GB2297993A

GB2297993A - Guard devices for building apertures

Info

Publication number: GB2297993A
Application number: GB9503262A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Guy Perry
Original assignee: TRULINE GROUP Ltd
Current assignee: TRULINE GROUP Ltd
Priority date: 1995-02-20
Filing date: 1995-02-20
Publication date: 1996-08-21
Also published as: GB9503262D0

Abstract

A guard device (10), comprises first and second metal profiles (15,25) for attachment respectively to the aperture (12) and to its closure panel (22) adjacent an arris (20) of the closed aperture, ```each profile (15,25) has a plurality of strip-like portions (14,18; 24,27,28) angled to one another, ```one said portion (18) of one profile (15) in use at least partially overlies in close adjacency one said portion (28) of the other profile (25) when the closure panel (22) closes said aperture, at least one profile (15,25) has a first ```strip-like portion (14,24) to abut surfacially against a face of or adjacent to the aperture or the closure panel, and wherein ```said one profile (15,25) has a second strip-like portion (18,28) at an acute included angle to the plane of said first strip-like portion (14,24). Fig 2 illustrates a guard device for an outwardly opening door.

Description

GUARD DEVICES FOR BUILDING APERTURES DESCRIPTION Backaround to the Invention This invention relates to guard devices for building apertures, e.g. a doorway or a window frame, normally closed by a pivoted closure panel, e.g. a door or a window.

Such guard devices are known inter alia from EP-B1-0389532, US-A-3592498 and US-A-3271063. They comprise two metal profiles fastened by screws respectively to the aperture and to its closure panel adjacent an arris of the closed aperture, the profiles having strip portions that overlie one another when the aperture is closed and thus provide an impediment to access to the said arris by a forcing tool (e.g. a jemmy, crowbar, or the like) or a slipping tool (e.g. a credit card or the like). In general the screws mounting one or both of the guard device's metal profiles are fully visible - at least when the aperture is open and accordingly these known devices are unsightly.

It is considered desirable to provide guard devices for building apertures which can overcome the above-mentioned and/or other disadvantages of the prior art.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a guard device for a building aperture provided with pivoted closure panel, wherein said guard device comprises first and second metal profiles for attachment respectively to the aperture and to its closure panel adjacent an arris of the closed aperture, each profile has a plurality of strip-like portions angled to one another, one said portion of one profile in use at least partially overlies in close adjacency one said portion of the other profile when the closure panel closes said aperture, at least one profile has a first strip-like portion to abut surfacially against a face of or adjacent to the aperture or the closure panel, and wherein said one profile has a second strip-like portion at an acute included angle to the plane of said first strip-like portion.

In one preferred embodiment each said profile has said first strip-like portion and said second strip-like portion. Advantageously the said one profile is composed of said first and said second strip-like portions only, and the other profile has said first and said second strip-like portions interconnected by an intermediate third strip-like portion. The arrangement may be such that, when in use and the aperture is closed by the closure panel, the inclined second strip-like portions of the two profiles are closely adjacent and overlie one another at least partially. They may be parallel to one another and in this case, the first portion of said one profile may be parallel to the third portion of the other profile. This embodiment is particularly suitable for mounting of the exterior of a closure panel that opens inwards.

In another preferred embodiment the said one profile has a third strip-like portion connected to the first strip-like portion along an edge thereof opposite to the edge thereof connected to said second strip-like portion, the second and third portions extending outwardly to the same side of the first portion. The other profile has a said first striplike portion and a plurality of further strip-like portions defining a recess into which the third strip-like portion of the said one profile can extend when in use the aperture is closed by the closure panel. Said plurality of further strip-like portions may comprise, in sequence, second, third and fourth strip-like portions substantially at right-angles to one another.

Brief Description of the Drawings By way of example two guard devices according to this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a schematic horizontal cross-section through an inwardly-opening door in a door frame provided with a guard device according to one embodiment of the invention, and Figure 2 is a schematic horizontal cross-section through an outwardly-opening door in a door frame provided with a guard device according to another embodiment of this invention.

The guard device 10 of Fig 1 comprises first and second metal profiles 15,25 for screw-attachment respectively to a door frame 12 and the pivotal door 22 that closes it, at a location adjacent an arris 20 of the closed aperture remote from the door hinge and extending over the door lock (not shown). Each profile 15,25 has a plurality of striplike portions angled to one another, one portion of one profile in use at least partially overlying in close adjacency one portion of the other profile (when the closure panel closes said aperture).

In the embodiment of Fig 1, the door frame profile 15 has a first strip-like portion 14 to abut surfacially against the frame's face 16 that is perpendicular to the plane of the door 22 (when closed), and has a second strip-like portion 18 at an acute included angle, e.g. in the range of about 20 to 75 (preferably 45 ) to the plane of said first portion 14.

The profile 15 is attached to the frame 12 by screws 11 through holes in strip-like portion 14. These screw holes may be laterally elongated to permit positional adjustment of the profile during initial attachment and/or whilst in use (e.g. to cater for shrinkage or expansion of the door and/or the frame).

