WO1998024073A1

WO1998024073A1 - Anti-intrusion apparatus, particularly for passage openings, like doors, windows, or similar

Info

Publication number: WO1998024073A1
Application number: PCT/EP1997/006446
Authority: WO
Inventors: Federico Ciordinik; Roberto Doni
Original assignee: Def S.R.L.
Priority date: 1996-11-25
Filing date: 1997-11-19
Publication date: 1998-06-04
Also published as: EP0939941A1; AU5484098A; CA2272651A1

Abstract

Anti-intrusion apparatus, particularly for passage openings, like doors, windows, or similar, comprising sensing means (1, 201, 301), which detect the passage or the attempted passage through an opening (A), and generate or modify a signal, and electronic means (12) for recognizing and processing the said signal for the control of warning means or actuators of other kind. The apparatus comprises at least one sensor (1) or one group of sensors supported so as to be movable like a curtain (2, 3, 4, 5) or similar from an idle position, in which the sensors (1) are gathered on one side of the opening (A), leaving it substantially clear, into an operating position, in which the sensors (1) are arranged according to a predetermined design on the whole extension of the opening (A), whereas the sensors (1) are of the type that can generate a signal or modify a reference signal when they are moved from the position they take with no stresses, like movements or similar, acting thereupon, into their operating condition.

Description

Anti-intrusion apparatus, particularly for passage openings , like doors , windows , or similar .

The invention relates to an anti-intrusion apparatus, particularly for passage openings, like doors, windows or similar, comprising sensing means which detect the passage or the attempted passage through an opening and generate or modify a signal, and electronic means for recognizing and processing the said signal for the control of warning means or actuators of other kind.

The invention is intended to provide an anti- intrusion apparatus of the type described hereinbefore, so that its construction is cheap and easily adaptable to the size of the openings for which it is meant to be used, ensuring at the same time the best accuracy and sensitivity of detection, as well as reducing the risks of false alarms . The invention achieves the above purposes with an anti-intrusion apparatus of the type described hereinbe ore, comprising at least one sensor or one group of sensors supported so as to be movable like a curtain or similar from an idle position, in which the sensors are gathered on one side of the opening, leaving it substantially clear, into an operating position, in which the sensors are arranged according to a predetermined design on the whole extension of the opening, whereas the sensors are of the type that can generate a signal or modify a reference signal when they are moved from the position they take with no stresses, like movements or similar, acting thereupon, into their operating condition.

Advantageously the sensors include a first sensor, which forms a loop connecting a signal emitter and a signal receiver, and a second sensor, which is a controller of actuators which modify the signal transmitted by the loop sensor connecting the signal emitter and the signal receiver. The second sensor consists of an actuator for modifying the transmission characteristics of the first sensor, which is substantially mechanical. Advantageously, the second sensor is made of a flexible element, which is supported in such a way as to form a serpentine whose bends may be expanded, opened out or anyway deformed to a predetermined extent, so as to stretch over the whole extension of the opening. The bends may be gathered or compacted to such an extent as to fill a very small area of the opening, leaving it substantially clear for the whole of its span, at least some of the reversing points, preferably all of them, being connected to means for modifying the transmission characteristics of the first sensor, which are movable by the first sensor when subject to traction, in a condition of deformation of the latter.

According to a further characteristic, the second sensor is made in such a way as to stretch, in its operating position, in the form of a serpentine with a predetermined pitch, for the whole extension of the opening, and in the direction transverse to the

- serpentine, form side to side of two opposite sides of the opening, particularly of two vertical sides, whereas, in the idle position, the turns of the serpentine are compacted and gathered next to one of the sides of the opening transverse to the serpentine, particularly next to the upper side of the opening.

A preferred embodiment provides the first sensor as being made of an optical fiber forming a loop with one end connected to a light source and the other to an opto-electrical or electronic transducer sensor, both stationary, there being provided, in at least one intermediate area of the optical fiber loop, a break of the optical fiber, and the two associated ends thereof being spaced, the one fixed to the stationary element and the other to the elastically movable guide along which sliders/spacers, supporting the second sensor, slide .

Advantageously, the first sensor and the second sensor are both made of a flexible optical fiber, particularly of the so-called plastic optical fiber.

The processing unit is made in such a way as to detect luminosity changes of the open optical fiber loop, with respect to a predetermined and presettable reference intensity . It is also possible to set a response threshold of the electronic unit, so that the warning means, or similar, are operated provided that the luminosity changes signalled on the exit side of the open optical fiber loop exceed the said minimum change threshold. Thanks to the expedients described above, the apparatus according to the invention makes it possible to signal an eventual attempted intrusion through an opening. Since the serpentine is designed in such a way as to hinder passage of bodies or parts thereof with a predetermined size, an attempted intrusion must imply either the cutting of the optical fiber serpentine, or the opening out of at least two branches of one bend of the serpentine. While in the first case, by cutting the optical fiber, there is an automatic loss of intensity at the exit of the optical fiber loop, in the second case, the deformation of the optical fiber serpentine causes a stress in the direction of the transverse movement of the guide, and a consequent staggering of the two facing ends at the intermediate break of the optical fiber serpentine.

Advantageously, the two facing ends of the optical fiber at the intermediate break, are disposed at a certain and predetermined distance from each other, so that their opening cones are big enough to allow for a passage of light in any reciprocal position of the said two ends , with respect to a predetermined tolerance range. By this arrangement, it is possible to avoid laborious alignments on installation, but even further adjustments, which would otherwise occur due to changes in the reciprocal position of the two ends of the optical fiber at the intermediate break. In the invention, on the contrary, instead of the position adjustments, provided that the tolerance limits selected are respected, a new reference value, whose variation produces the alarm and all the eventual safety procedures, is set in the electronic unit, or is automatically determined by it.

The advantages of this expedient are considerable, as they allow for limited adjustment costs of the system as regards the slight staggering between the facing ends of the optical fibers at the intermediate break, which certainly occur on its movement from the active to the idle position and vice versa. In fact, the supports of the optical fiber, and of its facing ends, the structure of the vertical guides and the sliding means may be provided with simpler forms, so as to be safer, long-lasting and less expensive.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the serpentine element has loops being oriented parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of movement from one to the other of the two operating and idle positions .

Particularly, there being provided a fiber-optic cable, especially a plastic optical fiber, the reversing areas of the cable are provided along the upper and lower sides of the opening, whereof the reversing areas of the optical fiber being associated to the lower side of the opening are fixed to a crossbar, which is mounted with its two ends slidably engaged along vertical parallel guides , on the corresponding sides of the opening, and the opposite reversing areas of the optical fiber serpentine are each fixed to a winding roller, rotatably supported at the upper side of the opening. Thanks to this expedient, by spreading the optical fiber serpentine on the span of the opening, and gathering it into the idle position, the single parallel branches of the optical fiber, connecting two opposite reversing areas, are unrolled and rolled on a common winding roller.

According to an advantageous characteristic, allowing the optical fiber to be orderly rolled in adjacent loops on the winding roller, the ends of the straight branches of the serpentine, which are associated to the winding roller, pass through guiding means , having a predetermined position in the horizontal direction, whereas the winding roller performs a progressive translation substantially equalling the diameter of the optical fiber cable for each turn of the roller, said translation being performed in one axial direction in the winding sense and in the opposite axial direction in the unwinding sense .

