US3726238A

US3726238A - Security system

Info

Publication number: US3726238A
Application number: US00222212A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Gordon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-01-31
Filing date: 1972-01-31
Publication date: 1973-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-10

Abstract

Security systems for the protection of rooms containing valuables against the exit of unauthorized persons, particularly for cashier''s boxes in banks, strong rooms or similar business premises, including electrodes in a position to come into contact with an intruder and means to secure the intruder to the electrode to thereby prevent escape.

Description

United States Patent Gordon Apr. 10, 1973 SECURITY SYSTEM 2,187,928 1/1940 Bat-croft ..43/59 1 Invenwn Aby Abraham GordomAm Maiafel- 51333232 1511323 31333111: M114 sen 3, 6651 Kirrberg (Saar), Germany Primary ExaminerDennis L. Taylor 22 Filed, 31 1972 AttorneyR0bert C. Hauke et al.

211 Appl.No.: 222,212 57 ABSTRACT Security systems for the protection of rooms contain- 52 us. Cl. ..109/2, 43/59, 109/3 ing valuables against the exit of unauthorized persons, [51] Int. Cl ..E05g 3/00 Particularly for cashiers boxes in banks Strong rooms [58] Field of Search 109/23 35 l 2 or similar business premises, including electrodes in a 43/59 position to come into contact with an intruder and means to secure the intruder to the electrode to thereby prevent escape. [56] References Cited 13 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 897,919 9/1908 Muller ..43/1l4 X Ill/l/l/l/l/l/l/l/l/l/ \=&\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\Y\\\\ PATEHTEU 1 @1373 saw 2 UP 2 Fig. 4

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SECURITY SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are already various security systems known which, in case of bank robbery or burglary, should prevent the person from succeeding in his aim. Such security systems work mostly as alarm systems, giving alarm signals, either automatically or by moving a special switch, putting hidden cameras into operation, or effecting the automatic closing of doors. Further, safety systems can be constructed in such a way'that the installations to be secured are fitted with electrical contacts which produce an electrical shock to at least frighten off a person touching the contacts.

Security systems of this type have a number of disadvantages. When they produce nothing but alarm signals, the person is able to complete his intention or interrupt it and escape so that he must be pursued. When the systems have to effect in addition the automatic closing of doors, then they are only effective when at the same time the windows of such a room can be secured. For this however, costly mechanical devices are necessary to work quickly and efficiently. Further to be effective they must be secure from being put of action from within the area to be secured, as well as from the outside. Such constructions require a good deal of technical effort and can easily be made inoperable. Their construction is usually known and mechanical countermeasures of various kinds can be employed to permit escape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a security system which not only prevents an intruders escape but which also operates to limit his ability to move about. The security system of the present invention is constructed in such a way that electrodes to. be contacted are arranged in the floor of the room, as well as in any area which normally can be reached by hand. In particular, the electrodes are fitted in the floor and are constructed and arranged in such a way that they act, in addition to inducing electric current automatically or by switch action, to produce a physical or chemical action, which results in adhesion of the object onto the electrodes. In other words, an intruder upon coming into contact with an electrode will become adhered to the contact and will be unable to escape.

Thus the present invention provides electrodes which cause in effect, in addition to their normal electrical action, an adhesion of the contacting objects onto the electrodes. The normal reaction of one touching an area under the influence of electrical current is to evade the influence of such areas when their properties have been felt. In order to secure rooms, the deterring effect of the electrodes is however not sufficient; in addition the escape of the person should be prevented. To achieve this, the additional effect realized by the invention will be put into action, resulting in an adhesion to the electrodes. The required physical or chemical reaction upon contacting areas to produce the adhesion can be achieved in different ways, depending on the intended result.

A security system according to the invention can be constructed with the electrodes fitted to the floor. The arrest and holding of a person by his feet to the electrodes mounted in the floor is produced in a manner that he is unable to get away and is under constant influence of an electrical potential. The current generated thereby must be kept at such a level that only the persons mobility will be limited and regulated accordingly.

