GB2298675A - Security locking device - Google Patents

Description

CLAMP The present invention relates to a clamp and is concerned particularly, although not exclusively, with a clamp for securing a vehicle.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided clamp means arranged, in use, to releasably clamp to an article, the clamp means comprising a housing and a locking member movable between a first position in which it is arranged to retain a portion of an article, and a second position in which it is not arranged, in use, to retain the portion of the article, wherein the locking member is located within the housing such that, in use, when the locking member is in the first position the portion of the article is substantially enclosed within the housing.

Preferably, the portion of the article which the locking member is arranged to retain, comprises a loop or eye, or a portion containing an aperture.

Preferably, the locking member is resiliently biased to the first position, such that it may be displaced from the first position upon initial engagement with a portion of an article but thereafter returns to the first position to retain the said portion.

The locking member may be arranged, in use, to move pivotally between the first and second positions. Preferably, the locking members lockable in the first position by inhibiting a pivoting movement of the locking member.

The locking member may comprise a latch type device.

At least a portion of the housing may be extendable such that, in use, the housing is arranged substantially to enclose a portion of an article with which the locking member is engaged.

The locking member may be arranged, in use, to be moved from the first position to the second position by operation of a key.

The clamp means may be arranged, in use, to releasably clamp to two articles, which articles may each comprise a loop portion or an eye portion or a portion containing an aperture. Preferably, the clamp means is arranged, in use, to clamp to two articles, such that the two articles are located at substantially opposed ends of the clamp means.

The clamp means may be provided with two locking members, each of which is arranged, in use, to retain a portion of an article.

Preferably, the housing is arranged, in use, substantially to enclose two portions of two articles, when the locking members are located in their first positions.

Preferably, the clamp means is arranged, in use, to releasably clamp to a portion of a vehicle. The clamp means may be arranged, in use, to clamp to a towing eye of a vehicle.

Preferably, the clamp means is arranged, in use, to clamp to a portion of a vehicle, and to be connected to a fixed member.

The clamp means may be arranged, in use, to clamp to a portion of a vehicle at a first region of the clamp means, and may be arranged, in use, to be connected to a fixed member at a second region of the clamp means.

Preferably, the clamp means is arranged, in use, to be connected to a fixed member such as a post, wall or floor. The clamp means may be arranged, in use, to be connected to a fixed member by means of a connecting member, which connecting member may comprise a chain.

The clamp means may be arranged, in use, to be permanently connected to a fixed member or to a connecting member, alternatively the clamp means may be arranged, in use, to be releasably connected to the fixed member or to the connecting member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided vehicle security apparatus comprising clamp means arranged, in use, to releasably clamp to a portion of a vehicle, the clamp means comprising a housing and a locking member movable between a first position in which it is arranged to retain a portion of a vehicle, and a second position in which it is not arranged, in use, to retain the portion of the vehicle, wherein the locking member is located within the housing such that, in use, when the locking member is in the first position the portion of the vehicle is substantially enclosed within the housing.

The portion of the vehicle to which the clamp means is arranged to be attached may comprise a towing eye.

The clamp means may be according to any statement herein.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of securing a vehicle, the method comprising releasably attaching clamp means to a portion of the vehicle, and attaching the clamp means to a fixed member.

The method may include releasably attaching clamp means to a towing eye of a vehicle.

The method may comprise attaching the clamp means to a fixed member either permanently or releasably. The method may comprise attaching the clamp means to the fixed member by a connecting member, which connecting member may comprise a chain.

The method may comprise securing a vehicle by releasably clamping to a portion of the vehicle clamp means according to any statement herein.

The invention includes a locking apparatus comprising a first housing component and a second loop or eye component insertable into the housing component to be shrouded thereby, the locking apparatus including a locking member movable between a first position in which it is arranged to retain the second component within the housing and a second position in which the second component can be withdrawn from the housing.

The locking apparatus may be such that insertion of the second component into the housing causes the locking member to move into the first position.

The locking member may be returnable to the second position by a key operated device.

The invention may also include any combination of the features or limitations referred to herein.

