GB2514131A

GB2514131A - Anti-vandal system for plant

Info

Publication number: GB2514131A
Application number: GB1308634.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clint Martin
Original assignee: PAUL XAVIER MCGUIGAN
Current assignee: PAUL XAVIER MCGUIGAN
Priority date: 2013-05-14
Filing date: 2013-05-14
Publication date: 2014-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2033-05-14
Also published as: HK1199229A1; GB2514131B; GB201308634D0

Abstract

An anti-vandal system for protecting the glazing panels (14, Figure 9) of plant or other machinery. The system comprising a roller shutter associated with each glazing panel (14) and disposed in a respective housing 16 therefor. At least one housing 16 comprises a sheet metal wall portion (28, Figure 5a) and a second elongate reinforcing means (30, Figure 5a) connected to the first sheet metal wall (28). At least one shutter housing 16 is affixable, in use, to existing fixing points on the cab of the plant by way of mounting means 20 which engage the reinforcing means. In a preferable application four shutter housings 16 are provided and each has integral reinforcing means (30) whereby two shutter housings 16L, 16R may be secured directly to the cab and the other two 16F, 16RR may be secured to and between the shutter housings 16L, 16R by way of the respective reinforcing means (30).

Description

Title: Anti-vandal system for plant

Description:

This invention relates to an anti-vandal system for the cabs and windows of plant and other machinery, such as cranes, diggers, wheel loaders and the like.

Plant and machinery that is left overnight or unattended on building sites is frequently subjected to acts of vandalism. In particular, it is common for criminals to attempt to break the windows and glazing of the driver's compartment (cab), which can be expensive, inconvenient and time consuming to repair. Measures therefore already exist to protect the cab glazing of unattended plant and our published International Patent application No. W02012052783 describes an arrangement in which a plurality of roller shutters are provided to cover, and extend beyond, the periphery of glazing panels of a cab, and optionally to cover the entire sides of the cab. The roller shutters described comprise an articulable sheet that is moveable between a stowed position in which it is rolled around a spindle, and a deployed position in which a portion of the articulable sheet is unrolled from the spindle to cover the glazing panel. More particularly, the described anti-vandal system is mounted on the roof of the cab using existing mounting points thereon by way of a chassis comprising a rectangular frame corresponding in outline to the shape of the roof of the cab.

The rollers shutters are mounted to the chassis by way of retainer bands that are welded to the chassis and which wrap around and secure a respective housing of each roller shutter.

Whilst the arrangement described in our earlier application offers considerable flexibility, allowing the construction to be readily adapted to different designs of cab, it would be advantageous if the weight could be reduced without sacrificing the adaptability of the original design and without impacting on the robustness of the design.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a solution.

Accordingly a first aspect of the invention provides an anti-vandal system for protecting the glazing panels of plant or other machinery, comprising a roller shutter associated with each glazing panel and disposed in a respective housing therefor, and wherein at least one of the housings comprises a first sheet metal wall portion and a second elongate reinforcing means connected to the first sheet metal wall portion to impart rigidity and bending resistance to the housing, wherein at least one shutter housing is fixed to existing fixing points on the cab of the plant by way of mounting means that engage with said reinforcing means.

The first sheet metal wall portion may be used to form a relatively light weight enclosure for the shutter to which rigidity and bending resistance is imparted by the addition of the elongate reinforcing means. Alternatively the first sheet metal wall portion may be attached to the elongate reinforcing means which itself forms a wall portion of the housing.

Accordingly a second aspect of the invention provides an anti-vandal system for protecting the glazing panels of plant or other machinery, comprising a roller shutter associated with each glazing panel and disposed in a respective housing therefor, and wherein at least one of the housings is made from a sheet metal material forming a relatively lightweight enclosure for the shutter therewithin and characterised in that said at least one housing incorporates elongate reinforcing means to impart rigidity and bending resistance to the housing and in which said at least one shutter housing is fixed to existing fixing points on the cab of the plant by way of mounting means that engage with said reinforcing means.

The purpose or function of the invention relates to a method and device for a heavy equipment cab security apparatus.

Preferably, at least two shutter housings are provided with said elongate reinforcing means.

More preferably still, each of the shutter housings, four in a typical application, are provided with said elongate reinforcing means.

By providing the aforementioned integral elongate reinforcing means, the chassis employed in our earlier disclosure can be dispensed with thereby achieving a useful weight saving without impacting adversely on strength and adaptability.

