GB2311552A

GB2311552A - Protective cover for a door or window

Info

Publication number: GB2311552A
Application number: GB9606270A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Mawson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-03-26
Filing date: 1996-03-26
Publication date: 1997-10-01
Also published as: GB9606270D0

Description

COVER FOR A DOOR OR WIDOW The present invention relates to security covers for doors or windows, and particularly although not exclusively to a security cover for a static caravan.

It is a problem on holiday sites containing static caravans, that where the caravans are left unoccupied for a length of time, the caravans may be broken into, or used as temporary accommodation by unauthorised persons.

Since caravans have windows and doors at ground level, it is easy for unauthorised persons to view the contents of static caravans, and due to the isolation of the caravan sites there is ample opportunity for breaking into a static caravan at certain times of the year.

Specific embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a door or window cover which can be fitted retrospectively to a door or window, for example a caravan door or window.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a removable protective cover for a door or window, the cover comprising: a frame adapted to fit around an outer periphery of said door or window; and locking means operable to lock said frame around said door or window.

Preferably, the cover comprises a panel extending across the frame.

Preferably, the cover fits externally to the door or window.

Suitably the cover is capable of attaching to an external door or window, facing outwardly of a vehicle or building containing the door or window.

Preferably in use the cover substantially completely encloses the door or window so that the door or window is inaccessible from outside the vehicle or building, when the cover is in place.

Preferably, the cover may be fitted retrospectively to a door or window.

Preferably the frame comprises first and second upright side battens spaced apart from each other, said panel extending therebetween.

Preferably the frame comprises a base member extending between said first and second upright side members, in a direction transverse to a main length of said first and/or second upright member.

Preferably the panel is non transparent.

Preferably said panel comprises an inner skin and an outer skin. Said inner skin preferably comprises a board, eg. a plywood board or a chipboard sheet. The inner skin may comprise a wire mesh or expanded metal mesh sheet, eg. steel mesh. The mesh may be galvanised.

Preferably said outer skin comprises a metal sheet, eg. galvanised metal.

The outer skin, or the whole of the cover may be plastics coated, to form a protective plastics outer skin.

There may be provided one or a plurality of engagement means for attaching the frame to an outer periphery of the window or door.

Said engagement means may comprise one or a plurality of brackets.

Preferably there are provided a plurality of locking means arranged around said frame, for locking said frame to a perimeter region of said window or door.

Said locking means is preferably operable from a position inside said window.

The frame may be arranged to hang from the engagement means.

The frame may be arranged to be retainable to the engagement means.

Said frame may comprise a substantially "U" shaped member, open at an upper end thereof.

Said frame may be arranged to slide in a direction substantially vertically, or a direction substantially horizontally.

Said frame may be adapted to slide over a perimeter rim of said window or door.

Preferably said frame is completely clad in a metal skin covering as presented externally when fitted to said window or door.

Said frame may be provided at a perimeter thereof, with a weather proof sealing strip. Said sealing strip may comprise a strip of rubber, or plastics material. In use, the sealing strip may abut a wall peripheral to said window or door.

Preferably said locking means are operable only from an interior side of said frame, and are inaccessible from an externally presented side of said cover.

A said cover may be provided with a door handle, capable of engaging with a handle of the door.

Said frame may be adapted to fit a rim of said window or door, such as to hang on said window.

Said frame is preferably provided with one or more guidance members, for guiding said frame over a rim of said window or door. A said guidance member may comprise an elongate metal flange.

A said locking means preferably comprises a slidable bolt. The slidable bolt may be attachable to a peripheral region of said window or door, and capable of engaging with said frame when said frame engages said window or door.

The invention includes a cover for a window or door, the window or door having an outwardly presenting rim, said cover comprising: a frame capable of sliding onto said rim in a direction substantially parallel to a main plane of the door or window; and locking means for locking the frame in position over the door or window.

The invention includes a protective cover for a caravan, window or door, the cover comprising: a wooden frame adapted for attachment to a periphery of said window or door; a panel extending across said frame; characterised in that said frame and panel are of wooden construction, and clad with an outer metal skin.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings shows in perspective view a door cover according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a prior art caravan door; Figure 3 shows a first window cover according to another specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows the window cover of figure 3 from an interior side; Figure 5 shows a second window cover according to another specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a third window cover according to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 shows a fourth window cover according to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 8 shows a fixing means for fixing a window cover to a prior art window or door perimeter area.

