GB2185282A - Security fixing devices - Google Patents

Abstract

An anchorage to which a lock, eg a padlock, can be secured and which can be readily fixed to any sheet metal surface such as a car boot or a wooden floor or solid floor or wall by the use of hand tools or hand held power tools, is secured by fixing means which are inaccessible when the lock is secured in place so preventing removal of the anchorage. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Security fixing devices The present invention relates to security fixing devices and more particularly to devices that can be mounted in position with readily available hand or hand held power tools.

A knownfixing deviceforsecuring valuable items comprises a plate with an upstanding for example U-shaped anchor member. The plate is secured by, for example, screws to a wall or wooden structural member. The problem with such secure fixing devices is thatthe meansforsecuring them are always accessible eithèrfrom thefront plate orthe rear of the mem berto which the plate is fixed. Alternatively, the plate can be permanently welded into position onto a metal member butthis is not readily achieved using readily available hand or hand held powertools.

It is an object ofthe present invention to provide a security fixing device which is readily mounted using normally available hand or hand held powertools but which when in a locked condition cannot be readily removed.

The present invention therefore provides a security fixing device comprising a first portion fixing means for fixing the first portion to a fixed memberand meansforengageably mounting a lock on thefirst portion said fixing means being arranged suchthat when the lock is engageably mounted on thefirst portion the fixing means are rendered inaccessible thereby preventing removal of the securityfixing device and also therefore any article secured thereto.

The present invention also provides a security fixing device comprising a first portion and a second portion, means forfixing the first portion to the second portion, and meansforfixing the first portion to afixed member and in which the second member is constructed such that when a lock is engageably mounted thereto, the means forfixing the first portion to the second portion and the meansforfixing the first portion to the fixed member are inaccessible.

Preferably the lock is a padlock with a shackle which when in position protects the meansforfixing thefirst portion to the second portion from being accessed.

In a preferred embodiment the second portion is dimensioned to receive a shackle of elongate shape.

In an embodiment preferred forfixing to sheet surfaces or metal or wood, such asthose of a car or caravan floor, the first portion is designed to be positioned on one side ofthe sheet of metal and the second portion is constructed to be positioned on the opposite side of the sheet surface, the first and second portions having means for securing the portions togetherthrough holes drilled in the sheet such that when positioned on opposite sides of the sheet the first portion has no exposed securing means and the securing means on the second portion is exposed priorto insertion of a locking means but is protected froratarnpering bythelocking means.

The locking means is preferably a padlock, the shackle of the padlock protecting the exposed securing means. Alternatively, the securing means may be a chain or cable equipped with a lock, the chain or cable protecting the securing means.

In an embodiment preferred forfixing to a solid object, such as a concrete floor orwall,thefirst portion includes meansforattaching a wall fixing member of the expanding typetothefirst portion in a manner allowing rigid attachmentofthefirst portion to a hole formed in the solid object, in which the second portion includes meansforattachmentofthesecond portion to the first portion, whereby the means for attachment is exposed prior to insertion of a locking means but is protected from tampering by the locking means.

The locking means may bethe shackle of a padlock ora chain orcable.

In a preferred alternative embodiment, the locking means may comprise a boxsuitableforcontaining valuable items with attachment means for attaching the boxto the second portion. The box is preferably designed such that the attachment means also serves to lock the box. The box may be cast in a strong metal form or in a high impact resistance plastic.

Embodiments ofthe present invention will now be described, by way of exampewith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :- Figure 1 diagrammatically shows a security fixing device according to the present invention suitable for fixing to a metal sheet; Figure 2 diagrammatically shows a security fixing device according to the present invention suitable for fixing to a wooden floor orthe like; Figure 3 diagrammaticallyshows a security fixing device according to the present invention suitable for fixing to a concrete or other solid floor orwall; Figure 4 showsthe device of Figure 1 in greater detail; Figure 5 shows an alternative embodimentforthe device shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a security device suitable fo r fixi ng to concrete or other solid floororwall in greater detail;; Figure 7 shows a modified version of Figure 6 using only a single portion and two expanding bolts for fixing; Figure 8 shows a modification ofthe security device of Figure 7 using a single expanding fixing bolt and two further bolts to preventturning; Figure 9 shows a first alternative design of the second portion of the device; Figure 10 shows a second alternative design for the second portion ofthe device; Figure 11 shows a modification ofthe device of Figure 10; Figure 12 shows an alternative design forthe device; Figure 13 shows an exampleofthefixing device in use; Fig u re 14 shows a secu rity box for use with the security device; Figure 15 shows the security box in position secured to the security device;; Figure 16 shows the security fixing device according to the present invention in use in protecting a video recording apparatus; Figure 17 shows the securityfixing device of Figure 15 in greater detail; Figure 18 shows the security device of Figure 16 in plan view; and Figure 19 shows an alternative embodiment of the security device.

