SECURITY DEVICES AND MOUNTING ASSEMBLY

Abstract: A security device (100) comprises means (110) for mounting the device on or adjacent to an object to be sec­ ured, and an at least semi-rigid elongate element (118) con­ nected at one end to the mounting means (110) for move­ ment about an axis transverse to at least a substantial portion (118a) of its length, the other end (119) of the elongate el­ ement (118) being releasably engageable with further mount­ ing means (160) which may be mounted adjacent to or on said object. A further security device comprises a flexible elongate element (218) substantially permanently connected at its op­ posite ends to respective mounting means (310,410). Each such device may utilise a mounting assembly of a form comprising a member (12) with external gripping form­ ations, and a retaining element (20) on the elongate element, which elongate elements passes generally through the mount­ ing member (12), so that on outward urging of the elongate element (18), the retaining element tends to expand the mounting member by a wedging action.

Description: This invention relates to a door security device. There is known from document CH-A-517238 a device comprising an elongate flexible element having first and second end portions, a first mounting device for one of said end portions and a second mounting device for the other of said end portions, for mounting the flexible element, by way of its end portions, so as to span a gap between a door and a surface adjacent to the door, the first mounting device being adapted to be located in an aperture provided in said surface adjacent to the door and being afforded by a tubular member having external gripping formations and which is capable of radial expansion, and the flexible element being connected to the first mounting device through the intermediary of a retaining element which, upon tensioning of the flexible element, is operative with a wedging action radially to expand the tubular member. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved door security device. In comparison with the device of document CH-A-517238, the door security device in accordance with the present invention is characterised in that its elongate flexible element comprises a multi-strand high tensile strength cable. Preferably the second mounting device of the door security device in accordance with the invention is adapted to be located in a respective aperture, and is also afforded by a tubular member having external gripping formations and which is capable of radial expansion and the flexible element is connected to the second mounting device also through the intermediary of a retaining element which, upon tensioning of the flexible element, is operative with a wedging action radially to expand the tubular member. The connection of the flexible element to one, or that one, of the mounting devices which is in the form of such a tubular member may take the form of a releasable connection of said second end portion of the flexible element to a stem which is slidable in an axial bore of the tubular member concerned, the stem carrying the associated retaining element, or the connection of the flexible element to one, or that one, of the mounting devices which is in the form of such a tubular member may take the form of said first end portion extending through an axial bore of the tubular member concerned, and being connected to the associated retaining element. If desired the connection of the flexible element to one of said mounting devices may take the form of a releasable connection of said second end portion to a stem which is slidable in an axial bore of the tubular member of the mounting device concerned, the stem carrying the associated retaining element, and the connection of the flexible element to the other of said mounting devices may take the form of the first end portion of the flexible element extending through an axial bore of the tubular member of said other mounting device and being connected to the retaining element associated with said other mounting device. A door security device in accordance with the last preceding paragraph but two may be adapted to be mounted across the hinge of the door, with the respective tubular mounting members secured in apertures provided respectively in the door, at a position adjacent to a side edge thereof, and in a surface adjacent to said side edge, opposite end portions of said flexible element extending through axial bores in the respective tubular mounting members and carrying at their end portions respective retaining elements such that on the application of tension to said flexible element, the retaining elements are drawn into the axial bores of the respective tubular mounting members, radially to expand the tubular mounting members. Where the flexible element extends through such axial bore and is connected to such associated wedge element, such retaining element connected thereto may be fixed thereto by a crimping operation. Where said stem is provided, the stem may comprise a multi-strand high tensile strength cable and the retaining element carried thereby may be fixed thereto by a crimping operation. The external gripping formations may be afforded by external threads of the tubular member or members concerned, the tubular member or members being longitudinally slotted to facilitate said radial expansion. Door security devices embodying the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which.