GB2321868A

GB2321868A - Tool assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2321868A
Application number: GB9721335A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jerry Bystry
Original assignee: Brammall Inc
Current assignee: Brammall Inc
Priority date: 1997-02-06
Filing date: 1997-10-09
Publication date: 1998-08-12
Also published as: FR2759013A1; GB9721335D0; DE19744701A1

Abstract

The tool assembly includes a shaft 12, a body 14, and a removable cap 16 attached to an end of the body. The shaft is used to secure a locking screw 32 into a lock 48 to tighten and to remove a portion of the locking screw that extends out from the lock after securing the locking screw therein. The body of the tool assembly includes an interior compartment 28 into which broken portions of the locking screw fall. The cap 16 is removable from the body 14 to empty broken portions of the locking screw after repeated use of the tool assembly.

Description

2321868 S P E C I F I C A T 1 0 N TITLE "A TOOL ASSEMBLY AND LOCKING SCREW

AS WELL AS A 14ETHOD FOR LOCKING"

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a tool, a locking screw and a method for securing a lock. More specifically, the present invention relates to a specialized tool and specialized lock screw in which the lock screw is used to lock a cable lock, and the tool is used to break away the screw following insertion into an opening of the lock body.

It is known to provide a lock body in which a locking screw is used to secure the cable following insertion of the same into the lock body. One known locking screw is J-shaped thereby forming a handle for securing the screw into the lock body to lock the cable therein. After the screw is secured, the locking screw is broken substantially at a juncture near the entry point of the screw. The portion of the locking screw broken from the portion inserted into the lock body is simply tossed or otherwise discarded. These types of lock bodies and locking screws are often used in railyards wherein the broken-off portions of the locking screws are simply disposed in the grounds of the railyards.

A need, therefore, exists for an improved locking screw, tool for inserting and removing a portion of the locking screw as well as a method for securing a lock. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a tool assembly, a locking screw and a method for securing a lock using the tool assembly and the lock screw. The 2 tool assembly secures the locking screw into a body of the lock and then removes a portion of the locking screw that extends f rom the lock body and receives the same into a compartment of the tool assembly.

To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a tool assembly is provided having a handle with an interior forming a compartment. A shaft is provided having a longitudinal axis with a hollow interior along the longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end wherein the second end is insertable into the handle such that the hollow interior of the shaft is in communication with the compartment in the handle. A removable cap provides axis to the compartment in the handle.

In an embodiment, a hexagonally shaped interior wall is provided along the hollow interior of the shaft.

In an embodiment, the removable cap is threadably connected to the handle.

In an embodiment, a straight knurl is provided on an exterior wall of the shaft at a point intermediate the first end and the second end.

In an embodiment, the f irst end of the shaft is chamfered.

In an embodiment, the second end of the shaf t is tapered.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a locking screw is provided. The locking screw comprises a body defined between a first end and a second end. An exterior wall, at the first end, forms a hexagonal shape for a finite distance extending from the first end. After the finite distance, the exterior wall tapers at a first degree of taper for a portion of the length of the body. The exterior wall tapers at a second degree of taper - 3 toward the second end of the body so as to come to a point. A threaded connection is provided between the two tapered walls.

In an embodiment, the finite distance that the hexagonal shape extends is approximately one quarter of the length of the body.

In an embodiment, the body extends along a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end.

In an embodiment, the second degree of taper is greater than the first degree of taper.

In an embodiment, a reduced cross-sectional diameter section is provided between the threaded connection and the tapered exterior wall having the first degree of is taper.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for securing a lock. The method comprises the steps of: inserting a first end of a locking screw into an opening of a body of the lock such that a second end of the locking screw extends outside the opening of the body; providing a tool having a hollow longitudinal shaft with an opening on one end of the shaft wherein the opening is sized to received the second end of the locking screw; attaching the tool to the locking screw; manipulating the tool to divide the locking screw at a point of entry into the opening of the body; and receiving the divided portion of the locking screw in the hollow longitudinal shaft of the tool.

In an embodiment, the tool is used to insert and secure the locking screw in the opening of the body.

In an embodiment, a cap enclosing a body of the tool holding the longitudinal shaft is provided. The cap may be removed from the body.

is In an embodiment, the body of the tool is emptied thereby removing the divided portion of the locking screw.

In an embodiment, a body of the tool is provided having an interior compartment wherein the hollow, longitudinal shaft is in communication with the interior compartment. A removable cap may be provided at an end of the body opposite an end into which the hollow, longitudinal shaft is inserted.

It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide a tool assembly, a locking screw and a method for securing a lock that is simple to use.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a tool assembly, a locking screw and a method for securing a lock that simplifies breakage of the locking screw.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a tool assembly, a locking screw, and a method for securing a lock that receives a broken portion of the locking screw into the tool assembly.

A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a tool assembly, a locking screw and a method for securing a lock that requires substantially less material for the locking screw thereby reducing waste.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRANINGS

Figure 1 illustrates a plan view, partially in cross-sectional detail, of an embodiment of a tool assembly of the present invention.

is Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the tool assembly of the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the tool assembly of the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a locking screw of the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a manner in which the tool assembly and the locking screw of the present invention is implemented with a cable lock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMMMS

Referring now the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts, Figure 1 illustrates a tool assembly 10. The tool assembly 10 has basically three components: a shaft 12, a body 14 and a cap 16. The shaf t 12 is preferably cold rolled steel that is zinc plated. Of course, other materials may be implemented. The shaft 12 has a hollow interior 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 preferably has a taper. At a point substantially midway between the first end 20 and the second end 22 is a straight knurl section 24 (see Figure 3) that allows the shaft to be securely received into an end 26 of the body 14.

