GB2194284A - Security closure mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A security closure mechanism includes a receptor trap (2) and a transit trap (4) which includes a carrier (5) detachably mounting a trap mechanism including a housing (6), a closure member (8) rotatably mounted therein having a first, trap open, position and a second, trap closed, position with the passageway blocked by the closure member, and means (15, 20) for restricting rotation of the closure member between the open and closed conditions. The arrangement is such that when the trap mechanism is in the open condition it cannot be removed from the carrier and has to be moved to the closed position for removal from the carrier. The means (15, 20) for restricting rotation of the closure member (8) is arranged to lock the trap mechanism in the closed condition. <IMAGE>

Description

GB2194284A 1 SPECIFICATION Such a trap mechanism can be made with- out the

use of spring biased closure members Security closure mechanism and can only be removed from the carrier in a locked closed condition so that it is possible This invention relates to a security closure 70 to make covert pilfering by a person removing mechanism for a container such as a box or the trap mechanism extremely difficult. Once bag, the closure being able to allow items to removed the trap mechanism cannot be be inserted into the box or bag but to prevent opened without unlocking the movement re their removal by unauthorized personnel. Such stricting means; the trap mechanism may be a form of closure is hereinafter referred to as 75 arranged so that the movement restricting a trap. means can be released once a bag or other Safes or deposit boxes may be arranged to receptacle attached to the trap mechanism has receive items such as cash or valuable docu- been opened.

ments through a slot in their surface, the The trap mechanism preferably has a further items passing through the slot into a bag (or 80 closed condition in which the mechanism is box) mounted therein. In many applications of able to be mounted on the carrier and the such devices it is necessary to prevent a per- closure member can be rotated to move the son extracting the items through the slot and trap mechanism from the further closed condi for this purpose it is known to provide a tion to the open condition but means are pro sprung trap which closes the slot but can be 85 vided for opposing rotation of the closure withdrawn when items are being inserted into member to move the trap mechanism from the container. Such an arrangement does the open condition to said further closed con make the bag more secure although it has dition. In this case the trap mechanism is not proved difficult to provide a really secure trap opened until it is installed on the carrier.

that is not of unduly complex and expensive 90 Preferably the opposing means and the design. It may also cause a safety hazard be- means for restricting transfer of the trap cause the sprung trap may act in the manner mechanism between the open and closed con of a guillotine. ditions are one and the same.

A further problem with such traps is that, It would be possible to arrange for the clo- even if they secure the bag when installed in 95 sure member to be in its second position in the safe or deposit box, it may be possible both closed conditions of the trap mechanism for the individual who is responsible for re- but it is preferable for the closure member to moving the bag and conveying it to a central be in different positions for the two closed location for emptying, covertly to pilfer the conditions.

contents. 100 The closure member may have a through Sometimes a bag will be required to receive passage passing through the axis of rotation items of relatively large size and this makes it of the member, the through passage being harder to provide a secure and safe trap. aligned with the passageway through the It is an object of the invention to provide a housing of the trap mechanism when the trap which overcomes at least some of the 105 mechanism is in an open condition and being disadvantages described above and offers disposed transverse to the passageway when both security and safety. the mechanism is in a closed condition.

The present invention provides a security The means for restricting transfer of the trap including a trap mechanism and a carrier trap mechanism between the open and closed on which the mechanism is detachably 110 conditions may comprise an index plate in mounted, the trap mechanism including a fixed relationship to the closure member and a housing, a closure member rotatably mounted latch in fixed relationship to the housing and in the housing having a first position in which engaging the index plate.

the trap mechanism is in an open condition The present invention further provides a with a passageway extending through the 115 container including a security trap as defined housing and a second position in which the above in which the carrier is attached to the trap mechanism is in a closed condition with container. The carrier may be mounted on the the passageway blocked by the closure mem- interior of the container and the trap mecha ber, and means for restricting rotation of the nism may be arranged to be inserted through closure member between the open and closed 120 a lockable door of the container and to be conditions, the arrangement of the trap mounted on the carrier with the passageway mechanism and the carrier being such that through the housing of the trap mechanism when the trap mechanism is mounted on the communicating directly or indirectly with an carrier in the open condition the mechanism opening in the container.

