GB2325690A

GB2325690A - Security fitting adjustable in length by telescopic means

Info

Publication number: GB2325690A
Application number: GB9710377A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Bond
Original assignee: LINWOOD SECURITIES BIRMINGHAM
Current assignee: LINWOOD SECURITIES BIRMINGHAM
Priority date: 1997-05-21
Filing date: 1997-05-21
Publication date: 1998-12-02
Also published as: GB9710377D0

Abstract

A security fitting for an opening 5 comprises a bar 6 having telescopic members 6a and 6b slidable relative to each other for adjusting the length of the bar 6 to the size of the opening 5 in a frame 1. The bars 6 are secured at their opposite ends by brackets 9 containing pockets, which are fixed to the frame members 4a, 4b by screws 11, overlying and concealing said ends. In the case where the support surface and the bars do not form a right angle, a wedge is provided for placing under the bracket to correct the angle. The pockets are adapted to receive the outer telescopic member 6a and an insert is therefore provided to adapt the size of the pocket receiving the inner telescopic member.

Description

SECURITY FITTINGS This invention relates to security fittings for mounting across an opening and in particular, but not exclusively, to security bars for windows and like openings.

There are many different types and sizes of window and the manufacture of customised security grilles or security bars to fit each type and size of window is both costly and inconvenient.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of this problem and has for its object the provision of a security fitting which can be adapted to different sizes of openings and can be installed in a simple manner.

According to the present invention, a security fitting comprises a bar for mounting across an opening wherein the bar is adjustable to vary the length for adapting the fitting to different sizes of opening.

Preferably, the bar comprises an elongate outer member and an elongate inner member telescopically slidable in the outer member. In this way, the inner member can be adjusted to extend from the outer member by a variable amount for adapting the length of the bar to a given size of opening.

Advantageously, the bar is adapted for fixing on each side of the opening. for example by screws extending through holes at opposite ends.

As a result, the bar can be adjusted to the required length without requiring any special arrangement for securing the members relative to each other.

Preferably, the fitting includes a bracket for fixing on each side of the opening to anchor each end of the bar. With this arrangement, forced removal of the bar is resisted.

Advantageously, each anchor bracket is arranged to overlie the end of the bar, for example, the bracket may have a pocket in which the end of the bar is received. As a result, any separate fixing for the end of the bar is concealed.

Preferably, each anchor bracket is adapted for fixing in two planes extending at an angle to each other, for example at right angles. As a result, a strong fixing is obtained.

Various features, benefits and advantages of the invention are referred to in the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing part of a window fitted with a plurality of security bars according to the invention, and FIGURE 2 is an exploded isometric view, to an enlarged scale, showing the bottom fixing of the security bar circled in Figure 1.

The window shown in the drawings comprises a rectangular frame 1 secured in an aperture of a surrounding structure 2 by any suitable means with a cill 3 extending horizontally at the bottom of the frame 1.

The frame 1 is constructed from elongate frame members 4 of any suitable material such as timber, plastics, metal or composites of any of these joined together to define rectangular openings 5 for a fixed light or an outward opening light. Two openings 5 are shown but any number of openings of the same or different sizes may be provided as desired.

The window is provided on the inside of the frame 1 with a plurality of spaced parallel security bars 6 extending across the openings 5. Four bars 6 are shown but any number of bars 6 with any desired spacing can be used to suit the dimensions of the window. The bars 6 are arranged to extend vertically between horizontal frame members 4a,4b at the top and bottom of the frame 1 respectively. Alternatively, the security bars 6 may extend horizontally between vertical frame members 4c (one only shown) on either side of the frame 1.

Each security bar 6 is similar comprising an elongate outer rigid tube 6a and an elongate inner rigid tube 6b telescopically slidable with respect to the outer tube 6a to extend therefrom by a variable amount for adapting the length of the bar 6 to the size of the window. In this way, the bar 6 is universally adjustable for a range of window sizes, for example from 12" by 12 to 48" by 54".

The tubes 6a,6b are of rectangular cross-section, preferably square, but other cross-sections such as round, oval, hexagonal, octagonal may be used. The tubes 6a,6b are made of metal but other materials having the required strength and rigidity may be used. The tubes 6a,6b are formed by extrusion or by any other suitable method. The outer tube 6a is hollow and the inner tube 6b may be hollow or solid.

Each tube 6a,6b has a hole 7 (one only shown) arranged at opposite ends of the bar 6 by means of which the bar 6 is fixed in its extended condition to the top and bottom frame members 4a,4b by screws 8 (one only shown) with each screw fixing being concealed and reinforced by an anchor bracket 9.

Each anchor bracket 9 is similar comprising a face flange 9a and a base flange 9b extending at right angles to each other for mounting the bracket 9 on the frame 1 and/or surrounding structure, and a rectangular pocket 9c in which the end of the security bar 6 is received and retained.

