WO2007107790A2

WO2007107790A2 - Security device

Info

Publication number: WO2007107790A2
Application number: PCT/GB2007/050133
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert David Coad
Original assignee: Robert David Coad
Priority date: 2006-03-17
Filing date: 2007-03-19
Publication date: 2007-09-27
Also published as: WO2007107790A3; GB2450290A; GB2450290B; GB0818970D0

Abstract

A security device comprising a first part (20) and a second part (30). The first part (20) is adapted to be attached to a wall (14) or first frame (11) surrounding a window or door, the window or door comprising a second frame (12) with a panel (13) located therein. The second part (30) comprises a retaining arm (31) that locates between the second frame and the panel to attach the second part (30) to the window or door. Fastening means (24) are selectively connectable between the first (20) and second (30) parts to control relative movement of the door or window with respect to the first frame.

Description

SECURITY DEVICE

The present invention relates to a security device, and in particular a security device for use with a door or window.

The doors of many houses are fitted with security devices in the form of security chains to allow a house owner to open the door slightly in order to see who is on the outside, whilst at the same time preventing that person from being able to force entry into the building. These security chains consist of a first part attached to the door frame to which a chain is attached, and a second part attached to the door adapted to receive the chain, usually by means of a slide channel. These components can simply be screwed into a wooden door and door frame for secure attachment. However, the doors of many homes are made from PVC, and must be purchased with integrated security chains since drilling holes into PVC doors and door frames is not permitted, as this automatically invalidates the door's warranty. There currently exists no simple or cost efficient way of securely attaching a security chain to existing doors - or indeed windows - constructed from PVC (or like materials) that do not have a built-in system.

The present invention provides a security device which can be fitted to any door (or window) which has a frame with a panel located therein, and in particular be fitted to PVC windows or doors without invalidating the warranty. Therefore, according to the present invention there is provided a security device comprising:

- a first part adapted to be attached to a wall or first frame surrounding a window or door, which window or door comprises a second frame and a panel located therein;

- a second part comprising a retaining arm that locates between the second frame and the panel to attach the second part to the window or door; and

- fastening means selectively connectable between the first and second parts to control relative movement of the door or window with respect to the first frame. Preferably the first part comprises an engaging part adapted to be securely attached between the wall and first frame or door. Alternatively the engagement part may be attached to the wall beyond the first frame. Of course, the first part may be attached anywhere suitable where the fastening means can extend to the second part. Preferably the base member also comprises a facing part that extends from the engaging part over the frame (and possibly wall), and to which the fastening means is attached.

If the engaging part is to be located between the first frame and wall it is preferred that the engaging part has formations thereon adapted to cooperate with the structure of the first frame. This can help to avoid the need for screws or other fixings.

So that the retaining arm is of a suitable strength to withstand any force applied to the security device, and also for ease of construction it is preferred that the retaining arm is formed from a single strip of resilient material that has been appropriately shaped. Metal, such as steel, is particularly well suited, though any material having the necessary properties could be used. To secure the second part in place to withstand any force applied to the security device, it is preferred that the retaining arm engages around an edge of the panel and or second frame.

The retaining arm will be held in place by the panel and the second frame. Further, plastics material doors and windows generally comprise a beading which secures the panel to the second frame, which supplies the necessary pressure to hold the retaining arm. The retaining arm may pass either round the beading before engaging between the panel and the second frame, or instead, the retaining arm may pass through a notch cut on the beading before engaging between the panel and the second frame.

The retaining arm may be applied to a door during construction by being engaged with the panel before it is placed within the second frame, and the beading is clipped into place. However, the present invention may easily be retrofitted to a door by removing the panel by first removing the beading.

The fastening means may comprise any suitable mechanism, but for ease of use it is preferred that it includes a chain. Generally, the fastening means will extend from the first part to the second part. Therefore the second part preferably further comprises keep means adapted to receive the fastening means. The keep means are preferably located on that part of the retaining arm that overlies the inner face of the second frame. Preferably, the keep means comprises a slide channel and the fastening means is a chain having a peg and head adapted to engage with the slide channel.

