GB2435898A

GB2435898A - Device for maintaining a door in a closed configuration

Info

Publication number: GB2435898A
Application number: GB0701788A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Anthony Richard
Original assignee: ARDEN SECURITY Ltd
Current assignee: ARDEN SECURITY Ltd
Priority date: 2006-03-11
Filing date: 2007-01-31
Publication date: 2007-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 2027-01-31
Also published as: GB0604958D0; GB0701788D0; GB2435898B

Abstract

A device for maintaining a door in a closed configuration by blocking an operating bar 17 comprises a first and second components 1 of plate-form material. The first and second components 1 are U-shaped and each has two transverse edges 3 at the free ends of the arms of the U inclined towards each other. The second component is arranged within the first component such that the transverse edges 3 intersect. An array of holes 5 is provided in the region of each of the transverse edges 3 of each of the first and second components 1 such that the arrays of holes of the second component intersect with the arrays of holes of the first component. The components are slid between a door and the bar 17. Securing means 7 locate through aligned holes 5 to secure the components 1 together in a position to prevent release movement of the bar towards the door. As shown the securing means 7 is a pin but a padlock can be used to either secure the pin or locate directly through the holes.

Description

DEVICE FOR MAINTAINING A DOOR IN A CLOSED CONFIGURATION

This invention relates to a device for maintaining a door in a closed configuration.

It is common practice for many doors, particularly emergency exit doors, to provide a mechanism permithng opening of the door in the form of a pivotable horizontal bar which is linked to locking pins at the top and/or bottom of the door, whereby when the horizontal bar is pressed the door will open.

There is a problem with such doors in that they are sometimes opened either unintentionally or for reasons of permitting unauthorised access or the like. To inhibit such undesired opening there is a temptation to provide further locking means on such doors which, unfortunately, has the effect of preventing opening in times of emergency as well as preventing undesired opening.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a means for maintaining a door in a closed configuration, which means is also capable of permitting opening of the door at an appropriate time.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for maintaining a door in a closed configuration, which device comprises: a first component of plate-form material, the first component having two elongate edges of different length and two transverse edges inclined towards each other, the first component being in the form of a U with the transverse edges at the free ends of the arms of the U; a second component of plate-form material, the second component having two elongate edges of different length and two transverse edges inclined towards each other, the second component being in the form of a U with the transverse edges at the free ends of the arms of the U, the second component being arranged within the first component such that the transverse edges of the second component intersect the transverse edges of the first component; an array of holes provided in the region of each of the transverse edges of each of the first and second components such that the arrays of holes of the second component intersect with the arrays of holes of the first component; and securing means passing through aligned holes of the arrays of holes.

Thus the device according to the present invention provides a means for maintaining a door in a closed configuration, the device being adjustable for different door and bar arrangements in that movement of the two components in one direction relative to each other results in the holes that are in alignment being closer to that part of the device adapted in use to be adjacent to the door, while relative movement in the opposite direction results in the holes that are in alignment being further from that part of the device adapted to be adjacent to the door.

The elongate edges of each component may be parallel. One or more of the components may be trapezoidal in shape. Alternatively, the one or more of components may have curved transverse edges.

The arrays of holes may be in a straight line. Alternatively, the arrays of holes may be in curved lines. The holes may be arranged substantially parallel to the adjacent transverse edge.

The securing means may be attached to the remainder of the device by a chain or the like.

The securing means may comprise a pin passing through the aligned holes. The pin may incorporate a shaft and gripping means. The pin may be in the form of a split pin. The device may include further securing means, such as removable locking means provided at a free end of the pin, for securing the pin in the aligned holes. The removable locking means, such as a padlock, may pass through an aperture formed in the pin.

Alternatively, the securing means may comprise removable locking means, such as a padlock.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view of one embodiment of a component of a device according to the present invention prior to bending into a U-shaped configuration; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of two substantially identical components as shown in Figure 1 after bending, with one component being arranged within the other; and Figure 3 is a plan view of the components of Figure 2 together with a pin to maintain the components in a predetermined position relative to each other.

The device according to the present invention for maintaining a door in a closed configuration comprises two substantially trapezoidal components I of plate material which are bent into a U-shaped configuration such that one of the components fits within the other. That is, the components I each have two elongate (substantially parallel) edges of different length and two transverse edges which are inclined towards each other. In order to achieve such an arrangement the dimensions or positioning of certain features may be slightly different between the two components. For example, the arms of the U of the outer component may have a length of about 86.5 mm, while the arms of the -5,-inner component may have a length of about 83 mm. Correspondingly, the width of the base may be about 85 mm for the outer component and about 78 mm for the inner component. The material of the two components may be, for example mild steel having a thickness of about 2.5 mm, which may be powder coated if desired, for example in a red colour for visibility.

