IES76277B2 - An improved security screen - Google Patents

Abstract

A security screen for an aperture 10 such as a window comprises a pair of frame members 5, 6 and a plurality of security members 1, 3 connected between and disposed perpendicularly to the frame members 5, 6 to span the opening. The security members 1, 3 are mutually spaced apart to restrict access through the aperture 10 and each member 1, 3 is releasably secured between the frame members 5, 6. In one arrangement, the security members 1, 3 are releasably locked to the frame members 5, 6 and are slidingly displaceable along a path defined by the frame members 5, 6. Each security member 1, 3 comprises a toughened metal bar 3 and an elongate vane 1 is provided along a longitudinal axis of the toughened bar 3.

Description

AN IMPROVED SECURITY SCREEN The present invention relates to a security screen and more particularly to a security screen for use in domestic and small business premises.

Known security screens in general comprise a frame holding security elements across an aperture such as a window. In one arrangement, the security elements comprise solid bars which are securely fixed to the frame. This arrangement, while secure, does not provide an evacuation route in the case of emergencies such as fire, and thus an occupier could become trapped. In an improved arrangement, a frame holds a lattice of metal bars which are lockable to a side member of the frame and are slideable within the frame when released from a locked position to provide an evacuation route. In both of the above arrangements, the measurements of the aperture must be exact to enable proper construction of the screen to the precise dimensions of the aperture. Minor alterations may be required when the screen is installed. In the solid metal bar arrangement the bars must be cut to the exact length corresponding to the height of the aperture and the frame must be constructed to fit at least the width of the aperture and often the height of the aperture where a four-sided frame is used. Additionally, care must be taken in construction so that the bars are evenly spaced to provide an aesthetically acceptable article. In the lattice arrangement, exact measurements must be taken of the width and height of the aperture and the security elements of the lattice must be cut to size and adjusted «« in number to compliment the aperture. The frame members of the lattice arrangement are substantially U-shaped to * accept the security elements. A lock is provided in one of the side members of the frame for locking the security - 2 S76277 members across the width of the frame. Aesthetic effect is provided by the usually diamond-shaped apertures of the lattice.

The above arrangements provide certain disadvantages, particularly with respect to the constructional aspect of each screen to be installed in an aperture. The construction of individual screens must be completed off-site after careful measurements of the relevant aperture have been taken. After construction, which is relatively time-consuming, the assembled screens are installed. Only very minor alterations can be accomplished on-site. Should any significant error be made in the measurement of the aperture or the construction of the screen, recommencement of the procedure is required. In any case the resulting screen essentially comprises bars across the aperture, occasionally resulting in an impression of a confined enclosure, and provides minimal aesthetic appearance.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the above disadvantages and to provide an improved, aesthetically pleasing security screen.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a security screen for an aperture such as a window, the screen comprising a pair of frame members and a plurality of security members connected between and disposed perpendicularly to the frame members, the security members being mutually spaced apart to restrict access across the aperture, each member being releasably locked between the frame members and individually removeable from the frame members to afford an evacuation route through the screened aperture.

In another arrangement, the security members are releasably locked to the frame members and are slidingly 1¾ displaceable along a path defined by the frame members to afford the evacuation route, one of the frame members including means for displacing the security members.

Preferably, the security member comprises a toughened metal bar.

Advantageously, the security member includes an elongate vane provided along a longitudinal axis of the toughened metal bar.

Conveniently, the bar is provided along the central longitudinal axis of the vane.

Advantageously, the means for displacing the members includes means for rotating the members about their longitudinal axes.

The security screen includes a locking means for retaining the security members in the frame so that access through the aperture is restricted or prevented.

In a preferred embodiment, one frame member is provided with a plurality of slots through which each security member may be withdrawn from the frame member. In this embodiment, the locking means includes means for preventing the passage of the security members through their respective slots.

* Advantageously, aesthetic effect is provided by the shape, pattern or ornamentation of the elongate vanes. i Preferably, the metal bar is covered by the vane material.

The vane material may comprise metal sheet, a plastics material or a suitable hard-wearing fabric.

The bar of each security member may be provided with a notch or recess engageable by the locking means.

The invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, one embodiment of security screen according to the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of an elongate vane; Figure 2 is a front view of a security screen installed in a window aperture; and Figure 3 is a side elevation partially in cross-section of a frame member including a locking means for the security members of the screen.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows an elongate vane 1 having a toughened metal bar 3 provided along its central longitudinal axis. The bar 3 protrudes from each end of the vane 1 for engagement with each of the frame members 5,6 as shown in Figure 2. The lower and upper frame members 5,6 are formed of closed tubing having a rectangular cross-section and the upper frame member is provided with holes 8 to receive the bars 3. The lower frame member 5 is provided with slots 9 along the inner side of the frame corresponding to the positions of the bar receiving holes 8 in the upper frame member 6. Each frame member 5,6 is securely fastened to the opposing inside surfaces of the aperture 10 to be screened. The vanes 1 can be rotated with or about the bars 3 so that the vanes overlap to restrict viewing through the aperture 10 or so that the vanes can be opened to admit light. A control cord 12 is provided for adjusting the rotation of the vanes 1. A locking means, detailed in Figure 3, is * provided in the lower frame member 5 to retain the metal bars 3 therein.

The vanes 1 are held within the aperture 10 by a locking bar 15 which retains the bars 3 in the frame members 5,6 while allowing the vanes 1 to be rotated to admit or block light. The locking bar 15 has a series of catches 17 corresponding to the front slots 9 in the lower frame member 5 to hold each bar 3. Each bar 3 is locked within the lower frame member 5 by the engagement of the catches 17 with the bars 3 across the slots 9. When the locking bar 15 is moved in the direction of the arrow A, the catches 17 are carried from the slots so that the bars 3 are removable. To withdraw a vane 1, the bar 3 is pulled through the slot 9 in the lower frame member 5 and is then withdrawn from the hole 8 in the upper frame member 6.

In use, the height h and width w of the aperture 10 is measured to determine the required lengths of the frame members 5,6 and the bars 3. The number of vanes 1 and bars 3 required is also determined. Selecting from a number of standard lengths of vane, the bar within is cut to the appropriate dimensions. Any minor deviation in the length of the bar will be compensated for by the depth of the frame members 5,6 or the bar may be cut again or filed down. The locking bar 15 is preformed and is cut to an appropriate length. Any suitable locking device known in * the art can be used to prevent actuation of the locking bar 15. » The holes 8 in the upper frame member 6 and the slots 9 in the lower frame member 5 are set at a predetermined distance from one another along their respective frame members 5,6 according to the width of the vane material used, allowing for an overlap of vane material. To rotate the vanes 1, the control cord 12 is pulled in one direction or another to activate a mechanism (not shown) for rotating the bars 3. The mechanism is housed within the upper frame member 6. To release the bars 3, the locking bar 15 is moved in the direction of arrow A to release the catches 17 and the bars are manually pulled towards the user to clear the lower frame member 5. The bars are then drawn downwardly and away from the aperture 10. It will be appreciated that in order to provide an evacuation route through the aperture 10, it will be necessary only to remove sufficient bars 3 to make a gap wide enough for a person to pass through.

Alternative vane structures include a vane having the bar externally fixed to the vane material and a vane in which the bar is provided along the edge of the vane material. The vanes can be disposed vertically as shown in Figure 2 or horizontally, as desired.

In an alternative arrangement the frame members 5,6 are substantially U-shaped to receive the bars 3. The locking mechanism described above only considers the removal of the bars 3 to provide an evacuation route. In the alternative arrangement, the bars 3 and the attached vanes 1 are drawn to one side when the locking mechanism is released. The locking mechanism is adapted to release the bars, preferably by disengaging either notches or recesses on the bars 3, which are then slidingly displaced towards one side of the aperture 10 to provide an evacuation route. A combined mechanism for rotating and slidingly displacing the vanes 1 can be incorporated in the Ί construction of one of the frame members 5,6, for example the upper frame member 6, the mechanism being activated by pull cords 12.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A security screen for an opening such as a window, the screen comprising a pair of frame members and a 5 plurality of spaced apart security members connected between and disposed perpendicularly to the frame members, the security members being lockable in a locking position to define a secure mode and being releasable from the locking position and movable therefrom to define 10 an evacuation mode.

2. A security screen according to claim 1, in which the security screen includes a locking means for retaining the security members in at least one of the frame members so 15 that access through the aperture is restricted or prevented.

3. A security screen as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which each security member is releasably lockable between 20 the frame members and individually removeable from the frame members to afford an evacuation route through the screened aperture, one of the frame members being provided with a plurality of slots through which each security member may be withdrawn from the frame member, the locking 25 means including means for preventing the passage of the security members through their respective slots.

4. A security screen as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the security members are releasably lockable to the 30 frame members and slidingly displaceable along a path defined by the frame members to afford an evacuation route, with one of the frame members including means for displacing the security members.

5. A security screen substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.