WO2007136244A1

WO2007136244A1 - Device for access control

Info

Publication number: WO2007136244A1
Application number: PCT/NL2006/000265
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edwin De Ruiter; Patrick Frederick Romijn; Petrus Fransiscus Romijn; René VAN DUYVENDIJK
Original assignee: Iq-Pass Participaties B.V.
Priority date: 2006-05-24
Filing date: 2006-05-24
Publication date: 2007-11-29

Abstract

The invention is concerning a device provided with verification means for verifying persons and/or vehicles wishing to gain access by way of the device to an area situated behind the device, such as a site, building or the like. The device being provided with a movable baseplate on which the verification means are fitted. The baseplate is of such a weight that the device can be placed in a stable position on the ground without using fixing means.

Description

DEVICE FOR ACCESS CONTROL

Description

The invention relates to a device provided with verification means for verifying persons and/or vehicles wishing to gain access by way of the device to an area situated behind the device, such as a site, building or the like, the device being provided with a movable baseplate on which the verification means are fitted.

Stationary devices which are provided with verification means, such as those indicated above and such as disclosed in , for example, EP-A-0599291 , are widely used, in particular at public buildings, business premises, sports stadiums and the like.

There are, however, many cases where the installation of such a stationary unit is economically not justified and/or not possible. This can be the case, for example, at sites which are used only a few times a year for events or the like. It can also be desirable, for example in the case of disasters, terrorist threats and the like, to be able to install such a device in a desired place at short notice.

German Offenlegungsschrift 2202746 discloses a device of the abovementioned type which, in so far as can be gathered from this publication, has a relatively light structure. For fixing the device at an intended place, pipes therefore have to be fitted in the ground to receive bolts fixed on the device. A disadvantage of this construction is that pipes have to be fitted in the ground a certain distance apart to receive the bolts, which not only makes the placing of the device time- consuming, but also in general causes undesirable damage to the ground, such as a pavement or the like, damage which will have to be repaired after removal of the device.

. Another disadvantage of this known construction is that the device will not be vandal-proof, since this device will be easily movable by vandals because of its relatively light construction. The object of the invention is to obtain a device of the abovementioned type which does not have the disadvantages associated with the known device. This object can be achieved according to the invention in that the baseplate of the device is of such a weight that the device can be placed in a stable position on the ground without using fixing means.

In the device according to the invention the baseplate can be in the form of, for example, a concrete slab or a solid steel plate, in order to give the baseplate a great weight, so that a stable position of the device is ensured, while, on the other hand, the weight of the device will be distributed by the baseplate over a relatively large surface, so that even in cases where the ground is not very firm the device will not sink. Owing to the great weight of the device, in practice it will be movable only by mechanical means, so that undesirable movements of the device by vandals or the like will be practically out of the question.

The verification means can be in different forms, depending on the envisaged purpose. For instance, the verification means can be provided with a turnstile placed in a passage, so that persons can be admitted one by one.

Another possibility for admitting persons one by one by means of the device according to the invention is obtained if the device is provided with at least one swing door, which can swing between a position which closes off a passage and a position which clears a passage.

If the device has to be designed in such a manner that vehicles can also be^' admitted, the device can be provided with a barrier.

Another possibility is to provide the device with a detection gate for detecting metal objects or the like. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a number of possible embodiments of the construction according to the invention shown schematically in the appended figures.

Figure 1 shows in perspective view a baseplate to be used with the device according to the invention. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the device which is provided with swing doors.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention which is provided with a turnstile. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention which is provided with a barrier.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention which is provided with a detection gate. Figures 6 and 7 show combinations of devices according to the invention.

Figure 8 shows in perspective view an embodiment in which the floor plate forms part of a container.

Figures 9 - 11 show in top view various arrangements of verification means in a container or the like.

In the illustrated embodiments of the device according to the invention use is made of a rectangular baseplate 1 shown in figure 1 , which can be made, for example, of concrete, steel or similar material. This ensures that the baseplate with any parts that may be connected to it will have a sufficiently high weight for the installed device to assume a stable position during use. Owing to the fact that the baseplate will have a relatively large surface, even when the ground is relatively soft the device will still not sink.

As indicated in figure 1 , openings 2 can be provided near the corner points of the baseplate, for hitching hoisting machinery or the like. Furthermore, the baseplate will be provided with fixing points 3 for fixing the other parts of the device according to the invention to be described in more detail below.

