GB2478773A

GB2478773A - Secondary locking mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2478773A
Application number: GB1004527A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Keith Christopher Hardy
Original assignee: LOKTEC Ltd
Current assignee: LOKTEC Ltd
Priority date: 2010-03-18
Filing date: 2010-03-18
Publication date: 2011-09-21
Also published as: GB201004527D0

Abstract

A security device for a secure enclosure having a door, such as an ATM or a safe, the door having a sliding bolt latching arrangement 116 134a/b and a locking arrangement arranged to prevent retraction of the latching arrangements 116 when in a locked position. The security device also has a linkage 155 with a portion positioned proximate the locking arrangement such that a severing of the linkage 155 during an attack causes a secondary locking mechanism (Fig 11) to deploy and inhibit opening of the door. The secondary locking mechanism may have an interference member in the form of a plunger located at each end of the linkage 155. When the linkage is severed the plungers engage with a hole on the locking member 134a/b preventing it from moving into an unlocked position. The secondary lock mechanism may be proximate to a portion of the latching mechanism. Also claimed is a shoot bolt for an ATM or safe door.

Description

INTELLECTUAL

. .... PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. GB 1004527.6 RTM Date:6 July 2010 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document:

NCR

Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk A security device The present invention relates to a security device. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a security device used to enhance the security of auto teller machine (ATM) enclosures, safes and the like.

ATMs are increasingly being installed in buildings such as filling stations, convenience stores, fast food outlets, supermarkets, and other locations that are intrinsically less secure than their tradition installation locations in banks and other financial institutions. As a consequence there is an increased risk of ATMs being attacked using a number of different methods, including use of oxy-acetylene torches, hammers and abrasive cutting implements to access the interior and steal the money contained therein.

Particular modes of attack have become prevalent recently when thieves have been able to access the safe at the rear of an ATM enclosure and steal the money held in the ATM, as described in more detail below.

It is therefore desirable to improve the security of the existing installed base of enclosures by retrofitting them with improved security devices, and to fit such devices to new installations, since this reduces the theft risk, and lowers insurance premiums.

The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.

One aspect the invention provides a security device to improve the security of a secure enclosure having a door, such as an ATM enclosure or a safe, the door having a sliding bolt latching arrangement and a locking arrangement arranged to prevent a retracting movement of the latching arrangement, when in a locked position, the security device comprising a liiikage having a portion to be positioned proximate the locking arrangement, and to be arranged such that a severing of the linkage during an attack on the safe causes a secondary locking mechanism to deploy and inhibit opening of the door.

Preferably the linkage comprises a flexible member, such as a wire, which advantageously provides flexibility as to the installation of the linkage Preferably the linkage is arranged to be placed in tension.

The secondary locking mechanism preferably comprises a first interference member positioned to engage the latching arrangement in the event of a break in the linkage. More preferably a second interference member is arranged to engage the latching arrangement when a severing of the linkage occurs. Even more preferably the first and second interference members are located at first and second ends of the linkage, so that both are deployed upon severing of the linkage The latching arrangement advantageously comprises a first bolt and a second bolt arranged to engage different locations on the door surround.

The first and second interference members are preferably arranged to engage the first and second bolts respectively.

The linkage is advantageously arranged so as to be positionable in the vicinity of a preferential attack location of the locking arrangement, the preferential attack location typically being an interface between a lock and a member moveable under the influence of the latching arrangement.

The lock is preferably configured to block movement of the latching arrangement when in a locked condition.

The interference member is advantageously located within a bearing block arranged to support the latching arrangement, so as to minimise the number of parts. Preferably, a resilient member is located within the bearing block is arranged to provide tension in the linkage.

A second aspect of the present invention provides door, such as an ATM enclosure or a safe door comprising a latching and locking arrangement and a security device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a kit of parts for fitment to door of an ATM enclosure or safe and having a latching and locking arrangement, the kit comprising a linkage having a portion to be positioned proximate the locking arrangement, and a secondary locking mechanism for connection to the linkage such that when installed on the door and when the linkage is severed during an attack on the enclosure or safe, the secondary locking mechanism to deploys and inhibits opening of the door.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method of installing a security device on a door of an ATM enclosure or safe having a latching and locking mechanism; the method comprising the steps of: a) installing a severable linkage in a predetermined location on the door; b) installing a secondary lock mechanism proximate a portion of the latching mechanism; c) connecting the linkage and secondary locking mechanism such that upon a subsequent severing of the linkage, the secondary locking mechanism is automatically actuated to lock the latching mechanism.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a shoot bolt for fitment to a door of a secure enclosure, such as an ATM enclosure or safe, for selective latching engagement of the shoot bolt with a door surround to hold the door in a latched condition, the shoot bolt having an engagement portion for engagement with the surround, the engagement portion having a releasable fixing arrangement for attaching at least one shim thereto to adapt the depth of the engagement portion to the surround and thereby ensure a close fit to the surround when in a latched condition.