A further advantageous characteristic of the invention provides that the reversing segments of the serpentine made of the optical fiber cable , which are associated to the transverse element, sliding from the lower side of the opening to the winding roller on the upper side thereof, are fixed to a rigid bar, supported in such a way that it can be elastically staggered with respect to a predetermined relative position inside a tubular crossbar, having apertures for the passage of the single straight branches of the serpentine made of the optical fiber cable, the said element being held, by elastic means, in the rest position, whereas it

c moves with respect to the tubular crossbar in which it is housed when traction is exerted on the straight branch of the serpentine made of the optical fiber cable, for example when the straight branches are opened out or deformed, which crossbar, sliding along the vertical lateral guides , holds the electronic processing units for signal detection and control of warning means or similar .

The sliding crossbar has sliding shoes engaged along the vertical lateral guides, at least one of them bearing a part of an electrical connector, having a predetermined number of contacts, which is engageable and disengageable , in such a way as to close and open the electrical contact with a second part of the connector, associated to the corresponding vertical lateral guide in the lower end-of-stroke area of the sliding crossbar.

It is particularly advantageous to fix the reversing segments to the winding roller. In this case, advantages have been drawn from winding the terminal segments of the straight branches of the serpentine, substantially for a turn, whereas their reversing segments are fixed by adhesive tapes . Further , the wound terminal segments of the loops are held in position by a cylindrical tubular element, with a continuous axial slot, which is slipped onto the winding roller, elastically fastening thereto the terminal segments of the loops wound on said winding roller . From the above disclosure, the advantages of this

- :/ further embodiment are self-evident. The orientation of the serpentine made of the optical fiber cable, with the straight branches held parallel to their direction of movement from the idle position, in which they are gathered on one side of the opening to the operating position, in which they are arranged on the span of the opening, allows for a considerable simplification of the apparatus construction. Moreover, the optical fiber is treated more in accordance with its properties of deformability.

This simpler construction implies lower manufacturing costs, an easier assembly, and a longer life of the apparatus . An additional advantage deriving from the particular construction of the apparatus according to the invention consists in having smaller dimensions , and thus filling a smaller part of the opening, and allowing for an integration of the electronic processing unit in the structure of the apparatus , with no need for separate housings . An additional characteristic of the apparatus according to the invention, involving considerable advantages as regards obtaining a cable of plastic optical fiber with an inner coating, and having a tensile strength, consists in that the cable according to the invention is composed of at least one plastic optical fiber core, of a braid, or similar, made of Kevlar fibers , for example of a plurality of longitudinal Kevlar threads disposed around the plastic optical fiber core, in direct contact therewith, and of an outer coating sheath made of plastic. Unlike the well-known fiber-optic cables reinforced with fibers, especially Kevlar fibers , in the optical fiber according to the invention, the intermediate sheath separating the plastic optical fiber from Kevlar threads has been removed, and the cable used in the present invention has the same functionality and characteristics, even as regards mechanical resistance, as the well-known cable, but with a notably shorter diameter. This is very important for the deformability of the cable, especially as regards the radius of curvature which may imposed thereon.

The invention also relates to other characteristics and improvements, which form the subject of the dependent claims. The characteristics of the invention and the advantages derived therefrom will appear with further evidence from the following description of a non limiting embodiment illustrated in the annexed drawings , in which : Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in the operating condition .

Fig. 2 shows the apparatus according to fig. 1 in the idle condition, in which the sensor, that is the optical fiber serpentine is gathered at the upper side of the opening.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to the preceding figures, showing the condition of an attempted intrusion by opening out one bend of the optical fiber serpentine . Fig. 4 shows a partial section of the vertical

* sliding guide for the alternate movement of the optical fiber serpentine into the rest and operating positions .

Fig. 5 shows a cross section of the vertical guide, according to a first embodiment. Fig. 6 is a view similar to fig. 5 according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to figs. 5 and 6, in the terminal area of the two tubular guides one inside the other . Fig. 8 is a block diagram of the processing unit.

Fig. 9 is a front, elevational, partially sectional view of a further embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, in the operating condition.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of some details of the fiber-optic cable being mounted onto the winding roller and to the lower crossbar.

Figs. 11 and 12 are frontal views of the winding roller and of the means for providing a side-by-side arrangement of the turns , in the winding and unwinding condition of the fiber-optic respectively.

Fig. 13 is a cross section of the winding roller and of the upper crossbar for housing, in that area, a straight branch of the optical fiber cable, when the latter is in the unwinding condition. Fig. 14 is an axial view of the supporting means providing that the elastic winding means of the roller slide axially .

Fig. 15 is a cross section of the two sections forming the lower crossbar. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the section

- lO - forming the inner part of the lower crossbar.

Fig. 17 is a sectional bottom view of a vertical post and of a contact-bearing slide at the end of the lower crossbar. Fig. 18 is a sectional view with respect to a vertical plane perpendicular to the lower crossbar, of the vertical post associated to the end contact-bearing slide .

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a magnified detail of the means for reversing the optical fiber cable to form the serpentine bends .

Fig. 20 shows the means for locking the lower crossbar in the lower end-o -stroke position, in which the optical fiber serpentine is subtended on the span of the opening.

Fig. 21 shows the particular construction of the optical fiber cable, preferably used in the apparatus according to the previous figures 1 to 20.

Fig. 22 is a frontal diagrammatic and partially sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 23 and 24 are a lateral view and a diametrically sectional view of a spool for winding the sensing bands .

Fig. 25 shows a section, with respect to a median vertical plane, of a magnified detail of the apparatus according to the invention, in the lower end-of-stroke zone of the vertical guide.

Fig. 26 shows a section, with respect to a horizontal plane, of the same zone as fig. 25. Figs. 27 to 29 show the means for pulling and/or

- ιiL- deforming the pull thread in the rest position and in the two operating positions with the control cord being pulled and/or deformed, the one occurring when a pulling force is exerted on the corresponding sensing band, and the other when the corresponding sensing band is loosened or extended, for example when it is sheared.

Figs . 30 , 31 , 32 show a variant embodiment of the means for pulling and/or deforming the control cord. Fig. 33 is a further variant of the means for pulling and/or deforming the control cord.

Fig. 34 is a figure similar to fig. 26 in which the slider with the mirror is in an inwardly shifted position, due to the exertion of a force on the sensors .

Referring to the figures 1 to 8 , an anti-intrusion apparatus according to the invention, of the type meant to be mounted for the protection of openings and passages, like doors, windows, or similar, has an intrusion sensor, which is alternately movable, like a curtain, into an operating position and into an idle position.

The sensor is made of an optical iber 1 , particularly of a so-called plastic optical fiber. The optical fiber is made to pass from a vertical side to the other of an opening A, so as to form a serpentine. The reversing points of the optical fiber 1 are sliders/spacers 2, which are slidably mounted on a vertical guide 3 , provided on each of the two opposite vertical sides of the opening A. The sliders/spacers 2 may be made in the most different ways . The optical fiber 1 may be fixed thereto or the sliders/spacers 2 may be simple deviating loops . The sliders/spacers are supported so as to project outwards , by a vertical flexible element 4 , which is placed inside a tubular guide 103. The tubular guide 103 is itself inside another tubular guide 203, which is stationary, and both form the vertical lateral guide 3. The inner tubular guide 103 and the outer tubular guide 203 have appropriately coincident vertical continuous slots 303, on the side facing the opening A, through which the sliders/spacers 2 project. Preferably, the sliders/spacers 2 only project out of the inner guide, but not out of the outer one.

The sliders/spacers 2 may be fixed in any way to the lexible vertical element 4. According to the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, the said sliders/spacers 2 and/or the flexible supporting element 4 are provided with movable coupling means, referred to with numerals 102 and 104. Particularly, the flexible element 4 has a plurality of regularly spaced projections 104, preferably rounded, and especially in the form of balls, the inner end 102 of the sliders/spacers 2, which is formed as an elastically openable fork, being meant to engage thereupon by snapping.

