Patent Publication Number: US-2021166538-A1

Title: Threat Detection and Isolation System

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/942,782 filed on Dec. 3, 2019. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to threat detection and isolation systems. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a threat detection and isolation system integrated into the entrance of a building and configured to lock an individual within a confined space upon detection of a dangerous object. 
     Many public places, including schools, airports, banks, sporting arenas, and other locations have been the sites of extreme violence, such as mass shootings, robberies, and the like. As time goes on, it only appears to be increasing in frequency. Preventing such violent events can be particularly difficult, as constant monitoring and screening of every individual that enters a public place is extremely taxing. Often, a combination of manpower and screening tools must be present at entrances and frequently traveled areas to monitor and prevent individuals from bringing firearms, explosives, or other dangerous objects into a public space. Failure to properly secure a public location can result in significant injury or loss of life. Therefore, a device that can automatically detain an individual safely upon detection of a dangerous object is desired. 
     In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing threat detection systems. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of threat detection systems now present in the known art, the present invention provides a threat detection system wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when isolating a potentially dangerous individual upon a sensor detecting the presence of a dangerous object, such as a firearm. 
     The present system comprises a housing having an upper wall and a plurality of sidewalls extending therefrom defining an interior volume. A door is affixed to the housing on at least one of the plurality of sidewalls, the door providing access to the interior volume. A camera is disposed within the housing. At least one sensor is disposed within the housing, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the presence of a predefined dangerous object within the interior volume. Upon detection of the presence of the predefined dangerous object, the door is configured to move to a closed position and a lock is configured to engage the door, thereby preventing the door from moving to an open position. In some embodiments, upon actuation of the sensor, a notification is sent to emergency services via a wireless communications system disposed within the housing. 
     In some embodiments, a speaker is configured to emit an audible alert upon actuation of the sensor. In another embodiment, a light is disposed on an interior of the upper wall, the light configured to illuminate upon actuation of the sensor. In other embodiments, a keypad is disposed on an exterior of the housing, wherein the keypad is configured to disengage the lock upon entry of a code. In yet another embodiment, at least one sensor comprises a metal detector. In some embodiments, at least one sensor comprises a chemical sensor. In another embodiment, the housing comprises a bulletproof material. In other embodiments, a transfer compartment is disposed within the sidewall, wherein the transfer compartment includes an interior door and an exterior door providing access to an interior of the transfer compartment. In yet another embodiment, a sensor is disposed in each corner of the upper wall. In some embodiments, the housing comprises a transparent material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the threat detection and isolation system. 
         FIG. 2  shows a close-up view of the transfer compartment of an embodiment of the threat detection and isolation system. 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the threat detection and isolation system. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the threat detection and isolation system in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the threat detection and isolation system. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the threat detection and isolation system. The threat detection and isolation system  11  comprises a housing  12  having at least an upper wall  13  and a plurality of sidewalls  14  extending from a perimeter of the upper wall  13 , thereby defining an interior volume. In some embodiments, the housing  12  is further enclosed by a lower wall. In some embodiments, the housing  12  comprises a bulletproof material, such that an armed individual detained within the housing  12  cannot injure bystanders exterior to the housing  12 . Furthermore, in the shown embodiment, the housing  12  comprises a transparent material allowing emergency responders, such as police, to visualize the individual detained within the housing  12 . 
     A door  16  is disposed within at least one of the plurality of sidewalls  14 , wherein the door  16  provides access to the interior volume. In the illustrated embodiment, the door  16  comprises a sliding door system including a pair of panels configured to selectively move between an open and closed position. In some embodiments, the door  16  automatically opens and closes upon detection of the presence of a user in the vicinity. In other embodiments, the door  16  comprises a revolving door system, pivoting door, or other such system suitable to blend into a façade of a building. In the shown embodiment, a secondary door  16  is disposed on an opposing sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls  14 , thereby defining an enclosed vestibule providing access to an interior of a building. In such embodiments, the secondary door  16  is configured to remain in a closed position for a period of time after the door  16  is opened. In this manner, the user is prevented from entering the building the housing  12  is affixed to until the threat detection and isolation system  11  identifies that the user is not in the possession of a dangerous object. 
     At least one sensor  18  is disposed within the housing  12 , wherein the sensor  18  is configured to detect the presence of a dangerous object within the interior volume of the housing  12 . Upon detection of a dangerous object, the sensor  18  initiates several procedures elsewhere described herein. In some embodiments, the sensor  18  comprises a metal detector configured to detect the presence of firearms, knives, or the like. In alternate embodiments, the sensor  18  comprises a chemical sensor configured to detect the presence of dangerous chemicals, such as harmful aerosols, gasses, or off-gas emitted from common explosive compounds. In further embodiments, the sensor  18  comprises a suite of sensor mechanisms capable of detecting a wide range of dangerous objects. In the shown embodiment, the sensors  18  are disposed in each corner of the upper wall  13 , such that a full 360-degree area within the housing  12  can be analyzed for dangerous objects. In further embodiments, a camera may be disposed within the sensor  18 , the camera configured to record images or video of individuals located within the housing  12 . In some embodiments, the camera is constantly active, however, in alternate embodiments, the camera is configured to initiate recording upon actuation of the sensor  18 . 
     In the shown embodiment, a light  22  is disposed on the interior of the upper wall  13 , wherein the light  22  is configured to illuminate upon actuation of the sensor  18 . In this manner, any bystanders, security, or other personnel in the area are readily notified of the presence of a potentially dangerous object within the housing  12 . Furthermore, upon actuation of the housing  12 , a lock disposed within the door  16  is configured to engage, thereby preventing the door  16  from moving to an open position. In this manner, an individual is detained within the housing  12  until proper security measures can be implemented. In the illustrated embodiment, a keypad  23  is disposed on one of the plurality of sidewalls  14  adjacent to the door  16 , wherein the keypad  23  is configured to disengage the lock upon verification of a code entered via the keypad  23 . In this manner, emergency services personnel can unlock the door  16  to retrieve the detained individual once it is deemed safe to do so. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a close-up view of the transfer compartment of an embodiment of the threat detection and isolation system. In the illustrated embodiment, the system further comprises a transfer compartment  26  disposed within one of the plurality of sidewalls  14 , wherein the transfer compartment  26  is configured to provide limited access to the interior of the housing. The transfer compartment  26  comprises an interior door  27  opposite an exterior door  28 , wherein the interior and exterior doors  27 ,  28  provide access to an interior of the transfer compartment  26 . In some embodiments, the interior and exterior doors  27 ,  28  are pivotally affixed along a lower edge thereof to the sidewall  14  of the housing and are spring biased towards a closed position. The transfer compartment  26  allows an individual within the interior volume of the housing to deposit an item within the transfer compartment  26  to be retrieved via another individual exterior to the housing. In this manner, the detained individual can be disarmed to ensure that the area is safe for release of the detained individual. In the illustrated embodiment, the transfer compartment  26  is disposed adjacent to the keypad  23 , however, in alternate embodiments, the transfer compartment  26  can be positioned elsewhere to minimize interference with the operation of various components of the system, such as the doors. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a schematic view of an embodiment of the threat detection and isolation system. The sensor  18  of the threat detection and isolation system  11  is electrically connected to the doors  16 , which are in turn electrically connected to a lock  20 . Upon actuation of the sensor  18  via detection of the presence of a dangerous object, the doors  16  are configured to move to a closed position, ensuring that the individual and the dangerous objects are confined to the interior volume of the housing. The lock  20  is then configured to engage the doors  16 , thereby preventing the doors  16  from moving to an open position. In this manner, the individual is detained safely within the housing until emergency services can be contacted to safely deescalate the situation. The keypad  23  is further operably connected to the lock  20 , such that upon entry and verification of an associated code, the lock  20  can be disengaged, thereby allowing the doors  16  to open, releasing the detained individual. 
     Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the system further comprises a speaker  21  operably connected to the sensor  18 , wherein the speaker  21  is configured to emit an audible alert upon actuation of the sensor  18 . In this manner, the bystanders in the vicinity of the housing is alerted that the system detected a potentially dangerous object and detained an individual. This can further alert security officers to investigate the situation. Similarly, in some embodiments, the light  22  is configured to illuminate upon actuation of the sensor  18 , such that nearby individuals are visually alerted to the possibility of a dangerous object within the housing. In another embodiment, a camera  17  is electrically coupled to the sensor  18  as previously described, such that the camera  17  is activated when the sensor  18  detects the presence of a dangerous object, wherein the camera  17  is configured to record an image or video of the interior volume of the housing and the individual detained therein. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a wireless communication system  29  is further connected to the sensor  18 , such that upon actuation of the sensor  18 , the wireless communication system  29  is configured to contact emergency services, such as police, medical professionals, or other first responders, to respond to the potential threat. For example, the wireless communication system  29  can be operably connected to a telecommunications network, allowing an alert to be sent directly to emergency services via existing telecommunications means. Alternatively, the wireless communication system  29  can be configured to operably connect to an external wireless network associated with emergency services to alert emergency services of a potential threat. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the threat detection and isolation system in use. In one use, the housing is installed within a façade  31  of an entrance to an existing building, such that the housing appears as a typical entrance to the building. Once an individual  30  enters the housing via the doors  16 , the sensor  18  determines whether a dangerous object  19  is located within the housing. The dangerous object  19  can include a variety of objects, including knives, firearms, explosives, aerosols, and the like that could be utilized to inflict harm on others. Upon detection of the dangerous object  19 , the doors  16  are configured to lock in a closed position, thereby confining the individual  30  within the housing. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, upon detection of the dangerous object  19 , the light  22  is configured to illuminate to visually alert individuals in the area to the possible threat. In some embodiments, emergency services are automatically contacted upon actuation of the sensor  18 . Once local security officers or other emergency services arrive, the individual  30  may deposit the dangerous object  19  within the transfer compartment  26  to allow emergency services to disarm the individual  30 . Upon disarming the individual, the lock on the door  16  can be disengaged upon entry of a verified code into the keypad  23 . In this manner, a threat can be immediately detected and isolated to ensure the safety of individuals within the public location. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.