WO2024069170A1

WO2024069170A1 - Adaptable security assembly with container unit

Info

Publication number: WO2024069170A1
Application number: PCT/GB2023/052504
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Lee
Original assignee: Procare Shower & Bathroom Centre Limited
Priority date: 2022-09-27
Filing date: 2023-09-27
Publication date: 2024-04-04
Also published as: GB202314836D0; GB2624299A

Abstract

The invention relates to an adaptable assembly including a container unit and a further unit and said assembly is adaptable between a first configuration in which the said further unit is at least partially concealed and a second configuration in which access to the said further unit can be gained to, for example, obtain an access means such as a key. The container unit typically can be used to have a function as a planter for the receipt therein of soil and plants which can be grown and hence mask the security function of the assembly. Support means may also be provided to provide support for persons generally and when interacting with the assembly.

Description

Adaptable Security Assembly with Container unit

The invention to which this application relates is an adaptable assembly with security means. In particular, although not necessarily exclusively, the assembly is provided in a form for use externally of a premises and typically in attachment to or adjacent to the premises.

Typically the apparatus has both a conventional function and a security function and, for the security function, the assembly is movable between a first configuration in which an access means such as a key (and hereby referred to as a key in a non-limiting manner) or safe, or both, are masked from view by a container and, in one embodiment may be inaccessible until the assembly is moved to a second configuration.

A common problem associated with any premises, and in particular domestic premises which are required to be locked when not inhabited and/or locked to provide additional security to those persons within the premises, is being able to provide a key in a location externally of the premises, typically at or adjacent to the premises, so that the key is available to be used to open a lock by an authorised person to gain access to the premises and also to secure and lock the same, whilst at the same time being able to retain the key in a secure manner so as to prevent access being made to the key by unauthorised persons.

This need may be as a result of the owner of the premises being infirm or elderly and thereby being at risk of the key being stolen or lost from their person if they were to carry the key with them when in a public environment, may be as a result of persons requiring access to the premises when the keyholder is not present or unable to come to the front door, such as by cleaners, carers or the like and/or if the premises is rented by third parties, to allow access to the premises by the third party even when the owner is not present.

While it is known to provide a locked unit, commonly known as a key safe, at the premises in which a key can be located and then locked by a lock, typically openable by the input of the correct code, the key safe apparatus is typically located on a wall of the premises and is clearly visible or can be found after a relatively short survey of the external walls of the premises. When found, attempts can be relatively easily be made to break the lock and gain access to the key within the safe or remove the key safe from the wall and then possibly take the same to a location where suitable tools are available to gain access to the key inside the key safe and then subsequendy gain unauthorised access to the premises using the key.

A further problem with conventional apparatus is that the same can be unsightly when attached to the external wall of the premises and provides a clear indication that the premises may be unoccupied or occupied by vulnerable persons which in itself can be an incentive for attempts to be made to gain access to the premises by unauthorised persons. The presence of vulnerable persons in the premises may be further apparent if the external walls of the premises also include access or mobility support handles or frames provided externally of the premises.

An aim of the present invention is to allow for the improved security of storage of a key, typically externally of a premises and to do so in a manner in which the same can still be accessed by authorised persons but is both hidden from view and made more difficult to access by unauthorised persons.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an adaptable security assembly, said assembly including a container unit, a further unit and wherein said assembly is adaptable between at least a first configuration in which the said further unit is at least partially concealed by the container unit, and a second configuration in which said further unit is accessible.

In one embodiment the said further unit includes a location for at least one access means for a premises. In one embodiment the said further unit is or includes a secure storage unit. In one embodiment the further unit includes mounting means to allow the assembly to be mounted to a support surface.

In one embodiment the concealment is such as to visibly conceal the said further unit from external view from at least the majority of possible viewing angles. In addition, or alternatively, the concealment is such as to prevent manual access to the location of said access means. In one embodiment when the said further unit is a secure storage unit, manual access to the locking means for the secure storage unit is prevented. Yet further, in addition or alternatively, the concealment is such as to prevent or restrict the ability of a third party to contact the said further unit, such as the secure storage unit, with one or more tools to attempt to remove the secure storage unit from a surface onto which the secure storage unit is located.

In one embodiment of the invention the said container unit includes at least one recessed portion in which the said further unit is located when the said assembly is in the said first configuration. In one embodiment the container unit includes two or more spaced apart recessed portions to allow the selective location of the said further unit in one or more of the said recessed portions, typically to suit the location of installation.

In one embodiment when the apparatus is adapted to the second configuration the said further unit is accessible and visible.

