AU601212B2

AU601212B2 - Security box and security system

Info

Publication number: AU601212B2
Application number: AU78330/87A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dale Key
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-09-12
Filing date: 1987-09-11
Publication date: 1990-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2007-09-11
Also published as: AU7833087A

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 601212 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: i fi Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority This document contains the amendments made under Section 49 and is correct for printing.

Related Art: APPLICANT'S REF.: C.A.P. OF PH 7976 Name(s) of Applicant(s): Address(es) of Applicant(s): Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service is: DALE KEY 25 BEAULIAU AVENUE

LILYDALE

VICTORIA 3140 DALE KEY PHILLIPS, ORMONDE AND FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne, Australia, 3000 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: SECURITY BOX AND SECURITY SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): P19/3/84 .0 SECURITY SYSTEM The present invention relates to improvements in a security box. Further, the invention also relates to a security system that incorporates the use of such a security box. The security box of the present invention may be of any form, but is preferably of such a form as to act as a cash receipt box, and of such a size that it is able to be carried by hand.

More specifically, the invention relates to an improved security system, incorporating a novel security box that may be used for the transportation of valuables from ,t one deposit site to another. In one form, the valuables may be cash, specifically bank notes, but the security box may be adapted to carry any form of valuables.

I I The transferring of cash and valuables from one deposit site to another has always been a period of susceptibility to theft and loss. In order to minimise the prospect of this occuring many various security techniques have been developed.

Transportable safes have been in existence for some time. However, safes of this nature can still be stolen during transportation with the contents unmarked. This type of safe represents a minimum type of security.

Time release safes are effective in increasing security of valuables while the valuables are at a particular deposit site. However, this type of security system does not provide security while valuables are in transit, or being transported from one deposit to another.

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Armoured vehicles have also been used, but even with the use of these vehicles, a susceptible period still exists. Such a period will be when valuables are being transported between a deposit site and a vehicle, and from the vehicle to a further deposit site.

In order to render the valuables and cash in particular relatively useless to would-be thieves, dye bombs and other staining devices have been used. However, conventionally, the use of dye bombs has necessitated placing a dye bomb into the container containing the valuables. This procedure is not always easy as it requires an operator to manually place and trigger the dye bomb. It tr may also be dangerous given the c(ircumstances of the tt t situation.

V More recently, dye bombs have been used in transportable carrying apparatus such as brief cases and handbags. In these situations, the dye bomb is activated by unauthorised seizure of the carrying apparatus. These systems may also include a smoke bomb device in association with the dye bomb. The dye and smoke may be released by a iI chain or cord secured to the carrier of the apparatus. This type of system may be effective in deterring would-be thieves during the carrying of valuables. However, susceptible periods still occur as the valuables must at some stage be transferred from one deposit site to the carrying apparatus and again, the security device will not always be in operation when the valuables are removed.

3 The present invention helps to alleviate the disadvantages of the prior art, as one objective of the present invention is to provide a security box that may be used in a security system for the transportation of valuables wherein the contents of the box may be spoiled if, at any stage during transportation of the valuables, an unauthorized attempt is made to either open the security box or even remove the box from its rightful position.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a security box operatively associated with a security device, said security device including: means programmable to a plurality of modes of o ~operation, each mode being adapted to recognize a ft. predetermined condition and to respond to such condition; I. spoiling means activatable in response to an alarm Ig t condition, said spoiling means acting to bring the contents of the security box to a condition where spoilage is recognisable thus preventing or hindering normal use of said contents; and switching means whereby said programmable means can be switched from one mode to another.

Preferably, the means for programming the security device is by way of a logic means. The logic means may be adapteO so that it is able to recognize predetermined conditions, and respond to the recognition of these predetermined conditions. Such conditions that should be recognizable by the programming means include conditions that would not be considered normal during the transferring 4 of valuables from one deposit site to another, for example, an attempted theft of the security box or valuables. These conditions are referred to herein as alarm conditions.

In order that the programming means is able to recognize alarm conditions, the security device may have associated with it one or more sensing device, the activation of which, for one or more particular modes, may be recognized as an alarm condition.

