IES930142A2 - Security systems - Google Patents

Abstract

In a security system for initiating an alarm signal on 5 10 15 20 25 30 activation of a user-operable switch, the switch consists of a key (3) on a cash register. An electrical supply (12) of appropriate voltage is provided for the key (3). A relay (14) is energised on activation of key (3) to effect initiation of the alarm signal on a circuit (19) by way of an auxiliary or back contact (17) of the relay (14). A further auxiliary contact (16) of relay (14) effects simultaneous unlocking of the cash tray of the register by way of locking mechanism (18), which may comprise a solenoid driving a locking and release

Description

This invention relates to security systems. In particular, the invention relates to security systems for association with cash registers. The invention is especially directed to the security of cash registers in retail outlets.

Late-night retailers are especially susceptible to regular attacks by armed robbers, involving the use of firearms or clubs and the threatening of staff. Typically, when armed robbers enter a premises of this kind, the staff are instructed not to press any panic buttons or other alarms and to immediate open the cash register and hand over the takings. Staff are normally instructed not to resist, as violence is normally threatened in the event of non-compliance.

Instructions are usually to hand over whatever cash is available.

This amount is however usually small, because premises of this kind are typically equipped with drop safes, into which accumulated monies are placed at regular intervals. Access to drop safes is not practicable for armed robbers, especially where a time delay is provided in opening the safe. - 2 It is an object of the invention to provide an improved security system applicable to cash registers, which will be effective in initiating an alarm in the event of an armed raid on a retail outlet without significant danger to the staff.

According to the invention, there is provided a security system comprising means for initiating an alarm signal on activation of a user-operable switch, said switch comprising a key of a cash register. The security system according to the invention suitably comprises means for providing an electrical supply of an appropriate voltage to said key and a relay energised on activation of said cash-register key to effect initiation of said alarm signal.

Said relay preferably comprises auxiliary contacts to effect said initiation of said alarm signal, said auxiliary contacts closing a panic button circuit. Said relay suitably also comprises further auxiliary contacts to effect unlocking of the cash tray of the cash register, said further auxiliary contacts closing a circuit containing a solenoid, and said solenoid driving a locking member for the cash tray.

Said means for providing an electrical supply of an appropriate voltage to said key and said relay preferably comprises a transformer, and said transformer is suitably located remote from said cash register. According to a favoured feature of the invention, said key is identified as a no sale key of the cash register and the cash register is also provided with a normally used no sale key which is otherwise identified.

The invention is illustrated having regard to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic pictorial representation of a cash register incorporating the features of the invention, and Figure 2 is a schematic electrical diagram of one manner of s 9 3 0 14 2 - 3 implementation of the invention.

The invention applies the usual instruction of armed robbers to open the cash register to initiate an alarm, without this being apparent to the raiders. To this end, a cash register 1 is connected to a personal attack button or feature of the alarm system by way of an additional connector point 2. By opening the cash register 1 under duress during a raid, the security system is activated, in effect by the raiders themselves.

To this end, one of the keys on the cash register functions as an emergency alarm button 3. This emergency alarm button is identified on the cash register 1 as the no sale button 4. Thus when a raider instructs a member of the staff to remove the cash from the register 1, which requires the no sale button 4 to be activated, the raider will not know in advance which button is the true no sale button.

Thus in a particular embodiment, the key array of the cash register 1 may be provided with a prominently identified no sale button 3, which is in fact the emergency alarm activating feature, and the true no sale button 4 to be operated by the staff for normal no sale situations is otherwise denominated or disguised, thereby providing a more discreet presence on the key array.

The electrical aspects of a particular manner of implementation of the invention are now explained having regard in addition to the electrical schematic drawing of Figure 2. Additional electrical equipment includes a 220 volts to 24 volts ac transformer 11, which is supplied from 220/240 volt mains 12 by way of a fuse 13. On the low voltage side, the 24 volt output of the transformer 11 is carried to the cash register 1 to feed a control relay 14 through the emergency alarm button 3 on the cash register. The low voltage circuit also includes a further 24 volt fuse identified by reference 15. The transformer is suitably housed in an enclosure which may be S»30142i - 4 placed at a location remote from the cash register for electrical communication with the cash register 1 by way of connector point 2.

Thus the secondary windings of the transformer 11 provide a 24 volt ac supply to drive relay 14. Relay 14 is activated by means of spare key 3 on the cash register console, which then acts as an emergency alarm button and also fulfills a no sale function in the event of an emergency situation. Relay 16 contains additional back contacts 16 and 17, of which contacts 14 serve to close a further 24 volt circuit driving a 24 volt solenoid 18 within the cash register to operate the cash box mechanism of the register to release it for raider access during an emergency situation. The second contacts 17 serve to close the panic button line of the alarm system for the premises in the event of an emergency situation triggered by activation of the cash register. The panic button lines 19 are extended so that the contacts 17 are provided in parallel with the contacts of the panic button itself.

Suitably therefore relay 14 contains two sets of common normally open contacts, these defining the contacts 16 and 17. When relay 14 is energised, these contacts close, so that solenoid 18 is energised to effect unlocking of the cash register cash tray and to initiate a panic signal on the emergency alarm system. This exemplary embodiment of the electrical features of the invention is given by way of example only however and it will be apparent that the object of the invention may be achieved in a diversity of alternative manners of implementation, as appropriate or required.

The system of the invention saves valuable seconds during a robbery, by enabling alerting of security forces in minimal time. By virtue of its being non-apparent to the raiders, it protects retail staff from injury. The invention also improves existing cash register systems by incorporating them into or associating them with an existing alarm system.

In its simplest arrangement therefore, a loop or circuit from ‘S»3fl14ϊ - 5 the panic button feature of the alarm system passes through the cash register and may be activated when the cash register is opened under duress. Even if the availability and likely installation of such a feature in cash registers became well-known to raiders of the type in question, it is believed that this would not present a significant problem, as most cash raiders are relatively desperate even for small amounts of cash, to such extent as to not take into account the likely consequences of their actions.

Claims (5)

1. A security system comprising means for initiating an alarm signal on activation of a user-operable switch, said switch comprising a key of a cash register.

2. A security system according to Claim 1, comprising means for providing an electrical supply of an appropriate voltage to said key and a relay energised on activation of said cash-register key to effect initiation of said alarm signal, said relay comprising auxiliary contracts to effect said initiation of said alarm signal, said auxiliary contacts closing a panic button circuit, and said relay comprising further auxiliary contacts to effect unlocking of the cash tray of the cash register, said further auxiliary contacts closing a circuit containing a solenoid, and said solenoid driving a locking member for the cash tray.

3. A security system according to Clasim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said means for providing an electrical supply of an appropriate voltage to said key and said relay comprises a transformer, and said transformer is located remote from said cash register.

4. A security system according to any preceding claim, wherein said key is identified as a no sale key of the cash register and the cash register is also provided with a normally used no sale key which is otherwise identified.

5. A security system substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.