Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02812844 2013-04-10
1
Robber trapping door
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates generally to doorways but more
particularly to a door for trapping robbers.
.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Banks and other types of commerce are the victims of robbery. If the
robber could be caught soon after he commits his act, that could
increase the number of arrests.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[003] It is a main advantage of this invention to provide for a door system
that
catches robbers. Besides catching robbers, the invention can also be
used as a deterrent.
15[004] In order to do so, the invention consists in a turnstile member
adapted
to be securely mounted to a floor surface, and including a rotatable axis
member having a vertical length and a plurality of door panels having
equal heights and are attached along respective vertical side portions to
the axis member along a substantial portion of the length of the axis
member. A plurality of partition members adapted to be securely
CA 02812844 2013-04-10
2
mounted to the floor surface having equal heights that are less than the
length of the axis member and greater than the height of the plurality of
door panels, wherein the plurality of partition members surround the
turnstile member in a circular configuration having two openings on
opposite sides thereof adapted for a person to pass therethrough. A top
panel member securely fastened to a top portion of each of the plurality
of partition members, and including a passageway in a center portion
thereof adapted to allow a top distal end of the axis member to pass
therethrough, such that when the turnstile is rotated to a predetermined
position, two of the plurality of door panels along with the partition
members and the top panel member form an enclosed cell section
adapted to trap a robber therein for apprehension; and a locking
mechanism securely attached to a center top portion of the top panel
member and mechanically connected to the top distal end of the axis
member, and adapted such that a person can activate the locking
mechanism, prevent the rotation of the turnstile member at the
predetermined position, and lock it in place.
[005] The plurality of door panels includes a locked swing section adapted to
be unlocked and opened creating an opening to thereby facilitate
deliveries.
[006] The locking mechanism includes a tamper proof box covering the
locking mechanism and is securely connected to the top panel member,
CA 02812844 2013-04-10
3
thereby enclosing the locking mechanism and preventing unwarranted
tampering of the locking mechanism.
[007] The locking mechanism is adapted to be operated remotely, such that a
person can activate the locking mechanism from a distance to trap a
robber, and then release the locking mechanism once a law
enforcement officer arrives to apprehend the robber.
[008] The top distal end of the axis member includes a triangular shaped
portion; and the locking mechanism includes a locking bar adapted to
interfere with the rotational movement of the triangular shaped portion
and thereby the turnstile.
[009] The locking mechanism further includes a solenoid member adapted to
push the locking bar into an interfering position with the triangular
shaped portion of the axis member, and a pulling assembly that
includes a rotating cam that pulls a chain member, which pulls the
locking bar away from the interfering position, and wherein the cam is
rotated by a catch member that is adapted to be moved by person
authorized to release the locking mechanism.
[0010] The catch member includes a dial member that only rotates when a
predetermined code is entered and accepted therein.
CA 02812844 2013-04-10
4
[0011] The locking mechanism further includes a pair of spring biased ratchet
members adapted to also interfere with the triangular shaped portion,
and adapted to ensure that the turnstile rotates in only one
predetermined direction.
5[0012] The locking mechanism further includes a solenoid that is adapted to
push the locking bar into an interfering position with the triangular
shaped portion of the axis member, and adapted such that the locking
mechanism can be operated remotely.
[0013] The locking mechanism further includes a peg attached thereon, and the
top distal end of the axis member further includes a spoked member
having a plurality of resiliently deformable spokes radiating outwardly
therefrom rotating along with the axis member and are adapted to hit
the peg member and dampen the rotational movement of the turnstile.
[0014] The plurality of door panels includes a plate member adapted to be
pushed by a person passing through the turnstile.
[0015] The robber trapping door includes at least one attachment bracket
adapted to be attached between a partition member and the floor or an
adjacent wall.
[0016] The robber trapping door further includes a motion detector.
CA 02812844 2013-04-10
[0017] The robber trapping door has the tamper proof box with all its locking
systems is located at a time above and adjacent the cell and near an
entrance to a building.
[0018] The robber trapping door has the unlocking system, using combinations
5 always installed in the section adjacent the cell and proximal an
entrance
door.
