GB2419156A

GB2419156A - Protected locking device

Info

Publication number: GB2419156A
Application number: GB0520307A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Victor Soiza
Original assignee: EUROCOPY PLC
Current assignee: EUROCOPY PLC
Priority date: 2004-10-08
Filing date: 2005-10-06
Publication date: 2006-04-19
Also published as: GB0422362D0; GB0520307D0

Abstract

A protected locking device (11, Fig. 1) to lock a first member 21 to a second member (22, Fig. 3) comprises a protecting arm 3 fixed to the second member and comprising an overlap section, and a locking member 4 provided on one of the first member or the overlap section engageable with engagement means 6 on the other of the first member or the overlap section, wherein the protecting arm extends from the second member such that the locking member engages with the engagement means and the overlap section encloses the engaged locking member and engagement means. The protecting arm may further comprise rollers 8 which act to prevent removal of the locking device, by counter-rotating against any tool which may be used in an attempt to cut through them.

Description

LOCK PROTECTOR

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The present invention relates to a protected locking device and particularly, although not exclusively, to a protected locking device for use on vehicle doors.

Conventional locks supplied by vehicle manufacturers are, in most instances, sufficient to act as a deterrent against most criminals who might wish to enter the vehicle without the owner's permission and either take some of the contents, or steal the vehicle itself. However, for many manual workers who often use their vehicle to store high value tools necessary for their work, manufacturers' locks do not provide sufficient protection.

Criminals often target vans belonging to tradesmen, for example, electricians or plumbers, because they are aware that the owner will use the vehicle to store their tools, which are often of high value. The risk of being caught by the authorities and the effort required by the criminal to break the existing locks are minimal when compared to the value of the contents of the vehicle which the criminal could take.

Owners of such vehicles often take additional steps to secure the contents of their vehicle by placing additional locks, usually padlocks, which may hold a securing bar across a double door at the rear of a vehicle. However, the padlock, particularly the clasp thereof, is particularly vulnerable to attack thereby rendering the extra protection afforded by the additional bar only as strong as the lock that holds it.

It is one of the aims of embodiments of the present invention to address the above problems and to provide a protected locking device which is easy to use and which discourages a criminal from attempting to gain entry to a vehicle.

It is a further aim of the invention to provide a protected locking device which protects a lock placed on a door, for example a padlock, from forced removal by a criminal.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a protected locking device for locking a first and second member together comprising a locking member, engagement means and a protecting arm which comprises an overlap section, in use; the engagement means being adapted to engage with the locking member, the said locking member being adapted to be fixed to one of the overlap section or a first member, the engagement means being adapted to be fixed to the other of the overlap section or a first member, the protecting arm being adapted to be fixed to a second member, the said protecting arm adapted to extend from a second member such that the overlap section reaches as far as the said locking member or the said engaging means when either is attached to a first member so as to enable the engagement means and the locking member to co-engage, the overlap section being adapted, in use, to enclose the engaged locking member and engagement means between the protecting arm and a first member.

Advantageously, when the locking member and engagement means are coengaged, the protecting arm encloses the locking member thereby preventing the locking member from being attacked to gain unauthorized entry.

Preferably, at least one of a first member or a second member comprise a door, preferably a vehicle door, more preferably a van or truck door. Preferably, both a first member and a second member comprise doors, preferably vehicle doors, more preferably van or truck doors.

A protected locking device in accordance with the present invention may be used to secure double doors, such as those found at the rear of a van or truck, or alternatively a single door. For example, it is envisaged that one of a first or second member may comprise a door and the other of a first or second member may comprise a door jamb.

In preferred embodiment, the locking member may comprise a mechanical actuator which may be actuated by a key.

However, the locking member may comprise an electronically operated actuator which may operate by wireless switch.

Alternatively, the electronic actuator may operate by a user input such as an alphanumeric keypad or a key.

Examples of suitable electronic actuators include solenoids or electromagnets.

Preferably, the protecting arm further comprises at least one key aperture. Preferably, the at least one key aperture is situated to correspond with the locking member keyhole when the locking member and engagement means are co-engaged. Preferably, the at least one key aperture is of insufficient size to allow the locking member to pass therethrough.

Preferably, the locking member comprises a locking pin which is preferably adapted to engage with a locking section of the locking member. Preferably, the locking member comprises a padlock.

Preferably, the protecting arm further comprises at least one locking pin aperture. Preferably, the at least one locking pin aperture is situated to correspond with a point of entry/exit of a locking pin, when the locking member and engagement means are co-engaged. Preferably, the at least one locking pin aperture is of insufficient size to allow the locking member to pass therethrough.

