GB2370017A - Retractable security gate for vehicle interior - Google Patents

Abstract

A security gate for the interior of a vehicle comprises a retractable lattice structure B, housed when not in use within an elongate housing A which may be curved so as to correspond to the inner surface of a vehicle pillar to which it may be attached, and a locking mechanism C which is linked to a coupling located for example in the vehicle footwell so that the lattice is locked in place across a vehicle opening (see figures 1 to 1D). The housing may contain two lattice structures which may be retracted in opposite directions so as to be locked in place across two vehicle openings (figure 2B). The position of the locking mechanism may be varied (figure 2A), and an electrical connection may be made when the lattice is locked in position (figure 11B). The lattice may be constructed of stainless steel elements held together by rivets defining the pivot positions of the lattice. Also disclosed is the use of such a lattice within a vehicle load compartment (figures 12 to 12C).

Description

This invention relates to a Vehicle Security Gate.

'The Vehicle Security Gate'is to the best of my knowledge never been seen before however, the basic configuration of this'Barrier'gate system is enough, but not in the form here adapted.

There is provided a protractible, retractable security gate, essentially for vehicle protection, comprising a lattice structure, fully retractable and housed within it's own casing'pod', and affixed securely to the interior of the vehicle door pillar and so designed to extend across the doorway manually and or automatically The'Gate'when drawn across the doorway, is secured in place by means of a'snap'n latch'sprung locking assembly, providing for a strong barrier, a formidable secondary form of defence as it were.

The core of materials envisaged in this grid structure, are largely of stainless steel or a suitable tempered alternative, designed to withstand such an attack of some vicious ferocity long enough to deter.

Moulded in, or vacuumed formed in suitable polypropylene in part, and attached to metal panels where appropriate, providing for the whole fabrication to be assembled at source and fixed into place by the user with minimal fuss. This retractable lattice structure shown in situ. Adapted to create a fenced barrier strong-enough to deter and therefore discourage further damage or theft.

Examples as in figures 1, A to 1, E.

Fig. 2/A.

As in Fig. 2 but with the added modification for a spar.

A. Enables coupling mechanism to slide up or down to provide bar locking in varied positions in different vehicles.

Fig. 2/B.

Shows versatility and simplicity of this model to combine, A. forward and B. rear gates in one.

Note Pages. 3/3A13C.

Fig. 3.

Shows exploded view of the security gate simple design and structure.

A. Refers to moulded part of the'Pod'.

B. Refers to the metal base plate of the'Pod'to which the entire gate C. is fixed reference D.

Fig. 3. A.

As in claim 3. but with the additional central metal panel to accommodate rear mounted gate.

Central metal panel A. rear gate B. fixed as in 3B.

Fig. 3. B.

Side on view of front and rear gates in situ.

A. Shows view of double unit in place.

B. Shows'paring'of rear seat gate to enable effective fit.

C. Locking mechanism same as front unit as in Fig3. A.

Fig. 4.

Illustrated method of mesh assembly.

Comprising of 15 mm. x 2 mm. x 80 cm. long steel bars.

A. Held together by way of a compressed rivet B. thus assuring it's aesthetics whilst allowing for ease of movement when drawn open and closed.

C. Compressed rivet in place.

D. Shim washer in place to facilitate freer movement.

Note example of type of materials and proposed assembly method, a sample of which is attached to the back cover.

Fig. 5.

Shows component parts to'Pod'.

A. Refers to metal base plate which carries the whole gate proper.

B. Refers to moulded plastic cover formed in one or two parts in moulded or Vacuum formed appropriate polymers, shaped thus to compliment the car Pillar. Refer to drawing for measurements C. Shows plastic cover and base plate attached.

D. Completes the perspective.

This design is an integral part of my claim to the Retractable Security Gate as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig 6.

Shows a near enough scaled version of a complete casing.

