GB2407615A

GB2407615A - Security chain with mechanical lock and manual release

Info

Publication number: GB2407615A
Application number: GB0424095A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Anthony Wellman; Peter James Harrison
Original assignee: J Banks and Co Ltd
Current assignee: J Banks and Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-10-31
Filing date: 2004-10-30
Publication date: 2005-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2024-10-30
Also published as: GB0325455D0; IE20040725A1; GB0424095D0; GB2407615B

Abstract

A security device 14 comprises: a first securing means 16 mounted to the frame 12 of a wing 10 and a second securing means 20 mounted to the wing 10, a strap 22 is secured to the first securing means 16 and releasably secured to the second securing means 20 thus restricting the opening of the wing 10 with respect to frame 12, the device can be decoupled manually, for example by push button 32 and also by means of a lock, for example a key 64 inserted in a cylinder lock 60 preferably installed on the external face of wing 10 to enable the device to be unlocked from the outside. Preferably the connector 50 of strap 22 is spring biased 80 to eject the connector 50 upon release, the connector also being tapered and having annular groove for engagement with spring biased latch plate (30, figure 3). Especially for use with windows and doors.

Description

240761 5

SECURITY DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a security device, and in particular to a supplementary security device which can be used to secure a movable panel such as a door as a supplement to a standard lock. The invention IS expected to be used mainly for the supplementary securement of a door to its frame, and so the following description will refer primarily to that use; however, the invention can be used in other applications, as desired.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Supplementary security devices are known and in widespread use. One such device includes a chain or cable which can be secured to a door and to the surrounding frame and acts to limit the opening movement of the door. If full opening movement of the door is required the security device can be manually released by the user. To provide the desired level of security it is arranged that the security device can only be released from the user's side of the door.

Many users will utilise such a security device to permit the door to be opened by a small distance, allowing them to look at a person outside the door, and perhaps check an identity card carried by that person, before deciding whether to release the security device and permit access through the door.

Often, it is necessary for a person outside the door to gain access when the security device is in the secured position, for example the user may have secured the device but be unable to release it because of illness or infirmity.

Persons seeking to assist the user are prevented from 2 - gaining access to the room or building by the security device.

Also, In many housing developments, such as sheltered housing for example, the user (namely the occupier of a dwelling) may be able to call for external assistance following a fall or other injury, perhaps by way of a "panic alarm"; persons arriving to assist will often be prevented from accessing the dwelling by a security device, even if (as will be typical) they have a pass key allowing them to release the standard door lock.

In order to gain access from outside to a room or building in which such a supplementary security device is secured, it is necessary either to cut the chain or to force the door open by forcibly detaching the mounting from the door or from the frame. The former method requires specialized cutting equipment, whilst the latter requires considerable force to be applied. In both cases, there will be a delay, and perhaps a considerable delay, in gaining access, and also damage will be caused which cannot easily be rectified, the security device thereafter not being usable until it (and perhaps also the door and frame) is either repaired or replaced.

Despite their simple construction, their security advantages, and the peace of mind they offer to users, hotels and the like do not often use supplementary security devices such as those described above, and this is believed to be because of the problems gaining access to a room in which the occupier has secured such a security device.

Thus, as above indicated, when it is secured such a security device cannot be overcome without damaging either the device and/or the door or frame, and hotels and the like do not wish to incur such damage. Instead, such establishments typically use more complex and expensive door locks which are able to be secured from inside the room, and which offer 3 additional security over a standard door lock, but which can still be released with a pass key from outside the room.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It ls an object of the present invention to provide a security device which avoids or reduces the above-stated problems.

According to the invention there is provided a security device adapted for fitment to a openable panel, the device having a first mounting means adapted for fitment to one of the panel and the frame surrounding the panel, a second mounting means adapted for fitment to the other of the panel and frame, and a strap connected to the first mounting means, the strap being securable to the second mounting means whereby the first and second mounting means (and the panel and frame to which they are fitted) are secured together, the strap being manually releasable from the second mounting means, characterized by locking means which can be actuated to release the strap from the second mounting means.

By virtue of the locking means, the security device can be released other than manually by the user, and it can be arranged that the locking means can be actuated from outside the room or building so that the security device can be released other than by the user, and without damaging the security device, the door or its frame.

Preferably, the locking means is a key-operated lock mounted upon the outside of the panel or the frame, and insertion and rotation of the correct key can release the strap from the second bracket on the inside of the panel or frame.

Desirably, the second mounting means is adapted for fitment to the (inside of the) panel and the locking means is mounted upon the (outside of the) panel, since it will - 4 - typically be easier to connect the locking means mechanically with the second mounting means through the panel than through the frame.

Preferably, the strap terminates in a connector which is adapted for connection to the second mounting means.

