GB2459782A

GB2459782A - A cupboard with a locking bar to securely retain elongate items within the cupboard

Info

Publication number: GB2459782A
Application number: GB0908673A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard William Dancy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-05-20
Filing date: 2009-05-20
Publication date: 2009-11-11
Also published as: GB0908673D0

Abstract

A cupboard 1, for example a storage locker, comprises an elongate housing 10, a door 11 and an elongate locking member 13 inside the housing which can be locked in a position whereby the locking member connects opposing internal surfaces of the housing 10 so as to enable an elongate item, e.g. a set of golf clubs, to be secured inside the housing behind the locking member. The locking member is preferably a locking bar 15 which is hinged to one side of the cupboard housing via a first side wing 14, and can be securely fastened to a second side wing 14' located on the other side of the housing by a locking means, e.g. padlock or cylinder lock. A fixed restraint member [41, Figure 4] may be provided in a lower region of the cupboard to help secure items. Alternatively, several cupboards, in the form of lockers [31, Figure 3] located side-by-side, may have a bench [32, Figure 3] located directly in front of them thereby creating a recess at the bottom of each locker within which elongate items, can be retained.

Description

I

DESCRIPTION

Title of the Invention

CUPBOARD WITH LOCKING MECHANISM

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a cupboard with a locking mechanism.

Backciround to the Invention Sets of golf clubs, especially those of an expensive brand, are frequently targeted by thieves. As such, it is relatively common for golf club establishments to provide lockers for patrons in which to store sets of golf clubs. Unfortunately, however, such lockers are rarely sturdy, are often readily forced open and are not much of a deterrent to a determined thief.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cupboard having a elongate housing, a door and a locking mechanism located inside the housing, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an elongate locking member which can be locked in a position whereby the direction of elongation of the locking member is perpendicular to that of the housing and whereby the locking member connects opposing internal surfaces of the housing so as to enable an elongate item to be secured inside the housing behind the locking member.

Such a cupboard reduces the chance of a corresponding secured elongate item such as a set of golf clubs of being stolen from a cupboard or locker.

Furthermore, it is contemplated that existing cupboards could be retrofit with such a locking mechanism.

The locking mechanism may comprise two fixed members secured to opposing internal surfaces of the housing wherein the locking member is connected to both fixed members when in a locked position. For example, the locking member may be hinged to one fixed member and removably attachable to the other fixed member including by means of a pad lock.

The locking mechanism may further comprise a fixed restraint member wherein the restraint member connects opposing internal surfaces of the housing and is spaced apart from the locking member so as to enable an elongate item to be first placed behind the restraint member inside the housing and then secured behind the locking member.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a locker arrangement comprising a series of connected cupboards of the aforementioned type and a bench fixed to and in front of the connected cupboards wherein each cupboard extends down beyond the door and behind the bench, and wherein the bench serves as a restraint member behind which an elongate item may be first placed prior to locking the elongate item behind the locking member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following figures in which: Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a locker according to the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates the locking mechanism of the locker of figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of a locker arrangement according to the present invention; and Figure 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a locker according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

Referring to figure 1, a golf club locker 1 is shown comprising a cupboard housing 10 to which is attached a door 11 by a pair of hinges 12. The door may be provided with a integral lock (not shown). Inside the locker, there is provided a locking mechanism 13 located inside the housing, midway up the cupboard housing and which can be locked in a position spanning the width of the locker and behind which a set of golf clubs (not shown) can be secured.

The locking mechanism 13 is shown in greater detail in figure 2. It consists of two side members 14, 14' which have holes enabling the side members to be secured inside the locker; and a locking bar 15 which is connected by a hinge 16 to one of the side members 14 and which can be securely connected to the other side member 14' by means of a cylinder lock. Alternatively, a pad lock arrangement may be employed. The locking bar 15 has a lip which when appropriately positioned within the locker overlaps the top of a standard height golf bag.

