GB2278006A

GB2278006A - Security guard apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2278006A
Application number: GB9309579A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael David Hewitt; Graham David Francis Sharp
Original assignee: JOHN SHARP IND Ltd
Current assignee: JOHN SHARP IND Ltd
Priority date: 1993-05-10
Filing date: 1993-05-10
Publication date: 1994-11-16
Also published as: GB9309579D0

Abstract

Security apparatus (2) for providing proof of a visit from a security guard comprises a clock, hard copy record means (4), marker means for marking the time provided by the clock on the hard copy record means (4), and a receiver (6) for causing operation of the marker means (5) consequent upon the receiver (6) receiving a signal from a transmitter carried by the security guard, whereby the security guard is able to operate the security apparatus (2) to record the time of a visit with the security apparatus (2) being in a position at which access is denied to the security guard. The apparatus may be powered by a re-chargeable battery and the signal transmitted may be infra-red or other radiation. <IMAGE>

Description

SECURITY APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING PROOF OF A VISIT FROM A SECURITY GUARD This invention relates to security apparatus for providing proof of a visit from a security guard.

Buildings such for example as offices and factories are often protected by security guards who periodically walk the buildings at night. The security guards have access to the buildings and they may visit more than one building in a night or they may remain solely in one building. As proof that the security guard is carrying out regular inspections, it is known to provide security apparatus at different points in a building for the purpose of providing proof that the guard has visited those security points. A problem arises when a security guard is required to patrol a building such for example as office or shop premises, but is not allowed to have access to that building.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided security apparatus for providing proof of a visit from a security guard, which security apparatus comprises a clock, hard copy record means, marker means for marking the time provided by the clock on the hard copy record means, and a receiver for causing operation of the marker means consequent upon the receiver receiving a signal from a transmitter carried by the security guard, whereby the security guard is able to operate the security apparatus to record the time of a visit with the security apparatus being in a position at which access is denied to the security guard.

The security apparatus may be such that the guard is able to record one or more visits per period of duty, as may be required.

The marker means is preferably a punch device.

Other types of marker means may however be employed. The security apparatus may be one in which the hard copy record means is provided with a time display, and in which the marker means is such as to punch a hole in the hard copy record means at the correct position on the time display to give the time provided by the clock.

Preferably, the time display on the hard copy record means gives both the day and the hour of the day at which the punching occurs.

The hard copy record means may be a time calibrated disc. Other types of hard copy record means such for example as an endless tape or a roll of tape may be employed.

Usually, the hard copy record means will be made of paper. Other materials may be employed.

The security apparatus may be one in which the clock, the hard copy record means, the marker means and the receiver are all provided in a housing, and in which the housing is constructed and adapted to be portable for ease of use and siting in premises in which the security apparatus is to be used.

The security apparatus may be one in which the housing has a face having window means through which the hard copy record means can be seen, and in which the housing includes mounting means for mounting the hard copy record means adjacent the window means. The security apparatus may then be one in which the mounting means is driven by a gear train, and in which the gear train is driven by a battery-operated quartz clock movement. Other types of drive means may be employed.

When the hard copy record means is the timecalibrated disc and when the mounting means is driven by the gear train and the quartz clock movement, then the mounting means may be a shaft.

The security apparatus may include an input socket for enabling the recharging of a rechargeable battery for the security apparatus. The security apparatus may be sold with or without the battery. A presently preferred rechargeable battery is a lead acid rechargeable battery.

When the security apparatus is battery operated, it will be apparent that the security apparatus needs no wires and thus the security apparatus is very easy to move from place to place and to stand in various convenient positions. A separate battery will normally be employed to operate the clock in order that the clock always keeps the required real time. When the hard copy record means is the time calibrated disc, then the battery that drives the clock may also drive the hard copy record means.

The security apparatus may include the transmitter.

Preferably, the receiver is an infra red receiver and the transmitter is an infra red transmitter. Infra red operation is preferred since such operation is directional. Thus the security apparatus can be positioned in a variety of positions which can be seen by the security guard, for example through a window, even although the security guard is not able to gain access to the premises.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of the security apparatus; Figure 2 is a side view of the security apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of the security apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a front view of the security apparatus but with its door open to show the position of internal components; Figure 5 shows hard copy record means in the form of a time calibrated paper disc; Figure 6 shows drive means in the form of a gear train; Figure 7 is a side view of a mounting bracket for the gear train; Figure 8 is a side view of the mounting bracket as shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a top view of the mounting bracket as shown in Figure 7; Figure 10 is an end view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 4;; Figure 11 is a view on arrow A shown in Figure 10; and Figure 12 is a view on arrow B shown in Figure 11.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown security apparatus 2 for providing proof of a visit from a security guard. The security apparatus 2 comprises a clock in the form of a battery-operated quartz clock movement (not shown). The security apparatus 2 also comprises hard copy record means in the form of a time calibrated paper disc 4. The security apparatus 2 still further comprises marker means in the form of a punch device 5 for marking the time provided by the clock on the disc 4. The security apparatus 2 still further comprises a receiver in the form of an infra red receiver 6 for causing operation of the punch device 5 consequent upon the receiver 6 receiving a signal from a transmitter (not shown) carried by the security guard.The security apparatus 2 is thus such that the security guard is able to operate the security apparatus 2 to record the time of a visit with the security apparatus 2 being in a position at which access is denied to the security guard.