Referring to figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a door cover according to a first specific embodiment of the present invention.

The door cover comprises a wooden frame 1 comprising first and second upright battens 2, 3 respectively spaced apart from each other, and upper and lower wooden battens 4, 5 respectively, connecting the upright battens, the lower batten connecting respective lower ends of the first and second upright battens, and the upper batten connecting respective upper ends of the first and second upright battens. One or a plurality of wooden cross members 6 extending across the frame between the first and second upright battens; extending across an exterior face of the frame a panel 7, comprising a plywood or chipboard sheet covered with a galvanised metal skin, and an external perimeter of the frame being clad with a plurality of galvanised metal members 8, 9, 10, 11 respectively, the galvanised metal members fitting closely to the frame and forming an outwardly presented metal skin to the frame. There are provided at an upper edge of said frame an upper guidance member 12 in the form of an elongate strip of metal having a substantially "L" shaped cross section, and providing an inwardly projecting flange spaced apart from the frame, at a lower edge of the frame, a lower guidance member, and at one side of the frame an upright guidance member.

The panel may alternatively comprise a wire mesh or expanded sheet mesh, covered with a metal skin. The panel may be plastics coated by dipping in fluid plastics material.

In use, the arrangement is that the cover can slide over the existing door of the caravan, the guiding flanges retaining the cover to the door. The cover may open and close with the door.

A handle 20 is provided on the cover, capable of engaging with the existing handle on the door. Access to the lock of the door is obtained through a key hole 21 provided in the door cover.

The cover is fitted over the door by locating the upper guidance member along an upper edge of the door, and the lower guidance member along the lower edge of the door and sliding the cover over the door in a substantially horizontal direction until the handle on the cover engages with the handle on the door.

Referring to figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a first window cover as viewed from the exterior of the cover when in use.

The first window cover comprises a substantially "U" shaped frame work comprising first and second upright metal members 30, 31 spaced apart from each other, and connecting lower ends thereof, a metal base member 32, and extending across the frame a panel 33 comprising an inner skin of a plywood sheet, covered with an outer skin of galvanised metal.

Referring to figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown the first window cover in interior view. The first and second upright frame members 30, 31 are each provided with an inwardly projecting flange 34, 35 respectively which are arranged to locate behind an outwardly presented rim of the window, such that the cover can slide in an upward direction, whilst being retained to the window, until the base of the frame, which also has an upwardly depending flange, locates behind a lower portion of the window rim.

When fitted over the window, the frame may be locked to the window from inside the caravan, using bolts or the like attached to a peripheral region of the window.

Referring to figure 5 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a second window cover. The second window cover comprises a substantially "U" shaped frame comprising first and second upright battens of wood, spaced apart, and having a panel 42 extending therebetween, lower ends of the first and second upright battens being connected by a frame base member 43, also of wood. The panel 42 comprises an inner skin of plywood board, and an outer skin of galvanised metal sheeting. The wooden frame comprising the first and second upright members and the base 43 is covered with a galvanised metal skin.

There is also provided an overhanging metal weather ledge 44 having a downwardly depending flange 45. The metal ledge is secured to a perimeter region adjacent and above the window. The ledge extends between upper ends of the first and second upright frame members 40, 41 respectively. The upper ends of the upright frame members 40, 41 are arranged to fit underneath the ledge, and are prevented from moving in a substantially horizontal direction, by the downwardly depending flange 45. When fitted, the frame is located firstly underneath the ledge, and then the lower portion of the frame, the base 45, is swung towards the window, until it fits over the existing window completely covering the window.

There are provided first and second substantially horizontal locating pins 46, 47 respectively which enter respective female locating passages 48, 49 respectively in the wooden base member 43.

On each side of the window there is provided a horizontally travelling bolt 50 operable from inside the window, to slide into a respective aperture 51, 52 at lower ends of the first and second upright members 40, 41 respectively. The horizontally extending locating pins, extending in a direction transverse to the plane of the panel, prevent the cover from dropping vertically. The horizontally extending bolts, extending in a direction substantially parallel to a main plane of the sheet membrane lock the upright members of the frame to the window.

