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(11) | EP 3 792 443 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 153(4) EPC |
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| (54) | A SECURITY CLOSURE |
| (57) A security closure for a structure is provided. The security closure comprising:
a protective barrier comprising a plurality of openings, movable between a retracted
position where the structure is exposed and a protected position where the protective
barrier extends over at least a portion of the structure; and an illuminated display
between the protective barrier and the structure visible through the openings. The
illuminated display is arranged to move with the protective barrier between the retracted
position and the protected position. |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The field of this invention falls within the industry sector dedicated to manufacturing closures, specifically transparent security closures for business premises etc..
[0002] As its title suggests, this invention relates to a transparent security closure with illuminated display which, aside from its primary function, boasts several benefits and features that are described in detail below, involving some standout innovation with regards to the current state of technology.
[0003] More specifically, the idea of this invention is based on a security closure, i.e. the kind of metal roller shutters typically installed on street-facing access doors or on business premises, which is where the innovative feature of incorporating an illuminated display into the metal frame of the security closure itself comes in because of the fact that it is transparent. This would specifically be an LED display capable of projecting shapes, alphanumeric characters and still or moving images whether in single colour or multicolour and, if desired, could be used for advertising purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0004] In reference to current technology it should be noted that, although the existence of displays using LED technology to project imagery and signs or logos for advertising purposes is nothing new, using them on business premises etc., until now, has only been done by means of direct installation on some kind of bracket or fixing, either on the face of the premises e.g. a sign, or on the inside of the premises.
[0005] These fixtures are always present and can obscure parts of a premises' window display, or be damaged during the day.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a security closure for a structure, the security closure comprising: a protective barrier comprising a plurality of openings, movable between a retracted position where the structure is exposed and a protected position where the protective barrier extends over at least a portion of the structure; and an illuminated display between the protective barrier and the structure visible through the openings, wherein the illuminated display is arranged to move with the protective barrier between the retracted position and the protected position.
[0008] This allows the screen to be easily deployed and stowed with the protective barrier. The terminology "illuminated display" is a well-known term of art and relates to a display unit that includes illumination means. The term must be interpreted to cover the display unit when the illumination means are not active (i.e. as installed).
[0009] The illuminated display may be an electronic display, preferably a light-emitting diode or organic light-emitting diode screen. Such screens are lightweight and allow complex objects to be displayed.
[0010] The illuminated display may be translucent or transparent such that the structure can be seen through the openings and the illuminated display. This allows the interior of the structure to still be viewed, such as to still display certain products. Augmented advertising could also be displayed on such a screen.
[0011] The protective barrier may be formed of a translucent or transparent material. This allows the interior of the structure to be viewed, or for the screen to extend over a larger area as it can be seen through the barrier.
[0013] The security closure may be a roller shutter comprising a roller extending in an axial direction, and the protective barrier may comprise a plurality of slats flexibly connected to one another, the plurality of slats wound around the roller in the retracted position, each slat comprising at least one opening of the plurality of openings. Roller shutters are common for business premises due to their ease of use and security.
[0014] Each slat may comprise a plurality of openings. This produces a stronger shutter with more area visible.
[0015] The slats may be elongate in the axial direction and the openings may be distributed along the slat in the axial direction. This produces a stronger shutter with more area visible.
[0016] The protective barrier may comprise a floor-engaging member attached to a free end of the plurality of slats, for engaging with a floor of the structure. The floor engaging member may prevent damage to the slats and/or display, for example via a rubber "foot" or bottom portion.
[0017] The illuminated display may comprise one or more display modules, a display module corresponding to each opening and being complementarily sized thereto. Multiple smaller displays may fold up for storage more easily and may be technologically simpler than a single large display.
[0018] The protective barrier may comprise an outer perimeter defining an interior area, and the illuminated display may extend over at least 50% of the interior area, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%.
[0019] The security closure may further comprise an anti-vandalism film applied over the protective barrier or the illuminated display. The anti-vandalism film may repel paint and/or urine and may prevent climbing on the security closure.
[0020] The security closure may further comprise a transmitter and/or receiver for communicating with an external computing device. This can allow the security closure to be more dynamic and respond to a passer-by.
