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(11) | EP 1 167 658 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Enclosure particularly for intrusion prevention |
| (57) An enclosure particularly for intrusion prevention comprising a plurality of uprights
(2) which have, at their lower ends (4), respective footings (5) for resting on the
ground, a plurality of substantially rectangular panels (3) which have upper (19)
and lower (18) engagement elements at their sides, a plurality of lower rings (10)
and a plurality of upper rings (11) provided with means for fastening at adjustable
heights along the uprights (2), each ring (10,11) being provided with complementary
engagement elements (15,16) which are adapted to couple to the engagement elements
(18,19) of the panels (3). |
[0001] The present invention relates to an enclosure particularly for intrusion prevention, for protecting machines, equipment, storage areas and the like.
[0002] It is known that enclosures designed for the above use are commercially available being constituted by uprights which can be fixed to the ground and by modular panels supported by screw means which are associated with the uprights. The modular panels further allow, during assembly, to adjust their height from the ground by positioning the screw means along the upright in order to facilitate the usual operations for cleaning the area enclosed by the enclosure.
[0003] However, these enclosures are often difficult and complicated to assemble. During preassembly it is in fact necessary to provide holes in the uprights and in the panels. Moreover, several screw means are used for connecting the uprights and the panels. Finally, long execution times and resorting to several specialized operators are necessary in order to perform these operations. All this is due to the considerable complexity of setting up the enclosure.
[0004] The aim of the present invention is to obviate the above mentioned drawbacks of known enclosures and to provide an enclosure which is easy to assemble.
[0005] Another object of the present invention is to reduce the execution times for installing the enclosure.
[0007] Within this aim, another object of the present invention is to provide a structure which is simple, relatively easy to provide in practice, safe in use, effective in operation and relatively low in cost.
[0008] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by the present enclosure particularly for intrusion prevention, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of uprights which have, at their lower ends, respective footings for resting on the ground, a plurality of substantially rectangular panels which have upper and lower engagement elements at their sides, a plurality of lower rings and a plurality of upper rings provided with means for fastening at adjustable heights along said uprights, each being provided with complementary engagement elements which are adapted to couple to said engagement elements of said panels.
[0009] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description of a preferred nonexclusive embodiment of an enclosure, particularly for intrusion prevention, according to the invention, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of one of the uprights according to the invention with which the panels are associated by means of said rings;
Figure 2 is a view of a first embodiment of the rings for the uprights which can be arranged at fixed walls;
Figure 3 is a view of a second embodiment of said rings for installing aligned panels;
Figure 4 is a view of a third embodiment of said rings for installing panels substantially at right angles;
Figure 5 is a plan view of a portion of the enclosure according to the invention;
Figure 6 is another plan view of a portion of said enclosure;
Figures 7 and 8 are respectively enlarged-scale views of details of door-panels which allow access to the inside of the enclosure;
Figure 9 is a plan view of another embodiment of the footing;
Figure 10 is front elevation view of the embodiment of Figure 9;
Figure 11 is a view of an embodiment of the rings for the uprights which can be arranged in different configurations;
Figures 12 and 13 are respectively a top view and a sectional view, taken along the line XIII-XIII of Figure 12, of one of said rings.
[0010] With particular reference to Figures 5 and 6, the reference numeral 1 generally designates an enclosure particularly for intrusion prevention. The enclosure 1 is constituted by a plurality of uprights 2 and by a plurality of panels 3 which are supported by the uprights 2 as described hereinafter.
[0011] The upright 2, as shown in Figure 1, has a hollow rectangular cross-section and is provided, at its lower end 4, with a footing 5 which is adapted to keep the upright 2 vertical. The footing 5 consists of a rectangular plate 6, which is welded to the lower end 4, and by a triangular rib 7, which is welded at right angles between the lower portion of the upright 2 and the central region of the plate 6, so as to give the upright 2 greater mechanical resistance to compression and flexural stresses. Finally, in the peripheral region 8 of the plate 6, holes 9 are provided through which screw means, not shown in the accompanying drawings, are inserted in order to allow to fix the upright 2 to the ground. Multiple lower rings 10 and multiple upper rings 11 are associated with the uprights 2 at heights which are adjustable by way of fastening means. Each one of the multiple lower rings 10 and upper rings 11 is constituted by flattened rod-like elements, which are folded so as be shaped complementarily to the cross-section of the upright 2 and end with ends 12 which are folded at right angles. Holes 13 are formed in the central region of the ends 12 and fastening means, constituted for example by a through screw, are inserted in said holes in order to allow the fastening of the lower rings 10 and upper rings 11 at preset heights along the upright 2.
[0012] Each one of the lower rings 10 and upper rings 11 is perimetrically provided with a peripheral face 14, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, which is monolithically provided with complementary engagement elements respectively constituted by pin elements 15, which are directed and protrude vertically, upward, and by pin elements 16, which are directed and protruding vertically, downward.
