GB2488543A - Anti-tamper security device with cable severing - Google Patents

Anti-tamper security device with cable severing Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2488543A
GB2488543A GB1103192.9A GB201103192A GB2488543A GB 2488543 A GB2488543 A GB 2488543A GB 201103192 A GB201103192 A GB 201103192A GB 2488543 A GB2488543 A GB 2488543A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
communications cable
security apparatus
operable
activation panel
cable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1103192.9A
Other versions
GB2488543B (en
GB201103192D0 (en
Inventor
Michael Trevor Ralph
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Intelligent Locking Systems Ltd
Original Assignee
Intelligent Locking Systems Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Intelligent Locking Systems Ltd filed Critical Intelligent Locking Systems Ltd
Priority to GB1103192.9A priority Critical patent/GB2488543B/en
Publication of GB201103192D0 publication Critical patent/GB201103192D0/en
Publication of GB2488543A publication Critical patent/GB2488543A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2488543B publication Critical patent/GB2488543B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B45/00—Alarm locks
    • E05B45/06—Electric alarm locks
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B9/00—Lock casings or latch-mechanism casings ; Fastening locks or fasteners or parts thereof to the wing
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B17/00—Accessories in connection with locks
    • E05B17/20—Means independent of the locking mechanism for preventing unauthorised opening, e.g. for securing the bolt in the fastening position
    • E05B17/2084—Means to prevent forced opening by attack, tampering or jimmying
    • E05B17/2092—Means responsive to tampering or attack providing additional locking
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B9/00—Lock casings or latch-mechanism casings ; Fastening locks or fasteners or parts thereof to the wing
    • E05B9/02—Casings of latch-bolt or deadbolt locks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B29/00—Checking or monitoring of signalling or alarm systems; Prevention or correction of operating errors, e.g. preventing unauthorised operation
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B45/00—Alarm locks
    • E05B45/06—Electric alarm locks
    • E05B2045/064—Electric alarm locks by movement of the lock housing or part thereof
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B63/00—Locks or fastenings with special structural characteristics
    • E05B63/0017—Locks with sliding bolt without provision for latching
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/02—Mechanical actuation
    • G08B13/14—Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
    • G08B13/1445—Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles with detection of interference with a cable tethering an article, e.g. alarm activated by detecting detachment of article, breaking or stretching of cable
    • G08B13/1463—Physical arrangements, e.g. housings

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A security apparatus operable to be coupled using a communications cable 50 with an activation panel (20, fig.1) such as a keypad fixable in an insecure area, the security apparatus comprises: a securing mechanism (40, fig.1) which may be a lock or an alarm operable to control entry to a secure area, the securing mechanism comprises a severing device 90, preferably a cable cutting blade, operable to sever the communications cable in response to a movement of the communications cable coupled with the activation panel. Accordingly, tampering with the activation panel such as attempting to open the activation panel or to remove it from its fixed location then the consequential movement causes the communications wiring to be severed from the securing mechanism rendering the portion of wiring connected to the locking device or alarm inaccessible rendering the activation panel inoperable and prevent any communication between the activation panel and the securing mechanism.

