GB2194582A - Lock protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

A lock protection device for automobiles to inhibit frosting-up in winter conditions comprises a moulded structure of a plastics material having an openable cover 14. A base member 12 has a self adhesive surface whereby, after removing a protective strip, the device can be mounted in position on an automobile door on a do-it- yourself basis. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Lock protection device This invention relates to lock protection devices. An example of an application of the invention is a device for use in relation to a conventional car or automobile to reduce the winter problem of water entering the door lock mechanism and preventing operation of same by the key of the user.

Many prior proposals have been made in relation to the problem of car door lock icing as identified above. These proposals include various types of heating devices for the lock itself and a key. Apparently it has also been proposed to provide a device which is inserted into the keyhole of the lock and which remains in position so as, theoretically, to prevent the entry of water and the subsequent freezing thereof. No doubt there is some danger of such a device itself becoming frozen into the lock mechanism and thus not removable. In any case, the device represents something which must be carried about by the user and not lost, and thus the mode of usage of this device is not very convenient.

We have thus identified a need for improvements in relation to devices for meeting the problem of the icing-up of lock mechanisms and keyholes, having regard to matters discussed above, or generally.

According to the invention there is provided a lock protection device as defined in the accompanying claims.

The invention also provides a protection device comprising any novel feature, or novel combination of features disclosed herein.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a lock protection device with the cover thereof in its partially open position; Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the device of Fig. 1 with the cover in its closed position; Fig. 3 shows a section through the device of Figs. 1 and 2, the section being taken on the line Ill-Ill in Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 shows an elevation view of the device, the direction of viewing being indicated by arrow IV in Fig. 2.

As shown in the drawings, a lock protection device 10 comprises a base member 12 and an openable cover 14 connected to the base by hinge means 16.

The entire assembly 10 is formed as a plastic moulding. preferably, it is formed as a one piece plastic moulding, for simplicity of production. Many plastic materials may be suitable for the purpose, such as polypropyleneor poly-vinyl chloride.

Base member 12 is formed so as to be mountable in surrounding relation to a keyhole of a lock, not shown. The base member and the top cover form an openable housing into which a key can be inserted for operation of the lock. The housing effectively surrounds and encloses the external opening of the lock mechanism or its keyhole, whereby, in the closed position of the cover, the entry of rain, snow or the like is effectively prevented, or inhibited.

Base member 12 has a flat base surface 18 to co-operate with the vertical side face of an automobile door.

The base member is profiled so as to have a slightly outwardly tapering form to co-operate with the top cover 14. The exact size and form can of course be chosen to complement that of any particular lock arrangement. However, for automobile use, it is preferred to provide the device in a size and form which will enable it to be used in relation to the maximum number of different makes and models of automobile.

Top cover 14 has a flat sealing surface 20 to co-operate with the corresponding surface 22 of base member 12. On the opposite side from hinge assembly 16, the cover 14 is provided with a securing device in the form of a clip 24 formed with a spring iip to co-operate with a shoulder formed on the inner side of base member 12 so that, in use, the top cover can be snapped into its closed position as shown in Fig. 3 and thereby firmly retained in that position.

Hinge assembly 16 is moulded integrally with the top cover and base member and is constructed so as to provide spring means to bias the top cover towards its closed position when moved in that direction from a central position, approximately as shown in Fig. 1.

Likewise, the hinge assembly biases the cover to its fully open position when moved in the opposite direction.

Base member 12 is provided with means to mount it in surrounding relation to a keyhole of a lock. Such means comprises an adhesive applied to surface 18 of the base member.

The adhesive is of the kind which permits immediate self-adhesion after removal of a protective slip or cover (not shown) applied to the adhesive layer to protect same prior to use. Many suitable self-adhesive compositions for this purpose are available. For automobile use, the adhesive shouid be chosen to cooperate well with the surface finish of automobiles so as not to damage same and nevertheless to permit the base member to be readily peeled away when it is desired to remove it.

The entire device 10 can be finished in a colour to complement or be unobtrusive with respect to the paint finish of an automobile.

In use, the device 10 is applied to the driver's door and any other lockable doors of an automobile.

The protective strip is removed from the adhesive layer on surface 18 and the device is simply pressed into position in surrounding relation to the keyhole. The device is then ready for use. In order to operate the door lock, all that is needed is to open the cover 14. Then the cover can be snapped shut and remains so at all times until next opened by the user, thereby preventing the entry of snow and rain and thereby preventing or inhibiting the formation of ice in the lock and the attendant problems thereon.

Obviously, many modifications could be made in the device 10 with regard to details of its construction, including modifications of its shape to fit particular car contours, particularly with regard to the base member. Moreover, the bottom adhesive surface need not necessarily be flat since for some situations the device will need to fit onto a profiled surface of a car.

With respect to the adhesive employed for securing the base member to its support surface, the following characteristics are desirable for automobile use, namely adherence to the paint surface, ability to remain adhered for at least a period of four months, resistance to temperature and weather variations, and ability thereafter and at all times to be peeled off. Of course, for some particular applications not all of these characteristics need be present.

For certain applications it may be desirable to mount permanently the device on its support surface, and this may be achieved without the use of adhesive.

Even for such an application the embodiment offers considerable improvements over previously proposed lock protection devices, perhaps the most notable of which is the very inexpensive construction of the device, together with the actual housing which it provides around the exterior surface of the keyhole protected.

In the embodiment described above, a lip 24 on cover 14 overlies a recess 26 formed in base member 12 to facilitate levering open with the finger tips. Alternative formations for this purpose could of course be devised.

Claims (13)

1. A lock protection device comprising a base member, means to mount the base member in surrounding relation to a keyhole of a lock, an openable cover mounted on the base member, the base member and the cover forming an openable housing into which a key can be inserted for operation of the lock.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the base member forms a raised curved structure extending around the keyhole.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said means to mount- the base member comprises an adhesive.

4. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said means to mount the base member comprises mechanical means.

5. A device according to claim 3 wherein said means to mount the base member further comprises a peel-off protective strip covering a self-adhesive surface on the base member.

6. A device according to claim 3 or claim 5 wherein said adhesive permits the device to be peeled-off or otherwise readily removed from a support surface.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said openable cover closes a top opening in the base member.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein said openable cover is hinged to the base member.

9. A device according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein catch means is provided to act between the cover and the base member.

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein spring means is provided to bias the cover member to its open and/or its closed position.

11. A device according to any one of the preceding claims moulded from a plastics material.

12. A device according to claim 11 wherein the device is formed as a single plastics moulding.

13. A lock protection device substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.