EP2389492B1

EP2389492B1 - Security container resistant to explosive intrusive attacks

Info

Publication number: EP2389492B1
Application number: EP09745140.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Erih Stefanec; Slavko Mlinaric; Damjan Ribic
Original assignee: Primat Tovarna Kovinske Opreme Dd
Current assignee: Primat Tovarna Kovinske Opreme Dd
Priority date: 2009-01-22
Filing date: 2009-09-30
Publication date: 2017-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 2029-09-30
Also published as: HUE031970T2; WO2010085215A1; SI2389492T1; SI22954A; CN102292513A; CN102292513B; EP2389492A1

Description

The present invention relates to a security container for storing money, securities and/or valuables, such as safe, treasure-chest, security cabinet or strongbox, preferably with a system opening for an automated input and issue of money (ATM), securities and/or valuables, which is resistant to explosive intrusive attacks, especially to attacks with gas.
The technical problem is how to prevent alienation of things in a security container in case of an intrusive attack by explosion, particularly by an explosion of gas in the interior of the container, without any additional security devices, and under the assumption that the size of the storage space as well as the external dimensions of the security container remain unchanged.
Various security containers, such as safe, treasure-chest, security cabinet or strongbox, for storing money, securities and/or valuables are known in prior art. Such containers comprise a housing with an opening at the front side and a door pivoted to the housing and intended to close said opening. The housing further comprises a lower wall, two side walls, a rear wall and an upper wall. The walls of the housing are formed with an inner side and an outer side, such as steel plates, between which reinforcing elements are arranged. The spaces between the inner and the outer side can be filled with a filler, e.g. concrete. Reinforcing elements can be either reinforcing profiles extending in vertical direction or reinforcing lattice. The door comprises bolts arranged on the opposite side of the door as hinges. Moreover, further bolts can be arranged on the opposite side of the door and/or at the top and at the bottom of the door. The security container can further comprise at least one system opening, through which input or issue of money, securities and/or valuables can be performed with the door closed.
With the purpose of illegal appropriation of money, securities and/or valuables stored in a security container, intruders insert a necessary amount of explosive means, e.g. an explosive gas, through the system opening, the slot between the door and the housing or otherwise, and then trigger an explosion, for instance with an electric spark. Gas pressure within the container rapidly increases and the container gets damaged to the extent that intruders have free access to the content of the security container.
One of frequently used solutions against intrusion in a security container by explosion is installation of absorbing elements around the space for storing money, securities and/or valuables. Such solution is described in DE 202007003938 . Absorbing elements are installed on the internal walls of the security container, said elements absorbing part of energy developed during explosion in the interior of the container and thus alleviating the effect of the explosion. A disadvantage of said solution lies in that the volume of the storage space is reduced, or in other words if we want maintain the internal dimensions of the storage space, the size of the security container will increase, which contributes to a more extensive consumption of material and to substantially higher production costs. Absorbing elements themselves represent an additional cost.
A solution that comprises the installation of an additional grille is also known. Such solution is disclosed in EP 0080769 . A grille is installed in the interior of the security container immediately behind the door of the security container and locked. In case of an intrusive attack by an internal explosion, the shock wave of the explosion passes through the openings in the grille and the latter do not get significantly damaged. The explosion opens the door of the security container, while the grille still prevents access to the content of the security container or at least makes the access more difficult. The disadvantage of said solution is that the depth of the storage space for money, securities and/or valuables is reduced, or in other words if we maintain the depth for the storage space, the size of the security container will increase, which contributes to a more extensive consumption of material and higher production costs. The grille itself represents an additional cost.
Solutions comprising an integration of special colour sprays into security containers are also known. As explosion is triggered, colour sprays get dispersed and mark the content of the container with special colours, which makes it difficult to freely dispose with the content alienated from the security container. A disadvantage of said solution is that it does not prevent the alienation of the content from the security container.
Furthermore, there are solutions that include gas sensors detecting presence of gas within a security container and activate a spark generator that triggers explosion when the concentration of gas within the container is still low, so the explosion does not have a considerable impact. Such solution is described in EP 1865141 . The solution which also includes a gas sensor that detects the presence of gas within the security container is disclosed in EP 1679419 , except that this solution uses unreactive gas blown into the security container to prevent explosion. A similar solution includes a pressure gauge that detects an increase in pressure in case an explosive gas is introduced into the security container and activates the blowing-in of an unreactive gas into the security container. The disadvantage of said solutions lies in the need for an additional equipment of the security container that needs regular maintenance in order to ensure its faultless functioning.