The other profile 25 has a first strip-like portion 24 to abut surfacially against the main face of the door 22 adjacent its edge distal from the hinges or other pivoting means for the door 22. The profile 25 is attached to the door 22 by screws 21 through holes in strip-like portion 24. These screw holes may be laterally elongated to permit positional adjustment of the profile during initial attachment and/or whilst in use (e.g. to cater for shrinkage or expansion of the door and/or the frame).

Profile 25 also has a second strip-like portion 28 at an acute included angle, e.g. in the range of about 20 to 75 (preferably 45 ) to the plane of the first strip-like portion 24, these first and second portions 24,28 being interconnected by an intermediate third strip-like portion 27 at right angles to portion 24. The said acute angle for the first profile 15 is preferably similar to the said acute angle for the second profile 25 whereby, when the profiles are correctly attached to the door frame and the door is closed, the inclined second strip-like portions 18,28 of the two profiles extend parallel and closely adjacent to one another, they overlie one another at least partially, and the first portion 14 of profile 15 extends parallel to the third portion 27 of profile 25.

It will be appreciated that the close adjacency and overlap of portions 18,28 of the metal profiles 15,25 make it difficult for them to be separated by a jemmy or like tool and hence can serve to guard the arris 20 between door and at its edge frame remote from the door hinge. It will also be apparaent that the angled attitude of strip-like portion 18 at least partially masks the mounting screws 11 even when the door is open, and provides an attractive architrave-like appearance to the guard device which, when the door is closed, has the heads of all the mounting screws 11,21 fully masked.

The guard device 30 of Fig 2 likewise comprises first and second metal profiles 35,45 for screw-attachment respectively to a door frame 32 and the pivotal door 42 that closes it, at a location remote from the door hinge and extending over the door lock (not shown). Each profile 35,45 has a plurality of strip-like portions angled to one another, one portion of one profile in use at least partially overlying in close adjacency one portion of the other profile (when the door is closed).

In Fig 2 the door frame profile 35 has a first strip-like portion 34 to abut surfacially against the frame's face 36 that is generally coplanar with the outer surface plane 43 of the door 22 (when closed), and has a second strip-like portion 38 at an acute included angle, e.g. in the range of about 20 to 75 (preferably 45 ), to the plane of said first portion 34. The profile 35 is attached to the frame 32 by screws 31 through holes in strip-like portion 34. The screw holes in portion 34 may be laterally elongated to permit positional adjustment of the profile during initial attachment and/or whilst in use (e.g. to cater for shrinkage or expansion of the door and/or the frame).

The profile 35 also has a third strip-like portion 33 connected to the first strip-like portion along an edge thereof opposite to the edge thereof connected to said second strip-like portion 38, the second and third strip like portions 38,33 extending outwardly, in the same general direction, of the same surface of the first portion 34.

The other profile 45 of Fig 2 has a said first strip-like portion 44 and sequentially second, third and fourth striplike portions 46,47,48 defining a recess 49 into which the third strip-like portion 33 of profile 35 can extend when in use and the doorframe opening is closed by the door 42.

In this condition, close adjacency and overlap is established between portions 46,33 and 48 of the metal profiles 35,45 which makes it difficult for them to be separated by a jemmy or like tool. Hence the profiles 35,45 can serve to guard the junction 40 between the frame 32 and the door 42 at its edge remote from the door hinge. It will also be apparent that the angled attitude of strip-like portion 38 at least partially masks the mounting screws 31 even when the door is open, and provides an attractive architrave-like appearance to the guard device which, when the door is closed, has all the mounting screws 31 substantially masked.

The screws 41 extending through portion 44 to attach profile 45 to the door have one-way heads to prevent them being unscrewed by a screwdriver. Alternatively, they may be ordinary screws which have the head slots deformed (e.g.

by drilling with a countersink) to prevent them being unscrewed by a screwdriver. The screw holes in portion 44 may be laterally elongated to permit positional adjustment of the profile during initial attachment.

It will be appreciated that, for best protection against forcible entry, the profiles 15,25 or 35,45 should extend over the full height of the frame's opening. However it may be that a reasonable measure of protection can be afforded when the profiles extend across and slightly beyond the lock area of the door.

Desirably the profiles are formed of steel or other suitably rigid metal to guard against too easy deformation by a forcing tool (such as a jemmy or crowbar). However the shape, direction and angled arrangement of the strip-like portions makes it difficult for any such forcing tool to obtain a 'purchase' and/or to be operated with the mechanical advantage of its usual lever action. Similarly, the shape, direction and angled arrangement of the striplike portions makes it difficult for any slipping tool (such as a plastics material credit card or the like) to be inserted between the door latch and its frame-mounted keeper to unlatch the door.

It will also be appreciated that the profiles 15,25 or 35,45 may be used for windows or other panel-closable building openings.

Other modifications and embodiments of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art and the invention is not to be deemed limited to the particular embodiment(s) hereinbefore described which may be varied in construction and detail without departing from the scope of the patent monopoly hereby sought.

