GB2218731A

GB2218731A - Security device for window

Info

Publication number: GB2218731A
Application number: GB8911090A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin William Parsons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-05-17
Filing date: 1989-05-15
Publication date: 1989-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 2009-05-15
Also published as: GB2218731B; GB8911109D0; GB8811606D0

Abstract

A security device for fitting to a window comprises a pivoted linkage arrangement for securing at opposite ends to the window 2 and to fixed structure 1, respectively. The linkage arrangement can be pivotally displaced between one configuration in which the window 2 is closed and another configuration in which it holds the window partially open. The linkage arrangement comprises four plates 11, 12, 13, 14 hinged to one another end-to-end, with plate 11 at one end secured to the fixed structure e.g. the window frame 1 and plate 14 at the other end secured to the window 2. When the window is closed the linkage is folded so that the intermediate plates 12, 13 overlie one another and the plate 11 on the fixed structure, and the linkage resists unfolding should any force be applied to the window to open it. The linkage can be unfolded to permit the window to be partially opened and can be placed in a configuration which prevents the window closing. The plates may be bent. <IMAGE>

Description

WINDOW SECURITY DEVICE This invention relates to a security device for fitting to windows whether of casement or sash type.

Various types of security device have been proposed for windows but suffer different drawbacks. For example many security devices require an unlocking operation before a window can be opened and a relocking operation again once the window has been closed. Further in most security devices, once the window has been opened to allow ventilation there is little or no security against access by an intruder.

I have now devised a window security device which is easy to manipulate to permit opening and closing of the window, and yet will provide for partial opening of the window for ventilation whilst maintaining security access by an intruder.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a security device for fitting to a window, comprising a pivoted linkage arrangement for securing at its opposite ends to the window and fixed structure, respectively which linkage arrangement can be pivotally displaced between one configuration in which the window is closed and another configuration in which it holds the window partially open.

In a prefer red embodiment, the linkage arrangement comprises four plates which are hinged one to another. the plate at one end of the linkage arrangement is, in use, secured to the window and the plate at the other end is secured to the window frame. When the windcw is closed, the linkage folds so that the two intermediate plates overlie each other and overlie the end plate which is secured to the window frame. In this configuration, the linkage arrangement resists unfolding should force be applied to the window to open it.

However, the linkage arrangement can easily be unfolded from the inside to permit the window to be partially opened. The linkage will adopt a configuration which prevents the window closing unless it is folded back to its rest configuration from the inside.

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a vertical section through the bottom rail of a casement window fitted with a security device in accordance with this invention and when the window is closed; FIGURE 2 is a similar view shown when the window is partially open; FIGURE 3 is a similar view showing a modified security device; FIGURE 4 is a similar view showing another modified form of the security device; and FIGURE 5 is a vertical section through the abutting rails of the two windows in a sash window, fitted with a security device in accordance with this invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a wooden casement type window. A security device 10 is fitted between the bottom rail 1 of the window frame and the bottom rail 2 of the window, which is hinged to the window frame down one vertical edge in the conventional manner or along one horizontal edge at the top. The security device comprises a linkage arrangement having four flat metal plates 11, 12, 13, 14 hinged end-to-end at 15, 16, 17. One end plate 11 is secured to the upper face of the bottom rail 1 of the window frame, e.g. by screws S passed through screw holes in thFs plate. The other end plate 14 is similarly secured to the front or inner face of the bottom rail 2 of the window.Preferably as shown, each of the end plates 11, 14 has a right-angled extension plate lla, 14a, respectively secured by e.g. screws to the front face of frame rail 1 to the top face of window rail 2.

In the closed position of the window shown in Figure 1, the linkage arrangement adopts a configuration in which the two intermediate plates are folded for plate 13 to overlie plate 12 and plate 12 to overlie end plate 11, flat on the top surface of the frame bottom rail 1. In this configuration hinge 15 is in the same horizontal plane as hinge 16 and so the linkage arrangement resists unfolding if any opening force is applied to the window.