With reference now to Figure 1, in a first embodi- mentthe securityfixing device comprises a first portion 10 and a second portion 20. The first portion 10 when in position, fits beneath the floor or bulkhead 30 of, for example, a car, and the second portion 20 is fixed to the first portion 10 by drilling or punching suitable holes in the floor 30 as explained with reference to Figure 4. The second portion 20 includes (or is constructed to integrally provide- see for example Figure 5), a member40 with a hole 42 through with a shackle 50 of a padlock (not shown) may pass. The member 40 is in this embodiment a "U" belt which is preferably hardened to prevent it being sawn through.

Figure 2showsthe same arrangementas Figure 1, but attached to a thicker sheet orfloor32, forexample, wooden boarding. A reinforcement plate 34 of rectangular or oval or other suitable shape may be used to extend the load bearing area to preventthefirst portion 10from being pulledthroughthefloor32, With reference now to Figure 3, the first and second portions 10 and 20 are of different design. The first portion 10 has hole means 12 therethrough which is of a size to acceptthe operating screw of a wall piug 14 of the expanding type, such as a RAWLPLUG (Registered Trade Mark).In usetheplug is expanded within a hole 34 in a solid floororwall 36, for example, concrete or brick. In assemblythefirst portion 10 is secured to the solidfloororwall 36 and then the second portion 20 is secured to the first portion 10 In a preferred embodiment one or more additional securing screws 16 are provided through the portion 10 to preventturning of the security device.

With reference now to Figure 4(a) the security fixing device of Figures 1,2 and 3 is shown in greater detail.

The first and second portions are secured together by a screw 22which also passes through the sheet 30 (or 32). The "U" bolt 40 is retained by two nuts 44,46. The height of the "U" bolt is adjusted so thatthe padlock shackle just passes through the "U" boltthe shackle preventing the removal ofthe securing screws 22. The screw 22 is preferably ofthe hardened steel allen key type and to allowthe screw to be tightened a shortened allen key 24 is used.

Figure 4(b) shows the device in side elevtion, Figure 4(c) in plan and Figure 4(d) shows the device prior to assemblythrough afloor30.

With reference nowto Figure 5, an alternative embodimentis shown inwhichthe "U" bolt has been effectively replaced by a through hole 60. Retaining screws 62,64 again preferably of the allen key type secure the first and second portions 10 and 20 to each other, suitable holes being necessaryforthe passage through the sheet member 30 (or 32) which forclarity is notshown.

The screws 62,64 are tightened via blind holes 65, 66 in the second portion 20 which holes are counter sunk as shown at 6g, 70 to a depth wherebythe heads ofthe screws when tightened lie belowthe through hole 60thereby allowing a clear passage through the holefora shackle of a padlock or suitably sized chain or cable. The screws 62,64 are thereby rendered inaccessible once the padlock etc. has been inserted thereby preventing any removal ofthe device. The screws 62,64 may be ofthe hardened steel type and therefore the portions 10 and 20 will be fixed securely to the metal sheet 30 (not shown see Figure 1).

With reference to Figure 6 the security device is similarto that of Figure 5 but a larger central hole 80 is provided in the first portion 10 to receive the operating bolt82 ofan expanding plug device 84 such as a RAWLPLUG (Registered Trade Mark). The plug bolt 82 istightened by the head of the bolt 86 which protrudes above the first portion 10 and is therefore tightenable by an open ended or ring spanner (not shown).

The second portion 20 is secured to the first portion in the same manner as in Figu re 5 bytwo screws 62,64 in holes 65,66. Thethrough hole 60 provides access forthe shackle of a padlock etc. and protects the screws62,64from being undone.The upper portion 20 is provided also with a recess 21 (see Figure 6(b)) to accommodate the head 86 ofthe bolt 82.