The invention may be carried into practice in various ways, but some embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in schematic sectional view a clamp according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure la shows the clamp of Figure 1 in engagement with a portion of an article to be retained; Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of clamp; Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of clamp; Figure 4 shows a still further embodiment of clamp; Figure 5 shows schematically a clamp of Figures 1 to 4 in use; Figure 6 shows schematically an alternative embodiment of clamp in use; Figure 7 shows schematically a further alternative embodiment of clamp in use; Figure 8 shows schematically a still further embodiment of clamp in use; ; Figure 9 shows schematically a yet further embodiment of clamp in use; Figure 10 is a cross sectional view through a further embodiment of clamp with the locking member in the second position; Figure 11 is a view of the clamp of Figure 10, but with the locking member in the first position; Figure 12A is a cross section through yet another embodiment according to the invention; Figure 12B is a plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 12A; Figures 13A and 13B are side and plan views of a female component of another embodiment according to the invention; Figures 14A and 14B are side and plan views of the male element of this embodiment; Figure 15A is a perspective view of an embodiment of locking apparatus according to the invention, in the released position;; Figure 15B is a view corresponding to Figure lSA but showing the embodiment in the locked position; Figure 16 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of locking apparatus according to the invention; Figure 17 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of locking apparatus according to the invention; Figures 18, 19 and 20 illustrate various ways in which the embodiment of Figure 17 may be used; Figure 21 is a cross sectional view illustrating the inner components of the embodiments shown in Figures 15A to Figure 20; Figure 22 is a perspective view of a modified form of the embodiment of locking apparatus shown in Figure 16; Figure 23 is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of locking apparatus suitable for locking a door; Figure 24 shows the embodiment of Figure 23, in use, with the door open; and Figure 25 shows the embodiment of Figure 23, in use, with the door closed and locked.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown generally at 10 a clamp comprising a box-shaped housing 11, having an opening at one end 11 a and a pivoting arm 12 arranged, in use, to pivot about a pivot pin 13.

The pivoting arm 12 is pivotally movable between a first position (shown) in which, in use, a jaw portion 12a thereof engages a portion of an article (not shown), and a second position (not shown) in which the portion 12a does not engage a portion of an article. A torsion spring 15 is arranged, in use, to resiliently bias the pivoting arm 12 in the first position (shown).

A barrel lock 16, which has a central plunger 16a, is movable between a first, locked position (shown) in which the lock, which is key operated, retains the pivoting arm 12 in the position shown, and a second, unlocked position (not shown) in which the pivoting arm 12 is free to pivot in such a way that the jaw portion 12a may be raised. The pivoting arm 12 may be pivoted in this way when the lock 16 is in the unlocked position by manually depressing the central plunger 16a. Alternative locking mechanisms (not shown) may be employed to permit location of the locking device 16 elsewhere on the housing 11.

Figure 1 a shows the clamp of Figure in engagement with a loop portion 14 of an article (not shown). In use, the loop portion 14 is introduced into the open end 1 la of the housing 11. As the loop portion 14 contacts the jaw portion 12a of the arm 12 it displaces the jaw portion 12a upwards temporarily. Once the end of the loop 14 has passed beyond the jaw portion 12a, the jaw portion 12a snaps back into the position shown due to the action of the spring 15. The loop portion 14 is then retained by the arm 12 inside the housing 11. To release the loop portion 14 it is necessary to press down on the other end 12b of the arm 12 which causes the jaw portion 12a to raise, thus freeing the loop 14. The arm 12 may be depressed using the plunger 16a of the lock located on the exterior of the housing 11.However, if the lock mechanism 16 occupies its locked position in which it engages the portion 12b of pivoting arm 12, the arm 12 cannot move from the first position (shown) to the second position, and thus the loop portion remains in engagement with the portion 12a. The lock mechanism can be moved from its first, locked position (shown) to its second, unlocked position (not shown) by means of a key operation.

The location of the hook portion 12a recessed within the housing 11, enables the loop portion 14 to be substantially enclosed within the housing 11, and thus be less vulnerable to attack. Preferably, the housing 11 completely encloses the loop portion 14 and abuts the article (not shown) to which the loop portion 14 is attached.

