A SECURE WINDOW AND A METHOD OF ASSEMBLY

Abstract

 A secure window is shown that provides ventilation, having a first window assembly 101, a second window assembly 102, a ventilated security panel 201 and a removable element 812 locatable between the first window assembly and the ventilated security panel. The first window assembly is attached to a first frame component and the second window assembly is slidable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, such that ventilation is provided through the ventilated security panel when the second window assembly is in its open configuration. The ventilated security panel is removably retained by a second frame component and the removable element, and the removable element is secured to the first window assembly by means of a latching lock 501. The latching lock extends from the first window assembly and is arranged to be inserted into an opening 802 in the removable element without a key, to become locked in position. The latching lock is only removable from the opening upon the deployment of a key, thereby becoming unlocked to facilitate the removal of the removable element.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a secure window configured to facilitate ventilation. In particular, the present invention relates to a secure window configured to facilitate ventilation, of the type comprising: a first window assembly, a second window assembly, a ventilated security panel and a removable element locatable between said first window assembly and said ventilated security panel, wherein: said first window assembly is attached to a first frame component; said second window assembly is slidable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, such that ventilation is provided through said ventilated security panel when the second window assembly is in said open configuration; and said ventilated security panel is removably retained by a second frame component and said removable element.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method of assembling a secure window. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of assembling a secure window, of the type in which said secure window comprises a first window assembly attached to a first frame component and a second window assembly slidable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, such that said second window component abuts a second frame component when in said closed configuration, comprising the steps of: placing a ventilated security panel against said second frame component; and locating a removable element between the first window assembly and the ventilated security panel to retain said ventilated security panel.

[0003] A security window may be defined as one that is primarily concerned with maintaining security, possibly including visible bars etc to emphasise that access through the security window is not possible. As used herein, a secure window may be identified as one that prevents access for people and/or objects while not advertising the security features and, to a large extent, resembling a conventional window.

[0004] A problem with known secure windows of this type is that they are often required to present a first configuration that is closed to retain heat, along with a second configuration that is open to provide ventilation. This creates a problem in that, while providing ventilation, security must be maintained and it should not be possible to pass objects through a ventilating window. In addition, it is necessary to access components for maintenance and cleaning. In this respect, further problems can occur in that although a window may appear to be fully secure, it is possible for locking operations to be missed, such that the procedures that should only be available to facilitate maintenance may be available to someone seeking unauthorised access.

[0005] A window with a releasable locking assembly is shown in WO 96/35852. A security grill is fitted to a sliding window having a fixed pane and a sliding pane with a central frame member to which is secured a first locking means having three spaced catches. The security grill prevents intruders from entering from the outside. However, the grill is easily released form the inside and does not provide the functionality of a secure window.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a secure window of the aforesaid type characterised in that: said removable element is secured to said first window assembly by means of a latching lock; said latching lock extends from said first window assembly and is arranged to be inserted into an opening in said removable element without a key, to become locked in position; and said latching lock is only removable from said opening upon the deployment of a key, thereby becoming unlocked to facilitate the removal of said removable element.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling a secure window of the aforesaid type characterised by securing the removable element to the first window assembly by means of a latching lock that extends from the first window assembly to enter an opening in the removable element without a key, wherein the latching lock then does require a key to be removed from said opening.

[0008] Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed embodiments show the best mode known to the inventor and provide support for the invention as claimed. However, they are only exemplary and should not be used to interpret or limit the scope of the claims. Their purpose is to provide a teaching to those skilled in the art. Components and processes distinguished by ordinal phrases such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily define an order or ranking of any sort. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a secure window that is configured to facilitate ventilation;

Figure 2 shows the deployment of a ventilated security panel;

Figure 3 shows a first edge of the panel identified in Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a second edge of the panel identified in Figure 2;

Figure 5 shows the ventilated security panel in position;

Figure 6 illustrates the unscrewing of a cover screw;

Figure 7 illustrates a latching mechanism;

Figure 8 shows a removable element;

Figure 9 shows the removeable element of Figure 8 in an alternative orientation;

Figure 10 shows the locating of the removeable element;

Figure 11 shows the application of a key to achieve removal; and

Figure 12 shows a fully secured window.

