GB2285082A

GB2285082A - Security barriers

Info

Publication number: GB2285082A
Application number: GB9424365A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Muirhead
Original assignee: BAR IT Ltd
Current assignee: BAR IT Ltd
Priority date: 1993-12-03
Filing date: 1994-12-02
Publication date: 1995-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 2014-12-02
Also published as: GB9324904D0; GB2285082B; GB9424365D0

Abstract

An adjustable barrier (10) for a window or other opening has four overlapping panels (12A, B, C, D) that interfit at their outer edges (16), so that they can be slid relative to each other to increase or decrease the size of the barrier. The panels (12A, B) of one diagonally opposed pair are larger in area than the other diagonally opposed pair (12C, D). The panel sections may be perforated (26) to receive fixing means (27, not shown) to fasten the panel sections together where they overlap. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Security Barriers DESCRIPTION This invention concerns security barriers for windows and other openings in buildings.

Security barriers usually of perforated metal sheet are commonly used for blocking window and door openings in empty buildings to avoid unwanted intrusions. A barrier is positioned over an opening and usually secured to one or more bars or the like across the rear of the opening. Security barriers may also be secured by expandable means that grip the sides of the openings.

One problem with such barriers is that window and door opening sizes vary so much from building to building and even within one building. Therefore, either a variety of differently sized barriers have to be made or some openings may not be adequately covered leaving space around the barrier for a lever to be used to remove it.

Therefore, there is a need for a barrier that is of adjustable size. Proposals for such panels have been made in GB2216935A and GB2247710A wherein four equally sized panels are used to make up a single security barrier, the four panels being overlapped to a greater of lesser extent according to the size of security barrier required. In both cases the barriers are difficult to assemble and require many fixing members to hold the panels together because of inadequate provisions for holding panel edges together.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved security barrier of adjustable size.

According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided an adjustable security barrier for a window or other opening comprising a plurality of overlapping panel sections slidable over each other to suit the area of the opening and means for fixing the panel sections relative to each other characterised in that one pair of panel sections positioned diagonally opposite each other are of smaller surface area than another pair of panel sections positioned diagonally opposite each other.

According to a second aspect of this invention there is provided an adjustable security barrier for a window or other opening comprising a plurality of overlapping panel sections slidable over each other to suit the area of the opening and means for fixing the panel sections relative to each other characterised in that outer panel section edges are shaped so as to inters it whereby one panel section is removable from another only by a sliding operation.

A typical security barrier of the invention will be rectangular and made up of rectangular panel sections. The panel sections are preferably perforated to provide locations for fixing means, such as screws, bolts, rivets or the like, to join overlapping panel sections.

So that the panel sections can slide together, it is preferred that outer panel section edges, ie. those edges that will form the perimeter of the security barrier, he provided with interengaging formations, which may also serve to hold the panel sections together at their overlapped edges. Preferably said outer panel edges are turned back on themselves to form channel sections. Preferably free edges of said channel sections are turned in again to provide a retaining lip.

Preferably the smaller panel sections have their outer edge formations sized so as to be slidable within the outer edge portions of the larger panel sections.

The security barriers of the invention may be fixed to a window or other opening by any suitable means. Typically a security barrier of the invention may be secured to one or more bars across the rear of an opening by means of wires, straps, ties or the like.

Such wires, straps, ties or the like may be fixed through the security barrier but are more preferably fixed to or through reinforcing bars within the barrier.

Such reinforcing bars are preferably of adjustable length, such as by being telescopic.

The reinforcing bars preferably have end formations that assist location in the panel edge formations, such as end flanges. The reinforcing bars preferably have a series of through holes along their length, which may be used for fixing means to couple the bars to a security barrier or for attachment of wires, straps, ties or the like for fixing the security barrier in an opening.

The security barriers of the invention are preferably made of sheet metal and edge formations for panel sections thereof may be produced by folding and welding operations.

The security barriers of the invention may be transported to site in pieces and assembled on site as required or transported in their smallest size to be expanded as required on site.

