GB2181781A

GB2181781A - Safe temporarily securable to a fixed structure

Info

Publication number: GB2181781A
Application number: GB08523389A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Russell Ivor Ludlow
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-09-21
Filing date: 1985-09-21
Publication date: 1987-04-29
Also published as: GB8523389D0

Abstract

A portable safe (10) comprising a box-like receptacle (12) with an open top and a box-like lid (14) therefor. A combination lock (20) is fitted on the exterior of the lid and is arranged to receive a key (38) which passes through keyhole slots formed in corresponding, aligned opposed walls of the receptacle and lid to lock the key in position and hence to lock the lid on the receptacle. A chain (42) has its ends fixedly secured to the receptacle and to the key respectively whereby the safe can be secured to a fixed structure (44). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in safes This invention relates to portable safe devices for use in securing valuables, personal items and the like.

There is a requirement for a portable safe device for use both in the home and elsewhere which is convenient both to carry and in use. For example, when travelling or on holiday one may wish to store in a safe place items such as passports, traveilers cheques, money, jewellery and the like. Many hotels provide safe facilities but it is not always convenient to deposit such items with the Hotel in view of the regular need for access to them.

According to the invention there is provided a portable safe device comprising a closable receptacle, means for securely closing the receptacle to prevent unwanted access thereto, and means for temporarily securing the device to a structure to prevent removal thereof.

The device may comprise a closure for closing the receptacle. The means for securely closing the device may be a key arranged to engage the receptacle and closure and a locking means for locking the key in the engaged position. The means for temporarily securing the device may be a flexible member, such as a chain, arranged to be passed around a structure and to be secured to the device by the key.

The locking means may comprise a combination lock.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. lisa front view of part of one embodiment of a safe according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a side view of the safe of Fig. 1; FIG. 3 is a rear view of the safe of Fig. 1; FIG. 4 is a view, similar to that of Fig. 1, but with the closure member removed from the receptacle; FIG. 5 shows a key and part of a chain for use as part of the safe; FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively show the safe just prior to being secured and secured to a structure; FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a combination lock for use with the safe, in the open position to receive a key; FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of Fig. 8 but in the closed position with the key inserted; FIG. 10 shows part of the key for use with the lock of Figs. 8 and 9;; FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of the lock of Fig.

8; FIG. 12 shows a front view of one element of the lock; FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the element of Fig. 12 taken in the direction of arrow A; and, FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the element of Fig. 12 taken in the direction of arrow B.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a portable safe 10 comprising a rectangular box-like receptacle 12 with an open top which can be closed by a box-like lid 14 which fits over the open-end of receptacle 12. The receptacle 12 and lid 14 can be made of sheet metal, rigid plastics or other suitable material.

The opposed, longer walls 12a, 12b and 14a, 14b of the receptacle 12 and lid 14 respectively are provided with aligned key-hole slots 16, 18 respectively and a combination lock 20 is fixedly secured to the outer face of wall 1 4a of the lid with its key-hole 22 in alignment with the slots 18. The slots 6, 18 are offset to one side of the lid and receptacle.

The lock 20 comprises three circular wheels 24, 26,28 with stepped apertures 30,32, 34 respectively formed axially therein. The apertures 30,32,34 are formed respectively as a first bore 30a, 32a, 34b and a second bore 30b, 32b, 34b of larger diameter than its corresponding first bore. The bores 30a, 32a, 34a are of such a diameter that they are a sliding fit on an elongate support member 36 fixedly secured on and normal to the outer surface 14a of lid 14. The member 36 is provided with a slot 36a for the reception of a key 38.

The wheels 24, 26, 28 are assembled on the lock 20 and then a cap 40 is fixedly secured on the end of the shaft member 36 to prevent removal of the wheels.

The outer annular surfaces 24a, 26a, 28a of the wheels are calibrated with 26,20 and 14 characters, in this case letters A to Z, A to T and A to N respectively.

The apertures 22 in each wheel are each provided with a slot 22a in a preselected character position which is just wide enough to receive the laterally projecting key bits 38a, b, c as they pass therethrough. The depth of the bores 30a, 32a, 34a of the wheels is just iess than the gaps 38dto f between the key bits 38a to c.

Thus, when the wheels 24, 26, 28 are rotated until their corresponding slots 22a are aligned with the slot 16, as shown in Fig. 8, the key 38 can be inserted through the slots 16, 18 in the walls 14b, 12b of the lid 14 and receptacle through the slots 16, 18 in the front walls 14a, 12a and into the lock 20. By rotating the wheels 24 to 28 the slots are moved out of alignment with the key bits and the land bores 30a, 32a, 34a fills the gaps 38a, 38e, 38fto prevent removal of the key 38. It will be realised that the slots 22a can be placed at one of many predetermined positions of the wheels to provide a large number of combinations.

The key 38 is provided with a chain 42 having one end 42a securely fixed thereto.

In use, valuables to be stored are placed in the receptacle 12 and the lid 14 fitted with the lock 20 open. The chain 42 is wrapped around a fixed structure, shown diagrammatically at 44, and its free end 42b passed over the shaft of the key 38 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The key is then inserted through slots 16, 18 and into the lock 20 as shown in Figs. 7 and 9 and the lock 20 closed by rotation of its wheels 24 to 28.

Thus there has been described a simple safe device which can be used in the home, on holiday and when travelling. For example, passports, jewellery, money and the like can be secured in a hotel room by wrapping the chain 42 around a fixed structure such as a radiator pipe or bed frame and the owner can be confident of some reasonable security for its contents.

Modifications and additions can, of course, be made to the safe device. For example, a self-closing slot could be provided in the top of the lid to allow insertion of a document or money without the need to open the lock.

Claims

1. A portable safe comprising a closable receptacle, means for securely closing the receptacle and means for temporarily securing the safe to a structure.

2. A safe according to claim 1, comprising a closure device for closing an aperture in the receptacle.

3. A safe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for securely closing the receptacle is a lock, such as a combination or key-operated lock.

4. A safe according to claim 2, wherein the means for securely closing the receptacle comprises a key arranged to engage the receptacle and closure device, and locking means for locking the key in engagement with the receptacle and closure device.

5. A safe according to claim 4, wherein the locking means comprises a combination lock.

6. A safe according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for temporarily securing the device to a structure comprises an elongate flexible member, such as a chain, and means for lockablysecuring both ends of the flexible member to the safe.

7. A safe according to claim 6, wherein one end of the flexible member is fixedly secured to the receptacle or closure device and the other end is securable to the safe by the means for securely closing the receptacle.

8. A safe according to claim 7 as dependent upon claim 4, wherein the said other end of the flexible member is fixedly secured to the key.

9. A safe according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a slot formed in the receptacle or the closure device for the insertion of documents, paper currency and other suitable items.

10. A safe according to claim 9, wherein the slot is self closing as a resiliently biased cover member.

11. A portable safe substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.