GB2387619A - Security device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises a cylindrical body 12 having a radially outwardly extending flange 14 at one end and an anchor 26,28 at the other end, the anchor being movable between a retracted position in which the anchor is inside the envelope of the body, and a deployed position in which the anchor is radially outside the envelope of the body. In use the members have a hole therethrough in which the device is located. The flange abuts on an outer face of the members and the anchor member abuts on an opposite side of the members when in the deployed position. The security device is able to rotate in the hole.

Description

1 2387619

Security Device The present invention relates to a security device and in particular, although not exclusively, to a lockable security device.

5 It is known to provide a pad lock which can be used in combination with a hasp and staple to inhibit closures such as doors from being opened. The pad lock typically comprises a body and a U shaped member. One of the free ends of the U shaped member is pivotably secured to the body and the other free end of the U shaped member can be latched to the body, usually by pressing in against a spring.

Such a pad lock has a number of disadvantages. When used with a hasp and staple the U shaped member is typically exposed so that a potential thief can either cut through it with bolt cutters or saw through it with a hack saw. Furthermore a crow bar may be inserted between the body and the U shaped member to break the pad lock. The staple 15 is also usually vulnerable to bolt cutters or a hacksaw, and the hasp to a crowbar.

What is required is an improved security device.

According to the invention there is provided a security device for overlapping members, 20 the device comprising a cylindrical body having a radially outwardly extending flange at one end and an anchor at the other end, the anchor being movable between a retracted position in which the anchor is inside the envelope of the body, and a deployed position in which the anchor is radially outside the envelope of the body. In use the members have a hole therethrough in which the device is located, the flange for abutment on one 25 outer face of the members, and the anchor for abutment on an opposite side of the members when in the deployed position.

A security device so arranged can be used to secure a closure such as a door to a frame whereby the frame and the door are between the flange and anchor when the anchor is 30 deployed. The hole is sized to accept the body in the manner of a close fit to further inhibit access to the device. The cylindrical body provides the advantage that if a

potential thief attempts to saw through the flange or the body, the security device is able to rotate in the hole. The device may also rotate in the hole if a thief attempts to drill into the device. The cylindrical body provides yet a further advantage when fitting the device since drilling a hole in the overlapping members is straightforward, and requires 5 no jig or other alignment aid, or the use orprecision tools such as morticers or chisels.

Preferably a plurality of anchors are provided for additional security and in a preferred embodiment two anchors are provided, and movable in opposite directions on an axis substantially at right angles to the axis of the cylindrical body.

The body may be provided with a lock to lock the anchors in the deployed position.

Preferably said body is tubular and further includes a lock connected to a bolt, the lock and the bolt being housed within the device and relatively axially movable, the bolt 15 having wedge surfaces to cause said anchors to move between the retracted and deployed positions.

In a preferred embodiment the lock and the bolt are resiliently biased to the retracted position of said anchors. Preferably the lock is provided with a latch, inward axial 20 movement of the lock with respect to the body retaining the lock so that the anchors are maintained in a deployed position.

Preferably the lock is flush with the end face of the body in the relatively inward position thereof.

The flange is preferably continuous and circular. The flange may be countersunk in the outer overlapping member to further inhibit access thereto by a potential thief or burglar. 30 The overlapping members are typically a door and a frame. A flush fitting door is adapted to the invention by the use of for example a cranked keeper.

According to the invention there is provided a method for securing overlapping members with a security device, the method comprising the steps of; providing a security device having a cylindrical body with a flange at one end, and an anchor at the other end, the anchor being movable between a retracted position 5 whereby the anchor is inside the envelope of the body and a deployed position whereby the anchor is outside the envelope of the body; providing the overlapping members with a circular hole sized to receive the body; locating the body in the hole; deploying the anchor member so that the members are between the flange and the 1 0 anchor.

A method for securing a closure with a security device so arranged inhibits forced removal of the security device when compared to the prior art pad lock. The invention

is particularly suitable for doors and gates.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a

preferred embodiment shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, in which; 20 - Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation showing a cross section of a security device in a locked position.

- Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation showing a cross section of the security device in an unlocked position.

- Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation showing the security device securing two 25 objects together.

- Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation showing the security device in use with a keeper. Figure 1 illustrates a cross section of a security device in a locked position according to 30 the present invention, generally designated 10. The security device 10 comprises a cylindrical body 12 of e.g. brass having a flange 14 at one end. The cylindrical body 12 has an axial hole therethrough within which is located a lock body 16 and a bolt 18.

