Joining element for modular security gratings and associated grating

Abstract

 The invention relates to a joining element for modular security gratings and to the grating which is obtained therefrom. The joining element (2) comprises interconnecting means (5;5a;5b) which are varyingly shaped with at least one pair of non-aligned modular elements (3) forming part of an upright (10) and a cross-piece (11) of the grating (20). The grating (20), which is obtained by combining a plurality of joining elements (2) with a plurality of modular elements (3) so as to form uprights (10) and cross-pieces (11), also comprises reinforcing elements (1), for example consisting of anti-cutting iron rods which fasten together the modular elements and joining elements (3, 2) forming an upright (10) or a cross-piece (11).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a joining element for modular security gratings and to the grating which is obtained therefrom.

[0002] The widespread use of security gratings has resulted in the development of two main alternative forms: gratings with a reducible volume and rigid gratings, which if necessary may be displaced while keeping their overall dimensions unchanged.

[0003] The range of dimensions of the openings to be protected has also grown considerably, resulting in the need for manufacturers to be able to satisfy very widely varying requirements.

[0004] For many years the guarantee of security which these products must provide has coincided with their monolithic structure, so that each grating was more or less custom-built and was suitable only for the particular situation for which it was commissioned.

[0005] Recently security gratings comprising modular uprights have become widespread, these gratings forming the subject of patent applications in the name of the same Applicants. However, while the invention relating to reducible-volume gratings does not require special measures for the bars connecting individual uprights, the rigid gratings are still dependent upon the use of rigid cross-pieces which restrict the manufacturing flexibility - and hence commercial distribution - of the entire product.

[0006] A consequence of the need to continue producing custom-built gratings is that, if there are errors in the dimensions, it is difficult to recover the material and therefore there may be a great quantity of rejects.

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore that of eliminating the drawbacks mentioned above.

[0008] The invention, which is characterized by the claims, solves the problem of making the construction of rigid security gratings completely modular.

[0009] The main advantage obtained by means of the present invention consists essentially in the fact that the time required for manufacture of the grating is greatly accelerated since the operations for machining of the parts which form it are reduced to a minimum: for example, there is no need for milling. Moreover, the assembly times and delivery times are reduced since both the uprights and the cross-pieces of the grating may be made using very few types of interchangeable components.

[0010] As a result of the small number of different components, furthermore, the warehouse stocks may be managed more easily and more cost-effectively, without restricting the range of solutions offered.

[0011] Further advantages and characteristic features of the invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which show a non-limiting example of embodiment thereof and in which:

• Figures 1, 2 and 3 show various embodiments of the invention;
• Figures 4 and 5 show two particular examples of assembly conditions;
• Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an overall configuration of the invention.

[0012] As can be seen from the figures, the invention relates to a joining element for modular security gratings and to a grating which is obtained from use thereof. The joining element (2) comprises interconnecting means (5) with at least one pair of non-aligned modular elements (3).

[0013] Depending on the type of modular elements (3) which are assembled in order to form uprights (10) and cross-pieces (11), the joining element (2) is able to assume one of the forms shown by way of example in Figures 1, 2 and 3, or other technically equivalent forms. Generally, the interconnecting means (5) comprise shaped lugs (5a) matching the internal profile of the modular elements (3) and/or cavities (5b) shaped so as to match the external profile of the said modular elements (3).

[0014] The joining element (2) shown in Figure 1, for example, is suitable for joining two modular elements (3) forming part of an upright (10) with two elements forming part of a cross-piece (11), said elements being all identical to each other, or at least in pairs: in this case, said joining element has shaped lugs (5a) with a form matching the internal profile of the modular elements (3) which it must join together; that shown in Figure 2, on the other hand, has the function of joining two modular elements (3) of an upright (10) which are identical to each other and a modular element (3) of a cross-piece (11) with a decorative element (3a) of a different type: in this case, as can be noted also from Figure 4, the joining element (2) also comprises a cavity (5a) shaped so as to match the external form of the decorative element (3a). Finally, Figure 3 and Figure 5 show a joining element (2) used along the edges of the grating (20): it also has both lugs (5a) and cavities (5b) designed to interact with the modular elements (3) of peripheral uprights (10) and cross-pieces (11).

[0015] All these embodiments have, however, the common feature that they comprise through-holes (4) able to receive reinforcing elements (1) of uprights (10) and cross-pieces (11).

[0016] Figure 6 shows the modular security grating (20) comprising a plurality of joining elements (2) and a plurality of modular elements (3) of the types already described and able to form uprights (10) and cross-pieces (11). Said grating also comprises reinforcing elements (1) consisting here for example of anti-cutting iron rods which fasten together the joining elements (2) and the modular elements (3).

[0017] According to a preferred constructional solution, each cross-piece (11) and each upright (10) comprise at least one reinforcing element (1) over the whole of their length. The same figure also shows the possibility where the grating (20) comprises decorative elements (3a) which are interchangeable with said modular elements (3).

[0018] The invention thus conceived may be subject to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive idea. Moreover, all the details may be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

[0019] In practice modifications and/or improvements are obviously possible, provided that they fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Joining element for modular security gratings, characterized in that it comprises means (5) for interconnection to at least one pair of non-aligned modular elements (3).

2. Element according to Claim 1, characterized in that said interconnecting means (5) comprise shaped lugs (5a) matching the internal profile of the modular elements (3).

3. Element according to Claim 1, characterized in that said interconnecting means (5) comprise shaped cavities (5b) matching the external profile of the modular elements (3).

4. Element according to Claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises through-holes (4) able to receive reinforcing elements (1) of uprights (10) and cross-pieces (11).

5. Modular security grating, characterized in that comprises a plurality of joining elements (2) and a plurality of modular elements (3) able to form uprights (10) and cross-pieces (11).

6. Grating according to Claim 5, characterized in that it comprises reinforcing elements (1) able to fasten together the joining elements (2) and the modular elements (3).

7. Grating according to Claim 6, characterized in that each cross-piece (11) comprises at least one reinforcing element (1) over the whole of its length.

8. Grating according to Claim 6, characterized in that each upright (10) comprises at least one reinforcing element (1) over the whole of its length.

9. Grating according to Claim 6 or 7 or 8, characterized in that said reinforcing elements (1) consist of anti-cutting iron rods.

10. Grating according to Claim 5, characterized in that it comprises decorative elements (3a) which are interchangeable with said modular elements (3).

Drawing