cannot be removed from the carrier and the 125 A further trap may be mounted on the con- trap mechanism has to be moved to the tainer on the inside or outside thereof, the closed condition for removal from the carrier, further trap restricting access to the passage wherein the means for restricting rotation of way through the housing of the trap mecha the closure member is arranged to lock the nism. Such an arrangement can prevent a per trap mechanism in the closed condition. 130 son extracting items through the traps. The 2 GB2194284A 2 further trap may be mounted on the exterior aligned with the opening in the top end of the of the container over the opening in the con- housing to enable an item to be deposited in tainer or may be mounted inside the container the member from above and a second posi interposed between the opening in the con- tion in which the peripheral opening is aligned tainer and the passageway through the hous- 70 with the opening in the bottom end of the ing of the trap mechanism. housing to enable an item deposited in the Means may be provided to lock the further hollow member to pass out of the member trap in a closed condition when the trap into a receptacle below.

mechanism is removed. By way of example, an embodiment of the The further trap may comprise a housing 75 invention will now be described with reference with a passageway extending through the to the accompanying drawings, of which:

housing and in communication at its bottom Figure 1 is a side sectional view of a recep- end with the passageway in the housing of tor trap and a transit trap mounted on the top the security trap mechanism, a hollow member of a safe, both traps being in a closed condi rotatably mounted in the passageway of the 80 tion; housing and having a peripheral opening pro- Figure 2a is a side view of parts at a front viding access to the hollow interior of the end of the transit trap; member, the member having a first position in Figure 2b is a view from the front of the which the peripheral opening is aligned with parts shown in Fig. 2a; the top end of the passageway to enable an 85 Figure 3a is a side view of parts at a rear item to be deposited in the member from end of the transit trap; above and a second position in which the per- Figure 3b is a view from the rear of the ipheral opening is aligned with the bottom end parts shown in Fig. 3a; of the passageway to enable an item deposi- Figure 4a is a side view of a central part of ted in the hollow member to pass out of the 90 the transit trap; member through the bottom end of the pass- Figure 4b is an end view of the central part ageway. of the transit trap shown in Fig. 4a with an The further trap preferably includes a shield end plate removed; closely surrounding at least a portion of the Figure 5 is a side sectional view similar to hollow member and having an opening aligned 95 Fig. 1 but with the transit trap shown being with the bottom end of the housing. Such a inserted; shield prevents an item failing out of the hol- Figure 6 is a view of the assembly of Fig. 1 low member prematurely during rotation of the from the rear with the trap in the same closed member to the second position. condition as in Fig. 1; The present invention also provides a secu- 100 Figure 7 is a view of the assembly of Fig. 1 rity trap mechanism including a housing, a clo- from the rear but with the transit trap in an sure member rotatably mounted in the housing open condition; having a first position in which the trap Figure 8a is a partly sectional front view of mechanism is in an open condition with a the assembly of Figs. 1 and 2 with the traps passageway extending through the housing, a 105 in the same condition as in Fig. 1, the recep second position in which the trap mechanism tor trap being in a closed condition and the is in a closed condition with the passageway transit trap being in a first closed condition; _blocked by the closure member and a third Figure 8b is a partly sectional rear view of position in which the trap mechanism is in a the assembly in the state shown in Fig. 8a; further closed condition, wherein means are 110 Figure 9a is a partly sectional front view provided for locking the trap mechanism in the similar to Fig. 8a with the receptor trap in the first mentioned closed condition and for ob- same closed condition but with the transit structing movement of the trap mechanism trap in an open condition; from the open condition to the further closed Figure 9b is a partly sectional rear view of condition but allowing movement from the fur- 115 the assembly in the state shown in Fig. 9a; ther closed condition to the open condition. Figure 9c is a side sectional view similar to It is possible to use the further trap on its Fig. 1 but with the assembly in the state own or with some other form of trap. Accord- shown in Fig. 9a; ingly, the present invention also provides, acFigure 10a is a partly sectional front view cording to another aspect, a receptor trap 120 similar to Figs. 8a and 9a with the transit trap comprising a housing with openings in its top in the open condition as in Fig. 9a but with and bottom ends, a hollow member rotatably the receptor trap also in an open condition; mounted in the housing and having a periph- Figure 10b is a partly sectional rear view of eral opening providing access to the hollow the assembly in the state shown in Fig. 10a; interior of the member, and a shield closely 125 Figure 11 a is a partly sectional front view surrounding at least a lower portion of the similar to Figs. 8a, 9a and 10a with the re holl w member and having an opening aligned ceptor trap in a closed condition as in Figs.

