AU2007200219A1

AU2007200219A1 - A Clasp Assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2007200219A1
Application number: AU2007200219A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark Trenoweth
Original assignee: GREENWOOD SALES Pty Ltd
Current assignee: GREENWOOD SALES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-01-30
Filing date: 2007-01-19
Publication date: 2007-08-16

Description

A CLASP ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a clasp assembly, and in particular, to a clasp assembly of the "hasp and staple" type. The invention is particularly suitable for securing a toolbox lid to the body of the toolbox. However, the invention is not limited to that particular application, and it may be used for securing other closures, including doors, gates and the like.

BACKGROUND ART [Mere reference herein to a prior publication or other background art does not necessarily constitute an admission that it forms part of the common general knowledge in the relevant field, or that it is otherwise admissible prior art, whether in Australia or in any other country.] There is a commonly recognised need to be able to lock containers and other closures securely, yet in a simple and inexpensive manner. This need is particularly pronounced for containers such as toolboxes and other chests used by tradespeople to store valuable tools, materials and other supplies. Such containers are commonly left unattended on job sites for periods of time and often overnight, and can therefore be a target for thieves and vandals.

The lids of such toolboxes are often secured using traditional metal "hasp and staple" arrangements. In such traditional arrangements, a curved strip of metal is connected to the outside of the main body of the toolbox in such a way as to form a closed loop or "staple" protruding from the body. A metal flap (called a hasp) is secured to the lid of the toolbox by a hinged connection, and the hasp generally has a slot therein that is sized and shaped to receive the staple. The hasp is dimensioned, and positioned on the lid of the toolbox, such that when the toolbox lid is closed, the hasp can be pivoted about the hinge so that the staple passes through the slot in the hasp.

When the hasp is so engaged with the staple, the hasp rests approximately flush with the body of the toolbox and the staple protrudes through the slot. A shackle of a padlock or other locking device can then be passed through the staple and secured thereon. When secured on the staple, the padlock or other locking device blocks the hasp from pivoting back off the staple, thereby preventing the lid of the toolbox from being opened.

There are several inherent problems with traditional hasp and staple arrangements. First, with a traditional hasp and staple, the shackle of the padlock is fully accessible, and is therefore susceptible to tampering by thieves or vandals using bolt cutters, crowbars and the like. Similarly, some or all of the fasteners (bolts, screws, nuts, rivets, welds etc) which are used to secure the hasp and staple to the lid and body, respectively, of the toolbox are often openly accessible to thieves and vandals. Furthermore, the staple itself can be subject to cutting because it protrudes proud of the toolbox and the padlock.

Another security related problem with traditional hasp and staple arrangements is that the hasp's hinge pin is often openly accessible. This can allow thieves or vandals to simply "punch out" the hinge pin, thereby disengaging the hasp from the portion of the hinge which is connected to the lid. This effectively disconnects the lid of the toolbox from the hasp and staple, even if the hasp is still locked to the staple by the padlock.

Yet a further problem with traditional hasp and staple arrangements is that they normally cannot be used to maintain the toolbox closed unless the padlock or other locking device is inserted through the staple. This can be a particular problem, for example, if the toolbox is being regularly relocated or moved around a job site. If a traditional hasp and staple is not locked using a padlock or other locking device, motion or tilting of the toolbox during relocation may cause the hasp to flap open, spilling the contents of the box.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved lockable clasp assembly which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the above disadvantages, or which may provide a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a lockable clasp assembly for securing first and second components together, the clasp assembly being generally of the type comprising a hasp member adapted to be hingedly connected to the first component in use, and a staple member adapted to be connected to the second component in use, the hasp member being engagable with the staple member to co-operatively define an opening, wherein when the hasp member operatively engages the staple member, a locking member is insertable through the opening to thereby prevent the hasp member being separated from the staple member.

Typically, the first and second components are the lid and body, respectively, of a container such as a toolbox, other storage container or chest. However, the first and second components may equally take a wide range of other forms. For example, the first component may comprise a door or gate, and the second component may comprise a wall or fence. Other similar uses for the present lockable clasp assembly will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and all such uses fall within the scope of the present invention.