The security apparatus 2 of the present invention is thus able to fill a niche in the security market appertaining to the guarding of any suitable premises where entrance is restricted, not practical or forbidden to security guards or other personnel during the hours of guarding. For example, a number of shops may need guarding in a shopping precinct. The security apparatus 2 may be placed on view in a window of each shop. The guard would then be provided with an infra red transmitter, appropriately coded to the receiver 6. The guard then walks his or her duty round past each shop and after satisfying himself or herself that everything is in order, the guard simply presses the transmitter through the window at the security apparatus 2. A red indicator (not shown) on the transmitter will then illuminate to give visual proof of a transmission.A corresponding red indicator 8 in the form of a light emitting diode will illuminate on the security apparatus 2 for the duration of the signal in order to give visual proof that the transmission has been received.

The security apparatus 2 provides an owner or occupier of a premises with visual evidence of a previous night's visit by the security guard. This is effected by the punch device 5 being in the form of a spike which passes through a hole 10 in a guide member 12. The guide member 12 serves to guide the disc 4. Another guide member 14 also guides the disc 4.

The guide member 12 is provided with another hole 16 which is such as to allow the owner or occupier of the premises to see the hole in the disc 4 formed by the spike passing through the hole 10 in the guide member 12.

Thus the disc 4 is punched at the exact day and time of the visit.

The disc 4 is time calibrated as shown in Figure 5.

More specifically, the disc 4 is segmented into seven equal portions, each representing one 24 hour cycle or one day. Each of these seven equal portions is further segmented into 24 equal portions representing a one hour time lapse.

The disc 4 is held in place by the two guide members 12, 14. It is driven by two spikes 62, 64 on a metal disc. The metal disc is driven directly by a gear wheel 18 as shown in Figure 6. This gear wheel 18 is the final driven gear wheel in a gear train 20. The gear train 20 comprises a first drive gear wheel 22, which drives a first intermediate gear wheel 24. This first intermediate gear wheel 24 has a spur cog 26 which drives a second intermediate gear wheel 28. The second intermediate gear wheel 28 has a spur cog 30 which is used to drive the gear wheel 18. The gear wheel 18 is -shown with a central shaft 32. The shaft 32 is also shown in Figure 4 and this shaft 32 is the drive shaft used to drive the metal disc on which the disc 4 is mounted.

The gear train 20 shown in Figure 6 is driven by a quartz clock movement. This quartz clock movement may be any standard quartz clock movement as used in readily available clocks. The first and second intermediate gear wheels 24, 28 provide a geared down ratio of 14:1. Thus the gear train is effective to rotate the disc 4 one complete revolution in seven days. Thus, at the end of one week, the security apparatus 2 may be opened and the disc 4 replaced so that the apparatus 2 can then be used for the next week.

The security apparatus 2 is such that the clock, the disc 4, the punch device and the receiver 6 are all provided in a housing 34. The housing 34 is constructed and adapted to be portable for ease of use and siting in premises in which the security apparatus 2 is to be used.

The housing 34 has a face 36 having window means in the form of a circular window 38 for enabling the relevant portion of the disc 4 to be seen so that the time on the disc 4 can be seen. The face 36 also has a window 40 for enabling the red indicator 8 and also a green indicator 42 to be seen. The green indicator 42 is also formed by a light emitting diode.

The housing 34 is provided with feet which are advantageously rubber feet 44. The face 36 is formed as part of a front door 46 forming part of the housing 34.

The housing 34 contains a rechargeable battery 48 for operating the receiver 6 and the punch device 5. The rechargeable battery 48 is preferably a lead acid battery. The housing 34 is provided with a charge socket 50 for enabling the rechargeable battery 48 to be recharged as and when necessary.

The housing 34 also contains a battery 52 which is a normal clock battery and which is held in a bracket 54.

