GB2328237A - Security blind in the form of a collapsible grille - Google Patents

Abstract

A security screen, in the form of a collapsible grille, figure 3, is formed from a series of rods 16 movable in track 17. The rods a connected by elements 10, which are formed in two parts 11, 12 hinged together by sleeves 13 on pin 15. The elements are connected to the rods by means of sleeves 14. In use, movement of the rods 16 causes the linking elements to hinge out of the plane of the grille allowing the grille to collapse. The end of rods 16 are mounted in T-shaped formations (23, figure 4) supporting wheeled bearings (24, figure 4) which run within track 17.

Description

Security blind The present invention relates to security blinds, i.e.

blinds which are fitted over a window or door for the purpose of deterring a burglar from entering a building through that window or door.

The use of security blinds to prevent or deter forced entry into a building through a window or door is becoming increasingly common, especially for commercial buildings such as shops. These blinds often take the form of a series of interlocking strips of metal or a metal mesh which may be rolled up when not in use, and which are usually fitted to the outside of a window or door. This type of blind, whilst offering a good level of security, is usually expensive to install because each blind must be made specially to fit the particular area to be protected. Also, an external blind of this type is not suitable for use on residential buildings because it may seriously hinder a resident's exit through a door or window to which such a blind has been fitted when a rapid escape from the building is needed in the case of a fire.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a security blind which overcomes some, at least, of the foregoing problems.

According to the invention, a security blind comprises a plurality of substantially planar elements and at least two rods, the ends of which are adapted to be movable along a track in a direction perpendicular to the axis of said rods, each said planar element comprising two parts, which are hingeably joined to each other and adapted to be mounted upon at least one said rod for rotation around the axis of said rod.

The planar elements each comprise two parts which are hingeably joined to each other along an edge of each part in such a way that they may be moved into and out of coplanar relationship. The elements may be of any shape but are preferably regularly shaped. Preferably, the two parts of each element are similarly shaped and most preferably they are identical so that manufacturing costs may be minimised.

The shape of each element may be the same or certain differently shaped elements may be provided to enhance the appearance of the blind. In particular, two different types of element may be incorporated into a blind, the two types differing in shape and/or size or proportion.

The security blind is constructed by supporting a number of planar elements between rods to cover the required area, each element being supported by at least two rods except for the elements at least one edge of the blind which may be supported between a single rod and a side piece, which is preferably fixed in position relative to the door or window to which the blind is to be fitted. The element parts may fold together in concertina fashion by rotation of the parts around each element hinge and the elements around the rods.

In this folded configuration the blind is open, i.e. it does not cover an opening. By drawing the rods along the track, the blind may be unfolded into its closed position i.e. the position in which the rods are spaced apart and the blind may cover an opening or part thereof.

The length of the blind is determined by the length of the rods. The width of the blind may be a multiple of the width of one element and rod combination, or a multiple of the width of an element and rod combination plus the width of one or two element parts which may be used at an edge of the blind.

The elements are preferably of such a shape which fills only a part of the area between the edges of the element so that the finished blind has open spaces which allow light to be transmitted through the blind. Thus a suitable shape would include, for example, a cross shape, made from two V triangled shaped parts hingeably joined at or near the point of each ', p triangle. The use of this type of element gives the finished blind the appearance of an open lattice.

In a preferred form, each element is formed from two identical ç triangled shaped parts hingeably joined to each other at the apex of each 7 triangle so as to form a crossshape, and having a tubular sleeve at the end of each arm of the cross (or V), the axis of the sleeves all being parallel both to the axis of the hinge joint and the plane of the element. A blind may be constructed from such elements by passing a rod through the sleeve of one part of a succession of elements so that each element is supported between two rods and that each rod is joined to a neighbouring rod and spaced apart in parallel relationship from that other rod by at least one element or part of an element.

The rods are preferably of round cross-section and are solid or tubular. They are adapted at each end for engagement in and movement along a track. In one form, each end of each rod has a T-shaped end portion which incorporates a bearing or pair of bearings. The T-shaped part may then be inserted in a track so that the rod is supported with the track by the arms of the T and may be slid along the track by means of the bearings. The track preferably comprises means to secure it along an edge of an opening. The track is preferably straight or bent running of the rod ends. Two or more contiguous lengths of track may be used, e.g. to accommodate curved openings such as bow windows.

