GB2294450A

GB2294450A - Luggage security system

Info

Publication number: GB2294450A
Application number: GB9421588A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Francis Phillips; Christopher John Richmond
Original assignee: MEDWAY ENG Ltd
Current assignee: MEDWAY ENG Ltd
Priority date: 1994-10-26
Filing date: 1994-10-26
Publication date: 1996-05-01
Also published as: GB9503614D0; GB9421588D0

Abstract

A luggage security system records the opening of an item of luggage to which it is fitted, on an ongoing basis, by means of a counter mechanism. <IMAGE>

Description

LUGGAGE SECURITY SYSTEM This invention relates to luggage security systems.

Luggage, for example bags and suit cases, are well known and in common use. Suit cases in particular are a favored means of conveying clothes and personal effects, etc. and are often used by travellers, especially when travelling by air.

A problem with bags and suitcases available at the present time is that when they have been temporarily out of the owners possession, for example while going through airport loading procedures, or while at left luggage storage facilities, the owner, on reclaiming the luggage has no immediate way of knowing if it has been tampered with. For example, the luggage could have been unlocked and some of the contents stolen, or more seriously, an explosive device or illicit materials added, and the case re-locked.

A recent development at some airports is a suitcase sealing facility whereby suitcases are sealed in a plastic material which is broken when the case is opened. A disadvantage with this system is that once the seal is broken a complete replacement of the plastic material is required, which may not be available.

The present invention overcomes this problem and provides a means whereby the owner of an item of luggage can easily ascertain on repossession whether it has been previously opened, in which case security personnel can be immediately notified.

The invention, by means of a counter mechanism, records the opening of the bag or case to which it is fitted, on an ongoing basis. The mechanism of the invention is contained within the case in such a way as to make tampering virtually impossible. In use, when the owner is about to leave the case, for example in a left luggage facility, he or she would make a note of the number shown by the mechanism. On collection of the case if the number is unaltered, the owner can confidently conclude that the case has not been opened.

More particularly, the present invention provides a luggage security system which comprises: A mechanism which is securely fitted within the structure of an item of luggage such that removal or attempted removal would be obvious to the owner. A counter mechanism of known type, for example a six digit counter, and a mechanical means to transfer the action of opening the item of luggage to the counter mechanism.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of the invention with broken lines indicating the main internal components Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a side view of a suitcase fitted with the invention with broken lines indicating the position of the invention.

Figure 4 shows figure 3 but with the case having just started to open and with the counter mechanism of the invention having just advanced.

Figure 5 shows a front view of figure 1 with broken line indicating the position of the invention.

Turning now to the figures, it can be seen in figure 1 that the invention consists of a casing 1 within which are contained the components of the invention. A number counter mechanism 2 of known type is fitted within the casing and a feature of the counter is one way rotation. The counter mechanism is rotated by a mechanism which consists of a spring loaded pin 3 which includes a spur 4 which acts on the counter mechanism such that a one tenth rotation of a counter dial wheel is achieved per reciprocating action of the pin.

The casing of the invention is contained within the suitcase.

In a preferred embodiment the invention is included during manufacture in such a way as to prevent its removal.

An opening in the case allows the dials of the counter mechanism of the invention to be viewed and the invention includes a glass or plastic component 5 which enables the dials to be seen while preventing them from being tampered with.

In operation, when the lid of the suitcase is opened, even by just a few millimeters, a spring 6, advances pin 3 and component 4 as already described. Pin 3 is located within the case in relation to the rim into which the lid of the case locates such that it is virtually impossible to prevent the pin from advancing during opening, for example by inserting a wire to hold back component 3.

The effect is that the dial wheels of the invention display a permanent record of the number of times the case has been opened. The owner, on surrendering the case, for example into a left luggage facility, records the current number and if the number is unchanged on collection it is very unlikely that the case has been opened and the owner can confidently expect the contents to be intact.

An important feature of the invention is that while all locks can be opened easily with a duplicate key, or by a skilled thief, the counter mechanism of the invention cannot be easily altered, even by the owner; the prospect of likely detection will therefore be a very significant deterrent, for example to a potential thief.

It will be readily apparent that numerous other modifications and alterations can be made to the system described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings without departing from the underlying principles of the invention.

The application is intended to embrace all such modifications and alterations.

Claims

CLAIM

A luggage security system which records the opening of an item of luggage to which it is fitted, on an ongoing basis, by means of a counter mechanism.