WO2007012873A1

WO2007012873A1 - Security device

Info

Publication number: WO2007012873A1
Application number: PCT/GB2006/002834
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stuart Graham Piper
Original assignee: FORCE ENTRY LOCKING SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: FORCE ENTRY LOCKING SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 2005-07-29
Filing date: 2006-07-28
Publication date: 2007-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 2008-01-29
Also published as: GB2422403A; GB2422403B; EP1929111A1; GB0515705D0

Abstract

A security device (1) for securing a door (50) pivotally mounted in a door frame comprises: a first bar (2; 3) moveable relative to the door; and a first bracket (8; 12) which supports a first end stop spaced apart from the plane of the door frame. The first bar (2; 3) is moveable between a first position in which the first bar engages the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and limits the opening of the door; and a second position in which the first bar does not engage the first end stop when the door (50) is pivoted open and thereby allows the door to be fully opened.

Description

SECURITY DEVICE

The present invention relates to a security device for limiting the opening of a door. In particular, it relates to a security device for securing a door partly open.

It is known to provide a security device which allows a door to be securely partially opened, in order to safely view and identify a caller outside of the door. The door is limited to opening only a small amount, and cannot be opened fully, so that a caller cannot enter through the doorway. One such conventional device is a chain, extending between a door frame and an area adjacent to the door handle. This has the disadvantage that the chain is relatively weak, and so may be broken if a caller exerts a force on the door.

The fastenings connecting the chain to the door and the door frame are also relatively weak. Thus, an unwanted caller may be able to break through a partially open door secured with a chain.

The present invention provides a security device for securing a door pivotally mounted in a door frame, the security device comprising: a first bar moveable relative to the door; and a first bracket which supports a first end stop spaced apart from the plane of the door frame; wherein the first bar is moveable between: a first position in which the first bar engages the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and limits the , opening of the door; and a second position in which the first bar does not engage the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and thereby allows the door to be fully opened.

Thus, the door can be securely held in a partially open position. This allows verification of the identity of a caller, without allowing entry of the caller through the doorway.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a rear elevation view of the security device of the present invention fitted to a door; Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the security device of the present invention fitted to a door;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the security device of the present invention fitted to a door;

Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the security device of the present invention fitted to a door;

Figure 5 is a cutaway front elevation view of the security device of the present invention,-

Figure 6 is perspective view of a bracket of the security device of the present invention; Figure 7 is an alternative bracket of the security device of the present invention; and

Figure 8 is another alternative bracket of the security device of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of another alternative bracket of the security device of the present invention;

Figure 1OA is a schematic plan view of a fourth embodiment of the security device of the present invention fitted to doors and in a first state; Figure 1OB is a schematic side elevation view of the fourth embodiment of the security device of the present invention fitted to doors and in a first state ;

Figure HA is a schematic plan view of a fourth embodiment of the security device of the present invention fitted to doors and in a second state;

Figure HB is a schematic side elevation view of the fourth embodiment of the security device of the present invention fitted to doors and in a second state; Figure 12A is a schematic plan view of a fourth embodiment of the security device of the present invention fitted to doors and in a third state;

Figure 12B is a schematic side elevation view of the fourth embodiment of the security device of the present invention fitted to doors and in a third state.

With reference to Figure 1, an inside of a conventional door 50 is shown fitted with a security device 1 of the present invention. The security device 1 comprises a lock 4 engaging with an upper bar 2 and lower bar 3. The upper and lower bars 2 , 3 are moveable vertically to engage with brackets (not shown) located above and below the door 50. The lock 4 may actuate movement of the bars 2 , 3 and may also lock the bars 2, 3 in a required position.

The bars 2, 3 are maintained in a vertical orientation and secured to the door 50 by means of bushes 6, 7. The bush 6 secures bar 2, and bush 7 secures bar 3, whilst allowing the bars 2, 3 to slide vertically.

The door 50 is provided with hinges 51 in order to open by rotation about a vertical axis. The security device 1 is attached to the door 50 adjacent to the hinges 51. A doorframe 52 surrounds the door 50, and supports the hinges 51.

