GB2214412A

GB2214412A - Security drawer

Info

Publication number: GB2214412A
Application number: GB8823514A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vincent Anthony Dooley
Original assignee: TENERET Ltd
Current assignee: TENERET Ltd
Priority date: 1988-01-26
Filing date: 1988-10-06
Publication date: 1989-09-06
Also published as: GB8823514D0; ZA887715B; IE880187L

Abstract

A security drawer apparatus 1 comprising a housing 2 having a drawer unit 4 slidably mounted therein. A transverse member 6 divides the drawer unit 4 into an outer readily accessible compartment 7 and inner restricted access compartment 8. A lift out tray 10 for cash or the like is normally housed in the outer compartment 7 which is readily accessible on partially opening the drawer unit 4 from a closed position. A time lock 9 on the transverse member 6 is engagable with the housing 2 to restrict access to the inner compartment 8. Slots 26 in the transverse member 6 allow cash or other valuables to be passed into the inner compartment 8 while the time lock 9 is engaged. <IMAGE>

Description

This invention relates to a security drawer apparatus and in particular to a security drawer for mounting under a counter or the like.

Generally security drawers are used for temporarily holding valuables, such as cash or drugs collected or dispensed over a period of time. They are used in many situations where, because of the frequency of use, it is not practical to transfer the valuables to or from a more secure holding, for example a wall or floor mounted safe or the like.

Thus, such security drawers are open to casual smash and grab thieves.

There is therefore a need for an improved construction of security drawer apparatus for temporally holding valuables which will be at least partially secure from smash and grab thieves.

According to the invention there is provided a security drawer apparatus comprising a housing having an opening in which a drawer unit is slidably mounted, the drawer unit having a first readily accessible compartment and a second restricted access compartment, the compartments being separated by a restrictor device having means to limit access to the restricted access compartment.

In one embodiment of the invention the first compartment comprises an outer compartment of the drawer unit and the second compartment comprises an inner compartment of the drawer unit, the outer compartment being readily accessible on opening the drawer unit from a closed position.

In another embodiment of the invention the restrictor device has communication means between the first and second compartments. Preferably the communication means comprises at least one restricted slot extending between the compartments.

In a further embodiment of the invention locking means are provided to lock the restrictor device in a position to prevent access to the second restricted access compartment.

In another embodiment of the invention the locking means comprises a key operated lock. Preferably the locking means comprises a spring lock. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the locking means comprises a time lock.

Ideally the time lock releases only after a preset time delay.

In another embodiment of the invention the time lock comprises a key operated lock mechanism, an associated timer mechanism, and an actuating means for the timer mechanism the timer mechanism preventing release of the lock mechanism until a time delay sequence initiated by the actuating means is complete. Preferably the actuating- means comprises a key which, on operation first starts the time delay sequence and secondly, at the end of the time delay sequence, releaseS the lock mechanism. Typically the timer mechanism is electrically operated.

In a further embodiment of the invention audible or visual indicating means is provided to indicate the end of the time delay sequence so that the locking mechanism may be released to gain access to the restricted access compartment. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the indicating means comprises a visual indicating means such as a light emitting diode which ideally flashes to indicate the end of the time delay sequence.

In another embodiment of the invention the restrictor device is a transverse member extending across the drawer unit to divide the drawer unit into the first and second compartments.

In another embodiment of the invention the locking means is mounted on one of the transverse member and the housing, the lock having a retractable bolt engagable with the other of the transverse member and housing. Preferably the lock is mounted on the transverse member and has a retractable bolt which extends outwardly of the transverse member for engagement with portion of the housing. Typically the bolt is engagable with a catch bar which extends transversely across the housing adjacent the opening.

In a further embodiment of the invention the lock is mounted to the transverse member within the restricted access compartment. Alternatively the lock is housed within the transverse member which is a hollow panel.

In another embodiment of the invention each slot through the transverse member is closed by a movable flap. Each flap is preferably hingedly mounted to the transverse member.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention each flap is hingedly mounted on the transverse member within the restricted access compartment.

In another embodiment of the invention biassing means is provided for each flap to urge the flap into a closed position. Typically the biassing means is a spring.

In another embodiment of the invention there is provided at an inner end of each slot a conduit forming an extension of the slot, the conduit attached to the transverse member and extending into the restricted access compartment.

Preferably a free outlet end of each conduit is closed by a flap.

The flap is preferably hingedly mounted to the conduit.

In a further embodiment of the invention biassing means is provided to urge the flap into a closed position.

Typically the biassing means is a spring.

In another embodiment of the invention the drawer unit has a rectangular base with upstanding front wall, rear wall and side walls, with the transverse member upstanding from the base and extending between the side walls intermediate the front and rear walls and substantially parallel thereto.

