FR2759013A1 - TOOL ASSEMBLY AND LOCKING SCREW, AS WELL AS A LOCKING METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a tool assembly (10), a locking screw (32) and a method for locking a lock. The tool assembly (10) includes a shank (12), a body (14), and a removable plug (16) connected to one end (30) of the body (14). The rod (12) is used to secure a set screw (32) in a lock, in order to tighten the set screw (32) and remove the portion protruding from the lock, after the set screw (32 ) has been fixed in the lock. The body (14) of the tool assembly (10) includes a compartment (28) into which the broken portions of the set screws (32) fall. The plug (16) can be removed from the body (14) to empty the broken parts of the set screw (32), after repeated use of the tool assembly

Description

TOOL ASSEMBLY AND LOCKING SCREW, AS WELL AS A METHOD

LOCK

  The present invention relates generally to a tool, a locking screw and a method for locking a lock. More particularly, the present invention relates to a specialized tool and a specialized locking screw, the locking screw being used to lock a cable lock, and the tool being used to disengage the screw after it has

  been inserted into an opening in the lock body.

  It is known to make a lock body in which a locking screw is used to hold the cable after it has been inserted into the lock body. A known locking screw has the shape of a J, and thus forms a handle making it possible to fix the screw in the lock body, and thus to block the cable inside the latter. After the screw has been fixed, the locking screw is broken about at a joint, near the entry point of the screw. The part of the locking screw that was broken from the part inserted in the

  lock body is simply discarded or discarded.

  These types of lock bodies and locking screws are often used in marshalling yards, where the removed parts of the locking screws are

  simply thrown on the ground of the marshalling yard.

  Consequently, there is a need for an improved tool for locking screw, which makes it possible to insert and remove part of the locking screw,

  and a method for blocking a lock.

  The present invention generally relates to a tool assembly, a locking screw, and a method of locking a latch using the tool assembly and the locking screw. The tool assembly fixes the locking screw in the body of a lock, then removes the part of the locking screw that protrudes from the lock body and collects it in a compartment.

the tool set.

  To this end, a first embodiment of the present invention provides a tool assembly having a handle, the interior of which forms a compartment. A rod is provided which has a longitudinal axis the interior of which is hollow, along the longitudinal axis and between a first and a second end, the second end being capable of being inserted into the handle so that the hollow interior of the rod is in communication with the compartment arranged in the handle. A removable plug gives access to the compartment in the handle. In one embodiment, an interior wall of hexagonal shape is provided along the hollow interior.

of the stem.

  In one embodiment, the removable plug is

  connected to the handle by thread.

  In one embodiment, a straight knurling is carried out on the external wall of the rod, at a point

  intermediate between the first and the second end.

  In one embodiment, the first end

of the stem is chamfered.

  In one embodiment, the second end

is conical.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a locking screw. The locking screw includes a body defined between a first and a second end. An outer wall, at the first end, has a hexagonal shape over a defined distance, extending from the first end. After the defined distance, the outer wall tapers according to a first degree of conicity, over part of the length of the body. The outer wall tapers in a second degree of taper, towards the

  second end of the body, so as to become a point.

  A threaded connection is provided between the two walls

tapered.

  In one embodiment, the defined distance, over which the hexagonal shape extends, is approximately

  equal to a quarter of the length of the body.

  In one embodiment, the body extends along a longitudinal axis, between the first and the

second end.

  In one embodiment, the second degree of

  taper is greater than the first degree of taper.

  In one embodiment, a section of reduced diameter in cross section is provided between the threaded connection and the tapered outer wall having the first

degree of taper.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for blocking a lock. The method comprises the steps of: inserting the first end of a locking screw into an opening in a lock body, so that the second end of the locking screw extends outside the opening of the body; obtain a tool having a hollow longitudinal rod, with an opening at one of the ends of the rod, the opening being dimensioned so as to receive the second end of the locking screw; connect the tool to the locking screw; handle the tool so as to split the locking screw at the point of entry into the body opening; and recover, in the hollow longitudinal rod of the tool, the part which is separated

of the locking screw.

  In one embodiment, the tool is used to insert and fix the locking screw in the opening in the body. In one embodiment, a plug is provided, which closes the body of the tool supporting the rod.

  longitudinal. The cap can be removed from the body.

