Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SECURITY DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of security, and more
particularly
to the security device for securing luggage at airports and other
transportation facilities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The security of airports and other transportation facilities has become
a
significant area of concern in recent years. The handling and management of
passenger luggage has often been at the root of these concerns. Presently,
passengers intending to board an aircraft must deposit luggage and other
baggage with
airline staff at a check-in facility. Each piece of luggage is tagged with a
sticker, hang-
tag or the like at the check-in facility which corresponds to the destination
of the
passenger. The tagged luggage is then transferred through the airport to the
hold of the
a i rcraft.
[0003] In the course of transferring the luggage to aircraft, the contents of
the
luggage may be inspected by security personnel. Inspection usually involves,
at a
minimum, some form of electronic inspection, such as x-ray imaging. Sensors
for
detecting trace elements of explosives and/or drugs may also be employed. If
the
electronic inspection uncovers the possible presence of unauthorized
contraband, the
piece of luggage will be opened and subjected to a visual contents inspection.
During
the course of transferring the luggage, the unsecured nature of the piece of
luggage
permits its contents to be altered, inter alia, by baggage handlers or other
airport
employees. The contents of unsecured luggage are vulnerable to theft, as well
as the
possible introduction of explosives, drugs or other contraband into the
luggage.
(0004 In order to inhibit such theft and tampering, many passengers utilize
locks
to secure the contents of their luggage. As a result of the possible need for
visual
contents inspection, the passenger assumes the risk of the lock being forced
open and
damaged by security personnel. Following such visual inspection, the damaged
lock
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cannot be resecured to the luggage and, thus, the contents of the luggage are
vulnerable to theft and/or tampering. Conversely, other forms of locking
devices may be
repeatedly opened by security personnel with the knowledge of the owner of the
piece
of luggage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more
clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way
of
example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
l0 [0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a security system according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the security system including a
security
device and a strap;
[0007] Figure 2 is a top plan view of the security device and strap of Figure
1;
[0008] Figure 3 is a view of the interior of the security device and strap of
Figure
1;
[0009] Figure 4 is an end view of the security device and strap of Figure 1
showing the first and second passageways and the base portion of the strap;
[0010] Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the strap of Figure 1;
[0011] Figure 6 is a top plan view of the pawl of Figure 3;
2s
[0012] Figure 7 is a view of the structure of Figure 3 with the security strap
inserted or threaded into the first passageway;
[0013] Figure 8 is a view of the structure of Figure 3 with the security strap
advanced further through the first passageway;
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[0014] Figure 9 is a view of the structure of Figure 3 with the security strap
cut;
(0015] Figure 10 is side elevation view of the new security strap in an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] Figure 11 is a side elevation view of the security device of Figure 1
with
the new security strap inserted or threaded into the second passageway;
[0017] Figure 12 is a sectional view of the security device of Figure 11 along
the
section A-A showing the first and second passageways and the inlet;
[0018] Figure 13 is a view of the structure of Figure 3 with the new security
strap
inserted or threaded further through the second passageway;
[0019] Figure 14 is a view of the structure of Figure 3 with the new security
strap
inserted or threaded into the first passageway;
[0020 Figure 15 is a compilation of various top, side elevation and end views
of
the security system;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021) Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrates a security system 20 made in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The security system 20
comprises a security device 22 and a disposable security strap 24, which are
hereinafter described in detail with reference to the Figures.
[0022] Security device 22 includes a housing 26 formed of a cooperating
housing
cover 28 and a housing body 30. The housing cover 28 and the housing body 30
are
each formed of plastic, and are sonically welded to one another in use. The
housing 26
has two or more passageways defined therethrough. As shown in Figure 3 and 4,
the
device 22 is formed with a first passage way 34 and a second passageway 36
extending therethrough. The housing 26 may also define a viewing window (not
shown).
(0023] Referring to Figures 3, 4 and 5, a base portion 27 of security strap 24
is
inserted into the housing 26 before the housing body 34 and cover 28 are
sonically
welded to one another. Alternatively, the base portion 27 of security strap 24
may be
integrally formed with the housing 26. In a preferred embodiment the security
strap 24
CA 02496009 2005-02-03
is made of a plastic material. The security strap 24 includes a generally
elongate body
38 having a girth that is smaller in dimension than the passageways 34 and 36.
Body
38 includes an operative surface 40 and a backing surface 42 that extend from
the
housing 26 to a tail end 44. Operative surface 40 is provided with a plurality
of inclined
5 ribs or serrations 46.
[0024] Security device 22 is shown in Figures 3 and 5 with the housing cover
28
removed for clarity and to show a pawl 48 mounted on the interior of housing
26. Pawl
48 includes a first engagement surface 50 and a second engagement surface 52
that
project into the first passageway 34 and the second passageway 36,
respectively. The
first and second engagement surfaces 50 and 52, respectively, are inclined
substantially
the same as the inclination of the ribs 46 of the operative surface 44 of the
strap 24.
The first engagement surface 50 and the second engagement surface 52 are
oppositely
inclined.
