SECURITY DEVICE

Abstract: The security device is arranged to selectively permit or inhibit full opening of a closure panel (12) (such as a door, window or the like) hingeably mounted to a structure (9). The device comprises an abutment member (6) connected at hinge means (7) (either directly or by means of interconnecting elements) to a mounting element securable to the structure. The mounting hinge axis of the closure panel (12) and the hinge means (7) are spaced in a direction transverse to their axes such that as the closure panel pivots on its hinge axis (when opening) relative sliding motion occurs between the panel (12) and the abutment member (6). Stop means (20) is selectively positionable on the closure panel (12) in the path of the abutment member (6) such that at a predetermined extend in opening the panel (12) the abutment member (6) engages the stop means (20) preventing further opening of the closure panel (12).

Description: Security Device This invention relates to a security device, and in particular to a "home" security device for use on a door of a building or the like. Security devices intended to enable the occupier of a building to open a door to a predetermined extent are known. Typically such devices comprise a metal chain permanently fixed at one end to a door frame and extending across the opening between the door and door frame to a selectively releasable fixing between the door and the other end of the chain. We have now devised an improved security device adapted to provide a similar facility to prior art devices whilst having improved security features. According to the invention, there is provided a security device for a closure panel hingably mounted to a structure so as to selectively open or close an opening defined in the structure; said security device comprising: a) an abutment member arranged to be positioned adjacent a face of the panel and be pivotally connected at hinge means, either directly or via one or more connecting elements, to a mounting element connectable to the structure proximate the portion of the panel which is hingably connected to the structure, whereby the pivotal hinge axis of the panel, and the pivotal hinge axis of the hinge means are spaced in a direction transverse to their pivotal axes such that when the panel pivots between its closed and open positions relative sliding motion occurs between the face of the panel and the abutment member; and b) stop means selectively securely positionable adjacent the face of said panel in a stop position in which at a predetermined extent in moving the panel from its closed position to its open position, a distal portion of the abutment member is arranged to engage the stop means, thereby substantially inhibiting further movement of said panel toward its open position. Typically, the panel will be a door or window arranged to open or close a respective corresponding doorway or window opening. In both cases, the hinged connection between the panel and the structure, and also between the mounting element and the structure will typically be with a specifically adapted door or window frame. The mounting element will typically comprise a bracket (preferably provided with a flat hinge plate or wing), advantageously provided with screw apertures shaped and dimensioned to receive appropriate screws for fixing to the structure (or frame). Advantageously, the abutment member comprises an elongate arm or bar extending transversely across the panel face from its proximal end pivotally connected to the hinge means to a distal end. In a preferred embodiment the abutment member is connected to the mounting element hinge means via an interconnecting element, preferably comprising a strut pivotally connected to and extending from the mounting element hinge means and connected to the abutment member at a further pivotal connection. Typically, the distal end of the abutment member is constrained within guide means such as a channel member, which guide means is preferably arranged to be secured to the face of the panel. It is preferred that the stop means, which typically comprises a stopper member, is locatable (at the stop position), in guide means which guide means is also preferably securable to the face of the panel. The guide means for the distal end of the abutment member, and also for the stop means preferably comprise respective apertures, channels or slots preferably provided in respective portions of a housing, which housing is fixably connectable to the face of the panel. It is preferred that the housing is provided with a mounting limb which is securable to the face of the panel. Advantageously the mounting limb is connected at a further hinge to the mounting element, the pivotal hinge axis of the further hinge preferably being substantially coaxial with the pivotal hinge axis of the panel. It is preferred that when the stop means is in the stop position and the panel is in the closed position, the distal portion of the abutment member is spaced from the stop means by a few millimetres. Advantageously, the stop means is movable to the stop position from a retracted position, in which retracted position the stop means is arranged substantially within a further housing securable to the face of the closure panel. Desirably, the stop means is movable to the stop position by means of driving means which is actuable from either side of the closure panel. Typically the driving means is actuable by means of different respective actuation means from respective sides of the closure panel, such as for example a key from one side of the panel and a rotatable latch or catch from the other side of the panel. The invention will now be further described in a specific embodiment