Shutter attachment device

Abstract

 An attachment device (9) for the attachment of shuttering over a window or like part of a building to be protected comprises first attaching means (11) for attaching the device to an edge area of the shuttering (7) and second attching means (13) for attaching the attachment device (9) releasably to an area of the building surrounding the window or like part to be protected.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a shutter attachment device, more particularly to a shutter attachment device useful for attaching shutters over the windows of buildings so as to protect them.

[0002] Problems exist in protecting windows which may be present in buildings being completed or in buildings which for various reasons are left temporarily untenanted.

[0003] Where such windows are left unprotected, they provide a temptation to vandals who will break the windows either from sheer wanton vandalism or to gain access to the building.

[0004] In order to overcome this problem it is usual to protect the ground floor windows and possibly the first floor windows of such a building by placing shuttering over the windows and attaching the shuttering by nailing the shuttering to the frame of the window. However, the problem exists with the use of this type of shuttering because the nailing of the shuttering to the window frame must inevitably cause damage to the window frame itself and in some occasions may result in sufficient damage to the window frame that the entire frame has to be replaced, this being a relatively expensive operation.

[0005] The present invention seeks to provide an attachment device for attaching shuttering over windows or like areas to be protected without causing significant damage to the window frame or the like.

[0006] According to the invention, an attachment device for the attachment of shuttering over a window or like part of a building to be protected comprises first attaching means for attaching the device to an edge area of the shuttering and second attaching means for attaching the attachment device releasably to an area of the building surrounding the window or like part to be protected.

[0007] Preferably the attachment device comprises a base portion including at least one channel section engageable with an edge region of the shuttering.

[0008] The base portion may include a plurality of channel sections opening outwardly and extending along at least two opposite sides of the base and into which edge regions of the shuttering can be inserted, the base portion carrying the attachment means for attaching the attachment device to surrounding areas of the building.

[0009] Suitably the base portion may have channel sections extending around at least half of the base portion.

[0010] The attachment device comprises an extruded section.

[0011] The base portion of the attachment device may be of rectangular shape having channels on three of the four sides, the shuttering being provided with slots into which the base portion is placed with the edges of the slots in the shuttering being located in the channel sections.

[0012] Alternatively the base portion may comprise an "L" shaped portion depending from a front end of the attachment means and forming a channel with the adjacent side thereof, the channel facing towards the rear of the attachment device and being adapted to receive an edge of the shuttering therein.

[0013] Preferably the first attaching means comprises a probe element movable longitudinally with respect to the base portion of the attachment device so as to protrude from the front end of the device and beyond the edges of the shuttering forcibly to engage with an adjacent part of the building extending at right angles to the shuttering or to bracket means similarly extending but attached to the building.

[0014] The first attaching means may comprise a body portion having a threaded bore extending therethrough, the bore receiving a threaded bolt member, the operative end of which is provided with a hard point which can engage and penetrate slightly the masonry and/or brickwork of the surrounding part of the building.

[0015] The bore in the body portion may be inclined to the longitudinal direction of the attachment device in such a way that the point of the bolt member will penetrate the masonry and/or brickwork of the building generally in the plane of the shuttering or may extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the attachment device. Means may be provided to prevent access to the bolt head or head part of the bolt member so as to prevent unauthorised detachment of the shuttering.

[0016] The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a view of a window of a building covered by shuttering and held in place by means of four attachment devices in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the attachment devices shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the attachment device shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a bracket which may be used with the attachment device shown in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative attachment device in accordance with the invention;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the device taken on the line VI-VI of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a further attachment device in accordance with the invention;

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the device taken on the line VIII-VIII of Figure 7; and

Figures 9a and 9b are an end elevation and a section of an alternative bolt.

[0017] Referring firstly to Figure 1, 1 represents the location of a window in a building in which can be seen the lintel 3 and the window ledge 5. The window itself together with its frame is covered by a sheet of shuttering 7, which is suitably formed of plywood and the shuttering 7 is held in position in the window surround by means of four attachment devices 9 in accordance with the invention.

