AU641277B2

AU641277B2 - An improved closure arrangement and container including an improved closure arrangement

Info

Publication number: AU641277B2
Application number: AU84504/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Paul Robberds
Original assignee: BLACK SWAN ENGINEERING Pty Ltd
Current assignee: BLACK SWAN ENGINEERING Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1990-09-24
Filing date: 1991-09-16
Publication date: 1993-09-16
Anticipated expiration: 2011-09-16
Also published as: AU8450491A

Description

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0 9 5* 641277 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: BLACK SWAN ENGINEERING PTY LTD Actual Inventor: PAUL ROBBERDS Address for Service: H. R. HODGKINSON CO.

Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 26A Alfred Street Milsons Point NSW 2061 Invention Title: AN IMPROVED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT AND CONTAINER INCLUDING AN IMPROVED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT Details of Associated Provisional Application: No PK 2466 0 4 0 0 y 0 0 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: THIS INVENTION relates to an improved closure arrangement and in one particular form of the invention to a container including such an improved closure arrangement.

Closure arrangements according to the present invention have particular application to facilitate the secure closure of doors and openings, such as doors and openings of containers, storage containers, storage sheds and the like. However, while the invention has particular application in these areas, it should be appreciated that the closure arrangement of the present invention has equal application in connection :0 with other doors and closures for example, the doors and 6*e closures of houses, buildings and the like. However, for the *o purposes of description only, the invention will be described by way of example only, with reference to the closures of 15 doors of containers, storage sheds and the like.

p Pa Up until this time it has been a problem with many containers, storage sheds and the like that they are used to Oe: store valuable equipment, material and tools. In particular q .0:9 this is the case where such containers and storage sheds are used on building sites, construction sites and the like. This is however by way of example only. Thus, while it is unfortunate, many attempts are made to obtain unauthorised entry to such containers and container sheds, when they are in a closed condition, in order to remove and steal the *sa.

contents thereof.

It is an object of this invention to go at least some way towards providing a closure arrangement which reduces and/or at least minimises the chances of unauthorised access to such containers and container sheds.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a straightforward and efficient closure arrangement.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a closure arrangement for a door; said door having an opening in a front face thereof; a closure gate being slidably mounted immediately behind the said opening; said closure gate being provided with locking means, actuable from an outer side thereof; said locking means including engagement plates above and below said closure gate and substantially 9610 vertically and longitudinally operable locking arms connected Bo Q to each other and to lock actuating means on said outer side of said closure gate; said engagement plates being formed or o. provided with one or more bores or recesses therein; the Oeb arrangement being such that on sliding said closure gate into 1,%5 a position in which it is behind and closes said opening, the lock actuating means is actuated from exterior said closing gate, to thereby cause said locking arms to move vertically and longitudinally relative to each other, so as to engage with said engagement plates; the deactuating of said lock actuating means causing said locking arms to be withdrawn from their engagement with said engagement plates, such as to allow slidable movement and opening of said closure gate, relative to the opening in said door, such as to allow access through said opening.

$eo According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a closure arrangement for a door, said door having an opening in a front face thereof; a closure gate being slidably mounted behind said opening; said closure gate being provided with locking means actuable from an outer side thereof; said locking means including engagement plates above and below said closure gate and substantially vertically and longitudinally operable locking arms connected to each other and said lock actuating means; said engagement plates being formed or provided with one or more bores or recesses therein; the arrangement being such that on sliding said closure gate into a position in which it is behind and closes said opening, the lock actuating means is actuated from exterior said closure gate, to thereby cause said locking arms to move vertically and longitudinally relative to each other, and to engage with said engagement plates; the deactuating of said lock actuating means causing said locking arms to be withdrawn from engagement with the engagement plates, such as to allow the slidable movement and opening of the closure gate relative to the opening in said door; material forming said door at least partially extending over 96*:peripheral edges of said opening in said door and said gate ev being mounted behind said opening in the door, such that in a closed and locked position said closure gate is recessed ":Y5 behind said door.

