GB2383367A

GB2383367A - Security grille

Info

Publication number: GB2383367A
Application number: GB0229454A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Gordon Dootson
Original assignee: Security Window Shutters Ltd
Current assignee: Security Window Shutters Ltd
Priority date: 2001-12-21
Filing date: 2002-12-19
Publication date: 2003-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-19
Also published as: GB0229454D0; GB0130844D0; GB2383367B; GB0229701D0

Abstract

A security grille 1 for an opening comprises a frame 3, a metal lattice 5 and a plurality of lugs 7 projecting from the grille. The grille is releasably secured in place by a first securing means. The first securing means comprises a first securing element fixedly secured with respect to the opening and a second securing element 13, which is releasably connectable with the first element, receiving lugs 7 of the grille 1. A latch means 23, releasably connecting the first and second 13 securing elements, has an operating lever 51 located remotely from the opening. A second securing means may be provided comprising a first element 24 fixedly secured with respect to the opening and a second element 25 receiving lugs 7 of the grille. The first 24 and second 25 elements are pivotally connected by hinges 29. The operating lever 51 and latch means 23 may be connected by a mechanical element which may comprise a flexible cable. The latch bolt may be urged into the latched position by a spring. The latch means may be encased so that the latch bolt cannot be accessed at the opening.

Description

Title : Improvements in and relating to window security guards DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a window security guard and in particular to releasable securing means for same. Concerns with security have led to the adoption of security guards for window openings to prevent a burglar gaining access through an open window or through a window after the glass has been broken to allow access. The known security guards comprise a steel grille that is permanently fixed inside the window. The grille is provided with lugs that project from the sides of the grille and are received in locating elements that are provided with holes to enable them to be secured to the window frame or structure. Where these are fitted through out a property, it is not readily possible to use a window to escape from the building in an emergency when exiting via a door is not possible.

The present invention aims to provide a solution.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention comprises a security grille comprising a frame incorporating an open metal lattice ; and a plurality of lugs projecting from the grille and cooperable with means for securing the security grille in place, and characterised in that the securing means comprises at least a first releasable securing means comprising a first element secured fixedly with respect to the window opening, and a second element that is releasably connectable with the first element, and in which the second element has means to receive said lugs of the security grille, and latch means for

releasably connecting the first and second elements of said first securing means, and wherein the operating lever of said latch means is located remotely from the window.

Conveniently, the operating lever and latch means are connected by a mechanical element. Preferably the connection comprises a flexible cable such as that known as a Bowden Cable, or the like. The latch means is encased so that no access is possible to its latch bolt at the window. Preferably the latch bolt is acted on by a spring to urge it into the latched position.

The use of the second element allows standard security grilles to be tailored to fit any desired opening simply by trimming the length of the lugs.

The first element conveniently comprises the latch means and optional abutment means.

More particularly, the securing means comprises a first and a second securing means, with the first securing means being as aforesaid and the second securing means comprising a first element secured fixedly with respect to the window opening, and a second element that is pivotally connected to the first element and which has means to receive securing lugs of the security grill.

By this means a security grille is fitted in a manner that allows it to be hinged into and out of position when the first securing means is released.

Of course, if the security grille is purpose designed for the opening, the lugs can be replaced by the above-mentioned second elements which are then integrally formed with the grille. It follows that they do not have the means for receiving the securing lugs of the grille as they take the place of the lugs.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a security system for a security grille provided with securing lugs, the securing system comprising a first releasable securing means comprising a first element secured fixedly with respect to the window opening, and a second element that is releasably connectable with the first element, and in which the second element has means to receive securing lugs of the security grille, and latch means for releasably connecting the first and second elements of said first releasable securing means, and wherein the operating lever for said latch means is located remotely from the window, and second securing means comprising a first element secured fixedly with respect to the window opening, and a second element that is pivotally connected to the first element and which has means to receive securing lugs of the security grille.

The present invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which :- Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a security grille and fixing system embodying the invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a security grille embodying the invention in an open position, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a latch mechanism used in the invention, and shown without its cover, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the latch mechanism of Figure 3 fitted with its cover, Figure 5 is a front view of a lever for operating the latch mechanism,

Figure 6 is a front view of the latch mechanism of Figure 3 with case removed and shown in the closed position, and Figure 7 is a front view of the latch mechanism of Figure 3 with case removed and shown in its released position.

Referring to the drawings, a security grille is illustrated at 1 and comprises a rectangular steel frame 3 infilled with a diamond lattice 5 in the illustrated embodiment. The frame has lugs 7 projecting from two opposite edges 9,11.

