Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 022~1102 1998-10-06
11523.LP
ck\F:\WORK\1231\11523\SPEC\11523.LP
MEANS FOR THE TEMPORARY DETAINMENT OF A WR~~ ~r:~
The present invention relates to an arrangement according
to the preamble of Claim 1.
s
It has been already taken into consideration that
immediately after the commitment of a bank holdup, the
wrongdoer or perpetrator is restrained in that the exit
revolving door or the two doors of an exitway are blocked
during the time when the wrongdoer is attempting to flee
therethrough. In any event, in actual practice, one
holds back from the implementation of such measures so as
not to endanger customers, coemployees and passersby when
the wrongdoer who is locked in between the doors loses
his nerves and attempts to make use of a firearm.
Moreover, such a blockade against flight does not
represent any effective protection against the forcible
entry through a poorly secured access door.
The mentioned risk of a wrongdoer who is locked in
between blocked doors would also be applicable in view of
lightning or sudden thefts from retail stores with high-
valued consumer goods, such as photographic equipment,
watches and jewelry, to the extent that such retail
locales are at all equipped with a revolving door or with
a wind-protective double-door. At a normal equipping
with only a single door, in contrast, the wrongdoer can
pull to himself the goods which are laid in front of him
for inspection and flee, prior to the surprised
CA 022~1102 1998-10-06
salesperson being able to initiate any possibly
successful pursuing or other kinds of aid measures.
In recognition of these conditions, the present invention
is based on the technological task of creating an
arrangement of the type under consideration, which
noticeably increases the chances such type of surprise
perpetrator can be restrained in flagrante without
endangering the neighborhood.
The basic solution of this object is obtained from the
main claim, with regard to modifications further from the
sub-claims, which partly also appear to be independently
patentable, as well as is elucidated in the subsequent
description and the summation at the end thereof.
The inventive solution, pursuant to the extent of the
priority-forming own German Patent Application 1 96 04
079.5 of February 5, 1996, in connection with the
description there of is also made reference in the
present invention, this thus makes use of a tear-
resistant net, such as is described with regard to
smaller dimensions for personal defense against attack
from; for example, a violent attacker or an attack dog,
through; for example, the pyrotechnic deployment from a
cartridge-handheld apparatus, as is described in
applicant's own WO 95/00814 A1. In addition thereto,
herein for instance with respect to the deployment of a
net of larger-sized dimensions, concerning which
reference is made to the German DE-OS 4 437 412 in its
CA 022~1102 1998-10-06
full entirety with regard to the present invention; with
only the dispensing mechanism for the deploying of such a
net is arranged stationarily above the presumed entry
path or path of flight of the wrongdoer, typically in the
endangered and preferably with identification technology
monitored room, above in front of a door or in the entry
region; for example, to a cashier or safe deposit
installation. After the release of the installation by
means of an arming switch (for example, by means of a
key-switch or by means of a remote control during the
course of the arming of an already present alarm
installation), the net is released by applying pressure
to a push button, or automatically, for example upon the
response of a motion sensor of an emergency-signal
installation which is passed by the wrongdoer or
perpetrator.
The release, especially the automatic release, of the net
can; however, be prevented in that a person passes the
detection range of the net which is to be unfolded, and
who is authorized for passage such as a salesperson, the
owner of the business, or a watchman of the night
security service. For this purpose, the authorized
person (in contrast with the wrongdoer) is equipped with
an electronic identification code, which preferably
relates to a passive HF-ID-transponder with inductive
coupling, for example, such as is offered for sale by the
company Texas Instruments (actually for injection in the
body of a domestic animal for individual automatic feed
preparation) under the registered trademark ~TIRIS".
CA 022~1102 1998-10-06
Such a passive magnetic transponder can be attached to
the clothing of the authorized person, or the transponder
is welded into an identification card which is carried by
the authorized person, or glued thereto. In addition, to
the triggering sensor for the deployment of the net,
there is installed a read-out apparatus in the monitored
zone, which radiates a high-frequency field for the
activation of the transponder and thereby for the
interrogation of its individual identification code.
