Access control vestibule

• US 5,992,094 A
• Filed: 02/11/1997
• Issued: 11/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William Diaz
• Original Assignee: William Diaz
• Inventors: Diaz, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cohen, Curtis A.
• Application Number:
  US08/780,100
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 49/31, 49/397, 49/398, 49/137, 49/139, 49/381, 49/346, 49/340, 49/339, 49/263, 49/265, 49/DIG. 1, 109/2, 109/3, 109/29, 109/32, 109/6, 109/7, 109/8
• US Class Current: 49/31
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 5/003 Entrance control E05G5/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 5/02 Trapping or confining mechanisms, e.g. transaction security boothsthief or burglar incapacitating means in general G08B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/116 for sluices
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/01 Measuring or predicting earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/105 forming directly coupled primary and secondary coils or loops

Abstract

An access control chamber security system with a security chamber having an aluminum frame and an entrance door and an exit door, a metal detector located within the access control chamber to detect a weapon being carried within the chamber, locks on the doors and a control device to prevent the doors from being opened at the same time or prevent the exit door from opening when a weapon is detected, and further including a side frame member with a cutout section having an insulated member placed therein to provide an open electrical loop in the side frame member, the metal detector having a plurality of coils located in a plurality of zones, a three second time delay from when the manually operated exit door is opened to when the lock on the exit door is re-activated, ballistic fiberglass disposed within a hollow section of the aluminum frame members, floor contact pads with nitrogen disposed within the pads surrounding the metal plates formed therein, a floor contact pad having a plurality of induction coils therein to act as a metal detector for a weapon placed on the floor, a vibration sensor or seismic detector associated with the controls of the access control chamber system to unlock the doors in the event of an earthquake or a bomb explosion, and the lock box covering up the magnetic locks having bullet-resistant capabilities. The vibration sensor includes a magnet hanging from a thin wire, and in close proximity to a normally opened contact switch such that displacement of the magnet closes the contact switch.

Claims

1. An access control vestibule, comprising:

a metal frame including a side wall frame section;

the metal frame defining an access control chamber;

an entrance door and an exit door mounted on opposite ends of the access control chamber to permit access into and exiting from the access control chamber;

a metal detector disposed to detect metal within the access control chamber;

a bullet resistant transparent glass mounted in the side wall frame section;

control means to prevent both doors from being opened at the same time;

seismic detector means to determine if an earthquake or an explosion is occurring;

the seismic detector means and the control means being operatively connected; and

whereby when the seismic-detector means determines that an earthquake or an explosion is occurring, the control means unlocks both doors.

2. An access control chamber vestibule, comprising:

a metal frame defining at least a portion of the access control vestibule;

an entrance door and an exit door;

lock means to lock each of the doors;

an access control chamber formed between the doors;

a metal detector located between the entrance door and the exit door;

the metal frame including a plurality of hollow metal frame members; and

a ballistic fiberglass panel disposed essentially entirely within the hollow section of the metal frame members.

3. The access control vestibule of claim 2, comprising:

said metal frame including a side wall frame section;

the side wall frame section comprising a cutout section;

the side wall frame section comprising a first portion and a second portion;

an insulated member secured in the cutout section to physically connect the first portion to the second portion, and to electrically insulate the first portion from the second portion; and

the side wall frame section and the insulated connecting member in combination being configured to form an open electrical loop in the side wall frame section.

4. The access control vestibule of claim 3, and further comprising:

the metal detector comprising at least one plurality of zoned coils arranged along a plane of the detector; and

each of the coils of the at least one plurality of zoned coils being configured and disposed to detect a magnetic field from a specified area within the access control chamber.

5. The access control vestibule of claim 3, further comprising:

the entrance door and the exit door both being manually operated;

touch pad means located on the exit door;

unlock means to unlock the lock means on the exit door;

the unlock means being operatively connected to the lock means and to the touch pad means, wherein the unlock means is configured to deactivate the lock means and unlock the exit door when the touch pad means is activated by a person; and

control means to provide a three second time delay from the time the touch pad on the exit door is initially activated until the lock means on the exit door is reactivated to lock the exit door.