Turning to Figure 2, this shows an alternative embodiment of clamp in which a pivoting arm 12 is caused to move pivotally from a position in which it does not engage a loop portion 14 (position shown) to a position in which it engages the loop portion 14 (position not shown) by the action of the loop portion 14 striking upon a region 12b of the arm 12 causing the arm 12 to pivot. A spring 18 then causes a second pivoting arm 19 to locate under the arm 12 at point 12c, thus locking the arm 12 in engagement with the loop 14.

A key-lock (not shown) is provided to release the arm 12 from its engagement with arm 19.

Figure 3 shows another embodiment of clamp in which a key-operated spring lock 20 is depressed downwards to engage the loop 14. The lock 20 then latches in the position shown. When the spring lock 20 is released, by means of a key (not shown), the loop 14 may be removed from the housing 11.

To allow for loops of different lengths, the end 1 la of the housing 11 may optionally be extendable, for example telescopically.

This may be seen in Figure 4 which shows in plan view a clamp, such as is described above in relation to Figures 1 to 3. The housing 11 has a telescopically extending end 11 a which comprises an open ended box slidably mounted inside the housing 11 on springs 22. The housing 11 may therefore extend to enclose a loop 14 of different lengths. In addition, the open end 1 la of the housing may be provided with dust covers 23, which are resiliently biased in the position shown in solid lines and which may be displaced to the position shown in broken lines by the insertion of the loop portion 14. The dust covers 23 help to keep the locking mechanism within the housing 11 free from contamination by dust.

In use, the clamp is secured to a loop portion of an article, for example to prevent removal of the article. The device is particularly useful for attaching to a towing eye of a vehicle, the towing eye being typically located beneath a bumper of the vehicle. Since the housing of the clamp encloses substantially the entire towing eye, the towing eye is not vulnerable to attack.

Figures 5 to 9 illustrate various methods by which the clamp may be employed to prevent the theft of an article, especially a vehicle.

In Figure 5, the clamp 10 is permanently secured to a vehicle (not shown) and the clamp 10 is releasably attached to a loop 14 which itself is connected via a chain 24 to a wall or other fixed object 25.

Figure 6 shows a double-ended version of the clamp 10 which is releasably attachable at one end to the towing eye 14 of a vehicle (not shown) and is releasably secured at its other end to a loop 14 which is itself secured via a chain 24 to a fixed object 25.

Figure 7 shows a clamp 10 which is permanently connected via a chain 24 to a fixed object 25. The clamp 10 may be releasably attached to a towing eye 14 of a vehicle (not shown).

Figure 8 shows two clamps 10 which are permanently connected together by a chain 24. Each clamp 10 is then releasably attachable to a loop 14, for example one of which may be a towing eye of a vehicle (not shown) and the other a loop attached to a fixed object (not shown).

Figure 9 shows a variant of the clamp 10 for securing to a truck or lorry 26. The towing eye of the truck 26 is recessed within a bumper 27 of the lorry, and a locking member 28 is made to pass through the bumper 27 to engage the clamp 10 through an aperture 10a.

The clamp described herein provides a versatile locking apparatus to releasably to attach to an article and is particularly useful to prevent unauthorised moving of the article. When used with the towing eye of a vehicle, the clamp may easily be connected without the use of additional tools and requires only the operation of a key to be released.

The embodiment shown in Figures 10 and 11 has an outer casing 31 of steel rectangular hollow section. One end 32 of the casing is open to receive the towing eye 39 of a vehicle (not shown) to be secured. Guide pieces 33 are provided to guide the eye into the housing.

At the other end of the housing a chain, a portion of which is shown at 37, is secured to the housing by a steel pin 41. The chain passes through a closing end plate 38 to a secure point such as a post embedded in concrete (not shown).

Within the housing a locking arm 34 is pivotally mounted on a steel pivot pin 40.

The left hand end of the arm 34 is formed as a hook. The right hand end of the arm abuts a lock case 35 having a lock plunger 36.

In the unlocked condition the arm occupies the position shown in Figure 10, and the lock plunger 36 projects outwardly from the lock case 35.

