said object.

2. A security device (100) according to Claim I wherein the elongate element (118) is inclined at an acute angle (B) to said axis.

3. A security device (100) according to Claim I or Claim 2 wherein the elongate element (118) is resilient.

4. A security device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate element (118) is of a length such that in use it may simply span a gap between a door jamb and a location for the further mounting means (160) on a portion of the door which, when the door is closed, lies adjacent to the door jamb.

5. A security device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said axis is defined by cooperation between a part (112) of the mounting means (110) and a portion (118b) of the elongate element (118) formed transversely to the majority (118a) of the elongate element.

6. A security device according to Claim 5 wherein said transverse portion (118b) is formed at its inner end with retaining means (120) operative to prevent escape of the elongate element from the mounting means.

7. A security device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate element( 118) comprises a multi-strand high tensile strength cable.

8. A security device comprising a flexible elongate element (218) substantially permanently connected at its opposite ends to respective mounting means (310, 410).

9. A mounting assembly (10) comprising a mounting member (12) having external gripping formations, a retaining element (20), and an elongate element (18) extending from the retaining element (20) and which posses generally through the mounting member (12), the construction and arrangement being such that on outward urging of the elongate element (18), the retaining element (20) engages the mounting member (12) with a wedging action, so as to tend to cause the mounting member (12) to expand.

10. A security device according to any one of Claims to 8 comprising a mounting assembly according to Claim 9.