CA2334057A1 - Security container - Google Patents
Security container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2334057A1 CA2334057A1 CA 2334057 CA2334057A CA2334057A1 CA 2334057 A1 CA2334057 A1 CA 2334057A1 CA 2334057 CA2334057 CA 2334057 CA 2334057 A CA2334057 A CA 2334057A CA 2334057 A1 CA2334057 A1 CA 2334057A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- alarm
- housing
- audible alarm
- security container
- electric circuit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05G—SAFES OR STRONG-ROOMS FOR VALUABLES; BANK PROTECTION DEVICES; SAFETY TRANSACTION PARTITIONS
- E05G1/00—Safes or strong-rooms for valuables
- E05G1/005—Portable strong boxes, e.g. which may be fixed to a wall or the like
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05G—SAFES OR STRONG-ROOMS FOR VALUABLES; BANK PROTECTION DEVICES; SAFETY TRANSACTION PARTITIONS
- E05G1/00—Safes or strong-rooms for valuables
- E05G1/10—Safes or strong-rooms for valuables with alarm, signal or indicator
Landscapes
- Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
Abstract
A portable security container or lock box has an internal alarm. The alarm is armed by an on/off switch and a set-reset switch. When the alarm is armed and the container is moved, the alarm is triggered. A time delay built into the alarm allows the user sufficient time to activate the alarm, close and lock the box before the alarm is armed. A second timer allows the authorized opening of the lock and the disarming of the alarm.
Description
SECURITY CONTAINER
The present invention relates to a security container and is particularly, although not exclusively, applicable to a portable security box.
Small, valuable items are often at risk of theft unless they are left in a place with constant, direct supervision or in a secure, lockable vault. While portable alarms have been proposed in the past, these are generally for use with briefcases or large boxes. They are generally complex and expensive devices with multiple sensors and control switches. Such devices frequently reset after a predetermined alarm period. In many cases they include elaborate systems for disarming the alarm before the case is moved or opened.
The present invention is concerned with a simple and easily used security container that provides a deterrent to theft of either the container or its contents.
According to the present invention there is provided a portable security container with an internal cavity for storing objects, said container comprising:
a container housing with:
a base, and a cover mounted on the base for movement between an open position in which the cavity is accessible from outside the housing and a closed position in which the cavity is inaccessible from outside the housing;
a lock for securing the cover in the closed position; and an alarm mounted in the cavity, the alarm including:
an audible alarm generator with an inactive state and an active state for generating an audible alarm, an electric circuit connected to the audible alarm generator and including:
The present invention relates to a security container and is particularly, although not exclusively, applicable to a portable security box.
Small, valuable items are often at risk of theft unless they are left in a place with constant, direct supervision or in a secure, lockable vault. While portable alarms have been proposed in the past, these are generally for use with briefcases or large boxes. They are generally complex and expensive devices with multiple sensors and control switches. Such devices frequently reset after a predetermined alarm period. In many cases they include elaborate systems for disarming the alarm before the case is moved or opened.
The present invention is concerned with a simple and easily used security container that provides a deterrent to theft of either the container or its contents.
According to the present invention there is provided a portable security container with an internal cavity for storing objects, said container comprising:
a container housing with:
a base, and a cover mounted on the base for movement between an open position in which the cavity is accessible from outside the housing and a closed position in which the cavity is inaccessible from outside the housing;
a lock for securing the cover in the closed position; and an alarm mounted in the cavity, the alarm including:
an audible alarm generator with an inactive state and an active state for generating an audible alarm, an electric circuit connected to the audible alarm generator and including:
manually operated switch means for selectively arming and disarming the alarm, a motion sensor for detecting movement of the housing and generating a motion signal in response thereto, means for placing the audible alarm generator in the active state in response to the momentary generation of the motion signal, and a latch for maintaining the audible alarm generator in the active state and for switching the audible alarm generator from the active state to the inactive state solely in response to disarming of the alarm by the manually operated switch means.
When the container is locked, the contents are not accessible.
Movement of the container activates the alarm to inhibit either opening of the container or theft of the container itself for subsequent opening. The latching function of the circuitry keeps the alarm sounding until it is either shut off after opening the container or the power supply runs down.
The container may be a relatively small, portable box that is easily transported when away from the home or office for holding jewellery, cash and valuable papers.
In preferred embodiments, the control circuit includes a timer actuated when the alarm is turned on. The timer delays actuation of the alarm for a short period, for example ten seconds, allowing the user to close and lock the container without generating an alarm.
It is also preferred to include a second timer that delays actuation of the alarm for another short period after activation of the motion sensor, allowing an authorized user to unlock and open the container and turn off the alarm before the alarm generator is activated.
When the container is locked, the contents are not accessible.
Movement of the container activates the alarm to inhibit either opening of the container or theft of the container itself for subsequent opening. The latching function of the circuitry keeps the alarm sounding until it is either shut off after opening the container or the power supply runs down.
The container may be a relatively small, portable box that is easily transported when away from the home or office for holding jewellery, cash and valuable papers.
