GB2254871A

GB2254871A - Skylight security grating

Info

Publication number: GB2254871A
Application number: GB9100827A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Mclaughlin
Original assignee: SKYLIGHT INTERNATIONAL Ltd
Current assignee: SKYLIGHT INTERNATIONAL Ltd
Priority date: 1991-01-15
Filing date: 1991-01-15
Publication date: 1992-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-15
Also published as: GB2254871B; GB9100827D0

Abstract

Security apparatus 10 is secured to a structural well 20 over which a skylight window 24 is fitted. The apparatus 10 comprises a grating (Figure 1) formed of substantially transparent security-GRP slats (12, 13 Fig. 1) and chain link ties 18 to enable the grating to be held loosely moveable within the well 20. <IMAGE>

Description

SECURITY APPARATUS This invention relates to security apparatus for deterring burglars from entering premises via skylight windows.

Skylight windows present a possible entry route to premises for burglars because externally of the building they are comparatively accessible being located on roof tops where they are hidden from the view of security guards. Security apparatus for deterring burglars from entering premises via skylight windows is already known and takes the form of a radiant energy detection system fitted to the interior of the premises so that a radiant energy detection beam is broken in the event of a burglar gaining access to the premises. This detection system, however, is inadequate in that it is only operational after a burglar is in the interior of the premises.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved form of security apparatus for deterring burglars from entering premises via skylight windows.

In one of its forms the present invention provides security apparatus in the form of a grating dimensioned to be a loose fit within the structural well over which a skylight window is formed, the grating being provided with a plurality of chain-link ties to enable it to be secured to the structural well in a manner which permits the grating to be held loosely moveable within the aperture of the well, the grating being formed of orthogonally disposed sets of slats which are mutually interengaged to render the grating rigid, each slat being made of substantially transparent security-GRP.

Preferably the sets of slats are mutually interengaged by the provision of slots extending partway across the width of each slat, each slot being of a width sufficient to accommodate the thickness of a slat.

By virtue of the present invention when a grating is loosely fitted within the aperture of the skylight window structural well it is not readily removeable. Firstly, the grating itself is not easily cut by a cutting implement because the individual slats of the grating are made of security-GRP, i.e. a steel mesh embedded within a body of glass reinforced plastics. Secondly, because the ties for the grating are made of chain link they are not easily cut when the grating is loosely fitted to the well. On the other hand because the individual slats are substantially transparent they permit entry of a substantial amount of light to the interior of the premises so that the grating does not detract from operation of the skylight window during the hours of daylight.

In another of its aspects the present invention provides a security system which comprises a grating as aforesaid loosely secured to the structural well over which is formed a skylight window and a radiant energy detection system fitted to the ceiling of the premises with one or more of its beams traversing the well aperture such that interruption of the beam occurs in the event of the panel being released from its secured position either fully or partially.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Fig. 1 illustrates security apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 illustrates a detail of the Fig. 1 apparatus; and Fig. 3 illustrates the Fig. 1 apparatus in use.

The apparatus 10 which is shown in Fig. 1 is in the form of a grating formed by a first set of four slats 12 and a second set of four slats 13, the two slat sets being orthogonal and mutually interengaged to render the grating rigid. Each slat 12,13 is made of security GRP and interengagement is effected by each slat 12,13 having four slots 15 extending partway across the slat width as shown schematically in Fig. 2. The slots 15 are each of a width sufficient to accommodate the thickness of a slat 12,13 and the slot length is greater than the slat width so that when the slat sets are interengaged a closure strip 16 can be secured along the length of each slat 12,13 to close off the open ends of the slots 15 and thereby prevent the slat sets coming apart. Each strip 16 is made of security-GRP and is preferably rivetted to the slats 12,13.

The grating formed by the slats 12,13 is provided with chain-link ties 18 to enable it to be secured to a structural well 20 as illustrated in Fig. 3. Ties 18 which preferably have a minimum gauge of 4.5 mm are bolted to appropriate slats 12,13 and are preferably four in number so that each side of the rectilineal grating can be secured via the ties to the well 20 in a manner which permits the grating to be held loosely moveable within the aperture of the well. Because the grating is loose and because of the thickness of the ties the ties 18 are very difficult to cut. The slats 12,13 are also very difficult to cut because they consist of a steel mesh embedded within a body of glass reinforced plastics.

The grating apparatus 10 is illustrated in its preferred in use position in Fig. 3 which is within the aperture of the structural well 20 over which a skylight window 24 is fitted. The well 20 opens onto a ceiling 25 of a room and it is preferred that a radiant energy detection system 26 be fitted to the ceiling 25 with one or more of its beams or wave patterns traversing the aperture of the well 20. Thus the system 26 may have a transmitter 26A at one side of the well and the receiver 26B at the other side of the well with the beam or wave pattern therebetween disposed below the ceiling 25 by an amount less than the width of the grating. Thus if the grating should be partially released and permitted to hinge down from one side it will intercept the beam or wave pattern and thereby raise an alarm.

The slats 12,13 are substantially transparent and as a consequence they permit entry of a substantial amount of light to the room so that the grating does not detract from operation of the skylight window during the hours of daylight.

Claims

1. Security apparatus in the form of a grating dimensioned to be a loose fit within the structural well over which a skylight window is formed, the grating being provided with a plurality of chain-link ties to enable it to be secured to the structural well in a manner which permits the grating to be held loosely moveable within the aperture of the well, the grating being formed of orthogonally disposed sets of slats which are mutually interengaged to render the grating rigid, each slat being made of substantially transparent security-GRP.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sets of slats are mutually interengaged by the provision of slots extending partway across the width of each slat, each slot being of a width sufficient to accommodate the thickness of a slat.

3. A method of securing premises having a skylight window against intruders comprises fitting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 to the structural well over which the skylight window is formed so that the grating is loosely moveable therein.

4. A security system comprises apparatus as claimed in claim 1 loosely secured to the structural well over which a skylight window is formed in combination with a radiant energy detection system fitted to the ceiling with one or more of its beams traversing the well aperture such that interruption of the beams occurs in the event of the grating being released either fully or partially from its secured position in order to trigger a security alarm.