Description

SECURITY APPARATUS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a security apparatus.
BACKGROUND
Security apparatus are known. For example, security apparatus are typically utilised to detect and/or prevent unauthorised access to items or areas, or to control access to those items or areas. For example, one such security apparatus is an alarm system which typically detects access to buildings or to containment structurçs. Likewise, another example of a security apparatus is a lock which may prevent access to a building or a containment structure.
In order to enable authorised access to these areas by authorised persons, it is typically necessary to provide some way of enabling an authorised user to access the security apparatus to disable the alarm or to deactivate the locking mechanism.
Whilst various techniques for doing this exist, each have their own shortcomings.
Accordingly, it is desired to provide an improved security apparatus.
SUMMARY
According to a first aspect, there is provided a security apparatus operable to be coupled using a communications cable with an activation panel fixable in an insecure area, the security apparatus comprising: a securing mechanism operable to control entry to a secure area, the securing mechanism comprising a severing device operable to sever the communications cable in response to a movement of the communications cable coupled with the activation panel.
* 30 The first aspect recognises that a problem with existing security apparatus is that the * * apparatus may be subject to fraudulent tampering. Many existing apparatus attempt ** * to reduce the risk of tampering by providing an activation panel in an accessible area, whilst the main securing mechanism is inaccessible, being located typically in a secure area, often remote from the activation panel. Whilst this reduces the risk of the securing * *. 35 mechanism being tampered with, any activation panel is accessible and so is insecure and may be subject to tampering.
Accordingly, a security apparatus is provided which may be coupled with an activation panel using a communications cable. The activation panel may be located in an insecure area. The security apparatus may comprise a securing mechanism which controls entry to a secure area. The securing mechanism may comprise a severing device which severs the communication cable in response to movement of the communications cable which may be coupled with the activation panel.
Accordingly, should tampering occur with the activation panel such as, for example, attempting to open the activation panel or to remove it from its fixed location then the consequential movement of the communications cable may cause the communications cable to be severed from the securing mechanism. Accordingly, attempting to open or remove the activation panel may render the activation panel inoperable and prevent any communication between the activation panel and the securing mechanism. This helps to alleviate the risk of the security apparatus being compromised due to unautharised tampering with the activation panel.
In one embodiment, the severing device is operable to sever the communications cable in response to a tension applied to the communications cable. Accordingly, the communications cable may be severed when a tension is applied to the cable due to tampering with the activation panel. The tensile force itself may provide the force to cut the communications cable or may activate the severing device.
In one embodiment, the severing device is operable to sever the communications cable in response to a longitudinal displacement of the communications cable.
Accordingly, the severing device may cut the communications cable when the cable is moved lengthwise.
In one embodiment, the severing device is locatable within the secure area to sever the communications cable within the secure area. By placing the severing device within the secure area the communications cable may be severed within the secure * 30 area. Hence, any remaining cable still connected with the securing mechanism may * * be located within the secure area making it more difficult for the remaining cable to be tampered with.
In one embodiment, the securing mechanism comprises a guide operable to guide the * ** 35 communications cable past the severing device. Accordingly, a guide may be provided which routes the communications cable over or through the severing device * * in order to improve the reliable operation of the severing device.
In one embodiment, the guide is operable to loop the communications cable over the severing device. Accordingly, a loop or region of deflection of the communications cable may occur around the severing device in order to prevent initial contact of the communications cable with the severing device to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent severing or damage to the communications cable occuning during installation.
However, by looping the communications cable over the severing device, any slight movement of the communications cable may cause it to come into contact with the severing device, thereby severing the communications cable.
In one embodiment, the guide is operable to cause.a change in direction of the communications cable. Accordingly, the guide may cause an angular displacement of the communications cable.
In one embodiment, the severing device is operable to sever the communications cable at change in direction of the communications cable. Causing a cut of the communications cable at a change in direction may increase the difficulty of accessing the remaining communications cable still coupled to the securing mechanism.
In one embodiment, the guide is operqble to cause the communications cable to upstand from the locking mechanism. Causing the cable to extend orthogonally from the locking mechanism provides a convenient arrangement for routing the cable towards the activation panel. If the communications cable is severed at a previous change in direction prior to the cable upstanding from the locking mechanism, then to access the remaining cable still coupled with the securing mechanism may require two complete changes of direction, which may make accessing the ends of the cable difficult.
In one embodiment, the severing device comprises a blade against which the * 30 communications cable acts in order to be severed upon the movement. Using a blade, such as a razor blade, provides a simple and effective severing device. ** *
In one embodiment, the security apparatus comprises an armoured conduit operable to inhibit access to the communications cable during movement of the activation * .. 35 panel. Accordingly, an armoured tube or conduit, or even just a plate, may be provided to prevent even slight access to the exposed cable. Should the activation * panel be removed from its fixing then the cable will remain inaccessible whilst any slack in the communications cable is taken up prior to the severing device severing the communications cable. It will be appreciated that by allowing some slight slack in the cable will facilitate installation of the security apparatus.
In one embodiment, the securing mechanism is fixable on one of a wall and door and the armoured conduit extends between the one of a wall and door and the activation panel to inhibit access to the communications cable during movement of the activation panel. Hence, the securing mechanism may be located inside the secure area to control access thereto and the communications cable may be fed to the activation panel.
In one embodiment, the security apparatus comprises the activation panel fixable in the insecure area.
In one embodiment, the activation panel comprises the armoured conduit.