In one embodiment of the invention the assembly includes guide means to allow the apparatus to be adapted between said first and second configurations by relative sliding movement.

In one embodiment the guide means include at least one rail or channel which may be provided separate to or in conjunction with said further unit, and roller members. Typically the rail or channel is secured to a support surface such as a wall and the roller members are located with the container unit so as to allow linear movement of the container unit along the rail or channel between first and second configurations with respect to the fixed position further unit.

In one embodiment the surface on which said assembly is mounted is a wall, typically of a building or a ground surface and most typically on or adjacent to the premises for which the access means are provided.

In one embodiment of the invention the said guide means includes a lip, such that the base of the container unit and/ or guide means are masked. In one embodiment of the invention the said guide member includes stopper members at the end of the guide means to limit the movement of the said container unit to between said first and second configurations.

In one embodiment the said container unit includes a cavity defined by side walls and a base. In one embodiment the cavity is provided to receive therein, soil, compost and/ or plants and thereby have the additional function of being used as a planter.

Typically the rail or channel is substantially the length of the base of the said container unit, such that in the said first configuration, the container unit does not substantially extend beyond the rail or channel. In one embodiment, the container unit extends beyond the guide means when the said assembly is in the said second position.

In one embodiment when the said further unit is provided in the form of a secure storage unit the same is defined by walls and a door member defining a selectively enclosed cavity and the door member is movable between a closed and an open position when locking means are released, typically by the authorised person using any of a keypad, combination lock, key lock and/ or equivalent locking means.

In one embodiment the locking means are inaccessible when the said container unit is in the said first configuration and/or the door cannot be moved to an open position when the said container unit is in the said first configuration.

In one embodiment the container unit is retained in the first configuration until retention means are released.

In one embodiment the container unit includes a recess door assembly, movable between an open and closed position and the recess is concealed when the recess door assembly is in the said closed position and, in one embodiment, the container unit is unable to be moved from the said first configuration.

In one embodiment the assembly includes one or more support members which are located, for example, to the underside of the container unit and which are fixed in position and can be used to provide support for elderly or infirm persons when using the planter and/ or adapting the assembly between said first and second configurations.

In one embodiment the support members are or include a grab rail.

In one embodiment the grab rail is mounted to the guide means.

In another embodiment the grab rail is mounted to the container unit.

Thus, there is provided the advantage that if the owner of the premises is infirm, disabled or elderly, the apparatus can also be beneficially used to provide a means to support oneself via the grab rail so as to allow the user to have a safer transition into the property.

The grab rail formed with the assembly is, in effect, disguised from a viewer as acting as a grab rail on the front of a house. This disguising of the grab rail provides the advantage that a criminal or opportunist seeking to target a premises that is home to an individual that is infirm, disabled or elderly is not presented with an obvious indicator of the same by the presence of a visible grab rail.

Furthermore, when providing the force necessary to cause relative movement of the movable assembly, it is beneficial to provide a means to brace oneself against to provide this force, particularly if the user is infirm, disabled or elderly.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a planter assembly said assembly including a container unit including a cavity into which soil and one or more plants can be selectively placed, a further unit secured to a support surface and said container unit is mounted to said further unit and wherein the assembly includes at least one support member provided for selective use by a person when interacting with the assembly.

In one embodiment the container unit and further unit are selectively movable so as to adapt the configuration of the assembly. Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an adaptable security assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the assembly in accordance with the invention in the second configuration;

Figures 3a-b illustrate front views of the assembly in accordance with the invention in the first and second configurations respectively;

Figures 4a-b illustrate a perspective and side view of the assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention;

Figures 5a-b illustrate a side view of the assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with a recess door assembly in the open and closed positions respectively;

Figures 6a-b illustrate front views of the assembly including a grab rail in the first and second configurations respectively;

Figures 7a-b illustrate side views of an adaptable security assembly in a further embodiment of the invention in a concealing and accessible configuration respectively; and

Figure 8 illustrates a front view of an assembly in accordance with a second aspect of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1-2, there is illustrated an adaptable security assembly in accordance with the invention in one embodiment and in this embodiment the assembly includes a container unit 2 movable with respect to a further unit 3 which includes a secure storage unit 4, a mounting means 5 and guide means to guide the relative movement. The container unit 2 is movable with respect to the further unit 3 and in particular the mounting means and secure storage unit 4 such that when the same is in a first, concealing, configuration as shown in Figure 1, the secure storage unit 4 is located within a recess 6 of the container unit 2, such that all but one wall of the secure storage unit 4 is concealed from view.