Although not shown in the figures, openings can also be provided in the baseplate 1 , into which openings the fork legs of a forklift truck can be inserted, so that the device can also be moved by means of a forklift truck. As shown in figure 2, the device can be provided with two housings

4 and 5 fixed on the baseplate. Doors 6 and 7 respectively, which swing about vertical axes, are connected on the sides of the housings 4 and 5 facing each other. From the position shown in figure 2, in which the doors 6, 7 close off the passage between the housings 4 and 5, the doors can be swung through approximately 9Oo in order to clear the passage between the housings 4 and 5. One of the housings can be provided with, for example, a pay machine 8, so that the passage between the housings 4 and 5 is cleared for admission of, for example, a single person only after payment of a certain sum. Another possibility is for the device 8 to be also configured for recognizing identity cards, so that only persons furnished with a correct identity card will be admitted. An embodiment in which the device shown in figure 2 can be operated manually for opening and closing the doors will also be conceivable. As is also shown in figure 2, connecting elements 9 can be fitted on one or more of sides of the housings 4 and/or 5, by means of which connecting elements gates or the like abutting against the device can be connected to the device, for example for closing off a site which must be accessible only by way of the device shown in figure 2, and/or for bounding an access path to the device. As shown in figure 3, a turnstile 10, which is known per se, as disclosed in, for example, Dutch Patent Application 8802572, can be fitted on the baseplate 1. Since such turnstiles are generally known, any further explanation of the construction of such a turnstile will not be necessary. This device too can be equipped with means which permit the passage of a person only after a certain sum has been paid and/or after an identification means has been shown.

Furthermore, this device also can be provided with means for connecting gates or similar closing devices on one side or both sides. This also applies to the embodiments of the device according to the invention yet to be described in more detail below. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention in which two housings 11 and 12 are fixed on the baseplate 1. The housing 11 supports a barrier 13, which can be swung up from the horizontal position closing off a passage shown in figure 4, so as to clear the passage, for example for allowing through a vehicle. The housing 12 is again provided with a pay machine 14 and/or a device for checking access cards, identity cards and the like, the above in such a way that the barrier 13 will be swung up only on payment or showing of an admission card and/or identity card. Of course, here again manual operation by a gatekeeper or the like is possible. Figure 5 shows an embodiment in which a detection gate 15, which is known per se, is placed on the baseplate 1, by means of which detection gate it can, for example, be established whether or not the persons passing through the gate have metal objects or the like on them. Such a detection gate can be installed in a simple manner, for example at schools where it is necessary to check pupils for the possession of weapons and the like.

The devices described above can in many cases also expediently be used in combination with each other. For instance, figure 6 shows two of the devices shown in figure 2, between which the device 15 shown in figure 5 is placed. With such an arrangement, persons passing through can be checked by means of the two devices shown in figure 2 to establish whether or not they are entitled to admission, while said persons are also checked for the possession of metal objects or the like. Figure 7 shows such an embodiment, in which a separate baseplate

1 is placed between two devices, making it possible to create more space between two successive devices according to the invention while maintaining a flat floor over which the persons can move.

The device according to the invention can be used for many purposes. As already stated, the device can be used for closing off sites being used for events. The device can also be used for toilet facilities provided at such events, in order to make visitors to the toilet facilities pay before they are given access to the toilet facilities. The device can also be used, for example, for closing off entrances to buildings, access roads and the like in cases of disasters and/or terrorist threats. Another possibility, for example, is to set up the device, temporarily or otherwise, to prevent short cuts, where through traffic is making use of roads not intended for through traffic.

Of course, the use of the device is not limited to the examples specified above, but many other applications will emerge in practice. For instance, it is possible to fit upwardly extending walls at desired points along the longitudinal edges and/or the transverse edges of the baseplate and possibly also to fit a roof construction situated at a distance above the baseplate and supported by the walls and/or by columns fitted on the baseplate, so that the verification means are disposed in a more or less screened-off room which can be moved as a whole.

For instance, figure 8 shows such a room, the layout of which substantially corresponds to that of a conventional container 16 used for the transport of goods and the like. Plates 18 are connected to the longitudinal edges of the baseplate 1 forming the bottom of the container 16 by means of hinge pins 17 extending parallel to said longitudinal edges. In the position shown in figure 8 said plates 18 are shown in a swung-down position, in which the plates 18 form footways by means of which persons can enter the interior of the container 16 and or leave said interior.

