IE57110B1

IE57110B1 - Improvements in security grilles

Info

Publication number: IE57110B1
Application number: IE281285A
Authority: IE
Original assignee: Valentine Patrick Galvin
Priority date: 1985-11-12
Filing date: 1985-11-12
Publication date: 1992-04-22
Also published as: GB2224073B; GB2183716A; IE57111B1; GB2183716B; GB8924430D0; IE852812L; GB8627030D0; GB2224073A

Abstract

A keyless locking mechanism 1 e.g. for a security grille 2 comprises a latch 21 engageable by a receiver 25 which is manually movable for locking the latch. As shown the receiver 25 has a downwardly extending extension leg 30 which extends at a lower end through a housing 35 and a locking lever 40 having an enlarged bore 41 through which the leg 30 extends locks the leg 30 and hence the receiver 25. A coil spring 45 urges the lever 40 into a normally raised, locked position. To unlock the mechanism the lever 40 is manually pushed downwardly against the biassing of the spring 45 allowing the leg 30 and hence the receiver 25 to travel into an upper position under the biassing of a second spring 50. Latches 21,22 are formed as extensions on bars 4 of the grille- are received in slots 20, 23, 24 and have a cut-out notch 28,29 engaged by upper wall of slots 23, 24 in locked position. A security grille for door, window, counter, bar-top comprises a plurality of diagonally arranged elongate bars 4 arranged in the form of a trellis and collapsible from open to closed position. The bars are pivotally interconnected at their points of intersection by rivets 5. Rollers 31 are shown provided at the outermost extremities of the bars 4 which run in channel tracks 10, 11, 12, 13 as the grille is moved between the open and closed positions, track 11 being movable upwardly in tracks 15, 16. The grille may utilise locking mechanism as above or padlock. Various grilles are illustrated and divided e.g. grille may be in two parts meeting in central position; separate grilles may be utilised.

Description

The invention relates to an improved construction of security grille for a closure such as a door, window, counter, bar-top or the like.

This invention is directed towards providing improved security grilles.

According to the invention there is provided a security grille for a closureΛthe grille comprising a plurality of elongate diagonally extending intersecting bars arranged in the form of a trellis for pivotal movement between adjacent bars on movement of the bars from a closure closed position covering the closure with the bars extended in an open-work lattice configuration to an open position uncovering the closure with the bars retracted, the grille having a track means in which the bars are slidably movable, the track means including a movable track means which is movable as the grille is moved from the closure closed to the open position. - 2 In one embodiment of the invention the bars are movable from a position to one side, at the top or at the bottom of the closure, in use.

In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention the riser 5 is slidably mounted in a pair of fixed side support tracks.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the track means includes a lower support track and an upper riser track. Preferably the upper riser track moves upwardly as the grille is moved from the closed to the open position.

Typically the bars are carried on a roller means which is slidably movable along the track means on opening and closing of the grille.

Typically the pivot means comprises a rivet such as a semitubular rivet.

Preferably spacer means are provided between the bars at the points of intersection.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention one of the side support tracks defines a receiver for the grille.

Typically the receiver comprises a slot; provided in the support track through which the extremity of at Xeasit on® of the bars extends in a position covering tha closure member.

Xn on® embodiment of tha invention locking xa^&ns are provided 5 for locking the grille in & closed position« The locking means may b® a keyless locking mechanisms such as the mechanism which is the subject of the co-pending Xri3h Patent The invention will be more clearly understood from tho 10 following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a front, partially sectional view of a security grille, according to the invention in an open position.

IS Fig. 2 is a detailed view on en enlarged scale of portion of the locking mechanism illustrated in Fige Χθ Tig. 3 As « front view of the grille in a locked position, Fig. 4 is a detailed view on an enlarged scale of portion of the locking mschanlam, Fig· 5 is a perspective view of portion of the security grille ia the locked position, Fig. S is a front view of a detail of the grille.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the detail of Fig. 5 on the line VII - VII in Fig. 5, IO Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrows VIII - VXII in Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view ia the direction of the arrows IX - IX in Fig. 5, Fig. 10 is a side view of the detail X in Fig. 5, X5 Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a security grille according to the invention in c closed position, Fig. 12 is e perspective view of a detail of the grille of Fig. ll in th® direction of the arrow XXI, Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the grille oi Fig. 11 in an open position, Fig. 1¾ is a perspective view of a detail of the grille of Fig. 13 in the direction of the arrows XXV, Fig. 15 is an elevational view of another grille jlq according to the invention in a closed position, Fig. 16 is an elevational view of the grille of Fig. 15 in a partially open position, and Fig. 17 is an elevational view of a detail of th® grille of Figs. 15 and 16.

