GB2317910A - Security grille with retractable sliding bars - Google Patents

Abstract

A security device for a window, door or the like, comprises a pair of horizontal guide members (18t, 18b) and a pair of vertical housings (18r, 20r, 181, 201) interconnecting the guide members so that a rectangular frame is formed. A plurality of elongate bars (32) are provided which, in an inoperative configuration of the device, can be housed in the housings, but which are movable with their ends being guided by the guide members to operative positions in which the bars each extend between the guide members and are mutually spaced apart. A locking arrangement (20t, 20b) engages the ends of each of the bars when in their operative positions to lock the bars in their operative positions. The bars of the grille have an outer tubular member, which has an inner core that is free to rotate, thus making it difficult to saw through the bar.

Description

TITLE Security of Windows, Doors and the like.

DESCRIPTION This invention relates to security of windows, doors and the like, and in particular, in one aspect, to a security device for a window, door or the like, and, in another aspect, to a security grille having one or more security bars.

Many techniques are known for improving the security of buildings to hinder unauthorised access, and this invention is concerned with those which physically increase the efficacy of the barrier provided by a window, door or the like. It is well known to fix a permanent immovable security grille across a window, but when the building is in use and such a grille is not needed, it can be unsightly, detracting from the appearance of the room in which it is fitted. This may not matter too much in office or industrial premises, but people are reluctant to fit such immovable grilles to windows in their homes. It is also known to fit a movable grille to a window or doorway, of the type commonly used for lift/elevator doors some years ago, in order to increase security.

However, a problem with such grilles is that they have many moving parts, requiring lubrication. Also, if they are made strong, they take up a considerable amount of room, whether open or closed, and are overbearing when closed. On the other hand, if they are made to take up less room, a vertical set of linkages can easily be cut through with lightweight bolt-croppers, enabling the grille to be opened. It is also known to fit a multi-panelled, metal roller blind to a window or doorway, but these blinds take up a considerable amount of room when rolled up. These blinds are therefore typically mounted on the outside of the window or door. With many designs of such blinds, it is then relatively easy to prise the edges of the blind out of their runners. Also, if some means can be found of cutting through one of the panels, then the blind can be rolled up to give a large access area.

The first aspect of the invention is concerned with attempting to deal with the above problems of known security devices.

In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a security device for a window, door or the like, the device comprising: first and second elongate, spaced-apart, generally mutually-parallel guide members; an elongate housing interconnecting the guide members; a plurality of elongate bars which, in an inoperative configuration of the device, can be housed in the housing, the bars being movable with their ends being guided by the guide members to operative positions in which the bars each extend between the guide members and are mutually spaced apart; and a locking arrangement which can engage the ends of each of the bars when in their operative positions to lock the bars in their operative positions.

It will therefore be appreciated that a housing is provided in which the bars can be neatly stowed away when the device is in its inoperative configuration, and that, when the device is in its operative configuration, each of the bars is locked in place so that, if one of the bars is cut through, and removed, it does not automatically result in the other bars being free to be moved out of the way. When operative, the device therefore provides a similar degree of security to the fixed grille mentioned above.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device includes: a second elongate housing interconnecting the guide members and spaced apart from the first-mentioned housing; and a plurality of further elongate bars which, in an inoperative configuration of the device, can be housed in the second housing, the further bars being movable with their ends being guided by the guide members to operative positions in which the further bars each extend between the guide members and are mutually spaced apart; the locking arrangement being operable to lock the ends of each of the further bars when in their operative positions.

Preferably, the locking arrangement comprises: a first locking member mounted on the first guide member for movement between an unlocked position in which the ends of the bars can move along the first guide member and a locked position in which it locks the ends of the bars to the first guide member; and a second locking member mounted on the second guide member for movement between an unlocked position in which the ends of the bars can move along the second guide member and a locked position in which it locks the ends of the bars to the second guide member.

Preferably, the guide members are of channel section with their channels facing each other. In this case, the locking members are preferably hinged along their respective guide members to form covers for the channels thereof and are each movable between an open position in which the respective channel is open and the bars can move along the channel and a closed position in which mutually spaced-apart notches in that locking member engage the ends of the bars to lock the ends of the bars in position.

