Security access enclosure

Abstract

 A security enclosure (10) for guarding access to a facility, said security enclosure (10) having an inner housing (11) supported by an outer housing (12) by sensing means which may be a load cell (34) or a spring (26B). There is provided a pin assembly (25) interconnecting the inner housing (11) and the outer housing (12), which is connected to the load cell (34) or spring (26B). When a load is imparted to the load cell or spring by a person gaining entry to the inner housing (11), access to the facility will be provided when the load is under or is equal to a prescribed value.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a security enclosure which may be used to guard access to a wide variety of security facilities such as prisons, airports, jewellery stores, banks and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A typical security enclosure or portal is described in US Patent 6,073,499, which refers to a portal having a walk through interior for use with a detector for detecting drugs or explosives on a person attempting to gain access to a facility such as an airport, which is guarded by the portal. The portal relies upon the existence of a layer of warm air, which surrounds a person entering the portal, which transports microscopic flakes of skin upwardly. There is provided a funnel shaped detector located above the interior of the portal, which has a trap for collection of the skin flakes. The collection of the skin flakes is facilitated by provision of a low speed flow of relatively dense cool air provided by a compressor or air blower located adjacent to the walk through interior of the portal. After the trap collects the microscopic skin flakes, the trap co-operates with a detector for detection of molecules of interest.

[0003] However, it will be appreciated, that the above security portal will not prevent access to the facility by persons who do not possess drugs or explosives, but nevertheless, may have nefarious intent. This may occur in prisons or banks for example, wherein it is desired to only provide access to authorised users of the facility who may be registered on a remote database.

[0004] It will also be appreciated that the security portal is inefficient in preventing access to the facility, inclusive of prisons, because it does not include physical access preventative measures.

[0005] It also will be appreciated that it may be useful to provide a security enclosure, which needs additional security checks other than those described above in relation to US Patent 6,073,499.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the invention is therefore to provide a security enclosure for guarding access to a facility, which requires that a person attempting to gain access to the facility pass a number of security checks.

[0007] The security enclosure of the invention has an inner component supported by an outer component by support means associated with sensing means whereby, when a load is imparted to the sensing means by a person gaining entry to the inner component, access to the facility will be provided when said load is under or is equal to a prescribed value.

[0008] Preferably, the support means is a pin assembly interconnecting the inner component and the outer component.

[0009] The outer component may comprise a housing having an entrance and an exit. Suitably each of the exit or entrance may be closed by doors, which may be opened automatically upon generation of an electrical signal.

[0010] The security enclosure may also be provided with a biometric sensor. The biometric sensor may be actuated by a fingerprint, thumbprint, retina, facial data, bone structure or vein structure or other suitable biological data. There also may be provided drugs/explosives detection apparatus as described in US Patent 6,073,499.

[0011] Both exit and entrance doors may be provided with high security locks which can be actuated electrically or electronically or by solenoids which can be remotely controlled by having an electronic interface with an external processor. The electronic interface may be of any suitable type, such as USB, parallel, serial or IEEE 1384 firewire signals. This does not preclude conforming to IEEE 802.15 Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) including Bluetooth Home RF, Wide Spectrum RF and High Rate RF.

[0012] The load imparted to the sensing means may be measured by a weighing device so that when a single person enters the enclosure, actuation of the weighing device will provide information or data concerning the weight of the person. Thus, such movement may be controlled or connected to a suitable weighing scale such as a load cell or strain gauge.

[0013] In one form of the invention, the inner component may be suspended or supported from the outer component by the pin assembly in conjunction with biasing means constituting one form of sensing means interconnecting the inner component and the outer component. In this embodiment, the inner component is movable relative to the outer component. More preferably, the movable component may comprise an inner housing or cage of the enclosure that moves relative to a fixed outer component or cage. Preferably, the biasing means is a spring or plurality of springs, which may surround or be otherwise attached to the pin assembly.

