GB2553088A

GB2553088A - Retrofit letter plate cowl

Info

Publication number: GB2553088A
Application number: GB1613941.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Johnson Dave
Original assignee: Era Home Security Ltd
Current assignee: Era Home Security Ltd
Priority date: 2016-08-15
Filing date: 2016-08-15
Publication date: 2018-02-28
Anticipated expiration: 2036-08-15
Also published as: GB201613941D0; GB2553088B; IE20170158A1; IE87254B1

Abstract

A security cowl 1 suitable for fitting to an internal face 2a of a door 2 comprising a lower cowl plate (10, fig 1, not shown) configured, when the cowl is fitted to a door, to prevent direct access through the letterbox aperture 3 to an internal region of the building X lower than the letterbox aperture of the door. To enable this, the cowl may include a ramp 40 to deflect horizontally-incoming objects upwards. The cowl may further comprise side walls to prevent direct access in a direction laterally offset from the letterbox aperture. The internal region of the building may comprise a region lower than 200mm from the lowermost edge of the letterbox aperture and in the range of 800 to 2000mm from the aperture in a direction perpendicular to the door. An advantage of the invention is that fishing attacks (inserting a hook/rod to steal items) are hindered.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Retrofit letter plate cowl

Abstract Title: Security cowl to prevent direct access to region of building (57) A security cowl 1 suitable for fitting to an internal face 2a of a door 2 comprising a lower cowl plate (10, fig 1, not shown) configured, when the cowl is fitted to a door, to prevent direct access through the letterbox aperture 3 to an internal region of the building X lower than the letterbox aperture of the door. To enable this, the cowl may include a ramp 40 to deflect horizontally-incoming objects upwards. The cowl may further comprise side walls to prevent direct access in a direction laterally offset from the letterbox aperture. The internal region of the building may comprise a region lower than 200mm from the lowermost edge of the letterbox aperture and in the range of 800 to 2000mm from the aperture in a direction perpendicular to the door. An advantage of the invention is that ‘fishing’ attacks (inserting a hook/rod to steal items) are hindered.

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Retrofit Letter Plate Cowl

Technical Field

The invention relates to a security cowl for fitting to an internal face of a door.

Background

Letter plate assemblies are commonly fitted to doors or to parts of a skin of a building adjacent to a door for both domestic and commercial buildings in order to permit the delivery of post. Conventional letter plate assemblies comprise a letterbox aperture through the door, wall, or other area of the building skin (the term door is used for the remainder of the document). Letter plate assemblies typically comprise one or more pivoting letter flaps for closing the aperture. Exemplary letter plate assemblies comprise an external letter flap on an outer surface of the door and an internal letter flap on an inner surface of the door. The internal letter flap typically pivots inwards towards an internal region of the building.

It is known to provide security measures to reduce the risk of thieves gaining access to an internal region of a building to steal objects from a building by way of a letterbox aperture in a door. Such measures include security cowls that may be fitted to an internal side of a door, partially covering a letterbox aperture. The security cowls are configured to allow letters and other post to be delivered through the letterbox aperture, but to restrict access for a thief or other intruder to an interior region of a building above and to the side of the letterbox aperture. For example, thieves are known to insert a wire hook or rod through a letterbox opening to attempt to steal high value items, especially as keys. Such attacks are known as “fishing”.

Summary

DHF Technical Specification TS008:2015 sets out a number of stringent criteria in order for letterboxes and letter plate assemblies to obtain their highest classification. In particular, a fishing test involves a test engineer attempting to pierce a target positioned in a specified region of the interior of the building through the letterbox aperture within 5 minutes. Should the target be successfully pierced then the target is replaced with a

75g weight and the test engineer is tasked with retrieval of the weight through the letter plate.

The exemplary apparatus disclosed herein aim to solve or mitigate one or more problems with the prior art, including those discussed or arising from the above.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a security cowl for fitting to an internal face of a door for restricting access to an interior of a building through a letterbox aperture of the door, the security cowl comprising a lower cowl plate configured, when the security cowl is fitted to the door, to prevent direct access through the letterbox aperture to an internal region of the building lower than the letterbox aperture of the door.

