With Closure Fastening Means Patents (Class 109/59R)
  • Patent number: 6135034
    Abstract: A trash can safe for hiding and storing valuables. The trash can safe includes a base and a perimeter side wall upwardly extending around the base to define an interior space. A plurality of stackable trays are provided in the interior space. The trays are stackable on each other to form a stack of trays such that each tray substantially covers the space of the tray therebelow. A lid is provided for substantially covering a top tray of the stack of trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Arlene J. Clark
  • Patent number: 6089168
    Abstract: A secure enclosure (10) for an automated banking machine includes a chest portion (12) and a moveable door (14). The door of the secure enclosure has mounted thereon a locking bolt work mechanism (24) which operates in a secure condition to engage locking bolt engaging apertures (46). The door further includes dead bolt projections (150) which engage apertures (62) when the door is in the closed position. The bolt work mechanism includes a drive cam (122) which is engageable by a member of a lock (126). The drive cam is connected to a pair of idler cams (118, 120) by L-links (134, 136). The idler cams are connected to a locking bolt (102) by S-links (138, 140). Movement of the drive cam enables moving the locking bolt between extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Inter Bold
    Inventors: Richard E. Dunlap, Donald W. Harry, Gerald T. Sedlock, Thomas A. Vankirk, Howard E. Antram, Joseph M. Kalinowski, Scott A. Mercer, Paul J. Cox, Kenneth C. Kontor, H. Thomas Graef
  • Patent number: 6000348
    Abstract: A security enclosure with an electronic lock, a concealed hinge door and lock wheel which operates a lock internal to the security enclosure. The electronic lock operates by a key pad into which a required security code may be entered. When the correct code is entered, a solenoid within the enclosure retracts moving a pin which allows the lock wheel to rotate. When the lock wheel is rotated, strike bolts extending into the top and bottom of the enclosure and left and right strike bars extending to the sides of the enclosure are retracted enabling the door to be pulled open. The door construction is such that there are no external hinges which may be drilled out, and the door itself is recessed so that it cannot be pried open. Attempts to turn the lock wheel when the solenoid is engaged have no effect because the wheel cannot be turned without breaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Citicorp Development Center, Inc.
    Inventor: Cuong D. Do
  • Patent number: 5987941
    Abstract: Disclosed is a weapons vault specifically designed to operate within the parameters of security and restricted access systems. The said weapons vault consists of an electronic enclosure having an asymmetrical shaped hopper capable of holding a pistol or hand gun. The hopper is secured into place by a solenoid locking mechanism and through the force of gravity, the hopper can physically move the pistol or handgun outside of the electronic enclosure. Provided in the electronic enclosure is a magnetic micro switch detecting the position of the hopper in the open or closed position. The electronic enclosure is also provided with flush mounting features, and industry standard equipment for versatility of operating methods. The weapons vault can be connected to most any security or restricted access systems as an accessory capable of being programmed to effect various signals for dispatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: Chris J. Zocco
  • Patent number: 5970890
    Abstract: A secure enclosure (10) for an automated banking machine includes a chest portion (12) and a moveable door (14). The door is supported on hinge assemblies (20, 22) which enable mounting and accurately positioning the door despite misalignment of the hinges. One hinge assembly includes a pin (156) which has a ball (186) thereon. The pin is accepted into a larger bore (164) of the other hinge assembly despite axial misalignment of the hinge and bore. The bore has an adjusting screw (188) movably positioned therein which engages the ball when the hinge assemblies are connected. Movement of the adjusting screw enables adjusting the relative positions of the hinge assemblies. In making the secure enclosure one hinge assembly is attached to the chest while the other hinge assembly is attached to the door. The hinge assemblies are connected to movably mount the door on the enclosure. The hinges are adjusted so that dead bolt projections (150) on the door engage aperture (62) when the door is in a closing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: InterBold
    Inventors: Donald W. Harry, Gerald T. Sedlock, Thomas A. Vankirk, Joseph M. Kalinowski
  • Patent number: 5931104