6. The access control vestibule of claim 5, and further comprising:

a magnetic contact assembly associated with the entrance door, wherein the control means determines through the magnetic contact assembly if the entrance door is closed.

7. The access control vestibule of claim 3, further comprising:

a floor contact pad located on the floor inside the access control chamber;

control means to detect if a person is standing on the floor contact pad;

a sealed chamber within the floor contact pad;

a metal contact plate disposed inside the sealed chamber of the floor contact pad; and

an inert gas disposed to be sealed within the sealed chamber of the floor contact pad.

8. The access control vestibule of claim 7, and further comprising:

nitrogen as the inert gas.

9. The access control vestibule of claim 3, and further comprising:

both doors having a metal frame structure;

the door lock means comprising a magnetic lock associated with each door; and

a bullet resistant cover for each of the magnetic locks, the cover comprising a thin outer cover member and a plurality of thicker metal plates, the plates being arranged between the outer cover member and the magnetic lock.

10. The access control vestibule of claim 3, and further comprising:

a metal exit door frame structure and a metal entrance door frame structure;

a corresponding closer member secured to each of the metal door frame structures;

a slot extending along a top portion of each of the metal door frame structures;

a rigid, arc-shaped bar;

the arc-shape extending over a substantial portion of the entire length of the bar; and

the arc-shaped bar having one end rotatably secured to the corresponding closer member and having another end with a sliding member means, the sliding member means engaging the slot of the corresponding metal door frame structure, whereby a pivoting of the arc-shaped bar produces a movement of the corresponding door.

11. The access control vestibule of claim 3, and further comprising:

a door frame for each door;

at least one continuous door hinge having a length substantially equal to the height of the door frame; and

wherein at least one door frame, along substantially its entire height, is swingably secured to the metal frame by the continuous door hinge.

12. The access control vestibule of claim 3, and further comprising:

control means to prevent both doors from being opened at the same time; and

a magnetic contact assembly associated with the entrance door, wherein the control means determines through the magnetic contact assembly if the entrance door is closed.

13. The access control vestibule of claim 3, and further comprising:

control means to prevent both doors from being opened at the same time;

a seismic detector to determine if an earthquake or an explosion is occurring; and

the seismic detector being operatively connected to the control means, wherein when the vibration seismic detector determines that an explosion or earthquake is occurring, the control means unlocks both doors.

14. The access control vestibule of claim 3, comprising:

control means to prevent both doors from being opened at the same time;

the lock means being operatively connected to the control means;

a touch floor pad located on a floor of the access control chamber;

the touch floor pad comprising;

a plurality of induction coils; and

a rubber material disposed to at least substantially surround the plurality of coils.

15. The access control vestibule of claim 14, and further comprising:

control means to detect if a magnetic field has been induced in at least one of the plurality of induction coils of the touch floor pad;

the detecting control means being operatively connected to the touch floor pad; and

means to prevent the exit door lock from being unlocked when the detecting means detects a magnetic field.

16. The access control vestibule of claim 15, wherein the detecting control means is configured to detect if a magnetic field has been induced in at least one of the plurality of induction coils of the touch floor pad, by the presence of a weapon near the touch floor pad.

17. The access control vestibule of claim 3, comprising:

the entrance door and the exit door each comprising a door frame structure;

the entrance door and the exit door frame structures each being mounted to the metal frame;

wherein the metal frame comprises;

a left side outer corner post;

a left side inner corner post adjacent to the left side outer corner post;

a center post;

two side center posts adjacent to each side of the center post;

a right side outer corner post; and

a right side inner corner post adjacent to the right side outer corner post.

18. The access control vestibule of claim 17, and further comprising:

the outer corner posts and the center post each having a concave portion in which is received an edge of a glass panel.

19. The access control vestibule of claim 18, and further comprising:

at least one of the door frame structures is mounted to either the inner corner post or the side center post;

wherein the at least one door frame structure can swing with respect to at least one of the inner corner post and the side center post.

20. The access control vestibule of claim 17, and further comprising:

the inner corner posts and the side center posts each having a projection extending into one of the door frame structures, wherein the projection is configured to provide a stop for the swinging movement of the door frame structure.