In preferred embodiments, the control circuit includes a timer actuated when the alarm is turned on. The timer delays actuation of the alarm for a short period, for example ten seconds, allowing the user to close and lock the container without generating an alarm.
It is also preferred to include a second timer that delays actuation of the alarm for another short period after activation of the motion sensor, allowing an authorized user to unlock and open the container and turn off the alarm before the alarm generator is activated.
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a portable lock box according to the present invention in a closed condition;
Figure 2 is an isometric view of the lock box in an open condition;
Figure 3 is an isometric view of the box cover from the bottom;
Figure 4 is a bottom view of the cover component, showing the alarm in cross-section; and Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the alarm circuit.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a lockable storage container 10 in the form of a box. The container has a housing 12 with a base component 14 including a bottom wall 16, two end walls 18 and 20, a front wall 22 and a back wall 24. The housing also includes a cover component 26 with a top wall 28, two end walls 30 and 32, a front wall 34 and a back wall 36. The two components are connected by a piano hinge 38 along the back walls 24 and 36.
The end walls 18 and 20 and the front wall 22 of the base component carry an L-shaped flange 39 along the top edge. This is offset to the inside and projects upwardly to cover the joint between the bottom edge of the cover of the top edge of the base.
The cover and base components include respective components 40a and 40b of a lock 40 mounted on the front walls 22 and 34 at the center. In the illustrated embodiment, this is a combination lock of conventional form.
Mounted in the housing and secured to the underside of the top 28 of the cover component is an alarm 42. This includes an alarm housing 44 that is generally unfeatured. At one end of the housing is a slide type on/off switch 46 and a slide type set-reset switch 48, both of which are accessible from outside of the alarm housing 44 but from inside of the container housing 12.
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a portable lock box according to the present invention in a closed condition;
Figure 2 is an isometric view of the lock box in an open condition;
Figure 3 is an isometric view of the box cover from the bottom;
Figure 4 is a bottom view of the cover component, showing the alarm in cross-section; and Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the alarm circuit.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a lockable storage container 10 in the form of a box. The container has a housing 12 with a base component 14 including a bottom wall 16, two end walls 18 and 20, a front wall 22 and a back wall 24. The housing also includes a cover component 26 with a top wall 28, two end walls 30 and 32, a front wall 34 and a back wall 36. The two components are connected by a piano hinge 38 along the back walls 24 and 36.
The end walls 18 and 20 and the front wall 22 of the base component carry an L-shaped flange 39 along the top edge. This is offset to the inside and projects upwardly to cover the joint between the bottom edge of the cover of the top edge of the base.
The cover and base components include respective components 40a and 40b of a lock 40 mounted on the front walls 22 and 34 at the center. In the illustrated embodiment, this is a combination lock of conventional form.
Mounted in the housing and secured to the underside of the top 28 of the cover component is an alarm 42. This includes an alarm housing 44 that is generally unfeatured. At one end of the housing is a slide type on/off switch 46 and a slide type set-reset switch 48, both of which are accessible from outside of the alarm housing 44 but from inside of the container housing 12.
The alarm includes a speaker 50 which serves as an audible alarm generator. The radiating side of the speaker confronts a grill 52 in the top 28 of the cover component 26. The grill is formed by a series of apertures 54 that allow the sound generated by the speaker to be emitted from the container. The alarm also includes a circuit board 56 mounted inside the alarm housing 44 and carrying the electronic components used for activating and operating the speaker 50. A
battery container 58 in the alarm housing 44 houses an electric storage battery or batteries for operating the alarm.
The electric circuit 60 for operating the alarm is illustrated most particularly in Figure 5. That circuit includes a battery 62 which serves as the alarm's power source. This is connected through the on/off switch 46 to the reset terminals 64 and the set terminals 66 of the single pull double throw (SPDT) reset and set switch 48. The reset terminals are in turn connected to a reset timer 68 which is reset to its initial condition whenever the reset terminals 64 are closed. When the terminals are open and the set terminals 66 are closed, the output of the reset timer 68 and the set terminal 66 of the set-reset switch 48 are delivered to an AND gate 70.
When the timer 68 times out, the output of the AND gate switches state.
The alarm is activated by a motion switch 72 that normally opens and closes in response to movement of the housing 12. Momentary closing of the motion switch 72 causes a flip-flop latching circuit 74 to change state. The outputs of the AND gate 70 and the flip-flop 74 are delivered to a second AND gate 76. The output of this second AND gate changes state when the output of AND gate 70 corresponds to a combination of closed set terminals 66 of switch 48, timed out timer 68 and the change of state of the output of the flip-flop 74 as a result of the closing of the motion switch 72. When triggered the AND gate 76 activates an alarm delay timer 78 that counts down a short period that is adequate to unlock the lock 40, open the cover and operate the on/off switch 46. If the on/off switch 46 is not returned to an open state within this time, an alarm driver 80 is activated to cause the speaker 50 to generate an alarm sound.
Thus, with a relatively simple system, the security container inhibits the unauthorized movement or attempted opening of the container by generating an audible alarm. It also inhibits the theft of the container itself by maintaining that alarm until the container is opened and the on/off switch is activated or, alternatively, until the battery loses its charge.
