GB2266914A

GB2266914A - Temporary barrier apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2266914A
Application number: GB9310104A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lawrence John Godley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-05-15
Filing date: 1993-05-17
Publication date: 1993-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2013-05-17
Also published as: GB9310104D0; GB2266914B

Abstract

Apparatus (2) for forming a temporary barrier adjacent a door (4) or a window in a building, which apparatus (2) comprises a barrier member (6) which is for being positioned on the outer face (8) of a wall (10) containing the door (4) or window and which is for preventing unauthorised access to the building via the door (4) or window, anchor means (12) which is for being positioned on the inner face (14) of the wall (10) containing the door (4) or window, at least one cable (16) for connecting the barrier member (6) and the anchor means (12), and cable tensioning means (18) for tensioning the cable (16) and thereby pulling the barrier member (6) and the anchor means (12) together such that the wall (10) is sandwiched between the barrier member (6) and the anchor means (12) and the barrier member (6) is fixed in position, and the apparatus (2) being such that the barrier member (6) and the anchor means (12) are held in position only by the tensioned cable (16). <IMAGE>

Description

TEMPORARY BARRIER APPARATUS This invention relates to temporary barrier apparatus and, more especially, this invention relates to apparatus for forming a temporary barrier adjacent a door or window in a building.

Empty buildings are often vandalised. In order to stop the damage caused by vandals, doors and windows in the buildings are often boarded up, for example with sheets of plywood. Such boarding up of the doors and windows is not always as secure as is desirable and plywood panels can often be wrenched away. Still further, if access to the building is required even for only a few moments, a door has to be unboarded and then boarded up again. In order to obviate the problems occurring with boarding up windows and doors, temporary barriers are known. These temporary barriers tend to be of complicated constructions which makes them expensive to manufacture.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide temporary barrier apparatus which is of an uncomplicated construction and which is simple to use.

Accordingly, the present invention provides apparatus for forming a temporary barrier adjacent a door or window in a building, which apparatus comprises a barrier member which is for being positioned on the outer face of a wall containing the door or window and which is for preventing unauthorised access to the building via the door or window, anchor means which is for being positioned on the inner face of the wall containing the door or window, at least one cable for connecting the barrier member and the anchor means, and cable tensioning means for tensioning the cable and thereby pulling the barrier member and the anchor means together such that the wall is sandwiched between the barrier member and the anchor means and the barrier member is fixed in position, and the apparatus being such that the barrier member and the anchor means are held in position only by the tensioned cable.

It will be apparent that with the apparatus of the present invention, it is only necessary to tighten the cable using the cable tensioning means in order temporarily to fix the barrier member in position. When the tension in the cable is released, then the apparatus may be dismantled and removed. There will have been no need to fix nails, bolts or screws to the wall so that there will be no need to repair holes made by such nails, bolts or screws after the apparatus is removed. Thus the apparatus of the present invention is especially suitable for forming easily installed and removable temporary barrier apparatus for the windows and doors of empty buildings.

When the barrier member is for a door, then the barrier member may comprise a frame and a door. The frame and the door of the barrier member are preferably both made of metal. Any suitable and appropriate metals may be employed. Thus, for example, the frame may be a hard steel frame. The door will usually be a sheet metal door.

When the barrier member is for a window, then the barrier member may comprise an open mesh screen. The open mesh screen is preferably an open mesh metal screen.

Any suitable and appropriate metal may be employed. The openings in the mesh screen enable air to circulate and this may be advantageous in empty buildings.

If it is not desired to allow air to circulate through the barrier member when the barrier member is for a window, then the barrier member may be a solid screen.

A solid screen may be employed if the barrier member is to block a window in an occupied building, for example a window in a building that has been broken as a result of a burglary or other incident.

If desired, the open mesh screen may be constructed such as to allow the insertion of a solid screen between the open mesh screen and the wall of the building, in order to prevent air passing through the open mesh screen.

Preferably, the anchor means comprises a pair of rods which are long enough to bridge the door or window in the building. The pair of rods will usually extend vertically but they may extend horizontally if desired.