Referring to figure 3, a golf club locker arrangement 30 is illustrated comprising three cupboard housings 31, each to which is attached a door (omitted for clarity) by a pair of hinges 12. Inside one of the lockers, there is provided a locking mechanism 13 located inside the housing, above midway up the cupboard housing and which can be locked in a position spanning the width of the locker. In front of the cupboard housings 31 is a bench which serves as a restraint member behind which a set of golf clubs (not shown) can be first placed prior to locking the golf clubs behind the locking member.

Figure 4 illustrates a golf club locker 40 of a similar configuration to that illustrated in figure 1 except that the locking mechanism 13 located inside the housing is located higher up the cupboard housing (above midway). In addition, a fixed restraint member 14 spans the width of the cupboard housing so as to enable a set of golf clubs (now shown) to be first placed behind the restraint member inside the housing and then secured behind the locking member.

Figure 5 illustrates an alternative locking mechanism 50 wherein the locking bar 51 is connected to the side member 53 by an offset hinge 51 which allows the front opening plate to fit closer to the side of the locker.

It will be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented in a variety of ways and not necessarily precisely as shown in the above embodiments.

Also, for the avoidance of doubt, whilst the invention is described primarily in the context of cupboards and lockers for securing golf clubs, it will be appreciated that the invention is equally applicable to other elongate items.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cupboard having a elongate housing, a door and a locking mechanism located inside the housing, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an elongate locking member which can be locked in a position whereby the direction of elongation of the locking member is perpendicular to that of the housing and whereby the locking member connects opposing internal surfaces of the housing so as to enable an elongate item to be secured inside the housing behind the locking member.
2. A cupboard according to claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism further comprises two fixed members secured to opposing internal surfaces of the housing; and wherein the locking member is connected to both fixed members when in a locked position.
3. A cupboard according to claim 2 wherein the locking member is hinged to one fixed member and removably attachable to the other fixed member.
4. A cupboard according to claim 3 wherein the locking member is hinged to one fixed member and removably attachable to the other fixed member by means of a pad lock.
5. A cupboard according to claim 3 wherein the locking member is hinged to one fixed member and removably attachable to the other fixed member by means of a cylinder lock.
6. A cupboard as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the geometry of the cupboard is such that a standard set of golf clubs can be secured behind the locking member.
7. A cupboard according to any preceding claim wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a fixed restraint member wherein the restraint member connects opposing internal surfaces of the housing and is spaced apart from the locking member so as to enable an elongate item to be first placed behind the restraint member inside the housing and then secured behind the locking member.
8. A locker arrangement comprising a series of connected cupboards according to any of claims 1 to 6 and a bench fixed to and in front of the connected cupboards wherein each cupboard extends down beyond the door and behind the bench, and wherein the bench serves as a restraint member behind which an elongate item may be first placed prior to locking the elongate item behind the locking member.
9. A locking mechanism for a cupboard as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7.Amendments to the claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1. A cupboard having a elongate housing, a door, a locking mechanism and a set of golf clubs located inside the housing, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an elongate locking member which can be locked in a position whereby the direction of elongation of the locking member is perpendicular to that of the housing and whereby the locking member connects opposing internal surfaces of the housing so as to enable the set of golf clubs to be secured inside the housing behind the locking member.2. A cupboard according to claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism further comprises two fixed members secured to opposing internal surfaces of the housing; and wherein the locking member is connected to both fixed members when in a locked position.3. A cupboard according to claim 2 wherein the locking member is hinged to one fixed member and removably attachable to the other fixed member.4. A cupboard according to claim 3 wherein the locking member is hinged to one fixed member and removably attachable to the other fixed member by means of a pad lock.5. A cupboard according to claim 3 wherein the locking member is hinged to one fixed member and removably attachable to the other fixed member by means of a cylinder lock.6. A cupboard according to any preceding claim wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a fixed restraint member wherein the restraint member connects opposing internal surfaces of the housing and is spaced apart from the locking member so as to enable an elongate item to be first placed behind the restraint member inside the housing and then secured behind the locking member.7. A locker arrangement comprising a series of connected cupboards according to any of claims 1 to 6 and a bench fixed to and in front of the connected cupboards wherein each cupboard extends down beyond the door and behind the bench, and wherein the bench serves as a restraint member behind which an elongate item may be first placed prior to locking the elongate item behind the locking member.