AU767310B2 - Padlock protector and container - Google Patents

Description

b j rtUU/U I I 2W5/91 Regulation 3.2(2)

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT *r #04 4 Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: PADLOCK PROTECTOR AND CONTAINER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us o (1 PADLOCK PROTECTOR AND CONTAINER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus for protecting padlocks, and containers locked by padlocks, against unauthorised access and interference.

The term "padlock" is intended to include a lock device having a body and a shackle movable relative thereto between locked and unlocked positions, the device being operable by a key, combination or other known mechanism mechanical or magnetic.

BACKGROUND

Padlocks are widely used for preventing unauthorised access to containers and enclosures such as buildings and generally for locking items together.

There is a perceived need to protect padlocks in use from unauthorised interference. As examples of such interference, the body and the shackle of the S: 15 padlock may be prised apart or the padlock may be prised off an item to which it is secured in either case using a lever or jemmy. Alternatively, the body or lol.

shackle of a padlock may be attacked by cutting or drilling or the key or other operating mechanism "picked".

Problems of unauthorised access are particularly acute in the case of 20 toolboxes and storage units used at construction sites and in factories to contain valuable tools and equipment, documents, explosives, chemicals and the like. Sheds, portable buildings and other enclosures have the same or analogous problems.

It is desirable that any locking arrangement based on the use of a padlock be convenient to use.

This invention is directed to at least alleviating problems of unauthorised interference and access in these and similar applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect, the invention provides a padlock protector for limiting unauthorised interference with a padlock securing together first and second members, the padlock having a shackle and a body movable relative to the shackle between locked and unlocked positions and the first member including 2 a lug adapted to pass freely between the shackle and the body when the body is in the unlocked position and to be retained therebetween when the body is in the locked position, wherein: the padlock protector includes a housing substantially surrounding the padlock in use and secured to the second member; the housing has a first opening through which the padlock is movable into the housing so that the shackle abuts a stop within the housing and through which opening the body is accessible by a user for moving the body between the locked and unlocked positions; the housing has a second opening through which the lug may pass into a position between the shackle and the body when the shackle is in a position abutting the stop and the body is in the unlocked position; and there is a holding means within the housing adapted to hold the shackle against the stop while the body is moved between the locked and unlocked positions.

The holding means ensures that the padlock does not simply fall out of the housing when the lug is withdrawn from the housing, but is conveniently held there in readiness for its next use. Preferably, the holding means has a holding force capability exceeding the weight of the padlock so that the padlock 20 is prevented from. falling out of the housing under the action of gravity irrespective of any mounting position of the housing on the second member.

In a preferred embodiment, the holding means is a magnet and the shackle is adapted to experience an attraction to the magnet when in proximity to the magnet.

As one alternative however, the holding means may be a clip with a resilient member adapted to engage the shackle.

It is particularly preferred that the first opening closely fits around the body of the padlock. This makes it difficult or impossible to insert between the S body and the housing a lever or jemmy of sufficient size to damage either.

30 The padlock protector may have guide means within the housing to maintain the shackle in such a position that the lug can pass between the shackle and the body when the lug enters the housing through the second opening.

It is preferred that the padlock protector is adapted for use with a padlock whose shackle is slidable in the body between the locked and unlocked positions, the padlock protector having guide means within the housing to enable sliding of the body between locked and unlocked positions and to prevent substantial rotation of the body within the housing. It is then very easy to unlock and re-lock the padlock. If a key-type padlock is used, locking and unlocking may mean simply inserting the key and turning, with no handling of body or shackle at all.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a storage container lockable by a padlock against unauthorised access and including a padlock protector .according to any one of the embodiments disclosed above, wherein the said o first and second members are parts of the container and wherein access to the container is preventable by securing together of the first and second members.

15 It is particularly preferred that when the first and second members of the container are secured together by the padlock, the lug is concealed from the exterior of the container by the padlock protector and at least one of the first and second members.