by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the component parts of a security device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of a door fitted with the security device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view, corresponding to the view of Figure 2 of a door fitted with an alternative embodiment of a security device according to the invention; and Figure 4 is a schematic rear view of the security device of Figure 3. Referring to the drawings, the security device comprises three component parts generally designated 1,2 and 3. Component 1 comprises a hinge mechanism having a pair of metallic hinge wings 4,5 and an elongate metal bar 6 connected to hinge spine 7 such that the elongate bar 6 is hingably pivotal relative to wings 4,5. Wings 4,5 are provided with respective apertures 8 such that component 1 may be fixed to a door frame 9 using conventional self tapping wood screws 10 as shown in Figure 2. Typically component 1 is fixed to the door frame 9 intermediate a conventional pair of door hinges 11 used for hanging a door 12 (only one of the pair of hinges 11 is shown in Figure 2 for convenience). Component 2 comprises a metallic mounting bracket 13 having a transverse abutment portion 14 (adapted to lie in a recessed portion of the longitudinal edge of the door 12) and an elongate limb 15 arranged to extend in use along the rear face of door 12. Component 2 is secured to the door 12 by means of self tapping wood screws 10 passing through respective holes 8 in limb 15. At its distal end, limb 15 is provided with a housing 16 into which the distal end 17 of elongate bar 6 is arranged to extend through guide aperture 18. A further rectangular aperture 19 is provided in the roof of housing 16, the purpose of which is explained in detail below. Component 3 comprises a stopper member 20 arranged to be removably insertable into aperture 19 such that the downwardly extending sides 20a of stopper member 20 are received in the interior of the housing, whilst the outwardly extending portion 20b of stopper member 20 rests on the portion of the roof of housing 16 immediately surrounding aperture 19. In use, the component parts 1,2,3 of the security device are assembled as shown in Figure 2 with the stopper member 20 (not shown in Figure 2) inserted into aperture 19 as described above. It should be noted that when assembled the hinge spine 7 of component 1 is transversely offset from the position of the hinge spine of door hanging hinges 11. Furthermore, the distal end 17 of elongate bar 6 extends into housing 16 to a point spaced from the nearest longitudinal edge of slot 19 (see shaded area in Figure 2). Typically the spacing is of the order of a few millimetres. As the door is opened (in the direction of arrow A in Figure 2), due to the offset of hinge spine 7 and hinges 11 , the distal end 17 of bar 6 moves relative to the housing in the direction of arrow B in Figure 2. Eventually, distal end 17 engages a downwardly extending side 20a of stopper 20 preventing the door being opened further. It has been found that where hinge spine 7 and hinges 11 are transversely offset by approximately 12mm, and the spacing (when the door is closed) between the distal end 17 of bar 6 and nearest longitudinal edge of slot 19 is approximately 3mm, the door may be opened to approximately 100mm ajar before the distal end 17 engages side 20a of stopper 20 preventing the door being opened further. Once the door 12 is opened to its greatest permissible extent with the stopper member 20 in place in aperture 19, the person opening the door may check whether there is anyone on the other side of the door. If, subsequently they wish to permit entry to a person, on the other side, they may simply remove stopper member 20 fro housing 16 via aperture 19 thereby permitting the door 12 to be opened to its "normal " maximum extent. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the security device similar in terms of construction and operation to the device of Figures 1 and 2. Parts of the device corresponding to those parts identified in relation to Figures 1 and 2 are identified by like reference numerals. In the alternative embodiment shown, the abutment member arm 6 is pivotally connected at pivotal connection 26 to screw threaded connector 24 which threadably engages a threaded bore in one end of strut 23. The other end of strut 23 is provided with a further threaded bore which threadably receives a further screw threaded connector 25. Screw threaded connector 25 is pivotally connected to hinge spine 7. Rotation of strut 23 about its longitudinal axis causes the distance between pivotal connection 26 and hinge spine 7 to lengthen or shorten such that the required spacing of distal end 17 of abutment member arm 6 and the edge of slot 19 may be conveniently achieved. Mounting limb 15 is pivotally connected to mounting element 21 at further hinge 22, further hinge 22 being provided with wings 27,28 screwed to the frame 9 and door 12 respectively. Relative sliding movement of abutment member arm 6 and the rear face of door 12 is effected when the door is pivotally opened due to the relative separation of hinge spine 7 and the hinge axis of the door 12 (corresponding to the hinge axis of further hinge 22). In the alternative embodiment shown, stop member 20 is provided in a housing 29 mounted on the rear face of door 12 below aperture 19. Turning of a rotatable catch 30 causes the stop member 20 to be urged upwardly into aperture 19, thereby preventing opening of door 12 beyond its limited extent as abutment member 6 engages stop member 20. In addition it is possible to operate the stop member from the front face of door 12 by means of inserting and turning a suitable key (not shown).

