Device for increasing the security of doors or fixtures in general against break-in attempts

Abstract

 A device for increasing the security of doors or fixtures in general against break-in attempts, comprising at least one pair of security elements (1a), which is composed of an internal element (2a), which is connected to the structure of the fixture (3a) or is part of its structure, and of an external element (4a), which is exposed at least partially on the outer side of the fixture and/or is connected to a component of the fixture that forms the outer side of the fixture that is exposed to break-in attempts; the external element and the internal element constitute or support two electrical contacts of a normally-open circuit breaker; the circuit breaker is closed by a movement of the external element with respect to the internal element caused by a break-in force applied to the outer side of the fixture and/or as a consequence of the insertion of an electrically conducting object between the two electrical contacts; the electrical contacts of the circuit breaker can be connected to an anti-theft device that is adapted to detect the closure of the circuit breaker and to emit a signal when the circuit breaker closes.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for increasing the security of doors or fixtures in general against break-in attempts.

[0002] As is known, most theft attempts in apartments, when the only possibility to break into the house is the front door, are performed by means of levers meant to break the locks in the various closure points of the door.

[0003] Extremely strong armoured doors, provided with locks that are highly sophisticated in their movement and are adapted to move a large number of closure bolts, are commercially available and are capable of withstanding these break-in attempts for a long time, inducing the burglar to desist.

[0004] Break-in attempts, even if not successful, are still a considerable problem for the owner who is their target, since in addition to having to repair the damage caused to the door by the break-in attempt, he is often forced to request the immediate intervention of specialized personnel to reenter his home, since the break-in attempt generally irreparably compromises operation of the door.

[0005] For this reason, it would be desirable to provide doors or fixtures in general with an anti-theft system capable of discouraging burglars from the very start of the break-in attempt.

[0006] Electronic anti-theft systems are currently commercially available which are capable of reporting, in various manners, the approach of unwanted persons to internal and external parts of a dwelling.

[0007] However, these anti-theft systems cannot be used in the case of condominium dwellings, where the entrance to the dwelling is located in communal areas, such as landings or galleries. In this case, the application of sensors outside the dwelling, in the vicinity of its entrance, would inevitably cause false alarms when people authorized to use the communal areas pass in the vicinity of the entrance.

[0008] The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems noted above by providing a device that increases the security of doors or fixtures in general against break-in attempts by performing an active security action that is capable of discouraging from the very start break-in attempts affecting the door or fixture in general.

[0009] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a device that can be connected to an anti-theft system that is capable of detecting break-in attempts affecting the fixture and optionally emit signals of the luminous and/or acoustic type to induce the person who is trying to force the fixture to desist.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a device that can act exclusively in case of break-in attempts affecting the door or fixture in general, excluding the possibility of false alarms.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a device that can be fitted very easily inside fixtures, particularly armoured doors, that are currently commercially available.

[0012] This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a device for increasing the security of doors or fixtures in general against break-in attempts, characterized in that it comprises at least one pair of security elements, which is composed of an internal element, which is connected to the structure of the fixture or is part of said structure, and of an external element, which is exposed at least partially on the outer side of the fixture and/or is connected to a component of the fixture that forms the outer side of the fixture that is exposed to break-in attempts, said external element and said internal element constituting or supporting two electrical contacts of a normally-open circuit breaker, which can be closed by a movement of said external element with respect to said internal element caused by a break-in force applied to the outer side of the fixture and/or as a consequence of the insertion of an electrically conducting object between said two electrical contacts, said electrical contacts being connectable to an anti-theft device that is adapted to detect the closure of said circuit breaker and to emit a signal when said circuit breaker closes.

