EP3969700A1

EP3969700A1 - A security device

Info

Publication number: EP3969700A1
Application number: EP20728152.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giovanni Laporta
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-05-14
Filing date: 2020-05-14
Publication date: 2022-03-23
Also published as: GB2583929A; WO2020229828A1; GB201906760D0

Abstract

A security device for assisting in ensuring complete closure of a leaf of a window or door assembly, the leaf being moveable relative to a frame between a closed position and an open position, the device comprising at least one resisting unit configured to resist the leaf from entering its closed position unless sufficient force is applied to the leaf to overcome resistance of the resisting unit. The or each resisting unit is preferably configured for mounting to a surface of the window or door assembly. The or each resisting unit preferably comprises at least one resilient member.

Description

A Security Device

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to security devices for window and door assemblies. In particular the invention relates to security devices for assisting in ensuring complete closure of a leaf of a window or door assembly.

Background to the Invention

Security alarm systems for buildings often make use of door and window switch assemblies which are designed to detect unauthorized opening of the door or window. One common switch assembly employed for this purpose is a reed switch assembly, wherein a reed switch is mounted to a door or window frame, with a magnet carried by the adjacent openable door or window (or vice versa). The magnet will hold the reed elements opened or closed (depending on whether the switch is of the normally opened or normally closed variety) when the door or window is closed; when the door or window is opened, the reed switch elements change position. Upon unauthorized opening of the door or window, the switch operation generates an alarm signal. An example of a prior art reed switch system for monitoring whether a door or window is closed is shown in Figures 1 and 2. Referring to Figure 2, a close-up view of the edge of a closed leaf 2 is shown, a magnet 3 being mounted on the leaf 2 and a reed switch 4 being mounted on the frame 5 that the leaf is moveable relative to. Referring to Figure 1 , a simple reed switch circuit is shown, the reed switch 4 shown open. Also typically included in such systems will be an RF module 6 to allow transmission of a single from the reed switch indicative of whether the leaf is open or closed to be transmitted to a remote device.

A problem with reed switches is that they have a relatively large tolerance, and therefore it can be difficult to detect accurately whether a door or window is properly closed at the time of switching of the reed contact. Often, the door or window will visually look closed and the reed switch will signal closure of the door or window, when in fact the door or window has not been fully closed. Some have looked to overcome this with development of sophisticated switch assemblies with tighter tolerances. But this can increase the complexity of security systems. Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a security device for assisting in ensuring complete closure of a leaf of a window or door assembly, the leaf being moveable relative to a frame between a closed position and an open position, the device comprising at least one resisting unit configured to resist the leaf from entering its closed position unless sufficient force is applied to the leaf to overcome resistance of the resisting unit.

The device assists in ensuring that when a user closes a leaf, the leaf is closed to its fully closed position. The user must apply sufficient closing force to the leaf to overcome resistance of the resisting unit in order for the leaf to reach its fully closed position. In embodiments in which the security device is mounted to a window or door leaf assembly which has a sensor or switch for monitoring when the leaf is closed, such as a reed switch, the security device reduces the chances of the switch registering that the leaf has closed when the leaf is not in fact in its fully closed position. The resisting unit will bias the leaf away from the closed position unless sufficient closing force is applied to the leaf to overcome resistance of the resisting unit. The or each resisting unit is configured such that it resists the leaf from entering its closed position unless a closing force greater than a predetermined force is applied to the leaf. The or each resisting unit is configured such that it resists the leaf from entering its closed position when the leaf is near to reaching its closed position.

The or each resisting unit is non-sealing (in other words it does not form a continuous seal between the leaf and the frame). The or each resisting unit does not provide sealing along the full length of any elongate edge of the leaf. Nor does the or each resisting unit provide any seal along all four lengths of the edge of the leaf. The or each resisting unit is configured such that part of the leaf or frame engages the resisting unit as the leaf is moved towards its closed position, the resisting unit providing a reaction force which resists the leaf from entering its closed position unless sufficient force is applied to the leaf to overcome resistance of the resisting unit. The or each resisting unit is configured such that it engages a partial length of an elongate edge of the leaf or frame as the leaf is moved towards its closed position. In preferred embodiments the or each resisting unit engages a short length of an elongate edge of the leaf or frame as the leaf is moved towards it closed position. The term closing force refers to a force applied to the leaf during a closing movement of the leaf. The term“frame” as used herein may be any window or door opening that the leaf may be mounted to open and close relative to. References to a closed position of the leaf herein refer to its fully closed position. The leaf may have a continuous range of open positions available between a fully closed position and a fully open position.