oQro B. e 4, 6 t be According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a closure arrangement for a door, said door having an opening in a front face thereof; a closure gate being slidably mounted immediately behind said opening; said 0 o.:eO closure gate being provided with locking means actuable from an outer side of said gate; said locking means including S' engagement plates above and below said gate and substantially vertically and longitudinally operable locking arms connected to each other and to lock actuating means; said engagement 25 plates being formed or provided with one or more bores or doe& recesses therein; the arrangement being such that on sliding *:*Go said closure gate into a position in which it is behind and closes said opening, the lock actuating means is actuated from exterior said closure gate, to cause said locking arms to move vertically and longitudinally relative to each other, such that ends thereof engage within the holes or bores in said engagement plates; the deactuating of said lock actuating means causing said locking arms to be withdrawn from their engagement with the engagement plates, such as to allow slidable movement and opening of said closure gate relative to the opening in said door; door opening and/or closing means being provided adjacent and inwardly of said door, such that on the opening of said closure gate, access is gained to said door opening and/or closing means.

This invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a general view of a container incorporating a closure arrangement according to one form of the present invention, .0 Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of a closure arrangement generally on the line of the arrow in Fig. 1 of the drawings, according to one form 0° of the present invention, and 0 *0 Fig. 3 is a further and partially cut-away general view of a container including a closure arrangement according to one form of the present invention.

0* As referred to hereinbefore, this invention will be described by way of example only, with reference to the closure *0 0 arrangement being incorporated into the door of a container or storage shed. This is however by way of example only, and it will be appreciated that the closure arrangement of the present invention has application to all forms of doors and closures.

In the preferred form of the invention, the closure arrangement is incorporated into at least one door of a container, used for storing product, stock, tools and the like. Throughout the specification and claims, the container, storage shed or the like will be referred to as "a container".

Referring to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, a container 1 is shown formed of an appropriate material, such as for example metal material, although other materials can be used.

The container 1 has doors 2 and 3 provided in one side thereof, to allow for entry into the container 1. The doors 2 and 3 are hingeably mounted to sides of the container 1.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, the door 3 is so formed and hingeably mounted, relative to the door 2, that the inner edge thereof overlaps the adjacent free edge of the door 2, so that the door 2 cannot open until such time as the door 3 is opened.

This is however by way of example only.

The front surface of the door 3 is provided with an opening o0. or aperture 4 extending therethrough, the opening or aperture 4 preferably being of a rectangular shape. This is however by way of example only and the opening or aperture 4 can be of any desired shape or configuration.

p A closure gate 5 (to be described hereinafter) is slidably mounted behind the opening or aperture 4 so as to allow the 0 opening or aperture 4 to be opened and closed. Locked actuating means 6a are provided in the front face 5a of the closure gate S 0 Referring to Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings, the closure gate 5 will be seen to be slidably mounted in appropriate runner means 7, formed or provided on the inner surface of the door 3 and preferably being located above and below the opening of aperture 4. The closure gate 5 is preferably slidably mounted in the runner means 7 (in the form of appropriate channels) with for example bearing means, such as for example ball bearings or the like. This then allows the closure gate 5 to slide within the runner means 7, so as to slide into open and closed positions behind the opening 4, depending upon the desires of a user. Behind the closure gate and within the container, a locking means 6 is provided which is capable of being actuated by a key or other means (not shown) in the actuating means 6a.

