GB1587410A - Security devices - Google Patents

Description

-(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SECURITY DEVICES (71) I, JAMES DOUGAL, of 14 Rectory Gardens, Doncaster DUN 1 2JU, Yorkshire, of British nationality, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to a barrier having an opening, and a device received in the opening for the transfer of an article from one side of the barrier to the other.

Banks and Post Offices for example usually have a security barrier for separating an area occupied by staff from an area accessible to the public. The security barrier will normally comprise a counter providing a flat top or work surface divided by a screen of plate glass or armoured glass or of panels of such glass in a suitable frame.

To permit verbal communication between persons on opposite sides of the barrier.

such communication devices as are described and claimed in Patent 1 413 284 can be incorporated in the screen. It is also necessary to convey articles, including money and other articles of value, across the screen; but it is desirable to prevent or at least severely restrict physical access across the screen so that a thief on the public side of the barrier is effectively precluded from threatening physical violence to a staff member on the other side. It is also desirable that once the transfer of articles to the staff side from the public side has begun, it cannot be reversed without action to permit this being taken on the staff side.

The invention accordingly provides a security barrier having an opening, and a device received in the opening for the transfer of an article from one side of the barrier to the other, the device comprising a support for an article to be transported, guide means for guiding the support for substantially linear movement between a first position and a second position, and shielding means preventing access through the barrier by way of the support in all positions thereof but so arranged that in the first position an article can be placed on and removed from the support on one side only of the barrier and in the second position an article can be placed on and removed from the support on at least the other side of the barrier.

The invention is further explained below by way of illustration with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a pers'pecfi've' view of a first security transfer device embodying the invention, shown in place in a security barrier; Figures 2 and 3 are like views of a second and third security transfer device embodying the invention respectively; Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional side view of the device of figure 3; Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a further device embodying the invention; Figure 6 is a fragmentary side view of a mechanism which can be included in any of the devices illustrated in figures 1 to 5; and Figures 7 and 8 are fragmentary plan views of the mechanism of figure 6, on the line VIIVII thereof, in respective different positions.

The security device 1 of the invention illustrated in figure 1 comprises a container 2 for one or more articles, particularly money or other articles of value, in the form of an open topped box of rectangular or other suitable shape.

The side and end walls of the container 2 advantageously slope inwardly toward the floor as shown to facilitate removal of coin or other small articles, but the container could instead be provided with a curved interior surface for the same purpose.

The container 2 is mounted on a counter top 4 of a security barrier including a screen 5 wholly or partly of transparent panels and apertured to allow the container to move between first and second end positions in which access to its interior is available only on the staff side 6 and the public side 8 of the security barrier respectively. The container 2 is guided for movement between these two end positions by sliding movement by slideways 12 as shown or by rolling mQve- ment on wheels or rollers supported by co operating rails or tracks. The end positions of the container are defined by end stops (not shown).

In a first end position of the container, towards the left of figure 1, its interior is inaccessible from the public side 8 of the barrier, and communication through the interior between the two sides of the barrier is rendered impossible because one end wall 10 of the container will be aligned with, or sufficiently close to the screen 5 to make this effectively continuous. Similarly in the second end position to the right of figure 1, the opposite end wall 9 of the container will be at least approximately in alignment with the screen. Between the end positions however, there is the possibility of acces from one side of the screen to the other through the container.To prevent use of this by a would-be-thief for physically threatening a staff member on the staff side of the barrier, a fixed horizontal shelf 11 which can be of bullett-proof glass, so as to be transparent as shown, or of plastics material, or metal, is positioned to overlie the container 2, so limiting the area of the container interior to which access may be had. The shield 11 can be suspended from the lower edge of the screen 5 at the aperture through which the container moves, but preferably it is supported on side walls 14 between which the container 2 moves.

The end walls 9, 10 of the container 2 make a close sliding fit with the undersurface of the shield 11, so the interior of the container 2 remains inaccessible on the public side 8 of the barrier until the end wall 10 emerges from under the edge of the shield on that side.