As used herein, the term “direct access” encompasses access in a straight line and/or by a direct line of sight through the letterbox aperture.

The security cowl may be configured to prevent direct access through the letterbox aperture in planes greater than 5° below a horizontal plane. For example, in planes greater than 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40° below a horizontal plane.

The internal region of the building may comprise a region that is lower than 200 mm below a lowermost edge of the letterbox aperture. For example, the internal region may comprise a region that is lower than 225mm below a lowermost edge of the letterbox aperture.

The internal region of the building may comprise a region that is in a range from 600mm to 900mm above floor level. For example, the internal region may comprise 650mm, to 850mm, 700mm to 800mm, or 725mm to 775mm above floor level.

The internal region of the building may comprise a region that is in a range from 800mm to 2000mm from the letterbox aperture in a direction perpendicular to the door. For example, the internal region may comprise a region that is in a range from 800mm to 1000mm, 850mm to 950mm, or 890mm to 910mm from the letterbox aperture in a direction perpendicular to the door.

The lower cowl plate may comprise a deflecting surface configured, when the security cowl is fitted to the door, to deflect upwards an object inserted through the letterbox aperture.

The deflecting surface may comprise a ramp configured to deflect the object upwards.

The deflecting surface may be configured to deflect an object inserted horizontally through the letterbox aperture over the lower cowl plate.

The security cowl may further comprise an upper cowl plate configured, when the security cowl is fitted to the door, to prevent direct access to an internal region of the building higher than the letterbox aperture, wherein a cowl aperture is defined between the upper cowl plate and the lower cowl plate.

The security cowl may further comprise one or more side walls configured, when the security cowl is fitted to the door, to prevent direct access to an internal region of the building laterally offset from the letterbox aperture.

The one or more sidewalls connect the upper cowl plate and the lower cowl plate, wherein the cowl aperture is defined between the one or more sidewalls, the upper cowl plate and the lower cowl plate.

The cowl aperture may have a height less than a height of the letterbox aperture.

The security cowl may be configured, when fitted to the door, to receive an inwardly pivotable letter flap during opening thereof.

The lower cowl plate may comprise a recess or cut-out portion configured, when the security cowl is fitted to the door, to provide clearance for a travel of the inwardly pivotable letter flap during opening thereof.

The internal region of the building may comprise a test region defined in Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) Technical Specification TS008:2015.

The internal region of the building may comprise a target located 250mm below a lowermost edge of the letterbox aperture and 900mm from the letterbox aperture in a direction perpendicular to the door. The target may comprise a disc with a 20mm diameter.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a door comprising a security cowl as described above.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the following Figures in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a security cowl;

Figure 2 is a perspective front exploded view of a security cowl;

Figure 3 is a perspective rear exploded view of a security cowl;

Figure 4 is a rear view of a security cowl;

Figure 5 is a side view of a security cowl;

Figure 6 is a cross-section of the security cowl in Figure 4 in the line B-B;

Figure 7 is a cross-section of the security cowl in Figure 4 in the line C-C;

Figure 8 is a cross section through the security cowl in the line C-C, when fitted to a door;

Figure 9 is top view of a security cowl; and

Figure 10 is a cross-section through the security cowl of Figure 9 in the line AA.

Specific Description

Turning now to Figure 1, there is shown a security cowl 1.

The security cowl 1 comprises a lower cowl plate 10. The lower cowl plate 10 is configured to prevent direct access through a letterbox aperture to an internal region of a building that is below the letter box aperture. When fitted to a door, the lower cowl plate 10 may project from an internal surface of the door in a direction transverse to that internal surface. The lower cowl plate 10 is configured to be fitted to the door at a position below a lower edge of the letterbox aperture.

Typically in known systems, mail drops from the letterbox aperture to the ground directly below the letterbox aperture. It is therefore counterintuitive for a skilled person to consider a lower cowl plate of a security cowl that might obstruct mail in dropping to the floor.