In a particular and important form of the said storage container, the said 20 first member includes a first door and the said second member includes a second door.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a locking mechanism for securing together first and second members, including: a padlock having a shackle and a body movable relative to the shackle between locked and unlocked positions; a lug included in or securable to the first member and adapted to pass freely between the shackle and the body when the body is in the unlocked position and to be retained therebetween when the body is in the locked position; a formation included in or securable to the second member and having an opening through which in use of the mechanism the lug passes; and a housing substantially surrounding the padlock in use of the mechanism; and wherein: the housing has a first opening through which the padlock is movable into the housing so that the shackle abuts a stop in the housing and through which opening the body is accessible by a user for moving the body between the locked and unlocked positions; the housing includes holding means adapted to hold the shackle against the stop while the body is moved between the locked and unlocked positions; the housing has a second opening through which the lug is able to pass into a position between the shackle and the body when the shackle is held by the holding means and the body is in the unlocked position; and when the padlock is in the locked position with the lug retained between the body and the shackle the second member is captive between the first 15 member and the housing.

Preferably, the body when in the locked position is partly received in a recess in the lug thereby to retain the lug between the body and the shackle.

The housing may be secured to the second member, or alternatively may act as a protector for the padlock which is separate from the members 20 locked together.

It is particularly preferred to provide a lockable structure, such as a shed for domestic use or for use on industrial, building and similar sites, incorporating a padlock protector according to the invention.

It is also particularly preferred to provide a lockable structure, such as a shed for domestic use or for use on industrial, building and similar sites, incorporating a padlock locking mechanism according to the invention.

Such structures, including sheds, may be fixed constructions or relocatable. The padlock protector and the locking mechanism of the invention may also be applied in buildings for example where doors are to be padlocked.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of non-limiting examples as shown in the attached figures of which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a padlock protector according to the invention, together with first and second members, a padlock and a lug; Figure 2 is a bottom elevation of the padlock protector and other components as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken at A-A in Figure 2, of the padlock protector and other components in the configuration shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the padlock protector and other components shown in Figure 3, in another configuration; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the padlock protector and other components shown in Figure 3 in yet another configuration; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken at B-B in Figure 5, of the padlock protector and other components in the configuration shown in Figure Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken at C-C in Figure 4, of the padlock protector and other components in the configuration shown in Figure 4; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view, taken at D-D in Figure 1, of the 15 padlock protector together with the second member, only, as shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention and including the padlock protector shown in Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of an arrangement for locking two doors together.

S 20 Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a garden shed according to the invention.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism according to S"the invention.

Figure 13 is a cross sectional view identical to Figure 4 save for the provision of an extra component.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a padlock protector 1 according to the invention. The padlock protector 1 includes a boxlike housing 2. For the purposes of illustration, the housing 2 is shown secured to a container door 3, although this is not intended as a limitation. On the same basis, there is shown a second door 4, from which protrudes a lug 5. The housing 2 substantially surrounds a padlock 6, which is movable by a user into 6 the housing through an opening 7 on one face 14 of the housing 2.

The padlock 6 includes a body 8 and a D-shaped shackle 9 which is slidable within the body 8 between first and second positions in which the lock is respectively in a locked and an unlocked condition. A central part 10 of the shackle 9 is closer to the body 8 in the locked condition than in the unlocked condition.

In Figure 3, the padlock 6 is shown in the housing 2 (being retained there by means set out below) and in its unlocked condition. The lug 5 is shown in a position outside the housing 2, as when the doors 3 and 4 are not locked to each other. When the doors 3 and 4 are brought together for locking, the relative positions of the lug 5 and the padlock 6 are as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the lug 5 passing through openings 16 and 17 in the door 3 and housing 2 respectively. The user may then push on a face 11 of the body 8 to bring the padlock into the locked condition as shown in Figures 4 and 7. In this condition, 15 the body 8 is received in a recess 12 of the lug 5, so that withdrawal of the lug from the padlock 6 and the housing 2 is not possible, and the doors 3 and 4 are accordingly locked together.

