AU2006100244B4 - Captive Bolt with removeable Lock for Fencing Gate - Google Patents

Description

P \WPDOCS HS12713841 arl-ndcdspcl doc-26vAW6 -1- CAPTIVE BOLT WITH REMOVABLE LOCK FOR FENCING GATES FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to locking systems for gates.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Locking system for gates generally include a bolt which is moveable between an open position to allow the gate to open, and a closeable position such as to restrict the gate opening.

In order to secure the gate in a closed position, some locking systems are provided with a padlock which restricts the movement of the bolt from the closed position to the open position.

However, such configurations suffer from a number of disadvantages.

These locking systems generally leave the padlock exposed, such that an intruder may use conventional tools such as bolt cutters or the like, to tamper and/or damage the padlock.

Additionally, when the bolt is moved to the open position, it is generally the case that the padlock must be stored seperately from the locking system. Therefore, there can be the tendency that the padlock becomes lost or is misplaced or even stolen whilst the bolt is in the open position.

Another disadvantage to these locking systems is that the bolt can sometimes be free to move. Therefore, whilst the gate moves, the bolt may inadvertently move from the open position to a closed position. The bolt can come into contact with the fence of the gate whilst in this closed position, thereby causing damage to the bolt and/or the locking P\WPDOCSU IS3I273384 iancrdcdspic dc-26A)9106 -2system.

Therefore, there is a need for a locking system which overcomes or at least ameliorates at least one of the above mentioned disadvantages.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In a first broad form, the present invention provides a locking system for a gate including: a first lock box and second lock box securable to the gate, wherein each lock box is configured to receive and engage a padlock; and a bolt moveable through the first and second lock boxes, wherein the bolt is moveable between an open position to allow the gate to open, and a closed position to restrict the gate opening, wherein the bolt is lockable in the closed position when the first lock box receives the padlock, and the bolt is lockable in the open position when the second lock box receives the padlock.

In one form the locking system includes a backing plate which is secured to the gate, and wherein the first and second lock boxes are securable to the gate via the backing plate.

In an optional form, the backing plate is weldable to pickets and a stile of the gate.

In another form, the locking system includes a guide plate securable to a stile of an opposite leaf of the gate, and wherein the guide plate guides the movement of the bolt P PDOCS\HSN273lamcddcdspci dx-26/09106 -3between the open position and closed position.

In another embodiment, the guide plate is weldable to a stile of the opposite leaf.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 illustrates a front view of an example of the locking system in the locked closed position; Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the locking system of Figure 1 in the locked open position; and Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the locking system and gate of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a locking system 10 for a gate 20. The locking system 10 generally includes a first lock box 30 and a second lock box 40 securable to the gate 20, wherein each lock box 30, 40 is configured for receiving and engaging a padlock A person in the art will appreciate that a lock box is protective housing which receives and encloses a padlock, whilst protecting the padlock from being cut and/or tampered with tools such as bolt cutters, pliers, hacksaw, drill, snips or the like.

The locking system 10 also generally includes a bolt 60 moveable through the first and second lock boxes 30, 40. As shown in Figure 1, the bolt 60 is moveable to a closed position to restrict the gate 20 opening. As shown in Figure 2, the bolt 60 is moveable to the open position to allow the gate 20 to open.

When the bolt 60 is moved to the closed position, the bolt 60 is lockable in the closed position when the first lock box 30 receives the padlock 50. It will be appreciated that the padlock 50 can be locked and unlocked using a key or other means. When the bolt P.\WPDOCS\)iS\12713841amendeds odw26A)9/06 -4is moved to the open position, the bolt 60 is lockable in the open position when the second lock box 40 receives the padlock Due to the bolt 60 being lockable in the open position, unwanted movement of the bolt 60 is restricted. Additionally, due to the padlock 50 being used in association with the second lock box 40 to lock the bolt 60 in the open position, misplacement or unwanted removal of the padlock 50 is reduced. Furthermore, unwanted future engagement of the bolt 60 in the lockable closed position is restricted.

The lock boxes 30, 40 protect the padlock 50 in both the open and closed position, thereby restricting the padlock 50 being damaged and/or tampered with whilst in the open and closed positions.

In a preferred form, the padlock 50 is a hasp free padlock. Lock boxes 30, 40 can be configured to receive and engage the hasp free padlock.

The bolt 60 can preferably be a T-bolt to allow easy operational movement of the bolt 60 between the open and closed positions.

In a preferred form, when either the first or second lock box 30, 40 receives the padlock to lock the bolt 60 is the open or closed position, the bolt 60 abuts the padlock in the respective lock box 30, 40. Due to this configuration, the bolt 60 does not require a hole or groove to engage the padlock 50. This configuration restricts the movement of the bolt 60 due to the bolt 60 abutting the padlock 50 in the respective lock box 30, However persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the bolt 60 can include a hole or groove which the padlock 50 engages whilst received within the respective lock box In one form, the locking system 10 includes a backing plate 70 which is secured to the gate 20. The first and second lock boxes 30, 40 are securable to the gate 20 via the backing plate 70. In a preferable form, the backing plate 70 is weldable to pickets 22 and a P.\WPDOCS\HS3I 271324 1 andedspi.doc-26AfA6 stile 24 of the gate In an additional or alternate form, the locking system 10 includes a guide plate securable to a stile 26 of an opposite leaf of the gate 20 or fence. The guide plate 80 is configured to guide the movement of the bolt 60 between the open and closed position. In a preferable form, the guide plate 50 is weldable to the stile 26 of the opposite leaf of the gate 20 or fence.

In a preferable form the lock boxes 30, 40 are a stainless steel casting with internal hooks to engage the hasp free padlock.

The bolt 60 is preferably a mild steel round bar in the form of a shape, wherein the upper horizontal member of the shape bolt having a one piece slider, and a second section being welded in a central position to form a handle. The bolt can have a diameter.

In a preferable form, the backing plate 70 is provided in the form of mild steel which is galvanised and welded securely to the stile and two pickets. The backing plate may be provided with dimensions of 20mm by 48mm by 312mm. The backing plate can be welded at a height of approximately 1500mm from ground level.

The lock boxes 30, 40 can be securely welded in position on the backing plate such that the second lock box 40 overlaps the stile 24 of the gate 20 and the backing plate and the first lock box 30 is welded to the backing plate 70 such that the bolt 60 can be fully withdrawn from the guide plate 80 without being totally withdrawn from either the first and second lock boxes 30, The guide plate 80 can be fabricated from rolled steel equal angle, and welded to the front and inside face of the stile 26 or post of the opposite leaf of the gate 20 or fence.

In one form, two plates are welded to the guide plate 80, wherein the plates have a hole to receive and guide the bolt P:\WPDOCSU{.I 2713S4Iamckdspmi do.2609/06

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-6- IDPreferably the guide plate 80 can be welded in position after the bolt 60 has been secured to the gate 20 via the lock boxes 30, 40, so as to ensure free alignment of the bolt with the holes.

CK1 In a preferable form, the locking system 10 is secured to the inside inaccessible IDportion of the gate 20 to restrict access to the locking system 10. Access is possible Sbetween the pickets of the gate 20 to permit placement, locking and unlocking of the padlock Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Although a preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (4)

1. A locking system for a gate including: a first lock box and second lock box securable to the gate, wherein each lock box is configured to receive and engage a padlock; and a bolt moveable through the first and second lock boxes, wherein the bolt is moveable between an open position to allow the gate to open, and a closed position to restrict the gate opening, wherein the bolt is lockable in the closed position when the first lock box receives the padlock, and the bolt is lockable in the open position when the second lock box receives the padlock.

2. The locking system according to claim 1, wherein the locking system includes a backing plate which is secured to the gate, and wherein the first and second lock boxes are securable to the gate via the backing plate.

3. The locking system according to claim 2, wherein the backing plate is weldable to pickets and a stile of the gate.

4. The locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking system includes a guide plate securable to a stile of an opposite leaf of the gate, and wherein the guide plate guides the movement of the bolt between the open position and closed position. The locking system according to claim 4, wherein the guide plate is weldable to a stile of the opposite leaf of the gate.