The supporting means of the serpentine of optical fiber 1 at both vertical sides of the opening A are made to be perfectly identical . The particular expedient for fixing and supporting the sliders/spacers 2, besides allowing for a rapid, simple, and easy mounting, also permits an adaptation of the serpentine design in the operating condition of the apparatus. On installation, it is possible to select different widths of the bends according to different needs .

The sliders/spacers 2 may be made in different ways. According to a simpler embodiment shown in fig. 5, they project freely out of the groove 303 of the inner vertical guide 103. In the variant embodiment of fig. 6, the sliders/spacers 2 also interact with at least one, preferably both edges of the said slot 303, the latter being an additional sliding guide . As shown in fig. 6, the sliders/spacers 2 may have two coincident grooves on the opposite sides , each engaging a longitudinal terminal edge of the said slot 303 so as to provide better support thereto .

As figures 1 and 2 clearly show, the movement of the optical fiber serpentine from the operating position, in which it is subtended substantially on the whole span of the opening A, into the rest or idle position, in which it is gathered at the transverse upper side of the opening A, may occur in very different ways, and particularly according to the usual methods for the slat curtains .

An example of such means is shown in f gs . 1 to 4. For each line of sliders/spacers 2 on the two vertical sides of the opening A there is provided a control cable or string 5. The latter is fixed or anyway

" ⁱ " engaged from below to the slider/spacer 2 on the free end of the serpentine of optical fiber 1 , and it passes, by means of vertically coincident holes 202, through all the sliders/spacers of the same line. The two cables 5, 5' for the sliders/spacers 2 on the two sides of the opening A are deviated around deviating pulleys 6 , and led to terminate together into a control handle 7.

As is apparent, by pulling the cables or strings 5, the lower slider/spacer 2 is pulled upwards and automatically gathers the upper sliders/spacers 2 one after the other. In this way, the serpentine of optical fiber 1 is compacted and gathered in the rest position of fig . 2. In order to reach the operating position of figs . 1 and 3 , it is only necessary to release the cables 5 , 5' , letting the sliders/spacers 2 slide downwards by gravity.

Yet, the mechanism shown hereinbefore is intentionally schematic, as many lifting and lowering mechanisms are known, which may be used in the apparatus according to the invention and which may eventually have an intermediate phase between the rest position and the operating one, driven by an operating force and not only by gravity.

With particular reference to figs . 4 and 7 , the inner guide 103 is supported to be elastically movable in the direction of the central area of the opening A, thanks to pairs of opposite elastic elements 7 , disposed at the ends thereof, between the said inner

_ I S guide 103 and the outer guide 203. The elastic elements are gauged in such a way as to steadily retain the inner guide 103 in a predetermined or substantially predetermined position and to set it into the said position after an eventual movement parallel to the springing direction, which is orientated parallel to the plane defined by the opening A.

Particularly, the elastic elements are made of helicoidal springs with at least parallel, preferably coincident axes .

The elastic elements may be provided for only one of the vertical guides 3 , like in the illustrated example, or for both guides. In the illustrated case, one of the vertical guides 3 is provided with incompressible spacers 8 , instead of the elastic elements .

The serpentine of optical fiber 1 forms a loop connecting a light source 10 and a receiver, for example an opto-electronic sensor 11. The loop is open at the terminal branch of the serpentine which, from the last turn on the lower end, that is on the free one, returns to the processing unit 12, which comprises the light transmitter or emitter 10 and the optoelectronic sensor 11. The said return end is made to pass inside the outer tubular guide 203, in the hollow space between the latter and the inner guide 103, opposite to the slot 303 for the passage of the sliders/spacers 2.

One of the ends 201 of the optical fiber 1 at the said intermediate break is fixed to the wall of the

- 1 outer tubular guide, whereas the opposite end 301 of the optical fiber 1 is fixed to the inner wall of the outer guide 203. The two ends 201 and 301 of the optical fiber 1 , at the break are aligned with substantially parallel axes, which are substantially contained in the same plane, although this is not utterly necessary.

The reciprocal positioning of the two ends 201 and

301 needs only to be such that the covering cones projected by the said two ends are superposed at least partially within the range of presettable predetermined tolerances .

Referring to fig. 8, the processing unit 12 comprises, besides the light transmitter/emitter 10, and the opto-electronic sensor 11, means for the control of the latter, referred to with numerals 13 and

14, as well as, for example for the opto-electronic sensor, means for analog-to-digital conversion.

The means 13 for the control of the light transmitter/emitter are controlled by a microprocessor

15, which is provided, by the analog-to-digital converter, with the signals detected by the optoelectronic sensor 11. The microprocessor has the function to compare the signal provided by the opto- electronic sensor with a reference signal. If the measured signal differs to a certain extent as regards intensity and/or structure, the microprocessor 15 emits control signals which, through an amplification stage

16, are transmitted to one or more relays 17 which operate signalling means and any other kind of additional means which can make moves to start safety and protection measures .

Fig. 3 shows the operational simplicity and safety of the apparatus. In case of intrusion, if a proper size of the bends of the optical fiber serpentine 1 is selected, the intruder must open out at least one bend of the optical fiber 1. This causes a tensile stress of the inner guide 103 in the direction transverse thereto, and towards the central area of the opening A. Thanks to the elastic support, the inner guide 103 moves causing a staggerring of the two ends 201 and 301 of the optical fiber 1 , at the intermediate break , thus a signal variation, which is detected by the microprocessor 15. If the signal variation exceeds a certain presettable tolerance, the microprocessor 15 emits signals for operating the relays and thus the warning means and the eventual additional protection and safety means .

The above description clearly shows a highly advantageous characteristic of the apparatus according to the invention. By providing, as a reference signal for comparison to estimate the entity of the measured signal variation, the signal which is detected by the optical fiber 1 each time it is moved into the operating position of figures 1 and 3, it is possible to avoid, always within a range of sufficiently wide predetermined tolerances , any operation needed to adjust the starting predetermined position of the two ends 201 and 301 of the optical fiber 1 at the break. This positioning would be critical if the reference

- Λ8 - signal were set in the processing unit 12 , and would require a much more complex and expensive construction of the apparatus , in order to ensure that at any movement into the operating position of the two ends 201 and 301, the latter always keep with a certain accuracy the same predetermined reciprocal position corresponding to the preset reference signal .

On the contrary, by reading the reference signal each time the optical fiber 1 is moved into the operating position, either automatically or, in case, manually, the system simply conforms to possible inaccuracies , and may be made with a very cheap construction, which is easily mountable and requires very little maintenance . Moreover , the simplicity of the apparatus also allows for a relatively easy and time-saving adaptation to the different sizes of the openings . This adaptation may eventually be accomplished even on site, directly during the installation . The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but may be greatly varied, especially as regards construction, without departure from the scope disclosed above and claimed below. Thus, for example, although the description refers to a vertical positioning, the apparatus may be also used for openings in horizontal and/or inclined walls. Further, each apparatus may eventually have more optical fibers 1 , forming serpentines which intersect or proceed parallel with a certain difference of pitch. A further alternative, which may be applied in case of

'°y very large , particularly very wide openings , provides more adjacent apparati, each with its own serpentine, and mounted in such a way that the two adjacent vertical guides 3 form an intermediate post of a dividing structure of the opening. This is not only possible in the vertical direction, but also, as separated therefrom or combined thereto, horizontally.