[0013] The enclosure 1 is completed by the insertion of the plurality of panels 3, which have, at the vertical sides 17, lower and upper engagement elements which engage the complementary elements provided on the lower rings 10 and upper rings 11. The engagement elements consist of a lower open cavity 18 and of an upper open cavity 19 which are respectively directed downward and upward. The lower open cavity 18 and the upper open cavity 19, during assembly, engage with a rotary coupling respectively the corresponding pin elements 15 and 16, so as to provide, as shown in Figures 1 and 8, a door-panel 20 for entering the enclosure or a fixed panel 3 between successive uprights 2, when the other lower open cavity 18 and upper open cavity 19 engage respectively the pin elements 15 and 16 of the lower rings 10 and of the upper rings 11 associated with the next upright 2. Moreover, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, along the sides 17 hinges 21 are provided which are adapted to rotatably couple two adjacent panels 3 so as to form a door-panel 20 for entering the enclosure 1 or to provide an edge-hung fixed panel 3 when said panel 3 is coupled by means of hinges 21 to two adjacent panels 3.
[0014] The pin elements 15 and 16, depending on the configuration of the enclosure 1 to be provided, form different embodiments of the lower rings 10 and upper rings 11.
[0015] Figure 2 is a view of a first embodiment of the lower ring 10, in which a pin element 15 is provided which is aligned coaxially to the other pin element 16 which is associated with the upper ring 11. The lower ring 10 and the upper ring 11 are used for uprights 2 that can be arranged at walls or, more generally, fixed parts or for uprights 2 that act as beginning and/or end of the enclosure 1.
[0016] Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the lower ring 10 and of the upper ring 11, in which there are respectively two pin elements 15 and two pin elements 16 which are coaxial to the preceding ones. Said pin elements 15 or 16 are arranged on a vertical plane, so that when they are engaged by the lower open cavities 18 and upper open cavities 19 of the panels 3 they form a configuration of aligned contiguous panels. The lower rings 10 and the upper rings 11 related to this embodiment are in fact fastened to uprights 2 for aligned configurations of the panels 3.
[0017] Figure 4 illustrates another embodiment of the lower ring 10 and of the upper ring 11 in which there are respectively two pin elements 15 and two pin elements 16 which are coaxial to the preceding ones. Said pin elements 15 or 16 are arranged on two perpendicular planes, so that when they are engaged by the lower open cavities 18 and the upper open cavities 19 of the panels 3 they provide a configuration of panels 3 which are contiguous and arranged substantially at right angles.
[0018] Another embodiment of the lower ring 10 and of the upper ring 11 is shown in Figure 1. In this case, the lower ring 10 and the upper ring 11 respectively support three pin elements 15 and three pin elements 16 which are arranged so as to provide a T-shaped configuration of the panels 3 at the upright 2.
[0019] Assembly in practical operation is as follows. The single operator, after determining the starting point of the enclosure 1, places the upright 2 on the ground, optionally fixing the footing 5 by screw means driven through the holes 9. Then the operator places the lower ring 10 at a height from the ground which is for example between 120 and 200 mm according to the required standards, and then fastens the lower ring 10 by means of the screw that passes through the holes 13 of the folded ends. At this point the single operator fits the lower open cavity 18 over the pin element 15 and then positions the upper ring 11 along the upright 2 until the pin element enters the upper open cavity 19. The latter operation is performed very easily, since the panel 3 is supported so as to cantilever out by the lower wing 10. At this point another upright 2 is arranged proximate to the side 17 of the panel 3 and is engaged by another lower ring 10 which is selected according to the type of preset configuration of the enclosure 1. The operator, after positioning the pin element 15 in the lower open cavity 18, performs fastening in the same manner described above for the lower ring 10. At this point the operator fits the lower open cavity 18 of another panel 3 over the pin element 15 and then places along the upright 2 the other upper ring 11, which is fastened after fitting the pin elements 16 in the open cavity 19 of the two adjacent panels. At this point the subsequent operations that the operator has to perform are merely routine. This easy assembly of the panels 3 remains unchanged even where the accesses to the inside of the enclosure are provided by means of the door-panels 20. The entry door-panels 20, as shown in Figure 7, are formed by rotatably coupling, by way of the hinges 21, two adjacent panels and leaving one of the two panels uncoupled on the side 17 that abuts on the upright 2 that lies to the side of the one to which the hinges 21 are proximate. Moreover, the door-panel 20, as shown in Figure 8, can be formed by simply rotationally engaging the open cavities 18 and 19 over the pin elements 15 and 16 and leaving the other side 17 of the door-panel 20 free so that it can rotate about one edge.
[0021] In particular, the fact is stressed that assembly can be performed by a single operator, since the setting up of the enclosure is entirely simplified through the use of the upper and lower rings, which can be adjusted and fastened along the upright with a single screw.
[0022] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.
[0023] Another embodiment of the enclosure relates to the footing 5, which is constituted by a contoured L-shaped element 22 and by a double contoured L-shaped element 23, both of which are rigidly coupled by means of screws 24 which pass through openings 25 to the lower portion 2a of the upright 2.