To produce the additional effect contemplated by the invention, the security system can be constructed in such a way that the contact electrodes fitted in the floor will contain a heating means. The heating means can be arranged for example under the contact electrodes, to effect a transfer of heat to the upper surface of the electrodes. The electrode could consist, for example, of an electrically conducting plate with an arrangement of electrical heating elements underneath, all mounted in a heat conducting material. The heat produced in the heating elements will be transferred through the heat conducting material to the plate. The heating elements can be energized by a strong current in a low voltage circuit, thus achieving a very quick heating of the plate to a temperature which results in melting rubber or any artificial shoe soles and by the melting adherence to the electrodes. It is also possible to construct electrodes in such a way that their surface will contain an adhesive substance which would melt under the influence of the heat. This insures an adhesion to those materials which do not readily melt under the influence of heat.

A direct transfer of the heat to the object resting on the contact electrodes is possible when the heating elements are arranged in cavities formed in the surface of the contact electrodes. This results in a better utilization of the generated heating energy and thus in a quicker heating of the objects in contact with the electrodes.

A security system according to the invention may work also according to another principle, which permits a further improvement of the security effect intended by the electrodes. To achieve this the security system, for example, can be constructed in such a way that the contact electrodes, preferably those arranged in the floor, are connected to means for providing a liquid to the surface of the electrodes increasing the electrical conductivity between the electrodes and the objects in contact with the electrodes. In this way good electrical conductivity is guaranteed even as between the electrodes and shoes with leather soles, which when dry have a poor but in a wet condition however a good electrical conductivity. The increased moisture guarantees a greater security effect for the electrical potential at the electrodes within the limits mentioned previously.

As well as using a liquid for increasing the conductivity of the touching objects, it is possible to convey a liquid adhesive to produce an adhesion between the electrode and the objects in contact with the electrode. To achieve this it is possible to use adhesives which have a quick adhesive effect after being emitted from the electrode, combined with a quick hardening effect. It is an advantage to use such adhesives in combination with a heating effect.

Finally, means may be provided which in combination with the electrodes direct a liquid capable of dissolving objects in contact with the electrodes, especially those made of rubber. In this way various effects can be achieved, such as by the subsequent release of adhesives which would not ordinarily adhere well to rubber and an increase in the current discharged to the object in contact by a reduction in the insulation, i.e. the rubber soles between the electrodes and the object to be retained.

The present invention can take several forms. For example, the electrodes can be fitted with bores connected to reservoirs for the liquid so that the liquid will be discharged to the surface of the contact electrodes. Further, the electrodes can be equipped with cavities connected to the liquid bores. In order to prevent a limitation of the efficiency should an object be standing on an electrode without touching a second one, it is possible to construct a security system according to the invention in such a way that the electrodes fitted to the floor are divided into several single elements which are biased by different potentials to thereby form an electrical circuit within the object standing on one of the electrodes even when the second electrode is not touched.

A special advantage of a security system according to the invention is to be found in the fact that it is possible to limit the voltage so that no detrimental effect on the health of the human body is produced, and in fact even if the electric current may not be working for some reason the system will effectively retain the intruder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will become clearer upon reference to the following description. The description makes reference to the enclosed drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an example of a security system according to the present invention illustrated as installed in a bank;

FIG. 2 is a view as seen substantially from the right side of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a system similar to that shown in FIG. 1 but with an additional feature;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of one preferred electrode of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating another preferred electrode;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 but illustrating still another preferred electrode;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 but illustrating yet another preferred electrode; and

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of another preferred electrode of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIG. 1 a security system according to the present invention is shown for use in a cashiers box. On the cashiers counter an electric contact electrode 1 is fitted, which is arranged within the contact area of the person standing in front of the cashiers box, on an electrically conducting floor electrode 3 embedded in floor 4. Both electrodes 1 and 3 are connectible to a source of electrical current V through a foot switch 2. Instead of a foot switch, other conventional means such as automatic alarms or switch elements may be installed to activate the electrode 1. Electrically conducting wall members 5 can also be provided to outline the area in front of the cashier's window as shown.