With the doors 3 and 4 thus locked together, the lug 5 is not accessible from that side 13 of the door 3 to which the housing 2 is secured. Moreover, it 20 will be noted that only the face 11 of the body 8 is accessible, and that face 11 is substantially flush with the face 14 of the housing 2. The opening 7 closely matches the shape of the body 8, so that entry of a jemmy or lever (not shown) of any significant size between the body 8 and the housing is difficult or impossible. The padlock is thus protected against attack by such instruments.

Although not the only possibility, as will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, the preferred method of securing the housing 2 to the door 3 is by providing a weld 15 around the whole of the periphery of the housing 2 where it abuts the door 3. This too is a safeguard against prising-type attacks on the padlock protector 1.

The face 11 of the body 8 gives access to a key mechanism 18 of the lock. Thus, when it is required to unlock the doors 3 and 4, a key (not shown) is able to be engaged with the key mechanism 18 and the padlock 6 brought into its unlocked condition, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The padlock 6 includes a spring mechanism (not shown) which drives the body 8 away from the part of the shackle 9 upon operation of the key mechanism 18 to unlock the padlock 6. The body 8 then moves out of the recess 12 of the lug 5, and it is then possible for the doors 3 and 4 to be moved apart, with the lug 5 being withdrawn from the housing through the openings 16 and 17, to return to the position shown in Figure 3.

Successful locking and unlocking in the manner described above requires that the shackle 9 be properly positioned relative to the openings 16 and 17 once the padlock 6 is placed in the housing 2. A magnet 19 is provided within the housing 2, firstly to position the shackle 9 correctly in the direction along which the padlock 6 enters the housing through the opening 7. Secondly, the magnet 19 holds the shackle 9 stationary in the housing 2 when the padlock 6 is unlocked, so that the spring mechanism of the padlock (previously 15 mentioned and not shown) causes the body 8 to move out of the recess 12 of the lug 5. Successful locking and unlocking does not actually require the magnet 19 to be included, for a passive stop could be provided instead, but inclusion of the magnet 19 has been found to make operation of the padlock 6 within the padlock protector 1 more positive and easier for a user. Further, 20 when the padlock is in the unlocked condition and the shackle 9 is held by the magnet 19, the body 8 protrudes from the housing 2 as shown in Figures 3, and 6, so that it can be gripped for complete removal from the housing 2 if S"required, but does not fall out of the housing 2 even if the housing 2 is so installed on the door 3 that the face 14 is lowermost.

It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a simple clip (not shown), having a resilient member (not shown) adapted to allow movement of the shackle 9 into and out of engagement with the clip, but to hold the shackle 9 stationary within the housing during normal use, could be used instead of the magnet 19.

Successful locking and unlocking in the manner described above also requires that the shackle 9 lie at least substantially in a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the lug 5 in the locked and unlocked conditions of the 8 padlock 6. Parts 20 and 21 of the housing 2 lie close to the body 8 so that the body 8 is correctly oriented, but as the shackle 9 of the padlock 6 may be rotatable within the body 8 (the usual arrangement in commercially available padlocks) formations 22, in that part of the housing adjacent to the in-use position of the shackle 9, define recesses 23 to ensure at least approximately correct orientation of the shackle 9.

Figure 9 shows a container 24 suitable for the storage of tools and equipment on a construction site, having the doors 3 and 4 fitted via concealed hinges (not visible) to a body 25 and including the padlock protector 1. When the door 3 is swung into contact with the door 4, the lug 5 passes into the housing 2 and becomes inaccessible. The face 14 is lowermost for protection *of the lock from weather and to make it difficult for a wrongdoer to attack the key mechanism 18. The function of the item numbered 100 is explained below.

