GB2486199A - Enclosure including cement-based armoured panels for ATM protection - Google Patents

Abstract

An enclosure, for an auto teller machine (ATM) 2 and the like, is assembled from a plurality of panels 10 , 32. The panels include armoured panels 10 comprising high strength cement configured to resist cutting attack and including a first attachment formation for attaching to a wall of the ATM 2 and a first part of a second attachment formation 18 for connection to second panels 32. Second panels 32 are non-armoured panels to be mounted edge-to-edge with the armoured panels 10 and including a second part of the second attachment formation to cooperate with the first part 18. The non-armoured panels may be a fabricated sheet metal component. The attachment formations may be co-operating mushroom studs 18 and keyhole formations on the panels. The armoured panels 10 may be used to protect the lower, money holding, part of the ATM 2 and the non-armoured panels 32 are mounted to the top-edge of the armoured panels, in use, to protect the non-money storing upper part of the ATM 2. Non-armoured elongate panels can partially cover the armoured 10 and non-armoured panels 32. The multiple panel enclosure gives improved security and can be assembled in situ.

Description

An Enclosure The present invention relates to an enclosure. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a modular enclosure system that may be attached auto teller machine (ATM) enclosures, safes and the like, and including armour to resist an attack.

ATMs are increasingly being installed in buildings such as filling stations, convenience stores, fast food outlets, supermarkets, and other locations that are intrinsically less secure than their tradition installation locations in banks and other financial institutions. As a consequence there is an increased risk of ATMs being attacked using a number of different methods, including use of oxy-acetylene torches, hammers and abrasive cutting implements to access the interior and steal the money contained therein.

GB2460760B (Acketts Group Limited) discloses a partial enclosure that provides limited additional security to an ATM.

Other known cabinets housing ATMs are bulky, and often designed as bespoke items for each installation using low security materials such as medium density fibreboard (MDF), meaning that sales floor space may be lost, and installation is costly, and arc not secure. Tn addition, the enclosures are unsightly, which is disadvantageous in public areas, and also fail to provide a visual deterrent against attack by thieves.

The applicants have therefore recognised it is desirable to improve the security of the existing installed base of enclosures by retrofitting them with improved armour, and to fit armour to new installations, since this reduces the theft risk, and lowers insurance premiums. Furthermore, the applicants have recognised that it is desirable to improve the visual appearance of enclosures, make them more compact, quicker and cheaper to install, and provide a visual deterrence from attack.

The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.

A first aspect of the present invention provides an enclosure for an auto teller machine (ATM) and the like for assembly from a plurality of panels comprising: an armoured panel comprising high strength cement configured to resist cutting attack and including a first attachment formation for attaching to a wall of the ATM and a first part of a second attachment formation for connection to a second panel; a non-armoured second panel to be mounted edge-to-edge with the armoured panel and including a second part of the second attachment formation to cooperate with the first part.

Preferably the second panel is a fabricated sheet metal component.

The first part may comprise a mushroom headed stud and the second formation may comprise a complementary keyhole shaped slot.

The first attachment formation preferably comprises a threaded stud for insertion through a complementary aperture in the wall.

The enclosure preferably comprises a second armoured panel including a further attachment formation for attachment to a door of a money holding section of the ATM.

The enclosure advantageously comprises a second attachment location to the ATM More preferably a third armourcd panel comprising high strength cement configured to resist cutting attack including a further attachment formation for attachment on an opposing face of the ATM to the first armoured panel is provided.

Still more preferably, the third armourcd panel includes a first part of a further attachment formation for connection to a second non-armoured panel.

The enclosure advantageously further comprises a non-armoured top panel and/or a non-armoured door panel.

A further elongate non-armoured panel preferably extends vertically in front of one of the armour panels and its adjacent non-armoured panel to mount the door panel.