    Abstract: A pivotal hinge for a security safe that includes a cabinet (20) with a door opening (48) in the front having recessed doorjambs (30) and (46). The cabinet is smooth and devoid of any through-holes or hardware for attachment purposes. A door (50) is positioned within the opening and includes a pair of pivot pins (68) protruding from the top and bottom interfacing with a hole (40) in the top and a hollow compression sleeve (44) on the bottom. The door pivots on the pins and interfaces with the doorjambs on the door locking side (54), top (36) and bottom (38), while the hinge side (52) mates with a reversed discrete doorjamb (46), placing the door hinge side inside of the cabinet structure for protection. The pivot pin on the bottom is hid within the compression sleeve and the top pin is located at a rear portion of the door, making it essentially inaccessible from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventors: William A. Horn, Steven J. Baker
  • Patent number: 5901589
    Abstract: A storage safe is especially adapted for storage of hand guns having a substantially parallelepiped shaped exterior body and internal compartment for holding a hand gun in position for grasping ready to fire. Fast access to the gun under emergency conditions is provided by a novel internal spring biased latching mechanism locking the access door closed. The safe may be immediately opened by operating a hidden unlatching trigger from outside the safe and opening the door in an unconventional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Carlos T. Cordero
  • Patent number: 5857417
    Abstract: A coin vault assembly for a self service air machine for gasoline stations. The coin vault assembly is part of a vertical base of the air machine. There is a recess in the vertical base which houses the coin vault assembly at a depth which can not be actively tampered by hacksaw, chisel, etc. The coin vault assembly has a rectangular shape with an open end covered by a pivoted removable door that pivots in a slot in the coin vault. There is a lock extension which passes thorough a slot in the door to receive a padlock. A crescent shaped lock protector further protects the lock from tampering or forced action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Arthur T. Hart
  • Patent number: 5784973
    Abstract: A secure enclosure (10) for an automated banking machine includes a door (30). A bolt (38) is slidably mounted on the door and is moveable responsive to the condition of a lock. The bolt includes front portions (56) and back portions (58). In the extended position the bolt engages a latch (60) and an angle member (52) attached to the door. In the extended position, the front portions of the bolt extend through apertures (62), (78) in the latch and angle members respectively. The back portion of the bolt engages second bolt engaging portions (80). An opposed side of the door from the latch includes projecting portions (64). The projecting portions extend in pockets (64) when the door is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: InterBold
    Inventors: Scott A. Mercer, Paul J. Cox, Kenneth C. Kontor, H. Thomas Graef
  • Patent number: 5778708
    Abstract: A door locking mechanism is disclosed including a door locking member in communication with a lock-actuated bolt which selectively allows rotation of a rotatable actuator plate member. The rotating actuator plate member is attached to a rotatable handle and to a plurality of actuator bars which move locking bolts so as to selectively prevent opening of the door. The rotatable actuator plate member enables all of the actuators to be moved from a single location so that a plurality of cams, etc., are not needed to move locking bolts positioned about the perimeter of the door between open and locking positions. In an additional aspect of the invention, horizontally extending actuator bars are adjustably attached to elongate locking bars having a plurality of locking bolts attached thereto, so as to enable assembly of the locking structures of the door locking mechanism without assembly, and to enable interchangeability of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Liberty Safe & Security Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gauis P. Crosby, Terry R. Zierenberg
  • Patent number: 5758522
    Abstract: Electronic access control of a seldom-used outdoor security enclosure, such as a key vault, is provided by a vault lid and key system whereby the procedure for opening the enclosure occurs in two stages. One stage is a low-force stage provided by electromechanical mechanisms housed within the lid and energized by a relatively low power source. The high-force stage is provided by a human operator applying manual force to open the lid. The system is particularly adapted for security enclosures that are exposed to an outdoor environment and not operated for extended periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: James D. York
  • Patent number: 5590609
    Abstract: An envelope dispenser (50) for use in an automated teller machine includes a lockable access door (14). The door includes a slot (20), integral with its first face (16). The door is locked by the engagement of a first member (36) in a first notch portion (24) of the slot. The door is unlocked by an actuator (46) which upon the receipt of an electrical signal moves the first member into a central portion (28) of the slot. In this position the door may be manually moved to a fully open position by a user. In the open position the actuator urges the first member into a second notch portion (26), which releasably holds the door in the open position. In the open position envelopes stored in the machine may be accessed. From the open position the door can either be manually closed or automatically closed by the cessation of the electrical signal which enables a spring (44) to move the first member to the central portion of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: InterBold