[0013] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the device according to the invention, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view of the device according to the invention applied to a single-leaf door, which is shown in a cross-section taken along a horizontal plane;

Figure 2 is a view of the device according to the invention applied to a two-leaf door, which is shown in a cross-section taken along a horizontal plane;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view of a first pair of security elements;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of a second pair of security elements;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view of a third pair of security elements;

Figure 6 is a transversely sectional view of a fourth pair of security elements;

Figures 7 to 9 illustrate the operation of the device according to the invention in case of break-in, with reference to the pairs of security elements shown in Figures 3 and 6.

[0014] With reference to the figures, the device according to the invention comprises at least one pair of security elements 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, which is composed of an internal element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, which is connected to the structure of the fixture 3a, 3b, 3c, and an external element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, which is exposed directly at least partially on the outer side of the fixture and/or is connected to a component 5a, 5b, 5c that forms the outer side of the fixture that is exposed to break-in attempts. The external element 4a-4d and the internal element 2a-2d constitute or support two electrical contacts of a normally-open circuit breaker, which can be closed by a movement of the external element 4a-4d with respect to the internal element 2a-2d caused by a break-in force applied to the outer side of the fixture and/or as a consequence of the insertion of an electrically conducting object 40 between two of said electrical contacts, as will become better apparent hereinafter.

[0015] Preferably, the internal element 2a-2d and the external element 4a-4d are constituted by metallic profiled elements and directly constitute the two electrical contacts of the normally-open circuit breaker.

[0016] The external element 4a-4d and the internal element 2a-2d face each other, and an elastically yielding electrically insulating element 6a-6d is interposed between them and is adapted to keep the external element 4a-4d spaced from the internal element 2a-2d if no break-in forces are applied to the outer side of the fixture.

[0017] The internal element 2a-2d and the external element 4a-4d have a shape that is preferably adapted to ensure contact between the external element 4a-4d and the internal element 2a-2d when the external element 4a-4d performs a translational motion toward the internal element 2a-2d and/or the external element 4a-4d performs an oscillation toward the internal element 2a-2d allowed by the elastically yielding element 6a-6d.

[0018] In this manner, accidental contact between the external element 4a-4d and the internal element 2a-2d during normal use of the fixture is avoided with absolute certainty, while contact between the external element 4a-4d and the internal element 2a-2d is assured during break-in attempts of any kind.

[0019] The elastically yielding element 6a-6d is preferably constituted by a rubber profiled element, which is connected to the sides of the external element 4a-4d and of the internal element 2a-2d that face each other.

[0020] The device according to the invention is intended mainly for installation on armoured doors provided internally with a metallic structure that comprises a plate 7a, 7b, 7c, which supports the outer panel 5a, 5b, 5c that is exposed to break-in attempts. In this case, the pairs of security elements 1a-1d are interposed between the metal plate 7a-7c and the outer panel 5a-5c.

[0021] More particularly, the pairs of security elements comprise pairs of perimetric security elements 1a, 1b, 1c, of the type shown in particular in Figures 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8, and pairs of central security elements 1d, of the type shown in particular in Figures 6 and 9.

[0022] The pair of perimetric security elements 1a, shown in particular in Figures 3, 7 and 8, is designed to be arranged at the vertical sides of the door. In this pair of perimetric security elements, the internal element 2a is constituted by a metallic profiled element that has, on one of its sides, a first contoured wing 10a, which can be inserted in the perimetric seat 11a, 11b, 11c usually provided in the metallic structure of the door in order to accommodate the vertical sides of the panel 5a, 5b, 5c. The internal element 2a has, on the opposite side with respect to the contoured wing 10a, a wing 12a that is bent toward the outer side of the fixture, i.e., toward the external element 4a.

[0023] The external element 4a also is constituted by a metallic profiled element that has, on its side proximate to the contoured wing 10a, a wing that is bent in a U-like shape so as to form a seat 13a that accommodates the corresponding vertical side of the panel 5a, 5b, 5c of the door, as a replacement of the seat 11 a, 11b, 11c occupied by the wing 10a of the internal element 2a. On the opposite side, the external element 4a has a wing 14a that is bent toward the outer side of the fixture and laterally faces, toward the inside, the wing 12a of the internal element 2a.

