GB2301392A - Door bracing strut - Google Patents

Abstract

A security device for reinforcing a door against an inward impact, e.g. ram-raiding, consists of an elongate member one end of which is fixedly connected to a floor plate assembly (2), not shown, secured to the floor and the other end is connected to a door plate assembly (3) secured to the door. The end connected to the door plate is spring mounted in a tube strut and provided with spring mounted locking bolts (70) to hold the strut in its engaged, shortened, condition. In an alternative arrangement, (fig 8), not shown, A fixed length strut is braced to the floor at both ends. When not in use, the elongate member can be released from the door plate (3) and floor plate (2) to allow manual operation of the door.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A SECURITY DEVICE The present invention relates to a security device for reinforcing doors and more particularly to a security device for use in the prevention of breakins by ram-raiding.

A problem associated with securing premises is that a common method of gaining entry into the premises may be achieved by driving a vehicle into a door, commonly known as ram-raiding. Precautions taken to endeavour to prevent ram-raiding occurring include propping a piece of wood or the like against the inner side of the door. However this is not effective against a massive inward impact from a vehicle.

Accordingly, the present invention seeks to provide a security device effective in reinforcing a door against an inward impact, thus preventing entry on to the premises by ram-raiding.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a security device comprising an elongate member, means to retain one end of the elongate member at a predetermined position on a floor and means to retain the other end of the elongate member at a predetermined position on a door.

Preferably, there is provided a security device wherein the means to retain the said one end of the elongate member at a predetermined position on the floor comprises two interconnected elements, one of the elements being secured to he floor and the other engaging the end of the elongate member.

Advantageously, there is provided a security device wherein the said element engaging the end of the elongate member comprises a tongue of a predetermined width having a projection of a narrower width at one end thereof adapted to be received within the elongate member.

Preferably, there is provided a security device wherein the means to retain the said other end of the elongate member comprises a door plate provided with protruding means defining at least one transverse bore, the said other end of the elongate element also defining protruding means having at least one elongate bore, the two said elongate bores being aligned to receive a pin or the like.

Advantageously, there is provided a security device, wherein a door plate is provided with two protruding lugs spaced apart and each defining a transverse bore, the said other end of the elongate member defining a plate defining said transverse bore adapted to be received in the space between the two lugs.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a security device wherein the end of the elongate member adjacent to the door plate is provided with an assembly which is movable relative to the rest of the elongate member, the assembly incorporating means to be connected to the door plate, the said assembly being adapted to move relatively freely to a position in which it is disengaged from the elongate member when subjected to a force tending to move the assembly in that direction and being adapted to move only a predetermined distance relative to the elongate member before an inward force from the door plate is transferred to the elongate member on movement in the opposite direction.

Preferably, there is provided a security device wherein the said end of the elongate member is hollow and receives part of the assembly, the said part of the assembly being associated with means adapted to retain the said part of the assembly within the hollow end of the elongate member when the said assembly has moved inwardly of the elongate member by the said predetermined distance.

Advantageously, there is provided a security device wherein the end of the elongate member is provided with at least one lunger and means to bias the plunger substantially radially inwardly into the hollow interior of the end of the elongate member, the plunger being adapted to engage and retain part of the slidable assembly when the slidable assembly has been moved into the elongate member by said predetermined distance.

Conveniently, there is provided a security device wherein the part of the slidable assembly received within the hollow interior of the elongate member comprises a slidable element having a portion of substantially tapered cross-section and a portion of substantially cylindrical cross-section, the said lunger initially engaging the said portion of substantially cylindrical cross-section and being adapted to engage a transverse plate formed on the slidable element at one end of the cylindrical surface when the slidable element has moved into the elongate member by said predetermined distance.

Preferably, there is provided a security device wherein the end of the elongate member is provided with a transverse closure plate defining an aperture receiving part of the slidable assembly, spring means being provided extending between the closure plate and a flange provided on the slidable assembly to bias the slidable assembly outwardly of the elongate member.

