US3653342A

US3653342A - Means for discouraging theft

Info

Publication number: US3653342A
Authority: US
Inventors: Homer S Chilton
Original assignee: MUSIC SERVICE CO Inc
Current assignee: MUSIC SERVICE CO Inc
Priority date: 1970-07-21
Filing date: 1970-07-21
Publication date: 1972-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 1989-04-04

Abstract

Theft prevention apparatus associated with a key locked door or closure, such apparatus including a striker normally cocked to strike a container of a pressurized mixture of tear gas and marking dye and thereby causing release of the mixture, a trigger is provided that is movable into and out of a position preventing striker movement by the key lock mechanism as the latter is operated by the key lock respectively to unlock and lock the closure. The striker is associated with a means for preventing operation thereof solely when the closure is in its closing position, whereby the striker is released if the closure is opened and the key lock has not been moved to its unlocking position.

Description

[451 Apr. 4, 1972 [54] MEANS FOR DISCOURAGING THEFT [72] Inventor: Homer S. Chilton, Wichita, Kans.

Music Service Company, Inc., Wichita, Kans.

[221 Filed: July 21,1970

[21] Appl.No.: 56,836

[73] Assignee:

5/1930 Walsh ..l09/32 2/l95l Walsh ..l09/32 Primary ExaminerStanley N. Gilreath Assistant Examiner-Edward J L McCarthy Attorney-Robert E. Breidenthal Theft prevention apparatus associated with a key locked door or closure, such apparatus including a striker normally cocked to strike a container of a pressurized mixture of tear gas and marking dye and thereby causing release of the mixture, a trigger is provided that is movable into and out of a position preventing striker movement by the key lock mechanism as the latter is operated by the key lock respectively to unlock and lock the closure. The striker is associated with a means for preventing operation thereof solely when the closure is in its closing position, whereby the striker is released if the closure ABSTRACT is opened and the key lock has not been moved to its un-' locking position.

15 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDA 41912- SHEEI 1 (IF 2 m U H C S R E M O H ATTORNEY MEANS FOR DISCOURAGING THEFT The primary object of the present invention is to subject any person that opens a closure without having operated a key lock mechanism to unlock the closure to a hazard, such hazard being in the nature of the sounding of an alarm, the infliction of physical discomfort, temporary incapacitation, and labeling such as to facilitate subsequent identification of such person.

A broad aspect of the invention resides in an improvement in the security afforded by key locked closures for enclosures comprising key operated lock means movable between first and second positions for respectively locking and unlocking the closure against opening of the enclosure, with opening of the enclosure when the lock means is in its first position constituting an unauthorized opening of the enclosure, a normally inoperative hazard means for subjecting a person making an unauthorized opening of the enclosure to a hazard, actuator means movable between first and second positions for initiating operation of the hazard means when moved from the first to the second position thereof, means for yieldingly urging the actuator means from its first toward its second position, a first means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the closure closes the enclosure, and a second means operatively connected to the key operated lock means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the lock means is in its second position.

Important features of the invention reside in the striker being free to operate to release tear gas and marking dye whenever the closure is opened unless the key operated mechanism has not been operated to unlock the closure, and in the key operated mechanixm operatively driving a trigger to move to a position respectively freeing and preventing striker movement as such mechanism is operated respectively to lock and unlock the closure.

Other objects, aspects, features and advantages will become manifest during the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, such description being given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of a coin operated music or record playing machine, and shows the key lock operated closure or door of the coin receptacle, the hidden receptacle and the hidden theft prevention means of the invention being shown in dashed outline;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary isometric view of a coin operated pinball machine employing another form of the theft prevention means that is shown in dashed outline;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail view taken upon the plane of the section line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the security means in operation upon the closure having been forced open;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational detail view of the security means shown in FIG. 3, with the trigger and striker means being shown in the positions occupied when the key lock mechanism is moved to its illustrated unlocking position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the trigger in its releasing position and the striker in its released position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the modified form of the invention, this view being taken upon the plane of the section line 77 in FIG. 2; and,

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 7.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the various views, and directing attention initially to the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1, and FIGS. 3 through 6, the reference numeral 10 designates generally a coin operated music or recording playing machine that is of conventional character except as hereinafter specifically described. The coin operated music machine 10 includes a conventional coin operated mechanism, not shown, such as to enable the selection of music to be played, it being understood that the machine 10 also includes conventional music selection means, not shown.