Figure 1

[0009] A secure window is shown in Figure 1, that is configured to facilitate ventilation. The secure window has a first window assembly 101 and a second window assembly 102. The first window assembly 101 is attached to a first frame component 103, forming part of a complete window frame. The second window assembly 102 is slidable between a closed configuration, as shown in Figure 5, and an open configuration, as shown in Figure 1, to provide ventilation. However, in the open configuration shown in Figure 1, physical access through the window would be possible, thereby undermining the security requirement of the window as a whole.

[0010] The first window assembly 101 includes a first glass pane and a second glass pane, as is well known in double glazed windows. However, in addition, a blind 104 may be located between the first glass pane and the second glass pane, thereby giving a degree of privacy without the provision of internal blinds or curtains etc that could present a hazard.

[0011] The embodiment of Figure 1 is also provided with a sliding mechanism for sliding the second window assembly 102 between the closed configuration and the open configuration. In an embodiment, the sliding mechanism is provided with a manually operable device 105 on the inside of the secure window.

Figure 2

[0012] As shown in Figure 2, the secure window also includes a ventilated security panel 201. The ventilated security panel 201 is removably retained by a second frame component 202 opposite the first frame component 103. In an embodiment, the ventilated security panel 201 is a steel panel and ventilation may be provided by the provision of a plurality of ventilation holes 203.

[0013] The ventilated security panel 201 is positioned against the second frame component 202. Lugs (described with reference to Figure 3) are aligned within cooperating first channels and force is deployed in the direction of arrow 204 to engage these first lugs with the first channels, to secure the ventilated security panel 201 to the second frame component 202.

[0014] The ventilation security panel includes a first panel edge (not visible in Figure 2) and a second panel edge 205. The first panel edge includes a first plurality of lugs and the second frame component 202 includes a first plurality of channels. The first plurality of lugs are located within respective ones of the first plurality of channels. The second panel edge 205 includes a second plurality of channels for receiving respective ones of a second plurality of lugs. In Figure 2, a first channel 211 of the second plurality of channels is shown, along with a second channel 212.

Figure 3

[0015] The first panel edge 301 is shown in Figure 3 and includes a first plurality of lugs. In this embodiment, the first plurality of lugs comprises a first lug 311, a second lug 312, a third lug 313 and a fourth lug 314. As described with reference to Figure 2, during installation, this first plurality of lugs 311 to 314 are located within respective ones of a first plurality of channels, present within the second frame component 202.

Figure 4

[0016] The second panel edge 205 is detailed in Figure 4. Screws, including a first screw 411, a second screw 412, a third screw 413 and a fourth screw 414 secure the components of the ventilated security panel 202. In addition, the second panel edge 205 includes a second plurality of channels for receiving respective ones of a second plurality of lugs. In this embodiment, the second plurality of channels comprises three channels identified as a first channel 421, a second channel 422 and a third channel 423.

Figure 5

[0017] The ventilated security panel 201 is shown in position in Figure 5, after the deployment of force in direction of arrow 204, to engage the first plurality of lugs 311 to 314 within the first plurality of channels of the second frame component 202. In Figure 5, Channel 422 is visible along with the manually operable device 105 and the first frame component 103.

[0018] The first window assembly 101 includes a latching lock 501. The latching lock is arranged to be inserted into an opening of a removable element without a key, to become locked in position. After being locked in position, the latching lock is then only removable from this opening by the deployment of the key, thereby becoming unlocked to facilitate the removal of the removable element. A key is insertable within a keyhole but during assembly, this keyhole is obscured by a keyhole cover 502 retained in position by a cover screw.

Figure 6

[0019] The keyhole cover 502 is shown in Figure 6. The latching lock 501 extends from the first window assembly 101. To obtain access to the keyhole, it is necessary to unscrew the cover screw 503.

Figure 7

[0020] A keyhole 701 is shown in Figure 7, after displacement of the keyhole cover 502 following the removal of the cover screw. The latching lock 501 extends from the first window assembly 101 and is arranged to be inserted into an opening in a removable element without a key, to become locked in position.