A. Fixing screw and adjustable hook attachment to enable the'Pod'to fit securely to the pillar.

B. Self tapping fixing screw attaching'Pod'to the pillar.

C. Base plate.

D. Shows centre panel to support double gate assembly Fixed to base plate.

E. Moulded housing.

F. The'incidence of arc'remains a'mean'point, a happy medium of many measured pillars in many vehicles.

G. Gate assembly, double or single.

H. Nut and bolt assembly securing the'Structure'.

I. Aperture finished off with draught extruder type bristles to conceal the mechanics within, whilst adding to the overall aesthetics of the unit complete with mirror domes.

Fig. 7.

Shows simple means of attaching the'Pod'to the pillar. Providing an overlap of the safety belt fitment, ensuring that function of the safety belt won't be impeded.

A. Comes fitted to the'Pod'and is slid over a self tapping screw.

B. Already positioned by the fitter, further two more self tapping screws are needed to secure the bottom end.

C. There are many forms of fixing. This method of fixing is not a claim. Fig. 8. A/B/C/D. Shows simplicity of positioning and fixing into place. Fig. 8. A. Illustrates more graphically where positioned with lattice gate extended and locked in place.

A. Shows coupled locking.

B. Part of the locking coupling fixed to the floor well.

C. Foot well to vehicle. Fig. 8. B. Shows the desired position of the'Pod'arced to fit most vehicles. Fig 8. C

A. Variation on a theme shows straight'Pod.' The straight'Pod'is designed to fit trucks and lorries where the pillar is considerably more perpendicular.

B. In position relative to the pillar.

C. Chair.

D. Safety belt attachment.

Fig. 8. D.

This figure illustrates a little wishful thinking...

A. Shows gate casing incorporated into the vehicle pillar structure B.

Someday all vehicles may incorporate a'Vehicle Security Gate'built in as standard. Fig, 9.

Shows simple method of fixing lattice A. to the panel. B, by way of ordinary nuts and bolts, with spacer washers and lock nut C. to secure the whole through'slot'D, being an inch and a half long by a quarter of an inch wide to allow a degree of play for C. to ride up and down when the gate is operated.

The entire structure is hinged by it's pivotal point secured by nut and bolt E. midway.

Figs. 9 A. and 9B. Shows the need for this flexibility to allow the'gate'to function.

Fig. 9. A.

Shows need for slot to facilitate the function of the gate.

A. Lattice.

B. Panel.

C. Fixing bolt and nuts securing the gate through the slot to ride freely up and down to allow opening and closing of the lattice structure.

D. Slot approx. 25 mm. x 5 m.

Fig. 9B Shows'gate'with buckle A. attachment extending to coupling with fitted clasp already in place in the vehicle foot well.

Note Fig. 10.

Fig. 10.

Working drawing illustrates buckle A. drawn towards sprung coupling B. fixed to side panel in the foot well of the vehicle C. with the added flexibility of a spar attachment D. to accommodate varied fixing positions.

Fig. 11.

Lockable sprung coupling A. introduced to buckle B. snapping into position as in 11/A.

Fig. 11. A.

Buckle and sprung coupling A. in lockable position, fixed to an appropriate point in the foot well of the vehicle securing the gate.

The locks'per se'are not within my claim.

Fig 11. B.

Shows optional electrical fitting A. fixed beneath each part of the locking mechanism B. so as to couple at the same time the sprung lock and buckle are introduced and snapped together, affecting a live circuit when switched on.

The locking device alone is not a claim.

Fig. ll. C.

Section through shows a view of coupling locks and electrical points, introduced and connected simultaneously.

This locking device is not within my claim. Fig. 12.

Shows flexibility of the Vehicle Security Gate when used elsewhere in the vehicle e. g. The gate, not curved in this case, can be fitted practically anywhere In the rear of an estate car or similar type van. As examples follow in Figs. 12. A/B/C.

Fig. 12. A.