One such sensing device may be the incorporation of a monitor unit, which is connectable with a complementary monitor unit of at least one fixed unit. In one form, these monitor units may comprise a plug and socket arrangement.

This form of sensing device is particularly useful if the security box is adapted so as to be slidably attachable a within a fixed unit. This fixed unit may comprise a safe or other such unit that is virtually permanently affixed. In at least one mode of operation, an alarm condition will be recognized when the monitor units of the security box and fixed unit respectively are disconnected.

Another means for recognizing a predetermined condition may be the inclusion of a touch sensing device on the exterior of the security box. It is preferable that this touch sensing device, which may be in the form of a push button, onl has limited accessibility. One manner would be to position the touch sensing device near the base of a hand grip arrangement that has an associated access port preferably such that the touch sensing device is only accessible to the hand of a carrier of the security box.

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I4 t t I' I i I *1 The function of the touch sensing device is such that if in at least one mode, the device is non-operational, that is not depressed, an alarm condition will be recognized.

It is possible that an equivalent sensing device function may be achieved by a plug and key arrangement wherein a key may be carried by a carrier in such a manner that it is very difficult to remove or, the key may be in communication with a fixed unit itself. The key may be connected with the plug, so as to represent a normal operating condition in at least one particular mode.

The plug and key arrangement may operate as a sensing device in a different operating mode, or be used in place of the touch sensing device depending on the requirA circumstances. For instance, it may be desirable to have an

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additional mode of operation, using a plug and key mechanism, during situations where it is not always possible for a carrier to maintain touch contact with the touch sensing device.

It is also preferable that the security box itself be surrounded either internally or externally with an electronic grid arrangement. If such a grid arrangement is broken in any mode, an alarm condition will be recognized.

Upon the recognition of such alarm conditions, spoiling means is provided so as to spoil the contents of the security box to such an extent so as to prevent or hinder the normal use of the contents. The spoiling means will, of course, depend upon the contents of the box.

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i'i' 1: For example, such spoiling means may include a staining device, heating device, a laser beam generator, a radio wave generator or glue releasing device.

A staining device including a dye cannister and a dye release mechanism is particularly preferred, particularly during the transport of paper cash notes.

Other spoiling means may be useful during the transportation of plastic notes, credit cards or such items.

The security box itself preferably comprises at least a first door with locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may comprise another sensing device for an alarm condition, in that, in at least one mode of operation, when the locking mechanism is unlocked, an alarm condition will be recognized. Further .ockable doors are also possible, and may act as further sensing devices.

The security box may also include an aperture for the insertion of the valuables. This aperture should be accessible, when the security Zrox is placed in a fixed unit, and preferably arranged such that valuables can be placed in the security box but not removed through this aperture.

The sensing device of the security device should be in communication with the programming means, such that from input received from the sensing device, the programming means may recognize an alarm condition. Upon the recognition of an alarm condition, the programming means should be able to activate the spoiling means.

Preferably the power supply for the programming means, and, if required, for the spoiling means and 7

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activator for the spoiling means is by a battery in circuit with the programming means. The monitor units of the security box and fixed unit may be arranged such that while the security box is placed in the fixed unit, the battery may recharge via the monitor units.

A smoke releasing means may also be used and activated along with the spoiling means.

Further, the invention comprises a security system that uses a security box as described above. Essentially, this security sy tem includes: a first mode of operation which is operable when the monitor unit of the security box is in communication .r with the monitor unit of a fixed unit, an alarm condition 49 I *r r being recognized when in this first mode, the connection between said monitor units is broken;

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a second mode of operation which is operable upon switching from the first mode to a second mode, wherein connection between the monitor unit of the security box and the monitor unit of a fixed unit may be broken, but a sensing device of the security box must be activated or an alarm condition will be recognized; a third mode of operation which is operable upon t switching from the second mode to a third mode, wherein the sensing device of the security box activated in the second mode may be deactivated, but a further sensing device must be activated or an alarm condition will be recognized. The further sensing device may require that the monitor means of I 8 _71 the security box must be in communication with monitor means of a fixed unit, not necessarily the fixed unit of the first mode.