The locking means 6 is preferably formed so as to enable the closure gate 5 to be locked or unlocked, so as to be held in an open or closed position behind and relative to the opening or aperture 4.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2 of the 0 accompanying drawings, the locking means 6 includes elongate locking arms or bars 8a and 8b, which are adapted to move vertically and longitudinally relative to each other, so that distal ends 9 thereof are able to engage and disengage within *OeS S holes or bores 10 of engagement plates 11, which extend outwardly from the rear surface of the door 3 above and below the mounting of the closure gate The locking bars 8a and 8b are connected together by p appropriate connection means, link means, cams or pivots so that on actuation of the lock actuating means 6a locking arms 8a and 8b will be caused to move vertically and

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longitudinally away from each other, so that distal ends 9 thereof will engage within the bores or recesses 10 of the .engagement plates 11. This will then lock the closure gate *oa° in a closed position behind the opening or aperture 4. When 5 it is desired to open the closure gate 5, the lock actuating means is deactuated, this causing the locking bars 8a and 8b to move vertically and longitudinally so that the ends 9 thereof move away from, and out of engagement with, the holes or bores 10 of the engagement plates 11.

The runner means or slide channels 7 within which upper and lower surfaces of the closure gate 5 slide, are defined on at least an outer side thereof, by overhanging portions 3a of the door material, which overhanging portions form skirts which overhang or extend over edges of the opening or aperture 4, about the periphery thereof. Thus, in its closed and locked position, the closure gate 5 is recessed behind the opening 4 and door 3. The inner sides of the slides or channel 7 are formed by appropriate side means of any appropriate material.

It has been found that the recessing of the closure gate behind the opening 4 and the overhanging skirt portions 3a of 0 the door materials prevents or at least minimises the chance of unauthorised persons attempting to obtain a view through the opening 4 of what is contained within the container 1.

For example, in such cases a person or persons may well 0* attempt to obtain a view of what is within the container by looking through a gap or spacing that might normally exist 0 00 between the edges of the aperture or opening 4 and the edges of the closure gate 5. The chances of this happening are substantially avoided or at least minimised by the overhanging skirt portions 3a.

b 0 20 In the preferred form of the invention, the doors and closure arrangement of the present invention are formed of a metal or steel material to provide as much security and strength as possible. However, in one form of the invention, the locking 0 0*"o means 6 and connection means 20 between the locking bars 8a 25 and 8b may be formed of a heat sensitive material, such as for example an aluminium material. While it is considered that the present invention will present substantial problems to people attempting to obtain unauthorised access to the container, it is of course always possible that persons requiring unauthorised entry will utilise heat torches, oxyacetylene torches and the like. That is, to obtain entry through the closure gate and about the lock actuating means 6a. Thus, it is considered that by constructing at least part of the closure arrangement (preferably the link means 20) of a heat sensitive material (such as aluminium), if persons attempt to use heat implements or oxyacetylene torches to obtain unauthorised access through the steel of the door 3, and the closure gate 5, the heat generated in attempting to obtain such access will cause the aluminium to melt, which will then form about the locking arms 8a and 8b, locking them and maintaining them in their locked position, to provide a further substantial hindrance to the removal of the locking bars 8a and 8b from their engagement with the engagement plates 11.

0ee Do*: In many forms of the invention, it is envisaged that means e e for locking the doors 2 and 3 themselves will be provided S. within the container and behind the sliding closure gate 5 so *lr that once the closure gate 5 is opened, a hand can be inserted therethrough, and locking means, and/or opening and/or closing means, associated with the door 2 and/or 3 actuated or deactuated as may be desired. Such locking means can take any form, such as for example a key lock operating normal locking means associated with a door, or alternatively locking means or levers associated with locking bars or the like engaging through upper and lower (or side) beams of a door surround.

In one form of the invention, and referring in particular to Fig. 3 thereof, the container of the present invention provides suitably mounted and journalled vertical and longitudinally operable locking bars 25 which are connected by a handle or pivot lever 26, the lever 26 being mounted to the door 3 behind the aperture or opening 4. Thus, on the aperture or opening 4 being opened by movement of the closure gate 5, a hand can be inserted therethrough and the lever or handle 26 operated to open and/or close the door. For example, bores or recesses 30 can be provided in upper and lower beams or surrounds 31 of the door 3. Thus, movement of the lever or handle 26 will cause said locking bars 25 to move into and/or out of engagement with the bores or recesses provided in upper and lower beams or surround 31 of the door 3. This will then allow the door to be opened and/or closed.