    Inventors: Natarajan Ramachandran, Kim R. Lewis, Richard C. Lute, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5513580
    Abstract: This invention discloses a lockbox or safe for storing possessions, which can be installed in a closet in a manner that requires opening the lockbox before it can be removed from the closet. This is done by providing one or more extensions (such as side walls, rigid shafts, or end caps) that can be extended outwardly from either or both sides of the lockbox. When retracted, the lockbox has dimensions that allow it to be inserted into the closet through the closet door. After it is positioned on the floor of the closet, the compartment door is opened. This provides access to a mechanism that controls the positioning of the extensions, such as bolts or cotter pins that interact with multiple spaced holes in sliding mechanisms. The extension locking mechanism is unlocked, and the extensions are pushed outwardly until they press against the side walls of the closet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventor: Curtis Franks
  • Patent number: 5488914
    Abstract: The present invention provides a security device for boxes. The security device includes a cabinet device defining an enclosure for safekeeping a box containing, for example, valuable materials. The cabinet device includes side walls, a rear wall, a front wall and a bottom base. The cabinet device has an open top section into which a bottom portion of the box which is to be secured is inserted into the upper inner portion of the cabinet device. The bottom base includes a locking device for securing the cabinet onto a supporting surface such as a floor. The front wall includes a drawer removably secured to the front wall. The cabinet includes releasably interlocking devices at the upper inner portion of the walls to secure the box onto the cabinet which is secured onto a support surface such as, for example, the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Inventor: Jay Ouellette
  • Patent number: 5435641
    Abstract: A cabinet formed from a unitary open-faced cubicle structure having two lateral walls, an upper wall, a bottom wall, and a rear wall. A door closes the open face of the structure. The cabinet has at least one chimney along one lateral wall, the chimney extending from the front, open face to the rear wall of the cabinet. The chimney opens at both the rear wall of the structure and the front face of the structure. The opening at the front face is positioned to receive a lock carried by the door. Therefore, the lock is isolated from the interior of the cabinet, and the interior is protected from entry of dust and moisture. The cabinet also has a flashing system in the vicinity of its edges, which prevents entry of water into the interior of the cabinet. Additionally, the cabinet has edges in the vicinity of the door that provide additional pressure on seals within the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Michel Dumon Dupuis, Lluis Xaus Regordosa
  • Patent number: 5341752
    Abstract: A security safe includes a housing having an annular portion defining an opening to an interior cavity, a door mounted to the annular portion for movement between opened and closed positions relative to the opening and having an interior side facing the interior cavity, an improved lock and boltworks mechanism mounted on the door, and an improved arrangement for hingedly mounting the door to the annular portion of the housing. The lock and boltworks mechanism includes a coupler member mounted on the interior side of the door and reciprocally and linearly movable between first and second positions so as to concurrently move a plurality of lock members between locked and unlocked positions in response thereto. The lock and boltworks mechanism also includes an arrangement for causing movement of the coupler member from the second to first position to cause movement of the lock members to their locked positions automatically in response to the door moving from the opened to closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Inventor: Brian Hambleton
  • Patent number: 5329865
    Abstract: A security box assembly has a body portion and a cover portion. The cover portion has a top wall with hook and loop type fastener sheets for adhering the box to the undersurface of a table or counter, and has depending walls defining a downwardly open hollow interior. The body portion has a bottom wall with upstanding walls defining an upwardly open hollow interior. The body portion is moveable to and from a closed, locked position against the underside of the cover portion, in which portion the upwardly and downwardly facing openings are in registration. A parallelogram linkage system consisting of pairs of parallel pivoted links on each side of the assembly connect the side walls of the body portion with side walls of the cover portion thereby enabling the body portion to move downwardly and forwardly from the closed, locked position to an open position providing ready access to the interior of the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Jeffrey McWard
  • Patent number: 5305695
