GB2411923A - Adjustable security barrier - Google Patents

Abstract

An adjustable security barrier 10 for mounting on one or more surfaces 42 of a predetermined opening comprises one or more main panels 11 and attachment members 31, the main panels being made of a plurality of fixed bars 12, 13 arranged in a grid-like panel. The attachment members are movable along the bars of the main panel and are provided with securing means for securing each attachment member to the surface. The main panels may be provided with additional extension panels 21 so that the dimensions of the barrier can be modified according to the opening. The barrier may be provided with hinges and a latch mechanism so as to define a gate.

Description

1 241 1923 Modular Security Barrier fiches invention relates to a physical

security harrier comprising, an interconnection ot'moclulcs capable ol' I'ormmg a harrier the szc and shape ol which can he chosen by a user so as to fit a multitucJe ot'clifl'erent Sizes of openings and frames Within this specification, the term 'barrier' includes, unless the contexts implies otherwise, closures for window or door openings, I'ences, gates, blinds, grilles, *.e . 1() shutters, screens alid the like . Presently physical security barrier systems, in particular any fixed or movable ë : closures for openin,s, need to be constructed in accordance with the dimensions and specifications ol'the opening lathe opening Is not of a standard size or shape, then in order to protect it eft'ectively with a security barrier, the security barrier has lo be either f'abricatecJ or modited so as to t'it adequately mto the area repouring, protection. 13espol;c or adaplecl products are costly no terns of time anal motley, as work is harvested into clesi,n, alteration and,ior nanut'acture ot non standarcJ size units of) It Is an object of the present mvent,n to reduce these costs by providing standard, but ace justable barrier that can take the place ot a purpose-built security harrier It is a further objective ot'the present invention to provide an eascr method of securing an opening in, for example, DIY applications circumventing the need to employ specialist security fitting services, especially m the case at irregular or non-standarcJ openh,gs According to the present hventon there is provided an adjustable security barrier t'or mounting on one or more surt'aces that define a predetermnetl opening, the e : harrier comprising one or more main pancis matte ol'a plurality ot' taxed bars .e . arranged in a grid-lil;e pattern, al least some ot'the bars havin g an end that, In use, @.

: .. 1() projects towards the one or more surt'aces, an attachment member provided on I. selected bars, the attachment member being moveable along the length of the ë selected bar in a direction towards rile one or more surfaces to a fixing position *....

where in use each attachment member can contact anti be fixed to said one or more surl'aces, anti a securing means lor securing each attachment member Kit its 1.> respective her in the taxing position thcreny to secure the harrier to the one or more surfaces The barrier may further comprise a', extension panel having a pattern ot bars that substantially matches anct aligns with the <'rid-lle pattern ot'thc bars of the panel, 2() and connecting means l'or connecting the extension panel to the main panel thereby to extend the main panel laterally.

Preferably the one or more bars arc solid Alternatively, the one or more bars are hollow lubes Preferably the connecting means are hollow tubes s The attacilmcnl member may comprise a l'ixmg member t'or filling lo the one or more.surl'aces and a tubular member t'or fitting on to a bar of a panel. :e ë ...

.'. Alternatively, where one or more bars ot'the main panel or the extension panel are .

: .. If) hollow tubes, the attachment member may comprise a t'ixing member for fitlhg to the one or more surt'aces anti a rod t'or Insertion into a selected hollow tube. I: . .e

Preferably there are two or more confronting surfaces defining two or more sides ot'an opening and the barrier extends across a gap between the two or more 1: conl'ronting surfaces.

The confronting surt'aces may he walls ol an opcumg In a structure, in which case the harrier exlencis across the opcnn g between al least hvo walls of the opening 2() The confronting surfaces may be sides ol posts and the barrier extends across the gap between two posts to define a t'ence The confronting surfaces may be sides ot'two side members of a gate in which case the barrier extentis across the gap between the two side members to det'ine a little.

One ot'the side members ot'the gate may be provided with hinge means t'or connection to hinge means on an adjacent structure.

: One ot'the side members ol' the gale may be provrcleti with a latch means ttor . cooperation with a keep means on an ad jacent structure .

: .. 1() .

The present invention will now be described by way ot' example only, with .

. ret'crence to the accompanying drawings, in which.

