GB2157756A

GB2157756A - Security device

Info

Publication number: GB2157756A
Application number: GB08410164A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Henry Spindler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-04-18
Filing date: 1984-04-18
Publication date: 1985-10-30
Also published as: GB2157756B; GB8410164D0

Abstract

The device comprises an annulus formed of inter-engagable, separable, parts (3, 5); and means (15) for securing the inter-engaged parts against separation. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Security device The present invention relates to a security device for attachment to relatively movable parts to prevent undue relative movement therebetween.

Effective security has become an increasing problem in many instances in life. Inter alia, there is a problem of effectively securing bicycles against theft. While devices do exist to secure bicycles, they can be readily disabled by a thief and consequentially their deterrent effect is limited. A similar problem arises in securing doors, gates and indeed many other objects or articles that may need to be secured in a given station.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a more efficacious form of security device for preventing undue relative movement between relatively movable parts.

There is provided by the present invention a security device comprising an annulus formed of inter-engageable, separable, parts; and means for securing the inter-engaged parts against separation. Preferably, the parts interengage by a telescoping action. It is also preferred that the parts be such that, when inter-engaged, they can be adjusted in relative position so as to vary the cross-sectional dimension of the annulus.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the annulus is formed of two members; and one of the members is in the form of an arcuate tube having a predetermined internal diameter, and the other member is in the form of an arcuate member having an external diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of the tube so that the end portions of the arcuate member can be inserted in the respective end portions of the tube to form the annulus. More particularly, in the presently preferred embodiment, the two members have the general shape of a "U" so that the limbs of the arcuate member can be telescoped into the limbs of the tube to a greater or lesser extent.

In the presently preferred embodiment, the limbs of the arcuate member are bored to provide a plurality of transverse bores passing therethrough; and the circumferential wall of the limbs of the tube on the outer aspect of the "U" are provided with a corresponding series of holes whereby, when the limbs of the arcuate member are slid into the limbs of the tube, transverse bores in the limbs of the arcuate member can be aligned with holes in the circumferential wall of the limbs of the tube. It is a feature of the presently preferred embodiment that the means for securing the parts to prevent separation thereof takes the form of a lock which can be inserted into a bore provided in a limb of the arcuate member when the bore is aligned with a hole in a limb of the tube.The lock is such that, on insertion, and on operation to lock it, its removal from the annulus is prevented. It thereby prevents separation of the two parts.

Two such locks may be employed and the two locks may be of a different kind. For instance, one may be a key operated lock and the other may be a combination lock.

It is preferred that the two parts be made of tough metal, for instance, steel; and, in this instance, they may be electroplated to increase surface hardness. To reduce cost, the arcuate member may itself be in the form of a tube. In this instance, the transverse bores may simply take the form of a hole in the circumferential wall of the tube on the outer aspect of the "U".

To facilitate entry of the arcuate member into the tube, the respective ends of the tube may be flared outwardly.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevational cross-section of a device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional elevation of a part employed in the device of Fig. 1, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional elevation of a further part employed in the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, the device comprises an annulus, generally indicated at 1, constituted by two inter-engaging, separable, parts 3, 5. The two parts are each in the form of a "U" shaped tube with the part 5 having an external diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of the limbs 11, 1 3 of the member 3. Consequentially, the limbs 7, 9 of the member 5 can be telescoped into the limbs 11, 1 3 of the member 3, and the two members are able to be separated and then rejoined to form the annulus.Each of the limbs of each of the members comprises a plurality of holes 1 2 in the circumferential wall thereof on the outer aspect of the "U" with the axial spacing of the holes in each limb being the same so that, when the limbs of member 5 are slid into the limbs of member 3, holes in the limbs of member 5 can be aligned with holes in the limbs of member 3.

The embodiment further comprises a lock, generally indicated at 15, which may be inserted into two such aligned holes and operated to be locked in position therein so as to prevent withdrawal of the lock from the holes.

When so locked in position, the lock prevents separation of the two members forming the annulus.

