GB2138049A - Security device - Google Patents

Abstract

A security storage device comprises a sleeve (14) for permanent installation in a wall or the like, a tubular container (10) and a locking assembly (22) for closing one end of the container (10) and selectively securing it within the sleeve (14) against axial withdrawal. Valuables can thus be stored within the container (10). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Security device This invention relates to a security device for the storage of valuables, money and such like.

The invention is especially concerned with a security device for installation in a wall or the like so as to act as a wall safe, floor safe or the like.

The object of the present invention is to provide a security storage device which is particularly simple to install.

According to the present invention there is provided a security storage device comprising a generally tubular storage container and a receiver for receiving the storage container in telescopic fashion, the outer periphery of the receiver being generally circular in cross-section whereby the receiver can be inserted into a generally cylindrical bore formed in a wall or the like, the receiver being adapted to be anchored against axial pull-out in such a bore and the storage container being provided with selectively operable means for rendering the container captive against axial movement in at least one direction relative to the receiver, said at least one direction corresponding to withdrawal of the container out of the receiver when the latter is installed in a wall or the like.

Preferably the selectively operable means comprises a key-operated locking assembly provided at one end of the storage container, i.e. that end which is accessible when the container is inserted into the installed receiver.

The arrangement may be such that the key is held captive to the locking assembly when the latter is unlocked whereby the key can be used as a fingergrip to effect withdrawal of the storage container from the receiver and hence the wall.

To prevent tampering with the device when installed in a wall or the like, that part of the device which is accessible is preferably freely rotatable with respect to the wall or the like so that torque cannot be applied to the device in an attempt to effect its removal. Such an arrangement may be implemented by producing the receiver with a generally cylindrical inner periphery and the container with a generally cylindrical outer periphery so that the container can be rendered axially captive to the receiver while remaining rotatably free relative to the receiver.

If desired, the outer periphery of the receiver may be provided with means, such as axial splines, for resisting rotation when the receiver is inserted into the bore.

To promote further understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the device installed in one leaf of a cavity wall; Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 with the storage container shown removed from the retaining sleeve; Figures 3-8 are diagrammatic end and side views showing a modification; and Figure 9 is a plan view of part of the container 10 of the modification.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the security device comprises a generally cylindrical storage container 10 having one end closed by a locking assembly 1 2 and the other end closed by a removable cap 1 3. The container 10 can be used to store for example a roll of bank notes or other valuables. Associated with the container, there is a generally cylindrical receiving sleeve 14 into which the container 10 can be inserted in telescopic fashion. The sleeve 14 is intended to be installed as a close fit in a generally cylindrical bore 1 6 drilled in a wall 1 8.

The sleeve 14 is provided with means for anchoring it in the wall 1 6 against axial pullout. In the illustrated embodiment, such means comprises a number of obliquely-directed resiliently deformable fingers 20 which offer little resistance to insertion of the sleeve into the bore but tend to bury into the wall of the bore when any attempt is made to extract the sleeve from the bore. The anchoring means may however take other forms.

The locking assembly comprises a main body 22 which is secured to one end of the container 10 and terminates in a radially enlarged portion 24 which provides a shoulder 26 for limiting the extent to which the container can be inserted into the sleeve 14.

The main body 22 accommodates a cylinder lock 28 operable of a key 30.

Rotation of the cylinder lock 28 controls radial movement of retaining elements 32 which, in one position of the lock barrel, project radially outwardly (see Fig. 1) for engagement in an annular groove 34 on the inner surface of the sleeve 14. In this manner, the locking assembly and hence the container are held axially captive to the sleeve 14. In a second rotary position of the lock barrel, the elements 32 are retracted radially inwardly (see Fig. 2) into the main body 22 so as to be clear of engagement with the groove 34 and in these circumstances the container 10 can be withdrawn from the sleeve. To enable withdrawal to be effected using the key as a fingergrip, the arrangement is such that the key is trapped with the key is in the unlocked position.To prevent inadvertent removal of the key without locking the container to the sleeve, the locking assembly is so designed that removal of the key from the lock cylinder is only possible when the elements 32 are extended.

Installation of the device is very simple since all that is required is drilling of a bore of suitable diameter to receive the sleeve 14 as a close fit. Sleeve 14 is the inserted to the extent illustrated and, if desired, a face plate 36 is secured in position. The sleeve 14 may be splined or otherwise formed on its exterior surface so as to resist rotation when inserted into the bore 16.