Preferably the or each resisting unit is configured for mounting to a surface of the window or door assembly. The or each resisting unit may be retro-fitted to the window or door assembly. The or each resisting unit is preferably configured for mounting at a discrete position on said surface of the window or door assembly. The or each resisting unit is preferably configured to extend along a partial length of an elongate edge or surface of the leaf or frame when mounted thereto. The or each resisting unit preferably does not extend fully along any elongate edge or surface of the window or door assembly in use. Said surface the resisting unit is configured for mounting to may be a base of a eurogroove.

Preferably the or each resisting unit is configured for mounting to the leaf or to the frame. The frame preferably comprises a plurality of frame edges. The leaf preferably comprises a plurality of corresponding leaf edges, each leaf edge having an outer face that faces a corresponding frame edge when the leaf is in its closed position. The frame edges each have an inner face that faces a corresponding leaf frame edge when the leaf is in its closed position. The or each resisting unit may be configured for mounting to an outer face of a leaf edge or to an inner face of a frame edge. The or each resisting unit is preferably configured for mounting at a discrete position along the outer face of a leaf edge or along an inner face of a frame edge. In preferred embodiments the or each resisting unit engages an engagement surface on a leaf edge or frame edge as the leaf is moved towards its closed position, the engagement surface extending along only part of the length of said leaf edge or frame edge. In other words, the engagement surface does not extend along the full length of said leaf edge or frame edge.

Preferably the or each resisting unit contacts the leaf when the leaf is moving from an open position to its closed position and the leaf is near to reaching its closed position.

Preferably the or each resisting unit comprises at least one resilient member. The properties of the each resilient member are predetermined so that the resisting unit resists the leaf from entering its closed position unless a closing force greater than a predetermined value is applied to the leaf.

Preferably the or each resilient member is convertible between a blocking configuration and a deflected configuration, the or each resilient member being in its blocking configuration when the leaf is open, the or each resilient member being caused to convert to its deflected configuration if a closing force greater than a predetermined value is applied to the leaf. When the or each resilient member is in its deflected configuration, the leaf can be moved to its fully closed position. The or each resisting unit is configured such that part of the leaf or frame will engage the resisting unit as the leaf is moved towards its closed position, the or each resilient member being caused to convert to its deflected configuration if a closing force greater than a predetermined value is applied to the leaf.

Preferably the resisting unit includes at least one upstanding member. The upstanding member is preferably a flipper-like member.

Preferably the or each upstanding member comprises a resilient member, the or each resilient member being convertible between a blocking configuration and a deflected configuration, the or each resilient member being in its blocking configuration when the leaf is open, the or each resilient member being caused to convert to its deflected configuration if a closing force greater than a predetermined value is applied to the leaf. The resilient upstanding member may be made of any suitable resilient material such as a polymeric material or a resilient metallic material.

Preferably the or each resilient member is configured so that it will convert to its deflected configuration when part of the leaf or frame advances, relative to the resilient member, transversely across a surface of the resilient member during closing of the leaf, if a closing force greater than a predetermined value is applied to the leaf. Part of the leaf or frame will engage the or each resilient member as it advances across a surface of the resilient member. In preferred embodiments the or each resilient member has a substantially planar surface configured so that it will convert to its deflected configuration when part of the leaf or frame advances transversely across a surface of the resilient member during closing of the leaf, if a closing force greater than a predetermined value is applied to the leaf. Security devices with a resilient upstanding member may be used with hinged window or door leaves. For example, security devices with a resilient upstanding member may be used with a pivoting hinged door or a casement window that has a leaf movably mounted within a frame by one or a pair of friction hinges mounted between the window frame and the top and bottom of the leaf or opposing sides of the leaf. The or each upstanding member is preferably configured to project substantially orthogonally from the surface to which the resisting means is mounted in use. The or each upstanding member is preferably configured to project substantially orthogonally to the path of travel of the leaf during closing.