The security afforded by the device may be increased by insertion of a further lock, generally indicated at 17, in a further set of aligned holes respectively of the two members; and the two locks may be of a different kind. For instance, one may be a key operated lock and the other may be a combination lock. It will be understood, however, that both could be key operated locks or both could be combination locks. Fig. 1 shows alternative or additional positions for the or each lock e.g. one could be positioned in a position in the right hand limbs as seen in Fig. 1 and one in a position in the left hand limbs as seen in Fig.

1.

A particular form of lock which is suitable for use with the illustrated embodiment is one comprising a generally cylindrical barrel having diametrically opposed longitudinal slots in the circumferential wall thereof, a pair of pivoted members therein and a key operated mechanism such that on insertion and turning of the key to unlocking position, the pivoted members are displaced to extend through the slots respectively to provide an edge to act against the internal face of the limb concerned of the arcuate member with the remote end of the barrel acting against the opposite internal face of that limb, the members being maintained in this position until the key is turned back. The members when thus extended and locked in the extended position prevent the lock from either being pushed into the limb concerned or drawn out of the limb.Preferably, the members are in the form of 90' sectors.

In use of the device, say, to secure a bicycle, the two parts of the annulus would be separated and one part placed around, say, a frame member of the bicycle and the other part placed around the rim of a wheel of the bicycle, and the two parts then telescoped together and locked in position. Alternatively one part could be placed around a frame member of the bicycle or a wheel and the other part secured to some fixed object so that when the two parts are telescoped together, the bicycle is then secured in relation to the fixed object. For instance, the other part could be placed around a ring anchored to a wall.

It will be evident that the device could be used in the similar manner to secure a door against a door jamb or to secure a pair of gates together or to secure some article to some fixed object.

The described embodiment may readily be made of a material to prevent the annulus being severed by a device such as a bolt cutter or by means of any ordinary manually operated saw. It can therefore be made such as to be virtually irremovable otherwise than by operation of the or each lock. Further, in order to prevent jamming of two members 3, 5 when telescoped together abutments such as rivets 1 9 may be formed on the wall of member 3 to act as a stop for the respective ends of member 5.

Claims

1. A security device comprising an annulus formed of inter-engagable, separable, parts; and means for securing the inter-engaged parts against separation.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the parts inter-engage by a telescoping action.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the parts are such that, when interengaged, they can be adjusted in relative position so as to vary the cross-sectional dimension of the annulus.

4. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the annulus is formed of two members, one of which members is in the form of an arcuate tube having a predetermined internal diameter, and the other member of which is in the form of an arcuate member having an external diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of the tube so that end portions of the arcuate member can be inserted and telescoped into the respective end portions of the tube to form the annulus.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the two members have the general shape of a "U" so that the limbs of the arcuate member can be telescoped into the limbs of the tube to a greater or lesser extent.

6. A device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the limbs of the arcuate member are bored to provide a plurality of transverse bores passing therethrough; and the circumferential wall of the limbs of the tube on the outer aspect of the "U" are provided with a corresponding series of holes whereby, when the limbs of the arcuate member are slid into the limbs of the tube, transverse bores in the limbs of the arcuate member can be aligned with holes in the circumferential wall of the limbs of the tube.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the means for securing the parts to prevent spearation thereof takes the form of a lock which can be inserted into a bore provided in a limb of the arcuate member when the bore is aligned with a hole in a limb of the tube, the lock being such that, on insertion, and on operation to lock it, its removal from the annulus is prevented.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein two locks are employed.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the two locks are of a different kind.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein one lock is a key-operated lock and the other lock is a combination lock.

11. A device according to claim 4 or any of claims 5 to 10 as dependent thereon, wherein the two parts are made of tough metal.

1 2. A device according to claim 11, wherein the two parts are made of steel.

1 3. A device according to claim 12, wherein the two parts are electroplated.

14. A device according to claim 4 or any of claims 5 to 1 3 as dependent thereon, wherein the arcuate member is itself in the form of a tube.

1 5. A device according to claim 14, wherein the transverse bores in the arcuate member take the form of a hole in the circumferential wall of the tube on the outer aspect thereof.

1 6. A device according to claim 4 or any of claims 5 to 1 5 as dependent thereon, wherein the ends of the arcuate tube are flared outwardly to facilitate entry thereinto of the arcuate member.

1 7. A security device substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.