More particularly, the construction when applied to all of the shutter housings enables enhanced positioning flexibility for the shutters as will be described further hereinafter.

In a preferred arrangement two shutter housings are secured to the cab mounting points, for example to two opposite sides of the cab, and the other two housings, say the front and rear ones, are secured directly or indirectly to and between the two side shutter housings. This is made possible by the provision of the respective elongate reinforcing elements in each of the shutter housings.

Conveniently the mounting of at least two of the shutter housings to the plant cab is by way of mounting attachments in the form of legs whose configuration (e.g. height and offset) can be varied as necessary for different types of excavator/plant. This is advantageous as it permits standardisation of the upper and lower attachments for the roller shutter guide pillars. Further advantageous features of the legs are described below.

A particularly advantageous construction results where the front shutter case is mounted to and between the underside of the two side shutter cases. This is best achieved with the advantageous configuration of shutter case described further hereinafter. The arrangement allows the front or rear shutter case to be mounted in a range of different positions and by this means the shutter case can be positioned to clear the escape hatch that is usually provided in the roof of the cab. In the case of a bucket digger it also enables improved visibility of the bucket when working at height. The mounting position can be chosen to suit the application.

Advantageously the rear shutter housing is mounted at the same height as the side shutter housings. This is advantageously achieved by the provision of cantilever mountings, say angle section pieces, fixed to the reinforcing element of the side shutter housings, conveniently in a bottom position, and co-operating with the reinforcing element of the rear shutter housing, conveniently in a bottom position. The cantilever mounting may engage with the elongate reinforcing means of the side and rear shutters located in positions other than at the bottom. These mounting arrangements allow the position of the rear shutter housing to be chosen to avoid any obstructions attached to the rear of the excavator.

Conveniently, the elongate reinforcing element comprises an elongate bar having a rectangular cross-section. It will usually have a greater thickness than the material forming the first portion of the shutter housing. More preferably however, it comprises an elongate bar having an angle section, such as a right angle cross-section. or an L-shaped cross-section, to give the desired resistance to bending. By providing the reinforcing means in the form of an elongate element it is possible to have the mounting points located at any desired location. Mounting holes may be provided at pre-determined positions or discrete holes formed at the desired location for each particular application. It will be understood that the other wall portions of the shutter housing are not by themselves sufficiently thick to serve as mounting points for fixing the housing to the cab of the vehicle.

In our earlier published application the shutter housings or cases are illustrated as being generally circular. An advantageous construction arises when the cases are provided with a generally flat planar section forming one wall of the casing, which wall may be disposed lowermost or uppermost, in use, or exceptionally disposed sideways, e.g. substantially vertically in use, whilst the remaining wall section is of generally rounded configuration and extending from one end edge of the generally flat planar section to the other end edge thereof. The provision of the flat planar section improves mounting rigidity whilst the rounded section improves visibility, especially in the case of the front shutter case. More preferably, the shutter casing is a domed shape with two square corners. Conveniently the angle section elongate reinforcing member is located internally of the shutter case in one of said right angle corners, although it could be external. It is hidden inside the casing and in this corner location does not interfere with the shutter slats. Exceptionally each corner may be provided with said elongate reinforcing means. By using an angle section the mountings can connect to the housing on either of two sides or on both sides. The shutter casing can be mounted on its side if necessary.

Whilst the shutter housings have been described as domed or rounded, it is advantageous if the domed section is in fact made up of a plurality of elongate planar elements that are disposed at angles to one another. A sheet of material may be bent/folded to achieve this or the shape made up form a series of individual elements that are welded together. The domed shape is preferably formed from five flat portions which extend from planar elements of the aforementioned square corner sections thereby giving a an eight sided figure including the planar base' element.

Suitably, the or each roller shutter comprises an articulable sheet comprising a plurality of moveably interconnected slats manufactured from a relatively rigid, tough, durable and/or strong material, wherein any one or more of the articulable sheets is moveable between a stowed position in which it is rolled around a spindle, and a deployed position in which a portion of the articulable sheet is unrolled from the spindle to cover the glazing panel.

The spindle, where provided, may be biased to urge the articulable sheet to move towards the stowed position, for example, using a spring member associated with the spindle; an actuator; and/or a motor adapted to rotate the spindle.

