AU2019101640A4 - Anti-tampering Arrangement and Associated Method of Use - Google Patents

Abstract

-9 Abstract There is disclosed an anti-tampering arrangement (10) for fitting with and over one or more pre-existing nuts (12) secured to a threaded rod (14) in a fitted condition. The arrangement (10) may include a housing (20) having a lower portion (22) dimensioned to enclose the one or more pre-existing nuts (12) and an upper portion (24) with an open top (25). The upper portion (24) is adapted to receive at least a portion (21) of the relevant threaded rod (14) and support an anti-tamper nut (26 ) couplable to the threaded rod (14) in the fitted condition substantially within the upper portion (22). An associated method is also disclosed. Figure 1

Description

Anti-tampering Arrangement and Associated Method of Use

Technical Field [001] The invention relates to an anti-tampering arrangement and an associated method of use. In particular, the invention relates to an anti-tampering arrangement for existing foundation bolts of a telecommunication tower and a method of securing such an arrangement to existing foundation bolts.

Background [002] Structures such as telecommunication towers are often secured to a ground structure such as a concrete plinth or slab via ground anchors. Such ground anchors may include threaded rods embedded into the concrete. A base of the tower is fitted to the threaded rods and nuts are coupled to the threaded rods to secure the base of the tower against the concrete plinth.

[003] A problem with such ground anchors is that the nuts are accessible and may be subject to tampering or other unauthorised handling.

[004] The invention disclosed herein seeks to overcome one or more of the above identified problems or at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary [005] In accordance with a first broad aspect there is provided, an anti-tampering arrangement for fitting with a pre-existing nut secured to a threaded rod in a fitted condition, the arrangement including a housing having a lower portion dimensioned to enclose the pre-existing nut and an upper portion, the upper portion adapted to receive at least a portion of the threaded rod and support an anti-tamper nut couplable to the threaded rod in the fitted condition substantially within the upper portion.

-22019101640 18 Dec 2019 [006] In an aspect, the housing includes a divider between the upper and lower portions of the housing.

[007] In another aspect, the upper portion includes a locating surface to which the anti-tamper nut is advanceable in the fitted condition.

[008] In yet another aspect, the divider is provided in the form of an annular plate between the lower and upper portions, the annular plate providing the locating surface and including an aperture through which the portion of the threaded rod extends in the fitted condition.

[009] In yet another aspect, the housing is rotatable in a fitted condition relative to the pre-existing nut.

[0010] In yet another aspect, the housing is of unitary in construction.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the pre-existing nut is provided in the form of two preexisting nuts secured one atop the other.

[0012] In accordance with a second broad aspect there is provided, a method of securing a pre-existing nut fitted to a threaded rod, the method including: fitting a lower portion of a housing of an anti-tampering arrangement over the pre-existing nut with a portion of the threaded rod extending past a divider of the housing into an upper portion of the housing; securing an anti-tamper nut to the portion of the threaded rod substantially within the upper portion of the housing.

[0013] In accordance with a third broad aspect there is provided method of accessing a pre-existing nut secured to a threaded rod, the method including the steps of: using a tool to engage and remove an anti-tamper nut located within an upper housing of the housing of an anti-tampering arrangement thereby exposing a portion of a threaded rod; lifting the housing such that the threaded rod retracts past a divider between the upper and lower portion and removing the housing such that the pre-existing nut is exposed.

Brief Description of the Figures [0014] The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference

-32019101640 18 Dec 2019 to the accompanying figures, in which;

[0015] Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of an anti-tampering arrangement for fitting with a pre-existing nut secured to a threaded rod in a fitted condition;

[0016] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a housing of the anti-tampering arrangement;

[0017] Figures 3 a and 3b are top and side views illustrating an anti-tamper nut of the anti-tampering arrangement;

[0018] Figure 3c is a side sectional view illustrating the anti-tamper nut of the antitampering arrangement;

[0019] Figures 4a and 4b are top and side views illustrating a key of the anti-tampering arrangement; and [0020] Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating a fit between a nut and a key of the of the anti-tampering arrangement.

Detailed Description [0021] Referring to Figures 1 to 4b, there is shown an anti-tampering arrangement 10 for fitting with and over one or more pre-existing nuts 12 secured to a corresponding threaded rod 14 in a fitted condition. Such threaded rods 14 may be embedded into a concreate plinth or slab 15 that supports a tower (not shown) such as a telecommunication tower and the one or more pre-existing nuts 12 are used to secure a base 16 of the tower to the threaded rods 14.

[0022] The arrangement 10 includes a housing 20 having a lower portion 22 dimensioned to enclose the one or more pre-existing nuts 12 and an upper portion 24 with an open top 25. The upper portion 24 is adapted to receive at least a portion 21 of the relevant threaded rod 14 and support an anti-tamper nut 26 couplable to the threaded rod 14 in the fitted condition substantially within the upper portion 22, as best shown in Figure 1.

-42019101640 18 Dec 2019 [0023] In this example, the housing 20 is generally cylindrical in shape with each of the lower and upper portions 22, 24 being generally cylindrical with the diameter of the upper portion 24 being greater than the lower portion 22.

[0024] Referring to Figure 2, the housing 20 includes a divider 28 that defines and is located between the lower and upper housings 22, 24. The divider 28 functions to separate the lower and upper portions 22, 24 such that in the fitted condition the one or more pre-existing nuts 12 are not accessible for removal or tampering.

[0025] In this example, the divider 28 is provided in the form of an annular plate 30 between the lower and upper portions 22, 24. The annular plate 30 includes an aperture 32 through which the portion of the threaded rod 14 extends in the fitted condition. Above the annular plate 30 may be provided drains 36 to allow water to drain out of the upper portion 24.

[0026] The annular plate 30 provides a locating surface 34 against which the antitamper nut 26 may be fitted. However, the locating surface 34 may be located elsewhere. In some examples, the locating surface 34 may be omitted with the engagement of the anti-tamper nut 26 and an end of the threaded rod 14 defining end of travel.

[0027] The housing 20 is rotatable in the fitted condition and the dimension of the lower and upper portions 22, 24 is such that rotation of the housing 20 does not affect the one or more pre-existing nuts 12 or anti-tamper nut 26. In this example, the housing 20 is of unitary in construction comprising the weldment of the lower and upper portions 22, 24 and the annular plate 30, that are preferably made from a metal.

[0028] Referring to Figures 3a, 3b and 3c, the anti-tampering nut 26 may take various forms. However, in this example, the anti-tampering nut 26 includes a circular keyed plate 40 with a blinded threaded aperture 38 to couple with the existing threaded rod 14. The circular keyed plate 40 is slightly smaller in diameter relative to the upper portion 24 and thus blinding the upper portion 24 and inhibiting access there past. The keyed plate 40 may include any suitable key feature 41 such as an aperture, projection or combination thereof.

-52019101640 18 Dec 2019 [0029] Referring to Figures 4a and 4b and Figure 5, a nut key 42 may also be provided that is adapted to engage with the keyed plate 40. Again, the nut key 42 may include any suitable key feature 43 such as an aperture, projection or combination thereof suitable to engage with the keyed plate 40. In this example, the nut key 42 includes a top nut 44 and a complementary keyed plate 46. It is noted that the top nut 44 may be selected to be a similar size to the one or more pre-existing nuts 12 so as to be compatible with existing tools. However, this is not essential.

[0030] In use, a method of securing a pre-existing nut fitted 12 to a threaded rod 14 may include fitting the lower portion 22 of the housing 20 of the anti-tampering arrangement 10 over the pre-existing nut 12 with a portion of the threaded rod 14 extending past the divider 28 of the housing 20 into the upper portion 22 of the housing 20. An open bottom 23 of the housing 20 rests on the base 16 of the tower, a washer or the like to prevent access beneath the housing 20.

[0031] Once the housing 20 is in place, the anti-tamper nut 26 is secured to the portion of the threaded rod 14 substantially within the upper portion 22 of the housing 20. This includes fitting the nut key 42 to the anti-tamper nut 26 to fit the anti-tamper nut 26, and then removing the nut key 42.

[0032] To remove and access the pre-existing nut 22 secured to the threaded rod 14, the method includes the steps of fitting the nut key 42 to the anti-tamper nut 26 and using a tool (not shown) such as a spanner or socket to engage and remove the antitamper nut 26. It is noted that such a tool (e.g a spanner or socket wrench) that fits the hex head of the key nut is commonly available, while the geometry of the key itself is unique to the present system and thus requires the specific nut key 42.

[0033] The portion of the threaded rod 14 within the upper portion 22 is then exposed and the housing 20 may be lifted with the threaded rod 14 retracting past the divider 28. The housing 20 being thereby removed and exposing the pre-existing nut 12 that may then be inspected or otherwise maintained.

[0034] Advantageously, the disclosed anti-tampering arrangement and associated method of use allows the one or more pre-existing nuts to remain in place without being altered and provides a secure housing to inhibit tampering. The housing of the anti-62019101640 18 Dec 2019 tampering arrangement being removable via a key to allows inspection without needing to engage or touch the one or more pre-existing nuts. The housing is arranged and spaced from the one or more pre-existing nuts such that the housing is rotatable without affecting the one or more pre-existing nuts, and there is no force transferred from the housing to the pre-existing nuts or threaded rod.

[0035] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise, and variations such as comprises and comprising, will 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.

[0036] The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates.

[0037] While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

[0038] Many and various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

Claims (9)

1. The claims defining the Invention are as follows:

   1. An anti-tampering arrangement for fitting with a pre-existing nut secured to a threaded rod in a fitted condition, the arrangement including a housing having a lower portion dimensioned to enclose the pre-existing nut and an upper portion, the upper portion adapted to receive at least a portion of the threaded rod and support an antitamper nut couplable to the threaded rod in the fitted condition substantially within the upper portion.
2. 2. The anti-tampering arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a divider between the upper and lower portions of the housing.
3. 3. The anti-tampering arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the upper portion includes a locating surface to which the anti-tamper nut is advanceable in the fitted condition.
4. 4. The anti-tampering arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the divider is provided in the form of an annular plate between the lower and upper portions, the annular plate providing the locating surface and including an aperture through which the portion of the threaded rod extends in the fitted condition.
5. 5. The anti-tampering arrangement according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the housing is rotatable in a fitted condition relative to the pre-existing nut.
6. 6. The anti-tampering arrangement according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the housing is of unitary in construction.
7. 7. The anti-tampering arrangement according to one of the previous claims, wherein the pre-existing nut is provided in the form of two pre-existing nuts secured one atop the other.
8. 8. A method of securing a pre-existing nut fitted to a threaded rod, the method including:

   a. Fitting a lower portion of a housing of an anti-tampering arrangement over the pre-existing nut with a portion of the threaded rod extending past a divider of the housing into an upper portion of the housing;

   -82019101640 18 Dec 2019

   b. Securing an anti-tamper nut to the portion of the threaded rod substantially within the upper portion of the housing.
9. 9. A method of accessing a pre-existing nut secured to a threaded rod, the method including the steps of:

   a. Using a tool to engage and remove an anti-tamper nut located within an upper housing of the housing of an anti-tampering arrangement thereby exposing a portion of a threaded rod;

   b. Lifting the housing such that the threaded rod retracts past a divider between the upper and lower portion and removing the housing such that the pre-existing nut is exposed.