Preferably, a support strut is provided, one end of which is connected to said device and another end to a ground surface whereby said device is anchored at two positions. Preferably said support strut is pivotally linked to said elongate member. The support strut is preferably anchored to said ground surface by two interconnected elements, one of the elements being secured to the floor and the other engaging the end of the elongate member.

Preferably the element engaging the end of the support strut is pivotally connected to the element secured to the floor. Preferably the element engaging the end of the support strut includes a slot which receives a peg secured to said support strut. Preferably said peg has an aperture through which a locking device can be passed to lock said support strut and said element together.

Preferably said support strut is shaped so as to be generally L-shaped.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a door and a portion of a floor, with a security device in use; Figure 2 is a top view, with part cut-away of an elongate member forming part of the security device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the elongate member of Figure 2 with part thereof cut away; Figure 4 is an exploded view of the floor plate of the security device of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the door plate of the security device of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a sectional view illustrating the upper part of an elongate member and the door plate of an alterative embodiment of the invention in an initial condition; ; Figure 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 6 showing the arrangement in a subsequent condition; Figure 8 is a side view of a second embodiment of security device according to the present invention; and Figure 9 is a plan view, to a larger scale, of a part of the device of Figure 8.

Referring initially to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings a security device for reinforcing a door against an inward impact, to prevent entry to premises by ram-raiding, consists of an elongate member 1, one end of which is connected to a floor plate assembly 2 and the other end which is connected to a door plate 3.

The floor plate assembly 2 is, as will be described hereinafter, secured to the floor 4 adjacent the door, whilst the door plate 3 is connected to the door 5 itself.

The elongate member 1 thus has opposed ends secured respectively to the floor and the door, with the elongate member extending at an angle to the horizontal, thus reinforcing the central part of the door. One end of the elongate member is retained at a predetermined position on the floor, and the other end of the elongate member is retained at a predetermined position on the door.

Should any attempt be made to enter the premises to which the door is fixed by ram-raiding the exterior of the door, the door will be substantially reinforced by the described arrangement, the elongate member 1 serving to prevent any inward deformation of the central part of the door and thus, it is envisaged, preventing the ram-raider from gaining access to the premises.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, the elongate element 1 is illustrated. The elongate element 1 comprises a tubular member 10 formed of an appropriate metal. Adjacent one end of the tubular member 10 a transverse bore 11 is provided.

At the other end of the tubular member 10 the end of the tube is cut 12 at an angle of approximately 45" to the axis of the tube. A plate 13 protrudes beyond the end of the tube, the late extending axially of the tube and being co-aligned with the diameter of the tube. The upper edge 1 4 of the plate 1 3 is received within a notch 1 5 formed in the side wall of the tube and is welded in position by means of a weld 16. A transverse bore 17 is formed in the plate 1 3 substantially in alignment with the axis of the tube.

Referring now to Figure 4, the floor plate 2 consists of a first element 21 in the form of a ground engaging plate. The element 21 is a generally "U" shaped form having a base 22 and two spaced apart parallel arms 23, 24, there being a free space 25 located between said parallel arms.

A plurality of recessed bores 26 are provided through the element 21 to receive, for example, expanding bolts to enable the element 21 to be secured to a floor such as a concrete floor. For each of the arms 23, 24 is provided with a horizontal transverse bore 27, 28, at a position adjacent the base 22 the transverse bores being co-aligned for a purpose that will become clear hereinafter.

A tongue element 29 is provided of substantially elongate form, formed of a plate having a similar thickness to the plate used to form the first element 21. The tongue 29 is of substantially rectangular elongate form and is dimensioned to be received within the free space 25 defined between the arms 23 and 24. At one end of the tongue 29 a transverse bore 30 is provided adapted to be co-aligned with the bores 27, 28. A dowel pin 31, formed of hardened steel, for example, may be slid through the co-aligned bores 27, 30 and 28 to pivotally connect the tongue 29 to the first element 21.

