Improvements in Safes or Vaults.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 28th Feb., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Safes or Vaults.
I, JOHN JAMES EDWARD HENRY PAYNE, of Springfield, in the County of
Sangamon and State of Illinois, United States of America, Inventor, do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN SAFES OR VAULTS,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to that class of safes which are made burglar-, and if
desired, fire-proof without increasing weight and cost of the same, reliance for
security being placed upon the release or discharge of condensed gases, liquefied
or not, and contained within the walls of the safe in such manner as that any
attempt to force the safe will break the walls of the containing chamber and release
the fluid, said fluid or gases being of a deadly character whereby persons or
animals are compelled to flee from the vicinity of the safe as soon as the gas
permeates the atmosphere and if desired also having the property of extinguishing
fires or preventing combustion, in connection with which feature it has been found
desirable to provide fusible plugs on the interior of the safe which will melt at a
temperature above that of boiling water, but below that which will char paper,
whereby when the interior of the safe becomes so heated as to endanger its contents,
the gas will be discharged and the oxygen and air, etc. in the safe which would
support combustion be driven out, thereby saving the contents from injury.
The invention further relates to means for sounding an alarm should the safe
be tampered with either by cracking its walls, forcing the door or removing it
bodily, as well as strengthening the safe.
The invention consists in the novel details of improvement and the combina-
tions of parts that will be more fully hereinafter set forth and then pointed out
in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof,
wherein―
Figure 1 is a horizontal section through a safe constructed in accordance with
my invention.
Fig. 2 is a front elevation with a section of the door broken away to show
the connection between the tanks in the door and in the body of the safe."
Fig. 3 is a vertical section showing another form of tank.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the same with the tubes shown in dotted lines.
Fig. 5 is a view showing how this idea may be applied to safes already in use.
Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a drawer safe protected in accordance with my
invention.
Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the same.
Fig. 8 is a view of a modified form of fire extinguisher receptacle.
Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the end of one of the bolts and the preferred form
of protecting tube.
Fig. 10 is a central longitudinal section through a safe containing my improvements
for sounding an alarm.
Fig. 11 is a partly broken front elevation of the same.
Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional detail view through the central vertical partition
and one of the doors of a safe having double doors.
Fig. 13 is a central longitudinal section of my safe showing means for
causing the escape of gases when the door is forced open, and also when the safe
is moved bodily.
Fig. 14 is a horizontal detail view of the same.
TA
10

page_text: Fig. 16 is a vertical cross section showing the means for causing the escape of
gases when the safe is removed.
Fig. 17 is a similar view showing means for sounding an alarm when the safe is
tampered with, and
.
Fig. 18 is a central longitudinal view of the same.
Similar letters of reference in the several figures indicate the same parts.
A indicates the outer wall or shell of the safe of any preferred construction;
B the inner wall slightly removed from the outer wall so as to leave an internal
chamber or recess C, and D the internal lining or fire-proof casing. At the
front end of the casing, the usual door opening and locking bolt holes are
formed in the same and in front of each of the bolt holes is located a tube, c,
communicating with the chamber C as shown; whereby the bolts will rupture
the same should they be forcibly moved to the front as would be the case were an
attempt made to force or blow the door off.
In the preferred construction the door is also hollow or provided with a
central chamber C₁ communicating with the chamber C by means of a flexible
connection as shown in Fig. 2 and consisting essentially of a right angle tube
having its vertical portion f, in line with the hinge pintles and fitting in a
socket on the casing which socket communicates through an opening f' with
the chamber C.
With this construction, it will be seen, that the entire safe or central recess is
enveloped by a chamber within which may be placed a condensed or liquefied
gas of a deadly character, such as SO2 (sulphur di-oxide or sulphurous acid gas)
or any other compressible or liquefied gas which human beings cannot bear to breathe
and should any attempt be made to tear the walls of the safe apart, drill the
same or force the door the deadly gas would be released and by permeating the
atmosphere in the vicinity of the safe compel the burglars to depart, and would not
permit them to approach the safe near enough to carry on their operations. Further
than this, it is obvious that if the gas employed, be given a pungent or characteristic
odour it will indicate to persons at a great distance from the safe that the same
has been tampered with and they can give the alarm.
Provision is made for permitting the liquid contained within the chamber C to
expand or contract under the influence of the variations of atmospheric temperature
or in case of fire if need be, by forming the rear wall E of relatively thin material
which will bulge outwards as shown in dotted lines when the liquid expands, a
central weakened portion e being made if found necessary. The regular contour of
the outside of the safe is preserved by placing a thin metal cover E¹ over the
expansible section or back.
In Figs. 3, 4, etc., the chamber for the reception of the deadly gas is not extended
entirely around the safe, nor within the door but is located at the bottom of the safe
preferably in the form of a cylinder H, or it may be of any other desired shape, the
tubes cx being extended down around the bottom of the door into communication with
the chamber. This form of chamber may be easily filled, with proper precaution,
by removing the screw-plug at the end.
Safes of ordinary construction may be fitted with this appliance as shown in Fig. 5,
the chamber being bolted on the bottom of the safe and the tubes located around
the door jamb with the ends projecting in front of the bolt hole.
When desired, it is obvious that this invention may be applied to drawers or
draw safes as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, I indicating a drawer of any ordinary
construction and I' the drawer casing adapted to be secured beneath or on top of a
counter as preferred and having on the under side. the chamber H¹ similar in
construction to that before mentioned and having at the front end a short upwardly
projecting tube, the end of which projects in the path of the locked bolt and any
attempt to open the drawer forcibly would result in its rupture.
The chambers heretofore described or a compartment therein as shown in dotted
lines Fig. 1, may be in communication with the interior of the safe through the
medium of fusible plugs K which will melt at a temperature above that of boiling

page_text: gas besides
water but below that required to char paper, in which instance the
having the deadly property mentioned has the property of extinguishing fire or
preventing combustion by displacing the air and oxygen. With this arrangement
it will be seen that should the safe be subjected to a hot fire for a long continued
period said compartment would be opened to the interior of the safe and the
contents preserved by the escaping gases.
In the preferred construction the compartment for containing the fire extinguishing
compound is separate from the other compartment and is secured or placed directly
inside of the safe, Fig. 8, representing such a receptacle and k, k, the fusible plug
therein.
Bolts M of the door may be of any desired construction but it is preferred that
the tubes have the outer ends whether they project beyond the casing or not, solid
as shown in Fig. 9, c¹ indicating a groove cut around the tube at the top of the
hollow portion to weaken the same and ensure a breakage at the proper point.
A safe having the safety appliances, such as contemplated by my present inven-
tion, it will be seen cannot be tampered with by burglars without an almost absolute
certainty of their being discovered or receiving such personal injury as will prevent
them prosecuting their work to a finish.
Referring to Figs. 10, 11, and 12, 4 are tubes coiled around the safe within its
walls, and placed close together and entering the gas compartment at one part.
The back of the safe is also provided with coiled tubing communicating with the
compartment in the back of the safe. The door is also provided with coiled tubing
leading to its compartment. These tubes act as an extra protection against
cracking the safe while containing gas, and make a perfect shield against drilling.
In double safes or vaults the central front partition 5 is preferably provided with
a compartment 6, which connects by a tube 7, with the gas compartment, (see dotted
lines Fig. 11).
8 is a tube within the safe, and which leads to a cylinder or compartment 9,
situated at a distance from the safe and containing said gas. The tube 8, within
the safe leads along the partition 5, and has connected to it branch pipes 10, having
closed ends, and grooyes c¹ to weaken them. The closed ends of the branch pipes
project into the path of the locking bolts M, when they are thrown forward so that
if the door be forced open while the bolts are thrown the ends of the branch
If the walls of the
pipes 10, will be broken off and thus permit the gas to escape.
safe be cracked or the coiled tubes broken the gas will issue and drive the burglar
The long tube or pipe 8 outside of the safe is preferably made of hard metal
so that if it is hammered or tampered with it will easily crack and thus permit the
gas to escape.
away.
When the gas is released from the cylinder 9, an alarm is to be given and for this
purpose I place a piston 12, within it whose rod 13, passing out of the cylinder
connects with a suitable burglar alarm, the piston 12 when the gas is released
On one side of the piston the
moving forward in the cylinder to sound the alarm.
noxious gas is placed while on the other side gas or fluid under pressure is placed,
so that when the gas from the main part escapes the piston will be pushed forward.
A stop 14, limits the backward movement of the piston. To fill the cylinder I have
provided soft metal tubes 35 that lead to the interior of the cylinder through which
the gas can be forced. After the cylinder is charged the tubes are laid down into
recesses 15, and there soldered or welded in place, which makes a gas tight fit,
although this can be accomplished otherwise. The cylinder 9, in room or place
removed from safe, has an opening 16 into which the tube 8 fits, said opening being
normally kept closed by a valve or rod 17, within the cylinder, which is to be turned
from the outside, say by a screw-driver, wrench, or otherwise. Before the cylinder
is charged with gas, said valve is seated, and after the tube 8 is connected to the
cylinder, the valve is unseated to permit the gas to pass into the tube 8.
The tube 8 can be passed along the side walls of the safe if desired as in
Figs. 13, 14, 17, and 18. In this case the tube 8 will be covered by a sheet of
metal 18, which is provided with a series of apertures, to permit the escape of gas.

page_text: The tube 8, is also provided with one or more grooves c¹ to weaken it. The tube 8,
has connected to it a locking piece 20, having an aperture 21, to receive the locking
bolt of the door. The locking piece passes within a recess 22 in the safe wall, in
which it is permitted longitudinal movement. When the safe is locked the bolt
passes into the aperture in locking piece 20, and if the door should now be forced
open, the locking piece 20 would pull the tube 8 asunder at c', and thus permit the
gas to escape, whereupon the piston in distant place will slide forward and cause an
alarm to be sounded there.
To cause a plentiful escape of gas when the door is forced open, I connect
another tube 23 with the gas compartment of the safe, which tube 23 has a groove c¹,
and locking piece 20, and is placed in the safe wall similarly to tube 8, so that when
the door is forced the tube will be severed and the gas escape.
To prevent the safe from being removed or carried away I provide one of the gas
compartments, with an opening 24, into which a pipe 25 can be screwed. Said
opening can be closed by a valve 17 (similarly to that in the cylinder or compart-
ment 9) which leads to the interior of the safe. The pipe 25, passes through the
floor 26 and into or through a joist or beam of hard metal 27, and has a cap 28
screwed on its end. To adjust these parts the valve 17 is screwed down to prevent
the escape of gas. The pipe 25 is screwed in place and passed through the floor
and beam and its cap screwed on.
The valve 17 is next screwed up to let the gas into the pipe. If now a person
tries to carry away the safe, the pipe 25 will be broken and the gas permitted to
escape.
In Fig. 18, 30 indicates a suitable safety valve connected with the gas compart-
ments of the safe, so that if the pressure increases on account of heat the gas can
escape, which gas can assist in extinguishing fire.
Of course, the compartments and other parts can be variously arranged, and
compartments for the reception of books &c. can be suitably arranged in connection
with the gas compartments, as shown in the drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination with a safe having a locking bolt of a chamber containing
condensed gas and a tube or extension thereof lying in the path of the locked bolt,
whereby any attempt to force the safe will rupture the tube and permit the gas to
escape; substantially as described.
2. The combination with a safe having a locking bolt and hollow walls forming a
chamber containing condensed gas, of tubes or extensions communicating with said
chamber and projecting into the path of the locked bolt; substantially as described.
3. The combination with a safe having a chamber containing condensed gas, of a
tube communicating with said chamber and having the solid end projecting into the
path of the locked bolt; substantially as described.
4. The combination with a safe having a chamber containing condensed gas, of a
tube communicating with said chamber and having the solid end projecting into the
path of the locked bolt with the groove or weakened portion at the base of the
solid end; substantially as described.
5. A safe or vault having pipes or tubes placed side by side within its walls;
substantially as described.
6. A safe or vault having pipes or tubes coiled around it within its walls
substantially as described.
7. A safe or vault having gas compartments and pipes or tubes within its walls
and communicating with said compartments, substantially as described.
8. The combination with a safe or vault of a gas cylinder or tank, a piston in
said tank, an alarm connected with said piston, and a tube extending from said tank,
whereby when said tube is ruptured the gas will escape and cause an alarm to be
sounded, substantially as described.

page_text: 9. The combination with a safe or vault, of a gas cylinder or a tank, a piston
therein and an alarm connected therewith, a tube extending from said cylinder or
tank, a locking piece connected to said tube and the door bolt to engage said
locking piece, substantially as described.
10. A gas cylinder or tank having an outlet, and an internal valve to close said
outlet, combined with a tube extending from said outlet, a piston in said tank and
an alarm connected with said piston, substantially as described.
11. A gas cylinder or tank having a flexible gas inlet tube, a gas outlet, and a
valve to close said outlet, said flexible tube being pressed down and secured after
the gas has been charged into the tank, substantially as described.
12. A safe or vault having a gas compartment, an outlet for said compartment,
and a valve to close said outlet, combined with a tube connected to said outlet and
also connected to a rigid holder outside of the safe, substantially as described.
13. A safe having a gas compartment and a tube connected thereto, and a locking
piece secured to said tube combined with the safe door and the locking bolt to
engage said locking piece, substantially as described.
14. The combination of a safe, a gas compartment, a tube connected thereto and
passing along the wall of the safe, a weakened part in said tube, a perforated plate
covering said tube, a locking piece on said tube, a door, and the lock bolt on said
door, substantially as described.
.. ለ
1001
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.