The releaseable fixing arrangement preferably comprises a screw type fixing engageable with a threaded bore of the shoot bolt and the at least one shim.

The engagement portion is advantageously thinner than the remainder of the shoot bolt.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a side view of ATM safe door and surround including a prior art locking and latching mechanism in an unlocked, unlatched condition; FIGURE 2 is a cross-section along the line 2-2 of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a side view of the ATM safe door and surround at Figure 1 a locked, latched condition 1; FIGURE 4 is a cross-section along the line 4-4 of Figure 3; FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of a safe door and surround with a locking and latching mechanism incorporating a device according to the present invention; FIGURE 6 is an isometric view of the safe door of Figure 5 in an assembled and locked state; FIGURE 6A is an enlarged view of door bolt shims according to the present invention; FIGURE 7 and 8 are side and cross-sectional views respectively is a side view of the door of the locking and latching mechanism of Figure 5 in an unlocked, unlatched condition; FIGURE 8A is an enlarged view of the upper circled portion of Figure 8 FIGURES 9 and 10 are side and cross-sectional views respectively is a side view of the door and the locking and latching mechanism of Figure 5 in an locked, latched condition; FIGURE 1OA is an enlarged view of the circled portion of Figure 10; and FIGURE 11 is an enlarged view of part of the device of Figure 5.

With reference to Figure 1, a portion of a known ATM enclosure 2 is illustrated, which incorporates a safe carcase including a door surround 10 and a door 12 hinged to the surround. The enclosure is typical for an NCR 5684 model ATM, but other models utilise similar arrangements.

A door latching and locking mechanism indicated generally at 14 is mounted to the internal face of the door 12. The mechanism 14 comprises a large steel plate arranged to slide horizontally to act as a door bolt 16, engage the door surround 10, and hold the door in a closed condition when deployed. The bolt 16 is provided with a plurality of slots 18 in which bolts 20 are mounted to permit restricted sliding motion of the bolt 16 between the refracted, unlatched position of Figure 1 and the deployed, latched position of Figure 3.

A handle (not shown) mounted to the exterior face of the door drives an eccentric pin 22 mounted in a vertical slot 24 of the bolt 16 to shift the door bolt between the latched and unlatched positions.

A locking plate 26 is welded to the end of the door bolt remote from the surround 10 and includes a further slot 18 and bolt 20 to guide its movement. A locking recess 28 is provided in the upper edge thereof and is of an appropriate dimension to accommodate a locking bolt of a lock 32, In this embodiment the lock 12 is a Cencon 2000 model, manufactured by Kaba Man of Lexington, Kentucky, USA and further comprises a keypad entry system (not shown) mounted on the exterior face of the door 12. When the correct access code is entered, this causes the locking bolt 30 to retract, so that the handle can be turned without motion of the door bolt 16 being blocked by engagement of the locking bolt 30 with the locking recess 28.

Whilst this known latching and locking mechanism is generally secure, with reference to Figure 3, two attack modes on it are known. In a first attack mode, unauthorised access to the interior of the enclosure 2 may be achieved by cutting through the door surround 10 around the edge of the door bolt 16 as indicated by thick line X using an oxy-acetylene torch or abrasive cutting disc. If successful, this enables the door to be opened within the door bolt still deployed and the lock 32 still in its locked condition.

In a second attack mode the attacker makes a horizontal cut through the exterior face of the door 12 immediately below the main body of the lock 32 as illustrated by thick line Y. If done at the correct location, this severs the locking bolt 30 and enables the door bolt 16 to be refracted using the handle, and the door opened.

The present applicant has recognised that it is desirable to combat these attack modes and thereby enhance the security of ATM enclosures and the like.

