Fiber optic vault security system

• US 9,405,038 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2014
• Issued: 08/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B/E Aerospace Incorporated (Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: B/E Aerospace Incorporated (Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Knight, Philip A., Hanlin, R Josh
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US14/539,144
• Publication Number:
  US 20150254949A1
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 340/556, 340/550, 340/555, 250/227.14, 250/227.15, 109 78- 82
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 25/02 Packaging agricultural or horticultural products
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/024 Wall or panel structure
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0425 using optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/16 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/124 with the breaking or disturbance being optically detected, e.g. optical fibers in the perimeter fence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/126 for a housing, e.g. a box, a safe, or a room
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1463 Physical arrangements, e.g. housings devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/186 using light guides, e.g. optical fibres

Abstract

An enclosed security system includes a metal cage with security panel affixed thereto, forming a vault in which an item of value is enclosed. The security panels include a series of fiber optic security cables, preferably arranged in a sinusoidal pattern with nested fiber loops for added security. The cage preferably includes the security panels on the sides, front, top and door to form the vault enclosure. Fiber optical sensor cables are routed through the tubular frame members to a control box. An optical security tether may optionally be connected between the control box and a protected asset. The tether preferably comprises a jacketed fiber optic cable with internal strength member, surrounded by a metallic armored flex sheath. Any breakage or disconnection of the fiber optic cables within the panels or tether from the control box is detected by the monitor, causing an alert signal.

Claims

1. A fiber optic security vault comprising:

a frame comprising a series of connected, hollow support members, said frame forming a three-dimensional enclosure, and said frame including a door on a front side thereof;

a series of panels attached to said frame on an outer portion thereof, and at least one panel attached to an outer face of said door, wherein each said panel includes at least one fiber optic cable embedded therein;

a splicing tray positioned within said vault, said splicing tray adapted to receive a plurality of fiber optic cables, and wherein said fiber optic cables are spliced together to form at least one circuit;

said fiber optic cables being operatively connected to a light processor for transmitting and receiving light signals; and

said light processor being capable of detecting disturbances in said light signal, and said light processor being operatively connected to an alarm system, so that if said light processor detects a disturbance in said light signal, said light processor sends a signal to trigger said alarm system.

2. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 1, wherein said fiber optic cables of each panel are operatively connected together in series, forming a single fiber optic circuit about said vault.

3. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 1, wherein sections of expanded metal are attached to inner portions of said frame members, forming inner walls of said vault.

4. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 1, further including sections of spaced bars attached to inner portions of said frame members to provide an additional physical barrier against access to said vault.

5. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 1, further including anchoring means for securing said vault to said floor, wherein said anchoring means are attached to said frame on a bottom portion thereof, on an inside of said vault, and wherein said anchoring means are further secured to a floor beneath said vault.

6. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 1, further including a magnetic switch apparatus affixed to said door and said frame adjacent said door for monitoring whether said door is in an open or a closed position.

7. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 1, wherein portions of said fiber optic cable extend through said hollow frame members.

8. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 1, wherein said fiber optic cables are oriented within each said panel so that ends of said fiber optic cable extend outwardly from each corner of said panel on a rear side thereof, and wherein each end of said fiber optic cable is operatively connected to fiber optic cables that extend through said hollow frame members and are operatively connected to a control box.

9. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 1, further including at least one camera affixed to an inside portion of said vault, said camera providing a video feed to a component selected from the group consisting of a video monitor and a recording device, or both.

10. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 1, further including a fiber hinge mechanism comprising:

a pivot pin secured within said frame member;

a spring loaded pivoting arm attached to said pivot pin and extending upwardly from said frame member and adjacent a fixed door frame having a hole passing therethrough, said pivoting arm defining a hole in a front portion thereof;

a length of fiber optic cable extending outwardly from said frame member, through said hole in said pivoting arm, over a top portion of said pivoting arm, through said hole in said fixed door frame and into a frame of said door;

wherein said pivoting arm is spring biased in a direction away from said door, so that when said door is closed, said pivoting arm moves away from said door and said fixed door frame, and when said door is open, said pivoting arm moves in a direction toward said fixed door frame and said door, in order to prevent said fiber optic cable from becoming crimped or bent into an unacceptably acute angle during operation of said door.

11. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 1, further including a fiber optic tether that is operatively connected to a control box on one end thereof, and may be connected to a protected asset within said vault on an opposed end thereof.

12. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 1, further including an authorized access reader attached to an outer portion of said vault or to a remote location and operatively connected to an electric strike.

13. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 12, wherein said access reader is adapted to read multiple factors in order to provide access to said vault.

14. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 6, wherein said magnetic switch includes a sensor and a target, and wherein a fiber optic loop extends about said target, said fiber optic loop being operatively connected to said light processor.

15. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 1, further including a fiber optic tether operatively connected to said light processor.

16. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 15, wherein said tether includes a detachable loop on a distal end.

17. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 16, wherein said loop includes an anchor block operatively connected thereto.

18. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 16, further including a tether clamp block comprising:

a housing with a removable cover;

at least one channel disposed within said housing for receiving fiber optic cable; and

wherein said fiber optic cable positioned within said channel includes a fiber optic connection that may be unconnected and reconnected.

19. The fiber optic security vault set forth in claim 17, wherein said anchor block is adhesively or mechanically connected to a floor or wall.