The exemplary security cowl 1 of Figure 1 also comprises an upper cowl plate 20, and a pair of opposed sidewalls 30a-b. The sidewalls 30a-b connect the lower cowl plate 10 and the upper cowl plate 20 and are configured to be positioned either side of the letterbox aperture when the security cowl 1 is fitted to a door. The lower cowl plate 10, upper cowl plate 20 and sidewalls 30a-b at least partially bound an internal volume of the security cowl 1. Between the lower cowl plate 10 and the upper cowl plate 20 is a cowl aperture 50. The cowl aperture 50 is formed in a faceplate 11 of the security cowl 1. The faceplate 11 connects the lower cowl plate 10 and the upper cowl plate 20. The faceplate 11 connects the opposed sidewall 30a-b. In exemplary security cowls, the corner between the lower and upper cowl plates 10, 20 and the faceplate 11 may be curved.

Turning now to Figure 2, the construction of the sidewalls 30a-b will be further explained. Both the upper cowl plate 20 and lower cowl plate 10 extend into fixing plates 12a-b, 22a-b, which are provided on each end of the security cowl 1. The fixing plates 12a-b, 22a-b extend transversely from the lower cowl plate 10 and upper cowl plate 20 and comprise fixing apertures 13a-b, 23a-b through which expansion nuts 21 may be fitted to secure the security cowl 1 to a door. The fixing plates 12a-b of the lower cowl plate 10 extend towards the upper cowl plate 20 and the fixing plates 22a-b of the upper cowl plate 20 extend towards the lower cowl plate 10.

The lower cowl plate 10 and upper cowl plate 20 extend laterally beyond an edge of the faceplate 11 to define with the fixing plates 12a-b, 22a-b a sidewall recess in which the sidewall 30a-b are received. Each sidewall 30a-b is shaped so as to fit in the corresponding sidewall recess to block direct lateral access through the sides of the security cowl 1 when fitted to a door. For the remainder of the description, sidewall 30a (and associated componentry) only is discussed, but it should be understood that features described in respect of sidewall 30a may also apply to sidewall 30b. When the sidewall 30a is seated in the sidewall recess, an upper surface 36a of the sidewall 30a abuts a lower surface of the upper cowl plate 20 and a lower surface 37a of the sidewall 30a abuts an upper surface of the lower cowl plate 10. A rear face of the sidewall 30a abuts the fixing plates 12a, 22a.

The sidewall 30a has a pair of channels 31a extending therethrough for receiving bolts 32a. Between the channels 31a is a socket 33a which receives a plug portion 34a (see Figure 3) of a fascia cap 35a in order to hide the bolts 32a once the security cowl 1 is installed.

At the points where the fixing plates 22a project from the upper cowl plate 20 there are rearward extensions 24a-b that define a recess 60 in the rear of the upper cowl plate 20. The recess 60 provides space for a letter plate (not shown) to be received, thereby allowing the security cowl 1 to be simply fitted over the top of a conventional letter plate of a door.

In exemplary security cowls, the sidewalls 30a may comprise a lip which extends from an outer face of the sidewall 30a over an edge of the upper cowl plate 20 and the lower cowl plate 10. For example, the lip may be curved to provide a neat and/or safe edging finish to the security cowl 1.

In exemplary security cowls, a reinforcing bar (not shown) may be placed between the rear surface of the sidewalls 30a and the fixing plates 12a, 22a to increase the strength of the security cowl 1 and the connection with the door. The reinforcing bar may extend from a lower surface of the upper cowl plate 20 to an upper surface of the lower cowl plate 10, and comprise additional channels therein for receiving the bolts 32 therethrough. Thus, the reinforcing bar may extend the height of the security cowl 1. In use, the reinforcing bar spreads any load applied onto the bolts 32a between the two bolts. The reinforcing bar also distributes any load applied to the security cowl across the fixing plates 12a-b, 22a-b.

The expansion nuts 21 are used when the door (to which the security cowl 1 is to be fitted) comprises a thin skin without an internal strengthening bar, such as extruded aluminium or PVC doors without reinforcing bars. When tightened during installation, the expansion nuts 21 expand within the cavity within the skinned door. By expanding, they are able to spread the load applied over a larger region and thus resist being pulled through the skin of the door. For solid or composite doors, or doors with an internal strengthening bar such as PVC with a steel reinforcing bar or transom, it is possible for the bolts or screws to be received directly in the material of the door or strengthening bar. The security cowl 1 is thus directly attached to the door with screws or bolts 32a-b extending through the sidewalls 30a and directly into the door or internal strengthening bar.