[0014] Thus, in one form of the invention, there may be provided an inner cage or housing that is suspended from an outer housing by springs or spring assemblies such as spiral springs retained in a retaining groove in a spring support shaft.

[0015] In a more preferred embodiment, the sensing means is a load cell and, in this case, there is minimal or no physical movement of the inner component relative to the outer component as described herein in the illustrated embodiments.

[0016] The security enclosure of the invention may also be provided with a suction tube or funnel so that microscopic flakes of skin from a person inside the enclosure may be passed to a trap located within or adjacent the funnel or suction tube as described in US Patent No 6,073,499. This may be facilitated by passage of cool air into the enclosure from nozzles, which communicate with an air compressor as also described in US Patent No 6,073,499. The air may be drawn up the suction tube by a fan or other circulation apparatus described in US Patent No 6,073,499.

[0017] The air drawn through the fan may then be passed to a substance detector. The detector may be as described in US Patent Nos 5,200,614 or 5,491,337, which are entirely incorporated herein by reference. These detectors are specifically designed to detect contaminants in air or explosives. US Patent 5,941,337 relates specifically to an ion trap mobility spectrometer (ITMS), which may detect narcotics and/or explosives in an air sample.

[0018] Thus, narcotics that may be detected by the security enclosure of the invention include cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, morphine, PCP, LSD, THC and other drugs. Explosives that may be detected by the invention include dynamite, semtex, ammonium nitrate, PETN, TNT, C4, RDX, HMX, TNAB, TATP, HMTD and others.

[0019] The security enclosure of the invention may also have a biometric recognition system installed inside the inner component so that when a person obtains access to the enclosure he will not be able to pass through the enclosure without having his personal biometric data registered in a remote database.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Reference may now be made to a preferred form of the invention as shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 refers to a perspective view of a first embodiment of a security enclosure constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the invention showing movement of the inner housing relative to the outer housing;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the security enclosure of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a detail of the area marked "X" in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing how the inner housing is suspended from the stationary outer housing in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a similar view to FIG. 5 showing the embodiment when the sensing means is a load cell;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a mechanism for opening the doors of the security enclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of an alternative mounting of the load cell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In FIG. 1, there is shown a security enclosure 10 of the invention, having an inner movable housing 11 and an outer fixed or stationary housing 12. The inner movable housing 11 has a pair of entrance doors 13 and 14, which when opened as shown define an entrance 15 of the enclosure 10. There is also provided a pair of exit doors 16 and 17, which when opened form an exit 18. The outer housing 12 has head part 29 and has fixed pillars or columns 19 and windows 20 formed from armoured glass or other transparent material. The inner housing 11 has a floor 21. The outer housing 12 has an annular portion 22 surrounding floor 21, which is mounted in a recess 23 formed in a concrete base 24. Reference is also made to ceiling 35.

[0022] In FIG. 2 there is shown a schematic of the security enclosure 10 of the invention, wherein inner movable housing 11 is suspended from a central pin assembly 25, which is mounted to beams 25A and 25B as shown, located in a head space 26 of outer housing 12. Pin assembly 25 includes upper pin 25C. The pin assembly 25 also includes an enlarged shaft 26A, which is surrounded by spring 26B so that inner housing 11 may move from an initial position A, shown in phantom, when the inner housing 11 is unoccupied, to a position B when the inner housing 11 is occupied by a single person and vice versa. Spring 26B provides one form of biasing means in accordance with the invention. There is also provided additional upper guide pins 27A and 27B, which may be provided for the purpose of alignment. Such guide pins 27A and 27B may be surrounded by springs 27C and 27D if appropriate or these springs 27C and 27D may be dispensed with if desired. Each of pins 27A and 27B extend through apertures 28A and 28B in beam 25B. A more detailed view of the pin assembly 25 is shown in FIG. 6. There is also provided lower guide pins 27E and 27F, which extend through apertures 27G and 27H located in base 24.