The second illustrated embodiment of the invention, shown in figure 2, resembles that of figure 1 in all respects except that the shield 11 is omitted and the container 2 is replaced by container 22 provided with a lid 24 secured by a hinge 25 along the top of the end wall 29. The lid 24, which again may but need not be of transparent material, fits within the side and end walls of the container to make a close fit with the lower edge of the screen 5 at the aperture through which the container moves. A projecting handle cannot be employed so a small finger recess 26 is formed in the lid 24 to permit it to be opened.

The lid 24 must of course be closed to allow the container 22 to move through the screen 5 and can be opened only at the end positions. The lid need not be hinged at an end wall and need not be single. Thus a lid can be hinged on a side wall or a lid of half the area can be hinged on each side wall.

In the third embodiment shown in figures 3 and 4, a container 30 is slidable on tracks 12 between end positions as before into a frame on the staff side 6 of the barrier comprising side walls 31, and an end wall 32 together with a lid 33. Although shown as hinged at 34 along the lower edge of the screen 5 at the aperture, the lid could instead be hinged on one of the side walls 31. As long as the lid 33 is closed on the walls 31, 32 the barrier is effectively complete but when the lid is open to allow access to the container on the staff side, the container could be partially returned to provide a breach in the barrier through its interior. To prevent this, a first latch (not shown) is provided which prevents return of the container until released from the staff side, such release not being effected until the lid 33 is closed.As shown in figure 4, the lid 33 is arranged to be latched by a second latch, automatically on closure, by engagement of a first projection 36 of latch member 38 in a hasp 40 fixedly depending from the lid. The projection 36 is shaped to allow the latch member 38 to be pushed by the hasp into a recess in the end wall 32 against a spring 41 as the lid is lowered. The latch member 38 can also be so moved by the container 30 when in its end position on the staff side of the barrier, by engagement between an abutment 42 carried by the container and a second projection 44 of the latch member.

In use, starting with the container 30 on the public side 8, the lid 33 will be held latched by engagement of the upper latch projection 36 in the aperture in the hasp 40.

Movement of the container to its end position on the staff side by a user on the public side will cause the abutment 42 of the then leading wall of the container to engage the lower projection 44, causing movement of the latch member 38 to release the lid. The lid can then be opened allowing access to the container interior on the staff side 6. No access through the barrier is possible because the container rear wall closes the aperture through which the container slides and the container cannot be pulled back from the public side because of the first latch, which can be released only on the staff side.

After p]acing in the container whatever has to be transferred to the public side, the employee using the device on the staff side closes the lid 33 before he releases the first latch to permit the container to be withdrawn. To permit the lid 33 to be latched by the second latch with the container still on the staff side, the container must be slightly withdrawn from the extreme end position in which the latch member is recessed into the wall 32. The spring 41 then urges the latch member 38 forward to the latching position shown in figure 4.

In a further embodiment of the invention shown in figure 5 there is again provided a container (not shown) slidable- between end positions through an aperture in, a screen, which together with a counter, forms a security barrier. There is also provided a frame 50 extending from the aperture in the screen on the public side 8 of the barrier.

The frame includes spaced parallel side walls between which the container runs, and a fixed top 52 spanning across the side walls over the container, and making a close fit with the container walls. The top 52 extends from the screen to a position short of the free ends of the side walls 51, and at this position a hinge 54 connects the top to a door 55. The door can pivot on the hinge 54 between a closed and an open position, an intermediate position being shown. The door 55- has a first panel portion 56 and an end panel portion 58 extending in a plane at right angles to that of the panel portion 56. In the closed position of the door 55, the portion 56 completes the top 52 and the portion 58 fills the gap between the ends of the side walls 51. The door 55 when closed thus completely prevents access through the aperture in the screen.When open, with the portion 56 extending substantially vertically, access is available to the interior of the container in its end position on the public side 8 of the barrier.

The door 55 is in this device under the direct control of a staff member on the staff side of the barrier, by means of a linkage 59 which can be pushed to open the door and pulled to close it, so that no access to the container interior, or through the screen, can be had from the public side without positive action by the staff member.

The invention also provides means whereby movement of a slidable container of the kind described above, from one end position to the other, cannot be reversed until this is completed, and/or until someone on the staff side of the security barrier takes action to permit this. This mechanism can be associated with a security transfer device of any of the kinds previously described, but its application is not so limited. For purposes of illustration, the 'mechanism is regarded as being associated with the container 2 of figure 1.