When this actually determined identification is not
stored into the read-out apparatus for this room as being
authorized for the entry into this room, then the
response of the triggering sensor leads to the activation
of the net dispensing mechanism, so as to enmesh the
unauthorized person, while concurrently there is
triggered an alarm signal or a security company is
alerted.
The wrongdoer or perpetrator, upon the deployment of the
net which extends radially unfolding upon deployment from
the net dispensing mechanism, is covered at an angle or
up to vertically from above over his head and the upper
torso so as to be brought into panic, so as to be tangled
therein and finally stumbles. Although also rem~;n;ng
uninjured, he is; however, enveloped on all sides and
therefore, in any case, temporarily immobilized as well
as in any instance complete insecure; in effect,
extremely restricted in his capability for manipulation.
It can also be contemplated that the first net can be
followed by a second net in order to finally take away
CA 022~1102 1998-10-06
from the wrongdoer the inherent hope of a rapid escape
from the (first) net, and thereby to become more deeply
insecure. The thusly enmeshed person can be restrained
without offering any large resistance by heartened
passersby, or by neighboring business people alarmed by
the release of the net alarm, until the arrival of
security personnel.
With regard to the configuration of the net reference is
made to the full disclosure of applicant~s own German
Petty Patent No. 295 09 795, and in supplement also to
the copending Petty Patent Application ~A Net for an
Arrangement for the Temporary Restraint of a Wrongdoer~.
The net is folded into the storage chamber of a net
lS dispenser which, together with a cartridge or an airbag-
generator (for the generation of the reaction gas
pressure), for the acceleration of the unfolding throwing
weights, which basically can be deployed, but for
example, also electromagnetically expelled, as a module
reequipped by means of simple handgrips so as to
immediate render the dispenser again into operational
readiness.
The invention is now further elucidated on the basis of
the drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates a representation, in principle, of the
arrangement of a stationary net dispenser with spatially
distanced triggering sensors,
CA 022~1102 1998-10-06
Fig. 2 is a clearly asymmetrical unfolding region with
baffle means in the effective range for the net, deployed
from a dispenser as in to Fig. 1,
Fig. 3 is the inconspicuous installation of the net
dispenser including the triggering sensor above an easily
penetratable weak location in the suspended ceiling of a
room which is to be protected, and
Fig. 4 in lieu thereof discloses a net which can be
deployed not from above but rather from below.
A net dispenser 11 can be designed so as to be
transportable and idependently operable; such as being,
integrated in a transportable case serving for rapid
mounting through latching or magnetic retainers, with a
built-in battery for its operation. Such a case can be
attached from actual instructions by security personnel
rapidly and without any problems above the door of flight
from a room or building in which there is found a violent
wrongdoer or perpetrator, and from which as a result; for
example, there is triggered an alarm installation or a
special emergency call. In the exemplary installation
according to Fig. 1, a net dispenser 11 is mounted
prophylactically stationary above the predestined door of
flight 12 of a retail locale 13, which is sketched in the
drawing with a display or sales counter 14. The
dispenser 11, in this example, is adapted to be armed by
means of a key-switch 15. In the instance of a
lightning-like or sudden theft or the like robbery
CA 022~1102 1998-10-06
attempt, the salesperson need only actuate one of a, for
example, plurality of on easily reachable activating
pushbutton 16 for preparing the triggering of the net
dispenser 11, which pushbuttons are located so as to be
easily reachable on the sales counter 14 and/or at other
locations in the retail locale 13. In the drawing, the
pushbuttons 16 are connected by cables with the
installation; for the simplification of the installation
there can, however, be implemented a radio or infrared
route as a conrol signal connection.