The lock body 16 is a bought item. The lock body 16 and bolt 18 are secured to each other by a roll pin 20. The lock body 12 and the bolt 18 are arranged to be axially movable relative to the body 12. In Figure 1 the device 10 is illustrated with the external face of the flange 14 flush with the lock body 16. The lock body 16 is retained 5 in this position by a latch 21 of the lock body 16. The latch 21 is biased in a deployed position by a spring (not shown). The bolt 18 is provided with two wedge surfaces 22, 24 that are respectively in contact with two domed surfaces 30, 32 of two respective anchor members 26, 28. The anchor members are of e.g. steel. The wedge surfaces 22, 24 are arranged to move the anchor members 26,28 in a radial direction with respect to 10 the cylindrical body. In Figure 1 the anchor members 26,28 are shown in the deployed position whereby the anchor members 26, 28 protrude from the body 12. Each anchor member 26, 28 is provided with a spring (not shown) to bias each anchor member in a retracted condition. The bolt 18 is provided with a spring 34 that acts between a shoulder 36 of the bolt 18 and the body 12.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation showing a cross section of the security device 10 in an unlocked position. Like features are illustrated with like reference numerals. In the Figure the latch 21 has been retracted by a key (not shown) so that the lock body 16 is moved into a deployed position with respect to the body 12 by the spring 34. In this 20 position the anchor pins26, 28 are movedintoaretractedposition within the body 12 Referring now to Figure 3 there is shown a diagrammatic representation of the security device 10 securing a door 38 to a frame 40. The door 38 and frame 40 have each been provided with a coaxial hole for the body 12 to pass through. The door 38 is also 25 provided with a recess to permit the collar 14 to be located flush with the external surface of the door 38. In the Figure the anchor pins 26,28 are illustrated in a deployed position so that the door 38 and frame 40 are located between the collar 14 and the deployed anchor pins 26, 28.

In Figure 4 there is shown a diagrammatic representation of the security device 10 in 30 use with a keeper 42 to secure two doors 38. The keeper 42 is of e.g. steel and provides additional strength and security to the closure of the doors 38 with the device 10. The

keeper 42 and one of the doors 38 are each provided with a hole through which is located the device 10.

It will be appreciated that the device 10 of Figures 1-4 could be configured or designed in many different ways to provide the requirements of the invention. The anchor 5 members 26, 28 require only a very low force to be deployed from the body 12 and the spring 34 may be a relatively light spring to permit light and simple operation of the device 10.

In order to ensure positive retraction of the anchors, it will be understood that a suitable cam profile could be used to move the anchor members in both directions of movement.

Claims (11)

Claims

1. A security device for overlapping members, the device comprising a cylindrical body having a radially outwardly extending flange at one end and an anchor at the other 5 end, the anchor being movable between a retracted position in which the anchor is inside the envelope of the body, and a deployed position in which the anchor is radially outside the envelope of the body.

2. A security device according to claim 1, wherein the device has a plurality of anchors.

3. A security device according to claim 1, wherein the device has two anchors movable on an axis substantially at right angles to the axis of the cylindrical body.

4. A security device according to any preceding claim, wherein the body is provided 15 with a lock to lock the anchors in the deployed position.

5. A security device according to any preceding claim, wherein said body is tubular and further includes a lock connected to a bolt, the lock and the bolt being housed within the device and relatively axially movable, the bolt having wedge surfaces to cause said 20 anchors to move between the retracted and deployed positions.

6. A security device according to claim 5, wherein the lock and the bolt are resiliently biased to the retracted position of said anchors.

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7. A security device according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the lock is provided with a latch, inward movement of the lock with respect to the body retaining the lock so that the anchors are maintained in a deployed position.

8. A security device according to claim 5, 6 or claim 7, wherein the lock is flush with 30 the end face of the body in the relatively inward position thereof.

9. A security device according to any preceding claim, wherein the flange is continuous and circular.

10. A method for securing overlapping members with a security device, the method 5 comprising the steps of; providing a security device having a cylindrical body with a flange at one end, and an anchor, the anchor being movable between a retracted position whereby the anchor is inside the envelope of the body and a deployed position whereby the anchor is outside the envelope of the body; 10 providing the overlapping members with a hole sized to receive the body; locating the body in the hole; deploying the anchor member so that the members are door is between the flange and the anchor.

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11. A security device constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.