WO2003074325A1

WO2003074325A1 - Method of and apparatus for transporting valuables

Info

Publication number: WO2003074325A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2003/000033
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerhard Zimmer
Original assignee: Gerhard Zimmer
Priority date: 2002-03-01
Filing date: 2003-02-27
Publication date: 2003-09-12
Also published as: AU2003215050A1

Abstract

A vehicle which includes structure forming a plurality of secure compartments on or in the vehicle, with each compartment being adapted to receive at least one strong box.

Description

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING VALUABLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the transporting of valuables.

As used herein the word "valuables" includes cash, cheques, security documents, share certificates, jewellery, items of value and the like. The expression "valuables" is to be interpreted in a broad sense.

Cash in transit heists have, unfortunately, become a common occurrence in many countries. Typically an armoured or security vehicle which carries a number of cash containers is hijacked or rammed and access to the containers is obtained by means of crowbars, angle grinders or the like which are used to prise or cut open a wall or doors of the vehicle which carries the valuable material. If security personnel in the vehicle have keys or access codes to enable the holding area to be opened then such personnel may be forced, at gun or knife point, to hand over the keys or disclose the access codes to a robber.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention provides, in the first instance, a method of transporting valuables which includes the steps of placing the valuables in at least one strong box and securing each strong box to a vehicle.

The strong box may be secured to the vehicle in any appropriate way. For example use may be made of one or more fasteners such as locks, clamps or the like, to fix the strong box in position for example at a designated location. Alternatively each strong box may be secured inside a secure compartment in the vehicle. The strong box may be loaded into the compartment and, in the process, the strong box may thereby be secured inside the compartment.

The vehicle may include a plurality of secure compartments and at least one strong box may be loaded into a respective compartment. Two or more strong boxes may be loaded into a single compartment.

In order to load a strong box into a compartment the method may include the step of causing the strong box to be moved past control means which allows movement of the strong box in a first direction into a respective compartment but which prevents movement of the strong box in an opposing direction. Thus the method may allow for a strong box to be inserted into a compartment through a first opening and allow for the strong box to be removed from the compartment only through a second opening.

The invention provides, in the second instance, a housing for transporting at least one strong box, the housing including structure defining a compartment, at least a first door to the compartment, and control means inside the compartment, whereby a strong box can be inserted through the first door into the compartment and the control means prevents the strong box from being withdrawn from the compartment through the first door unless the control means is deactivated.

The housing may include a second door which opposes the first door and the control means may only allow one-way movement of the strong box from the first door towards the second door so that the strong box can only be withdrawn from the compartment through the second door. The invention further extends to a vehiςle which includes structure forming a plurality of secure compartments on or in the vehicle, with each compartment being adapted to receive at least one strong box.

Each compartment may be designed to receive two or more strong boxes depending on the sizes of the compartment and the strong boxes.

Preferably each compartment includes a first door through which a strong box can be inserted into the compartment and control means which prevents a strong box from being withdrawn from the compartment through the first door.

The control means may take on any suitable form and, for example, may include a spring-operated stop component or the like. In one form of the invention the control means includes a solenoid-operated device which, when in a first mode, allows the strong box to be moved into the compartment and which, when in a second mode, prevents the strong box from being moved out of the compartment.

Each compartment may include a respective second door through which a strong box in the compartment can be withdrawn.

Preferably each compartment is defined by apparatus of the type referred to hereinbefore.

Each first door may be operable by an operator, e.g. a security officer, associated with the vehicle but each second door is preferably only operable using a code or similar controlled access key which may be transmitted, upon request, from a remote location to the vehicle eg by means of a radio signal or satellite link. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of an armoured or security vehicle used for transporting valuables in accordance with the method of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of apparatus for transporting a strong box, suitable for use in the vehicle of Figure 1 , in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 3 illustrates from the side a variation of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates an armoured or security vehicle 10 which is substantially of conventional construction except as is described hereinafter.

The vehicle includes a cab section 12 and a load area 14. Inter alia the cab section includes a radio transmitter/receiver 16 which is able to transmit and receive radio signals via a roof mounted antenna 18.