Shows the useful and practical positioning of the Vehicle Security Gate, providing many and varied positions.

A. As illustrated in Fig. 12. becomes a dividing screen between seating and loading area.

B. As simple division down the centre.

C. Dividing the load area in half.

D. A veritable Vehicle Security Gate to the rear of the vehicle.

Fig. 12. B.

Gate casing'Pod'fixed and hinged to the rear of the estate vehicle seating, providing for practical storage, laying flat when not in use but lifted up, the gate is drawn securely overhead.

Simply unhook, return gate to it's casing and fold down when not needed.

Fig 12. C.

Illustrates installation and usage as in Fig. 12. but now located, fixed and hinged by simple means to the roof of the vehicle, folded out and drawn down to lock secure on the floor of the vehicle, much the reverse to description relating to Fig. 12.

Presents in perspective, the complete embodiment of an extended Gate from it's'Pod'or casing. This is my claim.

A. Housing'Pod'/Casing.

B. Lattice stainless steel gate and'Pod'consistant with the shape of the car interior pillar.

C. Locking mechanism linked with coupling fixed to the vehicle foot well.

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Claims (12)

Amended claims have been tiled as follows A VEHICLE SECURITY GATE

1. A vehicle security gate comprising of a retractable metal lattice gate for securing a wide range of motor vehicles against unlawful access, being so designed to fit most vehicles and unobtrusively positioned within it's own casing and fixed to the interior door pillars whereupon the gate may be extended across the doorway and so locked in position, thus providing a deterrent barrier to the perpetrator.

All of the following descriptions nos. 2-12 and accompanying drawings are claimed as part of claim 1.

2. A 1m. long x 80 cm. high steele lattice gate fitted to a 1m. length x 10 cm. wide base plate of 3mm. thickness and overlaid with a 2mm. thick moulded plastic cover to form the'Pod'or casing and fitted to corresponding door pillars as described originally on pages 22. fig. 5/page 24. fig 6.

3. Illustrates lattice gate fixed on to base plate and sandwiched by it's plastic outer cover as described originally on page 14. fig 3. /page 16 fig 3a.

4. Shows sequence when gate housed within it's pod is drawn open and closed with ease, ready to be locked into place.

5. Shows gate with spar to accommodate differences in heights within the footwells of a variety of vehicles thus providing ease of location and locking as described originally on page 10. fig. 2a/page 44. fig. 10.

6. Demonstrates where the complete casing and gate aught to be positioned within the vehicle and fixed in place with appropriate attaching screws, positioned through 25mm. thick rubber spacers allowing for secure fitting and positioning over any seatbelt housing, originally described on page 28. fig. 8./ page 30. fig8a.

7. Shows position of casing and rubber spacing or hook attachment fixed to the inside of the door pillar and clearly bridging the safety belt housing without impeding it's access and use, originally described on page 32. fig. 8b. / page 34. fig8c.

8. Once gate and housing are fixed into place with the help of appropriate instructions, the gate can now be drawn across the doorway and snap locked securely in position by way of introducing the gate and buckle assembly to a sprung coupling positioned within the footwell of the vehicle, as originally described on page

28. fig. 8/page 30. fig. 8a.

9. Shows the lattice part is able to open and close with ease and remain secure due to the position of bolt (1) being allowed to ride freely up and down within it's slotted space whilst the entire lattice unit is fixed securely to the base plate by bolt (2). as originally described on page 40. fig. 9a

10. Offers to point out that the locking parts, Buckle and coupling, may be similar to that of common seat belt coupling, but lockable, as originally described on page 46. fig. 11./48. fig. 1 la.

11. Illustrates full locking assembly featuring underside of coupling and contact socket provision for an electrified gate, originally described on page 50. fig. lib.

12. Other original descriptions include pages 54,56, 58,60. that demonstrate the variability and flexibility of use-and should be included as with all the above, as part of claim 1. attached. - 8888888888888