Technical Field

The present invention relates to a security apparatus and, more particularly, to a secure container.

Background to the Invention

Valuable items are often stored and transported in security containers. Such security containers often include a base in which contents are placed, and a lid which is secured to the base in such a way that unauthorised access to the contents of the container is prevented, or at least made more difficult.

Bank notes are one example of contents that are stored and transported in security containers. To deter would-be thieves of bank notes in transit, it has become commonplace for security containers to include a spoiling system which releases an indelible dye or ink onto the bank notes in the event that the security container is stolen or otherwise interfered with, to mark and stain the bank notes, thus rendering them worthless and unusable. It is almost impossible to clean bank notes which have been marked in this way, and thus they cannot easily be used in normal transactions involving a human cashier.

One of the main reasons for transporting banks notes is to replenish automated teller machines (ATMs). ATMs typically store bank notes in refillable cassettes which can be installed in the ATM and which allow the ATM to access the bank notes stored therein to provide cash to a user of the ATM on request. To avoid the need for time-consuming refilling procedures when an ATM needs to be replenished with bank notes, it is typical for ATMs to be replenished by simply removing the, or each, ATM cassette housed in the ATM and replacing it with a pre-filled ATM cassette. Security containers, such as ATM cassettes, can be vulnerable in situations where a thief has an opportunity to steal the container whilst it is in transit between one secure location and another. Such a situation may arise, for example, when a lone delivery guard is charged with replenishing an ATM cassette in an outdoor location by transporting a full ATM cassette from a delivery vehicle to the ATM to be replenished.

Accordingly, there is a desire to improve the security of security containers.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a security container comprising a base, a lid configured to fit onto the base, first securing means engageable to secure the lid to the base, and second securing means engageable to secure the lid to the base, wherein means for disengaging the second securing means is accessible only once the first securing means has been disengaged. An advantage of the disengaging means for the second securing means only becoming accessible once the first securing means has been disengaged is that access to contents of the security container is delayed, allowing more time for a spoiling system or other security system to be actuated. Furthermore, a would-be thief may be deterred from attempting to access the security container if he or she is, or becomes, aware that the security container has two locking mechanisms.

The container may be a cash cassette for an automated teller machine (ATM).

The second securing means may be obscured from view of a user until the first securing means has been disengaged.

The first securing means may comprise a sliding lock member. After the first securing means has been disengaged, the lid of the cassette may be movable a limited distance. The limited distance may be such that, after the lid has been moved said limited distance, the means for disengaging the second securing means is accessible.

The second securing means may comprise a latch member.

The security container may comprise a locking member, movable between a first, unlocked configuration and a second, locked configuration. In its second configuration, the locking member may be arranged to prevent at least one of said first and second securing means from being disengaged. The locking member may comprise a piston bolt.

The security container may comprise an elliptical bore configured to receive the locking member in its locked configuration.

The security container may comprise a spoiling system for spoiling contents of the container when the spoiling system is actuated. Movement of the locking member between the first configuration and the second configuration may be effected by the actuation of the spoiling system.

The spoiling system may comprise a pressurised gas container. The actuation of the spoiling system may comprise piercing the pressurised gas container.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a securing mechanism for a security container, the container including a spoiling system for spoiling contents of the container when the spoiling system is actuated, the securing mechanism comprising a locking member, movable between a first, unlocked configuration and a second, locked configuration. The movement of the locking member between the first and second configurations is effected by the actuation of the spoiling system. The container may comprise a housing, a lid configured to fit onto the housing, and securing means engageable to secure the lid to the housing. The locking member, in its second configuration, may be arranged to prevent said securing means from being disengaged.

The locking member may comprise a piston bolt. The locking member may have a substantially circular cross section. The securing mechanism may comprise a substantially elliptical bore arranged to receive the locking member in its second configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, strictly by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a security container in a first configuration;

Figures 2 and 3 are schematic side views of the security container of Figure 1 in a second configuration; and

Figures 4 and 5 are schematic views of a spoiling system for use in a security container. Description of the Embodiments

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a security container 10 having a base 12 for holding contents and a lid 14 attachable to the base. The lid 14 may, in some embodiments, be attached to the base 12 by means of a hinge (not shown) disposed towards one end of the base. In other embodiments, the lid 14 is removable completely from the base 12. A handle 16 is provided on the lid 14 of the security container 10 to facilitate handling and carrying of the container. The handle 16 may alternatively be provided on, or towards, one end or side of the base 12 of the security container 10. Alternatively, multiple handles 16 may be provided on one or more of the base 12 and the lid 14, or the handle may be omitted altogether.