    Abstract: A safe has, in addition to its strong body and door and its combination lock knob and dial, a security mask that is strongly and fixedly secured to the upper side of the door over major portions of the dial, for the purpose of preventing a burglar from hammering on the dial and then driving the spindle and actuating the relockers of the safe. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an anti auto-dialer is fixedly connected to the security mask over the knob of the combination lock mechanism, to prevent operative engagement between the knob and an auto-dialer mechanism while at the same time permitting manual operation of the knob to work the combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Inventor: Robert J. Lichter
  • Patent number: 5280755
    Abstract: A security cabinet for storing of articles of value which is designed to prevent unauthorized access into the security cabinet by individuals not possessing sufficient physical strength such as young children. The latching arrangement of the security cabinet can be located in a position requiring an inward force of a sufficient magnitude to be applied to the door in order to permit the door to be opened and thereby gain access into the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Inventor: Dennis A. Batur
  • Patent number: 5257584
    Abstract: A portable mini-safe for mounting on a surface includes a base plate (30) having a central dish-shaped portion forming a recess (33), fastener holes (35), and a peripheral turned up rim (31), a part spherical hollow cylindrical safe body (32) for receiving goods to be stored, a base plate (11) on the safe body having a central recess portion and a peripheral ring element (13) of resilient material for engaging against the mounting plate when installed with the peripheral edge of the safe body engaged within the upturned rim (31) of the mounting plate. A dome shaped cover (1) engages over the open end of the safe body and has peripheral tabs (3) engageable in bayonet slots (7, 3) when the cover is installed. The rotatable camming element (23) is mounted within the safe body for drawing the base plate and mounting plate together for installing the safe on a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Inventor: Pascal Pastor
  • Patent number: 5249831
    Abstract: A lock having a counterweight connected through a lever to a spring-actuated lock bolt on a safe to balance out any inertial forces tending to move the bolt out of its locking position when the safe is struck a heavy blow. A latch forming a part of the lock latches the bolt in its locking position when an attempt is made to dislodge or destroy the lock case or a part thereof. A selectively usable bolt part is effective to change the lock from a deadbolt type to a slam-bolt type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: American Security Products Co.
    Inventor: Anthony C. Maniaci
  • Patent number: 5245846
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for use with lightweight security doors includes a first gear and a mechanically associated second gear. A lock disposed proximate the second gear is adapted to form a releasable locking engagement with the second gear. The first gear is mechanically associated with a locking assembly which intercooperates with the door frame of the security door to produce a locking engagement therewith. The locking assembly is actuated by the rotation of the first gear. A rotation of the first gear causes a corresponding rotation of the second gear and vice versa. The second gear is mounted to be manually displaceable whereby the second gear can be displaced out of engagement with the lock and thereby become rotatable notwithstanding that the lock has been set in its locked condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Inventor: C. Thomas James
  • Patent number: 5231935
    Abstract: An improved vault door having a daylock and a relock mechanism is disclosed. The door is selectively locked and unlocked within a frame of the vault by operating a pair of combination locks mounted to the door front to slide a lock bar mounted to the rear of the door. The daylock mechanism includes a spring biased member which engages a cavity in a daylock extension attached to the lock. This engagement holds the lock bar in the unlocked position so the door may be swung within the frame without the lock bar impacting the frame. A keylock mounted in the front of the door may be turned to withdraw the member from the cavity so the lock bar can be slid to secure the door in the frame. The relock mechanism includes a pivotably mounted bar held in a horizontal position by a pin mounted to an attack plate that is displaceably mounted to a mounting plate on the rear of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Mosler, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles D. Oder, Brian Rose
  • Patent number: 5209395
