FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a security device.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a security device adapted to assist in protecting a property.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION Crime is rife in many communities today. Opportunist criminals or intruders, who gain access to property by jumping over walls, commit most petty crime.

Many types of security devices for preventing or deterring criminals or intruders from jumping over walls are known. These devices conventionally include sharp projecting members and attachment means for attaching the projecting members to a wall.

USA 5,062,612 discloses an elongate security rail comprising a land extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail and which is connectable to the top edge of a wall or the frame of a framed fence. A series of barbed palings one spaced apart on one side of the land, and a series of spikes on the opposite side of the land. The land, palings and spikes are formed integrally from a strip of flat metal and subsequently bent so as to project in a generally upward direction when the land is connected to a wall.

Although such devices may be effective, they are ugly and unpleasant for people to see.

It is an object of the invention to suggest an alternative security device, which has a more appealing appearance.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to the invention, a security device including a support member and projecting members associated with the support member, is characterised thereby that the support member is in the form of at least one longitudinal element; that a plurality of spaced-apart projecting members project outwardly from the longitudinal element or elements; that sharp edges are provided on at least some of the projecting members; and that the projecting members are provided with imitation leaves, the imitation leaves being adapted to hide the projecting members visually.

The projecting members may be in the form of spikes.

The imitation leaves may be made of a suitable material, for example synthetic plastics material.

The imitation leaves may be made by injection moulding.

The imitation leaves may be pre-formed prior to being provided on the projecting members.

The imitation leaves may be formed directly over the projecting members.

Also according to the invention, a security device including a support member and projecting members associated with the support member, is characterised thereby that the support member is in the form of at least one longitudinal element; that a plurality of spaced-apart projecting members project outwardly from the longitudinal element or elements; and that the projecting members have a plant-like formation with a sharp edged outer perimeter.

The plant-like formation may be a leaf.

The plant-like formation may be a flower.

The longitudinal element or each longitudinal element may be a wire strand.

The longitudinal elements may be twisted around each other in a longitudinal direction.

The projecting members may extend from the longitudinal element or each longitudinal element in random directions.

The longitudinal element may be made of a suitable material, such as a durable metal, e. g. plastics coated metal.

The longitudinal element may be partially pliable, allowing it to be wrapped around objects, such as trees, poles, trellises or drain pipes.

The longitudinal element may include attachment means for attaching it to a wall or any other suitable surface.

The longitudinal element may be adapted to conduct electricity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

In the drawings there is shown in: Figure 1 a plan view of a security device in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 a plan view of a single strand of wire used in manufacturing a security device as illustrated in Figure 1 but before fitting imitation leaves;

Figure 3 a partial plan view of a first embodiment of a leaf as shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 a partial plan view of a second embodiment of a leaf as shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 a plan view of a string of leaves as shown in Figure 1; and Figure 6 a plan view of a second embodiment of a security device in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a security device in accordance with the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, is shown.

The security device 10 includes at least one longitudinal wire strand 12 provided with a plurality of sharp projecting members 14.1... 14. n projecting outwardly from the wire strand 12. If more than one wire strand 12 is provided then the wire strands 12,12.1... 12. n are located relatively near and parallel to each other. The wire strands 12,12.1... 12. n are twisted around each other in a longitudinal direction. The twisting of the wire strands 12,12.1... 12. n causes the projecting members 14.1... 14. n to project outwardly from the wire strands 12,12.1... 12. n in random directions.

Imitation leaves 16 are attached to the projecting members 14.1... 14. n so that the projecting members 14.1... 14. n are visually hidden from a person.

The imitation leaves can be formed of plastics material by injection moulding.

The imitation leaves 16 can be pre-formed prior to being hand placed over the projecting members 14.1... 14. n. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the imitation leaves 16 include at least a leaf blade 18 and a leaf stem 20, which is provided with a locating ring 22. When attaching the imitation leaves 16 to the projecting members 14.1... 14. n, the projecting members 14.1... 14. n are pressed through the locating rings 22.

The imitation leaves can be directly formed over the projecting members 14.1... 14. n during the forming process.

Alternatively, instead of attaching individual imitation leaves 16 to the projecting members 14.1... 14. n, an imitation leaf string 24 can be provided, as shown in Figure 5, which is then twisted with the wire strands 12,12.1...

12. n. The twisting causes the leaf blades 18 to project in random directions.

Referring to Figure 6, a second embodiment of a security device in accordance with the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 26, is shown.

The security device 26 includes at least one longitudinal wire strand 28 provided with a plurality of leaf-like members 30 projecting outwardly from the wire strand 28. The leak-like members 30 have a sharp edged outer perimeter 32. If more than one wire strand 28 is provided then the wire strands 28 are located relatively near and parallel to each other. The wire strands 28 are twisted around each other in a longitudinal direction. The twisting of the wire strands 28 causes the leaf-like members 30 to project outwardly from the wire strands 28 in random directions.

In use, the security device 10,26 is removably attached to a wall. The sharp projecting members 14.1... 14. n and leaf-like members 30 deter criminals from jumping over the wall as the criminals might injure themselves on the

sharp projecting members 14.1... 14. n and leaf-like members 30. This effect obviously can also be achieved as a surprise as an intruder may not be aware of the members 14.1... 14. n when covered by the leaves 16 or of the sharp edges 32 of the leaf-like members 30.

The imitation leaves 16 and the leaf-like members 30 are designed to have a pleasant appearance.

The security device 10,26 can be made of any suitable material, such as a durable metal, e. g. plastics coated steel wire.

The imitation leaves 16 can be made of any suitable material, for example such as synthetic plastics material.

The security device 10,26 can be located in any desired position. The security device 10,26 is advantageously located on top of walls or fences extending along a perimeter of a property.

The security device 10,26 can be partially pliable, thereby allowing it to be wrapped around objects such as trees, poles, trellises or drain pipes.

The security device 10,26 can also include attachment means (not shown) to assist in attaching the security device 10,26 to a wall or any other suitable supporting surface.

The security device 10,26 can also be adapted to conduct electricity for use as part of an electric fence.

INDEX 10 Security device 12 Wire strand 12.1... 12. n Wire strands 14 Projecting member 14.1... 14. n Projecting members 16 Imitation leaves 18 Leaf blade 20 Leaf stem 22 Locating ring 24 Imitation leaf string 26 Security device 28 Wire strand 30 Leaf-like members 32 Perimeter