GB2422403A

GB2422403A - Door security device with bar and bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2422403A
Application number: GB0515705A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Graham Piper
Original assignee: FORCE ENTRY LOCKING SYSTEMS LT
Current assignee: FORCE ENTRY LOCKING SYSTEMS LT
Priority date: 2005-07-29
Filing date: 2005-07-29
Publication date: 2006-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 2025-07-29
Also published as: WO2007012873A1; GB0515705D0; EP1929111A1; GB2422403B

Abstract

A security device 1 for securing a door 50 pivotally mounted in a door frame comprises: a first bar 2 moveable relative to the door; and a first bracket 8 which supports a first end stop spaced apart from the plane of the door frame. The first bar 2 is moveable between a first position in which the first bar engages the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and limits the opening of the door; and a second position in which the first bar does not engage the first end stop when the door 50 is pivoted open and thereby allows the door to be fully opened. The device may comprise a second bar 3. Each bar 2, 3 may be located closest to the hinged edge of the door 50. The device may be operated by a key, and may allow the door to be securely held in a partially open position.

Description

SECURITY DEVICE

The present invention relates to a security device for limiting the opening of a door. In particular, it relates to a security device for securing a door partly open.

It is known to provide a security device which allows a door to be securely partially opened, in order to safely view and identify a caller outside of the door. The door is limited to opening only a small amount, and cannot be opened fully, so that a caller cannot enter through the doorway.

One such conventional device is a chain, extending between a door frame and an area adjacent to the door handle. This has the disadvantage that the chain is relatively weak, and so may be broken if a caller exerts a force on the door.

The fastenings connecting the chain to the door and the door frame are also relatively weak. Thus, an unwanted caller may be able to break through a partially open door secured with a chain.

The present invention provides a security device for securing a door pivotally mounted in a door frame, the security device comprising: a first bar moveable relative to the door; and a first bracket which supports a first end stop spaced apart from the plane of the door frame; wherein the first bar is moveable between: a first position in which the first bar engages the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and limits the opening of the door; and a second position in which the first bar does not engage the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and thereby allows the door to be fully opened.

Thus, the door can be securely held in a partially open position. This allows verification of the identity of a caller, without allowing entry of the caller through the doorway.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 is a rear elevation view of the security device of the present invention fitted to a door; Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the security device of the present invention fitted to a door; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the security device of the present invention fitted to a door; Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the security device of the present invention fitted to a door; Figure 5 is a cutaway front elevation view of the security device of the present invention; Figure 6 is perspective view of a bracket of the security device of the present invention; Figure 7 is an alternative bracket of the security device of the present invention; and Figure 8 is another alternative bracket of the security device of the present invention.

With reference to Figure 1, an inside of a conventional door 50 is shown fitted with a security device 1 of the present invention. The security device 1 comprises a lock 4 engaging with an upper bar 2 and lower bar 3. The upper and lower bars 2, 3 are moveable vertically to engage with brackets (not shown) located above and below the door 50.

The lock 50 may actuate movement of the bars 2, 3 and may also lock the bars 2, 3 in a required position.

The bars 2, 3 are maintained in a vertical orientation and secured to the door 50 by means of bushes 6, 7. The bush 6 secures bar 2, and bush 7 secures bar 3, whilst allowing the bars 2, 3 to slide vertically.

The door 50 is provided with hinges 51 in order to open by rotation about a vertical axis. The security device 1 is attached to the door 50 adjacent to the hinges 51. A doorframe 52 surrounds the door 50, and supports the hinges 51.

The security device 1 may be fitted onto a conventional external or internal door. The door 50 may already have a conventional lock 60 for locking the door in its closed position. The lock 60 is typically located on a side of the door opposite to the hinges 51.

Figure 2 shows the outside of a door 50 fitted with security device 1. The conventional lock 60 has a slot for a key in order to open the lock 60. Similarly, lock 4 comprises a slot for a key, for disengagement of the security device 1.

With reference to Figure 3, a top plan view of the door fitted with a security device 1 is shown. The door 50 is partially open and the security device 1 is engaged. The security device 1 comprises a top bracket 8 secured to the door frame 52. The bracket 8 extends from the door frame 52 in a substantially horizontal plane on the inside side of the door frame 52, adjacent to the hinges 51.

The bracket 8 is provided with an elongate slot 9, having a larger width than the upper bar 2. The slot 9 is angled such that as the door 50 opens, the bar 2 can move freely in an arc about hinge 51, within the slot 9. The bracket 8 prevents the door 50 from opening by more than a predetermined distance, when the bar 2 extends into the slot 9. When the bar 2 contacts the bracket 8 at the end of the slot 9 further movement of the bar 2 is not possible, and so the bar 2 will prevent the door 50 from being opened further.

The security device 1 thus prevents the door 50 from opening by more than approximately 100mm at the side opposite the hinge 51, when the security device 1 is engaged.

The lock 4 is provided with a handle 10 on the inside of the door. The handle 10 is connected to the lock 4 such that turning of the handle 10 will cause the upper bar 2 to move downwardly and the lower bar 3 to move upwardly. The handle 10 thus may actuate retraction of the bar 2 out of the slot 9 of the bracket 8, allowing the door to be fully opened.

With reference to figure 4, the security device 1 of the present invention is shown fitted to a conventional door in a cutaway side elevation view. A bottom bracket 12 is fitted to a bottom part of the door frame, or a floor within the door frame 52. The bottom bracket 12 may be provided with a slot 13, which extends on the inside side of the door frame 51. In a similar manner to the top bracket 8, the slot 13 may be angled to allow movement of bar 3 in an arc within the slot 13.

A top end of the upper bar 2 is slanted downwardly towards the door, and a bottom end of the lower bar 3 is slanted upwardly towards the door. The slanted ends of the bars 2,3 are positioned to contact brackets 8,12 to allow the bars 2,3 to automatically engage with the slots 9,13 when the door is closed.

Figure 5 shows a cutaway elevation view of part of the security device 1. The lock 4 comprises two coil springs 15. One spring 15 engages with upper bar 2, and one spring engages with lower bar 3. A spring 15 acts to urge the upper bar 2 in a vertically upwards direction, and the other spring 15 acts to urge the lower bar 3 in a vertically downwards direction.

The handle 10 is rotatably attached the bars 2, 3 such that a clockwise rotation of the handle 10 causes an upward movement of the lower bar 3, and a downward movement of the upper bar 2.

Figure 6 shows a bracket 8 of the present invention suitable for timber doors and doorframes. The bracket 8 may be securely fastened to a doorframe in which the door is received entirely within the doorframe, the bracket 8 being secured in the rebate of the doorframe. The bracket 8 comprises 3 integrally formed laminar parts, vertical section 16, horizontal section 17 and slot section 18.

Vertical section 16 and horizontal section 17 form an L- shape. The broad surfaces of the sections 16, 17 are perpendicular to each other. The three sections 16, 17 and 18 are mutually perpendicular to each other.

The vertical section 16 and horizontal section 17 are formed with holes 19 for receiving screws or other fastenings. The holes 19 may be countersunk so that a head of a fastening screw does not protrude above the surface of the bracket 8. Slot section 18 defines the slot 9,13.

When located on a door frame, vertical section 16 is fastened to an, inner, vertical section of a door frame, facing away from the hinge 51. The horizontal section 17 is fastened to a top, inner, surface of the door frame 52, facing downwardly. The slot section 18 then extends horizontally on the inside side of the door frame 52.

The bracket 8 may be used as the lower bracket 12 on any type of door. The vertical section 16 is fastened to an inner, vertical rebate of the doorframe. The horizontal section 17 may be secured to a bottom, inner horizontal surface of the doorframe, however it is not essential to secure the horizontal section 17 if the material of the doorframe or floor is unsuitable. The slot section 18 then extends horizontally on the inside side of the door frame 52.

Figure 7 shows an alternate bracket 108 for use on PVC doors, but can be used on any type of door or doorframe.

The bracket 108 is used in preference to the bracket 8 on PVC type doors since a PVC door typically overlaps the doorframe in order to create a seal. The door is thus not entirely received within the doorframe, and the overlap may prevent the use of bracket 8.

The bracket 108 comprises three integrally formed laminar parts, namely vertical section 116, horizontal section 117 and slot section 118. Vertical section 116 and horizontal section 117 form an L-shape. The broad surfaces of the sections 116, 117 are in the same plane. The three sections 116, 117 and 118 are mutually perpendicular to each other.

The vertical section 116 and horizontal section 117 may be provided with holes 119 to receive screws or other fastenings. The holes 119 may be countersunk so that a head of a screw does not extend above the surface of the bracket 108. Slot section 118 defines the slot 9,13.

When the bracket 108 is fastened to a door frame, the vertical section 116 is fastened to a vertical part of the door frame, facing into the room in which the door opens.

The horizontal section 117 is fastened to the top, or alternatively the bottom, horizontal part of the door frame, in a vertical plane, also facing into the room in the direction that the door opens. The slot section 118 therefore extends inwardly into the room, extending in a horizontally. The bracket 108 is fastened on the hinge side of the door.

The bracket 108 may be used on any type of doorframe, as the top or bottom bracket. The bracket 8 may be preferred where its use is possible because the bracket 8 is less visible when fitted, and may be fastened more securely to the doorframe.

Figure 8 shows a further alternative bracket 208 of the present invention. The bracket 208 comprises a planar back 216, which can be fixed in a vertical plane to the doorframe adjacent the hinges by screws or other fastenings. A slot section 218 extends perpendicularly from the centre of the back. The slot section 218 is formed in a U-shape in a horizontal plane, its ends rigidly fixed to the back 208.

The slot section 218 defines the slot 9,13. The bracket 208 may be fastened to the top, horizontal part of the doorframe, or a lower, horizontal part of the doorframe, facing into the room in which the door opens.

In use, the security device 1 provides a secure means to identify a caller. When the door 50 is closed, the upper bar 2 is urged upwardly into slot 9 of bracket 8 by a spring 15. The lower bar 3 is urged into slot 13 of bracket 12 by a spring 15. When the door is in this fully closed position, the conventional lock 60 typically locks the door closed. The security device 1 does not act to lock the door 50 in the fully closed position.

In order to identify a caller, the conventional lock 60 is disengaged, allowing the door 50 to begin to open. The upper bar 2 is engaged in slot 9, and slides within slot 9.

The lower bar 3 is engaged with slot 13, and slides within slot 13.

When the bar 2, 3 reach the end of their respective slots 9, 13, they are prevented from sliding further since the brackets 8, 12 are securely attached to the door frame 52. The door 50 is thus held in a partially open, or ajar, position by the bars 2, 3 engaged in the brackets 8, 12. In this position, there is a distance of approximately 100mm between the door 50 and door frame 52 at the side of the door away from the hinge 51. The caller can then be clearly identified. If the caller attempts to force the door 50 open at this stage, the security device 1 will prevent the door from opening any wider.

If the caller is entitled to use the door 50, the handle 10 is turned clockwise by the user. The handle 10 actuates the lock 4 to lower the upper bar 2 and raise the lower bar 3. The bars 2, 3 therefore move out of engagement with the slots 9, 13. The door can then be fully opened.

When the door 50 is to be closed again, the user releases the handle 10. The springs 15 urge the upper bar 2 upwardly, and the lower bar 3 downwardly. The angled distal ends of the bars 2, 3 will engage with the brackets 8, 12, and force the upper bar 2 downwardly and lower bar 3 upwardly. Once the bars 2, 3 are again aligned within the slots 9, 13, the springs will again urge the upper bar 2 upwardly, and the lower bar 3 downwardly to engage the slots 9, 13. The security device 1 thus automatically engages when the door is pushed shut. The door can then be fully closed, and locked with conventional lock 60.

- 10 - The bars 2,3 and brackets 8,12,108,208 may be formed of steel, particularly mild steel, or any material suitable to withstand a force to maintain the door in a partially open position.

