GB2350638A

GB2350638A - Door restraining security arm

Info

Publication number: GB2350638A
Application number: GB9912644A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert David Simpson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-06-01
Filing date: 1999-06-01
Publication date: 2000-12-06
Also published as: GB9912644D0

Abstract

A security device comprises a housing 7 adapted to be fitted to a frame 2 of a hinged door 5. The housing 7 contains a restraint arm 8 having a dormant position (fig 1) and capable of release to an active position (fig 2) in which it links the top and/or bottom of the door 5 to the frame 2. Activation of the restraint arm 8 restricts the angle of opening of the door 5 according to the length of the arm 8. Preferably the length of the arm 8 restrains movement of the door to five degrees. The arm 8 is a hinged horizontal strip having the end remote from the hinge bent to form a door retaining tab 9 and is preferably formed from steel. The arm 8 may be driven from its dormant position to its active position by means of a spring or by an electric motor. The arm 8 can be retained in its dormant position against the force of the spring by means of a peg which can removed by means of a mechanical linkage or an electromagnet. The electromagnet can be operated by remote signals.

Description

2350638 SECURITY DEVICE This invention relates to a security device for

use with doors, particularly entry doors to dwellinqs. 5 When a caller rinqs a bell, knocks or otherwise siqnifies his or her presence at the entrance door of a dwellinq the occupant often needs to be in a position to identify the caller and communicate without allowinq entry to the dwellinq. In many cases this need is satisfied by the use of a chain which is attached to the door and the frame in a manner that limits openinq of the door. The few centimetres openinq enables the caller to be identified and conversation to take place but denies entry. This can only be achieved by the occupant closinq the door and disconnectinq the chain.

The use of a door chain to prevent access has a number of disadvantaqes particularly when elderly occupants are involved. If authorised callers with keys to the entry door are expected the presence of a chain will deny them access. Elderly and disabled people find it difficult to connect a chain whenever a caller arrives and may not bother or forget.

The present invention provides a device for preventinq entry throuqh a door which is easily operated by disabled and elderly people.

Accordinq to the present invention there is provided a security device comprisinq a housinq adapted to be fitted to a frame of a hinqed door and which contains a restraint arm havinq a dormant position and capable of release to an active position in which it links the top and/or bottom of a door to the frame whereby the anqle of openinq of the 2 door is restrained by the length of the arm.

The restraint arm preferably takes the form of a strip of steel or similar high strength material in which one end is hinged for horizontal movement and the other end bent through a right angle to form a retaining tab. The hinged portion is very firmly attached to the edge portion of the frame of a hinged door on the opposite side to that which is hinged. Preferably the hinge is attached by bolts passing through the frame into the associated wall. In its dormant state the arm lies parallel to the upper part of a door frame and the tab points downwardly parallel to the jamb.

is When operated the arm it rotated about the hinge so that it extends outwardly from the door frame so that. When the door is opened by movement about the axis of its hinges the tab engages the upper part of the door after a few degrees and prevents further movement. This provides a slot at the side of the door which is sufficient to converse with a person on the other side and even allow the passage of small packages. The slot is insufficient to allow the passage of a person so that person opening the door is secure from attack or unwanted entry to the premises. In many cases a restraint on the movement of the door to about five degrees is sufficient.

while attachment at the top of a door frame is preferred it is also possible to install the device at the base of the door with the tab directed upwards. When exceptional security is required or the door has poor strength the device may be installed both at the top and the bottom of a door.

The catch can be operated though a mechanical linkage, 3 such as a bowden cable, or by electrical means, such as an electro-magnet. In the former case a button or lever placed at a convenient height for operation by the occupant can be used to release the catch. When electrical means is used the catch may be operated through a press button or by non- contact means such as a vibration or audio sensor. Operation by such means enables disabled occupants to operate the security device without needing manual movement.

Operation of the arm may be rapid if it is urged outwards by the tension of a spring. In such an instance the arm will be retained in its dormant position by a catch which is release by an electromagnet or mechanical link.

