GB2224073A

GB2224073A - Collapsible security grille

Info

Publication number: GB2224073A
Application number: GB8924430A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Valentine Patrick Galvin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-11-12
Filing date: 1989-10-31
Publication date: 1990-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2009-10-31
Also published as: GB8627030D0; GB2183716B; IE852812L; GB2224073B; GB8924430D0; IE57110B1; GB2183716A; IE57111B1

Description

22'6-40',3 - 1 Imnrovements in Security Grilles The invention relates to

an improved construction -of security grille for a closure such as a door, window,^ counter, bar-top or the like.

This invention is directed towards providing improved security grilles.

According to the invention there is provided a security grille for a closure, the grille comprising a plurality of elongated bars arranged in the f orm of a trellis, the bars being movable from a closed position covering the closure with the bars extended in an open-work lattice to an open position uncovering the closure, with the bars retracted.

In one embodiment of the invention the bars are movable from a position to one side, at the top or at the bottom of the closure, in use.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the trellis comprises a plurality of diagonally arranged intersecting bars, adjacent bars being interconnected at 0 2 - their point of intersection by a pivot means to allow pivotal movement between adjacent bars on movement of v the bars between the open and closed positions.

Typically the pivot means comprises a rivet such as a semi-tubular rivet.

Preferably spacer means are provided between the bars at the points of intersection.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the bars are slidably movable in a track means. Typically the bars are carried on a roller means which is slidably movable along the track means on opening and closing of the grille.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the track means includes a lower support track and an upper track. Preferably the upper track moves upwardly as the grille is moved from the closed to the open position.

In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention the riser is slidably mounted in a pair of fixed side support tracks.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention one of the side support tracks def ines a receiver for the grille.

Typically the receiver comprises a slot provided in the support track through which the extremity of at least one of the bars extends in a position covering the closure member.

In one embodiment of the invention locking means are provided for locking the grille in a closed position.

The locking means may be a keyless locking mechanism such as the mechanism which is the subject of the Patent Application 8627030.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a f ront, partially sectional view of a securit grille according to the invention in an open position, Fig. 2 is a detailed view on an enlarged scale of portion of the locking mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the grille in a locked position, Fig. 4 is a detailed view on an enlarged scale of portion of the locking mechanism, kg. 5 is a perspective view of portion of the security grille in the locked position, Fig. 6 is a front view of a detail of the grille, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the detail of Fig. 6 on the line VII - VII in Fig. 51 Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrows VIII - VIII in Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrows IX - IX in Fig. 5, Fig. 10 is a side view of the detail X in Fig. 5, Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a security grille according to the invention in a closed position, Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a detail of the grille of Fig. 11 in the direction of the arrow XII, Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the grille of Fig. 11 in an open position, Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a detail of the grille of Fig. 13 in the direction of the arrows XIV, Fig. 15 is an elevational view of another grille according to the invention in a closed position.

Fig. 16 is an elevational view of the grille of Fig. 15 in a partially open position, and Fig. 17 s an.elevational view of a detail of the grille of Figs. 15 and 16.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 and to 10 thereof there is illustrated a security grille according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 2. The security grille 2 is a grille for the inside of a window 3 however, it will be appreciated that the grille may be used for any suitable closure including a door or indeed, for any opening.

The grille 2 comprises a plurality of diagonally arranged elongate intersecting bars 4 which are movable from a closed position covering the window with the bars extended in an open-work lattice as illustrated in Fig. 1, 3 and 5 to an open position uncovering the window with the bars 4 retracted to one side of the window 3. The bars 4 are interconnected at their points of intersection by a pivot means which in this case is in the form of a semi-tubular rivet 5 to permit pivotal movement between adjacent bars 4. A plastic spacer washer 6 is provided on the rivet 5 to facilitate free pivotal movement between the bars 4 on movement between the open and closed positions. The bars 4 are provided at their outermost points of intersection with roller means which are slidably movable along a track means comprising a fixed lower support channel track 10, an upper riser support channel track 11, a fixed side support channel track 12 and a movable side support channel track 13 having an operating handle 14. The riser track 11 is mounted on a pair of spaced-apart side tracks, namely a fixed first side riser support channel track 15 and a second fixed riser support channel track 16. On movement of the grille 2 between the open and closed position the riser track 11 moves upwardly in the channel-shaped tracks 15, 16.