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a lockable, removable cassette for attachment to a bill validator is disclosed. The cassette is removed from a bill validator by service personnel and transported to a central office, where an authorized person unlocks a hinged door with a separate key to remove stored bills. A lever is turned to a predetermined position which unlocks the cassette from the bill validator, and locks a pusher plate to prevent unauthorized bill removal. The lever is prevented from being turned clockwise and from further rotation past the predetermined position. When the hinged door of the secured cassette is opened by authorized personnel, the lever is released from its locked position arming the cassette. The emptied cassette can now be returned to the service person who can now reconnect it to a bill validator by further rotating the lever, which locks the cassette in place and unlocks the pusher plate to prepare the cassette to receive bills accepted by the validator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Mars Incorporated
    Inventors: John Zouzoulas, Raymond D. Regan, Robert Clauser
  • Patent number: 5193467
    Abstract: A valuables safe incorporates a money slot that is both inaccessible and out of sight during periods when it is not desired to use the money slot, for example during off-hours in a business. The money slot is quickly made both accessible and visible by opening the safe and repositioning one element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventor: Robert J. Lichter
  • Patent number: 5129330
    Abstract: In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a currency security box is releasably secured to a frame within a device, such as a vending machine, gaming machine, gaming table, amusement machine, bank machine or the like, and is automatically released from the frame by sliding a transportable security box cover over the security box. At the position where the security box cover releases the box from the frame, the security box cover also effectively encloses the security box and automatically latches onto the security box. The security box, along with the security box cover, may now be removed from the frame and the device. The security box cover includes a locking device which must be activated to release the security box cover from the security box so as to gain access to the currency in the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Sigma Game, Inc.
    Inventors: Linn A. McKay, Frank C. DeSimone
  • Patent number: 5111755
    Abstract: A safe gun storage apparatus is disclosed for the storage therein and ready accessibility of a loaded handgun, said storage apparatus having child-deterrent latching apparatus provided therein is disclosed. A gun drawer containing a loaded handgun is retained within a cabinet which is substantially impervious to destruction and being pried open. Dual entry locking apparatus secures the loaded gun with the storage container. A first locking apparatus involving entry of a predetermined key punch code first unlocks a secondary child-deterrent latching apparatus. The latter unlatches after a given sequence of operations are carried out which then unlatches a latching bolt from within an opening provided within the drawer. The accessibility and, therefore, the gun within the drawer is provided in a quiet and otherwise undetectable mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Inventor: Mark J. Rouse
  • Patent number: 5094483
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for securing a door of a safe within a frame includes a drive gear rotatably mounted on the interior surface of the door. An extension fitted with a rack gear is mechanically cooperated with the drive gear. The extension is adapted to be slidingly displaced along the interior surface of the door so as to extend outwardly from a corner of the door and be detachably received within an aperture defined within a corner of the door frame. The intercooperation of the extension and the frame aperture forms a securement of the door and particularly the corner of the door within the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Inventor: C. Thomas James
  • Patent number: 5088776
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for securing a door of a safe within a frame includes a drive gear rotatably mounted on the interior surface of the door. An extension fitted with a rack gear is mechanically cooperated with the drive gear. The extension is adapted to be slidingly displaced along the interior surface of the door so as to extend outwardly from a corner of the door and be detachably engaged or abutted against the inwardly facing side of a door frame, more specifically, a corner of the door frame. The intercooperation of the extension and the frame forms a securement of the door and particularly the corner of the door within the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventor: C. Thomas James
  • Patent number: 5071032
    Abstract: A sheet store, such as a banknote cassette, comprises a container having an access opening. The access opening is provided with a closure member and a locking device for locking the closure member in the closed position. The locking device includes an electrically conductive non-ferromagnetic member supported for movement between locked and unlocked positions. The member is biased to one of the positions and caused to move to the other of the positions in response to the generation of a magnetic field in the vicinity of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: De la Rue Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Roger Thornton, Roger Pilling, Graham P. Ford, Harvey G. Martin, Steven M. Hosking
  • Patent number: 5067755