This invention will now be further described , by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a rear view of a security barrier of the invention; Figure 2 is a partially exploded rear view of the barrier of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section through the security barrier of Figure 1 with a reinforcing bar; and Figure 4 is a rear view of the security barrier of Figure 1 with a reinforcing bar.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a security barrier 10 for a window or other opening comprising four generally rectangular panels 12A, B, C and D each arranged to interlock and be slidable over adjacent panels to form a generally rectangular security barrier of variable size. Panels 12A and B are diagonally opposite and are larger than panels 12C and D which are also diagonally opposite each other.

Each panel 12 has two plain edges 14 adjacent each other and two edges 16 which are turned back on themselves to form channel sections. The edges 16 have a first web 18 at right angles to the panel to form part of a side of the barrier, a second web 20 turned inwards at right angles to the first web and a narrow third web 22 turned forwards at right angles to the second web.

The channel sections of the smaller panels are of slightly smaller dimensions than those of the larger panels, so that the smaller panels can slide within the larger panels, as illustrated.

The panel sections 12 are made of sheet metal perforated in a generally regular pattern. Only a few perforations 26 are shown for clarity. The perforations are for receiving fixing means 27 to fasten the panel sections together where they overlap. Typical fixing means are screws, bolts or rivets. Because of the overlapping edge formations of the panels, such fixing means need only be provided in a generally central area of the barrier and not near edges thereof as shown in Figure 1.

On site the panel sections 12 are slid inwards or outwards depending on the size of the security barrier required for a particular opening and then the fixing means are used to fix the panel at that size and to stabilise it.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4 adjustable bars 30 may be used not only to reinforce a security barrier but also to provide locations for wires, ties, straps or the like which may be used to secure the barrier to cross bars positioned across the rear of an opening.

The bars 30 are telescopic having a first hollow pait 32 and a second part 34, which may be hollow or solid, slidable therein. Each part 32 and 34 has a plurality of through holes 36 which may be used for attaching the wires, ties, straps or the like for securing the barrier to cross bars across the rear of the opening.

At the free end, of the bar 30 are flanges 38 and 40 which help locate the ends of the bar in the channel sections at the edges of a security barrier.

Claims

1. An adjustable security barrier for a window or other opening comprising a plurality of overlapping panel sections slidable over each other to suit the area of the opening and means for fixing the panel sections relative to each other, characterised in that one pair of panel sections positioned diagonally opposite each other are of smaller surface area than another pair of panel sections positioned diagonally opposite each other.

2. An adjustable security barrier for a window or other opening comprising a plurality of overlapping panel sections slidable over each other to suit the area of the opening and means for fixing the panel sections relative to each other characterised in that outer panel section edges are shaped so as to inters it whereby one panel section is removable from another only by a sliding operation.

3. An adjustable barrier as claimed in claim 1 or 2 comprising rectangular panel sections.

4. An adjustable barrier as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the panel sections are perforated.

5. An adjustable barrier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that edges of panel section forming the perimeter of the security barrier are provided wirh interengaging formations, which serve to hold the panel sections together at their overlapping edges.

6. An adjustable barrier as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that outer panel edges are turned back on themselves to form channel sections.

7. An adjustable barrier as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that free edges of the channel sections are turned in again to provide retaining lips.

8. An adjustable barrier as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7, characterised in that the smaller panel sections have their outer edge formations sized so as to be slidable within the outer edge portions of the larger panel sections.

9. An adjustable barrier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 including wires, straps or the like through the barrier for securing the barrier to one or more bars across an opening.

10. An adjustable barrier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 including wires, straps or the like, fixed to or through reinforcing bars within the barrier, for securing the barrier to one or more bars across an opening.

11. An adjustable barrier as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that said reinforcing bars are of adjustable length.

12. An adjustable barrier as claimed in claims 10 or 11, characterised in that the reinforcing bars have end formations that assist location in panel edge formations.

13. An adjustable barrier as claimed in claim 10, 11 or 12, characterised in that the reinforcing bars have a series of holes along their length.

14. An adjustable barrier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that panel sections are made of sheet metal.

15. An adjustable barrier as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that edge formations for panel sections are formed by folding and welding operations.

16. An adjustable barrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.