GB2299619A - Anti-theft device for ATM - Google Patents

Abstract

An anti-theft device for an automated teller machine (A.T.M.) 20 comprises a cross-member 4 to which the A.T.M. is attached by bolts 24, and a bracket 12. The bracket 12 is bolted to the supporting floor, and the cross-member 4 is attached direct to the bracket 12 by bolts. The construction provides a very low profile support for the A.T.M. 20 which will resist attack for a substantial period of time.

Description

ANTI-THEFT DEVICE The present invention relates to an anti-theft device which is particularly suited for use with automated teller machines (A. T. M.'s).

In GB-A-2 268 541 we describe an anti-theft device which is particularly suited for installation with the HARRISON frame which supports an A.T.M. This anti-theft device allows limited movement between the parts of the device which are fitted respectively to the floor and to the A.T.M. Such a construction is not suited to low-level A. T. M. installations in which the base of the A.T.M is supported very close to the floor - because there is not sufficient room for the different frame members.

We have now found, unexpectedly, that a simpler construction of anti-theft device may be used with low-level A.T.M. installations and still provide sufficient time to resist an attack on the A.T.M.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a supporting frame for an automated teller machine (A.T.M.), comprising a cross-member to which the A.T.M. can be secured, and a bracket for securing the cross-member to the floor.

Preferably a pair of substantially parallel cross-members are provided, and brackets are positioned at the opposite ends of the cross-members.

Side plates are preferably provided to prevent the entry of fork lift truck tines, or the like, into the space below the A. T. M.

Very preferably, the cross-member is secured to the bracket by a bolt which is received in an elongate slot in the cross-member or bracket, allowing only very limited vertical movement between the cross-member and bracket.

The A. T. M. can be mounted directly on the supporting frame, without the need for the Harrison frame.

The invention will be further described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded isometric view of an anti-theft device forming an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-section through the assembled device of Figure 1, showing it in position; Figure 3 is a detail on Figure 2 showing some modifications thereof, and Figure 4 shows a further modification of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Referring in particular to Figure 2, the anti-theft device 2 comprises a pair of cross-members 4 in the form of steel beams 6 which are 20 mm thick by 150 mm wide.

The length of the cross-members 4 is chosen to suit a particular make of A. T. M. End plates are welded to the opposite ends of the beams 6 and have fixing eyes 10 provided to each side of the beams 6.

The cross-members 4 are bolted by bolts 14 to right angle brackets 12 which are fixed to the floor 16 by expanding bolts 18 passing through the horizontal flanges 12b. The flanges 12b are directed inwards to lay under the A. T. M. 20, preventing access to the bolts 18 once the A.T.M. is installed.

The bolts 14 are located in vertically elongate holes 28 in the upright walls 12a of the brackets 12. The elongate holes 28 allow for a limited amount of height adjustment and levelling of the cross-members 4.

An A. T. M. 20, shown in dotted outline is supported on a 6 mm thick steel plate 22 which is attached to the cross-members 4 by four bolts 26. The A.T.M. is secured to the cross-members 4 by high tensile steel bolts 24 which pass through the base of the A.T.M. and the underlying steel plate 22 and the beams 6.

Referring to Figure 3, a number of mild steel packing plates 30 are illustrated for adjusting the height of the A.T.M. - which typically must match a wall opening.

A mild steel cover plate 32 has elongate slots 34 which straddle the bolts 14. Cover plate 32 is sandwiched between the brackets 12 and cross-member 4 and serves to cover lifting slots which are typically provided at the base of the A.T.M. 20 for lifting by a fork lift truck.

Other cover plates 35 are secured to the sides parallel to the cross-member 4 by angled brackets 36 and screws (not shown).

A further layer of mild steel plates 38 is sandwiched between the cover plates 32 and brackets 12, and corresponding outer side plates 40 are secured to these by brackets 42 and screws 44.

Decorative laminated covers 46 are clipped over the heads of the bolts 14.

In use, the two brackets 12 are secured to the floor 16 by the expanding bolts 18. The bolts 18 preferably are secured to a predetermined torque - which will indicate that the floor has sufficient integrity to resist pulling on the bolts 18. The cover plates 34,38 and the cross-members 4 are then positioned between the uprights 12a of the brackets 12 and fixed directly to the brackets by the bolts 14.

The supporting plate 22 is screwed to the beams 6 and then the A.T.M. 20 is lowered into position on the supporting plate 22 and secured to the beams 6 by the bolts 24.

The side cover plates 34,40 and the decorative covers 46 are then fixed in position.

The overall height of the frame is dictated by the flanges 12a and these are preferably less than 100mm high, and typically 75mm, to allow an overall frame height of less than 100mm.

The closeness of the A.T.M. 20 to the floor 16 inhibits the leverage that can be applied when any attempt is made to remove the A. T. M. 20 forcibly.

When greater height is required, for example up to about 300mm a modified cross-member 4' can be used and this is illustrated in Figure 4. The cross-member 4' has an angled section 6' welded to end plates 8' which have slots 10' for receiving the bolts 14.

The side plates 35, 40, 32, 38 may also be increased in height, and the upright walls 12a of the brackets 12 may extend higher.

Claims (6)

Claims: -

1. A supporting frame for an automated teller machine (A. T. M.), comprising a cross-member to which the A. T. M.

can be secured, and a bracket for securing the cross-member to the floor characterised in that, the cross-member is fixed directly to the bracket.

2. A supporting frame as claimed in claim 1, characterised is that the cross-member comprises a pair of substantially parallel steel beams and two brackets are provided, one at each end of the beams.

3. A supporting frame as claimed in claim 1 or 2, Characterised is that a said bracket has a first flange which extends underneath the cross-member and is secured to the floor and a second generally vertical flange to which a cross-member is secured.

4. A supporting frame as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 characterised in that the overall height of the frame is less than 100 mm.

5. A supporting frame as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterised in that the cross-member is substantially rigid with the bracket.

6. A supporting frame for an automated teller machine, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.