Preferably the resisting unit further comprises a holder for supporting the upstanding member. The holder is preferably configured for mounting in a eurogroove of the frame or leaf.

Preferably said resilient member comprises biasing means which pushes against an edge of the leaf or frame, directly or indirectly, as the leaf reaches the closed position.

Preferably the or each resisting unit comprises biasing means which pushes against an edge of the leaf or frame, directly or indirectly, as the leaf reaches the closed position. The biasing means preferably has a biasing surface, said edge of the leaf or frame being arranged substantially orthogonally to the biasing surface when the leaf is in the closed position. Security devices with such a biasing means may be used within hinged window or door leaves. For example, such security devices may be used with a pivoting hinged door or a casement window that has a leaf movably mounted within a frame by one or a pair of friction hinges mounted between the leaf and frame. In windows in which the hinges are mounted between the leaf and frame upper and lower members, such a window is referred to as“side-hung”. In windows in which the hinges are mounted between the leaf and the frame at opposite sides, such a window is referred to as“top-hung”. In such windows the or each resisting unit is preferably mounted to an edge member of the leaf or frame at the side of the leaf that the leaf is hung from. In other embodiments such security devices may be used with a sliding sash window in which the leaf slides back and forth relative to the frame between its open and closed position.

Preferably the biasing means comprises at least one compression spring. In preferred embodiments, the or each compression spring is a helical compression spring. Preferably the or each resisting unit comprises a housing, the biasing means being housed in the housing. In such embodiments the resisting unit is a spring bias cassette unit.

Preferably the or each resisting unit is configured for mounting to a sash balance or a sliding sash window leaf. In such embodiments the device comprises biasing means which pushes against an edge of the frame, directly or indirectly, as the leaf reaches the closed position.

Preferably the sash balance having a security device according to any of claims 10 to 13 mounted thereto. The sliding sash window assembly has a sliding leaf which is slidable relative to a frame between a closed position and an open position. Suitably the security device is mounted to a first end of the sash balance in use. The security device is configured for mounting to a first end of the sash balance so that the security device engages the frame when the leaf is in its closed position.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a window or door assembly including a security device according to any aspect of the invention described above. Preferably the window or door assembly further comprising at least one sensor for sensing a magnetic field and a magnetic field generator, one of the sensor and magnetic field generator pair being for mounting to a moveable element of the window or door assembly and the other being mountable to a reference structure that the moveable element is moveable relative to. In preferred embodiments one of the sensor and magnetic field generator pair is for mounting to the leaf and the other is for mounting to the frame.

Preferably the window or door assembly further comprises holding means for retaining the leaf in its closed position. The holding means may be a latch, a lockable latch, lock mechanism or the like. In some embodiments the holding means is moveable between a secured position and an unsecured position. When the leaf is closed and the holding means is in its secured position, the leaf will be retained in its closed position.

In preferred embodiments the or each resisting unit is non-latching. In other words said resisting unit does not act to retain the leaf in its closed position against an opening force sufficient to overcome any friction between the resisting unit and the leaf which would otherwise hold the leaf closed. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a window or door assembly security system for a window or door leaf moveable relative to a frame between closed and open positions, the system comprising a first sensor configured to detect whether the leaf is in its closed or an open position, a security device according to any of claims 1 to 15, holding means moveable between an unsecured position and a secured position wherein it retains the leaf in its closed position, and processor means configured to output a signal indicating whether the leaf is in a closed or open position, whereby if the leaf is pushed towards its closed position the system will only output a signal indicating that the leaf is in a closed position if sufficient force is applied to the leaf to overcome resistance of the resisting unit and the holding means is moved to its secured position to retain the leaf in its closed position. If the holding means is not moved to its secured position once the leaf has been pushed closed, the resisting unit will simply push the leaf open, whereby the processor means will output a signal indicating that the leaf is in an open position. Therefore the system will only indicate that the leaf is closed when the leaf is reliably latched.