21. An access control vestibule, comprising;

a rectangular metal frame having a plurality of hollow metal frame members;

an entrance door and an exit door;

lock means to lock each of the doors;

an access control chamber formed between the doors;

a metal detector disposed between the entrance door and the exit door;

bullet resistant transparent glass mounted in the frame members; and

ballistic fiberglass panels disposed essentially entirely within the hollow section of the metal frame members.

22. An access control vestibule, comprising:

a metal frame defining at least a portion of the access control vestibule;

an entrance door and an exit door;

lock means to lock each of the doors;

an access control chamber formed between the doors;

a floor contact pad located on the floor inside the access control chamber;

control means to detect if a person is standing on the floor contact pad;

a sealed chamber within the floor contact pad;

a metal contact plate disposed inside the sealed chamber of the floor contact pad; and

an inert gas disposed within the sealed chamber of the floor contact pad.

23. The access control vestibule of claim 22, comprising:

nitrogen as the inert gas.

24. The access control vestibule of claim 22, comprising:

said metal frame includes a side wall frame section;

a metal detector configured to detect metal within the access control chamber, and disposed to detect metal within the access control chamber;

the side wall frame section comprises a lower frame member and an upper frame member disposed above the lower frame member;

the lower frame member comprises a cutout section;

the lower frame member comprises a first portion and a second portion;

an insulated member secured in the cutout section to physically connect the first portion to the second portion, and to electrically insulate the first portion from the second portion; and

the side wall frame section and the insulated connecting member in combination being configured to form an open electrical loop in the side wall frame section.

25. The access control vestibule of claim 22, and further comprising:

a metal detector being located between the entrance door and the exit door;

the metal detector comprising at least one plurality of zoned coils arranged along a plane of the detector; and

wherein each of the coils of the at least one plurality of zoned coils picks up a magnetic field from a specified area within the access control chamber.

26. The access control vestibule of claim 22, further comprising:

the entrance door and the exit door both being manually operated;

touch pad means located on the exit door;

unlock means to unlock the lock means on the exit door;

the unlock means being operatively connected to the lock means and to the touch pad means, wherein the unlock means is configured to deactivate the lock means and unlock the exit door when the touch pad means is activated by a person; and

control means to provide a three second time delay from the time the touch pad on the exit door is initially activated until the lock means on the exit door is reactivated to lock the exit door.

27. The access control vestibule of claim 26, and further comprising:

a magnetic contact assembly associated with the entrance door, wherein the control means determines through the magnetic contact assembly if the entrance door is closed.

28. The access control vestibule of claim 22, further comprising:

the metal frame including a plurality of hollow metal frame members; and

a ballistic fiberglass panel disposed within the hollow section of at least one of the plurality of hollow metal frame members.

29. The access control vestibule of claim 22, and further comprising:

both doors having a metal frame structure;

the door lock means comprising a magnetic lock associated with each door; and

a bullet resistant cover for each of the magnetic locks, the cover comprising a thin outer cover member and a plurality of thicker metal plates, the plates being arranged between the outer cover member and the magnetic lock.

30. The access control vestibule of claim 22, and further comprising:

a metal exit door frame structure and a metal entrance door frame structure;

a corresponding closer member secured to each of the metal door frame structures;

a slot extending along a top portion of each of the metal door frame structures;

a rigid, arc-shaped bar;

the arc-shape extending over a substantial portion of the entire length of the bar; and

the arc-shaped bar having one end rotatably secured to the corresponding closer member and having another end with a sliding member means, the sliding member means engaging the slot of the corresponding metal door frame structure, whereby a pivoting of the arc-shaped bar produces a movement of the corresponding door.

31. The access control vestibule of claim 22, and further comprising:

a door frame structure for each door;

at least one continuous door hinge having a length substantially equal to the height of a corresponding one of the door frame structures;

the at least one continuous hinge comprising several mounting structures; and

the several mounting structures being disposed along a substantial portion of the length of the at least one continuous hinge to secure the at least one continuous hinge to the metal frame and to the corresponding one of the door frame structures.

32. The access-control vestibule of claim 22, and further comprising:

control means to prevent both doors from being opened at the same time.

33. The access control vestibule of claim 22, and further comprising:

a seismic detector to determine if an earthquake or an explosion is occurring; and

the seismic detector being operatively connected to the control means, wherein when the vibration seismic detector determines that an explosion or earthquake is occurring, the control means unlocks both doors.