A first releasable securing means is shown to the right hand edge 11. It comprises first and second elements. The second element 13 is adapted to cooperate with the lugs 7. The second element has hollow section elements 15 that are dimensioned to receive respective top and bottom lugs 7. These are not illustrated in Figure 1, but are shown more clearly in Figure 2. The second element 13 has a recess portion, generally indicated at 19, and provided with a latch bar 21 secured fixedly with respect to element 13. The first element is secured with respect to the window opening and comprises a latch mechanism 23 accommodated in the recess portion and is secured with respect to the window opening that is to be provided with the security grille 1. The latch mechanism is described in further detail hereafter with reference to Figures 3,4, 6 and 7.

A second securing means is shown in the left hand edge 9. It comprises first and second elements 24,25. The second element 25 is similar to element 13 in that it has hollow sections 27 to receive lugs 7. The first element 24 comprises an elongate strip of metal adapted to be secured with respect to the

window opening. Conveniently it has holes for screws to hold it in place. The first and second elements are pivotally interconnected by hinges 29. By this means the security grille can be hingedly mounted with respect to the window opening as illustrated in Figure 2.

Also shown in Figures 1 and 2 are abutment plates 31 that are secured to the window opening. In use they are positioned to be engaged by the flange 13' when in the closed position.

The latch mechanism 23 will now be described in further detail. It comprises a mounting 35 that is secured with respect to the window opening.

The mounting carries flanges 37,39, 41 and 45.

Flanges 39 and 41 are apertured to receive slidably therein a latch bolt 47. The gap between flanges 41 and 43 receives the latch bar 21. The latch bar is preferably apertured to receive the end of the latch bolt when the security grille is in its closed position and the latch bolt is biased into its closed position by spring 49. To facilitate latching in the closed position, the latch bolt has to be withdrawn against the spring bias by pulling on actuating lever 51 which is connected to the bolt by a cable 53. The cable is accommodated in a flexible sheath 54 that is secured at one end to flange 37 and at the other to a wall 55 of an open housing 57 for the lever. The lever can be any convenient shape. A D - shape is preferred and orientated as illustrated for operation by hand, or reversed for foot operation. I. e. with the straight bar lowermost. Two housing parts 59,61 are configured to fit over the latch mechanism so that it is obscured from view and so it cannot be tampered with.

The lever 51 is located at a position sufficiently remote from the window opening that access cannot be gained to it by someone attempting to gain access through the window from outside, but allows someone inside the building to release the security guard for whatever purpose, e. g. cleaning of the window or to exit by way of the window in an emergency.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A security grille comprising a frame incorporating an open metal lattice ; and a plurality of lugs projecting from the grille and cooperable with means for securing the security grille in place, and characterised in that the securing means comprises at least a first releasable securing means comprising a first element secured fixedly with respect to the window opening, and a second element that is releasably connectable with the first element, and in which the second element has means to receive said lugs of the security grille, and latch means for releasably connecting the first and second elements of said first securing means, and wherein the operating lever of said latch means is located remotely from the window.
2. A security grille as claimed in claim 1 in which the operating lever and latch means are connected by a mechanical element.
3. A security grille as claimed in claim 2 in which the connection comprises a flexible cable.
4. A security grille as claimed in claim1, 2 or 3 in which the latch means is encased so that no access is possible to its latch bolt at the window.
5. A security grille as claimed in claim4 in which the latch bolt is acted on by a spring to urge it into the latched position.
6. A security grille as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the first element comprises the latch means and optional abutment means.
7. A security grille as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the securing means comprises a first and a second securing means, with the

<Desc/Clms Page number 8>

first securing means being as aforesaid and the second securing means comprising a first element secured fixedly with respect to the window opening, and a second element that is pivotally connected to the first element and which has means to receive securing lugs of the security grill.
8. A security grille as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 and further comprising second securing means to be secured fixedly with respect to the window opening and wherein the lugs are integrally formed with the grille and are directly pivotally connectible with the second securing means.
9. A security grille as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the operating lever is positioned and configured to be foot operated.
10. A security system for a security grille provided with securing lugs, the securing system comprising a first releasable securing means comprising a first element secured fixedly with respect to the window opening, and a second element that is releasably connectable with the first element, and in which the second element has means to receive securing lugs of the security grille, and latch means for releasably connecting the first and second elements of said first releasable securing means, and wherein the operating lever for said latch means is located remotely from the window, and second securing means comprising a first element secured fixedly with respect to the window opening, and a second element that is pivotally connected to the first element and which has means to receive securing lugs of the security grille.
11. A security grille as claimed in claim 10 in which the operating lever and latch means are connected by a mechanical element.

<Desc/Clms Page number 9>
12. A security grille as claimed in claim 11 in which the connection comprises a flexible cable.
13. A security grille as claimed in claim 10,11 or 12 in which the latch means is encased so that no access is possible to its latch bolt at the window.
14. A security grille as claimed in claim 13 in which the latch bolt is acted on by a spring to urge it into the latched position.
15. A security grille as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the first element comprises the latch means and optional abutment means.
16. A security system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 15 in which the operating lever is positioned and configured to be foot operated.
17. A security grille constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
18. A security system constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.