IE86868B1 - A protective buffer - Google Patents

Abstract

A protective buffer on the rear of a vehicle comprises an inner layer, an outer protective layer and a reinforced layer forming a sealed protected passageway between the rear of the vehicle and an opening in a wall of a building or an opening in another vehicle against which the vehicle is reversed. The protective buffer is detachably mounted to the rear of the vehicle. The buffer comprises an upper section extending horizontally along the top of the rear of the vehicle and two side sections extending vertically down along each side of the rear of the vehicle. <Figure 1>

Description

The invention relates to a protective buffer for providing a secure transfer means between a vehicle and an opening in a building or between two vehicles.

The transfer of valuables such as cash from a strong room in shops, banks, post offices etc is usually carried out manually by security personnel driving their vehicle to the entrance of the premises. The security personnel leave the vehicle and walk into the premises with a strong box and make the transfer of the valuables. The security personnel then leave the premises and enter their vehicle. The security personnel are at risk throughout the whole procedure in particular when entering or leaving a premises and increasingly robberies or attempted robberies are occurring. This puts huge strain on the security personnel who are constantly on alert and at a great risk of violence.

There is a genuine need for an improved means of transferring valuables from a premises to secure holding facilities.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a protective buffer surrounding an opening on the rear of a vehicle comprising an inner layer; an outer protective layer; and a reinforced layer; wherein the buffer forms a sealed passageway between the opening on the rear of the vehicle and an opening in a wall of a building or an opening in another vehicle against which the vehicle is reversed.

Preferably the buffer is detachably mounted to the rear of a vehicle.

In one embodiment of the invention the buffer comprises an upper section extending horizontally along the top of the rear of the vehicle and two side sections extending vertically down along each side of the rear of the vehicle.

In one embodiment of the invention the buffer is a unitary piece.

In another embodiment of the invention the protective buffer comprises a lower buffer section attached to the underside of a T-bar on a vehicle wherein the lower buffer section extends horizontally along the length of the T-bar.

In one embodiment of the invention the vehicle rear lights are incorporated within the protective buffer.

In one embodiment of the invention the inner layer comprises means for attaching the buffer along the top and sides of the rear of a vehicle. Preferably the inner layer comprises a fiberglass material.

In one embodiment of the invention the outer protective layer comprises a compressible material. Preferably the outer protective layer comprises an elastomer material. Most preferably the outer protective layer is rubber.

In one embodiment of the invention the lower buffer section comprises a compressible elastomer material.

In one embodiment of the invention the reinforced layer comprises a bulletproof material.

According to the invention there is provided a protective buffer extending outwardly from the rear of a vehicle providing a protective sealed passageway between an opening on the rear of the vehicle and an opening in a wall of a building or an opening in another vehicle against which the vehicle is reversed. 60^ Brief Description of the Invention The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side perspective view of a transit van with a protective buffer of the invention attached to the rear of the vehicle; Fig. 2 is a perspective view from the rear of a transit van with a protective buffer of the invention attached; Fig. 3 is a schematic of the protective buffer of the invention; Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view along the line A-A in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a transit van with the protective buffer of the invention attached and the van reversed right up to a wall; and Fig. 6 is a side perspective view of a mobile secure transport with side openings for transfer of valuables from a cit transit van with the protective buffer of the invention attached.

Detailed description Various different systems have been devised in an attempt to make the transfer of valuables less risky. On a daily basis security personnel travel between shops, ATM machines, banks and holding depots to collect and transport cash and valuables. As security personnel generally need to leave the security of their vehicle to collect the valuables from a premises there are many opportunities for the inventive criminal to steal or attempt to steal the valuables. The constant threat of violence and the occurrence of a robbery puts a huge strain on the security personnel. The annual cost to security companies in keeping their security personnel safe and secure and compensated for any injury or stress as a result of their work is significant.

The present invention provides a protective buffer which provides a secure transfer means between the rear of a security vehicle/cash-in-transit (cit) vehicle and an opening in a building or between the cit vehicle and another vehicle. The protective buffer of the invention allows a security vehicle with the protective buffer attached to reverse right up against a transfer hatch or doorway in a building or another vehicle and transfer valuables through the passageway formed by the sealing device between the vehicle and the building. The protective buffer provides a protected passageway between the vehicle and the building. The security personnel do not have the leave the security of their vehicle or they can enter a premises through the passageway without being exposed to open areas where the threat of a hold up is higher. The protective buffer of the present invention ensures that security personnel are less exposed to the risk of robbery or the threat of a hold up.

