GB2422823A

GB2422823A - Locking assembly for a fuel filling pipe

Info

Publication number: GB2422823A
Application number: GB0502222A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Fowler
Original assignee: TruckProtect Ltd
Current assignee: TruckProtect Ltd
Priority date: 2005-02-03
Filing date: 2005-02-03
Publication date: 2006-08-09
Also published as: GB0502222D0

Abstract

A removable protective device with a locking device suitable to prevent access to an outlet/inlet of a vessel or tank which may contain diesel, petrol or gasoline, the invention comprises a platform unit 2 and lid unit 1 which telescope into one another and can be separated substantially. Platform unit 2 is formed with an aperture 3 which is positioned over a outlet/inlet neck and, utilising fastenings through hole 5 or adhesives, the flange 4 is secured to the neck. Lid unit 1 is formed with an integral lock 8 and platform unit 2 is formed with hasp 7. The device is closed with integral lock 8 aligned with hasp 7 such that shackle 9 of integral lock 8 inserts through hasp 7 thereby locking lid unit 1 to platform unit 2. The tank neck is accessed by unlocking the lid 1 and separating from the mounted platform 2. The device may be provided with an alarm. the lid may retain a connection with the platform unit via a chain or cord.

Description

Removable protective device with an integral lock. The present invention relates to a removable protective device with an integral lock suitable to prevent access to an outletlinlet of a vessel or tank.

The commercial vehicle market is beset with the problem of fuel theft, which in a sector working on veiy low margins and with the recent rise in oil prices, has a major effect on companies large and small. Fuel theft from vehicle fuel tanks occurs, primarily, by employees removing relatively small amounts on a regular basis and by third parties removing large amounts or entire tank volumes.

Protective covers for caps of tank outlets have been previously proposed. For example, US 4,030,628, US 3,930,388 and GB 2366289 all feature covers which assemble around the outlet nozzle and have a lid portion secured over the cap with a key-operated lock, however, all have hinged lids.

There is a market need, which is not satisfied effectively by any of the previous devices, for a protective device which is discreet in size and without horizontally hinged lids and, preferably, with a telescoping and detachable top lid, to enable the device to fit into small spaces and to avoid obstructions such as tank straps and vehicle frameworks. The device needs to be robust, a highly visible deterrent and designed to be suitable for mass production. It needs to be transferable between tanks with, ideally, a tough lock being integral to offer additional protection and to enhance the device's appearance, this last point being essential for commercial success in a sector where large companies and owner- drivers take great care in their vehicle's appearance. Devices US 4,030, 628, US 3,930,388 and GB 2366289 all feature some reliance for fixture on the fuel cap, which is not usually a strong device itself, and on friction or crimping on the neck, such that a new device is required with a method of fastening that it does not depend on friction or crimping around the tank neck nor rely to any appreciable extent on the strength of the normal fuel filler neck cap.

According to the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a removable protective device consisting of a platform unit and a lid unit with a locking device suitable to prevent access to an outletlinlet of a vessel or tank which may contain diesel, petrol or gasoline, the device comprising a platform unit which may be anchored to a vessel or tank and lid unit which telescope into one another and can be separated completely or may retain a connection via a chain or cord and which may have adjusters which may be arc-shaped, circular or semi-circular to fit between the outlet/inlet of the vessel or tank and flange of the platform unit to compensate for various sized outlet/inlet.

Preferably the adjusters are separate to the body of the protective cover.

Advantageously the means for anchoring the body of the protective device to the outlet/inlet comprises sealants, adhesives and a plurality of fasteners which may be used in combination. Advantageously the plurality of fastening means are arranged radially to enable the fasteners to mount the body onto or through the outlet/inlet. The Page 2.

means of fixing may be directly in contact with the outlet/inlet or the adjuster unit or a third party device.

Preferably the removable protective device has a lid unit which is formed of at least one part, which is telescopically moveable and which is lockable by means of an integral lock when positioned together with the platform unit. Preferably the lid unit telescopes over the platform unit to conceal the access holes for the platform unit's aforementioned fastening means.