The load area 14 does not, as is the case with prior art vehicles known to the applicant, comprise a single enclosure accessible through one or more large doors. Instead the load area is formed with a plurality of compartments 20A, 20B ... 20N each of which defines a distinct enclosure separate from the enclosures formed by the other compartments.

Figure 2 illustrates apparatus 22 used to form and define a compartment 20 of the type shown in Figure 1. The apparatus includes a stout steel frame 24 of elongate rectangular shape which is externally covered with high quality steel sheeting 26. At one small end of the frame an inlet opening 28 is defined. This opening can be closed by means of a security door 30 which is attached by means of suitable high quality hinges to the frame. A good quality lock 32 is attached to the door. The lock when operated, causes movement of a plurality of bolts 34 which are used to secure the door to the frame in an effective tamper-resistant manner.

An outlet opening 36 is formed at an opposing end of the frame. This end is closable by means of a good quality door 38 which is similar in all material respects to the door 30.

The frame defines a base 42. A number of spring loaded flaps 44 are provided at regular intervals along the length of the base. In the illustrated example there are three flaps but it is to be understood that the number of flaps and their spacing may be varied according to requirement. Each flap is made from a stout metal member and is attached to the base 42 by means of a good quality hinge 46. One or more springs 48 act between the base and the flap and tend to bias each flap upwardly, in a clockwise direction, as is indicated by means of a curved arrow 50.

Figure 2 illustrates, in outline only, three strong boxes 54, 56 and 58 respectively positioned inside the frame. In this instance the frame is designed to take three strong boxes and hence there are three spring loaded flaps positioned at regular spaced intervals on the base 42. The number of flaps varies in accordance with the number of strong boxes mounted inside the frame.

Each compartment 20, shown in Figure 1 , is defined by corresponding apparatus 22 of the type shown in Figure 2. Although the frames can be orientated, relatively to one another and to the vehicle 10, in any desired arrangement, in the Figure 1 example the frames 24 are positioned, side-by-side in a first, intermediate layer of three frames, a second overlying layer of three frames, and a lower layer of two frames. Each frame extends from one lateral side of the vehicle to an opposing side.

In use the vehicle 10 is used for transporting valuables, whether in the form of cash, cheques, or any other nature. As is customary the vehicle 10 will travel from pick-up point to pick-up point and, at each destination, security personnel will load one or more strong boxes into the vehicle. To do this a door 30 at an inlet end 28 of a compartment 20 is opened and a corresponding strong box 54 is slid into the compartment in the direction of an arrow 60 as is shown in Figure 2. As the strong box slides into the compartment it rests on the base 42 and it rides over one or more of the spring loaded flaps 44. Each flap can be pushed downwardly against the biasing action of the springs 48 simply by the weight of the strong box. If an attempt is made to withdraw a strong box through the inlet 28 this is not possible for the smooth passage of the box towards the inlet is impeded by at least one flap which is immediately moved upwards by the respective springs once the strong box has passed over the flap.

Depending on the arrangement, in this example, up to three strong boxes can be loaded into a compartment. Alternatively a compartment can be loaded with a strong box which contains valuables and identical looking strong boxes which are filled with items of no commercial value and which therefore act simply as decoys.

The door 30 can be opened by an authorised security officer with a suitable key or by using an access code which releases the lock 32. However as has been pointed out it is only possible to insert a strong box into the compartment via the inlet 28 and even if the door 30 is open a -strong box cannot readily be removed from the compartment through the inlet 28.

Consequently, at each destination, one or more strong boxes are collected and placed into various compartments 20.

At an off-loading point each compartment is emptied by opening the corresponding door 38. When this door is open strong boxes in the respective compartment can be withdrawn sliding, where applicable, over the various spring loaded flaps 44. The design of the door 38 is such however that it is not possible to open the door without making use of a secret code. This code can only be obtained, at the time of opening, from a control location. The code is transmitted to personnel in the cab 10, via the radio 16, and once received is used to release the lock of the door 38.

