GB2488370A - Letterbox security device - Google Patents

Abstract

A security device to seal an aperture 56 in a structure 50; wherein the device comprises a body portion arranged to be secured adjacent the aperture in the structure and a moveable element arranged to be secured to the body portion, the moveable element moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration where in the open configuration access is enabled to the aperture. There is further provided a first seal means 52 for sealing a first fluid flow path between the body portion and the structure when in use and a second seal means 60 for sealing a second flow path between the moveable element and the body portion in the closed configuration. There may be a locking arrangement to lock the moveable element in the closed configuration. The moveable element may comprise a flap 18 hingedly mounted to the body portion. The structure may be a door and the aperture may be a letterbox. The first seal means may be arranged to project from the body portion and seat against the structure when in use. The second seal portion may be immovable relative to the moveable element.

Description

Security Device The present invention relates to a security device and in particular a device for enabling temporary prevention of access to, for example, an aperture in a door for receiving mail, the device being arranged to prevent fluid from passing therethrough.

Apertures in the front of a structure such as a building are generally found which are suitable for receiving mail. The aperture is a slot extending through an external door, generally termed a letterbox, and enables mail to be posted through the letterbox from the exterior of the structure to the interior of the structure. Such letter boxes may be provided in any type of structure, for example a house, a caravan, a warehouse or a factory etc. These letterboxes generally comprise a flap which is hingedly provided which covers the slot in the structure which can either be lifted by the person delivering the mail or alternatively may hinge inwardly such that the mail is pushed against the flap and through but in either event the mail is enabled to be passed from the exterior of the structure to the interior.

It is also widely known that draft excluding arrangements may be provided on the inner face of the door which may comprise a ifirther flap and/or a set of bristles which act to prevent excess air flow through the slot.

It is common for vandalism to occur through the access of the letterbox, especially in properties which are temporarily empty. Objects such as fireworks and burning objects can be passed through the slot which may lead to complete destruction of that and potentially other buildings. It is desirable to provide an arrangement for preventing this, which in particular are serious problems particularly for council run properties which are often vacant for periods in between tenants occupying the property. Accordingly it is known to provide a device comprising a body having a flap hingedly mounted to the body for securing to the inside of a door. There is also provided a locking arrangement for temporarily locking the flap in the closed configuration.

Known devices however are susceptible to liquid ingress which may be flammable, and may access the structure through the device, the structure typically being a building. A particular problem is vandalism through a flammable liquid such as petrol being poured through the device and subsequently being lit.

The present invention provides a solution to this significant and dangerous problem.

According to the present invention there is a security device for sealing an aperture in a structure, the device comprising: -a body portion arranged to be secured generally adjacent the aperture in the structure; -a moveable element arranged to be secured to the body portion, the moveable element moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, where in the open configuration access is enabled to the aperture; and -a first seal means for sealing a first fluid flowpath between the body portion and the structure when in use, and a second seal means for sealing a second flowpath between the moveable element and the body portion in the closed configuration.

Benefits to the present invention are significant. In particular, the device can be fined supplementary to an existing letterbox and if applicable a draft excluder arrangement on the inside face of a structure, in particular a door. The moveable element may be temporarily locked, (for example the flap) thereby preventing access to the slot in the door, whilst additionally preventing liquid ingress from outside the structure.

The body may be configured to locate around an existing letterbox assembly. This ensures that the body as a security device can be retrospectively fined to an existing letterbox assembly without having to remove or modify it in any way. The body preferably comprises an aperture therein through which mail passes when secured to the door. The body may be attached to the door or structure as necessary via any suitable connection means; however, for simplicity and reduced damage to the door at least two screws are suitable. Furthermore, an adhesive material may be provided on the body which can remove the requirement for the screws, or may be addition for use in securing the plate whilst the screws are fined, where the adhesive may also provide the first seal means as described below.

