GB2298886A

GB2298886A - Removable bar assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2298886A
Application number: GB9505268A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donald Clive Cartmell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-03-16
Filing date: 1995-03-16
Publication date: 1996-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 2015-03-16
Also published as: GB9505268D0; GB2298886B

Abstract

A removable bar assembly for an aperture such as a window includes a bar assembly which incorporates a plurality of mounting bars 3 extending at opposite edges and securing means 7 for attachment to the surround of the aperture, the securing means being engageable with the bars 3 at one of the opposite edges. An elongate securing stay 15 attaches to the surround of the aperture and is removably engageable with the mounting bars 3 at the other of the opposite edges. The assembly also includes means 23 for releasably locking the securing stay 15 in engagement with the mounting bars 3 whereby when the stay is locked in engagement with the bars 3 at one opposite edge of the assembly and the bars at the other opposite edge of the assembly are in engagement with the securing means 7 the assembly is secured in position over the aperture, and when the securing stay 15 is released from engagement with the mounting bars 3 the bar assembly is removable from the aperture. The means 7 preferably comprise U-shaped straps. Adjacent pairs of bars 3 may be interconnected by a bar (31, Fig 6) secured in such a manner that the assembly is pivotable relative to the aperture with the means 7 acting as a hinge.

Description

REMOVABLE BAR ASSEMBLY The present invention is concerned with a removable bar assembly, for example for windows and the like.

It is well known to provide bars across windows and the like to prevent burglars entering a building. However, there are several problems associated with conventional fixed bars. For example, it is difficult to clean the glass of the window protected by the bars, but possibly more importantly the bars prevent escape through the window in an emergency, for example in the event of a fire.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a removable bar assembly for windows and the like which overcomes or reduces the disadvantages of fixed bars.

According to the present invention there is provided a removable bar assembly for an aperture such as a window, the removable bar assembly comprising: a bar assembly incorporating a plurality of mounting bars extending at opposite edges thereof; securing means for attachment to means surrounding the aperture and engageable with the mounting bars at one of the opposite edges of the bar assembly; an elongate securing stay for attachment to the means surrounding the aperture and removably engageable with the mounting bars at the other of the opposite edges of the bar assembly; and means for releasably locking the securing stay in engagement with the mounting bars, whereby, when the securing stay is locked in engagement with the mounting bars at one opposite edge of the bar assembly and the mounting bars at the other opposite edge of the bar assembly are in engagement with the securing means, the bar assembly is secured in position over the aperture and, when the securing stay is released from engagement with the mounting bars, the bar assembly is removable from the aperture.

The securing means may incorporate aperture means for receiving a mounting bar substantially in the axial direction of the bar. For example, the securing means may comprise a securing strap having aperture means in the form of a substantially U-shaped portion provided in the strap.

The depth of the U-shaped portion may correspond to the cross-sectional dimension of the mounting bar, the securing means including washer means to facilitate insertion and removal of the mounting bar. Alternatively, the depth of the U-shaped portion may be greater than the crosssectional dimension of the mounting bar to facilitate insertion and removal of the mounting bar. In such an embodiment of the invention, the bar assembly may incorporate stop means for inhibiting movement, when the securing stay is locked in engagement with the mounting bars, of the bar assembly laterally towards the securing stay by an amount that would permit removal of the mounting bar from the securing means. Stop means may be provided on the mounting bars at one or both of the opposite edges of the bar assembly.The stop means may comprise a deflection provided in the mounting bar or a portion of enlarged cross-section.

As an alternative to the mounting bar being removable from the securing means, the securing means may hingedly connect the bar assembly to the means surrounding the aperture.

For example, adjacent pairs of mounting bars may be interconnected by a further bar, the further bar being hingedly connected to the means surrounding the aperture.

The further bar may be integral with the adjacent pair of mounting bars.

The elongate securing stay may be hingedly secured to the means surrounding the aperture. Alternatively, the elongate securing stay may be secured to the means surrounding the aperture by clip means which is releasable when the locking means is released. As a further alternative, the elongate securing stay may be retained adjacent to the means surrounding the aperture, for example by passing the stay through an aperture in a retaining plate, until such time as the locking means is released.

To further secure the elongate securing stay in place, the locking means may additionally engage with the stay, for example by passing through a hole formed therethrough or engaging in a recess formed thereacross.

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 a plan view of one embodiment of a bar assembly for use in the present invention; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a securing strap for use in the present invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of the securing strap shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a securing stay for use in the present invention; Figure 5 illustrates the removable bar assembly of the present invention in use; and Figure 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of a bar assembly for use in the present invention.