With reference to Figures 5 to 11 a device according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated which aims to provide an enhanced level of security. Like parts are labelled by like numerals, but create the addition of the prefix "1". Those components similar to those shown in Figures 1 to 4 are not discussed in more detail.

With reference to Figure 5 onwards it can be seen that first and second shoot bolts 134a and 134b have been added to the latching and locking mechanism 114. The shoot bolts 134a and 134b are vertically mounted for axial movement within support bearings 136a, 136b, 136c and 136d. Motion of the shoot bolts 134a and 134b is controlled by a cam and follower arrangement comprising angled cam slots 138a and 138b on the door bolt 116 and corresponding follower pins 140a and 140b mounted to the shoot bolts 134a and 134b at their lower and upper ends respectively.

When in a deployed, latched position as shown in Figures 6, 9 and 10 the upper and lower ends of the shoot bolts 134a and 134b respectively engage the door surround 110. The shoot bolts 134a and 134b combat the first attack mode described above because no longer is it sufficient to cut only around the surround at X to access the interior of the enclosure 102.

However, one problem with the fitting of shoot bolts as described above is ensuring a close fit against door surrounds of differing thickness, particularly when such shoot bolts are being retrofitted in situ to an existing ATM enclosure. To overcome this problem the present applicant has provided a shim arrangement 1 42a and 1 42b that makes installation simpler and faster.

As can be seen from Figures 6A, 8A and 1OA ends 144a and 144b of each shoot bolt are thinned and a threaded bore 146a, 146b is provided therein. In order to provide a close fit with minimal clearance one or more shims 148 are used. These have similar dimensions to the thinned end regions and a countersunk hole 150 aligned with the bore 146. A countersunk screw 152 is then secured to the threaded bore to mount the appropriate number of shims in place as illustrated in Figures 8A and bA.

In a further, particularly preferred embodiment an additional security device in the form of a secondary locking mechanism is generally indicated at 154 and installed as a retrofit or new install to counteract the second attack made described above.

The security device comprises, in this embodiment, linkage in the form of a steel wire 155 configured to terminate at each end thereof with a connection to a secondary locking mechanism in the form a resiliently biased plunger 156a and 156b. Referring to the arrangement of plunger 156b of Figure 11, it can be seen that the plunger comprises an integral, co-axially arranged smaller and larger diameter cylinders 158 and 160 respectively.

The plunger 156b locates in a through bore in a wall of bearing block 136c. The through bore 162 has a smaller diameter portion 164 and a larger diameter 166 that are co-axially arranged such the plunger is a close fit in the through bore 162. The length of the larger diameter bore 166 is greater than that of the larger diameter cylinder 160 enabling the helical spring 167 to be mounted within the annulus defined by the small diameter cylinder and large diameter bore and bias the plunger towards the shoot bolt 1 34b.

The plunger 1 56a is mounted using a similar arrangement.

At a location corresponding to a deployed position of the shoot bolts 134a and 134b, a recess 168 of corresponding size to the end of the plug 156 is positioned so as to receive the plunger if it is released under the influence of the spring 167.

As can be seen in Figure 11 a portion of the smaller diameter cylinder 158 projects beyond the bearing block and has a transverse hole that is used to secure the end of the wire 155. As can be seen from Figures 5 and 6, the wire 155 is guided along a pre-determined path between the end thereof at the top and bottom plungers 156a and 156b by utilising a number of pulleys 170 fixed to the inner surface of the door. The wire holds the plungers in the refracted position of Figure 11 so the shoot bolts are free to move. By altering the positions of the pulleys and/or length of the wire, the linkage can easily be adapted to different latching and locking arrangements.

In this particular embodiment, it can be seen that the wire 155 is guided past the region where the cut Y is typically made in order to cut through the locking bolt 130 and is, in particular, positioned between the panel of the door 112 and the locking plate 126. In this location it is not possible to cut through the locking bolt 130 without also severing the wire 155.

Therefore, in operation, with reference to Figures 6 and 9 such a cut will sever the wire in the region of the locking bolt 130, which in turn means that the plungers 156 are now free to extend under the influence of the springs 167 and engage the corresponding recesses 168 on the shoot bolts 134a and 134b.

As will be appreciated to persons skilled in the art, even if the locking bolt 130 is severed, if a thief attempts to then turn the handle in order to retract the main door bolt 116 and the shoot bolts 134a and 134b, they will be prevented from doing so by the locking engagement of the plungers 156a and 156b with the shoot bolts.