Be....

Figures l(a), I(b) and l(c) show an arrangement ot'bars in a grid to t'orm a mat panel ot'a security barrier constr-uctetl in accordance with the present invention.

Figure l(a) is a plan view ol the panel, Figure 1(1) s a view ot'the panel ot Figure l(a) looking in the direction of arrow A, anti Figure l(c) Is a view ot'the panel ot' Figure l(a) looking, in the direction > I'arrow 8, 9() figures 9(a), (b) and 7(c) show an extension panel for use with the main panel shown in Figure I. Figure (a) Is a plan view ot'thc extension panel, I igure 9(b) is a view ot'the extension panel ot' Figure 9(a) looking in the direction of arrow C, and Figure 9(c) is a view ot'the extension panel of' Figure 2(a) looking in the direction of arrow D Figure (cl) shows a sectional v few of a t'ittin;, arrangement ol'an outer tube, a nylon sleeve, an inner her and the security screw Figure 3(e) shows an perspective view ct'one type ol'security screw that can be used as shown in Figure2(d)

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Figures 3(a) and 3(b) show an altacilrment member allowing'the attachment ot a .*.

: main panel of Figure l(a) and/or the extensors panel of Figure 0(a) to the ..

'.. structural members ot an opening Figure 3(a) is the front view of the attachment . . : .. 1() member, and Figure 3(b) is the side view ot'the attachment member looking in the direction ol'the arrow E *. I: I...

Figure 4 shows how two panels ot'Figure l(a), an extension panel of Figure 2(a) and attachment members of Figure 3(a) can be combined to t'orrm a security harrier that is constructed h1 accordance with the present invention Figure 4 shows the components of the security barrier superimposed on a schematic representation of an opening in a wall Figure 5(-c) shows panels bel'n,,hg to the same set 9() Figure tS shows a security barrier ol the present invert in the form of a section ot'a fence secured between two upright posts Figure 7 shows a security harrier ol the present invention in the form of a rate.

Reterring m greater detail to Figures I (a-c) there is shown a main panel I I tor a security harrier 1() shown ha Figure 4. The panel I I comprises a plurally ol hers I2 arranged parallel to each other, and a plurality ot bars 13 arranged parallel to each other but extending in dircctons perpendicular to the bars 1. The bars I 3, 13 torm a grid-like panel 11 Prcterably, the orientation of the bars 19 are (but not .e : restricted to) vertical and the orientation of the bars 123 are horizontal with ..

reference to the vertical and horizontal members of the opening (not shown) in : . 1() which they are to be secured. In Figures l(a-c), the vertical bars I2 extend in the I. direction B and the horizontal bars 12 extend in the direction A . . I: ë..

The bars I', 13 are securely fixer to one another (e.g. wekled) at the points at which the bars 19, 13 make contact with one another- hereinafter called a wekl point' 15 Preferably, the bars I or 13 that Nan parallel to each other are the same length and the ends ot the bars are all Ned with each other so tint if a line was traced Irom the end ol one her tat another, the hue would he perpendicular to the direction ot the length bit lLc h.rs Id. 13 2() Relerring to Figures 9(a-c). there is shown fin extension panel I comprising a single bar 1 or 13 of the same type and length as either the horizontal 19 or vertical bar 13 in the panel 11 shown in Figure 1(a) and two orthogonal bars each in the form of hollow tube 9 welded at right angles to the bar 12or 13. The tubes 00 of an extension panel 2 I arc dimensioned lo receive the bars 12 or 13 ol'the panel I I of Figure 1 (a), or the bars 12/13 ot'other extension panels 21 or' Figure 2(a). The tubes 22 are intended to slot onto the bars I 2, 13 on an outer cage ot' a panel I I to increase the vertical height or horizontal width ot'thc entire barrier 1(). s

Prct'erably, the outer diameters ot'the tears I2, 13 m any panel I I (or extension panel 21) are equal so that they may be slotted into the tube 22 of an extension ..e lo.: panel 2 I The inner diameters ot' the tubes in an extension panel 2 I are greater e I..

than, or equal to, the outer diameter ot'thc bars I2, 13 but it is noted that as the - .