[0021] The security closure may further comprise one or more security sensors selected from the following: optical sensor; touch sensor; temperature sensor; humidity sensor; magnetic sensor; and infra-red sensor.
[0022] The one or more security sensors are configured to detect an attempt to manipulate the security closure and the security closure further comprises a communication device for alerting emergency services. This allows the security closure to be more secure as any tampering can be immediately addressed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023] To complement this description in order to facilitate a better understanding of the invention's features, an illustrative, non-restrictive drawing is proposed as an integral part of it, in which the following is represented:
Figure 1 shows a schematic elevated sectional rear view of an example of the security closure with illuminated display.
Figure 2 shows a sectional view according to cross-section A-A displayed in the example security closure in Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a schematic, full frontal view of the example security closure that is shown in Figures 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Taking into account the previously-mentioned drawings and in accordance with the adopted numbering system, a non-limitative example of intended use can be identified for the transparent security closure with illuminated display, which involves the following elements and features:
As can be seen in Figure 1, the closure (1) in question is built up of, for example, a metallic structure for a roller shutter composed of multiple slats (2) flexibly connected to one another. The plurality of slats (2) form a protective barrier. The roller shutter is configured to protect a portion of a structure, such as a business premesis, that it is installed on or in front of. The roller shutter comprises a roller that extends in an axial direction and the plurality of slats are wound around this roller in a retracted position of the roller shutter. The slats (2) are elongated in the axial direction. The slats (2) may be un-rolled from the retracted position to a protected position in which the protective barrier extends over at least a portion of the structure. The roller shutter may comprise a floor-engaging member that is provided at a free end of the plurality of slats (2). This floor-engaging member is arranged to contact the floor of the structure when the slats (2) are fully unwound from the roller. While the Figures depict an embodiment with a roller shutter, the present invention can be applied to any suitable security closure.
[0025] The structure may be a street-facing business unit, with the security closure (1) suitable for external user. Alternatively, the structure may be an interior structure such as a business unit within a gallery or shopping centre.
[0026] The protective barrier may be formed of a transparent material. Alternatively, or additionally, the protective barrier may be formed of a soundproof or thermally insulating material. While all materials are inherently soundproof and thermally insulating to an extent, this must be interpreted as a material which is specifically selected for having effective properties for this purpose.
[0027] The security closure (1) comprises a plurality of openings (3). The openings are disposed on the slats (2) of the roller shutter. Each slat (2) may comprise a plurality of openings (3). An illuminated display (4) is provided between the roller shutter and the structure. The terminology "illuminated display" is a well-known term of art and relates to a display unit that includes illumination means. The term must be interpreted to cover the display unit when the illumination means are not active (i.e. as installed).
[0028] The illuminated display (4) of the depicted embodiment comprises display lighting made up of a light emitting diode (LED) display integrated into the said metallic structure (4) which can display shapes, alphanumeric signs, and/or images. The illuminated display (4) is arranged such that the displayed image is visible through the openings (3) of the shutter (1) to a person outside the structure. While the depicted embodiment uses an LED display, any suitable display can be incorporated such as an LCD display, plasma display, etc.. In a particular embodiment, the LED display may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display.
[0029] The type of display can ranges from simple LED displays, (for example, those typically used in pharmacy signs) to high-resolution full-colour displays that can either be standard sized or custom made.
[0030] The display (4) may be formed of a plurality of display modules (40). The display modules (40) may be in the form of strips. Each display module (40) is able to display at least a portion of an image and may comprise one, two or more LEDs (41) built in. Each display module (40), may be approximately the same size as the openings (3) in the slats (2) of the metal frame (1) such that they are complementarily sized thereto. Each display module (40) may be electrically connected by a cable (42) or metal plating. An interrupter switch (43) and a transformer (44) may be provided amongst them, and integrated through the back of said openings (3). The security closure may include a display module (40) after each opening if desired (3), so that the display can be seen from both the internal and external side of the shutter. The illuminated display (4) may be a translucent or transparent display such that the structure can be seen through the openings.
[0031] Alternatively, or additionally, the illuminated display (4) may be a flexible display. This flexible display may roll with the roller shutter slats (2) to be wound around the roller.