The removable bar assembly shown in the drawings comprises a generally planar bar assembly such as that shown in Figure 1. The bar assembly comprises a number of bars 1 dimensioned to extend substantially from the top of the aperture of a window or the like and substantially from one side of the window to the other. The bars may be made of any suitable material, such as mild steel, and may have a diameter of, for example, 6 to 12 mm, although the diameter and cross-sectional configuration are not critical. If desired, the bars may be disposed horizontally and vertically, but as illustrated in Figure 1 this is not essential. Indeed, the bars may be arranged in any suitable configuration and may be designed to be aesthetically pleasing, for example to resemble "leaded lights" as illustrated.

Extending laterally (as shown in Figure 1) from the arrangement of bars 1 and generally in the plane thereof is a plurality of mounting bars 3. Of course, the mounting bars need not necessarily extend laterally and may extend upwardly and downwardly if desired. The mounting bars extend beyond the aperture of the window and are dimensioned to be able to be positioned adjacent to the window frame. As shown in Figure 1, four mounting bars may be provided on each side of the arrangement of bars 1 although a greater or fewer number of mounting bars may be provided as considered desirable.

As shown in Figure 1, the upper and lower mounting bars 3 are provided with stop means in the form of a deflection 5 formed in the bars. The purpose of the stop means will be described in more detail hereinafter. Clearly, the stop means may take other forms such as a portion of enlarged cross section provided on the bars 3. Although the stop means is not shown as being provided on all the mounting bars 3, this does not prevent such stop means being provided if desired. Moreover, as will be explained in more detail hereinafter, it is not essential that stop means should be provided on the mounting bars that extend on both sides of the arrangement of bars 1, but provision of stop means as illustrated facilitates mounting of the bar assembly because the orientation of the assembly is then not important.

Figures 2 and 3 show a securing strap 7 which simply comprises a U-shaped portion 9 having two laterally extending legs 11. The legs are each provided with a hole, for example a countersunk hole 13, for securing the straps 7 to one side of the window frame in locations corresponding to the position of the mounting bars 3.

Preferably the U-shaped portion is dimensioned such as to securely mount the bar assembly against the window frame in a manner so as to inhibit removal. In this manner, the securing straps can be employed not only in the present invention, but also for non-removable bar assemblies which may be positioned, for example over non-opening windows.

To facilitate removal of the bar assembly when used in the present invention, the securing straps may be mounted on the window frame with washer means (not shown) provided between the securing strap and the window frame so as to provide adequate clearance to enable ready removal of the bar assembly from the securing straps. Alternatively, the U-shaped portion may be dimensioned so as to permit ready removal of the bar assembly from the securing straps and separate securing straps may be employed for non-opening windows.

Figure 4 illustrates an elongate securing stay 15 for use in the present invention, the stay comprising a bar 17, for example of 9 mm square section mild steel, which is provided with hinge means 19 at one end thereof, the hinge means being provided with holes, such as countersunk holes 21, for securing the stay to that side of the window frame opposite the securing straps 7. Preferably the stay is mounted with the hinge means uppermost.

In use, the securing stay 15 co-operates with retaining means 23 which is secured to the window frame by way of holes, such as countersunk holes 25. The retaining means is provided with means for receiving the stay 15, for example in the form of legs 27, and is positioned such as to receive the stay in the region of the free end thereof.

The legs 27 are provided with holes 29 positioned so as to be on that side of the stay 15 remote from the window frame when the stay is received between the legs 27. This permits locking means, such as a conventional padlock (not shown), to be passed through the holes 29 and locked so as to prevent removal of the stay from the retaining means without the use of a key or the like to remove the locking means.

The legs 27 (and also corresponding legs on the hinge means 19) may be radiused if desired for aesthetic reasons and to minimise the risk of damage to the user.

The purpose of the stop means is to prevent the bar assembly being moved laterally towards the securing stay which could permit the mounting bars 3 to be freed from the securing straps 7 and the bar assembly removed without removing the locking means. The stop means engages with the securing stay and/or with the window frame to inhibit lateral movement of the bar assembly and thus to inhibit unauthorised removal thereof. Clearly, in order to inhibit lateral movement of the bar assembly towards the securing stay it is necessary only to provide stop means on that side of the bar assembly adjacent to the securing stay.

However, as explained above, the provision of stop means at both sides of the bar assembly avoids the need to determine the correct orientation of the bar assembly and thus prevents inadvertent incorrect mounting of the bar assembly.

However, should the bar assembly need to be removed from the window frame, for example to facilitate cleaning of the glass or, more significantly, to permit escape through the window in the event of an emergency such as a fire, it is only necessary to remove the locking means and to pivot the securing stay through a relatively small arc as illustrated in Figure 5 in order that the stop means should not engage with the stay and should permit the bar assembly to be removed laterally from the securing straps 7.

It is not essential that the securing stay 15 is hinged to the window frame. As an alternative, the securing stay may be secured to the window frame by clip means with disengagement of the securing stay from the clip means only being possible after the locking means has been removed, for example due to the securing stay being provided with a hole or recess and the locking means extending through the holes 29 in the retaining means and additionally through the hole or recess in the securing stay. Indeed, clip means is not essential and the securing stay need only be retained against movement way from the window frame until such time as the locking means being removed, for example by providing an apertured retaining member in place of the hinge means, the apertured member being constructed and dimensioned to receive the securing stay.

It is not essential that the bar assembly should be removable from the securing straps 7. In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 6 adjacent pairs of mounting bars on at least one side of the bar assembly are interconnected by a bar 31 which may, for example be integral with the mounting bars comprising an adjacent pair. Thus the bar 31 extends in the longitudinal direction of that part of the window frame against which it lies. The bar 31 is then secured to the window frame in a manner which permits pivoting of the bar assembly relative to the window frame, for example with the securing strap 7 acting a hinge means. Thus, when the securing stay 15 is released and pivoted away from the bar assembly, the bar assembly may be pivoted away from the window frame. Such an embodiment has the advantage that the stop means is not necessary, because there is no lateral movement of the bar assembly, but has the disadvantage that it is necessary to pivot the securing stay 15 through a greater arc in order to be able to pivot the bar assembly away from the window.

Claims

1. A removable bar assembly for an aperture such as a window, the removable bar assembly comprising: a bar assembly incorporating a plurality of mounting bars extending at opposite edges thereof; securing means for attachment to means surrounding the aperture and engageable with the mounting bars at one of the opposite edges of the bar assembly; an elongate securing stay for attachment to the means surrounding the aperture and removably engageable with the mounting bars at the other of the opposite edges of the bar assembly; and means for releasably locking the securing stay in engagement with the mounting bars, whereby, when the securing stay is locked in engagement with the mounting bars at one opposite edge of the bar assembly and the mounting bars at the other opposite edge of the bar assembly are in engagement with the securing means, the bar assembly is secured in position over the aperture and, when the securing stay is released from engagement with the mounting bars, the bar assembly is removable from the aperture.

2. A removable bar assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing means incorporates aperture means for receiving a mounting bar substantially in the axial direction of the bar.

3. A removable bar assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the securing means comprises a securing strap having aperture means in the form of a substantially Ushaped portion provided in the strap.

4. A removable bar assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the depth of the U-shaped portion corresponds to the cross-sectional dimension of the mounting bar, the securing means including washer means to facilitate insertion and removal of the mounting bar.

5. A removable bar assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the depth of the U-shaped portion is greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the mounting bar to facilitate insertion and removal of the mounting bar.

6. A removable bar assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the bar assembly incorporates stop means for inhibiting movement, when the securing stay is locked in engagement with the mounting bars, of the bar assembly laterally towards the securing stay by an amount that would permit removal of the mounting bar from the securing means.

7. A removable bar assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein stop means is provided on the mounting bars at one or both of the opposite edges of the bar assembly.

8. A removable bar assembly as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the stop means comprises a deflection provided in the mounting bar.

9. A removable bar assembly as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the stop means comprises a portion of enlarged cross-section.

10. A removable bar assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing means hingedly connects the bar assembly to the means surrounding the aperture.

11. A removable bar assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein adjacent pairs of mounting bars are interconnected by a further bar, the further bar being hingedly connected to the means surrounding the aperture.

12. A removable bar assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the further bar is integral with the adjacent pair of mounting bars.

13. A removable bar assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate securing stay is hingedly secured to the means surrounding the aperture.

14. A removable bar assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate securing stay is secured to the means surrounding the aperture by clip means which is releasable when the locking means is released.

15. A removable bar assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate securing stay is retained adjacent to the means surrounding the aperture.

16. A removable bar assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the elongate securing stay is retained adjacent to the means surrounding the aperture by passing the stay through an aperture in a retaining plate, until such time as the locking means is released.

17. A removable bar assembly as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein, to further secure the elongate securing stay in place, the locking means additionally engages with the stay, for example by passing through a hole formed therethrough or engaging in a recess formed thereacross.

18. A removable bar assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the locking means additionally engages with the stay by passing through a hole formed therethrough.

19. A removable bar assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the locking means additionally engages with the stay by engaging in a recess formed thereacross.

20. A removable bar assembly for an aperture such as a window substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.