In a further embodiment of the invention the housing is of box-shaped construction having a base and top with side walls and rear wall extending therebetween forming a socket for reception of the drawer unit.

In another embodiment of the invention the drawer unit is slidably mounted on tracks attached to the side walls of the housing.

In another embodiment of the invention mounting means is provided for mounting the housing to an underside of a counter or the like. Preferably the mounting means is a mounting flange extending outwardly of the sides of the housing. Typically the mounting flange is formed by peripheral edges of the top of the housing.

In another embodiment of the invention an outer lock is provided, engagable to secure the drawer unit in a closed position within the housing.

In another embodiment of the invention the outer lock is mounted on one of the front wall of the drawer unit and the housing, and has a retractable bolt engagable with the other of the front wall and housing. Preferably the outer lock is mounted on the front wall and extends outwardly thereof to engage the housing. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the bolt is engagable with the catch bar of the housing.

In another embodiment of the invention the apparatus includes a lift-out tray mounted in the outer compartment.

Typically a side of the tray has an opening or openings to allow access to the lock and slots of the restrictor device while the tray is mounted in the drawer unit. Preferably the tray has a note divider mounted therein. Ideally also the tray is closed by a lockable lid.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Fig. 1 is a front partially exploded perspective view of a security drawer apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of portion of the security drawer apparatus with a drawer unit portion thereof shown in a fully open position, Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of the security drawer apparatus with the drawer unit in a fully open position, Fig. 4 is a side sectional view of the security drawer apparatus with the drawer unit in a partially open position, Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the security drawer apparatus taken along the line V - V of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a detail side sectional view illustrating a slot in a restrictor device of the security drawer apparatus, Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a lift-out tray portion of the security drawer apparatus, and Fig. 8 is a sectional end view of the tray of Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a security drawer apparatus according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The security drawer apparatus 1 comprises a substantially rectangular boxshaped housing 2 having an opening 3 with a drawer unit 4 slidably mounted therein. In Fig. 5 the security drawer apparatus 1 is shown typically mounted to an underside of a counter 5 or the like. A restrictor device, in this case comprising a transverse member 6 divides the drawer unit 4 into an outer compartment 7, which is readily accessible on opening the drawer unit 4 from a closed position, and an inner compartment 8 to which access is limited by the transverse member 6 which has a time lock 9 mounted thereon and engagable with the housing 2. A lift-out cash tray 10 is normally mounted in the outer compartment 7.

The drawer unit 4 has a rectangular base 11 with upstanding front wall 12, rear wall 13, and side walls 14. Located intermediate the front wall 12 and rear wall 13 is the transverse member 6 which is upstanding from the base 11 and extends between the side walls 14 and is substantially parallel to the front wall 12 and rear wall 13. The transverse member 6 has an outer face 16, an inner face 17 and an upper edge 18. Centrally located and mounted to the inner face 17 of the transverse member 6 is the time lock 9 which comprises a key operated lock mechanism and an associated timer mechanism. A Spring bolt 19 of the lock mechanism extends upwardly of the transverse member 6 to engage a catch bar 21 within the housing 2 adjacent the opening 3.Operation of the time lock 9 is by means of a key (not shown) engagable with a receiver 22 of the time lock 9 on the outer face 16 of the transverse member 6. An indicating light emitting diode 23 is mounted on the transverse member 6 above the receiver 22. A battery 24 mounted on the inner face 17 of the transverse member 6 supplies power to operate the timer mechanism of the time lock 9 and the light emitting diode 23.

Communication means between the inner and outer compartments 7, 8 is in this case provided by a pair of spaced apart rectangular slots 26 passing through the transverse member 6 and located adjacent its upper edge IS.

Mounted to the inner face 17 of the transverse member 6 and forming an extension of each slot 26 are rectangular conduits 27. An inner free end 28 of each conduit 27 is closed by a flap 29 pivotally mounted by a hinge 31 to a top side 32 of each conduit 27.

The front wall 12 of the drawer unit 4 is a hollow panel housing a centrally located key operated outer lock 35. A bolt 36 of the outer lock 35 extends upwardly of an upper edge 37 of the front wall 12 for engagement with the catch bar 21 in the housing 2 when the drawer unit 4 is closed.

An outer face 38 of the front wall 12 has an upper portion 39 which extends upwardly of the upper edge 37 of the front wall 12 having, at an outer end, a handle 40 comprising a substantially horizontal plate 41 which has a cranked outer edge 42.

