GB2440539A

GB2440539A - Security device to prevent operation of window catch

Info

Publication number: GB2440539A
Application number: GB0615570A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Freeman Christopher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-08-05
Filing date: 2006-08-05
Publication date: 2008-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-05
Also published as: GB2440539B; GB0615570D0

Abstract

A window catch security device comprising an attachment member, for example a tubular member, which is placed over the window catch lever or handle 2 and prevents the lever 2 from being rotated. The device may connect two levers 2 together and can be held in place by a spring-loaded mechanism (Fig 5) which can be released only by someone inside the vehicle. The device may be also used with windows where there is only one catch lever: the attachment member then has a 90 degree bend 15 at one end which contacts with the window ledge preventing rotation of the lever 2. The window catch security device is designed to be used with the pivoting window handles found in a caravan or motorhome.

Description

I

CARAVAJsJ / MOTORJjo WINDOW SECURITy DEVICE The invention relates to a device which prevents conventional caravan or motorhome window catches on living area windows being opened from the outside by thieves who are then able to open the windows and gain entry.

The device includes a method of securing the widow catches by using tubing which slides over the exisiting catch levers (handles) and linking them together so that they cannot be turned. There is also a spring loaded mechanism which locks the tubing in place without the need for a key.

The vast majority of caravan and motorhome windows are secured using a catch which is turned through 90 degrees and against a lug which prevents the window from being opened, There is normally no means of locking the catch in this position.

Unfortunately, there have been cases reported where a thief inserting a thin piece of material between the window and the window frame from the outside and then pushing the catches open thus gaining entry into the vehicle.

The object of this invention is to prevent the catches from being turned and unlatched by anyone from outside of the vehicle.

Accordingly, the invention provides a means of connecting two catches together inside the caravan / motorhome so that neither of them can be turned.

Smaller windows sometimes have only one catch and the device has been adapted in a different vesion to take this into consideration whilst using the same principle.

Furthermore there is a spring-loaded mechanism which locks the device in place and which can only be released easily by someone inside the vehicle.

This is needed in order that (a) the device cannot be pushed off or unlocked from the outside and (b) the device does not slide off through vibration when the vehicle is in motion.

This incorperates a quick release mechanism with no keys needed so that windows can be opened quickly if required in an emergency.

Preferably the device will be made largely from alloy tubing and aluminium components in order to reduce weight, although some plastic materials, particularly in the locking mechanism might be appropriate.

The device should be easily visible from the outside in order to provide a deterent to a would-be thief but should not be unsightly. A warning label on the device or in the window may be enough to facilitate this.

The invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 Shows the method of operation of a standard window catch.

Figure Ia Shows a caravan window with the device in place over two catches.

Figure 2 Shows how the device is fitted over a window catch.

Figure 3 Shows the spring loaded locking mechanism in place.

Figure 4 Shows how the device fits over two window catches and ties them together.

Figure 5 Shows the spring loaded mechanism which locks' the device in place.

Figure 6 Shows an alternative design for use on a single window catch.

Figure 6a Shows a pictorial view of this modification.

Figure 7 Shows an alternative locking' mechanism.

As shown in Figure 1, the standard window catch, as fitted to the majority of caravans and motorhomes, is operated by turning the lever from its vertical open position (1) through 90 degrees until it rests aganst the catch on the window ledge (3) and beocomes horizontal (2).

Figure Ia shows a caravan window where the device has been placed over two window catches so that neither can be operated, Figure 2 shows how the tubular device has a slot (5) cut into it so that it can be slipped over a window catch (2).The device is held in place by the spring loaded mechanism (4) which can be moved inside the tubing until it rests against the catch preventing removal.

Figure 3 shows the device in the locked position where the bolt' (9) is held against the catch by a spring after the mechanism has been moved by means of a pin (11) in a slot (8) and then turned slightly to lock it in posistion against the pressure of the spring. (As later decsribed in Fig 5).

The tubing has been compressed or shaped at the end from being circular (6) to being oval (7) in order to fit over the catch.

Figure 4 shows the device fitted over two window catches. The other end has also been shaped or flattened into an oval pattern in order to slip over the catch (10).

When locked in this position, neither catch can be rotated.

The device can be ideally made from light alloy or possibly plastic tubing. The length of the device can be made to fit a variety of window configurations according to the distance between the catches. Furthermore the user can adjust the device to fit their window by cutting the tubing to the correct length if needed.

Figure 5 shows how the operating pin (11) can be moved along in the slot until it can be turned slightly into a notch (13) where it will be held in place by the spring (12) which lies between the two sections of the bolt.

The longer part of the bolt has flats machined on both sides to enable it to slide within the oval shape at the end of the tubing.

Figure 6 illustrates a modified device which can be fitted to a smaller window which may only have one catch. In this case, tubing is bent through 90 degrees (15) so that the end, protected with a plastic cover (16), will rest agains the window ledge.

The locking mechanism as shown in Figure 3 can be used to hold the device in place.

Figure 6a is a pictorial view of this modification.

Figure 7 shows an alternative and less complex design for the locking mechanism where a spring steel or plastic strip (17) is attached to the side of the device and has a pin (18) fixed to the movable end. The pin can be pulled out from a hole in the tubing against the force of the spring' (19) in order to lock or release the device, the pin preventing the device from being slipped off the catch.

Claims

cLAIMS A caravanlmotorhome window catch securing device comprising an

attachment which fits over the exisiting catch levers preventing them from being turned and incorperating a means of holding the device in place so that it cannot be removed from outside the vehicle or dislodge itself through movement of the vehicle.
2.

A caravarl/motorhome window catch securing device according to claim I, in which the device consists of tubing which has been shaped at its ends and has a slot which enables it to be placed over the catch lever(s). The device is held in place by a spring-loaded mechanjsm which can be released easily only by someone inside the vehicle but cannot be easily released from outside of the vehicle.
3.

A caravan/motorhome window catch securing device according to claims I and 2 which connects two catches together in order to prevent them from being turned. The device may be cut to length to accommodate different spacing of catches on different sizes of window.
4.

A Caravan/motorhome window catch securing device according to claims I and 2 which has been adapted so that it can be used where smaller windows have only a single catch. The tubing has a 90 degree bend incorperated in the design so that it can rest on the window ledge and help to keep the device in place.
5.

A caravan/motorhome window catch securing device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the springloaded locking mechanism is provided inside the tubing where the mechanism is moved against the catch lever and turned to latch in a slot, the spring holding it in place until released.
6.

A caravan]motorhome window catch securing device according to claims 1,2,3 and 4, in which the spring-loaded locking mechanism is provided on the outside of the tubing where a locking pin is temporarily held out against the spring action of a suitable material until the device is placed over the catch(es). It can be realesed by reversing the process.