  In one embodiment, the tool body is emptied, thereby removing the separate part of the locking screw. In one embodiment, the tool body has an interior compartment, the hollow longitudinal rod being in communication with the interior compartment. A removable plug may be provided at the end of the body, opposite the end in which

  the hollow longitudinal rod is inserted.

  Therefore, an advantage of the present invention is that it provides a tool assembly, a locking screw, and a method for locking a

  lock, which are simple to use.

  Another advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that it provides a tool assembly, a locking screw and a method making it possible to block a lock,

  which simplify the breaking of the locking screw.

  Yet another advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that it provides a tool assembly, a locking screw and a method for locking a latch, which make it possible to recover the broken part of

  the locking screw in the tool assembly.

  Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a tool assembly, a locking screw, and a method of locking a lock, which require much less material to

  the locking screw, thereby reducing waste.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention are described below and will emerge

  obviously from the detailed description of the modes

  currently preferred embodiments as well as drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view, in partial section, of an embodiment of a tool assembly of the

present invention.

  Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tool assembly of the present invention. Figure 3 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the tool assembly of the present invention. Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a locking screw of the present invention. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a manner in which the tool assembly and the locking screw are

used with a cable lock.

  Referring now to the drawings, in which similar numbers refer to the same parts, Figure 1 illustrates a tool assembly 10. The tool assembly 10 has, basically, three elements: a rod 12, a body 14 and a plug 16. The rod 12 is preferably made of cold rolled and galvanized steel. Obviously, other materials can be used. The rod 12 has a hollow internal channel 18 formed between a first end 20 and a second end 22. The first end 20 is preferably chamfered; and the second end 22 is preferably conical. A straight knurling 24 (see FIG. 3) is produced at a point situated practically halfway between the first end 20 and the second end 22, the knurling 24 allowing the rod 12 to be housed

  fixedly in one end 26 of the body 14.

  The body 14 provides an ergonomic handle for holding and manipulating the tool assembly 10 when the rod 12 is inserted into the end 26 of the body 14. The body 14 further comprises an interior compartment 28 whose function will be described below, with reference to FIG. 5. The plug 16 is removably attached to one end 30, opposite the end 26 of the body 14. Preferably, the plug 16 has a thread, allowing it to be screwed in the end 30 of the body 14. Obviously, other connection means can be used by

the skilled person.

  FIG. 2 illustrates the assembled tool assembly 10, with the rod 12 inserted in the body 14 of the tool assembly 10 and with the plug 16 screwed to the end 30 of the body 14. In FIG. 3, the plug 16 is removed from the body 14, and the rod 12 is also removed from the body 14. Referring now to Figure 4, a locking screw 32 of the present invention is illustrated. The locking screw 32 includes a hexagonal end 34, at one end of an outer part of the locking screw 32. The locking screw 32 tapers along the outer wall, according to a first degree of taper in a central section 36 of the locking screw 32, and according to a second degree of taper at the end 38 opposite the hexagonal end 34, to end at a point 40. A threaded section 42 is located between the central section 36 and the opposite end 38. At a point located between the central section 36 and the external threaded section 42 is a section 44 of

  reduced diameter, or breaking point.

  The locking screw 32 can be inserted into one end 46 of a cable lock body 48, as can be seen in FIG. 5. The end 46 has a threaded connection for coupling to the external threaded section 42 of the locking screw 32, when the screw 32 is tightened in the lock body 48. The tightening of the screw 32 is carried out after, for example, a cable 50, extending from one end 54 of the lock body 48 , has been threaded into a latch 52. To complete the necessary steps before inserting the locking screw 32 into the end 46 of the lock body 48, the opposite end 56 of the cable is passed through an opening formed in the lock body 48. After the locking screw 32 has been inserted into the body 48 of the cable lock, the part of the screw 32 which extends outside of the lock body 48 can be detached from the rest of the locking screw

  32 located inside the lock body 48.

