GB2282850A

GB2282850A - Security device for limiting the opening of a door

Info

Publication number: GB2282850A
Application number: GB9321070A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Eric Cotterill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-10-13
Filing date: 1993-10-13
Publication date: 1995-04-19
Anticipated expiration: 2013-10-13
Also published as: GB9321070D0; GB2282850B

Abstract

A security device for use with a door 1 comprises an elongate member 15, 17 which extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the door 1. The elongate member is pivotally secured to the door frame 3 such that it can be pivoted between a first position in which it prevents the door from opening beyond a predetermined position and a second position (Fig.1) in which the door is permitted to open beyond said predetermined position. The elongate member may comprise two elongate bars 15, 17 connected by a handle member 19. The device may be used instead of a conventional security chain. <IMAGE>

Description

SECURITY DEVICE The present invention is concerned with a security device such as a bar or the like which can be used to resist undesired opening of a door or the like by an intruder.

It is often desirable to be able to open a door a small amount but to prevent further undesired opening of the door, for example to be able to talk to unfamiliar callers while preventing the caller entering the house. The device most commonly employed for this function is a door security chain which is secured to the internal face of the door frame at a point along the free edge of the door and extends removably into a receiving mechanism provided internally of the door. The disadvantages of a door security chain are that the chain can be readily severed with bolt cutters and that securement, especially to the door frame, is often inadequate in that the securing screws are generally inserted into the door frame in a direction in which they can be removed by brute force, that is by an intruder forcing the door open.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a security device, for example for use with a door, which is more resistant to intruders.

According to the present invention there is provided a security device for inhibiting undesired opening of a hinged closure for an aperture, the device comprising an elongate member extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the hinged closure, the elongate member being pivotably secured to a frame or the like defining the aperture such that the elongate member can be pivoted between a first position in which the elongate member prevents the hinged closure opening beyond a predetermined position and a second position in which the hinged closure is permitted to open beyond said predetermined position.

The means for securing the elongate member to the frame may include securing means engageable with the frame and extending in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the hinged closure.

The elongate member may comprise two interconnected elongate elements. The elongate elements may be adjustable in the axial direction thereof. The elongate member may incorporate handle means. The elongate elements may be adjustable within the handle means. One of the elongate elements may engage more tightly within the handle means than the other of the elongate elements.

The elongate member may be pivotably secured to the frame by way of arms positioned substantially at the ends thereof and pivotably mounted on the frame. The arms may be secured to the elongate member in a manner that resists rotation of the arms relative to the elongate member.

The elongate member may engage with means provided on the hinged closure which inhibits movement of the elongate member from its first position to its second position when the hinged closure is substantially in said predetermined position.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view of one embodiment of a security device according to the present invention installed for use with a hinged closure in the form of a door, the security device being in a second, inactive, position; Figure 2 is an elevational view of the security device of Figure 1, the security device being in a first, active, position; Figure 3 illustrates, in a partly cut-away manner, the upper region of the security device shown in Figures 1 and 2 in more detail; Figure 4 illustrates, in a partly cut-away manner, the lower region of the security device shown in Figures 1 and 2 in more detail; and Figure 5 illustrates, in a partly cut-away manner, the region of a handle of the security device of Figures 1 and 2 in more detail.

There is shown in Figures 1 and 2 a hinged closure in the form of a door 1 mounted within a door frame 3 by way of hinges 5. The door is locked in Figure 1 by means of lock 7, while the door is unlocked and partly open in Figure 2.

As an alternative to lock 7 arranged on the inside of the door 1, a lock may be located within the confines of the door, but such a lock is generally provided with handle means for opening the door. The lock, or the handle means, can be used to assist operation of the security device of the present invention as will be explained in more detail hereinafter. The door frame 3 forms part of a building in known manner.

As best shown in Figure 3, the security device according to the present invention is secured to the upper member 9 of door frame 3 by means of suitable securing means, such as screws 11, which extends in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the door hinges such that any forces applied to the securing means by a potential intruder are shear forces which conventional securing means such as screws are better adapted to resist than tensile forces.

In similar manner, and as best shown in Figure 4, the security device according to the present invention is secured to the lower member 13 of door frame 3 by means of suitable securing means, such as screws 11.