[0024] The pair of perimetric security elements 1b, shown in Figure 4, is composed of an internal element 2b, which is constituted by a metallic profiled element, which has a wing 12b provided like the wing 12a and, on the opposite side, a wing 10b that protrudes above the upper side of the metallic structure 3a, 3b, 3c of the fixture and is fixed to said upper side in a per se known manner, for example by means of screws, nails or other connecting elements.

[0025] The external element 4b of the pair of security elements 1b is provided substantially like the external element 4a already described, i.e., with a wing that is bent in a U-like shape so as to form a seat 13b that accommodates the upper side of the panel 5a, 5b, 5c and with a wing 14b that is bent and faces laterally, on the inner side, the wing 12b.

[0026] The pairs of perimetric security elements 1c, shown in Figure 5, is designed to be arranged proximate to the lower side of the door. In this case, the internal element 2c, constituted by a metallic profiled element, has a wing 12c that is provided substantially like the wings 12a and 12b already described and has, at the opposite side, a wing 10c that is substantially bent in a U-like shape. The external element 4c is also constituted by a metallic profiled element, which is provided substantially like the external elements 4a and 4b already described, i.e., with a wing that is bent in a U-like shape so as to form a seat 13c that accommodates the lower side of the panel 5a, 5b, 5c and with an opposite wing 14c that laterally faces, on the inner side, the wing 12c.

[0027] The pair of central security elements 1d, shown in particular in Figures 6 and 9, has an internal element 2d, which is constituted by a metallic profiled element that has a substantially U-shaped transverse cross-section and is directed with its two arms toward the external element 4d, i.e., toward the outer side of the fixture. The external element 4d also is constituted by a metallic profiled element that has a substantially inverted U-shaped transverse cross-section that is inverted over the internal element 2d so as to partially accommodate the internal element 2d between the two branches of the U-shape. Two elastically yielding elements 6d are interposed between the internal element 2d and the external element 4d.

[0028] The pairs of security elements are connected to the metallic structure of the fixture and the internal elements 2a-2d are electrically connected to each other by means of electric wires or preferably, as shown, by connecting said elements mechanically and electrically to the metallic structure 3a, 3b, 3c of the fixture. The external elements 4a-4d are connected electrically to each other by means of electrically conducting wires 30 and are insulated from the internal elements 2a-2d when no contact with the internal elements 2a-2d occurs, i.e., in the absence of break-in forces applied to the fixture. The electric wires 30, which connect one another the external elements 4a-4d, and the metallic structure 3a, 3b, 3c of the fixture or the electric wires that mutually connect electrically the internal elements 2a-2d, lead to two electrical cables 31 and 32, which can be connected to respective electrical cables 35 and 36 by means of an electrical coupling 33, which is provided proximate to the side of the fixture that is pivoted to the walled-in frame 34 of the fixture and is engaged when the fixture is closed.

[0029] These electrical cables 35 and 36 can be connected to an anti-theft device that is external to the fixture and is capable of detecting the closure of said circuit breaker and of simply emitting a signal indicating the break-in in progress or of emitting an acoustic and/or luminous signal in order to discourage the burglar.

[0030] As an alternative, the anti-theft device can be connected directly to the electric wires 30 and to the internal structure of the fixture or to the wires that connect one another the internal elements 2a-2d and can be arranged inside the fixture.

[0031] The connection of the pairs of security elements 1a-1d to the metallic structure 3a, 3b, 3c of the fixture, preferably to the plate 7a, 7b, 7c, is performed by means of screws, nails, or other metallic connection elements 20, which are inserted through appropriately provided holes 16 and 17 provided in the internal element 2a, 2b, 2c and in the external element 4a, 4b, 4c, in the case of the pairs of perimetric security elements 1a-1c, and in the single internal element 2d in the case of the pairs of central security elements 1d. In the pairs of central security elements 1d, the connecting element 20 simply establishes a mechanical and electrical connection between the internal element 2d and the plate 7a, 7b, 7c.