With reference now to Figures 7 and 8 a simplified version ofthe security device is shown in which the first portion 10is not used. The second portion 20 is modified to take two expanding fixing bolts 14which aretightened via countersunk head bolts 81,83 in suitably shaped recesses in portion 20. The use oftwe bolts prevents the portion 20 from being turned thereby preventing the expanding bolts from being loosened. Again as in previous embodiments the shackle of a padlock inserted through hole 60 prevent the bolts from being loosened in the normal manner.

The preferred use of countersunk head bolts enables largerdiameter bolts be used because there is no requirementfor clearance in hole 81 for a box spanner.

The through bolt 60 may, as shown in Figure 4,5 and 6 be centrally placed butthe hole and the securing bolts may be positioned off centre particularly if the second portion 20 is made a different shape for aesthetic or particularfunctional purposes.

With reference now to Figure 9 an alternative design for the second portion 20 is shown. The portion is crown-shaped,through hole 60 (shown dotted) being through only a central portion 23. The shackle 50 of a padlock will pass through the hole 60 and coverthe two screws 62, 64in a similar mannertethe device of Figure 5.

The portions 10 and 20 are preferably formed from a fairly soft material such as brass, iron or plastic. If made of iron they may be galvanised for use on cars, caravans etc. or plated if a better quality finish is required, for example, for boats. Alternatively, stain less steel may be used. It may therefore be possible using a hacksaw to cut th rough the top portion 20 along dotted lines 26,28 (see Figures 5 and 6) thereby releasing the shackle. With reference to Figure 10 in a moresecure version, a central portion 90 is inserted into a hollowed out section 92 of portion 20. The portion 90 has a through hole 94 which when correctly positioned aligns with the hole (or holes) 60 in portion 20.The portion 90 may have lugs 96,98 in line with hole 94er a continuous flange to further protectthe hole 60 from being cut th rough to in order to release the shackle passing thereth rough when in use. The central portion 90 is preferably made of a harder metal or may be of a similar metal to portions 10 and 20 but surface hardened to repel being sawn through.

Alternativelyifthefirstand second portions 10 and 20 are made from a soft material, such as nylon or other plastics material, the reinforcement part 90 can be of a relatively soft metal e.g. brass. Such a security device would not be as secure as an all metal one, but would provide security against the "snatch" theft common in cars, caravans and boats etc.

With reference to Figure 11 a further alternative which is a modification of Figure loins shown. In this the capping piece 90 is shaped to surround the portion 20 which isfermedwith a crown portion 23 as in Figure 9. The capping piece 90 is made of steel which is then hardened and this completely prevents access to the portion 23thereby resisting tampering.

An alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 12 in which the additional part 90' is now recessed completely into the second portion ZOthereby producing a neater finished device. The part 90' is made as in the embodiment of Figure8 of a harder material. The presence of the part 90' prevents a hacksaw blade 99 (shown diagrammatically in Figures 12(b) and (c)) from cutting straight across the portion 20. The part 90' may be keyed or shaped to assist in alignment of the holes 94' and 60 to enable the shackle orchain to be passed therethrough.

The part 90' may be provided with aflange91 at its lower end to engage beneath the portion 20thereby preventing the part 90' from being prised out ofthe centre.

With reference newts Figure 13, the security device as described in Figures 1 to 9 is shown in use in the boot 100 of a car (not shown). The boot is diagrammatically represented by a floor panel 102, a wheel arch 104 and a wheel and axle 106. The security device 10, 20 is fixed to the floor of the boot with or without a reinforcing plate34 (see Figure 2). A padlock and chain 108, 110, is used to linkthrough the handle of a golf bag 112 and round the clubs thereby preventing the theft of the bag without destroying the golf bag. Since handles on golf bags are extremely strong this is very difficult to achieve.

Other cases can be similarly protected e.g. brief cases andothersports equipmente.g.tennis raquets can be secured by passing a thin chain or cable through the strings ofthe raquet. The chain or cable need not be very large in diameter providing it is constructed from hardened steel to prevent cutting or sawing.

The device can be attached to a bulkhead to protect articleson view in the interior of the car. Also a chain can be placed round a steering wheel or gear stick or car radios.

