GB2260573A - A security device for a slidable door or window - Google Patents

Abstract

A security device for a slidable door or window comprises a telescopic stay 10, first means 12 for connecting one end of the stay to a slidable door or window part, second means 11 for connecting the other end of the stay to a further slidable door or window part or to a fixed part of the door or window, and third means 15, 16 for releasably securing the parts 13, 14 of the stay in a selected relative position. The stay may be pivotally connected to one of the first and second means and releasably connected to the other of the first and second means so that it can be pivoted to a non-operative position, where it could be held by a resilient clip 20. The security device may also form part of a security alarm system including an electric circuit which is partly formed by the telescopic stay 10 which is electrically conductive. <IMAGE>

Description

ALARMED SECURITY STAY This invention relates to a security device for a slidable door or window.

Slidable windows, such as sash windows, comprise one or more slidable window parts, and such window parts are conventionally vertically or horizontally slidable within a window frame. When two slidable window parts are present, they are commonly securable together, when in a closed position, by means of a catch having co-operating parts fixed respectively to each window part.

Because the two window parts may only be secured together when in a closed position it is often unsafe to leave the window in a partially open position.

When the window is in a partially open position, the two window parts are readily slidable relative to one another, and may therefore provide a security risk.

Similarly, slidable doors comprise one or more slidable door parts, and such door parts are conventionally horizontally slidable within a door frame. Doors of this type, such as, for example, patio doors, commonly comprise a single slidable door part which is securable by a catch having co-operating parts fixed respectively to the door frame and the slidable door part. However, these catches will only secure a door part when it is in a closed position, and when the door part is in a partially open position it is readily slidable within the door frame, thus creating a potential security risk.

Security alarm systems are often fitted to a building having such a slidable door or window in order to prevent unauthorised access to the building through the door or window. Such alarm systems commonly comprise a movement detector for detecting movement caused by a person using the door or window. However, these systems have the disadvantage of being triggered by other movement, such as that of a cat or dog in the building, and may therefore cause false alarms.

The invention seeks to remedy some of the above disadvantages by providing a security device which will enable the or each slidable door or window part of a slidable door or window to be secured both when the door or window is in a closed position and when it is in a partially open position.

According to the invention, there is provided a security device for a slidable door or window, comprising an extendible/retractable stay having two elongate parts slidable relative to one another, first means for connecting one end of the stay to a slidable door or window part, second means for connecting the other end of the stay to a further slidable door or window part or to a fixed part of the door or window, and third means for releasably securing the elongate parts in a selected relative position.

Preferably, one of said parts of the stay is pivotally connected to one of said first and second means and a holder, e.g. a clip, is provided for holding at least said one part in a non-operative position. In this case, preferably, the other of said parts is releasably connected to the other of said first and second means so that, when released, said other part can pivot with said one part.

Conveniently, said parts are telescopically mounted relative to one another. In this case, said parts are, conveniently, in the form of telescopic tubes.

Conveniently, the releasable securing means includes a peg insertable in aligned apertures in the parts.

Alternatively, the releasable securing means may include screw threaded means.

If the security device is required to be used as part of a security alarm system then the stay and the first and second means are electrically conductive or are provided with one or more electrically conductive parts so that an electrically conductive path is provided between the first and second means when the stay is connected to both the first and the second means, said electrically conducting path being broken when the stay is disconnected from the first or second means, or when the two elongate parts of the stay are separated from one another.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a security alarm system comprising such a security device as has just been described, and further comprising an electric circuit including said electrically conductive path, the security alarm system being adapted to activate an alarm when said electrically conductive path, and hence said electric circuit, are broken.

The invention also resides in a slidable door or window fitted with a security device as described above.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a front view of one embodiment of a security device according to the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a sash window comprising upper and lower vents 30 and 31 slidable vertically in a window frame 32. There is also shown a security device comprising a telescopic stay 10, a bracket 11 for connecting one end of the stay 10 to, for example, the upper batten of the upper vent (or sash) 30 of the sash window, and a lug 12 for connecting the other end of the stay 10 to, for example, the upper batten of the lower vent (or sash) 31 of the sash window.

The stay 10 comprises two telescopic tubes 13 and 14, typically of aluminum. The upper end of the outer tube 13 is connected to the bracket 11 for pivotal movement about axis 9 and the lower end of the inner tube 14 is releasably connected to the lug 12.

The outer tube 13 has a single pair of aligned apertures 15 at its lower end and the inner tube 14 has six pairs of aligned apertures 16 spaced apart along its longitudinal extent. Thus, the two tubes 13 and 14 can be releasably connected together in any one of six different positions by aligning a pair of apertures 16 with the apertures 15 and inserting a peg (not shown) through the aligned pairs of apertures.

The lug 12 comprises a base plate 17 having screw holes therein so that it can be secured to the upper batten of the lower vent 31 and an integral protrusion 18 having an aperture 19 therein. The inner tube 14 can project over the protrusion 18, and has a further pair of aligned apertures 20 at its lowermost end. These apertures 20 can be aligned with the aperture 19 in the protrusion 18 and the tube 14 can be releasably connected to the lug 12 by inserting a peg (not shown) through the aligned apertures 19 and 20.

The security device also comprises a holder in the form of a resilient clip 21 which can be secured to the upper batten of the upper vent 30 to support the stay 10 in a horizontal, non-operative position when not in use or for window cleaning.

In practice, the bracket 11 and lug 12 will be secured to respective vents close to one side of the window and the clip 21 will be secured to its respective vent at an appropriate distance from the bracket 11.

When in use, the security device can be used to prevent relative movement of the two vents and this will allow a window to be secured in a partially open condition.

As described above, the security device is provided between upper and lower vents. However, it could, alternatively, be provided between one of the vents, normally the lower vent 31, and the window frame 32. The security device could then be used to secure the lower vent 31 at a desired position, while permitting free movement of the upper vent 30.

As an alternative to the peg and apertures 15 and 16, the means for releasably securing the tubes 13 and 14 together could include a screw threaded member, such as a collar threadably connected to the lower end of the outer tube 13 and a plastics sleeve between the two tubes and movable, when the collar is rotated in one direction, into wedging engagement with the two tubes.

Although an embodiment of the invention has been described above in relation to sash windows, it will be appreciated that the invention is applicable to any slidable door or window, such as, for example, patio doors and the like.

Also, security devices made for tall, narrow windows, or short, wide slidable doors, may have more than two relatively telescopic tubes in order to enable the stay to be retracted sufficiently so that it can pivot into a horizontal or vertical, non-operative position.

One advantage of the invention is that, in the event of a fire or other emergency, the security device may be quickly and easily released so as to allow the door or window to be opened.

The security device described above may be adapted for use in a security alarm system. If the stay 10, bracket 11 and lug 12 are formed of electrically conductive material, then the bracket 11 and lug 12 could be connected to an electric circuit of the alarm system so that a small amount flows along the stay 10 when the tube 14 is connected to, or at least in contact with, the lug 12. If somebody attempted to open the window by disconnecting the tube 14 from the lug 12, then the electrical circuit would be broken and, once this was detected by the alarm system, the alarm system could actuate an appropriate alarm.

It will be appreciated that the electrical current need not actually pass through the stay 10, bracket 11 and lug 12 themselves so long as other electrically conductive parts are provided to complete the circuit. For example, the outer tube 13 could be electrically connected to the circuit by an insulated wire which passes around or through the bracket 11 so that no current actually flows through the bracket 11.

The circuit of the alarm system may pass through any number of such security devices, and may include any number of other detectors of different kinds. It is particularly convenient if the alarm system can be set, i.e. alarmed, by a person leaving a building by simply closing one of the outer doors of the building, the door being fitted with a detector for detecting whether the door is open or closed.

Claims (12)

1. A security device for a slidable door or window, comprising an extendible/retractable stay having two elongate parts slidable relative to one another, first means for connecting one end of the stay to a slidable door or window part, second means for connecting the other end of the stay to a further slidable door or window part or to a fixed part of the door or window, and third means for releasably securing the elongate parts in a selected relative position.

2. A security device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said parts of the stay is pivotally connected to one of said first and second means and wherein a holder is provided for holding at least said one part in a non-operative position.

3. A security device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the holder is in the form of a clip.

4. A security device as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the other of said parts is releasably connected to the other of said first and second means so that, when released, said other part can pivot with said one part.

5. A security device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said parts are telescopically mounted relative to one other.

6. A security device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said parts are in the form of tubes.

7 . A security device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the releasable securing means includes a peg insertable into aligned apertures in the parts.

8. A security device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the releasable securing means includes screw threaded means.

9. A security device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the stay and the first and second means are electrically conductive or are provided with one or more electrically conductive parts so that an electrically conductive path is provided between the first and second means when the stay is connected to both the first and second means, said electrically conducting path being broken when the stay is disconnected from the first or second means, or when the two elongate parts of the stay are separated from one another.

10. A security device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A security alarm system comprising a security device as claimed in Claim 9, and an electric circuit including said electrically conductive path, the security alarm system being adapted to activate an alarm when said electrically conductive path, and hence said electric circuit, are broken.

12. A slidable door or window fitted with a security device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.