  With particular reference to FIG. 5, the lock body 48 is presented with the locking screw 32 fixed inside. At this stage, the part of the locking screw 32 which extends outside the lock body 48 can be broken using the tool assembly 10 of the present invention. After the part of the locking screw 32 which extends outside the lock body 48 has been broken, the broken part falls inside the hollow internal channel 18 of the rod 12, to penetrate into the internal compartment 28 of the body 14 of the tool assembly 10. Preferably, the locking screw 32 is broken by twisting it with a sharp twist 32 using the tool assembly 10, and thereby causing the rupture of the screw at the reduced diameter section 44. Consequently, these broken parts of the locking screw 32 can be recovered in the body 14 of the tool assembly 10. When desired, or when the interior compartment 28 of the body 14 is full, the plug 16 can be removed, which makes it possible to empty the contents of the interior compartment 28 of the body 14 of the assembly

tool 10.

  As seen in the figure, such a cable lock is particularly useful for securely closing wagon doors. Obviously, we know of

  many other uses for a lock of this type.

  In addition, the tool assembly 10 and the locking screw 32 can also be used in many other types of environments, and the use illustrated

  should not be considered as limiting.

  It will be understood that many variations and modifications of the currently preferred embodiments described in the present invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art. These variations and modifications can be made, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention, and without reducing the advantages which accompany it. Therefore, these variations and modifications are intended

  be covered by the appended claims.

Claims (17)

  1. Tool assembly (10) comprising: a handle (14) the interior of which forms a compartment (28);   a rod (12) having a longitudinal axis the interior (18) of which is hollow, along the longitudinal axis and between a first (20) and a second end (22), the second end (22) being insertable in the handle so that the hollow interior (18) of the rod (12) is in communication with the compartment (28) provided in the handle; and a removable plug (16) giving access to the compartment   (28) arranged in the handle (14).   2. Tool assembly (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an inner wall of hexagonal shape, along the hollow interior (18) of the rod (12). 3. Tool assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the removable plug (16) is   connected to the handle (14) by thread.   4. Tool assembly (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a straight knurling (24) on the outer wall of the rod (12), at an intermediate point   between the first (20) and the second end (22).   5. Tool assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first end (20) of the rod (12) is chamfered.   6. Tool assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second end (22) of the rod (12) is conical.   7. Locking screw (32) comprising: a body defined between a first and a second end, with an external wall (34), the latter having a hexagonal shape at the level of the first end, over a defined distance extending to from the first end, and after the defined distance, the outer wall tapers in a first degree of taper, over part of the length of the body, and the outer wall (34) tapers in a second degree of taper towards the second end of the body, so as to become a point (40) at the second end, and in addition, a threaded connection (42) is provided between the two tapered walls.   8. Locking screw (32) according to claim 7, characterized in that the defined distance over which the hexagonal shape extends is approximately equal to a quarter of body length.   9. Locking screw according to claim 7, characterized in that the body extends along a longitudinal axis,   between the first and the second end.   10. Locking screw according to claim 7, characterized in that the second degree of taper is greater than the first degree of taper.   11. Locking screw according to claim 7, further comprising a reduced diameter section (44) in cross section, between the threaded connection (42) and the tapered outer wall (36) having the first degree of taper. 12. Method for locking a lock, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a first end of a locking screw (32) into an opening in the body (48) of a lock, so that the second end of the locking screw (32) extends outside the opening of the body (48); providing a tool (10) having a hollow longitudinal shank (12), with an opening on one end of the shank (12), which opening is dimensioned to receive the second end of the locking screw (32); connect the tool (10) to the locking screw (32); manipulating the tool (10) to split the locking screw (32) at a point of entry into the opening of the body (48); and recover the broken part of the locking screw (32) in the hollow longitudinal rod (12) of the tool (10). 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of: using the tool (10) to insert and secure the set screw.   blocking (32) in the opening of the body (48).   14. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of: providing a plug (16) which closes the body of the tool (10) supporting the longitudinal axis.   15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of: removing the plug (16) from the body (14); and empty the body (14) of the tool (10), to remove from this   is the broken part of the locking screw (32).   The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of: providing a tool body (14) (10) having an interior compartment (28) in which the hollow longitudinal rod (12) is in communication with the interior compartment (28).   17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of: disposing a plug (16) removable at the end (30) of the body (14) which is opposite the end (26) in   which the hollow longitudinal rod (12) is inserted.