Suitably, the spindle of each roller shutter is located above the glazing panel to be protected, which affords the plant operator a greater field of view. Ideally, the spindles are located on top of/at a level higher than the roof of the cab.

A guide strip may be provided for guiding the edges of the roller shutters, for example, for guiding and/or retaining an edge of an articulable sheet. The guide strip or strips, were provided, may comprise a channel within which an edge of the articulable sheet is slideably moveable. The guide strip or strips, where provided, may be adapted to guide and/or retain the edges of two adjacent articulable sheets.

An operating means is suitably provided for operating the shutter or shutters from a remote location. Such means may comprise any one or more of the group comprising: an eyelet located at, or near to a lower edge of the articulable sheet; a pull cord; a motor; a motor operable using a fixed remote control unit; a motor operable using a portable remote control unit; a motor operable using a wired remote control unit; and a motor operable using a wireless remote control unit. Ideally, the roller shutter or shutters are raisable and/or lowerable, in use, by an operator standing on the ground, for example, with his feet on the ground when stood next to, or near to, the plant.

To improve the security of the system, a locking means is suitably provided for locking the or each roller shutter in a closed (deployed position, in which it or they cover a respective glazing panel and/or side of the cab). The locking means may comprise any one or more of the group comprising: a pin and aperture arrangement that can be padlocked; a lock that engages a portion of the vehicle; a lock that engages another articulable sheet; and a lock that engages a guide for the articulable sheet.

The present invention will now be described further hereinafter by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of an anti-vandal shutter system according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the shutter system of figure 1 and showing part of the cab of the plant to which it is attached in use, Figure 3 is a rear view of the shutter system in the direction of arrow A of figure 1, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of shutter housing, Figures 5a, b, c, d, e and f are end views of shutter housings illustrating alternative configurations of mounting legs, Figures 6a and 6b show two embodiments of shutter housing in a first orientation, Figures 7a and b show two embodiments of shutter housing in a second orientation, Figure 8 shows a shutter housing with an alternative configuration, Figure 9 is a perspective view of an anti-vandal shutter system according to the invention applied to the roof of a cab as seen for the rear and one side, and Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the shutter system of figure 9 excluding the cab.

In Figures 1, 2 3, 9 and 10, an anti-vandal system 10 according to the invention is shown in a configuration as fitted to the roof 18 of a cab 12 of a digger (not shown). The system 10 provides a cab security apparatus, in particular a device for preventing window damage and vandalizing of a heavy equipment cab 12. The device lOis a vandal kit that is integrated with the machine to protect the windows 14 of a heavy equipment operator's cab 12, when left unattended. The system 10 comprises four roller shutters housings 16, and is installed on the roof 18 of the cab 12. Each of the shutter housings 16 accommodates a roller shutter. The roller shutters are not shown in the illustrations but it will be understood that they each comprise a plurality of slats forming an articulated sheet which is connected to an elongate spindle around which the articulated sheet can be rolled between a retracted position disposed substantially within the roller shutter and a deployed position in which the articulated sheet extends to cover a respective side of the cab.

When required, the shutters 16 can be rolled down over each side 30 of the cab 12 to protect the windows 20 thereof. The shutters 16 can be rolled up or down using a handle (not shown) or an electric motor (not shown). This allows the shutter to be raised and lowered by an operator having both feet on the ground.

More particularly it will be seen that, in the illustrated embodiment, the roller shutter housings 16 comprise two side shutter housings 16L and 16R, a front shutter housing 16F and a rear shutter housing 16RR. Mounting of the anti-vandal system to the cab of the item of plant utilises existing mounting points on the cab, but in accordance with the invention, the mountings fix directly to one or more of the roller shutter housings. In the case of a four shutter system as illustrated, the two side shutter housings 16L and 16R are secured to the cab. In the illustration this is by way of C-shaped mounting brackets 20. More particularly, the front shutter housing 16F is secured directly to and between the two side shutter housings, whilst the rear shutter housing 16RR is also secured to the side shutter housings but indirectly in the illustrated embodiment by additional mounting means. However it could be fixed directly therero if the cab configuration permits. The construction according to the invention avoids the need to use the chassis described in our earlier published International Patent Application No. W02012052783 and is made possible by incorporating reinforcing elements into the shutter housings. Alternative arrangements are described further hereinafter with reference to figures 5 to 8.