Although the optical fiber is the preferred sensor, it is also possible to use other types of sensors. An alternative embodiment might provide a serpentine made of a cable or a string, whereas the optical fiber loop only extends inside the vertical post 3, and has the break with the two facing ends 201, 301 integral with one of the two guides 103, 203 respectively. However, in this case, the apparatus would not sense the cut of the string which forms the serpentine . To obtain an alarm signal even in this case, there might be provided that the serpentine, in its operating position, causes a transverse movement against the action of the elastic centering support of the inner guide 103 with respect to the outer one 203. This is evidently possible, by properly defining the reciprocal position of the ends 201, 301 of the optical fiber at the break which defines the reference signal . By this arrangement, it is obtained that the cut of the serpentine, or the deformation thereof, cause a return to the neutral position of the inner guide 103 with respect to the outer guide 203 or a further traction towards the centre of the opening respectively, generating a signal variation with respect to the

- 2.0 reference signal in both cases . As compared to the version with the serpentine of optical fiber 1 , this variant embodiment is certainly cheaper, but requires more attention on mounting and installation because, since two movements are to be signalled, tolerances become more critical. Moreover, in the operating condition, the elastic elements are subjected to stresses, as well as the cable or string which forms the serpentine, whereas in the version with the optical fiber serpentine, mechanical stresses only occur in case of deformation of the serpentine .

Referring to the figures 9 to 20, the anti- intrusion apparatus according to a further embodiment the invention is also made in the form of a curtain and comprises a frame, formed by two stationary vertical posts 30 , which are attached to the vertical walls delimiting an opening A, an upper crossbar 31, also stationary, connecting the two vertical posts 30, and a lower crossbar 32 , extending from one vertical post 30 to the other, and bearing at its two respective ends a slide 33 , slidably engaged in the corresponding vertical post 30 , which is accordingly shaped and provided with a longitudinal slot for engaging the slide 33. Especially, the vertical posts 30 may be made of channel sections , for the respective engagement of a slide 33, provided with an external shoe 133 sliding on the channel flanges , which delimit an axial slot facing the inside of the opening A, and with an extension 233 engaging in said slot, and eventually having lateral

- 2l- enlargements 333, engaging in the lateral walls 130 along the edges of the longitudinal slot, also from the inside .

In the upper stationary crossbar 31 , a winding roller 40 is rotatably mounted. At one end of the support of the winding roller 40, there are associated elastic means 41 which, eventually pre-charged to a certain extent, are fully charged when the winding roller 40 is rotated in the unwinding direction, and thus ensure the start of the winding roller in the winding direction .

These means may be made in any manner, and are preferably of the type usually used in the roller blinds, there being mounted, at the end of the roller, a case 41 for housing a flat spring, which is mounted on an axle, one end of the flat spring being integral with the case 41, which is integral with the roller, whereas the other end of the flat spring is attached to a non round, controlling pivot 141, which is coaxial to the roller 40, and projects out of the case on the corresponding end, engaging with a non round support. The elastic force with which the flat spring has been charged on the unwinding operation is thus exerted on the roller upon winding helping it to rotate or determining its rotation in the winding direction.

The opposite end of the winding roller 40 has a coaxial threaded hole 140, which is engaged on a coaxial threaded pivot 42 of a suitable length, which is not rotatably supported 44 so as to be coaxial to the roller 40. The non round pivot 141 is not rotatably, but axially slidably engaged in the support 43, so that as it rotates, the roller 40 performs a movement of axial translation in the two opposite directions , according to the direction of rotation . This behaviour is schematically shown in figures 4 and 5. The threading pitch of the hole 140 and of the threaded pivot 42 are dimensioned in accordance with the diameter of the optical fiber cable 1 , in such a way that the axial translation of the winding roller 40 substantially equals or is slightly longer than the diameter of the optical fiber cable 1.

To prevent the cable from translating in the axial direction, directly on the side provided for the exit of the cable 1 , that is of the single vertical segments of the serpentine, from the roller, there are provided stationary cable guiding means 144, consisting of stationary exit apertures. Advantageously, said apertures consist of slots 144, formed in the corresponding branch of a comb-shaped section, forming the closing bottom of the upper crossbar 40. Advantageously, said section is made in the form of an angle bar, so that it may be more easily attached to the upper crossbar 40, preferably consisting of an inverted channel section . On the winding roller 40, the terminal segments of the straight branches 401 of a serpentine made of the optical fiber cable 1 are wound at the reversing areas 501. Said terminal segments 501 are wound for such a segment as to form a complete turn or a little more or a little less than a complete turn. Said wound terminal

- 2θ segments are attached to the roller 40 by adhesive means, such as a tape or similar, and are fastened thereto thanks to a fastening element consisting of a cylindrical section 240 made of elastic material, having an axial longitudinal slot, and being applied slightly forcing it like an outer liner on the inner roller 340.

The longitudinal slot 440 is provided in a position substantially oriented on the plane on which the optical fiber serpentine 1 is subtended.

By this expedient, the terminal segments of the straight branches, vertical in this case, 401 of the serpentine 1 , and the reversing segments 501 associated thereto, are secured to the winding roller, avoiding the risk of deformations of the optical fiber, which may damage it, or cause changes of the transmission coefficient, involving a wrong signal of attempted intrusion.

The lower crossbar 32 is composed of an outer tubular square or rectangular section 132, there being provided, on the side facing the winding roller 40, a longitudinal slot 232.

The ends of the tubular section 132 bear slides 33 for sliding engagement thereof in the vertical posts 30.

In the tubular section 132 , there is provided an additional crossbar 332 , which is supported so as to be elastically movable, that is between two opposite pairs of elastic elements 432. Said elastic elements are only shown, for the sake of simplicity, at the end of the crossbar 32 , but may be also provided in intermediate areas and, instead of two pairs, there may be provided three or more pairs of opposite elastic elements between the two opposite sides of the inner section 332, and the two sides, facing the latter, of the outer section 132, which sides are disposed transverse to the sliding direction or to the plane containing the optical fiber serpentine 1.

Advantageously, as shown in fig. 16, the inner section 332 may have means for fixing the elastic elements 432 , for example helical springs . In this case, advantages have been observed by providing along the sides meant to interact with the elastic elements , two inverted L-shaped ribs 532, extending in a longitudinal direction parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the section 332 , the flanges being spaced at a distance substantially corresponding to the diameter of a loop of a helical spring 432 , which may be engaged under the ribs 532 , though being easily movable into the desired position on the section 332.

Referring to figs. 9 and 17, the electronic unit for processing the signal 12 is fully integrated in the lower crossbar 32 , that is inside the tubular section 132. Besides the processing unit, it is also possible to integrate, or not, the warning means or other signalling means, for example. Power supply, and the eventual connection of the processing unit 12 to additional units for signalling, controlling or else, is provided through a multipolar connector 433,

- 2.5 integrated in one of the lateral slides 33 at the ends of the lower crossbar 32.

Referring to figs. 17, 18, the inner sliding shoe 333 has, attached or integrally conformed thereto, a part 433 of the connector, thus extending inside the corresponding vertical post 30.

The other part 49 of the multipolar connector is provided at the lower end of the corresponding post 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the stationary portion of the connector 44 has contact plates 149 turned upwards in the direction of the part of the connector 433 , associated to the slide 33. From the latter, a corresponding number of contacts 533, coinciding with the contact plates 149, and supported so as to be elastically compliant 633, project downwardly, in such a manner as to ensure a perfect electrical contact, in the lower end-of-stroke condition of the lower crossbar 32 , and thus of the slide 33. Therefore, when the optical fiber serpentine is unwound on the vertical plane, and the lower crossbar 32 reaches the lowest end-of-stroke position, in which it is removably lockable by bolt-like means 45, 145, 46, shown in fig. 20, the electrical contact for power supply to the processing unit and to the eventual warning means associated thereto in the lower crossbar is automatically closed, as well as the eventual electronic contact with eventual warning means or means of other kind, disposed outside the apparatus. Referring to fig. 14, the optical fiber cable is

^ - attached to the inner section 332 of the lower crossbar, and reversed by guiding elements 46, which are only present in the area of a substantially 90° deviation, in the junction segment between the straight branch 401 and the reversing segment 501. These elements 46 are provided with a guiding throat closed on at least one side and eventually also closable on the opposite side so as to lock the optical fiber cable, and always ensure the correct curvature of the latter in the different stress conditions.

