Security structure

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to the intrusion alarm art, and more particularly, to a security panel arrangement usable in intrusion alarm systems to secure surface portions of a structure from unauthorized breach.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#The above and other objects of the present invention may be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar elements throughout and in which:

#FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of one embodiment of a security panel arrangement constructed in accordance with the instant invention;

#FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 folded longitudinally of the elongated openings therethrough;

#Referring now to FIG. 1 there is illustrated one embodiment, generally designated 10, of the present invention. The embodiment 10 comprises a cellular panel 12 having an electrically conductive path 14 connected to an intrusion alarm system shown diagrammatically at 16.

#The cellular panel 12 has a pair of outer vertical walls 18 which are parallel and co-extensive with each other and are spaced a relatively small distance apart. A series of substantially parallel inner walls 20 join the outer walls 18 to form a series of elongated passages 22 within the cellular panel 12. The inner walls 20 are preferably oriented vertically to cause the elongated passages 22 to be vertical as well. The cellular panel 12 may be constructed of a suitable plastic or other inexpensive material, and is preferably manufactured by an extrusion process. The outer and inner walls 18 and 20, respectively, are thus formed as an integral unit which may be easily and inexpensively mass produced. The cellular panel 12 may be made either of a rigid or a semi-rigid plastic or other material, depending upon the properties desired in the finished panel. Use of a semi-rigid plastic yields a cellular panel 12 which is bendable longitudinally of the elongated passages 22 to a desired angle, as shown at FIG. 2. The elongated passages closest to the point of bending are somewhat deformed in the bending process, but the cellular construction of the panel 12 causes the bent panel to form generally accurate inner and outer corners 24 and 26, respectively, enabling the panel 12 to be used satisfactorily to cover both inner and outer corners of a structure to be secured.

#The panel 12 may be used to cover light transmitting surfaces such as windows and skylights as well as walls and doors. Where light transmission is desired, the panel 12 may be formed of a transparent plastic such as polymethacrylate. Otherwise, less expensive translucent or opaque plastics such as polypropylene or polycarbonate are preferred.