The protective buffer of the present invention comprises a buffer 1 may be fitted to any type of vehicle 2 in particular a cash-in-transit (cit) vehicle. The protective buffer 1 may be incorporated onto the rear of a vehicle during the manufacture of the vehicle or retrofitted to an existing vehicle.

The protective buffer 1 is detachably mounted to the rear of a security vehicle 2 as shown in Fig. 1. The protective buffer 1 does not extend out much further from the rear of the vehicle than the width of a conventional T-bar 3 which is typically mounted on the rear of security vehicles.

T- bars have great strength because they are fixed to the chassis of a vehicle. A step to enter the rear of a vehicle is incorporated into the T-bar. The vehicle number plate may also be built into the T- bar. T- bars have been used in the past to protect from damage to a vehicle when reversing up to a building. In addition if a car crashed into the back of a cit vehicle the T-bar would take the impact or if a cit vehicle was under attack the T-bar can be used to force a vehicle out of the way by ramming it. However T- bars also prevent cit vehicles from reversing fully up against a ATM hatch or door way and leave a gap between the rear of the cit 4 vehicle and a hatch or doorway. This gap allows potential access for criminals to steal cash or valuables which are being transferred from a ATM hatch to the cit vehicle.

The protective buffer 1 of the present invention essentially surrounds an existing T-bar 3 on a vehicle 2 exploiting the strength of the T-bar 3 yet providing a protective buffer so that when the cit vehicle is reversed up against a transfer hatch or doorway in a building or up against another vehicle the T-bar does not cause any damage.

The protective buffer 1 comprises an upper section la extending horizontally along the top edge of the rear 4 of the vehicle 2 and two side sections lb and lc extending vertically down along each side of the rear of the vehicle. The protective buffer 1 is a substantially inverted U shaped unitary piece which is mounted above a conventional T-bar 3. There is a slight gap between the bottom of each side section lb and lc and the top of the T-bar 3. If the T-bar receives any impact the protective buffer is not affected.

A separate lower buffer section Id extends horizontally along the underside of the T-bar 3. The protective buffer is attached to the rear of the vehicle by any suitable means.

The protective buffer 1 of the invention surrounds the whole outer edge of the rear of the transit vehicle 2. The protective buffer 1 does not interfere with openings such as a hatch 6 or door 5 on the rear 4 of the vehicle 2. The vehicle rear lights 18 are set within the two side sections lb and lc of the sealing device 1. The protective buffer 1 extends outwardly from the rear of the vehicle. The protective buffer 1 does not interfere with the normal driving/operation of the vehicle. The protective buffer is such that it does not present a significant additional weight to the rear of the vehicle.

The protective buffer comprises three layers of material, an inner layer 10, an outer protective layer 12 and a reinforced layer 11 as shown in Fig. 4. The reinforced layer 11 is sandwiched between the inner layer 10 and the outer protective layer 12. The reinforced layer 11 provides a bulletproof layer to protect any personnel moving within the passageway between the rear of the vehicle and a building or another vehicle. Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view across the line A-A of Fig. 3. The inner layer 10 comprises a material suitable for mounting directly onto the 5 rear of a vehicle. The sealing device 1 may be mounted by any suitable means to the rear of the vehicle. The inner layer 10 of material is a continuous layer of material which extends essentially around the whole outer edge of the top and sides of the rear of a vehicle. Suitable materials for the inner layer include, fiberglass carbon fibre, steel or aluminium. Fiberglass has the advantages of great strength and flexibility and fiberglass can be moulded to any shape.

The inner layer 10 of material extends outwardly so that the secure passageway between the vehicle and a building or another vehicle is essentially lined with the inner layer 10 of material. In Fig. 4 the arrows indicate the passage of valuables or personnel through the secure passageway created between a vehicle X and a building or another vehicle Y.