1() discrepancy increases the t'it will become progressively looser It is preferable to ë have a tight fit with a mind to security, but not too tight so as to hinder the fitting e . of the extension panel 2 I onto the end of a panel I I Pret'erahly, a nylon sleeve 93 ë e..

is provided between the her 1, 13 and each tube 92.

Referring to Figure 2(d), once a bar 12, ]3 has been completely, or partially, slid into a tube 92 such that the desired position has hecn reached, it is then possible to to the bar 10, 13 at that location She 1\mg ot the panels I I and extension panels 21 can be achieved by providing a threaded hole 9fj m the tube " such that a screw 2S (e g. grub screw) can he tghtencd so as to clamp the tulle 2 into place 2() on the bar 12, 13. Figure 9(e) shows an example ot'a security screw 28 where the head is of a non-standard type so that only a spectc mating tool (not shown) that is not an ordinary cross-heacl / flat head screwcirivcr can be used to tighter and loosen it.

Other methods of t'ixing bars 19/13 and tubes 32 are possible in further enbodiments ot' the invention, t'or example, they may be welded together Rcterrdig to Figure 3, there Is shown an attachment member 31 comprising a tube 32 of the same inner diameter as that of the tubes 93 of an extension panel 91 The tubes 39 are preferably, but not essentially, of a Icnglh (L) equal to, or shorter . than, the ciistance Irom the end ot any outermost her 19, 13 in a panel I I to its closest respective weki-point 15 The tube 3 is open al one end to receive a bar . ë : .. 1() 10, 13 from a panel 11 (or an extension panel) The tubes 31 are securely attached :.

(e g welded) lo a fixing member 33 that t'acilitates the t'ixng of the attachment .

'. member 31 to structure defining an openmg mto whale the barrier Is to be tatted I...

This permits the security barrier 1() comprishg tile panels I I and extension panels I to be attached to a structural surface (for example. the t'rame of a window) through the use of screws, nails, acillesive or other fixing means Retcrrmg to Figure 4, Once one panel I I has been lotted mto one stale ol an extension panel 2 I, a further panel I I may be littecl to the other side ol'lhe extension panel 2I lo male UIJ a barrier 1() to At dilterenl sizes ot openings 2() Attachment members are then placed on selected bars I2, 13 and the screws 28 are loosely tightened to Slop them falling, Ott 'I'he assembled panels 11, extension panels 21, and the attachment members 31, are oft'ered up lo the opening 42 in a wall 44 and the attachment members are slid along, the respective bars 12, 13 on which they are mounted (.shovn by the arrows) to bring them into contact with the walls that del'ine the opening 42. The screws are then ti,hiened to hold the barrier halo place and the attachment memUcrs are then secured to the walls of the opening to hold the barrier 1() hi the opemog.

Rct'ernng to Figures 5(a-c)' panels I I belonging to a set comprise panels that have the same spacing arrangement between the bars. The panels. however, differ with I..

At reg.lrd.s to either their horizontal widths or vertical heights. The panel I I ot' ... .

Figure S(a) has five vertical bars l: and three horizontal bars t3. The parcel 11 of - .

1() Figure 5(b) also has three horizontal bars 13. but only has two vertical bans 10 :.

The vertical bars 19 are the carve size HIS that ot'the panel I I of Figure 5(a), but the - - '. horizontal bars 13 are tnmc;lled to preserve the bar spacing common to that ol'the . -e panel I I of Figure 5(a). Shnl.lrly. the panel I I ot'Figule 5(c) has five vertical bars (as in the panel ol Figure 5(a)). but only two horizontal bars. The horizontal bars 13 of the panel I I ot' Figure 5(c) are the same length as that of the panel I I ot' Figure 5(a) and, U1 this case. it Is the vertical hers I2 that are truncatc(t lo preserve the spacing between the bars 13.