The invention is described by way of example only, with reference to the upper and lower beams or surrounds 31. If desired, the beams or surrounds can be side beams or surrounds. These are described by way of example only.

As described hereinbefore, in a preferred form of the inventi-n (as shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawings), the outer or free edge of the door 3 overlaps the outer or free edge of the door 2, so that once the door 3 is opened, normal locking bolts and the like associated with a. door 2 can be disengaged and the door 2 opened.

It has been found that the present invention provides substantial advantages over closure irrangements used with ,,,containers up until this time. The provision of the closure gate behind the opening or aperture 4 which in itself S requires locking and. unlocking, provides a substantial :4.0 deterrent to unauthorised entry into such containers.

0 It should be appreciated that the present invention has been described by way of example only without departing from the escope thereof, as defined by the appended claims.

scope thereof, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A closure arrangement for a door, said door having an opening in a front face thereof; a closure gate being slidably mounted immediately behind said opening; said closure gate being provided with locking means actuable from an outer side thereof; said locking means including engagement plates above and below said closure gate, and substantially vertically and longitudinally operable locking arms connected to each other and to said lock actuating 0o00 means; said engagement plates being formed or provided with .oo ^one or more bores or recesses therein; the arrangement being *Sa such that on sliding said closure gate into a position in 60 which it is behind and closes said opening, the lock ;actuating means is actuated from exterior said closure gate, .000. to thus cause said locking arms to move vertically and longitudinally relative to each other, and relative to said engagement plates, such that said locking arms engage with said engagement plates; the deactuating of said lock actuating means causing said locking arms to be withdrawn o from their engagement with said engagement plates, such as to allow slidable movement and opening of said closure gate relative to the opening in said door, such as to allow access to door opening and/or closure means adjacent and inwardly of said door.

2. A closure arrangement as claimed in claim 1, whe.Jn material forming said door at least partially extends over a periphery of said opening so as tri form a skirt about said periphery, such that in a closed and locked position, said closure gate is recessed behind said door.

3. A closure arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said closure gate is slidably mounted in runner channels provided on an inner surface of said door, above and below said opening.

4. A closure arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of said locking means is formed of a heat sensitive material.

A closure arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein means to connect the locking arms are formed of a heat sensitive material.

6. A closure arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means to connect the locking arms are formed or construc'ed of an aluminium material. 0000

7. A closure arrangement as claimed in any one of the O preceding claims, wherein the engagement plates extend inwardly of the door, above and below said closure gate. 0e

8. A closure arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings. a a

9. A closure arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings. A container having at least one door, said door having a closure arrangement as claimed in claim 1. see**: 0 Dated this thirteenth day of September 1991 BLACK SWAN ENGINEERING PTY LTD by: P Its Patent Attorney ABSTRACT A closure arrangement for a door such as the door of a container is provided. The door has an opening (4) in the front face (3b) thereof with a closure gate slidably mounted immediately behind the opening The closure gate is provided with locking means actuable from an outer side (5a) of the closure gate The locking means include engagement means (11) above and below the closure gate on an inner surface of the door and substantially vertically and longitudinally operable locking *arms (8a, 8b) which are connected to each other and to lock *actuating means The closure gate is slid into a 6 position in which it is behind and closes the opening The lock actuating means (6a) is then actuated from exterior S. the closure gate which causes the locking arms (8a, 8b) B. to move relative to each other and the engagement plates such that the locking arms (8a, 8b) engage with the engagement plates thus locking the closure gate in a closed position. The deactuating of the lock actuating means (6a) causes the locking arms (8a, 8b) to be disengaged from the engagement plates (11) to thus allow slidable movement and opening of the closure gate This opens the opening in the door such as to allow access therethrough, to actuate opening and/or closing means 26) of the door s o