The holding means is preferably separate and discrete from the security device. The holding means is preferably mounted at a first position on the window or door leaf assembly and the security device is preferably mounted at a second position on the window or door leaf assembly.

The first sensor may be a sensor for sensing a magnetic field, the system further comprising a magnetic field generator, one of the sensor and magnetic field generator pair being for mounting to a moveable element of the window or door assembly and the other being mountable to a reference structure that the moveable element is moveable relative to. For example, the first sensor may be a reed switch or magnetometer (such as a three axis magnetometer).

In the context of the present invention, the term “mounting”, “connecting” means connecting or joining, either directly or by means of an intermediate or auxiliary element.

The term“engage” as used herein refers to interlocking or mating of components and “disengage” refers to unmating or mechanical uncoupling of components. It is to be understood that the mere use of the term“first” does not require that there be any“second,” and the mere use of the term“second” does not require that there be any “third,” etc. When used in this specification and the claims, the term“comprises” and“comprising” and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps are integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components. Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a prior art reed switch circuit;

Figure 2 is a prior art reed switch system;

Figures 3 to 9 show a first embodiment of a security device, being a flipper type resisting unit according to the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a holder of the resisting unit;

Figure 4 shows an upstanding member of the resisting unit;

Figure 5 shows the resisting unit mounted to the frame of a window assembly;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the resisting unit;

Figure 7 shows a close-up view of the resisting unit mounted to a frame of a window assembly;

Figure 8 shows the resisting unit mounted to the frame of a window assembly;

Figure 9 shows a side view of the resisting unit;

Figures 10 to 12 show a second resisting unit embodiment, being a bias spring cassette type unit;

Figure 10 shows an exploded view of the resisting unit and of a reed switch assembly; Figure 1 1 shows the resisting unit mounted in a window assembly;

Figures 13 and 14 show further resisting unit embodiments for use with sliding sash window assemblies;

Figure 13 shows a sliding sash window assembly with several resisting units mounted thereto;

Figure 14 shows an exploded view of a slidable leaf of a sliding sash window assembly with resisting units mounted to sash balances. Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present embodiments represent currently the best ways known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice. But they are not the only ways in which this can be achieved. They are illustrated, and they will now be described, by way of example only. Common features between the assemblies of the different figures are referenced by common reference numerals.

Referring to Figures 3 to 9, a first embodiment of a security device according to the present invention is shown. Referring to Figure 3, the security device 10 is shown mounted to a window assembly 1 1 . The window assembly 1 1 is a casement window assembly that has a leaf 12 movably mounted to a frame 13 by one or a pair of friction hinges (not shown) mounted between the frame and the leaf at the top and bottom of the assembly. The security device 10 may be mounted to operate in other types of window or door however, such as sliding sash windows or hinged doors.

The leaf 12 is moveable relative to the frame 13 between a closed position and an open position. In the embodiment of Figure 5 the security device 10 is mounted to the frame 13, however it will be understood it may be mounted to the leaf 12. The security device 10 comprises a resisting unit configured to resist the leaf 12 from entering its closed position unless sufficient force is applied to close to leaf in order to overcome resistance from the resisting unit.

In the embodiment of Figures 3 to 9, the resisting unit 10 comprises an upstanding member 20 which is supported in use by a fixing stand or holder 30. The holder 30 is configured for mounting to the leaf 12 or the frame 13. The glazing for the window is held within leaf edge members 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. In this embodiment the leaf 12 comprises four leaf edge members 12a-12d. The frame 13 is made up of corresponding frame edge members 13a-13d. Leaf edge members 12a-12d and frame edge members 13a-13d may be made of extruded UPVC, aluminium or any suitable material. Typically, each leaf edge member is provided with what is commonly referred to as a "eurogroove". The eurogroove is provided in an edge surface of each leaf edge member, facing the frame, and extends longitudinally of the edge member in which it is provided. The eurogroove is provided to accommodate hinges and locking mechanisms such as espagnolette mechanisms, as is well known in the art. The eurogroove has a standard width and depth. The frame edge members may each also be provided with a eurogroove in an inner facing surface of each frame edge member. The holder 30 may be sized to be received in a eurogroove or similar groove in a leaf edge member or frame edge member.

The upstanding member 20 is a flexible flipper-like member. In preferred embodiments it is made of a resilient polymeric material, but it may be made of other resilient materials, such as flexible metals such as flexible steel. The upstanding member 20 comprises a planar portion 21 and a base portion 22, the planar portion 21 extending substantially orthogonally from the base portion 22. The holder 30 has a slot 31 shaped to receive the base portion 22 of the upstanding member 20 so that the planar portion 21 extends away from the holder 30 when assembled thereto. The slot 31 has an elongate opening in the top of the holder 30, with an undercut area beneath shaped to receive the base portion 22. The upstanding member 20 may be assembled to the holder 30 by introducing the base portion 22 to the slot 31 at one end of the holder 30 and sliding the upstanding member 20 along until the base portion 22 is fully received along the slot 31 . The upstanding member 20 and holder 30 may of course be other shapes or configurations that provide an upstanding resilient member that extends orthogonally away from the leaf or frame surface that it is mounted to.

The resilient upstanding member 20 has a blocking configuration and a deflected configuration. In the blocking configuration the planar 21 portion extends away from the holder 30 as shown in Figure 6. In the deflected configuration, the resilient upstanding member is bent over, so that the leaf can advance transversely relatively across the upstanding member 20 and the leaf can reach the closed position. The resilient upstanding member 20 is sufficiently stiff that it will prevent the leaf from reaching the closed position unless a closing force greater than a predetermined level is applied to the leaf (i.e. a purposeful force for closing the leaf). When a sufficiently large closing force is applied to the leaf, this is enough to bend the resilient upstanding member, allowing the leaf to reach its closed position.

In this embodiment, the window assembly has a reed switch mounted on one of the leaf and frame and a magnet on the other, to line up with the reed switch when the leaf is closed, to indicate when the leaf is closed (the reed switch and magnet not visible in Figures 3 to 8). In this embodiment and the other embodiments herein, rather than a reed switch and magnet, other means for sensing whether the leaf is closed may be used, such as a magnet and three axis magnetometer pair. In operation, referring to Figure 8, resisting unit 10 will prevent the leaf 12 from closing if only a light closing force is applied to the leaf. The resisting unit 10 therefore prevents the reed switch from lining up with the magnet and therefore indicating that the leaf is closed. This prevents the system from indicating that the leaf is closed, if it is in fact slightly ajar for example. In order to close the leaf, the user must apply additional closing force to overcome the resistance provided by the resisting unit 10. The user must then manually latch and/or lock the window to retain the window in the closed position. If the window is not locked, then the resisting unit 10 will push the leaf away from the frame, out of the closed position. In preferred embodiments the window or door assembly includes a holding means to retain the leaf in the closed position. For example, for a window that has an espagnolette mechanism, pivoting of the window handle (not visible in Figures 3 to 9) will cause mushroom headed cams or locking bobbins which project from the leading edge of the leaf on which the handle is located to slide up or down. In this embodiment the cams operable by the handle serve as a holding means. Closure of the handle will engage the or each cam in a corresponding keep on the frame, thus latching the window closed. A lock on the handle may be operated to fix the handle in its closed position, therefore locking the window in its latched configuration. Once the window has been latched, the reed switch will line up with the magnet, therefore reliably indicating that the leaf is in its closed position. The system preferably includes processor means configured to output a signal indicating whether the leaf is in a closed or open position, whereby if the leaf is pushed towards its closed position the system will only output a signal indicating that the leaf is in a closed position if sufficient force is applied to the leaf to overcome resistance of the resisting unit and the holding means is moved to its secured position to retain the leaf in its closed position.