The security device 1 may be fitted onto a conventional external or internal door. The door 50 may already have a conventional lock 60 for locking the door in its closed position. The lock 60 is typically located on a side of the door opposite to the hinges 51.

The bars 2, 3 are offset from the hinges 51 in the plane of the door 50. The upper bar 2 and lower bar 3 are also offset from each other in the plane of the door. When the security device 1 is engaged, the door 50 is therefore secured at three spaced apart points. Any impact on the door 50 is likely to be away from at least one of the hinge or one of the bars 2, 3. This allows the door 50 to elastically deform, and so absorb energy from the impact .

Figure 2 shows the outside of a door 50 fitted with security device 1. The conventional lock 60 has a slot for a key in order to open the lock 60. Similarly, lock 4 comprises a slot for a key, for disengagement of the security device 1.

With reference to Figure 3, a top plan view of the door 50 fitted with a security device 1 is shown. The door 50 is partially open and the security device 1 is engaged. The security device 1 comprises a top bracket 8 secured to the door frame 52. The bracket 8 extends from the door frame 52 in a substantially horizontal plane on the inside side of the door frame 52, adjacent to the hinges 51. The bracket 8 is provided with an elongate slot 9, having a larger width than the upper bar 2. The slot 9 is angled such that as the door 50 opens, the bar 2 can move freely in an arc about hinge 51, within the slot 9. The bracket 8 prevents the door 50 from opening by more than a predetermined distance, when the bar 2 extends into the slot 9. When the bar 2 contacts the bracket 8 at the end of the slot 9 further movement of the bar 2 is not possible, and so the bar 2 will prevent the door 50 from being opened further.

The security device 1 thus prevents the door 50 from opening by more than approximately 100mm at the side opposite the hinge 51, when the security device 1 is engaged.

The lock 4 is provided with a handle 10 on the inside of the door. The handle 10 is connected to the lock 4 such that turning of the handle 10 will cause the upper bar 2 to move downwardly and the lower bar 3 to move upwardly. The handle 10 thus may actuate retraction of the bar 2 out of the slot 9 of the bracket 8, allowing the door to be fully opened.

With reference to figure 4, the security device 1 of the present invention is shown fitted to a conventional door 50 in a cutaway side elevation view. A bottom bracket 12 is fitted to a bottom part of the door frame, or a floor within the door frame 52. The bottom bracket 12 may be provided with a slot 13, which extends on the inside side of the door frame 51. In a similar manner to the top bracket 8, the slot 13 may be angled to allow movement of bar 3 in an arc within the slot 13. A top end of the upper bar 2 is slanted downwardly towards the door, and a bottom end of the lower bar 3 is slanted upwardly towards the door. The slanted ends of the bars 2,3 are positioned to contact brackets 8,12 to allow the bars 2,3 to automatically engage with the slots 9,13 when the door is closed.

Figure 5 shows a cutaway elevation view of part of the security device 1. The lock 4 comprises two coil springs

15. One spring 15 engages with upper bar 2, and one spring 15 engages with lower bar 3. A spring 15 acts to urge the upper bar 2 in a vertically upwards direction, and the other spring 15 acts to urge the lower bar 3 in a vertically downwards direction.

The handle 10 is rotatably attached the bars 2, 3 such that a clockwise rotation of the handle 10 causes an upward movement of the lower bar 3, and a downward movement of the upper bar 2.

Figure 6 shows a bracket 8 of the present invention suitable for timber doors and doorframes. The bracket 8 may be securely fastened to a doorframe in which the door is received entirely within the doorframe, the bracket 8 being secured in the rebate of the doorframe. The bracket 8 comprises 3 integrally formed laminar parts, vertical section 16, horizontal section 17 and slot section 18. Vertical section 16 and horizontal section 17 form an L- shape. The broad surfaces of the sections 16, 17 are perpendicular to each other. The three sections 16, 17 and 18 are mutually perpendicular to each other. The vertical section 16 and horizontal section 17 are formed with holes 19 for receiving screws or other fastenings. The holes 19 may be countersunk so that a head of a fastening screw does not protrude above the surface of the bracket 8. Slot section 18 defines the slot 9,13.