The body 14 provides an ergonomically designed handle for holding and manipulating the tool assembly 10 when the shaft 12 is inserted into the end 26 of the body 14. The body 14 further includes an interior compartment 28 whose function will be described hereinafter with reference to Figure 5. The cap 16 is removably secured at an end 30 opposite the end 26 of the body 14. Preferably, the cap 16 has a threaded connection to be threadably received in the end 30 of the body 14. Of course, other connecting means may be implemented by those skilled in the art.

Figure 2 illustrates the tool assembly 10 in its assembled form with the shaft 12 inserted into the body 14 of the tool assembly 10 and with the cap 16 threadably connected at the end 30 of the body 14. As shown in Figure 3, the cap 16 is removed from the body 14, and the shaft 12 is removed, as well, 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 exterior portion of the locking screw 32. The locking screw 32 tapers along its exterior wall with a first degree of taper in a midsection 36 of the locking screw 32 and a second degree of taper at an opposite end 38 f rom, the hexagonal end 38 to terminate in a point 40. Between the midsection 36 and the opposite end 38 is an exterior threaded section 42. At a point between the midsection 36 and the exterior threaded section 42 is a reduced diameter section 44 or break-off point.

The locking screw 32 is insertable into an end 46 of a cable lock body 48 as illustrated with reference to Figure 5. The end 46 has a threaded connection to mate with the exterior threaded section 42 of the locking screw 32 as the screw 32 is tightened in the lock body 48.'The tightening of the screw 32 is performed after, for example, a cable 50 is threaded through a latch 52 as it extends from one end 54 of the lock body 48. An opposite end 56 of the cable 50 extends through an opening formed in the lock body 48 to complete the steps necessary before inserting the locking screw 32 into the end 46 of the lock body 48. After the locking screw 32 is secured in the cable lock body 48, the portion of the 7 screw 32 extending from the lock body 48 may be broken f rom a remainder of the lock screw 32 within the lock body 48.

Referring specifically to Figure 5, the lock body 48 is shown with the locking screw 32 secured therein. At this stage, the portion of the locking screw 32 extending from the lock body 48 may be broken using the tool assembly 10 of the present invention. After the portion of the locking screw 32 extending from the lock body 48 is broken, the broken portion falls within the hollow interior channel 18 of the shaft 12 into the interior compartment 28 of the body 14 of the tool assembly 10. Preferably, the breaking off of the locking screw 32 is performed by snapping the screw 32 using the tool assembly.10 causing the screw to break at the reduced diameter section 44. As a result, these broken portions of the locking screw 32 may be collected in the body 14 of the tool assembly 10. When desired, or when the interior compartment 28 of the body 14 becomes full, the cap 16 may be removed allowing contents of the body 14 of the tool assembly 10 in the interior compartment 28 to be emptied.

As shown, such a cable lock is particularly useful for securely enclosing doors of a railcar. Of course, many other uses for such a lock are known. In addition, the tool assembly 10 and the locking screw may, as well, be implemented in many other types of environments and the illustrated use should not be construed as limiting.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present 8 invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

- 9

Claims

1 Claim:

A tool assembly comprising:

handle having an interior forming a compartment; shaft having a longitudinal axis with a hollow interior along the longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end wherein the second end is insertable into the handle such that the hollow interior of the shaft is in communication with the compartment in the handle; and a removable cap providing access to the compartment in the handle.

2. The tool assembly of Claim 1 further comprising:

a hexagonally shaped interior wall along the hollow interior of the shaft.

3. The tool assembly of Claim 1 wherein the removable cap is threadably connected to the handle.

4. The tool assembly of Claim 1 further comprising:

a straight knurl on an exterior wall of the shaft at a point intermediate the first end and the second end.

5. The tool assembly of Claim 1 wherein the first end of the shaft is chamfered.

6. The tool assembly of Claim 1 wherein the second end of the shaft is tapered.

7. A locking screw comprising:

a body defined between a first end and a second end with an exterior wall wherein the exterior wall at the first end forms a hexagonal shape for a finite distance extending from the first end and, after the finite distance, the exterior wall tapers at a first degree of taper for a portion of the length of the body and the exterior wall tapers at a second degree of taper toward the second end of the body so as to come to a point at the second end and further wherein a threaded connection is provided between the two tapered walls.

8. The locking screw of Claim 7 wherein the f inite distance that the hexagonal shape extends is approximately one quarter of the length of the body.

9. The locking screw of Claim 7 wherein the body extends along a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end.

10. The locking screw of Claim 7 wherein the second degree of taper is greater than the f irst degree of taper.

11. The locking screw of Claim 7 further comprising: a reduced cross- sectional diameter section between the threaded connection and the tapered exterior wall having a first degree of taper.

12. A method for securing a lock, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a f irst end of a locking screw into an opening of a body of the lock such that a second end of the locking screw extends outside the opening of the body; providing a tool having a hollow longitudinal shaft with an opening on one end of the shaft wherein the opening is sized to received the second end of the locking screw; attaching the tool to the locking screw; manipulating the tool to divide the locking screw at a point of entry into the opening of the body; and receiving the divided portion of the locking screw in the hollow longitudinal shaft of the tool.

13. The method of Claim 12 further comprising the step of: using the tool to insert and secure the locking screw in the opening of the body.

14. The method of Claim 12 further comprising the step of: providing a cap enclosing a body of the tool holding the longitudinal shaft.

15. The method of Claim 14 further comprising the step of: removing the cap from the body; and emptying the body of the tool thereby removing the divided portion of the locking screw.

16. The method of Claim 12 further comprising the step of: providing a body of the tool having an interior compartment wherein the hollow, longitudinal shaft is in communication with the interior compartment.

17. The method of Claim 16 further comprising the step of: providing a removable cap at an end of the body opposite an end into which the hollow, longitudinal shaft is inserted.