The end of the tongue 29 remote from the transverse bore 30 is provided with shoulders 32, 33 located on either side of an axially projecting portion 34, which has a width less than the width of the rest of the tongue.

a vertical transverse bore 35 is provide in the projecting portion 34. The free end face 36, of the projecting portion is chamfered slightly and is provide with a recess 37 to facilitate the manual grasping of the free end of the tongue 29.

It is to be appreciated that the tongue 29 may move from a position in which it is substantially coplanar with the first element 21 (thus not constituting a significant obstacle to vehicles) to an inclined position, with the free end of the tongue elevated above the plane defined by the first element 21.

Referring now to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings the door plate 3 is illustrated. The door plate consists of a rectangular late 40 provided with a plurality of apertures 41 located adjacent the periphery of the plate adapted to receive bolts or the like to the secure the plate to the door 5. The plate may be provided with two further apertures 42 specifically located to receive mounting pegs to mount the plate on a roller shutter door. A rubber sheet may be located between the plate 40 and a door on which it is mounted.

Secured to the central region of the plate are two parallel horizontal protruding rectangular lugs 43, 44. Each lug is provided with a transverse bore 45, 46, the transverse bores being co-aligned. A reinforcing element 47 is provided located between the adjacent lower regions of the two lugs 43, 44, the lugs 43, 44 and the reinforcing element 47 being welded in position by mens of a weld 48.

In assembling the security device as illustrated in Figure 1 initially the tongue 29 is lifted pivotally relative to the first element 21. The lower end of the tube 1 is slid over the projecting portion 34 provided at the end of the tongue 29. The end of the tubular member 10 which is "square cut" then rests on the shoulders 32, 33. The transverse bore 11 formed in the end of the tubular member 10 is co-aligned with the transverse bore 35 formed in the projecting portion 34 of the tongue 29. A pin or padlock may be passed through the co-aligned transverse bores to secure the elements together.

The plate 1 3 provided at the other end of the tubular member 10 is located in position between the lugs 43, 44 provided on the door plate 3.

The transverse bore 1 7 provided in the plate 1 3 is co-aligned with the transverse bore 45, 46 formed in the lugs 43, 44. A pin or padlock may be passed through the co-aligned transverse bores in order to secure the described elements together.

It is to be appreciated that in the event that a severe force is applied to the exterior of the door 5 the force will be transmitted, by the cooperation of the lugs 43, 44 and the plate 1 3 to the elongate member 1 and thus to the tongue 29. The force is then passed by means of the dowel 31 to the first element 21. Should the dowel 31 break, due to the degree of force applied thereto, the lower end of the tongue will be retained in the space 25 between the arms 23, 24 and the base 22 of the first element 21, thus preventing rearward movement of the lower end of the elongate member 1. Should the pin or padlock passing through the co-aligned bores 45, 1 7 and 46 break, the inward force applied to the door plate 3 will serve to retain the plate 13 provided at the upper end of the elongate member 1 in position between the lugs 43 and 44.The presence of the reinforcing element 47 at a position beneath the co-aligned bores 45 and 46 will prevent the plate 1 3 from falling downwardly from its position between the lugs 43 and 44. Consequently the described arrangement will be able to withstand a substantial force applied to the exterior of the door 5.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a modified embodiment of the invention where the elongate member is modified so that, if it is necessary to open the door, with an outward movement, such opening of the door can be effected rapidly. This may be desirable, especially if the door is mounted on a fire exit or the like. However, the described arrangement is such that if a substantial force is applied to the exterior of the door, the arrangement will "lock" thus providing the desired degree of protection.

Referring to Figure 6 a door 5 is illustrated which carries a door plate 3 of the type described above having a lug 44 and a reinforcing element 47 of the type described. These elements will not be described further.

The elongate member 50 of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6 is in the form of a tube similar to the tube forming the elongate member 1 of the embodiment described above.

Received within the free end of the tube 50, as a friction fit, is a cylindrical boss 51 which forms part of an end plate 52, the end plate 52 having substantially the same external diameter as the external diameter of the tube 50. The end plate 52 is provided with a central aperture which slidingly receives an axially extending cylindrical element 53. The exterior diameter of the cylindrical element 53 is slightly less than the diameter of the aperture formed in the end plate 52.