Each shutter housing 16 comprises two end plates 22, 24 interconnected by elongate wall portions 26 forming a generally semi-circular shape as viewed in cross-section. More preferably they are half of a 12 sided polygon (semi-duodecagon) with a flat section 28, which may be at the top or bottom in use. More specifically the semi-circular portion is formed of five sides plus two vertical half sides as illustrated in figure 4. The preferred shutter housing has its wall portions 26 and flat section 28 made from 1mm thick steel sheet, whilst the end plates 22, 24 are made from 4mm steel sheet. Although not illustrated it will be understood that the flat section 28 has an elongate aperture through which the roller shutter extends in use.

In order that the roller shutter assemblies can be secured either directly to the cab or to one another the roller shutter housings further comprise elongate reinforcing elements 30 extending substantially the entire length of the shutter housings. A preferred elongate reinforcing element comprises an angle section, preferably 2mm thick for the envisaged applications, and disposed in a corner of the shutter housing. Figures 5a to Sf show one right angle reinforcing element 30 disposed in an internal corner of the shutter housing 16. In certain circumstances two reinforcing elements 30 may be used as illustrated in figures 6b, 7b and 8.

Figures 5a -Sf serve to illustrate alternative configurations of mounting means 20 for fixing the shutter housings to the cab. For example figure Sb corresponds to the arrangement illustrated in figures 9 and 10 where a C-shaped mounting bracket is used. Figures Sd and f show similar brackets with longer limb lengths and figure Sf also shows how spacers 32 may be used to adjust the mounting height of the shutters to suit a particular application. Figure 5a shows a straightened 7-shaped bracket, Figures Sc and Se show similar brackets but with longer limb lengths. By using a variety of standardised leg lengths for the brackets 20 and the optional packing pieces 32 it is possible to accommodate standard lengths of side pillars. The top flanges of the brackets can be longer or shorter to position the roller shutter laterally. The legs of the brackets can be made so that the side shutter can be moved inboard or outboard to optimise the shutter geometry, or to clear the escape hatch, etc. depending on the type of excavator/digger to which the anti-vandal system is to be fitted.

Figures 6a and b and 7a and b show how the shutters housings can be disposed in alternative orientations with the flat section 28 uppermost (figures 6a and b) or lowermost (figures 7a and b). Finally figure 8 shows a straight mounting bracket 20. Whilst not illustrated it will be understood that the provision of the elongate reinforcing element associated with the housing allows the housing to be secured directly to the cab without the need for brackets 20 where the cab design so permits. Roles can be drilled in the elongate reinforcing element at any desired elongate position and in either of the sides where it is an angle element.

The preferred configuration, as illustrated in figure 4, has the advantage of presenting a flat section 26' opposite to the flat section 28 and may be applied to each of the housings shown in the figures herein.

The rear roller shutter housing 16RR is mounted at the same height as the side shutter housings 16L and 16R using cantilever angle pieces 34 bolted to the bottom of the side shutter housings. The cantilevers pick up on the reinforcing elements 30. The rear roller shutter housing sits on the cantilevers 34 and is bolted onto the cantilevers by way of the reinforcing element 30 of the rear shutter housing. This provides adjustment as required, both lengthwise and from side to side, to clear any obstacles attached to the rear of the cab.

The reinforcing elements may be bolted or riveted to the sides of the shutter housing or welded thereto, for example, using spot welds. The end plates are preferably welded in position.

Figure 8 also serves to illustrate how the reinforcing element may form an entire wall portion of the housing, such as the bottom wall portion 28, and whilst shown as having angle elements 30 attached thereto, could comprise a C-shaped channel section forming the bottom wall 28 and part of the upstanding side walls of the housing.

Although not illustrated the shutter housing can be mounted on its side. Thus it will, be apparent from the foregoing that the design of shutter housing according to the invention affords considerable flexibility and adaptability to suit its installation in a wide variety of plant applications.