It will be observed that when the container 10 has been rendered axially captive to the sleeve 14 by extension of the elements 32, the container and locking assembly remain freely rotatable thereby preventing the possibility of damage thereto by the application of torque to the exposed portion 24 which, in turn, is shaped so that it does not afford any formations which would readily enable a would-be thief to apply a tool to the portion 24 in an effort to pull out the container. In use, the device may be concealed from view by a picture or such like.

Figs. 3-9 illustrate the construction and functioning of a modification in which the locking mechanism is arranged so that the lock body 22 can be selectively secured to the container 10 in one mode and to the container 10 and the sleeve 14 in a second mode, as will now be explained.

As shown diagrammatically, the lock body 22 houses a bolt 50 which is movable radially through three positions: an inner position (Fig.

3), an intermediate position (Fig. 5) and an outer position (Fig. 7). The outer end portion of the bolt includes a reduced thickness neck section 52 so as to form a head 54. At its lock body-receiving end, the container 10 is provided with a slot 56 comprising a narrow portion 58, whose width is less than the diameter of the head 54 but sufficiently large to receive the neck 52, and an enlarged aperture 60 which is sufficiently large to accommodate free passage of the head 54.

By these means, when the bolt is in the outer position, the lock body 22 can be inserted into the container 10 by registering the neck with the slot portion 58 and sliding the lock body inwardly until the bolt is aligned with the aperture 60. The body 22 and container 10 can then be rendered axially captive to one another by operating the lock key to bring the bolt into the Fig. 5 position in which the head 54 is engaged in the aperture 60.

Subsequently when the container and lock body assembly are inserted into the sleeve 14, the bolt can be extended to its intermediate position (Figs. 3 and 4) in which the head is engaged in the aperture 60 and in the groove 34 so as to render the container 10 and lock body 22 axially captive to the sleeve 14.

It will be noted that the foregoing arrangement is such that the lock body 22 and container 10 can only be separated from one another after they have been removed, as a unit, from the sleeve 14. This excludes any possibility of the container 10 being accidentally left in the container and or lost in the cavity.

Claims (11)

1. A security storage device comprising a generally tubular storage container and a receiver for receiving the storage container in telescopic fashion, the outer periphery of the receiver being generally circular in cross-section whereby the receiver can be inserted into a generally cylindrical bore formed in a wall or the like, the receiver being adapted to be anchored against axial pull-out in such a bore and the storage container being provided with selectively operable means for rendering the container captive against axial movement in at least one direction relative to the receiver, said at least one direction corresponding to withdrawal of the container out of the receiver when the latter is installed in a wall or the like.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the selectively operable means comprises a key-operated locking assembly provided at one end of the storage container.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2 in which the arrangement is such that the key is held captive to the locking assembly when the latter is unlocked whereby the key can be used as a fingergrip to effect withdrawal of the storage container from the receiver.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3 in which, when the device is installed in a wall or the like, that part of the device which is accessible is freely rotatable with respect to the wall or the like.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 4 in which the receiver has a generally cylindrical inner periphery and the container a generally cylindrical outer periphery so that the container can be rendered axially captive to the receiver while remaining rotatable free relative to the receiver.

6. A device as claimed in Claim 2 or any one of Claims 3-5 when appendent to Claim 2 in which the locking assembly comprises a body which is insertable into one end of the container.

7. A device as claimed in Claim 6 in which the locking assembly has three modes of operation, a first mode in which the body is freely insertable into and withdrawable from the container, a second mode in which the body is locked to the container without impeding entry of the latter into the receiver, and a third mode in which the body, the container and the receiver are all axially captive to one another.

8. A devive as claimed in Claim 7 in which, in said third mode, the container is free to rotate relative to the receiver.

9. A device as claimed in Claim 7 or 8 in which said second mode of operation is only possible when the container has been at least partially withdrawn from the receiver.

10. A device for insertion into a wall, floor or the like for security purposes, said device comprising a generally tubular casing having an outer periphery which is generally circular in cross-section whereby the casing can be inserted into a generally cylindrical bore formed in a wall or the like, and a keycontrolled locking means which is inertable into one end of the casing so as to close off that end and is operable to render a body portion of the locking means axially captive to the casing, said casing being provided with means for anchoring the same against axial pull-out from the bore in said wall or the like.

11. A device as claimed in Claim 10 in which the body portion of the locking means is freely rotatable relative to the casing when said locking means is operable as aforesaid.

1 2. A device as claimed in Claim 11 or 1 2 in which the key is removable from the locking means only when the latter is operable as aforesaid.

1 3. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figs. 1 and 2 or Figs. 1 and 2 when modified as shown in Figs. 3-9 of the accompanying drawings.