[0032] It should be noted that, depending on the structural configuration of the slats (2), each display module (40) and the associated wiring may be located inside a hollow portion of the slats(2). Alternatively, as the example in Figure 2 shows, the display modules (40) may be attached to a back of the slats (2). In either case, each display module (40) may be in coincidence with the openings (3).
[0033] Optionally, the LED screen (4) also includes a programmable electronic module (45) to control the operation of what it projects, especially when it comes to shapes, signs or moving images.
[0034] In the protected position, the protective barrier defines an outer perimeter, with an interior area therewithin. The illuminated display (4), formed of the set of display modules (40) in the depicted embodiment, may extend over substantially the whole of the interior area or only part of it. In particular, the illuminated display (4) may extend over at least 50%, at least 60% or at least 70% of the interior area. In embodiments where the illuminated display (4) is formed of a plurality of display modules (40), this represents the summation of the area each display module (40) extends over. Alternatively, the outermost display modules (40) may themselves define an effective area in which all display modules (40) are located and this effective area may be used for the determination of the extent the display modules (40) extend over.
[0035] The illuminated display (4) is attached to the protective barrier such that it is arranged to move with the protective barrier between the retracted position and the protected position. In particular, this may be achieved by the illuminated display (4) folding or rolling together with the protective barrier. The illuminated display (4) may work independently of the point of folding or rolling. For example, the protective barrier may be half-way between the retracted position and the protected position and the illuminated display (4) may still operate in this position. However, the protective barrier will be typically fully deployed in the protected position when the structure is shut.
[0036] The security closure may incorporate means of protection against vandalism, which consist either of an external film (5) of a product applied on the external surface of the closure (1), or the application of this product on the illuminated display (4). For example, this may be applied to the LEDs themselves (41). This film or product may be repellent to the spray of paint, anti-climb, urine repellent, or the like.
[0037] The security closure may further comprise a transmitter and/or a receiver for communication with an external computing device. The transmitter and/or receiver may communicate via Bluetooth, WiFi, mobile networks, etc.. For example, the external computing device may be a mobile telephone of a person walking past the security closure. In this sense, the transmitter and/or receiver can communicate with the mobile telephone to adjust the image displayed on the illuminated display (4). This may be by triggering the start of an advertisement when someone is present. Alternatively, a user profile may be determined and a targeted advert selected.
[0038] The security closure may include one or more security sensors for improving the security of the structure. For example, the security closure may comprise one or more of: an optical sensor, a camera, a microphone, a touch sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a magnetic sensor, and/or an infrared sensor. These sensors may be configured to detect an attempt to manipulate the security closure. The security closure may further comprise a communication device, such as the transmitter discussed above, arranged to contact the emergency services when these sensors detect a manipulation attempt.
[0039] The security closure may also sense the number of times that it is opened and/or closed in a given period, such as a 24 hour period. This number may then be displayed, for example on a segment of the illuminated display (4).
[0040] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to extend its explanation so that any person skilled in the art understands its scope and the advantages derived from it, making it clear that, within its essentiality, it may be put into practice in other areas forms of realisation which differ in detail from that given by way of example, and to which the protection sought will also apply provided that its fundamental principle is not altered, changed or modified.
CLAUSES:
[0041]
- 1.- TRANSPARENT SECURITY CLOSURE WITH ILLUMINATED DISPLAY consists of a metal structure with multiple openings (3), for example a roller shutter composed of slats (2), is distinguished by containing an LED display capable of projecting shapes, alphanumeric signs and/or imagery visible from the external side of the closure (1) which can be fixed, moving, single-coloured or multi-coloured.
- 2.- TRANSPARENT SECURITY CLOSURE WITH ILLUMINATED DISPLAY, following clause 1, is distinguishable because the display (4) is made up of several strips (40), with 1, 2 or more LEDs (41) built in, which are approximately the same size as the openings (3) of the closure's metal frame (1) and are electrically connected via cable (42) or metallic plates, with an interrupter and transformer amongst them, which are incorporated through the back of the openings so that the illuminated display that is projected can be seen both internally and externally through the closure.
