GB2467427A

GB2467427A - Security Cap for Tank Neck having Retaining Pin

Info

Publication number: GB2467427A
Application number: GB201001319A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Hanly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-01-28
Filing date: 2010-01-27
Publication date: 2010-08-04
Also published as: GB201001319D0; IES20090086A2

Abstract

A security cap and locking device 5 for closing the mouth of a neck of a tank comprises closure element 7 and a pair of mounting means 9 engaging an elongate retaining member 11 extending transversely through the neck, the retaining member locking with the mounting means and neck. The closure element may be a steel disc and flange 8, the retaining member being a pin 15 inserted through bores 10. The pin may have a head 16 and an abutment member 23 to engage the cap on opposite sides. A padlock may engage bores 20 through the pin to lock the cap. Spacer washers (27, figure 2) may be provided. A lug 28 equidistant from the bores 10 corresponds to a lug (29, figure 4) on the tank which may be locked together by a padlock through bores 30. The tank may be a fuel oil tank for a domestic central heating system and the security cap may prevent theft by siphoning of the fuel.

Description

"A security cap and a locking device for a cap" The present invention relates to a security cap, and in particular, though not limited to a security cap for closing a filling opening of a tank, for example, an oil tank or the like, and the invention also relates to a locking device for a cap and to a method for securing a cap to a tank, for example, to an oil tank.

Fuel oil for a domestic central heating system, in general, is stored in a 2,000 litre tank, which may be of a plastics material or of a light gauge steel plate material. In general, such tanks when manufactured of a plastics material include an upwardly facing neck which defines an open mouth to the tank through which the fuel oil is delivered into the tank. A closure cap of plastics material is typically hingedly connected to the tank and secured by a padlock for closing the open mouth.

However, such closure caps being of a plastics material, in general, can be readily is easily released in order to provide access to the fuel oil in the tank through the open mouth for facilitating theft of the fuel oil from the tank by siphoning. This is undesirable, and there is therefore a need for a security cap for closing a filling opening of such a tank.

The present invention is directed towards providing a security cap for closing an open mouth such as a filling opening of a tank, and the invention is also directed towards providing a locking device for securing a closure cap to a tank, as well as to a method for securing a cap to a tank, and to a tank with a security cap secured to the tank.

According to the invention there is provided a security cap for a tank of the type having a neck extending from the tank and defining an open mouth to the tank, the security cap comprising a closure element for closing the open mouth and a pair of mounting means extending from the closure element for engaging an elongated retaining member extending transversely throogh the neck for retaining the security cap captive on the neck with the closure element closing the open mouth, the retaining member being adapted for facilitating locking of the retaining member in engagement with the mounting means and the neck.

In another embodiment of the invention the closure element of the security cap comprises a disc, and preferably, a flange extends around the disc adjacent the periphery thereof, and respective spaced apart portions of the flange form the respective mounting means. Preferably, the respective portions of the flange which form the mounting means are equi-spaced apart around the flange.

In one embodiment of the invention the flange extends substantially perpendicularly from the closure element.

In another embodiment of the invention a pair of flange bores are provided in the respective portions of the flange which form the mounting means for engaging the retaining member.

Preferably, the retaining member comprises an elongated retaining pin for engaging the respective flange bores. Ideally, the retaining pin is adapted for engaging corresponding neck bores in the neck, which preferably, are equkspaced apart around the neck.

In another embodiment of the invention the retaining pin o the retaining member extends from a head, which preferably extends transversely of the retaining pin, and ideally, the head of the retaining member is adapted for abutting the flange of the disc adjacent the portion thereof forming one of the mounting means.

In another embodiment of the invention at least one transverse bore extends substantially transversely through the retaining pin of the retaining member spaced apart from the head of the retaining member, and is accessible adjacent the other portion of the flange forming the other mounting means remote from the mounting means abutting the head of the retaining member.

Preferably, the transverse bore of the retaining pin is adapted for receiving a locking means, and preferably, a padlock.

In another embodiment of the invention an abutment element is engageable with the retaining member for locating between the flange of the security cap and the transverse bore of the retaining pin and for abutting the flange of the security cap.

In another embodiment of the invention a bore extends through the abutment element for accommodating the retaining pin therethrough.