Rather than mounting the flipper-like resisting unit 10 on the frame 13 as shown in Figure 5, it may be mounted on the leaf 12, in a position in which part of the frame 13 will advance transversely across a surface of the resilient upstanding member during closing of the leaf, as the resisting unit 10 moves relative to the fixed frame. By mounting the resisting member 10 closer to the leading edge of the leaf or frame, resisting unit 10 is further from the hinge, therefore the resistance to closure of the leaf provided by the resisting unit 10 is greater than if the resisting unit were mounted closer to the hinge side. Rather than using the resisting unit 10 with a hinged window or door as in the embodiment of Figures 3 to 8, it may be used with a sliding sash window or sliding door. In such situations the resisting unit 10 would be mounted so that the resilient upstanding member 120 is arranged orthogonally to the plane of the leaf and arranged so that the leaf or frame will advance, relative to the resisting unit 10, transversely across the resilient upstanding member, during closing of the leaf.

Referring to Figures 10 to 12, a further embodiment of a resisting unit will now be described. Like the resisting unit 10 of Figures 3 to 9, the resisting unit 100 of Figures 10 to 12 comprises at least one resilient member. In this embodiment, instead of being a flexible flipper-like member, the at least one resilient member comprises a bias spring cassette type unit including one or more compression springs 120. In this embodiment, the resisting unit 10 has two helical compression springs 120, but other types of compression spring may be used. Furthermore, only one compression spring or more than two compression spring may be employed.

Referring to Figures 10 and 12, the compression springs 120 are housed in a housing 130. The housing 130 comprises a base portion 130a and a spring receiving portion 130b. The base portion 130a has a pair of pins 131 extending outwardly from the base portion, one to support each spring 120. A proximal end of each spring 120 is received over a pin 131 . The spring receiving portion 130b is sized and shaped to be received over the springs 120 and to be slidingly received via a friction fit in a recess in base portion 130a. When a pushing force is applied to the distal surface 132 of the spring receiving portion 130b, the inner surface of the spring receiving portion 130b pushes against the springs 120, compressing the springs and the spring receiving portion 130b deflects slidingly relative to the base portion 130a, the distal surface 132 moving towards the base portion 130a. When no pushing force is applied to the distal surface 132 of the resisting unit 100, the resisting unit is in a blocking configuration. When sufficient pushing force is applied to the distal surface 132 of the resisting unit 100, the resisting unit will convert to a deflected configuration.

The base portion 130a may be sized to be received in a eurogroove or similar groove in a leaf edge member or frame edge member. Referring to Figure 1 1 , the base portion 130a has two apertures 133 each for receiving screws therethrough for fixing the resilient unit 100 to part of a window or door assembly. Referring to Figure 1 1 , the window assembly is a side-hung window assembly and the resisting member 100 is mounted to the frame edge member 13b that the leaf is hung from (i.e. the back of the window). The resisting unit 100 is mounted so that the distal surface 132 (its biasing surface) of the resisting unit biases against an edge of the leaf or frame, as the leaf is advanced towards its closed position. Referring to Figure 1 1 , the resisting unit 120 is mounted to the frame 13 of a window assembly, the distal surface 132 pushing against an edge of the leaf 12 as the leaf reaches the closed position. The edge of the leaf that the distal surface 132 biases against is arranged substantially orthogonally to the distal surface 132 when the leaf is in the closed position. The window assembly has a reed switch 104 mounted to the frame 13 and a magnet 103 mounted to the leaf 12 to detect when the leaf is closed (or they may be mounted vice versa).

In operation, resisting unit 100 will prevent the leaf 12 from closing if only a light closing force is applied to the leaf. In order to close the leaf, the user must apply sufficient closing force to overcome the resistance provided by the resisting unit 100. The user must then manually latch and/or lock the window to retain the window in the closed position. If the window is not locked, then the resisting unit 100 will push the leaf away from the frame, out of the closed position. Once the window has been latched, the reed switch will line up with the magnet, therefore reliably indicating that the leaf is in its closed position. Rather than mounting the resisting unit 100 to the frame edge member 13b at the side the window is hung from, it may be mounted to the corresponding leaf edge member 12b, the distal surface 132 of the resisting means biasing against the frame in use. Preferably when mounted in a hinged leaf assembly, the resisting unit 100 is mounted to the frame or leaf at the side opposing the striking edge of the leaf.