Preferably, the or each housing comprises: a channel-section member; and a cover movable between a closed position covering the channel and an open position in which the bars can be withdrawn from and inserted into the channel-section member. In this case, the covers of the housings are preferably hinged to the respective channel-section members.

Preferably, the arrangement is such that, when the locking members and housing covers are in their closed positions, the housing covers block movement of the locking members to their open positions. A catch or lock is preferably provided for locking each housing cover in its closed position.

The device may be adapted to be fitted to an existing window, door or the like, or it may be adapted to form a window frame itself.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a security grille having at least one security bar, the bar comprising an elongate tubular member, and an elongate inner member which is freely rotatable within the tubular member.

With this arrangement, it is difficult for a would-be intruder to saw through the bars.

Once a cut has been made into the tubular member and the saw blade comes into contact with the inner member, continued sawing action will tend merely to cause the inner member to rotate in the tubular member, with the saw blade riding on the surface of the inner member rather than cutting into it.

It will be appreciated that the first and second aspects of the invention may be used in conjunction with each other.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view from inside a building of a typical glazed window built into a wall of the building; Figure 2 is a view of the window of Figure 1 fitted with a security device, which is one embodiment of the present invention, the device being in its inoperative configuration; Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, but with the security device in the process of being placed into its operative configuration; Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, but with the security device in its operative configuration; Figure 5 is a sectional view along the section line V-V in Figure 2; Figures 6 & 7 are sectional views along the section lines VI-VI and VII-VII, respectively, in Figure 4; and Figures 8 & 9 are schematic isometric views of the lower right-hand corner of the security device with parts thereof in different positions.

Referring to Figure 1, a typical glazed window 10 is shown, built into the wall 12 of a building. As shown in Figure 2, a security device 14 is fitted to the window 10 by being secured to the inside of the wall 12. The device 14 is in the form of a rectangular frame having top, bottom, left and right members 16t, 16b, 161, 16r, respectively. In the embodiment shown, the inside dimensions of the rectangular frame are slightly greater than the dimensions of the aperture in the wall 12 into which the window 10 is built. The frame may be decorated to match the decoration of the wall or window so as to be as unobtrusive as possible, and it should be noted that in the configuration of Figure 2, the device 14 does not impair the view through the window 10, nor impede access to any locks or fittings (not shown) of any movable lights of the window 10.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the left member 161 comprises an elongate, upright channel 181 with a deep U-section which is open to the right. (The right member 1 6r is of similar construction to the left member 161 and is a mirror image thereof.) An elongate, upright flap 201 is mounted on the room-side (rather than window-side) limb of the U-section of the channel 181 by a hinge 221 for movement between a closed position (as shown in Figure 8 for the channel 1 8r of the right member 16r), closing the channel 181, and an open position, as shown in Figure 9, permitting access to the inside of the channel 181. Catches are provided to hold the flap 20 closed. As shown in Figure 5, each catch may simply take the form of a shaft 24 extending through the channel 181 from a cranked operating handle 26 at one end to an asymmetrical key 28 at the other end. The key 28 can be locked into a keyhole recess 30 in the flap 201 with the handle 26 in one position and released when the handle is turned through a right-angle. Other more complex and more secure locking arrangements may, of course, be used.

As shown in Figure 5, the channel 181 can house four vertical bar assemblies 32 arranged side by side. Each bar assembly 32 comprises an outer square-section tube 34 and an inner rod 36 which is a loose fit in the tube 34 and can freely rotate therein. As will be described in more detail below, each bar assembly extends between the top and bottom members 16t, 16b of the frame 14.

Referring now to Figure 7, the bottom member 16b comprises an elongate, horizontal, U-section channel 18b which is open at the top. An elongate, horizontal flap 20b is mounted on the room-side (rather than window-side) limb of the U-section of the channel 1 8b by a hinge 22b for movement between a closed position (as shown in Figures 8 and 9), closing the channel 18b, and an open position, as shown in Figure 3, in which the width direction of the flap 20b is vertical or has moved beyond the vertical.

