EP0258230A1

EP0258230A1 - Special seal and sealing system for the storage of valuables

Info

Publication number: EP0258230A1
Application number: EP19860902294
Authority: EP
Inventors: Francisco G. Goncalves; Luiz R. B. Goncalves
Original assignee: Goncalves Luiz R B
Current assignee: Goncalves Luiz R B
Priority date: 1986-01-21
Filing date: 1986-04-29
Publication date: 1988-03-09
Also published as: AU5699486A; WO1987004484A1

Abstract

Système pour sceller des coffres en location et d'autres systèmes de protection d'objets de valeur, caractérisé par une plaquette (1) que l'on glisse sur les serrures d'un coffre et qui se fixe sur une plaquette (3) elle-même fixée à la structure du coffre au moyen d'un sceau spécial (5). Le sceau comporte des zones (5c) dans lesquelles sont placées les empreintes digitales des personnes responsables de la fermeture du coffre, de sorte que l'on ne peut accéder aux serrures sans violation du sceau.System for sealing rental safes and other valuables protection systems, characterized by a plate (1) which is slid over the locks of a chest and which is fixed on a plate (3) it - even fixed to the structure of the trunk by means of a special seal (5). The seal comprises zones (5c) in which the fingerprints of the persons responsible for closing the trunk are placed, so that the locks cannot be accessed without breaching the seal.

Description

SPECIAL SEAL AMD SEALING SYSTEM FOR THE STORAGE OF VA LUABLES.

The present invention refers to a Special Sealing System for the Storage of Valuables in safes, vaults or vehicles to which only specific persons should have access such as for example: the hired safe-boxes of banks and hotels. STATUS OF THE TECHNIQUES

The existing system which is utilized for the storage of valuables in the above mentioned safes is the following:

There are several mini-safes located inside a strong room, (vault) equiped with a strong-door, alarm system and a rigid physichal Security plan and rules that control the acess of the personnel to its interior.

Each mini-safe has two locks,one of them is opened by means of using a master Key that remain s in the possession of the Bank or Hotel; the second lock is opened by a specific key for each mini-safe. One of its copies remains with the bank or hotel and the other remains with the customer.

The only manner to open the mini-safe is done by means of utilizing the two described keys. When the customer wishes to keep or to withdraw his valuable stored in his mini-safe, he presents his identification and his key and afterwards he is taken to the interior of the strong-room (vault) in the presence of the bank or the hotel representative. The two persons then conduct the opera tion regarding the opening of the mini-safe.

Every time the customer wants to open his mini-safe this procedure has to be repeated.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM AND ITS SOLUTION: Although the above described system offers a certain security is has demonstrated that it is vulnerable, that means: it can be beaten.

Anyone who has the access to the strongroom can force the lockes of one mini-safe by means of using any instrument or tool, to steal the valuables stored inside it and to lock it again without being perceived at that particular time. The only time the theft will be perceived will be by the next time the customer will open his mini-safe. The present Special Sealing System co mes to solve this problem, since it does not permit the access to the locks unless there is a violation of a special seal which is specially placed.

Once this seal has been violated, it cannot be substituted since it has two parts in which the fingerprints of the persons responsible for the locking of the mini-safe are printed.

DRAWINGS

The drawings that describe the system represent:

- Figure 1 - View of the system before the sealing operation (safe at use).

- Figure 2 - View of the system after the sealing operation is done (sealed safe). - Figure 3 - View of the protection plate for the locks.

- Figure 4 - Seal front view showing the seal opened.

- Figure 5 - Seal front view showing the seal locked.

- Figure 6 - Seal back view showing the seal locked.

NUMBERING REFERENCE The numbering that makes part of the drawings and description makes reference to the follo wing components:

1 - Protection plate for the locks 2 - Rails

3 - Fixed end plate

4 - Sights

5 - Seal 5a- Seal body

5b- Seal anchor

5c- Areas destined for the fingerprin ts 5d- Area destined for the numbering 5e- Areas destinated for the brands

(makes) COMPONENTS DESCRIPTION The present sealing system is constituted of a metal plate (1) which has its edges bent towards the outside and that slides between two rails (2) which are fixed to the door of the mini-safe in such a manner that when the plate (1) is entirely between the rails (2), it completely protects the locks impeding the access to the locks. Another plate (3) is fixed to the structure of the mini-safe and it functions as a rampart in order to prevent the movement of the plate (1) that protects the locks.

Two sights (4) are placed to comple te the assembly. One is fixed to the door and the other is fixed to the structure of the mini-safe.

SEAL DESCRIPTION

The seal that is utilized in the present system can be manufactured in plastic material, lead or any other material and in spite of utilizing a locking system similar to the conventional seals by means of using an anchor(5b) that is introduced into an existing hole in its body (5a); differs of them because of its longer body in which there are the following areas: - Two areas destined for the fingerprints (5c); each one is located in a face: one in the front and the other in the back of the seal (5).

These areas will have to be made out of or contend with a material that keeps the fingerprints in a precise way.

In these areas the fingerprints of the persons responsible for the locking of the mini-safe are set.

- Area destined for the numbering (5d): In this area that is located in the front view of the seal, it is printed the specific serial number of each seal. It has to be emphasized that there are no two seals with the same number.

- Areas destined for the brands - these areas located in the two sides of the seal faces, are destined for the printing of several makes such as the name, initial letters or logotype of the establishment responsible for the mini-safe or the seal manufacturer.

USE

The sealing operation of a safe is conducted in the following manner:

- The seal anchor wire(5b) is passed through the sights (4) and through the existing apertures in the edge of the protection plate (1) and in the fixed plate (3); the seal is then locked, and we have as a result the assembly represented in figure 2.

Afterwards, the persons, responsible for the locking of the mini-safe leave their fingerprints in the seal areas destined for this purpose.

To open the mini-safe, it is necessary to withdraw the seal (5) and to slide the protection plate (1), thus leaving the locks visible, (displayed) (figure 1).

As there is no access to the locks unless the seal is violated and as this seal cannot be substituted by another identical, this system immediately displays any ilegal (non-authorized) opening of a mini-safe conducted by a non-authorized person.

As a result, all intents of practising such an act will be restrained.

Claims

1) SPECIAL SEALING SYSTEM FOR THE STORAGE OF VALUABLES which is characterized of one plate (1) that slides on the lacks of a safe, preventing the access to these locks when set in the closed position.

2) SPECIAL SEALING SYSTEM FOR THE STORAGE OF VALUABLES, according to claim number 1, characterized of one protection plate (1) tied by means of a seal (5) to one fixed plate (3) clamped to the safe structure.

3) SEAL, according to claim number 2, characterized for having areas (5c) destined for the setting of fingerprints of the persons responsible for its locking.