The body beneficially comprises a plate arrangement and a flap arrangement. The moveable element and even more beneficially the flap is preferably hingedly mounted relative to the plate arrangement. Even more beneficially, the flap is biased to a closed configuration.

The locking arrangement may comprise one or more mechanically operable members moveable between a first configuration for locking the flap in a closed configuration and a second configuration wherein the moveable element is enabled to move between the open and closed configuration. The locking arrangement preferably includes an element rotatable between the first configuration and the second configuration. An alternative locking arrangement may include a slide bolt for example. The latch type mechanism may be further configured to enable a further locking mechanism to be utilised which prevents movement of the locking arrangement. A suitable system may be the provision of an aperture in the locking means and the flap which enables a locking mechanism such as a padlock to be located through the corresponding apertures thereby preventing opening and closing of the locking means without a key.

The first seal means is beneficially arranged to project from the body portion and seat against the structure when in use. The first seal means is preferably deformable. This provides an advantage that the seal can be achieved between the device and a structure even if the surface of the structure has one or more irregularities.

The second seal means is generally movable relative to the movable element. It will, however, be appreciated that the second seal means can be compressed generally elastically.

The body is preferably arranged to at least partially receive an insert, the insert including the second seal means. In one embodiment the second seal means comprises a projecting portion extended from the insert. In one embodiment the insert may be integrally provided with the second seal means. In an alternative embodiment the second seal means is secured to the insert. In a further alternative embodiment the second seal means may be provided on the flap. In the closed configuration of the flap the second seal means provides a seal between the insert and the flap. The locking means preferably causes the moveable element to communicate with the projecting portion extending from the insert in the closed configuration.

The insert may comprise a channel portion therein for receipt of an edge of the flap during movement of the flap between the open and closed configuration.

The body portion preferably comprises a plate arrangement for securing to a structure and an arrangement including the moveable element arranged to be secured to the plate arrangement, wherein the plate arrangement and the arrangement including the moveable element define a receiving portion for receipt for part of the insert, the insert providing a seal for sealing a third fluid flow path between the plate arrangement and the arrangement including the movable element. As is shown in the exemplary embodiments, the body portion preferably comprises a plate arrangement and a flap arrangement and a third fluid flow path is therefore provided between these two arrangements. Accordingly, the insert thereby provides a seal for sealing this fluid flow path.

The insert is preferably made of a polymer. The insert is beneficially rectangular and has an aperture there through.

The channel portion preferably extends substantially along the longitudinal length of the insert.

The insert may include the second seal means and the second seal means may be integrally formed with the insert. The first seal means may also be integrally formed with the insert.

With such an embodiment the first seal means may project beyond the rearward surface of the plate arrangement and thus communicate with the structure.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of the device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the open configuration.

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the closed configuration.

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the rear of the device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with the insert removed for clarity.

Figure 4 is a schematic exploded view of a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of an assembly step of the device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, not showing the flap assembly for clarity.

Referring to Figures 1-3, an arrangement 2 indicating the movable element, subsequently referred to in the exemplary embodiment as a flap, is shown which is arranged to connect to the plate arrangement 4 (which is not visible with respect to Figure 1) to thereby form the body of the device. The flap arrangement comprises a fixing portion 6 having side portions 8 and a top and bottom portion 10, 12. The side, top and bottom portions 8, 10, 12 generally extend perpendicular to the fixing portion 6 and the top and bottom portions 10, 12 locate generally against lips 14 of the plate arrangement 4 when assembled. The flap assembly 2 fbrther comprises protrusions 16 extending from the front face of the flap assembly 2 opposing the direction in which the side, top and bottom portions extend.