z The bars 4 are provided at their outermost points of intersection with roller means in the form of rollers 31 which are attached to the bars 4 through semi-tubular rivets 32. A plastic washer 33 is again provided on the rivet 32 for ease of pivotal movement. The rollers 31 are slidably movable along the lower support track 10, the upper riser support track 11. the fixed side support track 12 and a movable side support track 13.

It will be noted that each of the tracks 10. 11, 12 and 13 each comprise an inwardly facing channel having two inwardly directed returns 34 over which the rollers 70 run as illustrated in Pigs. 8, 9 and 10.

Referring particularly to Figs. 5 and 9 the upper riser track 11 is retained in position in the channel supports 15 and 16 by a retaining member 48 of angle section which is attached to the web of the channel 16. A rubber buffer 49 is attached to the underside of the retaining member 48.

By providing transverse support tracks 10. 11 the tensile strength of the grille is greatly increased.

The channel-shaped section of the tracks 10. 11 is particularly advantageous in providing increased tensile strength.

Two of the intersecting bars 4 of the grille extend outwardly through corresponding elongate slots 20 in the track 16. The extension of the bars 4 define latches 21, 22 which engage in the locked position illustrated in Fig. 5 in corresponding receiver slots 23, 24 in a receiver 25 which is attached to the track 16 by studs 26 which extend through locating slots 27 in the receiver 25. The receiver 25 is slidably movable relative the track 16 by manual operation using a handle 19 attached to the receiver 25. When the slots 20 in the track 16 and the slots 23, 24 in the receiver 25 are aligned as illustrated in Fig. 5 on closing of the grille, the latch extensions 21, 22 of the bars 4 are pulled through the slots 20, 23, 24. The receiver 25 is then pulled downwardly in the direction of the arrow A by operating the handle 19 so that the latch extensions 21, 22 of the bars 4 are locked in the receiving slots 23, 24. For more positive locking, each of the latch extensions 21, 22 in this case includes a cut-out notch 28, 29 respectively which are engagable by the upper wall of the slots 23, 24 respectively in the locked position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5.

The latch extensions 21. 22 and the receiver 25 form part of a locking mechanism which is the subject of the Patent Application 8627030. The locking mechanism also includes an elongate extension leg 30 which extends - 9 downwardly f rom the receiver 25, and extends at its lower end through a housing 35 which is typically at floor level and may be attached to the floor or skirting below a window on which the grille is mounted.The extension leg 30 is constrained against bending by a pair of guide lugs 36 attached to the wall below the window.

Locking means for engaging the extension leg 30 to lock the leg and hence the receiver 25 in the locked position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5 is in this case provided by a locking lever 40 having an enlarged bore 41 through which the leg 30 extends. The lever 40 is retained in position by a retaining screw 42 which extends through a second enlarged bore 43 adjacent one end of the lever is 40. A self-locking nut 44 retains the lever 40 in position on the screw 42. When the lever 40 is in the lowered position in which the axis of the bores 41, 43 are coaxial with the axis of the extension leg 30 and screw 42 respectively the extension leg 30 is freely movable in the bore 41 allowing the receiver 25 to be moved upwardly so that the latch extensions 21. 22 of the bars 4 are released and the grille 2 may be retracted. Lever biassing means for urging the lever 40 into the normally raised, locked position, illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 is provided in this case by a coil spring 45 which extends around the extension leg 30 between a bottom wall 46 of the housing 35 and the lever 40. Extension leg biassing means for urging the extension leg 30 and hence the receiver 25 upwardly into a released or unlocked position is in this case provided by a coil spring 50 extending between an upper wall 51 of the housing 35 and a washer 52 fixed to the extension leg 30. A stop 53 at the lower end of the extension leg 30 engages with the bottom wall 46 of the housing 35 to limit the movement of the extension leg 30 and hence the receiver 25.