with the opening in the bottom end of the 8a and 9a but with the transit trap in a sec housing, the hollow member having a first po- ond closed condition; and sition in which the peripheral opening is 130 Figure 11 b is a partly sectional rear view of 3 GB2194284A 3 the assembly in the state shown in Fig. 11 a. shape with its major axis aligned with the maIn some of the drawings, particularly Figs. jor axis of the locking head 23.

8a to 11 a and 8b to 11 b, certain parts are The structure of the cylinder 8 is shown in omitted and some parts shown in section in Figs. 4a and 4b. Extending between the end the interests of clarity. 70 plates 9A, 9B are a pair of sheet metal as- It will be understood that the first closed semblies 10A, 10B which define a through condition of the transit trap shown in Figs. 8a passage 24 of rectangular cross-section there and 8b represents the "further closed condi- between.

tion" of the transit trap referred to above and As shown in Fig. 1, a latch mechanism 17 similarly that the "second closed condition" of 75 is mounted on an interior face of the outer the transit trap shown in Figs. 11 a and 11 b housing 6 immediately below the index plate represents the "first mentioned closed condi- 15. Figs. 8a to 12a and 8b to 12,b show the tion" of the transit trap referred to above. latch mechanism 17 with its cover removed.

Fig. 1 shows the top wall 1 of a safe hav- Referring to Fig. 8a, the latch comprises a ing a slot 2 formed therein. Mounted above 80 housing 18 in which a latch member 19 hav the slot 2 is a receptor trap 3 and mounted ing a latch element 20 is slidably mounted below the slot 2 on a carrier frame 5 is a with the latch element projecting through an transit trap 4. The transit trap 4 has an outer opening in the housing 18 and being biased housing 6 to the bottom open end of which is into engagement with the periphery of the in permanently secured a bag (not shown in the 85 dex plate 15 by two compression springs 21.

drawings) into which valuable items are to be The index plate has recesses 28, 29 and 30 inserted. The bag has a sealed closure apart formed in its periphery at 90' intervals for from the closure provided by the trap 4. receiving the latch element 20 as will be de- The carrier 5 is screwed, welded or other- scribed in more detail later. Fig. 8a also wise secured to the underside of the wall 1 of 90 shows top and side walls of the outer housing the safe. The receptor trap is similarly secured 6, a slot 32 in the top wall aligned with the above the wall 1 as will be described later. In slot 2 in the safe wall and downwardly pro this way both traps are aligned with the slot jecting portions 31 around the slot 32 which 2 in the safe wall. prevent access to those parts of the interior The transit trap has the general form of a 95 of the housing 6 on either side of the cylinder hollow cylinder 8 at a front end of which a 8. Still referring to Fig. Ba it can be seen that circular end plate 9A is fixed and to a rear the side walls of the carrier 5 carry rails 26 end of which a circular end plate 9B is fixed. on the inside thereof in which projecting strips A shaft carrying certain additional parts is 27 on the outer sides of the housing 6 sli fixed to each end plate as will now be de- 100 dably engage to mount the transit trap slidably scribed in more detail. on the carrier 5. Referring now to Figs. 1, 8a The parts fixed to the front end of the cylin- and 8b, the receptor trap 3 comprises, an der 8 are shown in more detail in Figs. 2a outer housing 35 secured to the top of the and 2b. Referring now to Figs. 1, 2a and 2b, wall 1, a slotted cylinder 36 rotatably a shaft 11 is fixed to the centre of the end 105 mounted on shafts 37A and 37B in the hous plate 9A and at its distal end carries a handle ing 35 by bearing bushes 38A and 3813, and 12 for rotating the cylinder 8. A bearing bush a shield 39 formed of two parts which fit 13A by which the front end of the cylinder 8 closely around the lower portion of the cylin is rotatably mounted in the outer housing 6 der 36 and are fixed to the housing 35, for (omitted from Figs. 2a and 2b) is carried on 110 example by welding. Collars 40 are fixed on the shaft 11 and between the end plate 9A the shafts 37. A weight 41 is provided at the and the bearing bush 13A an index plate 15 front end of the cylinder so as to bias it into is fixed to the shaft. Spacers are provided the position shown in Fig. 1 and a handle 42 between the end plate 9A and the index plate is provided on the ends of the shaft 37A to 15 and also between the index plate 15 and 115 enable a user to rotate the cylinder 36.