Claims: Claims: 1. A security device for a closure panel hingably mounted to a structure so as to selectively open or close an opening defined in the structure; said security device comprising: a) an abutment member arranged to be positioned adjacent a face of the panel and be pivotally connected at hinge means, either, directly or via one or more connecting elements, to a mounting element connectable to the structure proximate the portion of the panel which is hingably connected to the structure, whereby the pivotal hinge axis of the panel, and the pivotal hinge axis of the hinge means are spaced in a direction transverse to their pivotal axes such that when the panel pivots between its closed and open positions relative sliding motion occurs between the face of the panel and the abutment member; and b) stop means selectively securely positionable adjacent the face of said panel in a stop position in which at a predetermined extent in moving the panel from its closed position to its open position, a distal portion of the abutment member is arranged to engage the stop means, thereby substantially inhibiting further movement of said panel toward its open position. 2. A security device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting element comprises a bracket arranged to be fixed to the structure. 3. A security device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the abutment member is connected to the mounting element hinge means via an interconnecting element. 4. A security device according to claim 3, wherein the interconnecting element comprises a strut pivotally connected to an extending from the mounting element hinge means and connected to the abutment member at a further pivotal connection. 5. A security device according to any preceding claim, wherein the abutment member is constrained to move within guide means. 6. A security device according to claim 5, wherein the guide means is arranged to be secured to the face of the panel. 7. A security device according to any preceding claim, wherein the stop means is locatable at the stop position in guide means which guide means is securable to the face of the panel. 8. A security device according to claim 7, wherein the guide means for the stop means comprises an aperture provided in a housing, the housing being securable to the face of the panel. 9. A security device according to claim 8, wherein the housing is provided with a mounting limb which is securable to the face of the panel. 10. A security device according to claim 9, wherein the mounting limb is connected at a further hinge to the mounting element, the pivotal hinge axis of the further hinge being substantially coaxial with the pivotal hinge axis of the panel. 11. A security device according to any preceding claim, wherein when the stop means is oriented in the stop position and the panel is oriented in the closed position, the distal portion of the abutment member is spaced from the stop means by a few millimetres. 12. A security device according to any preceding claim, wherein the stop means is movable to the stop position from a retracted position, in which retracted position the stop means is arranged substantially within a further housing securable to the face of the closure panel. 13. A security device according to any preceding claim, wherein the stop means is movable to the stop position by means of driving means which driving means is actuable from either side of the closure panel. 14. A security device according to claim 13, wherein the driving means is actuable by means of a different respective actuation means from different respective sides of the closure panel. 15. A security device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: WOOD GRAHAM, WOOD, GRAHAM
Applicants: BOEWOOD PREVENTION LTD, WOOD GRAHAM, BOEWOOD PREVENTION LIMITED
Application year: 1993
Main classification: E05C17
IPC codes: E05C19