Claims

1. A guard device for a building aperture provided with pivoted closure panel, wherein: said guard device comprises first and second metal profiles for attachment respectively to the aperture and to its closure panel adjacent an arris of the closed aperture, each profile has a plurality of strip-like portions angled to one another, one said portion of one profile in use at least partially overlies in close adjacency one said portion of the other profile when the closure panel closes said aperture, at least one profile has a first strip-like portion to abut surfacially against a face of or adjacent to the aperture or the closure panel, and wherein said one profile has a second strip-like portion at an acute included angle to the plane of said first strip-like portion.

2. A guard device according to Claim 1, wherein each said profile has said first strip-like portion and said second strip-like portion.

3. A guard device according to Claim 1, wherein the said one profile is composed of said first and said second strip-like portions only, and the other profile has said first and said second strip-like portions interconnected by an intermediate third strip-like portion.

4. A guard device according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the arrangement is such that, when in use and the aperture is closed by the closure panel, the inclined second strip-like portions of the two profiles are closely adjacent and overlie one another at least partially.

5. A guard device according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the arrangement is such that, when in use and the aperture is closed by the closure panel, the inclined second strip-like portions of the two profiles are substantially parallel to one another.

6. A guard device according to Claim 5 wherein, when in use as aforesaid, the first portion of said one profile is substantially parallel to the third portion of the other profile.

7. A guard device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 and for mounting on the exterior of a closure panel that opens inwards.

8. A guard device according to Claim 1, wherein one profile has a third strip-like portion connected to the first strip-like portion along an edge thereof opposite to the edge thereof connected to said second strip-like portion, the second and third portions extending outwardly to the same side of the first portion.

9. A guard device according to Claim 8, wherein the other profile has a said first strip-like portion and a plurality of further strip-like portions defining a recess into which the third strip-like portion of the said one profile can extend when in use the aperture is closed by the closure panel.

10. A guard device according to Claim 9, wherein said plurality of further strip-like portions comprises, in sequence, second, third and fourth strip-like portions substantially at right-angles to one another.

11. A Guard device substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A pair of guard devices, one being in accord with any one of Claims 1-6 or 11, and the other being substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A guard device substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in Figure 2 of the 'accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A guard device for a building aperture provided with a pivoted closure panel, wherein: said guard device comprises first and second metal profiles each having a plurality of strip-like portions angled to one another, one metal profile has a first strip-like portion provided with attachment means and is for surfacial abutment of, and attachment via said attachment means to, a face of the closure panel adjacent to the aperture, and has a second strip-like portion that is directed at an acute included angle to the first strip-like portion such as to overlie it at least partially, the other metal profile has a first strip-like portion provided with attachment means and is for surfacial abutment of, and attachment via said attachment means to, a face of or adjacent to the aperture, and has a second strip-like portion directed at an acute included angle to the first strip-like portion such as to overlie it at least partially, and wherein: said second portion of the one profile in use at least partially overlies in close adjacency the said second portion of the other profile when the closure panel closes said aperture.

2. A guard device according to Claim 1, wherein one profile is composed of said first and said second striplike portions only, and the other profile has said first and said second strip-like portions interconnected by an intermediate third strip-like portion.

3. A guard device according to Claim 2 wherein, when in use as aforesaid, the first portion of said one profile is substantially parallel to said third portion of the other profile.

4. A guard device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the acutely inclined second strip-like portions of the two profiles are provided by terminating side edge portions of their respective metal profiles.

5. A guard device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the arrangement is such that, when in use and the aperture is closed by the closure panel, the acutely inclined second strip-like portions of the two profiles are substantially parallel to one another.

6. A guard device according to any preceding Claim, wherein said one metal profile is for mounting on the exterior of a closure panel that opens inwards.

7. A pair of guard devices, one being in accord with Claim 6 and the other comprising first and second additional metal profiles for attachment respectively to the aperture and to a closure panel that opens outwards, wherein: each additional profile has a plurality of strip-like portions angled to one another, one said portion of one additional profile in use at least partially overlies in close adjacency one said portion of the other additional profile when the closure panel closes said aperture, at least one additional profile has a first strip-like portion to abut surfacially against a face of or adjacent to the aperture or the closure panel, and wherein said one additional profile has a second strip-like portion at an acute included angle to the plane of the first strip-like portion of that additional profile.

8. A pair of guard devices according to Claim 7, wherein the first strip-like portion of one of said additional profiles has its opposite longitudinal edges connected respectively to said second strip-like portion and to a third strip-like portion such that the second and third portions of that additional profile extend outwardly to the same side of the first portion of that additional profile.

9. A pair of guard devices according to Claim 8, wherein the other additional profile has a said first strip-like portion and a plurality of further strip-like portions defining a recess into which the third strip-like portion of the said one additional profile can extend when in use the aperture is closed by the closure panel.

10. A pair of guard devices according to Claim 9, wherein said plurality of further strip-like portions of said other additional profile comprises, in sequence, second, third and fourth strip-like portions substantially at rightangles to one another.