Figure 10 shows in partial cross section an arrangement for use of a 15 padlock protector according to the invention in a container generally similar to that shown in Figure 9 which is an alternative to the arrangement of the padlock protector and lug shown in Figure 9. Doors 33 and 34, which are shown as seen edge-on, are to be locked together, and a padlock protector 31 the same as padlock protector 1 is secured to door 33 to protect a padlock 50. The doors 20 have robust edge braces 35 and 36, and a lug 39 (comparable with lug 5) is secured to the brace 36. It will be appreciated that this arrangement prevents one possible mode of attack that is applicable to the container of Figure 9: a hacksaw blade may be able to be slid between doors 3 and 4 to sever the lug In the arrangement of Figure 10, the brace 35 prevents this. Alternatively, an additional formation on the padlock protector 31 itself could be provided to serve the same purpose.

Figure 11 shows a possible application of a padlock protector according to the invention to a building or enclosure with a sliding door such as a shed.

To a vertical corner member 41 of a shed 42 is mounted a padlock protector 47 the same as padlock protector 1. The shed has a wall 43 and a sliding door 44, which slides in the direction shown by arrow 45. A lug 46, similar to lug 5, is fitted to the door 44, and when the door 44 is closed by being slid into the 9 position shown in chain-dotted lines, the lug 46 enters the padlock protector 47, to be secured there by a padlock 48.

It will be noted on inspection of the Figures 1 to 9 that it is not actually necessary for the housing 2 to be secured to the door 3, as in the locked condition the door 3 would still be captive on the lug 5 between the door 4 and the housing 3. The invention in this aspect may have a broader range of applications than in the aspect described above, and Figure 12 illustrates this.

Figure 12 is directly comparable with Figure 3 with the exception that the door 3 is shown as separate from the housing 2. The components 3 and 4 could in fact be or be connected to almost any two items to be locked together. The housing carries out its function of protecting the padlock 6 from tampering in the same oway as described above, but is not connected to either of the components 3 or 4. The holding means 19 of course keeps the housing 2 and padlock 6 together when they are not in use.

15 Figure 13 shows a further protective measure that may be added to a container such as that shown in Figure 9. Figure 13 is directly comparable with Figure 4, save that a block 100 is secured to the door 3 below the housing 2, and is so sized and located that while the padlock 6 can be inserted into and withdrawn from the housing 2 when necessary, a twist drill 101 cannot be used 20 to drill directly upwards into the body 8 of the padlock 6, for a big enough distance to cause the padlock 6 to open. (Drilling into the key slot in the bottom face of a padlock body is a known way to open a padlock without its key.) The block 100 is also shown in Figure 9.

It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that many other arrangements are possible for padlock protectors, locking mechanisms and containers and enclosures according to the invention, and for their use.

Claims (21)

1. A padlock protector for limiting unauthorised interference with a padlock securing together first and second members, the padlock having a shackle and a body movable relative to the shackle between locked and unlocked positions and the first member including a lug adapted to pass freely between the shackle and the body when the body is in the unlocked position and to be retained therebetween when the body is in the locked position, wherein: the padlock protector includes a housing substantially surrounding the padlock in use and secured to the second member; the housing has a first opening through which the padlock is movable into the housing so that the shackle abuts a stop within the housing and through which opening the body is accessible by a user for moving the body between the locked and unlocked positions; the housing has a second opening through which the lug may pass into a position between the shackle and the body when the shackle is in a position abutting the stop and the body is in the unlocked position; and there is a holding means within the housing adapted to hold the shackle against the stop while the body is moved between the locked and unlocked positions.

2. A padlock protector according to claim 1 wherein the body when in the locked position is partly received in a recess in the lug thereby to retain the lug between the body and the shackle.

3. A padlock protector according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the holding means is a magnet and the shackle is adapted to experience an attraction to the magnet when in proximity to the magnet.

4. A padlock protector according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the holding means o is a clip with a resilient member adapted to engage the shackle. *o 11 A padlock protector according to claims 3 or 4 wherein the holding means has a holding force capability exceeding the weight of the padlock so that the padlock is prevented from falling out of the housing under the action of gravity irrespective of any mounting position of the housing on the second member.

6. A padlock protector according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the first opening closely fits around the body of the padlock.

7. A padlock protector according to any one of claims 1 to 6 having guide means within the housing to maintain the shackle in such a position that the lug can pass between the shackle and the body when the lug enters the housing through the second opening.

8. A padlock protector according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for use with a padlock whose shackle is slidable in the body between the locked and unlocked positions, the padlock protector having guide means within the housing to enable sliding of the body between locked and unlocked positions and to prevent substantial rotation of the body within the housing.

9. A storage container lockable by a padlock against unauthorised access and including a padlock protector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the said first and second members are parts of the container and wherein access to the container is preventable by securing together of the first and second members. A storage container according to claim 9 wherein when the first and second members are secured together by the padlock, the lug is concealed from the exterior of the container by the padlock protector and at least one of the first and second members. Q 12

11. A storage container according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the said first member includes a first door and the said second member includes a second door.

12. A storage container according to claim 11 wherein the doors partially overlap when secured together by the padlock.

13. A storage container according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein one of said first and second members includes a formation which, when the first and second members are secured together by the padlock, allows sufficient access to the padlock body for locking and unlocking and at least partially limits access *to the padlock body by a drill.

14. A storage container according to claim 13 wherein, when the first and second members are secured together by the padlock, the formation is located adjacent to the first opening in the housing. A locking mechanism for securing together first and second members, including: a padlock having a shackle and a body movable relative to the shackle between locked and unlocked positions; a lug included in or securable to the first member and adapted to pass o freely between the shackle and the body when the body is in the unlocked position and to be retained therebetween when the body is in the locked position; a formation included in or securable to the second member and having an opening through which in use of the mechanism the lug passes; and a housing substantially surrounding the padlock in use of the mechanism; and wherein: the housing has a first opening through which the padlock is movable into the housing so that the shackle abuts a stop in the housing and through S ,I 13 which opening the body is accessible by a user for moving the body between the locked and unlocked positions; the housing includes holding means adapted to hold the shackle against the stop while the body is moved between the locked and unlocked positions; the housing has a second opening through which the lug is able to pass into a position between the shackle and the body when the shackle is held by the holding means and the body is in the unlocked position; and when the padlock is in the locked position with the lug retained between the body and the shackle the second member is captive between the first member and the housing.

16. A locking mechanism according to claim 15 wherein the body when in the locked position is partly received in a recess in the lug thereby to retain the lug between the body and the shackle.

17. A locking mechanism according to claim 15 or 16 wherein the housing is secured to the second member.

18. A locking mechanism according to any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein the holding means is capable of holding the shackle against the stop with a force exceeding the weight of the padlock.

19. A lockable structure including a locking mechanism according to any one of claims 15 to 18 and wherein one of the first and second members is a door and the other of the first and second members is a fixed part of the structure. A lockable structure according to claim 19 wherein the door is a sliding door.

22. A lockable structure according to claim 19 or 20 wherein the first member is the door. 14 21. A lockable structure including a padlock protector according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein one of the first and second members is a door and the other of the first and second members is a fixed part of the structure. 22. A lockable structure according to claim 21 wherein the door is a sliding door.

23. A lockable structure according to claim 21 or 22 wherein the first member is the door.

24. A lockable structure according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein one of said first and second members includes a formation which, when the first and second members are secured together by the padlock, allows sufficient *access to the padlock body for locking and unlocking and at least partially limits access to the padlock body by a drill. A lockable structure according to claim 24 wherein, when the first and second members are secured together by the padlock, the formation is located adjacent to the first opening in the housing.

26. A padlock protector substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

27. A storage container substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 9. DATED this 20h day of April H CT GERSTNER-STEVENS PTY LTD WATERMARK PATENT AND TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS 290 BURWOOD ROAD HAWTHORN VICTORIA 3122 AUSTRALIA 0S 0e S S 00S5 S. S S@ S S S. S. S SO S. @555 S 0050 S'S. 0 IAS:DHS:VRH P17412AU00.DOC 0.OS 55 SO 5