A first locking mechanism 18 is provided on the base 12 of the security container 10, and serves to secure the lid 14 to the base 12 in a closed position. The first locking mechanism 18 can take the form of any known means for securing or locking a lid to a container. In one exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first locking mechanism 18 includes a first latch member 20 fixedly attached to an inside surface of the lid 14. A sliding arm 22 is capable of sliding along a rail 24 mounted to an inside surface of the base 12. When the sliding arm 22 is positioned at a first end 24a (shown on the left in Figure 1) of the rail 24, then a lip 22a of the sliding arm engages a lip 20a of the first latch member 20, thereby preventing upward movement of the lid 14 away from the base 12. With the sliding arm 22 in that position, the lid 14 is prevented from being removed from the base 12. An actuator 26 is provided on an outer surface of the base 12 of the security container 10, and is attached to the sliding arm 22. The actuator 26 can be used to slide the sliding arm 22 along the rail 24 in a direction shown by dashed arrow A, towards a second end 24b of the rail. When the sliding arm 22 is positioned at the second end 24b (shown on the right in Figure 1) of the rail 24, then the lip 22a of the sliding arm 22 does not engage the lip 20a of the first latch member 20, and the lid 14 can be moved upwards, in a direction away from the base 12.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the actuator 26 may take the form of any known actuator, and may be moved, for example, electronically, or by using magnets or the like.

A second locking mechanism 28 is provided on the base 12 of the security container 10, and also serves to secure the lid 14 to the base. As with the first locking mechanism 18, the second locking mechanism 28 can take the form of any known means for securing or locking a lid to a container. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, however, the second locking mechanism 28 includes a second latch member 30 which is fixedly attached to the inside surface of the base 12. A pivoting arm 32 is pivotally attached to the inside surface of the lid 14, and can be pivoted about pivot 34 in a direction shown by dashed arrow B. An elliptical aperture or bore 36 is formed through the pivoting arm 32, the relevance and purpose of which will be discussed further with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

Referring now to Figure 2, the security container 10 is shown in a partially opened state. In Figure 2, the first locking mechanism 18 is shown in a disengaged position. That is to say, the actuator 26 has been moved to the right such that the lip 22a of the sliding arm 22 no longer engages with the lip 20a of the first latch member 20. Accordingly, the lid 14 can be moved upwards, in a direction away from the base 12. As will be apparent from Figure 2, with the first locking mechanism 18 in a disengaged state, movement of the lid 14 away from the base 12 is restricted by the second locking mechanism 28. Thus, the distance by which the lid 14 can be moved away from the base 12 is limited by the engagement of a lip 30a of the second latch member 30 with a lip 32a of the pivoting arm 32. When the second locking mechanism 28 is in an engaged state, the pivoting arm 32 is locked in the position shown in Figure 2. While locked, the pivoting arm 32 cannot be pivoted about the pivot 34 and, therefore, cannot moved away from the second latch member 30. Clearly, therefore, the second locking mechanism 28 cannot be disengaged while the pivoting arm 32 is in a locked position.

Once the first locking mechanism 18 has been disengaged, movement of the lid 14 away from the base 12 by the limited distance reveals a keyhole 38. When the lid 14 is in the closed position shown in Figure 1, the keyhole 38 is obscured from view (i.e. not visible) from outside the security container 10 by a wall of the base 12. However, the keyhole 38 is brought into view, and can be accessed, when the lid 14 is moved upwards far enough that the keyhole is moved beyond an upper edge of the wall of the base 12. The keyhole 38 is arranged to receive a key (not shown) in a known way. Using the key, the second locking mechanism 28 can be disengaged in a manner described below. Turning the key in the keyhole 38 unlocks the pivoting arm 32 from its locked position, thereby allowing it be pivoted about the pivot 34 in the direction shown by arrow B. Once the lip 32a of the pivoting arm 32 has been moved beyond the lip 30a, such that the lips no longer engage one another, it is possible to move the lid 14 further in an upwards direction, away from the base 12. Thus, disengagement of the second locking mechanism 28 enables the complete removal of the lid 14 from the base 12. Figure 3 shows the security container with the first and second locking mechanisms 18, 28 in a disengaged state, such that the lid 14 of the container can be removed completely from the base 12, thus allowing access to contents of the container.

In the example described above, use of the key in the keyhole 38 releases the pivoting arm 32 from its locked position, such that a user (an authorised person attempting to gain access to contents of the container 10) is able to pivot the pivoting arm away from the latch member 30. However, in other embodiments turning the key in the keyhole 38 serves to unlock and rotate the pivoting arm 32, thereby disengaging the second locking mechanism 28. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, rather than a key and keyhole configuration, alternative unlocking mechanisms may be employed.