Advantageously, the or each armour panel and its adjacent non-armoured panel have substantially flush exterior faces.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a method of securing an enclosure to an auto teller machine (ATM), comprising the steps of: mounting an armourcd panel comprising high strength cement to a wall of a of the ATM by utilising a first attachment formation; and mounting a non-armoured panel in an edge to edge manner to the armour panel by utilising co-operating parts of a second attachment formation.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures in which: FIGURE 1A is an isometric view of an enclosure according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a partially assembled state; FIGURE lB is an isometric view similar to Figure 1A at a later stage of assembly; FIGURE 1C is an isometric view of the enclosure of Figure 1A in a fully assembled state; FIGURE 2 is a step by step build diagram of an armour panel utilised in the enclosure of Figures lAto lC, FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view on a horizontal plane through the enclosure and an ATM of Figure 1C; and FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of an upper side panel is the enclosure of Figure 1A With reference to Figures 1A to 1C, a typical "through-the-wall" type ATM 2 and ATM enclosure 25 according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown.

In this embodiment, the ATM is a Wincor NixdorfRTM model 2050 and comprises an exterior portion 3 that is accessible to end users outside the building into which the ATM is installed to withdraw money etc., a narrower wall portion 4 that extends through a wall of the building (not shown), an electronics section 5 intended to be located within a building, and a money section 6 situated underneath the electronics section. The electronics and money sections 5 and 6 are defined by relatively thin steel walls 11. The electronics portion is formed from relatively low security materials and is accessible via a simple hinged door 7. The money section 6 houses a cassette system 8 for loading banknotes (not shown) and is accessible via a higher security door 9 (fig. 3). However, in the absence of additional security features, the money section 6 of the ATM 2 may be broken into relatively quickly by thieves.

Figure 2 shows the manufacturing steps for an armour panel 10 of a suitable type to form part of the enclosure 25 of the present invention. Each step is illustrated by the circled numbers.

An outer casing in the form of a tray 14 is formed from relatively thin sheet metal, such as 4mm mild steel of the appropriate dimensions for the finished panel, including a panel thickness that is determined by the depth of a peripheral lip 15 of the tray.

A frame 16 formed from rolled steel angle section is fabricated with appropriate dimensions to be a close fit within the tray 14, to extend around its entire periphery and be welded to it, as shown at step 2.

An array of M 16 studs 18 (9 studs in this embodiment) are then positioned at appropriate locations within the tray 14, proximate the edges and centrally. Each stud 18 is tack welded or otherwise secured to the tray to hold them in place at step 3.

Additionally, three mushroom headed studs 19 are welded to the upper edge face and edge peripheral face of the frame 16 for reasons explained below.

Then, at step 4, reinforcing bars 20 (typically 10mm diameter) are welded around to the studs 18 to extend substantially parallel to each edge, but inset from the edge, and radially from the central stud out to each of the eight further studs located near the edge, as can be seen more clearly in Figures 5 and 6. In additions the bars 20 extend within the frame 16 and are welded to the angle section, thereby producing a rigid basic structure for the panel 10.

In the final construction step 5 of Figure 2, a high strength cement based compound 22 is introduced into the space defined by the tray, and allowed to cure, producing a finished panel as shown in Figure 9. The tray 14 and frame 16 advantageously provides the mould for the cement based compound 22.

Various high strength cement compounds are known that can achieve a compressive strength in excess of 100 N/mm2 (tested by an appropriate method, such as that set out in EN 12390-3) when cured. The present applicant has found that Flexbinder produced by Densit a/s of Aalborg, Denmark, combined with refractory grade bauxite with a 5-8mm grain size distribution, steel fibres (in this embodiment 0.4mm x 12mm fibres) and water produces a particularly effective cement material having a strength in compression in excess of 200 N/mm2 in compression, as well as good tensile properties, even without the presence of the reinforcing bars 20. The cement material also bonds well to the reinforcing bars 20, adding to the overall strength of the panel.

The cement compound 22 is workable after mixing for around 45 minutes before curing, making panel manufacture easier.

A particularly preferred mix is set out in the table below: Mix design ____________ Kg/m3 Mix pr. bag Flexbinder 1738 25 kg [Bauxite 4-6JZS 658 9.47 kg Steel fibre 234 3.37 kg Water 189 2.72 kg This compound, when used to fill the void in the panel 10, has been found to produce a panel that is highly resistant to oxy-acetylene, hammer, and abrasive tool attacks.

S

Referring now to Figure 1A, the first stage of installing an enclosure 25 of the present invention is to drill nine holes into the side ATM walls 6 and the door 9 in a pattern matching the studs 18 of panel 10. This may be achieved easily using a suitable template.

