CA2037036C - Lock protector - Google Patents

Abstract

A lock protector for protecting a lock from precipitation or other foreign matter includes a hollow body defined by a frusto-conical side wall and a circular outer wall contiguous with the side wall. The free edge of the side wall is affixed to a vehicle door or trunk lid using an annular piece of double-faced adhesive so that the body of the protector covers the lock. Access to the lock is via a vertical slit in a thin flexible central area of the outer wall. When a key is inserted through the slit into the lock, the slit opens permitting easy access to the lock. When the key is removed, the slit closes so that the body again fully protects the lock from the outside. A ventilation hole aligned with the slit in the bottom of the side wall ventilates the interior of the body to prevent the accumulation of moisture in the lock protector.

Description

~ This invention relates to a lock protector, and in particular to a lock protector for use on an automotive vehicle.
The problem of lock freezing or fouling is well known to residents of northern climes. During Canadian and northern U.S. winters, when the temperature drops below freezing, it is not uncommon for car door and trunk locks to freeze shut. The problem is such that one is ill advised to wash a vehicle during winter. Some vehicles require frequent cleaning, and consequently locks are often frozen Even without washing, locks become frozen or fouled because of freezing rain and splashing during regular use.
The object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the problem described above in the form of a relatively simple lock protector, which can quickly and easily be attached to a vehicle.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a lock protector comprising hollow body means, said body means including resilient outer wall means; side wall means contiguous with said outer wall means for mounting the protector on a surface over a lock to cover the lock; and slit means in said outer wall means, permitting insertion of a key through said outer wall means into the lock, removal of the key permitting the slit means to close.
The invention is described hereinafter in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

"''' ~A' '''' Figure 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a lock protector in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a front view of the lock protector of Fig. 1;
Figure 3 is a side view of the lock protector of Figs. 1 and 2; and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lock protector of Figs. 1 to 3 in the use position.
With reference to the drawing, the lock protector of the present invention includes a hollow, frusto-conical body 1, defined by a circular outer wall 2 and a side wall 3 sloping outwardly from the periphery of the outer wall 2. The body 1 is formed of rubber or another flexible, resilient material. The central area 4 of the outer wall 2 is thinner than the remainder of the outer wall. A vertical slit 5 is provided in the central area 4 for receiving a key 6 (Fig. 4).
Because the central area 4 is relatively thin, such area can easily be flexed or deformed to facilitate insertion of the key 6 through the slit 5. A ventilation hole 7 is provided in the side wall 3 of the body 1. The hole 7 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the slit 5.
As shown in Fig. 4, in use, the body 1 is mounted on an automobile trunk lid (not shown) or on a door 8 to cover a lock 9. The body 1 is positioned in such a manner that the slit 5 and the ventilation hole 7 are vertically aligned with the hole at the bottom of the protector when the latter is mounted on a vertical or inclined surface. The body 1 is secured to the trunk lid or the door 8 using an annular piece ~" "

10 of double-faced tape. With the hole 7 vertically aligned with and beneath the slit 5, moisture cannot enter the protector. When a key 6 is inserted into the lock 9, the key can easily be turned, because the central area 4 of the outer wall 2 is relatively thin. When the key is removed, the slit again closes. Thus, while the lock 10 is readily accessible to a key 6, the lock is fully protected from precipitation and dirt which might foul the lock.
Thus, there has been described a relatively simple lock protector, which is structurally simple and easy to install.

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Claims (7)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS
FOLLOWS:

1. A lock protector comprising hollow body means, said body means including resilient outer wall means; side wall means contiguous with said outer wall means for mounting the protector on a surface over a lock to cover the lock; and slit means in said outer wall means, permitting insertion of a key through said outer wall means into the lock; removal of the key permitting the slit means to close.

2. The lock protector of claim 1, including ventilation hole means in said side wall means for ventilating the interior of said body means.

3. The lock protector of claim 1, wherein said outer wall means includes a thin central area containing said slit means for facilitating flexing of said outer wall means when a key is inserted or removed from the lock.

4. The lock protector of claim 1, 2 or 3, including double-faced adhesive means for securing said body means to a surface covering a lock.

5. The lock protector of claim 1, wherein said outer wall means is circular, and said side wall means is frusto-conical.

6. The lock protector of claim 5, including annular double-faced adhesive means for securing an outer free edge of said side wall means to a surface around a lock.

7. The lock protector of claim 2 or 3, wherein said ventilation hole means is aligned with the longitudinal axis of said slit means, whereby the hole can be located at the said slit means, whereby the hole can be located at the bottom of the body means when the protector is mounted on a vertical or inclined surface.