The end of the cylindrical element 53 on the exterior of the tube 50 carries a radially outward extending flange 54 and a compression spring 55 is trapped between the flange 54 and the end plate 52. The flange 54 carries an axially extending plate 56 which is substantially co-aligned with a diameter extending across the tube 50. A transverse aperture 57 is provided in the plate 56.

The plate 56 is adapted to be inserted between the lug 44 as shown in Figure 6 and a corresponding lug equivalent to the lug 43 which is spaced therefrom and a pin or padlock may be passed through the transverse bore 57 and the co-aligned transverse bore formed in the lugs 43 and 44 to secure the plate 56 to the door plate 3.

The end of cylindrical element 53 located on the interior of the tube 50 is provided with an axially extended threaded bore 60 which receives the threaded end of a bolt 61, which extends axially of the tube 50. The head 62 of the bolt engages a sliding element 63, the sliding element 63 defining a central axial bore 64 which accommodates the shank of the bolt 61. The exterior of the sliding element 63 defines a tapered portion 65 which tapers to an area of reduced diameter substantially adjacent the head of the bolt 62, and a portion having a cylindrical exterior surface 66 located adjacent the end of the cylindrical element 53 remote from the head 62 of the bolt 61. The sliding element 63 is dimensioned to be a sliding fit within the interior of the tube 50.

The tube 50 is provided with two diametrically opposed plungers 70, 71. Each plunger 70, 71 comprises a cylindrical plug received with a respective aperture 72, 73 formed at diametrically opposed positions on the side wall of the tube 50. Each plug is associated with a leaf spring 74, 75 which has one end secured to the wall of the tube 50 and the other end engaging the plug serving to apply a resilient force biasing the plug radially inwardly towards the centre of the tube 50. Each plug 70, 71 is associated with a ring-pull 76, 77, each ring-pull comprising a ring adapted to be manually grasped and a cord connecting the ring to the plug.

When the apparatus is in the initial condition illustrated in Figure 6 the plugs 70, 71 are biased inwardly by the springs 74, 75 to contact the cylindrical exterior portion 66 of the sliding element 63. Should the door 5 to which the door plate 3 is connected be opened outwardly, that is to say should the door 5 move towards the left as illustrated in Figure 6, the slidable element 63 will slide axially upwardly and towards the left, thus sliding out of the tube 50. The end plate 52 will become disengaged from the tube 50, meaning there is then no longer any connection between the door plate 3 and the tube 50. The door may thus open relatively freely.

On the other hand, should a force be applied to the exterior of the door, as indicated by the arrow 80 in Figure 7 (for example if the door is ram-raided) the inward force would tend to move the cylindrical element 53 inwardly, relative to the tube 50, against the bias of the spring 55. The spring 55 will thus become compressed as the flange 54 moves towards the end plate 52. The slidable element 63 will slide further into the interior of the tube 50.

When the slidable element 63 has moved inwardly of the tube 50 by a sufficient distance, the plugs 70 and 71 will no longer contact the cylindrical exterior surface 66 or for the slidable element 63 and will be biased radially inwardly to occupy the position illustrated in Figure 7 by the springs 74, 75. When the plugs are in this condition the arrangement is locked and if the door 5 subsequently moves in the outward direction (that is to say towards the left as illustrated in Figure 7) the door is prevented from moving in this direction, since the slidable element 63 is prevented from sliding to the left as shown in Figures 6 and 7 because the plugs 70, 71 engage the end face of the slidable element 63.

Thus, in the described embodiment the tube 50 is provided with an assembly constituted by the cylindrical element 53 and the items secured thereto. The assembly can move freely to a position in which it is disengaged from the tube when subjected to an appropriate force, but can only move by a predetermined distance inward of tube.