[0025] As shown in Figure 3, housing 26 is adapted to contain a transponder 54
for locating the position of the piece of luggage within airports, as well as
in the hold of
the aircraft. The transponder 54 preferably utilizes radio frequency
technology to
communicate via radio frequency to a reader device. It is understood that any
other
suitable form of communication may be used in association with the transponder
54.
Also, housing 26 of the security device 22 is preferably formed from a
material that
permits the transmission or communication of radio frequencies from the
transponder
54 to a reader device. A suitable material for the housing 26 includes, for
example,
plastic. The transponder 54 and associated radio frequency technology
contemplated
for use with the present invention are discussed in the attached five articles
entitled:
~ Section 1: Introduction to RFID;
~ Section II: Low Frequency (LF) Passive RFID;
~ Section III: High Frequency (HF) Passive RFID;
~ Section IV: Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Passive RFID; and
~ Section: RFID Standards.
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It is to be understood that the information contained in these five articles
forms part of
the description of the transponder 54 of the present invention.
[0026] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, a device 22 is shown with housing cover
removed for clarity and to show the use of the device. In use, body 38 of the
strap 24 is
passed through a hasp, zipper or handle, for example, on the piece of luggage
(not
shown). The strap 24 is then threaded tail end 44 first into first passageway
34. The
strap 24 is typically secured by the check-in personnel. The smaller dimension
of the
elongate body 38 of the security strap 24 relative to the first and second
passageway 34
and 36 renders this a relatively simple process.
[0027) As the security strap 24 advances through the first passageway 34, the
first engagement surface 50 of the pawl 48 falls into the interdental spaces
between the
ribs 46 on the operative surface 40 of the strap 24 so as to arrest motion of
the body 38
through the second passageway 36 otherwise than tail end 44 first. The housing
26
and the pawl 48 thus form a linking means for receiving said strap 24 and,
when in
receipt of said strap 24, for securely linking longitudinally spaced-apart
portions thereof.
[0028] After the security strap 24 has been passed through the first
passageway
34, as shown in Figure 8, the contents of the luggage are secured. To remove
or
detach the security device 22 from the luggage, the passenger or security
personnel
must bisect or cut the strap 24. With the strap 24 cut, the tail end 44 may be
removed
from the first passageway 34, as shown in Figure 9. The base portion 27 and at
least a
portion of the strap 24 will remain attached to the housing 30 since it is
integrally formed
or sonically welded within the security device 22. By this design, the base
portion 27 of
the strap 24 extends from the housing 26 and acts as an indicator to the
passenger that
their luggage has been opened.
[0029] Following the visual inspection of the contents of the piece of luggage
by
the security personnel, the security device 22 may be resecured to the piece
of luggage
using a new strap 124. As shown in Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13, the new strap
124
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includes an enlarged head 56 and an elongate body 138 having a tail end 144.
The
head 56 is greater in dimension than the first passageway 34. Strap body 38
and new
body 138 are identical, except that the new strap is provided with the
enlarged heard
56. Additionally, the new body 138 may be provided with a label or different
colour to
identifying the person who opened the luggage (i.e. check-in staff, security
personnel
andlor custom agents).
[0030] To resecure the security device 22, the body 138 of the new strap 124
is
threaded tail end 144 first into an inlet 62 and through second passageway 36.
As the
new security strap 124 advances through the second passageway 36, the second
engagement surface 52 of the pawl 48 falls into the interdental spaces between
a
plurality of ribs 146 on an operative surface 140 of the new strap 124 so as
to arrest
motion of the body 142 through the second passageway 36 otherwise than tail
end 144
first. At the same time, the enlarged head 56 of the strap 124 precludes
passage of the
head 56 through the inlet 62 of the second passageway 36.
[0031] The strap 124 is then passed through a hasp, zipper or handle, for
example, on the piece of luggage (not shown). Tail end 144 is then threaded
into the
first passageway 34, as shown in Figure 14. The smaller dimension of the
elongate
body 138 of the security strap 124 relative to the first and second passageway
34 and
36 renders this a relatively simple process.
[0032] As the security strap 124 advances through the first passageway 34, the
first engagement surface 50 of the pawl 48 falls into the interdental spaces
between the
ribs 146 on the operative surface 140 of the strap 124 so as to arrest motion
of the body
138 through the first passageway 34 otherwise than tail end 144 first. The
housing
body 30 and the pawl 48 thus form a linking means for receiving said strap 124
and,
when in receipt of said strap 124, for securely linking longitudinally spaced-
apart
portions thereof.
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[0033] After the security strap 124 has been passed through the second and
first
passageways 34 and 36, as shown in Figure 14, the contents of the luggage are
resecured. To remove or detach the security device 22 from the luggage, the
passenger or security personnel must bisect or cut the strap 124. With the
strap 124
cut, the tail end 144 may be removed from the first passageway 34 since its
retraction
therefrom is no longer impeded by the enlarged head 56. The removal of the
enlarged
head 56 end of strap 124 from the second passageway is impeded by the enlarged
head 56 and the second engagement surface 36 of the pawl 48. By this design,
the
enlarged head 56 end of the strap 124 remains in the second passageway 36 and
acts
as an indicator to the passenger that their luggage has been opened on a
second
occasion.
