GB2280696A - Security closure for a doorway - Google Patents

Abstract

A security closure includes a closure frame 2 which includes a planar unitary rectangular panel 20 which is arranged to be releasably secured, by means of lacking devices 4, within a door recess, so that the front face of the frame faces outwardly and lower end 6 of the device abuts the ground. The frame 2 defines an opening 8 arranged to be closed by a security door. The security door 10 is arranged to be supported on hinge members 32a, 32b, 32c or hinge members 34a, 34b and 34c. <IMAGE>

Description

SECURITY CLOSURE This invention relates to a security closure and particularly, although not exclusively, relates to a security closure for a doorway.

Security closures for doorways are known wherein a closure frame is arranged to be releasably fixed within a door recess and a security door is arranged to be pivotally mounted on the closure frame. Known security closures are often difficult to assemble and position. One reason for this is that the closure frame of such closures may comprise a multiplicity of parts which must be secured together prior to assembly of the closure.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a security closure which may alleviate problems associated with known closures.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a security closure for a recessed part of a building, the security closure comprising a closure frame means which includes a substantially planar unitary panel which defines an opening arranged to be closable by a closure member (for example, in the form of a pivotable door) and which is abuttable against an outwardly facing surface of a wall which defines the recessed part of the building, jacking means being secured relative to the panel for securing the closure frame in position relative to the recessed part of the building and closure member support means being secured relative to the panel for supporting the closure member relative to the panel.

The provision of such a unitary panel may allow the closure frame means itself to be unitary (i.e. not requiring the addition of further parts prior to use) and, therefore, the security closure may be relatively easy to assemble and position in use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a closure frame means for a security closure, the method comprising: providing a substantially planar panel with an opening; fixing jacking means relative to the panel between said opening and an outer edge of the panel; and fixing closure member support means relative to the panel between said opening and an outer edge of the panel.

Preferably, a support structure, for example in the form of an upstanding member, is directly fixed to the panel between said opening and an outer edge of the panel.

Preferably, said jacking means and/or said closure member support means is fixed to the support structure.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a security closure for a recessed part of a building, the security closure comprising a closure frame means abuttable against an outwardly facing surface of a wall which defines the recessed part of the building and jacking means secured relative to the closure frame means for securing the closure frame means in position, said jacking means being arranged to move between a first operative position and a second inoperative position by a fluid pressure means.

Said jacking means preferably comprises one or a plurality of air jacks.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a closure frame; Figure 2 is a side elevation from the right-hand side of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a rear elevation of a security door for the closure frame; Figure 4 is a cross-section along line IV-IV of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a cross-section along line V-V of Figure 3; and Figure 6 is an enlarged side elevation, partly in cross-section, of a jacking device.

The closure frame 2 (Figure 1) is arranged to be releasably secured, by means of jacking devices 4, within a door recess, so that the front face (not shown) of the frame faces outwardly and lower end 6 of the device abuts the ground. The frame 2 defines an opening 8 arranged to be closed by a security door 10 (Figure 2).

The closure frame 2 and security door 10 of the security closure will now be described in detail.

The closure frame 2 includes a planar rectangular panel 20 which defines the rectangular opening 8. The panel 20 is made from a single sheet of 3 mm thickness mild steel. A rectangular frame 22, made of lengths 24, 26, 28, 30 of flat bar, is welded to the panel 20 around opening 8. The lengths 24, 26, 28, 30 of the frame extend perpendicularly to the member 20.

Hinge members 32a, 32b, 32c are welded to panel 20 and length 30 of frame 22; and hinge members 34a, 34b, 34c are welded to panel 20 and length 26 of frame 22. The hinge members 32, 34 comprise a support part 36 which is welded in position and a projecting pin 38. The length of pin 38 of hinge member 32a is greater than that of member 32b which, in turn, is greater than that of member 32c.

Hinge members 34 are similarly arranged. The provision of pins 38 of varying lengths aids hanging of door 10 in position.

A jacking device 4 is provided towards each corner of rectangular frame 22. As shown in Figures 1 and 6, a jacking device 4 includes L-cross-section supports 40, 42 which are welded to frame 22. The supports 40, 42 support an internally screw-threaded sleeve 44, within which an externally screw-threaded bar 46 is mounted. A locking nut 48 is provided on screw-threaded bar 46 and an abutment member 50 is provided at an outer end of the bar 46.

It should be noted that frame 2 is symmetrical about a vertical mirror plane.

The security door 10 (Figure 3) includes a planar rectangular member 50. The member 50 is made from a single sheet of 2 mm mild steel. A rectangular frame 52, made of lengths 54, 56, 58, 60 of flat bar, is welded to the member 50. The lengths 54, 56, 58, 60 extend perpendicularly to the member 50. Transversely extending strengthening members 62, 64, 66 extend between opposing lengths 56, 60 of the frame 52.

Hinge arms 68 are welded to planar member 50 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Each hinge arm 68 is constructed of three lengths 70, 72, 74 of 1 inch by 1 inch solid bar, the lengths 70, 72, 74 being welded to one another. Length 74 includes an eye 76 towards one end, the eye being arranged to receive a respective pin 38 of a hinge member 32 or 34 of the closure frame 2.

Lock casings 80 are provided towards opposing ends of the frame 52. Each casing houses a key-operable locking bolt (not shown) which is arranged to extend through an opening 82 in length 56 when in a locked position.

It should be noted that door 10 is symmetrical about a horizontal mirror plane.

The security closure may be assembled in a doorway, as follows: Firstly, the closure frame 2 is positioned adjacent the doorway. More particularly, the rectangular frame 22 of closure frame 2 fits within the door recess and portions of the panel 20 make face-to-face contact with parts of an outer wall in which the doorway is defined.

Then, the closure frame 2 is secured in position by screwing each threaded bar 46 of the jacking devices outwardly, thereby to urge abutment members 50 against the walls of the door recess. The bars 46 are secured in position using the locking nuts 48.

Next, the security door 10 is fixed to the closure frame 2. In this respect, eye 76 of the uppermost hinge arm 68 is engaged with uppermost hinge member 32a or 34a of the frame 2. The eyes 76 of the other hinge arms 68 are subsequently engaged with members 32b or 34b and then members 32c or 34c. In view of the relative lengths of the pins 38 of hinge members 32, 34, the door 10 is very easily placed in position.

It should be noted that, in view of the symmetrical nature of both the closure frame 2 and security door 10, the door 10 may be arranged for left hand or right hand opening.

The door 10 may be locked shut by causing the locking bolts to extend through openings 82. When so disposed, the locking bolts are positioned behind lengths 26 or 30 of the rectangular frame 22 so that the door cannot be opened.

When in a closed position, the planar rectangular member 50 of the door 10 lies substantially flat upon the front of the closure frame 2. Also, there are no gaps between door 10 and frame 2.

In an alternative embodiment, the jacking devices 4 may be replaced with air-operable jacks. In this case, the closure frame 2 may be fixed within a door recess simply by applying an air pressure to the jacks thereby to urge abutment members thereof outwardly. This may provide a rapid and secure method of fixing frame 2 in position.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (10)

1. A security closure for a recessed part of a building, the security closure comprising a closure frame means which includes a substantially planar unitary panel which defines an opening arranged to be closable by a closure member (for example, in the form of a pivotable door) and which is abuttable against an outwardly facing surface of a wall which defines the recessed part of the building, jacking means being secured relative to the panel for securing the closure frame in position relative to the recessed part of the building and closure member support means being secured relative to the panel for supporting the closure member relative to the panel.

2. A method of manufacturing a closure frame means for a security closure, the method comprising: providing a substantially planar panel with an opening; fixing jacking means relative to the panel between said opening and an outer edge of the panel; and fixing closure member support means relative to the panel between said opening and an outer edge of the panel.

3. An invention according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein a support structure is directly fixed to the panel between said opening and an outer edge of the panel.

4. An invention according to Claim 3, wherein said support structure is in the form of an upstanding member.

5. An invention according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein said jacking means is fixed to the support structure.

6. An invention according to any of Claims 3 to 5, wherein said closure member support means is fixed to the support structure.

7. An invention according to any preceding claim, wherein said jacking means comprises one or a plurality of air jacks.

8. A security closure for a recessed part of a building, the security closure comprising a closure frame means abuttable against an outwardly facing surface of a wall which defines the recessed part of the building and jacking means secured relative to the closure frame means for securing the closure frame means in position, said jacking means being arranged to move between a first operative position and a second inoperative position by a fluid pressure means.

9. A security closure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

10. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.