US2747661A - Protective device - Google Patents

Description

y 9, 1956 M. LUCAS PROTECTIVE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 20. 1954 INVENTOR MzchaeZ Lucas I M mu ATTORNEYS May 29, 1956 M. LUCAS 2,747,661

PROTECTIVE DEVICE Filed Sept. 20, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR AmchaeZ Lucas ATTORNEYS United States Patent PROTECTIVE DEVICE Michael Lucas, Bridgeport, Conn.

Application September 20, 1954, Serial No. 457,182

16 Claims. (Cl. 160-10) This invention relates to a protective device or a burglar trap of the type particularly useful for banks, liquir stores, pawn shops, loan companies, public buildings and the like, to prevent the entrance of any unauthorized person or to prevent the escape of any person attempting to steal anything within a building or the like on which my device is used.

An object of this invention is to provide a protective device of the flexible wall type adapted to be extended to form an obstruction across an opening to prevent passage therethrough and which takes up minimum space and is arranged to be concealed within the frame structure surrounding the opening or the like when in the inoperative position.

Another object is to provide a camouflaged novel antiburglar device in a natural and conventional-looking frame structure that surrounds the opening.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means whereby the protective device may be quickly and easily reset with a minimum of eifort.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic self-locking means for the protective device when it is in extended or operative position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a signaling device and control therefor operatively associated with the flexible Wall means to cause a signal to be actuated only after the said wall is extended and locked or in the operative position.

The objects are accomplished in the present preferred form of the invention by having a novel flexible wall or net adapted to be wound about a spindle and is normally urged to an unwound position, said wall being held against the action of said urging means by releasable holding means. The wall-is concealed within a hollow frame surrounding a building door opening or the like and is released by remote control means by an attendant of the building upon the appearance of a burglar or suspicious person. Upon release, the flexible wall unwinds to an extended position across a building opening and locks in place, thereby obstructing the opening or the like for preventing the entrance or escape of a burglar or suspicious person and upon completion of its movement actuates a signal indicating that the trap has been sprung. The signal is energized until the device is reset by a simple and novel rewind mechanism.

A feature of this invention resides in the compact, simple, inexpensive, durable, and novel construction of the flexible wall portion which consists of a lattice of chain and/ or wire construction.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of an inexpensive, positive and novel arrangement for rewinding the flexible wall portion after the trap has been sprung which is prepared for operation by the unwinding of the Wall.

A still further feature resides in the fact that the signal is not actuated until after the wall has closed.

the opening-so that the would-be thief or burglar is not forewarned'before the trapis closed.

Still another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a novel self-locking construction for the flexible wall when in the extended position.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the specification and claims when considered with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the protective device of the present invention with the frame shown in dot-and-- dash lines.

Fig. 2 is a perspective of an opening with the protective device in retracted position.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of thespindle holding means.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail of the release means.

Fig. 5 is a detail of the lock means. i

As herein illustrated, my invention is shown as applied to a door opening of a building. However, my invention can likewise be applied toother enclosures and to window openings or other accessible building openings by which unauthorized persons may seek ingress or egress.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a hollow door frame 10 extends around about a building opening by which un authorized access of undesirable persons may be had. This frame structure, as shown in Fig. 2, has the general appearance of a usual and conventional doorway and has projecting side columns 11a, 11b for housing the novel anti-burglar device of the present invention, thereby rendering the anti-burglar device free from suspeciom and observation.

The hollow frame member 11a has a spindle 12 rotatably mounted therein in suitable upper and lowerbearings 13 and 14 respectively, the upper bearing comprising of an angle plate which also carries operating mechanisms to be described. The spindle has one end of a flexible wall or net 15 connected thereto so that it can be wound and unwound upon the spindle.

While the flexible wall or net may be made of all chain, all wire, or all metal bands or strips, or a combination of the same, in the preferred illustrated form of the invention as shown in Fig. 1 the flexible wall 15 comprises a series of spaced and substantially parallel chain members 16 or the like interlaced with wire members 17 so that the whole forms a metal net or gate that is flexible, tough, compact, and easily Wound or unwound about the spindle. It is of suflicient strength and cannot be easily broken, and of the required compactness so as to fit a restricted volume or hollow portion of the casual or conventional-looking door frame. As shown in Fig. 1, the other end of the lattice wall or net is secured to a leading bar 18 which carries a latch mechanism 19 to be described.

In order to guide the lead bar as it moves across the wound about the spindle 12.

The wall is normally urged to closed position by means of a concealed cable 24 secured to the upperportion of the bar 18 and extends across the opening and is threaded over pulleys 24a and 24b and secured at its other end to a suspended weight W capable of moving the walltothe extended position. Another cable 25 is likewise concealed and secured to the lower portion'ofl the bar 18 and extends across the opening and is threaded through the pulleys 25a, 25b and 250 having the other. end thereof attached to the weight W. The pulley arrangements, concealed, in the projectingframe portion;

11b, provide equal distribution of the pulling force on the bar resulting in smooth and easy operation of the bar by the weighted means upon the release of the holding means.

In order to hold the flexible wall in wound position against the action of the weight W, a holding means is provided which includes a ratchet 26 fixed to the spindle and rotates therewith. Cooperating with the ratchet is a T-shaped member 27 which is pivoted at the junction of the crossbar 28 and stem 29 to the bearing plate 13 with one end of the crossbar 28a engaging the ratchet 26 to form a pawl which prevents rotation of the spindle and unwinding of the flexible wall therefrom. The stem 29 of the T is positioned to be engaged by the lead bar 18 as the flexible wall is wound on the spindle and moves the end of the crossbar 28a into holding position when the wall is completely wound thereon. If desired the stem 29 of the T may be provided with a buffer spring 30 to prevent damage to the pawl by the action of the lead bar in moving to retracted position. The other end of the crossbar 28b has an actuator or projection 31 fixed thereto to be engaged by releasing means to move the pawl out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the releasing means comprises a releasing cam 32 operatively connected to an electrical motor 33 to be driven thereby. The motor is connected in a circuit controlled by a remotely disposed button 34 concealed within the building and Which is located in a strategic position and easily accessible to an attendant or employee in the building.

The motor circuit which is connected to a suitable source of electrical energy, not shown, includes a second switch 35 in series with said button and motor. This second switch 35 is a normally open switch located adjacent an extension pin 36 carried by the end of the crossarm 28b and is closed thereby when the pawl is moved to holding position thus setting up the release circuit to be controlled by the push button when the flexible wall is in the retracted position.

When it is desired to release the flexible wall for movement by the weight W, the push button 34 is closed. This energizes the motor 33 to rotate the cam 32 and moves the pawl out of contact with the ratchet leaving the spindle free to rotate. Movement of the pawl to release position automatically opens the motor circuit at the switch 35.

The locking mechanism 37 for my trap consists of a pair of spaced latching members 19 having spaced undercut cammed surfaces 19a thereon and carried by the leading bar 18. Aligned therewith and located in the opposed frame member 11b is a lock housing 38 containing a pair of spaced upper and lower locking earns 39 and 40 respectively, pivotally mounted in said housing and which mate with the latching members 19 in the lock position. Spring means 41 engage each locking cam, and urge them into locked relation with the latching members 19. Stop pins 42 and 43 limit the movement of the locking cams in the direction of the force exerted by the spring. This arrangement allows the latching cams 19a carried by the leading bar 18- to ride over and automatically interlock with the locking cams, 3'9 and 40 respectively, for securing the net in the extended position. v V I To prevent the locking cams 39 and 40 from being released by pull on the lead bar, a manually controlled blocking member 44 connected to arelease lever 45 is provided. The blocking member 44' has an upper 44a and a lower 44b' cam surface abutting the locking cams. This blocking member prevents the opening of the gate by a pull on the leading ba'r'. Pressing the release lever 45 will pivot the blocking member 44 so that the' upper 44a and lower 44b camming surfaces will earn against said' lock cams 39 and 40 respectively and pivot the same against the force of the spring 41, thereby enabling the latch members 19- to be disengagedtherefrom. The re- .4 lease lever 45 is concealed and operated either by hand or key so the unauthorized person caught in the trap cannot release the net when it is in the extended position.

A novel reset mechanism is provided for rewinding the wall on the spindle when the lock is released. This reset mechanism comprises a flanged drum 46 on the upper part of the spindle to rotate therewith. A rewind cable 47 has one end secured to said drum 46 and is arranged to be wound on said drum in a reverse direction to the winding of the flexible wall portion or net 15. In the illustrated form the reset cable is wound clockwise about the drum while the wall is wound counterclockwise. Therefore, it will be seen that as the wall portion 15 is unwound from said spindle, the reset cable is wound about said drum and prepared for a reset. The reset cable is threaded over pulleys 47a, 47b, and 470 to facilitate the reset operation. The other end of the cable has secured thereto a weighted handle 48 whereby the cable can be pulled to rotate the spindle during the resetting of the trap.

In accordance with the present invention an indicating signal. is provided to give notice that the trap has been sprung. While this signal may be either a flashing light and the like or an audible signal, in the illustrated embodiment an audible buzzer 49 is used as the signal which may be located either on the building or in a nearby police station or both.

The buzzer circuit contains a buzzer 49 and a switch or pair of open contacts 50 and 51 which are positioned below the weight W and are closed by the weight only when it has reached its limit of travel after the trap is closed and locked. Thus the signal is energized only after the gate or net has closed so that a burglar or suspicious character is not forewarned of the springing of the trap, so that the unauthorized person within the building immediately becomes trapped therein and can be subsequently captured without loss of property. If the trap is sprung before the would-be burglar or suspicious character is within the building, his plans fail and the attempted burglary is thwarted without loss.

The operation of the burglar trap is as follows:

With the trap set and upon the approachof entrance of a burglar or suspicious character, the building attendant or employee presses a hidden button 34 which actuates the motor 33. The motor rotates the cam 32 against the actuator 31 thereby pivoting the pawl 28c carried by the crossbar 28 out of engagement with the ratchet 26. As soon as the pawl 28a is released from the ratchet 26, the weight W is free to fall, and pulls as it does, the leading bar 18 across the doorway unwinding the flexible wall or net 15. Upon release of the pawl, the actuator 31 moves the extension pin 36 fixed thereon away from the biased closed switch 35, enabling the said switch to open the circuit and cut off the motor.

As the wall or net is unwinding clockwise, the reset cable 47 is winding counterclockwise about the drum 46 fixed to the spindle 12 and rotating therewith. When the leading bar 18 reaches the opposite frame member, the latch members 19 ride over the locking earns 39 and'40 due to the momentum of the bar and automatically interlocks therewith. The Weight W, then at the' end of it'stravel, closes the contacts 50 and 51 actuating the buzzer 49. At this point, if the 'burgular is within the building, he is trapped therein, and if not, he is prevented from entering and carrying out his plans.

After the burglar has been'apprehended or discouraged, the trap is reset. A hidden access door 52' inthe hollow frame 11b member enables the building attendant to have access to the reset cable 47 andlock means 37. The trapis reset by opening the access door 52 and pressing the release lever 45 to disengage the locle earns 39 and 40. The operator then pulls on the handle 48' of the reset' cable 47 which was wound counterclockwise about the'd'ru'm as the net wasunwoundto the extended position. Pulling the handle eife'cts the" u'nwiruii'n'g of the reset cable 47 which will cause the spindle 12to' rotate and rewind thereon the net or flexible wall 15. Rewinding the net returns the weight W to its original position and causes the buzzer contacts 50 and 51, or switch, to be opened thereby de-energizing the signal circuit.

As the leading bar 18 approaches its limit in the retracted position, it cams against the stem 29 of the T- member pivoting the crossbar 28 so that the pawl 28a automaticaly engages the ratchet 26 to counteract or hold the weight W against release. A butter spring 30 fixed to the stem 29 of the T-member cushions the impact of the leading bar 18 against the T 27 during resetting. Pivoting the crossbar 28 of the T-member 27 also permits the pin extension 36 fixed to the actuator 32 to bias the switch 35 closed to set up the control circuit and the device is immediately ready for another operation.

Although the trap was described for use during business hours, it will be understood that the said device may be used after business hours to discourage night burglars and would-be trespassers. At the close of the business day, the building attendant, or owner may disconnect the buzzer and actuate the trap before leaving the building. Thus with the net extended, it would function as a further deterrent to a would-be night prowler or trespasser. The device may likewise be equally useful during strikes, riots, and the like to protect an owners property.

Thus it will be seen that my burglar trap is simple, efficient and positive in its operation, and sturdy, inexpensive, and compact in its manufacture. It is completely concealed and unobstructive in the stowed position and capable of protecting life and property from injury due to burglars, trespassers, rioters and the like.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims and portions of the improvements may be used without others. 7

I claim:

1. A protective device adapted to close an aperture in a building or the like comprising a spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a flexible wall portion of open lattice construction and having a leading bar, said wall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, means including a weight and a cable connected to said wall portion and normally urging said wall portion to unwound position extending over the aperture, means holding said spindle against rotation with the wall portion wound thereon, means releasing said spindle to permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom and close said aperture, means locking said wall in unwound position, and switch means actuated by said weight upon completion of the movement of the wall portion to operate a signal only after the wall portion is in unwound position.

2. A protective device adapted to close an aperture in a building or the like comprising a spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a flexible wall portion of open lattice construction and having a leading bar, said wall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, means including a weight and a cable connected to said wall portion and normally urging said wall portion to unwound position extending .over the aperture, pawl and ratchet means holding said spindle against rotation with the wall portion wound thereon, means releasing said spindle to permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom and close said aperture, means locking said wall in unwound position, switch means actuated by said weight upon completion of the movement of the wall portion to operate a signal only after the wall portion is in unwound position, and means to rewind said wall portion about said spindle to reset thedevice for reuse.

3. -A protective device adapted to close an aperture in a building or the like comprising a spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a flexible wall portion of open lattice construction ,and having a leading bar, said wall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, means including a weight and a cable cohnected to said wall portion and normaly urging said wall portion to unwound position extending over the aperture, means holding said spindle against rotation with the wall portion wound thereon, means releasing said spindle to permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom and close said aperture, means locking said wall in unwound position, and an alarm means including a pair of contacts disposed in the path of movement of the weight to be engaged thereby and actuate the alarm circuit only upon completion of movement of the wall portion to closed position.

4. A protective device adapted to close an aperture in a building or the like comprising a rotatably mounted spindle adjacent the aperture, a flexible wall portion having a leading bar, said wall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, means separate from said wall portion and normally urging said wall portion to unwound position extending over the aperture, means holding said spindle against rotation with the wall portion wound thereon, means releasing said spindle to permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom to a position over the aperture, a cable connected to the leading bar, a weight secured to said cable to unwind said wall portion upon actuation of said release means, and a second cable means connected to said spindle to rewind said wall portion about said spindle to reset said device, said second cable being reversably wound on said spindle by the rotation of the spindle as the wall portion is unwound therefrom, whereby said second cable is automatically conditioned for a reset operation.

5. A protective device adapted to close an aperture in a building or the like comprising a rotatably mounted spindle adjacent the aperture, a flexible wall portion having a leading bar, said wall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, means separate from said wall portion and normally urging said wall portion to unwound position extending over the aperture, means holding said spindle against rotation with the wall portion wound thereon, means releasing said spindle to permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom to a position over the aperture, a cable connected to the leading bar, a weight secured to the leading bar by said cable to unwind said wall portion upon actuation of said release means, switch means actuated by said weight to operate a signal only after the wall portion is unwound and positioned over the aperture, second cable means to rewind said wall portion about said spindle to reset said device, said second cable being reversably wound on said spindle by the rotation of the spindle as the wall portion is unwound therefrom, whereby said second cable is automatically conditioned for a reset operation, manually operable means for actuating the second cable to reset position, said switch means rendering the signal means inoperative as the weight is moved by the wall' portion as it moves to reset position.

6. A protective device adapted to close an aperture in a building or the like comprising a spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a flexible wall portion having a leading bar, said wall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, means separate from said wall portion and normally urging said wall portion to an unwound position extending over the aperture, means including a ratchet and pawl device connected to said spindle for holding said spindle against rotation with the wall portion wound thereon, remote control means releasing said ratchet and pawl device to permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom and close said aperture,

and means locking said wall in unwound position.

7. A protective device adapted to close an aperture leading bar, said wall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, means separate from said wall portion and normally urging said wall portion to an unwound position extending over the aperture, means including a pawl and ratchet device for holding said spindle against rotation with the wall portion wound thereon, remote control means including an electric motor driven cam for engaging and releasing said pawl to permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom and close said aperture, and means locking said wall in unwound position.

8. A protective device'adap'ted 'to close an aperture in a building or the like comprising a spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a flexible wall portion having a leading bar, said wall portion being adapted to he wound and unwound upon said spindle, means normally urging said wall portion to an unwound position extending over the aperture, means comprising a ratchet connected to said spindle and a T-shaped pawl member pivoted at the junction of the stem and crossbar of the T with one end of the bar cooperating with the ratchet to hold said spindle, said leading bar engaging the stem of the T in retracted position to cause theen'd of the bar to move into holding position with the ratchet and hold said spindle against rotation with the wall portion wound thereon, means'operableto move the other end of the bar of the T and move the pawl to release 'said ratchet to permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom and close said aperture, and means locking said 'wall in unwound position.

9. Avprotective device adapted to close an aperture in a building or the like comprising a spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a flexible wall portion having a leading bar, said wall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, means normally urging said wall portion to an unwound position extending over the aperture, means comprising a ratchet connected to said spindle and a T-shapedpawl member pivoted at the junction of the stem and crossbar of the T with one end of the bar cooperating with theratchet to hold said spindle, said leading bar engaging the stem of the T in retracted position to cause the end of the bar to move into holding position with the ratchet and hold said spindle against rotation with the wall portion wound thereon, a projection on the other end of the bar, means including a remote control circuit having an electric motor driven cam operable to engage said projection and move the other end of the bar of the T and move'the pawl to release said ratchet to permit unwinding said wall portion'therefrom and close said aperture, and means locking said Wall'in unwoundposition,

'10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein a normally open switch means in included in the remote control circuit and wherein means is provided on the pawl member to close the 'switchupon the pawl being moved into holdingposition and to set up the circuit for remote operation of the release means.

11. A protective device-adapted to close an aperture in a building or the like comprising a spindle mounted adjacentthe aperture, a flexible wall'portion comprising a plurality of spaced parallel chain members having one end connected to the'spindle and the other end connected to a lead barand spaced transverse Wire connectors tying said chains together, said'wall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, means normally urging said wall portion to an unwound position extending over the aperture,m'eans holding said spindle against rotation with the wall'portion'woundthereon, means releasing'saidspindle'to'permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom and close said aperture, means loc'kingsaid wall in unwound-position, andmeans for energizing a signal-only-"after 'the said wall is unwound and'locked.

1 25A protective device a'daptedto close an aperture in a' building or' the like-comprising a-spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a 'guide banmounted adjacent the spindle, a flexible wall portion comprising a plurality of spaced parallel chain members passing around the guide bar and having one end connected to the spindle and the other end connected to a lead bar and spaced transverse wire connectors tying said chains together, said wall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, means normally urging said wall portion to an unwound position extending over the aperture, means holding said spindle against rotation with the wall portion wound thereon, means releasing said spindle .to permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom and close said aperture, means locking said wall in unwound position, and means for energizing a signal only after the said wall is unwound and locked.

13. A protective device adapted to close an aperture in a building or the like comprising a spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a flexible wall portion having a lead- 7 ing bar, said wall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, means normally urging said wall portion to an unwound position extending over the aperture, means comprising a ratchet connected to said spindle and a T-shaped pawl member pivoted at the junction of the stern and crossbar of the T with one end of the bar cooperating with the ratchet -to hold said spindle, said stem of the T having a resilient buifermeans thereon and said leading bar engaging the buffer means on the stem of the T in retracted position to cushion the contact and cause the end of the 'bar to move into holding position with the ratchet and hold said spindle against rotation with the wall -portion-wound thereon, meansoperable to move-the other end of the bar of the T and move the pawl to release said ratchet to permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom and close said aperture, and means locking said wall in unwound position.

14. A protective device adapted to close in aperture in a building or the like comprising a spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a flexible wall portion having a leading bar, said wall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, means normally urging said wall portion to an unwound position extending over the aperture, means holding said spindle against rotation with the wall portion wound thereon, means releasing said spindle to permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom and close said aperture, and means locking said wall in unwound position, said locking means comprising a latching member carried by the leading bar, a pair of opposed pivotally mounted locking cam means mounted adjacent the aperture opposite the spindle for-receiving the latching member carried by the leading bar when the wall is extended across the aperture and releasing means, said releasing means including a blocking member engaging said locking cams, and a lever actuating said blocking cam to pivot said locking cams to release said latch.

15. In a building having an opening therein, .hollow opposed frame members extending around said opening, a burglar device concealed in said frame members comprising a spindle'm'ounted adjacent the opening, a flexible wall portion, said wall portionbeing adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, weighted means normally urging said wall portion to an unwound position extending over the opening, means mounted in the frame member holding said spindle against rotation with the wall portion wound thereon, means releasing said spindle to permit-unwinding said wall portion therefrom and close said opening, means in'the frame member locking said wall in unwound position, and switch means actuated by said weighted meansupon completion of the movement of the wall portion to -.operate a signal only after the wall portion'is in'the unwound position.

16. In 'a building having an opening therein, hollow opposed frame members extending around said-opening with'projecting-portions at each side "thereof, a burglar device concealed in said frame members comprising a spindlemounted in one projecting I portion adjacent the opening, 'a flexible wall portion, of open lattieeconstruction, said wall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, weighted means normally urging said wall portion to an unwound position extending across the opening, means adjacent the spindle and holding said spindle against rotation with the wall portion 5 wound thereon, means releasing said spindle to permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom and close said opening, and means in the other projecting portion locking said wall in unwound position, said other projecting portion having a locked access opening whereby said last 10 named means may be exposed and released.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Anderson Apr. 16, 1895 Collins Aug. 10, 1920 Wolfe et a1. Feb. 1, 1921 Wertheimer Jan. 6, 1925 Fiebeger Jan. 12, 1937 Tobin July 27, 1937

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