GB2299615A - Security apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A security apparatus (10) for securing a closure member such as a garage door (13) in a frame member (18). Said security apparatus (10) in use being locatable across said garage door (13) either from side to side, top to bottom or diagonally. The security apparatus comprising a first elongate member (11) and a second elongate member (12) wherein each member (11, 12) having means at one end for location in a respective aperture (17) in said frame (18). Said security apparatus (10) also comprises locking means (14) for locking said first elongate member (11) and said second elongate member (12) at a desired relative position.

Description

SECURITY APPARATUS The present invention relates to a security apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to security apparatus for securing a closure member housed within a frame member, especially a garage door, so as to minimise the possibility of forced entry.

It is known that many closure members, for example, doors, especially garage doors, and windows are susceptible to forced entry by intruders due to their inherent structural weakness. For example, a garage door, particularly an up-and-over type, may easily be levered open by a crow-bar or like implement because it is only generally secured to its associated frame at a single location and, accordingly, is an easy target for intruders attempting to gain access to a building through said door.

Furthermore, it is known that many closure members are susceptible to break-ins by forced entry by intruders due to their respective positioning in the domestic or commercial premises. In particular, access points at the rear of premises are unexposed, and therefore are more likely targets for intruders, as opposed to, access points at the front of the premises which are exposed and consequently, the intruder may be disturbed by a passer-by.

Various types of security apparatus exist in order to substantiate the securement of closure members. For example, many garage doors of the up-andover type are secured by a Z-bar locking arrangement; however such locking arrangement only secures the garage door to its associated frame at one, or at most two points, and consequently certain areas of the garage door are susceptible to forced entry. Additional locking devices may be utilised but these are easily broken.

Another known device for up-and-over garage doors comprises a locking arrangement whereby a substantial lock member is attached to the base region of the door, and such lock member can extend to an aperture drilled into the floor or ground adjacent said base region, and the lock member is then locked. Whilst such device is secure, it is extremely costly to install.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a security apparatus which minimises the disadvantages referred to above, which is easy to install and which is economic to manufacture.

According to the present invention there is provided a security apparatus for securing a closure member housed within a frame member, said security apparatus in use being locatable across said closure member, either from side to side, top to bottom, or diagonally, said apparatus comprising: a first elongate member and a second elongate member, each member having means at one end for location in a respective aperture provided in said frame member, and locking means for locking said first elongate member and second elongate member at a desired relative position.

In a preferred embodiment, said second elongate member is slidably locatable within said first elongate member. The second elongate member may be provided with a plurality of apertures aligned along the length so that a locking member provided on said first elongate member may be locatable in one of such apertures depending on the required length of the security apparatus.

Further preferably, the security apparatus will be attached laterally or transversely across the closure member; however, it may be attached longitudinally or diagonally across the closure member.

Further preferably, the security apparatus may be located across the front of the closure member in order to act as a visual deterrent to the passer-by intruder; however, it can also be attached behind the closure member.

In a preferred embodiment, the locking means comprises a bar or pin lock, however, a padlock or any other suitable locking means may be used.

Further preferably, the location means comprises a finger or like member extending from each end of the first and second elongate members. Said finger or like member is insertable into the frame. In order that the required length of the security apparatus may be achieved, once the first and second elongate members have been locked in their approximate positions, and so as to ensure that the locking member may be insertible in the nearest aperture in said second elongate member, at least one of said fingers or like members are adjustable in length in order to obtain a perfect fit across the closure member.

In another preferred embodiment, said location means comprises a substantially U-shaped support member attached to one end of either the first or second elongate member. Said substantially U-shaped support member comprises a flat base and two sides extending perpendicularly thereto. Said base includes a finger or like member attached to one side thereof and two apertures are provided in said base. Further apertures are provided, one in each of the sides of said substantially U-shaped support member. Said further apertures are aligned with one another.

Said substantially U-shaped support member is attached to the frame of the closure member by said finger or like member. The elongate member which is to be attached to the substantially U-shaped support member is provided with an aperture extending therethrough.

The elongate member is then placed within said substantially U-shaped member so that the apertures provided in the sides of the substantially U-shaped support member and the aperture provided in the elongate member are aligned. A pin or pivot member is inserted through the said apertures and once in place, is secured, for example, by welding.

Said pin or pivot member allows the security apparatus of the present invention, when not in use, to be moved so that it no longer inhibits movement of said closure members, whilst still remaining attached to the frame member of the closure member.

Further preferably, the elongate members may be made of galvanised steel or any other material of high tensile strength or suitable strength.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of the security apparatus of the invention in use attached laterally across a garage door; Fig. 2 illustrates the location means in detail; Fig. 3 illustrates the U-shaped support member utilised in a further embodiment of the security apparatus of the present invention; and Fig. 4 illustrates a top view of said further embodiment when installed.

The security apparatus 10 comprises a first elongate member 11, and a second elongate member 12, both of square cross-section, which are attached laterally across the base of a garage door 13. The security apparatus 10 is so attached in order to prevent an intruder from forcing the garage door 13 up a distance X in order to gain access to the premises via the garage door.

The first elongate member 11 and second elongate member 12 slidably communicate one within the other. In Figure 1, the first elongate member 11 is shown to have a bolt or pin lock 14 and the second elongate member 12 has at least one aperture 15',15",15"' adapted to receive the bolt/pin of the lock 14. Consequently, both the first elongate member 11 and the second elongate member 12 are locked in a desired relative position, thereby securing the garage door 13 in a closed, secure position.