X5 Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 and to 10 thereof there is illustrated a security grille according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 2. Th© security grille 2 is a grills for the inside of a window 3 howev&r, it will be appreciated that th© grille may be used for any suitable closure including a door or indeed, for any opening. <1 The grille 2 comprises a plurality of diagonally arranged elongate intersecting bars 4 which are movable from a closed position covering the window with the bars extended in an open-work lattice as illustrated in Fig. 1, 3 and 5 to an open position uncovering the window with the bars 4 retracted to one side of the window 3. The bars 4 are interconnected at their points of intersection by a pivot means which in this case is in the form ox a semi-tubular rivet 5 to permit pivotal movement between adjacent bars 4. A plastic spacer washer 6 is provided on the rivet 5 to facilitate free pivotal movement between the bars 4 on movement between the open and closed positions. The bars 4 ar© provided at their outermost points of intersection with roller means which are slidably movable along a track means comprising a fixed low©r support channel track 10, an upper riser support channel track 11, a fixed side support channel track 12 and a movable side support channel track 13 having an operating handle 14. The riser track 11 is mounted on a pair of spec$d~epert side tracks, namely a fixed first side riser support channel track 15 and a second fixed riser support channel track 16. On movement of the grille 2 between the open end closed position the riser track ll moves upwardly in the channel-shaped tracks 15, IS.

The bars 4 are provided at their outermost points of intersection with roller means in the form of rollers 31 which are attached to th® bars 4 through semi=·tubular rivets 32. A plastic washer 33 is again provided on the rivet 32 for ease of pivotal movement. The rollers 31 are slidably movable along the lower support track 10, the upper riser support track 11, th® fix&d side support track 12 and a movable aide support track 13.

It will be noted that each of the tracks 10, 11, 12 and XO 13 each comprise an inwardly facing channel having two inwardly directed returns 34 over which the roller# 70 run as illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and XO.

Referring particularly to Figs. 5 and 9 the upper riser track 11 is retained in position in the channel supports X5 15 and 16 by a retaining member 48 of angle section which is attached to the web of the channel 16. A rubber buffer 49 is attached to the underside of th® retaining member 48.

Sv providing transverse support tracks 10, 11 the 2o tensile strength of the grille is greatly increased.

The channel-shaped section of th© track# XO, 11 is particularly advantageous in providing increased tensile strength.

Two of the Intersecting bars 4 of the grille extend outwardly through corresponding elongate slots 20 in the track 15. The extension of the bars 4 define latches 21, 22 ¥diich engage in the locked position illustrated in Fig. 5 in corresponding receiver slots 23, 24 in a receiver 25 which is attached to the track 16 by studs 26 which extend through locating slots 27 in the receiver 25. The receiver 25 is slidably movable relative the track 16 by manual operation using a handle 19 attached to th© receiver 25. When the slots 20 in the track 15 and the gslotn 23, 24 in the receiver 25 axe aligned est illustrated in Fig. 5 on closing of the grille, the latch extensions 21, 22 of the bars 4 are pulled through the slots 20, 23, 24. The receiver 25 is then pulled downwardly In the direction of the arrow Λ by operating the handle 19 so that the latch extensions 21, 22 of the bars 4 are locked in the receiving slots 23, 24. For mor© positive locking, each of the latch extensions 21, 22 In this case includes a cut-out notch 28, 29 respectively which are engagable by the upper well of the slots 23, 24 respectively In the locked position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5.

Th© latch extensions 21, 22 and the receiver 25 fora part of a locking mechanism which Is th© subject of the Patent Application 8627030. Ths locking mechanism also includes an elongate extension leg 30 which extends downwardly from th© receiver 25, and extends at its lower end through a housing 35 which is typically at floor level and may he attached to the floor or skirting below a window on which the grille is mounted. The extension leg 30 is constrained against bending hy a pair of guide lugs 36 attached to the wall below the window.