[0021] The latching lock is angled, such that engagement is achieved during the insertion of the removable element. Thus, the pushing of a removable element in the direction of arrow 702 (normal to the pane of the window) results in the depression of the latching lock in the direction of arrow 703, until the latching lock reaches the position of the opening in the removable element at which point, due to the spring loading of the latching lock 501, a latching operation is achieved and the lock 501 is retained within this opening. Thereafter, the rear surface of the latching lock 501 prevents removal of the removable element; which is then only possible by the deployment of the key to disengage the latching lock mechanism.

[0022] It should also be noted that the latching lock mechanism remains stationary and it is the other component, namely the removable element, with its opening, that undergoes displacement in order to achieve engagement or disengagement.

Figure 8

[0023] The secure window further comprises a removable element 801 that is secured to the first window assembly by means of the latching lock 501. The latching lock 501 extends from the first window assembly 101 and is arranged to be inserted into an opening 802 in the removable element 801 without a key, as described with reference to Figure 7, to become locked in position. Thereafter, the latching lock is only removable from the opening 802 upon the deployment of a key, to allow the removal of the removable element 801.

[0024] In the embodiment of Figure 8, the removable element 801 includes a first element edge 811, a second element edge 812, not visible in Figure 8, and an internal face plate 813, to define a substantially T-shaped cross-section 814. In an embodiment, the removable element is fabricated from an aluminium extrusion and may be referred to as a "T-piece". Thus, the opening 802 is formed within the first element edge 811 of the removable element 801.

[0025] The second element edge, obscured in Figure 8, includes the second plurality of lugs for reception within respective ones of the second plurality of channels 421 to 423 in the second panel edge 205. The first element edge 811 of the removable element 801 includes a third plurality of lugs which, in the embodiment of Figure 8, comprises a first lug 821 and a second lug 822 of said third plurality of lugs. The first window assembly 103 includes a third plurality of channels, substantially similar to the channels described with reference to Figure 4. The third plurality of lugs 821, 822 are located within respective ones of the third plurality of channels in the first window assembly.

Figure 9

[0026] An alternative view of the removable element 801 is shown in Figure 9, showing the second element edge 812 as previously described, this second element edge 812 includes the second plurality of lugs, comprising a first lug 901, a second lug 902 and a third lug 903 for reception within respective ones of the second plurality of channels in the second panel edge 205.

Figure 10

[0027] The apparatus described with reference to Figures 1 to 9 facilitates the deployment of a method of assembling a secure window, wherein the secure window comprises a first window assembly 101 attached to a first frame component 103, with a second window assembly slidable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, such that the second window component abuts a second frame component 202 in the closed configuration. The method may be initiated by placing the ventilated security panel 201 against the second frame component 202. As shown in Figure 10, this is followed by locating the removable element 801 between the first window assembly 101 and the ventilated security panel 201, to thereby retain the ventilated security panel 201.

[0028] Thereafter, the step of securing the removable element 801 is performed, such that this is secured to the first window assembly 101 by means of the latching lock 501 that extends from the first window assembly 101 to enter the opening 802 in the removable element 801 without a key. However, the latching lock 501 does require a key to be removed from the opening 802. In this way, during maintenance, it is not necessary for an operative to perform an additional locking operation when re-assembling the secure window.

[0029] In an embodiment, the step of locating the removable element comprises aligning the first plurality of lugs with the cooperating first plurality of channels and then deploying force in the direction of arrow 204; to engage the lugs within the channels to secure the ventilated security panel 201. It can therefore be appreciated that, in this embodiment, the height of the opening 802 is larger than the height of the latch 501, such that the vertical displacement of the removable element is possible while maintaining a locked condition.

Figure 11

[0030] After vertical displacement downwards of the removable element 801, movement in the opposite direction, to initiate the removal process, is relatively difficult, due to the flush nature of the internal face plate 813.

[0031] Removal is achieved by the deployment of a key 1101, as shown in Figure 11, followed by the application of a suction device upon the internal face plate 813, to facilitate the required vertical upward movement followed by removal.