Desirably, the connector has a shoulder and the second mounting means has a lock plate which can engage the shoulder and secure the connector to the second mounting means. Preferably, the lock plate is movable between a first position in which it can engage the shoulder of the connector and a second position in which it cannot engage the shoulder, the second position allowing the connector to be released.

Desirably, the lock plate is resiliently biassed towards its first position. Desirably also the connector has a tapered leading end so that insertion of the connector forces the lock plate to move to its second position, the lock plate automatically moving back to its first position under the influence of the resilient bias when the shoulder passes the lock plate.

Preferably, the lock plate has a surface which is engageable by a part of the locking means, whereby the locking means can be used to drive the lock plate from its first position to its second position. The surface can be provided by the edge of an opening formed through the lock plate, for example, and the locking means can have a bar or blade projecting therefrom which is caused to move when the correct key is inserted and rotated.

Preferably, the connector has resilient biassing means which act to drive the connector out of engagement with the second mounting means. Accordingly, when the connector is released from the lock plate it is automatically driven away from the second mounting means so that the security device is released and the panel can be opened completely.

The strap can be a chain, cable or other suitable securing means, as in the case of the prior art supplementary security devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.1 is a perspective view of part of a door panel and frame fitted with a security device according to the present invention, viewed from inside the door; Fig.2 is a perspective view of the part of the door panel and frame of Fig.1, viewed from outside the door; Fig.3 is a view of the door as Fig.1 with certain components of the security device shown in exploded view; Fig.4 is a sectional view through the second mounting means of the security device, with the lock plate in its first (secure) position; Figs.5 and 6 are sectional views through the second mounting means of the security device, with the lock plate in its second (release) position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The door panel 10 is surrounded by a frame 12, which is itself mounted in the brickwork or Clockwork of a wall (not shown) of a building or room, in known fashion. - 6

The door 10 may be held in its closed position by a conventional latch (not shown), and secured in its closed position by a key-operated door lock (also not shown). The latch and door lock can be of known design and do not need to be described in detail herein. Also, since the latch and door lock do not form part of the present invention, the invention may be utilised together with any means of holding and securing the door lo in the closed position.

The door 10 is fitted with a security device 14 according to the invention and which is separate from and supplementary to the latch and door lock. The security device 14 shares some features with the known supplementary security device described above, including a first mounting means 16 adapted for fitment to the frame 12, a second mounting means 20 adapted for fitment to the door 10, and a strap 22 (in this embodiment a chain) permanently connected to the first mounting means 16 and manually securable to (and manually releasable from) the second mounting means 20.

Accordingly, when it is desired to restrict the opening movement of the door 10 the strap 22 is secured to the second mounting means by the user, allowing the door 10 to be opened until the strap 22 is taut. It is arranged that the door 10 may by opened by a distance sufficient to permit the user to see a person on the outside of the door, and to check an identity pass or the like. If the user wishes he or she may subsequently release the strap 22 from the second mounting means 20 allowing the door 10 to be fully opened.

The strap 22 of the present invention, and also of the prior art devices, terminates in a connector 24 which is designed to cooperate with the second mounting means 20 so as to facilitate easy securement and release of the strap 22 from the second mounting means 20.

The second mounting means 20 and the connector 24 of the present invention differ from those of the known supplementary security devices, as better seen in Figs. 3-6.

The second mounting means 20 comprises a housing 26 which houses the internal components and also obscures them from view. Within the housing 26 is located a lock plate 30 (which can slide upwards and downwards in the plane of the paper as viewed in Figs. 3-5). The top end 32 of the lock plate 30 projects through an opening 34 in the housing 26.

The lock plate 30 is biassed upwardly (as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3-6) by resilient biassing means, in this embodiment two compression springs 36, which act between the lugs 40 of the lock plate 30 and suitable ledges (not seen) within the housing 26.

The strap 22 terminates in connector 24. The housing 26 has an opening 42 through which the leading end 44 of the connector 24 may pass into the housing 26. The lock plate has a corresponding opening 46 formed therethrough, and through which the leading end 44 of the connector 24 may also be passed.

The connector 24 has a neck 50, the length of which slightly exceeds the thickness of the lock plate 30.

The lock plate 30 is slidable within the housing 26 between a first position as shown in Fig.4 and a second position as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. It is arranged that when the lock plate 30 is in its second position the opening 46 in the lock plate 30 is aligned with the opening 42 in the housing 26, and the leading end 44 of the connector 24 can be inserted through the openings 42 and 46. When the connecor 24 has been inserted into the housing 26 sufficiently that the neck 50 is aligned with the lock plate 30, the lock plate 30 can move to its first position in which the opening - 8 - 46 is out of alignment with the opening 42, and a part of the lock plate 30 lies within the neck 50.

