GB2228079A - A ventilator for a security room - Google Patents

Abstract

A ventilator (1) for use in providing an air supply to a person trapped in a security room (e.g. a strong-room or a vault) comprises a tube (2) for location in an aperture (4) extending through a wall (5) of the room, and an inner tube (3) (which may be filled with concrete containing refractory aggregate) located in tube (2). The inner tube (3) may be removed from the inner end of the tube (2) by a person trapped in the room so that a fan (7) can supply air along the tube (2) into the room. The fan may be mounted on the outer end of tube (2) in such a way that the fan may be removed from the outer end to permit food to be passed into the room. Rotation of a handle (18) locates the inner tube (3) into position. Microswitches (22) supported on a mounting plate (15) are able to operate the fan (7) and a security alarm upon withdrawal of the inner tube. <IMAGE>

Description

VENTILATOR ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a ventilator assembly intended particularly for providing a person trapped within a security room (e.g.

a strong-room or vault) with a supply of fresh air.

It is known to incorporate within the wall of a security room a ventilator tube with a removable plug which (when removed) allows air to be supplied to a person trapped within the room. An example of such a ventilator device is disclosed in GB-A-2 032 614. However, in this known device, a positive supply of air is achieved only by inserting a hose (connected to a blower unit) into the tube from externally of the enclosure.

According to the present invention there is provided a ventilator assembly for a security room, the assembly comprising a tube for location in an aperture extending through a wall of the room and a plug located in the tube and removable from the inner end (as herein defined) thereof, wherein a fan is provided for supplying air inwardly along the tube.

The 'inner' end of the tube is that end, which when the tube is mounted in the strong-room wall, is adjacent to the interior side of the wall. Similarly the 'outer' end is that end adjacent the exterior side of the wall.

Preferably means e.g. a switch are provided for operating the fan from within the strong-room. Preferably, such means comprise a switch which is automatically actuated upon removal of the core from the tube.

Preferably also the fan is pivotally mounted on the outer end of the tube for movement between a first position, in which it will supply air along the tube, and a second position in which the exterior end of the tube is open so that food may be passed along the tube to the people trapped in the vault.

The invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of ventilator assembly in accordance with the invention installed in the wall of a strong-room; Fig. 2 is a view in the direction of arrow A of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a view in the direction of arrow B of Fig. 1.

The ventilator shown in Fig. 1 is comprised of an assembly of inner and outer tubes 2 and 3 respectively and extends through an aperture 4 which tranverses a wall 5 of a secure encIjUC 6 (e.g. a vault or a strong-room). A fan 7 is mounted (in the manner described more fully below) on the exterior end of outer tube 2, i.e. the right hand end as depicted in Fig. 1.

Outer tube 2 has an axial bore 8 and at its exterior end is formed with an annular flange 9. The interior end of the tube 2 is externally screw threaded as at 10 and between its interior and exterior ends the outer surface of the tube 2 is stepped as shown. A complementary step is formed within bore 4.

A plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinal grooves 11 are formed on the outer surface of the tube 2 The overall length of the tube 2 is greater than that of aperture 4. Thus, as will be appreci te- from Fig. 1, tube 2 may be inserted into the exterior end of aperture 4 until the flange 9 sandwiches a rubber ring 9a against the outside of wall 5, and the interior (screw threaded) end of the tube projects into enclosure 6. The ring 9a ensures that he flange 9 sits squarely relative to the outer face of wall 5.

Prior to insertion of the tube 2 in aperture 4, electrical wires 12 (as required for operating the fan 7) may be laid along the grooves 11 so that (after insertion of the tube 2) the wires traverse the wall 5.

With tube 2 thus inserted through wall 5, an internally threaded ring 13 may be screwed onto its end 10. This ring 13 has a plurality of notches 14 and is screwed onto the end 10 until it (the ring 13) locates in an aperture of a mounting plate 15 which is securely attached to the inside of wall 5. The rotational position of the ring 13 is however adjusted to ensure that the notches 14 register with the grooves 11 so that the cables 12 may pass into the enclosure.

Welds 16 secure ring 13 to mounting plate 15, and welds 17 secure the tube 2 to the ring 13. Thus tube 2 is securely anchored against rotation within, and withdrawal from, aperture 4.

The inner tube 3 has at its interior end a handled end cap assembly 18. This assembly comprises an externally screw threaded collar 18a, a large diameter flange 18b, and a handle 18c. The collar 18a is a close fit over the interior end of tube 3 and is welded thereto to secure the end cap assembly in position thereon. The screw threads on the exterior of collar 18a are complementary with threads on the inner surface of ring 13.