[0019] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of this
invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed
description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein the preferred embodiment of the
invention is shown and described, by way of examples. As will be
realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments,
and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious
respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the
drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and
not as restrictive.
CA 02812844 2013-04-10
6
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Figs. la-c Exploded view, and detail views of the invention.
5[0021] Figs. 2a-b Top and side views of the locking assembly when in locked
configuration..
[0022] Fig. 3 Isometric view of the turnstile member.
[0023] Fig. 4 Isometric view of the turnstile and partition members.
[0024] Figs. 5a-b Isometric view of the invention and detail of the locking
assembly.
[0025] Fig. 6 Isometric view of the invention where the turnstile is
positioned in
trapping mode.
[0026] Fig. 7 Top view of the turnstile and partition members.
CA 02812844 2013-04-10
7
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] A robber trapping door (10) has a turnstile member (12) consisting of
three door panels (14) and four partition members (16). The partition
members (16) are fixed and generally mechanically fastened to the floor
so that only the turnstile member (12) is movable. The robber trapping
door (10) is generally located close to the actual entry door (not shown),
and has an attachment bracket (48) to attach to an existing wall (not
shown). The turnstile member (12) is rotationally connected to a tamper
proof box (40) by way of a turnstile connector (13) connecting with a
turnstile axis (15). The turnstile axis (15) rests on a base (19) bolted onto
the floor (not shown). The tamper proof box (40) with all its locking
systems is located above and adjacent a cell (21) as well as in zone "D"
close to the entrance door"A"
[0028] Top panel members (17) are fixedly attached to the partition members
(16) so as to prevent any possible egress.
[0029] One of the three door panels (14) has a locked swing section (11) that
opens so as to create an opening to facilitate deliveries.
[0030] In normal mode, the trapping door (10) operates like any turnstile of
the
prior art. In the event of a robbery, after a store clerk actuates the
system, a locking assembly comes into function in order to lock the
CA 02812844 2013-04-10
8
trapping door (10). The locking assembly is comprised of a locking bar
(24) that extends so as to interfere with a triangular member (26), which
locks the turnstile member (12) from turning in one direction. To prevent
the turnstile member (12) from turning in the opposite direction, a pair of
ratcheting means (28, 28') normally operate so as to also interfere with
the triangular member (26). The ratcheting means (28, 28') work in a
fashion similar to ratchets of the prior art, meaning that they are movable
when pushed in one particular direction but unmovable when pushed in
any other directions. Biasing means (52), bring them back to their
original position. The triangular member (26) ensures that their are only
three positions in which the turstile member (12) can be locked in, and all
positions have the same relative positioning of the door panels (14)
which creates the cell (21) in which the robber is trapped.
[0031] The locking bar (24) is moved into its interfering configuration by way
of a
solenoid (30) and is brought back to its non interfering configuration by
way of a pulling assembly comprised of a chain (32) which is pulled by a
rotating cam (34) which rotates around an axis (36) so that a catch (38)
can push it into rotation as the catch (38) itself is being moved by an
officer of the law called by the shop owner. Only law officers can get the
code to unlock the locking bar (24) by way of a dial (50) located under
the tamper proof box (40) and always in zone "D" close to zone "A". The
robber is in cell (21) while the police officer arrive from the front door
located in the area designated by letter "A".
CA 02812844 2013-04-10
9
[0032] Alternatively, an electric lock can replace the solenoid, the rotating
cam
(34), and the catch (38) by simply using a rod (not shown) instead of the
chain (32). The advantage is that the system by unlocking digital access
control can be installed in the D section or at various locations outside
the building or according to police request.
[0033] As is known in the art of turnstile doors, a means to slow down the
rotation is sometimes employed. In this case, a spoked member (42) has
its resiliently deformable spokes (44) hit a rigid peg (46) as a means to
slow down and stop the turnstile from rotating under normal operating
mode. Additional features include full plates (60) on the door panels (14)
and the partition members (16) to facilitate pushing in the first instance
and prevent children from putting their arms through the bars in the
second instance. Various alloys and materials can be used for the bars
such as stone or ceramic encased inside metal, etc. A motion detector
(62) to ensure that there is someone inside the cell before locking it is an
available option.