Alternatively, the protecting arm may comprise at least one cut away section. Preferably, the at least one cut away section is situated to correspond with a point of entry/exit of a locking pin, when the locking member and engagement means are co-engaged. Preferably, the at least one cut away section is of insufficient size to allow the locking member to pass therethrough.

Advantageously and preferably, when the locking pin and locking section are engaged, the locking means is in a locked configuration, whereas, when the locking pin and locking means are disengaged, the locking means is in an unlocked configuration.

Preferably, the engagement means comprises a hasp.

Preferably, the hasp comprises an aperture adapted to accept the passage of the locking pin therethrough.

Preferably, the protecting arm comprises at least one roller, more preferably the protecting arm comprises a plurality of rollers. Preferably, the at least one roller is contained substantially within a hollow box section of the protecting arm, more preferably, entirely within the hollow box section.

Preferably, the at least one roller is journalled in the protecting arm, more preferably, the at least one roller is journalled in the hollow box section.

Preferably the at least one roller extends substantially along the length of the hollow box section.

Preferably, the at least one roller is made from a robust material, more preferably the material is metal, most preferably the material is high strength steel.

Advantageously, if a would be thief were to attempt to remove the protected locking device by sawing or grinding through the protecting arm, the provision of rollers journalled in the protecting arm would severely hamper the sawing or grinding action by freely rotating against the action of the saw or grinder.

The engagement means may be adapted to be fixed to a first member and the locking member may be adapted to be fixed to the protecting arm. However, in a preferred embodiment the locking member may be adapted to be fixed to a first member and the engagement means may be integrated into the protecting arm.

Therefore, according to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a protected locking device for locking a first and second member together comprising a locking member adapted to be fixed to a first member and a protecting arm adapted to be fixed to a second member the said protecting arm adapted to extend at least as far as the said locking member when the said locking member is fixed to a first member and having integral engagement means adapted to engage with the said locking member.

Alternatively, according to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a protected locking device for locking a first and second member together comprising engagement means adapted to be fixed to or being integrally formed with a first member and a protecting arm adapted to be fixed to a second member, the said protecting arm adapted to extend at least as far as the said engagement means when the said engagement means is fixed to a first member and having integral locking means adapted to engage with the said engagement means, in use.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising a locking member and a protecting arm in accordance with either the first or second aspect.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle fitted with a protected locking device in accordance with either the first or second aspect.

All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an exterior schematic view of a protected locking device attached to a vehicle; Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a locking member attached to a vehicle; Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a protecting arm attached to a vehicle; Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the protecting arm; Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a protecting arm; and Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a hasp for use with the second embodiment of the protecting arm.

Figure 1 shows the rear of a vehicle 1, having closed double doors 21, 22 and a protected locking device 11 attached thereto. The protected locking device 11 comprises a protecting arm 3 which extends horizontally from one door to the other. In the closed configuration the only visible part of the protected locking device 11, is the protecting arm 3.

Referring to figure 2, a padlock 4 of the protected locking device 11 is shown secured to the left hand vehicle door 21. The padlock 4 is secured to the vehicle door 21 by welding the rear surface thereof to the outer surface of the door 21.

When viewed from the rear of the van, the padlock 4 has a C-shaped body 14 and a locking pin 5 journalled in a close fitting aperture formed in the lower arm of the C-shaped body 14 for vertical reciprocating movement relative to the C-shaped body 14.

The locking pin 5 is circular in cross section and has a circumferential groove marginally spaced downwardly from the upper end thereof.

The C-shaped body 14 further comprises a locking section 5a, coaxial with the close fitting aperture of the lower arm, in the upper arm thereof which securely retains the locking pin 5, when the locking pin 5 is pushed into the locking section 5a. The locking mechanism of the padlock 4 is actuated by a key (not shown) via a key hole 5b of the pad lock 4.

The padlock 4 is only exposed to a user when the vehicle doors 21, 22 are in an open configuration. Otherwise, the padlock 4 is covered by the protecting arm 3 and is thus not visible.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a bolt is welded to the rear surface of the padlock such that the longitudinal axis of the bolt extends substantially perpendicularly away from the plane of the rear surface of the padlock 4, the bolt is then passed through a drilled aperture in the door 21 and secured by a nut. In this manner, the padlock 4 may not be removed form the door 21 from the outside of the vehicle 1.

Referring to figures 3 and 4 the protecting arm 3 is shown fixed at one end to the vehicle door 22 and extending laterally beyond the door inner side edge 9.