Patent US 1 410 027 discloses a safety container made up of detachable hollow sections filled with mineral wool or the like, forming outer chambers of the safe. In addition to the outer chambers, there are inner open air chambers, composed of hollow perforated sections. Hollow blow-out plugs are secured in the outer walls of the safe sections leading into the air chambers. The outer walls of the blow-out plugs are sufficiently weak to fracture upon the explosion in the safe and the built-up pressure will be released through the holes.
Patent application DE 10 2005 041 943 discloses a safety container comprising at least one blow-out section secured in the wall. In case of explosion in the interior of the container and upon the built-up pressure the blow-out section falls off and the pressure can be released through the opening. Access through the opening from the outside to the interior of the safe is prevented by an additional mechanical protecting device, for example steel bars, secured on the inner side of the safe wall.
All described solutions to the problem concerning the improvement of anti-intruder security in case of explosion within the security container share a common characteristic, namely in all cases additional devices are required to reduce the effect of an intruder attack by means of an explosion. These additional devices contribute to higher costs and/or larger dimensions of the security container.
A solution to the technical problem of the present invention is to ensure such construction of a security container, which on the one hand, is more deformable in certain places thus absorbing the energy released during the explosion, and on the other hand, provides for an increased level of strength at critical places.
A security container according to the present invention has at least one weakened area in the side on the inner and/or outer side of each side wall, preferably a linear weakened area of the side extending in horizontal extension of the side wall. The weakened area of the side is formed as a thinner area, as an incision or as a perforation in the side. The weakened area of the side can be formed by intermediate breaks. The weakened areas of the side are arranged substantially over the entire side and substantially parallel to each other.
At least one reinforcing element is formed with a weakened area. The weakened area of the reinforcing element is formed as a thinner area, as an incision or as a brake in the reinforcing element. The weakened area of the reinforcing element is formed preferably adjacent to the linear weakened area of the sides. The weakened areas of the adjacent reinforcing elements are arranged in the side wall so as to form a linear configuration, which is substantially parallel to the linear weakened area of the side. The weakened areas of the adjacent reinforcing elements in the side wall are preferably arranged in a zigzag configuration.
Each of the contact edges of the two inner sides of the side walls with the inner side of the upper and lower walls of the security container is reinforced with at least one reinforcing element from the outside.
Bolts are arranged over the entire height of the door of the security container either at regular or at irregular intervals in pairs on the opposite sides of the door. The lower pair of bolts is located close to the bottom wall of the security container. The upper pair of the bolts is located close to the upper wall of the security container. The bolts are guided by means of a guide held by one or more holders arranged over the entire length of the bolt guide.
In the case of an intrusion attack by activating an explosion inside the security container, a considerable amount of energy is released within a short time and the gas pressure within the security container escalates. The increase in the pressure inside the security container according to the present invention is reflected in the plastic deformation of the side walls of the security container and said side walls bulge. Part of the energy released during explosion is used for plastic deformation of the walls of the security container. Between the side walls and the door of security container, and between the side walls and the rear wall of the container slots appear, through which slots the energy of the pressure shock wave of the explosion is partially released. Contact edge links of two side walls with the lower and the upper wall of the security container are not broken due to reinforcements of the contact edges of the inner sides of said walls by means of reinforcing elements.
The door of the security container remains closed even after the explosion, since the lower pair of the bolts is located close to the bottom wall of the security container and the upper pair of the bolts is located close to the upper wall of the security container, namely in the area where the gap between the side walls and the door of the security container is narrowest after the side walls got deformed, and thus the bolts remain engaged with the side walls.
After the explosion is triggered, the bolts deform less, because the holder(s) of the bolt guide is/are arranged over the entire length of the bolt guide and, therefore, the mechanical strength of the bolt guide is higher.
The main advantage of the invention is to prevent alienation of the content of the security container in case of an explosion intrusive attack without any need for any additional devices that would require regular maintenance or would contribute to the increase in the external dimensions of the security container or reduce the storage space.

Figure 1: Security container showing two weakened areas of the outer side of the side wall
Figure 2: Security container with vertical reinforcing profiles showing weakened areas of the inner sides of the side walls and weakened areas of reinforcing elements
Figure 3: Inner side of the security container with vertical reinforcing profiles showing the zigzag configuration of the weakened areas of the reinforcing profiles that are formed as brakes of the reinforcing profiles
Figure 4: Security container with reinforcing mesh showing weakened areas of the inner sides of the side walls and weakened areas of the reinforcing network Figure 5: Linear guide of the bolt on the door showing a holder of the guide

According to the present invention a security container 1, such as safe, treasure-chest, security cabinet or strongbox, for storing money, securities and/or valuables, comprises a housing 2 with an opening at the front side and a door 3 that is pivoted to said housing 2 and intended to close said opening. Said housing 2 further comprises a lower wall 4, two side walls 5, 6, and a rear wall 7 as well as an upper wall 8. Said door 3 further comprises bolts 9 arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the door and/or at the top and at the bottom of the door. The security container 1 can further comprise at least one system opening allowing to input or issue money, securities and/or valuables with the door closed. The walls of the security container 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 are formed by the inner and the outer side. Between an inner 10 and an outer side 11 of the side walls 5, 6, at least one reinforcing element 12, 13 is arranged. Said reinforcing element can be a reinforcing profile 12, arranged in vertical direction, a reinforcing mesh 13, or any other reinforcing element.
At least one weakened area 14 of the side 10, 11, preferably a linear weakened area 14 of the side 10, 11 extending in horizontal extension of said side walls 5, 6 is formed on the inner 10 and/or the outer side 11 of each side wall 5, 6. Said weakened area 14 of the side 10, 11 is formed as a thinner area, as an incision or as a perforation 21, 22 of the side 10, 11. Said weakened area 14 of the side 10, 11 can be formed with intermediate breaks. Said weakened areas 14 of the sides are arranged preferably over the entire inner 10 and/or the outer side 11 and substantially parallel to each other.
At least one reinforcing element 12, 13 is formed with at least one weakened area 16, 17 of the reinforcing element. Said weakened area 16, 17 of the reinforcing element is formed as a thinner area, as an incision or as a brake of the reinforcing element. In the embodiment with a reinforcing mesh, said mesh is broken at least once in the central part and the break is covered by a belt of the reinforcing mesh that extends beyond the edges of broken parts. Said weakened area 16, 17 of the reinforcing element is formed preferably adjacent to the linear weakened area 14, 15 of the inner and/or the outer side. Said weakened areas 16, 17 of the adjacent reinforcing elements 12, 13 in the side walls 5, 6 are arranged in such manner to form a linear configuration. Said weakened area 16 of the adjacent reinforcing elements 12 in the side wall 5, 6 are preferably arranged to form a zigzag configuration.
Each of the contact edges of the two inner sides 10 of the side walls 5, 6 with the inner side of the lower 4 and upper wall 8 of said security container 1 is externally reinforced by at least one reinforcing element 18. Said reinforcing element 18 can be a profile arranged transversely across the contact edge, the profile being selected from the group consisting of: a round, square and rectangular profile. The second embodiment has an angular profile 18 as said reinforcing element 18 and is arranged along the contact edge.
Bolts are arranged over the entire height of the door of the security container preferably at regular intervals. The lowest bolt 9 at the hinge side of the door and the lowest bolt at the opposite side of the door are located close to the lower wall 4 of said security container 1. The highest bolt 9 at the hinge side of the door and the highest bolt at the opposite side of the door are located close to the upper wall 8 of said security container 1. Bolts are guided by means of a guide 19 that is held by one or more holders 20 arranged over the entire length of said bolt guide 9.

Claims

A security container (1) as safe, treasure-chest, security cabinet or strongbox for storing money, securities and/or valuables, which comprises
- a housing (2) with an opening at the front side, said housing (2) further comprising a lower wall (4), two side walls (5, 6), a rear wall (7) and an upper wall (8), and

- a door (3) pivoted to said housing (2) and provided to close said opening, said door (3) further comprising bolts (9) arranged in pairs at opposite sides of the door and/or on the top and bottom of said door,
said walls (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) being formed by an inner (10) and an outer side (11), between said inner (10) and said outer side (11) of side walls (5, 6) at least one reinforcing element (12, 13) is arranged, said reinforcing element (12, 13) being a reinforcing profile (12) arranged in vertical direction, or a reinforcing mash (13), characterized in that
on said inner (10) and/or said outer side (11) of each side wall (5, 6) at least one weakened area (14) of said sides (10, 11) is formed,
in that at least one weakened area (16, 17) of the reinforcing element is formed on at least one reinforcing element (12, 13),
in that each of the contact edges of said two inner sides (10) of said side walls (5, 6) with said inner side of said bottom (4) and said upper wall (8) of said security container (1) is externally reinforced with at least one reinforcing element (18), and
in that a lower bolt (9) at the hinge side of the door and the lower bolt at the opposite side of the door are located close to said lower wall (4) of said security container (1), and that said upper bolt (9) at the hinge side of the door and the upper bolt at the opposite side of the door are located close to said upper wall (8) of said security container (1).
Security container according to claim 1, characterized in that said weakened area (14) of said side (10, 11) is formed as a thinner area, as an incision or as a perforation (21, 22) of said side (10, 11), wherein said weakened area (14) of said side (10, 11) is formed as said linear weakened area (14) of said side (10, 11) extending in horizontal extension of said side wall (5, 6).
Security container according to claim 2, characterized in that said linear weakened area (14) of said side (10, 11) is formed by intermediate breaks.
Security container according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said linear weakened areas (14) of said side (10, 11) are arranged over said inner (10) and/or said outer sides (11) substantially parallel to each other.
Security container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said weakened area (16, 17) of the reinforcing element is formed as a thinner area, as an incision or as a brake of the reinforcing element.
Security container according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said weakened area (16, 17) of the reinforcing element is formed preferably substantially adjacent to said linear weakened area (14, 15) of said inner (10) and/or said outer side (11).
Security container according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said weakened areas (16, 17) of said adjacent reinforcing elements (12, 13) in said side wall (5, 6) are arranged in a manner to form a linear configuration.
Security container according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said weakened areas (16) of said adjacent reinforcing elements (12) in said side wall (5, 6) are arranged in a manner to form a zigzag configuration.
Security container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said reinforcing element (18) is a profile arranged transversely across the contact edge, and selected from the group consisting of: a round, square and rectangular profile.
Security container according any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said reinforcing element (18) is an angular profile (18) arranged along the contact edge.
Security container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bolt is formed by means of a guide (19) held by one or more holders (20) arranged substantially over the entire length of said guide (19) of said bolt (9).