GB2531990A

GB2531990A - Securing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2531990A
Application number: GB1415866.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: A White David
Original assignee: LOXAL SECURITY Ltd
Current assignee: LOXAL SECURITY Ltd
Priority date: 2014-09-08
Filing date: 2014-09-08
Publication date: 2016-05-11
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-08
Also published as: WO2016038337A1; GB2531990B; GB201415866D0

Abstract

Apparatus 1 for securing a building opening such as a door, window or gate, having a main body 2, a plurality of primary apertures 6 for receiving locking elements and a locking mechanism, preferably button 4, for centrally retaining locking elements. The locking elements may be in the form of a bar (20, Fig. 5a) for extending through two aligned apertures 6, cable (22, Fig 5B) having mushroom shaped element (23) or padlock type hooks (24, Fig. 5C) having ends (26) for extending into secondary apertures 7. The button 4 may be spring biased out of the main body 2 and have locking arms (13, Fig. 4) for retaining the locking elements. Solenoid (15, Fig. 4) may have a spring biased locking pin (14) for retaining the button 4 in the locked position. There may be a mounting plate 3 for attachment to the back of the door for securing the apparatus to the door. There may be a keypad 5, data transfer interface 30, circuit board and processor (16, 17, Fig. 2) for controlling the solenoid to withdraw the locking pin. Allows access for estate agents, workmen etc. to unoccupied house, flat, etc. e.g. when for sale.

Description

Securing Apparatus The present invention concerns securing apparatus and more particularly such apparatus used to secure access points such as openings of buildings.

In this connection, commercial and residential properties are often left vacant when unoccupied, either pending refurbishment or occupancy by new tenant/owner. Access to such properties is often needed on a relatively regular basis by different people, for example, letting agents and tradesmen, but the property needs to be kept secure between such visits.

Securing such properties can be problematic where for example the property has a number of different access points, for example doors, and gates, of varying security, dimensions and security robustness. For example, the property may have a conventional front door that can be secured comparatively easily, as well as a gated door that has large gaps between the separate doors when shut.

As a result, an engineer attending such properties assigned with the task of securing different access points and openings must carry with him various types of securing apparatus, such as boarding, plates, bars, padlocks, hooks and chains, to cover all the possibilities.

The present invention seeks to alleviate the problems with such arrangements.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for securing a building opening or access point, the apparatus comprising: a main body having:-a first primary aperture for receiving a locking element; a second primary aperture for receiving a further locking element; each locking element being detachably lockable within said main body; wherein the first and second primary apertures are provided around the periphery of the main body. In this manner, the apparatus can be used in a plurality configurations for securing an opening or access point.

Preferably, the primary apertures comprise sleeve members extending into the main body. Such sleeve members act to guide and secure the locking element within the main body.

Conveniently, four primary apertures are provided around the edge of the main body, at 90' to one another. As such, the apparatus provides a locking point at 360° around its periphery.

Preferably, opposing primary apertures are aligned for receiving a bar member extending through the main body from one side to the other. In this way, a bar member can be securely attached, that extends outwardly from opposing sides of the apparatus.

Conveniently, the main body houses a central locking means for engaging with any locking elements suitably positioned in said primary apertures. The central locking means can be used to simultaneously secure any such locking elements.

Preferably, said central locking means comprises a movable locking member having one or more locking arms for engaging rebates provided in one or more locking elements.

Conveniently, said central locking means comprises a button that protrudes from a front face of the main body.

Preferably, said central locking means is biased out of said main body but once depressed, is lockable in a locked position by way of a locking pin that is biased to engage the central locking means but which can be retracted out of engagement to release the central locking means. Conveniently, the central locking means has a recess for receiving the locking pin.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a control means for controlling activation and deactivation of the central locking means.

Conveniently, the apparatus further comprises a data input means on the exterior of the apparatus for inputting data. This can take the form of a keypad.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a data transfer interface for transferring data to and from the apparatus. The apparatus may include wireless technology for communicating therewith.

Conveniently, the apparatus further comprises one or more secondary apertures associated with each said primary aperture. These may be used in conjunction with the primary apertures for securely mounting certain forms of locking elements.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a backing plate for securing to the rear of the main body.

Conveniently, the apparatus further comprises a bar locking element for extending through the main body and protruding from either side thereof, the bar locking element having a stepped central section for engaging the central locking means. Such a bar is particularly useful for securing openings where, for example, closed doors have significant gaps therebetween.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises one or more hook locking elements, each having a stepped locking section at one end for extending into a primary aperture and engaging the central locking means, the other end extending into a secondary aperture associated with the primary aperture.

Conveniently, the apparatus further comprises a cable locking element having a locking element at each end of a cable, each locking element being provided with a stepped locking section.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising the apparatus as defined above, together with the bar, hook and cable locking elements as defined above.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a locking assembly for attaching at or adjacent a building access point or opening, the assembly comprising:-a main body having a plurality of apertures for receiving one or more locking elements, at least two of said apertures being aligned for allowing a locking element to pass through the main body and extend outwardly from either side of the assembly; and a locking mechanism for releasably locking any locking elements suitably positioned within assembly in place, the locking mechanism comprising a locking means that projects substantially centrally through the main body for engaging each locking element.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:-Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention with an upper assembly removed; Figure 3 shows a bottom assembly of the apparatus of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism of the present invention; and Figures 5A, 5B and 5C show views of locking components in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus 1 comprises a main body 2 which houses the various components of the apparatus. The apparatus is configured for mounting to the face of a door or gate or other access point or building opening. A mounting plate 3 can in this respect be mounted on the rear face of the door or other building opening with security bolts (not shown) passing through the plate, the door and attaching to the main body. As such the apparatus can be securely mounted to an opening quickly and easily.