When it is necessary to open the door fully the door must first be closed and thereafter the arm returned to its dormant position. In the case of spring driven arms the necessary energy must be supplied by the operator preferably by a winding action. For this reason electrical operation usinq an electromaqnet and/or an electric motor is preferred particularly if the user is old or infirm.

when electrically operated the device is preferably powered by a low voltage, e.g. 12 to 24 volts, source as this facilitates the provision of battery back-up in the event of power failure. Such equipment may easily be operated by a wireless link such as one using radio frequency signals, light signals, infrared radiation or ultrasonic signals. The controller can then be carried by the user at all times.

In the case of elderly people with poor memories the device may be wired in a fail-safe manner so that operation of a door bell, the impact of a knocker or even the sound of a vehicle operates the device. It is then only necessary for the user to remove the restraint if the caller Is required to enter the premises. In the case of care homes an override control can be issued to the warden which either inhibits or reverses any restraint action.

In the most preferred embodiments the device is enclosed in a case and, if operated electrically, a flashing light or other indicator means is included to warn that power is available to operate the device.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood one form thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a hinged door and a device according to the invention in its dormant state, Figure 2 is the front view of the hinged door shown in Figure 1 when the device has been operated, and Figure 3 is a schematic view of a device according to the invention.

A wall 1, see Figure 1, has a door opening surrounded by a frame comprising an upper portion 2 and two jambs 3 and 4. A door 5 is hung from the jamb 4 by means of a series of hinges 6. A housing 7 located above the door 5 contains a restraint arm 8 which is fitted to a hinge (not shown) within the housing and attached to the wall 1 through the upper portion of the frame 2. The restraint arm 8 carries a tab 9 of sufficient length to engage the top of the door 5 when activated.

When the device is activated, see Figure 2, the arm 8 extends outwardly and the tab 9 arrests the movement of the 1.

door 5.

The device, see Figure 3, consists of a restraint arm 11 having a tab 12 carried by a hinge pivot 13 mounted on the sides of a U-shaped plate 14. The plate 14 has apertures 15 which allow it to be bolted to a wall or similar structure. The arm 11 is urged outwardly by a coil spring (not shown) around the pivot 13. Outward movement is prevented by a peg 16 hanging downwards under the action of gravity. A solenoid 17, when energised, can lift the peg 16 allowing the arm 11 to move rapidly outwards.

An electric motor 18 is coupled to the hinge pivot 13 through a worm gear 19. Operation of the motor 18 provides sufficient force to return the arm 11 to its dormant position against the force of the spring. When it reaches its dormant position the peg 16 falls into place and retains it in position.

In operation the solenoid 17 is energised by any of the described means such as a simple push button to a radio link operated relay.

Claims

A security device comprising a housing adapted to be fitted to a frame of a hinged door and which contains a restraint arm having a dormant position and capable of release to an active position in which it links the top and/or bottom of a door to the frame whereby the anqle of opening of the door is restrained by the length of the arm.
2. The security device as claimed in claim 1, in which the arm is a hinged horizontal strip having the end remote from the hinge bent to form a door retainting tab.
3. The security device as claimed in claim 1, in which the length of the arm restrains movement of the door to five degrees.
4. The security device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the arm is driven from its dormant position to its active position by means of a spring.
5. The security device as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 3, in which the arm driven from its dormant position to its active position by means of an electric motor.
6. The security device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the arm is formed from a steel strip.
7. The security device as claimed in claim 4, in which the arm is retained in its dormant position against the force of the spring by means of a peg.
8. The security device as claimed in claim 7, in which the peg can be removed by means of a mechanical linkage.

3-5
9. The security device as claimed in claim 7, in which the peg can be removed by means of an electromagnet.
10. The security device as claimed in claim 9, in which 5 the electromagnet can be operated by remote signals.
11. Security devices as claimed in claim 1 and as herein described.
12. Security devices as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.