The neck 50 provides a shoulder 52, and when the lock plate 30 is in its first position the shoulder 52 engages a part of the lock plate 30, preventing removal of the connector 24 from the housing 26. This is therefore the secured position of the security device 14, permitting the second mounting means 20 (and the door 10 to which it is fitted) to have only limited movement relative to the first mounting means 16 (and the panel 12 to which it is fitted), determined by the length of the strap 22 and the relative separation of the first and second mounting means.

To allow the strap 22 to be manually released, the occupier can depress the top end 32 of the lock plate 30, as represented in Fig.5, pushing the lock plate 30 from its first position to its second position against the bias of the compression springs 36. When the lock plate 30 has been moved sufficiently, the opening 46 is aligned with the opening 42 and the shoulder 52 no longer engages the lock plate 30, permitting the connector 24 to be released from the housing 26.

To permit the security device 14 to be released from outside the door lo, the lock plate 30 has another opening 54 which can accommodate the bar or blade 56 which projects from the locking means 60. The locking means 60 can be a standard barrel lock, the locking means being provided with a lock housing 62 in which a barrel (not shown) can be rotated when the correct key 64 (Fig.2) is inserted, the barrel having the blade 56 connected thereto, the blade 56 projecting from the housing 62 for actuating locking componentry. Locking means such as these are known and used with surface-mounted locks for example, the surface-mounted lock being fitted to the inside of the door and the locking means 60 being fitted to the outside of the door as in the present invention. - 9 -

In the present invention, the second mounting means 20 (which comprises the housing 26, the lock plate 30, the springs 36 and a cover plate 66) is located upon the inside surface of the door to adjacent to an opening 70 formed through the door. The locking means 60 is located upon the outside surface of the door 10 with the blade 56 projecting through the opening 70 and into the second mounting means 20, the end of the blade 56 lying within the opening 54 of the lock plate 30.

The locking means 60 and the second mounting means 20 are then secured to the door 10 (and to each other) by bolts 72 which pass through holes 74 in the second mounting means 20, through the opening 70 in the door 10, and into the tapped bosses 76 of the locking means 60. Tightening of the bolts 72 clamps a part of the door 10 between the second mounting means 20 and the locking means 60, so securing these components in position upon the door.

When the security device 14 has been fitted, insertion and rotation of the correct key 64 causes the lock barrel and blade 56 to rotate so as to drive the lock plate 30 downwardly as viewed from its first position to its second position, as represented by Fig.6. In this way, the locking means 60 can be used to permit release of the connector 24 from outside the door 10, in addition to the manual release provided by depression of the top end 32 of the lock plate from inside the door 10.

To ensure that the connector 24 is released from the housing 26 when the lock plate 30 is moved to its second position (by the locking means 60 or by manual depression of the top end 32), the connector 24 is resiliently biassed to move out of the housing. In this embodiment the connector 24 carries a plunger 80 which can slide within the connector 24, and which is biassed to project from the leading end 44 of the connector 24 by a compression spring 82. - 10

It will be understood from Fig.3 that as the connector 24 is pushed into the housing 26 the plunger engages the surface of the door 10 and is forced back into the connector 24, compressing the spring 82. It will also be understood that the leading end 44 of the connector 24 is tapered, causing the lock plate 30 to be moved from its first position to its second position as the leading end 44 of the connector 24 is pushed through the opening 46, the lock plate 30 being moved so that the opening 46 becomes aligned with the opening 42.

During insertion of the connector 24 into the housing 26, therefore, the springs 82 and 36 become compressed. When the neck 50 of the connector 24 moves into alignment with the lock plate 30 the springs 36 cause the lock plate 30 to move to its first position, securing the connector 24 to the housing 26 and retaining the spring 82 in its compressed state. The user will know that the security device has entered its secured position by observing the top end 32 of the lock plate 30, which moves downwardly as the connector 24 is pushed into the opening 42, and then springs upwardly again as the neck 50 becomes aligned with the lock plate 30.

When the lock plate 30 is subsequently moved to its second position, either by manual depression of its top end 32 (Fig.5) or actuation of the locking means 60 (Fig.6), the spring 82 drives the plunger 80 outwardly of the connector 24, so driving the connector 24 out of the housing 26. In this way, it is ensured that the strap 22 can be released from the second mounting means 20 from outside of the door 10.

Other means of ensuring the release of the connector from the second mounting means could be utilized when the lock plate has been moved to its second position, such as gravity (i.e. allowing the connector to fall from the second mounting means, or otherwise by mechanical means. For example, rotation of the locking means may be arranged to cause linear movement of a drive member within the second - 11 mounting means (perhaps connected to the locking means by cooperating screw threads) which can drive the connector out of the second mounting means.

It may be arranged that the key 64 for the locking means 60 is the same key as is used for the standard door lock, so that a key given to a neighbour or friend to allow access to a room or building can be used for the door lock and the security device when this is secured. Alternatively, a different key could be required for the locking means 60.

If several separate security devices 14 were to be used upon respective doors, for example in a hotel or in sheltered accommodation, it could be arranged that all of the locking means 60 require the same key, and that this key is different from the keys to all of the standard door locks, so that the management of the hotel or the sheltered accommodation could use this "pass key" to release any of the fitted security devices from outside the respective door, if and when required.

Clearly, it could be arranged that the positions of the first mounting means and second mounting means are reversed, so that the second mounting means 20 and the locking means are mounted upon the frame 12. That is not preferred/ however, as the frame 12 will typically be thicker than the door 10 requiring a longer blade 56 to engage the lock plate 30, and the removal of a greater amount of material to provide an opening similar to the opening 70. Also, the strap would then be permanently connected to the door and would swing when the door was opened normally, perhaps damaging the door or its paintwork over time.

It will be recognized that in the embodiment shown the top end 32 of the lock plate 30 is possibly accessible from outside the door; for example it might be possible for an intending intruder to place his or her fingers, or a suitable tool, around the edge of the door and depress the lock plate to release the strap. The installer could reduce - 12 the likelihood of this by suitable positioning of the second mounting means, and by minimizing the allowed opening of the door when the strap is in place; however, some users may still be unwilling to utilise the device even if the risk of it being tampered with is very small.

To reduce the risk of the security device being tampered with in this way, or to eliminate that risk altogether, the lock plate can in other embodiments be redesigned so as not to have its top end projecting from the housing. In one alternative embodiment the housing could carry a rocker button which when pressed would drive the lock plate to its second position (against the resilient biassing means). It can be arranged that the rocker button is accessed by way of an opening in the housing, the opening being accessible (and visible) only from inside the room or building. If desired the opening can be surrounded by a shroud or the like to further reduce the likelihood that a suitable tool can be passed around the door and into the opening so as to operate the rocker button.

Clearly, there are many alternative means of moving the lock plate which could be operated legitimately by the occupier from inside the room or building but which would be all but impossible to operate by an unauthorized person from outside the room or building, and the use of a rocker button is but one example of this. The security offered against tampering can be increased by making the means to move the lock plate more complex, but with the penalty of making the security device more difficult to use by the occupier of the room or building. - 13

Claims

1. A security device adapted for fitment to a openable panel, the device having a first mounting means adapted for fitment to one of the panel and the frame surrounding the panel, a second mounting means adapted for fitment to the other of the panel and frame, and a strap connected to the first mounting means, the strap being securable to the second mounting means whereby the first and second mounting means can be secured together, the strap being manually releasable from the second mounting means, the device also having locking means which can be actuated to release the strap from the second mounting means.

2. A security device according to claim 1 in which the first and second mounting means are adapted for fitment to an inside surface of the panel and frame, and the locking means is adapted for fitment to the outside of the panel or frame, the locking means being a key- operated lock.

3. A security device according to claim 1 or claim 2 In which the strap terminates in a connector adapted for connection to the second mounting means.

4. A security device according to claim 3 in which the connector has a shoulder and the second mounting means has a lock plate which can engage the shoulder and secure the connector to the second mounting means.

5. A security device according to claim 4 in which the lock plate is movable between a first position in which it can engage the shoulder of the connector and a second position in which it cannot engage the shoulder, the second position allowing the connector to be released from the second mounting means. - 14

6. A security device according to claim 5 in which the lock plate is resiliently biassed towards its first position.

A security device according to claim 6 in which the connector has a tapered leading end, insertion of the connector into the second mounting means forcing the lock plate to move to its second position, the lock plate automatically moving back to its first position under the influence of the resilient bias when the shoulder passes the lock plate.

8. A security device according to claim 7 in which the connector has resilient biassing means acting to drive the connector out of engagement with the second mounting means.

9. A security device according to any one of claims 5-8 in which the lock plate has a surface which is engageable by a part of the locking means, whereby the locking means can be used to drive the lock plate from its first position to its second position.

10. A security device according to claim 9 in which the surface is provided by the edge of an opening formed through the lock plate.

11. A security device according to claim 9 or claim 10 in which the part of the locking means is a projecting element.

12. A security device according to any one of claims 1-11 in which the strap is manually releasable from the second mounting means by way of a projecting button.

13. A security device according to any one of claims 1-11 in which the strap is manually releasable from the second mounting means by way of a rocker button.

14. A security device constructed and arranged substantially as described in relation to Figs. 1-6 of the accompanying drawings.