[0023] Movement of pins 27E and 27F occurs within a mating housing 28C and 28D shown in phantom. Movement of pins 27A and 27B also occurs within a mating housing 28E and 28F, also shown in phantom. Movement of the inner housing 11 is shown by arrows in bold outline and movement of doors 16 and 17 from an open to a closed position or vice versa is shown by the arrows in phantom.

[0024] In the security enclosure 10 in FIG. 3, the head part 26 includes an upper chamber 29A, which includes drug detection and/or explosive detection apparatus as hereinafter described and a lower chamber 29B, which includes pin assembly 25 shown in FIG. 2. There is also shown an ITMS detector 30, sample desorber 31, trap 32, exhaust funnel 33, a rubber seal 34 for attachment of funnel 33 to ceiling 35, a ring 36 for attachment of the rubber seal 34 to ceiling 35 and support frame 37 for attachment of rubber seal 34 to exhaust funnel 33. There is also provided a flexible exhaust tube 38, which interconnects chamber 29A to pump 39. There is also provided a casing 41 for tube 38 and a cabinet 42 for housing pump 39 and compressor 40. There is also shown muffler 41A for reduction of air exhaust noise. There is also provided apertures 43 for insertion of nozzles (not shown) for supply of compressed air from compressor 40 to the interior of inner housing 11. There is also provided solenoid 44. There is also provided a manifold or tube 44A for connecting each of apertures 43. There is also shown muffer 41A for reduction of air flow noise.

[0025] In FIG. 4 there is shown a detailed view of the area marked "X" in FIG. 3, which more clearly shows components 34, 36 and 37. It will be noted that rubber seal 34 is flexible so as to allow for movement of pin assembly 25 and movable component 11 relative to fixed component 12. Exhaust funnel or suction funnel 33 is also fixed relative to pin assembly 25. There is also shown fastener 36A.

[0026] In FIG. 5 there is shown pin assembly 25, which is supported by support beams 25A and 25B as shown for supporting movable inner housing 11, as shown in FIG. 2. Pin assembly 25 includes a head part 55 attached to screw threaded bolt 56 by nut 57. Head part 55 abuts web 59 of beam 47. Beam 25A is welded or otherwise attached to beam 47. Bolt 56 also has nut 58 abutting web or plate 60 of support beam 53. The bolt 56 extends through aperture 61 of beam 47 as shown. Bolt 56 extends through inner passage 62 of lower beam 53 and through apertures 63 and 64 as shown. Beam 53 is welded or otherwise attached to beam 25B. There is also illustrated four weight sensors 32A, 32B, 32C and 32D.

[0027] Pin assembly 25 then comprises an enlarged shaft 26A, which is surrounded by a spring 26B engaged in a retaining groove 67 in shaft 26A. It will be noted that ceiling panel 35 may move being part of inner housing 11 by virtue of being suspended from spring 26B from free end 70. Free end 70 is attached to plate 71. There is also provided linkage arms 68 and 69 attached to bearing assembly 72.

[0028] In FIG. 6 is shown a more detailed view of the embodiment when the sensing means is a load cell. A suitable load cell is identified by the trade mark GEFRAN, which is well known in the art. Load cell 36 is shown attached to beam 25A by bolts 37 and associated nuts 37A. Pin 56A extends through an internal passage 57A in cantilever arm 36 and through aperture 61 in flange 61A of beam 25A. Pin 56A is attached to cantilever arm 36 by nut 57B and washer 57C. Pin 56A is attached to beam 53A by attachment nut 58. There is provided an enlarged part 26C of pin 56A which engages with bearing assembly 72, plate 71, panel 35 and linkage arms 68 and 69. In this embodiment, the spring 26B has been omitted and pin 56A and enlarged extension 26C constituting pin assembly 25 are supported by load cell 34.

