GB2254645A

GB2254645A - Security strap for vending machines

Info

Publication number: GB2254645A
Application number: GB9206145A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Joseph Ryan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-03-20
Filing date: 1992-03-20
Publication date: 1992-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2012-03-20
Also published as: GB9105929D0; GB2254645B; GB9206145D0

Abstract

A security strap 10 for a coin operated machine such as a vending or game machine comprises a limb or arm shown generally at 12 which, in use, is located to extend across the outer surface (normally the front face) of the machine with which the strap is used. The strap 10 includes a lock arrangement at 16. The lock secures the limb 12 to the casing of the machine. The limb 12 is constructed to be variable in length by virtue of the outer slidable member 18 and inner slidable members 20, 22. The limb preferably incorporates a protective cover 56 for the lock to prevent access thereto. <IMAGE>

Description

Security Strap The present invention relates to security straps for coin operated machines such as vending machines and gaming machines.

Vending machines have locked casings which can be opened to replenish stock inside and/or to remove money from the machine. Similarly, gaming machines have locked casings which can be opened to collect money or tokens inside. In order to improve the security of such machines a security strap of steel can be installed, sufficiently sturdy to prevent the machine being broken open, but which can be unlocked to allow the machine casing to be unlocked and opened.

It is to be appreciated that the term "coin-operated" is intended to include machines operable by the insertion of coins, tokens and the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved coin-operated machine security strap.

According to the invention there is provided a coin-operated machine security strap comprising a limb which, in use, extends across an outer surface of a machine, lock means operable to prevent the casing being opened when the lock means is locked, and a protective member which, in use, covers or surrounds the lock means to prevent forces being applied between the members between which the lock means acts.

Preferably the limb is so constructed as to be variable in length, whereby the strap may be adapted for use with machines of different sizes.

The invention also provides a coin-operated machine security strap comprising a limb which, in use, extends across an outer surface of a machine, and mounting means including lock means and operable to attach the limb to the casing of the machine to prevent the casing being opened when the lock means is locked, wherein the limb is so constructed as to be variable in length, whereby the strap may be adapted for use with machines of different sizes.

Preferably there is a protective member which, in use, covers or surrounds the lock means to prevent forces being applied between the members between which the lock means acts.

The limb preferably comprises at least two members which are slidable relative to one another to change the length of the limb, and securing means for securing together the slidable members. Preferably the securing means comprises a nut and bolt. The bolt head is preferably rounded to prevent rotation thereof after the strap has been installed. The bolt is preferably formed to engage the aperture to prevent rotation of the bolt relative thereto. The bolt may be splined.

The limb may comprise an outer slidable member, and ,n inner slidable member which, in use, is located between the outer slidable member and the machine. The respective slidable members may have at least one aperture or slot formed therein for receiving the securing means. The securing means may be received in an aperture in one slidable member and a slot in another slidable member, the length of the slot allowing the relative positions of the slidable members to be changed.

The inner slidable member may comprise a recess for accommodating part of the securing means, in use, between the inner slidable member and the machine. The nut may be so accommodated.

Preferably the inner slidable member has a channel section, the mouth of which is placed against the machine such that, in use, the said recess is provided by the channel.

There may be two inner slidable members as aforesaid and securing means operable independently to secure each inner slidable member to the outer slidable member.

The strap may further comprise hinge means which, in use, hingedly mount the limb on the machine. The hinge means may be so formed as to locate, in use, the hinge axis adjacent a side wall of the machine.

The strap may further comprise bracket means which, in use, are attached to the machine and to which the limb may be locked by operation of the lock means. The lock means may act between the bracket means and the or one of the inner slidable members. The inner slidable member, and/or the bracket means may provide a protective housing preventing tampering with the lock means. The lock means may comprise a key-operated rotatable member having a threaded portion which engages a second threaded member to lock the strap. The rotatable member may comprise a head portion of greater lateral dimension than the rest of the member to engage in an aperture in the limb.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the strap in a contracted state; Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a partial side elevation of the strap of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a partial front elevation with the outer slidable member removed; Fig. 5 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the bracket of the strap with a lock protecting member in position; Fig. 6 is a section, on an enlarged scale, on line VI-VI in Fig. 5 with a lock in position to lock the strap closed; and Fig. 7 is a schematic elevation of the lock for the strap.

In more detail, the drawings show a security strap 10 for a coin-operated machine, such as a vending or gaming machine and comprising a limb or arm shown generally at 12 which, in use, is located to extend across the outer surface (normally the front face) of the machine with which the strap is being used. The strap 10 also includes mounting means 14 including a lock arrangement at 16. The mounting means 14 are operable to attach the limb 12 to the casing of the machine to prevent the casing being opened when the lock arrangement 16 is locked. The limb 12 is so constructed as to be variable in length, to enable the strap 10 to be used with machines of different sizes, and types.