In one embodiment, the security apparatus comprises the communications cable operable to couple the securing mechanism fixable in the secure area with the activation panel.
In one embodiment, the security apparatus comprises one of a locking apparatus and an alarm apparatus and the securing mechanism comprises one of a locking mechanism and an alarm controller.
Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims.
BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
* 30 The present invention will be described further, by way of example only, with reference to preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: * Figure 1 is a schematic view showing an example installation of a security apparatus according to one embodiment; Figure 2 is a partial section view of a locking mechanism according to one * ,. 35 embodiment; and * S Figures 3A to 3E is a perspective view of the locking mechanism of Figure 2.
DESCRIPTIONI OF THE EMBODIMENTSL
Overview Embodiments provide a multi-component security apparatus which utilises at least one communications cable for providing communications between the components of the security apparatus. One or more severing mechanisms are provided which cause a communications cable to be severed upon movement of the cable caused by tampering with components of the security apparatus. It will be appreciated that such severing of the communications cable may be defected by the components of the security apparatus which may then take consequential actions to render those components inoperable. For example, detection of the severing of a communications cable may cause the components to be time-locked for a pre-determined period in order to prevent any interaction whatsoever with the components. Likewise, detection of the severing of any cables may result in the physical or electrical destruction of parts of the components of the security apparatus in order to prevent their subsequent analysis. For exampleS detection of severing of any cable may result in any firmware or algorithms related to the operation of the security apparatus being deleted.
By providing a mechanism which enables communications to be severed, the likelihood of being able to tamper with the fixed components of the security apparatus thereby enabling the security apparatus to be compromised is significantly reduced.
As will be explained in more detail below, the severing is typically arranged to take place within the secure area being protected to make it difficult to access the severed cable.
Although the following embodiment describes the arrangement of a two-part locking mechanism it will be appreciated that the locking mechanism could have more than two parts and that similar techniques may be applied to other security apparatus such as, for example, alarm systems, or other authentication devices.
* 30 Security Arparitt * ***r* * Figure illustrates schematically an arrangement of a security apparatus according to ** * one embodiment. * * * * S.
In this example, the security apparatus comprises a two-part locking apparatus. An s.. 35 activation panel 20 is provided, typically fixed on a waIl or a door 30 in an insecure * *fl area 10. Coupled with the activation panel 20 is a locking mechanism 40 located * 5, * . inside a secure area 15 under the control of the activation panel 20. Typically, the activation panel 20 and the locking member 40 are coupled together by a communications cable 50.
To enable the communications cable 50 to be routed between the activation panel 20 and the locking member 40 an aperture 60 is created in the wall or door 30. The communications cable 50 couples with electronics 70 within the activation panel 20 through the aperture 60 and is routed in a pre-determined fashion to control electronics of the locking mechanism 40.
As will be mentioned in more detail below, the routing of the communications cable 50 in and/or around the locking mechanism 40 brings the communications cable 50 into close proximity with a severing mechanism 90 which operates to sever the communications cable 50 should tension be applied to that cable. which may occur as a result of tampering with the activation panel 20.
In particular. should the activation panel be attempted to be opened or should the activation panel be attempted to be removed from the wall or door 30, then a tightening of the communications cable 50 will occur which will cause the communications cable to be severed by the severing device 90.
As can be seen in Figure 1, in order to access the remaining communications cable 50 still coupled with the locking mechanism 40 requires access through the aperture 60 and through at least Iwo 90° turns in order to even be able to access the end of the severed communication cable 50 in proximity to severing mechanism 90.
Locking mechanism Figure 2 illustrates an example arrangement of a locking mechanism 40a according to one embodiment. As can be seen, the communications cable 50 is received on a front face 160 of the locking member 40a and immediately undergoes a 90° change of S.O.S * 30 direction to be retained between the front face 160 of the locking member 40a and * 5SSs * * the wall or door 30, as illustrated in more detail in Figure 3b. * SS * *S
The cable is routed within a conduit 120 in the front face 160 and over a blade 90a.
The communications cable 50 is looped over the blade 90a to ensure that the communications cable 50 does not initially contact with the blade 90a sufficiently to *:.; inadvertently sever the communications cable 50.
The communications cable 50 is then routed down a further conduit 140 towards a rear face 150 of the locking mechanism 40a, the conduit 140 being orthogonal to the conduit 120.
To retain the communications cable 50 in close proximity with the blade 90, a retaining plate 130 is slidably mounted onto the locking mechanism 40 to hold the communications cable 50 in the conduit 140.
The communications cable 50 is then routed across the rear surface 150 of the locking mechanism 40a to an Inlet aperture through which the communications cable 50 is received. The communications cable 50 then couples with a card 80 holding control electronics (not shown).
In embodiments, the locking mechanism 40 is provided with a communication cable pre-tensioning device (not shown) which may assist to remove any initial slack within the cable and retract the communications cable even further should the cable be severed. Such an arrangement may be provided by a resilient biasing means such as a spring or elastic member.
Although the severing device 90 in this example is located on the front face 160 of the locking mechanism, it will be appreciated that the severing device 90 may be located in any suitable location.
Activation Panel The activation panel 20 has an armoured conduit 100 which extends at least partially through the aperture 60 in order to prevent access to the communications cable 50 prior to the cable being severed should the activation panel 20 be lifted off the surface of the wall or door 30.
S 5SS**
* 30 In this way, it can be seen that a multi-part security apparatus can be provided which * *S*** * causes a communications cable routed between components of the security * apparatus from being accessed or tampered with since the communications cable is severed should the access panel be attempted to be removed. It will be appreciated that this provides for a more robust arrangement which helps prevent the security * : :* 35 apparatus from being compromised. 0 I
*. 1.: Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein.
with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
S..... * .
55...s * . S. * * S * * ** * ** * * * * *. S. * * 0* * **