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for use in a lightweight safe includes a toothed spur main drive gear mounted on a rotatable axis journaled through the safe's door. The main drive gear mechanically engages a pinion gear which in turn meshes with a vertically disposed rack gear. A second pinion gear also engages the rack gear and further engages a second drive gear. A securement locking mechanism, mounted to the interior face of the safe door proximate the main drive gear, is adapted for cooperation with the main drive gear for detachably restraining the main drive gear in a non-rotative orientation. The pinion drive gear/rack gear arrangement is adapted to transfer motion from the main drive gear around the aforesaid securement mechanism to the second drive gear. Each drive gear is mechanically associated with one or more laterally displaceable rack gears adapted to be displaced into engagement with the safe door frame to produce a locking engagement therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Inventor: C. Thomas James
  • Patent number: 4972784
    Abstract: An intellectronic safe deposit box which is generally comprised of a housing and an electronic security control portion and characterized in that any wrong numerical code input made by burglar will be immediately detected by means of electronic control and the processing of a central processor to drive a handcuff mechanism, which is set in the electronic security control portion, to manacle burglar's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Inventor: Lee Ing-Hsiang
  • Patent number: 4953683
    Abstract: A safe having a safe door which can be locked by means of a permutation lock. To permit the safe to be used by a series of different persons, the permutation lock (5) is equipped with an externally operatable device for resetting the combination, and also is used in conjunction with a coin-operated release mechanism (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Schulte Schlagbaum Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Armin Eisermann
  • Patent number: 4893397
    Abstract: A fire-resistant container for magnetic media is constructed by mounting a base of thermal insulation material within a casing having an open face and by positioning on the base and securing to the base a body of thermal insulation material so as to define with the base a cavity which is open towards the open face of the casing. An inner container is positioned within the cavity so as to have an opening towards the open face of the casing and has an inner wall defining a storage cavity and an outer wall which defines a chamber filled with heat absorbing material between the inner and outer walls. A storage drawer is inserted into the storage cavity and has attached thereto a container located on that side of the drawer adjacent to the opening, the container being filled with a heat absorbing material. A layer of thermal insulation material is positioned on that side of the container remote from the drawer and a facing is located on that side of the layer of insulation material remote from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: Micropore International Limited
    Inventor: John T. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4854570
    Abstract: A sheet feeding system comprises an interlock assembly for use with a sheet store which includes, a carriage slidably mounted in a housing. A disc shaped locking member locks the carriage in a first position relatively to the housing. A probe can be inserted into the carriage to move a spring biassed plunger out of engagement with the disc to allow the disc to move into an aperture in the probe in order to lock the probe with the carriage for movement relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: De La Rue Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Harvey G. Martin, Roger Pilling, Steven M. Hosking
  • Patent number: 4852503
    Abstract: A sliding door safe with an anti-intrusion locking mechanism, wherein a one or two door arrangement slides in a given direction on rails or ledges between first and second grooves of unequal depths in opposing walls of the valuables receiving chamber. The locking mechanism is carried by the door adjacent the deeper groove and includes a key actuable barrel with a lock arm carrying a blocking member, which, upon locking, is interposed between a position of one door and the adjacent portion of the wall of the chamber to preclude forcible sliding of the door or doors in the given direction. The locking assembly also includes a plate member of a bracket secured in spaced relation to the inner surface of the door in alignment with the lock arm and in proximate relation thereto to deter displacement of the lock arm under force of a punch applied to the lock. The bracket and the blocking member are deterrents to forcible entry and removal of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Inventor: Robert J. Lichter
  • Patent number: 4850287