The limb 12 comprises an outer slidable member 18 and inner slidable members 20,22, all three of which are of channel section and of a size to allow the inner slidable members 20,22 to fit inside the channel of the outer slidable member 18 as shown in Fig. 2. A series of apertures 24 are provided along the outer slidable member 18. A corresponding series of slots 26 (Fig. 4) are provided along each inner slidable member 20,22. The apertures 24 and slots 26 allow fixing studs 28 (or bolts) to pass through the outer slidable member 18 and one or other inner slidable member 20,22. The studs 28 are threaded to carry a nut 32 which can be tightened to secure the slidable members 18,20,22 against further sliding.

The studs 28 have splined shanks 30 which engage the apertures 24 to prevent the studs 28 rotating in the apertures 24. It can be seen from Fig. 2 that the nuts 32 are housed in the channels of the members 20,22.

Consequently, the limb 12 can be installed with the mouth of the channels closed by the machine to leave a recess in which the nut 32 is housed, so that the nut 32 is inaccessible. Since the nut 32 is inaccessible and the studs 28 are not rotatable in the apertures 24, the nuts and studs cannot be loosened by tampering, and the length of the limb 12 is therefore fixed once the strap 10 has been installed. Tampering is further prevented by providing round bolt heads to the studs, so that a spanner or other tool cannot turn the stud to loosen the nut and bolt.

It will be apparent by considering Fig. 1 and Fig.

4 that before the nuts 32 are tightened, the overall length of the limb 12 can be set over a wide range (such as twenty to thirty centimetres) by sliding one or both inner members 20,22 relative to the outer member 18, with the studs 28 moving along the slots 26. In an alternative arrangement, the length of the limb 12 may be fixed, being made to fit a particular machine, in which case the limb may have a one-piece construction.

The mounting means 14 include a hinge bracket 34 at one end of the limb 12, and a bracket 36 at the other end. The hinge bracket 34 comprises a plate 38 which can be permanently attached to the casing of the machine and which incorporates a hinge 40 between the plate 38 and the inner sliding member 20. The hinge 40 is adjacent the side wall of the machine but spaced back from the front wall of the machine so that in use, it is less likely to snag clothing of a user. The hinge 40 articulates the limb 12 to the machine, to allow the limb 12 to swing away from the machine, unless locked by the lock arrangement 16, as will be described.

The lock arrangement 16 is carried in part by the bracket 36 which consists of a plate portion 42 for permanent attachment to the side wall of the machine. A housing at 44 is formed by welding steel plates 45 to the bracket 36 to provide a cavity C in which a nut 46 is permanently welded.

The second half of the lock arrangement 16 (Fig. 7) comprises a lock barrel 48. The lock barrel 48, in use, is located in an aperture 50 at the end of the slidable member 22, and is rotatable with respect thereto by means of a key (not shown). The barrel 48 has a relatively wide head 49 at one end thereof and a threaded extension 52 at the other end. When the limb 12 is against the vending machine the extension 52 is available to engage the nut 46.

A protective member 56 is provided (Figs. 5 and 6) to protect the lock arrangement 16 against tampering, in particular against prising forces being applied to force apart the limb 12 and the bracket 36. The member 56 is a cup having four parallel walls 58 extending from a base 62, to form a recess. An aperture 64 is provided in one wall 58. When in position as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the protective member 56 receives the housing 44 and the end of the slidable member 22 in its recess. One wall 58 extends behind the housing 44 whilst the other arm 60 extends outside the end of the member 22. When the lock arrangement 16 is locked the barrel 48 extends through the aperture 64 such that the threaded extension 52 engages the nut 46.The aperture 64 permits all but the head 49 of the barrel 48 to pass therethrough, such that when the lock arrangement 16 is locked, the member 56 is held in position around the housing 44 and the end of the limb 12. This makes it difficult or impossible to reach the housing 44 and the limb in order to prise them apart.

Moreover, any force applied to force them apart is resisted by the member 56 bearing on the housing walls 45 and the outer surface of the limb 12. This protects the lock from bearing these forces, and avoids overstraining the lock.