As exemplified in Figure 8, in the closed positions of the flaps 20t, 20b, 201, 20r, the ends of the bottom flap 20b extend beneath the lower ends of the left and right flaps 201, 20r, and the ends of the top flap 20t extend above the upper ends of the left and right flaps 201, 20r, so that the top and bottom flaps 20t, 20b cannot be opened until the left and right flaps 201, 20r have been unlocked and opened (see Figure 9).

As shown in Figures 3 and 7 to 9, the flap 20b has eight evenly-spaced, rectangular shaped notches extending inwardly from its non-hinged edge, each of which can snugly receive the lower end of a respective one of the bar assemblies 32 when the flap 20b is in its closed position. As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the window-side limb of the channel 18b has an angled piece 40b extending along its upper edge.

Referring now to Figure 6, the top member 16t is of similar construction to the bottom member 16b and is a mirror image thereof. Additionally, each bar assembly 32 has a horizontal stub axle 42 press-fitted into a hole adjacent the top of the bar assembly. A wheel 44 is fitted to the axle 42 so that the wheel 44 is sandwiched between the bar assembly 32 and the window-side limb of the channel 18t, and can run along the upper face of the angled piece 40t.

The security device 14 is permanently fixed to the wall 12 by any suitable means, such as screws which pass through holes in the window-side limbs of the channels 18t, 18b, 181, 18r into plugged holes in the wall 12. In this case, additional aligned holes may be provided in the room-side limbs of the channels 18t, 18b, 181, 18r so that a screwdriver can be used to tighten the screws, and the additional holes may thereafter be filled with plastics plugs.

From the inoperative configuration shown in Figure 2, in order to secure the window 10, the handles 26 are operated to unlock the left and right flaps 201, 20r, which are then opened and free the top and bottom flaps 20t, 20b. The top and bottom flaps 20t, 20b are then opened, as shown in Figure 3. The bar assemblies 32 in the left member 161 are then drawn to the right to their required positions, and the bar assemblies 32 in the right member 16r are drawn to the left to their required positions. To assist in this, small grips (not shown) may be provided on the innermost bar assemblies, and bars assemblies of the left and right sets may each be interconnected at their tops and bottoms by knotted cord passing through holes 46 (see Figures 6 and 7) in the top and bottoms of the bar assemblies 32 and also connected to the left and right members 161, 16r, respectively, such that when the cords are pulled tight the bar assemblies 32 are each positioned correctly. The top and bottom flaps 20t, 20b are then closed so that the notches 38t in the top flap 20t each engage the top of a respective one of the bar assemblies 32, and so that the notches 38b in the bottom flap 20b each engage the bottom of a respective one of the bar assemblies 32. The left and right flaps 201, 20r and then closed, and the handles 26 are operated to lock them closed, which in turn locks the top and bottom flaps 20t, 20b closed so that the bar assemblies 32 cannot be moved, and the security device is in its operative configuration, as shown in Figure 4.

The above sequence of steps can be reversed in order to return the device to its inoperative configuration.

As described above, each bar assembly 32 comprises a rod 36 which is a loose fit in a square-section tube 34. As shown in the Figures 6 and 7, each rod 36 is held captive in its tube 34 by top and bottom plugs 48t, 48b fixed into the ends of the tube 34. The purpose of this arrangement is to make it difficult for a would-be intruder to saw through the bars. Once a cut has been made into the tube 34 and the saw blade comes into contact with the rod 36, continued sawing action will tend merely to cause the rod 36 to rotate in the tube 34, with the saw blade riding on the surface of the rod 36 rather than cutting into it.

The device described above may be made of any suitable materials assembled in any suitable manner, with a desired balance being made between the security provided, cost of materials, ease of manufacture and ease of maintenance.