Also as is conventional, the music machine 10 includes within the cabinet 12 thereof a coin receptacle box or enclosure 14 into which is received coins accepted by the previously mentioned coin operated mechanism. The coin box 14 receives coins from the coin operated mechanism through a delivery chute or tube 16 in the usual manner and are allowed to accumulate therein for periodic collection.

The cabinet 12 includes an external wall 18 and the coin box 14 is mounted upon the interior side of the wall 18. The coin box 14 has an open side facing the wall 18 so that a portion 20 of the latter is common to the coin box 14 and the cabinet 12, and in the usual manner, such portion 20 of the wall 18 has an access opening 22 therethrough whereby collected or accumulated coins can be removed from the coin box 14.

As is conventional, the access opening 22 is normally closed by an outwardly opening door or closure 24 and a key operated lock means 26 is provided for locking the closure 24 in its closing position against opening movement except upon the manual use of a key, not shown, inserted in a key slot 28 to rotate and release the lock means 26. Only in such usual manner is obtained what may be termed authorized access" to the interior of the enclosure constituted of the box 14 and the wall portion 20, that is, by the insertion of a proper key unique to the lock means 26 into the key slot 28, turning the key to release the lock means 26 and then moving the closure 24 outwardly from within the opening 22.

The conventional key operated lock means 26 is shown in the form of rotatable cylinder 30 provided with the slot 28 extending through the closure 24, it being understood that the cylinder 30 can be rotated only upon insertion of the proper key thereinto. A latch 32 is secured to the inner end of the cylinder 30 for rotation therewith and includes a radially extending arm 32 that is angularly movable between locking and unlocking positions shown thereof respectively in FIG. 3 (and FIG. 6) and FIG. 5. When in latching or locking position, the latch 32 projects laterally from the closure 24 to prevent outward opening movement of the latter, while the same is laterally retracted to permit opening movement of the closure 24 when in its unlocked position. Except for structure integral with the latch arm 32 to be subsequently described, the lock means 26 is entirely conventional and the use thereof is entirely conventional in the actuation thereof manually through the agency of a key both to lock the closure 24 and to unlock and open the closure 24.

The structure thus far described is entirely conventional and is subject to numerous customary variations without departing from the invention now to be described, it only being essential that an enclosure be provided that has an access opening that is normally closed by a closure position in such opening, with key operated lock means being employed for selectively releasing and locking the closure against movement from within the access opening.

As is well known, the structure thus far described or equivalents thereof are currently in wide use in combination with an extensive variety of different types of enclosures, enclosure wall structures, forms, sizes and shapes of access openings and closures therefor, and forms of mounting the closure on the wall such as by piano hinges, etc.

A bracket 34 is mounted on the interior side of the closure 24 by suitable fastening means 36, such bracket being comprised of a flat steel base plate 38 parallel to the generally planar form of the rectangular closure 24, such base plate 38 having vertically spaced, horizontally extending

integral ears

40 and 42 as shown. A vertically extending, elongated steel slide 44 is slidably seated against the base plate 38, and such slide 44 slidably extends through

slots

46 and 48 in the

ears

40 and 42 whereby the slide 44 is guided for vertical reciprocative movement between the positions shown thereof in FIGS.

5 and 6.

The upper end of the slide 44 is provided with an adjustable extension 50 thereof. The slide 44 is provided with a pair of elongated slots 52, and threaded fasteners 54 extend therethrough and threadingly engage the extension 50 whereby the extension 50 can be secured in adjusted relation to the slide 44. The upper end of the extension is provided with an antifriction roller 56 for a purpose to be presently ex-.

plained. v

The upper ear 42 is provided with an internally threaded opening 58 for threadingly receiving the downwardly extending threaded neck portion 60 of a conventional pressurized container62. The container 62 is conventional and is of the type containing pressurized mixture of tear gas and/or marker dye and is intended to constitute a hazard to anyone making an unauthorized opening of the closure 24. The conventional container is provided with a detonator cap, not shown, at the center of the lower extremity of the neck 60 thereof, which operates when detonated by the striking thereof to release the pressurized contents thereof through the bottom or necked end of the cylinder 62 to emerge from the coin receptacle 14 by lines 64 in FIG. 4 with noise attending such detonation and the release of the pressurized materials. Such emergence of the contents of the cylinder will expose anyone adjacent the closure 24 thereto.

Means is provided for striking the detonator cap of the container 62 which comprises an elongated striker or plunger rod 66 having a reduced upper end 68 adapted to engage and detonate the detonator cap upon impingement thereagainst. The striker 66 is secured adjacent its upper end 68 to an ear 70 suitably fixed to the slide 44, and the lower end portion of the striker 66 is slidable through an opening 72 in the ear 40. The striker 66 is yieldingly urged upwardly, that is toward the container 62 by a coiled compression spring 74 embracing the striker 66 and having its opposite ends seated against the ad jacent faces of the

ears

40 and 70.

A trigger 76 is pivoted to the base plate 38 at 78, such trigger 76 having an end portion 80 that is receivable in a notch in the slide 44 that defines an abutment 82 when the slide 44 is moved downwardly against the bias of the spring 74, the arrangement being such, as shown in FIG. 5, that the trigger'76 when seated against the abutment 82 prevents upward movement of the striker 66. When the trigger 76 is in the blocking position shown in FIG. 5, the trigger 76 frictionally retained in such position by the spring bias so that a small but definite torque must be applied thereto to move the trigger 76 from such blocking position.

Means is provided for applying a torque to the trigger 76 to move the latter from the blocking position shown thereof in FIG. to the slide releasing position shown thereof in FIG. 6 in response to the latch arm 32 being moved angularly from the unlocking position shown thereof in FIG. 5 to the locking position shown thereof in FIG. 6. Such means comprises the trigger 76 being provided, at a position diametrically opposed to the end portion 80 with respect to the pivot 78, with a camming notch defined by

camming surfaces

84 and 86. In

'tegral with and extending radially in a direction diametrically opposite that of the latch arm 32 is an operating arm 88. The operating arm 88 along with the latch arm 32 move in unison with rotation with the cylinder 30 of the lock means 26 through the agency of the key. As clearly shown in the drawings, the operating am 88 is spaced slightly inwardly of the trigger 76 so as to afford free running clearance therebetween. and the operating arm 88 is provided with a cam pin 90 that is movable into and out of the notch defined by the cam surfaces or

edges

84 and 86 on rotation of the cylinder 30 and the operating arm 88. The relationship of the cam pin 90 to the notch defined by the

cam edges

84 and 86 is such that when the trigger 76 is in the blocking position shown thereof in FIG. 5 clockwise rotation of the operating arm 88 as viewed in FIG. 5 will cause the pin 90 to move into the notch and to engage the cam surface 84 with continued clockwise movement of the operating arm 88 resulting in the impartation of a counterclockwise torque and movement of the trigger 76 with the cam pin 90 sliding upon the cam edge 84 until the operating arm 88, cam pin 90 and the trigger 76 are in the positions shown thereof in FIG. 6. It will be noted that when the operating arm 88 and the trigger 76 are in the positions shown thereof in FIG. 6, the latch arm 32 is in its locking position.

With the operating arm 88 and the trigger 76 being in the positions shown thereof in FIG. 6, manual manipulation of the key to rotate the cylinder 30 and the operating arm 88 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6 will cause the impartation of a clockwise torque and movement to the trigger 76 with sliding movement of the cam pin along the cam surface 88, and continued movement will result in the trigger 76 assuming its blocking position relative to the slide 44 on the assumption that the slide 44 is in the position shown thereof in FIGS. It is to be noted that the relationship of the pin 90 to the cam surface 86 is such that the trigger 76 is moved to its blocking position prior to the latch arm 32 having moved to its unlocking position, that is, the trigger 76 will have been moved to its blocking position upon the operating arm 88 having been moved counterclockwise from the position shown thereof in FIG. 6 by an angular amount such that the outer radial extremity of the latch arm 32 still projects laterally from the closure 24 so that opening of the closure 24 cannot possibly occur in an authorized manner without the trigger 76 being in its blocking position.

After the operating arm 88 has been rotated counterclockwise by an amount sufficient to place the trigger 76 in its blocking position, the pin 90 moves with continued angular motion clear of the notch defined by the

cam surfaces

84 and 86 so that the relative position of all the moving components become such as shown thereof in FIG. 5.

When the closure 24 is in position to close the opening as shown in FIG. 3, a downwardly and inwardly extending in tegral lip 96 thereof is received through the opening 22 and is engaged against the inner face 98 of the wall 18 along the lower edge of the opening 22 in a conventional fashion, and also in a conventional manner the opposite sides of the closure 24 are provided with vertically spaced recesses 100 into which are received lugs 102 that are integral with the wall 18, the arrangement being such that the closure 24 cannot be displaced inwardly into the cabinet 12 any further than the position shown thereof in FIG. 3.

In efiect, the relationship of the closure lip 96 to the wall 18 is such that the closure 24 can be swung counterclockwise from the position shown thereof in FIG. 3 aboutan axis adjacent the lower edge of the opening 22 so as to be the equivalent of a hinged connection wherein the hinge is inaccessible; however, the entire closure 24 can be removed from the opening 22 when the upper edge of the closure 24 has been swung clear of the upper edge of the opening 22.

'Stop means in the form of a steel strip 106 is fastened as at 108 to the inner face of the wall 18 immediately above the opening 22, the steel strip 106 preferably being of a J-shape in cross section to provide a web portion 110 and an upstanding flange portion 112. As clearly shown in the drawings, the lower surfaces 114 of the web portion 110 is coplanar with the horizontal surface 116 of the wall 18 defining the upper edge of the opening 22. When the latch arm 32 is in its locking position such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the free end portion 120 thereof is disposed in closely spaced relation to the flange 1 12 of the strip 106, but with free running clearance therebetween. The relationship is such that the strip 106 will not prevent the latch arm 32 being pivoted to its locking position, wherein the outer end of the portion 120 of the latch arm 32 will prevent outward or opening movement of the closure 24 without forcing a failure of the latch arm 32.

The upward extent of the slide 44 including the extension 50 and the roller 56 relative to the closure 24 when the striker 66 is in the cocked position shown thereof in FIG. 5 and the trigger 76 is in its blocking position that the roller 56 has its upper extremity at the same height as the surface 116 of the wall 18 and the underside of the web 114 when the closure 24 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 3. The arrangement is such that when the closure 24 is in the position shown thereof in FIG. 3, the lock means 26 can be manually actuated by the appropriate key to move the latch arm 32 to its unlocked position so as to cause the trigger 76 to move into its blocking position as previously described, whereupon the closure 24 can be removed from the opening 22. When the closure 24 is thus removed in the authorized manner, the trigger 76 prevents movement of the slide 44 and consequently also prevents striking upward movement of the striker 66 such as would otherwise occur to cause release of the contents of the container 62. After the closure 24 has been removed from the opening 22 in the authorized manner, and after the accumulated coins have been removed from the enclosure, the closure 24 can be returned or replaced in its closing position, and .the lock means 26 operated to place the latch arm 32 in the locking position shown thereof in FIGS. 3 and 6. As previously explained, movement of the latch arm 32 from its unlocked to its locked position is accompanied by moving the trigger 76 from its blocking to its unblocking position. Thus, locking the closure 24 closed results in the trigger 76 releasing the striker 66; however, such release by the trigger 76 does not result in movement of the striker 66 as such movement is precluded by the roller 56 being engaged against the undersurface of the web 114.