The inward face of the protecting arm 3 is shown in figure 4. The protecting arm has a cavity portion 16 at one end thereof and a roller housing section 10 extending from the cavity portion 16 to the other end thereof. The cavity portion 16 is defined by the inner face of the front of the protecting arm 3 and four wall sections comprising the inner face of the locking end 19 of the protecting arm 3, the inner face of a portion 27 of the under side of the protecting arm 3 extending from the locking end, the inner face of a portion 25 of the top side of the protecting arm 3 extending from the locking end, co-extensive with the opposite portion of the inner face and a terminal wall 29 parallel, co-extensive with and spaced from the inner face of the locking end 19. When the doors 21, 22 are closed, the cavity is designed so as to accommodate the padlock 4 therewithin. The cavity portion 16 also comprises a hasp 6, which extends parallel with the upper and lower sides 25, 27 of the cavity portion 16 from midway up the terminal wall 29 about halfway across the cavity portion 16 and has a centrally located hole 7 which is adapted to close fittingly receive the locking pin 5 of the padlock 4 during use. The lower wall 27 of the cavity section comprises a cut away section 12 which is coaxial with the hole 7 and an aperture 13 laterally spaced from the cut away section 12 toward the inner face of the locking end 19 of the protecting arm 3.

When the doors 21, 22 are closed, the padlock 4 is received within the cavity portion 16 of the protecting arm 3, such that the padlock 4 is enclosed within a box formed by the exterior of the cavity portion 16 and the door 21 to which the padlock 4 is secured. The padlock 4 is situated such that the upper and lower arms of the C shaped body 14 are parallel with the upper and lower sides 25, 27 of the cavity portion 16 and the hasp 6 extends between the two ends of the C-shaped body 14 parallel therewith, the hole 7 being coaxial with the close fitting aperture formed in the lower arm and the locking section 5a. The cut away section 12 allows a lower portion of the locking pin 5 to slide in and out of the cavity portion 16, when the padlock 4 is accommodated therein.

In use, the door 21 is closed ensuring that locking pin 5 of the padlock 4 which is attached thereto is not engaged with the locking section 5a. The other door 22 is then closed thereby enclosing the padlock 4 within the cavity portion 16 of the protecting arm 3. The locking pin 5 is then pushed through the cut away section 13, through the hole 7 in the hasp 6 and into the locking section 5a. The padlock is then locked by actuating the locking mechanism by accessing the keyhole of the padlock 4 through aperture 13.

The roller housing section 10 houses several rollers 8 which extend along the length of the hollow section 10.

The rollers 8 can be made of high strength metal and are covered with respect to the exterior surface of the protected locking device 11 by the protecting arm 3. The inward facing side of the roller housing section 10 may also be covered by a plate 15 to thereby increase the strength of the protecting arm 3. The rollers 8 are journalled in the lateral ends of the roller housing section 10 of the protecting arm 3 thereby allowing free rotation of the rollers 8 within the protecting arm 3. The free rotation of the rollers 8 helps to prevent grinding or cutting of the protecting arm as 3 will be described below.

By enclosing the padlock 4 within the cavity portion 16 of the protecting arm 3, an unauthorized person is unable to gain access to the padlock 4 in order to remove or break it. Furthermore, the rollers 8 contained in the protecting arm 3 act to prevent removal of the protected locking device 11. Should, for example, an angle grinder or similar tool be used in an attempt to cut through the protected locking device 11, the rollers 8 when engaged by the angle grinder would counter rotate against the angle grinder and not be cut.

Figures 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment of a protected locking device 111. Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of a protecting arm 103 which, in use, extends horizontally from one door to another as described above in relation to figure 1.

The protecting arm 103 has a cavity portion 116 at one thereof and a roller housing section 110 extending from the cavity portion 116 to the other end thereof. The roller housing portion 110 is generally the same as that described in relation to figure 4. The cavity portion 116 is defined by an inner face 106 of the front (outwardly visible) wall of the protecting arm 103, an upper and lower inwardly extending wall 108 and a wall of the roller housing potion 110. Within the cavity portion 116 is a locking portion 120 of a padlock 122. The padlock 122 is securely fixed to an inner wall 124 of the protecting arm 103 by bolts 126. The padlock 122 is "C" shaped and comprises a locking pin 128 which is moveable between a "locked" and "unlocked" position. In the locked position, the locking pin spans the upper and lower jaw of the "C" shaped padlock 122.

The lower wall 108 of the cavity portion 116 comprises a cutaway notch 130, which allows the locking pin 128 to move between the locked and unlocked position. An aperture (not shown) is formed through the lower wall of the protecting arm 103 to allow keys (not shown) to be inserted into the padlock 122 and thus the padlock 122 operated in the usual manner.