It is thus to be appreciated that in using embodiment as described in Figure 6 and 7 the device may be positioned ready for use but it should be necessary, for example in the case of an emergency arising, such as a fire, to open the door 5 rapidly from the interior of the premises, the door can be opened without manually disconnecting any part of the described arrangement. Simply by opening the door the mechanical interconnection between the door plate 3 and the elongate tube 50 is disconnected enabling the door to open relatively freely. However, should a ram-raiding incident appear, after an initial slight inward movement of the door the entire structure is locked substantially solid.

It is to be appreciated, of course, that when the apparatus is in the condition of Figure 7, the apparatus can be returned to the condition illustrated in Figure 6 simply by pulling the ring-pulls 76, thus moving the plugs 70 and 71 outwardly so that they become disengaged from the slidable element 63. The spring 55 will then serve to move the flange 54 away from the closure late 52, consequently moving the slidable element 63 back to the position illustrated in Figure 6.

A further embodiment is shown in Figures 8 and 9. In this embodiment, the elongate member 100 is secured to the floor, not only at the end 101 thereof but additionally at a position adjacent the plate 102.

Thus in this embodiment the plate 102 is mounted on the elongate member 100 using a mounting 103. The mounting 103 extends downwardly from the elongate member 100 and is adapted at an end 104 remote to the plate 102 for pivotal connection to a support strut 106. The support strut 106 is bent for a reason which will be described hereinafter and has a peg 107 secured to an end remote from the pivotal connection with the mounting 103 and which projects transversely therefrom.

With this embodiment it is necessary to provide two floor plate assemblies 108, 109, one 108 of which is used to secure the rear end 101 of the elongate member 100 to the floor being generally as shown in Figure 4. The other floor plate assembly 109 is positioned adjacent the door to be protected by the device and is adapted to secure a bottom end of the support strut 106. This floor plate assembly 109 is shown more clearly in Figure 9. As can be seen this floor plate assembly differs from that shown in Figure 4 only by the fact that the tongue 111 Shas an elongate slot 11 2 in it and is of slightly different configuration, for a reason to be described hereinafter.

In use, the floor plate assemblies 108, 109 are fitted into a floor surface adjacent the door to be protected, the assembly 108 of the type shown in Figure 4 being at a position furthermost away from the door and the assembly 109 of the type shown in Figure 9 being at a position closest to the door. A rear end 101 of the elongate member 100 is brought into engagement with axially projecting tongue 113, the tongue 11 3 being received in the hollow interior of the end 101 of the member 100. The member 100 is then pivoted by pivotal movement of the tongue 11 3 about pin 116 until the plate 102 is in engagement with the door to be protected.

With the plate in engagement with the door, the support strut 106 will hang substantially vertically from pivotal connection 104. The tongue 111 of the first door plate assembly can then be lifted by pivoting about pin 11 6 until the projecting peg 107 on the support strut 106 can project through the slot 11 2 in the tongue 111. A padlock or similar locking device (not shown) can be used to secure the device in position by extending the hasp through an aperture 117 in the peg 107 and thereby locks the strut 106, and therefore the device, against movement. It has been shown that the provision of the additional support strut 106 increases the force required to be exerted on the door to overcome the resistance of the device.

Furthermore, an aperture 11 8 can be provided in the underside of the elongate member through which the peg 107 can extend when the device is not in use whereby the support strut 106 can lie alongside the elongate member 100. If desired, two upstanding locating members 119 can be provided between which the support strut 106 can locate when the device is not in use. The members 119 can have apertures 121 therein wherein the support strut 106 can be secured in an inoperative position alongside the elongate member, for example using the hasp of a padlock or other locking device used in operation of the device to lock the support strut 106 to the front plate assembly 109. When moving the support strut 106 to its inoperative position, the fact that the strut 106 is bent prevents a man's fingers being trapped between the support strut 106 and the elongate member 100.

Furthermore, if also desired, a reverse peg 1 22 can be provided which is also secured to the support strut 106 and extends rearwardly of the projecting peg 107 and in generally axial alignment therewith. The reverse peg 1 22 can be dimensioned such that when the support strut 106 is secured to the front plate assembly 109, in operation of the device, the end 123 of the peg 122 abuts the bottom of the door to be protected. This ensures that little movement of the door at the bottom is possible.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.

