Security door

Abstract

 A security door comprising a frame 10 in which is rotatably mounted a cylindrical door member 11 having an opening 12 to register with inlet and outlet openings the frame 10, the door member 11 being rotatable about a vertical axis, and the interior of the door member 11 defining a cylindrical space, and a floor having a weight sensitive zone 37 and a non sensitive zone 36 which form parts of a non rotatable floor.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a security door which will allow one person to pass between spaces which are otherwise not accessible from each other. The door is designed normally to allow strictly controlled movement of persons from one of the spaces to the other. Typically the door is used to control access from a low security space to a higher security space.

[0002] In premises such as banks there is need to provide strict control over persons entering a high security zone, control being usually exercised with the aid of a security guard or guards but it is now becoming more common for a criminal attempting to gain access to a high security zone to take a hostage and then to force the guard in charge of the access door to allow him to pass through with the hostage, a threat being made in relation to the hostage.

[0003] Several expedients have been proposed to render access by this means impossible, or at least as difficult as possible. Existing arrangements however, for the most part at least, are vulnerable to threats in relation to hostages in that it is in the power of the attending guard to override the security arrangements which are usually in place to limit access.

[0004] In a prior construction, shown in European Published Patent Application No. 0158577 there is shown a security door having a housing attached at one side of a wall, and containing a rotatable cylinder shaped door member. Access through the wall from a lower security zone to a higher security zone is obtained by operation of certain security devices, including one inside the door. With this arrangement, it may be possible for an unauthorised person to penetrate the security, since such a person will be inside the door space before such security recognition is required. Also since the door is at a position at one side of the wall, the junction between the housing and the wall may be vulnerable to attack. This system does however contain a further security means which involves the weight of a passenger, the door member being mounted to enable a measure of weight to be taken. The arrangement shown is however complicated, and this feature may also render the system less secure than is desirable.

[0005] French Patent Specification No. 2584129 shows a security door assembly in which there are two door parts which are separately rotatable about a common vertical axis, to enable various conditions to be adopted. However, in certain circumstances it is possible to position the parts to allow a through way, for example to enable a shot to pass from one side to the other. It is thus theoretically possible for threats in relation to a hostage to be carried out.

[0006] It is the object of this invention to provide a security door by means of which access by unauthorised persons can be prevented, even under threat in relation to hostages, or otherwise.

[0007] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a security door comprising a frame within which is rotatably mounted a cylindrical door member defining within it a cylindrical space, an access opening at one side of the door member which can register with spaced inlet and outlet openings defined by the frame, the cylindrical door member being rotatable about a vertical axis coinciding with the axis of the cylinder, power operated means whereby the door member is rotatable, and means defining a floor of the said cylindrical space, characterised in that the floor defining means comprises a non-rotatable floor assembly.

[0008] Desirably the door member and frame are so dimensioned as to preclude any through way from one side of the door to the other. Such absence of a through way is referred to as a security or ballistic overlap.

[0009] The frame may include two openings at opposite sides, which when the frame is installed are at lower and higher security sides respectively, and with which the opening in the cylinder can register.

[0010] In alternative arrangements there may be further openings in the frame giving access to further spaces when the cylindrical door member opening is in register therewith.

[0011] The cylindrical door member may be rotated between respective positions in register with the said openings in the frame and locked in any of the positions. Also the cylindrical door member may be locked in a position out of register with all the openings, thus trapping any person within the door.

[0012] The means defining the floor may include at least one fixed portion, and at least one further portion mounted on a weight sensitive means.

[0013] The weight sensitive means may include specific zones on which weight, as by a person's feet, should be applied before the door can be actuated. These zones may be similar in appearance to other adjacent insensitive zones.

[0014] If a power supply failure occurs, means may be provided to bring the door to a position allowing access only, in use, at a lower security side of the door.

[0015] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a security door constructed in accordance with the invention in two opposite positions respectively.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view on the line 2-2 in Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a front view of the door.

Figure 4 is a vertical section through the door on the line 4-4 in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the door, and

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-section of the base section of the door.

[0016] The drawings illustrate one form of a security door intended to be used between lower and higher security spaces, and is useful in such premises as banks or other premises where valuable property is handled or stored and in which it is important to exclude, from high security spaces or rooms, any unauthorised person. The arrangement is that there is only one access door which may be guarded by an attendant who is on the higher security side. In the apparatus to be described, the door is actuated by the attendant, but only when certain criteria have been satisfied. These include a visual check of the person entering, but the door includes a number of safety features, which will be described, by means of which the door is prevented from operation, even if the attending guard wishes to override security measures.

[0017] Figure 1 shows diagrammatically, a door in two alternative positions. In the upper view in Figure 1 the door is shown in a position to give access to a higher security space, and in the lower view it gives access to the lower security space.