In FIG. 3 a bank room is shown in plan view and includes the cashiers box illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this bank room the exit door is secured by contact electrodes. The door can consist of an outer part 8 of insulating material and an inner part 7 of electrically conducting material to form a contact electrode. In the area of the floor in front of the door, a floor electrode 6 is arranged so that the door itself or its contact electrode 7 can be reached only if the person is also standing on the floor electrode 6. The combination of the security device of the cashiers room and the security device of the door, together with the source of potential V, is shown in diagram and includes an electrical connection with the partition walls 5 in such a way that they are biased with the same potential as electrodes 1 and 3. A person standing on the floor electrode 3 experiences an electrical influence even when not touching the cashiers counter, and if he tries to gain support on the partition walls or grilles 5 in order to loosen the shoes adhering to floor electrode 3 he will again suffer an electrical discharge. The partition walls 5 must of course be insulated from the floor electrode 3.

In FIG. 4 an example for construction of a contact electrode is illustrated which may be used as a floor electrode; The plate containing electrode 3 is provided with bores 15 connected to a pipe 9, which is joined to a device feeding a liquid (not shown). This could be a pump for feeding water, an adhesive, a solvent or a similar liquid which will act physically or chemically upon an object resting on the electrode 3. The plate forming electrode 3 is formed of an electrical conductive material.

In FIG. 5 a further example of a contact electrode is shown which is also well suited to act as a floor electrode. Here too, a pipe 9a is connected to bores 15a in a support plate 11 serving to deliver a liquid to the electrode. The electrode itself is formed by rows of electrodes 10 which are set in a non-conductive material forming the carrier plate 11. Between the rows of electrodes cavities 12 are formed registering with bores 15. The liquid fed through the pipe 9a fills the cavities 12 formed between the rows of electrodes 10 in such a way that an object resting on one part of the electrode touches simultaneously one row of electrodes 10 and the liquid contained in the cavities 12. Consequently the object in contact with the electrode will be under a dual effect: (a) it will be affected by the row of the electrodes 10 electrically, (b) by the spaces 12 containing a liquid it will be affected by an adhesive solution or something similar.

FIG. 6 demonstrates a contact electrode furnished with heating elements. A support plate 11b with good heat conductivity is furnished with heating elements 13 embedded not too deeply. In the support plate 11 is an electrode plate 10b, the whole area of which is in contact with the surface of the support plate 11b. The heating elements can be electric elements with high resistance which can be heated by a strong current in a very short time. They are able to direct this heat in a very short time over the heat conductive material of the support plate 11b to the electrode plate 10b. If this electrode should consist of copper, for instance, an excellent use of the transferred heat is assured. Under the heating elements 13 can be layers (not shown) of a heat reflecting material, so that substantially all of the heat generated in the heating elements 13 will be transferred to the electrode plate b.

In FIG. 7 an example of an electrode is disclosed which is also provided with heating elements. The support plate 10, however, is here provided with cavities 12c into which the heating elements 130 are embedded and are cast in a casting material 14. In the example presented, the heating elements 13c are embedded in the casting material 14 in such a way that they are partly exposed, but it is also possible to put them into the casting material 14 so that they are completely covered. Such alterations can be made according to the intended use of the electrode, i.e. when this electrode is not used as a floor plate but as a plate for a table or the like where any direct burns from touching should be avoided.