The components I are bent into a U-shape in such a way that the angled edges 3 of each trapezium are at the free ends of the legs of the U-shape.

An array of holes 5 is provided in a straight line adjacent to the angled free edges 3 of each of the components and the components are arranged within each other in such a way that the angled edges 3 of one component intersect with the angled edges of the other component. The result is that the four arrays of holes intersect to form an X in at least some of the relative positions of the two components. In practice, the depth of the components is about 100 mm, the edges may be at an angle of about 65 degrees to the horizontal (as shown in the figures) and some nine holes 5 may be provided in each array having a diameter of about 8 mm with a spacing between the centres of adjacent holes of about 10 mm, the centres of the holes being set back from the edge of the component in a perpendicular direction to the edge by about 10 mm.

The arrays of holes 5 are arranged such that when the two components 1 completely overlie each other a central hole of each array is aligned whereby a pin 7 can be passed through the four aligned holes to secure the components relative to each other.

The two components can be moved relative to each other such that the apices 9 of the two components are moved towards each other or away from each other. As the apices 9 of the components I are moved towards each other, the holes of each array that are in alignment move progressively away from the base of the U. Conversely, as the apices of the components are moved away from each other, the holes of each array that are in alignment move progressively towards the base of the U. The pin 7 comprises a shaft 11 which passes through the four aligned holes 5 and a means 13 for gripping the pin located at an end of the shaft. In practice, the pin 7 may be in the form of a split pin with the shaft having two portions of substantially semi-circular cross section joined by a curved portion of substantially semi-circular cross-section.

As an alternative to the pin 7, a padlock (not shown) may be used. A padlock has the advantage, for example dunng holiday periods or when the premises are otherwise unoccupied, of providing greater security. In such a case, in the event of unauthorised access to the premises, for example through a broken window or the like, a fire exit will no longer provide a convenient escape route.

The hasp of the padlock may be passed through the four aligned holes 5.

Alternatively, a pin 7 may still be employed with gripping means 13 at one end and an aperture for the passage of the padlock hasp at the other end in order to inhibit unauthorised removal of the pin. Other fastening arrangements are also possible.

If desired the pin may be attached to the remainder of the device by a chain (not shown) or the like in order to prevent the pin being mislaid or lost.

In use of the device according to the present invention, one component 1, for example the outer component, is inserted between a door 15 and a bar 17 from above, while the other component 1 is inserted between the door and the bar from below. The pin 7 is then inserted through four aligned holes 5 so as to secure the device in position between the bar and the door and to prevent the bar being depressed resulting in undesired opening of the door. In case of need, the pin can be removed to enable the device to be released from between the door and the bar to allow the door to open.

It should be noted that the free edges 3 of the components I do not have to be straight. Similarly, the arrays of holes 5 do not have to be in a straight line.

Neither is it necessary that each hole is positioned the same distance from the free edge. For example the free edges may be curved and/or the holes may be arranged along a curved line.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A device for maintaining a door in a closed configuration, which device comprises: a first component of plate-form material, the first component having two elongate edges of different length and two transverse edges inclined towards each other, the first component being in the form of a U with the transverse edges at the free ends of the arms of the U; a second component of plate-form material, the second component having two elongate edges of different length and two transverse edges inclined towards each other, the second component being in the form of a U with the transverse edges at the free ends of the arms of the U, the second component being arranged within the first component such that the transverse edges of the second component intersect the transverse edges of the first component; an array of holes provided in the region of each of the transverse edges of each of the first and second components such that the arrays of holes of the second component intersect with the arrays of holes of the first component; and securing means passing through aligned holes of the arrays of holes.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate edges of each component are parallel.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more of the components is trapezoidal in shape.

4. A device as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein one or more of components has curved transverse edges.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the arrays of holes are in a straight line.

6. A device as claimed in any one of claims I to 4, wherein the arrays of holes are in curved lines.

7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the holes are arranged substantially parallel to the adjacent transverse edge.

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the secunng means is attached to the remainder of the device by a chain or the like.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the securing means comprises a pin passing through the aligned holes.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pin incorporates a shaft and gripping means.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the pin is in the form of a split pin.

12. A device as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 and including further securing means for securing the pin in the aligned holes.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the further securing means comprises removable locking means provided at a free end of the pin.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the removable locking means passes through an aperture formed in the pin.

15. A device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the removable locking means comprises a padlock.

16. A device as claimed in any one of claims I to 8, wherein the securing means comprises removable locking means.

17. A device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the removable locking means comprises a padlock. -11 -

I 8. A device, for maintaining a door in a closed configuration, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.