US1526351A - Device for preventing robberies - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 17, 1925.

R. B. LAWRENCE DEVICE FOR PREVENTING ROBBERIES Filed Feb. 24, 1922 &

INVENTOR ,jaja/L (AM m P Patentecl Feb. 17, 1925e RUBEN B. LAW'RENCE, OF BELLEVUE, PENNSYLV ANLA, 'AssIGNoR TO runner. LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA A conronn TION' OF DELAWARE.

DEVICE FOB. PREVENTING RO'BBERIES.

. Application filed February 24, 1922. Serial No. 539,042.

To all whom ?lt 'may comcern: g v

Be it known that I, RUBEN B. LAWRENCE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bellevue, County of Allegheny, Pennsyl- Vania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Devices for Preventing Robberies, of which the following is a full clear, and exact description.

The present invention relatesto a device for preventing robberies and more particularly to a device for producing an incapacitating gas. The gas is contained 'in a receptacle which also contains a detonating charge and an electric igniter. iThe receptacle preferably resembles an electric lanp bulb or other usual room fixture, so that it will be inconspicuous. The receptacle is preferably provided with a base which allows it .to be removably'placed in a standard electric lamp socket. y

In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention, y

Figure 1 is aside elevation of the preferred embodiment of the device as it appears inserted in a lighting socketz F igure 2 is a sectional View, and

Figure 3 is a wiring diagram.

Referring to the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a glass receptacle 1 contains a glass container or containers 2 shown in the form of Vials which contain a gas forning liquid 3. The vials are hernetically sealed. The receptacle 2 also encicses a detonator 4, located between the Vials 3. Plaster of Paris or body of similar ineterial 5 is used to hold the Vials and detonator in position.

The receptacle l is made in the form ot' the ordinary electric lamp bulb and is either 'rosted or made of milk white glass to conceal its contents. It is provided with a standard electric lanp base 6 which screws into the usual electric lamp socket 7 and makes electrical connection therewith. The detonator 4 is of usual Construction and contains a dctonating or explosive charge 8 and an electric igniter 9. The wires 10 from the igniter are connected to the base of the receptacle so as to make electric connection with the socket 7.

The Vials 2 contain a substance which will produce an incapacitating gas, preferably a gas which will completely incapacitate for ashort time but which will not leave any permanent after effects. 'The usual lachrymose, sneeze, or vomiting'gases` or a combinationof them, may be used. The gas forming liquid known 'as dibrombenzine, which is a lachrymose gas,` is pre'fex'ably employed as it will completely but temporarily incapacitate a person. g

A bank or other place which is to be protected against robbery is wired and the lighting sockets placed' in their y proper places. This work ma be done by the ordinary electricians w o will not know for what purpose the Wiring is to' be put in. The gas and detonating charge holding receptacles which look exactly like electrio lights may then be put in place, without any outsider knowing that the bank is so protected.

In Figure 3 is illustrated diagrammatically the electric wiring. A number of the gas containing receptacles are shown as inserted in the lamp sockets 7 whichare connected to an electric circuit ll containing a battery 12 and a number of switches prefably in the form of push buttons 13. The push buttons 13 may be placed'in any convenient places where any one of a number of employees can readily reach them in case of an attempted robbery.

When one of the push buttons is pressed the detonating charges explode With a loud report which will attract the attention of the would-be robbers from their burglarious designs, giving the employees a chance to drop behind counters or other protections and to seize gas masks. The detonating report will be immediately followed by the incapacitating Vapors from the gas producing substance. The detonating charge will completely shatter the gas containers and will atomize the liquid insuring a quick and thorough distribution thereof. Only a small amount of the liquid is needed as these gas producing liquids are now developed where a fracton of an ounce will incapactate all persons in an ordinary size room.

While I have specifically illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that the make electric connection with a standard i electric lamp socket, substantially as described. I

2; A robbery preventng devce comprsixga receptacle resembling an electric lamp b pacitatin "gas y onating c arge adapted to shatter the recept-acle and an electrc igniter for the detonating charge, and having a base adapted to fit and make .electric connection with the usual electric lamp Soket, substantially as described. e

3. A robbery preventing device comprising a frarigible container having therein an incapacitating gas producng sub'stance and also containing a detonating' charge adapted to'rupture the container and scatter the gas producng substance the gas produ'cing substance substantiall surrounding the detonatng charge in t e container, substantialdescribed. p 4:. A robbery' preventing device comprising a gla container having therein an incapacitating gas producing 'substance and also containing a detonating charge adapted to rupture the container and scatter the gas producng substance, the gas producing' substance lying between the detonating charge in ap pearance and containing an incaproducing substance, a detand the walls of the container, substantially as described.

5. A robbery preventing device comprising afrangible container resemblingaroom fixture and havin therein'an incapacitating gas producing sustance, and also containing a. detonating charge adapted to rupture the container and scatter the gas producing substance, the gas producing substance surrounding the detonating charge in the contaner, substantially as described.

6. A robbery preventing device comprising a frangible container havin therein an incapacitating gas producng su stance and also containing a. detonating charge adapted t'o'rupture -the container and scatter the gas producing substance, the gas producin substance surrounding the detonating ciarge in the container, and a glass separating wall between the detonator. and the 'as producing substanca, substantially as escribed.

7 A robbery preventin "device compris'- ing an outercontainen a tonating charge therein, and a'gas producng substance ina separate container lying ,within the oute'r container between the detonating charge and the wall 'of the outer container, substantially as' described. V

8. A robbery pre ventingdevice compris ing an outer container, a detonating charge oontained therein, a plurality of separate `containers within the outer conta'iner, each containing a gas producing substance, the

inner container lying between the detonating charge and the walls of the outer container, substantially as described. V

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

' RUBEN B. LAWRENCE.

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