the bearing bush 13A. A gravity latch mechanism is provided at The parts fixed at the rear end of the cylin- the rear end of the cylinder 36. Referring to der 8 are shown in more detail in Figs. 3a Figs. 1 and 8b, a latch plate 50 has a vertical and 3b. Referring now to Figs. 1, 3a and 3b, slot 51 through which the shaft 37B of the a shaft 14 is fixed to the centre of the end 120 receptor trap passes. A cam follower plate 52 plate 9B and at its distal end carries a locking is fixed to the rear side of the bottom of the head 23 which as can be seen in Fig. 3b is of latch plate 50 and extends downwards oblong shape. A bearing bush 13B by which through an opening in the wall 1. The bottom the rear end of the cylinder 8 is rotatably of the latch plate is formed with a peripheral mounted in the outer housing 6 (omitted from 125 recess 53, shown in dotted outline in Fig. 8b Figs. 3a and 3b) is carried on the shaft 14 but not in the other drawings, and a locking and between the bearing bush 13B and the pin 54 is provided on the cylinder 36 project locking head 23 a cam 22 is fixed to the ing from the rear face thereof. In the position shaft. The profile of the cam 22 can be seen of the parts shown in Figs. 1 and 8b the pin in Fig. 3b; the cam is of generally oblong 130 is engaged in the recess 53 and since signifi- 4 GB2194284A 4 cant transverse movement of the latch plate is free to rotate but such rotation is restricted is prevented by for example engagement by the latch mechanism 17 and the index of the cam follower plate 52 with the wall 1, plate 15. The recess 28 in the index plate 15 the cylinder 36 is prevented from rotating. If, is asymmetrically shaped such that it is pos however, the latch plate 50 is raised, the 70 sible to rotate the index plate clockwise as locking pin 54 is disengaged from the recess seen in Fig. 8a, as indicated by the arrow, to 53 and the cylinder 36 can be rotated using disengage the latch, but anticlockwise move the handle 42. ment is prevented.

The outer housing 35 of the receptor trap Both prior to insertion of the trap and after has a slot 45 formed in its bottom wall, a 75 insertion to the position shown in Figs. 8a slot 43 formed in its top wall and downand 8b the locking pin 54 on the cylinder 36 wardly projecting portions 35A around the of the receptor trap engages in the recess 53 slot 43 which prevent access to those parts of the latch plate 50 so that the receptor trap of the interior of the housing 35 on either side is locked in the closed condition as shown in of the cylinder 36. The cylinder 36 has a slot 80 Figs. 8a and 8b.

44 in the same region of its circumference as The bag handler, having fully inserted the the weight 41. The slots 43, 44 and 45 are transit trap 4 into the carrier 5, rotates the of a similar size and shape to the slot 2 in the cylinder 8 through 90' by means of the handle safe wall 1 and the slots 43 and 45 are 12, this rotation being in the clockwise direcaligned with the slot 2 while the slot 44 is 85 tion as seen in Fig. 8a. During this operation aligned with these slots both in the position the latch element 20 disengages from the re to which it is biased, in which it is adjacent cess 28 in the index plate 25 and then en the slot 45, and in a position displaced 180 gages in the recess 29 as shown in Fig. 9a.

therefrom and shown in Figs. 10a and 10b, in The rotation through 90' moves the passage which it is adjacent the slot 43. 90 way 24 in the cylinder 8 into the vertical ori- The receptor trap 3 is permanently installed entation shown in Figs. 9a, 9b and 9c and on the top face of the safe wall 1 and the thus opens the transit trap. The rotation carrier 5 is permanently installed on the bot- through 90' also moves the locking head 23 tom face of the safe wall, while the transit to the position shown in Fig. 7 preventing the trap can readily be attached and detached 95 transit trap being withdrawn from the carrier 5 from the carrier 5 by a person (referred to and also rotates the cam 22 through 90' lift herein as a "bag handler") having access to ing the cam follower plate 52 and the latch the safe. The manner of attachment and de- plate 50 and thereby disengaging the locking tachment will now be described as will the pin 54 from the recess 53 and freeing the rhanner in which a person uses the apparatus 100 cylinder 36 of the receptor trap for rotation illustrated in the drawings, starting with the using the handle 42. The bag carrier then transit trap 4 ready for attachment to the car- locks the safe door.

rier 5. A user wishing to deposit an item in the Prior to attachment, the index plate 15 is in bag rotates the handle 42 of the cylinder 36 the orientation shown in Fig. 8a with the latch 105 of the receptor trap 3 through 180' from the element 20 engaging in the recess 28 of the position shown in Figs. 9a to 9c to that index plate. In this orientation of the index shown in Figs. 10a and lpb whereupon the plate 15, the locking head 23 and the cam 22 slot 44 in the cylinder 36 becomes aligned are oriented as shown in Fig. 8b and the cyl- with the slot 43 in the outer housing of the inder 8 is disposed with its through passage 110 receptor trap. The user is then able to place 24 extending horizontally so that the transit the item in the cylinder, the size of the item trap is closed. The bag attached to the outer being limited only by the size of the cylinder housing 6 is closed with a seal and/or lock 36 and the size of the slots 43, 44. Finally and prevents access to the latch mechanism the user releases the handles 42 allowing the 17 or any other interior part of the housing 6. 115 cylinder 36 to rotate through 180' under the Such- bags are themselves well known and as influence of the weight 41, whereupon the they do not form part of the present invention item passes under the action of gravity out of will not be described further here. the cylinder through the slot 44 therein, With the index plate 15 oriented as just through the slot 45, through the slot 2 in the described, the bag handler, having unlocked 120 safe wall, through a slot in the carrier 5, the door of the safe (the door being on the through the slot 32 in the outer housing 6 of right hand side of the assembly as seen in the transit trap and through the passageway Fig. 1), is able to slide the transit trap into 24 in the cylinder 8 into the bag. The appara position with the strips 27 slidably engaging tus is then ready to receive another item to the rails 26 (see Fig. 5). Stop pins 55 near 125 be deposited. It will be noted that the recep the innermost ends of the rails 26 define the tor trap at all times prevents any person gain fully inserted position of the trap. In this posi- ing access either to the transit trap or to the tion the locking head 23 has passed through bag below.

an opening 56 in the rear wall of the carrier When it is desired to remove the bag and (Fig. 6) and the cylinder 8 of the transit trap 130 transit trap from the safe, a bag handler un- GB2194284A 5 locks the safe, opens the safe door and ro- trap; it is therefore not possible for a person tates the cylinder 8 through a further 90' by to retrieve items already deposited through means of the handles 12, this rotation being the traps.

in the same direction as before namely iv) Both traps are relatively simple and can clockwise as seen in Fig. 10a and moving the 70 be of rugged construction, enabling them to indexing plate to the position shown in Fig. be made relatively cheaply and yet operate 11 a. During this operation the latch element reliably.