While one embodiment of the present invention has been described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention and are intended to be included herein.
battery container 58 in the alarm housing 44 houses an electric storage battery or batteries for operating the alarm.
The electric circuit 60 for operating the alarm is illustrated most particularly in Figure 5. That circuit includes a battery 62 which serves as the alarm's power source. This is connected through the on/off switch 46 to the reset terminals 64 and the set terminals 66 of the single pull double throw (SPDT) reset and set switch 48. The reset terminals are in turn connected to a reset timer 68 which is reset to its initial condition whenever the reset terminals 64 are closed. When the terminals are open and the set terminals 66 are closed, the output of the reset timer 68 and the set terminal 66 of the set-reset switch 48 are delivered to an AND gate 70.
When the timer 68 times out, the output of the AND gate switches state.
The alarm is activated by a motion switch 72 that normally opens and closes in response to movement of the housing 12. Momentary closing of the motion switch 72 causes a flip-flop latching circuit 74 to change state. The outputs of the AND gate 70 and the flip-flop 74 are delivered to a second AND gate 76. The output of this second AND gate changes state when the output of AND gate 70 corresponds to a combination of closed set terminals 66 of switch 48, timed out timer 68 and the change of state of the output of the flip-flop 74 as a result of the closing of the motion switch 72. When triggered the AND gate 76 activates an alarm delay timer 78 that counts down a short period that is adequate to unlock the lock 40, open the cover and operate the on/off switch 46. If the on/off switch 46 is not returned to an open state within this time, an alarm driver 80 is activated to cause the speaker 50 to generate an alarm sound.
Thus, with a relatively simple system, the security container inhibits the unauthorized movement or attempted opening of the container by generating an audible alarm. It also inhibits the theft of the container itself by maintaining that alarm until the container is opened and the on/off switch is activated or, alternatively, until the battery loses its charge.
While one embodiment of the present invention has been described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention and are intended to be included herein.
Claims (7)
1. A portable security container with an internal cavity for storing objects, said container comprising:
a container housing with:
a base, and a cover mounted on the base for movement between an open position in which the cavity is accessible from outside the housing and a closed position in which the cavity is inaccessible from outside the housing;
a lock for securing the cover in the closed position; and an alarm mounted in the cavity, the alarm including:
an audible alarm generator with an inactive state and an active state for generating an audible alarm, an electric circuit connected to the audible alarm generator and including:
manually operated switch means for selectively arming and disarming the alarm, a motion sensor for detecting movement of the housing and generating a motion signal in response thereto, means for placing the audible alarm generator in the active state in response to the momentary generation of the motion signal, and a latch for maintaining the audible alarm generator in the active state and for switching the audible alarm generator from the active state to the inactive state solely in response to disarming of the alarm by the manually operated switch means.
a container housing with:
a base, and a cover mounted on the base for movement between an open position in which the cavity is accessible from outside the housing and a closed position in which the cavity is inaccessible from outside the housing;
a lock for securing the cover in the closed position; and an alarm mounted in the cavity, the alarm including:
an audible alarm generator with an inactive state and an active state for generating an audible alarm, an electric circuit connected to the audible alarm generator and including:
manually operated switch means for selectively arming and disarming the alarm, a motion sensor for detecting movement of the housing and generating a motion signal in response thereto, means for placing the audible alarm generator in the active state in response to the momentary generation of the motion signal, and a latch for maintaining the audible alarm generator in the active state and for switching the audible alarm generator from the active state to the inactive state solely in response to disarming of the alarm by the manually operated switch means.
2. A security container according to Claim 1 wherein the cover is pivotally mounted on the base.
3. A security container according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the alarm is mounted inside the housing.
4. A security container according to Claim 3 including apertures in the housing for emitting sound generated by the audible alarm generator.
5. A security container according to any one of Claims 1 through 4 wherein the electric circuit includes an on/off switch selectively actuable to an on condition for activating the electric circuit and an off condition for deactivating the electric circuit.
6. A security container according to Claim 5 wherein the electric circuit includes a timer for disabling the audible alarm generator for a predetermined period after the on/off switch is actuated to the on condition.
7. A security container according to Claim 6 wherein the electric circuit includes a second timer for delaying the actuation of the audible alarm generator to the active state for a predetermined period following the momentary generation of the motion signal.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2334057 CA2334057A1 (en) | 2001-02-02 | 2001-02-02 | Security container |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2334057 CA2334057A1 (en) | 2001-02-02 | 2001-02-02 | Security container |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2334057A1 true CA2334057A1 (en) | 2002-08-02 |
Family
ID=4168269
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2334057 Abandoned CA2334057A1 (en) | 2001-02-02 | 2001-02-02 | Security container |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2334057A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN105064858A (en) * | 2015-08-25 | 2015-11-18 | 关国安 | Anti-theft system of safety box |
-
2001
- 2001-02-02 CA CA 2334057 patent/CA2334057A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN105064858A (en) * | 2015-08-25 | 2015-11-18 | 关国安 | Anti-theft system of safety box |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |