EP3797406A1

EP3797406A1 - Safety device against deflagration or detonation of explosive devices for automated teller machines,protected automated teller machine and method of protection of a confined environment from deflagration or detonation, by means of an explosive device, of an automated teller machine

Info

Publication number: EP3797406A1
Application number: EP19730222.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Danilo COPPE
Original assignee: Sigint Srl
Current assignee: Sigint Srl
Priority date: 2018-05-23
Filing date: 2019-05-16
Publication date: 2021-03-31
Also published as: IT201800005647A1; WO2019224669A1

Abstract

Safety device (10) against deflagration or detonation of explosive devices for automated teller machines, said device being characterized in that it comprises a body, in use installed inside a building, identifying an internal volume defined between a front portion (10f) thereof, a rear portion (10b) and side portions (10s), the said body comprising: a) an at least perimetric, supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) adapted and configured and/or defining an enclosure for at least three sides of the automated teller machine and configured to be rigidly fixed to a building structure; and b) an explosion and/or deflagration confinement net (14), joined and/or solidly constrained to the supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17), suitable for providing an at least partial cushioning or absorption means of a deflagration or detonation wave developing within the said volume; and c) a deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19), specifically configured for conveying at least part of a deflagration or detonation wave to the front portion (10f) of the said body. The invention also concerns an automated teller machine and a protection method thereof against explosions of explosive devices.

Description

“SAFETY DEVICE AGAINST DEFLAGRATION OR DETONATION OF EXPLOSIVE DEVICES FOR AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINES, PROTECTED AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE AND METHOD OF PROTECTION OF A CONFINED ENVIRONMENT FROM DEFLAGRATION OR DETONATION, BY MEANS OF AN EXPLOSIVE

DEVICE, OF AN AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE”

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the sector of safety devices against explosions or similar phenomena and in particular concerns a safety device against deflagration or detonation of explosive devices, for automated teller machines.

The present invention also concerns an automated teller machine protected by means of the aforesaid safety device.

The present invention also concerns a method of protection of a confined environment from deflagration or detonation, by means of an explosive device, of an automated teller machine.

Prior art

Automated teller machines are devices adapted to dispense cash to users and comprise a body provided with a front wall from on which there are user interface means projecting towards the user, typically comprising a monitor, a keypad and a plurality of compartments respectively adapted to allow the introduction of a card unambiguously associated with a user and to allow the withdrawal of the cash and the relative receipt.

The body of automated teller machines, which typically face the outer perimeter of a branch of a bank, projects mainly inside the building, and comprises a safe or equivalent armored container adapted to contain a sufficient amount of cash that is gradually dispensed to users, and mechanical handling means that are specifically configured to withdraw from the safe or armored container a specific amount of cash to then make the aforesaid amount of cash available towards the withdrawal compartment. The mechanical handling means access the safe or armored container through an opening that is hidden from users by means of the front wall of the automated teller machine. The opening of the safe or armored container is a weak point. In general, the body of automated teller machines further comprises side walls, including therein a rear wall from which it is possible to access, through a relevant door, the inside of the safe or armored container.

Although the front wall is in turn typically armored, in order to prevent easy mechanical accesses to the safe by forcing, it has been noted that the monitor and compartments for the insertion of the card and the withdrawal of cash, and in particular the latter compartment, represent a structural weak point that is exploited for robbing the automated teller machine.

As illustrated in Figure 1, which shows an automated teller machine of the known type, the cash withdrawal compartment 103, which in the embodiment illustrated is positioned at a slightly lower level than the level at which the monitor 101 and the keypad 102 are positioned, due to the position of its opening is used to introduce into the portion of automated teller machine 100 that lies behind the front wall 104 a break-in device comprising explosive material. The aim of this type of break-in is that of causing an exothermic chemical reaction resulting in a deflagration or detonation that leads to the breaking of the portion around the cash withdrawal compartment 103 and/or of the cash handling mechanisms, so that the hand and/or arm of the robber can be introduced into the safe through the opening originally present therein in order to withdraw as much cash as possible.

Various bibliographies are available regarding break-in techniques for automated teller machines using deflagrating or detonating material. Different types of explosive, deflagrating or detonating material can generally be used including, by way of non-limiting example, flash powder, black powder, dynamite, TNT, RDX or derivatives thereof.

For clarity purposes, it is specified that a deflagration is a physical phenomenon that regards explosives or explosive mixtures with a reaction speed in the order of hundreds of metres per second, while detonation comprises reactive phenomena with speeds of thousands of metres per second. The administration of energy, in a deflagration, unlike for detonation, characterized by the presence of a strong shock wave, is an explosive phenomenon that is propagated by thermal conductivity starting from the outer surface of the mass and proceeding towards the inside. However, a deflagrating material can recreate, often in an environment like the confined one of an automated teller machine, a performance that is similar to a detonation, although intrinsically remaining a deflagration.

Following the trigger of the deflagration, the gases produced by the chemical reaction expand, taking on a regular spherical shape with laminar motion, and as the chemical reaction proceeds, the advancement front of the wave becomes increasingly irregular, the envelope surface area of the wave increasing with respect to the sphere and accelerating the reaction of the mixture.

The chemical reaction, from the thermodynamic point of view, is an isochoric transformation i.e. with a constant volume, where such constant volume comes from the volume of the automated teller machine, and more in particular from the volume defined by the front and side walls of the automated teller machine. From an explosion point of view, such reaction is classified as a CVCE (Confined Vapor Cloud Explosion).

In initial temperature conditions equal to 293K, following the explosion inside the aforesaid volume, estimated as around 300 1, a pressure is obtained that is typically in the order of 16 atm.

From a first and general visual analysis of the components of the automated teller machine, the consequences of the explosion appear to be obvious as no part of the automated teller machine is typically designed to withstand such pressures.

The consequence of this is the projection of fragments and pieces of automated teller machine, both outside the building of the bank branch, and inside the latter. The latter aspect, in particular, is the source of origin of collateral damage, as the outcome of the explosion leads to the damage also of the inside of the bank branch and, likewise, to the risk of people being injured should the break-in take place during working hours.

The aim of the present invention is that of describing a safety device against deflagration or detonation of explosive devices, for an automated teller machine, able to solve the drawbacks described above.

A further aim of the present invention is that of describing an automated teller machine protected against deflagration or detonation. A further aim of the present invention is that of describing a method of protection of a confined environment from deflagration or detonation, by means of an explosive device, of an automated teller machine.

Summary

In order to reach the aforesaid and further scopes, a safety device (10) against deflagration or detonation of explosive devices for an automated teller machine (20) is realized, said device being characterized in that it comprises a body, in use installed inside a building and in particular configured and specifically designed to be at least partially installed fixedly on a floor (302) or a support plane of said building, said body defining an internal volume defined between a front portion (10f) thereof, a rear portion (10b) and side portions (10s), the body itself comprising:

a) an at least perimetric, supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) adapted and configured to house at least part of the said automated teller machine (20) and/or defining at least one casing for at least three sides of the automated teller machine (20) and configured to be rigidly fixed to a building structure; and

b) an explosion and/or deflagration confinement net (14), joined and/or solidly constrained to the supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17), suitable for providing an at least partial cushioning or absorption means of a deflagration or detonation wave developing within the said volume.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the said safety device further comprises:

c) a deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19), specifically configured for conveying at least part of a deflagration or detonation wave to the front portion (10f) of the said body.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19) is positioned at the front portion (10f) of the said body, and optionally in an upper front portion of the said body.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the net (14) defines a substantially closed volume and/or identifies a predefined volume therein.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19) is configured to be installed inside said net (14) and/or inside said predefined volume.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19) is configured to convey at least part of the deflagration or detonation wave at an openable compartment of the said automated teller machine, in particular a compartment for dispensing cash.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19) is configured to convey at least part of the deflagration or detonation wave to the front portion (10f) of the said body.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19) is coupled and/or configured to be coupled to said frontal deflagration or detonation gas vent means which are conveniently realized by the compartment for dispensing the cash.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19) is positioned in a substantially opposite position with respect to the rear portion (10b) of the said safety device.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the supporting frame (18; 13; 12) comprises at least one portal positioned at the front portion (10f) of the body, defined at least by two struts (11) and by a connecting beam of the two struts (11), optionally installed at the upper end of the front portion (10f). According to a further non-limiting aspect, at least the said two struts (11) comprise a plurality of holes (13), optionally spaced apart equally from each other and/or aligned along a direction parallel to a first reference axis (Y), for the fixing of the front portion (10f) of the body to a wall of a building.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) comprises at least one base (12) adapted to be fixed on a base support or floor (302) with or together with the said automated teller machine.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the base (12) is fixed to the struts (11), and is provided with a plurality of holes (13), optionally spaced apart equally from each other and/or aligned along a direction parallel to a second reference axis (X).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the base (12) is fixed to struts through welding and/or bolting and is configured to realize in use, in particular when welded and/or bolted to the struts (11), a rigid structure.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the base (12) identifies an area of a dimension such as to house within it at least the portion of automated teller machine (20) that in use rests on the ground and/or is configured to house within it at least the portion of automated teller machine (20) that in use rests on the ground.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the supporting frame (18; 13; 12) and/or the said struts (11) and/or the said base (12) are made of steel, in particular C43 alloy.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the net (14) is rigidly joined to the base (12) and to the struts (11) and withstands and/or is configured to withstand a force of at least 1500 kN/m ², more preferably 1550 kN/m ², even more preferably 1570 kN/m ², still more preferably 1590 kN/m².

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the net (14) is a metal net with double twisted strands and is fixed to the base (12) and to the struts (11) by binding.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the net (14) is a multi-strand net.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the said net (14) identifies a plurality of interconnected meshes of the polygonal type, optionally with a honeycomb arrangement and/or identifying a substantially honeycomb structure.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the net (14) and/or the supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) are pretensioned.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the body of the safety device (10) comprises at least a first open operational configuration, in which it is configured to allow access to said automated teller machine (20) and a closed operational configuration, in which it substantially prevents access to the automated teller machine (20).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the rear portion (10b) of the body of the safety device is selectively and/or removably connected and/or connectable to said front portion (10f), and whenever connected, said front portion (10f) and said rear portion (10b) place the said body in said closed operational configuration and realize a continuous enclosure on the said at least three sides of the said automatic teller machine (20).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the rear portion is removably connected to said front portion (10f) through a plurality of openable connectors (16k), that can be constrained between said front portion (10f) and said rear portion (10b). According to a further non-limiting aspect, the rear portion (10b) of the said body can be selectively disconnected from the front portion (10f) by sliding along a predetermined direction.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, in said closed operational configuration, the rear portion (10b) and the front portion (10f) are mutually overlapped, optionally at least at side walls thereof.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the rear portion (10b) of the body identifies a plurality of faces or walls, covered by the said net (14) or along which the net (14) extends, and comprises a plurality of intermediate reinforcement beams (18; 18p) adapted and/or configured to support the said net (14) in a predetermined position.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) further comprises a layer of plastic material (14a; 14b) whereon the net (14) is supported or within which the net (14) is buried.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the layer of plastic material (14a, 14b) extends at least along the side walls (10s) and identifies an inner face, which is facing the volume defined by the body and an outer face opposite the inner face, and wherein the net (14) is at a first predefined distance (di) from the said outer face and at a second predefined distance (d₂) from the said inner face.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, alternatively to the previous aspect, the layer of plastic material (14a, 14b) extends at least along the side walls (10s) and an inner face, which is facing the volume defined by the body and an outer face opposite the inner face, and wherein the net (14) is at a first predefined distance (d) from the said inner face or, alternatively, from the said outer face and wherein the said predefined distance is substantially of a measure equal to the thickness of the said wall.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the plastic material of the said net is a thermoplastic material, in particular a polyolefin thermoplastic material, optionally polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the body of the said device defines a volume at least equal to 200I, more preferably 250I, more preferably 300I and has a parallelepiped shape.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the said net (14) exhibits meshes of dimension at least equal to 6x8 cm, preferably 7x9cm, or more preferably 8x10cm.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the at least perimetric supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) defines, at least when in said second closed operational configuration, an enclosure for four sides of the said automated teller machine.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the net (14) is arranged so as to at least partially continuously surround and/or without total interruptions and/or without discontinuities the at least three sides of the said automated teller machine and/or extends continuously along a perimeter of the said safety device.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) comprises a plurality of intermediate reinforcement frames (18), at least partially projecting from the base (12) and/or from the portal (13), providing and/or configured to provide strength and/or rigidity to the body of the safety device (10).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the connectors (16k), in said first closed operational configuration, are connected to the supporting frame (18, 13, 12).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) comprises a secondary stiffening structure (16, 16a, 16b, 17), comprising: at least one first pair of bars comprising a first and a second bar (16; 16a), joined to the struts (1 1 ), optionally at a first end thereof,

a first crosspiece (17) fixed, optionally removably, to said first and second bar (16; 16a) in a distinct portion with respect to the first end, optionally at a respective second end thereof opposite the first end.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the first and second bar (16; 16a) are both at a first level, and each lie on two opposite walls and/or on two opposite sides of the said safety device.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the secondary stiffening structure also comprises a second pair of bars comprising a first and a second bar (16b), joined to the struts , optionally at a second end thereof, and a second crosspiece (17) fixed, optionally removably, to said first and second bar (16b) in a distinct position with respect to the first end, optionally at a respective second end thereof opposite the first end, wherein the first and the second bar (16b) of the second pair of bars are both at a second level, and each lie on two opposite walls and/or on two opposite sides of the said safety device.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the secondary stiffening structure comprises a rear portal (16r), comprising twostruts positioned and fixed at a first end thereof onto the base (12), and a crosspiece fixed to the aforesaid struts at a distinct portion thereof with respect to said first end, optionally at a second opposite end with respect to the first end.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the struts of the rear portal (16r) are also constrained, removably or in a fixed way, to the first and the second bar (16a) positioned at the said first level and/or to the first and second bar (16b) positioned at the second level.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the intermediate reinforcement beams (18) are made of steel and can in particular be realized through the aforesaid C43 alloy.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the body of the said safety device identifies a shape comprising edges and/or corners and/or sharp points, and at least one or part of the said intermediate reinforcement beams (18) is positioned and/or terminates and/or passes through the said edge or corner or sharp point.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the body of said safety device (10) identifies a substantially parallelepiped shape identifying at least one left rear side and one right rear side, at which a first intermediate reinforcement beam (18) and a second intermediate reinforcement beam (18) are respectively positioned.

According to a further aspect, an automated teller machine (20) is realized, comprising a safety device (10) according to one or more of the preceding aspects.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the automated teller machine (20) comprises a body provided with dispensing means (24), configured for selectively delivering cash preferably paper money, a safe (21 ) or armored container adapted to contain a predetermined amount of cash, mechanical handling means, specifically configured for withdrawing from the safe or armored container a specific amount of cash, and means of user interface (22); and wherein said dispensing means comprise a compartment intended for dispensing cash, configured for identifying a vent for gas pressure developing within the body of the said automated teller machine following detonation or deflagration. According to a further aspect, an automated teller machine (20) is described herein, adapted to be installed at a wall (301 ), preferably a perimetric wall of a building, in such a position that at least one portion and/or front wall of the automated teller machine (20) faces onto a first side of the wall (301 ) and/or projects beyond the first side of the wall (301 ) and a side and rear portion of the automated teller machine (20) faces onto a second side of the wall (301 ) opposite the first side of the wall,

said automated teller machine (20) comprising a body provided with a dispensing device (24) at least partially accessible from said front portion and/or wall of the automated teller machine (20) and configured for selectively delivering cash preferably paper money, a safe or armored container (21 ) adapted to contain a predetermined amount of cash, mechanical handling means, specifically configured for withdrawing from the safe or armored container (21 ) a specific amount of cash for supplying it to the dispensing device (24), and means of user interface configured to allow the activation of the mechanical handling means through commands imparted by a user on the user interface; and wherein said dispensing means are positioned at a front wall of the automated teller machine (20) and comprise at least one compartment intended for dispensing cash;

the automated teller machine (20) comprising a safety device (10) against deflagration or detonation of explosive devices in turn comprising a body, in use installed inside a building and in particular configured and specifically designed to be at least partially installed fixedly on a floor (302), said body identifying an internal volume defined between a front portion (10f) thereof, a rear portion (10b) and side portions (10s), the said body in turn comprising:

a) an at least perimetric, supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17), housing the portion of automated teller machine (20) extending beyond the second side of the wall (301 ) and defining at least one enclosure profile for at least three sides of the automated teller machine (20), said supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) being configured to be rigidly fixed to a building structure; and

b) an explosion and/or deflagration confinement net (14), joined and/or solidly constrained to the supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) and in turn housing the portion of automated teller machine (20) extending beyond the second side of the wall (301 ) and defining at least one profile of an enclosure for at least three sides of the automated teller machine (20), said net (14) being adapted to realize an at least partial cushioning or absorption means of a deflagration or detonation wave developing within the said volume; the automated teller machine (20) comprising a deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19) rigidly constrained to the said safety device (10) at the front portion (10f) of the said body.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19) is configured to direct at least part of the deflagration or detonation wave towards the dispensing device (24).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the said dispensing means (24) are positioned at a front wall (23) of the automated teller machine.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the dispensing means (24) comprise the said dispensing device, in particular an electromechanical and/or mechanical dispensing device.

According to a further aspect, the object of the invention is a method of protection of a confined environment from deflagration or detonation, by means of an explosive device, of an automated teller machine (20), said method comprising a step of installation of an automated teller machine (20) in a predetermined position in such a way that said automated teller machine is supported by a support base or floor (302), and a subsequent step of covering at least three sides of said automated teller machine (20) by means of a deflagration or explosion safety device (10) such that the aforesaid at least three sides of said automated teller machine are enclosed within a supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) and are covered by a detonation and/or deflagration confinement net (14), joined and/or constrained to the supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17), designed to provide an at least partial cushioning or absorption means of a deflagration or detonation wave of an explosive device developing inside of said volume.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the said covering step is a step of installing said safety device (10) and/or said net (14) and said supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) following which the safety device (10) and/or said net (14) and said supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) are constrained in a fixed and/or irremovable way to a portion of a building.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the three sides of the said automated teller machine (20) comprise a rear portion (10b), and side walls (10s) of the said automated teller machine (20) that are transverse with respect to the rear portion (10b) and optionally orthogonal with respect to the rear portion (10b).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the covering step comprises the covering of the aforesaid three sides and the covering of a fourth side of the said automated teller machine (20), said fourth side comprising an upper wall of the said automated teller machine (20), transverse with respect to the rear portion (10b) and to the side walls (10s) optionally orthogonal to the rear portion (10b) and to the side walls (10s).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the net (14) is a metal net and/or configured to withstand a force of at least 1500 kN/m², more preferably 1550 kN/m², even more preferably 1570 kN/m², even more preferably 1590 kN/m² and/or is a multi-strand type net and/or a double twisted net.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a binding and/or welding step of the said net (14) to the supporting frame, in particular to struts (11), joined together through a crosspiece, and to a base (12) of the supporting frame mutually joined to each other in a rigid way.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a step of installation of the said struts (11) substantially at a front portion of the automated teller machine (20), and of constraint of the base (12) to a floor by means of plugs, optionally expansion plugs or chemical fixing.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises a pretensioning step of the net (14) and/or of the supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17), performed in advance or at the same time as the covering and/or installation step. According to a further non-limiting aspect, the covering step comprises the positioning of at least a first front portion (10f) of the body of the said safety device against deflagration or detonation (10) around at least part of the said automated teller machine (20), optionally at a substantially front portion of the automated teller machine (20), and comprises the subsequent positioning of a second rear portion (10b) of the said body in at least substantial proximity to the front portion (10f) and removable joining of the said first front portion (10f) with the rear portion (10b) through a plurality of openable connectors (16k). According to a further non-limiting aspect, the covering step comprises in particular a positioning step of the second rear portion (10b) of the said body at least partially overlapping with the first front portion (10b), in order to realize the said covering of the said at least three sides of the automated teller machine.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises providing the said safety device (10) with a deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19), specifically configured for conveying at least part of a deflagration or detonation wave to the front portion (10f) of the said body.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises in particular positioning the deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19) at the front portion (10f) of the said body, and optionally in an upper front portion of the said body, optionally so that said deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19) is rigidly fixed to a supporting frame of the said safety device (10).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises in particular positioning the deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19) so as to convey at least part of the deflagration or detonation wave at an openable compartment of the said automated teller machine, in particular a compartment for dispensing cash.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises providing the supporting frame (18; 13; 12;

16; 16a, 16b; 17) of the said safety device (10) with at least one portal positioned at the front portion (1 Of) of the body, defined at least by two struts (11) and by a connecting beam of the two struts (11), optionally installed at the upper end of the front portion (10f).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises providing at least the said two struts (11) with a plurality of holes (13), optionally spaced apart equally from each other and/or aligned along a direction parallel to a first reference axis (Y), for the fixing of the front portion (10f) of the body to a wall of a building.

16; 16a, 16b; 17) with at least one base (12) and further comprises a step of fixing the base (12) to the base support or floor with the said automated teller machine, optionally by means of plugs inserted into holes in the base support or floor with the addition of a chemical binder.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises fixing the base (12) to the struts (11), and providing the aforesaid base with a plurality of holes, optionally spaced apart equally from each other and/or aligned along a direction parallel to a second reference axis (X).

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises making the supporting frame (18; 13; 12) and/or the said struts (11) and/or the said base (12) of steel, in particular C43 alloy.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises providing the supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) with a layer of plastic material (14a; 14b) whereon the net (14) is supported or within which the net (14) is buried.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the method comprises providing the layer of plastic material (14a, 14b) along the side walls (10s) and identifies an inner face, which is facing the volume defined by the body and an outer face opposite the inner face, and arranging the net (14) at a first predefined distance (d1) from the said outer face and at a second predefined distance (d2) from the said inner face. According to a further non-limiting aspect, the said step is step of covering at least a fourth side of the said automated teller machine by means of a safety device against deflagration or explosion (10), in addition to the said at least three sides.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the said at least three sides comprise a pair of sides, respectively left and right, and a rear side.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the predetermined installation position is a position in which a front side of the said automated teller machine (20) faces onto or at a partitioning wall (301) of a building, optionally a bank or bank branch or bank building, adapted to identify a delimiting wall of an internal structure of a banking establishment to be protected from the projection of material following an explosion or deflagration that took place inside the said automated teller machine.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the partitioning wall (301) is a perimetric wall, in particular made of bricks and/or reinforced concrete.

According to a further non-limiting aspect, the said fourth side is an upper side of the said automated teller machine and/or a side that defines a wall lying on a plane substantially horizontal in use.

Description of the Drawings

These and other aspects will be explained in relation to a preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the invention, described in the following detailed description, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

- Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an automated teller machine of the known type, burglarized by a mechanical device containing deflagrating material;

- Figure 2 illustrates a schematic side view of a safety device for automated teller machines installed on a wall;

- Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view from the rear side of the safety device for automated teller machines, in a first configuration;

- Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view from the front side of the safety device for automated teller machines, in a first configuration;

- Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view from the rear side of the safety device for automated teller machines according to the invention, in a second configuration;

- Figure 6 illustrates a detail of an automated teller machine, observed from the front;

- Figure 7 and Figure 8 illustrate respectively two alternative construction solutions of part of the safety device for automated teller machines;

- Figure 9 illustrates a view in a partially open use configuration of a second embodiment of the safety device for automated teller machines according to the invention, including the automated teller machine;

- Figure 10 illustrates an exploded view of the second embodiment of the safety device for automated teller machines according to the invention;

- Figure 11 illustrates a view in the open use configuration of the second embodiment of the safety device for automated teller machines, without the automated teller machine. Detailed description of the invention

A safety device 10 against explosion, in particular against deflagration or detonation is described herein, configured and specifically conceived to protect a banking from the projection of fragments or however elements following explosions, in particular detonations or deflagrations that can take place within an automated teller machine, in particular an automated teller machine for the distribution of cash, when attacked for a robbery by means of explosives, preferably but not limited to the deflagrating type.

In particular, the safety device prevents so-called "collateral damage” deriving from the effects that the explosion has on the inside of the branch of the bank and/or on any people present at the time of the attack, in particular if they are located substantially at the sides and/or rear portion of the automated teller machine. In particular, the safety device described herein, which substantially realizes an exoskeleton for the automated teller machine, is conceived to allow the damage in the buildings to be confined and to promote the venting of the explosion and the destructive effects thereof at the front portion of the automated teller machine. Such destructive effects are typically of a ballistic nature because of the projection of debris and mechanical parts detached from the automated teller machine itself.

The safety device that is the object of the invention is presented in two preferred and non-limiting embodiments, of which a first is identified in Figures 1-8 and a second in Figures 9-11.

First embodiment

As illustrated in Figure 2 and in Figure 6, an automated teller machine 20 typically comprises a body that identifies a front part 10f, provided with a front wall 23, preferably positioned in the lower portion of the automated teller machine, at or substantially at which user interface means 22 face which can typically comprise a monitor, possibly of the touch sensitive type, and/or a keypad and a plurality of compartments 24 of which at least a first compartment is a compartment for the distribution of cash, and a second compartment is a compartment for the introduction of a card for withdrawing cash. In particular, the cash distribution compartment is provided with a drawer equipped with a metal closing flap, typically rotating or slidable, which represents by its very nature an intrinsically weak element for the overall mechanical resistance of the automated teller machine 20 to attacks by criminals.

The elements that face the front wall 23 are the only ones accessible to the public, as the front wall is surrounded by a delimiting wall, preferably a perimetric wall, of the branch of the banking establishment. The rest of the elements of the automated teller machine 20 described herein, are positioned behind such delimiting wall. The front wall 23 opposes the rear wall of the automated teller machine, and both the front and rear walls are typically orthogonal to a pair of left and right side walls, and an upper wall. Having defined a first reference axis X as the depth axis, a second reference axis Y or height axis orthogonal to the first reference axis X, and a third reference axis Z, or width axis, orthogonal to the first and to the second reference axis, the front wall and the rear wall lie on parallel planes to the plane identified by the pair of axes Y, Z, while the side walls lie on parallel planes to the plane identified by the pair of axes X, Y. The upper wall lies on a parallel plane to the plane identified by the pair of axes Z, Y.

The body of the automated teller machine 20 further comprises a safe or armored container 21, which can also be defined as an armored container for cash, which comprises within itself a predetermined amount of cash and which also comprises a door that can be opened by a key and/or mechanical or electronic combination device, for refilling with cash. The safe or armored container 21 comprises a slit for taking out cash which typically - although in a non- limiting way - is realized in the upper portion and/or at an upper wall thereof. The openable door of the safe or armored container 21 preferably lies at the rear portion of the automated teller machine 20 and can open onto a left or right side or onto the rear side of the automated teller machine.

The automated teller machine 20 also comprises mechanical handling means adapted to transfer a predetermined amount of cash from the safe or armored container to the cash dispensing compartment, in particular configured to perform the transfer operation of the predetermined amount of cash in an automated way with the control of a program for processing that authorizes the activation thereof when data unambiguously associated with a user of a particular card inserted into the respective compartment have been electronically verified. The body of the automated teller machine, therefore, defines an internal volume within which it is possible - in the event of attack - that a deflagration or detonation develops. In particular, the closed structure of the body of the automated teller machine 20 defines a volume that is substantially unmodifiable, typically equal to 200I-300I, by way of non-limiting example, 250I, or 280I.

In fact, as illustrated in Figure 2, the automated teller machine is typically installed at the perimeter of a building, between a floor 302 or support plane, typically made of material comprising reinforced concrete, also in order to withstand the significant weight, and a dividing or separating or partitioning wall 301 , preferably a partitioning wall, even more preferably made of bricks and/or reinforced concrete or at least covered in reinforced concrete and/or with a slab of metal material. In particular, the dividing or separating wall 301 divides the space outside the building from the space inside, which is schematically represented in Figure 2 with reference number 300.

The automated teller machine 20 preferably comprises, and/or is covered by, a safety device, which contains the traditional body of the automated teller machine 20 at least on three sides, left, right and rear. Such safety device 10 substantially forms a cage for the automated teller machine. The "at least three sides” refers to the fact that the automated teller machine 20 can be substantially as high as the height of the ceiling of the branch with respect to the floor. In this specific case it is not necessary for the safety device 10 to also contain the upper wall, as it would immediately find confinement in the ceiling, and the explosion, in particular the detonation or deflagration, would not be able to vent into the building from this wall. Otherwise, if the total height of the automated teller machine 20 plus the safety device thus allow, it is preferable to realize the safety device so as to contain the body of the automated teller machine 20 at least on four sides, including the upper side thereof. This solution allows the maximum confinement of the detonation or deflagration. The safety device 10 therefore identifies an internal volume defined by a front portion 10f, a rear portion 10b and side portions 10s.

The body of the safety device 10 comprises a supporting frame 18, 13, 12, and a net 14 supported by the said supporting frame. The supporting frame and the net 14 identify as a whole a predefined internal volume within which the automated teller machine is positioned. In particular, the net 14 is joined and/or constrained, and in particular rigidly joined and/or constrained to the supporting frame 18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17 and is adapted to realize an at least partial cushioning or absorption element of the deflagration or explosion wave which in the event of an attack develops inside of the aforesaid volume.

The first embodiment of the safety device 10 can assume a parallelepiped shape, identifying a pair of side walls, opposing each other and lying on parallel planes to the plane identified by the first reference axis X and by the second reference axis Y, an upper wall parallel to a plane identified by the first reference axis X and by the third reference axis Z, and a rear wall parallel to the plane identified by the second reference axis Y and by the third reference axis Z.

The supporting frame comprises a portal installed at the front portion 10f of the body of the automated teller machine 20 and in particular comprising a pair of struts 11 aligned and/or extending along a parallel direction to the second reference axis Y, and a crosspiece 111 for connecting the two struts , optionally installed at the upper end of the front portion 10f. The crosspiece 11t extends along a parallel direction to the direction identified by the third reference axis Z. The crosspiece 11t and the struts 11 preferably but in a non-limiting way are made of steel, and even more preferably of C43 alloy.

The supporting frame also comprises a base 12, which develops along a parallel plane to the first reference axis and to the third reference axis X, Z; the base 12 has a dimension such as to be able to house, within the identified perimeter, at least the automated teller machine 20 portion that during use rests on the ground, and is joined to the portal at a front end thereof and is preferably but not necessarily made of steel, even more preferably of C43 alloy. The joining of the base 12 to the portal preferably takes place through welding, the latter solution being represented in the appended figures, or alternatively but not necessarily through bolting.

In order to allow the correct locking respectively to the floor and to the delimiting wall, the base 12 and the portal are provided with a plurality of holes 13, e.g. spaced apart equally from each other configured to allow the installation of engagement screws or plugs on the delimiting wall or on the floor. Such plugs are firmly joined to the respective wall or floor, for example, by means of chemical gluing.

The portal and the base 12 are preferably but not necessarily realized with beams with parallelepiped sections with a preferably but not necessarily strongly disproportionate height/width ratio; in particular, in the base 12, the walls with the largest extension rest on the ground, and the holes 13 cross such walls orthogonally.

The supporting frame further comprises intermediate reinforcement beams 18, at least partially projecting from the base 12 and/or from the portal, providing greater strength and rigidity for the structure of the safety device 10. Such intermediate reinforcement beams 18 are also made of steel and can in particular be realized through the aforesaid C43 alloy. Even more preferably, the intermediate reinforcement beams 18 have a circular or substantially circular section, but this particular shape must not be considered to be limiting.

Preferably but not necessarily, at least part of the intermediate reinforcement beams is at edges and/or corners of the body of the safety device; in particular, in a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention, at least a first intermediate reinforcement beam 18p is at or substantially at the left rear corner of the device and a second reinforcement beam 18p is at or substantially at the right rear corner of the device. The first intermediate reinforcement beam and the second intermediate reinforcement beam 18p extend parallel to the second reference axis Y. A further pair of reinforcement beams 18i is in a median zone of the base 12 and extends parallel to the second reference axis Y. The reinforcement beams 18i, 18p are joined to the base 12, preferably but not necessarily through welding.

In order to make the structure stronger and promote the containment of the deflagration or explosion, the net 14 is fixed to the supporting frame, and in particular to the base 12 and to the portal through binding; alternatively, the net 14 can be fixed to the supporting frame through welding. Preferably, the net 14 is a multi-strand net with double twisting, made of steel, and the binding to the base and to the portal is performed through bindings with the same characteristics as the strands. The double twisted multi-strand net makes it possible to prevent gaps in the event of the accidental breakage of any of the strands which could otherwise take place if a single twist net were to be used. Although the shape of the meshes is not limiting, it has been found that the net 14, in particular the double-twisted net 14, is more efficient with polygonal meshes, preferably hexagonal, adapted to identify an overall substantially honeycomb structure.

In particular, from tests performed by the Applicant, it has been observed that a preferred embodiment of the net 14 exhibits meshes of dimension at least equal to 5x8 cm, more preferably 7x9 cm, more preferably 8x10 cm. Preferably, all the meshes of the net are the same size. Such solution allows the ratio between the weight of the net 14 and the explosion confinement resistance to be optimized if for the attack on the automated teller machine 20 a predefined amount of explosive estimated between 250g and 350g of flash powder is used, which is only one of the potential types of explosives, in this case deflagrating, which can be used to attack an automated teller machine.

A preferred but non-limiting solution for the safety device 10 according to the invention is represented by the fact of having a supporting frame provided with a layer of plastic material 14a, 14b. The layer of plastic material has been shown to be particularly effective in containing the small fragments that can be projected following detonation or deflagration, in particular to contain the fragments that would otherwise pass through the meshes of the net 14. The layer of plastic material, in particular, extends at least onto the left, right side and rear walls of the safety device 10, and optionally, where the device is so configured, also extends at the upper wall of the safety device. The layer of plastic material therefore identifies an outer face, which faces towards the outside of the safety device 10, and an inner face, preferably opposite and parallel to the outer face, which faces onto the internal volume of the safety device 10. Preferably, when the outer face and the inner face are parallel, the thickness of the layer of plastic material is uniform and constant along the whole wall.

In a first alternative solution, shown in Figure 7, the net 14 is buried inside the layer of plastic material, being in particular at a first predefined distance di with respect to the inner face of the net and at a second predefined distance d2 with respect to the outer face of the net.

Alternatively, in an alternative solution to the first one presented above and represented in Figure 8, the net 14 is substantially at the outer face (or alternatively at the inner face) of the layer of plastic material being distanced from the opposite face by a predefined distance d that is substantially equal to the thickness of the layer of plastic material itself.

The layer of plastic material can comprise a plastic material with thermoplastic properties, i.e. with softening properties as the temperature increases. The Applicant has found particular effectiveness at containing the fragments produced by an explosion or deflagration when plastic materials are used comprising polyolefin plastic materials, preferably in the form of polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PE). The use of this type of plastic materials offers particular convenience in the ratio between the containment of any fragments produced by the deflagration or detonation and the weight of the structure.

The first embodiment of the safety device 10 according to the invention can comprise a door 15, positioned at the rear portion of the device itself, having at least a first open configuration and a second closed configuration and configured to allow access at least to the safe or armored container. The door 15 therefore defines a portion of supporting frame and net 14, and in the event of the presence of a layer of plastic material, openable with respect to the remaining portion of the safety device. An appropriately designed mechanical closure system makes it possible to prevent the presence of the door 15 being able to contribute to weakening the structure of the safety device 10. Therefore, the safety device 10 comprises a first closed configuration and a second open configuration, each defined in relation to the closing or opening of the door 15, respectively. In other words, the net 14 extends continuously along the perimeter, in particular along the perimeter defined by and/or crossed by or with the left side, the right side and the rear side of the safety device 10. In particular, when at the supporting frame and, more in particular, although not necessarily at the intermediate reinforcement beams 18, the net can be fixed there through welding, through binding or by passing the intermediate reinforcement beam in an alternated way between the meshes of the net itself, so that, observing the extension of the intermediate reinforcement beam, part of the meshes can lie outside with respect to the intermediate reinforcement beam 18, therefore being oriented towards the outside wall of the safety element, while part of the mesh can lie internally with respect to the intermediate reinforcement beam 18, therefore being oriented towards the inner wall with respect to the intermediate reinforcement beam 18.

Considering the traditional type of explosives with which automated teller machines are attacked, and the quantity thereof, the net was preferably but not necessarily conceived to withstand, without breaking, a force of at least 1500 kN/m², more preferably 1550 kN/m², even more preferably 1570 kN/m², even more preferably 1590 kN/m². Such force, from calculations performed by the Applicant, is the one that develops with deflagrations of explosive in the measure described above. As a wall of the safety device 10 can have substantially equal dimensions to 2x1 ,6m, and the internal volume of the safety device 10 can be substantially equal to 3.2m³, the result of the axial forces acting on the safety device 10 at the deflagration action in isochoric conditions that develops in the conditions described above, assumes a value equal to 12,170 kN.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the supporting frame also comprises a secondary stiffening structure 16, 17, realized in a lower portion of the aforesaid frame, and comprising a first and a second bar 16, with a preferably rectangular section and preferably solid, joined, for example by welding, to struts 11 , and extending parallel to the direction identified by the first reference axis X to the rear portion of the safety device 10 where they terminate, beyond the net 14, with a perforated distal end within which a crosspiece 17 is introduced and preferably locked. The secondary stiffening structure is preferably made of steel.

The supporting frame and/or net 14 are preferably but not necessarily distinguished by pretensioning; the pretension plays an important role as it gives the system additional rigidity, known by the technical term of "stress stiffening” allowing loads of force to be withstood that similarly sized structures but without stress stiffening would not be able to withstand. In particular, the pretensioning is conceived so as to keep the tension level sufficiently high also with compensation of the losses of elasticity that the material can undergo in the long term.

The first embodiment of the safety device also comprises a deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element 19, specifically configured to convey at least part of a deflagration or explosion wave towards the front portion 19f of the said body, and therefore towards the front portion of the automated teller machine. As can be clearly seen in the appended figures, the deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element 19 is realized in the form of a substantially planar panel, fixed to the supporting frame and in particular to the portal, and positioned in a substantially higher position of the safety device 10 so as to be located substantially behind the monitor 101 of the automated teller machine.

As well as the wave conveyor function mentioned above, the deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element 19 constitutes an element that hinders the full and complete saturation of gas of the volume below the front portion 10f of the automated teller machine. The consequence of this is that part of the front portion 10f can become a venting element for deflagration or detonation gases.

Conveniently, the deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element 19 is coupled to said frontal deflagration or detonation gas vent means which are conveniently realized by the compartment for dispensing the cash. In other words, such conveyor element is configured to convey at least part of the deflagration or explosion wave at an openable compartment of the said automated teller machine, in particular a compartment for dispensing cash, which in the figures is indicated by the reference number 24.

In use, the effect produced by the deflagration or detonation is that of creating a spherical wave. In fact, in particular the gases produced by the chemical reaction expand, taking on a regular spherical shape with laminar motion, and as the chemical reaction proceeds, the advancement front of the wave becomes increasingly irregular, the envelope surface area of the wave increasing with respect to the sphere and accelerating the reaction of the mixture.

The wave expands until coming into contact with the net 14 and the layer of plastic material, where the fragments possibly produced during the explosion or deflagration are withheld, and the wave itself is dampened by a temporary and at least partially elastic expansion of the net 14. The partial reflection of the wave onto the side and rear walls leads the latter to find a new direction towards the front portion of the safety device, and particularly thanks to the venting that can be realized with the compartment for dispensing cash, it is possible to ensure that part of the gases are vented towards the outside of the building.

The installation of the safety device 10 according to the invention envisages realizing a production method for an automated teller machine against the deflagration or detonation of an explosive device, in which an automated teller machine 20 is first installed in a predetermined position so that the said automated teller machine is supported by a base support or floor 302. In particular, the front portion 10f of the automated teller machine 20 is placed at the partitioning wall 301 of a building, preferably of a building housing a branch of a banking establishment. When necessary, on the partitioning wall 301 a hole is made using known means not described herein in order to allow at least the monitor and the user interface means, as well as the compartments 24, to face the exterior area of the building.

The automated teller machine 20 can conveniently be fixed to the ground using plugs, preferably but not necessarily with chemical fixing.

Therefore, at least three of the sides of the said automated teller machine are covered by means of a safety device against deflagration or detonation 10 so that the aforesaid at least three sides of the said automated teller machine 10, and in particular the left, right and rear side, are contained inside a supporting frame 18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17 and are covered by a detonation and/or deflagration confinement net 14 joined and/or constrained to the supporting frame 18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17. If the automated teller machine is installed so that the upper end thereof is significantly distanced with respect to the ceiling of the environment in which it is installed, the method more preferably also envisages the covering of a fourth side in addition to the previous three; such fourth side is precisely the upper side of the automated teller machine. The covering takes place as previously described.

In particular, the net 14 is arranged all around at least the left, right and rear side of the automated teller machine 20, so as to be uniformly distributed on these sides, forming a sort of cage for the automated teller machine 20. At the corners, in particular when the safety device realizes a structure with a substantially parallelepiped shape or however with edges, the net 14 is joined to the supporting frame 18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17 - by way of non-limiting example through seaming or welding - so as to be without divisions. The distribution uniformity of the net without divisions becomes a useful element for contributing to the confinement of the explosion and deflagration within the structure of the net.

The portal is installed through positioning at the front portion 10f of the body, with the two struts 11 and the connecting beam of the two struts 11 installed at the upper end of the front portion 10f. Where not previously performed, holes 13 are made in the struts 11 optionally equally spaced from each other and/or aligned along a parallel direction to the reference axis Y, for fixing the front portion 10f of the body to the partitioning wall 301. Furthermore, the base 12 is fixed to the base support or floor 302 so as to realize a single element integral with the body of the automated teller machine, preferably but not necessarily through plugs inserted into holes in the base support or floor with the addition of a chemical binder. Where not previously performed, holes are also made on the base 12, optionally equally spaced and/or aligned with each other along a direction parallel to the first reference axis X. The installation also envisages binding the net 14 to the base, or burying it and/or welding it thereto, so that the end portion thereof cannot move with respect to the base realizing a single integral body.

If considered appropriate, the method previously described can comprise providing the safety device and, in particular, the supporting frame 18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17 with a layer of plastic material 14a; 14b whereon the net 14 is supported or within which the net 14 is buried. Preferably, the layer of plastic material 14a, 14b is arranged along the side portions 10s and identifies an inner face, which is facing the volume defined by the body and an outer face opposite the inner face, and arranging the net 14 at a first predefined distance di from the said outer face and at a second predefined distance d2 from the said inner face.

When the ceiling of the building inside which the automated teller machine is installed is sufficiently tall to be separated from the upper wall of the automated teller machine itself, in the process previously described a covering step of the fourth side of the said automated teller machine is also performed by means of a safety device against deflagration or detonation 10, in addition to the said three left, right and rear sides.

An installation step of a plurality of reinforcement beams 18i, 18p is also performed, preferably positioned in a parallel direction to the direction identified by the second reference axis Y. More specifically, the method comprises installing a first and a second reinforcement beam 18p, at a left rear and respectively right edge of the safety device and/or of the automated teller machine 20, so as to identify surfaces around which to arrange the net 14 so that it curves substantially by 90° so as to identify a rear containment wall substantially delimited between the first and the second reinforcement beam 18p, and defined along a parallel plane to the plane identified by the second reference axis Y and by the third reference axis Z. An installation step of an intermediate reinforcement beam 18i in a median portion of the base 12 is also performed, in which the intermediate reinforcement beams 18i also extend in a substantially parallel direction to the direction identified by the second reference axis Y.

Preferably, in the method previously described a deflagration or explosion wave conveyor element 19 is also provided, specifically configured for conveying at least part of a deflagration or detonation wave to the front portion 10f of the said body. In particular, it is envisaged to position the deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element 19 at the front portion 10f of the said body, and in particular in an upper front portion of the said body, so that it is substantially behind the monitor immediately identifying behind the latter a useful empty space for compensating the saturation of gas and therefore contrasting the effect of the isochoric expansion into an environment saturated with the gases of a detonation or deflagration. The deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element 19 is installed so as to convey at least part of the deflagration or detonation wave at an openable compartment of the said automated teller machine, in particular a compartment intended for cash dispensing.

Second embodiment

A second embodiment of the safety device 10 is represented in Figures 9-11.

Like what happens for the first embodiment, also in the second embodiment, the body of the safety device 10 comprises a supporting frame 18, 13, 12 and a net 14 supported by the said supporting frame. The supporting frame and the net 14 identify as a whole a predefined internal volume within which the automated teller machine is positioned. In particular, the net 14 is joined and/or constrained, and in particular rigidly joined and/or constrained to the supporting frame 18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17 and is adapted to realize an at least partial cushioning or absorption element of the deflagration or explosion wave which in the event of an attack develops inside of the aforesaid volume.

Like what happens for the first embodiment, also the second embodiment of the safety device 10 can assume a parallelepiped shape, identifying a pair of side walls, opposing each other and lying on parallel planes to the plane identified by the first reference axis X and by the second reference axis Y, an upper wall parallel to a plane identified by the first reference axis X and by the third reference axis Z, and a rear wall parallel to the plane identified by the second reference axis Y and by the third reference axis Z.

The supporting frame also comprises a base 12, which develops along a parallel plane to the first reference axis and to the third reference axis X, Z; the base 12 has a dimension such as to be able to house, within the identified perimeter, at least the automated teller machine 20 portion that during use rests on the ground, and is joined to the portal at a front end thereof and is preferably but not necessarily made of steel, even more preferably of C43 alloy. The joining of the base 12 to the portal preferably takes place through welding, the latter solution being represented in the appended figures, or alternatively but not necessarily through bolting. ln order to allow the correct locking respectively to the floor and to the delimiting wall, the base 12 and the portal are provided with a plurality of holes 13, e.g. spaced apart equally from each other configured to allow the installation of engagement screws or plugs on the delimiting wall or on the floor. Such plugs are firmly joined to the respective wall or floor, for example, by means of chemical gluing.

The portal and the base 12 are preferably but not necessarily realized with beams with parallelepiped sections with a strongly disproportionate height/width ratio; in particular, in the base 12, the walls with the largest extension rest on the ground, and the holes 13 cross such walls orthogonally.

In particular, the second embodiment of the safety device 10 is provided with a body formed by disconnectable portions, wherein in particular the first front portion 10f can be disconnected from the rear portion 10b; for this reason the safety device 10 can be found in a first open operational configuration in which the rear portion 10b of the body is physically disconnected at least from the front portion 10f or, alternatively, in a second closed operational configuration in which the rear portion 10b of the body is physically connected at least to the front portion 10f of the body. In particular, the Applicant points out that Figures 9, 10 and 11 illustrate open operational configurations, for representation convenience purposes.

In the second embodiment, the front portion 10f of the body comprises the portal, the base 12, at least a pair of reinforcement beams 18 preferably positioned in a median portion of the base 12 and extending vertically along a parallel direction to the direction identified by the second reference axis Y, and a portion of net 14 that covers two of the opposing lateral walls thereof, respectively left and right, and an upper wall. More in particular, in the second embodiment further has further reinforcement beams 18 positioned also at the rear end of the front portion 10f; all the reinforcement beams 18 contribute with the maintenance of the net 14 in the correct position, in order to identify the three side walls, left, right and upper. Therefore, the pair of reinforcement beams 18i is in a median zone of the base 12 comprising reinforcement beams that extend parallel to the second reference axis Y. The reinforcement beams 18i, 18p are joined to the base 12, preferably but not necessarily through welding. Such further pair of reinforcement beams 18i is in particular useful as it allows the removable connection of the rear portion 10b with the front portion 10f of the body.

The rear portion 10b of the body of the safety device 10 identifies a plurality of faces or walls, in particular four faces or walls covered by net 14 or along which the net 14 extends: such faces or walls are a left side wall or face, right side wall or face, an upper side wall or face and a rear side wall or face. Preferably but not necessarily, at least part of the intermediate reinforcement beams is at the edges and/or corners of the body of the safety device.

In the second embodiment, in the rear portion 10b of the body, but also in the front portion 10f of the body, there is at least a first intermediate reinforcement beam 18p at or substantially at the left rear corner of the device and a second intermediate reinforcement beam 18p at or substantially at the right rear corner of the device. ln particular, the rear portion 10b and also the front portion 10f of the body form part of the side portions 10s of the body, which extend on parallel planes to the plane identified by the first reference axis X and by the second reference axis Y.

The rear portion 10b of the body of the safety device 10 comprises a box-like structure having edges delimited by intermediate reinforcement beams 18, of which at least one pair, in particular a pair of intermediate reinforcement beams 18 opposite the first and second reinforcement beam 18p, have connectors for joining with the reinforcement beams 18i which are joined to the base 12 at the said median zone and that project from the latter in an orthogonal direction lying along a parallel direction to the direction identified by the second reference axis Y. In particular, the connectors are preferably but not necessarily snap-hooks or alternatively quick links with a screw fastening and are equally distributed along the entire upwards extension of the reinforcement beams 18p. Although in the appended figures the number of connectors 18k is equal to 15 such number cannot be considered limiting, as it is possible to have a theoretical minimum number of 2, more preferably of 3 connectors, of which at least a first positioned on the left reinforcement beam 18i, a second on the right reinforcement beam 18i, and one on the crosspiece that connects them at the top. This aspect makes it possible to have a large number of joining parts between the rear portion 10b of the body of the device and the front portion 10f of the body of the device; this helps to more effectively contain the pressure wave of the explosion or deflagration, preventing the rear portion coming involuntarily disconnected from the front portion 10f due to the explosion itself.

While the front portion of the body, being connected to the base, is fixed with respect to the ground, the rear portion is movable and can therefore be translated - as will be better described below - with respect to the front portion, in order to switch between the open operational configuration and the closed operational configuration, performing a relative translation with respect to the front portion.

As in the case of the first embodiment, in order to make the structure stronger and promote the containment of the deflagration or explosion, the net 14 is fixed to the supporting frame, and in particular to the base 12 and the portal through binding; alternatively, the net 14 can be fixed to the supporting frame through welding. Preferably, the net 14 is a multi-strand net with double twisting, made of steel, and the binding to the base and to the portal is performed through bindings with the same characteristics as the strands. The double twisted multi-strand net makes it possible to prevent gaps in the event of the accidental breakage of any of the strands which could otherwise take place if a single twist net were to be used. Although the shape of the meshes is not limiting, it has been found that the net 14, in particular the double-twisted net 14, is more efficient with polygonal meshes, preferably hexagonal, adapted to identify an overall substantially honeycomb structure.

In particular, from tests performed by the Applicant, it has been observed that a preferred embodiment of the net 14 exhibits meshes of dimension at least equal to 5x8cm, more preferably 7x9cm, more preferably 8x10cm. Preferably, all the meshes of the net are the same size. Such solution allows the ratio between the weight of the net 14 and the explosion confinement resistance to be optimized if for the attack on the automated teller machine 20 a predefined amount of explosive estimated between 250g and 350g of flash powder is used. Also in the case of the second embodiment resistance performance levels are obtained that are completely comparable with those of the first embodiment. For this reason, the related literature is to be consulted, without the resistance data being reported herein. Also for the second embodiment, a preferred but non-limiting solution for the safety device 10 according to the invention is represented by the fact of having a supporting frame provided with a layer of plastic material 14a, 14b. The layer of plastic material has been shown to be particularly effective in containing the small fragments that can be projected following explosion or deflagration, in particular to contain the fragments that would otherwise pass through the meshes of the net 14. The layer of plastic material, in particular, extends at least onto the left, right side and rear walls of the safety device 10, and optionally, where the device is so configured, also extends at the upper wall of the safety device. The layer of plastic material therefore identifies an outer face, which faces towards the outside of the safety device 10, and an inner face, preferably opposite and parallel to the outer face, which faces onto the internal volume of the safety device 10. Preferably, when the outer face and the inner face are parallel, the thickness of the layer of plastic material is uniform and constant along the whole wall.

In a first alternative solution, shown in Figure 7, the net 14 is buried inside the layer of plastic material, being in particular at a first predefined distance d1 with respect to the inner face of the net and at a second predefined distance d2 with respect to the outer face of the net.

Alternatively, in an alternative solution to the first one presented above and represented in Figure 8, the net 14 is substantially at the outer face (or alternatively at the inner face) of the layer of plastic material being distanced from the opposite face by a predefined distance d that is substantially equal to the thickness of the layer of plastic material itself. Therefore, although previously described as pertaining to the first embodiment of the invention, Figures 7 and 8 also relate to structural aspects of the device that also apply or can also apply to the second embodiment.

The layer of plastic material can comprise a plastic material with thermoplastic properties, i.e. with softening properties as the temperature increases. The Applicant has found particular effectiveness at containing the fragments produced by a detonation or deflagration when plastic materials are used comprising polyolefin plastic materials, preferably in the form of polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PE). The use of this type of plastic materials offers particular convenience in the ratio between the containment of any fragments produced by the deflagration or detonation and the weight of the structure.

Preferably although not necessarily, also in the second embodiment, the supporting frame further comprises a secondary stiffening structure 16a, 16b, 16r, 17, realized in a substantially lower portion of the aforesaid frame, and comprising:

a) a first and a second bar 16a, with a preferably rectangular section and preferably solid, joined, for example by welding, to the struts 11, the first and the second bar 16a being installed at a first level; and

b) a first and a second bar 16b, with a preferably rectangular section and preferably solid, joined, for example by welding, to the struts 11, the first and the second bar 16a being installed at a second level.

In particular, it is observed that the first level is lower with respect to the second level; for this reason the bars 16b are higher with respect to the bars 16a.

The first and second bars 16a, 16b all extend parallel to the direction identified by the first reference axis X to the rear portion of the safety device 10 where they end, beyond the net 14, with a perforated distal end within which a crosspiece 17 is introduced and preferably locked. The secondary stiffening structure is preferably made of steel. Therefore, in the second embodiment there are two crosspieces 17, of which a first locks the first and the second bar 16a which are at the first level, and of wh ich a second locks the first and the second bar 16b which are at the second level. The door of the safe or armored container 21 is therefore locked by the two crosspieces 17.

Also for the second embodiment, the supporting frame and/or net 14 are preferably but not necessarily distinguished by pretensioning; the pretension plays an important role as it gives the system additional rigidity, known by the technical term of "stress stiffening” allowing loads of force to be withstood that similarly sized structures but without stress stiffening would not be able to withstand. In particular, the pretensioning is conceived so as to keep the tension level sufficiently high also with compensation of the losses of elasticity that the material can undergo in the long term.

As shown in detail in Figure 10, the secondary stiffening structure 16a, 16b, 16t, 17 also comprises a rear portal 16r, realized with two struts positioned and fixed at a first end thereof on the base 12, in a rear end zone thereof, preferably by means of bolting. The rear portal 16r further comprises a crosspiece fixed to the aforesaid struts at a second end thereof opposite the first end. Preferably although not necessarily, the struts of the rear portal 16r are also constrained, removably or in a fixed way, to the first and the second bar 16a positioned at the said first level and/or to the first and second bar 16b positioned at the second level.

In particular, Figure 10 illustrates a solution in which further connectors are positioned at the front portal of the safety device 10, preferably but not necessarily equally spaced along the struts 11 and the crosspiece 11t that joins them, for fixing a portion of net 14 withheld by intermediate reinforcement beams 18. Such portion assumes a substantially overturned U-shape, and the intermediate reinforcement beams contribute to defining at least the perimeter of the aforesaid overturned U-shape, which has a depth, measured along a parallel direction to the direction identified by the first reference axis X, substantially equal to or slightly less than the depth that the base 12 has in the same direction.

In the second embodiment, the completion of the closure of the body of the safety device 10 takes place by aligning, along a parallel direction to the direction identified by the first reference axis X, the rear portion 10b with the front portion 10f, making the rear portion 10b slide mutually towards the front portion 10f so as to allow the joining of the connectors 18k with the supporting beams 18. In particular, due to the specific conformation of the front portion 10f and the rear portion 10b, each preferably comprising side walls on parallel planes to the first reference axis X and to the second reference axis Y, the alignment is followed by a partial overlapping of the rear portion 10b with the front portion 10f. Such partial overlapping takes place, at least in the last part of the movement of the rear portion 10b with respect to the front portion 10f, with a linear translation of the rear portion 10b along the second reference axis Y.

The advantages of the safety device according to the present invention are clear in light of the preceding description. Notably, attacks on automated teller machines that apply the device according to the invention are shown to undergo less damage, as the effect of the deflagration or detonation remain more confined and preferably totally confined within the volume of the automated teller machine and/or the safety device previously described.