34. The access control vestibule of claim 22, comprising:

a touch floor-pad located on a floor of the access control chamber;

the touch floor pad comprising;

a plurality of induction coils; and

a rubber material disposed to at least substantially surround the plurality of coils.

35. The access control vestibule of claim 34, and further comprising:

control means to detect if a magnetic field has been induced in at least one of the plurality of induction coils of the touch floor pad;

the detecting control means being operatively connected to the touch floor pad; and

means to prevent the exit door lock from being unlocked when the detecting control means detects a magnetic field.

36. The access control vestibule of claim 35, wherein the detecting control means is configured to detect if a magnetic field has been induced in at least one of the plurality of induction coils of the touch floor pad, by the presence of a weapon near the touch floor pad.

37. The access control vestibule of claim 22, comprising:

the entrance door and the exit door each comprising a door frame structure;

the entrance door and the exit door frame structures each being mounted to the metal frame;

wherein the metal frame comprises;

a left side outer corner post;

a left side inner corner post adjacent to the left side outer corner post;

a center post;

two side center posts adjacent to each side of the center post;

a right side outer corner post; and

a right side inner corner post adjacent to the right sit outer corner post.

38. The access control vestibule of claim 37, and further comprising:

the outer corner posts and the center post each having a concave portion in which is received an edge of a glass panel.

39. The access control vestibule of claim 38, and further comprising at least one of the door frame structures is swingably mounted to either the inner corner post or the side center post.

40. The access control vestibule of claim 37, and further comprising:

the inner corner posts and the side center posts each having a projection extending into one of the door frame structures, wherein the projection is configured to provide a stop for the swinging improvement of the door frame structure.

41. An access control vestibule, comprising:

an entrance door and an exit door;

an access control chamber formed between the doors;

lock means to lock both of the doors;

control means to prevent both doors from being opened at the same time;

the control means being operatively connected to the lock means; and

vibration sensing means to determine if an earthquake or an explosion is occurring;

the vibration sensing means being operatively connected to the control means;

whereby when the vibration sensing means determines that an earthquake or an explosion is occurring, the control means unlocks both doors.

42. The access control vestibule of claim 41, and further comprising:

means to mount the vibration sensing means onto the access control chamber.

43. The access control vestibule of claim 41, and further comprising:

the vibration sensing means comprises a seismic detector.

44. The access control vestibule of claim 41, wherein the vibration sensing means comprises:

a pendulum arrangement connected at one end to a fixed frame;

a magnet connected to the other end of the pendulum arrangement;

a contact switch having either a normally opened position or a normally closed position; and

wherein when the magnet is displaced, the switch reverses from its normal position.

45. The access control vestibule of claim 44, and further comprising:

a metal box enclosing the vibration sensing means, the metal box forming the fixed frame.

46. The access control vestibule of claim 41, and further comprising:

means to mount the vibration sensing means onto the vestibule.

47. The access control vestibule of claim 46, and further comprising:

a power supply box;

mount means to mount the vibration sensing means in the power supply box.

48. The access control vestibule of claim 47, wherein the vibration sensing means comprises:

a pendulum arrangement connected at one end to a fixed frame;

a magnet connected to the other end of the pendulum arrangement;

a contact switch having either a normally opened position or a normally closed position; and

wherein when the magnet is displaced, the switch reverses from its normal position.

49. The access control vestibule of claim 48, and further comprising:

a metal box enclosing the vibration sensing means, the metal box forming the fixed frame.

50. The access control vestibule of claim 49, and further comprising:

the vibration sensing means comprises a seismic detector.

51. The access control vestibule of claim 50, comprising:

said access control chamber having a metal frame;

said metal frame includes a side wall frame section;

a metal detector configured to detect metal within the access control chamber, and disposed to detect metal within the access control chamber;

the side wall frame section comprises a cutout section;

the side wall frame section comprises a first portion and a second portion;

an insulated member secured in the cutout section to physically connect the first portion to the second portion, and to electrically insulate the first portion from the second portion; and

the side wall frame section and the insulated connecting member in combination being configured to form an open electrical loop in the side wall frame section.