- 3.- TRANSPARENT SECURITY CLOSURE WITH ILLUMINATED DISPLAY, following clause 2, distinguishable because when the closure (1) is made up of hollow slats (2), the combining of strips (40) with connected LEDs amongst them allows them to be positioned inside the slats (2)
- 4.- TRANSPARENT SECURITY CLOSURE WITH ILLUMINATED DISPLAY, following any of clauses 2 and 3, distinguishable because the LED display (4) is made up of an electronic unit (45) that is programmable to control what is being projected.
- 5.- TRANSPARENT SECURITY CLOSURE WITH ILLUMINATED DISPLAY, following any of clauses 2 to 4, distinguishable because its set of strips (40) that make up the display (4) cover the entire surface of the closure (1).
- 6.- TRANSPARENT SECURITY CLOSURE WITH ILLUMINATED DISPLAY, following any of clauses 2 to 4, distinguishable because its set of strips (40) that make up the display (4) cover only part of surface of the closure (1).
- 7.- TRANSPARENT SECURITY CLOSURE WITH ILLUMINATED DISPLAY, following any of clauses 2 to 6, distinguishable because its set of strips (40) that make up the display (4) folds or rolls up together with the frame of the (1).
- 8.- TRANSPARENT SECURITY CLOSURE WITH ILLUMINATED DISPLAY, following any of clauses 1 to 7, distinguishable because it incorporates protection methods for anti-vandalism.
- 9.- TRANSPARENT SECURITY CLOSURE WITH ILLUMINATED DISPLAY, following clause 8, distinguishable because the protective methods for anti-vandalism consist of an external film (5) that repels spray paint on the closure's surface (1).
- 10.- TRANSPARENT SECURITY CLOSURE WITH ILLUMINATED DISPLAY, following clause 8, distinguishable because the protective methods for anti-vandalism consist of the application of a product that repels spray paint over its own LEDs (41).
1. A security closure for a structure, the security closure comprising:
a protective barrier comprising a plurality of openings, movable between a retracted position where the structure is exposed and a protected position where the protective barrier extends over at least a portion of the structure; and
an illuminated display between the protective barrier and the structure visible through
the openings,
wherein the illuminated display is arranged to move with the protective barrier between
the retracted position and the protected position.
2. The security closure of claim 1, wherein the illuminated display is an electronic
display.
3. The security closure of any preceding claim, wherein the illuminated display is a
light-emitting diode screen.
4. The security closure of claim 3, wherein the illuminated display is an organic light-emitting
diode screen.
5. The security closure of any preceding claim, wherein the illuminated display is translucent
or transparent such that the structure can be seen through the openings and the illuminated
display.
6. The security closure of any preceding claim, wherein the protective barrier is formed
of a translucent or transparent material.
7. The security closure of any preceding claim, wherein the protective barrier is formed
of a soundproof and/or thermally insulating material.
8. The security closure of any preceding claim, wherein the security closure is a roller
shutter comprising a roller extending in an axial direction, and the protective barrier
comprises a plurality of slats flexibly connected to one another, the plurality of
slats wound around the roller in the retracted position, each slat comprising at least
one opening of the plurality of openings.
9. The security closure of any of claims 8, wherein each slat comprises a plurality of
openings.
10. The security closure of claim 9, wherein the slats are elongate in the axial direction
and the openings are distributed along the slat in the axial direction.
11. The security closure of any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the protective barrier comprises
a floor-engaging member attached to a free end of the plurality of slats, for engaging
with a floor of the structure.
12. The security closure of any preceding claim, wherein the illuminated display comprises
one or more display modules, a display module corresponding to each opening and being
complementarily sized thereto.
13. The security closure of any preceding claim, wherein the protective barrier comprises
an outer perimeter defining an interior area, and the illuminated display extends
over at least 50% of the interior area, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at
least 70%.
14. The security closure of any preceding claim, further comprising an anti-vandalism
film applied over the protective barrier or the illuminated display.
15. The security closure of any preceding claim, further comprising a transmitter and/or
receiver for communicating with an external computing device.
16. The security closure of any preceding claim, further comprising one or more security
sensors selected from the following:
optical sensor;
touch sensor;
temperature sensor;
humidity sensor;
magnetic sensor; and
infra-red sensor.
17. The security closure of claim 16, wherein the one or more security sensors are configured
to detect an attempt to manipulate the security closure and the security closure further
comprises a communication device for alerting emergency services.