- FIGURE 1 is a partly cross-sectional side view of parts of a door security device in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a first door security device in accordance with the invention; and FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a second door security device in accordance with the invention. Referring first to Figure 1 of the drawings, a mounting assembly 10 comprises an externally threaded tubular mounting member 12, a nut 14 substantially immovably fixed to the outer end of the member 12, and a plurality of longitudinal slots 16 provided in the inner end of the tube 12. The assembly 10 further comprises an elongate element 18 which passes generally axially completely through the tubular member 12, and is provided at its inner end with a retaining element 20 fixed thereto by a crimping operation. The elongate element 18 is in the form of a continuous multistrand high tensile strength steel câble. A front edge 22 of the element 20 is chamfered, as is a rear edge 24 of the member 12 adjacent to the element 20. The member 12 is produced by axially drilling out a portion of a threaded bolt. In use, an article to be mounted using the assembly 10 would be connected to, or in some other manner associated with, an outer portion 26 of the elongate element 18. In order to mount the assembly 10 in (for example) a wooden object such as a door or door surround member, a bore having a diameter fractionally less than the outer diameter of the member 12 is first drilled in the door, the bore having a depth sufficient to accommodate the retaining element 20 and the portion of the member 12 not covered by the nut 14, and the assembly 10 is then positioned so that the element 20 lies in the bore and the inner end of the tubular member 12 engages the front of the bore. By holding and turning the assembly 10 via the nut 14, the member 12 is then screwed into the bore, the threads on the member 12, assisted by the slots 16, biting into the bore in a self-tapping manner, until the majority of the member 12 has been received within the bore, and the nut 14 lies against the outer surface of the door. When so mounted, the threads formed on the member 12 grip the bore, but there may be free-play between the member 12 and the connected-together elements 18 and 20, depending upon the manner in which said article is connected or associated with the outer portion 26, and -where there is such free play, it may be possible for the article to be rotated about an axis defined by cooperation between the elements 18 and 20 and the member 12 e.g. about the axis A. Should the article, and hence the element 18 be urged out-wardly (i.e.to the right in Figure 1), the edge 22 of the element 20 engages against the edge 24 of the member 12, and by a wedging action causes radial expansion of the inner end of the member 12, such expansion being facilitated by provision of the slots 16, so that the external threads of the member 12 at said inner end are forced into tighter contact with the inner surface of the bore. Thus, attempts to dismount the article by outward pulling thereof merely tighten the grip of the mounting assembly on the bore. Two door security devices in which assemblies such as the assembly 10 are used are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. In Figure 2 a door security device 100 embodying the invention comprises a semi-rigid elongate element 118, namely a continuous multistrand high tensile strength steel cable (with a thin plastics sleeve or coating) comprising a main portion 118 a and a shaft portion 118 b , with a bend 126 therebetween such that the portion 118 a forms an acute angle B with the portion 118 b . Whilst the bend 126 illustrated is formed at a location spaced from the nut 114, it could if desired be formed adjacent to the nut 114. The portion 118 b constitutes a part of a mounting assembly 110, of generally the same construction as the mounting assembly 10 of Figure 1, comprising a threaded tubular member 112, a nut 114 fixed thereon, and a retaining element 120 crimped on to the inner end of the portion 118 b , such that (for example) with the assembly 110 mounted in a bore formed in a door jamb, the element 118 is movable about an axis defined by the portion 118 b , between an inoperative freely-hanging position, a way from the door jamb due to said inclination of portion 118 a , and an operative position in which a reduced-diameter (or uncovered) portion 118 c of the element 118 may be received by a slotted region 135 of a mounting block 130. In use the block 130 is substantially permanently mounted on part of the door adjacent to the door jamb, so that the element 118, when operatively engaged with the block 130, spans a gap between the door jamb and the door. An end element 119 crimped onto the "free" end of the element 118 is able to slide longitudinally in the region 135 on slight opening of the door, but an enlarged head 119 a thereon prevents further such movement of the door by engaging the block 130. The tubular part of element 119 is too broad to permit the element 119 to be lifted vertically out of the region 135 with door partly open. The block 130 is mounted in a bore formed in the door by a mounting assembly 160 generally the same as the mounting assemblies 10 and 110, the block 130 being connected to a retaining element 180 by a multi-strand steel cable 190 which passes through a threaded tubular mounting member 185 having