[0034] The security device 22 described herein is provided with the first and
second passageways 34 and 36. It is understood that the security device 22 may
have
more than two passageways to enable the security device 22 to be opened and
resecured several times during the course of transferring the piece of luggage
to and
from the aircraft.
[0035] The security system 20 can be used with any conventional piece of
luggage that is of the type that has cooperating parts adapted to receive the
shackle of
a padlock or the like to permit the piece of luggage to be locked closed. For
example,
the security system can be used with a piece of luggage having a hasp; a piece
of
luggage having a zipper with dual pulls that can be locked together; or a
piece of
luggage that has a zipper with a single pull with a terminally positioned lug,
in which
case the zipper pull and the lug can be locked together. With the security
strap
operably received by the cooperating parts of such a piece of luggage (not
shown), and
said strap operably received by the linking means, the piece of luggage cannot
be
opened.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the method, a controlled supply of
security
packages (not shown) are provided to check-in personnel at an airport. Each
package
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consists of a security device and a security strap as hereinbefore described.
The
transponder 54 of the security device is provided with a unique permanent
electronic
indicia associated with the device, such as an encrypted code or serial
number. The
housing of the security device may also be provided with a permanent visual
indicia that
corresponds to the electronic indicia of the transponder. The package may also
include
a self-adhesive label bearing the permanent visual indicia for attachment to
the
boarding pass of the passenger.
[0037] One such package is provided for each piece of luggage checked by a
passenger, and the check-in staff provides for the operable receipt of the
security strap
by the cooperating parts of the luggage and the linking means of the security
device,
whereby the piece of luggage cannot be opened. The label is affixed to the
boarding
pass of the passenger
[0038] A controlled supply of security straps are provided to authorized
persons,
namely airport security personnel and customs agents. The security straps
provided to
security personnel and customs agents may be coloured differently, or may bear
the
names "Security" and "Customs", respectively. This will enable a passenger,
for
example, to determine whether their luggage has been opened after the check-in
and, if
2o so, by whom.
[0039] In the event that security personnel or customs agents wish to visually
inspect the contents of the piece of luggage, they can bisect or cut the strap
and
remove portions from the device, as indicated by the sequence of Figures 9 and
13, to
permit access to the contents of the piece of luggage. After inspection has
been
completed, such persons can insert a new strap into the second passageway and
then
into the first passageway to secure to the luggage.
[0040] In situations where passengers are required to attend to claim their
baggage (in contrast to self-serve luggage claim systems), the security system
will be
inspected by the airline personnel when the luggage to which it is affixed is
to be
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transferred to the passenger. It will be evident that the boarding pass serves
as a
convenient luggage claim receipt to match a piece of luggage with its owner,
since the
indicia on the label on the boarding pass should match the indicia on the
security
device. Also, the transponder may also provide an electronic means for
matching the
5 piece of luggage to the passenger. if it is evidence from such inspection
that the indicia
on the security device, the strap and the label match are the same as was
applied at the
check-in, the passenger and airline have good reason to believe that the bag
has not
been opened. If the indicia on the security strap does not match that of the
security
strap and label, the passenger and airline have good reason to believe that
the bag has
10 been opened by authorized persons.
(0041] While a security strap herein is serrated or ribbed, in the manner of
some
conventional cable ties, it is understood that other configuration of the
strap are
possible, provided that suitable modification is made to the pawl or such
other gripping
mechanism as may be employed to provide the contemplated linking
functionality. For
example, the security strap could be provided with longitudinally spaced
apertures, into
which the pawl can engage upon the advancement of the security strap through
one or
more of the passageways.
(0042] While use of the security system is described in the context of a
process
wherein the baggage is inspected by airline personnel prior to return to the
passenger, it
will be evident that the tamper evidence functionality of the security system
does not
require such involvement of airline personnel. Further, it will be evidence
that the
security device provides a convenient mechanism to permit the passenger to
identify his
or her piece of luggage in a self-serve luggage claim system, by matching the
number
affixed to the boarding pass with the number on the security device.
[0043] Moreover, whereas the use described related to airline, it will be
readily
appreciated that the security device could be employed in other transportation
systems
wherein passengers are separated from their luggage. A further use of the
security
system is in hotels. It is commonplace for persons checking out of hotels to
leave their
CA 02496009 2005-02-03
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luggage with the hotel for a period of time if their departure from the hotel
is delayed. In
such circumstances, a supply of security systems could be available at the
front desk,
and given to the persons checking out for affixation to the luggage. This
would provide
the departing guest with a measure of security that their bags had not been
tampered
with when in the custody of the hotel. This security would be even greater in
circumstances where the luggage itself has no working lock mechanism.
[0044) It is hereinbefore specified that only the strap used with the security
device
is disposable (since it is broken after use, and thus not suitable for reuse).
It should be
l0 understood that it is preferable that the security device be constructed in
a low-cost
manner, and used as a disposable product.
[0045] The present invention has been described with regard to specific
embodiments. However, it will obvious to persons skilled in the art that a
number of
variants and modifications can be made without departing from the scope and
spirit of
the invention.
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