AU2013200520B9

AU2013200520B9 - Protective holder for a padlock, and assemblies incorporating same

Info

Publication number: AU2013200520B9
Application number: AU2013200520A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Alan Florrimell
Original assignee: PRESTIGE STEEL CRAFT Pty Ltd
Current assignee: PRESTIGE STEEL CRAFT Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-07-20
Filing date: 2013-02-01
Publication date: 2017-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 2033-02-01
Also published as: NZ606771A; NZ628842A; AU2013200520A1; AU2017201423A1; AU2013200520B2

Abstract

There is disclosed a protective holder for a padlock, being configured such that when the padlock is held thereby, the holder and padlock form an assembly for releasably interlocking first and second components ("lock assembly"), the holder having a housing which is configured to be supported from or forms part of one of the components so as to be able to receive, upon movement of the first component relative to the second, a catch supported from or forming part of the other of the components whereby to permit receipt of the catch through the space defined within the shank of the padlock in the lock assembly when the padlock is open, the housing being configured with an opening whereby the body in the lock assembly is accessible in a manner such that the body can be pushed to effect closure of the padlock and thus entrapment of the catch once received through the space, whereby the components are interlocked, and such that opening of the padlock can thereafter be effected, whereby the catch and lock assembly are separable, the holder further comprising a retainer received by said space so as to engage the shank and so hold the padlock in position in the lock assembly. en ~ I7~ Co ___ U, 0 / s~ w ~~TI C.> (4~ St x N ~e)

Description

H:\sbtMnterwoven\NRPortbl\DCOSBT\l I909605_l -doc-9/11/2016 2013200520 09 Nov 2016 - 1 -

PROTECTIVE HOLDER FOR A PADLOCK, AND ASSEMBLIES INCORPORATING

SAME

The present invention relates to a protective holder for a padlock, to a locking assembly 5 comprising the protective holder and padlock, and to assemblies in which components are interlockable via such a locking assembly.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the protective holder is a lockbox which houses a padlock to preclude access to the shank thereof, protecting it from damage inflicted in an 10 attempt to break the lock when in use.

Padlocks are a popular means of protecting against theft, vandalism, sabotage, unauthorised access/use and even harm. A conventional padlock, to which the present invention has particular, but not exclusive, application, comprises a metal body, an 15 inverted U-shaped shank coupled to the body, and a tumbler or core, which housed in the body and configured with a key slot that accessible through a base of the body to receive a key for unlocking the padlock.

There are numerous ways in which a person, for the purposes of gaining forced entry or 20 access, may break a padlock. For example, the person may use an oxyacetylene torch to melt the body or shank of the padlock, use bolt cutters to break the shank, or drill through the tumbler in the body.

It is thus often desirable to keep a padlock shielded when it is in use. Numerous protective 25 holders for padlocks have been provided for this purpose, including lockboxes, which comprise a protective housing which shields the padlock, particularly the shank thereof.

The present invention provides improvements in relation to such holders. 30 According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a protective holder for a padlock having a body and a shank, the holder having a housing in which the padlock H:\sbtMnterwoven\NRPortbl\DCOSBT\l 1909605_1 .doc-9/11/2016 2013200520 09 Nov 2016 -2- can be mounted such that the holder and padlock form an assembly for releasably interlocking first and second components ("lock assembly"), the housing being configured to be supported from or forming part of one of the components so as to be able to receive, upon movement of the first component relative to the second, a catch supported from or 5 forming part of the other of the components whereby to permit receipt of the catch through a space defined within the shank of the mounted padlock when open, the housing being configured with an opening whereby the body of the mounted padlock is accessible in a manner such that the body can be pushed to effect closure of the mounted padlock and thus entrapment of the catch once received through the space, whereby the components are 10 interlocked, and such that opening of the mounted padlock can thereafter be effected, whereby the catch and lock assembly are separable, the holder further comprising a retainer arranged to be received by said space so as to engage the shank and so hold the padlock in position in the lock assembly, wherein the housing is openable such that the mounting of the padlock in the housing and removal of the padlock from the housing are 15 permitted. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides, in combination, the holder and guard or shroud which is positionable or positioned adjacent said opening and defines a cavity that, when the guard or shroud is so positioned, opens, in a first direction, into the opening, and 20 in a second direction which is transverse to the first direction, but which cavity is otherwise closed.