Although the sound wave and/or impact of the deflagration or explosion can however propagate into the building, in fact, the projection of fragments and the impact wave deriving from the deflagration or detonation are substantially contained, and the collateral, structural and material damage of the building in which the device is installed are significantly reduced. The Applicant has observed that the cost of the installation of the safety device according to the invention, in the event of undesired attack through deflagrating or detonating material, is fully paid back by the reduction of damage that would otherwise be produced in the building should the safety device not be present.

Furthermore, the safety device according to the invention can also be installed on pre-existing automated teller machines, as it does not alter the intrinsic nature of the structure but, at the most, traps them in a containment body or structure. At the least, it is sufficient that around the pre-existing automated teller machine the thin net thickness can pass and, where present, the layer of plastic into which it is inserted. To protect the inside of a building from the consequences of the deflagration or explosion indicated above, it is therefore not necessary to resort to expensive movements of the automated teller machine and/or significant structural modifications of the inside of the building.

Finally, it is clear that additions, modifications or variations apply to the subject matter of the present invention that are obvious to a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope provided by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Safety device (10) against deflagration or detonation of explosive devices for an automated teller machine (20), said device being characterized in that it comprises a body, in use installed inside a building and in particular configured and specifically designed to be at least partially installed fixedly on a floor (302) or a support plane of the said building, said body defining an internal volume defined between a front portion (10f) thereof, a rear portion (10b) and side portions (10s), the said body itself comprising:

a) an at least perimetric, supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) adapted and configured to house at least part of the said automated teller machine (20) and/or defining at least one enclosure profile for at least three sides of the automated teller machine (20) and configured to be rigidly fixed to a building structure; and

b) an explosion and/or deflagration confinement net (14), joined and/or solidly constrained to the supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17), suitable for providing an at least partial cushioning or absorption means of a deflagration or explosion wave developing within the said volume.

2. Device according to claim 1, further comprising:

c) a deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19), specifically configured for conveying at least part of a deflagration or detonation wave to the front portion (10f) of the said body, wherein the deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19) is positioned at the front portion (10f) of the said body, and optionally in an upper front portion of the said body, in a substantially opposite position with respect to the rear portion (10b) of the said deflagration or detonation safety device (10);

and wherein the deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19) is configured to convey at least part of the deflagration or detonation wave at an openable compartment (24) of the said automated teller machine, in particular a compartment intended for cash dispensing.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supporting frame (18; 13; 12) comprises at least one portal positioned at the front portion (1 Of) of the body, said portal being defined at least by two struts (11) and a connecting beam of the two struts (11), optionally installed at the upper end of the front portion (10f),

and wherein the supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) comprises at least one base (12) adapted to be fixed on a base support or floor (302) with or together with the said automated teller machine.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein at least the said two struts (11) comprise a plurality of holes (13), optionally spaced apart equally from each other and/or aligned along a direction parallel to a first reference axis (Y), for the fixing of the front portion (10f) of the body to a wall of a building;

wherein the base (12) is fixed to the struts (11), and is provided with a plurality of holes, optionally spaced apart equally from each other and/or aligned along a direction parallel to a second reference axis (X);

and wherein the supporting frame (18; 13; 12) and/or the said struts (11) and/or the said base (12) are made up of steel, in particular C43 alloy.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the net (14) is rigidly joined to the base (12) and to the struts (1 1 ) and withstands a force of at least 1500 kN/m ², more preferably 1550 kN/m ², even more preferably 1570 kN/m ², still more preferably 1590 kN/m².

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body of the safety device (10) comprises at least a first open operational configuration, in which it is configured to allow access to said automated teller machine (20) and a closed operational configuration, in which it substantially prevents access to the automated teller machine (20);

wherein the rear portion (10b) of the body of the safety device is selectively and/or removably connected and/or connectable to said front portion (10f), and when connected, said front portion (10f) and said rear portion (10b) put the said body into said closed operational configuration and make up a casing continuously on the said at least three sides of the said automated teller machine (20);

and wherein, in said closed operational configuration, the rear portion (10b) and the front portion (10f) are mutually overlapped, optionally at least at side walls thereof.

7. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the net (14) is a double twisted strand wire mesh and is fixed to the base (12) and to the struts (11 ) via binding, the net (14) exhibits meshes of dimension at least equal to 6x8 cm, more preferably 7x9cm, more preferably 8x10cm, and wherein the net (14) and/or the supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) are pretensioned, and wherein the said net (14) identifies a plurality of honeycomb interconnected meshes of the polygonal type, and/or identifying a substantially honeycomb structure.

8. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) further comprises a layer of plastic material (14a; 14b) whereon the net (14) is supported or within which the net (14) is buried,

wherein the layer of plastic material (14a; 14b) extends at least along the side walls (10s) and identifies an inner face, which is facing the volume defined by the body and an outer face opposite the inner face, and wherein the net (14) is at a first predefined distance (di) from the said outer face and at a second predefined distance (d₂) from the said inner face or, alternatively, the layer of plastic material (14a, 14b) extends at least along the side walls (10s) and identifies an inner face, which is facing on the volume defined by the body, and an outer face, opposite the inner face, and wherein the net (14) is at a first predefined distance (d) from the said inner face or alternatively, from the said outer face, and wherein the said predefined distance is substantially of a measure equal to the thickness of the said wall; and wherein the plastic material of the said net is a thermoplastic material, in particular a polyolefin thermoplastic material, optionally polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP).

9. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the body defines a volume at least equal to 200I, more preferably 250I, more preferably 300I and has a parallelepiped shape.

10. Automated teller machine comprising a safety device according to one or more of claims 1 to 9; said automated teller machine further comprising a body provided with dispensing means (24), configured for selectively delivering cash preferably paper money, a safe or armored container (21) adapted to contain a predetermined amount of cash, mechanical handling means, specifically configured for withdrawing from the safe or armored container a specific amount of cash, and means of user interface; and wherein said dispensing means positioned at a front wall of the automated teller machine and comprise at least one compartment (24) intended for dispensing cash, configured for identifying a vent for gas pressure developing within the body of said automated teller machine (20) following detonation or deflagration.

11. Method of protection of a confined environment from deflagration or detonation, by means of an explosive device, of an automated teller machine (20), said method comprising a step of installation of an automated teller machine (20) in a predetermined position in such a way that said automated teller machine is supported by a support base or floor (302), and a subsequent step of covering at least three sides of said automated teller machine (20) by means of a deflagration or detonation safety device (10) such that the aforesaid at least three sides of said automated teller machine are enclosed within a supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) and are covered by a detonation and/or deflagration confinement net (14), joined and/or constrained to the supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17), designed to provide an at least partial cushioning or absorption means of a deflagration or detonation wave of an explosive device developing inside of said volume.

12. Method according to claim 11 , wherein said covering step is a step of installing said safety device (10) and/or said net (14) and said supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) following which the safety device (10) and/or said net (14) and said supporting frame (18; 13; 12; 16; 16a, 16b; 17) are constrained in a fixed and/or non movable way to a portion of a building.

13. Method according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the three sides of the said automated teller machine (20) comprise a rear portion (10b), and side walls (10s) of the said automated teller machine (20) that are transverse with respect to the rear portion (10b) and optionally orthogonal with respect to the rear portion (10b).

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the covering step comprises the covering of a fourth side of the said automated teller machine (20), said fourth side comprising an upper wall of the said automated teller machine (20), transverse with respect to the rear portion (10b) and to the side walls (10s) optionally orthogonal to the rear portion

(10b) and to the side walls (10s).

15. Method according to one or more of claims 11-14, comprising a binding and/or welding step of the said net (14) to the supporting frame, in particular to struts (11), joined together through a crosspiece, and to a base (12) of the supporting frame mutually joined to each other in a rigid way.

16. Method according to claim 15, comprising a step of installation of said struts (11) substantially at a front portion of the automated teller machine (20), and of constraint of the base (12) to a floor by means of plugs, optionally expansion plugs or chemical fixing.

17. Method according to one or more of claims 11-16, comprising providing said safety device (10) with a deflagration or detonation wave conveyor element (19), specifically configured for conveying at least part of a deflagration or detonation wave to the front portion (10f) of the said body.