The triggering itself is, however, only effected when the
wrongdoer or perpentrator crosses along his path of
flight 17 the response characteristics 18 of a passage or
motion sensor 19 which, for instance, can relate to a
light barrier or preferably to an approach sensor in the
form of a radar or infrared sensor. The response
characteristic 18 crosses the effective region 20 along
which the net is accelerated against the fleeing
wrongdoer while unfolding. In any event, the person who
is to be arrested upon the triggering of the net
dispenser 11 is located just in an effectively-optimum
position relative to the mounting location and the
orientation of the net dispenser 11. This lightning-
quick deployment of the net triggered with explosive
material is activated thus by the sensor 19, since
through the manual actuation of the activating pushbutton
16 there is released of the automatic release-function of
the sensor 19. The effective region 20 in the monitored
room 13 is thereby expediently oriented in such a manner
CA 022~1102 1998-10-06
that not only is the perpetrator caught by the net, but
that the net throwing weights are also additionally slung
about furniture objects such as chair legs or step
handings, so as to thereby additionally irritate and
immobilize the fleeing person. Particularly effective in
this sense is the arrangement of a decorative baffle,
such as a large-grown potted spined cactus plant within
the effective region of the net.
In order to be able to utilize up to the arrival of
police or security personnel as an aid in the restraint
the netted-in wrongdoer, there is concurrently
expediently activated with the actuation of the
triggering pushbutton 16 also an alarm apparatus 21
(Figure l), by means of which, through wire connection or
radio, there can be alerted the security service. This
installation; however, is especially also designed to
transmit signal messages to telephone devices 22 in
neighboring retail locales 13. As a result, neighboring
business people can organize themselves into a self-help
group by means of the telephone devices 22, so that with
regard to the still enmeshed wrongdoer, the latter can be
held in check during the time interval up to the arrival;
for example, of the police.
The dispenser ll; for example; due to a camouflaging
covering hood or due to its installation, for example; in
the cup-shaped housing of a ceiling irradiator is not
readily recognizable as such, so that the wrongdoer
cannot evade its effective region 20. Such a camouflage
CA 022~1102 1998-10-06
hood of lightly porous foam material, such as Styropor,
is directly raised away prior to the deploying of the net
by means of immediate subjecting to gas pressure or from
the extended accelerating or throwing weights, so as to
S not adversely influence the unfolding of the net. For
the removal of a massive camouflage covering hood there
can be provided an additional cartridge which is ignited
upon the triggering of the system almost concurrently, or
eventually somewhat earlier, and which delivers reaction
gas for the ejection of the hood, and in any event,
immediately thereafter the other cartridge is ignited for
the expulsion of the throwing weights and for the
unfolding of the net. With a lighter covering it is,
however, throughout adequate to already use the launching
lS energy of the pyrotechnically expelled throwing weights
for penetration or for the ejection of the obstructions
in the course of the drawing-out and unfolding of the
net.
In the variant according to Fig. 3, the net dispenser 11
is combined into an assembled unit through an, in cross-
section truncated pyramid-shaped installation frame 23,
which is generally bent from flat iron, with the
triggering sensor 19. The sensor 19 is pivotably
supported in a retaining elbow 24 which is fastened on
the frame 23, in order to be able to bring its response
characteristics 18 in conformance with the installation
height within the critical path 17 with the effective
region 20 for the netting intersection. The installation
frame 23 lies with its base above the panel 25 of a
suspended ceiling 26, eventually below the interposition
of a support frame (when the fields between the
suspensions 27 are much wider than the frame base, and
CA 022~1102 1998-10-06
the panels 25 should be mechanically only lightly
loadable; not considered in the drawing). At a more
stable panel 25, as can be ascertained from the drawing,
in the suspended ceiling 26 in front of the net dispenser
11 there can be turned out a reference rupture surface,
or weakened in any suitable manner.