    Abstract: A safe having a valuables receiving chamber with a generally rectangular access opening with a first ledge arrangement for placement of two plate-shaped separable steel doors thereagainst, with first and second grooves formed on the opposite walls transverse to the first set of opposing walls. A second ledge arrangement is placed in parallel relation to the first for enabling slidable receipt of one door member therein, with the second ledge arrangement being dimensioned so that the ends thereof, along with the grooves retain both the first door member and a second door member. The width of the grooves and the distance between the two sets of ledges are of a dimension slightly more than the thickness of the door, with one of the grooves having a depth substantially greater than the other. A first door is dimensioned to occupy less than one-half the access opening, and the second door is dimensioned to occupy the majority of the remaining area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Inventor: Robert J. Lichter
  • Patent number: 4800822
    Abstract: A gun safe having an ejectable drawer is disclosed. The gun safe comprises a door hingedly connected to the opened end of a housing. The drawer is reciprocatingly mounted within the housing and is springloaded to bear against the closed door so that, upon opening of the door, the ejectable drawer is forced outwardly to present the firearm contained therein for easy grasping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Inventor: John Adkins
  • Patent number: 4741275
    Abstract: The invention relates to devices for controlling accesses of the security chamber type which comprise at least two doors (2, 3). A single program selector (14, 15) with easy and instant control allows the security chamber operating program to be chosen at will from several predetermined programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Inventors: Jacques Lewiner, Claude Hennion
  • Patent number: 4683732
    Abstract: My safe door live bolt assembly 10 is operated by a handle spindle 38 and uses a pair of identical castings 15 that each include a pair of live bolts 16 interconnected by a bracket 17. Each casting 15 has a single connecting rod 30 extending from bracket 17, and the inner ends of connecting rods 30 connect to a T-bar 35 that overlies the inward facing sides of connecting rods 30 and is secured to handle spindle 38 for operating live bolts 16. Slide brackets 12 secured to inner safe wall 13 guide live bolts 16 in their sliding motion and afford bracing for live bolt connecting brackets 17. Although each bracket 17 has a lock projection 20, only one of these interacts with a combination lock 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: John D. Brush & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Beattie
  • Patent number: 4679415
    Abstract: A locking mechanism which includes a rack-and-pinion-type gearing arrangement positioned on the interior surface of a security cabinet door surface is disclosed. The pinion-type gear is made rotatable by a shaft affixed thereto which communicates with the exterior surface of the door. The rack portion of the gearing arrangement is fixedly mounted to a plurality of shaft-like members which are adapted to be slidably displaced along the interior surface of the door. The shaft-like members position a plurality of bolt-like members about the perimeter of the door and function to extend those bolt-like members beyond the perimeter of the door and thereby secure the door when it is in a closed position. A bolt-like locking mechanism is positioned in conjunction or proximity to the shaft-like extensions whereby the locking mechanism may be employed to preclude the further displacement of the shaft-like extensions and thereby maintain the safe in a secured, locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: Thomas A. James
    Inventor: Kenneth Spratt
  • Patent number: 4674416
    Abstract: A storage safe for containing securely therein a plurality of flexible media such as optical video disks. The storage safe is made of a sturdy body which is capable of being embedded in a cement floor, or the like. A cover encloses the cavity-like interior of the body and can only be removed by activating a combination mechanism assembly by applying the proper combination thereto. Any tampering with the combination mechanism assembly is defeated by the novel construction of the combination mechanism assembly. The cover has a slot therethrough and a labyrinth-like structure associated therewith so as to allow the flexible media to pass into the interior of the body but which prevents its unauthorized withdrawal therefrom. In addition, this labyrinth-like structure directs any undesireable fluid away from the flexible media stored within the body of the safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Inventor: Thomas F. McGraw
  • Patent number: 4649833
    Abstract: A safe security system which includes a key operated time delay lock (10) and a separate key switch (9) thereby requiring two individual keys for the opening of the safe, a dye marking device (20) within the safe, a door switch (23), and an electrical interlock circuit operating to activate the marking device if the door switch is operated before the key switch, or if a predetermined sequence of operation of the key switch and time lock is not followed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Inventor: Peter S. B. Cummins
  • Patent number: 4621845