These protrusions 16 are arranged to receive the hingedly mounted flap 18 via two pivot points such that access to the aperture 20 may be selectively enabled. The flap 18 also comprises protrusion 22 extending from the flap 18. In the closed configuration, apertures within protrusions 16 and protrusions 22 generally correspond thereby enabling a locking arrangement 24 to pass through the corresponding apertures thereby preventing opening of the flap 18. The locking arrangement is rotatably mounted to the fixing portion 6 and can therefore be rotated from an unlocked configuration as indicated in Figure 1 to a locked configuration in which the locking means extends through the corresponding apertures in the respective protrusions 16, 22. It will be appreciated however that a variety of other locking means 24 are envisaged such as a sliding bolt or alternatively an electromagnetic arrangement which may be electronically and potentially remotely operated, and may even be operated on a timer system. It is further envisaged that more than one locking means may be provided as shown particularly clearly with respect to Figure 2, where there are two rotatable locking elements provided.

Further apertures in the corresponding protrusions 16, 22 may also be provided which are beneficially adjacent to one another when the flap 18 is in a closed configuration. A further aperture may be provided in the locking arrangement. It is therefore possible to locate a locking device such as a padlock through these apertures 26 thereby preventing opening of the flap 18 without a key.

The top portion 10 of the flap arrangement 2 may furthermore comprise one or more apertures therein, and as indicated in Figures 1-4, two apertures are provided. These apertures 28 are provided to receive a screw which locates in corresponding apertures in the lips 14 of the plate assembly 4 thereby securing the flap arrangement 2 to the plate arrangement 4. Protrusions on the bottom portion 12 of the flap arrangement 2 may also extend through corresponding apertures in the plate arrangement 4 (not shown) which thereby enable the flap arrangement 2 and plate arrangement 4 to securely communicate with one another in the desired configurations.

With particular reference to Figures 1 & 4 there is provided an insert 40 arranged to be received in an area or volume defined by the thickness of the plate assembly 4 and approximately the length of the aperture through the plate arrangement 4. The insert 40 is received in the plate arrangement 4 wherein the plate arrangement 4 comprises shoulder portions 42 against which corresponding shoulder portions 44 of the insert 40 abut. The insert 40 is therefore generally received within the device. The insert 40, as can be seen in respect of Figure 3, means that any liquid injected or forced through a letterbox cannot sit within the device and due to the first and second seal means which will be subsequently described means that the liquid will flow back out of the structure in which the aperture is provided and back out through the flap of a typical letterbox. As shown in Figure 4, the insert 40 comprises a recessed portion 46 which is provided in order that when the device is assembled the flap 18 can rotate between the open and closed configuration and the top edge 48 of the flap can pass through the recessed portion 46.

A first seal means is provided between the structure 50 which typically comprises a door and the plate arrangement 4. As clearly shown in Figure 3, the insert 40 is received in the plate arrangement 4 and the first seal means, which typically comprises a closed cell self adhesive sponge material, (typically neoprene), which is adhered to the rearward face of the plate arrangement 4 and also adheres to the rearward face of the insert 40. The first seal means 52 is clearly visible in Figures 3 and 4 and a backing material 54 is provided which may be peeled away from the first seal means 52 and therefore the first seal means 52 can be adhered to the structure about an aperture 56. The first seal means 52 comprises a corresponding aperture 58 therein. The seal means is beneficially heat resistant and deformable meaning that imperfections in the surface of the structure about the aperture 56 can be overcome and a positive seal achieved. Accordingly, if liquid is injected from outside the structure 50 it may pass through the aperture 56 in the structure 50 however cannot pass between the plate arrangement 4 and the structure 5 due to the first seal means 52. Figure 5 shows a perspective representation of the plate assembly with the insert 40 received therein to be secured about the aperture 56 and the structure 50. It will be appreciated that additional securing mechanisms may be provided for securing the plate assembly to the structure 50 such as a plurality of fixing elements such as screws. Such screws may be supplementary to the first seal means 52.

