Security system

• US 7,760,091 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2007
• Issued: 07/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Declan Comerford
• Original Assignee: Declan Comerford
• Inventors: Comerford, Declan
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILSON, BRIAN P
• Application Number:
  US11/762,805
• Publication Number:
  US 20070241898A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/10 Illuminating devices on or for locks or keys; Transparent or translucent lock parts; Indicator lights
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0005 Key safes E05B35/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 35/086 using a pair of interlocked keys, one of the keys being non-removable; key-storing devices from which only one key can be removed at a time
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/005 combined burglary and fire alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/062 indicating emergency exits

Abstract

A security system for securing a set of keys comprises a housing having an external aperture for receiving a security tag which is attached to the keys, the aperture being associated with a locking mechanism which is operable by a keypad to secure the security tag in or release the tag from the aperture. A sensor monitors the presence of the security tag in the aperture, and an alarm is activated if the security tag is removed from the housing without releasing the locking mechanism. The security system eases the location of the keys in an emergency and also provides a straightforward security system for preventing the theft of house or vehicle keys or the like.

Claims

1. A security system comprising:

a security tag;

at least one fastener releasably attaching the security tag to at least one key; and

an electronic security device including a housing which defines an aperture for receiving the security tag, a mechanism for releasably engaging the security tag in the aperture of the housing in a secured configuration while said security device is in a an armed condition, a sensor for monitoring a position of the security tag relative to the aperture of the housing, and a signal generator which actuates a warning signal when said security tag is moved from said secured configuration while said security device is in said armed condition,

wherein, when said security tag is in said secured configuration and said security device is in said armed condition, said tag and said at least one key are removable from said housing, said at least one fastener is inaccessible to release said at least one key from said security tag, and at least a portion of said key is visible and disposed external of said housing of said security device.

2. A security system according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for measuring and monitoring an environmental parameter in close proximity to said housing; and

a means for actuating an alarm when said environmental parameter falls outside of a predetermined range.

3. A security system according to claim 2, wherein:

said environmental parameter is selected from the group consisting of noise, smoke, heat and carbon-dioxide level.

4. A security system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a vibration detector operable to detect vibration caused by tampering with said security system.

5. A security system according to claim 1, wherein:

said mechanism includes a user operable keypad for inputting a code to lock or disengage said security tag to or from said housing of said electronic security device.

6. A security system according to claim 5, further comprising:

means for illuminating said keypad when said warning signal is actuated by said signal generator.

7. A security system according to claim 5, wherein:

said security device includes an identification means for identifying a particular tag inserted into said aperture of said housing and releasably secured therein, and

wherein, a corresponding input code associated with said particular tag may be inputted to said security device to disengage said particular tag from said housing of said security device.

8. A security system according to claim 7, wherein:

said housing defines at least one additional aperture for receiving at least one additional security tag.

9. A security system according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one light which is operable to illuminate said security device when the warning signal is actuated by said signal generator.

10. A security system according to claim 1, wherein:

said key and said tag are manually removable from said security device when said security tag is disposed in said secured configuration and when said security device is in said armed condition.

11. A security system according to claim 10, wherein:

said key and said tag are manually removable from said security device by pulling on the visible portion of said key.