GB2201448A

GB2201448A - Security device

Info

Publication number: GB2201448A
Application number: GB08704043A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Philip Shenton
Original assignee: HASP INT Ltd
Current assignee: HASP INT Ltd
Priority date: 1987-02-20
Filing date: 1987-02-20
Publication date: 1988-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 2007-02-20
Also published as: GB8704043D0; GB2201448B

Abstract

A door or window security device 3 has one or two (as shown) spring loaded latch elements 17 which engage with a keeper 4,on closing the door or window; the latch element(s) 17 is/are released to permit opening of the door or window e.g. by a key operated barrel 23 or turn button rotatable to disengage the latch element(s) from the keeper (4). As shown, keeper 4 is U-shaped with arms 7 formed with two pairs of notches 9, 10 engageable with the two latch elements, 17 when window casement 2 is moved towards frame 1 to hold the casement in a vent or a closed position. The elements retract automatically against spring bias into a block-like portion 13 as the casement 2 is moved. The latch elements may be held in an inoperative position by a snib. <IMAGE>

Description

SECURITY DEVICE This invention relates to a security device for use with a closure member mounted for hinged, pivotal or sliding movement relative to a frame member.

According to the present invention we provide a security device for use with a closure member mounted for hinged, pivotal or sliding movement relative to a frame member, the device comprising a keeper adapted for mounting on one of the closure member and frame member, catch means adapted for mounting on the other of the closure member and the frame member, the catch means being engageable automatically with the keeper on movement of the closure member towards the frame member to secure the closure member relative to the frame member, and means for releasing the catch means to permit movement of the closure member away from the frame member.

Preferably the catch means is resiliently biassed to an operative position for automatic engagement with the keeper and the release means is operable to move the catch means against the resilient biassing to disengage the keeper.

Advantageously the catch means comprises a spring loaded latch element for co-operating with the keeper to engage automatically a notch or similar formation in the keeper to secure the closure member relative to the frame member.

Conveniently the keeper has a plurality of notches for selective engagement by the latch element to secure the closure member in a range of positions relative to the frame member.

Preferably the keeper has a pair of arms and the catch means has a pair of latch elements for engagement with a respective one of the arms.

The release means conveniently comprises a key operated rotatable barrel for retracting the or each latch element against the spring biassing.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is an illustrative detail perspective view of a security device according to the present invention fitted to a casement window, the device being shown released and the window open; FIGURE 2 is a side view of the security device and window shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a side view of the security device and casement window showing the device in a first engaged position for securing the casement in a vent position; FIGURE 4 is a side view similar to Figure 3, showing the device in a second engaged position for securing the casement closed; and FIGURE 5 is an exploded isometric view of the catch means of the security device shown in Figures 1 to 4.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, there is shown part of a casement window comprising a fixed frame 1 and a glazed casement 2 mounted on the frame 1 by hinges (not shown) for outward movement relative to the frame 1 about the hinge axis. To secure the casement 2 in a vent position (Figure 3) and closed (Figure 4) there is provided a security device 3 comprising a keeper 4 and catch.means 5 for engagement therewith.

The keeper 4 comprises a U-shaped member having a base 6 and a pair of parallel arms 7. The base 6 is formed with a pair of holes by means of which the keeper 4 is mounted on the casement 2 by screws 8.

The arms 7 are formed on the inwardly facing sides with an inner pair of opposed notches 9 adjacent to the base 6 and an outer pair of opposed notches 10 adjacent to the free ends of the arms.

The catch means 5 comprises a first body part 11 and a second body part 12 adapted to be assembled together with the second part 12 closing a central rectangular block-like portion 13 of the first part 11 to provide a unitary body.

The first part 11 has a pair of flanges 14 on opposite sides of the block-like portion 13 and each flange 14 is formed with a slot 15 by means of which the catch means 5 is mounted on the fixed frame 1 by screws 16 with the block-like portion 13 aligned between the arms 7 of the keeper 4.

A pair of latch elements 17 are slidably mounted within the block-like portion l3 and are biassed in opposite directions by a helical spring 19 acting therebetween to an operative position projecting outwards of the block-like portion 13 through respective openings 18 in the first part 11.

The inner ends of the latch elements 17 are formed with a first pair of lugs 20 that are engageable to limit outward movement of the elements 17 and a second pair of lugs 21 between which a diametric rib 22 formed integrally at the end of a barrel 23 is located. The barrel 23 is rotatably mounted in a cylindrical aperture formed by semi-cylindrical portions 24,25 of the first and second parts 11,12 and is retained by an annular collar 26 received in a complementary annular groove 27 formed in the portions 24,25.

The barrel 23 is manually operable by a key 28 inserted into a key-hole opening 31 to rotate the rib 22 so as to retract the outer ends of the latch elements 17 into the block-like portion 13 against the biassing of the spring 19.

The outer end of each latch element 17 is of wedge shape with the front face 29 inclined at an acute angle to the rear face 30 and each notch 9,10 is of similar complementary wedge shape permitting automatic engagement of the latch elements 17 with a selected one of the outer and inner pairs of notches 9,10 for securing the casement 2 in the vent position or closed whilst preventing opening of the window until the barrel 23 is rotated to retract the latch elements 17 into the block-like portion 13.