When located on a door frame, vertical section 16 is fastened to an, inner, vertical section of a door frame, facing away from the hinge 51. The horizontal section 17 is fastened to a top, inner, surface of the door frame 52, facing downwardly. The slot section 18 then extends horizontally on the inside side of the door frame 52.

The bracket 8 may be used as the lower bracket 12 on any type of door. The vertical section 16 is fastened to an inner, vertical rebate of the doorframe. The horizontal section 17 may be secured to a bottom, inner horizontal surface of the doorframe, however it is not essential to secure the horizontal section 17 if the material of the doorframe or floor is unsuitable. The slot section 18 then extends horizontally on the inside side of the door frame 52.

Figure 7 shows an alternate bracket 108 for use on PVC doors, but can be used on any type of door or doorframe. The bracket 108 is used in preference to the bracket 8 on PVC type doors since a PVC door typically overlaps the doorframe in order to create a seal . The door is thus not entirely received within the doorframe, and the overlap may prevent the use of bracket 8.

The bracket 108 comprises three integrally formed laminar parts, namely vertical section 116, horizontal section 117 and slot section 118. Vertical section 116 and horizontal section 117 form an L-shape. The broad surfaces of the sections 116, 117 are in the same plane. The three sections 116, 117 and 118 are mutually perpendicular to each other.

The vertical section 116 and horizontal section 117 may be provided with holes 119 to receive screws or other fastenings. The holes 119 may be countersunk so that a head of a screw does not extend above the surface of the bracket 108. Slot section 118 defines the slot 9,13.

When the bracket 108 is fastened to a door frame, the vertical section 116 is fastened to a vertical part of the door frame, facing into the room in which the door opens. The horizontal section 117 is fastened to the top, or alternatively the bottom, horizontal part of the door frame, in a vertical plane, also facing into the room in the direction that the door opens. The slot section 118 therefore extends inwardly into the room, extending in a horizontally. The bracket 108 is fastened on the hinge side of the door.

The bracket 108 may be used on any type of doorframe, as the top or bottom bracket. The bracket 8 may be preferred where its use is possible because the bracket 8 is less visible when fitted, and may be fastened more securely to the doorframe .

Figure 8 shows a further alternative bracket 208 of the present invention. The bracket 208 comprises a planar back 216, which can be fixed in a vertical plane to the doorframe adjacent the hinges by screws or other fastenings. A slot section 218 extends perpendicularly from the centre of the back. The slot section 218 is formed in a U-shape in a horizontal plane, its ends rigidly fixed to the back 208. The slot section 218 defines the slot 9,13. The bracket 208 may be fastened to the top, horizontal part of the doorframe, or a lower, horizontal part of the doorframe, facing into the room in which the door opens.

Figure 9 shows a further alternative bracket 308 of the present invention. Bracket 308 may be used in particular on non-reinforced PVC door frames.

The bracket 308 comprises an internal bracket 315 and an external bracket 330. The internal bracket 315 and external bracket 330 are attached together to support a stop on a doorframe .

The internal bracket 315 comprises a planar L-shaped back 316, and is similar in shape to the bracket 108. The internal bracket 315 can be fixed in a vertical plane to the doorframe adjacent to the hinges. A slot section 318 extends perpendicularly to the plane of the back section 316. The slot section 318 defines a slot 309.

The back section 316 is provided with holes 319.

Preferably, five holes 319 are provided on back section 316. The holes 319 may be countersunk.

The external bracket 330 comprises a planar L-shaped front section 332. The external bracket 330 is L-shaped, and is preferably congruent with the internal back section 316. Fixing bars 334 are permanently and rigidly fixed to the front section 332. Fixing bars 334 are elongate rods having a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the plane of the front section 332. The fixing bars 334 have an internal thread 336. The internal thread 336 is open at an end of the fixing bar 334 distal from the front section 332. There are preferably five fixed bars 334 on the external bracket 330. The fixing bars 334 are located at positions corresponding to the holes 319 on the back section 316.