Turning now to Figure 3, there is shown the interior of the security cowl 1. In exemplary security cowls, a deflecting surface 40 is fitted to the lower cowl plate 10. The deflecting surface 40 can be fixed to the lower cowl plate 10 by a pair of screws 14 which extend through screw holes 15 in the lower cowl plate 10. The deflecting surface 40 may be a ramp arranged to direct upwards any objects passing through a letterbox aperture. Thus the objects are smoothly directed over the lower cowl plate 10 and, in exemplary security cowls disclosed herein, through the cowl aperture 50. The deflecting surface 40 allows mail entering the letterbox aperture substantially horizontally to pass over the lower cowl plate 10 so that it may fall to the floor below the security cowl 1 even though the lower cowl plate 10 is positioned beneath the letterbox aperture.

As with the upper cowl plate 20, the lower cowl plate 10 comprises rearward extensions 25a-b that extend into the fixing plates 12a-b. The rearward extensions 25a-b form a recess 61 to accommodate the letter flap and corresponding to the recess 60 in the upper cowl plate 20. The recess 61 in the lower cowl plate 10 is provided with a cut out portion 65. When installed over a letter plate the cut out portion 65 provides a further aperture through the lower cowl plate 10 of the security cowl 1. The cut out portion 65 provides sufficient room for the inward swing of an inwardly hinged letter flap and thus the movement and operation of the letter plate over which the security assembly is installed is not impinged by the lower cowl plate 10. A second advantage is that a user can access the letter flap via this further aperture. When soft pieces of mail are inserted through a letter plate, they are often unable to push open the letter flap on the internal side of the door and become trapped, especially when the internal letter flap is sprung. Since access to the letter flap through the cowl aperture 50 is restricted, it is very difficult for a user to open the flap manually. Thus the further aperture created by the cut out portion 65 provides access for a user within the building to manually open the letter flap and remove any pieces of mail or any obstructions. The term “inwardly” in the context of the letter flap is relative to the building, in that movement of the letter flap is in a direction towards the inner of the building. In other exemplary arrangements, the lower cowl plate 10 may be shaped to provide clearance for the letter flap.

In an alternative embodiment the screws 14 and screw holes 15 are omitted and the deflecting surface extends the full width of the lower cowl plate 10. It may optionally clip into the side walls 30 on opposing sides of the cowl aperture 50. In other arrangements, the deflecting surface may be glued to the lower cowl plate 10 or may form part of the lower cowl plate 10.

Turning now to Figures 4 to 7, the above features are shown in additional detail. Figure 4 is a rear view of the security cowl 1. Figure 5 is a side view of the security cowl 1, showing the lower cowl plate 10, the upper cowl plate 20, the faceplate 11 and the sidewall 30b. Figure 6 is a cross section through the security cowl 1 in the line B-B of Figure 4. Figure 7 is a cross section through the security cowl 1 in the line C-C of Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows the bolts 32b passing through the channels 31b in the sidewall 30b and engaging the expanding nuts 21b. The expansion of the expanding nuts 21b can be partially seen in Figure 6. When fully installed, the expansion nuts 32b will have expanded further to fully engage the skin of the door. The fascia plate 35b is fitted by engagement of the plug 34b in the socket 33b.

Figure 7 more clearly shows that the deflecting surface 40 forms an angled ramp which extends between a lower edge of the cowl aperture 50 and an edge of the cut out portion 65. This prevents any mail or other objects from becoming stuck in the curved edge of the lower cowl plate 10. The deflecting surface 40 may be manufactured from a plastics material. The deflecting surface 40 may be hollow and may comprise an underside configured to fit in a corresponding corner between the lower cowl plate 10 and the faceplate 11.