The present invention is specially adapted to be fitted to a door or window having a frame with a panel located therein. The nature of the panel is not critical, as long as the second part can engage therewith, but in normal use it will often comprise a solid (or laminated) opaque panel or a double glazed sealed unit.

The present invention finds particular utility on plastics material (such as PVC) doors because of the problems outlined above. Although it is particularly well suited to plastic windows or doors the present invention may be used on any suitable door or window.

In order that the present invention may be better understood but by way of example only, various embodiments of the security device will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the first part of the security device;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the second part of the security device;

Figure 3 shows a cross section through part of a PVC door and frame with the first embodiment of the security device attached;

Figure 4 shows a cross section through part of a PVC door and frame with a second embodiment of the security device attached;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the second part of the security device; and

Figure 6 shows a cross section through part of a PVC door and frame with the third embodiment of the second part of the security device attached.

Referring to all Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a first embodiment of security device adapted for use on a PVC door assembly comprising an outer frame 11 attached into an opening in a wall 14, and a door formed from an inner frame 12 and a panel 13. The panel is located within the inner frame 12 and secured by removable beading 15. In this embodiment the panel 13 is constructed from an insulating foam 18 laminated between two PVC sheets 19.

The security device comprises two parts, a first part generally indicated 20 (and shown in Figure 1 ) and a second part, generally indicated 30 (and shown in Figure 2). The first part 20 comprises a base member for securing the first part adjacent the outer frame 11 , and a chain 23. The base member comprises an engaging part 21 that is generally planar and of a length similar to the width of the outer frame (between the inner and outer faces), and a facing part 28 at right angles thereto which rests along the inner face of the outer frame 11. Provided on the engaging part 21 of the base member are formations 22, adapted to cooperate with the structure of the outer frame 11. The chain 23 is connected at one end to the facing part 28 of the base member. Attached to the other end of the chain 23 is a fastener 24, comprising a base 25, and a peg 26 with a head 27.

The second part 30 comprises a retaining arm, generally indicated 31 , adapted for location between the inner frame 12 and the panel 13, and a keep

32. The retaining arm comprises a keep portion 34, to which the keep 32 is attached, a bead portion 35 extending at approximately right angles to the keep portion 34 which passes around the beading in use, a short return section 36 parallel to the keep section 34, and a panel section 37. The panel section 37 has a lip 38 formed at its outer end. The retaining arm 31 is formed from a single elongate strip of metal that exhibits the necessary strength to secure the door. The retaining arm 31 has been bent to achieve the desired configuration and define the keep portion, bead portion, short return portion, panel section and lip. The keep 32 comprises a slide channel

33, which has one broader end 39 adapted to receive the head 27 of the fastener 24. This and the chain function much like a conventional chain lock.

Figure 3 shows a security device of the present invention being used on a PVC door assembly. The outer frame 11 of the door assembly is constructed from a substantially hollow extrusion, and is attached to the wall 14. The first part 20 is located (during assembly) between the wall 14 and the outer frame 11 , and the formations 22 on the surface of the engaging part of the base member 21 locate in recesses on the outer surface of the outer frame 11 for support. The base member may be further secured by being screwed directly into the wall 14.

The inner frame 12 is also constructed from a substantially hollow PVC extrusion, and supports the panel 13 between a rubber seal 16 and a beading strip 15. The beading 15 is located during assembly into a specially adapted groove on the inner frame 12, and snugly holds the panel 13 in place. The lip 38 of the retaining arm is located in the gap behind the seal 16 and the end of the panel 13 so is concealed. The panel section 37 of the retaining arm 31 lies against the end of the panel 13, and the panel 13 is gripped between the short return section 36 and the lip 38. The short section 36 is held firmly against the panel 13 by the beading 15. The keep section 34 of the retaining arm 31 then lies across the surface of the inner face of the inner frame 12 extending towards the outer frame.

The security device may be used when the door is in a closed position, and the inner frame 12 abuts the outer frame 11. The chain 23 can then be stretched across from the first part 20 to the second part 30, where the head 27 and peg 26 of the fastener 24 are inserted into the broader end 39 of the slide channel 33 on the keep section 32. The fastener 24 can then be slid across to the other side of the slide channel 33 to secure the chain 23 in place. There is sufficient slack in the chain 23 to permit the door to be slightly opened to allow the user to see or pass small objects through the gap between the inner frame 12 and outer frame 11.

Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a security device of the present invention being used on a PVC door assembly. The outer frame, door assembly and first part are the same as previously described, so for ease of reference like reference numerals are used. The second embodiment comprises an alternative retaining arm, generally indicated 41 , adapted for location between the inner frame 12 and the panel 13. In this embodiment the retaining arm passes through a specially adapted notch 50 on the beading 40 through which the retaining arm 41 may locate. The retaining arm comprises a keep portion 42, to which keep portion 47 is attached, a bead potion 43 adapted to thread through the notch in beading 40, a short return section 44 (which is much shorter than in the first embodiment 30) parallel to the keep section 34, and a panel section 45. The panel section 45 has a lip 46 formed at its outer end.

The notch 50 is formed from the lower edge of the beading 40, and this allows the beading to be clipped in place after the retaining arm has been fixed around the panel and into the second frame.

Figures 5 and 6 show parts of a third embodiment of security device designed to be retrofitted to PVC doors or windows that are already installed. In this embodiment a different type of first part can be seen in Figure 6 and is generally indicated 60. A third variation of second part generally indicated 51 can be seen in both Figures.

The second part 51 comprises a retaining arm, generally indicated 52 adapted for location between the inner frame 12 and the panel 13, and a keep section 53, which is essentially identical to the keep section 32 on the previously described second part 30. The retaining arm 52 comprises a keep portion 54, to which keep section 53 is attached, a bead portion 55 extending at approximately right angles to the keep portion 54 which passes round the beading 15 in use, a short return section 56 parallel to the keep portion 54, which folds to define a panel section 57 which presses against the panel 13 in use and retains the second part 51. The keep section 53 comprises a slide channel 58, which has one broader end 59 to engage the fastener on a first part. The first and second parts function much like a conventional chain lock.

Figure 6 shows the alternative third embodiment in use. First part 60 comprises a base member 61 for surface mounting of the first part 60 to the wall 14 adjacent the door frame 11. The base member 61 is provided with screw holes for secure attachment to the wall 14 so the base member 61 may be screwed into place. A chain 62 extends between the base member and a fastener 24 that has a peg and head section similar to that described with respect to first part 20 (though not shown here), and is adapted to engage the slide channel 58 of the second part 51.

As shown in Figure 6, second part may be easily attached to a PVC preassembled door without having to remove the panel 13 from the inner frame 12. To install the second part 51 a user simply has to press the short return section 56 and panel section 57 between beading 15 and panel 13. The gap between panel section 57 and short return section 56 is sufficient to deform the beading 15 slightly and apply pressure on the short return section 56 to hold the retaining arm 52 in place.

Claims

1. A security device comprising:

- fastening means selectively connectable between the first and second parts to control relative movement of the door or window with respect to the first frame.

2. A security device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first part comprises:

- an engaging part adapted to be securely attached between the wall and first frame, or to the wall beyond the first frame; and

- a facing part comprising a lip that extends from the engaging part over the wall and first frame, and to which the fastening means is attached.

3. A security device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the engaging part has formations thereon adapted to cooperate with the structure of the first frame.

4. A security device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the retaining arm is formed from a single strip of resilient material that has been appropriately shaped.

5. A security device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the retaining arm engages around an edge of the panel and or second frame.

6. A security device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the retaining arm is adapted to locate around a beading which secures the panel to the second frame, and whereby the beading holds the retaining arm against the panel.

7. A security device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the fastening means comprises a chain.

8. A security device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the second part further comprises keep means adapted to receive the fastening means.

9. A security device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the keep means is provided on that part of the retaining arm which overlies the second frame.

10. A security device as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the keep means comprises a slide channel.

11. A security device as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the fastening means is a chain having a fastener comprising a peg and head adapted to engage with the keep means.

12. A security device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the panel is a solid panel, a laminated panel or a glass sealed unit.

13. A security device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the window or door is constructed from plastics material.