Figure 12

[0032] After performing the method of assembling the secure window, the keyhole cover 502 has be secured by the cover screw 503, as shown in Figure 12. Manual operation of device 105 moves the sliding mechanism to slide the second window assembly 102 from the closed non-ventilating configuration to the open ventilating configuration. Ventilation is then possible through the ventilated security panel 201 but, except for the smallest of objects, it is not possible to pass any objects through the window.

Claims

1. A secure window configured to facilitate ventilation, comprising:
a first window assembly (101), a second window assembly (102), a ventilated security panel (201) and a removable element (801) locatable between said first window assembly and said ventilated security panel, wherein:

said first window assembly is attached to a first frame component;

said second window assembly is slidable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, such that ventilation is provided through said ventilated security panel when the second window assembly is in said open configuration; and

said ventilated security panel is removably retained by a second frame component and said removable element; characterised in that:

said removable element is secured to said first window assembly by means of a latching lock (501);

said latching lock extends from said first window assembly and is arranged to be inserted into an opening (802) in said removable element without a key, to become locked in position; and

said latching lock is only removable from said opening upon the deployment of a key (1101), thereby becoming unlocked to facilitate the removal of said removable element.

2. The secure window of claim 1, characterised in that said first window assembly includes a first glass pane, a second glass pane and a blind (104) located between said first glass pane and said second glass pane.

3. The secure window of claim 1 or claim 2, characterised by including a sliding mechanism for sliding said second window component between the closed configuration and the open configuration, having a manually operable device (105) on the inside of the secure window.

4. The secure window of any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said ventilated security panel is a steel panel (201) with a plurality of ventilation holes (203).

5. The secure window of any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said ventilation security panel includes a first panel edge (301) and a second panel edge (302).

6. The secure window of claim 5, characterised in that:

said first panel edge includes a first plurality of lugs (311, 312, 313);

said second frame component includes a first plurality of channels; and

said first plurality of lugs are located within respective ones of said first plurality of channels.

7. The secure window of claim 5 or claim 6, characterised in that said second panel edge (205) includes a second plurality of channels (211, 212) for receiving respective ones of a second plurality of lugs.

8. The secure window of any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said removable element (801) includes a first element edge (811), a second element edge (812) and an internal face plate (813), to define a substantially T-shaped cross section.

9. The secure window of claim 8, characterised in that said removable element is fabricated from an aluminium extrusion.

10. The secure window of claim 8 or claim 9 when dependent on claim 7, characterised in that said second element edge (812) includes said second plurality of lugs (901, 902, 903) for reception within respective ones of said second plurality of channels in said second panel edge.

11. The secure window of any of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that said opening (802) is formed within said first element edge (811) of said removable element (801).

12. The secure window of any of claims 8 to 11, characterised in that:

the first element edge of said removable element includes a third plurality of lugs (821, 822);

said first window assembly includes a third plurality of channels; and

said third plurality of lugs are located within respective ones of said third plurality of channels.

13. A method of assembling a secure window, wherein said secure window comprises a first window assembly (101) attached to a first frame component (103) and a second window assembly (102) slidable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, such that said second window component abuts a second frame component (202) when in said closed configuration, comprising the steps of:

placing a ventilated security panel (201) against said second frame component; and

locating a removable element (801) between the first window assembly and the ventilated security panel to retain said ventilated security panel; characterised by

securing the removable element to the first window assembly by means of a latching lock (501) that extends from the first window assembly to enter an opening (802) in the removable element without a key, wherein the latching lock then does require a key (1101) to be removed from said opening.

14. The method of claim 13, characterised by the step of manually operating a sliding mechanism by means of a manually operable device (105) on the inside of the secure window to slide the second window assembly from the closed non-ventilating configuration to the open ventilating configuration.

15. The method of claim 13 or claim 14, characterised in that said placing step comprises the steps of:

positioning the ventilated security panel (201) against the second frame component (202);

aligning first lugs (311, 312) within cooperating first channels; and

deploying force to engage said first lugs within said first channels to secure the ventilated security panel to the second frame component.

Drawing