Some window assemblies include keeps for use with a locking bolt, mushroom cam or similar, that have a night vent keep aperture. The night vent keep aperture is located at a position in the closure path of the window that is ahead of the main keep, so that when the locking bolt is received in the night vent keep aperture and the locking bolt is locked in that position, the leaf is locked slightly ajar from the frame. It can be difficult to locate the locking bolt in the night vent keep as the night vent keep will not be visible to the user. The springs 120 of the resisting unit 100 may be configured to bias the leaf into a night vent position. For example, if the leaf is positioned between the night vent position and the closed position, the resisting unit 100 will bias the leaf to the night vent position. This aids in locating the locking bolt in the night vent keep. The assembly may include a second reed switch, configured to detect if the leaf is in the night vent position.

Figures 13 and 14 show examples of how resisting units may be employed with a sliding sash type window assembly. Referring to Figure 14, a slidable leaf 212 of a sliding slash window is shown. As with prior art sliding sash windows, the slidable leaf 212 can be retained, in any opened position in which it is placed, by sash balances 214, one arranged on each side of the slidable leaf 212. A resisting unit 200 is mounted to the lower end of each sash balance 214. The resisting unit 200 comprises a base 230 and a compression spring 220 received by the base 230. In operation, the resisting unit 200 will prevent the leaf 212 from closing if only a light closing force is applied to the leaf as the spring 220 of each resisting unit 200 will bias against the frame the slidable leaf 212 is mounted to slide relative to. In order to close the leaf, the user must apply additional closing force to overcome the resistance provided by the resisting unit 200. The user must then manually latch and/or lock the window to retain the window in the closed position. The slidable leaf 212 may be locked using sash catch 215. The assembly includes a reed switch 104 on one of the slidable leaf 212 and a magnet on the other leaf that it slides relative to indicate if the slidable leaf 212 is in its closed position. Once the sash catch 215 has been engaged, the reed switch will line up with the magnet, therefore reliably indicating that the slidable leaf 212 is in its closed position. It will be understood the resisting unit 200 may have a different structure than shown in the figures. In general, resisting unit 200 may be structured broadly similarly to the resisting unit 100 of Figures 10 to 12.

Referring to Figure 13, instead of or in addition to the resisting units 200 configured for mounting to sash balances, a spring bias cassette type spring bias resistor unit 100 of the type described in relation to the embodiment of Figures 10 to 12 may be mounted to the slidable leaf 212 or to the frame 213.

The security device of the present invention may be mounted to a window or door assembly in which the leaf is held in any open position via friction, for example a window assembly with a friction stay or a sliding window or door assembly wherein friction between the leaf and runners on the frame will hold the leaf in an open position. In such a window or door assembly, sufficient force must be applied to the leaf initially in order to overcome frictional forces which maintain the leaf in its open position, and then as the leaf is near to reaching its closed position, sufficient force must be applied to the leaf to overcome resistance of the resisting unit.

Where a sensor is used to detect whether the leaf is closed, rather than a reed switch and magnet, other means for sensing whether the leaf is closed may be used, such as a magnet and three axis magnetometer pair may be used. In embodiments in which a magnet and three axis magnetometer are provided, one of the pair may be mounted to the leaf and the other to any suitable reference structure that the leaf moves relative to. A calibration system may be provided, to assist in detecting whether the leaf is in its closed position or in one or more further predetermined positions, such as a night vent position, or whether the window or door assembly is in any predetermined configuration. Such a calibration system may include a processor means configured to receive output signals from the sensor, the system being configured to operate in a calibration mode and a normal mode, wherein the calibration mode the system is configured to register at least one output value from the sensor when the window or door assembly is in a predetermined configuration as a corresponding reference value and wherein the normal mode the processor means is configured to use the at least one reference value in determining whether the window or door assembly is in the predetermined configuration. The calibration process may be operated through an app on a remote computing device such as a smartphone.