With reference now to Figures 14 and 15, if a padlock t2 ìs usedwith a long shackle 122 the shackle can be inserted through closure members 124,126,128 on a security box 130. The security box 130 may be formed from two identical halves each having a single securing member 126 at one end and two members 124, 128 at the other end. Thus they fit together as shown in Figure 14, afirmlysecured hinge pin 132 being used at one end to allow the box to be opened and the otherend ofthe box being fastened by the padlock 120 which passes through the aligned holes in the members 124,126,128. A locking chain or cable may be used forthis purpose.

The padlock, chain or cable may be attached to a security device 10,20 of any ofthe forms hereinbefore described.

The use of a chain or cable passing through members 124, 126, 128 will adequately lockthe box because the clearances 134, 136 between the mem berswill nowallowthe boxte be opened even through there may be some play between the upper and lower parts 138,140 ofthe box.Theends ofthe chain may be locked together by any suitable means such as a padlock after passing through the security device 10, 20.

Thus, if a chain, box and padlock arrangement are used the box when attached to the security device can be secured within a car, caravan or boat. When valuables are required to be protected for short periods, particularly in places where the security device is notfixed or cannot be fixed, then the chain, padlock and box can be used without the security device. For example, on the beach,thechain can be wrapped around any railing or lampost or even a deckchair leg, thereby making anysnatchthiefcarry the whole chair away. In a frame type oftentthe box can be attached to the main cross memberthereby forcing the snatch thiefto dismantle the tent.The box 130 can be made from steel for home useorcould for caravans and holiday purposes be made, for example, of a lightweight but robust plastics material possibly glass reinforced. In the latter case, the box can be made attractive to resemble a small attache case, or a handbag the chain and padlock being carried inside the casewhen not in use. The case need only be of a size to contain passports, travellers cheques, money and watches, rings, jewellry etc. and need therefore not be obtrusive. Thus, a holidaymakercan go swimming etc. and take valuables to the beach etc.

The padlock may be of the combination lock type thereby removing the requirementforcarrying a key.

As an alternative to using a standard long shackle padlock and particularly for securitywithin a home or office, the box 130 can be fitted with a special bar type of locking arrangementwhich may be sold with the box as a unit. The barwould require to be ableto pass through the security device and a part ofthe box and then be securely locked in position.

With reference to Figures 16, 17 and 18 the security fixing device according to the present invention is in a form suitableforfixing valuable household items such as videos, televisions etc. to any suitable fixture or part of the structure orfloor of the building.

The video, TV etc 150 is securely fixed to any suitable fixture 152 by two security fixing devices 154, 156. One of the devices 154, 156 is shown in detail in Figure 17.The portion 10may be of conventional design as shown in previous Figures. Portion 20 is preferably shaped (as shown in Figure 18) to be cut away to conform to the shape of the video 150. The portion 20 as shown in Figure 18 comprises afirst portion 158 through which the fixing screws 62,64 are inserted as in previous embodiments and a second portion 160 which may be formed integ rally with or welded or glued to the portion 158. The portion 160 is glued with an extremely strong adhesive 162 to the video.Alternatively ifthe video is designed to be secured the portion 160 may be formed integrally with the video apparatus.

The security device is fixed to the structure 152 by a padlockthereby preventing its removal when padlocked. When the padlock is removed from each security fixing 154, 156 the screws 62,64 may be removed and the video then removed forexampíefor repair or re-siting.

The whole of devices 154,156 may be made of a high impact resistance plastics material. Thus with two devices 154,156 the video is not removable without considerable force being used which will result in breakage ofthe casing leaving the video not easy to sell.

With referencenowte Figure 19, in a practical embodimentof the invention the number of parts is increased but each part is readily manufactured and the parts are easily assembled together by automatic machinery or on a production line assembly.

The first portion 10 comprises two parts 200,202 part 200 being of a plastics material and part 202 being a metal insert. Through holes 204,206 are provided in parts 200,202 ferthefixing bolts 14 (see Figure 7) which serve to anchor portion 10 and also join parts 200,202 together. Two furthertapped holes 208,210 areprovidedfor receipt ofthe retaining screws 62,64 for the second portion 20.

