Injection molded roll up security closure

Details Injection molded roll up security closure Injection molded roll up security closure

2000-02-09

2001-02-20

Purol, David M. (Department: 3634)

Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel

Plural strip, slat, or panel type

Roll type

C160S229100, C160S236000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06189593

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to rolling security gate assemblies and, more particularly, to rolling security gate assemblies having interlocking security closures.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Rolling security gate assemblies are commonly used to barricade openings in structures, such as storefront entrances or window openings. As shown generally in U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,832, rolling security gate assemblies generally include a rolling security gate having a plurality of cylindrical rods connected together by a plurality of interspaced support pieces. The rolling security gate slides in tracks permanently attached to opposing jam portions of an entranceway or window. When access through the entranceway is desired, the rolling security gate is raised, wrapping around a cylindrically-shaped pipe shaft positioned at an apex sill of the entranceway or window. Conversely, when the rolling security gate is deployed to prevent access, the rolling security gate is pulled toward a nadir sill of the entranceway or window and locked in a closed position.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,282,920 and 4,120,340 both disclose transparent, planar-shaped security closures that fit between neighboring parallel rods of a rolling security gate. These transparent security closures keep unwanted objects from being inserted between neighboring rods, yet still allow sales merchandise inside a store to be seen by a passing consumer. However, rolling security gates of this type are also difficult to see in poorly lit areas due to the small diameter of the rods and do not warn prospective criminals that the rolling security gate is present. Visually deterring prospective criminals is desirable, especially if the rolling security gate is set back from a store window, because prospective criminals may be less likely to break the store window if they see that a rolling security gate will hamper their ingress into the store after the window is broken. However, in some applications, the visual deterrent should not substantially impair the ability of a consumer, shopper, or other invitee from viewing merchandise located on an opposite side of the security gate.
A problem with rolling security gates having planar-shaped security closures is that the closure pieces prevent the rolling security gate assemblies from rolling compactly around the pipe shaft. This translates into larger gate storage housings which further translates into higher manufacturing and installation costs, especially if a rolling security gate has to be specially made to fit a pre-existing entranceway or window frame. Moreover, a larger gate storage housing is harder to hide from view, making the rolling security gate less attractive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the problem associated with rolling security gate assemblies having security closures by providing a security closure having a molded body. The molded body forms a curved connector, a first hollow conduit, and a second hollow conduit. The curved connector has a first end and a second end, with the first end extending between a first endpoint and a second endpoint. The second end is positioned substantially parallel to the first end and extends between a third endpoint and a fourth endpoint. A concave surface and a convex surface connect the first end and the second end. The concave surface faces an imaginary plane passing through the first endpoint and the second endpoint of the first end of the curved connector and the third endpoint and fourth endpoint of the second end of the curved connector.
The first hollow conduit forms a first exterior surface and extends along a first conduit axis, with the first conduit axis passing along the first endpoint of the first end of the curved connector and perpendicular to the second endpoint of the first end of the curved connector. A second hollow conduit forms a second exterior surface and extends along a second conduit axis, with the second conduit axis passing along the third endpoint of the second end of the curved connector and the fourth endpoint of the second end of the curved connector. The second conduit axis is also parallel to the first conduit axis.
The security closure provides a visual deterrent to prospective criminals. The curved connector of the security closure permits the rolling security gate attached thereto to be wrapped more compactly around the cylindrical rolling gate storage shaft when the rolling security gate is retracted into the gate storage housing. The compact wrapping reduces the overall diameter of the gate storage housing. Because rolling security gate assemblies are often used in storefronts or behind glass windows, space considerations have utilitarian, economic, and aesthetic implications.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a security closure device that compactly wraps around a cylindrical gate storage shaft and provides a visual deterrent.
These and other advantages of the present invention will be clarified in the description of the preferred embodiments taken together with the attached drawings in which like reference numerals represent like elements throughout.


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