[0032] In the case of the pairs of perimetric security elements 1a-1c, the connecting element 20 establishes a mechanical and electrical connection between the internal element 2a-2c and the plate 7a, 7b, 7c, and establishes merely a mechanical connection between the external element 4a-4d and the plate 7a, 7b, 7c. For this purpose, the hole 17 provided in the external element 4a-4c of the pairs of perimetric security elements 1a-1c is fitted around a bush 18 made of electrically insulating material, which is crossed by the connecting element 20. The coupling between the external element 4a-4c and said bush 18 is such as to allow the external element 4a-4c to oscillate with respect to the internal element 2a-2c, as will become better apparent hereinafter.

[0033] In practice, the external elements 4a-4d and the internal elements 2a-2d of the various pairs of security elements 1a-1d that are interposed between the panel 5a, 5b, 5c and the plate 7a, 7b, 7c constitute the two contacts of a normally-open circuit breaker, i.e., a circuit breaker that is open when no break-in force is applied to the fixture.

[0034] Figure 1 illustrates the application of a device according to the invention to a single-leaf door 21, while Figure 2 illustrates the application of the device to a two-leaf door, with a main leaf 22 that is provided substantially like the leaf 21 of Figure 1 and with a secondary leaf 23 that is provided with pairs of central security elements 1d and with pairs of perimetric security elements 1a-1c on three of its sides, except for the side directed toward the main leaf 22. The greater thickness of the secondary leaf 23, caused by the presence of the device according to the invention, is compensated by means of an appropriately provided profiled element 24.

[0035] Operation of the device according to the invention is as follows.

[0036] During an attempt to break into the fixture, if a metallic lever 40 is inserted between one of the perimetric sides and the walled-in frame 34 of the fixture or between the fixture and the floor, said lever 40 electrically connects an external element 4a-4c to an internal element 2a-2c, closing the electric circuit breaker constituted by these two elements, as shown in Figure 7. The closure of said circuit breaker can be used, in an electronic anti-theft device connected to the cables 35 and 36 or by means of a control unit that is accommodated directly in the fixture, to indicate the attempted break-in and/or produce a luminous or acoustic or other signal in order to discourage the break-in attempt.

[0037] If the lever 40 that is used for the break-in is unable to establish an electrical connection between the external element 4a-4c and an internal element 1a-1c, continuing the break-in attempt produces a displacement of the external element 4a-4c with respect to the internal element 2a-2c due to the yielding of the elastic element 6a-6c, which causes, in any case, contact between the external element 4a-4c and the internal element 2a-2c, closing the electric circuit breaker constituted by these two elements, as shown in Figure 8. Likewise, the closure of the circuit breaker can be used, by means of a suitable circuit, to signal the break-in attempt and/or emit signals to discourage the break-in attempt.

[0038] If the break-in attempt, instead of affecting the perimetric sides of the fixture, affects the central region, by means of a pushing action, at least some of the external elements 4d of the pair of central security elements 1d and at least some of the external elements 4a-4c of the pairs of perimetric security elements 1a-1c make contact with the corresponding internal element 2d and 2a-2c, again closing the electric circuit breaker constituted by these elements, as shown in Figure 9. In this case also, the closure of the electric circuit breaker can be used to indicate the break-in attempt and/or activate signals to discourage the break-in attempt.

[0039] It should be noted that in a particularly simplified embodiment of the device according to the invention, the internal element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, instead of being constituted by an independent element that is connected to the structure of the fixture, can be constituted simply by a part of the structure of the fixture, preferably by the metal plate 7a, 7b, 7c itself. In this case, the external element 4a, 4b, 4c of the pairs of perimetric security elements 1a, 1b, 1c is connected mechanically to the plate 7a, 7b, 7c and is insulated electrically from it in a manner similar to what has already been described, for example by means of the metallic connecting elements 20 and by means of the bushes 18, and by means of the spacing action performed by the elastic elements 6a-6c; the normally-open circuit breaker closes by way of the electrical connection established by the lever 40 or by another electrically conducting object and/or by way of the direct contact of the external element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d with the plate 7a, 7b, 7c as a consequence of the yielding of the elastic elements 6a-6d.

