AU600447B2 - Security apparatus - Google Patents

Description

AU-A 62 8 3 8 6 PCT WORLD T TYRGA AT INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (51) International Patent Classification 4 (11) International Publication Number: WO 87/ 01227 GO8B 13/20, 13/04, 13/08

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A47F 7/024, E05G 1/10 (43) International Publication Date: 26 February 1987 (26.02.87) E05G 1/12 (21) International Application Number: PCT/AU86/00226 Published With international search report.

(22) International Filing Date: 8 August 1986 (08.08.86) (31) Priority Application Number: PH 1895 (32) Priority Date: 12 August 1985 (12.08.85) (33) Priority Country: AU (71)(72) Applicant and Inventor: MILLAR, Frederick, William [AU/AU]; 3 Fenton Crescent, Frankston, VIC p 3199 A 1P987 (74) Agent: CLEMENT HACK CO; G.P.O. Box 1285K, Melbourne, VIC 3001 (AU).

AUSTRALIAN

(81) Designated States: AT (European patent), AU, BE (European patent), CH (European patent), DE (Europear 10 AR 1987 patent), FR (European patent), GB (European patent), IT (European patent), JP, LU (European pa- PATENT OFFICE tent), NL (European patent), SE (European patent),

US.

(54) Title: SECURITY APPARATUS

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(57) Abstract Security apparatus for protecting valuable property. The interior of an openable and closable container 2, 3) for the valuable property is held at non-atmospheric pressure, preferably sub-atmospheric pressure, and an alarm (13) is conditional by a change of that pressure in the container to cause an alarm signal. The container may be a display case or cabinet with a transparent wall through which to view the interior and any contents thereof. Alternatively the container may be in the form of a transportable carrying case.

Am- i" 1 SECURITY APPARATUS TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to security apparatus for protecting valuable property which is transportable in a hand case. Such property may comprise cash, documents, jewellery or works of art to be stored, transported or displayed.

More particularly, the invention provides a hand case fitted with an inexpensive yet effective means for producing an alarm signal on improper interference with the case.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a hand case comprising: a hollow case body having a main body portion and a lid portion swingable between a case-open position and a case-closed position, said body defining a substantially airtight internal chamber when the case is closed; a non-return air outlet valve in the body for expulsion of air from said chamber to the atmosphere exterior to the case; and alarm means located within the case and activatable by a change of pressure within said chamber to cause an alarm to signal, wherein there is pump means within the case body and connected to the non-return air outlet valve to expel air from said chamber through the valve to the atmosphere when the case is closed thereby to evacuate the chamber to sub-atmospheric pressure or the case body has a resiliently deformable wall S whereby air can be expelled to the atmosphere through the valve by deformation of that wall when the case is closed to create a sub-atmospheric pressure in the chamber.

/o\ j-~ii~oli -l :ru *8~1 I ICI 2 Preferably, the alarm means comprises a diaphragm movable upon a change of pressure within the chamber, and an electric circuit having an electric switch actuable by movement of the diaphragm, said circuit being connected to the alarm to activate the alarm's signal when the switch is actuated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be more fully explained one particular embodiment will be described in some detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hand case constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows the interior of the hand case illustrated in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a cross-section on the line 3-3 in Figure 2.

BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The hand case or briefcase illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises two body portions 21, 22 hinged together by hinges 23. The case can be closed by interfitting catch s elements 24, 25 and locked by a key actuated lock 26. Body o* portion 21 is fitted with a carrying handle 27.

The interior of the case has a main compartment 31 to receive valuables and two outer compartments 32, 33 which contain security system components. The components comprise an air pump 34 operable when the case is closed to pump air from the interior of the case through an air outlet 35 which is Ifitted into the side wall of case component 21 and includes a non-return valve. A further component of the security system is a small hollow casing 36 which encloses a reservoir of air and which has a flexible diaphragm 37 formed In one wall.

Diaphragm 37 engages an actuator arm of an electric switch 38 which controls activation of a sonic alarm 39 powered by batteries 41 also installed within compartment 32.