[0018] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of one form of attachment device 9 in accordance with the invention. This basically consists of two parts, a base portion 11 by means of which the attachment device is attached to the shuttering 7 and an attachment portion 13 by the means of which the attachment device 9 is attached to the surrounding masonry or brickwork of the building. In the embodiment shown, the base portion 11 comprises a generally rectangularly shaped arrangement made up of three channel section portions 15 and 17 and 19. The channel portions 15 and 19 form two sides of the base portion 11 while the channel portion 17 forms one end of the base portion 11, the open end of the base portion 11 being closed by the attachment means 13 as will be described hereafter. The dimensions of the channel of the channel portions 15, 17 and 19 are such that the shuttering can slide therein.

[0019] The attachment portion 13 comprises a cylindical member 21 which is open at one end 23 and, as can be more particularly seen from Figure 3, is closed at the other end 25. As can be seen, the cylindrical member 21 is arranged inclined with relation to the base portion 11 so that its closed end 25 closes the open end of the base portion 11. In the closed end of the cylinder 21 is a threaded bore 27 and carries a threaded bolt 29 having a pointed end 31, a threaded portion 33 and a head 35 by means of which it can be turned. The head 35 can be of any suitable type. For security reasons it is shaped so as to be only engageably by means of a special tool. To this end, the head 35 may be of a non standard size or shape. For further security, the cylinder 21 is formed with a pair of diametral apertures 22 through which a padlock or alternative locking device can pass.

[0020] The operation of the attachment device will be be described:-

[0021] In order to enable the attachment device to be attached to the shuttering 7, the shuttering 7 is provided with a rectangular recess (not shown) having an open end at the edge of the shuttering and extending inwards by the length of the channel sections 15 and 19. The width of the recess is the distance between the bases of the two channels of the channel sections 15 and 19 or substantially the same width as the length of the channel section 17.

[0022] As can be seen in Figure 1, in the particular instance considered, the shuttering is attached by means of four of the attachment devices 9 positioned in pairs on opposite sides of the shuttering. To this end, the shuttering is provided with four of the recesses. Prior to placing the shuttering in position, four of the devices 9 are pushed in to the recesses of the shuttering so that they lie entirely within the recesses, the material of the shuttering being slid along the channels of the channel sections 15 and 19 and the end of the recesses entering the channel 17. In order to ensure that the attachment devices 9 remain in position while the shutter is being manipulated into position, they may be attached to the shutters by screws or the like using holes 18 provided in the channel sections 15 to 19.

[0023] Once the attachment devices 9 are in position, the shuttering can be offered up into the window space. Once the shuttering is in position, the bolts 29 in the cylindrical portion 21 are tightened up using a suitable tool so that the pointed part of the bolt is moved outwardly of the shuttering and will engage in the brickwork or masonry surrounding the window. Due to the pointed part 31 of the bolt, sufficient tightening of the bolt will cause the pointed part 31 to enter the brickwork and firmly secure the shuttering in place.

[0024] As can be seen, the cylindrical attachment means 13 is inclined to the base portion 11 of the attachment device so that the penetration point of the pointed part 31 of the bolt is as close as possible to the position of the edge of the shuttering 7 so that it will retain the shuttering even in those circumstances in which there is very little proud brickwork or masonry surrounding the window frame.

[0025] When it is desired to remove the shuttering 7, it is merely necessary to unscrew the bolts 29 so as to release the shuttering from the window surround whereupon the shuttering can then be removed. The attachment devices 9 are readily removable from the shuttering 7 and can be used again for other shuttering of other sizes.

[0026] It will be appreciated that there are certain circumstances in which there is no masonry or brickwork extending proud of the window frame but it is nevertheless still necessary to attach shuttering thereto. To this end, brackets may be provided such as that shown in Figure 4 at 41, the brackets being suitably of an L-shaped form. The lower part 43 of the bracket is suitably embedded in the masonry surrounding the window so that the upright portion 45 stands proud of the window frame. Alternatively, the brackets may be screwed on to the window frame itself. Suitably the upstanding portion 45 is provided with an aperture 47 which is engageable by the pointed end of the bolt 29 of the attachment means so as to lock the shuttering in place.

[0027] Figure 5 shows an alternative form of attachment device 9, in which the attachment device is produced from an extruded alloy section. Thus, the two portions 11 and 13 are produced in a single piece.

[0028] In this embodiment, the base portion 11 has only the channel section portions 15 and 19, the channel portion 17 being omitted. Nevertheless, the two portions 15 and 19 are sufficient to hold the attachment device in place.