More specifically, on moving the casement 2 from the open position shown in Figures 1 and 2 towards the fixed frame 1, the block-like portion 13 is received between the arms 7 of the keeper 4 which engage the inclined front faces 29 of the latch elements 17 causing the latch elements 17 to retract automatically into the block-like portion 13 against the biassing of the spring 19 until the latch elements 17 are aligned with the. outer pair of notches 10 whereupon the latch elements 17 are moved outwardly of the block-like portion 13 by the spring 19 to engage automatically in the notches 10 and secure the casement 1 in the vent position as shown in Figure 3.

If it is desired to secure the casement 2 closed, manual release of the latch elements 17 by rotation of the barrel 23 is not required as the engagement of the inclined front faces 29 of the latch elements 17 and the complementary inclined faces of the outer pair of notches 10 is such that, on pulling the casement 2 towards the fixed frame 1, the latch members 17 retract automatically into the block-like portion 13 against the biassing of the spring 19 until the latch elements 17 are aligned with the inner pair of notches 9 whereupon the latch elements 17 are moved outwardly of the block-like portion 13 by the spring 19 to engage automatically. in the notches 9 and secure the casement 2 closed as shown in Figure 4.

When secured in either the vent position or closed, the engagement of the rear faces 30 of the latch elements 17 with the complementary faces of the corresponding pair of notches 9,10 prevents the casement 2 from being moved away from the fixed frame 1 so as to open the window until the latch elements 17 are manually retracted into the block-like portion 13 by rotation of the barrel 23.

In addition, the block-like portion 13 covers the base 6 of the keeper and the arms 7 cover the flanges 14 of the catch means thereby preventing removal of the screws 8,14 securing the keeper 4 and catch means 5 in either the vent position or the closed position.

As an additional security feature, one end of the notches 9,10 is closed by a web integral with the arms 7 and the other end is closed by the flanges 14 when engaged by the latch elements 17 so that insertion of a tool to retract the latch elements 17 is prevented.

As will now be appreciated the present invention provides a security device which operates automatically to secure the casement in a selected position on closing the window and which prevents the window being opened again until the device has been manually released. In this way the user does not have to operate the device on closing the window to ensure that the window is secured against unauthorised opening.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment above-described. For example the keeper could be mounted on the fixed frame and the catch-means mounted on the casement.

The catch means may comprise a single spring loaded latch element for engagement with the keeper.

The keeper may be adapted for engagement by the catch means to secure the closure member in one position only, for example closed. Alternatively the keeper may be adapted for engagement by the catch means to secure the closure member in more than two positions as above-described.

The release means may be key operated as abovedescribed or push or turn button operated and may be of any suitable construction. For example the drive rib may be integral with or otherwise connected to the barrel.

Lock means may be provided for locking the catch means in the operative position thereby preventing unauthorised release of the latch elements. For example the barrel of the release means may be provided with a cylinder lock.

The device may be used with windows, doors or the like in which a closure member is mounted for hinged, pivotal or sliding movement relative to a frame member which may be a fixed frame as described or a second closure member.

Finally, the catch means may include means for holding the latch elements in an inoperative position retracted within the block-like portion, for example a detent such as a snib which is manually slidable or rotatable to engage a flat on the barrel with the latch elements retracted so as to prevent the barrel rotating under the bias of the spring to return the latch elements automatically to the operative position. Such means may be usefully provided where it is desirable to be able to close the closure member from the outside whilst permitting re-entry when required, for example if the security device is fitted to a door thereby preventing the user from being inadvertently shut out.

Claims

Claims:

1. A security device for use with a closure member mounted for hinged, pivotal or sliding movement relative to a frame member, the device comprising a keeper adapted for mounting on one of the closure member and frame member, catch means adapted for mounting on the other of the closure member and frame member, the catchmeans being engageable automatically with the keeper on movement of the closure member towards the frame member to secure the closure member relative to the frame member, and means for releasing the catch means to permit movement of the closure~ member away from the frame member.

2. A security device according to Claim 1 wherein the catch means is resiliently biassed to an operative position-for automatic engagement with the keeper and the release means is operable to move the catch means against the resilient biassing to an inoperative position for disengagement from the keeper.

3. A security device according to Claim 2 including lock means for locking the catch means in the operative position.

4. A security device according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 including means for holding the catch means in the inoperative position.

5. A security device according to any one of Claims 2 to 4 wherein the catch means and the keeper have cooperating formations which, in the operative position of the catch means, provide for automatic engagement of the catch means with the keeper.

6. A security device according to Claim 5 wherein the catch means comprises a spring loaded latch element having a wedge surface for co-operating with the keeper to engage automatically the keeper.

7. A security device according to Claim 6 wherein the catch means comprises a pair of spring loaded latch elements biassed in opposite directions.

8. A security device according to Claim 7 wherein the latch elements are biassed by a common spring.

9. A security device according to Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein the catch means comprises a body from which the latch elementsbproject in the operative position and the keeper comprises a U-shaped member having a pair of arms between which the body is received for engagement of each latch element with a respective arm.

10. A security device according to Claim 9 wherein each arm has a notch or similar formation for engagement by the associated latch element.

11. A security device according to Claim 10 wherein each arm has a plurality of notches for selective engagement by the associated latch element for securing the closure member in any selected one of a range of positions.

12. A security device according to any one of Claims 9 to 11 wherein the release means comprises a member rotatably mounted in the body and operatively connected to each latch element.

13. A security device according to Claim 12 wherein the. member comprises a key operated barrel having a drive formation engaging each latch element.

14. A security. device according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the catch means is engageable with the keeper to secure the closure member closed.

15. A security device according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the catch means is engageable with the keeper to secure the closure member in a vent position.

16. A security device for use with a closure member mounted for hinged, pivotal or sliding movement relative to a frame member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.