As shown in figures 6, 7 and 8, the container 2 is provided on one of-its side walls 60, at the end of the container on the staff side 6 of the barrier, with a pawl 61 depending from a horizontal laterally extending pivot pin 62, and engageable with a rack or ratchet bar 64 fixed in or on the counter top and extending alongside the container away from the screen on the staff side. The teeth 65 of the ratchet bar have relatively gently sloping sides 66.to be engaged~livy the.

pawl 61 during movement of the container towards its end position on the staff side these sloping sides being joined by very steep or substantially vertical sides. During movement to this end position, a moveable stop 68 'prevents pivoting of the pawl except to allow it to ride up the sloping sides 66 of the ratchet teeth 65. After riding up each sloping side, the pawl then falls to a generally vertical position against the stop 68, so that movement of the container in the opposite direction is prevented by jamming of the pawl between the steeper side of the last traversed ratchet tooth 65 and the stop.

The arrangement so far described therefore permits movement of the container 2 only towards its first end position, precluding return movement. To permit return movement, the stop 68 is constituted as part of a stop member 69 received in an aperture in the side wall 60 of the container and mounted for limited pivotation about a vertical axis, so that it can be withdrawn from the operative position just described.

The pivotation of the stop member to this withdrawn or inoperative position can be effected manually by a staff member on the staff side of the security barrier. The stop 68 must of course be rendered operative again when the container has reached its end position on the public side, so that its subsequent travel to the first end position cannot be reversed. This movement of the stop member 69 can again be done manually, but is preferably effected automatically when the second end position is reached. The stop member 69 is thus provided with a second arm 70 which engages a cam 71 fixed on or adjacent the screen 5 when the second end position of the container 2 is reached, the cam being arranged to cause the stop member to pivot into the position into which the stop 68 is again operative.Since the entire mechanism is located on the staff side 6 of the barrier, there can be no possibility of interference with it by someone on the public side.

If desired, the rack and pawl mechanism can be screened so that access to the stop member cannot be obtained until the container has reached its first end position, to ensure that its movement in this direction is completed.

It will be evident that the mechanism described and illustrated is only one of many which could be employed for the purpose.

The container may for example be arranged to run on wheels, one of which is a pinion engaging with a fixed guide rack or rail, a pawl and ratchet mechanism being associated with this pinion, so that the same effect as . of the mechanism described is obtained. Although the device particularly described is arranged to be operated manu ,ally t- 'will be evident that h the container can be moved between ,its end positions under power as by an electric motor, or compressed air.

Although the security device of the invention has been shown throughout as being placed on the top of the counter, it can if preferred be partly or completely recessed into the counter. Certain features can be interchanged between the embodiments illustrated, for example the walls 14 of figure 1 can be provided also in the embodiments of figures 3 and 4 and figure 5. It will therefore be evident that the invention can be embodied in a variety of ways other than as specifically described, without departure from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

WHAT I CLAIM IS:- 1. A security barrier having an opening, and a device received in the opening for the transfer of an article from one side of the barrier to the other, the device comprising a support for an article to be transported, guide means for guiding the support for substantially linear movement between a first position and a second position, and shielding means preventing access through the barrier by way of the support in all positions thereof but so arranged that in the first position an article can be placed on and removed from the support on one side only of the barrier and in the second position an article can be placed on and removed from the support on at least the other side of the barrier.

2. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1 in which the support comprises an open topped container and the shielding means overlies the path of the container so as to permit access to the container interior in the first position from the one side of the barrier only and in the second position from the other side of the barrier only.

3. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1 in which the support comprises container and door means movable between open and closed positions respectively permitting and preventing access to the container interior, the shielding means co-operating with the door means to prevent movement of the container between the first and second positions thereof unless the door means is in the closed position.

4. A security barrier as claimed in claim 3 in which the container is an open topped container having a hinged lid constituting the door means.

5. A security barrier as claimed in claim 4 in which the container is rectangular and the lid is hinged along a side thereof extending in the direction of movement of the container.

6. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1 in which the support in the second position thereof is received in a frame having door means at least the opening of which is controlled on the one side of the barrier only.

7. A security barrier as claimed in claim 6 in which the opening and closing of the door means is effected by a linkage operable only on the one side of the barrier.

8. A security barrier as claimed in claim 6 in which the door means is arranged to be latched on closure thereof, the door means being released by movement of the support to the second position.

9. A security barrier as claimed in any preceding claim having a device preventing return movement of the support once movement thereof to at least one of the first and second positions has begun, or has gone beyond a predetermined position, until the said at least one position has been reached, or until an operation allowing such return movement is performed from the other side of the barrier.

10. A security barrier as claimed in claim 9 in which the device comprises a pawl and ratchet mechanism.

11. A security barrier as claimed in claim 10 having a stop selectively movable between operative and inoperative positions in which the pawl is respectively operative to prevent the return movement of the support and inoperative to prevent movement of the support in either direction.

12. A security barrier as claimed in claim il having means for rendering the stop operative on completion of a return movement of the support.

13. A security barrier incorporating a device for the transfer of an article from one side of the barrier to the other substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1, Figure 2, Figures 3 and 4 or Figure 5, or Figure 1, Figure 2, Figures 3 and 4 or Figure 5 each as modified by inclusion of the mechanism of figures 6, 7 and 8.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (13)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. placed on the top of the counter, it can if preferred be partly or completely recessed into the counter. Certain features can be interchanged between the embodiments illustrated, for example the walls 14 of figure 1 can be provided also in the embodiments of figures 3 and 4 and figure 5. It will therefore be evident that the invention can be embodied in a variety of ways other than as specifically described, without departure from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. WHAT I CLAIM IS:-

1. A security barrier having an opening, and a device received in the opening for the transfer of an article from one side of the barrier to the other, the device comprising a support for an article to be transported, guide means for guiding the support for substantially linear movement between a first position and a second position, and shielding means preventing access through the barrier by way of the support in all positions thereof but so arranged that in the first position an article can be placed on and removed from the support on one side only of the barrier and in the second position an article can be placed on and removed from the support on at least the other side of the barrier.

2. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1 in which the support comprises an open topped container and the shielding means overlies the path of the container so as to permit access to the container interior in the first position from the one side of the barrier only and in the second position from the other side of the barrier only.

3. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1 in which the support comprises container and door means movable between open and closed positions respectively permitting and preventing access to the container interior, the shielding means co-operating with the door means to prevent movement of the container between the first and second positions thereof unless the door means is in the closed position.

4. A security barrier as claimed in claim 3 in which the container is an open topped container having a hinged lid constituting the door means.

5. A security barrier as claimed in claim 4 in which the container is rectangular and the lid is hinged along a side thereof extending in the direction of movement of the container.

6. A security barrier as claimed in claim 1 in which the support in the second position thereof is received in a frame having door means at least the opening of which is controlled on the one side of the barrier only.

7. A security barrier as claimed in claim 6 in which the opening and closing of the door means is effected by a linkage operable only on the one side of the barrier.

8. A security barrier as claimed in claim 6 in which the door means is arranged to be latched on closure thereof, the door means being released by movement of the support to the second position.

9. A security barrier as claimed in any preceding claim having a device preventing return movement of the support once movement thereof to at least one of the first and second positions has begun, or has gone beyond a predetermined position, until the said at least one position has been reached, or until an operation allowing such return movement is performed from the other side of the barrier.

10. A security barrier as claimed in claim 9 in which the device comprises a pawl and ratchet mechanism.

11. A security barrier as claimed in claim 10 having a stop selectively movable between operative and inoperative positions in which the pawl is respectively operative to prevent the return movement of the support and inoperative to prevent movement of the support in either direction.

12. A security barrier as claimed in claim il having means for rendering the stop operative on completion of a return movement of the support.

13. A security barrier incorporating a device for the transfer of an article from one side of the barrier to the other substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1, Figure 2, Figures 3 and 4 or Figure 5, or Figure 1, Figure 2, Figures 3 and 4 or Figure 5 each as modified by inclusion of the mechanism of figures 6, 7 and 8.