GB2552902A

GB2552902A - An anti-tamper fitting

Info

Publication number: GB2552902A
Application number: GB1713692.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wang Kuei-Yung
Original assignee: Nan Ya Plastics Corp
Current assignee: Nan Ya Plastics Corp
Priority date: 2017-08-25
Filing date: 2017-08-25
Publication date: 2018-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2037-08-25
Also published as: GB201713692D0; GB2552902B

Abstract

An anti-tamper fitting 200 is provided for use in a frame 101. The fitting has a body 202, including a retainer 203 projecting therefrom, for embracing a pane of glass installed in said frame. It also has an anchor portion 201 projecting away from the body to bear against the frame, thereby preventing relative movement of the body and said frame in at least one direction 301. The anchor may include a bend (207, fig 2B) and may be flexible to allow location into the frame. In other aspects a frame and/or a bead is also provided. One or more anti-tamper fittings may be installed at intervals along the frame member. The anti-tamper fitting may serve to guard against the unauthorised removal of a pane of glass from its surrounding frame.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: An anti-tamper fitting Abstract Title: Anti-tamper fitting (57) An anti-tamper fitting 200 is provided for use in a frame 101. The fitting has a body 202, including a retainer 203 projecting therefrom, for embracing a pane of glass installed in said frame. It also has an anchor portion 201 projecting away from the body to bear against the frame, thereby preventing relative movement of the body and said frame in at least one direction 301. The anchor may include a bend (207, fig 2B) and may be flexible to allow location into the frame. In other aspects a frame and/or a bead is also provided. One or more anti-tamper fittings may be installed at intervals along the frame member. The anti-tamper fitting may serve to guard against the unauthorised removal of a pane of glass from its surrounding frame.

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- 1 AN ANTI-TAMPER FITTING

The present invention relates to an anti-tamper fitting for use with a frame, for example particularly, but not exclusively, a frame that receives and holds a pane of glass .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Windows and doors are movable barriers secured in an opening through a building wall for the purpose of providing access to the inside of a building structure. Windows can also serve the function of permitting vision through opaque barriers such as doors and walls. The combination of the two would provide a barrier with certain degree of vision.

However the presence of a window weakens the function of the door or wall as a barrier. The bead holding the pane of glass to the frame is designed to be removable. This adds to the factors that debilitate the function of the door or wall as a barrier to fence off unauthorized access through the opening that it guards.

The pane of glass although are usually tempered glass can only withstand certain degree of forceful tampering. It is breakable and requires replacement. The bead holding the pane of glass to the frame has to be removable for the replacement. The connection between the bead and the frame may be considered a weak link.

The invention seeks to eliminate or at least to mitigate such shortcomings by providing conventional frame for use in receiving and holding a pane of glass.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

-2In a first aspect of the invention there is provided an anti-tamper fitting for use in a frame, comprising a body having a retainer projecting therefrom for embracing a pane of glass installed in said frame and an anchor with at least a portion that extends and projects away from the body to bear against said frame thereby preventing relative movement of the body and said frame in at least one direction for retaining a said pane against dislodgement; in one embodiment, the anchor includes a first portion connected to a second portion through a bend, which defines an internal angle between the portions; furthermore, the internal angle is greater than 90 degree; it may be preferable that, the internal angle is 129 degree; it would be advantageous that, the first portion of the anchor projects away from the body while the second portion of the anchor runs substantially parallel to the body; it may be preferable that the second portion is integrally formed with the body in at least a first dimension; furthermore, the second portion is spaced apart from the body in at least a second dimension which offers flexibility for manoeuvre of the first portion; It may be preferable that the retainer and the body define an internal angle of about 90 degree.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a frame member comprising at least one anti-tamper fitting having a body having a retainer projecting therefrom for embracing a pane of glass installed in said frame and an anchor with at least a portion that extends and projects away from the body to bear against said frame member thereby preventing relative movement of the body and said frame member in at least one direction for retaining a said pane against dislodgement; in an embodiment of the invention, the frame member includes a continuous structure that extends along length of the frame member for coupling with the anchor; it may be preferable that the continuous structure comprises an end wall of a