The container unit 2 is located on the first part of the guide means 8 which are provided in the form of a rail, track or channel and the guide means 8 are shown as being formed as part of the mounting means 5 which includes a back wall 10 and a lip portion 12. A second part of the guide means may not always be provided but can include roller members provided on the container unit so as to provide a smoother movement between the said container unit and further unit 3.

The secure storage unit 4 is secured to the backwall 10 and which in turn is secured to a fixed structure such as the wall of a building. The back wall 10 and lip portion 12 also constrain the container unit 2 to move along the guide means track 8 in which the storage unit 4 is located.

The length of the track 8 is approximately the same as the length of the container unit 2, such that the container unit 2 does not substantially extend beyond the guide track 8 when the assembly is in the first configuration with the container unit in the first concealing position. The container unit 2 and guide member 8 contact is such as to allow a user to manually move the container unit 2 along the guide track 8 between said first and second positions and hence move the assembly between said first configuration of Figure 1 and the second configuration of Figure 2.

The container unit 2 defines a cavity 14 in which, in this embodiment, takes the form of a planter in which can be contained plants, soil, fertiliser and the like and the container unit 2 may include holes for draining of excess water.

Figures 3a-b illustrate the movement of the container unit 2 between the first concealing position 16 of Figure 1 and the second exposing position 18 of Figure 2. This is achieved by moving the container unit 2 along the channel track 8 in direction 20. The assembly can be returned to the first configuration of Figure 1 once the access means has been removed, replaced or if the assembly is not in use by the sliding movement of the container unit in the direction 21. The recess 6 of the container unit 2 is shown in broken lines and is larger than the secure storage unit 4 so as to accommodate the unit within the recess when the container is in the first position 16 but is also of a size so as to provide a relatively close fit between the said storage unit and walls of the recess 6 and so prevent easy access to the secure storage unit 4 when the container unit is in the first concealing position. In this embodiment it can be seen that the assembly is located on a horizontal support surface 22, however it will be noted that the assembly may be mounted on a vertical support surface by the back wall 10 of the guide member 8.

When the container unit is in the second position shown in Figure 2 access can be gained to the secure storage unit so as to allow the user to operate locking means (typically a combination code input means) and thereby allow the authorised person to gain access to an item, such as access means, typically in the form of a key, stored in the secure storage unit.

It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the secure storage unit may not be provided and, instead, location means are provided so as to allow, for example, a key to be located in the further unit and be substantially in accessible when the assembly is in the first configuration and substantially masked from view, and then be accessible and viewable when the assembly is moved to the second configuration.

Figures 4a-b illustrate another embodiment in which there is again provided the container unit 2, secure storage unit 4, and guide means in the form of a track or rail 8. The container unit 2 may be located on the rail member 8 by movable connectors (not shown) which may include linear actuating means, wheels, rollers and/ or the like. The rail or track can include stoppers at each end (not shown) that may prevent the movement of the container unit 2 beyond the first or second positions, such that the container unit 2 is prevented from being removed from the rail member 8 by sliding the same off one end of the rail or track 8.

Figures 5a-b illustrate a recess door 24 pivotably movable about a hinge 26 between an exposing and a concealing position (see Figures 5a and 5b respectively). It can be seen that this door configuration completely conceals the secure storage unit 4 when closed, such that access to the same is limited. Furthermore, the movement of the container unit 2 from the first position 16 is prevented when the door 24 is closed. The door may include a retaining means to retain the same in the closed position, and prevent access to the storage assembly 4.

Figures 6a-b illustrate a second embodiment of the container unit 102 located with a mounting unit 104, movable with respect to a secure storage unit 106 located with the mounting unit 104 including a lip portion 105. The mounting unit 104 is mounted to a wall or structure 110 by a mounting means 107, such as a threaded connection.

The container unit 102 defines a cavity 112 which, in this embodiment, takes the form of a planter in which can be contained plants, soil, fertiliser and the like and the container unit 102 may include holes for draining of excess water.

A grab rail 108 is mounted to the mounting unit 104. As such, the grab rail is relatively stationary when the container unit 102 is moved, allowing a user to brace against the grab rail 8 when moving the unit 102.

The grab rail 108 also acts as a means for a user to brace themselves as they move past the assembly.

The grab rail 108 may be mounted to the wall 110 on which the assembly is mounted, or may be mounted to the mounting unit 104.