Depending upon the application of the security system, further modes of operation are possible.

In the first mode of operation, the security box is preferably locked within a fixed unit such as a safe. A monitor unit associated with the security box is connectable with a complementary monitor unit of the fixed unit. The programming means is adapted in such a manner that the spoiling means will be activated upon a disconnection of the .r monitor units. In this first mode, it is also preferable ,l that an alarm condition will be recognized, and the spoiling I means activated, if either the locking mechanism of the first door of the security box or the locking mechanism securing the box into the fixed unit is unlocked. The spoiling means may also be activated if an electronic grid Sforming part of the security box is tampered with or broken.

In order that the security box may be removed from the fixed unit, it is necessary that switching means be provided such that the system may be transferred into another mode.

1The switching means may be, for example, by radio paging or by a key device but should be such that the programming means is switched to another mode by the switching means, and may only be switched by the switching means.

9 Once in a second mode, the programming means will recognize input from a different sensing device as an alarm condition. Preferable conditions in this mode allow the locking mechanism of the fixed unit securing the security box to be unlocked without activating an alarm conditioi, however, the sensing device on the exterior of the security box or other sensing device as predetermined should be activated. For example, in the case of a push button sensing device, the button should remain depressed.

In this mode, it is possible that the security box may be transported from its original deposit site. In a preferred arrangement, where the sensing device is accessible only to a hand of the courier, it would be impossible for a would-be-thief in a robbery attempt to depress the sensing device immediately after removing the r hand of the courier, as the sensing device is accessible to one hand only, and as such the spoiling means would be activated.

it t Once the security box has reached a second deposit 20 site, a further mode may be implemented by switching the mode of the security device by means of the switching means. In this third mode, again, the programming means will recognize imput from a different sensing device as an alarm condition. This second deposit site may be an armoured van or a security depot wherein a further fixed unit may be found. The security box may be lockably placed within the fixe(' unit. Preferably the fixed unit may also have a compatible monitor unit such that a similar monitor 10 i i 1 i unit arrangement may be activated as described with the first mode. Alternatively, the third mode may incorporate another predetermined sensing device that may recognize an alarm condition.

Additional modes may also be incorporated into the system. For example, it may be required that before placing the security box in a second fixed unit, the carrier may be required to release a touch sensing device. A further mode may be implemented wherein a key and plug device is used such that the key and plug must be in contact when the touch sensing device is not activated.

Further modes may also be used, if for example, 0 0 further deposit sites are to be used. This may be the case or or 0 0 for security boxes that have been partly transported by an 0 I o armoured vehicle. These further modes should be programmed so as to recognize predetermined conditions as with the previous modes, depending upon the operation.

SIIt is preferred that the switching means can only operate in one direction, that is, once the mode has been changed, it cannot return to the preceding mode, without the full sequence being followed. In this respect, an additional security is provided as the programming means I: will more readily be able to detect a break in a normal routine for the security system.

Once a predetermined final mode has been reached, it should then be possible that the door to the security box may be unlocked and its contents removed.

11 The security box will now be described with reference to a preferred embodiment incorporating a dye staining mechanism used with a dye actuating device, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a cross sectional view of a security box.

Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of a dye actuating mechanism.

Figure 3 shows a cross sectional view of a fixed unit with the security box being inserted.

Figure 1 shows the security box SB with a monitor unit 1 on the exterior surface of the box. A dye cannister secc 0909 2 is secured with a dye cannister connecting means (not e shown) with dye actuating mechanism 3 associated with it.

Programming means 4 controls the dye actuating mechanism; a rechargeable battery 5 providing power to this S r circuitry and is recharged via means from the monitor unit Si. Valuables may be deposited through deposit o.~p.le 6.

,Hand grip slot 7 is of such a width as to allow one a 4 hand to reach through and depress touch sensing device 8.

Hand grip 9 is shaped so that a hand must be inserted into the hand grip slot 7 to reach the touch sensing device 8. A key switch operated mode selector 10 may be used as one mechanism to change to various modes of the system.