Preferably, the cable tensioning means is a winch.

Preferably, the winch is a manually operated ratchet winch for being tightened by hand and for maintaining cable tension until released.

Usually, there will be a separate cable and winch for each rod.

Usually the cable will be a wire cable but other types of cable may be employed.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view through apparatus for forming a temporary barrier adjacent a door in a building; Figure 2 is an outside elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 with a sheet metal door removed; Figure 3 is an outside elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 with the sheet metal door in place; Figure 4 is an inside elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a section through apparatus for forming a temporary barrier adjacent a window in a building; Figure 6 is an outside elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is an inside elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 5; and Figures 8, 9 and 10 are like Figures 5, 6 and 7 but show alternative apparatus for forming a temporary barrier adjacent a window in a building.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown apparatus 2 for forming a temporary barrier adjacent a door 4 which is positioned in a door opening 5 in a building.

The apparatus 2 comprises a barrier member 6 which is for being positioned on the outer face 8 of a wall 10 containing the door 4. The barrier member 6 is for preventing unauthorised access to the building 5 via the door 4 and the opening 5.

The apparatus 2 further comprises anchor means 12 which is for being positioned on the inner face 14 of the wall 10 containing the door.

The apparatus 2 still further comprises two cables 16 for connecting the barrier means 6 and the anchor means 12. Cable tensioning means in the form of two winches 18 are provided for tensioning the cables 16 and thereby pulling the barrier member 6 and the anchor means 12 together such that the wall 10 is sandwiched between the barrier member 6 and the anchor means 12. Thus the barrier member 6 becomes fixed in position.

The apparatus 2 is such that the barrier member 6 and the anchor means 12 are held in position only by the tensioned cables 16. The apparatus 2 is easily fixed in position simply by tightening the cables 16. When the cables are released, then the apparatus 2 can simply be dismantled and removed. Structural damage to the building is avoided. Furthermore, the apparatus 2 is simple to construct and operate as will be apparent from Figures 1 to 4.

The barrier means 6 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is a frame 20 and a door 22. The frame 20 is a hard steel frame. The door 22 is a sheet metal door.

The anchor means 12 is formed by a pair of rods 24 which extend vertically as shown and which bridge the door 4 and the opening 5. Thus the ends of the rods 24 rest on the inner face 14 of the wall 10. In order to avoid or minimise any damage to the inner face 14 of the wall 10, the ends of the rods 24 are provided with protective covers 26.

The winches 18 are manually operated ratchet winches. Thus the winches 18 are able to be tightened by hand, using a spanner (not shown) applied to a nut 28. Due to the ratchet action, the tension in the cables 16 is maintained until such time as the winches 18 are released.

The cables 16 are wire cables which are attached to the frame 20 by cleats 30 attached to corner bars 32 forming part of the frame 20.

During assembly, the door 4 of the building is left in an open position. When the apparatus 2 is erected, then the door 22 can be locked via the two locks 34. Thus the locked door 22blocks the opening 5. However, if it is desired to gain entrance to the building, it is only necessary to undo the locks 34, whereupon it is possible to gain access to the building through the door 22 and the open door 4. The door 4 is left open so that the cables 16 can pass through the door opening 5 and there is no need to provide any holes for the cables 16. The door 22 is hinged to the frame 20 by lift-off hinges 36.

The rods 24 may be telescopic rods so that they can be adjusted in height as may be required for different door openings 5. The winches 18 are mounted on brackets 38 connected to the rods 24. With telescopic rods, the winches 18 are able to float up and down for adjustment as the cables 16 are tensioned.

Advantageously, the winches 18 are mounted fairly high up on the rods 24 in order not to block access through the door opening 5, for example to allow the passage of furniture through the door opening 5 and between the rods 24. If the door opening 5 does not have a threshold 40, then such a threshold can easily be formed by nailing a piece of wood in position on the floor.