The security device according to the present invention comprises an elongate member in the form of two elongate elements 15 and 17 which are interconnected by handle means 19. The elongate elements may be made of square hollow section tube, for example of stove enamelled mild steel, having a side length of about 20 mm and a thickness of about 1.2 mm. The handle means 19 may be moulded from a suitable plastics material, such as an ABS plastics material.

As best shown in Figure 5, the handle means 19 comprises a sleeve portion 21, dimensioned to receive the elongate elements 15 and 17, and a handle 23. The sleeve portion 21 is dimensioned such that one of the elongate elements, lower element 17 as shown in the figures, is a tighter fit within the sleeve portion than the other of the elongate elements.

The relatively tight fit between the sleeve portion 21 and the lower elongate element 17 enables the two components to be separated if necessary, for example to adjust the orientation of the handle 23, but eliminates relative movement during normal use.

The relatively loose fit between the sleeve portion 21 and the upper elongate element 15 permits movement of the elongate element 15 within the sleeve portion 21 so as to allow adjustment of the overall length of the elongate elements in order to adapt the security device to door frames of different dimensions. If necessary, for particularly small door frames the upper elongate element 15 can be shortened in order to enable the security device to be adapted to the door frame.

As shown in Figure 3, the upper elongate element 15 is provided internally with a captive threaded nut 25 which may be welded within the elongate element and is positioned a predetermined distance from the free end of the elongate element. Threaded securing means 27, such as a high tensile countersunk screw, passes through an arm 29 in the region of one end thereof so as to secure the arm to the upper end of elongate element 15. As can be seen from Figure 3, the end region of arm 29 is provided with an indentation 31 which is accommodated within the free end of elongate element 15, indentation 31 having a configuration adapted to co-operate with elongate element 15 so as to provide a positive location between the two components and to inhibit mutual rotation.

The other end of arm 29 is pivotably secured to a bracket 33, for example by means of a countersunk rivet 35.

Bracket 33 is positioned on that side of arm 29 corresponding to the upper elongate element 15. Bracket 33 is provided with a plurality of countersunk holes, for example two, in the region thereof remote from the rivet 35, the holes being adapted to receive screws 37 which are secured into the upper member 9 of the door frame 3 in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of the elongate element 15 and to the axis of rotation of the door hinges. Arm 29 and bracket 33 may be made, for example, of brass.

As shown in Figure 4, in a manner similar to that with the upper elongate element 15 shown in Figure 3, the lower elongate element 17 is provided internally with a captive threaded nut 39 which may be welded within the elongate element and is positioned a predetermined distance from the free end of the elongate element. Threaded securing means 41, such as a high tensile countersunk screw, passes through an arm 43 in the region of one end thereof so as to secure the arm to the lower end of elongate element 17. As can be seen from Figure 4, the end region of arm 43 is provided with an indentation 45 which is accommodated within the free end of elongate element 17, indentation 45 having a configuration adapted to co-operate with elongate element 17 so as to provide a positive location between the two components and to inhibit mutual rotation.

The other end of arm 43 is pivotably secured to a bracket 47, for example by means of a countersunk rivet 49. In distinction to the bracket 33 shown in Figure 3, bracket 47 is positioned on that side of arm 43 opposite the lower elongate element 17. Bracket 47 is provided with a plurality of countersunk holes, for example two, in the region thereof remote from the rivet 49, the holes being adapted to receive screws 51 which are secured into the lower member 11 of the door frame 3 in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of the elongate element 17 and to the axis of rotation of the door hinges. Arm 43 and bracket 47 may be made, for example, of brass.

Bracket 47 is provided on that side of arm 43 opposite the lower elongate element 17 to facilitate securing of the security device in situations where the lower member 11 of the door frame 3 is flush with the floor (not shown) and in which an arrangement corresponding to that of the upper bracket 33 would cause the arm to foul against the floor and render the security device inoperative.

Although the arms 29 and 43 are described as being provided with an indentation 31 and 45, respectively, which is accommodated within the free end of the elongate element to provide a positive location between the two components and to inhibit mutual rotation, this function can be provided in other ways. For example, the free end of the elongate element may be accommodated within an indentation or recess formed in the respective arm, or the arms may be provided with a ridge or the like which protrudes from the respective arm in the axial direction of the elongate element at a position adjacent to the elongate element so as to abut against or lie adjacent to the elongate element.