Figure 8 is a cross section diagram in the line C-C showing the function of security cowl 1 fitted to a door 2 with a letterbox aperture 3 extending therethough. The security cowl 1 is fitted over the letterbox aperture 3 on the internal face 2a of the door 2 and fixed to the door 2 as described above.

The line 100 shows a horizontal line through a lower region of the letterbox aperture 3. When an object, such as an item of mail, is inserted through the letterbox aperture 3, it proceeds into the security cowl 1 and either passes directly through the cowl aperture 50, or contacts the deflecting surface 40, which deflects the object upwards and ensures that the object passes safely through the cowl aperture 50.

Line 110 shows the greatest downward angle (i.e. the steepest angle) possible in a straight line through the letterbox aperture 3 and over the top of the lower cowl plate 10 and, in the case of the exemplary security cowl 1, through the cowl aperture 50. Line 120 shows the minimum downward angle Θ1 (i.e. the shallowest angle) possible in a straight line through the letterbox aperture 3 and the cutout portion 65. Due to the presence of the lower cowl plate 10, the cross-hatched region X between lines 110 and 120 is not directly (i.e. line-of-sight) accessible from the exterior side of the door through the letterbox aperture 3. Line 130 shows the maximum downward angle Θ2 through the aperture 3 if the security cowl 1 was not present. As is clear, without the security cowl 1 and in particular the lower cowl plate 10, the access through the letterbox aperture is everywhere above the line 130 i.e. the access to the internal region of the building is much greater when the security cowl 1 is not installed. It will be understood that the lines and angles are theoretical, since the thickness of a tool, such as an elongate rod, has not been considered in this Figure. In practice, the security cowl 1 would be installed over a letter plate assembly (not shown), and thus the actual angles would be reduced and the region X greater compared to Figure 8. Furthermore, the angles will vary depending on, amongst other factors, the thickness of the door leaf to which the security cowl 1 will be attached. It is expected that in many arrangements, direct access through the letterbox aperture 3 and the cutout portion 65 (i.e. between the lines 120 and 130) may not be possible.

DHF Technical Specification TS008:2015 sets out a number of criteria for letter plate assemblies sold in the UK. In section 6.3.7 and as shown in Figure 4 of TS008:2015, one criteria is that the letter plate assembly must be able to withstand a manipulation test from a “fishing” type attack.

The testing procedure and security cowl will now be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. In Figures 9 and 10, there is shown a security cowl 1 fitted over a letter plate assembly 200 and onto the internal face 2a of a door 2. The letter plate assembly 200 comprises an exterior letter plate 201 fixed on the external surface 2b of the door 2 and an interior letter plate 202 fixed on the internal surface 2a of the door 2. The test requires an elongate aluminium rod 210 of 6mm diameter be inserted through the letter plate assembly 200 in order to strike a 20mm circular target 220. As shown in both Figures 9 and 10, the target 220 is supported on a table 221 to mimic the real life situation of a fishing attack. The target 220 is positioned 900mm (distance D1) from the internal face 2a of the door 2 and raised by 750mm (distance D2). Distance D2 is measured from floor level to the centre of the target 220. The target 220 need not be positioned centrally relative to the letter plate assembly 200 e.g. it may be positioned to one side of the letter plate assembly 200 or door 2 as shown in Figure 9. The letter plate assembly 200 is to be positioned so that the lower face of the internal sleeve 203 of the letter plate assembly 200 is raised by 1000mm (distance D3) from floor level. If the rod 210 is unable to pierce the target 220, the letter plate assembly is deemed to have passed the test. Exemplary security cowls comprise lower cowl plates configured such that the area occupied by the target 220 is not directly accessible through a letter plate assembly. Most conventional letter plate assemblies would not be able to sufficiently restrict the access of such a test rod in order to pass the test. However, with the security cowl 1 fitted, it is not possible for the rod 210 to contact the target 220, and thus compliance with the regulation can be achieved for conventional letter plate assemblies.

The security cowl 1 shown in Figure 8 theoretically permits direct access through door 2 and the cut out portion 65 of the security cowl 1. However, when installed, it is not possible to insert a rod 210 through both the letter plate assembly 200 and the cut out portion 65. When installed, the interior letter plate 202 takes up some of the space within the security cowl 1, and thus the available space for a fishing tool is reduced. Due to the thickness of the rod 210, direct access through the letter plate assembly 200 and the cut out portion 65 is restricted.