In use, when the grille 2 is closed the slots 20. 23 and 24 in the track 16 and receiver 25 are aligned in the unlocked position illustrated in Fig. 1. The latch extensions 21, 22 of the bars 4 then pass through the slots and the receiver 25 is pulled downwardly by operating the handle 19 until the latch extension 21, 22 of the bars-4 are'locked in position. During this phase the lever 40 may be pushed downwardly to allow the extension leg 30 to be freely moved downwardly. As the extension leg 30 is moved down. the lever release spring 45 is compressed and when the latch extensions 21, 22 are locked in the receiver slots 23, 24 the lever 40 is released so that the extension leg 30 is engaged in the bore 41 of the lever and prevented from moving upwardly. To open the grille in the case of an emergency such as a fire, no key is required, the lock being released by pressing the release lever 40 downwardly which allows the extension leg 30 to automatically move upwardly into the release position under the biassing of the coil spring 45. In the unlocked position, the grille may be opened by pulling the side support track 13 by handle 14 and hence the bars 4 through the upper and lower support tracks 10, 11.

Referring to Figs. 11 to 14 there is illustrated a security grille also according to the invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 60 which in this case is illustrated as a grille for the inside of a window 61 however, it will be appreciated that the grille may be used for any suitable closure including a door or indeed, for any opening.

The grille 60 comprises a plurality of diagonally arranged elongate intersecting bars 63 which are movable from a closed position covering the window 61 with the bars 63 extended in an open-work lattice as illustrated in Fig. 11 to an open position uncovering the window 61 with the bars 63 retracted on one side of the window 61 in the position illustrated in Fig. 13. The bars 63 are interconnected at their points of intersection by a pivot means which in this case is in the form of a semitubular rivet 64 to permit pivotal movement between adjacent bars 63. A plastic spacer washer is provided on the rivet 64 to facilitate free pivotal movement between the bars on movement between the open and closed positions as described above with reference to Figs. 6 and 7.

As described above with reference to Figs. 8 to 10 the bars 63 are provided at their outermost pointsof intersection with roller means in the form of rollers which are attached to the bars 63 through semi-tubular rivets. A plastic washer is again provided on the rivet for ease of pivotal movement. The rollers are slidably movable along a track means comprising a f ixed lower support track 73, an upper riser support track 74, a fixed side support track 75 and a movable side support track 76 having a handle 77. The riser track 74 is mounted in a pair of side tracks namely a f ixed f irst side support riser track 79 and a second fixed side riser support track 78 which forms an extension of the side support track 75. On movement of the support track 76 between the open and closed position the riser track 74 moves upwardly in the channel-shaped tracks 78, 79 in the direction of the arrow B. The upper riser track 74 is retained in position in the channel supports 78, 79 by a retaining member 80 of angle section. A rubber buffer 81 is attached to the underside of the retaining member 80.

R 11 The tracks 73, 74, 75 and 76 each comprise an inwardly f acing channel having two inwardly directed returns over which the rollers run as described above with reference to Figs. 8 to 10.

Each of the support tracks 73, 75j, 78 include screw receiving holes 85 in the sIde webs thereof through which fixing screws are inserted for attaching the grille 60 to a window surround. The fixing holes 85 and the outwardly facing walls of the channel 73. 75l 78 are filled with suitable plastics filler pieces.

It will be noted that the side track 76 is formed with an elongate slot 90 through which the free end of one of the bars 63 projects and is received in a receiver f orm by an elongate slot 91 in the web of the side support riser track 78. In a closed position illustrated in Fig. 11 a bar 63 extends through the slot 91 and is locked in position by a locking mechanism such as that described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 6.