[0040] In practice it has been found that the device according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim, since it can be used effectively both to detect the beginning of break-in attempts on the door or fixture in general and to discourage the burglar from proceeding with the attempt, thus avoiding severe damage to the fixture.

[0041] Another advantage of the device according to the invention is that it does not require the use of sensors, which could easily cause false alarms.

[0042] The device thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0043] In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0044] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application no. MI2003A001340, from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0045] 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.

Claims

1. A device for increasing the security of doors or fixtures in general against break-in attempts, characterized in that it comprises at least one pair of security elements, which is composed of an internal element, which is connected to the structure of the fixture or is part of said structure, and of an external element, which is exposed at least partially on the outer side of the fixture and/or is connected to a component of the fixture that forms the outer side of the fixture that is exposed to break-in attempts, said external element and said internal element constituting or supporting the two electrical contacts of a normally-open circuit breaker, which can be closed by a movement of said external element with respect to said internal element caused by a break-in force applied to the outer side of the fixture and/or as a consequence of the insertion of an electrically conducting object between said two electrical contacts, said electrical contacts being connectable to an anti-theft device that is adapted to detect the closure of said circuit breaker and to emit a signal when said circuit breaker closes.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said internal element and said external element are constituted by metallic profiled elements.

3. The device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said external element and said internal element face each other, with the interposition of at least one elastically yielding element that is adapted to keep said external element spaced from said internal element if no break-in forces are applied to the outer side of the fixture.

4. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said external element and said internal element have a shape that ensures contact between said external element and said internal element upon a translational motion of said external element toward said internal element allowed by said elastically yielding element.

5. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that said external element and said internal element have a shape that is adapted to ensure contact between said external element and said internal element when said external element performs an oscillation toward said internal element allowed by said elastically yielding element.

6. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastically yielding element is made of electrically insulating material.

7. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastically yielding element is constituted by a rubber profiled element, which is connected to the mutually facing sides of said external element and of said internal element.

8. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said internal element and said external element are connected to a metallic internal structure of the fixture by means of metallic connecting elements that are inserted through holes formed in said external element and in said internal element, means for electrical insulation between said external element and said connecting elements being provided.

9. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one pair of security elements comprises pairs of perimetric security elements, which are arranged at the perimetric sides of the fixture, and pairs of central security elements, which are arranged in the region of the fixture that is located within the perimetric sides.

10. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in said pairs of central security elements the internal element is constituted by a metallic profiled element that has, in transverse cross-section, substantially the shape of a letter U directed with its two arms toward said external element, said external element being constituted by a metallic profiled element that has, in a transverse cross-section, a substantially U-shaped configuration and lies opposite said internal element, said external element partially accommodating said internal element between the two arms of the U-shape.

11. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in said pairs of perimetric security elements said internal element is constituted by a metallic profiled element that has, on one of its sides, a first contoured wing that can be inserted in a perimetric seat formed in the structure of the fixture or can be fixed to the structure of the fixture and, on the opposite side, a wing that is bent toward said external element; said external element having, on one of its sides, a seat that accommodates a perimetric portion of a panel that constitutes the outer side of the fixture and, on the opposite side, a wing that is bent and faces laterally the folded wing of said internal element.

12. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said anti-theft device is arranged inside the fixture.

13. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said anti-theft device is arranged outside said fixture.

14. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said internal element is constituted by a portion of said metallic internal structure of the fixture.

15. A door, particularly an armored door, or a fixture in general, characterized in that it comprises a device according to one or more of the preceding claims.

Drawing