-3 continuous recess to which the anchor abuts for preventing relative movement of the frame member and the fitting away from one another in at least one direction; it would be advantageous that the continuous recess is shaped universally for coupling with the anchor and a second coupler member of a bead; Furthermore, two or more anti-tamper fitting which are separately arranged along length of the continuous structure at intervals; It would be more preferable that the frame includes a pair of opposite sides each being installed with an anti-tamper fitting, the two anti-tamper fittings are provided on respective opposite sides and at corresponding positions.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a frame comprising a frame member, a bead and at least one anti-tamper fitting having a body having a retainer projecting therefrom for embracing a pane of glass installed in said frame and an anchor with at least a portion that extends and projects away from the body to bear against said frame member thereby preventing relative movement of the body and said frame member in at least one direction for retaining a said pane against dislodgement; In an embodiment of the invention, the frame member includes a first coupler member for receiving an anchor of the anti-tamper fitting and a second coupler member of the bead for securing a pane of glass between the frame member and the bead; It may be preferable that the first coupler member receives the anchor and the second coupler member which are arrange in sequence along length of the first coupler member.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an anti-tamper fitting for securing a pane in a frame of a closure, comprising a body for insertion in a first direction into a space between a said pane and a said frame; a retainer projecting from the body for engaging a said pane in the first direction to retain a said pane

-4against dislodgement from a said frame in a second direction opposite the first direction; and an anchor projecting from the body for engaging a part of a said frame in the second direction upon insertion of the body and itself riding past the part of a said frame in the first direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1A is a front view of a frame member in a window f rame;

Figure IB shows a cross-sectional view of the frame member in Figure 1A taken along line A-A;

Figure 1C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one side of the frame member taken along line A-A of Figure 1A;

Figure ID is a front view of a bead for coupling to the frame member in Figure 1A;

Figure IE is a top plan view of the bead in Figure ID;

Figure IF is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one side of the bead taken along line B-B in Figure IE;

Figure 2A is a front view of the anti-tamper fitting Figure 1C and Figure ID with preferred dimensions;

Figure 2B is a side view of the anti-tamper fitting in Figure 2A with preferred dimensions;

Figure 2C is a side view of the anti-tamper fitting in

-5 Figure 2B showing angular measurement of the fitting;

Figures 2D and 2E are the perspective views of the antitamper fitting in Figure 2A;

Figures 3A to 3E are consecutive cross sectional views of the anti-tamper fitting, the frame member and/or the bead in Figures 1A to 2D, showing the installation of the anti-tamper fitting and the bead to the frame member;

Figure 4 is an illustrative view showing cross-sectional view of the frame member and the anti-tamper fitting installed with said frame member as in Figure 3C;

Figure 5 is an illustrative perspective view of a part of the frame member installed with the anti-tamper fitting and the bead in position ready to be coupled with the frame member;

Figure 6 is an illustrative perspective view of the frame member, the anti-tamper fitting and the bead in Figure 3E, together forming a frame;

Figure 7 is an illustrative side view of the frame in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an illustrative drawing of the frame in Figure 6 showing an example of a specific arrangement of the anti-tamper fitting;

Figure 9A	is a	cross-sectional	view	of	the	frame	taken
along line	B' -B	of Figure 8; and
Figure 9B	is a	cross-sectional	view	of	the	frame	taken
along line	C' -c	of Figure 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

-6Referring to Figure 1A of the drawings, there is shown a frame member 101 of a window frame 100, which lines an opening in which a pane of glass 103 is secured. The window frame 100 generally includes the frame member 101 and a bead 102. For replacement of the glass pane 103, the bead 102 is usually removably coupled to the frame member 101. The overall strength of the frame 100 is compromised by the presence of a removable bead 102. To improve the strength of the frame 100 and for security consideration, an anti-tamper fitting 200 in accordance with the invention is provided and fitted to the frame member 101 before the installation of the bead 102. The anti-tamper fitting 200 acts as a reinforcement to the frame 100 thereby enhancing its function as a barrier for fencing off unauthorized access through the opening.

Figures 1A to IF show a preferred embodiment of the frame

100 which includes a rectangular frame member 101 and a bead 102 that is shaped corresponding to the frame member

101 and to be coupled to respective sides 101A to 10ID of the frame member 101.

The glass pane 103 is sandwiched and secured between a pair of resiliently deformable seal members 304A and 304B provided on free ends of the frame member 101 and the bead 102. These seal members 304A and 304B form an antileakage seal with opposite sides of the pane of glass 103. They also act as cushions that offer buffering or shielding effect.

The frame member 101 and the bead 102 are secured in position relative to one another by a coupler 104. The coupler 104 includes a first coupler member 104A provided on an inside of the frame member 101 and a second coupler member 104B provided on an inside of the bead 102. The first and second coupler members 104A and 104B are

-7preferably complementary to inter-engage for establishing the coupling effect.

