IE84067B1 - Security device - Google Patents

Description

"Securigg Device" This invention relates to a security device for use with a lock for a door or moveable window vent.

It has become common practice to install so-called Euro—protile locks on doors and they may also be used on moveable windows. These locks include a barrel rotatable when an appropriate key is used to drive an actuator. Movement of the actuator is transmitted to a locking device mounted upon the door or window. Locks of this type are provided with a screw threaded opening which extends along an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the actuator, the screw threaded opening receiving, in use, part of a bolt or other screw threaded member which extends into the door or window to secure the lock in position.

The opening is axially aligned with the actuator.

The lock projects from the surface of the door or window, in use, and may project by a distance sufficient to allow the end part of the lock to be gripped, for example using a mole wrench. Depending upon the manner in which the lock is used, in order to gain access to the projecting part of the lock it may be necessary to remove at least part of the door handle, but this is typically not a difficult task.

Once the end of the lock is gripped tightly, a load may be applied thereto by levering the wrench from side—to-side or by twisting the wrench. It has been found that sufficient loads can be applied to cause the lock to fail in the region of the actuator and the threaded opening, failure in this region occurring as this is by far the weakest part of the body of the lock. Once the lock has been broken in this manner free access to the actuator gain be gained permitting operation of the locking device. It will thus be appreciated that unauthorised access to a building may be gained.

It is an object of the invention to provide a security device whereby the risk of unauthorised access being gained in the manner described above can be reduced.

According to the present invention there is provided a security device comprising a body having a face which is exposed, in use, the body defining an opening shaped to receive an end part of a lock, the exposed face of the body being of smoothly curved fonn and being arranged such that no opposing parts thereof lie in planes parallel to one another, the body being provided with openings accessible from the exposed face thereof, and securing fixing devices receivable within the openings for use in securing the body in position.

The security device restricts access to the end part of the lock, preventing gripping thereof by a mole wrench or the like, and is shaped to ensure that gripping of the device itself by such a tool to apply a load to the lock is also inhibited.

The security device is conveniently designed to be receivable behind part of a door handle.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure l is a perspective view of a security device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is another perspective view of the device from another angle; Figures 3 to 6 are front, side, top and rear views, respectively, of the security device of Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the security device in use.

The security device illustrated in the accompanying drawing comprises a cast body 10, for example of steel form, shaped to define an opening 11 which conforms with the profile ofa lock with which the security device is to be used.

The security device is designed to receive an end of the lock 12 as shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the body 10 is shaped to define a plate region 14 from the rear ofwhich extends a boss 16. The plate region 14 includes an exposed front surface 18 which is of curved form. The curvature of the surface 18 is such that no opposing parts of the surface 18 lie in planes parallel to one another, making the surface I8 difficult to grip using, for example, a mole wrench.

The body 10 is provided with a pair of openings 20 shaped to permit the body 10 to be secured in position on a door or window using suitable fixing devices. Although the body 10 could be secured in position using conventional screws. it will be appreciated that the use of such fixing devices would result in the body 10 being removable from the door or window relatively easily. Rather than using conventional screws to secure the body l0 in position, it is conveniently secured in position using some form of secure fixing device, for example screws shaped in such a manner that their removal is resisted.

In use, the security device is secured to a surface of the door or window, the device being positioned so as to surround an end part of the lock 12 mounted upon the door or window. The dimensions of the body 10 are chosen in such a manner as to ensure that the body 10 can be received beneath a part of a door handle 22, if desired. With the security device fitted in this manner, it will be appreciated that unauthorised access to a property in the manner described hereinbefore is resisted as the end part of the lock 12 is partially enclosed and so cannot be gripped using, for example, a mole wrench, thereby ensuring that it is not possible to apply a sufficient force to the lock 12 to cause failure thereof in the region of the actuator and opening as described hereinebefore. Further, as the exposed surface 18 of the device is of curved fonn and does not include opposing parts which are parallel to one another, gripping of the device itself rather than the lock 12 is also inhibited thus further reducing the risk of a sufficient load being applied to the lock 12 to cause failure thereof.

The invention is particularly suitable for use with locks of the Euro-profile type as it has been found that the ability of these locks to withstand the application of such loads is relatively low. It will be appreciated, however, that the security device may be modified for use with other types of lock, ifdesired, by simply changing the dimensions and the shape of the opening 1 1 to suit the lock with which the invention is to be used.

Claims (3)

1. A security device comprising a body having a face which is exposed, in use. the body defining an opening shaped to receive an end part of a lock, the exposed face of the body being of smoothly curved form and beinggarranged such that no opposing parts thereof lie in planes parallel to one another, the body being provided with openings accessible from the exposed face thereof, and securing fixing devices receivable within the openings for use in securing the body in position.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the opening is shaped to receive an end part of a lock of the Euro-profile type.

3. A security device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DERMOT P. CUMMINS & CO., Applicants’ Agents,