Locking means for engaging the extension leg 30 to lock the leg end hence the receiver 25 in the locked position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5 is in this case provided by a locking lever 40 having an enlarged bore 41 through which the leg 30 extends. The lever 40 ia retained in position by a retaining screw 42 which extends through a second enlarged bore 43 adjacent one and of th© lever 40. A self-locking nut 44 retains the lever 40 in position on the screw 42, When the lever 40 is ia the lowered position in which the axis of the bores 41, 43 are coaxial with the axis of the extension leg 30 and screw 4 2 respectively th© extension leg 30 is fr©ely movable in the bore 41 allowing th® receiver 25 to be moved upwardly so that the latch extensions 21, 22 of the bars 4 are released and the grille 2 may be retracted. Lever biassing means for urging the lever 40 into th© normally raised, locked position, illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 is provided in this case by a coil spring 45 which extends around the ext'Smsion leg 30 between a bottom wall 46 of th© housing 35 end th© l©v©r 40. Extension leg blessing means for urging the extension leg 30 and h^nc© the receiver 25 upwardly into ci released or unlocked position is in this case provided by a coil spring 50 ssxtending between an upper vail 51 of the housing 35 end a washer 32 fixed to the extension leg 30. A stop 53 et the lower ©nd of the extension leg 30 engages with th® bottom wall 46 of the housing 35 to limit the saovasaont of the extension leg 30 and hence the IO receiver 25.

In use, when the grille 2 is closed the slots 20, 23 and 24 in the truck 16 and receiver 25 are aligned in the unlocked position illustrated in Fig. 1. The latch extensions 21, 22 of the bars 4 then pass through th© slots &nd the receiver 25 is pulled downwardly by operating the handle 19 until the latch extension 21, 22 of the bars 4 ar® locked in position. During this phase the lever $0 may be pushed downwardly to allow theextension leg 30 to be freely moved downwardly. As the extension leg 30 is moved down, the rel&ssse spring is compressed and when the latch extensions 21, 22 are locked in the receiver slots 23, 24 tho lever 40 iss released so that th® extension leg 30 is engaged in the bore 41 of th© lever and prevented from moving upwardly. ,5 To open th© grille in the case of an emergency such as a fire, no key is required, the lock being released by pressing the release lever 40 downwardly which allows the extension leg 30 to automatically move upwardly Into the release position under the biassing of the coil spring 45. In the unlocked position, the grille may be opened by pulling the side support track 13 by handle 14 and h®nce the bars 4 through the upper and lower support tracks 10, 11.

Referring to Figs. 11 to 14 ther® is illustrated a security grille also according to the invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 60 which in this case is illustrated as a grille for the inside of a window 61 however, It will be appreciated that the grille may be used for ©ny suitable closure including a door or indeed, for any opening.

The grille 60 comprises a plurality of diagonally arranged elongate intersecting bars 63 which are movable from a closed position covering the window 61 with the bars 63 extended in an open-work lattice as illustrated in Fig. 11 to an open position uncovering the window 51 2o with the bars 63 retracted on one side of the window 61 in the position illustrated in Fig. 13» The bars 63 ar® interconnected at their points of intersection by a pivot moans which in this case Is In th© form of a 3 As described above with reference to Figs. 8 to 10 the bars S3 or® provided at their outermost points of intersection with roller means in the form ox rollers which are attached to the bars 63 through semi-tubular rivets. A plastic washer is again provided on the rivet IO for case of pivotal movement. The rollers ar® slidably movable along a track means comprising a fixed lower support track 73, an upper riser support track 74, a fixed aid® support track 75 and a movable side support track 76 having a handle 77. Tho riser track 74 1j?j mounted in a pair of side tracks narn&ly a fixed first side support riser track 79 and a second fixed side riser support track 78 which forms an extension of tho side support track 75. On movement of th© support track 76 between the open and closed position th© ris©r track 7$ HWaa upwardly in the channel-shaped tracks 78, 79 in the direction of the arrow 13. Th© upper riser track 74 is retained in position in the channel supports 78, 79 by a retaining aneaaber 80 of angle auction0 A rubber buffer 81 Is attached to the underside of the retaining member 80. - 13 The tracks 73, 74, 75 and 76 each comprise an inwardly facing channel having two inwardly directed returns ov&r which the rollers run as described above with reference to Figs. 8 to 10.

Bach of the support tracks 73, 75, 78 include screw receiving holes 85 in the side webs thereof through which fixing screws ar© inserted for attaching the grille SO to a window surround. The fixing holes 85 and the outw&rdly facing walls of the channel 73/ 75, 78 ra filled with suitable plastics filler pieces.

