GB2416564A

GB2416564A - Lockable wheelie-bin lid clamp

Info

Publication number: GB2416564A
Application number: GB0416645A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Mcnicholas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-24
Filing date: 2004-07-24
Publication date: 2006-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 2024-07-24
Also published as: GB2416564B; GB0416645D0

Abstract

A lockable clamp whose body comprises two parts 1,2 that are joined at a pivot 3. One part 2 temporarily fixes at B to the body of a wheelie-bin and the other 1 is free to move about the pivot 3 when a lock 4 is not engaged. When the lock 4 is engaged, and ensuring both parts are closed, the device serves to prevent access to the wheelie-bin contents to anyone but the keyholder.

Description

1 2416564

LOCKABLE WHEELIE-BIN CLAMP

The invention relates to a lockable clamp that attaches to a wheelie-bin that when locked by the user, prevents the lid of the wheelie-bn from being opened.

In 1999 there were approximately 2G,OOG cases of identity fraud, but by 2003 this had risen to 101,000 cases. Identity fraud occurs where criminals get hold of some identifying documents In order to build an ID portfolio, which can then be used for fraudulent activities such as credo store card applications, opening of bank accounts, catalogue purchases, etc. One potential source of gaining the documents necessary to create a false identity is through discarded waste that may include letters, utility bills, credit card receipts, etc A large percentage of households now use wheelie-bins to dispose of their rubbish and unless these are securely stored or the contents destroyed in advance, it is relatively simple for a criminal to sift through rubbish to obtain information To overcome this, the present invention proposes a lockable clamp that prevents the lid of the wheelie-bin from being opened by anyone other than the key-holder Accordingly, this invention provides for a two-part lockable clamp that is hinged at a pivot point. When the lock is engaged, both jaws of the device are secured together so preventing the lid of the wheelie-bin from being opened A preferred embodiment of the Invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings In which: FIGURE 1 shows the device keeping the lid of a wheelie-bin shut when the jaws are closed and the lock engaged.

FIGURE 2 shows the device attached to the body of a wheele-bn, with the Jaws open and the lock disengaged allowing access to the inside of the wheelie-bin.

FIGURE 3 shows a front view of the device with the jaws closed and the lock disengaged.

FIGURE 4 shows a side cross-section of the device with the jaws closed and the lock engaged.

FIGURE 5 shows a three-dimensional view of the device with the jaws partly open and the locking mechanism engaged As shown in figures 1 to 5 the clamp body consists of "Jaw" 1 and "Jaw" 2 that even when the device is unlocked are securely fixed together, yet are free to move, about the Pivot 3. The profile of Jaw 1 is designed to prevent the wheele-bin lid from being tiffed when the device is locked.

When the correct key Is inserted into Keyhole 4 it allows Lock Cylinder 5 to turn. This in turn rotates Latch 6 that is attached to the cylinder. As shown in figure 4, when the key is turned to engage the lock, the Latch grabs hold of a Catch 7 located in the other jaw of the device so locking the device.

The device Is temporarily fixed to the body of the wheele-bin using Fixings 8.

For the device to serve its intended purpose, both jaws must be shut as shown in figures 1, 3, and 4 prior to engaging the lock, not left open as shown in figure 5.

Claims

1. A lockable clamp that is fixed to a wheelie-bin to prevent the lid of the wheelie-bin from being opened by anyone other than the key-holder

2. A lockable clamp as claimed In Claim 1, whose main body incorporates two separate parts that are joined at a pivot point.

3 A lockable clamp according to Claim 1 and Claim 2, where one part of the device Is securely fixed to a wheelie-bin, leaving the other part free to move about the pivot when in an unlocked state allowing access to the inside of the wheele-bin.

4. A lockable clamp that contains a locking mechanism that when locked clamps the two parts Identified in Claim 2 together meaning they are not free to move about the pivot Identified in Claim 3 A lockable clamp as claimed any preceding claim that can be fitted to wheelie bins of different styles made by differing manufacturers, that when locked creates a physical barrier to prevent the wheelie-bin lid from being lifted 6. A lockable clamp as claimed in any preceding claim that remains attached while the wheelie-bin is being emptied, but using fixings which allow the owner to remove it at their will.

7. A lockable wheele-bin clamp according to claim 6 that is separate to the wheelie bin 8. A lockable wheelie-bn clamp substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A lockable clamp that is fixed to a wheelie-bin to prevent the lid of the wheelie-bin from being opened by anyone other than the key-holder, wherein a main body of the clamp incorporates two separate parts that are Joined at a pivot point, where one part of the device being arranged to be securely fixed to a wheelie-bin with said part having a recess defined therein for retaining the clamp on the downward protruding lip of the wheelie-bin leaving the other part free to move about the pivot when in an unlocked state allowing access to the inside of the wheelie-bin, and when locked creating a physical barrier to prevent the wheelie-bin lid from being lifted.

2. A clamp as claimed in Claim 1 that contains a locking mechanism that when locked clamps the two parts together so that they are not free to move about the 3. A clamp as claimed in claims 1 and 2 that can remain attached while the wheelie bin is emptied, but using fixings that allow the owner to remove it at their will.

4. A clamp according to claims 1, 2 and 3 that is separate to the wheeliebin and can be secured in place on the wheelie-bin by inserting the lip of the wheelie-bin into the clamps recess for receiving the lip and locking the free part in a closed state.

5. A lockable wheelie-bin clamp substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.