Referring now to Figures 5 to 7, there is shown apparatus 2 for forming a temporary barrier against a window 42. The window 42 is a sash type window having an upper section 44 and a lower section 46. Similar parts as in Figures 1 to 4 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding.

It will be seen from Figure 5 that the upper section 44 is lowered and the lower section 46 is raised to enable the cables 16 to pass over and under the window 42.

Thus the cables 16 are able to join the barrier member 6 and the anchor means 12 without any damage to the window 42.

As can be seen from Figures 5 and 6, the barrier member 6 is a metal screen 6 having open mesh sections 48.

The open mesh sections 48 enable air to pass through the screen 6 and thus to circulate through the building. The cleats 30 are attached to hooks, rods, bars or other suitably shaped members 50 secured, for example by welding, to the rear face 52 of the screen 6. The flat metal of the screen 6 is bent back on itself at its periphery 54 to form a double thickness safe lip which does not have sharp edges. The cables 16 pass over locating pins 56 in the rods 24.

The apparatus 2 shown in Figures 5 to 7 is assembled and dismantled substantially as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

Referring now to Figures 8, 9 and 10, there is shown modified apparatus to that shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7.

The views shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 are similar to the views shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 respectively and similar parts as in Figures 5, 6 and 7 have been given the same reference numerals.

The apparatus 2 shown in Figures 8 to 10 is such that the cables 16 locate on rods 58. These rods 58 have tubular members 60 at each end and the tubular members are able to slide along rods 62. The rods 62 are mounted to the rear face 52 of the screen 6 by mounting blocks 64 which are welded to the rear face 52. The mounting blocks 64 thus maintain the rods 62 spaced apart from the rear face 54, in order to enable the tubular members 60 to slide along the rods 62, thereby to position the rods 58 where desired.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the screen 6 shown in Figures 5 and 6 could be a solid screen if desired. Alternatively, solid sections (not shown) could be arranged to slot behind the open mesh sections 48. If the window 42 were to be a window that did not open, then small holes for the cables 16 could be made in the window frame or in the wall 10. The rods 24 may be any suitable and appropriate elongate members. The side walls 66 can slope at a shallower angle to that shown if desired and the rods 58 can be of any suitable and appropriate cross sectional shape.

The cable or cables may be attached to fastener means other than the illustrated bars 32, hooks 50 or rods 58. The fastener means is preferably secured to the rear face of the barrier means and the fastener means is preferably a sliding fastener means for ease of positioning the fastener means where desired for the cable or cables.

Claims

1. Apparatus for forming a temporary barrier adjacent a door or window in a building, which apparatus comprises a barrier member which is for being positioned on the outer face of a wall containing the door or window and which is for preventing unauthorised access to the building via the door or window, anchor means which is for being positioned on the inner face of the wall containing the door or window, at least one cable for connecting the barrier member and the anchor means, and cable tensioning means for tensioning the cable and thereby pulling the barrier member and the anchor means together such that the wall is sandwiched between the barrier member and the anchor means and the barrier member is fixed in position, and the apparatus being such that the barrier member and the anchor means are held in position only by the tensioned cable.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the barrier member is for a door, the barrier member being such as to comprise a frame and a door.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the barrier member is for a window, the barrier member being such as to comprise an open mesh screen.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the open mesh screen is an open mesh metal screen.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the barrier member is for a window, the barrier member being such as to comprise a solid screen.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4 in which the open mesh screen is constructed such as to allow the insertion of a solid screen between the open mesh screen and the wall of the building.

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the anchor means comprises a pair of rods which are long enough to bridge the door or window in the building.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the cable tensioning means is a winch.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the winch is a manually operated ratchet winch for being tightened by hand and for maintaining cable tension until released.

10. Apparatus according to claim 7 and 8 or claim 7 and 9 in which there is a separate cable and winch for each rod.

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the cable is a wire cable.

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the cable is attached to fastener means secured to the rear face of the barrier means.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the fastener means is a sliding fastener means.

14. Apparatus for forming a temporary barrier adjacent a door or window in a building, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, 5 to 7 or 8 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.