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II" ~U 3 The front wall of component 21 is provided adjacent handle 27 with an air inlet tap 42 to let air into che case when it is to be opened. This may be coupled with the lock mechanism so that air can only be admitted when the lock is opened and the lock may be connected to the electrical circuit to deactivate the alarm when opened. The front wall of the case is also provided with a battery charge state indicator lamp 43 wired to the battery circuit. A switch 44 is also wired into the electrical circuit to control operation of air pump 34 and a red light 45 is provided to indicate that the alarm is active.

The interengaging rims of the two case components 21, 22 are formed so as to come together in an airtight seal. One or both of the rims may be fitted with a flexible gasket for this purpose. When the case is closed, the air pump 34 is operated to expel air through air outlet 35 and so reduce the pressure within the case to sub-atmospheric pressure. This will cause a slight expansion of the reservoir of air in casing 36 and movement of the diaphragm 37 to set the switch 38 so that the alarm circuit is switched on and the red light 45 is illuminated.

Any unauthorised attempt to open the case will result in loss of vacuum pressure within the interior of the case, resulting in a movement of diaphragm 37 to actuate switch 38 so as to activate the alarm. The alarm will them emit an alarm signal. Appropriate circuitry may be included to cause lamp o to be illuminated in short flashes in these circumstances.

Opening of lock 26 deactivates the alarm and allows admission of air through air inlet tap 42 to allow the case to be opened without triggering the alarm.

9 4 In a modification to the illustrated case, the air pump 34 may be omitted and the two main walls of the case formed with sufficient resilience to enable them to be flexed in and out to provide a bellows action to expel air through the air outlet 35 in order to create the necessary sub-atmospheric pressure in the interior of the case when closed. In a further modification a dye bomb may be installed within the interior of the case to release dye onto the contents of the case in the event that the alarm circuit is activated. The dye bomb may comprise an aerosol pack of dye with an appropriate trigger mechanism actuated on activation of the alarm circuit. The trigger mechanism may, for example, comprise an electric solenoid wired to switch 38.

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Claims (4)

1. A hand case, comprising: a hollow case body having a main body portion and a lid portion swingable between a case-open position and case-closed position, said body defining a substantially airtight internal chamber when the case is closed; a non-return air outlet valve in the wall of the case body; pump means within the case body and connected to the non-return air outlet valve to expel air from said hiamber through the valve to the atmosphere when the case is closed to thereby evacuate the chamber to sub-atmospheric pressure; and alarm means located within the chamber and activatable by a change of pressure within said chamber to cause an alarm to signal.

2. The hand case of claim 1, wherein said alarm means comprises a diaphragm movable upon a change of pressure within the chamber, and an electrical circuit having an electric switch actuable by movement of the diaphragm said circuit being connected to the alarm to activate the alarm's signal when the switch is actuated.

3. A hand case, comprising: a hollow case body having a main body portion having at least one resiliently deformable wall and a lid portion swingable between a case-open and a case-closed position, said body defining a substantially airtight internal chamber when the case is closed; a non-return air valve in the body to provide one way communication between the chamber and the atmosphere exterior S of the case; whereby, upon deformation of the wall, air from the chamber is expelled to the atmosphere through the valve when the container is closed to create a sub-atmospheric pressure in the chamber; and L nn n I 6 alarm means located within the case and activatable by a change of pressure within said chamber to cause an alarm to signal.

4. The hand case of claim 3, wherein said alarm means comprises a diaphragm movable upon a change of pressure within the chamber, and an electric circuit having an electric switch actuable by movement of the diaphragm, said circuit being connected to the alarm to activate the alarm's signal when the switch is actuated. DATED THIS 9TH DAY OF MAY, 1990. FREDERICK WILLIAM MILLAR By His Patent Attorneys S SU S S US S S 9 S. 9 9*SS GRIFFITH HACK CO. Fellows Institute Of Patent Attorneys of Australia. *595 S Si S I i