Safe guarded lockable container, particularly for transporting money and securities

• US 4,573,043 A
• Filed: 06/20/1983
• Issued: 02/25/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ranimar Limited
• Original Assignee: Captor Holding BV
• Inventors: van der Lee, Ernst M., Clement, Cornelis J., Heuker of Hoek, Johannes G. J.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lau, Chi K.
• Application Number:
  US06/505,987
• Time in Patent Office: 981 Days
• Field of Search: 340/542, 340/543, 340/571, 340/309.15, 109/21, 109/31, 109/38, 109/39, 220/20, 368/10, 368/12, 368/108, 368/109
• US Class Current: 340/571
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/00 Identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves or intruders, e.g. by explosives

Abstract

Alarm producing apparatus for safeguarding a container carried by a messenger including a time countdown system and a status detection system assuring that container and messenger remain together. Countdown time is set sufficiently to allow normal delivery of container by messenger. Smoke, sound and/or visual signals are triggered by separating container from messenger or by excess time lapse occurring during delivery of container by messenger.

Claims

1. Alarm producing apparatus including a lockable container for safeguarding said container when delivered by a messenger, comprising in combination:

(a) alarm signal activating means for producing an activating signal to actuate at least one alarm means in independent response to (1) a zero instant signal received from a time countdown means;

or (2) a status change signal received from a status detection means;

(b) said status detection means producing said status change signal at any time a change in status occurs in any respective condition monitored for said container;

(c) said time countdown means adapted to proceed to said zero instant signal only when concurrently receiving (1) at least one status locking signal produced by at least one status locking detection means interconnected to monitor the continuing proper condition of said container established prior to starting said time countdown means;

(2) a time signal produced by a time setting means adapted to activate said time countdown means for a prescribed time period; and

(3) a time base signal produced by a time base means adapted to produce a signal of frequency prescribed to cause said time countdown means to count down said time period in decrements of time corresponding to said frequency; and

(d) said alarm apparatus being adapted to give no alarm during said prescribed time period unless (1) said countdown means proceeds to the zero instant signal without being stopped manually as when delivery is completed;

(2) a change in status occurs in at least one of said status detection means as may be caused by a change in conditions established to assure proper delivery of said container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said time setting means comprises:

(a) a plurality of circuit elements accessible for manual manipulation with each of said circuit elements having an allotted period of time;

(b) logic circuit means connected to said circuit elements for producing a binary code of a given number of bits dependent on the circuit element which is energized; and

(c) a programmable dead memory having at least a number of the address lines connected to the output of said logic circuit means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said programmable dead memory contains a number of less significant bit address lines equal to the number of bits of the binary code which are connected to the output of said logic circuit means with the remaining address lines being present by means of circuit elements accessible internally of said container.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein an externally visible display means connected to said countdown means is provided to visualize the countdown.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein an externally audible display means is connected to said time countdown means to provide audible indication of said countdown.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said alarm means comprises an alarm delay circuit means which becomes operable when said time countdown means has counted down to a zero instant, providing the said locking means has continued to generate said locking signal, to produce an indication after a prescribed time delay and to produce an alarm signal after termination of said time delay.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said container comprises:

(a) a transport compartment with a lid for accommodating a cassette;

(b) an electronics compartment for accommodating an essential part of the electronics of said signal producing apparatus;

(c) a smoke cartridge compartment holding at least one smoke cartridge; and

(d) said smoke cartridge compartment having at least one first smoke blowing opening in an outer wall and at least one second smoke blowing opening in the wall between said smoke cartridge compartment and said transport compartment.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said cassette defines an opening which registers with said second smoke blowing opening when said cassette is mounted within said transport compartment.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said container is provided with externally accessible circuit elements for hand manipulation and for visual display.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein accumulator charging terminals are provided for external charging of said apparatus.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said status detection means is adapted to detect a discontinuity of an electrical loop which couples said container and said messenger.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said status locking detection means is connected to assure that said container is initially locked.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said status detection means comprises a radio receiver adapted to receive a radio signal of prescribed minimum signal strength from a radio transmitter carried by said messenger.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said alarm signal means comprises an electrically activated smoke cartridge.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said alarm signal means comprises an electrically operated siren.

16. The alarm signal of claim 1 wherein said alarm signal means comprises visual display means.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said status detection means is adapted to detect a discontinuity of an electrical loop which couples said said container and said messenger.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said status locking detection means is connected to assure that said container is initially locked.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said status detection means comprises a radio receiver adapted to receive a radio signal of prescribed signal strength from a radio transmitter carried by said messenger.

20. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said smoke signal means comprises an electrically activated smoke cartridge.

21. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said alarm signal means comprises an electrical operated siren.

22. The alarm signal of claim 19 wherein said alarm signal means comprises visual display means.

23. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said status detection means is adapted to detect a discontinuity of an electrical loop which couples said container and said messenger.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said status locking detection means is connected to assure that said container is initially locked.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said status detection means comprises a radio receiver adapted to receive a radio signal of prescribed signal strength from a radio transmitter carried by said messenger.