In order to attach the bracket 308 to a door frame, holes are drilled through the door frame, of a diameter suitable for receiving the fixing bars 334. The external bracket 330 is then placed on an external side of the doorframe, by inserting the fixing bars 334 into the holes. The internal bracket 315 is then placed on an internal side of the door frame, with holes 319 aligning with fixing rods 334. Screws or bolts are then inserted through holes 319 from an interior side of the door frame, and into internal threads 336. The bolts or screws engage with the internal thread 336 and so join the external bracket 330 and internal bracket 315 together. Slot 309 is then able to provide a stop to secure a moveable bar as described for other embodiments of the bracket.

Bracket 308 is fitted at the top and bottom of a door frame. The brackets 308 are attached adjacent to the hinge side of the door frame .

Bracket 308 has the advantage that it can be used on any type of door frame, and in particular a door frame in which screws alone cannot be used to attach a bracket to the frame. On the external side of the door, the external bracket 330 presents no screw heads or other fastening means which can be removed. The bracket 308 can only be removed by access to the internal side of the door frame.

Figures 1OA to 12B show a further embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment may be fitted to outwardly opening doors, for example, as found on a trailer of a heavy goods vehicle or a container.

Figure 1OA shows a plan view of doors 450 on a trailer 440 of a heavy goods vehicle. There are two doors 450, which open outwardly about hinges 451. Slots 409 are provided adjacent to the hinges 451 for each door 450. The slots 409 are provided adjacent to the door frame above the door 450. The slots 409 may be defined by a bracket as previously described, or formed in the roof of the trailer 440, or by any other bracket or means.

With reference to Figure 1OB, the security device 401 further comprises bars 402, 403, analogous to the bars 2, 3. The bars 402, 403 are cranked or dog-legged. The bars 404 are movable and securable by means of a lock 404, analogous to the lock 4. The dog-legged or cranked portion is preferably adjacent to an end distal from the lock 404. The lock 404 may be positioned below the centre of the doors 450, to improve access to the lock 404 when the doors 450 are above ground level .

Further slots 413 are provided adjacent the bottom edge of the doors 450. Slots 413 are engageable by lower bars 403. The bars 402, 403 are maintained in a vertical orientation and secured to the door 450 by means of one or more bushes .

Figures 1OA and 1OB show the doors 450 in a closed position. The bars 402, 403 are not engaged in the slots 409.

Figures HA and HB show a door 450 in a partially open position. This position represents a condition in which a conventional lock has been opened or disabled by an unauthorised user. As the door 450 opens, the ends of the bars 402, 403 distal from the lock 404 align with slots 409,413 respectively. Springs (not shown) urge the bars 402, 403 into slots 409,413.

Figures 12 and 12B show a further state in which a door 450 is opened as far possible. The bars 402, 403 abut against a stop forming an end of the slot 409,413. This prevents further movement of the door 450 outwardly. The door 450 is therefore restrained in a partially opened position, preventing access to the interior of the trailer 440.

If the unauthorised user attempts to close the door 450 from the state shown, the bars 402, 403 will be forced against an interior end of slots 409, 413 also defining a stop. Thus, once a door 450 has been partially opened, it is not possible for an unauthorised person to fully close the door 450 again. This acts as a tamper evident means, to show that the conventional lock has been opened and that the unauthorised person has partially opened a door 450. The cranked or dog-legged bars 402, 403 allow the present invention to function with outwardly opening doors, since it is preferable to locate the brackets and slots on an interior side of the door.

In use, the security device 1 provides a secure means to identify a caller. When the door 50 is closed, the upper bar 2 is urged upwardly into slot 9 of bracket 8 by a spring 15. The lower bar 3 is urged into slot 13 of bracket 12 by a spring 15. When the door is in this fully closed position, the conventional lock 60 typically locks the door 50 closed. The security device 1 does not act to lock the door 50 in the fully closed position.

In order to identify a caller, the conventional lock 60 is disengaged, allowing the door 50 to begin to open. The upper bar 2 is engaged in slot 9, and slides within slot 9. The lower bar 3 is engaged with slot 13, and slides within slot 13.