A track 44 is attached to each side wall 14 of the drawer unit 4 for complementary sliding engagement with mounting tracks 45 in the housing 2 to slidably mount the drawer unit 4 within the housing 2. The housing 2 comprises a rectangular base 47 and top 48 with side walls 49 and rear wall 50 extending therebetween to define a socket with opening 3 for reception of the drawer unit 4. Each side edge 52 of the top 48 extends outwardly of the side walls 49 to form a mounting flange having spaced-apart holes 53 to receive screws or bolts which secure the housing 2 to the counter 5. It will be noted that the catch bar 21 extends between the side walls 49 adjacent the top 48 of the housing 2 at the opening 3. The mounting tracks 45 to support the drawer unit 4 are fixed to the side walls 49 running parallel to the base 47 within the housing 2.

Referring now specifically to Figs. 7 and 8 the lift-out tray 10 normally mounted in the outer compartment 7 is closable by a removable lid 56 having a lock 57. The tray 10 is box-shaped having a base 58, a front wall 59, a rear wall 60 and side walls 61 and 62 respectively. A cut-away portion of the rear wall 60 provides an opening 65 to allow access to the receiver 22 of the time lock 9 and slots 26 on the transverse member 6 when the tray 10 is mounted within the outer compartment 7 of the drawer unit 4. An adjustable note divider is mounted in the tray 10 and comprises a number of spaced-apart divider plates 67 releasably engagable with slots 68 in mounting brackets 69 fixed to the front wall 59 and rear wall 60 to sub-divide the tray 10 as required.It will be noted that when the lid 56 of the tray 10 is in a closed position an inner side edge 70 of the lid 56 extends downwardly to cover the opening 65. A lifting handle 72 is provided on the lid 56 which also has a pair of spaced apart hinge members 73 at one end for releasable engagement with slots 74 adjacent an upper edge of the side wall 61 of the tray 10. A slot in the other side wall 62 of the tray 10 forms a receiver 75 for releasable engagement by a pivoting bolt member 76 of the lock 57 on the lid 56.

In use the security drawer apparatus 1 is installed typically under a counter 5 as illustrated in Fig. 5. After opening the outer lock 35 on the front wall 12 the drawer unit 4 can be pulled out approximately half way until the bolt 19 of the time lock 9 on the transverse member 6 abuts the catch bar 21 as shown in Fig. 4. Further withdrawal of the drawer unit 4 is not possible without operating the time lock 9 however, the outer compartment 7 is fully accessible and having removed the lid 56 of the tray 10 the drawer unit 4 can be used in normal manner as a cash drawer. Any desired "float" of cash is maintained in the tray 55 and extra cash, cheques etc, when received, are fed through the slots 26 into the inner compartment 8.It will be noted that the slots 26 with conduits 27 and flaps 29 allow cash and other items to be passed into the inner compartment 8 but will make it very difficult if not impossible to retrieve cash back through the slots 26. When it is necessary to clear the inner compartment 8 to a safe or the like it can be opened by releasing the time lock 9.

A timer mechanism of the time lock 9 prevents operation of the lock mechanism of the time lock 9 until it has carried out a time delay sequence. This time delay sequence is started by inserting the key in the receiver 22 and turning the key. In this case the time delay sequence lasts approximately two minutes. At the end of the time delay sequence the light emitting diode 23 flashes to show that the timer mechanism is disengaged and the key is then turned again to release the lock mechanism, retracting the bolt 19 and allowing the drawer unit 4 to be opened fully.

The inner compartment 8 can then be emptied and the drawer unit 4 pushed back into the housing 2, the bolt 19 automatically engaging behind the catch bar 21 to engage the time lock 9 again.

It will be noted that the bolt 36 of the outer lock 35 on the front wall 12 of the drawer unit 4 is also spring loaded for automatic locking when the drawer unit 4 is pushed fully into the housing 2.

It will be appreciated that the invention provides a security drawer apparatus of relatively simple and cheap construction which will be at least partially secure against casual smash and grab type thieves. When the restrictor device is locked in position the inner compartment is largely hidden from view and even if the thief were aware of the inner compartment the time lock delays access to the inner compartment and this discourages at least smash and grab type theft.

Although in the embodiment described herein the timer mechanism of the time lock is set to open after a preset period of several minutes the time lock may be provided with a suitable timer which allows the inner compartment to be opened only at specific times. In this manner the inner compartment may be locked off overnight, for example.

It will also be appreciated that any suitable type of time lock may be used incorporating other types of key mechanism, for example an electronic key pad may be provided to open the lock in response to a preset number sequence.

It will further be appreciated that while the invention has been described as a security drawer apparatus for mounting under a counter, it could be used as part of a multi drawer cabinet or the like, or indeed incorporated in a cash register. Further, instead of or in addition to being used for collecting or storing cash or valuables it may also be used for dispensing drugs or the like, It will be noted also that while in the -drawer unit the restrictor device is most advantageously a transverse member as described herein other arrangements of restrictor device are also possible, for example the restrictor device could divide the drawer unit into an upper readily accessible compartment and a lower restricted access compartment, the restrictor device being effectively a false bottom of the drawer unit.