The blind is preferably fixed along one edge relative to an opening to be covered. That fixed edge of the blind preferably comprises a rod which cannot move along the track.

The fixed rod may be incorporated into a side piece which is adapted to be secured to one side of e.g. a window.

The blind preferably comprises securing means for temporarily securing one edge in fixed relationship to the opening to be covered. The securing means is preferably lockable. The means may, for example, comprise a multi-point locking system or single locking point. The locking system is preferably of a type which has no back set so that a securing means and locking system may be supplied as a single self-contained unit, ready for assembly into the security blind. The securing means and/or locking system is preferably concealed within a side piece or jamb when the blind is secured closed. In a preferred form, the securing means is set into locking stiles.

The planar elements and rods are preferably made of metal, e.g. steel, nylon or PVC with metal inserts. When the triangles are assembled the rods are not seen but can still be painted before being inserted. The elements may be decorated by embossing e.g. decorated by surface decoration, by cutting out parts of the element in a decorative manner or by embossing, for example.

The blind is preferably installed in such a way that the track runs essentially horizontallv along the top and bottom edges of an opening to which it is to be fitted. It may be installed so that the track runs vertically, using electric motors to provide a means of preventing the rods from running down the tracks under gravity. Alternatively the blind could be fitted so that it is drawn upwards in order to close it.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are: Fig 1, A view of a single planar element; Fig 2, An end-on view of the same planar element; Fig 3, A view of the top part of a security blind according to the invention and Fig 4, A section through a track showing a rod terminated by a T-piece.

The planar element 10 shown in Fig 1 comprises two identical parts 11, 12. Each part is triangle-shaped and has a bearing sleeve 13 at its apex and two rod sleeves 14 at each of its other ends. The two parts are joined together by a bearing pin 15 inserted through the bearing sleeves 13 of each part.

The part security blind shown in Fig 3 comprises tubular rods 16, the ends of which are arranged to slide along a track 17 at each end. This sliding engagement within track 17 is achieved by fitting wheeled bearing 23 to each end of the rods 16 as shown in Fig 4. Wheeled bearing has nylon bearings 24 to assist movement along the track. Each rod 16 is of a suitable size to pass through the sleeves 14 of an element 10 so that the element may be rotated around the rod 16. A security blind of certain desired dimensions may be assembled by cutting rods 16 to the desired length and then threading elements 10 onto alternate rods, as shown, to cover the area required. A sufficient number of rod and element combinations is used to extend the blind to the required width. One side edge of the blind preferably comprises a rod 18 which is not movable along the track 17. A side piece 19 may be secured to a side of the window to which the blind is to be fitted and, in some forms, may be integral with rod 18 or may be absent. At the opposite side of the blind, sleeves 20, which have projections 21, are placed around the edge rod. The projections may then be engaged within movable slots located in a side piece 22 which can be locked into a position in which the projections are secured within the slots. In this way, the blind may be locked into a substantially planar configuration in which it covers a window to which it is fitted. When the blind is unlocked, the rods 16 may be drawn along the track in the direction of the arrow. As the rods are moved towards each other, the sleeves 14 of each element rotate around the rods 16 to which they are secured and the sleeves 13 of each element rotate around the hinge pin 15 so that the elements may deform out of their planar configuration as the blind is opened to fold together like a concertina.

The blind is particularly suitable for use in residential buildings because it may be fitted to the inside of window or door openings. The lattice effect is an attractive feature and different decorative effects may be achieved by using different sizes of element in the same blind or by using differently shaped elements. The blind is very easy to install because only the rods and track need to be cut to the correct length to fit a particular opening; the blind may then be assembled from a stock of elements and triangles. The ease of installation and the small number of different components required makes the blind very economical compared with existing security blinds.

Claims (7)

1. A security curtain which moves vertical or horizontal.

2. When closing will not increase its projection.

3. Will go round curved or angled windows.

4. Can be massed produced by injection mouldings or by die castings.

5. Can be assembled to fit any size aperture

6. Can be motorised or operated manually

7. A security curtain substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.