[0018] The door includes a frame structure indicated at 10 and a cylindrical door member 11 mounted for rotation about a vertical central axis. The frame 10 defines portions at either side of the cylindrical door member 11, as well as a roof and floor structure which will be described later. The cylindrical door member 11 has an access opening 12 which can register with inlet and outlet openings in the frame 10 so as to allow a person to enter or leave the space defined within the cylindrical door member 11. The arrangement is such that, in this example, a person entering from the low security space can only gain access to the higher security space after the door member 11 has been rotated through 180° to bring the access opening 12 of the door member into register with the opposite frame side.

[0019] It is possible to modify the frame to provide inlet or outlet openings at any desired angle with respect to the central axis about which the door member rotates. Two, three, or four ways can be controlled with the single door member 11. It is also possible to place the door in a position in which it is not possible to enter or leave the zone within the cylinder. As can be seen from Figure 1, the frame 10 and door member 11 are so dimensioned that it is not possible at any time to achieve any through passage from one side of the door to the other. This is referred to as a security or ballistic overlap and prevents items being passed through without full door operation, and it provides no through opening through which a shot can be fired, for example at a guard.

[0020] Figures 2 to 5 show the preferred form of the door on an enlarged scale. The frame 10 includes pressed metal parts 13, 14, and a roof structure 15. There is also a base assembly 16 to which further reference will be made. The structures are formed from steel or other material which is resistant to flame cutting or other process, and provision is made for preventing access between the door frame and adjacent wall structures. It is also apparent that the adjacent wall structures must themselves be made from materials resisting unauthorised access by any attempt to break through, using force.

[0021] The door member 11 is shown in cross-section in Figure 2. This comprises a cylindrical shell 17 which is rotatably mounted within the frame on bearing assemblies, which will be described. The shell includes the opening 12, on the edges of which are sensors indicated at 18. These may be pressure sensitive, so as to be actuated if rotation of the door is met by obstruction, or they may be sensitive to the presence of some object between the sensors without however, there being any necessary contact between the sensors and the object. This prevents the door closing on a person not fully into the door, and also prevents door operation if an attempt is made to block it. Guides 19 in the frame serve to support the cylindrical surface of the door as it rotates. A window 21 is provided in the side of the cylinder opposite to the opening 12. This allows a guard or other person to observe the interior of the door and is useful in enabling the guard to check whether the person entering is authorised or not. Glass of high security nature is fitted in the window.

[0022] Figure 5 shows the top of the door including a centre bearing 22 on which the cylinder is mounted. Surrounding the bearing and concentric with it is a gear ring 23 meshing with a drive gear 24 connected through a suitable gearbox 25 with an electric drive motor 26. Electrical control (not illustrated) is provided to energise the motor and drive the gear 24 and thus the gear ring 23 for rotating the cylindrical door member.

[0023] In the event of failure of the electrical supply, an electrical solenoid 27 to which is attached a bolt (not shown) is de-energised. Such de-energisation allows the bolt to fall by gravity, or under the influence of a spring, into contact with the surface of the top of the rotatable door member. A clutch, which normally provides continuity of drive from the motor to the gear drive, is disengaged so that there is no direct drive connection. A pulley and weight system 28 is also connected to the door so as to rotate this to the position in which the door opening 12 is in register with the frame side at the lower security side of the door. At this point, the bolt of the solenoid 27 will register with, and drop into, an appropriate hole in the door member, thus locking the door against any movement. By this means, the door will never remain in a position in which a person cannot escape from it, nor will it be possible for it to allow access to the high security side until power is restored. Restoration of power to the solenoid 27 will lift the bolt out of the hole, thus allowing the door to move under electrical control from the motor 26 when this is energised.

[0024] Figure 6 shows the base structure of the door. A fixed base plate 29 serves to support the whole structure. The fixed frame 10 is secured to this, as indicated generally in Figure 4. A short upright stepped tube 31 is secured to the base plate 29 and this supports a thrust-bearing 32 carrying the cylindrical door member 11. This includes a horizontal end flange indicated at 33. Above the flange 33 is a floor platform 34 which is non-rotatable. Extending upwardly from this are wall portions which are therefore also non-rotatable and form a partial inner lining within the door. These wall portions are at the sides of the space within the cylinder, and do not obstruct entry and exit through the door opening 12 when this is in register with equivalent openings in the frame 10.

[0025] On the floor platform 34 are mats 36. Between the mats 36, in this example, as shown, is another mat 37 which is mounted on the top of the short stepped tube 31 through spring loaded plungers 38. The centre of the mat 37 is carried on an S-shaped strain gauge 39 mounted on a centre block 41 on the base plate 29. The shapes of the mats 36, 37 may be varied, and for example the mat 37 may be divided into two portions having substantially the shape and size of two feet. The upper surface appearance of all the mats 36, 37 may however be the same, so that it is not apparent where the mat or mats 37 lie.

[0026] The S-shaped strain gauge 39 is electrically connected to control means which will only allow door operation if a person is standing on the mat 37. If for example two people attempt to enter the door it will not be possible for both of them to place their feet on the mat 37. In case an attempt is made to overcome this by standing upon one leg or by one person holding their feet off the floor, the strain gauge 39 will register a greater weight than that normally expected of one person and the control will not allow the door to open. The internal wall portions 35 prevent persons attempting to support themselves clear from the floor during door operation by wedging between opposite sides.