The LHS panel 10 may then be offered up to LHS wall 6 so that the studs extend through the wall and are secured using suitable nuts (not shown). Similarly a RHS panel 10' may be offered up to and secured to the RHS wall 6. The RHS panel 10' differs from the LHS panel in that ft has a chamfered front edge 26 to enable the door 11 to open beyond 90°. The LHS panel also lacks mushroom head studs 19 on its front edge.

A further panel 10" is secured in a similar way to the door 9. This differs from panel 9 in that ft has slightly different dimensions, no mushroom head studs, and apertures (not visible) through which a lock 28 and door handle 30 may be mounted.

The armour panels 10, 10', and 10" together significantly enhance the security of the money section 6 because they are highly resistant to abrasive, impact and cutting torch attacks and encircle all accessible sides of the section, but do not significantly increase the overall dimensions of the ATM 2.

Significantly, the armour panels also provide the platform for the construction of the remainder of the enclosure 25.

The remainder of the enclosure does not require as high a level of protection from attack because less valuable items are housed therein. Nevertheless, it is desirable to provide a level of "tamper resistance" against casual, opportunistic attacks, and to provide an aesthetically pleasing housing for the ATM 2. Thus, the remainder of the enclosure may be constructed in a modular manner from fabricated sheet steel panels as described below.

Continuing to refer to Figure 1A, a non-armoured upper LHS panel 32 comprises a substantially rectangular facing sheet 34, edge sheets 36 bent at right angles from each edge of the facing sheet and stiffening flange 38 extending inboard at right angles from each edge sheet 36. The depth of the panel 32 is substantially the same as the armour panel 10.

With reference to Figure 4, the lower edge sheet 36 includes three keyhole shaped slots 42 (one shown) at the same spacing as the mushroom head studs 19. The slots 42 are dimensioned such that a part-circular portion is large enough to receive the mushroom head, whereas the elongated portion can receive the shank on the studs 19 but is smaller than the head. The remaining edge sheets 26 include three equidistantly spaced circular apertures 44 each.

The LHS upper panel 32 is fitted to the LHS armour panel 10 in an edge-to-edge manner by introducing the mushroom head studs 19 through the corresponding slots and then sliding the upper panel 32 relative to the armour panel 10 50 the two are aligned as can be seen in Figure 1A.

A planar rear cover panel 46 is then secured to the LJHJS upper panel 32 to blank off an opening above the electronics portion adjacent the wall portion using suitable fixings (e.g. nuts and bohs or self-tapping screws).

Tuming to Figure 1B, a RHS upper panel 32' is mounted to the RHS armour panel 10' in a similar manner to the LHS upper panel 32. The RHS upper panel 32' differs from the LHS upper panel in that the front edge sheet 36' is chamfered to match the chamfer of the armour panel 10', and has no apertures therein. The RHS upper panel is also secured to the rear cover panel. A striker 47 to retain a locking mechanism (see below) is also mounted to the front edge sheet.

An elongate LHS front panel 48 of similar general construction to the upper side panels is then mounted to both the LHS armour panel 10 and LHS upper panel 32.

The LHS front panel 48 has slots (not visible) to accommodate the front facing mushroom heads 19 and apertures (not visible) aligning with apertures 40 on the LHS upper panel 34, so once it is slotted into place on the mushroom heads, suitable fasteners secure it to the upper LHS panel. The LHS front panel is also provided with hinges 50 to mount a door thereto (see below).

A top panel 52 is then secured to each of the LHS and RHS upper panels 32 and 32', the rear panel 46 and LHS front panel 48 using suitable fasteners.

The contact of the LHS front panel 48 with both the armour panel 10 and the LHS upper panel 32 has the advantage of restricting unauthorised removal of the LHS upper panel (and the further panels connected thereto, such as the top panel 52 and RHS upper panel 32').

Referring to Figure 1C, the enclosure 25 is completed by the fitting of a door 54 to the LHS front panel 48 via hinges 50. The door 54 is of similar fabricated construction to the other panels, but is L-shaped in plan view, being formed two panels; a front panel 56 and a smaller side panel 58. A locking mechanism 60 is provided on the side panel 58 to cooperate with the striker 47. This mechanism is intended simply to provide a level of tamper resistance. The greater security is provided by the lock 28 on the door 9.