Claims (19)

1. A security device comprising an elongate member, means to retain one end of the elongate member at a predetermined position on a floor and means to retain the other end of the elongate member at a predetermined position on a door.

2. A security device according to Claim 1 wherein the means to retain the said one end of the elongate member at a predetermined position on the floor comprises two interconnected elements, one of the elements being secured to the floor, and the other engaging the end of the elongate member.

3. A security device according to Claim 2 wherein the said element engaging the end of the elongate member is pivotally connected to the element secured to the floor.

4. A security device according to Claim 2 or 3 wherein the said element engaging the end of the elongate member comprises a tongue of a predetermined width having a projection of a narrower width at one end thereof adapted to be received within the elongate member.

5. A security device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means to retain the said other end of the elongate member comprises door plate provided with protruding means defining at least one transverse bore, the said other end of the elongate element also defining protruding means having at least one elongate bore, the two said elongate bores being aligned to receive a pin or the like.

6. A security device according to Claim 5 wherein a door plate is provided with two protruding lugs spaced apart and each defining a transverse bore, the said other end of the elongate member defining a plate defining said transverse bore adapted to be received in the space between the two lugs.

7. A security device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the end of the elongate member adjacent the door plate is provided with an assembly which is movable relative to the rest of the elongate member, the assembly incorporating means to be connected to the door plate, the said assembly being adapted to move relatively freely to a position in which it is disengaged from the elongate member when subjected to a force tending to move the assembly in that direction and being adapted to move only a predetermined distance relative to the elongate member before an inward force from the door plate is transferred to the elongate member on movement in the opposite direction.

8. A security device according to Claim 7 wherein the said end of the elongate member is hollow and receives part of the assembly, the said part of the assembly being associated with means adapted to retain the said part of the assembly within the hollow end of the elongate member when the assembly has moved inwardly of the elongate member by the said predetermined distance.

9. A security device according to Claim 8 wherein the end of the elongate member is provided with at least one plunger and means to bias the plunger substantially radially inwardly into the hollow interior of the end of the elongate member, the plunger being adapted to engage and retain part of the slidable assembly when the slidable assembly has been moved into the elongate member by said predetermined distance.

10. A security device according to Claim 9 wherein the part of the slidable assembly received within the hollow interior of the elongate member comprises a slidable element having a portion of substantially tapered crosssection and a portion of substantially cylindrical cross-section, the said plunger initially engaging the said portion of substantially cylindrical crosssection and being adapted to engage a transverse face formed on the slidable element t one end of the cylindrical surface when the slidable element has moved into the elongate member by said predetermined distance.

11. A security device according to any of Claims 7 to 10 wherein the end of the elongate member is provided with a transverse closure plate defining an aperture receiving part of the slidable assembly, spring means being provided extending between the closure plate and a flange provided on the slidable assembly to bias the slidable assembly outwardly of the elongate member.

12. A security device according to Claim 1 further comprising a support strut, one end of which is connected to said elongate member and another end of which is connected to a ground surface whereby said device is anchored to said ground surface at two positions.

1 3. A security device according to Claim 1 2 wherein said support strut is pivotally linked to said elongate member.

1 4. A security device according to Claim 1 2 or Claim 1 3 wherein the support strut is anchored to the ground surface by two interconnected elements, one of the elements being secured to the floor and the other engaging the end of the elongate member.

1 5. A security device according to Claim 14 wherein the element engaging the end of the support strut is pivotally connected to the element connected to the floor.

16. A security device according to Claim 14 or Claim 15 wherein the element engaging the end of the support strut includes a slot which receives a peg carried by said support strut.

17. A security device according to Claim 16 wherein the peg has an aperture therein through which a linking device can be passed to lock said support strut and said element together.

18. A security device according to any one of Claims 12 to 17 wherein the support strut is shaped so as to be generally L-shaped.

19. A security device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 5 or 8 of the accompanying drawings.