One advantage of the security grille according to the invention is that it is of relatively simple and cheap construction and can be easily installed and locked in a closed position, closing and opening such as the inside of a window. The grille can be easily operated between the open and closed position and in use is not aesthetically invasive. By providing transverse support tracks 73, 74 the tensile strength of the grille is greatly increased. The channel-shaped section of the tracks 73, 74 is particularly advantageous in providing increased tensile strength.

Many variations on the specific embodiment of the security grille described above will be readily appreciated. In particular, it is envisaged that the bars may be arranged in any suitable trellis-like form to be collapsible from an open to a closed position.

It will be appreciated that particularly for wide window openings the grille may be in two parts which are pushed inwardly from opposite sides of the window opening to meet in a central locking position.

it is envisaged that the support tracks and channels used in the grille according to the specific embodiment of the invention described above will typically be of extruded aluminium or other suitable material.

It will further be appreciated that while the invention has been described with particular reference to a security grille for a window the grille may also be used for other closure members such as a door or any opening.

Aside from the quick release locking mechanism described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 and which is the subject of the Patent Application 8627030 the security grille may include any suitable locking mechanism. For example, instead of a quick release mechanism the bar or bars which extend through the receiver may include eyes through which a padlock may be inserted to lock the grille in the locked position. Such an arrangement does not have the particular advantage of allowing the grille to be opened quickly in the event of an emergency however, it is in effect a security device particularly as the padlock is positioned to one side of the window and is difficult to access from the outside.

Referring to Figs. 15 to 17 there is illustrated another security grille 100 according to the invention. The grille is particularly adapted for use with high openings and._coinprises a lower grille 101 which is movable across the opening in the direction of the arrow R and an upper grille 102 which is movable in the direction of the arrow S as the grille is moved between the closed position illustrated in Fig. 15 and the open position illustrated in Fig. 16. Both grilles 101 and 102 are of the same general construction as those described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 14. As illustrated in Fig. 17 in this case an upper riser support track 105 of the lower grille is fixed to a lower support track 106 of the upper grille 102 and in use both tracks 105, 106 rise as the grille is moved into the open position. Any suitable locking mechanism such as the locking mechanisms described above may be used to lock the grille 100 in the closed position.

M is 1. A security grille for a closure, the grille comprising a plurality of elongated bars arranged in the form of a trellis, the bars being movable from a closed position covering the closure with the bars extended in an open-work lattice to an open position uncovering the closure, with the bars retracted.

2. A grille as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bars are movable from a position to one side, at the top or at the bottom of the closure, in use.

3. A grille as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the trellis comprises a plurality of diagonally arranged intersecting bars, adjacent bars being interconnected at their point of intersection by a pivot means to allow pivotal movement between adjacent bars on movement of the bars between the open and closed positions.

4. A grille as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pivot means comprises a rivet.

5. A grille as claimed in claim 4 wherein the 20. rivet comprises a semi-tubular rivet.

6. A grille as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5 wherein spacer means are provided between the bars at the points of intersection.

7. A grille as claimed in any of claims 3 to 6 wherein the bars are slidably movable in a track means.

8. A grille as claimed in claim 7 wherein the bars are carried on a roller means which is slidably movable along the track means on opening and closing of the grille.

g. A grille as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein the track means includes a lower support track and an upper track.

10. A grille as claimed in claim 9 wherein the upper track moves upwardly as the grille is moved from the closed to the open position.

11. A grille as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein the riser is slidably mounted in a pair of f ixed side support tracks.

12. A grille as claimed in claim 11 wherein one of the side support tracks defines a receiver for the grille.

13. A grille as claimed in claim 12 wherein the receiver comprises a slot provided in the support track through which the extremity of at least one of the bar extends in a position covering the closure member.

14. A grille as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13 wherein locking means are provided for locking the grille in a closed position.

15. A grille substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

C:\SPE\F148ORTY.SPE Published 1990atThe Patent OMce, State House, 6"1 High HoIborn, LondonW0lR4TP.FurLher copies ruaybe obtainedfrom The PatentOMOe. Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent, Con. 1187