In the preferred embodiment, the coupler members 104A and 104B are inter-engageble hook couplers. In an alternative embodiment, the coupler members 104A and 104B are in the form of eye and hook couplers. As shown in Figures 3A to 3E, the bead 102 is fitted with the frame member 101 in a first direction 300. The coupler member 104A ride over the coupler member 104B and their corresponding end surfaces 104A-3 and 104B-3 abut to prevent relative displacement or movement of the frame member 101 and the bead 102 away from one another in a second direction 301. In more detail, for each of the first and second coupler members 104A and 104B there is a hook portion 104A-1, 104B-1 and a recess 104A-2, 104B-2 behind the hook portion 104A-1, 104B-1. When the bead 102 is fitted with the frame member 101, the hook portion 104A-1 of the first coupler member 104A rides over a hook portion 104B1 of the second coupler member 104B to be retained in the recess 104B-2 of the second coupler member 104B. At the same time, the hook portion 104B-1 of the second coupler member 104B rides over the hook portion 104A-1 of the first coupler member 104A to be retained in the recess 104A-2 of the first coupler member 104A. The abutment of the end surfaces 104A-3 and 104B-3 prevents displacement of the frame member 101 and bead 102 away from one another in the second direction 301.

In the preferred embodiment, the first coupler member 104A is of a continuous structure along length of the frame member 101. The first coupler member 104A is shaped to retain one or more of the second coupler member 104B and to couple with one or more anti-tamper fitting 200.

One or more anti-tamper fittings 200 may be installed/anchored at intervals along the frame member

-8101 and in the continuous recess 104A-2. As the antitamper fitting 200 is inserted into the frame member 101, an anchor 201 of the anti-tamper fitting 200 rides over the hook portion 104A-1 and is retained the recess 104A-2 to abut the end surface 104A-3 of the first coupler member 104A for preventing itself from being removed in the second direction 301.

Below is a description of a preferred embodiment of the anti-tamper fitting 200. It includes a main body 202 and a retainer 203, which are connected through a bend 208 and defining an internal angle therebetween of about 90 degree. The anti-tamper fitting 200 has a length of 90mm. the body 202 has a length of 90mm and a width of 23.6mm. At the center of the body 202 there is provided an opening 204 of 50mm in length and 13.4mm of width. The anchor 201 of the anti-tamper fitting 200 is provided at the opening 204 and is integrally formed with the body 202 along a bottom of the anchor 201 lengthwise a first dimension. The anchor 201 includes first and second portions 205 and 206 connected to each other through a bend 207 and defines an internal angle greater than 90 degree, preferably about 129 degree. Left and right sides, height-wise, a second dimension, of the second portion 206 is separated from the rest of the body 202 by respective gaps 209 of 1.8mm wide. In other words, the only connection between the body 202 and the anchor 201 is at the bottom of the second portion 206, along its length. This provides some degree of flexibility to and for manoeuvre of the first portion 205 of the anchor 201 when it is inserted into the recess 104A as the antitamper fitting 200 is being installed as shown in Figures 3A to 3E. The first portion 205 of the anchor 201 has a width of 8.1mm and the second portion 206 has a width of 4.1mm, the anchor 201 is 4 6.4mm in length. Such dimensions provide the best mechanical strength to the fitting 200 aggrandizing its performance.

-9Referring to Figures 4 to 9B, the pane of glass 103 is first placed on the frame member 101. Two or more antitamper fittings 200 are installed at intervals along the any one or all sides 101A to 101D of the frame member 101. The installation of the anti-tamper fitting 200 is by pushing the anti-tamper fitting 200 against the frame member 101 in the first direction 300. The first portion 205 of the anchor 201 is caused to be slightly flexed thereby increasing the angle between the first and second portions 205 and 206. As mentioned, the gaps 209 permit some degree of flexibility to assist the insertion of the first portion 205 into the recess 104A. Once the first portion 205 is positioned in the recess 104A-2, the retainer 203 engages the pane. The retainer and the frame member 101 together prevent the dislodgement of the pane in the first and second directions 300 and 301. The rear end 201A of the anchor 201 abuts the end surface 104A-2 of the recess 104A to prevent the anti-tamper fitting 200 from moving relative to the frame member 101 in the second direction 301. In the preferred embodiment, the bead 102 includes a plurality of second coupler members 104B at intervals and separated by gaps of sufficient length to accommodate one anti-tamper fitting 200. In other words, the second coupler members 104B and the anti-tamper fitting 200 are at alternate arrangement along length of the frame member 101. The bead 102 is pressed in the first direction 300 such that the second coupler member 104B of respective bead 102 engages the first coupler member 104A of the frame member 101. The anti-tamper fitting 200 is secured between the frame member 101 and the bead 102. The second coupler member 104B and the anti-tamper fitting 200 are then at consecutive alternate arrangement along length of the frame 100. The anchor 201 and the coupler member 104B are separated by a gap or space 210.