The outer protective layer 12 comprises a compressive elastomer material which allows the vehicle to reverse right up to a wall or other vehicle without the risk of damaging the vehicle or the wall or another vehicle to which it reverses. The outer protective layer 12 acts as a cushion allowing the vehicle to reverse as far as possible to ensure a secure seal is formed. The outer protective layer 12 covers the edges of the vehicle and provides a cushion for the whole system. The separate lower piece Id of the protective buffer 1 is also manufactured from a compressible elastomer material and extends outwardly just past the outer edge of the T-bar. The lower piece Id of the protective buffer 1 ensures that the wall or other vehicle is protected from the T bar causing any damage. The compressible elastomer material is a durable and weather proof material. The outer protective layer may be natural rubber. Natural rubber is very durable and totally bio degradable.

The reinforced layer 11 of material is incorporated between the inner 10 and outer 12 layers of the protective buffer 1. The reinforced layer 11 needs to be able to withstand bullets or other weapons which may be used by robbers. The bulletproof layer 11 extends outwardly from the vehicle protecting the passageway extending from the rear of the vehicle. The reinforced layer 11 is concealed between the inner 10 and outer 12 layers of material. The bulletproof layer 11 is not exposed to the elements and should retain its integrity over a long period.

The reinforced layer of material may be a Kevlar™ bulletproof panel. This is a durable and light weight material. Alternative materials suitable as a bulletproof layer may be a Dyneema® armour panel or a Spectra shield armour panel or sheet steel to create the bulletproof protection.

The inner layer 10, outer layer 12 and reinforced layer 11 are bonded to one another by any suitable means forming a unitary piece which is attached to the rear of a vehicle.

The materials used in the manufacture of the protective buffer 1 of the present invention are flexible, strong, cost effective and light weight. The materials are hard wearing and will not deteriorate quickly. They have a long life cycle and may probably last longer than the vehicle to which they are attached. The protective buffer 1 may be detached from the rear of the old vehicle and attached to a new vehicle.

The protective buffer of the invention provides a secure passageway between the rear door of a security vehicle and a wall or another vehicle.

The protective buffer 1 of the present invention allows the security vehicle 2 to reverse right up to an opening in a building thereby sealing the access to the rear of the vehicle 2 securely against the building as shown in Fig. 5. The outer protective layer 12 of the protective buffer is a so that the vehicle can reverse right up against a wall or other compressible elastomeric material vehicle without causing any damage. The separate lower piece Id is manufactured from a compressible elastomeric material and ensures that wall or other vehicle is protected from the T bar causing any damage. The lower piece Id is attached to the underside of the Tbar by any suitable means.

The vehicle may reverse up to a conventional hatch or doorway in a building or to an opening in another vehicle. The security personnel in the vehicle can then safely open the rear door 5 of the vehicle 2 and the customer can open a hatch or door in the building and a cash collection or delivery can be made without the risk of outside interference. Security personnel can pass through the secure passageway between the vehicle and the building. When the transfer has been made the security personnel secure the rear door 5 of the vehicle 2 before the vehicle drives away.

The following are approximate dimensions of the protective buffer of the present invention. The dimensions may vary depending on the size of the vehicle to which the protective buffer is attached.

The protective buffer extends approximately 60 cm from the rear wall of the vehicle. The inner layer 10 is approximately 20cms in depth where it is attached to the top and side of the vehicle. The inner layer lining the passageway is approximately 5 cm in width. The outer layer 12 is approximately 14cm in depth.

Having the protective buffer 1 on the rear of a cash in transit (cit) has many advantages.

The protective buffer of the present invention may be used in the replenishment of ATM machines. Cash can be transferred from the cash in transit (cit) vehicle to the ATM bunker via a small hatch that is located in the bunker wall.

Cash in transit (cit) vehicles may carry conventional hatch/delivery jobs with a single person crew instead of two thereby reducing costs. The replenishment of ATMs may also be carried out in a much safer and more time efficient manner.

If a cit vehicle were to break down a replacement vehicle may be sent out to the broken down vehicle. The replacement vehicle can reverse up to the broken down vehicle so that the protective buffers on both vehicles connect and press against each other. Everything may then be safely transferred from the broken down vehicle to the replacement vehicle without any security personnel having to leave the safety of the two vehicles. The transfer can be done quickly with minimum delay to the duties of the security personnel.

Cash in transit depots may be built so that vehicles don’t have to drive into hangers to load/unload as is currently required. The required protocol in loading/unloading cit vehicles can be very time consuming.