Should the closure 24, when in the locked position shown thereof in FIG. 3, be forced open in an unauthorized fashion, that is, in a manner that is not dependent upon key manipulation of the lock means 26 to move the latch arm 32 from its locked position, the striker 66 is released to impinge upon the detonator cap of the container 62 as soon as the closure 24 is open to such an extent that the roller 56 clears the surface 116 of the wall 18. The consequence of such unauthorized opening of the closure 24 is shown in FIG. 4, wherein it will be noted that the closure 24 has been partially opened so that the slide 44 and also the striker 66 have been freed to move and have moved to a position causing release of the pressurized contents of the container 62. The unauthorized character of the opening of the closure 24 shown in FIG. 4 is exemplified by the end portion 120 of the latch arm 32 having been bent and caused to mechanically fail during the forced opening of the closure 24. FIG. 6 illustrates the angular positions occupied by the latch arm 32 and the trigger 76 at the time that the unauthorized opening of the closure 24 depicted in FIG. 4 occurred. FIG. 6 also illustrates the manner in which the slide 44 is free to move upwardly when removed of the restraints of the trigger 76 and bearing against the surface 116 and the undersurface ofthe web 1 14.

Though not shown, the outer surface of the closure 24 is in useprovided with a conspicuous warning to those contemplating attempting an unauthorized opening of the closure 24 such as to advise, waming this machine protected by burglar alarm including tear gas and dye, or words of similar import.

Obviously, the present invention subjects a person attempting an unauthorized opening to a considerable hazard. Such hazard consists of the noise and sounds produced on detonating the detonator cap together with the sounds produced during the escape of the pressurized contents of the container 62 therefrom. Constituting an even greater hazard (at least in the sense that the same is not dependent at all upon any form of surveillance over the machine) resides in the fact that such person subjects himself to the hazard of having tear gas and marker dye emitted upwardly into the region of his head. Exposure to such materials not only causes great physical discomfort and usually temporary disability, but additionally the marker dye effectively labels such person for subsequent identification over a period long existing after the deleterious effects of the tear gas have subsided.

Attention is now directed to the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, which differs from the previously described form of the invention in that the hazard means is mounted on and within the enclosure. This form of the invention is shown as applied to protect the security of the coin collection box 130 of a conventional coin operated pinball machine or the like designated generally at 132.

The machine 132 includes a front wall 134 which together with the box 132 constitutes an enclosure designated generally at 134. The wall 134 is provided with an access opening 136 which is normally closed by a door or closure 138 that is secured to the wall 136 by a hinge 140.

A bracket 142 generally similar to the previously described bracket 38 is mounted on the inside of the wall 132 in spaced relation thereto by fasteners 144 and spacers 146. The bracket 142 includes

ears

148 and 150. Slidably mounted through slots in the

ears

148 and 150, not shown, is an elongated slide 152. The end of the slide 152 nearest the access opening 136 is provided with a roller 154 that is engageable against a stop member 156 that is secured to the inner side of the door 138 by fasteners 158. The roller 154 is adjustably carried by the slide 152 in the same fashion as in the previously described embodiment of the invention by means of slot and fastener means indicated generally at 160.

A cylinder 162 of pressurized tear gas and dye similar to the cylinder 62 has its reduced neck portion replaceably threaded in a suitable opening, not shown, in the ear 150, and an elongated plunger rod or striker 164 is slidable through a suitable opening, not shown, in the ear 148 and is fixed to an ear 166 secured to the slide 152. A compression spring 170 embraces the rod 164 and is seated between the

ears

148 and 166 to urge the roller 154 towards the stop member 156. Unless prevented by a trigger 172 yet to be described or by the roller 154 bearing against the stop member 156, the spring 170 will move the slide 152 and cause the reduced end 174 of the rod 164 to strike or impinge upon the percussion cap, not shown, of the conventional cylinder 162 so that the contents of the latter are forcibly released or ejected.

The trigger 172 is pivotally mounted on the bracket 142 at 176, and the trigger 172 has an end 178 that can be received in a notch 180 in the slide 152 when the latter is in the cocked position shown thereof in FIGS. 7 and 8. When the end 178 of the trigger 172 is received in the notch 180, the slide 152 and the rod 164 are prevented from moving under the influence of the spring 170 such as would result in discharge of the cylinder 162.

A rotatable key lock means designated generally at 182 is provided and is mounted in the door 138, such lock means including a rotatable element or shaft 184, which can be turned solely by a key (not shown). A radially extending arm or latch 186 is fixed to the shaft 184, and each arm is movable (anticlockwise as seen in FIG. 8) between the illustrated locking position thereof to an unlocking position thereof. When in its locking position, the arm 186 is engageable with the inner side of the wall 132 to prevent opening of the door 138. When in its unlocking position, the arm 186 clears the wall 132 on opening movement of the door 138.

Means is provided to move the end 178 into and out of the notch 180 on the arm being respectively turned to its unlocking and locking positions. Such means includes the arm 186 having a pin 190 fixed thereto that is received in a notch in the trigger 172 defined by camming edges 192 and 194. The arrangement is such that when the arm 186 is turned anticlockwise (as viewed in FIG. 8) to its unlocking position, the pin 190 bears on the camming edge 192 to cause clockwise movement of the trigger 172 to seat the end 178 of the latter in the notch 180, whereupon the door 138 can be opened with the slide 152 being restrained. The door 138 can then be closed with the pin 190 being returned into the notch defined by the camming edges 192 and 194. With the door 138 again closed the roller 154 is seated against the stop 156, whereupon the slide 152 is restrained and the arm 186 can be turned clockwise to locking position with the pin 190 bearing against the camming edge 194 to return the trigger 172 to the illustrated position thereof.

It will be manifest that opening of the door 138 in any but the authorized manner when the trigger 172 is in the illustrated position thereof will result in the release of the slide 152 and the rod 164 because of disengagement of the roller 154 from the stop 156 and result in the firing of or the release of the contents of the cylinder 162. By unauthorized opening of the door 138 is, of course, meant any manner of opening of the door that does not involve the use of the key, not shown, of the lock means 182 to effect unlocking movement of the arm 186 and the setting of the trigger 172 into the notch 180.

Having described the invention in sufficiently great detail that those having only a modest degree of familiarity with the art can practice and enjoy the same, attention is now directed to the appended claims in order to ascertain the actual scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. ln apparatus for discouraging unauthorized opening of an enclosure normally closed by a closure therefor, the improvement comprising key operated lock means movable between first and second positions for respectively locking and unlocking the closure against opening of the enclosure, with opening of the enclosure when the lock means is in its first position constituting an unauthorized opening of the enclosure, a normally inoperative hazard means for subjecting a person making an unauthorized opening of the enclosure to a hazard, actuator means movable between first and second positions for initiating operation of the hazard means when moved from the first to the second position thereof, means for yieldingly urging the actuator means from its first toward its second position, a first means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the closure closes the enclosure, and a second means operatively connected to the key operated lock means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the lock means is in its second position.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the means for subjecting a person to a hazard is a container of a pressurized fluid, and wherein said actuator means operates on movement to its second position to cause release of the fluid from the container.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said enclosure has an access opening, said closure being movable between positions selectively opening and closing said access opening, and said lock means, hazard means, and actuator means being disposed within the enclosure.

4. ln apparatus for discouraging unauthorized opening of an enclosure normally closed by a closure therefor, the improvement comprising key operated lock means movable between first and second positions for respectively locking and unlocking the closure against opening of the enclosure, with opening of the enclosure when the lock means is in its first position constituting an unauthorized opening of the enclosure, a normally inoperative hazard means for subjecting a person making an unauthorized opening of the enclosure to a hazard, actuator means movable between first and second positions for initiating operation of the hazard means when moved from the first to the second position thereof, means for yieldingly urging the actuator means from its first toward its second position, a first means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solelywhen the closure closes the enclosure, a second means operatively connected to the key operated lock means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the lock means is in its second position, said enclosure having an access opening, with said closure being movable between positions selectively opening and closing said access opening, said lock means, hazard means, and actuator means being disposed within the enclosure, said actuator means being mounted on the closure, and the first means being a stop means carried by the enclosure at a position that is disposed in the travel path of the actuator means when the closure is disposed to close the access opening.

, 5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the hazard means is carried by the closure.

6. ln apparatus for discouraging unauthorized opening of an enclosure normally closed by a closure therefor, the improvement comprising key operated lock means movable between first and second positions for respectively locking and unlocking the closure against opening of the enclosure, with opening of the enclosure when the lock means is in its first position constituting an unauthorized opening of the enclosure, a normally inoperative hazard means for subjecting a person making an unauthorized opening of the enclosure to a hazard, actuator means movable between first and second positions for initiating operation of the hazard means when moved from the first to the second position thereof, means for yieldingly urging the actuator means from its first toward its second position, a first means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the closure closes the enclosure, a second means operatively connected to the key operated lock means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the lock means is in its second position, said second means comprising a trigger mounted for movement between first and second positions respectively in and out of the travel path of the actuator means in the latters movement from its first toward its second position, with means drivingly connecting the lock means to the trigger to move the trigger to its first and second positions as the lock means is moved respectively to its second and first positions.

7. In apparatus for discouraging unauthorized opening of an enclosure normally closed by a closure therefor, the improvement comprising key operated lock means movable between first and second positions for respectively locking and unlocking the closure against opening of the enclosure, with opening of the enclosure when the lock means is in its first position constituting an unauthorized opening of the enclosure, a normally inoperative hazard means for subjecting a person making an unauthorized opening of the enclosure to a hazard, actuator means movable between first and second positions for initiating operation of the hazard means when moved from the first to the second position thereof, means for yieldingly urging the actuator means from its first toward its second position, a first means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the closure closes the enclosure, a second means operatively connected to the key operated lock means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the lock means is in its second position, said lock means including a rotatable latch member, said second means including a slide mounted for linearv sliding movement and having an abutment, a pivotally mounted trigger having an end movable into and out of the travel path of the abutment, and means drivingly connecting the rotatable latch member into and out of the travel path of the abutment respectively as the lock means is respectively moved to its second and first positions.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein the actuator means and the trigger are mounted on the closure, and wherein the first means includes the slide having an extension that moves in the direction of its extension as the actuator means moves from its first position toward its second position, with the extension having an extremity adapted to engage the enclosure.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the hazard means .is mounted on the closure and comprises a container of pressurized and expansible material with the container having release means operative when struck to release the pressurized contents of the container, and said actuating means including a striker engageable with the release means when the actuator means moves toward its second position.

10. In apparatus for discouraging unauthorized opening of an enclosure normally closed by a closure therefor, the improvement comprising key operated lock means movable between first and second positions for respectively locking and unlocking the closure against opening of the enclosure, with opening of the enclosure when the lock means is in its first position constituting an unauthorized opening of the enclosure, a normally inoperative hazard means for subjecting a person making an unauthorized opening of the enclosure to a hazard, actuator means movable between first and second positions for initiating operation of the hazard means when moved from the first to the second position thereof, means for yieldingly urging the actuator means from its first toward its second position, a first means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the closure closes the enclosure, a second means operatively connected to the key operated lock means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the lock means is in its second position, said enclosure having an access opening, with said closure being movable between positions selectively opening and closing said access opening, said lock means, hazard means, and actuator means being disposed within the enclosure, said actuator means being mounted on the enclosure, and the first means being a stop means carried by the closure at a position that is disposed in the travel path of the actuating means when the closure is disposed to close the access opening.

1 l. The combination of claim 10, wherein the hazard means is carried by the enclosure.

12. The combination of claim 1, wherein the hazard means and key operated lock means have a common support.

13. The combination of claim 12, wherein said common support is the closure.

14. The combination of claim 1, wherein one of the two first recited means, namely, the lock means and the hazard means, is mounted on the enclosure and the other of such two first recited means is mounted on the closure.

15. The combination of claim 14, wherein the key operated lock means is mounted on the closure and the hazard means is mounted on the enclosure.