The alarm signal, as apparent in fig. 9, is not caused first by a deformation of the optical fiber cable, according to the variation of its transmission characteristics , but by the variation of signal between the two facing ends of the optical fiber, one connected to an emitter, and the other to a receiver, when these are transversely staggered with respect to each other.

In figure 9, a segment of optical fiber 47, connected to the receiver or to the emitter, provided in the processing unit 12, branches off therefrom, and ends in a support 48 , being integral with the outer tubular element 132 of the lower crossbar 32. The serpentine 1 branches off from the emitter or from the receiver, the one from which the optical fiber cable 47 branches off, and ends with the opposite end in a position substantially axially coinciding with the end of the optical fiber cable 47, though being held in said position by a supporting element, being integral to the section 332 , and supported so as to be elastically movable inside the tubular element 132.

- 2 11? - When a force is applied to open out the vertical branches 401 of the optical fiber serpentine 1 , the section 332 is moved inside the tubular section 132, resulting in a staggered position between the facing ends of the serpentine 1 and of the optical fiber cable 47, causing a signal variation which, when being detected and processed by the electronic processing unit 12, generates, or avoids generating, according to the pre-set parameters of sensitivity, or else, an alarm signal and/or the start of other eventual devices .

As the optical fiber cable which forms the serpentine 1 must resist very frequent bendings and curvatures , for example for winding and unwinding the roller 40, and must additionally resist a certain tensile force without incurring in permanent deformations , the invention provides the use of a particular type of optical fiber. As shown in fig. 21, the cable 50 comprises a core 51 , consisting of a plastic optical fiber. Around the latter, there is provided a Kevlar fiber coating, referred to as 52. The fibers may be both in the form of a braid, and of long fibers , extending for the whole segment of the cable 50. The whole is externally coated by a plastic sheath 53, for example made of PVC, or similar. This cable differs from prior art cables in that the Kevlar fiber layer 52 is provided in direct contact with the plastic optical fiber . Up to the present, the Kevlar fiber layer was separated from the plastic optical fiber 51 by an intermediate sheath, which protected the plastic optical fiber . The cable according to the present invention is not subject to particular functionality reductions as regards the characteristics of resistance, life and transmission of the plastic optical fiber 51 , and ensures a high mechanical resistance, especially to tension, notably reducing the overall diameter of the cable and providing a better flexibility and shorter radiuses of curvature .

Figures 22 to 34 show another embodiment of the invention, differing from the others in that the sensors 60 are not made of a fiber optic cable, which is sensitive per se, but of simple elements whose function is to transfer a mechanical force to means for switching the latter to a control unit. In this case, the sensors are made of bands , made of plastic or other materials, possibly even metal, being wound on an associated spool 61, mounted on the winding roller, the latter being of the same type as the one described in the second embodiment and indicated as 340 in figure 13.

The spools 61, particularly made of plastic, have a throat 161 for winding the band 60 and are tubular, so as to enable the insertion of the roller 340 therein. The position lock along the axis of the roller 340, and the rotating engagement with the latter is obtained by means of one or more radial threaded pivots 261, which are screwed inside corresponding threaded holes in an axial extension of the spool, and which are engaged in a corresponding peripheral axial throat or groove of the roller 340.

- 2- 1Q - The band is fixed in one or more recesses 361, formed in the core of the spool , and communicating with the bottom of the throat 161 by means of a slot 461. The attachment may be obtained by tying a knot at the end of the band, said knot being held in the recess or recesses 361, or by attaching an extended element to the end of the band and placing it in the recesses 361. The recesses 361 and the slots 461 extend up to one of the ends of the spool and are open at said end in such a way as to facilitate the engagement of the end of the band 60. Alternatively, the recesses may have a circular section, the band being fixed between a pivot and the peripheral wall of the recesses, which pivot is force engaged in said recesses . The spools 61 are preferably equally spaced on the length of the roller 340, and in sufficient number as to form a barrier, through which no passage is possible without deforming the bands .

The opposite end of each band 60 is connected to a corresponding pulling and/or deforming element, indicated as 62. The elements are held by the lower bar 32 , which is slidably engaged at its ends in the lateral guides 30, by means of end shoes 63.

Each pulling and/or deforming element 62 is aligned with the spool 61 of the corresponding band. The pulling and/or deforming elements 62 act on a control cord 64 , which extends all along the lower bar 32. This thread is held stationary in one of the two end shoes 63 of the lower bar 32 , whereas the other end is attached to a slider 65, which is housed, so as to be able to slide in the longitudinal direction of the lower bar 32, in the end shoe 63' . The thread may be attached to the slider 65, in the shoe 63' and to the opposite shoe 63 in the same way as described as regards the ends of the bands in the spools 61.

The shoe 63' has a compartment 163 for the slider 65 , being also its sliding guide . On the side facing the lateral guide, said shoe 63' has an aperture 263, and the slider 65 carries a reflecting mirror 66, coinciding with said aperture 263. In the steady end- of-stroke position, the slider 65 is pushed towards the side of the compartment by the action of elastic means 463, interposed between the end sides of the slider 65 and of the compartment being opposite to the lateral sliding guide of the lower bar 32.

Between the bar 32 and the guides 30 , there are provided means for removably locking the bar in its predetermined correct end-of-stroke position. These means may be of any type and, in this example, are made of magnets 69 and of ferromagnetic plates or elements 70, placed on one or the other of the two parts, i.e. of the end portion of the guide 30 and of the shoe or shoes 63 , 63' .

The means for pulling and deforming the control cord 64 may have different shapes and consist of means for transmitting a variation of the pulling force exerted by the bands 60 on the control cord 64 , both in case of increase of said force, when an attempt is made to expand the spaces between the bands 60 , and in case of decrease of the pulling force, for example when the

- 3L- bands are sheared.

To this end, the bands have such a length that, in the lower end-of-stroke condition of the lower bar 32, a predetermined pulling force is exerted on the means for pulling and deforming the control cord 64 , so as to carry said means to a starting condition, in which no alarm signal is emitted. In the end portion of the guide , there are provided two sensors , particularly two fiber optic cables 67, 67' , which are pointed against the reflecting mirror 66. One of the fiber optic cables 67 is an emitter of light radiation at a predetermined frequency or within a predetermined frequency range, whereas the other cable 67 is the receiver of the reflected radiation. The two cables are pointed against the mirror 66, in converging positions, and are locked inside holes in the wall of the lateral guide 33, facing the end side of the shoe 63 of the lower bar 32. When the mirror is moved due to a stronger or weaker deforming or pulling action on the control cord, an intensity variation of the received signal occurs, and thus the alarm procedures are operated.