Claims (16)

  1. Claims 1. A security apparatus operable to be coupled using a communications cable with an activation panel fixable in an insecure area, said security apparatus comprising: a securing mechanism operable to control entry to a secure area, said securing mechanism comprising a severing device operable to sever said communications cable in response to a movement of said communications cable coupled with said activation panel.
  2. 2. The security apparatus of claim 1, wherein said severing device is operable to sever said communications cable in response to a tension applied to said communications cable.
  3. 3. The security apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein said severing device is operable to sever said communications cable in response to a longitudinal displacement of said communications cable.
  4. 4. The security apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said severing device is locatable within said secure area to sever said communications cable within said secure area.
  5. 5. The security apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said securing mechanism comprises a guide operable to guide said communications cable past said severing device.
  6. 6. The security apparatus of claim 5, wherein said guide is operable to loop said communications cable over said severing device.S.....* 30
  7. 7. The security apparatus of claim 5 or 6, wherein said guide is operable to cause a **eSe.
    * change in direction of said communications cable. ** . *
  8. S.
    * 8. The security apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said severing device is operable to sever said communications cable at change in direction of said *:*:: 35 communications cable. ** *
  9. 9. The security apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said guide is operable to cause said communications cable to upstand from said locking mechanism.
  10. 10. The security apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said severing device comprises a blade against which said communications cable acts in order to be severed upon said movement.
  11. Ii. The security apparatus of any preceding claim, comprising an armoured conduit operable to inhibit access to said communications cable during movement of said activation panel.
  12. 12. The security apparatus of claim 11, wherein said securing mechanism is fixable on one of a wall and door and said armoured conduit extends beiween said one of a wall and door and said activation panel to inhibit access to said communications cable during movement of said activation panel.
  13. 13. The security apparatus of any preceding claim, comprising said activation panel fixable in said insecure area.
  14. 14. The security apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said activation panel comprises said armoured conduit.
  15. 15. The security apparatus of any preceding claim, comprising said communications cable operable to couple said securing mechanism fixable in said secure area with said activation panel.
  16. 16. The security apparatus of any preceding claim wherein said security apparatus comprises one of a locking apparatus and an alarm apparatus and said securing mechanism comprises one of a locking mechanism and an alarm controller. o.fl* * * ** ** * *. * S *5 * * S * * S. * I. * . S * .* S. S * . S * S.
GB1103192.9A 2011-02-24 2011-02-24 Security apparatus Active GB2488543B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1103192.9A GB2488543B (en) 2011-02-24 2011-02-24 Security apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1103192.9A GB2488543B (en) 2011-02-24 2011-02-24 Security apparatus

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201103192D0 GB201103192D0 (en) 2011-04-13
GB2488543A true GB2488543A (en) 2012-09-05
GB2488543B GB2488543B (en) 2013-10-02

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107339018A (en) * 2017-06-02 2017-11-10 云丁网络技术(北京)有限公司 The safety reset device and its safety reset method of a kind of intelligent door lock

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070001827A1 (en) * 2005-06-30 2007-01-04 Intel Corporation Remote asset management of computer systems
GB2434083A (en) * 2006-01-13 2007-07-18 Paul Richings A secure wallet
US20090019902A1 (en) * 2006-02-02 2009-01-22 Richard Baranek Vehicle anti-theft device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070001827A1 (en) * 2005-06-30 2007-01-04 Intel Corporation Remote asset management of computer systems
GB2434083A (en) * 2006-01-13 2007-07-18 Paul Richings A secure wallet
US20090019902A1 (en) * 2006-02-02 2009-01-22 Richard Baranek Vehicle anti-theft device

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107339018A (en) * 2017-06-02 2017-11-10 云丁网络技术(北京)有限公司 The safety reset device and its safety reset method of a kind of intelligent door lock
WO2018219075A1 (en) * 2017-06-02 2018-12-06 云丁网络技术(北京)有限公司 A safe reset apparatus for intelligent door lock and a safe reset method thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2488543B (en) 2013-10-02
GB201103192D0 (en) 2011-04-13

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