Thus, with the security device of the present dimension in place, a potential thief would be significantly inhibited from accessing the interior of the ATM enclosure because the two known modes of access no longer result in the door being openable. At the very least, significantly more time would be required to access the enclosure 102, increasing the chance of the theft being detected and prevented.

It will be appreciated that numerous changes may be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the tension wire arrangement may be employed with a single shoot bolt and the other free end of the wire being anchored to a fixed location on the door. The plungers may be repositioned so as to engage directly with corresponding recesses on the main door bolt 116. The wire may be replaced by an alternative linkage. The linkage may be in compression rather than tension. The security device may create a break in the transmission path of the latchlshoot bolts rather than a blockage by utilising a suitable clutch mechanism. Alternative arrangements of an interference member may be provided for engaging the device of the present invention with the shoot bolts such as a collar-type arrangement. The position of the lock and type of lock used may be altered. The positions of the shoot bolts may be altered.

Claims

Claims 1. A security device to improve the security of a secure enclosure having a door, such as an ATM enclosure or a safe, the door having a sliding bolt latching arrangement and a locking arrangement arranged to prevent a retracting movement of the latching arrangement, when in a locked position, the security device comprising a linkage having a portion to be positioned proximate the locking arrangement, and to be arranged such that a severing of the linkage during an attack on the safe causes a secondary locking mechanism to deploy and inhibit opening of the door.
2. A security device according to claim 1 wherein the linkage comprises a flexible member, such as a wire.
3. A security device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the linkage is arranged to be placed in tension.
4. A security device according to any preceding claim the wherein the secondary locking mechanism comprises a first interference member positioned to engage the latching arrangement in the event of a break in the linkage.
5. A security device according to claim 4 wherein a second interference member is arranged to engage the latching arrangement when a severing of the linkage occurs.
6. A security device according to claim 5 wherein the first and second interference members are located at first and second ends of the linkage.
7. A security device according to any preceding claim wherein the latching arrangement comprises a first bolt and a second bolt arranged to engage different locations on the door surround.
8. A security device according to claim 7 when dependent upon claim 6 wherein the first and second interference members are arranged to engage the first and second bolts respectively.
9. A security device according to any preceding claim wherein the linkage is arranged so as to be positionable in the vicinity of a preferential attack location of the locking arrangement.
10. A security device according to claim 9 wherein the preferential attack location is an interface between a lock and a member moveable under the influence of the latching arrangement.
11. A security device according to claim 10 wherein the lock is configured to block movement of the latching arrangement when in a locked condition.
12. A security device according to the preceding claim wherein the interference member is located within a bearing block arranged to support the latching arrangement.
13. A security device according to claim 12 when dependent up claim 3 wherein a resilient member located within the bearing block is arranged to provide tension in the linkage.
14. A door, such as an ATM enclosure or a safe door comprising a latching and locking arrangement and a security device according to any preceding claim.
15. A kit of parts for fitment to door of an ATM enclosure or safe and having a latching and locking arrangement, the kit comprising a linkage having a portion to be positioned proximate the locking arrangement, and a secondary locking mechanism for connection to the linkage such that when installed on the door and when the linkage is severed during an attack on the enclosure or safe, the secondary locking mechanism to deploys and inhibits opening of the door.
16. A method of installing a security device on a door of an ATM enclosure or safe having a latching and locking mechanism; the method comprising the steps of: a) installing a severable linkage in a predetermined location on the door; b) installing a secondary lock mechanism proximate a portion of the latching mechanism; c) connecting the linkage and secondary locking mechanism such that upon a subsequent severing of the linkage, the secondary locking mechanism is automatically actuated to lock the latching mechanism.
17. A shoot bolt for fitment to a door for selective latching engagement of the shoot bolt with a door surround to hold the door in a latched condition, the shoot bolt having an engagement portion for engagement with the surround, the engagement portion having a releasable fixing arrangement for attaching at least one shim thereto to adapt the depth of the engagement portion to the surround and thereby ensure a close fit to the surround when in a latched condition.
18. A shoot bolt according to claim 17 wherein the releaseable fixing arrangement comprises a screw type fixing engageable with a threaded bore of the shoot bolt and the at least one shim.
19. A shoot bolt according to claim 17 or claim 18 wherein the engagement portion is thinner than the remainder of the shoot bolt.