The hasp member may comprise a flap-like member which is hingedly connected to the first component in use hingedly connected to the lid of a container). Typically, the hasp member includes a hinge comprising a hinge pin and a hinge leaf. The hinge leaf may comprise a substantially plate-like member which is fixed to the first component in use the lid of a container) by any suitable means such as welding or mechanical fasteners. In these embodiment, the means by which the hinge leaf is connected to the first component will be referred to as the first affixing means. In other embodiments, the hinge leaf may be integrally formed with the first component.

Referring now to the hinge, the flap-like member and the hinge leaf may each have one or more knuckle portions, and each of the one or more knuckle portions on the flap-like member and the hinge leaf may have a bore therein. The bores of the respective knuckle portions are aligned, and the hinge pin is inserted through the aligned bores to form the hinge pivotally connecting the flap-like member to the hinge leaf. With the hinge leaf fixed to the first component by the first affixing means, the hasp member is therefore hingedly connected to the first component.

The hasp member is preferably made from a suitably strong, stiff and impact resistant material such as steel, so as to provide a sufficient level of security. The hasp member may also have an aperture, recess, opening or some other kind of space therein adapted to co-operate with the staple to form the opening for receiving the locking member. For convenience, the said aperture, recess, opening or other space in the hasp member will be referred to as the first aperture. The first aperture may be formed in a flange or other protrusion extending from the hasp member, and the said protrusion may be formed using any suitable method including punching, welding, folding, machining, casting and the like.

In preferred embodiments, the first aperture may comprise a hole formed in the flange or protrusion by drilling, machining or any other suitable means. However, in alternative embodiments the first aperture may comprise an open recess.

Furthermore, in particularly preferred embodiments, a plurality of flanges or protrusions may be provided on the hasp member with one or more having a first aperture therein.

The staple member may comprise a flange, nose or other protrusion extending from the second component in use. The staple member may be made from a similar material to the hasp member and it may be formed with the second component, or fixedly connected thereto using any suitable means such as machining, welding, or mechanical fasteners (nuts, bolts, screws, rivets, snap-fits and the like). The means by which the staple member is formed with or connected to the second component will be referred to as the second affixing means.

Like the hasp member, the staple member may have an aperture, recess, opening or some other kind of space adapted to co-operate with the hasp to form the opening for receiving the locking member. The aperture, recess, opening or other space in the staple member will be referred to as the second aperture. The second aperture may comprise a hole formed in the staple member by drilling, machining or any other suitable means, although it may alternatively comprise an open recess.

The hasp member and the staple member may be suitably positioned on the first and second components, respectively, such that when the first component is adjacent to the second component (for example, when the lid of the container is closed or when the door is closed), the hasp member may be pivoted about its hinged connection so as to substantially align the first aperture(s) with the second aperture, thereby allowing the locking member to be inserted through the resultant opening formed by the aligned apertures.

The insertion of the locking member through the aligned apertures in the hasp member and staple member creates a locking engagement therebetween. This locking engagement prevents the hasp member from separating from the staple member, thus preventing the first component from separating from the second component. It is envisaged that the locking member will generally comprise the shackle of a padlock.

However a range of other locking means may be used, including locking linchpins, shackles, carabiners, clamps and the like.

Preferably, the hasp member has at least one shield portion for restricting or blocking access to the locking member when the locking member is inserted through the hasp member and the staple member. The shield portion may take any suitable shape or form, and if there are multiple shield portions, each shield portion may have a similar or different form to the other shield portion or portions. Preferably, the shield portion comprises a flange, wing, cover, shield or other cover-like portion.

Preferably, the shield portion extends around the edges of the hasp member.

Furthermore, the clasp assembly may be suitably configured such that access to the flanges or protrusions which contain the first and second apertures is restricted when the locking member is inserted through the hasp member and the staple member.

Preferably, when the hasp member is engaged with the staple member, the shield portion restricts access to the first and second affixing means.

The clasp assembly preferably includes means for restricting access to the hinge pin. In one embodiment, the shield portion(s) of the hasp member may cover at least the ends of the hinge pin. However, other means for protecting the hinge pin may be used.

Preferably, the clasp assembly includes hasp retention means for releasably holding the hasp member in engagement with the staple member. In one embodiment, the retention means comprises at least one detent on the hasp member and at least one co-acting pawl on the staple member (or vice versa). When the hasp member is pivoted onto the staple, the pawl on the staple member engages the detent on the hasp member to lightly hold the hasp member in engagement with the staple member. This prevents the hasp member flapping open freely, even if the locking member is not inserted. However, the hasp member can be manually pulled out of engagement with the staple member by light force.

Preferably, a predetermined minimum force must be applied by the user to force the pawl into engagement with the detent, and the resultant engagement may create an audible click. This 'click' provides an audible indication to the user that the clasp assembly is "closed" (though not necessarily locked).

In order that the invention may be more fully understood and put into practice, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described for the purposes of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the clasp assembly secured by a padlock; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the clasp assembly of Figure 1, again secured by a padlock; and Figures 3 and 4 are side views illustrating the operation of the clasp assembly of Figures 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT By way of example, the preferred embodiment will be described with reference mainly to its particular application in toolboxes. However, the person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that it may also be used on other kinds of containers, as well as on a wide range of separable components and closures, such as doors, gates and the like.

As shown in the drawings, a clasp assembly 1 comprises a hasp member and a staple member 12, both formed from steel plate. Hasp member 10 comprises a main cover or shield portion 14, a pair of side wings 16 and a downwardly extending padlock protecting portion 18. It can also be seen that hasp member 10 has a number of features formed by cutting, folding and machining parts of cover portion 14 and padlock protecting portion 18. These features include a pair of flanges 20 extending inwardly, a drilled or machined hole 22 in each of the flanges 20, and a flange or lug 24 having an upwardly oriented punched detent 26 therein.

Hasp member 10 is hingedly attached to a hinge leaf 30 by a hinge pin (not visible). More specifically, a pair of knuckle portions 28 on the top edge of hasp member 10 receive between them a knuckle portion 32 of hinge leaf 30. The hinge pin is inserted through aligned bores in the knuckle portions to form a hinge.

Hinge leaf 30 has a pair of screw holes 34 through which mechanical fasteners such as screws, bolts or rivets are inserted to fix hinge leaf 30 (and hence hasp member 10) securely to the lid 2 of the toolbox.

7 The staple member 12 comprises a backplate 40 and a flange 42 protruding perpendicularly from backplate 40. The backplate 40 has two screw holes 46 therein through which mechanical fasteners such as screws, bolts or rivets may be inserted to attach the staple member 12 securely to the main body 3 of the toolbox.

Flange 42 has a hole 44 extending therethrough. The staple 12 is positioned on the body 3 so that when the hasp 10 pivots onto the staple 12, the hole 44 aligns with the corresponding holes 22 in the hasp member. The aligned holes form an opening for the shackle 4 of a padlock Flange 42 also has a downwardly extending nose-like detent or fixed pawl on the lower front edge thereof. The detent or pawl 45 has a small notch or recess 48 immediately behind it, which is adapted to receive the upwardly extending punched detent 26 on the hasp member.

The operation of the clasp assembly 1 is described as follows. Hasp member is first attached to the lid 2 of the toolbox by way of mechanical fasteners inserted through holes 34 in hinge leaf 30, as represented in Figures 3-4. Staple member 12 is affixed to the main body 3 of the toolbox by way of mechanical fasteners inserted through drilled holes 46 in backplate 40. Hasp member 10 and staple member 12 are positioned on the lid 2 and body 3 of the toolbox, respectively, such that with the lid of the toolbox closed, hasp member 10 can be pivoted downwardly as indicated in Figure 3 to bring punched detent 26 on lug 24 into contact with nose-like pawl 45 on the staple 12. A light force is then applied by the user to urge detent 26 to ride over pawl 45 and rest in notch 48 has shown in Figure 4. Pawl 45 retains the detent 26 in the recess 48, thereby retaining the hasp in engagement with the staple (and hence retaining the toolbox "closed"). However, when desired, the hasp can be disengaged from the staple 12 by a light force applied manually.

In this engaged position, the holes 22 in the hasp 10 align with the hole 44 in the staple member. In order to positively lock the toolbox, a locking member such as a padlock shackle 4 is passed through the opening formed by aligned holes 22 and 44.

The shackle 4 secures hasp 10 to staple 12 (and hence locks the toolbox).

Referring again to Figure 1, it can be seen that when the clasp assembly 1 is locked as explained above, the padlock protecting portion 18 extends a sufficient distance downwardly to prevent access to the padlock shackle 4 whilst still allowing the padlock to be operated. The shield portion 14 and side flanges 16 also prevent access to the padlock shackle 4 and the holes 22 and 44 from the front and sides. The 8 top portions of the side wings 16 also cover the ends of the hinge pin to prevent the pin from being "punched out". Furthermore, when the clasp assembly is locked, all of the fasteners which attach the hasp 10 and the staple 12 to the toolbox are covered and protected against tampering.

It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A lockable clasp assembly for securing first and second components together, the clasp assembly being generally of the type comprising a hasp member adapted to be hingedly connected to the first component in use, and a staple member adapted to be connected to the second component in use, the hasp member being engagable with the staple member to co- operatively define an opening, wherein when the hasp member engages the staple member, a locking member is insertable through the opening to thereby prevent the hasp member from being separated from the staple member, and wherein the hasp member has at least one shield portion for restricting or blocking access to the locking member when the locking member is inserted through the opening.

2. A lockable clasp assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hasp member comprises a flap-like member which is hingedly connected to the first component in use.

3. A lockable clasp assembly as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the hasp member includes a hinge comprising a hinge pin and a hinge leaf.

4. A lockable clasp assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hinge leaf comprises a substantially plate-like member which is fixed to the first component in use by first affixing means. A lockable clasp assembly as claimed in either claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the flap-like member and the hinge leaf each have one or more knuckle portions, each of the one or more knuckle portions on the flap-like member and the hinge leaf having a bore therein.

6. A lockable clasp assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bores of the respective knuckle portions are aligned in use, and the hinge pin is inserted through the aligned bores to form the hinge pivotally connecting the flap-like member to the hinge leaf.

7. A lockable clasp assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hasp member has a first aperture therein adapted to cooperate with the staple member to form the opening for receiving the locking member.

8. A lockable clasp assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first aperture is formed in a flange or other protrusion extending from the hasp member.

9. A lockable clasp assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein a plurality of flanges or protrusions are provided on the hasp member with one or more having first aperture(s) therein. A lockable clasp assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the staple member comprises a flange, nose or other protrusion extending from the second component in use. I1. A lockable clasp assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the staple member is connected to the second component by second affixing means.

12. A lockable clasp assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the staple member has an aperture (referred to as the "second aperture") adapted to cooperate with the hasp member to form the opening for receiving the locking member.

13. A lockable clasp assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the hasp member and the staple member are positioned on the first and second components, respectively, such that when the first component is adjacent the second component, the hasp member may be pivoted about its hinged connection so as to substantially align the first aperture(s) with the second aperture, thereby allowing the locking member to be inserted through the resultant opening formed by the aligned apertures.

14. A lockable clasp assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3-6, including means for restricting access to the hinge pin. A lockable clasp assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the shield portion(s) of the hasp member form the means for restricting access to the hinge pin by covering at least the ends of the hinge pin.

16. A lockable clasp assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clasp assembly includes hasp retention means for releasably holding the hasp member in engagement with the staple member.

17. A lockable clasp assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the retention means comprises at least one detent on the hasp member and at least one co- acting pawl on the staple member (or vice versa).

18. A lockable clasp assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein a predetermined minimum force must be applied to force the pawl into engagement with the detent, and the resultant engagement creates an audible "click".

19. A lockable clasp assembly for securing first and second components together, the clasp assembly being generally of the type comprising a hasp member adapted to be hingedly connected to the first component by first affixing means in use, and a staple member adapted to be connected to the second component by second affixing means in use, the hasp member being engagable with the staple member to co- operatively define an opening, wherein when the hasp member engages the staple member, a locking member is insertable through the opening to thereby prevent the hasp member from being separated from the staple member, and wherein the hasp member comprises at least one shield portion that restricts access to the first and second affixing means. A lockable clasp assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Greenwood Sales Pty Ltd By their Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.