EP0288270A2

EP0288270A2 - A variable length security bar

Info

Publication number: EP0288270A2
Application number: EP88303565A
Authority: EP
Inventors: John Nall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-04-22
Filing date: 1988-04-20
Publication date: 1988-10-26
Also published as: EP0288270A3; GB8709491D0; GB2203785B; GB2203785A; GB8809204D0

Abstract

A variable length security bar comprising a tube (11) attached to a first fixing block (10), a rod (13) slidable within tube (11) and attached to a second fixing block (12). The exact length of the bar is determined by having one or more cylindrical spacing sleeves (15) of different lengths thus to present a uniform cross-sectional area throughout the length of the bar. Blocks (10, 12) are drilled to receive fixing screws (14). The lengths of tube (11) rod (13) and spacers (15) determine the increments of length of the assembled bar. Alternatively, blocks (10, 12) may be replaced by members (18, 19,) to provide a pivotal attachment to the frame members.

Description

THIS INVENTION concerns a security bar of the type to be fixed across a door or window frame and being extendible to fit the particular frame to which it is to be fixed.
By such means, it is made possible to purchase and fit a number of such bars to, for example, a window frame to form a security grill, without the need to obtain a bar which exactly matches the width of the window recess.
According to the present invention there is provided a variable length security bar comprising an elongate tube having one end open with fixing means at the other end, an elongate rod forming a close sliding fit within the tube and having fixing means at one end, and one or more sleeves to form a close sliding fit over the rod when not fully enclosed within the tube thus to present a uniform cross-sectional area along the length of the bar.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a variable length security bar made in accordance with the invention and shown during assembly;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view, in situ, of the security bar shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment showing two alternative fixing positions;
and Fig. 4 is an elevation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the device consists essentially of a fixing block 10 from which extends a tube 11, and a further fixing block 12 from which extends a rod 13. The rod is of cross-sectional shape and size to conform closely with the internal wall surface of tube 11 to form a sliding fit within the latter.
As can be seen from Fig. 2, end blocks 10 and 12 are drilled and countersunk to receive fixing screws 14, and they may be drilled optionally in a direction parallel to the bar as illustrated in Fig. 2 or at right-angles thereto to enable the device to be fixed to a window or door frame surface which itself is substantially parallel to the bar.
A number of spacer sleeves 15 of different lengths are adapted to be slidably mounted on rod 13 so that by appropriate selection of the sleeves, the finished length of the bar may be arranged to match the width of the window or door frame to which it is to be fitted.
In the embodiment shown, the tube 11 is bonded to a short length of rod 16 which is itself located by bonding in an aperture within the block 10. In a generally similar manner, rod 13 is located by bonding in aperture within block 12, and a short length of tube 17 is preferably also bonded to block 12 and to rod 13.
For rigidity and for aesthetic purposes, the entire structure may be made from bright plated steel, and a conventional metal-to-metal adhesive which is readily available industrially may be used to bond the above mentioned parts together.
The bar is assembled by inserting rod 13 into tube 11 with, if necessary, sleeves 15 located on the rod. By selection of the number and sizes of sleeves 15, the overall length of the bar can be determined within fairly close limits. The purpose of sleeves 15 is to ensure that the assembled bar, when extended beyond its minimum length, has a uniform cross-sectional area along its length.
Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, there is illustrated an alternative fixing means as a further embodiment. In this case, the rod 13 is fixed to a member 18 which is pivotally connected to a further member 19 which itself is drilled and countersunk at 20 to enable it to be fixed, as illustrated in Fig. 3 in a variety of positions on the adjacent frame member. The member 18 may be pivoted with respect to the member 19 through 180°, and the entire assembly 18, 19 may be rotated about the axis of rod 13 so that the attitude of the pivotal axis of members 18 and 19 is infinitely variable. In this way, the device may be affixed to frame members having surfaces at many different angles with respect to the window or door opening.
In construction, the member 18 may be bonded or otherwise attached to the rod 13 and, at the opposite end of the device, to the tube 11.
It is envisaged that a variable length security bar made in accordance with the invention will have a diameter of about 12mm and can be supplied in, say, three length sizes, the smallest being extendible from 250mm to 400mm, an intermediate size from 400mm to 600mm and the largest from 600mm to 900mm. Larger sizes, both in length and diameter may be supplied for use in door openings.
To ensure adequate strength and to prevent the bar from being bent readily when fixed in place care should be taken to ensure that at least half of the length of rod 13 remains within tube 11 with the rod extended to the maximum length for its particular size.
The device may be other than circular in cross-section, and the means for fixing the ends of the bar may be other than as described in the above examples. For example, in a very simple form of the device, the tube 11 may be drilled and countersunk at one end to receive a fixing screw which will pass directly through the tube into a frame member, the rod 13 terminating in a part of a diameter equivalent to the tube 11, and again being drilled and countersunk to receive a fixing screw.
Furthermore, and in relation to the examples illustrated, whilst the assemblies of fixing block 10 and short rod 16 and of fixing block 12 and short tube 17 are described as being bonded together, each assembly may be produced as a single integral piece by, for example, die casting.
For increased security, so-called clutch-head screws should be used to prevent easy removal.

Claims

1. A variable length security bar comprising an elongate tube having one end open with fixing means at the other end, an elongate rod forming a close sliding fit within the tube and having fixing means at one end, and one or more sleeves to form a close sliding fit over the rod when not fully enclosed within the tube thus to present a uniform cross-sectional area along the length of the bar.

2. A variable length security bar according to Claim 1, wherein the fixing means for said elongate tube comprises a fixing block to which the tube is attached, the block being drilled to receive fixing screws, a similar fixing block being attached to one end of said elongate rod.

3. A variable length security bar according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, including a plurality of said sleeves of different axial lengths such that by selection of appropriate ones of said sleeves the overall length of the bar may be determined.

4. A variable length security bar according to any preceding claim, wherein said elongate tube is bonded to a co-axial rod forming part of said fixing means, said elongate rod being bonded to and within a co-axial tube forming a part of said fixing means.

5. A variable length security bar according to Claim 4, wherein said co-axial rod and said co-axial tube are formed integrally with their respective fixing means by die casting.

6. A variable length security bar according to any preceding claim, wherein said elongate tube and said elongate rod are pivotally attached to their respective fixing means.

7. A variable length security bar according to Claim 6, wherein said pivotal connections provide 180° of pivotal movement about any single axis produced by rotation of the entire bar about its longitudinal axis.

8. A variable length security bar according to any preceding claim, including so-called clutch head screws for attachment of said fixing means to a door or window frame.