If a vehicle of the kind shown in Figure 1 is attacked in a robbery, then it may well be possible for a robber to open one of the compartments and extricate one or more of the strong boxes in that compartment. However the robber does not gain access to all of the strong boxes simply by opening one compartment. Each compartment must be opened in order to obtain the strong boxes in that compartment. The doors 30, as has been noted, are good quality security doors but normally the personnel in the vehicle 10 carry keys which enable these doors to be opened. Thus a robber will be able to open the doors 30 once the robber has the keys. It is however extremely difficult to withdraw a strong box through the inlet 28, particularly in a short time interval. Each door 38, on the other hand, is a high security door which can only be opened if a code is transmitted from a control point. Each door requires a different code. If personnel at the control point refuse to transmit a code then it is practically impossible to open the particular door. A further factor which can help to frustrate a robber lies in the possibility of loading dummy strong boxes into one or more of the compartments. Unless the robber is acting with the benefit of inside information there is no way of knowing which compartments must be attacked to obtain those strong boxes which carry valuables.

Clearly a significant feature of the security lies in the quality of the construction of each apparatus 22. A further factor is the way in which each frame is attached to the vehicle. Use can however be made of known techniques to obtain maximum deterrent value in this regard.

The spring-loaded flaps can be replaced or supplemented by solenoids 70 as shown in Figure 3 which depicts the modified apparatus 22 from the side and in cross section. For example each flap can be replaced by two or more in-line solenoids which actuate plungers 72. When the plungers extend upwards from the box 42 it is not possible to place a strong box into a compartment, nor is it possible to remove a strong box from the compartment. These actions are only possible when the plungers are retracted by the solenoids.

It is also possible, as is indicated by dotted lines 44, see Figure 3, to let the plungers act against the flaps 44, which can still be spring loaded. If the solenoids are controlled by means of codes which are transmitted from a remote location then personnel at the remote location can control the position of, and identify, each strongbox in a security vehicle of known configuration. It then becomes extremely difficult for a strongbox to be moved without prior authorization from a control centre.

Although the security vehicle of the invention does not, in itself, eliminate the possibility of a robbery taking place it does, at least to a significant extent, reduce the likelihood that all of the contents' of the vehicle can be stolen, at once, in a short space of time.

The use of secure compartments, each of which receives one or more strong boxes, as described, is a preferred method of implementing the invention. In an alternative technique, which is also intended to fall within the scope of the invention, each strong box is loaded into the vehicle, for example through a rear door, and is then directly secured to the vehicle. The vehicle, inside the load area, may for example include a number of designated areas which may be defined, for example, at different respective locations on a supporting frame or other structure, and each designated area is designed to receive a strong box. Each designated area has a clamp or other fixing structure and when the strong box is loaded onto the area the clamp is operated to secure the strong box physically in position to the structure. Each clamp has a lock which can only be released using an access code from a remote point. In this respect the locking action of the clamp is similar to the locking action associated with the door 38, as is described hereinbefore.

Claims

1. A method of transporting valuables which includes the steps of placing the valuables in at least one strong box and securing each strong box to a vehicle.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein each strong box is secured inside a secure compartment in the vehicle.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the vehicle includes a plurality of secure compartments and at least one strong box is loaded into a respective compartment.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 which includes the step of causing the strong box to be moved past control means which allows movement of the strong box in a first direction into a respective compartment but which prevents movement of the strong box in an opposing direction.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein a strong box is insertable into a compartment through a first opening and can only be removed from the compartment through a second opening.

6. A housing for transporting at least one strong box, the housing including structure defining a compartment, at least a first door to the compartment, and control means inside the compartment, whereby a strong box can be inserted through the first door into the compartment and the control means prevents the strong box from being withdrawn from the compartment through the first door unless the control means is deactivated.

7. A housing according to claim 6 which includes a second door which opposes the first door and the control means allows one-way movement of the strong box from the first door towards the second door so that the strong box can be withdrawn from the compartment only through the second door.

8. A vehicle which includes structure forming a plurality of secure compartments on or in the vehicle, with each compartment being adapted to receive at least one strong box.

9. A vehicle according to claim 8 wherein each compartment includes a first door through which a strong box can be inserted into the compartment and control means which prevents a strong box from being withdrawn from the compartment through the first door.

10. A vehicle according to claim 9 wherein the control means is selected from a spring-operated stop component and a solenoid operated device.

11. A vehicle according to claim 8, 9 or 10 wherein each compartment includes a respective second door through which a strong box in the compartment can

be withdrawn.