It will be appreciated that many modifications and developments may be made to the security device described above. For example, in its inoperative configuration, all of the bar assemblies may be housed in one of the members 161, 16r, and in this case, the opposite member could be omitted. Although the interlock between the top and bottom flaps 20t, 20b and the left and right flaps 201, 20r (see Figures 8 and 9) provides for simple and reliable operation, the top and bottom flaps 20t, 20b could instead be locked independently of the left and right flaps 201, 20r. Rather than using cord for assisting in locating the bar assemblies in their proper positions, linkages may instead be used.

If desired, additional top and bottom trim flaps could be provided, which could be used to hide the recesses 38t, 38b when the device is in the inoperative configuration. The operation of the device may be automated, for example with the use of an electric motor and a cord system extending through the members 16t, 16b, 161, 16r. In the embodiment described above, the bar assemblies 32 are held in position in the operative configuration by engagement with the notches 38t, 38b in the hinged top and bottom flaps 20t, 20b; other techniques may alternatively be provided for holding the bar assemblies 32 in position, for example with translational movement of locking members. Furthermore, although the embodiment of the invention has been described as an addition to an existing window, the frame 14 may be modified so that it may be glazed, and therefore so that the security frame itself also acts as the window frame. Of course, the invention is also applicable to securing openings in buildings other than windows, for example doors.

Claims (14)

1. (The reference numerals used in the following claims do not form part of the definition of the protection sought.) 1. A security device for a window, door or the like, the device comprising: first and second elongate, spaced-apart, generally mutually-parallel guide members (18t, 18b); an elongate housing (18r, 20r) interconnecting the guide members; a plurality of elongate bars (32) which, in an inoperative configuration of the device, can be housed in the housing, the bars being movable with their ends being guided by the guide members to operative positions in which the bars each extend between the guide members and are mutually spaced apart; and a locking arrangement (20t, 20b) which can engage the ends of each of the bars when in their operative positions to lock the bars in their operative positions.
2. 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, and including: a second elongate housing (181, 201) interconnecting the guide members and spaced apart from the first-mentioned housing (18r); and a plurality of further elongate bars (32) which, in an inoperative configuration of the device, can be housed in the second housing, the further bars being movable with their ends being guided by the guide members to operative positions in which the further bars each extend between the guide members and are mutually spaced apart; the locking arrangement (20t, 20b) being operable to lock the ends of each of the further bars when in their operative positions.
3. 3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking arrangement comprises: a first locking member (20t) mounted on the first guide member (18t) for movement between an unlocked position in which the ends of the bars can move along the first guide member and a locked position in which it locks the ends of the bars to the first guide member; and a second locking member (20b) mounted on the second guide member ( 1 8b) for movement between an unlocked position in which the ends of the bars can move along the second guide member and a locked position in which it locks the ends of the bars to the second guide member.
4. 4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the guide members are of channel section with their channels facing each other.
5. 5. A device as claimed in claim 4 when dependent on claim, wherein the locking members are hinged along their respective guide members to form covers for the channels thereof and are each movable between an open position in which the respective channel is open and the bars can move along the channel and a closed position in which mutually spaced-apart notches in that locking member engage the ends of the bars to lock the ends of the bars in position.
6. 6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each housing comprises: a channel-section member (18r, 181); and a cover (20r, 201) movable between a closed position covering the channel and an open position in which the bars can be withdrawn from and inserted into the channel-section member.
7. 7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the covers of the housings are hinged to the respective channel-section members.
8. 8. A device as claimed in claim 6 or 7 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the arrangement is such that, when the locking members (20t, 20b) and housing covers (20r, 201) are in their closed positions, the housing covers block movement of the locking members to their open positions.
9. 9. A device as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8, further including a catch or lock (24-30) for locking each housing cover in its closed position.
10. 10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, and adapted to be fitted to an existing window, door or the like.
11. 11. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, and adapted to form a window frame.
12. 12. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each bar comprises an elongate tubular member which can be locked in position by the locking arrangement, and an elongate inner member which is freely rotatable within the tubular member.
13. 13. A security device substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
14. 14. A security grille having at least one security bar, the bar comprising an elongate tubular member, and an elongate inner member which is freely rotatable within the tubular member.