Preferably the platform and lid units may be completely detachable from each other when unlocked or attached to each other with a device such as a chain or cable when unlocked.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is an angled elevation view of the lid unit in a open state showing the side, front and underside of the unit including the integral lock: Figure 2 is an angled elevation view of the platform unit in its uncovered state: Figure 3 is a plan elevation view of the underside of the lid unit in its open state showing the integral lock: Figure 4 is a side elevation view showing the lid unit in the closed position over the platform unit and showing one position of the integral lock: Figure 5 is a plan view of an optional separate adjuster unit.

Referring to the figures, the preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention illustrated in figures 1 to 4 has a body comprising of a box-shaped lid unit I that closes telescopically over a platform unit 2. The platform unit 2 is adapted to seat over a outlet/inlet of a vessel or tank which may contain liquid or powder, with the neck of the outlet/inlet extending up through the platform unit 2 via an aperture 3.

The box shape lid unit I is moveable telescopically between an open position as shown in figure 1 and closed position as shown in figure 4 where it closes over the outlet/inlet and is lockable against the platform unit 2.

The vessel or tank outlet/inlet neck has the platform unit 2 mounted to it preferably using fasteners such as screws, bolts or rivets through the platform unit 2's inner flange 4 via flange holes 5 into the neck of the vessel or tank outlet/inlet either directly or via an intermediate separate optional adjuster unit 6 or via a third party unit. Additionally or alternatively adhesives or sealants may be the method of attachment.

Once the platform unit 2 has been fitted in place and attached to the outlet/inlet neck the lid unit I is positioned over the outlet/inlet neck then lowered to telescopically fit over the platform unit 2 with the appropriate alignment of the hasp 7 of the platform unit 2 with the lock 8 of the lid unit 1. When the lid I is fully closed against the platform unit 2 the lock 8 is positioned whereby the shackle 9 of the lock 8 may be engaged through the hasp 7, locking the lid I and preventing it being lifted away from hasp 7 and thereby from platform unit 2.

In order to open the device for access to the outlet/inlet the lock 8 is unlocked to enable the lid unit I to be removed substantially from platform unit 2 in a telescopic motion.

Claims

Page 3 Claims I. A removable protective device consisting of a platform

unit and a lid unit with a locking device suitable to prevent access to an outlet/inlet of a vessel or tank which may contain diesel, petrol or gasoline, the device comprising a platform unit which may be anchored to a vessel or tank and lid unit which telescope into one another and can be separated completely or may retain a connection via a chain or cord and which may have adjusters which may be arc-shaped, circular or semicircul& to fit between the outlet/inlet of the vessel or tank and flange of the platform unit to compensate for various sized outlet/inlet.
2. A removable protective device for the outlet/inlet as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for anchoring the platform unit of the protective device to the outlet/inlet may comprise of a plurality of fastener means to fix the platform unit to an outlet/inlet.
3. A removable protective device for the outlet/inlet as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the lid unit of the device is arranged to be telescopically movable, over the platform unit of the device and to be either completely detachable from the platform unit when unlocked or attached with a device such as a chain or cable and lockable when telescoped over or into the platform unit when in the closed position.
4. A removable protective device for the outlet/inlet as claimed in any proceeding claim to prevent access to an outlet/inlet of vessel or tank which comprises a body in a form of a box which may be cylindrical or roughly ovoid.
5. A removable protective device for the outlet/inlet as claimed in any proceeding claim which may contain adjusters which may be arc shaped, circular or semi circular to fit between the outlet/inlet of the vessel or tank and flange of platform unit to compensate for various sized outlet/inlet.
6. A removable protective device for the outlet/inlet as claimed in any proceeding claim which may contain a alarm or similar device.
7. A removable protective device for the outlet/inlet as claimed in any proceeding claim which may be welded or glued to a vessel or tank.
8. A removable protective cover for the outlet/iniet as claimed in any proceeding claim where the locking device is integral to either the platform unit or lid unit.
9. A removable protective cover for the outlet/inlet substantially as hereinbefore described as reference to the accompanying drawings.