Method and device for permanently locking a movable member in a framework

Method and device for permanently locking a movable member in a framework, such as locking a door of a safe in case of an attack, in which an explosive member sensitive to an outer action is detonated and deforms the movable member such as a door of the safe to create an artifical bolt extending outside of the movable member and penetrating in the framework, e.g. of the safe. The movable member is thus automatically locked when the artificial bolt is created under the effect of the explosion. Alternatively, the explosive member may be provided in the framework itself, in which case the framework is deformed due to the effect of the explosion, creating an artificial bolt which extends into the movable member itself, e.g. the door of a safe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to the field of safety and of the fight 
against or prevention of theft, aggression or breach of close and 
burglary. Its subject matter is a method of and a device for the permanent 
self-acting bolting or locking of a movable member in a supporting 
framework or like structure, said device being tripped or set into 
operation in case of breach of close or assault. The invention is mainly 
applicable in safes and strong-boxes or strong-rooms and safety-vaults. 
In the following, the invention will be mainly illustrated by setting forth 
the technical problem to be solved in the case of its preferred 
application, mainly the relocking of safes and strong-boxes or of 
strong-rooms and safety vaults upon an attempt at breaking the same open. 
The doors of safes or of strong-rooms are generally armoured on the inside 
and on the outside by means of several millimetres thick steel sheets. The 
space left between both metal sheets may be filled with steel elements of 
various shapes embedded in concrete. Such an assembly provides an 
effective protection against the flame of a cutting torch or against an 
attack with a hammer-drill or a rotary drill or borer. 
To provide against the attacks, there has already been provided automatic 
locking or bolting systems which would lock all the closing lock-bolts or 
latches with the assistance of means such as dogs, keeps or stops. The 
dogs are moved by a complicated and expensive mechanical control system. 
For instance, for a small safe the volume of which is of 500 cm.sup.3, 
there may be four lock-bolts on each vertical standard, upright or post 
and two lock-bolts on each horizontal line. The locking arrangement may 
comprise two sliding dogs co-operating with both pairs of vertical 
lock-bolts, respectively, and a dog acting upon the pair of upper 
horizontal lock-bolts as well as another dog acting upon the pair of lower 
horizontal lock-bolts. 
The approach made to the locking problem has not been satisfactory 
heretofore because the mechanical operating systems are complicated and 
costly. 
In the art of safe and strong-box constructions have already been used 
so-called "detector" means which, when the safe is attacked, are likely to 
operate a movable element which would relock the safe to closed position 
by acting for instance upon the lock mechanism. 
Thus are already known detector means consisting of a simple wire connected 
to a spring-biased finger and which when it is broken under the effect of 
the attack would release or free the finger which thus would relock the 
safe. 
Such detector means, however, are not always satisfactory to the extent 
where the burglars may cut out not only the lock-bolts of the safe but 
also the movable finger of the detector so that the present systems for 
relocking in case of attack do eventually not really secure a final 
locking of the safe in the closed condition. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 1,850,337 discloses a safety device applicable to a safe 
door. In case of an attempt at violation, a gas-controlled triggering 
system would operate catch pins or lugs effective to set in or fix the 
door. The gas is preferably the same as the one conventionally used with 
incapacitating or disabling effects. This old patent (1930) describes a 
closure system with locks working under the action of a gas under pressure 
and under a mechanical control. Such a system allows only for a 
provisional increase in safety because it would still be possible to cause 
the lock or locks to move back into the initial position. The U.S. Pat. 
No. 1,850,337 does not provide for a final and permanent locking. 
Moreover, the detection means are not appropriate to provide for an other 
than mechanical control of the system. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The object of the invention is to cope with the inconveniences found in the 
prior art by providing final and simple closing and locking means which 
would secure a final and permanent locking and which in particular would 
make practically impossible the opening of a safe undergoing any attack. 
In its general aspect, the invention relates to a process of automatically 
locking a movable member in a supporting framework or like construction, 
said process being characterized by the steps of disposing in said member 
means sensitive to an outer action, engaging said means by a pyrotechnical 
firing package acting through explosion on at least one outer part of said 
member which would be deformed under the effect of the explosion and 
arranging or fitting up that portion of the supporting framework which is 
located in front of or opposite to this outer part to allow for the 
setting in or fixing of the latter into the supporting framework once it 
has been deformed by the explosion. 
The invention is also directed to a device for carrying out the aforesaid 
process, said device comprising a supporting framework and a movable 
member therein as well as means for locking said member on the supporting 
framework, said device being characterized in that said locking means 
comprise means disposed in said movable member and sensitive to an outer 
action, a pyrotechnical firing package urged by said means in case of an 
outer action thereupon and acting through explosion upon at least one 
outer part of said member which would be deformed under the effect of the 
explosion, that portion of the supporting framework which is lcoated in 
front of or opposite to this outer part being arranged to enable the 
latter to be set in or fixed into the supporting framework once it has 
been deformed by the explosion. 
In the foregoing has been stated that, according to one of the essential 
characterizing features of the invention, the deformation obtained through 
the explosion of the part of the movable member would provide for 
permanent and final setting-in and locking of this member within the 
framework. It should be pointed out that such a deformation may develop 
until failure or breakage of the area involved of the movable member. 
Furthermore, also within the scope of the invention is a mutual 
arrangement according to which it is the framework which would be deformed 
(or at least partially broken) to lock the movable member. 
Also alternatively the means sensitive to an outer action may be provided 
onto the framework as well as onto the movable member. 
As already mentioned hereinabove, the preferred embodiment of the invention 
consists in its being applied to the locking and closing of armoured doors 
of safes or strong-rooms. The invention may however be used for locking 
any movable member whatsoever within the supporting framework since this 
movable member and this supporting framework exhibit in confronting 
relationship portions capable of being permanently deformed under the 
effect of an explosion or burst. This is the case in particular with all 
the closure systems comprising thick walls bounded by steel sheets 
deformable through explosion. 
The invention substitutes for the mechanical means of the prior art means 
relying upon or calling for pyrotechnical packages capable of initiating 
an explosion. In the case of a safe or a strong-room, there is thus 
provided a final closure of the door so that even the holder of the key 
and of the cipher combination may not open same any more. The only way 
left is then the breach of close but same is then substantially delayed. 
The means sensitive or responsive to an outer action the movable member is 
fitted with, in particular the door of the safe or strong-room, may be 
carried out, on condition of accomplishing a double function, namely the 
detection of a breach of close, i.e. of a non-voluntary action on the 
movable member and, on the other hand, of acting onto the pyrotechnical 
firing package capable of initiating the desired explosion. For the 
purposes of the present invention, it is preferable to use pyrotechnical 
means, for instance an ignitable and/or explosive product sensitive to the 
impact and/or the friction of an attacking tool or to the flame of a 
torch. Such a layer may be carried advantageously out as a flat foil or 
sheet embedded within the framework and/or the movable member, for 
instance interposed between both concrete layers of the wall forming the 
door of the safe or of the strong-room. 
Although such pyrotechnical means are preferred, it is also possible to use 
other means sensitive or responsive to an outer breaking action. It should 
be pointed out that the pyrotechnical means form the best power storage or 
accumulator thereby permitting to dispense with an outer energy source as 
would be the case with detecting means using electric power. It would 
however be also possible to make use of other kinds of storages or 
accumulators, for instance a tank under vacuum or under pressure which 
upon being pierced through would initiate a mechanical energizing of the 
burster detonator triggering the explosion. Another example would be a 
spring kept under tension by a glass plate or by a wire. 
According to the invention, there is provided in co-operation with said 
means sensitive to an outer action a pyrotechnical firing package capable 
of initiating an explosion or burst. Such a package comprises in a known 
manner by way of illustration at least one detonator and some quickmatch 
or detonating-fuse. Under the effect of the explosion, at least one outer 
part of the movable member or of the framework would be deformed. The 
explosion would provide a stretching or failure or break of the component 
wall of the movable member or framework, for instance of the steel sheet 
of the armoured door of a safe or of a strong-room. 
In order to provide the locking effect sought, the supporting framework 
surrounding the movable member is so shaped that the outer part thus 
deformed may set itself in so as to perform the final locking. In the case 
of a frame of the door of a safe or strong-room, such a frame may be 
formed with a groove into which the steel wall of the door would be caused 
to set. In this latter case is thus carried out a continuous locking of 
the door within its frame which would render it unattackable otherwise 
than with a torch. 
In the prior art is already known the general method of tube-expanding 
which involves the deformation of a tube through explosion to secure same 
into adjacent walls. The present invention preferably implies a 
combination of pyrotechnical detection and explosion means to provide a 
safety system. No teaching of this kind may be found in the general 
documents or the patent literature relating to tube-expansion. 
The invention in its preferred application is directed to a method of 
relocking a safe or the like, characterized in that when this safe 
undergoes an aggression, at least one portion of the safe door is 
automatically deformed and upset or forced in or reversely to thereby 
create at least one artificial bolt preventing or substantially delaying 
the opening of this safe. 
According to another characterizing feature of this method, said artificial 
bolt extends or moves into a recess or housing provided in the wall in 
front of or opposite to that giving rise to said bolt. 
As stated previously, the deformation and upsetting or forcing in of 
material producing said artifical bolt are produced by a small explosion 
or suitable pyrotechnical means. 
A device for carrying out the above method, of the type comprising a 
detector means associated with a safe and likely to operate under the 
effect of an aggression to relock the safe is characterized in that said 
detector means consists of a small body of explosive accommodated or 
housed within at least one portion of the door of the safe preferably near 
the edge of this door. 
This device is further characterized by at least one recess arranged in 
front of or opposite to the small body of explosive within the wall of the 
safe in front of the edge of the door. 
According to a particular embodiment, the small body of explosive is 
accommodated within an inserted piece made inside fast of the door or of 
the lock mechanism and is preferably located within a hollow portion 
provided in a plate or the like forming part of said piece. 
The aforesaid detector means may be completed with another small mass of 
explosive associated with the lock plate or case and/or with at least one 
of the bolts of the lock of the safe. 
The invention is still further directed to a safe or strong-box of any type 
fitted with a device according to any one of the characterizing features 
mentioned hereinabove.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1 shows a door 1 of a safe which is movable within a frame 2 by means 
of a hinge 3. The inside of the strong-room or safe is towards the hinge 3 
and the outside towards the opposite side, i.e. at the bottom portion of 
FIG. 1. As known, the door 1 diagrammatically comprises steel sheets 4 
inside of which is arranged concrete 5. 
According to the invention, there is provided within the door 1 and 
embedded between the concrete layer a pyrotechnical breach detecting layer 
6. By way of example, it may consist of a layer of ignitable compound of a 
few tenths of millimetre thickness consisting of black gun-powder or of an 
equivalent product, sensitive to heating (for instance up to temperatures 
of 200.degree. C. or more). It is also possible to use one or several 
layers of ignitable and/or explosive product of the kind sensitive to 
shocks, for instance a penthrite-based explosive paint or to the rubbing 
or friction of a tool or also the flame of a torch. In some cases, it may 
be advantageous to make use of multiple layers of different pyrotechnical 
products, i.e. capable of responding to various outer actions. For 
instance, it is possible to associate a layer of penthrite with a layer of 
known ignitable powder as delay powder such as a layer of red lead 
oxide-silicon. The common function of all these means is to be sensitive 
to an outer breaking action. 
The layer 6 co-operates with a pyrotechnical firing package acting through 
explosion or burst. In the example chosen and shown on FIG. 1 of the 
accompanying drawings, there is seen a detonator 7 which may consist of a 
few decigrams of penthrite primed by one decigram of lead nitride. This 
detonator is connected with the layer 6 on the one hand and with 
detonating quickmatches or fuses 8 on the other hand. The detonating fuses 
8 are embedded in the vicinity of the outer steel sheet of the door. These 
detonating fuses are for instance detonating fuses loaded with penthrite 
at the rate of 20 g/m. 
In front of the detonating fuses 8, but towards the frame 2 are provided 
grooves 9. 
Upon a breach at any point whatsoever of the protected wall, the layer 6 is 
put into operation and the firing is propagated through the agency of the 
detonator 7 to the detonating fuses 8. The ignition is performed almost 
instantaneously. The detonation of the detonating fuses 8 is effective in 
swelling or bulging the steel wall 10 of the door 1 which is caused to be 
set or fixed into the groove 9 formed in the frame 2. Thus is performed a 
locking of the door 1 within the frame 2. 
Referring to FIG. 2, a device for relocking a safe according to the 
invention consists essentially of a small body of explosive or of any 
pyrotechnical means 11 accommodated or housed within the door 12 of the 
safe and preferably located near the edge 13 of this door. 
In the wall 14 in front of the edge 13 of the door 12 is formed a recess 15 
in front of the small body of explosive 11. 
Thus, upon an attempt at breach of close, the explosive 11 which would 
directly or indirectly sense the aggression would produce a deflagration 
deforming and locally upsetting or forcing in the edge 13 of the door 12 
towards the recess 15 as shown at 16 so as to carry out the relocking of 
the safe. Although not shown on FIG. 2, there may be provided any means 
whatsoever connected to the explosive 11 to initiate the ignition of this 
explosive. It is quite possible without leaving the scope of the invention 
to provide an arrangement reverse of that shown on FIG. 2, i.e. the 
explosive 11 would be housed within the wall 14 and the recess 15 would be 
provided in the edge 13 of the door 12. It is also possible to provide 
several bodies of explosive such as 11 distributed inside and onto the 
periphery of the door 12 as well as several recesses such as 15 in 
corresponding or registering relationship with all such explosives and 
formed within the walls of the safe at their portions adjacent to the 
periphery of the door 12. The deformation of the edge 13 of the door may 
result in a bulge or buckling of this edge as shown at 16 or in a 
deformation or a tearing of this edge as shown at 17 on FIG. 3. In this 
latter case, it is seen that the torn out portion 17 extends into the 
recess 15 so as to provide one or several sharp edges which would lock the 
door 12 to prevent opening thereof. 
The recess or recesses 15 may be omitted in the case where the door 12 
forms together with the walls 14 of the safe a baffle-shaped fillister or 
rabbet 18 as well seen on FIG. 2. Indeed, if the explosive is disposed at 
11a within one of the inside corners of the door 12, this explosive will 
be able to deform the edge 13 of the door as shown at 16a and although 
there is no recess in front of the explosive 11a within the wall 14, this 
would be adequate to prevent the swinging of the door 12 in the direction 
of the arrow F. 
In addition to the explosive 11 and/or 11a, it is possible to provide 
another small body of explosive 11b at the lock plate or back plate 19 of 
the door 12 which carries the lock mechanism not shown, housed in the 
space 20. Thus, the action of the explosive 11b would produce a local 
deformation of the lock plate 19 as shown at 16b. This deformation 16b 
could for instance lock the rear portion of a bolt P of the lock, which 
bolt would thus be unable to retract from or move away of the wall 14. It 
could also be possible without leaving the scope of the invention to 
provide a small body of explosive inside of at least one bolt such as P, 
which explosive under the effect of an aggression could deform or tear the 
bolt within its bolt-clasp or like lock keeper, catch or box-staple to 
thereby reinforce or enhance the locking of the safe in the closed 
position. 
According to an alternative embodiment shown on FIG. 4, the explosive 11 is 
accommodated within a piece 21 inserted in and made fast of the edge 13 of 
the door 12 within said door. More specifically, the explosive 11 is 
located in a recess or hollow space 22 provided in a plate or metal sheet 
23 rigidly connected to the piece 21. Thus, the explosive 11 would produce 
the deformation seen at 24 and forming as previously an artificial bolt 
extending into the inside of the recess 15 formed in the casing of the 
safe embodied here as the wall 14. 
Therefore, according to the invention, there has been provided a system for 
relocking a safe by means of a simple upsetting or forcing in of the 
material which may be positioned either at the door of the safe or at the 
casing or the walls of this safe or even at the locking appliance. 
It should be understood that the invention is not at all limited to the 
embodiments described and shown which have been given by way of examples 
only. 
It could thus be quite possible to provide any means other than an 
explosive or a pyrotechnical system for producing the deformation and the 
upsetting or forcing in of the material.