From the hollow-cylindrical or ring-shaped stowage space
28 for the folded not which is open in a direction
towards the effective region 20, there project downward
relative to the central axis of the effective region 20
funnel-shaped extending sleeves 29 for the ~mml ng of the
reaction gases and for the initial guiding of the
throwing weights for the axial pulling-out and radial
expansion of the net from its stowage space 28. With
regard to the equipping and functioning of these sleeves
29, reference is made to applicant's German DE-OS 44 37
412, whereby such sleeves 29 are located outside of and
further back of the space 28. Deviating from such
exemplary implementation, the net which is to be unfolded
can; however, also be extended by means of radially
arranged trapezoidal soft-rubber throwing weights;
referring to the above-cited copending patent
application.
The reaction space 30 for the from the sensor 19
triggered, here electromagnetically effected activation
of a propellent gas cartridge (which at a corresponding
explosive material; however, can also be directly
electrically triggered) lies centrally behind the stowage
space 28, projecting through the installation frame 23.
In the center of a ring-shaped net stowage space 28,
there can also be arranged an active-material receptacle
-10-
CA 022~1102 1998-10-06
31, so as to at first additionally irritate the enmeshed
person by means of light or sound irritants; respectively
through the application (by means of the sprayed
cartridge reaction gases) irritant material, or adhesive
fluid and to immobilize him.
As previously indicated primarily with regard to the
securing against unauthorized entry or exiting of a
building 13, within the scope of the present invention
this can also relate to mobile spaces 13, such as box-
shaped closed delivery wagons or overseas freight
containers. In that instance, the net dispenser 11 is
attached to the vehicle power supply or equipped with its
own electrical energy supply from a battery, and inside
or outside (again concealed) arranged above a door 12
leading to the inner room 13. The armed setting and the
triggering preparation (correspondence to the above-
mentioned functioning of the switch 15 and the pushbutton
16 in Fig. 1) can then generally be carried out from the
dashboard of the vehicle or through effected remote
controlled by radio. In the driver door or passenger
door of commercial vehicles and of armored transport
vehicles, the attached net dispensers are, in addition
thereto, an effective defense means against vandals or
against threats such as from robbers or kidnappers.
Under different surroundings conditions, for example, as
for extremely high or extensively disguised spaces and in
the open, there may be more expedient to provide a sub-
floor attachment of the net dispenser 11, according to
Fig. 4. It can be equipped with an integrated approach
sensor 19, such as a high frequency sensor whose
spherically-shaped directional characteristics roughly
CA 022~1102 1998-10-06
coincide with the effective region of the net dispenser
ll; or a triggering sensor l9' is provided off to one
side of the net dispenser ll, but located in its
operative range generally as a contact mat, such as is
S also considered in Fig. 4. The effective region, as
sketched can be oriented somewhat asymmetrically with
regard to the position of the external sensor l9'. Since
the perpetrator 33 is not in every instance centrally
engaged by the spread out net 32, for this purpose it is
expedient that the close enmeshing of the latter be
propagated by the guiding together of the throwing
weights 34 which were expelled for the deploying of the
net 32. For this purpose there can be provided soft-
elastic thin rubber cords 35, which generally are clamped
between the throwing weights 34, or which extend along
the edge of the net 32. These are stretched upon the
expansion of the net 32, and again shrink after the
attenuation of the deployment-accelerating forces.
Instead of the cords or additionally thereto, for the
rapid pulling together of the net 32 about the
asymmetrically enmeshed perpetrator 33, advantageous is a
pull cord 36 extending stationarily fastened and
extending to the net 32; expecially particular when the
effect thereof is not limited to a reaction to any
attempt of flight by the perpetrator 33, but is actively
configured in that the tension cord 36 is generally wound
up on a coil 37 by means of a small battery-operated
motor which expediently is installed camouflaged below
the floor at the net dispenser ll. It pulls the cord 36
which is deployed together with the net 32 back again
after a short reaction delay and thereby pulls the net 32
together closely about the perpetrator 33.