The window may be partially opened to the position shown in Figure 2, by manually lifting the hinge end 16 of the plates 12, 13 as the window is pushed open. The hinge end travels in an arc until it reaches the position shown in Figure 2, in which it lies below the hinges 15 and 17 of the linkage arrangement. In this configuration, the linkage arrangement resists any closing movement of the window and so the window is maintained opened a small amount to allow ventilation. However, the space is insufficient to allow access for an intruder and too wide for most levering devices.

Moreover the fixing screws S cannot be reached and removed from outside the window. When it is desired to close the window, the hinge end 16 of the plates 12, 13 is lifted to above the level of hinges 15 and 17 and then the window can be closed, the linkage arrangement again adopting the configuration shown in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 3, plates 11 and 12 may have portions adjacent hinge 15 which are inclined upwardly and plate 13 may have a similarly inclined portion adjacent hinge 17.

Thus in the closed position of the window, hinge 16 lies below the level of hinge 15 so that there can be no possibility of the security device unfolding if any opening force is applied to the window.

Referring to Figure 4, in this modification of the security device, the plate 11 has its ends spaced inwardly from the inner and outer edges of the bottom rail 1 of the window frame and the intermediate -plates 12, 13 are bent adjacent their hinges 16, 17 and arranged so that these hinges 16, 17 sit onto or close to the surface of the rail 1 beyond the opposite ends of the plate 11. The arrangement is such that the pivotal axis of hinge 15 (i.e. the pivotal axis between plate 11 and plate 12) is the same distance, ortpreferably further, from the surface of rail 1 than the plane through the pivotal axes 16, 17. This improves the resistance of the device to any force applied to try and open the window when it is closed.

Referring to Figure 5, the security device may be fitted to a sash type window. In this case, the end plate 11 is fixed to the upper face of the upper rail 4 of the lower sash window, and the end plate 14 is fixed to the inner front face of the lower rail 6 of the upper sash window, although in this case projecting downwards from the hinge 17. The end plate 14 may instead have a right-angled portion 14a which is fixed to the upper face of the lower rail 6 of the upper sash window. As before, end plate 11 may have a right-angled extension Ila fixed to the inner front surface of the upper rail 4 of the lower sash window.

With the security device fitted to the sash window as shown in Figure 5, when the windows are closed the security device is folded so that the intermediate plate 13 overlies end plate 11, flat on the upper surface of the upper rail 4 of the lower sash window. The device will not unfold if any force is applied either to lift the lower sash window or lower the upper window. However, if the hinge end 16 of the intermediate 12, 13 is lifted, this will permit the upper window to drop through a small distance. This provides for ventilation, but the window can be closed again if the hinge end 16 of the plates 12, 13 is again lifted and returned to the position shown.

In cases where the window is hinged along a vertical edge, the device of=Figure 1, 3 or 4 may be secured to the opposite vertical frame members and still function as described with reference to those drawings.

The security devices which have been described may be fitted to wooden or metal framed windows and are easily manipulated to enable opening or closing of the window, provide for limited opening of the window for ventilation yet provide for security whether the window is opened or closed. Moreover the device is of simple and therefore inexpensive construction yet is simple to install.

Claims

1) A security device for fitting to a window, comprising a pivoted linkage arrangement for securing at its opposite ends to the window and to fixed structure, respectively, which linkage arrangement can be pivotally displaced between one configuration in which the window is closed and another configuration in which it holds the window partially open.

2) A security device as claimed in claim 1, in which the linkage arrangement comprises four plates hinged to one another, the plate at one end of the linkage arrangement being for securing to the window and the plate at the other end being for securing to the fixed structure and such that when the window is closed the linkage folds so that the two intermediate plates overlie each other and overlie (the end plate which is secured to the fixed structure and the linkage arrangement resists unfolding should any force be applied to the window to open it.

3) A security device as claimed in claim 2, in which the linkage arrangement can be unfolded to permit the window to be partially opened and can be placed in a configuration which prevents the window closing.

4) A security device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which the two intermediate plates are shaped so that in the folded condition of the linkage arrangement, the pivotal axis between the plate secured to the fixed structure and its adjacent intermediate plate is no closer to the surface against which it is secured than the other two pivotal axes.

5) A security device for fitting to a window, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, 3, 3 or 5 of the accompanying drawings.