To apply the lock the housing is engaged with the towing eye 39 as shown in Figure 11, and then the lock plunger 36 is depressed causing it to come into contact with the pivot arm, so that the arm pivots into the locking position shown in Figure 11. To release the arrangement a key is used to return the lock plunger 36 to the position shown in Figure 10. The principal can be adapted for use with conventional key locks, cam locks or insertion locks.

Figures 12A and 12B show yet another embodiment of locking device according to the invention. Once again there is an outer case of hollow section steel, indicated by the reference numeral 51. Mounted in the top of this casing is a lock case 52, which has a lock plunger 57. A locking arm 53 is pivotally mounted on a pin 54 within the casing.

The arm 53 is intended to cooperate with a second component in the form of a loop or eye in the form of a staple 56 mounted on a base plate 57.

The locking device is shown in the locking condition in Figure 12A.

The hook portion of the arm 53 has pivoted through the eye 56 to retain it in a position in which it is held within the housing, shrouded by, and thus protected by, the housing. The arm 53 is held in this position by the lock plunger 57.

To release the eye 56, the lock plunger 57 is released by means of a key. This causes the plunger 57 to move to the position shown in dotted lines and the lever 53 returns to its release position, also shown in dotted lines, under the influence of a tension spring 55.

The embodiment shown in Figures 12A and 12B can be put to a number of uses, some of which are described later with reference to Figures l5A to 20.

The embodiment shown in Figures 13A to 14B comprises a two part lock comprising a female component 61a and a male component 61b. The female component 61a comprises a steel housing fitted with a lock casing 62 which in turn has a locking plunger 63.

The male component 61b also comprises a steel housing from which projects a tongue 64 having a hole 67 therethrough.

The two components can be locked together by inserting the tongue 64 into the housing of the component 61a and depressing the lock plunger 63 so that it passes through the hole 67. The components can be separated by operating a key to retract the plunger 63 into the lock casing 62.

In use, the lock is connected between an article to be protected and a secure point. These connections can be made using lengths of chain and in Figures 13B and 14B, chain links 66 are shown attached to each component by pins 65 which pass through holes 68 in the casings.

Figures l5A and l5B show how the embodiment of Figures 12A and 12B can be used as a padlock. The eye 56 can comprise the staple of a conventional hasp and staple fastening. Instead of fastening a conventional padlock through the staple 57, which means that the staple and the locking arm of the padlock are exposed and capable of being cut, the housing 51 locks over the staple as shown in Figure l5B so that the staple and locking components are shrouded and protected. Another form of this is illustrated in Figure 16.

Figure 17 illustrates an embodiment in which two locking devices of the kind shown in Figures 12A and 12B are attached at each end of a locking bar 69. By selecting an appropriate size of bar 69, and appropriate positioning of securing eyes, the arrangement can be used to protect various types of door, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, and also to mount ram raid type protector bars as shown in Figure 20.

Figure 21 illustrates an alternative arrangement of locking device which could be provided within the casing 51. In use a staple such as that shown at 57 in Figure l5A enters the lock case 51 through opening 70. The staple contacts a leading portion 71 of locking arm 72 which is pivotally mounted on pin 73. This causes the arm 72 to pivot about the pin 73 to a point where a hook 74 on the other end of the arm displaces a secondary arm 75 by depressing compression spring 76 to a point where the hook 74 comes into engagement with another hook at the lower end of the secondary arm 75.

Pivoting of the arm 75 takes place about a further pivot pin 77.

The inter-engagement of the two hooks holds the locking arm 72 in the locked position, retaining the staple within the casing 51.

To release the staple a lock 78 is operated by means of a key which is connected via a linkage 79 to the secondary arm 75. As the key is turned, the linkage causes the arm 75 to pivot on the pin 77 disengaging the hook of the arm 75 from the hook 74. The locking arm 72 is then able to return to the released position shown in Figure 21, under the influence of tension spring 80.

In the modified embodiment shown in Figure 22, the outer casing is in two parts. There is a first outer part S1A which is permanently secured to the protective bar 69, and an inner casing 51B which contains the locking mechanism. The staple 51 C enters the outer casing 51 A through a slot in the end of the casing and the inner casing 51 B then slides within the casing 51A so that the staple 51 C can engage with the locking components within the inner casing 51B.

The embodiment shown in Figure 23 comprises a casing 80 which not only has an open end 81 but also has a slot (not shown) extending longitudinally along the central region of the side 82. An Shaped plate 83 can slide alongside the side 82, with a pair of T-shaped tongues 84 engaging in the slot. A staple 85 can then be locked within the casing 80 by anyone of the mechanisms shown in the other drawings, so that the staple 85 is retained and protected within the housing 80, and the plate 83 is also secured against removal.

In use, as shown in Figures 24 and 25, the plate 83 is secured to a door jam 86 and the staple 85 is secured to a door 87.

To lock the door, the door is closed and the lock casing 80 is slid onto the plate 83 until the staple 85 is within the casing 80. The lock plunger is then depressed as described with other above mentioned embodiments to lock the staple 85 within the casing 80. The door then assumes the locked condition shown in Figure 25, in which none of the locking components are accessible, all being protected by the casing 80.

Many other variations and combinations are possible and the mechanism shown in Figure 21 could for example be combined with some of the earlier described embodiments.

Instead of using a manually operated key, the various mechanisms shown could be electrically operated by the use of a solenoid operated plunger which could be controlled from a remote point.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (22)

1. A clamp means arranged, in use, to releasably clamp to an article, the clamp means comprising a housing and a locking member movable between a first position in which it is arranged to retain a portion of an article, and a second position in which it is not arranged, in use, to retain the portion of the article, wherein the locking member is located within the housing such that, in use, when the locking member is in the first position the portion of the article is substantially enclosed within the housing.

2. A clamp means as claimed in Claim 1, in which the portion of the article which the locking member is arranged to retain, comprises a loop or eye, or a portion containing an aperture.

3. A clamp means as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the locking member is resiliently biased to the first position, such that it may be displaced from the first position upon initial engagement with a portion of an article but thereafter returns to the first position to retain the said portion.

4. A clamp means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the locking member is arranged, in use, to move pivotally between the first and second positions.

5. A clamp means as claimed in Claim 4, in which the locking member is lockable in the first position by inhibiting a pivoting movement of the locking member.

6. A clamp means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the locking member comprises a latch type device.

7. A clamp means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least a portion of the housing is extendable such that, in use, the housing is arranged substantially to enclose a portion of an article with which the locking member is engaged.

8. A clamp means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the locking member is arranged, in use, to be moved from the first position to the second position by operation of a key.

9. A clamp means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, arranged, in use, to releasably clamp to two articles, which articles may each comprise a loop portion or an eye portion or a portion containing an aperture.

10. A clamp means as claimed in Claim 9, arranged, in use, to clamp to two articles, such that the two articles are located at substantially opposed ends of the clamp means.

11. A clamp means as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, provided with two locking members, each of which is arranged, in use, to retain a portion of an article.

12. A clamp means as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 11, in which the housing is arranged, in use, substantially to enclose two portions of two articles, when the locking members are located in their first positions.

13. A clamp means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, arranged, in use, to releasably clamp to a portion of a vehicle.

14. A vehicle security apparatus comprising clamp means arranged, in use, to releasably clamp to a portion of a vehicle, the clamp means comprising a housing and a locking member movable between a first position in which it is arranged to retain a portion of a vehicle, and a second position in which it is not arranged, in use, to retain the portion of the vehicle, wherein the locking member is located within the housing such that, in use, when the locking member is in the first position the portion of the vehicle is substantially enclosed within the housing.

15. A vehicle security apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, in which the clamp means is arranged to be attached to a towing eye of the vehicle.

16. A vehicle security apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15, in which the clamp means is as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13.

17. A locking apparatus comprising a first housing component and a second loop or eye component, insertable into the housing component, the locking apparatus including a locking member movable between a first position in which it is arranged to retain the second component within the housing, and a second position in which the second component can be withdrawn from the housing.

18. A locking apparatus as claimed in Claim 17, in which insert of the second component into the housing causes the locking member to move into the first position.

19. A locking apparatus as claimed in Claim 18, in which the locking member is returnable to the second position by a key operated device.

20. Clamp means constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. Vehicle security apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. A locking apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.