GB2295188A

GB2295188A - Security glazing panel

Info

Publication number: GB2295188A
Application number: GB9423091A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Terence Kelly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-11-16
Filing date: 1994-11-16
Publication date: 1996-05-22
Also published as: GB9423091D0

Abstract

A high security window glazing unit or window comprising two or more glass panels spaced one from the other and sealed one to the other around the periphery thereof to form a double- or multi- glazed window or glazing unit comprising a plurality of glass panels separated by one or more hermetically sealed cavities, wherein there is fixedly secured in the said cavity, or in at least one of the cavities, if more than one, a high security screen comprising one or more bars of high tensile strength carbon steel, or similar high tensile strength metal or alloy, extending across the whole width of the glass in at least one dimension. Preferably, the security screen comprises a grid of interconnecting bars extending across the whole area of the glass in two dimensions and the bars are shot blasted coated with a suitable coating, for example paint, enamel or plastic such as a fused powder polyester, to provide a decorative finish.

Description

SECURITY GLAZING PANEL This invention relates to security glazing panels and windows.

It is well known in the art to manufacture sealed double glazing units comprising a pair of glass panels spaced a small distance one from the other and sealed one to the other around the periphery of the panel by a sealing strip. Such sealed double glazing units are usually designed for mounting in a conventional, e.g. wooden, window frame.

In the alternative, and using either metal, e.g. aluminium or rigid plastics window frames, e.g. of UPVC, to construct the whole window in such a manner, i.e. with two or possible more glass panels hermetically sealed within the window frame itself and spaced one from the other to provide a double- or multi-glazed window unit.

The hermetically sealed cavity or cavities as the case may be between the spaced glass panels, will usually be filled with an inert gas, or in some cases be evacuated, and may or may not contain a small quantity of desiccant to prevent condensation occurring on the inside of the panel.

It is also known to include on or more feature strips in the cavity for the purpose of providing a decorative effect. Indeed simulated leaded-light double glazing units or windows are known in which a grid of simulated or actual lead strip is mounted within the cavity of the double glazing panel or window.

Even with such feature strips, the degree of security provided by such double glazing units or windows is not very great, and is not much more than is provided by the glass itself, the feature strips incorporated within the cavity being there purely for decorative purposes, and not to give any added security against either vandalism or attempted break-ins.

In accordance with the present invention, a high security double (or multiple) glazing unit or window is provided by mounting within the cavity of a double-glazing unit or window, or within at least one of the cavities, if more than one, at least one security bar of high tensile strength carbon steel, or similar high strength metal or alloy.

Thus even though the glass may be smashed, accidentally or on purpose, access through the broken window is at least hindered, if not completely prevented, by the security bar. Preferably to that end also the bar or bars, if more than one, is or are securely fixed within the double- or multi-glazing unit.

The means of securing the security bar or bars within the double glazing cavity will vary depending on the nature of the seal provided around the periphery of the panel. Where this is a metal, e.g.

aluminium sealing strip, the bar(s) can be secured to the sealing strip by screws. In the case of UPVC window frames, for example, a more secure form of fastening may be necessary.

Where a double- (or multi-) glazing unit according to the invention is itself in the form of a window, e.g. a sash or casement window, or any other type of window which may be opened, i.e.

comprising the surrounding window frame as an integral part of the unit, rather than simply a double glazing panel for subsequent fitting into a preformed window frame opening, additional security may and will usually be provided to the form of one or more security bolts enabling the window security to be locked in the closed position.

Where two or more high tensile strength security bars are provided secured within the cavity of the double- (or multi-) glazing unit or window unit provided in accordance with the present invention, these may be positioned within the cavity at a variety of orientations and/or spacings. Most preferably, a grid or screen of intersecting bars is used which can be preassembled as a self-supporting screen or grid which is to be placed in and secured within the cavity of the double glazing unit during manufacture. The grid pattern is immaterial.

The dimensions of the high security bar(s) will, of course, depend on many factors, but primarily the dimension of the cavity into which the bar(s) are to fit. For most practical purposes, the bar(s) will have a thickness of from 0.05mm to 0.4 mm (2 to 15 mils), preferably 0.2 to 0.25 mm (8 to 10 mils). Preferably the security bars will be of carbon steel having a minimum tensile strength of 28 tons and manufactured to BS4360 430 or BS EN 10025 070M20, BS 1449 Cr 304 or BS4845 Pt 2.

Preferably the security bar(s) will be shot blasted coated with a suitable coating, e.g. paint, enamel, or plastic e.g. a fused powder polyester coating to provide a decorative finish, e.g. to BS 6469, prior to installation.

In summary therefore the present invention provides a high security window glazing unit or window comprising two or more glass panels spaced one from the other and sealed one to the other around the periphery thereof to form a double- or multi- glazed window or glazing unit comprising a plurality of glass panels separated by one or more hermetically sealed cavities, wherein there is fixedly secured in the said cavity, or in at least one of the cavities if more than one, a high security screen comprising one or more bars of high tensile strength carbon steel, or similar high tensile strength metal or alloy, extending across the whole width of the glass in at least one dimension.

Preferably wherein the security screen comprises a grid of interconnecting bars extending across the whole area of the glass in two dimensions.

Other preferred aspects are set out in the subsidiary claims especially claims 3 to 7.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A high security window glazing unit or window comprising two or more glass panels spaced one from the other and sealed one to the other around the periphery thereof to form a double- or multi- glazed window or glazing unit comprising a plurality of glass panels separated by one or more hermetically sealed cavities, wherein there is fixedly secured in the said cavity, or in at least one of the cavities, if more than one, a high security screen comprising one or more bars of high tensile strength carbon steel, or similar high tensile strength metal or alloy, extending across the whole width of the glass in at least one dimension.

2. A high security window glazing unit or window according to claim 1, wherein the security screen comprises a grid of interconnecting bars extending across the whole area of the glass in two dimensions.

3. A high security window glazing unit or window according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the screen is comprised of one or more fused polyester coated high carbon steel bars.

4. A high security window according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the said glass panels are spaced one from the other mounted directly within a surrounding window frame.

5. A high security window according to claim 4, wherein the window frame is a metal or rigid plastics window frame.

6. A high security window according to claim 5, wherein the window frame is a UPVC frame.

7. A high security window according to any one of claims 4 to 6, which is designed for opening relative to an outer frame, and wherein additional security bolt(s) is or are provided to fasten the window securely to the outer frame when in the closed position.