The strap described above can be installed and used in the following manner. Firstly, the hinge bracket 34 is attached to the vending or gaming machine by tamperproof attachments, such as round-headed bolts, and the bracket 36 is similarly attached to the opposite side wall of the machine. Initially, the limb 12 is free to swing on the hinge 40. By swinging the limb 12 fully away from the machine, it is possible to loosen the nuts 32 and adjust the length of the limb 12 until, when the limb 12 is swung back against the machine, the lock 16 can be located through the aperture 50 to be precisely aligned with the nut 46 to allow the extension 52 to threadedly engage the nut 46 by rotating the barrel 48 by means of an appropriate key. When the correct length for the limb 12 has been determined, the nuts 32 are tightened.The strap 10 can then be locked by swinging the limb 12 shut, placing the protective member 56 in place as described above and locking the barrel 48 to the nut 46. This holds the inner members 20,22 against the machine so that the nuts 32 are inaccessible. The lock 16 is protected by the housing 44 and the housing 44 is protected by the member 56. Furthermore any prising forces applied against the lock arrangement 16 by anybody attempting to force open the lock arrangement 16 would primarily be borne by the member 56, to significantly reduce the likelihood of breaking the lock arrangement 16.

Authorised personnel can open the machine by using a key to disengage the barrel 48 from the nut 46 so that the protective member 56 can be removed, and the limb 12 can then be swung away from the machine.

It will be apparent from the above description that the strap described can be used with vending and/or gaming machines of various different types and sizes without the security being inferior to that provided by a strap which is purpose-built for the particular machine.

Furthermore it is to be appreciated that the protective member may be used on purpose-built straps of fixed length, and the adjustable straps may be used without a protective member if the lock is sufficiently strong.

It will also be apparent from the above description that many variations and modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In particular, many different forms of lock arrangement could be used, and other arrangements could be used for providing adjustability of the length of the limb 12.

It can be seen from Fig. 2 that the channel section of the members 18,20,22, which are preferably steel, enhances their strength so that in addition to housing the nuts 32 in order to achieve adjustability, they further enhance the security provided by the strap 10.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A coin-operated machine security strap comprising a limb which, in use, extends across an outer surface of a machine, lock means operable to prevent the casing being opened when the lock means is locked, and a protective member which, in use, covers or surrounds the lock means to prevent forces being applied between the members between which the lock means acts.

2. A strap according to claim 1, wherein the limb is so constructed as to be variable in length, whereby the strap may be adapted for use with machines of different sizes.

3. A coin-operated machine security strap comprising a limb which, in use, extends across an outer surface of a machine, and mounting means including lock means and operable to attach the limb to the casing of the machine to prevent the casing being opened when the lock means is locked, wherein the limb is so constructed as to be variable in length, whereby the strap may be adapted for use with machines of different sizes.

4. A strap according to claim 3, further comprising a protective member which, in use, covers or surrounds the lock means to prevent forces being applied between the members between which the lock means acts.

5. A strap according to claim 1, 3 or 4, wherein the limb comprises at least two members which are slidable relative to one another to change the length of the limb, and securing means for securing together the slidable members.

6. A strap according to claim 5, wherein the securing means comprise a nut and bolt.

7. A strap according to claim 6, wherein the bolt head is preferably rounded to prevent rotation thereof after the strap has been installed.

8. A strap according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the bolt is formed to engage an aperture in the limb to prevent rotation of the bolt relative thereto.

9. A strap according to claim 8, wherein the bolt is splined.

10. A strap according to any of claims 2 to 9, wherein the limb comprises an outer slidable member, and an inner slidable member which, in use, is located between the outer slidable member and the machine.

11. A strap according to claim 10, wherein the respective slidable members have at least one aperture or slot formed therein for receiving the securing means.

12. A strap according to claim 11, wherein the securing means is received in an aperture in one slidable member snd a slot in another slidable member, the length of the slot allowing the relative positions of the slidable members to be changed.

13. A strap according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the inner slidable member comprises a recess for accommodating part of the securing means, in use, between the inner slidable member and the machine.

14. A strap according to claim 13, wherein the inner slidable member has a channel section, the mouth of which is placed against the machine such that, in use, the said recess is provided by the channel.

15. A strap according to any of claims 10 to 14, comprising two inner slidable members as aforesaid and securing means operable independently to secure each inner slidable member to the outer slidable member.

16. A strap according to any preceding claim, further comprising hinge means which, in use, hingedly mount the limb on the machine.

17. A strap according to claim 16, wherein the hinge means is so formed as to locate, in use, the hinge axis adjacent a side wall of the machine.

18. A strap according to any preceding claim, further comprising bracket means which, in use, are attached to the machine and to which the limb may be locked by operation of the lock means.

19. A strap according to claim 18, and any of claims 10 to 17, wherein the lock mean act between the bracket means and the or one of the inner slidable members.

20. A strap according to claim 19, wherein the inner slidable member, and/or the bracket means provide a protective housing preventing tampering with the lock means.

21. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein the lock means comprises a key-operated rotatable member having a threaded portion which engages a second threaded member to lock the strap.

22. A strap according to claim 21, wherein the rotatable member comprises a head portion of greater lateral dimension than the rest of the member to engage in an aperture in the limb.

23. A strap substantially as described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.