To attach the security apparatus 10 to the frame 18 of the garage door 13, each elongate member 11,12 has a finger 16 which is inserted into the frame 18 of the garage door 13, via a socket or aperture 17. Each socket or aperture 17 on each side of the frame 18 of the garage door 13 is reinforced by a rectangular steel plate 22 adapted to receive said fingers 16, of the elongate members 11,12. Said steel plates 22 are attached to the frame 18 by fixing means, for example, screws, wherein said fixing means are insertable into the apertures 23 located within the periphery of said steel plates 22.

Once the finger 16 of the first elongate member 11 is inserted into its respective socket 17 in the frame 18 of the garage door 13, the second elongate member 12 is then displaced within the first elongate member 11 a distance Y until the finger 16 of the second elongate member 12 is inserted into the socket 17, on the opposite side of the frame 18 of the garage door 13.

At this point the bolt or pin lock 14 on the first elongate member 11 engages with the nearest possible aperture 15 situated on the second elongate member 12 adapted to receive the bolt or pin lock 14 and consequently, when locked, the elongate members 11,12 are secured relative to one another across the base of the garage door 13.

In Fig. 2 the finger 16 attached to the second elongate member 12 is adjustable in length in order that a perfect fit can be obtained, since, the first and second elongate members 11,12 are locked at a predetermined position dictated by the spacing of the apertures 15',15',15 "' adapted to receive the bolt from the lock 14 shown on the first elongate member 11.

Furthermore, in order to protect an exposed finger 16 in the event of a non-perfect fit, there is provided a cover structure 21 which covers the exposed finger 16 and accordingly, may dissuade an intruder from trying to cut through the exposed finger 16 in order to gain access to the garage.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the first elongate member 11 is attached to a substantially U-shaped support member 30.

Said substantially U-shaped support member 30 comprises a flat base 31 and two sides 32,33 extending perpendicularly thereto. Said base 31 has a finger 34 attached to one side thereof and the base 31 has two apertures 35 located therein. Further apertures 36 are provided one in each of the sides 32, 33 of said substantially U-shaped support member 30. Said further apertures 36 are aligned with one another.

To install the security apparatus 10, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, said finger 34 of the substantially U-shaped support member 30 is inserted into the socket 17 provided in the frame 18 of the garage door 13. Fixing means, such as screws (not illustrated) are inserted through the apertures 35 thereby fixing said substantially U-shaped support member 30 to the frame 18 of the garage door 13.

The first elongate member 11, as illustrated in Fig. 4, includes an aperture 37 extending therethrough.

The first elongate member 11 is then placed within said substantially U-shaped support member 30 so that the aperture 37 and the apertures 36 are aligned. A pin or pivot means 38 is then inserted through the apertures 37 and 36. Once in place said pin or pivot means 38 is secured, for example, by welding.

Said pin or pivot means 38 allows the security apparatus 10 of the present embodiment to be moved so that, when not in use, it no longer inhibits the movement of said garage door, whilst still remaining attached to the frame 18 of the garage door 13.

Whilst the present invention has been generally illustrated in relation to security apparatus for use on garage doors, it is to be understood that such is also applicable in the case of any other closure member which may be a target for intruders due to their inherent structural weaknesses. In this connection, the security apparatus hereinbefore described, with additional bracket supporting means, can also be used to secure french windows and consequently, prevent such french windows from being lifted out of their respective frame.

Also in accordance with the present invention there is provided a security apparatus for restricting entry into an access area, such as a driveway, wherein said apparatus is locatable in use between two upwardly extending support members located at the opening of said access area, said apparatus comprising: a first elongate member and a second elongate member, each having means at one end for location in a respective aperture provided in said upward extending support members, and locking means for locking said first and second elongate member at a desired relative position.

In a preferred embodiment, said upwardly extending support members are located at the entrance and/or exit of the access area, such as a driveway and the security apparatus is attached to said support members in a similar manner as described above.

Claims (14)

Claims

1. A security apparatus for securing a closure member housed within a frame member, said security apparatus in use being locatable across said closure member, either from side to side, top to bottom, or diagonally, said apparatus comprising: a first elongate member and a second elongate member, each member having means at one end for location in a respective aperture provided in said frame member, and locking means for locking said first elongate member and second elongate member at a desired relative position.

2. A security apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second elongate member is slidably located within said first elongate member.

3. A security apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said second elongate member comprises a plurality of apertures aligned along the length so that said locking means which is provided on said first elongate member, may be locatable in one of said apertures.

4. A security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said locking means comprises a bar lock, a pin lock or a padlock.

5. A security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the location means comprises a finger or like member extending from an end of each of the first and second elongate members and said finger or like member is insertable into said frame member.

6. A security apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said location means comprises a substantially U-shaped support member attached to one end of either the first or second elongate member.

7. A security apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said substantially U-shaped support member comprises a flat base and two sides extending perpendicularly from said base, wherein said base comprises a finger attached to one side thereof and two apertures located therein and further apertures are provided one in each of said sides wherein said further apertures are aligned with one another.

8. A security apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein said first or second elongate member includes an aperture extending therethrough and wherein said aperture is aligned with said apertures located on the sides of said substantially U-shaped support member so that a pin or pivot member can be inserted therethrough.

9. A security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one of said fingers is adjustable in length.

10. A security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, which is made from galvanised steel.

11. A security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a cover structure which covers said finger is attached to an end of the first and/or second elongate member.

12. A security apparatus for restricting entry into an access area, such as a driveway, wherein said apparatus is locatable in use between two upwardly extending support members located at the opening of said access area, said apparatus comprising: a first elongate member and a second elongate member, each having means at one end for location in a respective aperture provided in said upward extending support members, and locking means for locking said first and second elongate member at a desired relative position.

13. A security apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said upwardly extending support member are located at the entrance and/or exit of the access area.

14. A security apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.