Both the front panel 56 and side panel 58 are provided with mesh cover apertures 62 and 64 which have a ventilation function for the electronics within the ATM 2, but are also in the embodiment shaped to provide distinctive markings on the enclosure that provide an indication to would-be thieves of the additional security features added to the ATM 2 by the enclosure 25.

It can be seen from Figure 1C in particular that the complete enclosure 25 provides an aesthetically pleasing housing for the housing for the ATM 2, due to its integrated appearance in which adjacent panels have exterior face which are flush and aligned.

This appearance may be enhanced by providing a matching colour scheme for all the visible panels (that may match the branding of the business where the ATM is installed), or to highlight the additional armour that is added to the ATM, the armour panels could be painted a contrasting colour and/or provided with markings highlighting their presence.

It will further be appreciated that by making the armour panels part of the structure of the enclosure, instead of being fitted within the enclosure, or to be mounted to the exterior of the enclosure, the overall footprint of the ATM is minimised.

The modular construction provides further benefits; assembly may be achieved quickly, the enclosure can be removed quickly without damaging the major components and then be reused, the total number of distinct parts required to enclose various models of ATM may be minimised, as common parts may be utilised for various models; and retrofitting of existing installed ATMs may usually be achieved in-situ. The enclosure components may be transported in a compact "flat pack" form, saving space.

It will be appreciated that terms such as front and rear, upper and lower are used for ease of explanation, and should not be regarded as limiting.

It will be understood that numerous changes may be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the shape, size and location of panels may be altered and the opening direction of the door reversed. For ATMs fitted to comers of buildings, or ATMs with the electronics section and money section side-by-side armour panels (e.g. NCRRTM ATMs) may only be fitted to the money section door and the exposed side of the money section. The enclosure may be adapted for free-standing ATMs. A telescopic skirt may be provided under the armour panels to provide a neat finish around plinths of variable height. The top and upper side panels may be provided as a single fabricated component. Alternative constructions of armoured panels may be utilised.

Various other fasteners and other snap-fit or interference fit fixings may be used instead of those described above. The number and location of fasteners may be altered. The order of assembly of components may be altered as required.

Claims (14)

1. Claims 1. An enclosure for an auto teller machine (ATM) and the like assembled from a plurality of panels comprising: an armoured panel comprising high strength cement configured to resist cutting attack and including a first attachment formation for attaching to a wall of the ATM and a first part of a second attachment formation for connection to a second panel; a non-armoured second panel to be mounted edge-to-edge with the armoured panel and including a second part of the second attachment formation to cooperate with the first part.
2. 2. An enclosure according to claim 1 wherein the second panel is a fabricated sheet metal component.
3. 3. An enclosure according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first part comprises a mushroom headed stud and the second formation comprises a complementary keyhole shaped slot.
4. 4. An enclosure according to any preceding claim wherein the first attachment formation comprises a threaded stud for insertion through a complementary aperture in the wall.
5. 5. An enclosure according to any preceding claim comprising a second armoured panel including a further attachment formation for attachment to a door of a money holding section of the ATM.
6. 6. An enclosure according to any preceding claim wherein the enclosure comprises a second attachment location to the ATM
7. 7. An enclosure according to claim 6 further comprising a third armoured panel comprising high strength cement configured to resist cutting attack including a further attachment formation for attachment on an opposing face of the ATM to the first armoured panel.
8. 8. An enclosure according to claim 7 wherein the third armoured panel includes a first part of a further attachment formation for connection to a second non-armoured panel.
9. 9. An enclosure according to any preceding claim further comprising a non-armoured top panel.
10. 10. An enclosure according to any preceding claim further comprising a non-armoured door panel.
11. 11. An enclosure according to claim 10 further comprising a further elongate non-armoured panel extending vertically in front of one of the armour panels and its adjacent non-armoured panel.
12. 12. An enclosure according to any preceding claim wherein the or each armour panel and its adjacent non-armoured panel have substantially flush exterior faces.
13. 13. A method of securing an enclosure to an auto teller machine (ATM), comprising the steps of: mounting an armoured panel comprising high strength cement to a wall of a of the ATM by utilising a first attachment formation; and mounting a non-armoured panel in an edge to edge manner to the armour panel by utilising co-operating parts of a second attachment formation.
14. 14. An enclosure or method substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 2, 3, or 4 of the drawings.