In another embodiment of the invention at least one spacer element engageable with the retaining pin is provided for locating on the retaining pin intermediate the abutment element and the padlock.

The invention also provides a tank comprising a neck extending therefrom and defining an open mouth to the tank, and a security cap according to the invention secured to the neck of the tank by the retaining member with the closure element closing the open mouth. Preferably, the retaining member is retained in engagement with the security cap and the neck by a locking means engaging the retaining member.

In one embodiment of the invention a pair of neck bores are provided in the neck alignable with the flange bores of the security cap.

The invention also provides a locking device for securing a cap to a neck of a tank, the locking device comprising a retaining member for engaging the cap and the neck of a tank, and a locking means engageahie with the retaining member for retaining H the retaining member in engagement with the cap and the neck. Preferably, the retaining member comprises an elongated retaining pn extending from a head.

In one embodiment of the invention the head of the retaining member extends substantially transversely of the retaining pin, and preferably, the head of the retaining member is adapted for engaging one of the cap and the neck.

In another embodiment of the invention an abutment element is engageable with the retaining pin for abutting one of the cap and the neck at a location opposite to the location at which the head abuts the one of the cap and the neck.

In another embodiment of the invention at least one spacer element engageable with the retaining pin is provided for locating on the spacer element intermediate the abutment element and the locking means.

In another embodiment of the invention at least one transverse bore extends substantially transversely through the retaining pin at an end thereof spaced apart from the head for receiving the locking means, which ideally, is a padlock.

The invention also provides a method for securing a cap to a tank of the type is comprising a neck extending therefrom and defining an open mouth to the tank, the method comprising placing the cap in or on the neck to close the open mouth defined by the neck and retaining the cap in or on the neck by a retaining member extending transversely through the neck and engageable with the cap.

Preferably, the cap is provided with a flange extending from the periphery thereof, and the retaining member is engageable with the flange. Advantageously, the retaining member is releasably retained in engagement with the cap and the neck by H a ocking means, which preferably, is a padlock, and ideally, the padlock is engaged with the retaining member in a transverse bore extending through the retaining 73 member.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a security cap according to the invention, Fig. 2 is an exploded top plan view of a retaining member also according to the invention of the security cap of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the retaining member of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a tank also according to the invention illustrating the security cap of Fig. I secured thereto, and Fig. S is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of the portion of the tank of Fig. 4 with the security cap secured thereto.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a tank according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. In this embodiment of the invention the tank I is of plastics material and is of the type typically used for storing fuel oil for Is a domestic central heating system. A neck 3 of circular transverse cross-section extending from the tank 1 defines an open mouth 4 to the tank for facilitating filling of the tank I with fuel oil. A security cap according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 5 secured to the neck 3 securely closes the open mouth 4 in order to prevent unauthorised removal of oil from the tank through the open mouth 4, The security cap 5 comprises a closure element 7 formed by a circular disc of steel, and a circular flange 8 also of steel extending around and substantially perpendicularly downwardly from the closure element 7. A pair of spaced apart mounting means, which in this embodiment of the invention are formed by respective portions 9 of the flange 8, which are egui-spaced apart around the flange 8 are provided with respective flange bores 10 for releasably engaging a retaining member 11 also according to the invention extending therethrough and transversely through the neck 3 through corresponding neck bores 12 equi-spaced apart around the neck 3 at 180° intervals.

The retaining member 11 comprises a retaining pin 15 of steel extending from a head 16 also of steel which extends transversely of the retaining pin 15 and is bent at 18 so that opposite wings 19 of the head 16 abut the flange 8 of the security cap 5 adjacent opposite sides of the retaining member 11. A plurality of spaced apart transverse bores 20 extend transversely through the retaining pin 15 for accommodating a locking means, namely, a padlock 21 on the opposite side of the security cap 5 to that against which the head 16 abuts for retaining the retaining member 11 captive in the respective flange and neck bores 10 and 12, and in turn retaining the security cap 5 captive on the neck 3. An abutment member 23 also of steel and of similar shape and construction to the head 16 of the retaining member 11 is provided with a bore 24 for engaging the retaining pin 15 between the padlock 21 and the adjacent portion of the flange 8 of the security cap 5. Side wings 25 of H the abutment member 23 abut the flange 8 of the security cap 5 in similar manner as the wings 19 of the head 16 also abut the flange 8 on the opposite side thereof.