Although the security device 1 above is described as having two bars 2, 3, the security device may only comprise one bar, either an upper bar or a lower bar.

The bars 2,3 are shown as being offset laterally from each other. The upper bar 2 may alternatively be positioned vertically above the lower bar 3.

The security device 1, or a door comprising security device 1, may be fitted in a residential property, at any of the front, side or rear external doors. It may also be used with internal doors if necessary. The security device may also be fitted on the doors of a trailer of a heavy goods vehicle, or in an aeroplane. The security device 1 may also be of use in Government buildings or in prisons, or anywhere requiring a secure doorway.

Claims

- 11 - Claims 1. A security device for securing a door pivotally mounted

in a door frame, the security device comprising: a first bar moveable relative to the door; and a first bracket which supports a first end stop spaced apart from the plane of the door frame; wherein the first bar is moveable between: a first position in which the first bar engages the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and limits the opening of the door; and a second position in which the first bar does not engage the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and thereby allows the door to be fully opened.
2. The security device of claim 1 further comprising a second bar moveable relative to the door; and a second bracket which supports a second end stop spaced apart from the plane of the door frame; wherein the second bar is moveable between: a first position in which the second bar engages the second end stop when the door is pivoted open and thereby limits the opening of the door; and a second position in which the second bar does not engage with the second end stop when the door is pivoted open and thereby allows the door to be fully opened.
3. The security device of claim 1 or 2 wherein each bar extends parallel to an axis of rotation of the door.
4. The security device of claim 3 wherein each bar extends vertically.

- 12 -
5. The security device of any one of the preceding claims wherein each bar is located closer to the hinged side of the door than the free side of the door.
6. The security device of any one of the preceding claims further comprising a locking means coupled to the or both bar(s), the locking means being operable to lock the or both bar(s) in the first position(s) thereof.
7. The security device of claim 6 wherein the locking means comprises spring means for urging the or both bar(s) into the first position(s) thereof.
8. The security device of claim 6 or 7 wherein the locking means comprises a locking mechanism activated by a key.
9. The security device for any one of claims 6, 7 or 8 wherein the locking means comprises a handle coupled to the or both bar(s), such that rotation of the handle urges the or both bar(s) from the first position(s) to the second position(s) thereof.
10. The security device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the first bracket comprises a slot in which the first bar is slidable, the slot having a closed end which forms the first end stop.
11. The security device of claim 2 and all claims dependent on claim 2 wherein the second bracket comprises a slot in which the second bar is slidable, the slot having a closed end which forms the second end stop.

- 13 -
12. The security device of any one of the preceding claims wherein each bracket comprises a first part for attaching to a door frame; and a second part extending outside the plane of the door frame.
13. The security device of claim 12 wherein the first part of each bracket means is L-shaped.
14. The security device of claim 13 wherein each bracket is formed of a laminar material and the second part of each bracket extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the laminar material of the first part.
15. The security device of claim 13 wherein: each bracket is formed of a laminar material; the first part of each bracket is formed of a first section and a second section: the second part of each bracket is connected to the second section of the first part of each bracket; the first section and second section of each bracket are perpendicular to each other; and the second part of each bracket extends perpendicular to the second section of each bracket.
16. A security door for safely identifying a caller, comprising: a door pivotally mounted in a door frame; a first bar moveable relative to the door; and a first bracket for supporting a first end stop spaced apart from the plane of the door frame; wherein the first bar is moveable between a first position in which the first bar engages with the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and thereby limits - 14 - opening of the door and a second position in which the first door opens not engage with the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and this allows the door to open fully.
17. A security door as claimed in claim 16 further comprising a second bar moveable relative to the door; and a second bracket for supporting a the second end stop spaced apart from the plane of the door frame; wherein the second bar is moveable between a first position in which the second bar engages with the second end stop when the door is pivoted open and thus limits opening of the door and a second position in which the door does not engage with the second end stop.
18. The security door of claim 16 or claim 17 wherein each bar extends parallel to an axis of rotation of the door.
19. The security door of claim 18 wherein the each bar extends vertically.
20. A security door substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

444 ARiE, SP

20. The security door of any one of claims 16 to 19 wherein each bar and each bracket are located nearer the hinge side of the door than the free side of the door.