Since the bolts are operable only from inside the window, once the cover is fitted, and as the cover has an outwardly presented galvanised metal skin, the cover is tamper proof from outside the external window, and can only be opened from inside the caravan or building.

Referring to figure 6 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a third window cover. The third window cover comprises a wooden frame, comprising first and second upright battens 60, 61 respectively, upper ends of said first and second wooden battens being connected by an upper wooden cross member 62, and lower ends of said first and second upright battens being connected by a lower cross member 63. Extending across the wooden frame is a panel comprising an inner plywood board 64, covered externally with a galvanised metal skin 65. Covering the edges of the galvanised metal skin 65 and the wooden frame, are substantially "U" shaped channel metal elongate metal members, which closely fit the wooden frame members, thereby protecting the wooden frame members, and forming a continuous outer metal skin with the galvanised metal skin 65.

Fitted to a peripheral region around the caravan window are first and second fixing brackets 66, 67 respectively having an outwardly extending arm portion, at the end of which is provided an upwardly extending hook portion.

The upper cross member 62 of the wooden frame is hung from the brackets 66, 67, and the frame fits over the window aperture. First and second horizontally travelling bolts are provided secured internally of the window, which can be slid from an unlocked position, in which the bolts do not engage the lower ends of the first and second upright members, to a locked position, in which the bolts engage the lower portions of the first and second upright members.

The bolts are operable only from inside the window. The frame is of a size and shape so as to fit over the conventional window frame, thereby locating to the conventional window frame.

Referring to figure 7 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a third window cover. The third window cover comprises a substantially "U" shaped wooden frame comprising first and second spaced apart upright members 70, 71 respectively, a lower base member 72, also of wood and extending between lower ends of the first and second upright members and extending between the first and second upright members, a panel comprising a plywood board covered with a galvanised metal sheet. Covering the wooden frame members, are provided respective first and second upright "U" shaped channel metal members which extend over the edges of the galvanised metal sheet, and around the wooden frame.

The base of the frame are provided first and second locating apertures 74, 75 respectively for locating with horizontally extending locating pins 76, 77.

At the lower end of the window are provided first and second horizontally travelling bolts, which extend through the window rim and into the cover frame, thereby locking the cover frame to the window rim.

At an upper end of the window rim and at a periphery thereof, are provided first and second "U" shaped brackets, the arrangement being that the frame is slid through the "U" shaped fixing brackets and over the ends of the locating pins 76, 77 such that the locating pins engage with the respective apertures 74, 75. The horizontally travelling bolts are then engaged with corresponding apertures in the first and second upright members of the frame, thereby locking the cover frame to the window rim. The bolts are operable only from a position inside the window, such that when the cover is fitted to the window frame, there is outwardly presented the galvanised metal skin, with no bolts or fittings accessible from externally of the cover.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A removable protective cover for a door or window comprising a frame adapted to fit around an outer periphery of said door or window; and locking means operable to lock said frame around said door or window.

2. A cover according to claim 1, comprising a panel extending across the frame.

3. A cover according to any preceding claim adapted to fit externally to said door or window.

4. A cover according to any preceding claim, wherein in use the cover substantially completely encloses the door or window so that the door or window is inaccessible from outside the vehicle or building, when the cover is in place.

5. A cover according to claim 2 or any succeeding claim, wherein the frame comprises first and second upright side battens spaced apart from each other, said panel extending therebetween.

6. A cover according to claim 5, wherein the frame comprises a base member extending between said first and second upright side members, in a direction transverse to a main length of said first and/or second upright member.

7. A cover according to claim 2 or any succeeding claim, wherein said panel comprises an inner skin and an outer skin.

8. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of engagement means is provided for attaching the frame to an outer periphery of the window or door.

9. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said locking means is operable from a position inside said door or window.

10. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said frame comprises a substantially "U" shaped member, open at an upper end thereof.

11. A cover for a window or door, the window or door having an outwardly presenting rim, said cover comprising: a frame capable of sliding onto said rim in a direction substantially parallel to a main plane of the door or window; and locking means for locking the frame in position over the door or window.

12. A protective cover for a caravan, window or door, the cover comprising: a wooden frame adapted for attachment to a periphery of said window or door; a panel extending across said frame; characterised in that said frame and panel are of wooden construction, and clad with an outer metal skin.

13. A cover substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.