Claims

1. In apparatus for discouraging unauthorized opening of an enclosure normally closed by a closure therefor, the improvement comprising key operated lock means movable between first and second positions for respectively locking and unlocking the closure against opening of the enclosure, with opening of the enclosure when the lock means is in its first position constituting an unauthorized opening of the enclosure, a normally inoperative hazard means for subjecting a person making an unauthorized opening of the enclosure to a hazard, actuator means movable between first and secOnd positions for initiating operation of the hazard means when moved from the first to the second position thereof, means for yieldingly urging the actuator means from its first toward its second position, a first means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the closure closes the enclosure, and a second means operatively connected to the key operated lock means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the lock means is in its second position.

4. In apparatus for discouraging unauthorized opening of an enclosure normally closed by a closure therefor, the improvement comprising key operated lock means movable between first and second positions for respectively locking and unlocking the closure against opening of the enclosure, with opening of the enclosure when the lock means is in its first position constituting an unauthorized opening of the enclosure, a normally inoperative hazard means for subjecting a person making an unauthorized opening of the enclosure to a hazard, actuator means movable between first and second positions for initiating operation of the hazard means when moved from the first to the second position thereof, means for yieldingly urging the actuator means from its first toward its second position, a first means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the closure closes the enclosure, a second means operatively connected to the key operated lock means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the lock means is in its second position, said enclosure having an access opening, with said closure being movable between positions selectively opening and closing said access opening, said lock means, hazard means, and actuator means being disposed within the enclosure, said actuator means being mounted on the closure, and the first means being a stop means carried by the enclosure at a position that is disposed in the travel path of the actuator means when the closure is disposed to close the access opening.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the hazard means is carried by the closure.

6. In apparatus for discouraging unauthorized opening of an enclosure normally closed by a closure therefor, the improvement comprising key operated lock means movable between first and second positions for respectively locking and unlocking the closure against opening of the enclosure, with opening of the enclosure when the lock means is in its first position constituting an unauthorized opening of the enclosure, a normally inoperative hazard means for subjecting a person making an unauthorized opening of the enclosure to a hazard, actuator means movable between first and second positions for initiating operation of the hazard means when moved from the first to the second position thereof, means for yieldingly urging the actuator means from its first toward its second position, a first means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the closure closes the enclosure, a second means operatively connected to the key operated lock means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the lock means is in its second position, said second means comprising a trigger mounted fOr movement between first and second positions respectively in and out of the travel path of the actuator means in the latter''s movement from its first toward its second position, with means drivingly connecting the lock means to the trigger to move the trigger to its first and second positions as the lock means is moved respectively to its second and first positions.

7. In apparatus for discouraging unauthorized opening of an enclosure normally closed by a closure therefor, the improvement comprising key operated lock means movable between first and second positions for respectively locking and unlocking the closure against opening of the enclosure, with opening of the enclosure when the lock means is in its first position constituting an unauthorized opening of the enclosure, a normally inoperative hazard means for subjecting a person making an unauthorized opening of the enclosure to a hazard, actuator means movable between first and second positions for initiating operation of the hazard means when moved from the first to the second position thereof, means for yieldingly urging the actuator means from its first toward its second position, a first means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the closure closes the enclosure, a second means operatively connected to the key operated lock means for preventing movement of the actuator means from its first position toward its second position solely when the lock means is in its second position, said lock means including a rotatable latch member, said second means including a slide mounted for linear sliding movement and having an abutment, a pivotally mounted trigger having an end movable into and out of the travel path of the abutment, and means drivingly connecting the rotatable latch member into and out of the travel path of the abutment respectively as the lock means is respectively moved to its second and first positions.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the hazard means is mounted on the closure and comprises a container of pressurized and expansible material with the container having release means operative when struck to release the pressurized contents of the container, and said actuating means including a striker engageable with the release means when the actuator means moves toward its second position.

11. The combination of claim 10, wherein the hazard means is carried by the enclosure.

13. The combination of claim 12, wherein said common support is the closure.