Although adjustment of the security device according to the invention is described as being effected by movement of at least one of the elongate elements relative to the handle means, and such a method of adjustment has the advantage that there is no need to alter the fastenings at the free ends of the elongate elements, adjustment can be effected in other ways. For example, the elongate elements can be secured in the handle means, or the elongate elements can be formed as a single elongate member and provided thereon or therein with a handle, and adjustment can be effected by providing removable securement of the arm at one or both ends of the elongate member.Thus, an arm can be removed and the length of the elongate members adjusted (as with a hacksaw) to the desired length and the arm subsequently replaced, the arm being secured in place, for example, with a form of expansion coupling. The disadvantage of this form of adjustment is that the elongate member is then permanently reduced in length.

In use, the security device according to the present invention can be used in two positions, a (second) inactive position as illustrated in Figure 1 and a (first) active position as illustrated in Figure 2.

In the inactive position as illustrated in Figure 1, the elongate elements 15 and 17 are rotated away from the door, as with the handle 23, and can be positioned adjacent to a wall or the like. In the inactive position of the security device the door can be opened and closed as normal.

In the active position as illustrated in Figure 2, the elongate elements 15 and 17 are rotated, as with handle 23, so as to be positioned adjacent to the door. This operation is effected prior to the door being opened. In this position, the door can be opened only so far as the length of the arms 29 and 43 permit before the door contacts the handle means 19 or elongate elements 15 and 17. In practice, this distance is about 100 mm. Such distance is sufficient for the user to see and talk to a caller and, for example, to inspect an identity card the caller may possess, but is insufficient for the caller to be able to gain entry into the house. In this respect, the function of the security device according to the present invention is substantially identical to a conventional security chain.

However, the security device according to the present invention has additional functionality over a conventional door chain in that the elongate elements 15 and 17 and the arms 29 and 43 are substantially more resistant to potential intruders than is a door chain. For example, the components of the security device according to the present invention are far more substantial and significantly less accessible than is a door chain and it is therefore not possible to sever the components of the security device according to the present invention with bolt cutters.

Moreover, because the securing means for the security device according to the present invention are located at the top and the bottom of the door frame and extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of force that would be exerted by a potential intruder against the partially open door, it is significantly more difficult for an intruder to burst open the door. Furthermore, the security device according to the present invention can prevent a potential intruder reaching inside the door to remove the elongate elements 15 and 17 from behind the door: this is accomplished in most cases by the user positioning the elongate elements on that side of a lock mechanism or door handle remote from the free edge of the door as illustrated in Figure 2. In order for a potential intruder to remove the elongate elements from behind the door it is necessary first to close the door so as to enable the security device to be moved to its inactive position and thus defeating the potential intruder's intention. In the unlikely event of there being no lock mechanism or door handle behind which to position the elongate elements, the user can himself simply fit a suitable device to the door behind which the elongate elements can be positioned in the active position of the security device.

While the primary intended use of the security device according to the present invention is to prevent a potential intruder entering through the door of a house or the like, it is clear that the security device according to the present invention can have other applications.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A security device for inhibiting undesired opening of a hinged closure for an aperture, the device comprising an elongate member extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the hinged closure, the elongate member being pivotably secured to a frame or the like defining the aperture such that the elongate member can be pivoted between a first position in which the elongate member prevents the hinged closure opening beyond a predetermined position and a second position in which the hinged closure is permitted to open beyond said predetermined position.

2. A security device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for securing the elongate member to the frame includes securing means engageable with the frame and extending in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the hinged closure.

3. A security device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the elongate member comprises two interconnected elongate elements.

4. A security device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the elongate elements are adjustable in the axial direction thereof.

5. A security device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member incorporates handle means.

6. A security device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the elongate member comprises two interconnected elongate elements which are adjustable within the handle means.

7. A security device as claimed in claim 6, wherein one of the elongate elements engages more tightly within the handle means than the other of the elongate elements.

8. A security device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member is secured to the frame by way of arms positioned substantially at the ends thereof and pivotably mounted on the frame.

9. A security device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the arms are secured to the elongate member in a manner that resists rotation of the arms relative to the elongate member.

10. A security device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate member engages with means provided on the hinged closure which inhibits movement of the elongate member from its first position to its second position when the hinged closure is substantially in said predetermined position.

11. A security device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.