[0027] A number of other security measures may be included. A card recognition system may be used in conjunction with the door, and only if a correct card is inserted in a reader or other receiver beside the door does the door operation become possible. For the purposes of maintenance or inspection, access doors may be provided in the top or base structures 15, 16, and if these are opened interlocking switches may be actuated to prevent door operation. Such access doors would furthermore only be accessible from the higher security side of the door.

[0028] Emergency stop buttons may be located within the door and at any remote position, preferably on the security side. Audible and visual alarms may be fitted to warn of imminent door operation, and also to alert security personnel to any attempt to interfere with correct operation of the door. A light may be fitted within the door.

[0029] A remotely positioned console on the higher security side of the door may be manned by a guard who will have the ability to control door operation, but only when the appropriate measures have been taken by the person entering the door, including correct operation of the floor mat weight sensitive means and other devices which may be provided. There may also be, on the remote console, an attack button which is used to rotate the cylinder through 90° to a locked position which therefore traps any person who is in the door. A key arrangement may be necessary to unlock the door from this mode.

[0030] Within the door, an alarm may be provided behind a breakable glass panel. Breaking of the glass and operation of the device may serve simply to cut off power supply and, as described, this will result in rotation of the door to the open position at the lower security side and locking it in this position.

[0031] The door will normally be parked at the 90° position in which no access can be obtained. The normal operation of the door will be carried out by insertion in an appropriate slot of a card into a reader device by the door, or by other means of recognition. This will bring the door to the open position, whereupon the passenger enters. If the passenger does not enter within a specified time, such as 10 seconds, the door will automatically return to its parked position. If the passenger enters the door, the guard is able to satisfy himself by visual check that the person is authorised to enter, and if not, the attack button may be operated to rotate the door through 90° into the locked and sealed position.

[0032] It is possible also to include a timing device which limits the number of door operations which can be accomplished in a given space of time, thus making it impossible for unauthorised persons to enter, one after another, in a short time.

[0033] In order to enable the door to be actuated from the low security side, for example by the guard wishing to take up station on the higher security side at the beginning of a period of duty, a key switch arrangement may be provided. It is proposed to use three key operated devices, one on the lower security side of the door at the entrance, one within the cylinder interior, and the third in the higher security area. The same key would be used on the control console to enable normal operation of the door to be carried out.

[0034] An electrical interlock system ensures that, once the key has been inserted into the console, the other key operable locking devices are rendered inoperative, thus ensuring that the system cannot be overridden by the use of a duplicate key.

Claims

1. A security door comprising a frame 10 within which is rotatably mounted a cylindrical door member 11, defining within it a cylindrical space, an access opening 12 at one side of the door member 11 which can register with spaced inlet and outlet openings defined by the frame 10, the cylindrical door member 11 being rotatable about a vertical axis coinciding with the axis of the cylinder, power operated means 22 - 26 whereby the door member 11 is rotatable, and means defining a floor of the said cylindrical space, characterised in that the floor defining means comprises a non-rotatable floor assembly.

2. A security door as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the means defining the floor includes at least one portion 36 mounted on a fixed support and at least one further portion 37 which is mounted on said fixed support through a weight sensitive means 39 whereby the weight of one person is sufficient to actuate switch means.

3. A security door as claimed in Claim 2 characterised in that the respective positions of the portion 36 and the further portion 37 are unobvious from the position of an occupant within the space.

4. A security door as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the means defining the floor includes upright portions 35 disposed within the cylindrical space.

5. A security door as claimed in Claim 2 characterised in that the further portion 37 is mounted on a strain gauge 39 which is capable of producing an electrical signal to said switch means.

6. A security door as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the dimensions of the frame 10 and of the door member 11, and their respective openings, are such that, at no position of the door member 11 within the frame 10 is there a through way from one side of the security door to the other.

7. A security door as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the cylindrical door member 11 can occupy respective positions in which its opening is in register with inlet or outlet openings defined by the frame, and can also occupy a position in which such opening in the door member is out of register with all such inlet or outlet openings.

8. A security door as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised by a locking device 27 whereby, in the absence of power supply to the power means 26 for rotating the door member 11, the door member 11 is locked against rotation.

9. A security door as claimed in Claim 8 characterised by a device 28 operable when power supply to the power means 26 is absent, tending to rotate the door member 11 towards a position in which the locking device 27 is operable.

10. A security door as claimed in Claim 8 characterised in that the locking device is a bolt normally held by an electrical solenoid 27 out of its locking condition.

11. A security door as claimed in Claim 9 characterised in that the device 28 tending to rotate the door member 11 towards its locking position, comprises a gravity driven device, the locked position of the door coinciding with a lower security open position of the security door.

12. A security door as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that there are additional security devices associated with the door, allowing operation only when they have been appropriately actuated.

13. A security door as claimed in Claim 12 characterised in that a remotely positioned control device is incorporated, to enable door operation to take place.

14. A security door as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised by time delay circuits in the apparatus for controlling actuation of the door.

Drawing