From the position shown in figure 8 the plates 18 can be swung up about the hinge pins 17 and by means of locking means (not shown in any more detail) can be fixed in a swung-up position in order to close the long side of the container 16 concerned. The verification means described above with reference to figures 1

- 7, inter alia, can now be disposed inside the container, a number of possibilities for such configurations being shown schematically in figures 9, 10 and 11.

For instance, figure 9 shows a configuration in which the interior of the container can be entered through, for example, turnstiles 10 of the embodiment described above with reference to figure 3. Turnstiles 10' are disposed in a similar manner on the opposite long side of the container 16, the "exit side". A person entering the container 16 through a turnstile 10 can leave said container 16 again through a turnstile 10' on the opposite side. Further verification means can be disposed between the two turnstiles 10 and 10', for example a face recognition device. If it is established by this verification means that the person concerned is not authorised to enter the area behind the container 16, means not shown in any further detail can be put into operation to block turning of the turnstiles and alert service personnel if necessary. The person concerned can be taken away through doors 19 or 20 fitted on the short sides of the container. If partition devices are not provided between the turnstiles 10,10' disposed along the two sides of the container, when an unauthorised person is detected all turnstiles 10, 10' will be blocked until the unauthorised person has been removed. If, however, as shown by dotted lines in figure 9, partition walls are provided between the turnstiles of closable doors 21 , only the turnstiles 10,10' between which the unauthorised person is located will need to be locked to prevent turning, while the passage of persons through the other turnstiles 10,10' remains possible. In the embodiment shown in figure 9 five turnstiles 10,10' are disposed side by side both on the access side and on the exit side. It will, however, be apparent that any other desired number of turnstiles, beginning with one turnstile on each side, can be used. Figure 10 shows an embodiment in which detection gates 15 of the embodiment described above with reference to figure 5 are fitted between the turnstiles 10,10' disposed on the long sides of the container 16. By using this combination, persons carrying metal objects, for example, can be detected and removed as unauthorised persons in the manner described above. Figure 11 shows an embodiment in which verification means of the embodiment described above with reference to figure 2 are disposed along the two opposite long sides of the container 16. In this embodiment also, further verification means, such as, for example, the detection gates, face recognition devices or the like described above, can be fitted between the verification means fitted on the two opposite sides.

It will be apparent that the embodiments of verification means described above can be combined with each other in many different ways in order to achieve the optimum embodiment for each application to prevent an undesired admission of unauthorised persons or the like. It will also be apparent that an exhaustive list of applicable verification means is not given above. It will also be possible, if desired, to use, for example, iris distinguishing verification means and/or fingerprint distinguishing verification means.

Claims

1. A device provided with verification means for verifying persons and/or vehicles wishing to gain access by way of the device to an area situated behind the device, such as a site, building or the like, the device being provided with a movable baseplate on which the verification means are fitted, characterised in that the baseplate of the device is of such a weight that the device can be placed in a stable position on the ground without using fixing means.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the device is provided with a turnstile disposed in a passage.

3. A device according to claim 1 , characterised in that the device is provided with a barrier.

4. A device according to claim 1 , characterised in that the device is provided with at least one swing door, which can swing between a position which closes off a passage and a position which clears a passage.

5. A device according to claim 1 , characterised in that the device is provided with a detection gate for detecting metal objects.

6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device is provided with means for connecting further closing devices, such as gates or the like, to the device.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the baseplate is provided with means with which the baseplate can be connected to a hoisting device.

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that openings are provided in the baseplate, for receiving the teeth of a fork lift truck.

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that two verification means are disposed one behind the other in the envisaged direction of movement, and means are fitted for blocking the verification means if it is established that an unauthorised person or the like is located between the two verification means.

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device is provided with upwardly extending walls placed on the baseplate and/or with a roof construction situated at some distance above the baseplate for at least partially screening off the area in which the verification means are disposed.

11. A device according to claim 10, characterised in that a wall at least partially closing off an area is hinged to the baseplate so that it swings between a position forming an access path to the floor plate and a position at least partially closing off the area.

12. A device according to any one of claims 9 - 11 , characterised in that the device is provided with a plurality of opposite pairs of verification means, while partition walls having doors are fitted between adjacent pairs.

13. A device according to any one of the preceding claims 9 - 12, characterised in that an area situated between verification means situated opposite each other is accessible through a door, which is fitted in an upright wall at least partially closing off said area.

14. A combination of two or more devices according to any one of the preceding claims, which are disposed in such a way that the combined devices must all be passed through in order to gain access to the area behind the devices.

15. A combination according to claim 9, characterised in that a baseplate without verification means is placed between two devices provided with verification means.