The second portion 20 comprises a generally cylindrical shaped central insert 220 of metal fitted within a plasticmember222. Member 222 has two holes 224, 226forthe screws 62,64. The tops of screws 62, 64 are therefore easi ly accessible for tig hteni ng and are then covered by a cap shaped member 230 which may be solid or it may as shown be provided with an annular recess 232 to save material and weight.Athrough hole 234 mates with through holes 228 through parts 200 and 222.

In use cap 230 is held in position by the shackle of a padlock (not shown) as in previous embodiments, the shackle preventing removal of cap 230 and hence preventing access to screws 62,64.

The parts 200,222 and 230 may be all made from high impact resistant plastics material thereby saving the weight of metal and giving a corrosion resistant and readily coloured finish to the device.

If desired, as shown inset part 230 may be provided with a recess 236 in the top ofwhich a motif 237 may be moulded or it may be provided with a through hole 238 allowingthetep 221 efpart 220 to be visible the top of part220 being provided with a motif 223. The latter form shows, to a would be thief, thatthe device is metallic ratherthan plastic and thus is an additional deterent.

Again all parts could be made of steel, brass or stainless steel if required butthis would be more expensive. Part 220 can be of hardened steel for additional security. Although small gaps are shown between parts for ease of explanation in a practical device nogapswould bepresenttherebymaking it difficultto use any inserted instrumentto prise the parts apart.

Claims (13)

1. A security fixing device comprising a first portion fixing means for fixing the first portion to a fixed memberand means forengageably mounting a lock yen the first portion said fixing means being arranged such that when the lock is engageably mounted on the first portion the fixing means are rendered inaccessible thereby preventing removal of the security fixing device and also therefore any article secured thereto.

2. A security fixing device comprising a first portion and a second portion, meansforfixing the first portion to the second portion, and means forfixing the first portion to fixed memberand in which the second member is constructed such that when a lock is engageably mounted thereto, the means forfixing the first portion tothe second portion and the means forfixing thefirst portion to the fixed member are inaccessible.

3. A security fixing device as claimed in Claim 2 in which the lock is a padlock with a shackle which when in position protect the means for fixing the first portion to the second portion from being accessed.

4. A security fixing device as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the second portion is demensioned to receive a shackle of elongate shape.

5. A security fixing device as claimed in Claim 2 for fixing to sheet surfaces or metal orwood, such as those of a car or caravan floor, in which the first portion is designed to be positioned on one side of the sheet of metal and the second portion is constructed to be positioned on the opposite side of the sheet surface, thefirst and second portions having means forsecuring the portionstogetherthrough holes drilled in the sheet such that when positioned on opposite sides ofthe sheetthefirst portion has no exposed securing means and the securing means on the second portion is exposed priorto insertion ofa locking means but is protected from tampering by the locking means.

6. A security fixing device as claimed in Claim 5 in which the locking means is a padlock, the shackle of the padlock protecting the exposed securing means.

7. A security fixing device as claimed in Claim 5in which the securing means is a chain or cable equipped with a lock, the chain or cable protecting the securing means.

8. A security fixing device as claimed in Claim 2 for fixing to a solid object, such as a concretefloororwall, in which the first portion includes means for attaching a wall fixing member ofthe expanding type to the first portion in a manner allowing rigid attachment ofthe first portion to a hole formed in the solid object, in which the second portion includes meansforattach- mentofthe second portiontothefirst portion, wherebythemeansforattachementisexposed prior to insertion of a locking means but is protected from tampering by the locking means.

9. A security fixing device as claimed in Claim 9 in which the locking means isthe shackle of a padlockor a chain or cable.

10. A security fixing device as claimed in any one of Claims 2to 9 in which the locking means may comprise a box suitable for containing valuable items with attachment means for attaching the box to the second portion.

11. Asecurityfixing device as claimed in Claim 10 in which the box is designed such that the attachment means also serves to lockthe box the box may be cast in a strong metal form.

12. Asecurityfixing device as claimed in Claim 2 in which the first portion comprises a first part and a second partthe first part being inset within the second part and in which the second portion comprises three parts, a central metal portion contained within an annularshaped partandathird partwhich forms a cap to coverthecentral metal portion and the annular shaped partto complete the second portion.

13. A security fixing device substantially as de scribe with reference to the accompanying drawings.