[0029] The attachment means 13 here comprises a semicircular part 51 which extends parallel to the base portion 11 instead of being inclined as in the member 21 in the first embodiment. The semicircular part 51 extends downwardly into the base portion 11 for a purpose to be described. The necessary inclination is in this case achieved by forming an inclined bore 53 through the semicircular part 51 and its downward extension 55.

[0030] The initial part 57 of the bore 53 is of larger diameter than the end part 59, which end part 59 is threaded to receive a threaded element 61 performing the same purpose as the bolt 29 in the first embodiment. However, instead of the head 35, the end of the threaded element 61 is formed with a polygonal, (for example, hexagonal) head section 63 which enables the threaded element 61 to be turned using a suitable special tool. The other end of the threaded element 61 is provided with a pointed end 65 for engagement with the surrounding material of window.

[0031] The semicircular part 51 is also provided with the diametral or approximately diametral apertures 22.

[0032] It will be appreciated that the attachment means 13 can be made smaller in this embodiment by virtue of the fact that the threaded element 61 has no enlarged head, enabling the diameter of the bore 53 to be significantly less than the inner diameter of the cylindrical member 21.

[0033] Figures 7 and 8 show a further alternative form of attachment device 9 in which the attachment device is attached to the sheet of shuttering 7 (Figure 1) without the need to modify it.

[0034] In this embodiment, the attachment means 13 comprises a square section part 71 which extends parallel to the face of the shuttering 7. It has a bore 73 extending therethrough, the initial part 75 of which is of larger diameter than the end part 79. The end part 79 is threaded to receive a threaded element 81 which performs the same function as the bolt 24 in the first embodiment and the element 61 of the second embodiment. As in the second embodiment, the end of the threaded element 81 is formed with a polygonal head section 83 which enables the threaded element 81 to be turned using a suitable special tool. The other end of the threaded element 81 is provided with a hard pointed end 85 for engagement with the surrounding material of the window.

[0035] The square section part 71 is also provided with the diametral or approximately diametral apertures 22 for using with locking arrangements as previously described.

[0036] It is with regard to its base portion 11 that this embodiment differs significantly from the previous embodiments. Instead of the base with its surrounding channel portions, the current base portion 11 comprises a single channel portion 87 situated at the front or operative end of the device' and is formed by a depending "L" shaped part 89 extending downwardly from the front end of the square section part 71. Thus the base of the channel portion 87 is formed by the upright 91 of the "L" shaped part 89 while the walls of the channel shaped part are formed by the under surface 93 of the attachment means 13 and the base 95 of the "L" shaped part 89. Unlike in the other embodiments, the channel portion 87 is intended to engage the edge of the shuttering and not in a slot formed therein. The channel 87 may be a force fit so that the attachment device is secured to the shuttering or alternatively an aperture (not shown) can be provided in the base 95 of the "L" shaped portion 89 so that a screw can be used to secure the attachment device.

[0037] The attachment device is then used in the same way as the previous embodiments to secure the shuttering to the building.

[0038] It will be appreciated that instead of having the bore 81 in the attachment means 13 parallel to the sides of the square section part 71, the bore 81 could be inclined downwardly towards its narrow end in a similar way to the two previous embodiments.

[0039] The attachment device of Figures 7 and 8 has the significant advantage that there is no need to cut slots into the shuttering to receive the attachment device and thus unaltered shuttering may be used.

[0040] It will, of course, be appreciated that various modifications can be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although a rectangular base portion has been shown, the shape of this portion could be of any suitable configuration and could, for example, be hexaqonal or semicircular. In the latter event, the channel portions would extend around the periphery of the semicircle and the slots in the shuttering would then also be semicircular so as to receive the attachment devices.

[0041] It will also be understood that any of the features of any of the embodiments may be applied to the other embodiments where suitable. It will, of course, be appreciated that any suitable number of attachment means may be used to secure the shuttering, depending on the size of the area to be covered. It will equally be appreciated that although the attachment devices have only been shown as used on two opposite edges of the shuttering, where desired or where formation is suitable, attachment devices could also be used on the other edges.