A set may also comprise a range ol'compliment.lry sh;lpei extension panels I 0() that may be provided to allow the panels I I of the same set to be joined together in the manner hereinbefore described. Barriers 1() can therefore be extended from a base panel size laterally in both the vertical and horizontal directions to set different size openings. 1()

Preterably, panels I I and extension pancis 2I arc availahle as part of a set as shown h1 Figurcs 5(a-c), where thc heigilt and wicith ot a panel I I anti cortesponcling exlenson panels 2I h any one sct s cllterenl trom lhose ot anolher scl. For example, the first set woultl have a panel I I \hth a maxmum heght and width of 45()mm x 3()0mrn anti one or more extension panel.s 2I havinO a bar length of 45()mm or 35()mm ant3 suitahle Icngth ol tubes 9' The seconcl set may :'.

comprise ot a panel I I of 6()()mm x 4()mn, anc3 onc or more extenson panels 2I ëe.

having a bar length of 6()()mm or 45()mm antt.suitable lenOth of tubes 99. A thirc3 . 1() set may comprise a panel I I ol dimen.sion 85()mm x 675mm, and.so on. This :.

enables the selection ot clifferent sizes of panels I I and extension panels I to fit - different sizes of openn=s in stnctures with minirilum atIdtional work. ....

Referring to Figurc there is shown a securily barrier 1() m tile tonn ot a section of a fence secured between Iwo urrnght posts 61. (2. 1 he fence may be macle of any desirec3 lenOtl1 hy postionin, and fixing sunlar harpers 1() between pairs ot posts hl 7 69. Ir1 OTreater delall, each barrcr 1() use.s a panel I I consirucled n accorclance wth that shown h1 FnTure 1 Dtlerenl len,ttis ol harner 1(). to tt between ditterent gaps bet\hcen posts hI, ('2 can he made by assembling ctitteren 9() sizes ot panets I I ancl/or extenson panels J to malve up the clesred tenglh. The barrier 1() its fixed to the respective posts (S I, f,9 by means of the attactiment members 31 (shown in Figure 3) beinO slid on to the ends of trhe horizontal bars 1 1 13. Where it is desired to fix the fence at the bottom encl of selected vertical bars, I 9, attachment members 31 may be fixed to selected vertical bars 19.

Relerrin,, to Figure 7, there is shown a security barrier 1() in the form of agate 7() secured between two support members 74, 75 that torm part ot the gate 7() The support members 74, 75 are in the form ol a ion,, strip ot rigid metal to which is wekleci a number ot tubes " similar in size and dimension to the tribes 29 ol :.

. Figure 2(a) so as to provide a connecting means hi the torch ol a slot hito which e. * *

the bars 10,13 of a panel 11 or extension panel PI can fit. e *

1() :e A connecting piece 7X as shown m li:,ure 7, is one embodiment ol comiecting, * - . means that may comprise: a hollow tube that may tit on the outside ol an A...

interconnecting bar, or in the case of hollow bars, the rods that fit within those hers The support member 75 on one side ol the gate 7() is provitletl with hinges 77 that cooperate with hinge members 7X provided on an upright post 71 located adjacent to the gate 7() Tile support member 71 on the other stoic ot the gate 7() is provided with a latch and locking mech.msm 7') that mates with a I;eepcr A) recessed into 9() another upright post 79 The gate 7() composes a panel I I attached to the tubes " ot the support member on one ol its sides attached on the other side by means ot conriectirlJ' pieces to an extension panel 2I The extension panel I is slightly different to that shown h1 Figure 2(a) in that the tubes 93 are replaced by bars 13 The extension panel 91 has one vertical bar I2 and three horizontal bars 13 The horizontal bars 13 fit into the tubes of the a.

. connecting pieces 78 and the tubes 0 ot the support member 74 e e ë 1() The extension panel I Is therefore attached lo Ille support member 74 on the : other side of the gale 7() . In the above embodiment, the panel I I of Figure 1 (a) comprises three vertical bars I2 and two horizontal bars 13 It is lo he understood that m further embodiments of the hiventiorl, a panel I I can comprise one or Norm bars I extending in the vertical direction and one or more hers 13 exiericling in the horizontal direction altilougil, to maintain a rigid stnclure, a minimum of at least two bars 1 or 13 is prelerabic 9() In further embodiments of the inventor, the bars forming the panel 11 may be spaced m a variety of ways, but it Is preferred that a uniform spacing is adopted where the distances from the end ot any bar I2, 13 to its closest respective weki poinl 15 are all equal, arid n1 the case ot two or more bars running parallel to each other, for each horizontal or vertical orientation, there is an equal spacing between the bars I or 13 ol'the same orientation on that panel The distances in the t'ormer and latter case do not need to be equal [n the above embodiments, the 12, 13 hers are joined together by method ot' welc-Jin, In further embodiments ot'the invention, other methods ol'I'ixing the bars 19, 13 to one another may he used, t'or example through use ot'screws, . adhesive or other fixing means area