It will be noted that the side track 75 is formed with an elongate slot 90 through which the free end of one of the bars 63 projects and is received in a receiver form by an elongate slot 91 in the web of the side support riser track 78. In a closed position illustrated in Fig. IX a bar 53 ©xt®ndo through th® slot 91 and is locked in position by a locking sa^chanisai such as that described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 6.

One advantage of the security grille according to the 2o invention is that it is of relatively simple and cheap construction and can be easily installed and locked in a closed position, closing and opening such as the inside of a window. The grille can be easily operated between the open and closed position and in use is not * aesthetically invasive. By providing transv«sr$® support tracks 73, 74 th® tensile strength of the grille is greatly increased. The chanael-ishaped section os tho tracks 73, 7« is particularly advantageous! in providing increased tensile strength.

Many variations on the specific embodiment of the security grille described above will be readily appreciated. Xn particular, it is envisaged that the bars say be arranged in any suitable trellis-like form to be collapsible from an op&n to a closed position.

It ^ill be appreciated that particularly for wide window openings the grill© may be in two parts which are pushed inwardly from opposite eidas of the window opening to meet ia a central locking position.

It is onvisagod that the support tracks and channels used in the grille according to the specific embodiment of the invention described above will typically b© of extruded aluminium or other suitable material.

Xt will further be appreciated that while the invention 2o has been described with particular reference to a security grille for a window the grille may also be used for other closure members such as a door or any opening.

Aside from the quick release locking mechanism described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 and which is the subject of the Patent Application 8627030 th© security grille may include any suitable locking mechanise For example, instead of a quick release mechanism the bar or bars which extend through the receiver may include ®y©s through which a padlock may be inserted to lock the grille in the locked position. Such an arrangement does not have the particular advantage of allowing the grille to be opened quickly In the event of an e^rgency however, it is in effect a security device particularly as the padlock is positioned to one side of the window and is difficult to access from the outside.

Referring to Figs. IS to 17 there is illustrated another IS security grille 100 according to the invention. The grille is particularly adapted for use with high openings and comprises e lower grille 101 which is movable across the opening in the direction of the arrow R and an upper grille 102 which is movable in the 2Q direction of the arrow S as the grille is moved betwrcn the closed position illustrated in Fig. 15 and th^ op©n position illustrated in Fig. 16- Both grilles 101 and 102 ar® of the same general construction as those described above with reference to Figs· 1 to 14. As illustrated in Fig. 17 In this case an upper riser support track 105 of the lower grill© is fix©d to fe is Xowfir support track 10a of tfe upp-sr grille 10,2 and in we both tracks 105, 106 rise as tho grille is coved into th© opm position. Any suitable locking mechanise such as the locking mechanisms described above may ba used to lock the grille 100 in th© closed position.

Claims

1. A security grille for a closure, the grille comprising a plurality of elongate diagonally extending intersecting bars arranged in the form of a trellis for pivotal movement between 5 adjacent bars on movement of the bars from a closure closed position covering the closure with the bars extended In an open-work lattice configuration to an open position uncovering the closure with the bars retracted, the grille having a track means in which the bars are slidably movable, the track means 10 including a movable track means which is movable as the grille Is moved from the closure closed to the open position.

2. A grille as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bars ere movable from an opan position to one side, et the top or et the bottom of the closure in use.. 15

3. A grille as claimed in claim 1 wherein the movable track means is slidably mounted in a pair of fixed side supports.

4. A grille as claimed in claim 3 wherein the movable track means comprises an upper riser track which moves upwardly in the side supports as the grille is moved from the closed to 20 the open position.

5. A grille as claimed in claim 4 wherein the track means includes a lower support track. - IS

6. A grille as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bars are carried on a roller means which is slidably movable along the track means on opening and closing of th® grille.

8. A grille as claimed Xn claim 7 wherein the rivet comprises a semi-tubular rivet.

10. 10- A grill© as claimed in any of claims 3 to 9 wherein one of the side supports defines a receiver for locking of the grille in the closure closed position.

11. A grille as claimed in claim 10 wherein the receiver comprises a slot provided in the support track through which 15 the extremity of at least one of the bars extends in a closure closed position.

12. A grille as claimed in any preceding claim wherein locking means are provided for locking the grille in the closure closed position. 19 — X3. A grille substantially as hereinbefore described reference to the accompanying drawings.