Threaded rods 132 extend perpendicularly away from an inner wall of the roller housing portion 110. These rods 132 are passed through holes in the surface that the protecting arm 103 is to be fitted (i.e. a door) and washers/nuts added to secure the protecting arm 103 to the surface.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a hasp 134 for use with the protecting arm 103 of figure 6. The hasp 134 comprises a backing plate 136 which is securable to a surface (i.e. a door or door jamb) by virtue of threaded rods (not shown) extending perpendicularly from a rear face thereof, in a similar manner to the threaded rods 132 of figure 5. The backing plate 136 is rectangular in shape, and on front surface thereof is a box portion 138 and an engaging portion 140. The box portion 138 extends from an edge of a minor wall of the rectangular backing plate 136 across to a mid point of the major walls of the rectangular backing plate 136. The box portion 138 is cuboidal and formed of steel.

The engaging portion 140 comprises a plate 142 having a "U" shaped aperture 144 extending therethrough. The plate 142 extends perpendicularly from a front face of the rectangular plate 136 from a position midway up the minor wall thereof distal to the box portion 138, to a position midway along the major walls of the backing plate 136.

The plate 142 is parallel with the major walls of the backing plate 136. The "U" shaped aperture 144 has parallel sides with a radiused end. The parallel sides of the "U" shaped aperture are substantially parallel with the front face of the rectangular backing plate 136 and the radiused end is distal to the box portion 138. The parallel sides of the "U" shaped aperture abut a wall of the box portion 138 at ends thereof distal to the radiused end, to thus form a closed aperture.

In use, the protecting arm 103 is secured to a first door (not shown) and the hasp 134 is secured to a second door or a door jamb (not shown), such that closure of the first door causes the hasp 134 to be accommodated in the cavity portion 116 of the protecting arm. Further, the plate 142 is accommodated within the gap between the upper and lower jaws of the "C" shaped padlock 122 such that the locking pin 128 may be passed through the "U" shaped aperture 149 and into the "locked" position. In this manner, the protecting arm 103 and the hasp 134 may be inter- engaged thus preventing the opening of the first door (not shown) while the padlock 122 is locked.

In this further embodiment, the padlock may be easily replaced (when in the unlocked position) or serviced by removal of bolts 126. Also, the keys to open the padlock are associated with the protecting arm 103 which moves, in use, thus opening and closing the first door is easier.

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

Claims 1. A protected locking device for locking a first and second member

together comprising a locking member, engagement means and a protecting arm which comprises an overlap section, in use; the engagement means being adapted to engage with the locking member, the said locking member being adapted to be fixed to one of the overlap section or a first member, the engagement means being adapted to be fixed to the other of the overlap section or a first member, the protecting arm being adapted to be fixed to a second member, the said protecting arm adapted to extend from a second member such that the overlap section reaches as far as the said locking member or the said engaging means when either is attached to a first member so as to enable the engagement means and the locking member to co-engage, the overlap section being adapted, in use, to enclose the engaged locking member and engagement means between the protecting arm and a first member.
2. A protected locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of a first member or a second member comprise a door.
3. A protected locking device as claimed in either of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein both a first member and a second member comprise doors.
4. A protected locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, the locking member comprises a mechanical actuator.
5. A protecting locking device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking member comprises an electronically operated actuator.
6. A protected locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the protecting arm further comprises at least one key aperture.
7. A protected locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking member comprises a padlock.
8. A protected locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the engagement means comprises a hasp.
9. A protected locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the protecting arm comprises at least one roller.
10. A protected locking device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one roller is contained substantially within a hollow box section of the protecting arm.
11. A protected locking device as claimed in either of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the at least one roller is journalled in the protecting arm.
12. A protected locking device as claimed in either of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the at least one roller extends substantially along the length of the hollow box section.
13. A protected locking device as claimed in claims 9 to 12, wherein the at least one roller is made from high strength steel.
14. A protected locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the engagement means is adapted to be fixed to a first member and the locking member is adapted to be fixed to the protecting arm.
15. A protected locking device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the locking member is adapted to be fixed to a first member and the engagement means is integrated into the protecting arm.
16. A protected locking device for locking a first and second member together comprising a locking member adapted to be fixed to or being integrally formed with a first member and a protecting arm adapted to be fixed to a second member the said protecting arm adapted to extend at least as far as the said locking member when the said locking member is fixed to a first member and having integral engagement means adapted to engage with the said locking member.
17. A protected locking device for locking a first and second member together comprising engagement means adapted to be fixed to or being integrally formed with a first member and a protecting arm adapted to be fixed to a second member, the said protecting arm adapted to extend at least as far as the said engagement means when the said engagement means is fixed to a first member and having integral locking means adapted to engage with the said engagement means, in use.
18. A kit of parts comprising a locking member and a protecting arm in accordance with any preceding claim.
19. A vehicle fitted with a protected locking device in accordance with any preceding claim.
20. A protected locking device substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.