The top cover of the apparatus includes a locking button 4 and a keypad 5 for inputting data, for example opening access codes.

On each side of the main body are main apertures 6 and secondary apertures 7. The main apertures are configured to receive locking components as shown for example in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C. Each of these components includes a locking element 9 in the form of a stepped or crenulated bar section. The locking elements are arranged to extend through the apertures 6 and into sleeves 10 of a lower assembly 11 provided in the main body as shown in Figure 3.

An upper assembly 12, shown in Figure 2 includes locking button 4 which can move vertically relative to the top cover and the upper assembly 12. As shown in Figure 4, in a depressed position, the locking arms 13 of the button 4 engage with the stepped bar section of any locking components suitably positioned within the apparatus. The button is naturally biased upwardly to disengage from the locking components, but is lockable in position by locking pin 14 driven by solenoid 15. The pin is naturally biased to lock the button in position, and retracts to allow movement of the locking button 4 on receipt of a suitable command.

In this connection, as shown in Figure 2, the upper assembly includes a circuit board 16 having suitable processors 17 for controlling the activation of the pin 14. The button is provided with suitable sensors to ensure the pin 14 is activated on attempted depression of the button, once an acceptable access code has been entered on the keypad 5.

The upper assembly further comprises a battery 18 for powering the various components. A ribbon cable 19 connects the keypad 5 and any sensors provided to the button 4 on the top cover to the circuit board 16.

The main body has four main apertures 6, one provided on each side face of the cover. This allows for a multitude of locking possibilities. For example the bar member 20 shown in Figure 5A can pass right through the main body so that the arms 21 project outwardly from each side. This can be particularly useful when securing a gate or double door where the doors do not come together as closely as would be desired. With the bar in position the button is depressed locking its arms 13 in the stepped sections of the bar, thereby securing the bar in position. The locking pin engages in the button, thereby locking the button 4 in the depressed position, securing the bar in place.

Figure 5B shows a cable lock 22 which locking element ends 23. These can be positioned in any of the four apertures to suit orientation requirements.

Figure 5C shown hook bars 24 whose locking element ends 25 engage in any of the main apertures 6 as desired, and whose hook ends 26 engage in one of the appropriate secondary apertures 7. As such, closed loops are created which can be used for anchoring padlocks, chains etc. In the preferred embodiment, four main apertures are provided on four sides at 900 to one another. As such the apparatus affords flexibility to the orientation of locking components to be used therewith. It will be appreciated however that a different number of main apertures can be provided to suit requirements.

The apparatus may include a data transfer interface 30 for allowing transfer of data to and from the device. The apparatus may further include wireless technology for such communication. The apparatus may include motion detection sensors and can further be integrated into an alarm network where, for example, attempted tampering of the apparatus is notified locally by way of audible alarms and lights and/or to a remote monitoring system. The apparatus may include memory recordal means for recording times and nature of data entry on the keypad, such data being transferrable a remote control station. Further, the access codes for allowing unlocking of the locking mechanism may be programmed and updated remotely to allow access to specific persons at specific times as required.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. Apparatus for securing a building opening or access point, the apparatus comprising: a main body having:-a first primary aperture for receiving a locking element; a second primary aperture for receiving a locking element; each locking element being detachably lockable within said main body; wherein the first and second primary apertures are provided around the periphery of the main body.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the primary apertures comprise sleeve members extending into the main body.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein four primary apertures are provided around the edge of the main body, at 90° to one another.
4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein opposing primary apertures are aligned for receiving a bar member extending through the main body from one side to the other.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the main body houses a central locking means for engaging with any locking elements suitably positioned in said primary apertures.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said central locking means comprises a movable locking member having one or more locking arms for engaging rebates provided in one or more locking elements.
7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said central locking means comprises a button that protrudes from a front face of the main body.
8. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein said central locking means is biased out of said main body but once depressed, is lockable in a locked position by way of a locking pin that is biased to engage the central locking means but which can be retracted out of engagement to release the central locking means.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the central locking means has a recess for receiving the locking pin.
10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 9, further including a control means for controlling activation and deactivation of the central locking means.
11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a data input means on the exterior of the apparatus for inputting data.
12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a data transfer interface for transferring data to and from the apparatus.
13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more secondary apertures associated with each said primary aperture.
14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a backing plate for securing to the rear of the main body.
15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a bar locking element for extending through the main body and protruding from either side thereof, the bar locking element having a stepped central section for engaging the central locking means.
16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more hook locking elements, having a stepped locking section at one end for extending into a primary aperture and engaging the central locking means, the other end extending into a secondary aperture associated with the primary aperture.
17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a cable locking element having a locking element at each end, each provided with a stepped locking section.
18. A kit of parts comprising the apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 14, together with the bar, hook and cable locking elements of claims 15 to 17.
19. A locking assembly for attaching at or adjacent a building access point or opening, the assembly comprising:-a main body having a plurality of apertures for receiving one or more locking elements, at least two of said apertures being aligned for allowing a locking element to pass through the main body and extend outwardly from either side of the assembly; a locking mechanism for releasably locking any locking elements suitably positioned within assembly in place, the locking mechanism comprising a locking means that projects substantially centrally through the main body for engaging each locking element.
20. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
21. A kit of parts substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
22. A locking assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings;