AU647248B2 - Storage unit locking device - Google Patents

Description

nPI DATE 07/09/92 AOJP DATE 15/10/92 APPLN. ID 12669 92 PCT NUMBER PCT/AI192/00049 TREATY (PCT) INTERNA (51) International Patent Classification 5 65/44, 67/38 Al (11) International Publication Number: (43) International Publication Pite: WO 92/14017 20 August 1992 (20.08.92) (21) International Application Number: (22) International Filing Date: 11 Priority data: PK 4543 11 Febru; PCT/AU92/00049 February 1992 (11.02.92) ary 1991 (11.02.91) AU (71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): H. C.T.

GERSTNER-STEVENS PTY. LTD. [AU/AU]; 12 Phillip Road, East Keilor, VIC 3033 (AU).

(72) Inventor; and Inventor/Applicant (for US only) GERSTNER-STEVENS, Henry [AU/AU]; 12 Phillip Road, East Keilor, VIC 3033

(AU).

(74) Agent: WATERMARK; 2nd Floor, The Atrium, 290 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, VIC 3132 (AU).

(81) Designated States: AT, AT (European patent), AU, BB, BE (European patent), BF (OAPI patent), BG, BJ (OAPI patent), BR, CA, CF (OAPI patent), CG (OAPI patent), CH, CH (European patent), CI (OAPI patent), CM (OAPI patent), CS, DE, DE (European patent), DK, DK (European patent), ES, ES (European patent), FI, FR (European patent), GA (OAPI patent), GB, GB (European patent), GN (OAPI patent), GR (European patent), HU, IT (European patent), JP, KP, KR, LK, LU, LU (European patent), MC (European patent), MG, ML (OAPI patent), MN, MR (OAPI patent), MW, ;NL, NL (European patent), NO, PL, RO, RU, SD, SE, SE (European patent), SN (OAPI patent), TD (OAPI patent), TG (OAPI patent), US.

Published With international search report.

647248 (54) Title: STORAGE UNIT LOCKING DEVICE (57) Abstract A locking device (10) is disclosed which is adapted for use with a padlock (22) for securing a storage unit (11) against unauthorized access which device comprises a partially enclosed housing (13) having an open front (21) and a base said housing having a locking bar (12) depending from the base thereof and a latch slot (19) in the base thereof in which in use the locking bar (12) extends through an access (24) in a panel (23) of the storage unit (11) and engages with locking bar engagement (25) means within the storage unit (11) and attached to an access hatch (26) in a wall of the storage unit when the hatch is closed and in which a latch (20) on the panel of the storage unit (11) passes through the latch slot (19) in the base (18) of the housing (13) to permit attachment of the padlock (22) to the latch (20) within the housing (13) to lock the storage unit.

36, WO 92/14017 PCT/AU92/00049 1 STORAGE UNIT LOCKING DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a locking device and to a storage unit and locking device combination and relates particularly but not exclusively to a locking device and combination to be secured by a padlock. A padlock is intended to include a lock device having a lock body and a hasp for attaching to a latch and operated by a key, combination or other known mechanism mechanical or magnetic.

BAKGROUND OF THE INVENTON There is a perceived need for a secure storage unit which may be used to store 1 0 valuable tools and equipment on a building or other construction site or to store valuable documents, dangerous chemicals or explosives on a construction site or within a factory complex or workshop.

U.S. Patent No. 3,833,104 (Blum) discloses a coin receptacle for a coin operated machine which is provided with doors which cover the front of the receptacle and which 1 5 are adapted t0 engage with a rod passed through the top of the receptacle. The rod is locked in place by way of a lock positioned within a housing in the top of the receptacle which is constructed to resist breaking open by means of a crow-bar, hammer or similar devices.

U.S. Patent No. 4,452,371 (Jurek) discloses a tamper resistant cabinet for 2 0 vending equipment in which a rod or bar passes through the cabinet and engages with the door of the cabinet to prevent opening of the door. The rod or bar is secured below the cabinet by means of a padlock. The padlock is not protected from tampering to any significant degree.

U.S. Patent No. 4,823,570 also to Jurek discloses a tamper resistant cabinet for 2 5 vending equipment in which a rod or bar interengages with loops on the door to secure the door closed. The rod or bar is engaged by a key operated latch mechanism to retain the bar in the locked configuration.

U.S. Patent No. 4,843,853 (Bobert) discloses a rod locked cabinet wherein a locking rod is disposed entirely within the cabinet when engaging with the doors. The rod is removed via a port in the cabinet by a special tool. The port is closed from unauthorised access to the rod by a key operated locking plate which may be locked in a position over the rod access port.

U.S. Patent No. 4,741,454 (Ray) disclosed a cabinet and rod or bar locking mechanism similar to that disclosed in the Jurek 4,452,371 patent above with the variation that the bar or rod is secured in position by a keyed lock mechanism. The patent includes adjustable spacers on the sleeve to interact with the bar to firmly seal the door when the bar is inserted.

Australian Patent No. 591,803 (Gerstner-Stevens) discloses a storage shed having a sliding door with a latch protruding through a sidewall of the shed for securing by a padlock. The padlock is protected from tampering by a housing fixed to the side of the shed about the protruding latch and attached padlock when the door is closed and locked.

The present invention seeks to provide a simple secure storage unit, tool box or the like which overcomes or substantially overcomes disadvantages of the known prior art.

1 0 .UMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, threfore, provides a locking device adapted for use with a padlock for securing a storage unit against unauthorised access which device comprises a housing including top, base, side and rear wall sections, said housing having a locking bar depending from the base thereof and a latch slot in the base thereof in which in use the locking bar extends through an access in a panel of the storage unit and engages with locking bar engagement means within the storage unit and attached to an access hatch in a wall of the storage unit when the hatch is closed and in which a latch on the panel of the storage unit passes through the latch slot in the base of the housing to permit attachment of a padlock to the latch within the housing to lock the storage unit. Preferably the device includes a baffle plate disposed within the housing to restrict movement of the padlock within the housing when the padlock is closed and locked but permits movement of the padlock within the housing to enable the padlock to be engaged with or disengaged from the latch when the padlock is unlocked.

The present invention also provides a locking device adapted for use with a padlock for securing a storage unit against unauthorised access which device comprises a housing including top, base, side and rear wall sections to substantially surround the padlock when secured to said locking device, said housing having a locking bar depending from the base thereof and a latch slot in the base thereof in which in use the locking bar extends through an access in a panel of the storage unit engages with locking bar engagement means within the storage unit and attached to an access hatch in the storage unit when the hatch is closed and in which a latch on the panel of the storage unit passes through the latch slot in the base of the housing to permit attachment of the padlock through the open front of the housing, to the latch within the housing to lock the storage unit. Preferably the device includes a baffle plate disposed within the housing to restrict movement of the 35 padlock within the housing when the padlock is closed and locked but permits movement of the padlock within the housing to enable the padlock to be engaged with or disengaged from the latch when the padlock is unlocked.

The present invention also provides a storage unit and locking device combination in which the storage unit comprises front, rear, side, top and bottom panels one of which panels includes an access hatch and in which another panel includes access for said locking device, said locking device comprising a partially enclosed housing having an open front and a base to substantially surround the padlock when secured to said locking device, having a locking bar depending from the base thereof and having a latch slot in the base thereof said locking bar protruding through the access into the storage unit and engaging with locking bar engagement means on the access hatch said latch slot permitting access therethrough by a latch projecting from the other panel to permit engagement and disengagement of a padlock to secure and lock through the open front of the housing, the storage unit and locking device combination. Preferably the unit which includes a baffle plate disposed within the housing to restrict movement of the padlock within the housing when the padlock is closed and locked but permits movement of the padlock within the housing to enable the padlock to be engaged with or disengaged from the latch when the padlock is unlocked.

The present invention also provides storage unit and locking device combination in which the storage unit comprises front, rear, side, top and bottom panels one of which panels includes an access hatch and in which another panel includes access for said locking device, said locking device comprising a housing including top, base, side and rear wall sections to substantially surround the padlock when secured to said locking device said base, having a locking bar depending from the base section thereof and having a latch slot in the base section thereof said locking bar protruding through the access into the storage unit and engaging with locking bar engagement means on the access hatch said latch slot permitting access therethrough by a latch projecting from the other panel to permit engagement and disengagement of the padlock to secure and lock through the open front of the housing, the storage unit and locking device combination. Preferably the combination which includes a baffle plate disposed within the housing to restrict movement of the padlock within the housing when the padlock is closed and locked but permits movement of the padlock within the housing to enable the padlock to be engaged with or disengaged from the latch when the padlock Is unlocked. Preferably the locking bar also engages, at its end remote from housing, with the storage unit to provide additional locking means to prevent opening of the access hatch when the storage unit is locked and more preferably the locking bar also engages, at its end remote from housing, 3a with the storage unit to provide additional locking means to prevent opening of the access hatch when the storage unit is locked.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS WO 92/14017 PCT/AU92/00049 4 Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 represents a schematic cross sectional view of a locking device and storage unit in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 represents a perspective view of the locking device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 represents a schematic cross sectional view of the device of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 represents a plan cross sectional view of the device and unit of Fig. 1 at line A of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 represents a partial cross sectional view of an alternative construction of 1 0 locking device and storage unit shown in the closed position; and Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5 showing a partially open position.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 there is shown a preferred form of locking device constructed in accordance with the invention incorporated in a tool storage box 11. The device includes a locking bar 12 extending from a housing 13. The housing 13 includes side walls 14,15, rear wall 16, top 17 and base 18. The locking bar 12 depends substantially at right angles from the base 18. The base 18 includes slot 19 to accommodate lock latch 20. The front 21 of the housing 13 is open to permit the attachment of a lock such as a padlock 22 to the latch 20. The latch 20 is fitted and secured to the top 23 of the tool box 11. The top 23 of the tool box 11 includes a hole 24 therethrough to permit insertion of the locking bar 12 into the interior of the tool box.

The hole 24 is positioned forward of the latch 20. The locking bar 12 extends into the interior of the tool box 11 and passes into or through a lock tube 25 attached o the inside of a door 26 of the tool box 11 when the door is closed. The doors 26 and 27 are conveniently mounted by way of concealed, tamper resistant hinges 28. It will be seen that when the locking device 10 is in place the positioning of the locking bar 12 within the tube 25 attached to door 26 prevents opening of the door 26 by containment of the locking bar 12 within the tube 25 and abutment of end 34 of the lrIcking bar 12 against adjacent front wall portions 29 of the tool box 11.

The housing 13 preferably includes baffle plate 30 depending from the top 17 of the housing and within the housing positioned such that when lock 22 is fitted to the latch and locked, movement of the lock 22 is restricted and thus access to the lock 22 for forced removal is also restricted. When the lock 22 is opened the body 31 of the lock 22 moves with respect to the hasp 32 enabling rotation of the lock body 31 to enable it to be disengaged from the latch 20 and subsequent removal of the locking device 10 from the 3 5 tool box 11. The width of the housing naturally must be such to permit the attachment WO 92/14017 PCT/AU92/00049 and removal of the lock 22.

The locking device (when in place) is preferably additionally protected from tampering by inclusion on the top 23 of the tool box 11 a flange 33 which surrounds the base 18 of the housing 13 and prevents access by a lever or other implement in an attempt to force the locking device 10 and gain entry to the tool box 11. The point of attachment of the locking bar 12 to the base 18 of the housing 13 may be deliberately weakened so that if attempts at unauthorised entry to the tool box 11 are made, the locking bar 12 may separate from the housing 13 and fall within tube 25 so that the end 34 of the locking bar 12 abuts the base 35 of the tool box 11 with the bar still disposed in the tube 25. It will be seen that the lock bar 12 will still be positioned within the tube to prevent opening of the door If it is desired that the tool box 11 be portable wheels or castors 36 may be provided on the bottom 35 of the tool box 11.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, there is shown another preferred form of locking device 40 constructed in accordance with the invention incorporated in a tool storage box 41. The device includes a locking bar 42 extending from a housing 43. The housing 43 includes side walls 44, 45, rear wall 46, top 47 and base 48. The locking bar 42 depends substantially at right angles from the base 48. The base 48 includes slot 49 to accommodate lock latch 50. The front 51 of the housing 43 is open to permit the attachment of a lock such as a padlock 52 to the latch 50. The latch 50 in this embodiment is fitted and secured to the side 53 of the tool box 41. The side 53 of the tool box 41 includes a hole 54 therethrough to permit insertion of the locking bar 42 into the interior of the tool box. The hole 54 is positioned forward of the latch 50. The locking bar 42 extends into the interior of the tool box 41.

The locking bar 42 includes one or more hook members 55 attached thereto which engage with corresponding hook members 56 on the inside of doors 57. The hook members 55 and 56 are engaged aod disengaged by longitudinal movement of locking bar 42 in direction of arrows B, The doors 57 are conveniently attached to the sides 53,53a of the tool box 41 by 3 0 means of hinges 61.

It will be seen that when the locking device 40 is in place the positioning of the locking bar 42 within the tool box 41 enables inter-engagement of hook members 55 on the locking bar 42 and hook members 56 on the doors 57 and containment of the locking bar 42 within bar socket 58 attached on the inside opposing wall 53a of the box 41 3 5 opposite the hole 54 in wall 53 prevents opening of the doors 57.

WO 92/14017 PCT/AU92/00049 6 The housing 43 preferably includes baffle plate 60 depending from the top 47 of the housing and within the housing positioned such that when lock 52 is fitted to the latch and locked, movement of the lock 52 is restricted and thus access to the lock 52 for forced removal is restricted. When the lock 52 is opened the body 59 of the lock 52 moves with respect to the hasp 61 enabling rotation of the lock body 59 to enable it to be disengaged from the latch 50 and subsequent removal of the locking device 40 from the tool box 41. The width of the housing naturally must be such to permit the attachment and removal of the lock 52.

In a preferred embodiment the hook members 55 on 'he locking bar (see Fig. 6) 1 0 comprise a flange 62 welded to the bar 42 with a piece of ;ld 63 welded thereto. The hook members 56 on the door comprise a flange 64 welded to the door with a piece of tube welded thereto. The rod piece 63 thus enters and retracts from the tube piece G5 as the locking bar is moved from a locking to a non-locking position.

As in the device of Figs. 1 to 4, the locking device of Figs. 5 and 6 may also include 1 5 a flange (as per flange 33 of Figs. 1 and 2) to surround the base of the housing to prevent access by a lever or (hack) saw to the locking bar.

Claims (12)

1. A locking device adapted for use with a padlock for securing a storage unit against unauthorised access which device comprises a partially enclosed housing having a base and an open front to substantially surround the padlock when secured to said locking device, said housing having a locking bar depending from the base thereof and a latch slot in the base thereof in which in use the locking bar extends through an access in a panel of the storage unit and engages with locking bar engagement means within the storage unit attached to an access hatch in the storage unit when the hatch is closed and in which a latch on the panel of the storage unit passes through the latch slot in the base of the housing to permit attachment of the padlock through the open front of the housing, to the latch within the housing to lock the storage unit.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, which includes a baffle plate disposed within the housing to restrict movement of the padlock within the housing when the padlock is closed and locked but permits movement of the padlock within the housing to onable tho padlock to be engaged with or disengaged from the latch when the padlock Is unlocked.

3. A locking device adapted for use with a padlock for securing a storage unit against unauthorised access which device comprises a housing including top, base, side and rear wall sections to substantially surround the padlock when secured to said locking device, said housing having a locking bar depending from the base thereof and a latch slot in the base thereof in which in use the locking bar extends through an access in a panel of the storage unit engages with locking bar engagement means within the storage unit and attached to an access hatch in the storage unit when the hatch is closed and in which a latch on the panel of the storage unit passes through the latch slot In the base of the housing to permit attachment of the padlock through the open front of the housing, to the latch within the housing to lock the storage unit.

4. A device as claimed In Claim 3, which includes a baffle plate disposed within the housing to restrict movement of the padlock within the housing when the padlock is closed and locked but permits movement of the padlock within the housing to enable the padlock to be engaged with or disengaged from the latch when the padlock is unlocked.

A storage unit and locking device combination in which the storage unit comprises front, rear, side, top and bottom panels one of which panels includes an access hatch and in which another panel includes access for said locking device, said locking device comprising a partially enclosed housing having an open front and a base to substantially surround the padlock when secured to said locking device, having a locking bar depending from the base thereof and having a latch slot in the base thereof said locking bar protruding through the access into the storage unit and engaging with locking bar engagement means on the access hatch said latch slot permitting access therethrough by a latch projecting from the other panel to permit engagement and disengagement of a padlock to secure and lock through the open front of the housing, the storage unit and locking device combination.

6. A combination as claimed in Claim 5, which includes a baffle plate disposed within the housing to restrict movement of the padlock within the housing when the padlock is closed and locked but permits movement of the padlock within the housing to enable the padlock to be engaged with or disengaged from the latch when the padlock Is unlocked.

7. A storage unit and locking device combination in which the storage unit comprises front, rear, side, top and bottom panels one of which panels includes an access hatch and in which another panel includes access for said locking device, said locking device comprising a housing including top, base, side and rear wall sections to substantially surround the padlock when secured to said locking device said base, having a locking bar depending from the base section thereof and having a latch slot in the base section thereof said locking bar protruding through the access into the storage unit and engaging with locking bar engagement means on the access hatch said latch slot permitting access therethrough by a latch projecting from the other panel to permit engagement and disengagement of the padlock to secure and lock through the open front of the housing, the storage unit and locking device comblnation.

8. A combination as claimed In Claim 7, which includes a baffle plate disposed within the housing to restric' movement of the padlock within the housing when the padlock is closed and locked but permits movement of the padlock within the housing to enable the padlock to be engaged with or disengaged from the latch when the padlock is unlocked.

9. A device as claimed In claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 in which the locking bar also engages, at its end remote from housing, with the storage unit to provide additional locking means to prevent opening of the access hatch when the storage unit is locked.

A combination as claimed in claim 5, 6, 7 or 8 in which the locking bar also engages, at its end rr-cote Irom housing, with the storage unit to provide additional locking means to prevent openi;4g of the access hatch when the storage unit is locked.

11. A locking device adapted for use with a padlock for securing a storage unit against unauthorised access substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A storage unit and locking device combination substantially as herebefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 22nd day of December 1993 H CT GERSTNER-STEVENS PTY LTD WATERMARK PATENT TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS THE ATRIUM 290 BURWOOD ROAD HAWTHORN VICTORIA 3122 AUSTRAUA r o 1~ r I I AU00126692.WPC DOC 07 AS:GA