Typically the security drawer apparatus is of steel construction, however any other suitable materials of construction may be used.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment herein before described which may be varied in both construction and in detail.

Claims

1. A security drawer apparatus comprising a housing having an opening in which a drawer unit is slidably mounted, the drawer unit having a first readily accessible compartment and a second restricted access compartment the compartments being separated by a restrictor device having means to limit access to the restricted access compartment.

2. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first compartment comprises an outer compartment of the drawer unit and the second compartment comprises an inner compartment of the drawer unit, the outer compartment being readily accessible on opening the drawer unit from a closed position.

3. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the restrictor device has communication means between the first and second compartments.

4. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the communication means comprises at least one restricted slot extending between the compartments.

5. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein locking means are provided to lock the restrictor device in a position to prevent access to the second restricted access compartment.

6. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 5 where the locking means comprises a key operated lock.

7. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the locking means comprises a spring lock.

8. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7 wherein the locking means comprises a time lock.

9. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the time lock releases after a preset time delay.

10. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9 in which the time lock comprises a key operated lock mechanism, an associated timer mechanism, and an actuating means for the timer mechanism, the timer mechanism preventing release of the lock mechanism until a time delay sequence initiated by the actuating means in complete.

11. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the actuating means comprises a key which, on operation first starts the time delay sequence and secondly, at the end of the time delay sequence, releases the lock mechanism.

12. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein the timer mechanism is electrically operated.

13. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in any of claims 10 to 12 wherein an indicating means is provided to indicate the end of the time delay sequence so that the locking mechanism may be released to gain access to the restricted access compartment.

14. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the indicating means comprises a visual indicating means such as a light emitting diode.

15. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the diode flashes to indicate the end of the time delay sequence.

16. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the restrictor device is a transverse member extending across the drawer unit to divide the drawer unit into the first and second compartments.

17. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the locking means is mounted on one of the transverse member and the housing, the lock having a retractable bolt engagable with the other of the transverse member and housing.

18. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the lock is mounted on the transverse member and has a retractable bolt which extends outwardly of the transverse member for engagement with portion of the housing.

19. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein the bolt is engagable with a catch bar which extends transversely across the housing adjacent the opening.

20. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 18 or 19 wherein the lock is mounted to the transverse member within the restricted access compartment.

21. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 18 or 19 wherein the lock is housed within the transverse member which is a hollow panel.

22. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4 to 21 wherein each slot through the transverse member is closed by a movable flap.

23. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein each flap is hingedly mounted to the transverse member

24. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 22 or 23 wherein each flap is hingedly mounted on the transverse member within the restricted access compartment.

25. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in any of claims 22 to 24 wherein biassing means is provided for each flap to urge the flap into a closed position.

26. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein the biassing means is a spring.

27. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4 to 21 wherein there is provided at a inner end of each slot a conduit forming an extension of the slot, the conduit being attached to the transverse member and extending into the restricted access compartment.

28. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein a free outlet end of each conduit is closed by a flap.

29. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein the flap is hingedly mounted to the conduit.

30. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 28 or 29 wherein biassing means is provided to urge the flap into a closed position.

31. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 30 wherein the biassing means is a spring.

32. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in any of claims 16 to 31 wherein the drawer unit has a rectangular base with upstanding front wall, rear wall and side walls, with the transverse member upstanding from the base and extending between the side walls intermediate the front and rear walls and substantially parallel thereto.

33. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the housing is of box-shaped construction having a base and top with side walls and a rear wall extending therebetween forming a socket for reception of the drawer unit.

34. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 33 wherein the drawer unit is slidably mounted on tracks attached to the side walls of the housing.

35. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein mounting means is provided for mounting the housing to an underside of a counter or the like.

36. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 35 wherein the mounting means is a mounting flange extending outwardly of the side walls of the housing.

37. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 36 wherein the mounting flange is formed by peripheral edges of the top of the housing.

38. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein an outer lock is provided, engagable to secure the drawer unit in a closed position within the housing.

39. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 39 wherein the outer lock is mounted on one of the front wall of the drawer unit and the housing, and has a retractable bolt engagable with the other of the front wall and housing.

40. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 39 wherein the outer lock is mounted on the front wall and extends outwardly thereof to engage the housing.

41. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 40 wherein the bolt is engagable with a catch bar of the housing.

42. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including a lift-out tray mounted in the outer compartment.

43. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 42 wherein a side of the tray has an opening or openings to allow access to the lock and slots of the restrictor device while the tray is mounted in the drawer unit.

44. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in claim 42 or 43 wherein the tray includes a note divider mounted therein.

45. A security drawer apparatus as claimed in any of claims 42 to 44 wherein the tray is closed by a lockable lid.

46. A security drawer apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.