[0042] Although the embodiments of the present invention were specifically designed for the purpose of attaching shuttering to window apertures, it is, of course, to be understood that the invention could be used for securing shuttering over any suitable feature and could, for example, be used in doorways. As can be seen, the above described embodiments provide for the attachment of shuttering to protect windows without the need to attach the shuttering itself to the window frame, thus protecting the vulnerable frame from damage. The attachment devices are easily removed from the shuttering once it has been removed from the position in the window but while the shuttering is in position, the attachment means are securely locked in place by virtue of closure of the recesses in the shuttering either by means of the surrounding brickwork or masonry of the window opening or by means of the use of brackets.

[0043] An alternative form of the bolt shown in Figure 6 is shown in Figures 9a and 9b. The bolt 100 is threaded and has an end screwdriver slot 101. An end cap 102 is held captive on the end of the bolt by means of flange 104 trapped in annular slot 103 in the bolt head. The cap is loosely held in the slot so that it can rotate freely.

[0044] There is a slot 105 in the end face of the cap 102. Insertion of a screwdriver in slot 105 will simply cause the cap to rotate, but a special elongated screwdriver may be used to extend through the slot 105 into slot 101 so as to rotate and undo the bolt 100. This acts as a safety feature and prevents unauthorised tampering with the bolt.

[0045] An alternative fixing assembly involves the use of a flat pressure foot with, optionally a protective cover such as a rubber or similar pad to limit or prevent damage to a finished surface of, for instance, decorative steelwork.
Both types of fixings may be used in the following applications:-
Prevention:- Entry, access, damage or vandalism.
Safety:- Screening,barriers, prevention of access by general public.
Securing:- Prevent unauthorised access, damage or further damageor access to a pre-damaged part of a building, e.g. storm damage, vandalism,or break-in.
The fixing can be used in place of virtually any type of solid material. wood, glass, metal,screens, grills,laminates.wire mesh etc.
Typical applications involve screening, securing doors, windows,hallways, corridors,lift entrances etc.
The fixing generally will be produced as a loose separate item but in some instances a pre-fixing to the screen type being secured may be necessary, e.g. it may be necessary to weld or bolt or screw to a metal frame.

Claims

1. An attachment device (9) for the attachment of shuttering (7) over part of a building to be protected comprising first attaching means for attaching the device to an edge area of the shuttering and second attaching means for attaching the attachment device releasably to an area of the building surrounding the part to be protected, characterised by this, that the first attaching means comprises a base portion (11) including at least one channel section (15, 17, 19) engageable with an edge region of the shuttering.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the base portion (11) includes a plurality of channel sections (15, 19) opening outwardly and extending along at least two opposite sides of the base portion and into which edge regions of the shuttering can be inserted, the base portion carrying the attachment means for attaching the attachment device to surrounding areas of the building.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the base portion (11) has channel sections (15, 17, 19) extending around at least half of the base portion.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the attachment device comprises an extruded section (11, 51, 55 in Fig. 5).

5. A device as claimed in claims 2, 3 or 4, characterised in that the base portion (11) of the attachment device is of rectangular shape having channels (15, 17, 19) on three of the four sides, the shuttering (7) being provided with slots into which the base portion is placed with the edges of the slots in the shuttering being located in the channel sections.

6. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the base portion comprises an 'L' shaped portion (89) depending from a front end of the attachment means (71) and forming a channel with the adjacent side (93) thereof, the channel (87) facing towards the rear of the attachment device and being adapted to receive an edge of the shuttering therein.

7. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first attaching means comprises a probe element (29) movable longitudinally with respect to the base portion (11) of the attachment device so as to protrude from the front end of the device and beyond the edges of the shuttering forcibly to engage with an adjacent part of the building extending at right angles to the shuttering or to bracket means (45) similarly extending but attached to the building.

8. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the first attaching means comprises a body portion (13) having a threaded bore (27) extending therethrough, the bore receiving a threaded bolt member (29), the operative end (31) of which is provided with a hard point which can engage and penetrate slightly the masonry and/or brickwork of the surrounding part of the building.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the bore (27) in the body portion (13) is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the attachment device in such a way that the point of the bolt member will penetrate the masonry and/or brickwork of the building generally in the plane of the shuttering.

10. A device as claimed in claim 8 or 9 characterised in that means (102, 105) are provided to prevent access to the bolt head or head part of the bolt member (100) so as to prevent unauthorised detachment of the shuttering.

Drawing