The battery 52 is not rechargeable but it will be capable of driving the clock and the disc 4 for a prolonged period, for example three or four months.

The face 36 of the housing 34 is made such that it cannot be seen through in order to form the windows 38, 4p. The housing 34 may be a moulded polystyrene housing.

Other materials may be used. The housing 34 has hinges 56 for enabling the front door 46 to be opened and closed.

As shown in Figure 4, the housing 34 is provided with an on/off switch 58.

The green indicator 42 continuously flashes to show that the receiver 6 is awaiting a coded signal from the transmitter. The flashing of the green indicator 42 also helps to show the guard where the security apparatus 2 has been sited.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 show the shape of a bracket 60 for supporting the gear train 20. The bracket 60 is also shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 also show the two spikes 62, 64 extending out of a metal disc 66, this metal disc 66 being the metal disc 66 that supports the disc 4 via the spikes 62, 64. Figures 10, 11 and 12 still further show how the punch device in the form of the spike 5 is operated by a solenoid 70 and which is spring biased by a spring 72.

The security apparatus 2 operates such that on receiving a coded signal from the infra red transmitter, the receiver 6 activates a relay, which in turn supplies a voltage from the rechargeable battery 48 directly to the solenoid 70. On receiving this voltage, the solenoid 70 creates a high magnetic field and throws the spike 5 through a small distance in order to penetrate the paper disc 4. As the disc 4 progressively rotates through each day, the previous day's visit can be proved by identifying the last segment of the disc 4 to be penetrated, viewed through the window 38 in the face 36.

When the security apparatus 2 is switched on via the on/off switch 58, the green indicator 42 is visible on the front of the face 36 through the window 40. Thus the green indicator 42 gives an indication that the security apparatus 2 is on but is awaiting a command signal from the transmitter. As indicated above, the green indicator 42 by virtue of its flashing also allows the guard quickly to pinpoint the proximity of the security device 2 and to execute a transmission in a dark or a dimly lit environment. The flashing green indicator 42 may also help to deter potential burglars and vandals from breaking in to the premises on the grounds that such burglers and vandals may think that the security apparatus 2 is an alarm device.

The security apparatus 2 is especially advantageous in that it does not have external wires and it is a free standing unit. The security apparatus 2 is advantageously arranged such that the rechargeable battery 48 can only be recharged with the on/off switch 58 in its off position.

The security apparatus 2 may be produced to be light weight, for example only 1.5 Kilos.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the shape of the housing 34 may be varied.

Also, other types of clock, hard copy record means and marker means may be employed. The receiver and transmitter may operate on a wavelength other than infra red. The time provided on the hard copy record means may be in days and/or hours and/or minutes as may be required.

Claims

1. Security apparatus for providing proof of a visit from a security guard, which security apparatus comprises a clock, hard copy record means, marker means for marking the time provided by the clock on the hard record copy means, and a receiver for causing operation of the marker means consequent upon the receiver receiving a signal from a transmitter carried by the security guard, whereby the security guard is able to operate the security apparatus to record the time of a visit with the security apparatus being in a position at which access is denied to the security guard

2. Security apparatus according to claim 1 in which the marker means is a punch device.

3. Security apparatus according to claim 2 in which the hard copy record means is provided with a time display, and in which the marker means is such as to punch a hole in the hard copy record means at the correct position on the time display to give the time provided by the clock.

4. Security apparatus according to claim 3 in which the time display on-the hard copy record means gives both the day and the hour of the day at which the punching occurs.

5. Security apparatus according to claim 4 in which the hard copy record means is a time calibrated disc.

6. Security apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the hard copy record means is made of paper.

7. Security apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the clock, the hard copy record means, the marker means and the receiver are all provided in a housing, and in which the housing is constructed and adapted to be portable for ease of use and siting in premises in which the security apparatus is to be used.

8. Security apparatus according to claim 7 in which the housing has a face having window means through which the hard copy record means can be seen, and in which the housing includes mounting means for mounting the hard copy record means adjacent the window means.

9. Security apparatus according to claim 8 in which the mounting means is driven by a gear train, and in which the gear train is driven by a battery-operated quartz clock movement.

10. Security apparatus according to claims 5 and 9 in which the hard copy record means is the time-calibrated disc, and in which the mounting means is a shaft.

11. Security apparatus according to claim 9 or claim 10 and including an input socket for enabling the recharging of a rechargeable battery for the security apparatus.

12. Security apparatus according to any one of claims 9, 10 and 11 and including the battery.

13. Security apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including the transmitter.

14. Security apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the receiver is an infra red receiver and the transmitter is an infra red transmitter.

15. Security apparatus for providing proof of a visit from a security guard, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.