disengages from the recess 29 in the in- v) The traps can be arranged to accept dex plate 15 and then engages in the recess quite bulky objects such as packages measur 30. It will be noted that the recess 29 is 75 ing about 18 cm X 10 cm x 6 cm and yet shaped like the recess 28 so that rotation in still be secure.

the opposite direction (anticlockwise) is again In the apparatus shown in the drawings, impossible. After the rotation the parts are in both a transit trap and a receptor trap are the position shown in Figs. 11 a and 11 b. The described. It should be understood, however, rotation through 90' moves the passageway 80 that either trap could be used in conjunction 24 in the cylinder 8 into a horizontal orienta- with some other form of trap or without any tion thereby closing the transit trap. Further- other trap at all. Also, in the illustrated em more, the rotation through 90' rotates the bodiment the receptor trap is mounted on the cam 22 through 900 causing the cam follower exterior of a safe. Alternatively, the receptor plate 52 and latch plate 50 to drop under 85 trap can be mounted inside the safe on top of gravity so that the locking pin 54 once again a shelf below which the transit trap is engages the recess 53 and the cylinder 36 of mounted. In this case, the door of the safe the receptor trap is locked in the closed con- requires an opening for the handle 42 of the dition shown in Figs. 11 a and 11 b. Further- receptor trap and an opening in its top aligned more, it will be noted that the recesses 30 90 with the slot 43 in the top of the receptor are shaped such that the latch elements 20 trap.

cannot be disengaged by attempting to rotate

Claims (1)

1. the index plates in either direction so that CLAIMS once the latch

   elements 20 are engaged in the 1. A security trap including a trap mecharecesses 30 the transit trap is locked in a 95 nism and a carrier on which the mechanism is closed condition. detachably mounted, the trap mechanism in- Once the cylinder 8 and sleeve 10 have cluding a housing, a closure member rotatably been rotated to the position shown in Figs. mounted in the housing having a first position 11 a and 11 b, and only then, the locking head in which the trap mechanism is in an open 23 becomes aligned with the opening 56 in 100 condition with a passageway extending the rear wall of the carrier as shown in Fig. 6 through the housing and a second position in enabling the transit trap to be removed from which the trap mechanism is in a closed con the carrier 5. dition with the passageway blocked by the The bag handler conveys the transit trap closure member, and means for restricting ro- and bag to a location at which the items de105 tation of the closure member between the posited are to be extracted. The bag is then open and closed conditions, the arrangement opened enabling the items to be removed and of the trap mechanism and the carrier being also providing access to the latch mechanism such that when the trap mechanism is 17 to enable a person manually to retract the mounted on the carrier in the open condition latch member 19 back into its housing 18 110 the mechanism cannot be removed from the against the bias of the springs 21 whereupon carrier and the trap mechanism has to be the index plate 15 can be rotated through moved to the closed condition for removal 180' back to the position shown in Fig. 8a from the carrier, wherein the means for re and 8b, in readiness to be used again. stricting rotation of the closure member is ar- From the description above it will be clear 115 ranged to lock the trap mechanism in the that the apparatus has various advantages, in- closed condition.

   cluding the following: 2. A trap as claimed in claim 1 in which the i) The transit trap 4 has to be closed by the trap mechanism has a further closed condition bag handler before it is detached from the in which the mechanism is able to be carrier 5 and cannot thereafter be opened by 120 mounted on the carrier and the closure mem him without opening the bag itself. ber can be rotated to move the trap mecha- ii) There are no spring loaded parts in or nism from the further closed condition to the adjacent to the path followed by items as open condition but means are provided for they are passed through the traps; accord- opposing rotation of the closure member to ingly, there is little risk of injury to a person, 125 move the trap mechanism from the open con even if they are abusing the trap. dition to said further closed condition.

   iii) The receptor trap at all times blocks ac- 3. A trap as claimed in claim 2 in which the cess to the slot 2 in the safe wall and to the opposing means comprises the means for re transit trap below the slot, regardless of the stricting rotation of the closure member be position of the cylinder 36 of the receptor 130 tween the open and closed conditions.