These functions are carried out by the control unit, which may be either external or enclosed in the wall around the aperture. The means for pulling and/or deforming the control cord comprise an element having at least one degree of freedom, which cooperates with elastic means, the idle signalling position corresponding to a position of medium stress on the elastic compression or extension means, according to their arrangement. The elastic means substantially operate in the direction of the bands 60. In this way, while lowering the lower bar, the bands 60 carry, against the action of the elastic means , the movable elements to a medium load position of the elastic means. If one or more bands 60 are stretched or deformed, the movable elements are moved in the direction of an additional load of the elastic means, and the control cord is deformed thereby, whereas, if one or more bands are sheared, the corresponding movable elements are automatically carried to the deforming position of the control cord, generally substantially symmetrical to the former position with reference to the preload of the elastic means. In both cases, an alarm signal is generated. Obviously, the control cord is anyhow also bound to the movable element.

The means for pulling or deforming the control cord may cause the slider 65 to be pulled with the mirror 66, thus deviating the straight path of the control cord.

Referring to a first embodiment, as shown in figures 27 to 29, the means 62 for pulling or deforming the control cord include a slider 162, which is slidably driven in the direction of the corresponding band 60, inside a compartment of a box 262. The slider 162 protrudes out of the box 262 with an appendage meant for attachment to the associated end of the band 60. The attachment of the band 60 to the slider 162 may be obtained in any way. Particularly, as shown with reference to the embodiment of figures 30 to 33, the appendage for attachment to the band 60 may have a comb shape, its teeth being oriented transversely to the band 60 , whereas the latter is ixed by passing it along a serpentine path, between one tooth and the other, and possibly even by gluing the band end to the band itself or to the appendage, after passing it through the comb, or by providing that the band be widened at the end, in the portion projecting out of the last gap between teeth. When the teeth are sufficiently long, the end portion of the band may be passed in a serpentine path around the teeth of the comb-like appendage even twice or more times .

Between the upper side of the box 262 and the upper side of the slider 162, there are provided two springs 362, whereas the box 262 is provided, on the sides facing the lateral guides 33 of the movable bar 32 , with two coincident openings , for the passage of the control cord, which is slidably engaged in a transverse groove (as shown in fig. 30 and indicated as 762) of the slider 162, which crosses it right through.

Figures 27 to 29 show the operation of the means 62 for pulling and deforming the control cord. In this case, by moving the movable bar 32 to the lower end-of- stroke position, the bands 60 are unwound, and their length is such as to exert a medium compressive force on the springs associated to the sliders 162, as shown by the arrow FI . The latter are carried to an unsteady intermedia^ position, in which the transverse groove which holds the control cord is aligned with the apertures for the passage thereof through the walls of the box 262. In this condition, the spring 463, acting on the slider 65 of the mirror 66 has no stresses acting thereupon, and remains in the alarm signal preventing position . By exerting a pulling action on one or more bands (arrows FI and Fx) , the corresponding sliders 162 are moved upwards, thus causing the control cord 64 to be deformed between the walls of the groove for holding it, and of the passage apertures of the box, being transverse to the axis of the band, and thus the control cord to be shortened and the slider 65 , with the mirror 66 (arrow F3 and fig. 34) to be moved, consequently operating the alarm controlling means . By shearing the band or bands 60, the same occurs, but in the opposite direction (fig. 29) . In this case, the sliders are moved by the springs 362, which were preloaded while closing the apparatus .

The means 62 for pulling and/or deforming the control cord 64 are fixed to the movable lower bar 32 and there is advantageously provided a removable section covering them, which may be fixed to said bar 32.

In order to prevent by pass operations on the bands , for example by shearing them and locking the sliders 162 in position by attaching the portion of the band still connected thereto, to the lower bar, there may be provided two additional control cords 64' , 64 ' ' , parallel to each other and to the main control cord, being stretched out by means of corresponding bearings , which are positioned parallel to the bar but laterally staggered beyond its faces or flush with them.

Figs. 30 to 32 show a further variant embodiment. In this case, instead of a slider 162, there is provided an oscillating arm or lever 162' , which projects with one end laterally out of the supporting box 62' and parallel to the bar 32. The band 60 is fixed to the outer end of the arm 162' , which is comb- shaped as described above, whereas the main control cord 64 is guided, in the same way as previously described, across a longitudinal groove of the arm 162' . The arm is oscillatingly pivoted in a median point, whereas the end being opposite to the one for coupling to the band 60 and inside the box 62' is also subjected to the action of elastic means, operating in the same way as described with reference to the previous example of figures 27 to 29.

As shown in the figures , the arm deviates the path of the main control cord, generating the same effect as previously described. Even in this case, there may be provided a preload of the spring in the idle alarm position, thus obtaining the control of both the deforming and shearing actions on the bands 60.

As evidently shown in figures 30 to 32 , the means for pulling and/or deforming the control cord 64 are fixed by shape-coupling between the profile of a fixing base, extension, appendage, mount, or similar 562 and a housing throat of the movable bar 32 , accordingly shaped. The base or mount of the pulling or deforming means and the engagement throat of the lower bar are provided with undercuts in the transverse direction of

_30_ the bar, and thus said means are effectively held back in the direction of the bands 60. Depending on the material and on tolerances , the means for pulling and/or deforming the control cord may be slipped from the open end sides of the section forming the lower bar

32 , prior to the application of the end shoe or shoes 63, 63' , or may be snap inserted in the transverse direction. Their position on the lower bar 32 may be friction- or force-secured, either thanks to the dimensions of the two complementary parts, or, possibly, by means of projections on the walls of the engagement base or mount 562 of the pulling and/or deforming means 62 , which come into contact with the walls of the throat and generate zones with higher friction .

Alternatively, as shown in the variant of figure

33 , the means for pulling and/or deforming the main control cord may be fixed, in an identical manner, not on the upper side of the movable lower bar 32 , but on one of its faces. The two secondary control cords are guided, for each means for pulling and/or deforming the control cord in throats or through holes provided in extensions or wings 662 transverse to the movable lower bar 32, which project in diametrically opposite directions, and overhangingly out of the sides of the boxes 262' .

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but may be greatly varied, especially as regards construction, without departure from the scope disclosed above and

3 fil - claimed below.

Particularly, the different embodiments illustrated and described herein may be provided both individually and in combination, and the characteristics of the different variant embodiments, which may be applied, regardless of the construction of said variants , to all provided variants , are intended as provided or anyway able to be provided in all illustrated variants .

Claims

1. Anti-intrusion apparatus particularly for passage openings, like doors, windows, or similar, comprising sensing means (1, 201, 301) , which detect the passage or the attempted passage through an opening (A) , and generate or modify a signal, and electronic means (12) for recognizing and processing the said signal for the control of warning means or actuators of other kind, characterized in that it comprises at least one sensor (1) or one group of sensors supported so as to be movable like a curtain (2, 3, 4, 5) or similar from an idle position, in which the sensors (1) are gathered on one side of the opening (A) , leaving it substantially clear, into an operating position, in which the sensors (1) are arranged according to a predetermined design on the whole extension of the opening (A) , whereas the sensors (1) are of the type that can generate a signal or modify a reference signal when they are moved from the position they take with no stresses, like movements or similar, acting thereupon, into their operating condition .

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the sensors (1) include a first sensor, which is a loop connecting a signal emitter (10) and a signal receiver (11) , and a second sensor, which is a controller of actuators (201, 301, 103, 203, 7) which modify the signal transmitted by the loop sensor connecting the signal emitter (10) and the signal receiver (11) .

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , characterized in that the second sensor consists of an actuator for modifying the transmission characteristics of the first sensor, which is substantially mechanic.

4. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that the second sensor is made of a flexible element, which is supported in such a way as to form a serpentine whose bends may be expanded, opened out or anyway deformed to a predetermined extent, which stretches over the whole extension of the opening (A) and may be gathered or compacted to such an extent as to fill a very small area of the opening (A) , leaving it substantially clear for the whole of its span, at least some of the reversing points, preferably all of them, being connected (2) to means (201, 301, 130. 203, 7) for modifying the transmission characteristics of the first sensor, which are movable by the first sensor when subject to traction, in a condition of deformation of the latter.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the second sensor (1) is made in such a way as to stretch, in its operating position, in the form of a serpentine with a predetermined pitch, for the whole extension of the opening (A) , and in a direction transverse to the serpentine, form side to side of two opposite sides of the opening (A) , particularly of two vertical sides , whereas , in the idle position , the bends of the serpentine are compacted and gathered next to one of the sides of the opening (A) transverse to the serpentine, particularly next to the upper side of the opening (A) .

6. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second sensor (1) forming the serpentine is supported, at the reversing bends, by sliders/spacers (2), which are slidably engaged along guides (3, 103, 203) disposed on the two opposite sides of the opening, and are substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the serpentine, whereas at least one of the said guides (3) , or both, is supported so as to be elastically transversely movable, and forms, together with a stationary element (203) the mechanical elements for modifying the transmission characteristics of the first sensor (1) .

7. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first sensor (1) is made of an optical fiber forming a loop with one end connected to a light source (10) and the other to an opto-electrical or electronic transducer sensor (11) , both stationary, there being provided, in at least one intermediate area of the optical fiber loop, a break of the optical fiber (1) , and the two associated ends thereof (201, 301) being spaced, the one fixed to the stationary element (203) and the other to the elastically movable guide (103) along which the sliders/spacers (2) supporting the second sensor (1) slide .

8. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first sensor and the second sensor are both made of a flexible optical fiber (1) , particularly of the so-called plastic optical

tl- fiber .

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the first sensor and the second sensor are made of a single optical fiber (1) which, starting from the light emitter (10) extends along the serpentine section, and is connected, with the return branch associated to the end of the serpentine, to the optoelectronic receiver (11) , or vice versa, whereas in the said return branch there is provided the break of the loop connecting the said emitter (10) and the said receiver, that is the opto-electronic sensor (11) .

10. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the break is provided in the branch of the optical fiber (1) which, starting from the lower bend, returns to the processing unit, and which is meant to pass along the sliding guide (3) .

11. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that the processing unit (12) is made in such a way as to detect luminosity changes of the open optical fiber loop (1) , with respect to a predetermined and presettable reference intensity.

12. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a response threshold of the processing unit (12) is set, so that the warning means , or similar , are operated provided that the luminosity changes signalled on the exit side of the open optical fiber loop (1) exceed the said minimum change threshold.

- 4*-

13. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that the two facing ends (201, 301) of the optical fiber (1), at the intermediate break, are disposed at a certain and predetermined distance from each other, so that their opening cones are big enough to allow for a passage of light in any reciprocal position of the said two ends, with respect to a predetermined tolerance range .

14. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical elements for operating the modification of the transmission characteristics of the first sensor consist of at least one of the two opposite sliding guides (3) on the opposite sides of the opening (A) , along which the sliders/spacers (2) supporting the serpentine slide, the said two guides (3) being composed each of two tubular guides (103, 203) provided with a longitudinal slot (303) for the passage of the sliders/spacers (2) , and being one inside the other, and the inner guide (103) being meant to house the supporting means (4) and the driving means (5, 5') of the sliders/spacers (2) whereas, on at least one side of the opening (A) , the inner guide (103) is supported so as to be elastically movable (7) from a steady central position of rest, through elastic means (7) for the return into the said steady position of rest, and the two ends (201, 301) of the first sensor (1) at the intermediate break are fixed, in a predetermined position and substantially facing each other, one to the outer stationary guide (203) , and the other to the inner guide (103) , which is movable with respect to the former .

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the inner guide (103) is supported, in the intermediate position of the outer guide (203) by elastic means (7) , provided at the two ends of the said guides (103, 203) and interposed between the latter, the said elastic means (7) being relatively orientated to each other and to the opening (A) so that their directions of compression and expansion are at least parallel to each other and to the plane subtended by the serpentine in the operating position, preferably coaxial .

16. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliders/spacers (2) are slidably held by a flexible element (4) , housed inside the inner guide (103) , the sliders/spacers (2) and/or the flexible supporting element (4) being provided with interacting means (102, 104) for mutual removable engagement.

17. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliders/spacers (2) are slidably engaged with the inner guide (103) , particularly with the edges of a slot (303) , through which the said sliders/spacers (2) protrude out of the inner guide (103) .

18. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that there are provided means (5, 5'), particularly cables and/or strings, to move the sliders/spacers along the lateral

- 4^. _ guides (3, 103, 303) , particularly of the type used for curtains and/or slat blinds , or similar .

19. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the serpentine element has loops being oriented parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of movement from one to the other of the two operating and idle positions, that is with branches for connection of the curved reversing segments (501) oriented in the direction of movement.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that the sensor (1) is made of a fiber-optic cable, especially a plastic optical fiber, the reversing areas (501) of the cable are provided along the upper and lower sides (31, 32) of the opening, whereof the reversing areas (501) of the optical fiber being associated to the lower side of the opening are fixed to a crossbar (23) , which is mounted with its two ends slidably engaged along vertical parallel guides (30) , on the corresponding sides of the opening, and the opposite reversing areas of the optical fiber serpentine are each fixed to a winding roller (40) , rotatably supported at the upper side of the opening.

21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, by spreading the optical fiber serpentine on the span of the opening, and gathering it into the idle position, the single parallel branches (401) of the optical fiber, connecting two opposite reversing areas (501) , are unrolled and rolled on a common winding roller (40) .

22. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the ends of the straight branches (401) of the serpentine, which are associated to the winding roller (40) , pass through guiding means (44, 144) , having a predetermined position in the horizontal direction, whereas the winding roller (40) performs a progressive translation substantially equalling the diameter of the optical fiber cable for each turn of the roller (40) , said translation being performed in one axial direction in the winding sense and in the opposite axial direction in the unwinding sense (140, 42, 41, 141, 43) .

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that, on one of its ends, the winding roller (40) is engaged on a coaxial threaded pivot, whose threading pitch substantially corresponds to the diameter of the optical fiber cable, whereas , on the opposite end, the winding roller (40) is connected to elastic means which may be loaded upon unwinding rotation of the roller (40) and which are interposed between a mounting (141) not rotatably but axially slidably supported (43) , and the axis of rotation of the roller (40) .

24. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 19 to 23, characterized in that the reversing segments (501) of the serpentine (1) made of the optical fiber cable, which are associated to the transverse element (32) , sliding from the lower side of the opening to the winding roller (40) on the upper

- 4 €. side thereof, are fixed to a rigid bar (332) , supported (432) in such a way that it can be elastically staggered with respect to a predetermined relative position inside a tubular crossbar (132) , having apertures for the passage of the single straight branches (401) of the serpentine (1) made of the optical fiber cable, the said element being held, by elastic means (432) , in the rest position, whereas it moves with respect to the tubular crossbar (132) in which it is housed when traction is exerted on the straight branch (401) of the serpentine (1) made of the optical fiber cable, for example when the straight branches are opened out or deformed.

25. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 19 to 24, characterized in that the crossbar (32) , sliding along the vertical lateral guides (30) , holds the electronic processing units (12) for signal detection and control of warning means or similar .

26. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 19 to 25, characterized in that the sliding crossbar (32) has sliding shoes (33) engaged along the vertical lateral guides (30) , at least one of them bearing a part of an electrical connector (433) , having a predetermined number of contacts (533) , which is engageable and disengageable , in such a way as to close and open the electrical contact with a second part of the connector (49, 149), associated to the corresponding vertical lateral guide (30) in the lower end-of-stroke area of the sliding crossbar (32) .