[0029] In FIG. 7, the operation of door 13 is shown for example where door 13 may be moved by pivotal movement of linkage arm 68 about bearing 72. Door 13 is attached to linkage arm 68 by attachment arm 73, which extends through opening 74 in panel 35. There is also provided a bottom bracket 75, which attaches door 13 to floor 21. There is also provided a pivot arm 76, which is attached to bracket 75 at 77 and also attached to central bearing 78, so that arms 68 and 76 may pivot in unison to initiate movement of door 13 when subject to appropriate drive means (not shown).

[0030] In FIG. 8, there is sown another embodiment of the mounting for load cell 34. Beam 47A may be attached or welded to beam 25A. Beam 48A engages with pin assembly 25 as shown.

[0031] In operation of the security enclosure 10 of the invention, a person having already his biometric characteristics such as a finger print registered in a central database at a reception location and optionally also having his weight registered, then proceeds to security enclosure 10, which has a radar sensor (not shown) located above each of entrance 15 and exit 18. Intercom 69 is also shown. It will be appreciated in this context that security enclosure 10 is bi-directional and thus entrance 15 can form an exit and exit 18 can form an entrance if desired.

[0032] After the door 13 and 14 at entrance 10 automatically open to allow access to the person by the radar sensor, the doors close and the person's weight is measured by the movement of inner enclosure 11 relative to outer enclosure 12. In this regard it will be appreciated that shaft 26A may be provided with a plurality of spaced load or weight sensors 32A, 32B, 32C and 32D along its length in relation to the FIG. 5 embodiment, which register with a number of mating sensors located in the structure surrounding shaft 26A (not illustrated). On the other hand, when a load cell is used, only a single sensor is used which is located within the load cell 34. In this situation, sensors 32A, 32B, 32C and 32D may be discarded.

[0033] After the correct weight is registered, then the person may place his finger on a biometric sensor inside inner housing 11 and if his biometric data is recognised by the central database, he is simultaneously checked for the possession of any drugs or explosives. If no drugs or explosives are detected and entrance to the facility is authorised by the biometric database and he is under the prescribed weight, then the exit doors 18 will then open and allow access to the facility guarded by security enclosure 10.

[0034] In the electronic circuitry which is associated with security enclosure 10 there may be provided four contacts in a series arrangement, which will stay closed if the user passes through all security checks involving use of the (a) radar sensor; (b) weight sensor; (c) biometric sensor; and (d) drugs or explosives sensor. There also may be (e) a metal detector; and (f) an electronic detector to detect electronic chips, such as a SIMCARD in a mobile or cell phone. If any of these security checks failed, then the person is directed to return to the reception location by a voice synthesizer. Usually the whole operation may take from 14-15 seconds and more preferably 30 seconds. If this predetermined time limit is exceeded, then the person is directed to return to the reception location. Suitably each of the sensors (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) are electrically connected to a pressure switch (not shown), which is responsible for opening doors 15 and 18.

[0035] The security enclosure 10 is subject to a control computer with operational software, which is used to start the cycle of operation automatically. In normal operating conditions, i.e. self management mode, the constant presence of an operator is not required.

[0036] There is provided an interphone receiver, which enables communication between the console operator and the user inside or outside the security enclosure 10. The control console can operate the interphone, provide access to the interior by opening of the doors, provide self management mode or automatic operation, provide bi-directional operation, exit only or entrance only operation and operate the voice synthesizer.

[0037] It also will be appreciated that the security enclosure may be constructed as a single unit and can be mounted directly to a concrete floor. The security enclosure may also be used as an elevator in an elevator shaft.

[0038] It further will be appreciated that the security enclosure may have any particular cross sectional shape and thus square, rectangular or polygonal. In such case there is no requirement for the doors to be moved in an arcuate path as shown in the preferred embodiment in the drawings.