21. A security device for a door substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

22. A security door substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

646484, ARHB, VSP Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: 1. A security device for securing a door pivotally mounted in a door frame, the security device comprising: a first bar moveable relative to the door; and a first bracket which supports a first end stop spaced apart from the plane of the door frame; erein the first bar is moveable between: a first position in which the first bar engages the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and limits the opening of the door; and a second position in which the first bar does not engage the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and thereby allows the door to be fully opened; wherein the first bar is located closer to the hinged side of the door than the free side of the door.

2. The security device of claim 1 further comprising a second bar moveable relative to the door; and a second bracket which supports a second end stop spaced apart from the plane of the door frame; wherein the second bar is moveable between: a first poslLion in which the second bar engages the second end stop when the door is pivoted open and thereby limits the opening of the door; and a second position in which the second bar does not engage with the second end stop when the door is pivoted open and thereby allows the door to be fully opened; wherein the second bar is located closer to the hinged side of the door than the free side of the door.

3. The security device of claim 1 or 2 wherein the or each bar extends parallel to an axis of rotation of the door.

4. The security device of claim 3 wherein the or each bar extends vertically.

The scur T (Cr1 ( (f nj r nrnH 1G ol ci ms 1 -. - further comprising a locking means coupled to the or both bar(s), the locking means being operable to lock the or both bar(s) in the first position(s) thereof.

6. The security device of claim 5 wherein the locking means comprises spring means for urging the or both bar(s) into the first position(s) thereof.

7. The security device of claim 5 or 6 wherein the locking means comprises a locking mechanism activated by a key.

8. The security device for any one of claims 5, 6 or 7 wherein the locking means comprises a handle coupled to the or both bar(s), such that rotation of the handle urges the S or both bar(s) from the first position(s) to the second position(s) thereof.

9. The security device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the first bracket comprises a slot in which the first bar is slidable, the slot having a closed end which forms the first end stop.

10. The security device of claim 2 or any preceding claim dependent on claim 2 wherein the second bracket comprises a slot in which the second bar is slidable, the slot having a closed end which forms the second end stop.

Il. The security device of claim 2 or any one of the preceding claims dependent on claim 2 wherein each bracket comprises a first part for attaching to a door frame; and a second part extending outside the plane of the door frame.

12. The security device of claim 11 wherein the first part of each bracket means is L-shaped.

13. The security device of claim 12 wherein each bracket is formed of a laminar matera1 and the second part of each bracket extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the laminar material of the first part.

14. The security device of claim 12 wherein: each bracket is formed of a laminar material; the first part of each bracket is formed of a first section and a second section: the second part of each bracket is connected to the second section of the first part of each bracket; the first section and second section of each bracket are perpendicular to each other; and the second part of each bracket extends perpendicular to the second section of each bracket.

15. A security door for safely identifying a caller, comprising: a door pivotally mounted in a door frame; a first bar moveable relative to the door; and a first bracket for supporting a first end stop spaced apart from the plane of the door frame; wherein the first bar is moveable between a first position in which the first bar engages with the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and thereby limits opening of the door and a second position in which the first bar does not engage with the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and thus allows the door to open fully; wherein the first bar and the first bracket are located nearer the hinge side of the door than the free side of the door.

16. A security door as claimed in claim 15 further comprising a second bar moveable relative to the door; and a second bracket for supporting a the second end stop spaced apart from the pLane of the docr frame; wherein the second bar is moveable between a first position iti which the second bar engages with the second arid stop when the door is pivoted open and thus limits opening of the door and a second position in which the door does not engage with the second end stop; wherein the second bar and the second bracket are located nearer the hinge side of the door than the free side of the door.

17. The security door of cjairn 15 or claim 16 wherein the or each bar extends parallel to an axis of rotation of the door.

18. The security door of claim 17 wherein the or each bar extends vertically.

19. A security device for a door substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.