When the bars 2, 3 reach the end of their respective slots 9, 13, they are prevented from sliding further since the brackets 8 , 12 are securely attached to the door frame 52. The door 50 is thus held in a partially open, or ajar, position by the bars 2, 3 engaged in the brackets 8, 12. In this position, there is a distance of approximately 100mm between the door 50 and door frame 52 at the side of the door away from the hinge 51. The caller can then be clearly identified. If the caller attempts to force the door 50 open at this stage, the security device 1 will prevent the door from opening any wider. If the caller is entitled to use the door 50, the handle 10 is turned clockwise by the user. The handle 10 actuates the lock 4 to lower the upper bar 2 and raise the lower bar 3. The bars 2 , 3 therefore move out of engagement with the slots 9, 13. The door can then be fully opened.

When the door 50 is to be closed again, the user releases the handle 10. The springs 15 urge the upper bar 2 upwardly, and the lower bar 3 downwardly. The angled distal ends of the bars 2, 3 will engage with the brackets 8, 12, and force the upper bar 2 downwardly and lower bar 3 upwardly. Once the bars 2, 3 are again aligned within the slots 9, 13, the springs will again urge the upper bar 2 upwardly, and the lower bar 3 downwardly to engage the slots 9, 13. The security device 1 thus automatically engages when the door is pushed shut. The door can then be fully closed, and locked with conventional lock 60.

If an attempt is made to open the door by application of a large force, such force is often directed at the conventional lock 60, located on the side of the door opposite to the hinges 51. In this case, the bars 2, 3 are on the other side of the door, closer to the hinges 51 than the conventional lock 60. The bars 2, 3 are therefore spaced apart from the impact. The door 50 is therefore allowed to flex under the impact.

The door 50 will typically have some elasticity and be able to flex. An impact on the door 50 will cause the door to flex, the flexing absorbing much of the energy of the impact. The bars, brackets, and hinges are therefore able to withstand a large impact force, since the force is typically not received directly by them, but partially absorbed by the flexing of the door.

The bars 2,3 and brackets 8, 12, 108, 208, 308 may be formed of steel, particularly mild steel, or any material suitable to withstand a force to maintain the door in a partially open position.

Although the security device 1 above is described as having two bars, the security device may only comprise one bar, either an upper bar or a lower bar.

The bars are shown as being offset laterally from each other. The upper bar 2 may alternatively be positioned vertically above the lower bar 3.

The security device 1, or a door comprising security device 1, may be fitted in a residential property, at any of the front, side or rear external doors. It may also be used with internal doors if necessary. The security device may also be fitted on the doors of a trailer of a heavy goods vehicle, or in an aeroplane. The security device 1 may also be of use in Government buildings or in prisons, or anywhere requiring a secure doorway.

The security device may be fitted to a roller shutter door. Such a door may comprise a plurality of linked vertically moveable panels, which can be stored on a roller at the top of the door frame. The bars 2, 3; 402, 403 may be orientated substantially horizontally in this embodiment. Slots defining stops may be orientated vertically adjacent to the door frame. If a conventional lock on the roller shutter door is opened, the panels may be raised by a small vertical distance. The bars 2, 3; 402, 403 are then urged into the slot. Stops defined by the slots then prevent further vertical movement of the roller shutter door, preventing access through the door.

The security device may alternatively be fitted to windows. In particular, the embodiments described above may be fitted to sash windows.

The bars have been described as extending substantially vertically. Alternatively, the bars may extend substantially horizontally, or at any other angle. In particular, a cranked bar or bars mounted horizontally, and engageable against one or more stops to limit opening of the door .

Claims

1. A security device for securing a door pivotally mounted in a door frame, the security device comprising: a first bar moveable relative to the door; and a first bracket which supports a first end stop spaced apart from the plane of the door frame; wherein the first bar is moveable between: a first position in which the first bar engages the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and limits the opening of the door; and a second position in which the first bar does not engage the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and thereby allows the door to be fully opened.

2. The security device of claim 1 further comprising a second bar moveable relative to the door; and a second bracket which supports a second end stop spaced apart from the plane of the door frame; wherein the second bar is moveable between: a first position in which the second bar engages the second end stop when the door is pivoted open and thereby limits the opening of the door; and a second position in which the second bar does not engage with the second end stop when the door is pivoted open and thereby allows the door to be fully opened.