[0039] It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the term "sensing means" includes within its scope fractional movement of spring 26A constituting one form of sensing means or, alternatively, refers to electronic sensing of the weight experienced by component 11, wherein arm 36 has minimal or no physical movement relative to outer component 12. In this situation, sensor 34 will sense when the weight or load imparted to component 11 has been exceeded by or equals a predetermined value. This will prevent opening of exit 18.

[0040] It will be appreciated that the security enclosure of the invention makes it possible to provide a number of security checks simultaneously before providing access to a facility and thus has clear advantages over the prior art.

[0041] The invention also includes within its scope a method for providing access to a facility, which includes the steps of:

(i) opening an entrance to a security enclosure to a single person to gain entry to the security enclosure; and

(ii) opening an exit of the security enclosure when the weight of said single person is under or at a predetermined value.

Claims

1. A security enclosure for guarding access to a facility, said security enclosure having an inner component supported by an outer component by support means associated with sensing means whereby, when a load is imparted to the sensing means by a person gaining entry to the inner component, access to the facility will be provided when said load is under or is equal to a prescribed value.

2. A security enclosure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means is a pin assembly interconnecting the inner component and the outer component.

3. A security enclosure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said sensing means comprises biasing means, wherein said inner component is movable relative to the outer component.

4. A security enclosure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said load corresponds to a value which corresponds to the weight of a single person or is under said weight.

5. A security enclosure as claimed in claim 1, 3 or 4, wherein said sensing means is a load cell fixedly attached to the outer component.

6. A security enclosure as claimed in any one of claims 2, 4 or 5, wherein said pin assembly interconnects the load cell and said inner component.

7. A security enclosure as claimed in claim 6, wherein said load cell is supported by an overhead beam of the fixed component and said pin assembly extends through an aperture of the overhead beam.

8. A security enclosure as claimed in claim 7, wherein said pin assembly extends through an aperture of a lower beam located below said overhead beam, whereby said lower beam supports said inner component.

9. A security enclosure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said biasing means is a coil spring having part thereof connected to the pin assembly and another part fixed to the movable component.

10. A security enclosure as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pin assembly is attached to an overhead beam of the fixed component.

11. A security enclosure as claimed in claim 10, wherein said pin assembly is also attached to and extends through an aperture of a lower beam of the movable component.

12. A security enclosure as claimed in any preceding claim having an entrance door and an exit door, wherein said entrance door opens automatically and said exit door opens when actuated by a signal generated by the sensing means responsive to said load being under or equal to the prescribed value.

13. A security enclosure as claimed in claim 12, wherein said entrance door and/or said exit door is attached to a linkage member pivotally attached to a bearing attached to said fixed component, whereby said entrance door and/or said exit door moves from a closing position to an open position, or vice versa, upon movement of said linkage member.

14. A security enclosure as claimed in claim 13, wherein said linkage member comprises an upper linkage member and there is also provided a lower linkage member pivotally attached to a lower bearing of the fixed component and said entrance door and/or said exit door, wherein said lower linkage member moves in unison with the upper linkage member.

15. A security enclosure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said fixed component includes a plurality of sensors including (a) a radar sensor; (b) a weight sensor; (c) a biometric sensor; and (d) a drugs or explosives sensor, which may be actuated upon actuation of said sensing means.

16. A security enclosure as claimed in claim 15, wherein there are provided additional sensors comprising a metal detector and an electronic sensor to detect electronic chips.

17. A security enclosure as claimed in claim 3 or 9, wherein there are provided a plurality of weight sensors in a mounting interconnecting the movable component and the fixed component.

18. A method for providing access to a facility, which includes the steps of:

(i) opening an entrance to a security enclosure to a single person to gain entry to the security enclosure; and

(ii) opening an exit of the security enclosure when the weight of said single person is under or at a predetermined value.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said exit is opened only when said person has been subjected to one or more of biometric sensor, metal detector, radar sensor, drugs or explosives sensor and an electronic detector to detect electronic chips.

Drawing