[0024] The contoured L-shaped element 22 comprises a first vertical plate 26 which is folded in a C-shape and is made of sturdy material, forming a flat wide face 27 which is monolithically provided, at its lower edge 28, with a first wing 29 which is horizontal and is suitable to act as support for the footing 5. The wide face 27 has, in the central region, seats 30 through which the screws 24 are driven. The first wing 29 is furthermore provided with holes 31 to allow the fixing of the footing 5 to the ground.
[0025] The double contoured L-shaped element 23 comprises a second vertical plate 32 which is folded in a C-shape and is made of sturdy material, forming another wide face 33 and two narrow folded sides 34. Each one of the folded sides 34 monolithically supports, at its edge, respective second L-shaped wings 36 which are suitable to act as support for the footing 5. The wide face 32 has, in its central region, seats 37 through which the screws 21 are guided. Finally, the second wings 36 are provided with holes 38 in order to allow to fix the footing 5 to the ground.
[0026] The contoured L-shaped element 22 and the double contoured L-shaped element 23 are fixed to the lower portion 2a by tightening the screws 24 passing through the seats 30, 37 and the openings 25.
[0028] Another embodiment as regards the lower rings 10 and the upper rings 11 is shown in Figures 11 to 13. The rings 10 and 11 monolithically support, on their peripheral face 14, the complementarily engagement elements, which are constituted by a plurality of pin elements 40 formed by punching. Said pin elements 40 are substantially L-shaped and are well suited to provide various configurations of the enclosure when they engage in the respective upper open cavities 19 and lower open cavities 18. It is important to point out that the pin elements 40 thus conceived allow to provide rings 10 and 11 which are usable universally and flexibly according to any type of enclosure configuration to be provided.
[0030] In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and the dimensions, may be any according to requirements without thereby abandoning the scope of the protection of the appended claims.
[0031] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. BO2000A000369 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
[0032] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.
1. An enclosure particularly for intrusion prevention, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of uprights (2) which have, at their lower ends (4), respective
footings (5) for resting on the ground, a plurality of substantially rectangular panels
(3) which have upper (19) and lower (18) engagement elements at their sides, a plurality
of lower rings (10) and a plurality of upper rings (11) provided with means for fastening
at adjustable heights along said uprights (2), each being provided with complementary
engagement elements (15,16) which are adapted to couple to said engagement elements
(18,19) of said panels (3).
2. The enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that said complementary engagement elements consist of vertical pin elements (15,16) which
are rigidly coupled to the peripheral face (14) of each one of said multiple upper
(11) and lower (10) rings.
3. The enclosure according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said engagement elements consist of an upper open cavity (19) and of a lower open
cavity (18) which are directed respectively upward and downward.
4. The enclosure according to one or more of any of claims 2,3, characterized in that said pin elements (15) rigidly coupled to said lower rings (10) are directed toward
said lower open cavity (18) and in that said pin elements (16) rigidly coupled to said upper rings (11) are directed toward
said upper open cavity (19).
5. The enclosure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said uprights (2) have a substantially rectangular cross-section.
6. The enclosure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said plurality of upper (11) and lower rings (10) is a flat rod-like
element which is folded so as to be shaped complementarily to the cross-section of
said uprights (2), said rings (10,11) having ends (12) which are folded at right angles.
7. The enclosure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that holes (13) adapted for the insertion of said fastening means are formed in said folded
ends (12).
8. The enclosure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fastening means are constituted by screws which pass through said holes (13).
9. The enclosure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said footings (5) are constituted by a substantially rectangular plate (6) which
is rigidly coupled to the lower end (4) of each one of said uprights (2) and by a
rib (7) which is rigidly coupled at right angles to said plate (6) and said upright
(2).
10. The enclosure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said plate (6) can be fixed to the ground by screw. means which pass through holes
(9) formed in said plate (6).
11. The enclosure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said footings (5) are constituted by a contoured L-shaped element (22) and by a double
contoured L-shaped element (23) which are rigidly coupled, by way of screws (24),
to the lower portion of each one of said multiple uprights (2).
12. The enclosure, characterized in that said contoured L-shaped element (22) comprises a first vertical plate (26) which
is folded in a C-shape, is made of sturdy material and has, at its wide face (27),
seats (30) which accommodate said screws (24) and a first horizontal wing (29) which
is associated with the lower edge (28) of said wide face (27), said wing (29) being
adapted to act as support for said footing (5).
13. The enclosure, characterized in that said double contoured L-shaped element (23) comprises a second vertical plate (32)
which is folded in a C-shape, is made of sturdy material and has, at its wide face
(33), seats (37) which accommodate said screws (21), and second wings (36) which are
arranged at right angles and are associated with the edge of the folded sides of said
plate (32).
14. The enclosure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pin elements (15,16) are adapted to provide a rotary coupling with said cavities
(18,19) of said panels (3) or door-panels (20).
15. The enclosure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises hinges (21) which are associated with the adjacent sides (17) of said
panels (3) or door-panels (20).