The examples of electrodes shown in FIGS. 4-7 can also be combined in various ways. It is possible, for instance, to construct an electrode of the type shown in FIGS. 4 or 5 to include heating elements to thereby improve the adhesion of a touching object by melting it and to also produce a heating effect upon the liquid. The heated liquid then will produce further physical or chemical effects to thereby advance the purposes of the present invention. An example of this would be in the case of adhesives hardening under the influence of heat.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a contact electrode consisting of several single elements. Two single elements 3a and 3b are shown. The element 3a is connected to a potential V1 and the element 3b is connected to a potential V2. The potentials V1 and V2 have different values, thus a person standing on one of those electrodes will come under the influence of a current which, for example, may lead from the electrode 3a to the electrode 312. Further, rows 14d are shown which are similar to the areas 14 shown in FIG. 7, into which the heating elements 13 are embedded. The arrangement shown of the areas 14 is only an example and it is possible to utilize other distributions, for example in form of a spiral, chessboard or a circle. Such arrangements could also be used for the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

A security device according to the invention is described above for use in a closed room, i.e. the cashiers box of a bank. The invention can also be utilized in other limited areas. Itis possible for instance to equip the outer area of a storage room or place such as an ammunition dump or any other area not open to the public with a security device according to the invention. It is apparent then that the invention can be used anywhere that it is desired to protect a limited area against the intrusion and escape of unauthorized persons.

It is also apparent that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention as expressed by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A security system for demobilizing an intruder or the like comprising an electrode positioned to be contacted by the intruder, electrical means for producing an electrical current through said electrode and into an object in contact with saidelectrode and means 0 erable in con unction with said electrode to adhesive y attach to said electrode the object in contact with said electrode.

2. A security system as defined in claim 1 and including said electrode being disposed within the floor of an area to be protected and including heating means for heating said electrode upon electrical current being directed through said electrode.

3. The security system as defined in claim 2 and in which said heating means are disposed beneath said electrode to effect a transfer of heat to the surface of said electrode.

4. The security system as defined in claim 2 and including at least one cavity formed in the upper surface of said electrode and said heating means being disposed within said cavity.

5. The security system as defined in claim 1 and including means operable to deliver a liquid to the surface of said electrode to thereby increase the electric conductivity of the areas in contact with said electrode.

6. The security system as defined in claim 5 and in which said liquid is an adhesive and produces an adhesion between the areas of the object and the electrode which are in contact.

7. The security system according to claim 5 and in which the liquid is operable to dissolve material such as rubber in contact with said electrode.

8. The security system asdefined in claim 5 and including a plurality of bores formed in said electrode and means for connecting said bores with said liquid.

9. The security system as defined in claim 5 and in which said electrode has a plurality of cavities formed in the upper surface thereof and including means for connecting said liquid to said cavities.

10. A security system as defined in claim 1 especially for use at cashiers windows and banks and the like and in which said electrode is arranged in the floor in front of said cashiers window and including a second electrode arranged in the counter of said cashiers window.

1 1. The security system as defined in claim 10 and including partition walls formed in front of said cashiers window, said partition walls being constructed of an electrical conductive material and being connected with said electrical means to form a third electrode.

12. The security system as defined in claim 1 and in which said electrode is subdivided into several single elements each connected to a different electrical source to provide a series of different electrical circuits.

13. The security system as defined in claim 6 and including heating means and said adhesive being meltable under the influence of heat.

Claims

1. A security system for demobilizing an intruder or the like comprising an electrode positioned to be contacted by the intruder, electrical means for producing an electrical current through said electrode and into an object in contact with said electrode, and means operable in conjunction with said electrode to adhesively attach to said electrode the object in contact with said electrode.

8. The security system as defined in claim 5 and including a plurality of bores formed in said electrode and means for connecting said bores with said liquid.

10. A security system as defined in claim 1 especially for use at cashier''s windows and banks and the like and in which said electrode is arranged in the floor in front of said cashier''s window and including a second electrode arranged in the counter of said cashier''s window.

11. The security system as defined in claim 10 and including partition walls formed in front of said cashier''s window, said partition walls being constructed of an electrical conductive material and being connected with said electrical means to form a third electrode.