At its end remote from the handled assembly 18, the interior of tube 3 is blanked off by a plate 19 which serves to contain within the tube 3 a filling (not shown) of concrete containing refractory aggregate to resist mechanical and thermal attack, e.g. by drills and cutting torches.

To locate the inner tube 3 in position, it is pushed (from within the enclosure 6) into the inner end of the outer tube 2 (within which it is a close fit) until the threads on collar 18a engage those on the inside of ring 13. Rotation of the handled assembly 18 allows the tube 3 to be further advanced along tube 2 up to the point where flange 18b engages against a cover unit 20 (the purpose of which will be described below). At this point the exterior end of tube 3 is just short of that of the tube 2.

A captive nut 21 (see also Fig. 2) is then inserted through an aperture in Flange 18b and screwed into a threaded bore in ring 13. Thus the inner tube 3 is secured against unwanted rotation.

Two microswitches 22 and 23 (see also Fig. 2) are supported on the mounting plate 15 within the enclosure 20. Each such microswitch has a respective spring biased arm 24 or 25 which is urged inwardly of the enclosure by the flange 18a when the inner tube 3 is in the position shown in Fig. 1.

The microswitch 22 is electrically associated via wires 12 with the fan unit 7 whereas switch 23 is electrically associated with an alarm system signalling the withdrawal of the inner tube (not shown).

Two bulbs 26 are also provided within housing 20 and may be used to provide back-lighting to transparent panel in housing 20 to illuminate information provided on the wall of the housing.

Such information may, for example, illustrate the location of the ventilator and its method of operation.

As mentioned previously the fan 7 is mounted at the exterior end of tube 2. In more detail, the fan is supported on a plate 27 by four bolts 28 and this plate 27 is pivotally supported on tube 2 by means of a pin 29. This pin 29 allows the fan to be moved between the position shown in solid and chain-dot lines in Fig. 3. It may be retained in the position depicted in solid lines by means of a readily removable screw 30.

The pin 29 is hollow to permit passage of the wires 12 therethrough.

Fig. 1 illustrates the ventilator when it is not used for the supply of air. In the illustrated condition, the flange 18a acts against the spring biased switch arms 24 and 25 to ensure that the fan 7 is not operated and that the alarm switch is in the nOff n position.

If a person should inadvertently be shut in the vault, he or she may obtain a supply of air by removal of tube 3 from within tube 2. More particularly the captive nut 21 is firstly removed and then handle 18c is rotated so as to unscrew collar 18c from ring 13. Tube 3 may then simply be pulled completely out of tube 2.

As the flange 18b moves away from the housing 20, the spring biased arms 24 and 25 are released and actuate the respective switches 22 and 23. Switch 22 is associated with fan 7 which then automatically operates to deliver air along tube 2. Thus the person within the enclosure is supplied with the necessary air.

If a person within the vault should require food (e.g. because the vault cannot be opened immediately for one reason or another) then the fan may be moved to the position illustrated by chain dot lines in Fig. 3. This is of course effected by a person external of the vault simply removing the screw 30 and pivoting the plate 27 around pin 29. The exterior end of tube 2 is thus opened and food may be passed therealong.

Actuation of switch 23 operates the alarm system signalling that someone is trapped in the vault (or for periodic inspection purposes) It will be appreciated that communication between the interior and exterior of the vault can be provided by two-way microphone/speaker units.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS:

1. A ventilator assembly for a security room, the assembly comprising a tube for location in an aperture extending through a wall of the room and a plug located in the tube and removable from the inner end (as herein defined) thereof, wherein a fan is provided for supplying air inwardly along the tube.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fan is provided on the outer end of the tube.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2; wherein the fan is mounted (preferably pivotally mounted) on the outer end of the tube for movement between a first position, in which it will supply air along the tube, and a second position in which the outer end of the tube is open.

4. A ventilator assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 provided with switch means which are automatically operated to actuate the fan when the plug is removed from the core.

5. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an extension ring is mounted on the inner end of the tube, and said plug has a fi section which releasably engages within the inner end of said ring whereby said plug may be removed from within the tube.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plug comprises a tubular member which is of lesser cross-sectional size than, and locates within, said tube, and an end piece mounted around the inner end of said tubular member, said end piece being the section of the plug which releasably engages within said ring.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein said releasable engagement is provided by complimentary screw threads within the ring and around a portion of the plug.

8. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a longitudinal groove extends along the outer surface of the tube for receiving electrical wiring.

9. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plug is filled with concrete containing refractory aggregate material.

10. A ventilator assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A security room provided with a ventilator assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10.