Electronic wire grid 16 surrounds the security box on the interior surface.

Figure 2 is a detailed drawing of the dye actuating mechanism 3. Solenoid 11 is controlled by the programming 12 means 4 to open the valve 12 under alarm conditions. An input channel 13 leading from the dye cannister discharges dye through output channel 14 to the interior of the security box.

Figure 3 shows the fixed unit FU having a monitor unit la corresponding to the monitor unit 1 of the security box. A deposit slot 6a is also positioned so as to overlap deposit slot 6 of the security box when the security box is locked in position. A lockable device 15 allows the security box to be locked into the fixed unit once in position.

It is to be understood that the features as described are merely the preferred features of the invention, and that any modifications or amendments thereto are also within the scope of the invention.

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Claims

1. A security box operatively associated with a security device, said security device including: means programmable to a plurality of modes of operation, each mode being adapted to recognize a predetermined condition via input from one or more sensing devices, and to respond to such condition; spoiling means activatable in response to an alarm condition, said spoiling means acting to bring the contents of the security box to a condition where spoilage is recognisable thus preventing or hindering normal use of said contents; and switching means whereby said programmable means can be switched from one mode to another.

2. A security box as claimed in claim 1 wherein said security box includes a first door with a locking mechanism, the unlocking of said mechanism forming an alarm condition in at least one mode of operation. S' 3. A security box as claimed in any one of the preceding claims said security box includes an electronic grid surrounding the interior or exterior surface of the box, the breaking of said grid forming an alarm condition in at least one mode of operation.

4. A security box as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said box includes a hand grip arrangement by which the box can be carried and an associated access port to a touch sensing device non-operation of which device forms an alarm condition in at least one mode of operation. A security box as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said security device includes a monitor unit connectable with a complementary monitor unit of at least one fixed unit, the disconnection of monitor units forming an alarm condition in at least one mode of operation.

6. A security box as claimed in claim 5 wherein said monitor units include a detachable plug and socket set. WDP I~f4.LI r ,Tiu i ,i

7. A secutiry box as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said spoiling means includes a staining device, a heating device, a laser beam generator, a radio wave generator or a glue-releasing device.

8. A security box as claimed in claim 7 wherein said Sspoiling means is a staining device including a dye canister 1 and a dye release mechanism.

9. A security box as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a battery in circuit with the programmable means provides the power to operate said means and the activator of said spoiling means. A security box as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 9 wherein said battery is rechargeable and recharging current li is delivered to said battery when said monitor units are Sj connected.

11. A security box as claimed in any preceding claim l wherein the switching means is activatable by a key device or by radio paging.

12. A security system, incorporating the security device of any one of the preceding claims 5 to 11, wherein at least, Sa first mode of operation is operable when the monitor unit of the security box is in communication with the monitor i unit of a fixed unit, an alarm condition will be recognized i when in this first mode the connection between said monitor units is broken; i a second mode of operation is operable, upon switching from the first mode to a second mode, wherein connection 1 between the monitor unit of the security box and the monitor i unit of a fixed unit may be broken, but a sensing device of the security box must be activated or an alarm condition will be recognized; a third mode of operation is operable, upon switching from the second mode to a third mode wherein the sensing device of the security box activated in the second mode may be deactivated, but a further sensing device must be activated or an alarm condition will be recognized. -16-

13. A security system, as claimed in claim 12, wherein the further sensing device requires that the monitor means of the security box must be in communication with monitor means of a fixed unit, not necessarily the fixed unit of the first mode.

14. A security system, as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, further comprising additional predetermined modes of operation operable by switching the switching means into these further modes, where the security box contains additional sensing devices operable during transfer of the security box between any of the modes as claimed in claim 13 or during further transfer after removal from a fixed unit when the security box is in the third mode, wherein the contents of the security box may be safely removed through an opening means, once a predetermined final 1B 1mode has been reached.

16. A device, as claimed in claim 1, substantially as Ihereinbefore described with reference to any one of the Sdrawings. DATED: 15 March, 1990 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: DALE KEY WDP WDP 3633N