a nut 170 fixed to its outer end. Any attempt to force the door open, which generally may result in outward urging of the element 118 and/or the block 130, results in radial expansion of the member 112 and/or the member 185, under action of the element 120 and/or the element 180 respectively, so that the grip of the security device 100 on the door and door jamb becomes tighter. The element 118 may be stronger than a metal chain of comparable thickness, its portion 118 c is relatively easy to engage with the block 130, and the element 118, due to its inclination, does not hang against paint work when not in use. If desired, a spring clip may be mounted on the jamb below the assembly 10, to hold the portion 118 a when not is use. In use, retention of the portion 118 c by the block 130 is assisted by resilience of the element 118 resulting from its steel-cable construction. The second security device comprises a flexible elongate element 218 comprising a multi-strand steel cable (with a plastics coating or sleeve on externally visible portion of the cable) having its opposite ends substantially permanently mounted in respective mounting assemblies 310 and 410 each substantially identical to the assemblies 10, 110 and 160 described above, opposite end portions of the element 218 being connected to respective retaining elements 320 and 420 and passing through expansible externally threaded tubular members 312 and 412 respectively, said tubular members having nuts 314 and 414 fixed at at their respective outer ends. In use, the assemblies 310 and 410 are respectively mounted in a door surround member (on the hinge side of a door) and in the door itself, such that the element 218 spans a hinge-gap between the door and the frame. In this manner, should a would-be intruder dislodge the door from its hinges, the element 218 will generally retain the door adjacent to the frame. Further inward forcing of the dislodged door will result in expansion of one or both of the members 312 and 412, which will tighten the grip of the assemblies 310 and 410 on the bores in which they are mounted. It will be appreciated that the above security devices and/or mounting assemblies may incorporate various additional or alternative features. for example, referring for convenience to the parts of the mounting assembly 10 of figure 1, the chamfered edges 22 and 24 may be more extensive than those illustrated, at least in a longitudinal (axial) direction and preferably also in a radial direction, to assist seating of the edge 22 against the edge 24 and improve the aforementioned wedging action. The nut 14 may be integrally formed with the threaded member 12. For example, the nut 14 and member 12 may be formed integrally by suitable machining of a rod (e.g. of a zinc alloy) having an initial uniform cross-section of hexagonal shape corresponding to the hexagonal shape required for the nut 14. In order to facilitate mounting/tightening of the assembly on an object, a washer may be carried on the member 12, against the rear surface of the nut 14. Alternatively, a washer may be integrally formed with the nut 14 at the rear thereof. The front (i.e. outer) edge of the axial drilling in the member 12 may be chamfered, so that the drilling becomes wider in the vicinity of the outer portion 26. In this manner wear on the elongate element in the vicinity of said front edge due to prolonged use may be reduced. By way of further example, referring for convenience to the parts of the security device of Figure 2, said thin plastics sleeve or coating on the element 118 may alternatively also extend over the portion 118 c , up to the element 119, and a further plastics sleeve (not shown), more rigid than said thin sleeve or crating and of lesser external diameter than the head 119 a , may wholly or partially cover the crimped portion of the element 119. The further plastics sleeve may taper at its end nearest to said thin sleeve or coating. In conjunction with this modified elongate element 118, a modified mounting assembly 160 would be used, having an enlarged block 130, with a larger region 135 to accommodate the width of the further plastics sleeve and a larger entry slot wide enough to accommodate the full width of the now sleeved or coated portion 118 c , but narrower than the further plastics sleeve. Although the block 130 of the assembly 160 described above is retained on the member 185 by the elongate element 190 and the element 180, the head 130 and the member 185 could alternatively be integrally formed in one piece, in which case the member 185 could be solid. Although the member 185 would not then utilise a radial expansion feature, in use with the assembly 160 mounted on a door in order to receive an elongate element mounted on an adjacent jamb, this may still give satisfactory results, since if an attempt is made to force open the door, the assembly 160 is subjected primarily to a transverse force in contrast to the generally axial force experienced by the assembly mounted on the door jamb. Said radial expansion feature is highly advantageous for the assembly mounted on the door jamb. The head 119 a may be provided with a protrusion on the opposite side thereof to the element 118, to faciltate grapsing thereof, e.g. comprising an axially outwardly protruding shank portion of lesser diameter than the head 119 a and having an enlarged outer end portion, which protrusion may be integrally formed with the head 119 a /element 119.

