GB2142358A

GB2142358A - Security hatch system

Info

Publication number: GB2142358A
Application number: GB08415332A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hugh Gordon Mackinnon
Original assignee: JOLPINE Ltd
Current assignee: JOLPINE Ltd
Priority date: 1983-06-29
Filing date: 1984-06-15
Publication date: 1985-01-16
Also published as: GB8317683D0; GB8415332D0; GB2142358B

Abstract

This invention relates to a hatch system suitable for use in closing a loft access opening, said hatch comprising a hatch surround 5 and a hatch panel 23, securable in a closed position to said hatch surround 5 by security lock means 26, and movable to an open position. The security lock means is disposed substantially on the reverse side of said hatch panel 23 and hatch surround 5, which have mutually overlapping edge portions formed and arranged for resisting insertion of lever means therebetween. The hatch surround 5 has on its reverse side upstanding clamping means 13-18 formed and arranged for clamping structural material 2 at or in close proximity to the opening at opposite sides thereof, so as to secure said hatch surround 5 in position around the opening whereby the mounting and locking means of the hatch are substantially screened from abuse. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Security hatch system This invention relates to a hatch system suitable for use in protecting loft access openings in temporarily unoccupied premises.

Property which is temporarily vacant for bne reason or another for example during building renovation or between tenants, is being increasingly subject to damage due to theft and extensive vandalism. Since conventional hatches offer relatively little protection against a determined attack to the loft space from which vandals can gain ready access to living quarters through the ceilings thereof, it is necessary to protect these openings.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective security hatch system which is highly resistant to attack whilst at the same time affording ready access to authorised persons.

The present invention provides a security hatch suitable for use in closing a loft access opening, said hatch comprising a hatch surround and a hatch panel, securable in a closed position to said hatch surround by security lock means having respective parts formed and arranged on each of said hatch panel and hatch surround for interengagement in a locked condition of the security lock means, said hatch panel being movable to an open position in an unlocked condition of the security lock means and any other optional catch means, said security lock means being disposed substantially on the reverse side of said hatch panel and hatch surround, said hatch panel and hatch surround having mutually overlapping edge portions formed and arranged for resisting insertion of lever means therebetween, and said hatch surround having on its reverse side upstanding clamping means formed and arranged for clamping, in use, structural material at or in close proximity to the opening at opposite sides therof, so as to secure said hatch surround in position around the opening, whereby in use of the security hatch, the mounting and locking means of the hatch are substantially screened from abuse.

With a security hatch of the present invention there is obtained a high degree of protection against abuse. At the same time its installation is relatively quick and simple with little or no preparation of the opening required. The hatch is also of relatively simple and economic construction.

Further preferred features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description given by way of example of a preferred embodiment illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view from above i.e. showing the reverse side, of a security hatch of the invention in use; Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the hatch in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the hatch of Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 shows a rectangular loft access opening 1 in a ceiling structure 2, said opening 1 being defined inter alia by two spaced apart joists 3 and two cross-timbers 4 extending between said joists 3.

A hatch surround 5 (see Fig. 2) is made up of generally U-shaped channel section 6 with the inward sides 7 of the channel sections cranked inwardly at a position 8 intermediate their ends to provide an inwardly extending flange 9 at the inner periphery 10 of the hatch surround 5. A plurality of circumferentially spaced threaded runners 11 extend between the outward sides 12 and the inward sides 7 at the cranked position 8 generally at rightangles thereto. A plurality of hangers in the form of generally L-shaped strips 13 are mounted on the runners 11 with the latter extending through apertures 14 in the distal end portions 15 of the longer arms 16 of the hangers 13.The shorter arms 17 of the hangers 13 extend radially outwardly and are provided with clamping screw means 18 extending through screwthreaded apertures 19 generally parallel to the longer arms 16 of the hangers 13 and generally similar to clamping screw means of the type used in G-clamps and the like.

By screwing in the clamping screw means 18 the ceiling structure 2 including the joists 3 and cross-members 4 is securely clamped between the clamping screw means 18 and the hatch surround 5 thereby securing the latter to the former; The hangers 13 are located along the runners 11 between pairs of clamping nuts 20 so that the hangers are brought up close against the joists or cross timbers 3, 4 whereupon addition security of fixing can be achieved by securing the longer arms 16 to the sides of the ceiling timbers 3, 4 e.g. with the aid of wood-screws 2 extending through suitable apertures 22 in said longer arms 16.

A hatch panel 23 is turned over at its edges 24 to form a channel section 25 thereat which increases the strength and dimensional stability of the hatch panel. Also with the channel section at the rear the principal plane of the hatch panel is held substantially flush with the face of the hatch surround thereby improving resistance to attack. Suitable hingepins 26 extend through the shorter sides 7 of the hatch surround section and the hatch panel channel sections to hang the hatch panel. At the opposite side-remote from the hinges-the hatch panel is provided with a security mortice lock 27 which engages with a suitable keeper 28 provided in the hatch surround.

The whole structure may be made of any suitable vandal resistant material and conveniently is made of steel e.g. galvanised mild steel.

Claims

1. A security hatch suitable for use in closing a loft access opening, said hatch comprising a hatch surround and a hatch panel, securable in a closed position to said hatch surround by security lock means having respective parts formed and arranged on each of said hatch panel and hatch surround for inter-engagement in a locked condition of the security lock means, said hatch panel being movable to an open position in an unlocked condition of the security lock means and any other optional catch means, said security lock means being disposed substantially on the reverse side of said hatch panel and hatch surround, said hatch panel and hatch surround having mutually overlapping edge portions formed and arranged for resisting insertion of lever means therebetween, and said hatch surround having on its reverse side upstanding clamping means formed and arranged for clamping, in use, structural material at or in close proximity to the opening at opposite sides thereof, so as to secure said hatch surround in position around the opening, whereby in use of the security hatch, the mounting and locking means of the hatch are substantially screened from abuse.

2. A hatch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said clamping means comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart upstanding members with laterally outwardly, with respect to the hatch surround opening, extending arms spaced from the hatch surround on which arms are provided clamping elements engaged therewith so as to be progressively movable towards said hatch surround for clamping, in use of the hatch, said structural material between said clamping elements and said hatch surround.

3. A hatch as claimed in claim 2 wherein said clamping elements are screw-threadedly engaged with said clamping member arms.

4. A hatch as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said clamping members are movably mounted on generally radially extending support members on said hatch surround, so as to be movable along said support members inwardly and outwardly with respect to the hatch surround opening.

5. A hatch as claimed in claim 4 wherein said support members have screw-threaded portions engaged in respective screw-threaded apertures in said clamping members.

6. A hatch as claimed in claim 5 wherein said screw-threaded support members are provided with locking means for securing said clamping members in a desired position along said support members.

7. A hatch as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said clamping means are further adapted for fixed securing to said structural material with drivable fastening means.

8. A security hatch substantially as described hereinbefore with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.