Preferably, the holder comprises a lockbox. 25 Preferably, the housing is formed from stainless steel. The housing may be formed of an alternative material - preferably metal - but preferably one which is likewise unable to be cut, or at least difficult to cut, with an oxyacetylene cutting torch.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the retainer precludes removal or escape of 30 the padlock through the opening in the lock assembly. H:\sbt\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\SBT\l 1909605_1 .doc-9/11/2016 2013200520 09 Nov 2016 -3-

Preferably, the housing comprises opposed front and rear walls, between which the padlock in the assembly lies and which face a front and rear, respectively, of the padlock in the assembly, a top wall, below which the padlock in the assembly lies, and opposed side walls, between which the padlock in the assembly lies and which face lateral sides of the 5 padlock in the assembly, and the opening is bounded by lower ends of the front and rear walls and side walls.

Preferably, the holder is configured such that the padlock hangs from the retainer -preferably in a substantially upright orientation - in the assembly. Preferably, the opening 10 is through a lower end of the housing. Preferably, the opening is downward-facing. Preferably, the retainer comprises a hanger.

Preferably, the retainer is shaped to conform to the inner profile of the shank, whereby engagement between the retainer and shank locates the padlock in the assembly. 15

Preferably, the housing is configured with an aperture arranged to receive the catch therethrough. Preferably, the retainer projects into the aperture.

Preferably, the housing includes a cover which can be removed such that mounting of the 20 padlock in the housing and removal of the padlock from the housing are permitted. Preferably, the aperture is formed through the cover. Preferably, the cover is defined by a front wall of the housing. Preferably, the cover comprises a cover plate.

Preferably, the housing is configured with opposed interior faces which lie closely adjacent 25 front and rear sides of the shank in the assembly such that an extent to which the shank is displaceable along the retainer is limited or negligible. Preferably, the faces are defined by spacer pieces projecting into the housing interior from front and rear walls of the housing.

Preferably, the housing is configured with opposed interior faces which lie closely adjacent 30 front and rear sides of the body in the assembly such that an extent to which the body is displaceable in a direction from either one of those sides to the other is limited or H:\sbt\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\SBT\l 1909605_1 .doc-9/11/2016 2013200520 09 Nov 2016 -4- negligible. Preferably, those faces are defined by front and rear walls of the housing.

Preferably, the housing is configured with opposed interior faces which lie closely adjacent opposite lateral sides of the body in the assembly such that an extent to which the body is 5 displaceable in a direction from either one of those sides to the other is limited or negligible. Preferably, those faces are defined by side walls of the housing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a releasably lockable assembly comprising: 10 a holder according to any one of the preceding claims and said padlock, which is mounted in said housing such that the holder and padlock form said lock assembly; and said components, wherein the holder is supported from or forms part of one of said components and the catch is supported from or forms part of the other of said components. 15

The padlock is preferably one which is key-unlockable. Generally speaking, the key-unlockable padlock will be one which has a key slot accessible through the base of the padlock body. Alternatively, the padlock may, for example, be a combination padlock, configured with means (such as a dial, discs or cams) for inputting a sequence of letters or 20 numbers to open the lock.

Preferably, the releasably lockable assembly comprises a closure assembly wherein one of said components comprises a closure and the other of said components comprises a structure with respect to which the closure is movable between open and closed conditions. 25 Preferably, the closure comprises a door or cover. The closure may be, for example, a sliding closure or a hinged closure. The releasably lockable assembly may, for example, form part of a shed or cabinet.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure is said sliding closure and said 30 structure comprises a section which is positioned to abut or lie closely adjacent a leading edge of the closure when the latter is in said closed condition, and said holder is recessed H:\sbtMnterwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\SBT\11909605_l doc-9/11/2016 2013200520 09 Nov 2016 -5- within said section so as to be rendered inaccessible by movement of closure into the closed condition. Preferably, said section is defined by a frame member, which may, for example, form part of a support frame of the closure assembly. The support frame may be a fixed frame or form part of another closure of the closure assembly. The other closure 5 may be a slidable closure having a leading edge which, when both closures are in closed conditions, abuts or lies closely adjacent the leading edge of said sliding closure.

Preferably, the holder is arranged to one side a wall of said one component and an opening is provided through the wall at a position adjacent the holder, permitting access, from the 10 other side of the wall, to the opening of the holder to lock and unlock the padlock in the lock assembly. Preferably, the opening of the holder is transverse to the opening provided in the wall. Preferably the padlock hangs from the retainer in the lock assembly, the opening of the holder is downward-facing, and the opening provided through the wall is at a level below that of the opening of the holder. Preferably, the releasably lockable 15 assembly includes a guard or shroud which opens into the opening provided through the wall and also opens into the opening of the holder, defining a cavity into which a person may insert digits of his or her hand to lock or unlock the padlock, which isolates one said of said one component from the other side of that component. 20 According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a sliding closure assembly comprising: a sliding closure; and a structure supporting the closure, wherein said closure is provided with at least one roller via which it is hung from 25 said structure to be capable of sliding movement relative thereto, the or each roller being configured with a circumferential channel, and said structure includes a rail received by the circumferential channel of the or each roller so as to constrain the roller(s) to movement along the rail, and wherein one of the closure and support structure is provided with said lock 30 assembly, and the other is provided with said catch, whereby the door and support structure constitute the first component and second component respectively, sliding H:\sbt\lnterwoven\NRPortbl\DCOSBT\ 11909605_1 .doc-9/11/2016 2013200520 09 Nov 2016 -6- movement of the closure into a closed condition when the padlock is open being such that the catch is received through the opening and space to be trappable by closure of the padlock. 5 The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an assembled view of a lockbox according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 10 Figure 2 shows a cover plate, which forms part of the lockbox housing, detached from the remainder of the lockbox housing;

Figure 3A is an exploded view of the lockbox, showing a padlock used therewith; Figure 3B shows a padlock mounted in the interior of the lockbox housing;

Figure 4 is a front view of a cabinet or shed having a swinging door incorporating 15 the lockbox, in a closed condition;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the swinging door in an open condition;

Figure 6 is an exploded view showing the installation configuration of the lockbox in the swinging door;

Figure 7 shows details of a catch member, which is mounted to an inside of another 20 swinging door or the shed/cabinet, receivable by the lockbox in the shed/cabinet;

Figure 8 shows the lockbox as installed in the shed/cabinet, with the cover detached, and the manner in which a padlock is held in the lockbox;

Figure 9 shows the manner in which a lock assembly, comprising the lockbox and padlock, receives the catch; 25 Figure 10 shows the manner in which the catch is engaged by the padlock in the lock assembly upon the padlock being closed/locked;

Figure 11 shows details of a cabinet or shed having a sliding door assembly incorporating the lock assembly; and

Figure 12 shows further details of the sliding closure assembly. 30 A protective holder for a padlock, in the form of a lockbox 1 according to a preferred H:\sbt\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\SBT\l 1909605_1 .doc-9/11/2016 2013200520 09 Nov 2016 -7- embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3 A and 3B. The lockbox 1 comprises a housing 3 which receives a padlock 50 (see Figure 3A), the housing 3 being generally box-shaped and having opposed side walls 3A, a top wall 3B, a rear wall 3C, and a removable cover 3D defining a front wall of the housing 3, the "front" being the position 5 at which the lockbox 1 is opened. The cover 3D is removably attachable to the remainder of the housing 3 via screws 4A which are received through holes 4B formed in the cover 3D at upper comer positions thereof, and into threaded holes 4C provided at corresponding comer positions in or adjacent to the rear wall 3C. The walls 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are formed from sections of stainless steel plate. 10

The cover 3D is configured with an aperture 5, which receives therethrough a catch, as will be described in further detail later.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the rear wall 3C comprises two plate sections, whereby it is 15 very robust, namely an outer plate section 3C1 and an inner plate section 3C2 which is welded thereto, into upper comer portions of which inner section the threaded holes 4C are formed. The inner plate section 3C2 is formed with an aperture 6 therethrough which aligns with the aperture 5 when the cover plate 3D is in position and defines a forwardly opening recess behind the padlock 50 (when mounted in the lockbox 1), which receives the 20 catch, as will be described in further detail later. The rear wall 3C is provided with an inverted U-shaped piece 3C3, also cut from plate, which is welded to the inner plate 3C2, so as to project therefrom into the housing interior, and is formed with cutouts 8 at the upper comer positions thereof, which permit access to the threaded holes 4C. 25 The wall 3D comprises a single plate section 3D1 formed with cutouts 8 at the upper comer positions thereof, and also is provided with an inverted U-shaped piece which is welded to the section 3D1 so as to project into the housing interior when the cover plate 3D is in position. The holes 4B are formed through corners of the section 3D2 which are exposed through cutouts 8, whereby the heads of the screws 4A are recessed behind the 30 outer face of the cover 3D when in position. The sections 3D2 and 3C3 are arranged so as not to occlude the apertures 5 and 6. H:\sbt\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\SBT\l 1909605_l doc-9/11/2016 2013200520 09 Nov 2016 -8-

The lockbox 1 additionally comprises a retainer 7 which is fixed to the rear wall 3C/piece 3C3 and projects forwardly to be received through the space 52 bounded by the shank 54 of the padlock 50, whereby the padlock 50 hangs from the retainer 7 when 5 mounted in the lockbox 1. The retainer 7 is configured in the form of an inverted U-shaped section, which is bent from plate so as to conform generally to at least part of the curved inner profile of the shank 54 at its upper end, thereby defining a saddle which locates the upper end of the shank 54 and against which that upper end seats (see Figure 8). The spacing between the uppermost extent of the retainer 7 and the upper wall 3B is only 10 slightly larger than the thickness of the shank 54, whereby there is minimal clearance between the shank 54 and upper wall 3B when the padlock 50 is mounted. The spacing between the walls 3A is only slightly larger than the width of the padlock body 56, whereby there is minimal clearance between the body 56 and the respective side wall 3A on either side of the body when the padlock 50 is mounted. The shape of the retainer 7 is 15 such that it permits padlocks 50 having different sizes of shank 54 to be hung therefrom in a self-locating manner; the upper end of a shank having a relatively large radius of curvature will be contacted along a relatively short arcuate portion thereof by the curved upper surface of the retainer 7, whereas one which has a relatively small radius of curvature will be so contacted along a relatively long arcuate portion thereof, by the curved 20 upper surface of the retainer 7. Because the upper surface of the retainer 7 is symmetrical about an upright central plane extending from the front of the lockbox to the rear of the lockbox, the shank 54, which is correspondingly symmetrical, automatically locates when hung on the retainer 7. The shape of the retainer 7 is also such that it precludes a padlock having an excessively small shank from being hung from the retainer 7. 25

Because the retainer 7 is configured in the form of a curved section of thin plate, it occupies only a small amount of the space 52 when received therethrough, thereby allowing for the use of a relatively large-sized, and thus strong, catch with the lockbox 1 and padlock 50, which catch will be described in further detail later. 30

Referring to Figure 3 A, the housing 3 has no lower wall, whereby it is configured with an H:\sbt\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\SBT\l 1909605_1 .doc-9/11/2016 2013200520 09 Nov 2016 -9- opening at its lower end. The opening provides access to the underside or base 57 of the padlock body 56, permitting a key 600 to be inserted into the lock barrel/tumbler key slot which is accessible through the base 57, and thus unlocking of the padlock 50. The opening 9 also permits the body 56 to be pushed upwardly, either via direct contact with 5 the base 57 or by pushing of the key 60 when received in the key slot, such that the padlock 50 can be closed/locked, the padlock 50, in so doing, being displaced upwardly slightly such that the shank 54 abuts the interior face of the upper plate 3B, which provides a reaction force against the shank 54 so that the body 56 can be locked thereto. 10 Exemplary lockable assemblies incorporating the lockbox 1 and padlock 50 will now be described.

In a first example, shown in Figures 4 to 10, the lockbox 1 is incorporated into a hinged door assembly 30 in a shed or steel cabinet. The rear side of the lockbox 1 is welded to an 15 inner surface of a panel of a hinged door 31 in the assembly, as will be apparent from Figure 5, whereby the lockbox 1 is mounted. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, a cutout 34 is formed through the panel immediately below the position where the lockbox 1 is fixed to the panel, whereby a person on the outside of the door 31 can insert digits of his or her hand through the panel to manipulate the padlock 50, as will be described in further detail 20 later. To preclude access to the shed/cabinet interior through the cutout 32, particularly to the screws 4A (which might otherwise then be removable to enable removal of the cover 3D and thus access to the shank 54), a shroud or guard 40 is mounted immediately below the lockbox 1. The guard 40 is formed from steel plate and, referring to Figure 6, comprises upright side walls 40A, an upright front or inner wall 40B, and a flat bottom 25 wall 40C fixed to lower ends of the walls 40A and 40B. The guard 40 defines, below the lockbox 1, a cavity 42 (see Figure 4) which is isolated from the shed/cabinet interior and which provides access to the base 57 of the padlock body 56.

Referring to Figures 5, 7 and 8, mounted to another part of the assembly, with respect to 30 which other part the door 31 swings, is a catch member 60 which engages the assembly formed by the lockbox 1 and padlock 50 mounted therein. In the example shown, the H:\sbt\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\SBT\l 1909605_1 .doc-9/11/2016 2013200520 09 Nov 2016 -10- cabinet/shed comprises double-doors, one of which is the door 31, and the catch member 60 is mounted to the other door 32, via a bracket 69 which spaces a fixed end of the catch member 60 inwardly from the door 32. 5 The catch member 60, with reference to Figure 8, is formed from a length of steel rod and bent so as to comprise a first section 61 which extends, away from the fixed end, in a direction parallel to the plane of door 31 (when closed), a second section 62, which projects outwardly from an end of the first section 61, and a third section, which projects downwardly from an outer end of the section 62, the third section 63 defining a catch, 10 referred to previously, which is engageable with the padlock 50, as will be described in further detail shortly.

It will be appreciated that, in another example, the door 31 could be the only door in the cabinet/shed, in which case the catch member would be mounted to a part of the 15 cabinet/shed which is permanently fixed.

With reference to Figures 9 and 10, use of the lockbox 1 to lock the assembly 30 will now be described. With the door 32 retained in a closed condition, e.g. via a padbolt 39 securing it to a frame member of the assembly 30 (see Figure 4), the door 31, with the 20 padlock 50 hung from the retainer 7 in an open condition and the cover plate 3D mounted in position via the screws 4A, is closed, causing the catch 63 to pass through the aperture 5 and thence through the space 52 such that it is received in the cavity 6. The person who has thus closed the door 31 (who is located on the outside thereof) then inserts digits of his or her hand into the cavity 42 (through opening 32) and pushes the base 57 of the padlock 25 body 56 upwardly, thereby closing/locking the padlock 50, whereupon the lower end of the catch 63 is trapped behind the padlock body 56; more particularly, the catch 63 abuts the body 56 if an attempt is made to swing the door 31 open again. The clearances between the interior faces of the sections 3C2, 3D1 and the padlock body 56 are minimal, as are the clearances between the interior faces of the pieces 3C3, 3D2 and the shank 54, the 30 shank 54 and padlock body 56, upon the latter being engaged by the catch 63 if a person tries to pull door 31 open, thus being abutted by the housing 3 so that the padlock 50 H:\sbt\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\SBT\l 1909605_1 .doc-9/11/2016 2013200520 09 Nov 2016 - 11 - cannot be displaced to any significant extent. Moreover, the retainer 7 projects a sufficient distance from the housing rear wall 3C that the shank 54 cannot pass over the free end thereof. More particularly, the retainer 7 is so long that a free end portion thereof is received within the aperture 5 of the cover plate 3D. 5

With the door 31 thus securely locked, the shank 54 is completely shielded, as is the majority of the padlock body 56.

To unlock the door 31, a person inserts the key 600 through the cavity 42 and into the key 10 slot which opens through the base 57, then turns the key 600 whereupon the padlock body is displaced downwardly as the padlock 50 unlocks, such that it no longer obstructs the catch 63, whereby opening of the door 31 is permitted.

An assembly 70 incorporating the lockbox 1 and padlock 50 according to a second 15 example is shown in Figures 11 and 12. This assembly 70, like assembly 30, forms part of a shed or steel cabinet, but comprises a sliding door 71 instead of a hinged door, and a permanently fixed frame structure 72, forming part of the structural frame of the cabinet/shed, which incorporates the lockbox 1. The structure 72 could be modified so as to form a second sliding door which moves, between open an closed conditions, in a 20 direction parallel to door 71, without departure from the invention.

In this example, the lockbox 1 is recessed behind a face of an upright frame member 73, against or adjacent to which face a leading edge of the door 71 is received when the latter is closed, the front of the cover plate 3D being exposed through a cutout 74, provided 25 through the face, such that it faces the door leading edge. The catch member 60 in this example, which is also bent from steel round bar, comprises a straight section 62, which is fixed at one end to the leading edge and extends in the direction from the leading edge to the lockbox 1, and a further section, defining the catch 63, which projects downwardly from the leading end of the straight section 62. 30

The door 71 in this embodiment is provided with rollers 80, at an upper end thereof, via H:\sbt\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCOSBT\ 11909605_1 .doc-9/11/2016 2013200520 09 Nov 2016 - 12- which rollers it hangs from the fixed frame structure of the cabinet/shed. That frame structure is provided with an elongate circular cross-section rail 90 which comprises a length of steel tube section but may alternatively comprise, for example, a length of steel round bar. Each roller 80 is configured with a circumferential channel or groove 81 into 5 which a respective portion of an upper section of the rail 90 is received, whereby the rollers 80 are laterally retained to the rail 90, and thus constrained to movement only in the direction along the rail 90 during opening and shutting of the door 71. The lower end of the fixed frame structure is configured with a channel 95 which provides lateral restraint to the lower end of the door 71, precluding the door from swinging to any appreciable extent 10 about an axis parallel to the rail 90.

The assembly 70, like the assembly 30, incorporates a guard 40 arranged immediately below the lockbox 1. A cutout 34 is formed through an outer wall of the member 73, which cutout provides access to the cavity 42 defined by the guard 40, and thus to the base 15 of the padlock body, allowing the padlock to be closed/locked and opened/unlocked in the manner previously described. In the assembly 70, the opening 32 is perpendicular to the front face of the cover plate 3D, rather than being parallel to it as in the previous embodiment. 20 When the door 71 is closed, the catch 63 is received through the aperture in the cover plate and thence through the space defined by the shank, so as to be accommodated in the aperture/cavity 6. Closure/locking of the padlock 50 (made possible by the cavity 42) then, in the same manner as previously described, entraps the catch 63 behind the lock body such that the door 71 is locked/closed. Advantageously, because the lockbox 1 is 25 recessed behind the cutout 34, the leading edge of the door 71 can be brought against, or very closely adjacent, to the upright member 73, and fixed in that position when the padlock 50 is closed, precluding access to the cover plate screws, as well as access through the aperture in the cover plate, when the door is locked closed. To preclude any access whatsoever to the section 62 of the catch element 60, a guard 65, comprising a plate 30 section or flange, is attached to or forms part of the member 73, which guard extends the entire height of the gap between the door leading edge and the face and projects away from H:\sbt\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\SBT\l 1909605.1 .doc-9/11/2016 2013200520 09 Nov 2016 - 13 - the member face so as to cover that gap.

The retaining element 7 provides a simple and reliable method of mounting and supporting the lock 50 in the housing 3. 5

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the 10 invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will 15 be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

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 acknowledgment or 20 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.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A protective holder for a padlock having a body and a shank, the holder having a housing in which the padlock can be mounted such that the holder and padlock form an assembly for releasably interlocking first and second components ("lock assembly"), the housing being configured to be supported from or forming part of one of the components so as to be able to receive, upon movement of the first component relative to the second, a catch supported from or forming part of the other of the components whereby to permit receipt of the catch through a space defined within the shank of the mounted padlock when open, the housing being configured with an opening whereby the body of the mounted padlock is accessible in a manner such that the body can be pushed to effect closure of the mounted padlock and thus entrapment of the catch once received through the space, whereby the components are interlocked, and such that opening of the mounted padlock can thereafter be effected, whereby the catch and lock assembly are separable, the holder further comprising a retainer arranged to be received by said space so as to engage the shank and so hold the padlock in position in the lock assembly, wherein the housing is openable such that the mounting of the padlock in the housing and removal of the padlock from the housing are permitted.
2. A holder according to claim 1, being a lockbox.
3. A holder according to claim 1 or 2, being configured such that the retainer precludes removal or escape of the padlock in the lock assembly through the opening.
4. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims, being configured such that the padlock hangs from the retainer, so as to be mounted via the retainer, in the lock assembly and said opening is through a lower end of the housing.
5. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retainer is shaped to conform to the curved inner profile the shank, whereby engagement between the retainer and shank locates the padlock in the assembly.
6. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is configured with an aperture arranged to receive the catch therethrough.
7. A holder according to claim 6, wherein the retainer projects into the aperture.
8. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing includes a cover which can be removed such that mounting of the padlock in the housing and removal of the padlock from the housing are permitted.
9. A holder according to claim 8 as appended to claim 7, wherein the aperture is formed through the cover.
10. A holder according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the cover is defined by a front wall of the housing.
11. A releasably lockable assembly comprising: a holder according to any one of the preceding claims and said padlock, which is mounted in said housing such that the holder and padlock form said lock assembly; and said components, wherein the holder is supported from or forms part of one of said components and the catch is supported from or forms part of the other of said components.
12. An assembly according to claim 11, comprising a closure assembly wherein one of said components comprises a closure and the other of said components comprises a structure with respect to which the closure is movable between open and closed conditions.
13. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein the closure comprises a door or cover.
14. An assembly according to claim 13, wherein the closure is a sliding closure.
15. An assembly according to claim 14, wherein said structure comprises a section which is positioned to abut or lie closely adjacent a leading edge of the closure when the latter is in said closed condition, and said holder is recessed with respect to said section so as to be rendered inaccessible by movement of closure into the closed condition.
16. An assembly according to claim 15, wherein said section is defined by a frame member.
17. An assembly according to claim 14, wherein the closure is a swinging closure.
18. An assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the holder is arranged to one side a wall of said one component and an opening is provided through the wall at a position adjacent the holder, permitting access, from the other side of the wall, to the opening of the holder to lock and unlock the padlock in the lock assembly.
19. A protective holder for a padlock, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
20. An assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 18, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.