Claims: 1. A door security device (100) comprising an elongate flexible element (118) having first and second end portions (118 b ; 118 c , 119), a first mounting device (110) for one of said end portions and a second mounting device (160) for the other of said end portions, for mounting the flexible element, by way of its end portions, so as to span a gap between a door and a surface adjacent to the door, the first mounting device (110) being adapted to be located in an aperture provided in said surface adjacent to the door and being afforded by a tubular member (112) having external gripping formations and which is capable of radial expansion, and the flexible element (118) being connected to the first mounting device through the intermediary of a retaining element (120) which, upon tensioning of the flexible element (118), is operative with a wedging action radially to expand the tubular member (112), characterised in that the elongate flexible element comprises a multi-strand high tensile strength cable. 2. A door security device (100) according to Claim 1 wherein the second mounting device (160) is adapted to be located in a respective aperture, and is also afforded by a tubular member (185) having external gripping formations and which is capable of radial expansion and the flexible element being connected to the second mounting device also through the intermediary of a retaining element (180) which, upon tensioning of the flexible element, is operative with a wedging action radially to expand the tubular member (185). 3. A door security device (100) according to one of Claims 1 and 2 wherein the connection of the flexible element to one, or that one, of the mounting devices which is in the form of such a tubular member takes the form of a releasable connection of said second end portion (118 c , 119) of the flexible element (118) to a stem (190) which is slidable in an axial bore of the tubular member concerned, the stem ( 190) carrying the associated retaining element. 4. A door security device (100) according to one of Claims 1 and 2 wherein the connection of the flexible element to one, or that one, of the mounting devices which is in the form of such a tubular member, takes the form of said first end portion (118 b ) extending through an axial bore of the tubular member concerned, and being connected to the associated retaining element. 5. A door security device (100) according to Claim 2 wherein the connection of the flexible element to one of said mounting devices takes the form of a releasable connection of said second end portion (118 c , 119) to a stem (190) which is slidable in an axial bore of the tubular member of the mounting device concerned, the stem (190) carrying the associated retaining element, and the connection of the flexible element to the other of said mounting devices takes the form of the first end portion (118 b ) of the flexible element (118) extending through an axial bore of the tubular member of said other mounting device and being connected to the retaining element associated with said other mounting device. 6. A door security device according to Claim 2 adapted to be mounted across the hinge of the door, with the respective tubular mounting members secured in apertures provided respectively in the door, at a position adjacent to a side edge thereof, and in a surface adjacent to said side edge, opposite end portions of said flexible element extending through axial bores in the respective tubular mounting members (312, 412) and carrying at their end portions respective retaining elements (320, 420) such that on the application of tension to said flexible element (218), the retaining elements (320, 420) are drawn into the axial bores of the respective tubular mounting members, radially to expand the tubular mounting members (312, 412). 7. A door security device (100) according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein the or each such retaining element connected to the flexible element is fixed thereto by a crimping operation. 8. A door security device (100) according to Claim 3 or Claim 5 whereinthe stem (190) comprises a multi-strand high tensile strength cable and the retaining element carried thereby is fixed thereto by a crimping operation. 9. A door security device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the external gripping formations are afforded by external threads of the tubular member or members (112, 185; 312, 412) concerned, and the tubular member or members is or are longitudinally slotted to facilitate said radial expansion.

Inventors: CATTON, CLIVE FREDERICK
Applicants: CATTON, CLIVE FREDERICK
Application year: 1987
Main classification: E05C17
IPC codes: E05C17