Spacer means, namely, spacer washers 27 are also provided for locating on the s retaining pin 15 between the abutment member 23 and the padlock 21 in order that the padlock 21 tightly secures the retaining member 11, the security cap 5 and the neck 3 together.

A lug 28 extends from the flange 8 of the security cap 5 substantially equi-spaced from the flange bores 10, and is alignable with a corresponding lug 29 located on the tank 1 adjacent the neck 3. Both lugs 28 and 29 are provided with corresponding alignable bores 30, and if desired, the lugs 28 and 29 may also be secured by a padlock through the bores 30 thereof.

In use, the security cap 5 is placed on the neck 3 with the flange 8 extending externally around the neck 3, and the closure element 7 of the security cap 5 closing the open mouth 4 of the neck 3. The security cap 5 is oriented on the neck 3 so that the flange bores 10 of the security cap 5 are aligned with the neck bores 12. The retaining member 11 is then engaged with the security cap 5 and the neck 3 by passing the retaining pin 15 through the flange bores 10 and the neck bores 12 until the head 16 of the retaining member 11 abuts the flange 8 of the security cap 5. The abutment member 23 is then passed on to the retaining pin 15 and if necessary, spacer washers 27 are also passed on to the retaining pin 15. The padlock 21 is then passed through the appropriate one of the transverse bores 20 and locked for tightly retaining the security cap 5, the neck 3 and the retaining member 11 in tight secure engagement. If desired, the two lugs 28 and 29 may also be secured by a separate padlock (not shown).

When it is desired to charge the tank I with fuel oil, the padlock 21 is disengaged from the retaining member 11, which is then withdrawn through the respective flange bores 10 and neck bores 12. If the lugs 28 and 29 are secured together with a padlock (not shown), the padlock is also removed. The security cap 5 is then removed and the tank 1 is charged with fuel oil. On completion of charging of the tank 1 with the fuel oil, the security cap 5 is again secured to the neck 3 as already described by the retaining member 11 and the padlock 21.

The advantages of the invention are many. A particularly important advantage of the invention is that the security capS is securely retained on the necks of the tank, thereby preventing unauthorised removal of fuel oil through the open mouth of the tank. A problem with tanks of plastics material of the type according to the invention is that the closure caps which close the open mouth of the neck, in general, are of H plastics material and are hingedly coupled to suitable brackets of the tank to be hingeable between a closed state closing the open mouth, and an open state providing access to the tank through the open mouth. However, the pivotal mounting of such caps to known tanks is relatively flimsy, and in general, closure caps of known tanks can readily easily he disengaged from the tank, thereby permitting unauthorised removal of fuel oil from the tank.

It is envisaged that in certain cases, instead of providing a security cap 5 of steel as described, the existing closure cap of the tank may be used and may be bored to provide the flange bores 10 for engaging the retaining pin of the retaining member 11. Thereafter, securing of the closure cap to the tank 1 would be similar to securing of the security cap according to the invention to the tank 1.

It will be appreciated that while the security cap according to the invention has been descri bed for use with a domestic fuel oil tank, the security cap may be used in conjunction with any other type of tank or container which would have a neck extending outwardly from the tank and defining an open mouth.

While the tank has been described as being of a type which comprises a particular type of locking system for locking the cap which includes a lug 29 for engaging a corresponding lug 28 on the cap, the security cap according to the invention may be adapted to suit any other type of tank, and even where the tank is provided with such a lug as the lug 29, it is not necessary for the security cap to be provided with a corresponding lug 28, and needless to say where the retaining member 11 is being used with an existing cap to secure the existing cap to a tank, the existing cap may be of any other suitable type, and may be provided on a tank with any other suitable locking arrangement, which may be allowed to become redundant since the cap will be secured to the tank by the retaining member according to the invention. H is While the security cap has been described as being of steel, the security cap may be of any other suitable metal or any other suitable material. Similarly, the retaining member may be of any other suitable metal or any other suitable material.