52. The access control vestibule of claim 50, and further comprising:

a metal detector being located between the entrance door and the exit door;

the metal detector comprising a first plurality of zoned coils arranged along a first plane of the detector and a second plurality of zoned coils arranged along a second plane of the detector; and

wherein each of the coils of the first and second pluralities of zoned coils picks up a magnetic field from a specified area within the access control chamber.

53. The access control vestibule of claim 50, further comprising:

the entrance door and the exit door both being manually operated;

touch pad means located on the exit door;

unlock means to unlock the lock means on the exit door;

the unlock means being operatively connected to the lock means and to the touch pad means, wherein the unlock means is configured to deactivate the lock means and unlock the exit door when the touch pad means is activated by a person; and

control means to provide a three second time delay from the time the touch pad on the exit door is initially activated until the lock means on the exit door is reactivated to lock the exit door.

54. The access control vestibule of claim 53, and further comprising:

a magnetic contact assembly associated with the entrance door, wherein the control means to prevent both doors from being opened at the same time determines through the magnetic contact assembly if the entrance door is closed.

55. The access control vestibule of claim 50, further comprising:

the metal frame including a plurality of hollow metal frame members; and

a ballistic fiberglass panel disposed within the hollow section of at least one of the plurality of hollow metal frame members.

56. The access control vestibule of claim 50, and further comprising:

both doors having a metal frame structure;

the door lock means comprising a magnetic lock associated with each door; and

a bullet resistant cover for each of the magnetic locks, the cover comprising a thin outer cover member and a plurality of thicker metal plates, the plates being arranged between the outer cover member and the magnetic lock.

57. The access control vestibule of claim 50, and further comprising:

a metal exit door frame structure and a metal entrance door frame structure;

a corresponding closer member secured to each of the metal door frame structures;

a slot extending along a top portion of each of the metal door frame structures;

a rigid, arc-shaped bar;

the arc-shape extending over a substantial portion of the entire length of the bar; and

the arc-shaped bar having one end rotatably secured to the corresponding closer member and having another end with a sliding member means, the sliding member means engaging the slot of the corresponding metal door frame structure, whereby a pivoting of the arc-shaped bar produces a movement of the corresponding door.

58. The access control vestibule of claim 50, and further comprising:

a door frame for each door;

at least one continuous door hinge having a length substantially equal to the height of the door frame; and

wherein at least one door frame, along substantially its entire height, is swingably secured to the metal frame by the continuous door hinge.

59. The access control vestibule of claim 50, comprising:

a touch floor pad located on a floor of the access control chamber;

the touch floor pad comprising;

a plurality of induction coils; and

a rubber material disposed to at least substantially surround the plurality of coils.

60. The access control vestibule of claim 59, and further comprising:

control means to detect if a magnetic field has been induced in at least one of the plurality of induction coils of the touch floor pad;

the detecting control means being operatively connected to the touch floor pad; and

means to prevent the exit door lock from being unlocked when the detecting control means detects a magnetic field.

61. The access control vestibule of claim 60, wherein the detecting control means is configured to detect if a magnetic field has been induced in at least one of the plurality of induction coils of the touch floor pad, by the presence of a weapon near the touch floor pad.

62. The access control vestibule of claim 50, comprising:

the entrance door and the exit door each comprising a door frame structure;

the entrance door and the exit door frame structures each being mounted to the metal frame;

wherein the metal frame comprises;

a left side outer corner post;

a left side inner corner post adjacent to the left side outer corner post;

a center post;

two side center posts adjacent to each side of the center post;

a right side outer corner post; and

a right side inner corner post adjacent to the right side outer corner post.

63. The access control vestibule of claim 62, and further comprising:

the outer corner posts and the center post each having a concave portion in which is received an edge of a glass panel.

64. The access control vestibule of claim 63, and further comprising:

at least one of the door frame structures is mounted to either the inner corner post or the side center post;

wherein the at least one door frame structure can swing with respect to the posts.

65. The access control vestibule of claim 62, and further comprising:

the inner corner posts and the side center posts each having a projection extending into one of the door frame structures, wherein the projection is configured to provide a stop for the swinging movement of the door frame structure.