Any of the embodiments described herein may include wireless transmission means for transmitting signals from a sensor such as a reed switch or magnetometer, via a processor, to user display means such as a smartphone or other device which can receive data. The wireless transmission means may be radio frequency (RF) transmission means. However, other wireless transmission means may be used such as ZigBee, Zwave, Bluetooth, or other wireless protocol. A user may interrogate a computing device to obtain an indication of the status of the latch mechanism of a particular window or door assembly. This functionality may be provided via another device (such as a hub or server) and an application (i.e. a program) may execute on the computing device to obtain the position indication.

Various of the window and door security features disclosed herein can be used in combination with one another as appropriate. It should be noted that embodiments of the inventions have been described invention have been described herein by way of example only, and that modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. It should be further noted that each of the many advantageous features described above may be employed in isolation, or in combination with any one or more other features.

Claims

1 . A security device for assisting in ensuring complete closure of a leaf of a window or door assembly, the leaf being moveable relative to a frame between a closed position and an open position, the device comprising at least one resisting unit configured to resist the leaf from entering its closed position unless sufficient force is applied to the leaf to overcome resistance of the resisting unit.

2. A security device according to claim 1 , wherein the or each resisting unit is configured for mounting to a surface of the window or door assembly.

3. A security device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each resisting unit is configured for mounting to the leaf or to the frame.

4. A security device according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each resisting unit comprises at least one resilient member.

5. A security device according to claim 4, wherein the or each resilient member is convertible between a blocking configuration and a deflected configuration, the or each resilient member being in its blocking configuration when the leaf is open, the or each resilient member being caused to convert to its deflected configuration if a closing force greater than a predetermined value is applied to the leaf.

6. A security device according to any preceding claim, wherein the resisting unit includes at least one upstanding member.

7. A security device according to claim 6, wherein the or each upstanding member comprises a resilient member, the or each resilient member being convertible between a blocking configuration and a deflected configuration, the or each resilient member being in its blocking configuration when the leaf is open, the or each resilient member being caused to convert to its deflected configuration if a closing force greater than a predetermined value is applied to the leaf.

8. A security device according to claim 7, wherein the or each resilient member is configured so that it will convert to its deflected configuration when part of the leaf or frame advances, relative to the resilient member, transversely across a surface of the resilient member during closing of the leaf, if a closing force greater than a predetermined value is applied to the leaf.

9. A security device according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the resisting unit further comprises a holder for supporting the upstanding member.

10. A security device according to claim 4, wherein said resilient member comprises biasing means which pushes against an edge of the leaf or frame, directly or indirectly, as the leaf reaches the closed position.

1 1. A security device according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each resisting unit comprises biasing means which pushes against an edge of the leaf or frame, directly or indirectly, as the leaf reaches the closed position.

12. A security device according to claim 10 or 1 1 , wherein the biasing means comprises at least one compression spring.

13. A security device according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the or each resisting unit comprises a housing, the biasing means being housed in the housing.

14. A security device according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the or each resisting unit is configured for mounting to a sash balance or a sliding sash window or door leaf.

15. A sash balance for a sliding sash window assembly, the sash balance having a security device according to any of claims 10 to 13 mounted thereto.

16. A window or door assembly including a security device according to any of claims 1 to 15.

17. A window or door assembly according to claim 16, the window or door assembly further comprising at least one sensor for sensing a magnetic field and a magnetic field generator, one of the sensor and magnetic field generator pair being for mounting to a moveable element of the window or door assembly and the other being mountable to a reference structure that the moveable element is moveable relative to.

18. A window or door assembly according to claim 15 or 17, the window or door assembly further comprising holding means for retaining the leaf in its closed position.

19. A window or door assembly security system for a window or door leaf moveable relative to a frame between closed and open positions, the system comprising

a first sensor configured to detect whether the leaf is in its closed or an open position,

a security device according to any of claims 1 to 15,

holding means moveable between an unsecured position and a secured position wherein it retains the leaf in its closed position,

and processor means configured to output a signal indicating whether the leaf is in a closed or open position,

whereby if the leaf is pushed towards its closed position the system will only output a signal indicating that the leaf is in a closed position if sufficient force is applied to the leaf to overcome resistance of the resisting unit and the holding means is moved to its secured position to retain the leaf in its closed position.