- 4 r7- -

27. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 19 to 26, characterized in that it provides two fiber-optic cables (1, 47), a first cable forming the serpentine (1) , one of its ends being connected to a light transmitter/emitter, mounted on the processing unit (12) , and a second cable (47) , one of its ends being connected to a receiver or vice versa, whereas the two free ends of the first and second cables are supported so as to be substantially coaxial and facing each other, that of the first cable (1) being fixed to the transverse rigid bar (332) , whereas the facing end of the second optical fiber cable (47) is fixed to the tubular crossbar (132) in which the bar (332) is supported so as to be elastically transversely movable.

28. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 19 to 27, characterized in that for fixing the revering segments (501) of the serpentine

(1) to the winding roller (40) said segments are, substantially for a turn, together with the corresponding end segments of the straight branches (401) of the serpentine (1) , around a cylindrical nucleus (240) of the winding roller (4) , whereas their reversing segments are fixed by adhesive tapes , there being additionally provided that the wound terminal segments of the loops of the serpentine (1) are locked in position by a cylindrical tubular element (240) , having a continuous axial slot, which element is slipped onto the cylindrical nucleus (240) of the winding roller, elastically fastening the terminal segments of the loops wound on said cylindrical nucleus (240) on the cylindrical nucleus (240) itself.

29. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 19 to 28, characterized in that the serpentine (1) made of the optical fiber cable is attached to the transverse bar (332) , supported in the tubular crossbar (132) , at its reversing segments

(501) , by guiding elements (46) , which extend in the curved area of the optical fiber cable, imposing it a predetermined 90° radius of curvature.

30. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that the optical fiber cable (50) is composed of at least one plastic optical fiber core (51) , of a braid, or similar (52) , made of Kevlar fibers, for example of a plurality of longitudinal Kevlar threads disposed around the plastic optical fiber core (51) , in direct contact therewith, and of an outer coating sheath (53) made of plastic.

31. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, or one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensors (60) have no intrinsic sensitivity, but consist of means for transmitting the forces acting upon them to the control unit (12) .

32. Apparatus as claimed in claim 31 , characterized in that the sensors (60) consist of one or more threads or bands, which are meant to be wound on spools (61) , arranged on the width of the passage opening, and to be unwound together, the front ends of the spools of threads or bands (60) being connected to a common slidable bar (32) by means (62, 62') for transmitting the forces acting thereupon to a detector (65, 66, 67, 67') , connected to the central unit (12) .

33. Apparatus as claimed in claim 32 , characterized in that the detecting means (65, 66) are stressed along a force component which is oriented transversely to the sensors (60)

34. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 31 to 33, characterized in that the detecting means consist of a reflecting mirror (66) mounted so as to be movable transversely to the slidable bar (32) , on at least one of the ends of the bar (32) , and cooperating with an emitter and a receiver (67, 67') of electromagnetic waves, particularly of light waves , in any frequency range , being mounted in a predetermined position in the end- of-stroke zone of the slidable bar (32) , and which mirror (66) is stressed in the alarm signal preventing position, i.e. in the end-of-stroke direction towards the sliding guide (30) of the slidable bar (32) .

35. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 31 to 34 , characterized in that there is provided at least one controlling flexible element

(64) , like a cord or similar, being oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slidable bar (32) , and engaged in means (62, 62') for pulling and/or deforming it, which are controlled by the sensors (60) , said controlling flexible element (64) operating between the two opposite ends of the slidable bar (32) , exerting a pulling action on the slidable reflecting mirror (66) , attached to one of them, thus moving it.

- 5θ_

36. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 31 to 35, characterized in that the means (62, 62') for pulling and/or deforming the controlling means (64) , which act on the slidable mirror (66), consist of sliders (162, 162'), having at least one degree of freedom, in the longitudinal direction of the sensors (60) , which are subjected to the action of elastic means (362) , operating in the direction along which the sensors (60) are stretched.

37. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 31 to 36, characterized in that the sliders (162, 162') of the pulling and/or deforming means (62, 62') have passages for the engagement of the controlling means (64) which act on the mirror (66) , and are such as to deform and/or deviate said means (64) for controlling the mirror (66) when a force is exerted on the sensors (60) .

38. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that the sliders (162, 162') of the means (62, 62') for pulling and/or deforming the means (64) for controlling the mirror (66) and the length of the sensors (60) in the end-of- stroke condition of the slidable bar (32) are such that the elastic elements (362) , which act on the sliders (162, 162') are preloaded to a certain extent, so that the controlling means (64) are deformed in the direction along which the mirror (66) is moved from the alarm signal preventing position, both in case of a force, exerted on the sensors (60) , which acts increasing their stretching condition, and in case of

KL- an opposite force, which acts annulling or reducing the stretching condition of the sensors (60) .

39. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 31 to 38, characterized in that, in the end-of-stroke condition of the bar, the sliders (162, 162') of the means (62, 62') for pulling and/or deforming the means (64) for controlling the movement of the mirror (66) , take a neutral position, in which the mirror (66) takes the alarm signal preventing position, and which neutral position corresponds to a partially staggered position, with respect to the steady end-of-stroke position, that the cursors are forced to take, by the elastic elements to which they are submitted.

40. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 31 to 39, characterized in that the sliders (162, 162') have a transverse groove (762) for the passage of the flexible means (64) for controlling the movement of the mirror (66) , in which the controlling means (64) are free to slide.

41. Apparatus as claimed in claim 40, characterized in that the sliders (162, 162') deform the controlling means (64) between their own walls, and stationary walls .

42. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 31 to 39, characterized in that, instead of sliders, there are provided oscillating arms .

43. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (62, 62') for pulling and/or deforming the means (64) for controlling the movement of the mirror (66) , have a shaped mount, appendage, or extension (562) for attachment to the slidable bar (32) , which has an upper and/or lateral groove, whose shape is complementary to that of the bases, appendages or extensions (562) of the pulling and/or deforming means (62, 62'), the two parts being provided with undercuts , in the longitudinal direction of the sensors (60) , and the means (62, 62') for pulling and/or deforming the means

(64) for controlling the movement of the mirror (66) being locked in position by friction.

44. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 31 to 43, characterized in that, on at least one side of the slidable bar (32) , preferably on both sides thereof, there are provided at least one additional means (64' , 64' ' ) for controlling the movement of the mirror (66) , which are parallel to each other and to the main controlling means (64) , and at a certain distance out of the corresponding side of the slidable bar (32) , and which are supported by lateral transverse, protruding, and stationary extensions (662).

45. Apparatus as claimed in claim 44, characterized in that the additional means (64' , 64' ' ) for controlling the movement of the mirror (66) are supported by stationary extensions (662) of the pulling and/or deforming means (62, 62' ) .

46. Apparatus as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 31 to 45, characterized in that it has a winding roller (340) with a plurality of equally spaced winding spools (61) , each for one sensor (60) and a parallel slidable bar (32) , with a corresponding number of means (62, 62') for pulling and/or deforming means (64) for controlling the movement of a mirror (66) in the axial direction of the bar (32) , being attached thereon, the ends of the sensors (60) being fixed each to a spool (61) and to the corresponding means (62, 62') for pulling and/or deforming the means (64) for controlling the movement of the mirror (66) , said mirror being slidably mounted (65) in at least one of the end shoes (63' ) of the bar (32) , engaged each one in sliding guides (32) , and said controlling means (64) being mounted on the slidable bar (32) and sequentially and slidably engaged (762) with the means for pulling and/or deforming them.

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