    Abstract: A locking device for a door. The device includes at least one locking element movably mounted on the door. The door is locked by extending each locking element along one diagonal line of the door until the outer edge of the element enters into a recess in adjacent sides of the door frame. The door is unlocked by retracting each locking element along the diagonal line to the point where the outer edge of the element has exited from the recess and the inner edge is resting on the other diagonal line of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Inventor: Joseph Vanago
  • Patent number: 4615281
    Abstract: In combination with a building door, there is provided a key safe for a door key comprising an open ended housing secured within and projecting through the door. A safe door is hinged to and closes one end of the housing and has a retractable latch bar engageable with the building door to lock the safe door. A combination lock on the safe door includes a normally open printed circuit connected to a power source. A solenoid is connected to the circuit and includes a plunger connected to the latch bar. A tamper proof key tray is nested within the housing and normally spring biased for ejection inwardly of the building door. A first detent assembly is interposed between the safe door and tray so that any forceful opening of the safe door disengages the detent assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Inventor: Robert E. Gaston
  • Patent number: 4559880
    Abstract: A safe having improved security and being particularly well suited for securing within a drawer is provided. The safe is formed from a one-piece steel sheet providing a seamless top. A safe door is formed in an opening in the safe top with a door hinged by a hinge with a pin recessed below the top surface to prevent attack. The safe door is locked by a three-point bolting lock. The safe may be secured within a drawer by outwardly projecting bolts which prevent removal of the safe without destroying the drawer. An internal alarm may be set to operate upon removal of the safe from the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Inventor: Cemal Lacka
  • Patent number: 4552075
    Abstract: A secure container formed with an aperture and having a closure member movable to cover or uncover the aperture, and comprising actuating means for engagement by a releasing member in a dispensing, loading or unloading apparatus as the container is inserted into such apparatus, incorporates a lost-motion connection between the actuating means (10) and release mechanism (12, 21, 22, 23) for the closure member (24) and a direct connection between the actuating means and an internally pivoted lever (11), as a consequence of which when the container is inserted in the apparatus the lever (11) is moved to project through the side wall of the container before the closure member starts to open and similarly on withdrawal of the container the closure member is completely closed before the lever returns to its first position inside the container to allow withdrawal of the container form the apparatus to be completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: De La Rue Systems Limited
    Inventors: Peter Glasson, John Wood
  • Patent number: 4534192
    Abstract: A door is locked in the closed position by a system of five bolts which can be simultaneously operated from either side of the door by a handle or key operator. Both the handle and key operator are common to all of the bolts in the system and are connected through a rotary camming device with a linkage including parts drivingly connected with the bolts. A lost motion connection is provided between the key operator and rotary camming device to enable complete rotation and withdrawal of the key. The linkage and bolts are protectively enclosed inside of tough conduits and linkage access housings. A safety bolt immobilizing device is provided on the door adjacent to one bolt of the locking system to block the extension of the bolts while the door is open and this device moves automatically to a bolt release position when the door is closed. The locking system can be placed in a residential door or may be installed on a commercial door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: JGR Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry F. Harshbarger, John L. Kurz, Patrick J. Young
  • Patent number: 4481888
    Abstract: A safe has a generally cylindrical chamber having at one end an access opening in which a closure can be located. Peripheral grooves around the closure and the access opening are aligned when the closure is in position. A sliding bolt in the closure can displace a ring which is captive in one of the grooves to an eccentric position relative to the opening, in which position the ring engages both of the grooves around approximately half of their peripheries to lock the closure in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Darglen Engineering Limited
    Inventors: Winston G. Cartwright, Alan Gater
  • Patent number: 4467920
    Abstract: A book safe characterized by moveable and immoveable covers connected by a backbone, the immoveable cover containing a reinforced receptacle for valuables, both said covers being interconnected and retained against separation by a velour lining, the book safe having simulated gilded edges on the exterior of the receptacle. The book safe is intended to simulate a volume of a Reader's Digest Condensed Book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Smith