With further reference to Figures 1 & 4, a second seal means 60 is provided which projects from the forward face of the insert 40. The second seal means 60 may be integrally formed with the insert 40 however, in the embodiment shown is provided by an additional component. In the embodiment therefore shown, insert 40 may be provided by a generally rigid polymeric material and is not required to be elastically deformable. The second seal means 60 comprises the same material as the first seal means 52, for example heat resistant neoprene. It will be appreciated that alternative materials may be utilized such as PTFE or others. The second seal means 60 comprises an adhesive surface in order that it may be a fixed about the aperture provided in the insert 40. The purpose of the second seal means is to ensure that no liquid passing through the insert 40 is allowed to leak between the flow path defined between the flap 18 and the insert 40. Accordingly, it is beneficial to provide a seal along the longitudinal length below the aperture in the insert 40 and also at least partially extend upwardly from the longitudinal length or the aperture. This will prevent liquid passing thercthrough. As clearly represented in Figure 1, the second seal means 60 extends around the edge of the upright and bottom edges defining the aperture within the insert meaning that liquid cannot leak between the flap 18 and the insert 40 when the flap 18 is in the closed and preferably locked configuration. Accordingly, it will therefore be appreciated that a first liquid flow path defined between the plate arrangement 4 and the structure 50 is sealed, and a second liquid flow path defined between the flap and the insert is also sealed.

During fitting, the device as a whole is provided in the assembled configuration and the backing material 54 is removed and the assembly adhered to the structure 50. If additional securing is required, the screws 65 in the flap assembly 2 are removed and the flap assembly can be rotationally removed from the plate assembly 4. The screws are then passed through the plate assembly 4 and into the structure thereby providing a permanent and extremely secure attachment between the plate assembly and the structure. The screws 65 can then be replaced into the flap assembly and the corresponding apertures in the plate assembly 4.

The present invention has been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made to the described apparatus without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims. -9..

Claims (17)

1. Claims 1. A security device for sealing an aperture in a structure, the device comprising: -a body portion arranged to be secured generally adjacent the aperture in the structure; -a moveable element arranged to be secured to the body portion, the moveable element moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, where in the open configuration access is enabled to the aperture; -a first seal means for sealing a first fluid flowpath between the body portion and the structure when in use, and a second seal means for sealing a second flowpath between the moveable element and the body portion in the closed configuration.
2. 2. A security device according to claim I further comprising a locking arrangement for locking the moveable element in the closed configuration.
3. 3. A security device according to any preceding claim wherein the moveable element comprises a flap hingedly mounted to the body portion.
4. 4. A security device according to any preceding claim wherein the first seal means is arranged to project from the body portion and seat against the structure when in use.
5. 5. A security device according to any preceding claim wherein the second seal means is generally immoveable relative to the moveable element.
6. 6. A security device according to any preceding claim wherein the body is arranged to at least partially receive an insert, the insert including the second seal means.
7. 7. A security device according to claim 6 wherein the second seal means comprises a projecting portion extending from the insert.
8. 8. A security device according to claim 6 wherein the locking element causes the moveable element to communicate with the projecting portion in the closed configuration.
9. 9. A security device according to claim 3 and any of claims 6-8 wherein the insert comprises a channel portion therein for receipt of an edge of the flap during movement of the flap between the open and closed configuration.
10. 10. A security device according to any of claims 6-9 wherein the body portion comprises a plate arrangement for securing to a structure and an arrangement including the moveable element arranged to be secured to the plate arrangement, wherein the plate arrangement and the arrangement including the moveable element define a receiving portion for receipt of a part of the insert, the insert providing a seal for sealing a third fluid flowpath between the plate arrangement and the arrangement including the moveable element.
11. 11. A security device according to any of claims 6-10 wherein the insert is made of a polymer, and is preferably substantially rigid.
12. 12. A security device according to any of claims 6-11 wherein the insert is generally rectangular and has an aperture therethrough.
13. 13. A security device according to claims 6 and 9 wherein the channel portion extends substantially the longitudinal length of the insert.
14. 14. A security device according to any of claims 6-13 wherein the insert includes the first seal means.
15. 15. A security device according to claim 14 wherein the second seal means is integrally formed with the insert.
16. 16. A security device according to claim 15 wherein the first seal means is integrally formed with the insert.
17. 17. A security device as hercinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.