In addition to the first and second locking mechanisms 18, 28 described above, the security container 10 further includes a spoiling mechanism having an actuation mechanism. When the actuation mechanism is triggered, for example in the event of an unauthorised attempt to access the contents of the container 10, the spoiling mechanism is actuated, and a spoiling agent, such as a dye or ink is released onto the contents of the container 10, which marks and stains the contents, thereby rendering the contents worthless. The spoiling mechanism will now be discussed in further detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 4 shows a spoiling mechanism 40 suitable for use in a security container 10. A gas container 42 contains a compressed gas such as C0 ₂ . The gas container 42 is coupled to a housing 44 by known means, such as a screw fitting. The housing 44 also houses the spoiling agent (not shown) used to spoil contents of the container 10 in the event of an unauthorised access attempt on the container 10. A piercing mechanism 46 is also coupled to the housing, and includes an electronically controlled explosive charge 48 which, when triggered, ruptures a closure member (not shown) of the gas container 42. In the event of an unauthorised attempt to access the container, the explosive charge is triggered by known electrical or mechanical means, and the piercing mechanism 46 is forced towards the gas container 42. A closure member (not shown) of the gas container 42 is pierced, resulting in compressed gas being ejected from the gas container, through the housing 44, and forcing the spoiling agent out of the housing, through a tube 50 towards the contents.

A cylinder 52 extends from the housing 44 and houses a piston 54 capable of moving along the cylinder. A number of 'O'-rings 56 located in the cylinder 52 serve to hold the piston 54 in place, and to guide the piston as it moves along the cylinder. In this embodiment, three O-rings 56 are used. However, more or fewer O-rings may be used in other embodiments. Before the piercing mechanism 46 has been activated, the piston 54 is in a resting position, as shown in Figure 4. In the event of an unauthorised attempt to access the container, gas that is ejected from the gas container 42, in addition to forcing spoiling agent along the tube 50, also forces the piston 54 along the cylinder 52. The purpose of this will now be discussed in further detail.

The spoiling system 40 may be located within either the base 12 or the lid 14 of the security container 10, in a position adjacent, or near to, the pivoting arm 32. A longitudinal axis of the cylinder 52 is substantially aligned with the bore 36, such that, when the piston 54 is forced along the cylinder, it at least partially enters the bore. A stopper member 58 located at one end of the bore 36 serves to restrict movement of the piston 54 beyond the end of the bore. Thus, when the piston 54 has entered the bore, such that the spoiling system 40 is in a so-called "actuated configuration" as shown in Figure 5, one end of the piston 54 remains within the cylinder 52. In other words, the piston 54 extends into both the bore 36 and into the cylinder 52. In this configuration, the pivoting arm 32 is prevented from pivoting about the pivot 34 and, therefore, prevented from being moved away from the latch member 30. Thus, actuation of the spoiling system 40 also locks the second locking mechanism 28 in its locked position, thereby preventing the second locking mechanism from being disengaged. At the very least, the locking of the second locking mechanism 28 would delay a person attempting to gain unauthorised access to the contents of the container 10 from removing the lid 14.

The locking of the second locking mechanism 28 has an additional advantage in terms of safety. If a person, either authorised or unauthorised, attempting to access the contents of the container 10 is able to remove the lid 14 of the container while the spoiling system is being triggered, then there is a risk that the spoiling agent could be sprayed onto the body or into the face of the person, or into his or her eyes. This could, of course, be very detrimental to the person's health. Therefore, it is advantageous that, the actuation of the spoiling system automatically effects the locking of the second locking mechanism 28 in its locked position.

The O-rings 56, in addition to guiding the piston 54 along the cylinder 52, also act to block the cylinder when the spoiling system has been actuated, thereby preventing spoiling agent and gas from escaping from the housing 44 via the cylinder. Instead, the only exit from the housing 44 by which the spoiling agent is able to escape is the tube 50, which guides the spoiling agent towards the contents of the container 10.

As is mentioned above, the bore 36 is elliptical in shape. This is advantageous in that, once the primary locking mechanism 18 has been disengaged, and the lid 14 of the security container 10 has been lifted a sufficient distance to reveal the means 38 for disengaging the secondary mechanism 28,the bore 36 will still be aligned with the cylinder 52 and, therefore, the piston 54, having a circular cross section, will still be able to be fired into the bore to restrict further movement of the lid 14. In other words, even if the first locking mechanism 18 has been disengaged or breached without the spoiling system having been actuated, a person attempting to gain access to the container 10 will not be able to remove the lid 14 completely from the container without forcing it.

In this embodiment, when the spoiling system is actuated, the piston 54 is fired into a bore 36 in the pivoting arm 32 of the second locking mechanism 28. However, it will be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the bore 36 may be located in the sliding arm 22 of the first locking mechanism 18.

While, in the embodiment described above, the piston 54 is arranged to travel along the cylinder 52 into the pivoting arm 32, in other embodiments, the piston is arranged to move into a bore located in a wall of the base 12 or the lid 14 of the container 10. The container 10 may include more or fewer locking mechanisms. Similarly, it will be appreciated that individual features described above may be combined in any combination as required. For example, the spoiling mechanism may be provided without either of the first and/or second locking mechanisms.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art are considered to fall within the scope of the invention broadly appearing before described.