GB2454245A

GB2454245A - Security grille

Info

Publication number: GB2454245A
Application number: GB0721570A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Kidd
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-11-02
Filing date: 2007-11-02
Publication date: 2009-05-06
Also published as: GB2467087A; WO2009056891A1; GB201009079D0; GB0721570D0

Abstract

A security apparatus for securing an opening such as a window or door, having at least one security bar 2 and are retained in place. The security bars 2 of the apparatus are positioned such that they are aligned with a dividing bar of the window or door (see Figure 1) and are fixed in position to ensure the window or door, providing discreet protection. Preferably the security bars engage a slot in a retaining track 3 which allows the security bars to move and be aligned in place. The security bars are then secured in place via a U shaped clip 11. The bars may be positioned at an angle (Figure 5). A protective screen or shield, preferably made from a polycarbonate may be attached to the grille. The retaining means may comprise a hinge and a lock and the apparatus may be secured to the window reveal.

Description

Security Apparatus

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to security apparatus; in particular security apparatus for windows and/or doors.

Background of the invention

Metal bars or grilles are often fitted over windows or doors of domestic or commercial properties as a security measure. linaut.horised entr to buikhngs can be prevented using visible bars, which serve as both a deterrent and a physical barrier to burglars. Bars or grilles may also protect windows or doors from damage.

There are many different types of security bars and grilles available. Many are fitted permanently to windows or exterior walls of buildings.

Security bars and grilles on windows often spoil the aesthetic appearance of the windows, doors and/or buildings. Modern security fittings look particularly out of place and unsightly on older buildings such as listed buildings or those having traditional features such as sash windows. in some cases conventional security Icatures are unsuitable because they are prohibited by legislation proleci ing the aesthetic appearance of the interior and exterior of listed buildings.

\X( )004322 1 (Zoccolc) discloses a protective window, which is litted to the exterior of an ornamental window, thus protecting the ornamental window irom damage. The frame and mullions ol the protective window corresponds to the frame of the protective window and the rnLillioiiS in the supporting window.

1'he protective window is a solid unit li)rmed from aluminium extrusions and impact. resistant laminated glass. It is secured to the wall of a building by masonry nails through a flange in the aluminium frame. The mullions in the ornamental window arc not visible from outside the building and the mullions in the protective window are not visible from inside the building, such that the windows look like a single unit.

\X( )8805856 (Blum) discloses a security window assembly with hidden security bars in an awning type window. \ steel frame has holes through which steel bars pass and they are welded together at the points the bars pass through the frame. The header of the frame ma serve as a lintel. An alternative embodiment has vertical bars and no surrounding frame. This embodiment can be retrofitted to an existing window opening and held by steel pins cemented into the wall or b other clips, screws etc. Vertical sash elements are attached to the bars.

LS63U5 124 (Pennington) describes a removable window guard with bars that lit into a securing bracket fitted to the side window frame. 1he bars have a knob at each end, which fits inside a slot in the securint bracket and is held inside the bracket by a retainint pin. \ bar may be removed by opening the lid of the brackets and removing the pins.

it would hC desirable to provide an improved security apparatus

Summary of the Invention

One aspect of the invention provides a security apparatus as specified in claim I Another aspect of the invention provides a method of securing a window or door as specified in claim 11.

Preferred aspects of the invention arc specified in the claims dependent on claim 1 and the

description which follows.

i\ preferred aspect of the invention provides a security apparatus comprising a security bar and retaining means, wherein the security bar is secured by the retaining means and positioned such that the security bar is substantially aligned with a dividing bar of a window or door.

The dividing bar of a window or door may be a glazing bar or leading in the glass oft he window or door or a transome of a window. The retaining means may be a slotted track.

Advantageously, each security bar is slidable in the retaining means, So that. the position of a security bar is changeable. Once in the desired position the security bar may be fixed in place. Preferably, the security bar is removable.

Cladding may be applied to at least partially cover and conceal the secunty bar and or retaining means.

\ Security bar may he p sitioned in the apparatus at an angle of 91) degrees or less to the rctaining means such that the security bar extends across a window or door at an angle corresponding to the angle of the leading or glazing bat-s. I he apparatus may include fittings such as feet or hinges to post ion a security bar horizontally or at an angle to the relaining means.

iiic apparatus may further comprise a prot ective shield such as a polycarbonate sheet, which may be hued over the security bar or bars.

l'hc Invention provides a discreet security apparatus, which is suitable for use on a wide range of buildings, including list ccl buildings, and which does not detract from the aesthetic appearance of both the interior and exterior of a building. lhe tpparatus is easily adlustable and removable and does not obstruct the view from the window, it can be quickly and simply fitted to an existing window (.)r door without causing damage. From the exterior of a building, the apparatus is concealed by glazing bars/lead and from the interior of a buiJding it is concealed by cladding. The apparatus therefore pr wides aver effective and vet discreet security feature.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which illustrate the preferred embodiments by was' of example: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of one embodiment of the secur1 apparat us.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of t.he track of the security apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the security apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a schematic rcprcscntation of the cross links of the security apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of one embodiment of the security apparatus in which security bars are positioned at an angle to the track.

Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of one embodiment of the SeCurit apparatus including a hinge and lock.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

\ security apparatus 1 comprises security bars 2 removably secured to a building by slotted tracks 3.

The bars 2 arc fitted across a window 4 in line with existing window glazing bars 5 such that the bars 2 are not highly visible. J'he apparatus 1 may also be positioned in line with leading on windows or doors. J'he bars 2 may be trthcr disguised b at least partially covering them wit.h plastic or The apparatus includes one or more bars 2 but bars 2 can be added or removed according to preference. 1he position of the bars in the tracks can also be varied. For example, the bars could be moved to the edges of t.he window to allow access to the window. The security bars 2 are preferably steel threaded bars but other suitable l,arrier elements are envisaged.

The slotted tracks 3 are bolted to the masonry of the window reveal or fitted within a recess in the reveaL Depending on the desired level of visibility, the track may be sunk into the window reveal by first removing a strip of plaster and then inserting the track 3.

limber or UPVC strips, may be applied over the tracks 3 to disguise them from view and shaped to cover the spaces between the bars 2.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the tracks 3 comprise a generally U-shaped portion 7 with a slot 8 and a flange 9 which extend along each piece of tracL 3. The flange 9 includes a number of bores 10, through which the track Smay be bolted or otherwise attached to the masonry surrounding a wit A U-shaped clip 11, which is shaped to fit over the track 3 includes a bore 12, through which a bar 2 extends. The bar2 is secured in the track using bolts 13. Once placed in the tracks 3, the bars 2 can be moved and secured into the correct positions so that they correspond with the positions of the existing glazing bars or leading of the window. The U-shaped clips 11 are able to slide along the tracks before they are fixed in place by tightening lock nuts 14, which are preferably half nuts.

There the bars 2 cross, they are secured together by double channel cross links 13 as shown in FIgure 4.

The apparatus I may also function as a retaining screen for a polycarbonate sheet placed over window it selfand compressed against the track 3. The polvcarbonatc shield prevents culling of the bars by bolt croppers or saws. Polvcarb.)nate sheets can be bent but cannot be shattered. lhe apparatUS 1 ensures that the polvcarbonate sheet cannot be bent when under attack from outside the building.

ihe track 3 may include nipped points or retaining pins for holding a kit strip between the track 3 and the masonry, which provides a draught proof and noise reducing seal.

i\s shown in Figure 5, the bars 2 may be arranged in the tracks 3 SO that they cross the window diagonall'. Feet 15 at the ends of the bars 2 allow diagonal placing, which may be desirable for aligning the bars with the lead pattern of diamond pane leaded windows. In t.he example shown in Figure 4, the feet 15 are formed from steel tube, through which a bore is cut at an angle corresponding to the desired angle of the bar 2. The feet are slidable on the tracks 3 and can be fixed in place by tightening locking nuts 14. Other suitable forms positioning elements or hinges could be provided to enable the l.ars to be positioned at various angles across a window.

As shown in Figure 6, the security apparatus 1 may be hinged, such that part of it can pivot open to allow 1uick and easy access to a window, for example in the event of an emergency such as a fire.

1'he hinged apparatus comprises security bars 2, slotted tracks 3 and a hinge 16. l'he hinge 16 may l)C a piano type hinge running the entire length of one of the tracks 3a. The opposite track 3b includes a lock 17, which secures the track 3b to the window reveal. The system I further includes coriii sections 18, SO that when the lock 17 is released, the bars 2 and corner sections 18 form a frame 19, which can pivot about the hinge 16 so that a uscr may access a window.

( )ne of the advantages 01 the present invention is that bars 2 may be easily removed Irom, or added lo the apparatus 1. For example, if extra security is required, for example on an unoccupied l)uildlng, extra bars 2 could be added to th system 1. Some bars 2 could be added or adjusted to l)e visible between the glazing bars to discourage burglars.

Claims

Claims 1. Security apparatus for securing an opening including a window or door, comprising at least one security l:)ar and retaining means, wherein the at least one security bar is positionable in Sul)Stantial alignment with a dividing bar ol a window or door and securable when so 5i ti( )ned.
2. Security apparatus as claimed in claim I, wherein the dividing bar is a glazing bar or leading.
3. Security apparatus as claimed in claim I, wherein the reiaining means is secured to the window reveal.
4. Security apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one security bar is slidable in the retaining means.
5. Security apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the retaining means is a slotted track.
6. Security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein cladding is applied to the at least one security bar and/or retaining means.
7. Security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the retaining means comprises a hinge and a lock.
S. Security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one security bar is positioned at an angle of less than 90 degrees to the retaining means.
9. Security apparatus as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a ttting for positioning the at least one security bar at an angle with respect. to the retaining means which substantially corresp)nd s to an angle made 1w the dividing bar of a window or dO(.)r.
10. Security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a shield.
11. Security apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the protective shield is a polvcarbonate sheet..
1 2. Security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of security bars, each substantially aligned with a corresponding dividing bar ol a wind.)w or door.
13. Security apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one security bar extends in a different direct ion to at least one other security bar.
14. Security apparat us as claimed in claim 13, lurt her comprising means for linking the security bars.
15. A met hod of securing a window or door comprising the steps of securing a retaining means to a masonry reveal flt.ting a security bar to the retaining means positioning the security bar such that t.he security bar is substantially aligned with a dividing bar ot a window or door.
16. Security apparatus substantially as shown in and described wit.h reference to the drawings.