3. The security device of claim 1 or 2 wherein the bar or bars extends parallel to an axis of rotation of the door.

4. The security device of claim 3 wherein the bar or bars extends vertically.

5. The security device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each bar is located closer to the hinged side of the door than the free side of the door.

6. The security device of any one of the preceding claims further comprising a locking means coupled to the or each bar(s), the locking means being operable to lock the or each bar(s) in the first position (s) thereof.

7. The security device of claim 6 wherein the locking means comprises spring means for urging the or each bar(s) into the first position (s) thereof.

8. The security device of claim 6 or 7 wherein the locking means comprises a locking mechanism activated by a key.

9. The security device for any one of claims 6, 7 or 8 wherein the locking means comprises a handle coupled to the or each bar(s), such that rotation of the handle urges the or each bar(s) from the first position (s) to the second position (s) thereof.

10. The security device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the first bracket comprises a slot in which the first bar is slidable, the slot having a closed end which forms the first end stop.

11. The security device of claim 2 and all claims dependent on claim 2 wherein the second bracket comprises a slot in which the second bar is slidable, the slot having a closed end which forms the second end stop.

12. The security device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each bracket comprises a first part for attaching to a door frame; and a second part extending outside the plane of the door frame.

13. The security device of claim 12 wherein the first part of each bracket means is L-shaped.

14. The security device of claim 13 wherein each bracket is formed of a laminar material and the second part of each bracket extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the laminar material of the first part .

15. The security device of claim 13 wherein each bracket is formed of a laminar material ; the first part of each bracket is formed of a first section and a second section: the second part of each bracket is connected to the second section of the first part of each bracket; the first section and second section of each bracket are perpendicular to each other; and the second part of each bracket extends perpendicular to the second section of each bracket.

16. The security device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each bracket comprises a first element for attachment to an exterior side of the doorframe, and a second element for attachment to an interior side of the doorframe, wherein the stop is formed on the second element, and further comprising fastening means for fastening the first element to the second element through the doorframe.

17. The security device of any one of the proceeding claims wherein the bar or bars is/are straight rods.

18. The security device of any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the bar or bars are cranked.

19. The security device of claim 17 wherein the bar or bars are cranked adjacent to the or each stop(s) .

20. The security device of claim 2 wherein the first bar is laterally offset from the second bar.

21. A security door for safely identifying a caller, comprising: a door pivotally mounted in a door frame; a first bar moveable relative to the door; and a first bracket for supporting a first end stop spaced apart from the plane of the door frame; wherein the first bar is moveable between a first position in which the first bar engages with the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and thereby limits opening of the door and a second position in which the first bar does not engage with the first end stop when the door is pivoted open and thus allows the door to open fully.

22. A security door as claimed in claim 21 further comprising a second bar moveable relative to the door; and a second bracket for supporting a the second end stop spaced apart from the plane of the door frame; wherein the second bar is moveable between a first position in which the second bar engages with the second end stop when the door is pivoted open and thus limits opening of the door and a second position in which the door does not engage with the second end stop.

23. The security door of claim 21 or claim 22 wherein the or each bar extends parallel to an axis of rotation of the door.

24. The security door of claim 23 wherein the or each bar extends vertically.

25. The security door of any one of claims 21 to 24 wherein each bar and each bracket are located nearer the hinge side of the door than the free side of the door.

26. The security door of any one of claims 21 to 25 wherein the bar or bars is/are straight rods.

27. The security door of any one of claims 9 to 25 wherein the bar or bars are cranked.

28. The security door of claim 27 wherein the bar or bars is/are cranked adjacent to the bracket (s) .

29. The security door of claims 27 or 28 wherein the door is hinged to open in an exterior direction and the bar or bars are located on an interior side of the door, and wherein the stop(s) is/are located on an interior side of the doorframe.

30. The security door of claim 22 wherein the first bar is laterally offset from the second bar.

31. A storage facility comprising the security device or security door of any one of the preceding claims.