The security cowl 1, when installed as shown in Figure 9 and 10, therefore restricts the access in the region Y, which can be configured to correspond to the location of the test target 220. Thus, when fitted with the security cowl 1, it is possible for existing letter plate assemblies to obtain the DHF certification without requiring modification of the letter plates or letter plate assemblies themselves.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, the security cowl 1 restricts access to an internal region Y of the building which includes the location of the test target 220, 900mm from the inside face of the door and raised 750mm from floor level. To ensure that it is not possible to reach the test target, the restricted region may prevent access to a region 200mm below the lowermost face of the letterbox aperture and below, when measured 900mm from the inside face of the door.

Since furniture such as tables and cabinets are often below this height, it is likely that in both domestic and commercial properties, any valuables (such as keys etc.) would be stored within the “shadow” caused by the security cowl 1. Thus the security from “fishing” type attacks is improved for any letter plate assembly over which the security cowl 1 is installed.

The skilled person may envisage further embodiments of the invention falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A security cowl for fitting to an internal face of a door for restricting access to an interior of a building through a letterbox aperture of the door, the security cowl comprising a lower cowl plate configured, when the security cowl is fitted to the door, to prevent direct access through the letterbox aperture to an internal region of the building lower than the letterbox aperture of the door.

2. A security cowl according to claim 1, wherein the security cowl is configured to prevent direct access through the letterbox aperture in planes greater than 5° below a horizontal plane.

3. A security cowl according to any preceding claim, wherein the internal region of the building comprises a region that is lower than 200 mm below a lowermost edge of the letterbox aperture.

4. A security cowl according to any preceding claim, wherein the internal region of the building comprises a region that is in a range from 800mm to 2000mm from the letterbox aperture in a direction perpendicular to the door.

5. A security cowl according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower cowl plate comprises a deflecting surface configured, when the security cowl is fitted to the door, to deflect upwards an object inserted through the letterbox aperture.

6. A security cowl according to claim 5, wherein the deflecting surface comprises a ramp configured to deflect the object upwards.

7. A security cowl according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the deflecting surface is configured to deflect an object inserted horizontally through the letterbox aperture over the lower cowl plate.

8. A security cowl according to any preceding claim, further comprising an upper cowl plate configured, when the security cowl is fitted to the door, to prevent direct access to an internal region of the building higher than the letterbox aperture, wherein a cowl aperture is defined between the upper cowl plate and the lower cowl plate.

9. A security cowl according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more side walls configured, when the security cowl is fitted to the door, to prevent direct access to an internal region of the building laterally offset from the letterbox aperture.

10. A security cowl according to claim 9 when dependent on claim 8, wherein the one or more sidewalls connect the upper cowl plate and the lower cowl plate, wherein the cowl aperture is defined between the one or more sidewalls, the upper cowl plate and the lower cowl plate.

11. A security cowl according to any of claims 8 to 10, further comprising a faceplate connected between the upper cowl plate and the lower cowl plate, wherein the faceplate comprises the cowl aperture.

12. A security cowl according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the cowl aperture has a height less than a height of the letterbox aperture.

13. A security cowl according to any of claims 8 to 12 configured, when fitted to the door, to receive an inwardly pivotable letter flap during opening thereof.

14. A security cowl according to claim 13, wherein the lower cowl plate comprises a recess or cut-out portion configured, when the security cowl is fitted to the door, to provide clearance for a travel of the inwardly pivotable letter flap during opening thereof.

14. A security cowl according to any preceding claim, wherein the internal region of the building comprises a test region defined in Door and Hardware Federation, DHF, Technical Specification TS008:2015.

15. A security cowl according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the internal region of the building comprises a target located 250mm below a lowermost edge of the letterbox aperture and 900mm from the letterbox aperture in a direction perpendicular to the door.

16. A door comprising a security cowl according to any preceding claim.

17. The security cowl substantially as described herein and with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

Intellectual

Property

Office

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