Figures 7a-b illustrate a further embodiment of the invention, wherein the assembly 200 includes a container unit 202 in the form of a planter and further unit. The assembly again includes a container unit with a recess 204 in which there is located a further unit and 212. In this embodiment no movement means are provided but instead the configuration of the assembly is adapted by selectively operating a door 206 that may be moved about a hinged connection 208 between a concealing, first, configuration and an accessible, second, configuration. The door 206 may be moved by a user through a handle 210, which in this embodiment is an aperture of the door through which a user may pass their finger through to grip. The door is selectively held in the closed position by retaining means or locking means. Mounted within the recess 204 is the further unit 212 which includes a mounting plate to be mounted on a wall of the recess 204, and a hook 214 on which a key may be hung. Alternatively the further unit could be a secure storage unit as previously described. The further unit, and therefore a key mounted with the same, may therefore be selectively concealed or accessible by the movement of the door.

Figure 8 illustrates another aspect of the invention, wherein the assembly 300 comprises a container unit 302 located with a mounting unit 304. The mounting unit 304 is mounted to a wall or structure 310 by a mounting means 307, such as a threaded connection.

The container unit 302 defines a cavity 312 in which can be contained plants, soil, fertiliser and the like and the container unit 302 may include holes for draining of excess water.

A support member in the form of a grab rail 308 is mounted to the mounting unit 304, allowing a user to brace themselves as they move past the assembly.

The grab rail 308 may be mounted to the wall 310 on which the assembly is mounted or may be mounted to the mounting unit 304.

The invention therefore provides an adaptable assembly which provides a security function and, as the container unit can be used to have a function as a planter for the receipt therein of soil and plants which can be grown, can mask the security function. The provision of the support members can also provide further functionality to the assembly to provide support for persons generally and when interacting with the assembly.

Claims

1.An adaptable security assembly, said assembly including a container unit, a further unit and wherein said assembly is adaptable between at least a first configuration in which the said further unit is at least partially concealed by the container unit, and a second configuration in which said further unit is accessible.

2.An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said further unit includes a location for at least one access means for a premises with which the said assembly is associated.

3. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the said further unit is or includes a secure storage unit defined by walls and a door member defining a selectively enclosed cavity location for access means and the door member is movable between a closed and an open position when locking means are released, said locking means inaccessible and/ or the door member cannot be moved to an open position when the said assembly is in the said first configuration.

4 An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the said container unit includes a cavity defined by side walls and a base.

5 An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the cavity is provided with drainage means so as to selectively receive therein, soil, compost and/ or plants and thereby allow the assembly to be used as a planter.

6. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the said further unit includes mounting means to allow the assembly to be mounted to a support surface.

7. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the said concealment is such as to visibly conceal the said further unit from external view from at least the majority of possible viewing angles.

8 An assembly according to any of the claims 2-7 wherein the concealment is such as to prevent manual access to the location of the access means and, when the said further unit is or includes a secure storage unit, manual access to the locking means for the secure storage unit is prevented.

9 An assembly according to any of the claims 3-8 wherein the said concealment is such as to prevent or restrict the ability of a third party to contact the said secure storage unit in an attempt to remove the same from a surface onto which the secure storage unit is located.

10 An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the said container unit includes at least one recessed portion in which the said further unit is located when the said assembly is in the said first configuration.

11 An assembly according to claim 10 wherein the container unit includes two or more spaced apart recessed portions to allow the selective location of the said further unit in one or more of the said recessed portions, typically to suit the location of installation.

12. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the assembly includes guide means to allow the assembly to be adapted between said first and second configurations by relative movement between the container unit and said further unit.

13. An assembly according to claim 12 wherein the guide means includes at least one rail or channel and roller members located on or in conjunction with the respective container unit and said further unit so as to allow linear movement to adapt the assembly between said first and second configurations.

14. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the assembly is retained in the first configuration until retention means are released.

15. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the assembly includes one or more support members to provide support for persons when using the assembly and/ or adapting the assembly between said first and second configurations.

16. An assembly according to claim 15 wherein the one or more support members are located on any, or any combination of, the container unit, further unit and/ or a support surface to which the said further unit is also fixed.

17. An assembly according to any of claims 15-16 wherein the one or more support members are gripped by a person when they apply the force necessary to cause the adaptation of said assembly between configurations.

18. A planter assembly, said assembly including a container unit including a cavity into which soil and one or more plants can be selectively placed, a further unit secured to a support surface and said container unit is mounted on said further unit and wherein the assembly includes at least one support member provided for selective use by a person when interacting with the assembly.

19. An assembly according to claim 18 wherein the container unit and further unit are selectively movable so as to adapt the configuration of the assembly.