In contrast a cit vehicle with a protective buffer of the invention attached can reverse up to a loading bay wall and the rear door of the vehicle can be opened directly into the building. The driver can exit the rear of the vehicle and enter directly into the building. When the vehicle is loaded a supervisor can enter the vehicle to ensure it is loaded correctly. The supervisor can go back into the building and the driver can enter the vehicle and secure the doors of the vehicle while the vehicle is still securely reversed up against the building. The supervisor can then close and secure the loading bay door of the premises before the cit vehicle pulls away. With for example only 10 loading/unloading points and an average load time of 20 minutes one can load 30 cit vehicles within 1 hour. With an average unload time of 10 minutes 60 vehicles can be unloaded within an hour. This is a significant increase in comparison to current practice.

Another advantage of installing the protective buffer of the present invention on cit vehicles is that cash in transit companies would not need to have as many branches. Currently cit vehicles have to travel long distances to reach a secure loading/unloading depot. Vehicles with the protective buffer of the present invention installed could instead reverse up to a mobile branch and dock securely with it. A mobile branch may consist of an armoured truck 15 as shown in Fig. 5 that has two or more docking points 16 on each side of the truck 15. This will allow up to four cit vehicles to reverse up to the docking points 16, two on either side of the armoured truck 15 at the same time. Once the cit vehicle is reversed up against the side of the truck the truck personnel can open the dock door 16 and the cit operator can enter the truck 15 directly from the rear of the cit vehicle. The driver can safely load/unload the vehicle in the same way as if it were docked to a building. The truck personnel can secure the docking door 16 and the cit vehicle drives away.

Currently cit companies need to procure and provide a secure building within a secure yard. A mobile branch would require only require a secure yard for the cit vehicles to dock with the mobile branch and to park the cit vehicles when not in use. Having the protective buffer of the present invention installed on cit vehicles would reduce the large outlay involved in building a branch and vault area and the cost of running them.

The protective buffer of the invention provides secure free and unrestricted movement between two vehicles and between a vehicle and a building.

The protective buffer of the present invention has many applications in the safe and secure transfer and transport of valuable items between a vehicle and another vehicle or a building. Other items which require security when being transferred from place to place include diamond, gold, equipment used by a mint in the making of money, top secret documents, stocks and share certificates and bonds etc. The protective buffer of the present invention also provides a transfer means which protects against the weather. Items such as art work and museum artefacts could be transferred safely using the protective buffer of the present invention.

As well as providing a secure passageway for the transfer of valuable items the protective buffer of the present invention provides a safe and secure way of transferring prisoners from a building to a vehicle or between two vehicles.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which may be varied in construction and detail. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the invention.

Claims (14)

1. A protective buffer surrounding an opening on the rear of a vehicle comprising an inner layer; an outer protective layer; and a reinforced layer; wherein the buffer forms a sealed passageway between the opening on the rear of the vehicle and an opening in a wall of a building or an opening in another vehicle against which the vehicle is reversed.

2. A protective buffer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the buffer is detachably mounted to the rear of a vehicle.

3. A protective buffer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the buffer comprises an upper section extending horizontally along the upper edge of the rear of the vehicle and two side sections extending vertically down along each side edge of the rear of the vehicle.

4. A protective buffer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the buffer is a unitary piece.

5. A protective buffer as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a lower buffer section attached to the underside of a T-bar on a vehicle wherein the lower buffer section extends horizontally along the length of the T-bar.

6. A protective buffer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the vehicle rear lights are incorporated within the buffer.

7. A protective buffer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the inner layer comprises means for attaching the buffer along the top and sides of the rear of a vehicle.

8. A protective buffer as claimed in claim 7 wherein the inner layer comprises a fiberglass material.

9. A protective buffer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the outer protective layer 5 comprises a compressible material.

10. A protective buffer as claimed in claim 9 wherein the outer protective layer comprises an elastomer material. 10

11. A protective buffer as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein the outer protective layer is rubber.

12. A protective buffer as claimed in claim 5 wherein the lower buffer section comprises a compressible elastomer material.

13. A protective buffer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the reinforced layer comprises a bulletproof material.

14. A protective buffer extending outwardly from the rear of a vehicle providing a 20 protective sealed passageway between an opening on the rear of the vehicle and an opening in a wall of a building or an opening in another vehicle against which the vehicle is reversed.