- 10To replace the pane of glass 103, the bead 102 is first removed to permit access to the fitting 200 that can be lifted with a special tool. Both the fitting 200 and the bead 102 can be reused for installation of another pane of glass 103.

In an alternative embodiment, the anti-tamper fittings 200 are installed in pairs. Referring to Figure 8, along the two opposite sides 101A, 101C and 101B, 101D of the frame member 101, there are two pairs of anti-tamper fittings 200. Each pair of anti-tamper fittings 200 includes two fittings, one on each side 101A, 101C or

101B, 101D and is arranged in corresponding positions thereon. There are in total four pairs, eight anti-tamper fittings 200 on a frame member 101.

The invention has been given by way of example only, and various other modifications of and/or alterations to the described embodiment may be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as specified in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An anti-tamper fitting for use in a frame, comprising:

a body having a retainer projecting therefrom for embracing a pane of glass installed in said frame and an anchor with at least a portion that extends and projects away from the body to bear against said frame thereby preventing relative movement of the body and said frame in at least one direction for retaining a said pane against dislodgement.

2. The anti-tamper fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anchor includes a first portion connected to a second portion through a bend, which defines an internal angle between the portions.

3. The anti-tamper fitting as claimed in claim 2, wherein the internal angle is greater than 90 degree.

4. The anti-tamper fitting as claimed in claim 3, wherein the internal angle is 129 degree.

5. The anti-tamper fitting as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first portion of the anchor projects away from the body while the second portion of the anchor runs substantially parallel to the body.

6. The anti-tamper fitting as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second portion is integrally formed with the body in at least a first dimension.

7. The anti-tamper fitting as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second portion is spaced apart from the body in at least a second dimension which offers flexibility for manoeuvre of the first portion.

- 128. The anti-tamper fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retainer and the body define an internal angle of about 90 degree.

9. A frame member comprising at least one anti-tamper fitting having a body having a retainer projecting therefrom for embracing a pane of glass installed in said frame and an anchor with at least a portion that extends and projects away from the body to bear against said frame member thereby preventing relative movement of the body and said frame member in at least one direction for retaining a said pane against dislodgement

10. The frame member as claimed in claim 9, wherein the frame member includes a continuous structure that extends along length of the frame member for coupling with the anchor .

11. The frame member as claimed in claim 10, wherein the continuous structure comprises an end wall of a continuous recess to which the anchor abuts for preventing relative movement of the frame member and the fitting away from one another in at least one direction.

12. The frame member as claimed in claim 11, wherein the continuous recess is shaped universally for coupling with the anchor and a second coupler member of a bead

13. The frame member as claimed in claim 10 comprises two or more anti-tamper fitting which are separately arranged along length of the continuous structure at intervals .

14. The frame member as claimed in claim 13 comprises a pair of opposite sides each being installed with an antitamper fitting, the two anti-tamper fittings are provided

- 13 on respective opposite sides and at corresponding positions .

15. A frame comprising a frame member, a bead and at least one anti-tamper fitting having a body having a retainer projecting therefrom for embracing a pane of glass installed in said frame and an anchor with at least a portion that extends and projects away from the body to bear against said frame member thereby preventing relative movement of the body and said frame member in at least one direction for retaining a said pane against dislodgement.

16. The frame as claimed in claim 15, wherein the frame member includes a first coupler member for receiving an anchor of the anti-tamper fitting and a second coupler member of the bead for securing a pane of glass between the frame member and the bead.

17. The frame as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first coupler member receives the anchor and the second coupler member which are arrange in sequence along length of the first coupler member.

18. An anti-tamper fitting for securing a pane in a frame of a closure, comprising:

a body for insertion in a first direction into a space between a said pane and a said frame;

a retainer projecting from the body for engaging a said pane in the first direction to retain a said pane against dislodgement from a said frame in a second direction opposite the first direction; and an anchor projecting from the body for engaging a part of a said frame in the second direction upon insertion of the body and itself riding past the part of a said frame in the first direction.

Intellectual

Property

Office

GB1713692.0

1-18