The brackets 9 are made of metal but other materials having the required strength and rigidity may be used including reinforced plastics.

Each flange 9a,9b has a hole 10 on each side of the pocket 9c by means of which the bracket 9 at the lower end of the bar 6 is fixed to the frame 1 and the cill 3 by screws 11, and the bracket 9 at the upper end of the bar 6 is fixed to the frame 1 and optionally the surrounding structure by screws 12.

For applications where the surfaces to which the bracket 9 is to be secured are not at right angles, a wedge (not shown) may be provided under one or both flanges 9a,9b to adapt the bracket 9 to the surfaces.

The pocket 9c of the bracket 9 at the lower end of the bar 6 is sized to match the dimensions of the outer tube 6a with the pocket 9c of the other bracket 9 being sized to match the dimensions of the inner tube 6b.

Alternatively, the pockets 9c of both brackets 9 may be of the same size to match the dimensions of the outer tube 6a with an insert (not shown) being provided to reduce the size of the pocket 9c to match the size of the inner tube 6b.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the invention provides a security fitting for extending across an opening such as a window which can be adapted to different sizes of opening by telescopic adjustment of the length of the security bar. As a result, the invented security fitting can be installed in a very simple manner without requiring specialist skills.

It will be understood that the security bar with separate anchor brackets can be supplied as a kit for universal adjustment to a range of sizes of opening which can be easily fitted without specialist skills or tools, for example by a DIY enthusiast using a screwdriver and a drill. Kits may be provided for different ranges of sizes of openings, for example from small openings to large openings.

In the embodiment described the anchor brackets provide a secondary fixing for the ends of the security bar. In certain applications, this may not be required and the anchor brackets can be omitted. In such arrangement, more than one screw may be used for fixing the end of each tube to the frame.

In an alternative construction to that described, the security bar is located and retained by the anchor brackets without fixing the end of each tube to the frame, and the adjusted length of the security bar is fixed by lock means intermediate the ends of the bar with the lock means being releasable so that the bar can be shortened to remove the end of the each tube from the anchor brackets for detaching the bar, for example to allow escape in an emergency.

Other alternatives and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is deemed to include any novel feature or combination of features described and/or shown in the drawings.

Claims

1. A security fitting comprises a bar for mounting across an opening wherein the bar is adjustable to vary the length for adapting the fitting to different sizes of opening.

2. A security fitting according to Claim 1 wherein the bar comprises an elongate outer member and an elongate inner member telescopically slidable in the outer member.

3. A security fitting according to Claim 2 wherein the members are made of metal.

4. A security fitting according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the members are of rectangular, round, oval, hexagonal or octagonal crosssection.

5. A security fitting according to any one of Claims 2 to 4 wherein means is provided for securing the members relative to each other.

6. A security fitting according to Claim 5 wherein the securing means comprises releasably lock means intermediate the ends of the bar.

7. A security fitting according to any one of Claims 2 to 4 wherein the members are adapted for fixing the bar on each side of the opening.

8. A security fitting according to Claim 7 wherein the members are fixed by screws extending through holes at opposite ends of the bar.

9. A security fitting according to any one of Claims 5 to 8 wherein brackets are provided for fixing on each side of the opening to anchor the members at opposite ends of the bar.

10. A security fitting according to Claim 9 wherein each bracket is arranged to overlie the end of the bar.

11. A security fitting according to Claim 10 wherein each bracket has a pocket in which the end of the bar is received so as to conceal the end of the bar.

12. A security fitting according to Claim 11 wherein the pockets are adapted for reception of the outer member and an insert is provided for adapting the size of the pocket in which the inner member is received.

13. A security fitting according to any one of Claims 9 to 12 wherein each bracket is adapted for fixing in two planes extending at an angle to each other.

14. A security fitting according to Claim 13 wherein the angle is a right angle.

15. A security fitting according to Claim 14 wherein each bracket has a face flange and a base flange extending at right angles adapted for securing the bracket to support surfaces.

16. A security fitting according to Claim 15 wherein the each bracket is secured by screws extending through holes in the flanges.

17. A security fitting according to Claim 15 or Claim 16 wherein a wedge is provided under one or both flanges for securing the bracket when the angle between the support surfaces is not a right angle.

18. A security fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A window provided with a security fitting according to any one of the preceding Claims extending across an opening in the window and secured on opposite sides of the opening.

20. A window according to Claim 19 wherein the security fitting extends vertically.

21. A window according to Claim 19 wherein the security fitting extends horizontally.

22. A window according to any one of Claims 19 to 21 wherein a plurality of security fittings are secured across the opening in spaced parallel relationship.