   6 GB2194284A 6 4. A trap as claimed in claim 2 or 3 in the bottom end of the passageway.

   which, in said further closed condition of the 13. A container as claimed in claim 11 or trap mechanism, the closure member is in a 12 in which the hollow member is biased into third position different from the second posi- the second position.

   tion. 70 14. A container including a security trap and A trap as claimed in claim 4 in which the a receptor trap substantially as herein declosure member has a through passage pass- scribed with reference to and as illustrated by ing through the axis of rotation of the mem- the accompanying drawings.

   ber, the through passage being aligned with 15. A security trap mechanism including a the passageway through the housing of the 75 housing, a closure member rotatably mounted trap mechanism when the mechanism is in an in the housing having a first position in which open condition and being disposed transverse the trap mechanism is in an open condition to the passageway when the mechanism is in with a passageway extending through the a closed condition. housing, a second position in which the trap 6. A trap as claimed in claim 5 in which the 80 mechanism is in a closed condition with the closure member is rotatable through about passageway blocked by the closure member 180' between its second and third positions, and a third position in which the trap mecha and the first position is intermediate the sec- nism is in a further closed condition, wherein ond and third positions. means are provided for locking the trap 7. A trap as claimed in any preceding claim 85 mechanism in the first mentioned closed con- in which the restricting mechanism comprises dition and for obstructing movement of the an index plate in fixed relationship to the clo- trap mechanism from the open condition to sure member and a latch in fixed relationship the further closed condition but allowing to the housing and engaging the index plate. movement from the further closed condition to 8. A security trap substantially as herein de- 90 the open condition.

   scribed with reference to and as illustrated by 16. A receptor trap comprising a housing the accompanying drawings. with openings in its top and bottom ends, a 9. A container including a security trap as hollow member rotatably mounted in the claimed in any preceding claim in which the housing and having a peripheral opening pro carrier is mounted on the interior of the con- 95 viding access to the hollow interior of the tainer and the trap mechanism is arranged to member, and a shield closely surrounding at be inserted through a lockable door of the least a lower portion of the hollow member container and to be mounted in the carrier and having an opening aligned with the open with, the passageway through the housing of ing in the bottom end of the housing, the the trap mechanism communicating directly or 100 hollow member having a first position in which indirectly with an opening in the container. the peripheral opening is aligned with the 10. A container as claimed in claim 9 in opening in the top end of the housing to ena- which a further trap is mounted on the Con- ble an item to be deposited in the member -tainer on the inside or outside thereof, the from above and a second position in which further trap restricting access to the passage- 105 the peripheral opening is aligned with the way through the housing of the trap mechaopening in the bottom end of the housing to nism. enable an item deposited in the hollow mem- 11. A container as claimed in claim 10 in ber to pass out of the member into a recepta- which the further trap comprises a housing cle below.

   with a passageway extending through the 110 17. A trap as claimed in claim 16 in which housing and in communication at its bottom the hollow member is biased into the second end with the passageway in the housing of position.

   the security trap mechanism, a hollow member 18. A receptor trap substantially as herein rotatably mounted in the passageway of the described with reference to and as illustrated housing and having a peripheral opening pro- 115 by the accompanying drawings.

   viding access to the hollow interior of the member, the member having a first position in Published 1988 at The Patent office, state House, 66/71 High Holborn, London WC 1 R 4TP. Further copies may be obtained from which the peripheral opening is aligned with The Patent Office, Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BF15 3RD.

   the top end of the passageway to enable an Printed by Burgess & Son (Abingdon) Ltd. Con. 1/87.

   item to be deposited in the member from above and a second position in which the per ipheral opening is aligned with the bottom end of the passageway to enable an item deposi ted in the hollow member to pass out of the member through the bottom end of the pass ageway.

   12. A container as claimed in claim 11 in which the further trap includes a shield closely surrounding at least a portion of the hollow member and having an opening aligned with