SCAM . -. a

* 1() Intheaboveembodimcnt.s,the bars 12, 13aremadcot'amaterialcapableofLeing . welded (for example, steel). In t'urther embodiments Lathe mventon, the bars 10, *

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13 may be made t'rom other materials; a rigid plastic tor example 'I'he Irars 12, 13 sa _e a may be solid (i.e. do not have a cavity within them) or they may be hollow tubes, or partially hollow In the above embodiments, the means ot'ad justment ol' the harrier 1() is achieved by providing tubes capatlc ol'slidin, over the bars I 2, 13 ot'a panel (or an extension panel). It is to be understood that m l'urther embodiments ol'the invention where the bars 12/13 are hollow tubes, the same adjustability may be 9() achieved by providing rods m the place of the tubes 99 that are dimensioned to be inserted into hollow bars 19, 13. Similarly. the tubes 39 ot' the attachment members 31 may be made ot'solicl rods mstead ol' hollow tubes By way ol' example, a panel 11 may comprise a grd-lke arrangement of fixed tubes 19, 13 into which the rods 39 of an attachment member 31 may be introduced. The te<turc of adjustability its provided by the telescopic arrangement ol tubes and bars. arc 3. sea a ease ä ha < ë a era

bazaar a

Claims (7)

1. Claims An adjustable security barrier for mounting on one or more surfaces

   that define a precletermmed opening,, the harrier comprising one or more main panels made of a plurality ol fixed hers arramretl in a,rid- lil;e pattern, at least some of the bars hav ink an end that, in use, projects towards the one or more surfaces, an attachment member provided on selected bars, the attachment member behest moveable along the length of the selected bier m .

   a direction towards the one or more surfaces to a fixing position where in A. 1() use each attachment member can contact and he fixed to said one or more surfaces, and a securing means tor securing, each attachment member to its respective bar in the lixin=, position thereby to secure the barrier to the one ....CLME: : or more surfaces
2. 2 A barrier according to claim 1 further comprising, an extension panel having a pattern of bars that substantially matches and aligns with the, rici III;e paticrn ol the bars ot to panel, anti connecth- means tot connecting the extension panel to the main panel thereby to extend the main panel laterally ()
3. 3 A barrier according to claim I or claim wherein one or more bars are sol Id
4. 4. A barrier according to any one ot'claims I to 3 wherem one or more bars are hollow tubes.
5. 5. A barrier according to claim 2 wherein the connecting means are hollow tubes.

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6. 6. A barrier according to any one ot'the preceding claims wherein the attachment member comprises a fixing member for fitting to the one or e...

   : more.surtaces anti a tubular member t'or filling on to a bar of a panel. e. .

   : ' .. 1()
7. 7. A barrier according to any one ot'claims I to wherein one or more bans ..

   ol'tile main panel or the extension panel are hollow tubes and the .

   : attachment member comprises a t'ixing member for fitting to the one or more surt'aces anti a rod tor nscrtion into a selected hollow tube.

   S. A barrier according to any one ot'the preceding claims wherein there are Iwo or more confronting surl'aces defhin,g two or more sides ot'an opening and the barrier extends across u gap between the two or more conl'ronting surfaces.

   9() t). A barrier accorclin,g to clahn <S wherem the cont'ronting surfaces are walls of an opemng in a structure, and the harrier extends across the opening between at least two walls ot'the opening.

   1(). A barrier according to claim 3 wherein the confronting surfaces are sides of posts and the barrier extends across the gap between two posts.

   I I. A barrier according to claim t; wherein the confronting surfaces are sides of two side members ol a gate and the Tarter extends across the gap :, between the two side members to detinc a gate.

   19 A barrier according to clain1 11 wherein one of the side members its .

   : provided with hinge means lor connection to hinge means on an adjacent e..

   structure. .

   e I ( ) 13. A barrier according to claim I I or claim 10 wherein one of the side .

   . members is provided with a latch means tor cooperation with a keep e.

   . ..CLME: means on an adjacent structure