Claims

Claims: 1. An anti-vandal system for protecting the glazing panels of plant or other machinery, comprising a roller shutter associated with each glazing panel and disposed in a respective housing therefor, and wherein at least one of the housings comprises a first sheet metal wall portion and a second elongate reinforcing means connected to the first sheet metal wall portion to impart rigidity and bending resistance to the housing, wherein at least one shutter housing is affixable, in use, to existing fixing points on the cab of the plant by way of mounting means that engage with said reinforcing means.
2. An anti-vandal system as claimed in claim 1 in which at least two shutter housings are provided with said elongate reinforcing means.
3. An anti-vandal system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which each of the shutter housings, four in a typical application, are provided with said elongate reinforcing means.
4. An anti-vandal system and claimed in claim 1 2 or 3 in which two shutter housings are secured to the cab mounting points, for example to two opposite sides of the cab, and the other two housings, say the front and rear ones, are secured to and between the two side shutter housings.
5. An anti-vandal system as claimed in claim 4 in which the mounting of at least two of the shutter housings to the plant cab is by way of mounting attachments in the form of legs whose height and/or offset can be varied as necessary for different types of excavator/plant.
6. An anti-vandal system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the front shutter case is mounted to and between the underside of the two side shutter cases.
7. An anti-vandal system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the rear shutter case is mounted to the two side shutter cases.
8. An anti-vandal system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the rear shutter case is mounted in line with the two side shutter cases.
9. An anti-vandal system as claimed in claim 8 in which the rear shutter housing is mounted to the side shutter housings by the provision of cantilever mountings fixed to the reinforcing element of the side shutter housings and co-operating with the reinforcing elements of the rear shutter housing.
10. An anti-vandal system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the elongate reinforcing element comprises an elongate bar having a rectangular cross-section.
11. An anti-vandal system as claimed in any one of claims ito 9 in which the elongate reinforcing element comprises an elongate bar having an angle cross-section.
12. An anti-vandal system as claimed in claims 11 in which the elongate reinforcing element comprises an elongate bar having a right angle cross-section.
13. An anti-vandal system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the shutter housing is generally dome shaped.
14. An anti-vandal system as claimed in claim 13 in which shutter housing is multi-faceted.
15. An anti-vandal system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the shutter housing is made from sheet steel.
16. An anti-vandal system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the shutter housing has at least one right angle corner.
17. An anti-vandal system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the reinforcing element is disposed within the shutter housing in a corner region thereof.
18. An anti-vandal system as claimed in any one of claims ito 16 in which the reinforcing element forms a wall portion of the shutter housing.
19. An anti-vandal system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein any one or more of the roller shutters is adapted to cover an entire side of the cab.
20. An anti-vandal system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each roller shutter comprises an articulable sheet comprising a plurality of moveably interconnected slats manufactured from a relatively rigid, tough, durable and/or strong material, wherein any one or more of the articulable sheets is moveable between a stowed position in which it is rolled around a spindle, and a deployed position in which a portion of the articulable sheet is unrolled from the spindle to cover the glazing panel.
21. An anti-vandal system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the spindle is biased to urge the articulable sheet to move towards the stowed position.
22. An anti-vandal system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the spindle is biased to urge the articulable sheet to move towards the stowed position using any one or more of the group comprising: a spring member associated with the spindle; an actuator; and a motor adapted to rotate the spindle.
23. An anti-vandal system as claimed in any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the spindle of each roller shutter is located above the glazing panel to be protected.
24. An anti-vandal system as claimed in claim 23, wherein the spindle of each roller shutter is located on top of the cab.
25. An anti-vandal system as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a guide strip for guiding the edges of the roller shutters, and wherein the or each guide strip is adapted for guiding and/or retaining an edge of an articulable sheet.
26. An anti-vandal system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the guide strip comprises a channel within which an edge of the articulable sheet is slideably moveable.
27. An anti-vandal system as claimed in claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the guide strip is adapted to guide and/or retain the edges of two adjacent articulable sheets.
28. An anti-vandal system as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising operating means for operating the shutter or shutters from a remote location, the operating means comprising any one or more of the group comprising: an eyelet located at, or near to a lower edge of the articulable sheet; a pull cord; a motor; a motor operable using a fixed remote control unit; a motor operable using a portable remote control unit; a motor operable using a wired remote control unit; and a motor operable using a wireless remote control unit.
29. An anti-vandal system as claimed in claim 28, wherein the roller shutters are raisable and/or lowerable, in use, by an operator standing on the ground.
30. An anti-vandal system as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a locking means comprising any one or more of the group comprising: a pin and aperture arrangement that can be padlocked; a lock that engages a portion of the vehicle; a lock that engages another articulable sheet; and a lock that engages a guide for the articulable sheet.
31. An anti-vandal system for protecting the glazing panels of plant or other machinery, constructed and arranged substantially as herein before described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.