US1951382A - Security bag - Google Patents

Description

March 20, 1934. NLC, WHITE: Er AL SECURITY BAG Original Filed Sept. 9, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet l March 2o, 1934. M C, WHITE Er AL 1,951,382

SECURITY BAG Original Filed Sept. 9, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I. gg# E vin-....1 v1.1.1.: vlrllqnlll.

March 20, M C. W|||TE Er AL SECURITY BAG Original Filed Sept. 9, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENToRs.

@01%, 11x )am Y ya im ouml T ATTORNEYS.

March 20, 1934. M. c. WHITE Er AL SECURITY BAG Original Filed Sept. 9, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Pfaff-fili".

March 20, 1934. M. c. WHITE E1- AL SECURITY BAG original Filed sept( 9, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 zllll JNVENTORJ.

10./ Zwwn/ BY 5 nza6uf ATTo EYs.

Patented Mar. 20, 1934 SECURITY BAG Morris C. White and George W. Brown, San

Francisco, Caiii., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Bankers Protection Company, San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of Nevada Application September' 9, 1931, Serial No. 561,980 Renewed June 12, 1933 14 Claims.

This invention relates to alarm means suitable for use in a security bag, for use by bank messengers, or others, when transferring money, stock, bonds and other valuables from one bank or place of business to another, or for use in houses, automobiles, etc., and more particularly, to the provision of an interiorly hidden cartridge case capable of discharging shots and smoke or other signalling means, together with a delayed action timing means, and means for setting onc the same in the event of a hoidup, burglary, theft, or the like.

The object o1 the present invention is to gcnerally improve and simplify the construction and operation of bags of the character described; 'to

provide a bag in which is hidden a cartridge case containing a plurality of blank cartridges and one or more slow burning cartridges capable of emitting a dense tracer smoke or other visible 2 signalling means; to provide a plurality of timing fuses whereby the cartridges are set off in successive order, and in conjunction therewith a primary ignition fuse, whereby the timing fuses are simultaneously ignited; to provide a firing 2 mechanism for the primary fuse and a trigger for actuating the same; to provide means for condensing or absorbing the smoke emitted by the burning fuses and release the gases during the delayed action period; to provide a trigger actu- 3 ating mechanism which is extended to near the handle of the bag whereby the trigger may be quickly and automatically actuated in case of a holdup or on demand that the bag be surrendered or taken; to provide an actuating mechanism comprising a trigger, a ring mechanism, and a timing fuse whereby a predetermined time lapse or delay :'s obtained before the cartridges are fired thus giving the messenger time to escape from the robber before the latter is aware of the forthcoming alarm; to provide an actuating mechanism of the character described which is silent in operation; and further, to provide a trigger actuating means which can be readily removed irom operative position to render the alarm mechanism safe against unintentional operation.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, :'n which- Fig. l is a central vertical longitudinal section 5G of the security bag showing the position of the cartridge case and connected actuating mechanism.

Fig. 2 s a cross section of the bag showing the cartridge case and actuating mechanism.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view of the ring head and a. portion of the cartridge case, said view also showing the trigger mechanism whereby the firing head is actuated.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 and showing the position of the mechanism in the ring head after the trigger has been pulled.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the cartridge case.

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross section of the same taken on line Vit-VI of Fig. 14. u

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross section taken on line VII- V11 of Fig. 14.

ig. 8 is a vertical cross section taken on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. '14.

Fig. 9 is a bottom View looking upwards of the cartridge case with a portion of the lower plate broken away.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the baiile plates.

Figs. 1l and 12 are perspective views of the screen plates used in conjunction with the baiiie plates.

Fig. 13 is a plan View of the cartridge case.

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal vertical section of the cartridge case. 3U

Fig. 15 is a cross section taken on the line XV-XV of Fig. i4.

Fig. 16 is a vertical cross section taken on the line XVI-XVI of Fig. 3.

Fig. 17 is a vertical cross section taken on the line XVII-XVII of Fig. 3.

Fig. 18 is a vertical cross section taken on the line XVI-XV'III of Fig. 3.

Fig. 19 is a vertical cross section taken on the line XIX-XXX of Fig. 3.

Fig. 20 is a side elevation of the trigger mechanism.

Fig. 21 is a central vertical cross section of the same.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the trigger arm.

Referring to the drawings in detail and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, A indicates a hand bag having a bottom portion 2 and end portions 3 and 4. The upper portion of the bag is provided with a pair or" frames 5 which are pivotally con- 10 nected at opposite ends as indicated at 6 to permit the bag to be opened and closed. A suitable lock 7 is provided and handles, such as indicated at 8, to permit the bag to be readily carried.

Formed interior oi the bag and in one side thereof is a pocket generally indicated at B. The pocket is lined with a metal housing 9 and this forms a receptacle for a firing head C and a cartridge case D. The lower end of the housing 9 is open and so is the registering portion of the im bottom` 2 of the bag so as to permit a cartridge case to be inserted or removed, as will hereinafter be described. The housing 9 is suitably` secured within the pocket B to form a permanent part thereof. The ring head C is in turn secured by screws, such as indicated at 10 in the upper end of the housing and the cartridge case when inserted is secured by one or more screws, such as shown at 11, see Fig. 18. l.

The cartridge case is best illustrated in Figs. 13 to 15, inclusive. The cartridge case may be constructed of any suitable material, such as bakelite or the like. It is provided with a head portion 12 and a base portion 14. Formed within the cartridge case are chambers 15, 16, 17 and 18. These chambers are adapted to be loaded with a suitable form of powder, such as shown at 19, and the powder is retained in each chamber with wads 20. The chambers are of different length, the chamber l5 being the longest and the chamber 18 the shortest. Fuses 21 are connected with each chamber and as the chambers are of different length the fuses will be of different length. Hence, as the fuses are ignited' simultaneously, the powder in the successive chambers will be ignited in successive order and four shots at suitable intervals will be red when the fuses are ignited.

Two large chambers are formed between the chambers 16 and 17, as indicated at 22 and 23. These are lled with a slow burning powder or a similar substance which will emit a dense form of smoke, the purpose of Ywhich will hereinafter be described, the powder or similar substance smoke from the burning fuses to escape.

contained in the chambers 22 and 23 being ignited by means of fuses, such as shown at 24, there being one fuse for each chamber. The several fuses 21 and 24 extend to the upper or head portion of the cartridge case and they terniinate in match heads, such as shown at 25 so as to insure ignition. An elongated chamber 26 is formed above the fuses 21 and 24 and this chamber contains a quick burning fuse 27 which is ignited by means of a pair of percussion caps, such as shown at 28. The opposite ends of the chamber 26 are closed by screw plugs and the like, such as shown at 29, but vent openings are provided as shown at 30 to permit the gas and The smoke and gas escaping during the burning of the fuses enters the chamber 31 formed around the cartridge chambers, The lower portion of this chamber is provided with a perforated screen bottom 32 and this supports cotton 33 or Y a like condensing or absorbing material, the cotton or other material being held in place onthe screen 32 by an upper screen 34. Bale plates 35 are placed on top of the screen 34 and these serve the function of deecting and distributing 'theV burning fuse 27 is preferably formed of a tubular metal member 26a which is molded into the bakelite when the cartridge case is being formed. 'I'his is desirable, as considerable pressure is generated when the fuse is burned and it is also desirable for the purpose of providing seats or receptacles for the percussion caps indicated at 28. The base portion of the cartridge case is preferably provided with a metal plate 37 and this is perforated in alignment with the chambersY 15,

16, 17, and 18,l and also in alignment with the chambers 22 and 23. The plate 37 is, however,

covered with leather, such asshown at 38, but this is comparatively thin and will be blown away when the cartridges are red. Before ring the leather vfunctions to camouflage the plate and opening in the bottom of the bag to make it conform in appearance to the bottom section of the bag.

The chamber 31winto which the vent passages 30 open may extend completely around the cartridge case or it may be divided into two separate chambers, such as shown in Fig. 15, the chamber 31 beingV thus formed at one end and the chamber 31a at the opposite end. This latter form is the preferred one, providing, however, that the capacity of each chamber, that is, the space for the cotton or other absorbing medium employed is sufficient to condense and absorb the smoke and gases emitted, as it is not desired that smoke of the fuses shall escape from the bag until the cartridges Yare fired, as will hereinafter be described. Y

The firing head employed in conjunction with the cartridge case is best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. As previously stated, it is permanently secured to the upper end Yof the housing 9 by means of screws or the like indicated at 10. The

Vring head may be constructed of bakelite or the like and it contains the ring mechanism whereby the percussion caps 28 are fired. The mechanism employed comprises a pair of iiring pins which align with the respective percussion caps. The ring pins are formed at one end of a lever 41, the opposite end of which is pivotally secured as at 42 inthe ring head. Connected with the opposite end of the lever or that end carrying the pins 40 is a toggle link 43. This link is pivotally attached as at 44 to a triangular shaped bell crank or plate 45. The plate is Ypivotally mounted in the ring head as at 46 and it is normally pulled in the direction of the arrow. "a by means of a spring 47, the spring acting on the bell crank or plate 45 through a rod 48 and a sleeve 49, which is pivotally attached as at50 to the lower end of the bell crank. The toggle lever consisting of two links 51 and 52 is connected with the upper end of the bell crank, the toggle link 51 being pivotally connected at its lower end to a pin 53 secured in the ring head while the oppositey end of the link 5l. is pivotally connected as at 54 to the link 52, the link 52 being in turn pivotally connected as at 55 to the upper end of the. bell crank or plate 45. Link 52 is extended to form an arm 52a and this normally engages the flat side of a pin 56. This pin carries a crank arm 57 and the lower end of the arm is connected through a pull wire 58 with a trigger arm 59, hereinafter to be described. The toggle link mechanism and the spring 47 which actuates the same is released by movement of the trigger arm 59 when the percussion caps are to be fired and they are re-set or returned to firing position by means of a crank arm 60. The crank arm is formed on a rod or pin 60a journaled transversely of the firing head and the outer end of this other rod is provided with a turn knob 61, whereby it may be actuated, see Figs. 3, 4 and 17.

Fig. 3 shows the toggle link mechanism in firing position, and Fig. 4 shows the position assumed by the toggle mechanism when the ring pins have been lowered and the percussion caps set off. In the latter position, if it is desired to reset the mechanism, it is only necessary to grasp the turn knob 61 and rotate it a one-half revolution. In so doing the crank arm 69 engages the toggle link 51 and pushes it inwardly or in the direction of the arrow b, and when the knob has been thus rotated the toggle links 51 and 52 will assume the position shown in Fig. 3.

The Vcrank arm 60 performs two functions, first that of resetting the firing mechanism and secondly that of a safety. After the one-half revolution the crank arm remains in engagement with the link 51 and thereby locks or secures the firing mechanism against release. When the bag is to be used the safety is released by rotating the knob 61 another half revolution. This swings the crank arm 60 to the dotted position shown in Fig. 3 and thus provides clearance for the operation of the firing mechanism.

During movement of the toggle links 51 and 52 Vfrom the position shown in Fig. 4to that shown in Fig. 3, the bell crank or plate 45 is swung about its pivot 46 in the direction of the arrow c, hence, placing the spring 47 under compression and in readiness for firing the percussion caps. With the mechanism re-set and ready for firing, it is only necessary to exert a pull on the trigger arm 59. This is pulled in the direction of arrow d and when so pulled, exerts a pull on the pull wire 58. This is in turn connected with the crank arm 57 and swings the same from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4. During this movement the flat portion of the pin 56 engages the extension 52a of link 52, thus swinging the links 51 and 52 in a direction opposite to arrow b, and the moment they pass a dead center line upon swinging in that direction, spring 47 ,exerts its pull, thereby swinging the bell crank able pressure into the ends of the percussion caps and firing the same. The firing of the percussion caps ignites the quick burning fuse 26. This in turn simultaneously ignites the fuses 2l and 24, and as these are of different length and time, the powder in the chamber 15 will rst be ignited, secondly, the powder in the chamber 16, thirdly, the powder in chamber 17, and fourth, the powder in chamber 18. Four successive loud shots are thus red after a predetermined time interval, and at the same time fuses 24 will ignite the slow burning powder in the chambers 22 and 23. Consequently, four successive shots are fired and a dense volume of smoke will begin to discharge and anyone carrying the bag will be easily traced.

, terminates in an eye or loop 65 at one end and in a bead or small ball 66 at the opposite end. The bead is inserted in the slotted portion of the arm and the looped end is extended through an eyelet 67, so as to lie adjacent the handle 8 of the bag, as shown in Fig. l. Hence, when a messenger is carrying a bag containing valuables, one nger is inserted through the loop 65 so that in case of a holdup, a quick pull may be exerted. When such a pull is exerted, the trigger arm 59 is pulled back to the full line position shown in Fig. 4. At that point the beaded end of the pull wire 64 pulls free of the trigger arm, and this remains attached to the nger of the messenger. During movement of the trigger arm 59 from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4, a pull is exerted on the pull wire 58 and this, as previously described, actuates the crank arm 57 which in turn releases the firing mechanism and thereby causes firing of the percussion caps, the quick burning fuses and the respective timing fuses, as previously described.

The specific construction of the trigger mechanism shown in Figs. 3, 4, 20, 21 and 22 will form the subject matter of a separate application, and as such is only briefly described. The firing head and the mechanism carried thereby will also form the subject matter of a separate application, and forthis reason,V is only briefly described, but it should be understood that these parts of the mechanisms will nevertheless form a part of the general combination as claimed, as they broadly provide a trigger means and a firing means for igniting the fuses.

The bag, as previously stated, is particularly intended for the transfer of money and other valuables from one bank or place of business to another. Messengers carrying valuables are from time to time stopped or interfered with by holdup men and the like, and the purpose of the invention is that of protecting the messenger, and

secondly, in providing means for detecting or i tracing the whereabouts of the holdup man with the bag after the bag has been taken from or surrendered without resistance by the messenger. A messenger equipped with a bag of this character should be instructed that if subjected to a holdup man, he can freely hand the holdup man the bag, but in so doing, he retains the loop 65 of the pull wire 64 about his finger, thus in handing the bag to the holdup man, he pulls the trigger and thereby releases the ring mechanism and ignites the fuse. It is not desirable to immediately frighten the holdup man or in any way to arouse his suspicion at that instant, as a holdup man who feels that he has been tricked or in any way exposed, might be liable to take a shot at the messenger or otherwise injure him. For this reason it is essential that the pulling of the trigger and the ignition of the fuse shall be accomplished silently and without the escape of smoke, as any noise within the bag or escape of smoke would immediately arouse the suspicion of the holdup man, in which case the messenger would have a small chance of getting away. The trigger mechanism employed in this instance is silent in action and so is the ring mechanism. This is due to the fact that the trigger merely swings free about a pivot and as such produces no noise, and it is also due to the fact that the firing mechanism is toggle actuated and that the firing pins are in contact with the caps. Hence, in'

place of striking a blow on the percussion caps, it merely applies a quick pressure which indents the heads of the percussion caps, thus setting them off. The percussion caps, together with the quick burning fuses 27 are first of all positioned within the bag, secondly, within the metal tube 27 which is carried by the cartridge housing, and as such any noise caused by the setting olf of the percussion caps and the ignition of the fuse is so baiiied as to avoid any danger of attracting the holdup mans attention. No smoke will be emitted, as the smoke escaping through the vents 30 at the opposite ends of the fuse chamber or tube escapes directly into the chambers 31 and 31a. These chambers also act as baiile or mufer chambers and as the lower portionsare iilled with cotton or a similar material, the smoke is completely condensed and no discharge is observable. A

One important feature is thus accomplished, to-wit, that of igniting the fuses without attracting the attention of the holdup man.

The second important features to be accomplished is that of insuring a certain delay or lapse of time before the firing of the shots. This is accomplished by making the fuses 21 and 24 of suitable length. For instance, a time lapse of ten seconds or more may be obtained as desired. During this time the holdup man is naturally attempting to get to his car or to escape in the crowds on thestreet or into some doorway, or whatever the case may be, and while the holdup man is making his get-away the messenger is naturally going in the opposite direction and removing himself as far as possible. It is in this manner that the messengerY is protected, as he has willingly handed the bag to the holdup man and he is given an opportunity to escape before the holdup man finds out that he is himself to be detected. His whereabouts are rst audibly indicated and then visibly indicated, as the moment the certain lapse of time has passed, four shots will be iired in successive order and at the same time smoke will start and continue to emit in such dense volumeV that Vit will lead the holdup man to abandon the bag, or disclose his whereabouts.

Two desirable ends are thus obtained, first, the protection and get-away of the messenger, and second, the detection and the disclosure of the whereabouts of the holdup man or at least the bas. Y

, While the invention has been described in connection with a security bag, its application as a burglar alarm on house or buldings, as a theft alarm on automobiles, etc., is contemplated and while certainfeatures of the present invention are more or less specically described, we wish it understood that Various changes may be resorted ato within the scope of theV appended claims.

Similarly, that the materials and finish of the several parts employed may be such as the manufacturer mayY decide, or varying conditions or uses may demand. v

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. The combination with a cartridge case having a pair of chambers formed therein, oneVV for the reception of an explosive charge and the other for the reception of a slow acting gas generating charge, of ignition means and timing fuses connecting the ignition means with the charges in the respective chambers, and muiliing means for silencing any noise caused by the ignition means and the burning fuses.

2. The combination with a cartridge case hav.- ing a pair of chambers formed therein, one for the reception oi an explosive charge and the other for the reception of a slow acting gas generating charge, of ignition means` and timing fuses connecting the ignition means with the charges in the respective chambers, muiiing means for silencing any noise caused by the ignition Ymeans-and the burning fuses, and means for condensing and substantially absorbing the smoke emitted by the ignition means and the fuses. f

3. A cartridge.l case having a pair of chambers formed therein for the reception of ignitible Y charges together with a chamber forthe reception of a quickv burning fuse, time fuses connecting the quick burning fuse with the ignitible charges, means for igniting the quick burning fuse, and muliling means for silencing any noise caused by the ignition` means and the burning fuses.

v4. A cartridge case having a pair of chambers formed therein for the reception Vof ignitible charges together with a chamber for the reception of a quick burning fuse, time fuses connect-` ing the quick burning vfuse -with the ignitible charges, means for igniting thev quick burning fuse, muling means for silencing any noise caused by the ignition means and the burning fuses, and means Ior condensing and substantially absorbing the smoke emitted by the ignition means andthe burning fuses.

5. The combination with a cartridge case comprising a base, a head, and an intermediate portion, a plurality of cartridge chambers formedrin the intermediate portion and opening through thebase, a chamber formed in the head, a quick burning fuse insertable in said chamber, a plurality of time fuses connecting the quick burning fuse with the respective cartridge chambers to iire the same, and means for igniting the quick burning fuse. Y Y

6. The combination with a cartridge case comprising a base, a head, and an intermediate portion, a plurality of cartridge chambers formed in the intermediate portion and opening through the base, a chamber formed in the head, a quick Y burning fuse insertable in said chamber, a plurality of time fuses connecting the quick burning fuse with the respective cartridge chambers to fire the sama-and a percussion cap carried by the head whereby the quick burning fuse is adapted to Ybe ignited,

7. The combination with a cartridge case com- Y burning fuse, a chamber formed in the inter- Y mediate portion and in communication with the quick burning fuse chamber and the timing fuses, and Ymeans in said chamber for condensing and substantially absorbing smoke emitted by the ignition means and the burning fuses.

8. In a security bag havingV a housing for the reception of a cartridge and a trigger actuated mechanism for firing the cartridge, a cartridge insertable in said housing and'charged with a combustible charge, an ignition device in the cartridge adapted to be actuated by the trigger mechanism," and a delay firing means .interposed between the ignition' device and the combustible charge. Y

'9. In a security bag having a housing for the reception of a cartridge and aY trigger actuated mechanism for iiring the cartridge, a cartridge insertable in said housing and charged With a combustible charge, a percussion cap in the cartridge adapted to be actuated by the trigger mechanism, and a'delay timing fuse connecting the cap 'with the combustible charge. Y

l0. In a security bag having a housing for the reception of a cartridge and a trigger actuated mechanism for ring the cartridge, a cartridge insertable in said housing and charged with a plurality ofcombustible charges, a percussion cap in the cartridge, a quick burning fuse in the cartridge adapted to be ignited by the percussion cap, and a plurality of delay timing fuses in the cartridge interposed between the combustible charges and the quick burning fuse and adapted to be ignited thereby.

11. In a security bag having a housing for the reception of a cartridge and a trigger actuated mechanism for ring the cartridge, a cartridge insertable in said housing and charged With a combustible charge, a firing device in the cartridge adapted to be actuated by the trigger mechanism, a delay firing means interposed between the firing device and the combustible charge, and muiiling means Within the cartridge for muiiling any sound produced by the ring device.

12. In a security bag having a housing for the reception of a cartridge and a trigger actuated mechanism for ring the cartridge, a cartridge insertable in said housing and charged with a combustible charge, a percussion cap in the cartridge adapted to be actuated by the trigger mechanism, a delay timing fuse connecting the cap with the combustible charge, and muiing means Within the cartridge to muile any sound produced by the setting off of the percussion cap.

13. In a security bag a housing for the reception of a cartridge and a trigger actuated mechanism for firing the cartridge, a cartridge insertable in said housing and charged With a combustible charge, a firing device in the cartridge, adapted to be actuated by the trigger mechanism, a delay firing means interposed between the firing device and the combustible charge, muiiing means Within the cartridge for muiing any sound produced by the ring device, and means in the cartridge for condensing and substantially absorbing smoke emitted by the percussion cap and by the timing fuse.

14. In a security bag having a housing for the reception of a cartridge and a trigger actuated mechanism for ring the cartridge, a cartridge insertable in said housing and charged with a plurality of combustible charges, a percussion cap in the cartridge, a quick burning fuse in the cartridge adapted to be ignited by the percussion cap, a plurality of delay timing fuses in the cartridge interposed between the combustible charges and the quick burning fuse and adapted to be ignited thereby, muling means within the cartridge to muie any sound produced by the setting oil of the percussion cap, and means in the cartridge for condensing and substantially absorbing L.

smoke emitted by the quick burning and the delay timing fuses.

MORRIS C. WHITE. GEORGE W. BROWN.

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